Xander was walking towards the hospital when he sensed a mind nearby. A familiar one.

"What do you want now, Whistler?"

"Just to pass on a message."

"Is that what you do, deliver messages? For your so called Powers?"

"Yes. But only to those they think are worth their attention."

"Oh joy, some stuck up assholes think I'm worth their attention. Give me a second while I faint from shock. There, I'm back."

"You know, I like you, Harris, you've got guts. Most people they run away from trouble, you run towards it. You always have, I mean challenging those bullies at the zoo was hardly the first time you'd confronted bullies on someone else's behalf."

"Get to your message while my eyes are still open. Your opinion matters less to me than dog shit."

"Fine, you passed your test."

"We passed our test? That's it? People died and you want to tell me we passed our test."

"You passed your test. This was never about the others, this was about you. There are only a handful of individuals with the kind of will that can change the world and the motivation to make it happen. You're one of them. Angel had the potential, but couldn't find the motivation to do more than chase jailbait. Too easily led by what's in his pants, not to mention, he could be manipulated so easily. Summers only reacted to problems, she didn't try to do more, it's doubtful she ever would and instead of embracing her potential, she wanted out of it. Given a chance though, you took the ball and ran with it. And you're still a Wild Card. We can't see what you're going to do."

"You were testing me? Again I say, people died. It was unnecessary." Xander flatly, holding back how angry he felt. "My people died for your so called test! Why? Why does it matter you?"

"We want to see humans reach their potential, people like you can help the rest get there."

"We can get there on our own, we don't need you. We never have and your excuse for your so called test is as lousy as the Vorlons and the Shadows reasons. We don't need you."

"The world needs Champions."

"Oh go to Hell, if you think I'm falling for that load of crap you're even stupider than I thought you were. And I already think you're pretty damn stupid. Champions are for movies and dreams, not real life. Real life is about work and commitment and doing your best. I am Anla'Shok, being Anla'Shok does not mean worrying about what others think about us. We work in the dark places where no one see us anyway."

"We could give you a purpose, a reason for your life."

"I already have a purpose, one I made for myself. I am Anla'Shok and will remain so until the end."

"Don't you want your life to have meaning?"

"We create meaning in our own lives, by our choices and our beliefs. I don't need your Powers to give my life or my work meaning. People are dead because of your Powers, you told me Buffy's personal choices caused a lot problems and would have caused more. The same can be said of you."

"We see a bigger picture than you do."

"I see a big enough picture, thank you very much.

"You talk about your people dying, they died alone and in fear."

"No they didn't, To be Anla'shok means understanding that there is nothing to fear in death except the failure to complete our assigned mission. They completed their mission and they did not die alone, they died while a part of the greater whole. Heidi pointed out that we're not just paying lip service to the teachings, to what it means to be Anla'Shok. We believe in those teachings, in the life and the purpose we've chosen. And if you think I'm going to let you spit on their sacrifice, than you really haven't been paying attention."

"You're committed to this? To wiping out the vampires and hostile demons? And what do you do after that?"

"Find a new purpose. The Anla'Shok have reinvented themselves over and over again and we will continue to do so until the end."

"And if you die yourself? Cold and alone in the dark where no one sees you?"

"The cold part is the only part of that question that might happen as part of my death. Like my people, I will not be alone when I die because I'm part of them and I don't need anyone to see the light go out of my eyes. I'll see them again, where no Shadows fall."

"Congratulations, Harris. You passed."

"You already said that."

"This was the test. A test of your convictions. Would you trade it all for power and glory? Would you abandon them after leading them?"

"You're trying to tempt me?! That's your idea of a test? It makes no more sense then bringing our world to the attention of the Thirdspace creatures. By the way, was that you or was that Wilkins failsafe?'

"That was us, Wilkins' so called failsafe will go off the day after his 100 days would have started."

"Thank you. You said you're a messenger for the Powers you serve."

"Yep, it's a headache sometimes, but it's a job."

Xander turned around and released his denn'bok. It slammed though Whistler's rib cage, heart and out of his back. "Deliver this message for me to your Powers. Stay the Hell out of our lives, you sons of bitches." He hissed.

Blood bubbled in Whistler's mouth as he whispered. "Still a Wild Card." Xander pulled back the denn'bok and Whistler's body fell to the ground and like most demons bodies upon death, immediately began breaking down.