Author's Note: After Alice's review about the note and forged signature for gym class, I wanted to address it. First off there is, at least where I live, a physical education requirement to graduate high school (or at least there used to be 30 years ago when I graduated), so that definitely has to be addressed in some form. Second as I mentioned I myself am trans, and when I was in school one thing I absolutely hated back then when I was still presenting as male was going into the men's locker room and men's restrooms. I absolutely hated it, especially the locker room. I didn't like changing in front of men, I was very self conscious about it. So I figured I would be nice and give Buffy an easy out. I might address this in the story again later as their is a gym scene in The Pack as well as the cheerleader tryouts for The Witch.
Chapter 2: The Harvest
March 11, 1997 – Tuesday
Sunnydale High School
The following day, Willow and Xander approached Buffy with worried expressions in the courtyard. "Have you seen Jesse?" Willow asked, her voice tinged with concern. "We can't find him anywhere."
Buffy shook her head in response. "Maybe he just decided to skip today," she suggested.
Xander nodded in agreement. "Yeah, there's that trig test."
Buffy smiled faintly. "Yeah, I'm going to swing by the library, okay? I'll catch up with you guys later." She stood up and walked away, her mind buzzing with unease. Something didn't sit right with her about Jesse's disappearance. She pushed open the library doors, only to find Giles slumbering at the table, drooling slightly. She prodded him gently.
Giles startled awake, blinking several times. "I don't want any more tomatoes," he mumbled groggily.
"This guy Jesse disappeared," Buffy informed him urgently. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Vampires?" Giles asked, still half in a daze from his nap.
Buffy nodded; her expression serious. "There's this Harvest thing happening, right? And someone seems to know I'm in town. Maybe they saw me talking to Jesse and thought he would make good bait. I have a gut feeling about this one."
"Trust your instincts," Giles replied, now fully awake and sitting up straight. "As the... Slayer, your intuition tends to be accurate. How do you plan to search for him?"
"I have a free period at the end of school, so I'll go then," Buffy decided. "And I'll pay a visit to that vampire from last night, Angelus, to see if he's truly willing to help."
"Sounds like a plan," Giles agreed. "I'll search for potential underground locations. If there's some sort of vampire enclave, they're likely to have a sizable hideout."
"Okay," Buffy acknowledged. "I still need to grab my school books too."
Giles groaned, while Buffy chuckled, oblivious to Xander slipping out of the library through the doors. Buffy continued restlessly through her day, anxiously anticipating her free period. She met up with Giles later, who had determined that an underground location was the most probable, as it offered protection from the sun and was closer to the mystical energy of the Hellmouth.
Angel's Apartment
After inquiring about Angel's whereabouts at a local demon bar, Buffy managed to track down his basement apartment. She approached the door with the intention of entering, but found it locked. It made sense that he wouldn't want an unexpected visitor like her barging in and attempting to stake him. So, she resorted to incessantly knocking until he finally opened the door.
"Slayer?" he mumbled, clearly surprised. "What?"
"I'm going to find this stupid vampire lair," she stated firmly. "You claimed you wanted to help me, so come and actually help."
Angel grimaced; his expression troubled. "I can't," he admitted. "They really don't like me dropping in."
Buffy let out an exasperated groan and rolled her eyes. "Are you kidding me?" she exclaimed. "Why even offer if you're not going to follow through?" She kicked the ground in frustration.
"It's... I know the vampires you're looking for. One of them is my sire, and if she were to find out... it wouldn't end well," Angel explained.
Buffy huffed in annoyance. "Then tell me where she is," she demanded.
"You shouldn't be putting yourself at risk. Tonight, is the Harvest. Unless you can prevent it," he whispered, his voice filled with concern, "the Master will rise."
"Angelus," Buffy said, her tone serious. He shook his head, and she nonchalantly twirled her stake in one hand, feigning boredom. "Remember that your presence here is conditional, right?"
"Go to the Restfield Cemetery," he instructed. "The Elton crypt. The entrance is inside. Once you're in the tunnels, head towards the school." He sighed deeply. "Be careful. They'll be waiting for you."
Buffy offered him a sweet smile and walked away, flinging the door open wide. "I want to help, my ass," she grumbled under her breath, venting her frustration.
Electrical Tunnels Beneath Sunnydale
The tunnels sprawled beneath the city like a forbidden maze. Dark and twisting, they extended in all directions, and as Buffy cautiously descended a flight of steps, she wondered if she would ever find her way back out again.
Pausing for a moment, she absorbed her surroundings. The air was damp and foul, permeated by the distant sound of water dripping. Moving slowly, she let her senses explore every crack and crevice, penetrating each thick veil of shadows. It was a perfect breeding ground for the undead, she thought grimly, and she knew they could be lurking anywhere, watching her, waiting. With the murky darkness enveloping her, she pressed on along the tunnel.
Reaching a corner, she turned, stepping into a new passageway that appeared empty. Still, she hesitated for a brief moment, straining her ears through the eerie silence. Resuming her progress, she thought she heard something. Swiftly spinning around, she retraced her steps and peeked around a wall into yet another tunnel.
Shadows danced, but nothing more. A faint hum of indistinct noise hung in the air, yet she struggled to identify its source. Buffy pulled her head back...
Only to realize that Xander was standing behind her. Startled, she whirled around and instinctively struck out, grazing Xander's cheek. He winced as he wiped away a small amount of blood.
"What the fuck, Xander?" she exclaimed, her frustration evident.
"Great way to put us at a disadvantage," he responded, a hint of irritation in his voice.
"What are you doing here?" Buffy demanded.
"My buddy Jesse got kidnapped by vampires!" Xander showed no signs of remorse. "If there's a chance I can help him, then that's what I've got to do."
Buffy stared at him, a mix of surprise and annoyance on her face. "How did..." she began, but then realization dawned on her. "You overheard my conversation with Giles this morning. Classy move, Xander, really classy. I can handle this."
"I can help!" Xander insisted.
Buffy sighed. "You can't help," she firmly told him. "Your presence will only put me at a disadvantage because I'll have to protect you as well. I'm going to find Jesse, but I have to do it alone. Unless you have some hidden superpowers that I don't know about." She crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently.
Xander deflated. "Okay," he conceded.
"Go back to the high school and find Giles," Buffy instructed. "He'll fill you in. And get Willow too, I guess." She shot Xander a stern glare. "Now, Xander."
"Fine," Xander muttered as he turned to retrace his steps.
"And, Xander," Buffy called out, causing him to pause and face her. "If he's alive, I'll bring Jesse back. I promise."
Xander looked at Buffy and nodded. "Be careful," he said.
"I promise," Buffy reassured him, her determination evident, as she turned and continued down the tunnel. Reaching its end, she paused, listening intently.
There was nothing around the next corner.
With a resolute spirit, she ventured into yet another passageway, her eyes scanning the shadows, ready for whatever awaited her.
Sunnydale High School
In the library, Giles immersed himself in his personal quest. Ancient texts sprawled across the table, their pages worn and weathered. With a weariness etched on his face, yet a determination in his eyes, he delved into the passages, seeking understanding and meaning. Hours had passed, and he seemed lost in his scholarly pursuit. But then, as he picked up another volume, a spark of interest ignited within him.
Giles focused intently on a particular passage, his eyes scanning the words. Slowly, he began to translate the text aloud, whispering in Latin to himself. "'For they will gather, and be gathered. All that is theirs shall be his... From the Vessel pours life.'" He paused, his mind processing the significance of the words. "Pours life..." he repeated thoughtfully.
His attention shifted to the engraving on the facing page, depicting a repulsive creature with its outstretched hand, commanding a multitude of bleeding villagers. Below them, in a scene reminiscent of hell, a demon radiated with an ominous power.
Giles leaned in, his brow furrowing in deep concentration.
On the forehead of the bestial figure, a crude symbol had been etched—a star with three points.
Squinting behind his glasses, Giles scrutinized yet another passage, his gaze locked on the text. Once again, he began to read, "'On the night of the crescent moon, the first past the solstice, it will come.'" He straightened his posture, a revelation illuminating his features. "Of course," he muttered to himself. "Tonight."
As the library door swung open, revealing Xander and Willow's arrival, Giles looked up from his discoveries.
"Yes?" he greeted them, his voice carrying a mix of urgency and purpose.
"Rutherford sent us," Xander explained. "He said you would fill us in."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Giles stood by the railing on the upper level of bookshelves, his voice filled with solemnity as he attempted to convey the gravity of the situation to Xander and Willow. With a globe in his hands, he gestured emphatically to emphasize his words.
"This world is far older than any of you can fathom," he began, his tone weighted with the weight of ancient knowledge. "Contrary to popular beliefs, it did not originate as a paradise. In the depths of time, unimaginable eons ago, demons roamed this earth. They claimed it as their own... their hell."
Xander and Willow leaned in, their eyes fixed on Giles, fully attentive to his words. The seriousness etched across their faces mirrored Giles's own demeanor.
"But as time passed, these demons gradually lost their grip on our reality," Giles continued, descending the stairs with a stack of books cradled in his arms. "And the way was made for the mortal animals. For man. What remains of the Old Ones are vestiges. Certain magics, certain creatures…"
He paused briefly, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.
"And yes," Xander interjected, filling the gap with a somber realization, "vampires."
Giles nodded, his expression confirming Xander's insight. "Precisely. According to the ancient texts, the final demon to depart this realm forged a connection with a human. Their blood intertwined, and the human form became a vessel—an infected host for the demon's soul." He handed one of the weighty volumes to Xander. "That first vampire, driven by insatiable hunger, bit others, perpetuating the cycle. They feed on the living, killing some and transforming others with their blood. All the while, they await the decline of humanity, yearning for the resurgence of the Old Ones."
The room fell into a solemn silence as the weight of their shared knowledge hung heavy in the air. The trio stood there, contemplating the timeless struggle between light and darkness, the delicate balance that rested on their shoulders.
Electrical Tunnels Beneath Sunnydale
As Buffy ventured deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels, the absence of rats alerted her to the proximity of danger. Tunnel after tunnel stretched behind her, disappearing into a void of nothingness. The air grew heavy, pregnant with a foreboding sense of peril, causing her brows to furrow with concern. Her eyes darted anxiously through the darkness, searching for any signs of what lay ahead.
After traversing several more tunnels, a faint glimmer caught her attention. In the distance, she discerned a dimly lit side chamber, its outline barely visible. Casting a quick glance over her shoulder, she cautiously approached, retrieving a flashlight from her pocket. She directed the beam of light toward the entrance.
The feeble illumination revealed a motionless figure sprawled face-down on the ground. Recognition dawned upon Buffy as she murmured, "Oh, no..." It was Jesse. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, extending her arms to assist him.
But before she could reach him, Jesse lunged at her, wielding a heavy pipe as a weapon. Just as he poised to strike, Buffy's voice pierced the tense atmosphere.
"Jesse."
Startled, Jesse froze in his tracks, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Rutherford?" Relief washed over him, and he dropped the pipe, slowly making his way toward her as she assessed his condition.
"Jesse, are you alright?" she inquired, concern etched on her face.
"I'm not okay on an epic scale," Jesse replied weakly, attempting to inject a touch of humor. "We need to get out of here!" He pointed to his leg, which was ensnared by a heavy chain, securing him to a metal ring in the wall.
Grim determination settled on Buffy's features as she ran her hand along the restraints. "Hold on," she stated firmly. Taking hold of the discarded pipe, she shattered the lock on the shackles, the resounding noise echoing through the labyrinthine tunnels.
Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy caught sight of movement just beyond the chamber door—several indistinct shapes shifting within the shadows. She motioned for Jesse to follow her, urging him to leave.
"They knew you were coming," Jesse anxiously informed her. "They said I... I was the bait..."
"I figured," Buffy admitted, her voice laced with understanding. "They must have had someone lurking in the shadows, watching us during lunch yesterday."
"I don't know, but I've seen their leader," Jesse continued, his eyes filled with sheer horror. He didn't need to elaborate; his expression spoke volumes.
Swiftly, Buffy led the way back through the tunnel, until suddenly she halted, causing Jesse to come to a sudden stop as well. They both beheld the murky, shadowy figures moving ominously at the opposite end of the passageway. Fear gripped Jesse's voice as he stammered, "Oh, no, no..."
"Is there another way out?" Buffy urgently asked, her eyes scanning their surroundings.
Jesse cast her a desperate look. "I... I don't know, maybe?"
Without wasting a moment, they turned and hastened in the opposite direction. Their pace quickened into a sprint, navigating through the junction of several tunnels before selecting one and diving inside. Yet, to their dismay, eyes gleamed in the darkness ahead, accompanied by whispered laughter. They swiftly pivoted once more, desperately seeking an escape route, only to find themselves at yet another intersection.
"Wait, wait," Jesse gasped for breath. "They brought me through here! There should be a way up. I hope."
Buffy didn't waste time arguing; they simply ran.
Moments later, they found themselves in a small, dimly lit chamber. But it was too late. The vampires closed in on them, their approach measured and deliberate. There was no other way out. Buffy frantically searched for an escape route, but there was nowhere to go.
Panic surged within her as she raced back to the doorway. The vampires crept ever closer, their menacing presence growing palpable. She cast a desperate glance at her friend. "I don't think this is the way out!"
"I think I know," Jesse responded, standing directly behind Buffy. As she turned to face him, she noticed he was no longer himself. His face was repulsive and twisted, an inhuman face, an unholy face. His eyes were cold and passionless, and as he smiled at her, his pointed teeth gleamed through the darkness. "You can die."
Sunnydale High School
"A Slayer," Giles continued his explanation.
Xander, ever curious, interjected with a question. "And that would be a what?"
"As long as vampires have existed, so has the Slayer," Giles recited. "Traditionally, it has always been one girl—"
"One girl?" Xander interrupted, perplexed.
Giles swiftly realized his mistake. "Rutherford was an exceptional circumstance. There has never been a male Slayer before," he fibbed not wishing to reveal Buffy's transgender status to her friends till Buffy was ready to do so herself. "In any case... One girl in all the world. She alone will wield the strength and skill to stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their numbers. She is the Slayer. They hunt vampires, one Slayer dies, the next is called, Rutherford is the Slayer, don't tell anyone." Giles paused, taking a breath. "I think that's all the vampire information you need."
Xander raised another important question. "Except for one thing... How do you kill them?"
"You don't," Giles corrected him. "Rutherford does. But if you genuinely wish to assist Rutherford, I could use some help with research."
Electrical Tunnels Beneath Sunnydale
Buffy's mind raced, desperately searching for a solution. She glanced between Jesse and the doorway, aware of the vampires closing in, their shadows slithering along the walls. Their approaching footfalls and eerie laughter echoed through the passageway. The vampires were just steps away, their wicked grins visible in the flickering shadows. They were certain of their imminent victory. Time was running out.
With no other option, Buffy acted swiftly. She grabbed Jesse and propelled him out of the room, sending vampires tumbling like bowling pins. Pressing her back against the door, she strained with all her might. Finally, there was a creaking sound as the metal gave way, and then, to her relief, the door slammed shut.
Suddenly, an arm thrust through the opening, groping and clawing at their faces, attempting to drag them out. Buffy jerked the door open slightly, then slammed it shut again, forcing the arm to retreat. This time, she managed to secure the door with a bolt. For a brief moment, she pondered if she had been born in the right body, if she could have single-handedly close the door.
A resounding thud shook the door behind her. The vampires were relentlessly trying to break it down. "I need to find a way out," Buffy muttered grimly to herself. Another forceful impact rattled the door, causing it to buckle on its hinges. Her mind raced as she surveyed the room, searching for any potential escape route amidst the scattered odds and ends.
Then her gaze darted across the walls and she spotted something in the shadows—a faint outline of an air vent. It was concealed behind a metal sheet, barely discernible in the darkness. Discarding a box, she held, Buffy used it as a makeshift platform to reach the vent. She peeled away the metal sheet, revealing the grate hidden behind.
Indeed, it was an air vent, and fortunately, it was large enough to crawl through. Determined, Buffy used her bare hands to pry open the grate, all while stealing glances at the door. It was now off its hinges, providing enough space for a vampire's fingers to reach through.
Ripping the grating loose, Buffy flung it aside. Suddenly, a vampire lunged out of the air vent, its arm aiming straight for her, scaly fingers closing around her head. Simultaneously, the door burst wider, a vampire's face grinning at her in smug triumph.
Reacting swiftly, Buffy yanked the vampire out of the vent, throwing it to the floor. Fumbling with the flashlight, she aimed its beam into the vent—empty, for the moment at least. Determined to escape, she crawled inside the vent, maneuvering her way towards safety.
In the distance, she heard a muffled crash as the door finally gave way. The sound of vampires flooding into the room reached her ears. Crawling on all fours in the darkness, Buffy sensed the creatures following closely, one by one squeezing their bodies into the narrow air vent, pursuing her relentlessly.
She had no idea how far she had traveled, but suddenly, the tunnel opened into a wider space, and she spotted a ladder leading upward. Above her, a faint glow of sunlight seeped through a grating at the top.
Buffy began to climb, her determination unyielding. Reaching the top, she opened the grating and hoisted herself out onto the desolate street. Just as she was almost clear of the opening, something grabbed her ankle. Fingers clenched tightly, attempting to drag her back into the darkness.
Instinctively, Buffy strained upward, forcing the hand into the afternoon sunlight. The fingers began to sizzle and smoke, a putrid stench of burning flesh filling the air. Amidst an agonizing shriek, the hand retreated into the darkness, and Buffy rolled out, slamming the grate shut behind her.
Sunnydale High School
Giles remained engrossed in his notes until he realized that someone had entered the library. Looking up, his voice filled with hope, he started, "Bu..." When he saw that it was Willow and Xander he instantly corrected himself. "Rutherford?"
Shaking her head apologetically, Willow replied, "It's just me and Xander."
"So, there's no word?" Xander inquired.
Giles's face fell, and he let out a weary sigh. "Not as yet." He removed his glasses, looking visibly tired.
"Well, I'm sure they're doing great," Willow tried to reassure herself as well as Xander and Giles.
"Did either of you find anything of interest?" Giles asked, eager for any lead they might have discovered.
Taking a seat, Willow spread out some copied articles. "We might have found something. We went through old newspapers, specifically around the time of the major earthquake in 'Thirty-seven." She pointed her finger at one of the pages. "And in the months leading up to it, there was a series of murders."
"Great!" Giles straightened up, slipping his glasses back on. "I mean, not great in a good way... Please, continue."
Xander let Willow take the lead, as she had found the majority of the information.
Flipping through the articles, Willow continued, "These murders match the pattern you were investigating. Victims with throat wounds, drained of blood. It went on for months, and there wasn't a single clue."
"It's all starting to come together," Giles nodded, his expression turning more serious. Then, casting an anxious glance at Willow and Xander, he added, "I rather wish it weren't."
"Is this related to the Harvest thing that Angelus guy mentioned?" Xander asked, recalling their previous conversation with Giles.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Buffy entered the library, and the disheveled state of her appearance immediately caught the attention of Giles, Xander, and Willow. It was evident that her search hadn't yielded any positive results.
Despite her inner doubts, Willow couldn't help but ask, "Did you find Jesse?" Though deep down she was sure she already knew the answer.
"Jesse's gone," Buffy replied solemnly.
"Gone?" Willow repeated, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Turned," Buffy informed them sadly. She sank heavily into a chair, her face a mix of anger and regret. "I'm sorry, guys," she apologized. "I was too late. They were waiting for me." As Willow started to weep, she closed her eyes, feeling the weight of the situation.
Xander stood up and paced, angrily kicking a wastebasket. "Fuck!" he yelled in frustration.
"Fuck," Buffy echoed. She turned to Giles. "Giles, Angelus was useless. He told me their location but was too cowardly to come with me."
Giles grunted. "As I suspected. He disappeared after his supposed soul restoration. A better man would have spent that time seeking redemption, not wallowing."
"I've don't like," Xander burst out, his frustration evident. He aimed another kick at the wastebasket. "I'm going to take a stand and say they're not good."
Buffy turned her attention to Giles. "So, Giles, you got anything that can make this day worse?"
"How about the end of the world?" he calmly replied. "Here's what we know. About sixty years ago, a very old and powerful vampire arrived on these shores, not just for feeding purposes. The Spanish settlers named it Boca Del Infierno, which roughly translates to Hellmouth." He began pacing. "It's a sort of portal between this reality and the next. The vampire hoped to open it."
"Bring the demons back," Willow added.
"End of the world," Xander clarified.
"But he failed," Willow continued. "Or, I mean, there was an earthquake that swallowed about half the town, and him too. Or at least there were no more vampire-type killings afterward."
Giles appeared pensive as he pulled up a chair. "Opening dimensional portals is a complex matter. Odds are he likely became stuck, like a cork in a bottle. It happens once in a century, on this very night." He stood up and walked to a chalkboard, where he had drawn several enigmatic diagrams. As he explained, he began sketching more.
"A Master vampire can draw power from one of his minions while it feeds. Enough power to break free and open the portal. The minion is known as the Vessel and bears this symbol." Giles paused, pointing to a sketch of a three-pointed star.
"So," Buffy attempted to sound optimistic, "if I dust anyone with this symbol, no Harvest."
"Simply put," Giles replied, "yes."
"Rutherford," Xander interjected, "you have to let us help this time. Please."
Buffy locked eyes with Giles, and he nodded in agreement at the unspoken question. "Okay," she agreed. "Where would you go if you wanted to kill a large number of people at once?"
"Well, there are several possibilities," Giles began, but before he could finish, Xander interrupted. "They're going to the Bronze."
The room fell silent as they all stared at him in disbelief.
"Are you sure?" Willow looked surprised, while Xander simply shrugged.
"Come on, tasty young morsels everywhere. Besides, if Jesse's still alive… or undead… that's where he'll be. Trust me."
"Then we need to get there," Giles's voice grew tense. "The sun will set soon."
The four of them headed towards the door, but Buffy suddenly turned in a different direction. "I need to make a quick stop," she explained. "It won't take long."
"What for?" Giles inquired.
Buffy gave a secretive smile. "Supplies."
Summers Home
The sun gracefully descended, casting a subtle glow over the landscape as dusk settled in. The final crimson rays filtered through Buffy's window, painting her room in a warm hue. From the hallway, Joyce's voice echoed, "Rutherford?"
Buffy heard her mother's voice but remained absorbed in her search through the closet.
Eventually, Joyce entered the room, standing behind Buffy. Concern laced her words as she spoke, "You're going out?"
Buffy tried to sound nonchalant as she replied, "I have to."
There was a brief pause before Joyce continued, attempting to match her daughter's casual tone, "I didn't hear you come in last night."
Thinking quickly, Buffy responded, "I was being quiet."
The silence that followed lacked satisfaction and carried a hint of disappointment. "It's happening again, isn't it?" Joyce sighed.
Buffy paused in her rummaging, straightened up, and turned to face her mother directly.
Meeting Buffy's gaze, Joyce continued, "I received a call from your principal. He says you missed your last class of the day."
"It was a free period, and I was running an errand," Buffy offered a brief smile before returning to the closet. She pulled out an old trunk, opened it, and began sorting through its contents. She could sense her mother's penetrating gaze on her back.
"We haven't finished unpacking, and I'm receiving calls from you principal," Joyce expressed her concern.
"Mom, I promise you; it won't be like before." An undertone of desperation crept into Buffy's voice. She caught sight of Dawn standing behind her mother and smiled at her sister. "But I have to go."
"No."
Buffy couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Mom..." She glanced up at the window, noticing the encroaching darkness outside.
Joyce stood her ground awkwardly. "All the advice tells me I should get used to saying it," she explained to her children, aware of Dawn standing behind her. "No."
"This is really, really important," Buffy pleaded.
"I know. You think going out is a matter of life or death when you're sixteen."
"Mom, I don't have time to discuss it—"
"You have all night, Rutherford. You're not going anywhere. You can stay up here and sulk if you want. I won't hold it against you." Joyce took a deep breath and placed both hands on Buffy's shoulders. "But if you decide to come down, I'll prepare dinner for the three of us."
With those words, Joyce left the room, gently but firmly closing the door behind her.
"Buffy?" Dawn spoke with concern. "What's happening?"
"Have you read my journal like I asked?" Buffy inquired, and Dawn nodded. "Vampires are real, Dawn."
Dawn stood frozen for a moment, absorbing the weight of Buffy's revelation. The initial shock on her face slowly transformed into a mix of awe and understanding. She took a step closer to Buffy, her eyes filled with newfound awareness. "Vampires... are real?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Buffy nodded solemnly. "And I've been chosen to fight them. I have to go out tonight, or a lot of people will die."
Dawn stared at her sister for a moment and then embraced Buffy tightly. "Be careful, Buffy. I don't want to lose my big sister."
"I know, Dawnie," Buffy replied, tousling Dawn's hair. As Dawn released her, she reached down into the trunk, searching along the bottom before lifting it out. Only she and Dawn knew about the trunk's hidden compartment.
"Wow," Dawn remarked, gazing at the secret cache beneath it—stakes, crosses, garlic, and a jar of holy water with a wide mouth.
Swiftly, Buffy gathered everything and stuffed them into a bag. With reverence, she retrieved a particularly menacing stake, which fit perfectly in her hand as if it were an extension of her arm. Carefully, she slid it up her sleeve.
"Not that I want to fight vampires, Buffy, but..." Dawn began.
"I planned on carving one for you, Dawn, for protection," Buffy confessed. "I just hope you never have to use it."
"I hope so too," Dawn said, moving toward the door. "I'll try to keep Mom occupied," she whispered. Then, she quietly left the room.
Buffy tiptoed to the window, opening it as she prepared to venture into the night.
The Bronze
When Buffy and the rest arrived at the Bronze, the desolate streets offered no signs of life. Buffy wrestled with the front door, but it stubbornly refused to yield. "It's locked," she informed the others, frustration lacing her voice.
Giles's face paled, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon him. "We're too late."
Buffy's agitation flared; her voice tinged with exasperation. "How was I supposed to know I would end up grounded?"
Xander, eager to find a solution, suggested, "Can't you break it down?"
Buffy shook her head, a touch of resignation in her eyes. "Not this thing. You guys check the back entrance. I'll find another way in."
"Right," Giles acknowledged, turning to Xander and Willow. "Let's go."
But before they could depart, Buffy halted them, "Guys!" she shouted. She handed her bag to Giles. "You clear the exit and get people out," she instructed with urgency. "That's your only task. Don't go all 'Wild Bunch' on me."
Giles nodded, accepting the responsibility, while Xander and Willow followed suit. "We'll see you inside," he assured her.
As the trio dashed off toward the back of the building, Buffy embarked on her own path, her face etched with determination. Her gaze never wavered, fixated on the rooftop above.
Meanwhile, it took mere moments for Giles, Xander, and Willow to reach the rear entrance. With anticipation coursing through their veins, Xander attempted to open the door, only to find it locked as well. Panic started to seep in, urging them to find a means of entry.
"Damn it!" Xander exploded, his frustration boiling over. "We have to get in there before Jesse does something even more foolish than usual."
Giles stepped forward, halting Xander's outburst. "Xander," he intervened, his voice firm, "Jesse is dead. Remember that if you see him. What you're facing is not your friend, but the creature that killed him."
His words carried a touch of compassion, an understanding of the emotional turmoil Xander was grappling with.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Filled with an intoxicating surge of power, Luke let out a triumphant roar as he callously dropped a lifeless body to the ground. His gaze swept across the terrified hostages, relishing in the fear that emanated from them. The sight of the two corpses before them had finally shattered any remaining hope, and the anguished cries and feeble whimpers echoed through the air.
In a corner, beneath the staircase, Darla confronted Jesse, who clung tightly to Cordelia, refusing to let her go. "She's mine," he challenged Darla defiantly.
Darla dismissed his games with a dismissive wave. "They are all for the Master," she declared, seizing the bewildered girl from his grasp and making her way towards the stage.
Jesse hesitated, a tinge of disappointment clouding his expression. "I don't get one?"
Unbeknownst to them, the upstairs window creaked open, revealing Buffy's presence. Silently, she slipped inside, her eyes scanning the scene before her, assessing the situation.
"I feel him rising!" Luke bellowed with fervor. "I need another!"
Buffy's gaze fixated on the three-pointed star adorning Luke's forehead. "The Vessel," she murmured under her breath, piecing together the pieces of the puzzle.
The vampire on guard detected Buffy's presence. Swiftly, he turned and lunged at her, capturing her in his grip, dragging her towards the center of the balcony, a potential offering to Luke.
Luke remained oblivious to Buffy's intrusion. "Tonight, is his ascension," he proclaimed to the horrified onlookers. "Tonight, will be history at its end! Your sacrifice shall be glorious, a most sacred degradation." He paused, his malevolent gaze sweeping across the faces of his captives. "What's this? No volunteers?" he jeered.
Just then, Darla emerged, holding Cordelia captive. "Here's a pretty one," she sneered.
"No..." Cordelia struggled against her captor's grasp, but her efforts proved futile. Tears welled up in her eyes as Darla dragged her towards the stage, delivering her into Luke's clutches.
The commotion momentarily distracted Buffy's captor. Seizing the opportunity, she swiftly broke free from his hold and propelled him off the balcony. He crashed onto the floor right in front of the stage.
The room fell into stunned silence.
"Oh, my apologies," Buffy spoke up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Were you in the middle of something?"
Luke's enraged gaze turned upward, locking with Buffy's defiant stare. "Who are you?"
Buffy was surprise, she had figured everything that had happened since she arrived at school the day before had been to attract her attention. "Wow, you don't know. And here I thought the dead guy at school meant you knew."
Recognition dawned on Luke's face, contorting it into a menacing grin. "The Slayer," he growled, his voice laced with anticipation. "We heard rumors of your arrival. I had hoped you would come."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Finally, the backstage door swung open, granting Giles, Xander and Willow access. Giles barged in, brandishing a metal pipe, with Xander and Willow close at his heels.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
A vampire lunged at Buffy from the side, but she effortlessly seized him and hurled him into the hookah pit, where he struggled to climb out. Without missing a beat, Buffy executed a graceful backward flip, soaring through the opening and gracefully landing atop a pool table.
Another vampire charged at her from the opposite side. Anticipating his move, she swiftly withdrew her stake and thrust it into his heart, reducing him to ashes. "Okay," she declared, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on Luke, a defiant challenge gleaming in her gaze. "You want blood?" she taunted, taking a step forward.
"I want yours," Luke snarled, his voice dripping with malice. "Only yours."
"Then come and get it."
Seizing the opportunity, Cordelia attempted to break free from Luke's grip. He callously flung her aside just as Buffy pounced on him, delivering a powerful blow to his face. Luke staggered backward, visibly shocked by her strength.
Yet, he swiftly retaliated, launching himself at her. Buffy adeptly dodged his attack, countering with a roundhouse kick to his face. She brandished her stake, aiming for the kill, but Luke intercepted her, delivering a blow to her face. Injured and reeling, Buffy stumbled back into the corner, the stake slipping from her grasp, landing at Luke's feet.
Amidst the chaotic panic and frenzied crowd, the backstage door burst open. Xander stumbled out, momentarily losing his balance but quickly regaining composure. Surveying the immediate surroundings, he realized they were free of vampires and immediately sprang into action, guiding the terrified people towards the exit. "Come on!" he shouted urgently.
With swift coordination, Xander directed the panicked crowd through the door to safety. Willow and Giles remained backstage, ensuring everyone made it safely towards the exit.
Meanwhile, Luke closed in on Buffy, relentless in his pursuit. She delivered a powerful kick to his chest, sending him crashing against the wall. Seizing the opportunity, she prepared to strike the final blow.
Then she caught sight of Xander.
He was preoccupied with shepherding people to safety, unaware of the vampire lurking behind him.
Buffy's gaze shifted to the drum kit. She swiftly kicked off a cymbal from its stand, catching it in midair.
As the vampire closed in on Xander, fear became evident in his eyes. As the vampire reached out to grab Xander, Buffy flung the cymbal like a Frisbee. Sensing the imminent danger, the vampire turned, his eyes widening as the cymbal sliced through his neck with precision.
Xander heard the sickening sound and instinctively ducked. His eyes followed the trajectory of the decapitated head as it sailed across the room. "Heads up..." he mumbled, watching the vampire disintegrate into ashes.
Barely had Buffy turned when Luke seized her from behind, his arms wrapping around her in a crushing bear hug. She struggled futilely, feeling his vice-like grip tightening, her surroundings spinning, fading into darkness.
Xander started toward Buffy, but a shriek stopped him in his tracks. Whirling around, he saw Jesse dragging Cordelia farther below the stairs. As Cordelia screamed and struggled, Jesse threw her to the ground and knelt above her, pinning her with his weight.
"Hold still!" Jesse ordered her. "You're not helping."
Xander came up behind them. He stood looking down, clutching a stake in his hand. He could do it right then, he thought to himself, could end it right then, just plunge the stake through Jesse's back, straight into Jesse's heart . . .
"Jesse, man . . ." Xander begged him. "Don't make me do it."
Jesse looked up. His grin was anything but human. He looked like something from the dregs of a nightmare.
"Buddy . . ." Jesse said.
Buffy twisted uselessly in Luke's grasp. She could feel him squeezing and squeezing—everything around her spinning, fading to black. Coughing and gasping for air, she fought desperately against the encroaching darkness. In the distance, she could faintly hear Luke's mocking laughter.
"I've always yearned to kill a Slayer," he admitted, a twisted sense of pride and amusement in his voice.
And amidst the suffocating grip of Luke's hold, Buffy heard something else.
Something deep within her beginning to fracture.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
The panic had escalated to its peak, engulfing the backstage area. People continued to flee, and amidst the chaotic rush, Giles forcefully made his way through, shouting to Willow.
"Come on! We need to open the front as well!" he yelled, determined to reach the main room. However, out of nowhere, Darla pounced on him, clawing for his throat. Giles attempted to employ his stake, but it was knocked out of his hand as he crashed to the floor.
Meanwhile, Xander cautiously stepped back as Jesse rose and confronted him. Urgently, Xander pleaded, "Jesse, I know there's still a part of you in there."
Jesse seemed exasperated, retorting, "Okay, let's deal with this. Jesse was an excruciating pathetic loser who couldn't get a date with anyone in the sighted community! Look at me now! I'm a new man!" To prove his transformation, he seized Xander and flung him against the wall, leaving Xander slumped beside Cordelia in a heap.
Giles found himself outmatched by Darla's ferocity. As Willow frantically rummaged through Buffy's bag in search of a weapon, Giles continued to struggle, acutely aware that he was losing the battle. Darla pinned him to the floor, her teeth menacingly close to his throat.
"Get off him!" Willow cried out, her voice piercing through the chaos.
Darla turned towards Willow's voice, only to be struck full in the face by something wet. She realized too late that it was holy water, and as smoke billowed from between her fingers, she let out a scream of agony. Giles managed to push her off and staggered to his feet, ready to confront her. However, Darla stumbled out of the exit, her face scorched and sizzling in torment.
On the stage, it appeared as though Buffy was losing her own struggle. Her body went limp in Luke's merciless grip, her head hanging forward like a lifeless doll.
Luke grinned at her, a surge of wild elation coursing through him as he whispered his unholy plea. "Master, taste of this and be free." His lips curled back, his mouth opening wide as he prepared to deliver the killing blow.
But then Buffy struck him with such force that he couldn't comprehend what had just happened. The impact of the back of her head colliding with his chin nearly knocked him off his feet. "How did it taste?" she defiantly challenged him.
Despite her bravado, Buffy remained weak. She managed to grasp the cymbal stand, holding it out like a weapon, while swiftly assessing the stage for another plan. That's when she noticed a window at the back, concealed by a coat of black paint. Her gaze shifted between the window and Luke.
Jesse lifted Xander from the floor and shoved him against the wall, growing increasingly frustrated with these interruptions, reminders of his past that held no significance to him anymore. Glaring at Xander, a cold fury etched onto his new face, he raged, "I'm tired of you getting in the way. Cordelia, she's going to live forever. You won't."
Summoning his courage, Xander held the stake to Jesse's chest, his face determined but filled with fear. Jesse couldn't help but taunt him. "Oh, right! Put me out of my misery! You don't have the g—" His words caught in his throat.
A terrified girl had lunged at him from behind, desperately trying to escape. In her frantic movement, she propelled Jesse forward, impaling him on Xander's stake.
Jesse stared at Xander in stunned surprise, gasping for breath as he clung to his old friend.
Xander watched in disbelief as Jesse, once his friend, disintegrated into a pile of dust.
Before he could fully process what had happened, two vampires seized Xander, trapping him.
Buffy swung the cymbal stand at Luke, who effortlessly evaded it, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "You forget," he sneered. "Metal can't hurt me."
Unfazed, Buffy held her ground. "There's something you forgot too."
She noticed a split-second flicker of doubt on Luke's face.
"Sunrise," she declared.
With all her might, she hurled the stand through the plate-glass window at the rear of the stage, shattering it. As warm light poured into the room, Luke screamed, raising his hands to shield himself from the imaginary sunlight.
Then, he stopped.
His expression transformed into complete bewilderment.
With lightning speed, Buffy drove her stake through Luke's back. He convulsed in agonizing pain, his massive body contorting. "It's about nine hours away, you idiot," she reminded him.
In that moment, Luke realized that the light streaming through the window was not sunlight at all. It was simply the glow of a streetlight, shining in from the safety of the night.
Gasping in amazement, Luke stumbled forward and disintegrated into a cloud of ash.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Xander fought fiercely against his captors, struggling to break free. However, the vampires holding him momentarily diverted their attention towards the events unfolding onstage. Their eyes narrowed with unease as they witnessed Buffy's actions. She turned her gaze slowly and deliberately on them. Sensing the danger, they abruptly released Xander and hastily made their way towards the exit, without uttering a word.
As Xander began to regain his composure, Giles and Willow emerged from backstage. The group converged in the middle of the dance floor, taking in their surroundings.
Relief tinged Giles' voice as he glanced around. "I assume it's over."
Willow, almost afraid to ask, inquired, "Did we win?"
The four of them surveyed the aftermath of the chaos surrounding them. Most of the crowd had managed to escape, leaving behind a few individuals who remained, dazed and silent.
"Well, we managed to prevent the apocalypse," Buffy said wearily. Her gaze fell upon Cordelia, still disoriented on the floor where Jesse had left her.
Uncharacteristically, Cordelia remained speechless.
"One thing's certain," Xander sighed. "Nothing will ever be the same."
Outside the Bronze, panic-stricken vampires fled in disarray. Amidst the chaos, Angel emerged from the shadows, standing alone as he watched them retreat down the street. He turned slightly, his gaze fixed on the club's entrance, and a smile formed on his lips.
"She did it," he murmured. "I'll be damned."
Summers Home
Buffy skillfully climbed through the window, her movements fluid and determined. As she entered the room, her eyes immediately sought out Dawn, who was anxiously waiting for her. Worry etched across her face; Dawn rushed forward to meet her sister.
"Buffy!" Dawn exclaimed; her voice filled with concern. "I was so scared. Are you okay?"
Buffy's fatigue was evident, but she managed a reassuring smile for her sister. She enveloped Dawn in a comforting embrace, holding her tightly.
"I'm here, Dawn. I'm okay," Buffy whispered, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "I had to make sure everyone was safe, but now I'm back. We did it."
Relief washed over Dawn as she clung to her sister, her worry gradually giving way to a sense of security. They stood there for a moment, finding solace in each other's presence.
"I was so worried," Dawn admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But I knew you would come back. You always do."
Buffy gently brushed a strand of hair away from Dawn's face, her touch tender and reassuring. "I'll always be here for you, Dawn. We'll get through everything, regardless if it's about me being trans or me being the Slayer, together."
March 12, 1997 – Wednesday
Sunnydale High School
Contrary to Xander's prediction, the following day unfolded like any other, as the sun cast its warm glow over Sunnydale High. The fountain quad buzzed with the familiar routine of students mingling, laughing, and engaging in animated conversations. Cordelia held court with her entourage, regaling them with a dramatic retelling of the previous night's events.
"I heard it was rival gangs battling it out for turf," Cordelia declared, adding a touch of flair to her narration. She surveyed the captivated faces around her, reveling in their adoration. "And you won't believe this, but Rutherford actually knew those guys. It's beyond bizarre. I can't remember all the details clearly, but trust me, it was a complete freak show."
"Oh, I wish I had been there," sighed one Cordelia-wannabe dreamily.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the quad, Buffy and her friends happened to catch snippets of Cordelia's animated account. Buffy suppressed a smile, while Xander, filled with exasperated disbelief, turned to Buffy.
"Well, what did you expect?" Buffy teased, as Xander shrugged indignantly.
"I don't know! Something, anything. The dead rose, maybe? We should have had an assembly at least."
"People have a tendency to rationalize what they can and forget what they can't," Giles chimed in, joining them outside the building. His tone was gentle but firm, emphasizing his point.
Buffy nodded in agreement. "Trust me, I've seen it happen."
"Well, I won't forget any of it," Willow interjected with a shudder. "None of it."
Giles appeared pleased by Willow's resolve. "Good. Next time you'll be prepared."
"Next time?" Xander questioned suspiciously, while Willow echoed his sentiment, her voice filled with trepidation. "Next time is why?"
Giles smiled with patience. "We stopped the Master from freeing himself and opening the mouth of hell. Doesn't mean he'll stop trying. I'd say the fun is just beginning."
Willow's voice quivered as she asked, "More vampires?"
Giles' solemn expression grew even more grave as he stopped and faced them squarely. "Not only vampires. The next creature we face could be something quite different. We're at the center of a mystical convergence here. We may in fact stand between the earth and its total destruction."
March 14, 1997 – Friday
Sunnydale High School
It was two days later when Buffy found herself alone with Giles once again, and she let out a sigh as she started stretching. "I really like Willow and Xander," she began, her voice tinged with weariness. "But, can you say my name, Giles?"
"Buffy," Giles responded, his expression a mix of confusion and understanding.
Buffy released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "The only time I hear my name is when my sister says it, and even then, she has to be careful not to say it around my mom," she explained, popping her back. "It feels nice to just... to be called by the right name, you know?"
"I see," Giles acknowledged. "I've been... misgendering… and what you termed deadnaming… you in front of your friends because I didn't know what they knew. I apologize if that has been hurtful."
"It stings," Buffy admitted, as she lowered into a split and reached to touch her toes. "But it stings less when I know you don't believe it to be true. It's different." She leaned to the side against one leg. "And I have to navigate this carefully, you know? I wish it were as simple as just being myself all the time. But when I told Xander and Jesse that I was bisexual, that I could be attracted to both genders, they freaked out." She stood up straight. "It's not the right time for that discussion now."
"It's your journey, Buffy," Giles reassured her. "You can be sure that I see you as the bright young woman that you are." She smiled at him, and he returned the gaze with steadfast support. "Someday, you won't have to hide," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
"I know," Buffy responded. "But for now, I'll just be me here."
"There's always Angelus," Giles remarked, and they exchanged a blank look before bursting into laughter. He patted her arm gently. "Today, we'll be practicing with staffs."
Buffy nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "Get ready to be taken down," she declared playfully, and Giles groaned good-naturedly.
