The Summers Residence, 2235 hours.
Everyone just looked at Dawn, and then at Willow, and then at Dawn again with their mouths open after Dawn dropped a massive bombshell. The young brunette looked back at Willow who walked up to her sister and stood next to her while she clasped her hands together in front of her. After a few seconds of silence, it was Dawn who spoke first.
"Ummmm" said the brunette, "anyone some say something? Please? Anything?"
"Willow" said Buffy as she looked at the redhead who was now trying to avoid her eyes, "you told us that you got your memories back about your time at Atlantis, about when you were ascended with your sister. So you knew?"
"Yea" said Willow softly while she nodded her head, "I couldn't tell anyone until I told Dawn; and then only if she… well, believed me. I mean, I told Faith cause… well, she's my wife and I knew that she would keep it a secret. I… I really thought it was for the best."
"She did tell me" said Dawn as everyone looked at her, "she told me the day before I came to Sunnydale.. the last time I mean? The day I asked Buffy if Willow told you anything about her sister? The day after we met the Colonial's and Cylons and almost got destroyed?"
"Uh huh" said a still shocked Buffy as she looked at Dawn and Willow; and as all kinds of thoughts ran through her head at the revelation.
"She told me" said Dawn as she looked at Willow who gave her a small smile before looking back at the others, "and… and I rejected her. I didn't believe her."
"Willow?" asked Tara as she looked at the redhead as Faith walked up to her and held her hand.
"Yeah" said Willow, nodding her head, "she didn't believe me. But I was happy that even if she didn't believe me, she had Buffy, Mrs. Summers, Jay and Rose… she's got people who love her and that's what mattered."
It was Joyce who stood up, still in surprise, before she walked towards Dawn and placed both hands on the brunette's cheeks.
"I'm still me, mom" said Dawn as she saw tears falling from Joyce's eyes and her voice broke as she spoke, "I'm still your Dawn. I'm always your Dawn."
"Of course you are, silly" said Joyce as she hugged Dawn who held on to the older blonde tightly, "so you know everything?"
"Uh huh" said Dawn as she looked at Buffy, "I'm still me Buffy. Nothing's changed, I just have new memories… new memories of me in Atlantis, of Athena…. Of my old life. But they co-exist with my new memories… I remember you carrying me to mom after I fell on the ground after I thought I could fly like Superman.. remember?"
"Yea" said Buffy as she got up and rushed to her sister, "I remember.. you were crying so much that… that I… but those were false memories."
"How about this?" said Dawn as Joyce stepped back and went to hug Willow while the young brunette held Buffy's hands, "I remember you telling me to stay at home after I tried to go with you to fight Dracula."
"You fought Dracula?" asked Willow in surprise before she looked at Faith who shrugged her shoulders.
"Coma" said Faith, "remember?"
"Oh, right" said Willow as Joyce stepped back and kissed Willow's cheek.
"I was there the day you were activated, Buffy" said Dawn as Buffy looked on shocked, "I was there the day Merrick came into your life; I was there the day mom had the big fight with dad.. the day you made your first kill. And boy did you scream… and then you stabbed the vampire in the chest, but missed the heart. And then you ran; but you killed it anyway."
"You saw" said Buffy with a smile, "I didn't even tell mom that, or you… you were there."
"Yea" said Dawn as Buffy laughed and hugged the brunette even tighter, "I was there, and there are things that even Willow doesn't know since she descended before me. But I saw all of you… well…"
"Except for me" said Tara as Dawn stepped back from Buffy and walked towards the blonde witch and then crouched down next to her.
"I'm sorry" said Dawn as Tara held on to her hands and smiled.
"You got your memories back" said Tara as Dawn grinned.
"So" said Xander, "this mean that Dawn's the older sister then…"
"Hey" said Buffy as she turned and looked at Xander, while Willow smiled at Dawn as the Slayer put her hands on her hips and glared at the dark haired man, "you finish that sentence and you can say goodbye to that special thing I do when you…."
"Eeewww!" shouted everyone in the room while Faith grinned.
"And what would that be?" asked Faith as Buffy looked at her sister Slayer and smirked, before turning to face Willow while Dawn talked to Joyce, Xander and Tara.
"She's still your sister, Buffy" said Willow as Faith stood next to her, "that doesn't change, ever."
"I know" replied Buffy a she looked at a laughing Dawn, before looked back at Willow again, "but it's still a lot to take in."
"I can guess" said Willow, "after I got my memories back and found that Dawn was Hera, that was just… wow. Something I never expected. But you need to know that she'll never stop being your sister, you do know that right?"
"Yeah" said Buffy as she looked back at Dawn, who looked back at her and smiled.
"Dawnster" said Xander as everyone else sat back down while Willow stood next to Dawn, "so.. what else did you see?"
"I was there during Halloween" said Dawn as she looked at Buffy, and then at Willow, "I mean the one when you and Xander were about eight? You met me… remember?"
"No, we didn't" said Willow and Xander together.
"I was there Dawn" said Xander, "and trust me, if I saw you.. I'd be telling Willow all about you."
"Xander!" shouted Willow and Buffy together.
"Hey" said Xander as he leaned back, "I was an eight year old boy, ok… sheesh."
"Dawnie" said Buffy, "don't mind him. So…."
"Right" said Dawn as she smiled at Xander, and then at a confused Willow, "how about you let me tell you the story, and then you can say how right I am?"
"OK" said Xander and Willow together.
Willow: "Mind if I connect directly to your mind?"
Dawn looked at Willow, smiled and then nodded her head.
Dawn: "Yeah, I can tell them while you see my memories."
Willow: "Sweet."
Sunnydale, 1989; 1700 hours.
"I remember this" said Willow to herself as she walked down the sidewalk as she passed several houses until she found a nervous little girl dressed in a witch costume, walking next to a dark haired boy who was wearing a pirate's costume, "Halloween. I think I was eight… I remember because that's the only time I was allowed to go treat or treating. Mom said that it was a….. it was some nonsense."
Willow smiled as she watched her younger self walking next to Xander who was talking excitedly about all the sweets he had in his bag; all the while young Willow was sneaking glances at Xander while she opened her bag and looked at her haul.
"Hey cool, Willow" said young Xander as he found a chocolate bar he liked in her bag. He then smiled at the young redhead before he reached into his bag and took out a red coloured lollipop, "trade you this, for that? It's red, like your hair."
"Xander" said young Willow in mock shock, "no."
"Please?" said young Xander as he went down on one knee and begged, "please?"
"Only if one day you marry me" said a grinning Willow as she took out the chocolate bar and showed it to young Xander, keeping it just out of his reach, "so? What do you say?"
"Ok" said young Xander excitedly as he grabbed the bar, before bowing and giving the lollipop to Willow. He then held on to her hand before they continued walking down the street.
"Oh" said Xander as he reached into his pocket and took out a disposable camera and told Willow to step back so that he could take a picture for posterity's sake.
"Ok" giggled the young Willow as she gave a wide grin as the flash went off. She then rushed and got the camera from Xander and told him to strike a pose before she pressed the shutter button. Then there was a click and a flash of light as the eight year old Xander laughed.
"I remember this picture" said the older Willow to herself, "Xander has a pair, and I have a pair too."
Willow then looked around and recognized the surroundings that were in a third picture. She then heard her younger self talking to Xander as they searched for someone to take a picture of them together.
Smiling at the interaction of her younger self with young Xander, Willow saw something silver on the other side of the street from the corner of her eye. Turning to her left, she saw Hera smiling as she watched young Willow's interaction with young Xander.
"You were always there" said Willow to herself as she watched Hera continue to look at both Willow's young self, and the young Xander. The older Willow watched the younger version of herself and Xander stand with their backs to Hera, when suddenly she saw a police officer walking from the direction where Hera was standing. Willow looked around and didn't see her sister anywhere, and it was then that she turned to the blonde police officer who tapped on Willow and Xander's shoulder before she made the connection.
'The police officer' thought Willow as a wide grin appeared on her face as she saw the disguised Hera ask for the camera before she took a picture of them both, 'you took the picture, Dawnie… you did. I don't believe it… it was you. The picture in the living room at home… it's you who took it.'
"Here you go, little one" said Hera, as she handed the camera back to Xander, "you go on home now, you hear?"
"Yes, ma'am" said the young Willow as she reached into her bag and took out a sweet and reached out to the disguised Hera, "do you like cherry?"
"My favourite, thank you" said Hera as she crouched down and took the sweet while she smiled at Willow and then at Xander, "now, go on home. Your parents must be worried sick since it's getting dark."
Hera stood back up as the two of them ran off after waving at her. It was at this time that Willow saw her sister shed her disguise before she looked down at the sweet, before she smiled.
"Maybe you do remember some things, Athena" said Hera to herself before she vanished.
As Willow followed herself, she saw that it was getting darker and the streets slowly started to become empty of people. She walked behind young Willow and young Xander as they reached the latter's home.
"Will" said young Xander as he looked around, and then looked at Willow, "it's getting late, why don't you stay the night? I mean dad's not home yet, and I'm sure mom will be alright with it."
Willow recalled this night in her memory. The next day Xander would come home with a limp on his left foot, and when Willow asked about it.. he said that he was such a klutz that he tripped on his skateboard. Shaking her head, she looked on as her young self told Xander that she had to go home since her parents would be home soon.
"See you tomorrow, Xander" said young Willow as she waved at her best friend before walking away.
As Willow walked down the sidewalk following her young self who glanced over her shoulder. It was then that the older Willow looked behind her to see young Xander looking at young Willow walking away before he ran back into his home. Turning back around, she watched as her younger self walked home as it got darker and darker.
"I remember this night" said Willow as she looked around while following her young self, "I was walking and… I was almost home when I heard footsteps behind me."
Turning around Willow saw two figures, a man and a woman, walking behind her as they walked right through her body while they followed her younger self. She followed them while they themselves followed young Willow. She saw young Willow turning around, and remembered, the fear that gripped her heart before she started walking faster.
"Little girl" said the woman, "you lost?"
Willow remembered that she didn't answer as she watched herself walking faster and faster.
"Come on, little girl" said the man this time, "we'd like to have you around for dinner… we're having good food. Or at least we will, we haven't eaten yet… we'll be drinking so… come on."
"Vampires" thought Willow to herself as she saw herself look behind her before she started to walk much faster. Willow remembered that she was walking faster as the footsteps behind her got equally faster. The redhead knew that she was close to her house and that all she had to do was take out her keys and walk in through the door. Willow knew that even though she didn't know that they were vampires back then, she just knew in her soul that she would be safe at her own house.
"I remember I dropped the keys" said Willow to herself as she saw her younger self take her eyes off her pursuers as she bent down in panic to pick up the keys she had dropped onto the sidewalk, "and then…. The policewoman!"
"Hey" said a voice from across the darkened street as Willow saw a uniformed police officer running towards her younger self. Willow saw her couching down next to young Willow whose hands were trembling, while all the vampires could do was stop and look at each other confused.
"What's your name?" asked the dark haired police officer as she gently held on to both of young Willow's shoulders.
"Willow Rosenberg" said young Willow softly as she looked at the police officer before she glanced down the street, "I live just a few houses down."
"How about I walk with you?" said the officer as she took off her cap, "you can wear my cap."
"Hey lady" said the male vampire as he approached the officer, "stay….."
Willow saw the vampire stop before he took a few steps back as she finally recognized this police officer, "Hera… Dawnie, you saved me as a different police officer."
Willow watched as Hera, who was disguised as a dark haired and olive skinned police officer, told young Willow that she'd have to make sure that the two people following her don't cause any trouble.
"Ok" said young Willow quietly as she watched the officer stand up and walk towards the two vampires.
Willow knew she couldn't see what happened next because she was little, and Hera's back was towards her then. But now, the older Willow saw Hera approaching the two vampires as they stepped back before vamping out and growling at her, and bearing their fangs.
"This is a message for you and your friends" said Hera, as Willow looked on while Hera's eyes started to glow white, "if you or any of your kind ever comes near her again; I will turn you into dust and spread that dust into every corner of this galaxy. Is that understood?"
"You….." said the female vampire as Hera brought up a hand in front of the badge on her uniform and gathered the same white coloured energy ball that Willow would later use after she joined the SGC; a white collection of energy.
"Leave" hissed Hera as the ball grew larger while the vampires stepped back in surprise, "you do not want to test me. That girl is under my protection."
"She's not worth it" said the male as he grabbed the female, "there are so many more this time of night.. come on."
"You.. whoever you are… you won't protect her all the time" said the female as she ran the opposite way they came, away from Willow.
"Perhaps" said Hera as she looked at the retreating vampires before she looked up into the night sky and whispered, "I swore to watch and protect her, and I did not interfere… not technically. Keep your grumbling to yourselves."
"Ma'am?" said young Willow softly as she looked up into the sky, "who're you talking to?"
"No one, Willow" said Hera as she turned around and walked back to young Willow. Hera then crouched down in front of young Willow, took off her cap and put it on her head.
"It doesn't fit" giggled young Willow as the cap fell off her head and into her hands. She then held out her hands and tried to give back the cap to the disguised Hera.
"It's yours, Willow" said Hera as young Willow smiled and hugged the cap, along with her trick or treat bag of sweets protectively against her chest, "now, how about I walk you back to your house?"
Hera reached out with her hand as young Willow nodded and grabbed the former brunettes. Willow watched and remembered as they walked hand in hand towards her house. Hera walked with young Willow up the walkway that led to her porch and rang the doorbell. Hera and Willow stepped back as the door opened to reveal a worried Beatrice, Willow's nanny, as she looked at young Willow and then at Hera; and then at Willow again.
"Willow" said Beatrice as she knelt on the floor and hugged Willow, "where were you? I called Xander and he said that you wanted to walk home alone. How many times had I told you not to do that?"
"Sorry" said young Willow sheepishly, "I knew Xander would be in trouble if he went home late, and the by the time we finished it hadn't gotten all dark and everything and I….."
"It's alright" said Beatrice softly, "you're alright, this place isn't safe at night… there are many gangs that are on the streets. Next time you come straight home, or even better.. the next time I'll go with you. It was my mistake to let you go alone."
"She'll be alright" said Hera as she smiled at young Willow, "I saw her walking alone and thought she could use the company."
"Thank you" said Beatrice as she stood up and shook Hera's hand, "this was her first trick-or-treat and I came in late. I gave her permission to go since she'd be with her best friend."
"It's no trouble at all" said Hera as she looked at Beatrice, and then down at the young Willow, "she reminds me of my sister."
"Really?' said young Willow as she excitedly looked up at the disguised Hera.
"Yep" replied Hera with a smile, "red hair and everything. But, I should leave…. You know… stopping the criminals and everything… never stops."
"Will you be in the neighbourhood again?" asked young Willow.
"Maybe" replied Hera, "I have a lot of responsibilities."
"Oh" said Willow as Hera saw her face become downcast.
"Her parents are rarely home" said Beatrice when she noticed Willow's face, "and…"
"How about this?" said Hera as she bent down, "I'll ask my fellow police officers to keep an eye on you every day, and if you ever have a problem like today… they'll tell me and I'll come running; even if I'm far away."
"You mean it?" asked young Willow as she smiled at Hera, not realizing what the officer meant by she'll come running, "really, really?"
"Yes" replied Hera with a nod to her head, "but I need you to be careful, Ok? No staying out at night."
"Ok" said young Willow excitedly.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" asked Beatrice as she looked at Hera.
"It is quite alright" replied Hera, "I'm not hungry."
"Here" said Willow as she reached into her chocolate bag and took out the lollipop that Xander had given her, "it's not much but…"
"Thank you" said Hera as she took the lollipop and kissed young Willow's forehead, "now you should go and have your dinner."
"Come, Willow" said Beatrice as she held out her hand to young Willow who grabbed on and the both of them walked back into the house as they thanked Hera again before closing the door. The older Willow saw Hera walk back down the walkway until she reached the sidewalk, before the disguised brunette turned around and looked at a window which just lit up.
"I rushed back into my room, and looked out the window" said Willow as she saw her younger self come to the window and waved her hands at Hera before she turned back around and turned off the lights.
Willow stood next to Hera as she removed her disguise and settled back into her sliver and cream dress while looking up at the window. Willow looked on as Hera looked at the lollipop in her hand and smiled while unwrapping it. Hera put the lollipop in her mouth while she looked at the wrapper.
"Ummm…. Cherry flavoured" said Hera to herself as she dropped the wrapper onto the sidewalk and took out the lollipop from her mouth. Turning to her left, she started walking down the sidewalk, "I wonder what this would taste like with Chocolate shake…. Umm… mental note; definitely need to try."
Willow walked next to Hera who stopped suddenly, and looked around her surroundings.
"The gateway" said Hera as she turned around and looked at Willow's house, "be careful Athena…. Things will happen, things that I won't be allowed to interfere in. But I can sense it, the growing darkness….. something under this city grows. A great evil. But do not worry, I will watch over you always… and if I know those Powers that Be, they will find a way to interfere and send a Slayer to this city. She will protect you when I cannot; until then… I will always be watching you. Be safe, I love you my sister."
The Summers Residence, Present day; 2300 hours.
Willow looked on surprised at Dawn before the redhead looked at Xander, and then the both of them looked on at Dawn again who gave them both a small smile.
"So you were the police officer" said Xander grinned, "neat… even saved Willow."
"Yeah" said Willow as she hugged Dawn tightly before she whispered into the brunette's ear, "I remember that night. I was so scared, but then the police officer came and scared those mean people away."
"I was always watching you" said Dawn as she held on tightly to Willow, "always."
Dawn then kissed Willow's cheek and stepped back before telling her and Buffy, and Xander that she was there the day they met each other. That she had seen Willow and Xander almost get bitten. She told them that she was about to interfere when Buffy found them, and rescued them from a horrible fate.
"It was then I knew that the Slayer would be able to keep my sister safe" said Dawn as she looked at Willow, "she was so alone growing up. Me and mother would be there as light… just out of her field of vision.; always looking out for her..making sure she was never alone."
"Even if she didn't know it" said Xander as Willow looked at him and smiled, "she told me about these lights she'd see, but I thought she was just kidding around."
"No" said Dawn as she looked at Willow, Buffy, Joyce and then Tara, "I came to the hospital with Mother, in disguise of course, the day she was born."
"You did?" asked Willow as Dawn nodded her head.
"We acted as if we were looking for someone else" said Dawn as she looked down and smiled, "and then we saw you, Willow. We asked Sheila and Ira if we could pick you up and hold you… you should have seen your mom's face. She was scared that we were going to take you away."
"That's a surprise" said Xander, "I met them, not the nicest of people."
"Tried to burn us at the stake too" said Buffy as Joyce leaned into her and said sorry softly.
"When they gained popularity when Willow was two" said Dawn as she smiled, "everything changed. But before that, they doted on her. Ira convinced Sheila to let us hold you, and we did."
Dawn looked at Willow and told her how the newborn was yawning before she opened her eyes and looked at her and at Melina. She told them that baby Willow grabbed a hold of Hera's finger before the brunette leaned down and gave the baby a kiss on the forehead. She told them that it was Melina who looked at Willow one more time before she handed her back to Sheila.
"We'd visit you at dawn" said Dawn, "sometimes Mother couldn't make it… but I was always there at dawn when you woke up. You'd cry so much, but when I came into the room.. you'd quieten down as if you sensed I was there."
"She couldn't see you?" asked Tara as Dawn shook her head and then looked at Willow again.
"No" said Dawn, "I'd be surprised since I made myself imperceptible to everyone. I thought that maybe it was the Furling gene in her that was the cause of it. But she'd always look up at me and laugh before Ira, or Sheila would rush in and feed her, and then change her."
"Please tell me you left when she was being changed" said Buffy as she grinned at Willow.
"Yeah" said Dawn, "she pooped on Ira once. You think I wanted to see that again?"
"Hey" said Willow, "don't make me tell them about the time you pooped on…."
"Ok. Ok" said Dawn as everyone looked expectantly at Willow, willing her to finish the story.
"Never mind" said Willow as there was an audible groan from everyone in the room.
"Dawn was my favourite time" said the brunette, "I'd come see you at that time until the day I descended. My favourite time of the day, the time when my sister would awaken and live another day on Earth. It's the reason why choose the name."
"Dawnie" said Buffy, "you choose the name?"
"Yeah" said Dawn as she looked at Willow who walked closer to her and held her hand, "I lost Athena when she descended and became Willow, she sacrificed everything; her memories, her immortality, her powers, her knowledge, her sister and her mother to help the eventual Slayer who'd be sent to this city. She knew that someone had to be sent to prevent the Master's rising, and the Ascension of Mayor Wilkins; she knew that the Powers would interfere, so she wanted to help whoever came here."
"Me" said Buffy as she looked at Willow, "we beat the Master, we beat the Mayor."
"But she still sacrificed everything she was" said Joyce as Willow nodded her head. The older blonde then looked at her daughter whose eyes were wet as she gave her a small smile, "and so did my Dawnie."
"Athena… Willow showed me that sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the greater good" said Dawn, "so I did.. I made the choice to descend."
"Dawn" said Faith, "I think this is the story that all of us are just itching to hear."
"It… it happened years ago" said Dawn as she looked at Willow, and then at Buffy, "I was in the Phoenix Galaxy with Mother. We used to always watch supernova's together as a family…."
'Exploding stars?" asked Tara as she leaned forward as Willow and dawn nodded their heads, "wow."
"This time" continued Dawn, "this time it was just the both of us. Father was in the stasis chamber, and Willow was in the Air Force Academy. We watched a star explode before we sensed something major on Earth.. a great evil."
"Glory" said Buffy as Dawn nodded her head. The blonde Slayer then turned to look at Willow and asked her if she knew the story.
"Nope" she replied as she poked Dawn's arm, asking her to continue. Dawn told them what she and Melina were discussing in the Phoenix Galaxy, including the need for an advanced body to hold the energies of the Key within it.
"Once we sensed Glory, we were instantly at the monk's monastery in the Czech Republic" said Dawn as Buffy and Joyce nodded their heads, "and it was already too late…"
Monastery of the Order of Dagon, Czech Republic; several years ago. 1300 hours.
Hera and Melina looked on in horror as a woman in a red dress, the one that they knew to be Glory, was killing every monk that she could find while search for the elders of the Order. The same elders that she knew had access to the Key.
"The Matrix" said Hera to herself as she and Melina teleported themselves to keep in advance of Glory as she chased the monks, "that creature will take the Matrix and kill the planet. I can sense the monks were unaware of this sudden incursion, they thought themselves protected.; they thought they had more time."
"I believe the first one she killed was the one who had turned on them" said Melina as she shook her head, "the first one we saw her kill."
"We will have to stand by and watch, do we not" said Hera as she and Melina reached a door that had just been closed, and then locked from the other side. Melina and Hera looked at the door, and then turned around and looked at Glory who was looking at the door and smiling.
"I know you're there!" shouted Glory as she walked towards the door, "I can feel my Key, you meatsacks… give it back to me!"
"Hera" said Melina as she looked at her daughter, "I will go and check on their progress, see if you can stall her… but do not…"
"I will not interfere, mother" said Hera as she changed her appearance to a cloaked and hooded figure in a white dress. She then turned around while Melina transformed into light as she teleported to the other side of the door, while Hera made herself visible and looked at a surprised Glory.
"Out of my way" said Glory as she stopped and moved her hands about, "out of my way or the same thing will happened to you as these monkeys. Humans.. the stink of this world."
"This world is beautiful" said a disguised Hera as she looked at Glory from under her hood, "you seek to harm it."
"I seek?" said a grinning Glory, "I will go home… I will go home where I am a god."
"You do not realize what you are doing" said Hera as her arms lay at her side, "I know what you are, Glorificus… what you seek will destroy this beautiful world."
"They have my key to get back home" said Glory, "get out of the way, or else I move you. Actually, let me move you… it's more fun."
"I would like to see you try" said Hera as she opened the palms of her hands as white balls of energy gathered while Glory looked on with a wide grin plastered on her face.
"I'm a god" said Glory.
"Funny" said Hera as she walked towards the woman with the balls of light in her hands, "so am I."
It was then that Hera felt a tug on her chest as the white energy vanished and she turned around in shock.
'Mother' thought Hera to herself as she transformed herself into a ball of light and went into the next room. Regaining her physical form, she saw that Melina as already glowing in the middle of the circle of the four elder monks as the older redhead looked back at her daughter.
"No!" shouted Hera as she changed into light as she ran before pushing her mother away, with the four monks sitting in a circle none the wiser about what was happening. Hera pushed her mother against a wall as they heard Glory pounding on the door behind them.
"What are you doing?" asked a horrified Hera, "Mother.. what do you think you are doing?"
"It is the only way, Hera" said Melina as everything slowed down around them, "it's the only way. They need an advanced body to hold the energies of the Key… and I will descend, I will become the vessel. Our human bodies were already at an advanced state of evolution and it could hold the energy, Hera. It could hold… I have to do this."
"No!" shouted Hera as tears fell down her cheeks, "I lost Athena, I lost Father…I will not lose you. I will not!"
"They will not make it, Hera" said Melina as she looked at the still monks, "Glory will come and kill them, and then take the Matrix. She will end this world."
"You are stronger than me, mother" said Hera as she looked at the monks and then at the green mist that extremely slowly started to seep out. Hera then looked at a stunned Melina before telling her that the redhead was always the strong one, that she had watched over them in Atlantis without interfering at any time. Despite all the tragedies, she had not interfered, "you are so much stronger, mother. I am not. I cannot have you leave me all alone here.. I will never be as strong as you."
"No" said Melina as she started to cry.
"Please, if you go… I will be empty. After thousands of years, I will be empty. I do not want to feel that emptiness."
"It should be me, Hera" said a sobbing Melina as they heard another distant pounding on the door, "it should always be the parents who sacrifice themselves for their children. I should have done it when Athena descended, and I should do it now."
"You've always watched over us" said Hera, "you have always watched over us when we were in Atlantis. And I need you to watch over us now once again. I choose to make this sacrifice, mother. Please."
Hera released Melina, stepped back and then grabbed both of Melina's hands and brought them up to her temples.
"Lock my memories away, mother" said Hera as her eyes pleaded with Melina, "please.. we do not have much time."
"I… I…" said Melina as she cried.
"I know you will be there for me, mother" said Hera as she started to glow, "please. I am asking you to do this.. please. They will send the Matrix to the Slayer, she's Athena's friend. Either way, I will be close to her… I will be with her. Like we always were, like I always used to be… every dawn. Yes… that's what I will call myself. My favourite time of day, Dawn."
Melina could only sob, scream in anguish and close her eyes as she locked away Hera's memories and stripped her of all her ascended knowledge and the vast majority of her powers; leaving just a tiny bit. Through her closed eyes, and as her body wracked with sobs, she could feel Hera's body dissolving away before she opened her tear stained eyes as she saw a ball of white pulsing energy in her hands, and another ball that was floating in front of her. She lifted up the ball in her hands and watched it go up before vanishing; she then looked at the ball in front of her.
"My Hera" said Melina as she gently touched the sides of the ball of light as there was another distant pounding of the door. She then watched the monks, extremely slowly look behind them before she looked at the ball of light and released it, "my dear sweet Hera, please forgive me."
Hera could see herself floating away from Melina as she fell onto both knees with both hands over her mouth as she shook her head. The former ascended being then felt herself moving faster towards a green cloud, with only one thought going through her essence as she used the last of her power to send a thought into the monks.
"My name is Dawn"
It was a monumental clash of energy as the white energy of an ascended being met with the energy of the Matrix, the Key to every single dimension.
'Hera… Dawn… Hera… Dawn… Hera… Dawn… Dawn' thought the body that was being formed within the mystical energy, 'my name is Dawn. Dawn Summers. I live at 1630 Rovello Drive. My mother is Joyce Summers, my father is Hank Summers. And I need to wake up soon for school… I need to talk to Willow. I miss her since she went to the Academy. Wake up, Dawn. Time for school. I… pain… so much pain. I….'
Melina looked on as she saw a body created in the light, followed by a blood curding scream that only she could hear. She knew that the green energy was being bound into the new teenage body by very powerful mystics. The same mystics that has already reshaped reality itself. Melina knew that the energy of the Key was permeating into Dawn's very being, attaching itself to every atom, every muscle, and every hair. Melina knew that Hera would forever be the Key. Eventually the screaming stopped as her daughter vanished in a bright flash of light; her last daughter sacrificed herself to try and save the world from a monster.
Melina looked down on the floor as tears fell from her eyes, and stained the stone flooring just as there was a final pounding on the door that destroyed it. Melina looked up in rage as Glory walked in and went towards the monks in the room demanding her Key.
"Silence!" shouted Melina as she made herself perceptible to everyone in the room as they looked at her in surprise, "you will be silent."
"Ohhh" said Glory as she watched the disguised Melina, "what do we have here, another so called god? Don't toy with me… where is my Key."
"Leave" said Melina as she looked at the frightened monks, "leave! Now!"
"Hey!" shouted Glory as the monks ran out of the room, leaving just glory and Melina alone, "those were my monks… why are you…"
"I said silence" said Melina in a low voice as she stepped forward, "do not try my patience half-breed."
"Watch what you say" said Glory as she approached Melina .
Melina could feel a pull within her and knew that the others were watching. She knew that she'd be punished with her next act. She knew that the punishment would last a few years and leave her away from her powers for a few years. But she also knew that she could still watch over Dawn and Willow. In addition, Buffy would be the one with the power to protect Dawn.. to protect the Key."
'The Slayer would protect her with her life' thought Melina as she glowered at Glory.
"Move. Aside" said Glory.
"Goodbye" said Melina, "leave this place."
The next thing Glory knew, the woman in front of her waved her arm and the hell god was sent flying through one stone wall after another. The impacts didn't slow Glory down as she continued to crash through various rooms before she found herself outside the castle, and then over trees, rivers and lakes, until she felt herself falling back to Earth before she smashed into the side of a hill.
"Ow" said Glory after she got up from having slide down to the foot of the hill, "ow… great. That bitch ruined my dress."
The Summers Residence, Present day; 2320 hours.
Everyone, including Willow and Faith, were shocked by what Dawn had shown them about her descension. However, Willow felt it more than the rest especially since she saw Dawn's memories. The redhead looked on as Dawn wiped some tears from her eyes before she rushed to give the brunette a hug, followed by Buffy and Joyce. Willow stepped back and then looked at faith as she recalled the look of anguish on Melina's face on having lost two of her daughters again.
Faith got up and hugged Willow as she shared the memory with her wife through their link. The dark haired Slayer looked at her wife and kissed her cheek before the redhead nodded her head and went to give Dawn a hug. Her story not leaving a dry eye in the house as even Xander wiped a tear; although he played it off as having something caught in his eye.
"I'm sorry, sweetie" said Tara as she hugged Dawn, "your mother wanted to sacrifice her immortality; but you did a brave thing to sacrifice yours instead. She's looking out for you?"
"Yea" said Dawn as Tara kissed Dawn's cheek before taking a seat. She then stood next to Willow and held her hand before telling then that it was Moros, her father, who unlocked her hidden memories.
"Where is he now?" asked Joyce as Willow and Dawn looked at each other, and it was from their expression that she wished that she didn't asked that question.
"He… he's consciousness is gone" said Willow softly as Joyce closed her eyes and leaned back on the seat, "he helped us by building the weapon and.. and he knew it was only a one way trip."
"He sacrificed himself" said Buffy as Willow and Dawn nodded their heads, "but before he did, he returned Dawn's memories."
"Yeah" replied Dawn.
"But one thing I don't get" said Faith as everyone looked at her, while the dark haired Slayer looked at Willow, "it's the same thing that Sam, and Dr. Lam don't get… why didn't the munchkin faint like you?"
"I'm guessing that she descended as an already advanced human" said Willow as she looked at Dawn, before looking at faith and then the others, "her brain already had those connections that would be needed to hold those new memories. I was physically reborn as a normal human being. Even after getting the new body, my mind wasn't used to the return of the massive amount of new memories… so I had to rest while my brain rewired itself. At least that's what I think…. The neurological guy that Dr. Lam used to check on me still isn't sure. But that's just my guess…. And it's the same thing with Dawn."
"I dunno" said Dawn as she shrugged her shoulders, "all I know is that I feel like having some cereal and…"
"Dawn" said Joyce as she stood up and approached the brunette, who turned and smiled at the older blonde, "where's you mother.. I mean…"
"She's somewhere" said Dawn, "you wanna meet her?"
"Yes" replied Joyce as she looked around, "is she here?"
"She wants to meet you too, Mrs. S" said Faith as she walked towards Joyce, "she told me so."
"Huh?" asked Willow and Dawn, "when?"
"When we went to their graves" said Faith, "that hologram? That was Melina…. I just wanted to talk to her so I asked you to go on ahead."
"You could have told me" said Willow.
"She didn't want to reveal herself yet, Red" said Faith as she held on to Willow's hand, "she wanted to wait for the right time I guess."
"And meeting your mother while visiting her grave is awkward" said Tara with a small smile.
"Real, awkward" said Xander.
"Mom" said Dawn as she looked at Joyce, "I love you, I love Buffy.. and I love Willow and my mother. I have two sisters, and two mothers… who can get to say that?"
"Well" said Xander as everyone turned and gave him a look that said basically, 'speak and die, or shut up'.'
"O…K" said Xander as he looked at his watch, "it's getting late, so I guess… the basement bed?"
"Yeah" said Buffy as she grabbed a hold of Dawn before looking at her husband, and then at Dawn again, "you go ahead Xander. Dawnie, I wanna know everything. What you saw, and what you did… everything. Oh… did you meet any boys?"
"Yeah" said Dawn as she turned to look at Willow, "but someone… I won't say who… but someone, threatened to drug him, and then throw him through the Stargate into a black hole."
"Hey" said Willow, "he deserved it."
"Why?" asked Tara.
"He just wanted to have sex with Dawn" said Willow as Joyce looked at the redhead, and then at Dawn before looking at Willow again.
"Did you?" asked Joyce.
"She would have killed me if I did" said Willow, "gave her a gift to forgive me for interfering in her love life though."
"Damn" said Joyce as she walked into the kitchen while everyone laughed at Dawn's face as Joyce remarked that Willow should have done it anyway.
TBC