Chapter One~
It was almost surreal. The once bright landscape, lush green grass, small towns…. All reduced to nothing more than broken and abandoned buildings and large patches of dirt. Even weeds were few and far between, the air filled with nothing but the stench of death and smoke as some places still burned.
The brunette couldn't fathom the extent of damage this war had caused. She, herself, felt bruised and broken. Her once skin tight and shiny leather pants loosened from so many battles, shredded and tattered like her shirt. These were actually her nicest clothes right now. At least her black boots held steady, though dirty and scuffed. A small, intricate tattoo was visible on her right arm.
She continued on her way, a bag clung to her shoulders, which also had seen better days, and a small fuel container held firm in her left hand. She needed to get back. Her family needed her. At least, what was left of them. She hastened through a small patch of destroyed houses, ones she'd already been through long ago. They now held nothing of value to them but reminders of a better life. Had it been a year already since she had a hot shower? A cup of coffee?
Paths worn where roads used to be, abandoned cars, now useless, dotted along them, as the woman made her way swiftly back to her camp. Her strength evident in her defined muscles, her struggles as plain on her face as the large scar that ran like a lightening bolt from above her top left lip to just below the middle of her bottom lip. Not her only scar by far, but it was easiest to see.
Finally rounding a corner at the edge of what used to be a small town, she came to an old hardware store. Slipping up to the back door, she gave three short raps and one quick whistle, signaling who she was before she entered.
The sun was setting behind the door as she closed it, and as the click signaled the final show of her entrance, a voice rang out.
"Protego!"
The air shimmered around the door and walls of the small shop. Small work lights were the only source of light, easily seen plugged into an equally small generator that hummed softly in the corner by a slim window. The only window in the room. Sleeping bags scattered the area as the brunette's companions all looked up at her safe return.
A younger brunette was the first to greet her, "Faith, you're safe. We were starting to get worried." She made her way to the once rogue Slayer, taking the fuel container from her and setting it down by the generator.
"All good, D. Not even any action this time," Faith stated as she gave a tight smile to Dawn. She then looked at the spell caster responsible for the protection spell immediately after her entry, "You alright, Red? Looking a little tired. I told you to take nap."
Willow barely looked up from the book she had her nose in, but it was enough. Faith knew better, knew that sleep wasn't happening for the redhead when someone was out wandering or scavenging for supplies. It didn't help either that along with Willows patented resolve face, now she had a scar of her own across her right eye. A sword had cut deep just above it. While she had moved just barely enough to avoid her eye, the sword finished giving her a deep cut just under it. It gave her the appearance of having been slashed completely across the eye, though slightly jagged.
From a slightly darker corner of the room another voice popped into the air, "She barely sleeps when everyone's HERE." A gruff chuckle followed. Also brunette, but of slightly older appearance, the woman's face came into the light.
"Better get back from your hunt fast then tonight. Maybe she can finally catch some winks while you eat, Mermaid." Faith took the pack off her shoulders and handed it gently to Dawn.
Dawn sat down on an old chair opposite of Willow's, looking over to the corner, concerned "Melody, do you need to hunt tonight?" Melody shook her head no.
The room became quiet while Dawn softly dug into the pack. Where Faith hadn't much changed over the years, Dawn had cut her hair just below her shoulders, and mostly wore it in a ponytail, same as Willow. She also had a vertical scar of her own on her left cheek about three inches long, and not far from her ear. All three women also wore clothes much like Faith's, that had seen better days, tattered and torn, dirt across patches of skin on their arms and faces. Slight smudges of blood shown on fabric. Willow had become much thinner, though slightly more muscular, while Dawn seemed about the same weight but much taller and stronger than the young teen she once was.
The woman, Melody, was short but muscular. Butch looking, as Faith would say. Her hair shortest of all in a sort of spiked boy cut. Angry scars were visible down her arms and neck. One tattoo on her left upper arm could be seen.
Faith looked at Melody after a moment, "You skipped last night, you should try to find something. Vamps need to eat too."
Willow, finally closing her book, watched Dawn closely as she emptied the contents of the bag, "Not exactly a normal vampire, Faith. She doesn't always need blood. In fact, she's more human and less Vampy…. Um.. hmm." The redhead trailed off, her brow creasing. Even after four years, she still wasn't quite sure how to describe the condition. "Whatcha got there, Dawnie?" Willow, like always, was trying to remain upbeat for the youngest of the group. Her face contorted into what passed as a smile but it never reached her eyes.
Dawn looked up at her, smiling slightly herself, as she showed off the treasures Faith had collected, "First off, we have the tasty and ever so classic, canned corn. Following closely behind it, canned beets," at this Dawn made a face that told the group exactly how she felt about the reddish veggie, "For dinner, canned whole chicken? You can can whole chicken? Some beef stew, a couple of Ramen packs, and…. Oh! Fruit cocktail, peaches and pears." Dawn's eyes lit up at the fruity ending to the bag.
"Check the side pocket , D." Faith smirked as she knew she had found a bit of a treat for the young Summers girl.
Dawn quickly undid the zipper and her whole face broke into a smile at the yummy four pack of pudding cups, "Yay! Chocolate! Will, we have chocolate!" she did a little victory dance with her arms as she showed off the small desert.
Once again Willow smiled, though it seemed a bit more genuine at the happiness she saw in her young adopted sister. Because that's what they were. Family. Sisters. Just as Faith and Melody now were.
The group slowly split the meal in rations, and ate while Faith relayed her trip. Not much was said outside of the Slayer's report from her scavenging. The final hellmouth seemed quiet, but they always did before… The final battle was coming. They all knew that. They also knew that there was very little chance they'd win. As far as they knew, they were the only survivors in the area, possibly at all, though they could never be certain.
The redhead finished the small bit of food she'd taken, having always tried to save more for young Dawn, and went back into her book. Faith looked up at this, "Red, seriously. You've read that book a hundred times over. Same as the other five books you've managed to keep from getting destroyed. You can recite it in your fucking sleep. Which is what you should be doing. And not writing in that fucking journal either. You need rest." At this, a glaring contest between the two women became the next two minutes of their lives. Finally, Willow relented, putting the book down and lowering herself onto the sleeping bag below the chair. Her back fitting against the wall as she went deep in thought.
Dawn watched the display from her sleeping bag as she cuddled with the only thing she had left of Buffy's, Mr Gordo the stuffed pig. She knew she was too old for stuffed animals being twenty-three now, but she just couldn't give up her sister's favorite from growing up. It felt like the only thing that connected them now. There was no more bringing Buffy back. This time, she was gone. As was Xander, Anya, Giles, and Tara. The L.A. group was also gone. Any living Slayers other than Faith, if there were any left, were not anywhere they could pin point. It was truly the end of the world. At this point, Dawn feigned falling asleep and turned to face the wall, as she let go the same tears she did every night.
The other three women in the group shared looks, knowing all too well she wasn't asleep, but giving her time for her grief. Willow got up and made her way to the main body of the shop. The dark and dusty remnants of the shelves and hardware once sold there a reminder that there was no escape this time. She'd failed.
"I know that look, Red. No!" Faith stood behind her in the darkness. Her voice a whisper but no less serious then if she were yelling. The sliver of light from the moon through the shop window shimmered in red hair as Willow glanced over, "We've been over this."
Willow sighed and pinched her nose, she was weary, she was tired, and she just wanted to rest, but she'd made that promise. She would protect Dawn till the very end. Even if the girl wasn't a girl anymore, but a capable young fighter herself, "Faith, what else are we going t' do? There is nothing left!" her voice also whisper quiet but harsh as she squared off once again with the dark Slayer.
"How is you going into a permanent coma going to help again? Yeah, maybe we get lucky. Maybe you put us back before that fourth battle. We get back B, we get back Giles, Xander. Tell me exactly how that helps with that battle though? They died, even with your bad ass witch foo backing us up. Take you outta the works, what the hell hope do we have to win that?! You were our main fucking advantage. The First threw God remembers how many fucking dark mages at us on top of its usual fair of fucking uber vamps and bringers. We had that coven you and Giles worked with, and few random witches and a shit ton of Slayers, but we got beat down. Now you want us to go through that again, but without all the shit you did to help? That's like throwing a bunch of fucking foot soldiers at an air squad!" Faith seethed. She couldn't believe Red was thinking about this again. Sure they didn't have much time left, but she sure as hell didn't want to go back and relive all this shit just to end up, at best, exactly where they were now but with different survivors.
Willow wouldn't back down, "You have knowledge on your side. You know exactly what takes place in that battle. You could win it. You don't need me to win this." The look of utter exhaustion Willow gave was met with one Faith rarely showed, compassion.
Willow was tired. They all were. This war, it took everything. Wiped out all the good, most anything left to fight for. However, Faith wasn't about to just let Red quit. They were in this together, and had also bonded quite a bit. The reveal of what had happened after Tara's death had been astonishing to Faith to say the least. Red was almost the last person she'd ever thought capable of what she'd been told Willow had done. The last of course being Buffy.
Their argument was joined by Melody, who was true to her normal way of making a case, facts, "Three years is the maximum known to have gone back in time. That's it. This spell has been claimed to be used by twelve people. Four of whom were able to go back three years. The least amount was two months. Even you can't guarantee how far back you'll put us and you put yourself out of commission."
"I can do more than the three years. I know I can." Willow was starting to get aggravated again. They'd had this argument at least ten times over the last year. Ever since she found the book and deciphered the language of the spell.
"Still doesn't take away my original point, Red." Faith sighed.
Melody looked Willow in the eyes, Hazel meeting Emerald. They'd been through a lot together since she'd joined them four years ago. While Dawn was slightly afraid that this was Willow turning to magic for a solution again, Melody wasn't. She'd known magic addiction from her now deceased lover. This wasn't about magic solving everything. Willow truly believed this was their only chance. Faith's argument was sound though, as were the facts. Losing Willow would be a huge blow. However, the exhaustion on the redhead's face said it all. This might be all she had left in her. None of them were fairing well anymore. Willow had taken more hits than all of them. Even Faith. That was just her way. She felt the weight of the world, even when she didn't have to.
"Let's just get some sleep. Faith, I'll take first watch tonight. We'll discuss this more in the morning." Melody put an end to the argument for the time being.
Faith refused to move until Willow went back into the store room. The young witch turned heel with one last look at the bright sliver left of the waning crescent moon outside, and made her way to her sleeping bag. The dark Slayer gave a slight nod, "You sure, Mermaid? I can take first watch." With a shake of Melody's head, Faith nodded and made for her own bag.
Not long after they reentered the small room, Dawn's fake sleeping gave to real sleep. Melody could tell from the even breath she now took, and Faith started to snore slightly. Willow sat up, looking over at their current watchmen, almost daring her to say something. The redhead also knew better. Melody's temperament and personality reminded her of Tara's in some ways. The way they looked at the world was also similar.
"You've got more on this spell then you've let on." Melody came over and sat in Willow's chair above her sleeping bag. Her voice a mere whisper. Willow gave a sharp shake to her head. Confusion crossed the elder brunette's face, but only momentarily.
'Don't speak out loud. Slayer hearing, I'll hear your thoughts.' Willow's voice rang clear in her head. The look Melody gave her showed she wasn't happy. Melody understood the necessity of magic, and while she didn't judge the witch on it, she never liked being a part of it for past reasons. Willow's lips quirked apologetically, 'Sorry. I just don't want to wake Dawnie. She's already so worried, and obviously Faith is already ticked.'
A nod and a frown followed from the vampire, 'Dawn's twenty-three years old. Yeah she's worried, but she deserves to be a part of these conversations too.' Off Willow's lifted eyebrow and gaze at the youngest of them cuddled to a stuffed pig, 'You realize that's for your benefit right? You're one of the smartest people I've ever met, Willow. You haven't realized she been playing everyone?'
'What are talking about?' Willow looked slightly confused. She looked back over at the sleeping young woman. Dawn did seem to be trapped in her teen youth most of the time. She never really thought about it. All this death and destruction, she was mostly focused on making sure to keep her promise to her best friend and make sure Dawn was safe.
Melody shook her head and let out a low chuckle, 'Think about it. How many times has Dawn pulled off ideas, leading Slayers, killing Turok- Han and bringers? Yet, she still gets excited over chocolate pudding in an abandoned store where we sleep in bags….. Dawn knows you pretty damn well, I'd say. Her innocence keeps you going. Not to say that she's not more innocent than the rest of us, or she's lying to you. I think she just puts the act on a bit more than she actually feels. Something to fight for.'
The young witch stared In slight shock, once again wishing she could pay more attention to the little things instead of survival and battle tactics. Shaking her head, she retrieved her journal, 'I've been trying to tinker with the spell a bit. Obviously it's all just guess work. I can't actually test it, but I think I can make it farther than 3 years. Give it an extra boost, if you will. Not sure how much farther, but the longer to get ready, the better right?'
'Have you solved the whole, "you in a coma" problem? Because I'm thinking that's more important. From my travels before we met and our research of it before it was vetoed almost a year ago….' Melody gave a quick knowing look at Willow, 'It's speculated (notice how I say "speculated" and not "known") that you'll be frozen in your own time-line. Sounds fun…. You get to re live every memory you've ever made forever and ever till you die. And IF that is correct, there's no way of knowing whether they are in order, or if you could be stuck in a certain loop. I'm sure you'll have a blast. Especially May 2002. That'll be heaven getting stuck in that loop….' Sarcasm dripping at this point.
The look Willow gave her was one of pure anger. If looks could kill, Melody would have been in hell before the words had even left her thoughts. However the vampire didn't back down, nor did she look at Willow with anything more than understanding and a hint of sorrow. The loss of a soulmate was something they shared. Though in different ways.
'I know there's a lot of risk,' Willow sighed. Her green eyes dulled in pain, 'but this could be our only chance. It's either this or more than certain death and ending for the world. What's left Melody? I'm out either way, and this way, at least I keep my promise to Buffy.'
In all her thirty-five years, Melody had learned and been through many things. Seen all the pain and suffering people endured around her travels. This group had to take the cake on one thing though. Self sacrifice. Well… except one person. What's more was she knew Willow had her mind made up. It was just about helping or interfering at this point. The sooner it was done, the better. The power needed and the energy pull from the both dark and light would attract unwanted attention. The First wouldn't want this to succeed. Even if it didn't quite know what "this" was.
'What do you need?'
