Chapter 21: The Gift
June 24, 2002 – Monday
The Magic Box
Buffy, Willow, Hermione, Dumbledore, and McGonagall entered the Magic Box, greeted by Giles's welcoming smile.
"You're back," Giles said, his tone a mix of relief and anticipation.
Buffy nodded, her focus on the task at hand, "Willow tells me you found the ritual text."
Giles nodded, his expression serious, "Something like that, yes."
Dumbledore, always the seeker of knowledge, wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter, asking, "What do we know?"
Giles hesitated for a moment, his voice carrying the weight of the revelation, "Well, according to these scrolls, there is a way to stop Glory. I'm afraid it... Buffy, Hermione. I've read these very carefully. There's not much margin for error. Do both of you understand what I'm saying?"
Hermione, ever direct, voiced the need for clarity, "Might help if you actually said it."
Giles nodded, his expression heavy, "Glory plans to open a dimensional portal by way of ritual bloodletting."
McGonagall's frown deepened as she pieced together the grim reality, "Dawn's blood?"
Giles sighed, confirming her worst fears, "Yes. Once the blood is shed at a certain time and place, the fabric separating all realities will be ripped apart. Dimensions will pour into one another with no barriers to stop them. Reality as we know it will be destroyed, and chaos will reign on Earth."
Buffy's resolve hardened, her voice unwavering as she asked the crucial question, "So how do we stop it?"
Giles took a deep breath, his words heavy with the weight of the decision that lay ahead, "The portal will only close once the blood is stopped. And the only way for that to happen is..." He hesitated, unable to conceal the painful truth, "...Buffy - the only way is to kill Dawn."
Hermione's voice rang out with unwavering determination, "NO! I'm going to do what I do best: research. We're going to save our sister."
Sometime later, Buffy entered the room, her clothes slightly disheveled from just slaying a vampire. Her face was a mix of anticipation and worry as she asked, "Anything?"
Giles, with a heavy sigh, looked up at Buffy, his expression burdened, "Nothing you want to hear. The ritual is..."
Hermione interrupted, her voice calm and resolute, "Explain it to us again."
Giles hesitated for a moment but then nodded, understanding the need for clarity in such dire circumstances. "There's nothing new to -"
Buffy cut him off with a nod, echoing Hermione's sentiment, "Like Hermione said, go through it again."
Giles nodded as he began to explain once more, his voice heavy with the weight of their dire situation, "The Key was living energy. It needed to be channeled, poured into a specific spot at a specific time. With all attendant ritual, of course. The energy would flow into that spot, the walls between the dimensions break down. It stops – the energy is used up -and the walls come back up. Glory uses that time to get back to her dimension, not caring that all manner of hell will be unleashed on Earth in the meantime."
Anya, always one to look at the practical side, sought clarification, "But only for a little while, right? The walls come back, no more hell?"
McGonagall couldn't help but roll her eyes at Anya's simplistic view of the situation.
Willow, her voice tinged with sadness, shook her head, "But that's only if the energy is stopped. And now that the Key is human ... is Dawn ..."
Giles nodded somberly, confirming the grim truth, "The blood flows, the gates will open. The gates will close when it flows no more. When Dawn is dead."
Tara, suddenly eager to leave, exclaimed, "I have places to be!"
Xander sighed in frustration, his voice reflecting his exasperation, "Why blood? Why is it Dawn's blood, why couldn't it be, like, a lymph ritual?"
Spike, never one to mince words, replied, "'Cause it's always gotta be blood."
Xander rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin, "We're not actually discussing dinner right now."
Spike shook his head, his tone filled with a mix of annoyance and wisdom, "Blood is life, lackbrain. Why do you think we eat it? It's what keeps you going, makes you warm, makes you hard, makes you other than dead. 'Course it's her blood."
Buffy, practical and determined, nodded in agreement, "Pretty simple math here. We stop Glory before she can start the ritual. There are still a couple of hours, right?"
Giles nodded in response to Buffy's question but added a note of caution, "If my calculations are right, but Buffy -"
Hermione's frown deepened as she spoke with determination, "We don't want to hear it."
Giles sighed, his voice tinged with a sense of responsibility, "I understand that -"
But Buffy and Hermione cut him off simultaneously, their voices firm and resolute, "No!"
Buffy continued, her tone unwavering, "You don't understand! We're not talking about this!"
Giles, undeterred by their resistance, raised his voice, his frustration evident, "YES WE BLOODY WELL ARE! If Glory begins the ritual... If we can't stop her..."
Buffy's frown mirrored the gravity of the situation as she urged Giles to speak the words they all dreaded, "Say it. Come on, we're bloody well talking about this, tell me and Hermione to kill our sister!"
Giles's words hung heavily in the air as he tried to clarify the nature of their relationship, "She's not your sister."
Buffy, sharing a knowing glance with Hermione, responded firmly, "No. She's not. She's more than that. More than family... mine and Hermione's sister, our daughter..."
Xander, struggling to grasp the complexity of the situation, interjected with curiosity, "She's your sister and your daughter?"
Dumbledore, his eyes filled with understanding and admiration, smiled at Buffy. He had known that it would take her time to fully embrace the truth that had been revealed to her the first time they had met. It was more or less the truth. Dawn had been created from Buffy and Hermione, a unique manifestation of their essence.
Buffy continued, her voice filled with a sense of deep connection, "She's us. The Monks made her out of us. I think Hermione will agree. We hold her, and we both feel closer to her than... It's more than just the memories they built, it's physical, it's... Dawn is a part of us. The only part that I..."
Hermione, moved by her sister's words, looked up at Buffy and nodded in agreement. She rose from her seat and walked over to Buffy, pulling her into a heartfelt embrace, "We'll solve this. We will."
Giles nodded gravely, his voice laced with a sense of urgency, "Buffy, Hermione, if the ritual starts, every living creature in this and every other dimension imaginable will suffer unbearable torment and Death. Including Dawn."
Buffy's determination was unwavering as she responded, "Then the last thing she'll see is Hermione and me protecting her."
Giles sighed, his voice heavy with the weight of their impending doom, "You'll both fail. You'll both die. We all will."
Buffy, her heart heavy with the impending decision, expressed her love for her friends and family, "I'm sorry. I love you all, but I'm sorry."
Anya, ever practical and eager for a solution, raised her hand, her voice filled with enthusiasm, "Okay, all in favor of stopping Glory BEFORE the ritual! Suggestions? Ideas? Time's a-wastin'... Willow! I bet you've got some dark spell a'brewin'. You make her a toad, a little hoppy toad, we hit her with a hammer..."
Tara joined in with a laugh, "Hoppy toad..."
Anya's panic was palpable as she pleaded, "Well, somebody come up with something!"
Dumbledore, always a voice of reason, nodded in agreement, "You have four witches and a wizard here, both Wiccan and those of us with wands. I'm sure between the five of us, we can do something. Minerva, why don't you work with Ms. Rosenberg and Hermione on a spell, a charm, or some other way to fight Glory magically?"
Minerva nodded in response to Dumbledore's suggestion, and she took Hermione and Willow aside to brainstorm magical solutions.
Xander, eager to contribute, suggested, "Should we join essences and become superslayer again?"
Buffy considered the idea but ultimately dismissed it, "That worked against Frankenbot, but to kill a true god... I don't think it's enough. And I need you guys conscious..."
Willow, her eyes lighting up with a spark of hope, looked up from her conversation with Hermione and McGonagall, "But we don't have to kill her, just stop her from performing the ritual. I mean, there's just the one time she can do it, right?"
Spike nodded in agreement, his enthusiasm clear, "Yeah, we get her on the ropes, we just gotta keep her occupied till it's too late!"
Anya's face lit up with a brilliant idea, "The Dagon's Sphere!"
Giles, somewhat puzzled, asked for clarification, "Sorry?"
Anya explained with excitement, "When Buffy first met Glory, she found that magical glowy sphere that was meant to repel Glory. We've got it in the basement. It might drive her back, or hurt her... oh! And Olaf the Trollgod's enchanted hammer. You wanna fight a god, use the weapon of a god."
Buffy, driven by determination, walked over to the hammer without hesitation, dismissing Spike's initial concerns.
Spike, seeing Buffy's resolve, relented, "Nah, that thing's too heavy to…" He trailed off as Buffy effortlessly picked up the hammer. "Yeah. Good."
Buffy's smile reflected her newfound determination as she held the enchanted hammer, her voice filled with anticipation, "I like this. Though I won't be able to use my wand when I'm swinging this."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement, offering practical advice, "Then save your wand work till you need it. No offense, Buffy, but out of you, myself, Minerva, and Hermione, you're the one with the least amount of training. All you've had is your training last summer and your tutoring sessions throughout the year."
Buffy acknowledged the truth in his words with a nod, "You're right. So I use the hammer first, and if I need it, my wand as backup."
Giles, ever the realist, chimed in with a touch of uncertainty, "Well, we have some ideas. And a little time to come up with some more. Could give Glory a decent run, but..."
Buffy finished his thought with a grim acknowledgment of their predicament, "But we still have no idea how to find her. All we know is a tower here in Sunnydale."
Tara, seemingly lost in thought, quietly shared her own concerns, "Big day... it calls out and... I have to be there. Big day..."
All eyes turned to Tara as she mentioned the "big day," her words filled with a sense of foreboding and uncertainty.
Later, Buffy could be found in the training room, unleashing her frustration on a punching bag with powerful blows, her determination evident.
Giles entered the room, his concern apparent as he approached her, "You sure you're not going to tire yourself out?"
Buffy continued her relentless assault on the bag, her voice resolute, "I'm sure."
Giles nodded in agreement, sharing their shared understanding, "We're still working on ideas. Time's short, but it's best to wait 'til the last minute. If we go in too early and she takes us out, no chance of getting her to miss her window."
Buffy acknowledged the wisdom in his words with a nod, her determination undeterred, "So we wait." With one final powerful punch, the chain snapped, sending the bag flying a few feet and crashing to the ground.
Giles sighed, his voice tinged with regret, "I imagine you hate me right now."
Buffy turned to face Giles, her expression a mix of understanding and empathy, "Little bit. But I understand. I think Hermione might even understand a little."
Giles nodded, his voice filled with sincerity, "I love Dawn."
Buffy acknowledged his love with a knowing look, "I know."
Giles continued, his tone resolute, "But I have sworn to protect this sorry world, and sometimes that means saying and doing... what other people can't. What they shouldn't have to."
Buffy nodded, her determination unwavering, "You try to hurt her, you know Hermione or I will stop you."
Giles accepted the gravity of the situation with a solemn nod, "I know."
Buffy and Giles found a moment of respite on the couch, sitting together as they contemplated the weight of their responsibilities.
Buffy broke the silence, her voice filled with both reflection and uncertainty, "How many apocalypses is this for us?"
Giles shrugged, a sense of weariness in his response, "Well, six, at least. Seems like a hundred."
Buffy nodded, acknowledging the truth of their past battles, "I've always stopped them. Always won."
Giles simply replied with a solemn "Yes."
Buffy let out a sigh, her voice filled with a sense of loss and doubt, "I sacrificed Angel to save the world. I loved him so much... but I knew. What was right. I don't have that anymore. I don't understand. I don't know how to live in this world, if these are the choices, if everything's just stripped away then I don't see the point. I just wish... I wish my mom was here."
Hermione, who had been silently listening from the door, finally spoke with compassion and understanding, "So do I, Buffy. But you do have me, and Dawn."
Buffy's smile was filled with appreciation as she looked at Hermione and nodded, "I do, don't I?"
Hermione returned the smile, her support unwavering as she nodded in agreement.
Buffy then turned to Giles and made her intentions clear, "Just so you know, Giles, if Dawn dies, then I'm done with it. I'm quitting." With that, she left the room and headed back to the main area with Hermione.
Approaching McGonagall, Willow, and Tara, Buffy and Hermione inquired, "You got anything for us?"
Willow, with a touch of self-deprecation, admitted, "Some ideas - well, notions, or theories, based on wild speculation. Did I mention I'm not good under pressure?"
Buffy reassured her friend with a warm smile, "I need you, Will. You, Minerva, Albus, Hermione, you're my big guns."
Willow blinked in surprise, "I'm your - I never was a gun... someone else should be a gun, I could maybe be a cudgel, or pointy stick ..."
Minerva chimed in with a supportive tone, "Willow, you are quite a capable witch. You can do things that take those of us in the wizarding world years to master. It's why we start training witches and wizards at the age of eleven. And from what Buffy has said, you've only been practicing magic for two years."
Buffy's smile radiated warmth and encouragement as she looked at McGonagall, "Minerva is right, Willow. You're the strongest person here. You know that."
Hermione joined in with her own words of support, "Buffy is right, Willow. I've been practicing magic for only four years now, and you're more adept than I am. And you don't even use a wand. You can do this."
Willow appreciated their confidence and shared her idea, albeit with a touch of uncertainty, "Well, I do sort of have one idea, but... the last few days, I've mostly been looking into ways to help Tara. I know that shouldn't be my priority -"
Buffy shook her head, expressing her understanding and approval, "Of course, it should. By the way, I'm proud of you for not trying to take on Glory by yourself in revenge for Tara."
Willow nodded, acknowledging Xander's role in preventing rash actions, "Thank Xander; he kept me from doing anything rash. Anyways, I've been charting their essences, mapping out ... I think... If I can get close enough, I may be able to reverse what Glory did. Kind of take back what she took from Tara. It might weaken Glory, or make her less coherent, or make all our heads explode - I'm still working out the details."
Buffy expressed her preference, albeit with a touch of humor, "I don't like the exploding heads. The rest sounds solid."
Willow nodded determinedly, "I'll try to work it."
"Buffy..." Giles began as Buffy approached him, Xander, Dumbledore, and Anya. "We've been thinking. The robot should be done recharging by now. It could be used as a distraction."
Buffy nodded, her mind already racing with the possibilities, "Yeah, that's good."
Giles acknowledged her quick understanding, "Well, then you're going to need -"
But Buffy was already ahead of him, anticipating his next question, "Way ahead of you. We got time?"
Giles confirmed, "Yes. If you hurry."
Determined, Buffy stated her next move, "I'll grab some weapons, too."
Xander chimed in, "I'm looking for something in a broadsword..."
Spike, however, offered a cautionary note, "Don't be swinging that thing around like a crazy person, Harris."
"Hey, I happen to be—" Xander began to defend himself.
Spike didn't miss a beat, interrupting with a mocking remark, "A glorified brick-layer?"
Xander prepared for a witty comeback, retorting, "I'm also a swell bowler."
Anya chimed in, adding humor to the banter, "Has his own shoes."
Spike couldn't resist the opportunity to jest, "The Gods themselves do tremble."
Buffy, however, was focused on the task at hand and rolled her eyes at the playful exchange, "Albus, think you can Apparate Hermione and me to my house."
Dumbledore nodded in affirmation, "I can."
With that, Buffy and Hermione touched Dumbledore's robes, and in an instant, they vanished.
Summers Home
"Weapons in the chest by the TV. I'll grab the stuff upstairs—" Buffy began, her voice filled with determination. She then turned to her sister and Dumbledore, her expression grave. "We're not all gonna make it. You both know that."
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling with a hint of resignation. "Well, I didn't plan on living forever anyway."
Hermione nodded in agreement, her voice steady despite the uncertainty of the situation. "As long as Dawn is alright, that's all that matters."
Buffy offered a reassuring smile to her sister, their unspoken bond stronger than ever. "I'll be one minute." She started up the stairs and headed for her room. However, at the last moment, she changed direction and entered Dawn's room instead. She took a moment to look around, her hand smoothing out the pillow absently.
"It will be alright," Hermione said softly from the doorway, her presence offering a comforting reassurance. Buffy hadn't even heard her approach.
Buffy nodded, her eyes filled with unshed tears as she looked at her sister.
Hermione sat on the bed next to Buffy and pulled her sister's head onto her shoulder, offering her comfort in the midst of their shared turmoil. "It'll be alright, I promise," she whispered soothingly, her words filled with the genuine assurance she hoped to convey.
After a while, they both got up, and Buffy left the room to gather what they needed from her own. Hermione remained in Dawn's bedroom, her eyes wandering around the familiar space. Her gaze fell upon an envelope with her name on it, sitting atop Dawn's desk. Curiosity got the better of her, and she picked it up, gently removing the letter inside. As she began to read, her heart clenched with a mixture of emotions.
The words on the page were from Dawn, a letter penned nearly a year ago, filled with a haunting sense of foreboding:
Hermione,
If you're reading this it means I've been captured by Glory. Know this that I love you. We've only known each other for five days now but I know that in those few days I've already come to find out that I do indeed love you, my sister, my twin.
So I ask you not to come and rescue me. Stay away, Hermione. Please I love you too much to see you lose your life for me. And I know that is a very big possibility because even Buffy who has Slayer strength has not been able to hurt Glory. I would ask the same of Buffy, but I know she would never listen.
Please do this for me, Hermione.
I love you…
Dawn
Hermione's eyes were brimming with tears as she read the heartfelt plea from her twin sister, her emotions a turbulent mix of love, gratitude, and sorrow.
Buffy stuck her head in the doorway, concern etched on her face. "Hermione?"
Hermione turned to Buffy, her voice trembling as she tried to convey the depth of her emotions. "She loves me."
Buffy offered a reassuring smile, her understanding evident. "Of course she does."
Hermione shook her head, tears trickling down her cheeks as she waved the letter for Buffy to see. "She loves me enough to tell me to stay away. She loves you just as much, but she knows you would never listen."
Buffy nodded, her expression somber. "She's right. I never would. It's up to you, Hermione."
Hermione nodded, her mind made up as she looked back at the heartfelt letter from Dawn. "Give me a moment; I want to change out of these robes. Then we'll go rescue our sister."
Buffy gave her a reassuring nod and silently left Hermione alone in Dawn's bedroom, allowing her the space and time she needed to prepare for the challenging task ahead.
Hermione stepped over to Dawn's closet, carefully considering her options. She knew that her choice of outfit needed to strike a balance between practicality and comfort for the mission ahead. Her fingers ran over the different garments as she contemplated her decision.
After a brief moment, she settled on a pair of dark jeans that would provide her with ease of movement. She pulled them out and set them aside. Next, she found a soft, form-fitting black turtleneck sweater, which would offer some protection from the cool night air and was versatile enough for any situation.
For footwear, Hermione opted for a pair of sturdy combat boots that would provide traction and support, especially if they found themselves in a difficult situation.
Finally, she chose a black leather jacket, both for warmth and an added layer of protection. The jacket had a simple design, with zippered pockets and a high collar, making it suitable for their mission.
As Hermione dressed in her twin's clothes, a fond smile played on her lips at the thought of the future. She couldn't help but imagine more moments of sharing clothes and experiences with Dawn once they had successfully rescued her.
A short time later, the group reconvened at the Magic Box, with BuffyBot, Buffy, Dumbledore, and Hermione returning with an assortment of weapons. Buffy wasted no time and got right to business, seeking confirmation, "We on schedule?"
Giles nodded with a sense of urgency, "Yes. It's time."
Buffy's concern then shifted to Willow, knowing the emotional weight of their plan, "Willow?"
Willow moved closer to Tara and spoke softly to her, "Tara... baby... is there somewhere you should be?"
Tara nodded, a somber acknowledgment of the painful reality, "They held me down ..."
"Nobody's holding you. It's the big day, right? Do you want to go?" Willow assured Tara, offering her the choice.
With hesitancy, Tara looked around the room and slowly rose, making her way to the door. On her way out, she pointed at Giles and spoke her thoughts, "You're a killer. It's all put down..." Her words hung in the air as she left the shop.
Buffy acknowledged Tara's departure and issued a final reminder to the group, ensuring everyone understood the gravity of the situation, "Willow, stay close but don't crowd her. We'll follow in a minute. Everyone knows their jobs. Remember, the ritual starts, we all die. And Hermione and I will kill anyone who comes near Dawn."
Tara proceeded down the street, moving through the quiet neighborhood, with Willow following at a cautious distance. The rest of the group trailed even further behind as they made their way towards the ominous tower.
When they arrived at the tower, Xander couldn't help but mutter, "Shpadoinkle..."
Anya frowned, perplexed by the strange word, "What is that...?"
Giles nodded, acknowledging Buffy's earlier insight, "The portal must open up there. Looks like you were right about the tower."
Xander's attention was drawn to a wrecking ball nearby, and he couldn't hide his enthusiasm, "Hey, check that out. I think I can work with that."
Buffy smiled, her eyes filled with encouragement, "Give it a shot."
"See you guys in there," Xander said with a mix of determination and a reassuring squeeze on Anya's hand before heading inside.
Buffy nodded with a touch of anticipation, her voice carrying an air of leadership, "Will, you're up."
Willow attempted to muster determination, her gaze unwavering despite the anxiety that lingered beneath the surface. Her words are tinged with vulnerability, "Could use some courage..."
Giles, showing his concern through his caring expression, inquired, "Need anything?"
Willow hesitated briefly, her voice laced with a touch of longing, "Courage..." She glanced at Spike, who held a flask in front of her, understanding the depth of her request. She added a grateful nod, her voice gaining a hint of appreciation, "The real kind." With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and begins mumbling something under her breath—a quiet incantation filled with determination.
Buffy took charge, her words carrying a sense of responsibility and moral guidance, "Okay, guys. Albus, Minerva, Hermione. Offensive spells only unless they're human. Then defensive spells. We don't want to kill innocent human beings if we can help it." Her tone reflected the weight of the situation, the emotions running high as they prepare to face the unknown.
Glory's Tower
Tara entered the construction site, her heart pounding with determination. She started rummaging about the piles of rubble for something with heft, her hands trembling as she desperately searched for the item she needed.
Suddenly, a hand clamped down on her shoulder, causing her to jump and spin around in fright. Glory's eyes bore into Tara's, filled with suspicion and a dangerous intensity. "You. What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharp and accusatory.
Willow hurriedly walked up between them, her face a mixture of concern and determination. She bravely shoved her fingers into both Glory's and Tara's heads, her touch sending a jolt of power through them. "She's with me," she declared, her voice unwavering, despite the risk she was taking.
Glory gasped, her body frozen in paralyzed pain. White, crackling energy burst from Glory's head, running along Willow's arms and then into Tara's head. The intense energy surged through all three of them, causing their bodies to shake violently, and the tension in the air was palpable. Then, the energy flashed blindingly in a spectacular burst that sent all three girls flying back in different directions. Willow and Tara both landed with a painful thud, lying unconscious on the ground.
Glory, after her own tumultuous journey through the energy exchange, landed gracefully and was on her feet again in a matter of seconds. Her minions rushed to her side, their concern evident. "What the freakin' hell did that witch do to me!?" Glory exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of anger and bewilderment.
One of her minions shook his head in astonishment, trying to reassure her. "You look fine! Truly!"
"Stylish and affordable! Or..." chimed in another minion, attempting to divert Glory's attention.
Glory took a step forward, her movements unsteady, her head still reeling from the recent energy exchange. Her thoughts were scattered and chaotic. "She made a little, she made a hole... God, I need a meal... I need a brain to eat—"
The first minion eagerly offered, "Take mine, oh groove-tastic one—"
Glory shook her head, frustration seeping through her confusion. "I said a BRAIN, you worthless dirt! I've got places to be! Big day... I need a brain..." She turned slowly, her gaze falling upon the BuffyBot, mistaking it for the real Buffy. A wicked grin crossed her face. "Suppose I could always use yours."
BuffyBot, with an eerily artificial smile, responded, "Okay then. Come and get it."
Glory and the BuffyBot locked eyes, the tension thick in the air. The BuffyBot took a circling step, its movements precise and calculated, while Glory watched it with disdain. Glory, however, was a tad unsteady on her feet, struggling to maintain her balance.
"You don't seem very well," the BuffyBot remarked, its tone dripping with faux concern. "Do you need to lie down and have a tonic?"
Glory shook her head, her hand reaching up to her temple as if to soothe her throbbing headache. "Your little witch bitch gave me kind of a headache there. And all it did to her was kill her and her friend, so kudos to her! But if you think this is gonna last more than eight seconds..."
The BuffyBot maintained its enigmatic smile. "I notice that you're talking, whereas in your position I would attack me."
"Oh, most sweaty-naughty-feelings-causing one, should we—" the first minion began, his voice filled with hesitation.
Glory frowned, her irritation apparent. "Guard the girl! I can take care of hairdo here. This is a... a..."
The first minion, catching on, finished her sentence for her. "Diversionary tactic?"
Glory nodded with a determined expression. "Go! Guard!" she instructed as the minions quickly dispersed around the stairway area, ready to execute their assigned tasks.
BuffyBot maintained her uncanny smile, undeterred by Glory's slow advance. "You keep saying I'm nothing, I'm still not feeling attacked by you. It's strange," she remarked, her artificial voice oozing with calculated confidence. Glory hesitated as confusion flickered across her face.
She continued to move toward the BuffyBot, though her steps were slow and labored. "You're not as blurry with speed as usual, either," BuffyBot observed, pointing out the apparent anomaly.
Glory frowned, realizing something was amiss. "The witch..."
BuffyBot shook her head, negating that possibility. "It's not her," she said, producing the Dagon Sphere from behind her back. "It might be this," she continued, holding the sphere aloft. Glory snarled at the sight of the sphere, and her focus shifted.
"I heard it was supposed to repel you. So my guess is that you probably shouldn't touch it." With that, BuffyBot tossed the Dagon Sphere to Glory, who instinctively caught it. A surge of energy rippled from the sphere, causing Glory to convulse in excruciating agony. Her body contorted, and a scream welled up inside her as she crushed the sphere in her hand.
As she looked up at the BuffyBot, her eyes bore into it with murderous hate. Breathing heavily, she managed to gasp, "You're gonna wish—"
BuffyBot's punch landed square across Glory's jaw, sending the god flying backward and crashing into the ground. Anger fueled Glory's resilience as she rebounded to her feet, ready to retaliate. She met a flurry of swift and precise blows and kicks from the BuffyBot, each strike calculated and unrelenting. Glory barely fended them off at first, but she soon found her own rhythm, landing a couple of powerful blows in response.
Meanwhile, the minions gathered the crazed individuals to guard the stairway. The first minion barked orders, his voice filled with determination. "Stand fast! Kill anyone who dares approach! This is our day of Glory!"
The second minion couldn't help but appreciate the pun. "Well punned!"
The first minion nodded with a smirk. "Well, it just called out to me—"
Before he could finish, an arrow pierced through his chest, sent him toppling to the ground. Suddenly, Giles, Spike, and Anya charged toward the group, determined to thwart the minions' plans. Anya brandished a baseball bat and waded through the crazed individuals with a warrior yell. Giles stood by her side, wielding a sword, using it defensively against the crazed individuals and reserving his killing thrusts for the minions.
Behind Giles, Spike, and Anya stood Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Hermione, their wands at the ready. With their combined voices, they shouted, "Expelliarmus!" The powerful spell found its mark, and three minions were thrown backward by the force of the spell, their weapons sent flying.
As the battle raged on, the BuffyBot swung a punch at Glory, who caught it in her hand, demonstrating her godly strength. "You know what?" Glory said, a wicked grin on her face. She backhanded BuffyBot with incredible force, sending the android staggering.
BuffyBot started to reply, but Glory wasn't interested in her retort. In a swift, brutal motion, she kicked BuffyBot in the face, knocking her head clean off. "I'm sorry, you had a comment?" Glory taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Then, she took a closer look at the decapitated BuffyBot. "Wow... the Slayer's a robot! Did everybody else know the Slayer was a robot?"
However, before Glory could fully process this revelation, Buffy stepped up behind her, her face a mask of determination. "Glory..." Buffy said, her voice steady. As Glory spun to face her, Buffy swung Olaf's hammer into Glory's face with all her might, using it like a baseball bat. Glory was sent flying back, her body smashing into the nearest wall. She dropped in a dazed heap, disoriented and defeated.
Buffy stood over her fallen adversary, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. "You're not the brightest god in the heavens, are you?"
Above the fierce battle on the platform atop the tower, Dawn's panicked screams for help pierced the chaotic scene. "Buffy! Hermione! I'm up here!"
Buffy's head snapped up at Dawn's voice, her eyes filled with determination and concern. Without a moment's hesitation, she bolted for the stairs, her focus shifting from Glory to her sister's distress.
Glory, however, was quick to react. As she noticed Buffy heading up the stairs, her godly speed allowed her to whip up from below and grab Buffy. In a swift and powerful move, she knocked the hammer out of Buffy's hand and sent her tumbling back down the stairs. Buffy desperately tried to hold on to Glory, but the force of the impact caused them both to plummet back down into the construction site. They landed hard, Glory near a section of drywall and Buffy just beyond it.
Breathing heavily, Glory taunted, "You lost your hammer, sweetcheeks. What're you gonna hit me with now?"
Buffy's eyes darted to the side and spotted a giant wrecking ball swinging through the wall. Without missing a beat, she quipped, "Whatever's handy..." as she swiftly grabbed Olaf's hammer and bounded through the hole after Glory.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
On the platform, Dawn's panic was palpable as she looked down, around, and then back up. Her eyes widened in desperation as she saw someone standing before her. She cried out, "You... can you help me? Untie me..."
The man before her wore a sinister smile. "Oh, sweet girl, I can do magic!"
Desperation filled Dawn's voice as she begged, "Please help me... she's coming..."
The man, still grinning, seemed unperturbed. "Well, she seems to be running late, is the thing. And if her splendidness isn't here to bleed you…" He let the implication hang in the air, and Dawn's face drained of color as she realized the danger she was in.
"Yes, it's all coming together at last. Hey, kid. Wanna see a trick?" With a theatrical flourish, he produced a gleaming knife, the blade glinting menacingly as a terrible smile graced his face. He closed in on Dawn, his intentions clear. As he pulled an antique pocket watch from his coat pocket and checked the time, he taunted, "What do you know? Just about that time."
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On the ground, Hermione's gaze shifted to Dumbledore, her urgency apparent. "Professor, can you apparate me up there?" she asked. Dumbledore nodded in acknowledgment, and Hermione took hold of his robes. In an instant, they both vanished in a burst of mystical energy, leaving the construction site behind as they made their way to the platform to rescue Dawn.
Buffy swung Olaf's hammer with all her might, striking Glory square in the face and sending her crashing into a pile of debris. Glory's godly facade was beginning to crumble under Buffy's relentless assault.
Glory groaned in pain, her voice laced with frustration. "This isn't fair."
Buffy, her eyes burning with determination, retorted, "I'm sorry. You want to rip apart the fabric of reality, destroy my world, and kill my sister, and now you're introducing the concept of fairness?"
Glory, undeterred by her injuries, leaped at Buffy with a crowbar in hand, slashing at Buffy's neck and sending her reeling. Glory's next move was less successful as Buffy blocked her swing with the hammer and delivered a swift kick to send Glory stumbling back. The crowbar clattered to the ground, and Glory was visibly hurting.
"You're just a mortal... you couldn't understand my pain," Glory exclaimed, her tone almost pleading.
Buffy, unfazed by Glory's words, raised the hammer once more and swung it with determination. "I guess I'll have to settle for causing it," she replied as she struck Glory once more.
Glory staggered back, her body battered and bruised, but she defiantly stated, "You can't kill me..."
Buffy's relentless assault continued as she swung Olaf's hammer repeatedly, each blow landing with unyielding force. Glory, her face now a bloody mess, was dazed and defenseless. A final, brutal blow from Buffy sent her to her knees, and an uppercut from the Slayer put her flat on her back.
"Stop it..." Glory pleaded, her voice weak and pained.
Buffy stood over her, her expression resolute. "You're a god," she said as she raised the hammer high. "Make it stop."
With a final, resounding slam of the hammer into Glory's face, the battle came to an end. Glory's body shifted and transformed, and in her place, Ben now knelt, bloody and defeated.
"I'm sorry..." Ben whispered, his voice filled with remorse.
Buffy, her anger and determination still etched on her face, stared down at Ben. "Tell her it's over," she demanded. "She missed her shot. She goes. She ever... ever... comes near me and mine again..."
Ben nodded, a promise in his eyes. "We won't," he swore. "I swear."
Buffy swiftly rose to her feet, her gaze lingering on Ben for a moment, a mix of anger and determination in her eyes. Then, without another word, she turned and bolted, her mission completed and her purpose clear.
Ben, still reeling from the fight, coughed and tried to sit up, a sense of despair in his eyes. Eventually, he laid back down and muttered to himself, "Guess we're stuck with each other, huh baby?"
Giles, who had been a silent observer throughout the entire battle and Buffy's departure, walked over to the injured Ben. He crouched down and asked, "Can you move?"
Ben took a moment to catch his breath before replying, "Need... a minute... She could have killed me."
Giles shook his head with a grim expression. "No, she couldn't. Never. And sooner or later, Glory will re-emerge and make Buffy pay for that mercy, and the world with her. Buffy even knows that, and still she wouldn't take a human life. Because she's a hero, you see. She's not like us."
Ben looked confused by Giles's words, about to ask for clarification, but he never got the chance. In a chilling, calculated move, Giles coldly clamped his hand over Ben's mouth and nose. Ben struggled feebly for a moment before his movements ceased, his lifeless eyes staring at the heavens unseeing. (A/N)
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On the platform the silence which once settled over the battlefield was now brought to an end as the Dawn screamed in pain. "Shallow cuts..." the man murmured to himself as he cut Dawn's skin, "shallow cuts..."
Dawn screamed at each and every fresh wound.
"Let the blood ... flow... free," the demon continued.
Red drops fell between them into the air.
Dumbledore and Hermione apparated on to the platform, their arrival providing Dawn with a glimmer of hope in her dire situation. Dawn's face lit up as she spotted her sister, Hermione.
"Hermione!" Dawn called out, relief and gratitude filling her voice.
Hermione raised her wand, ready to confront the ominous man who had threatened her sister's life. The man, unfazed, merely grinned and commented, "Well, this should be interesting."
Hermione wasted no time. She shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Her spell struck the man squarely in the chest, and he was sent tumbling off the tower to his demise. With a deep breath, Hermione rushed over to Dawn, swiftly untied her, and embraced her with a mixture of relief and love.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore, observing the dire situation and the urgency of the portal that was on the brink of opening, knew what needed to be done to prevent the impending catastrophe. With a decisive nod, he apparated back to the ground, leaving Hermione and Dawn alone on the tower
"Hermione, it hurts..." Dawn whimpered, her face contorted with pain.
"I got you... You're gonna be okay..." Hermione reassured her twin, her voice filled with concern and determination.
But Dawn's frown deepened, and she looked down at her leg, where blood seeped through her torn clothes. It pooled on her foot and finally dripped down into the air. The situation was growing more dire by the second.
Hermione, growing more frantic, hurriedly untied Dawn and started to drag her down the platform. However, Dawn resisted, her gaze fixated on the growing ball of energy and the chaos unfolding around them. Finally, Hermione stopped and looked back at her twin in frustration. "Come on!" she urged, a sense of urgency in her voice.
Dawn's eyes remained locked on the pulsating energy, and she uttered a trembling confession. "I can't."
Hermione, torn between her love for her sister and the impending danger, looked back at the portal, knowing that time was running out. "What? We have to get down!" she insisted, her heart racing as they stood on the precipice of a world-altering event.
"Hermione, it's started," Dawn whispered, a sense of resignation in her voice. "I'm sorry..."
Hermione's eyes widened with understanding as she processed the gravity of the situation. She shook her head and declared, "It doesn't matter. Nothing-"
Before Hermione could finish her sentence, Dawn made a desperate break for it, trying to run back to the end of the platform.
Hermione reacted quickly, her instincts kicking in. She grabbed Dawn, pulling her back, her voice trembling with fear and determination. "What are you doing?"
Dawn, her eyes filled with a resolve that only she understood, met Hermione's gaze. "I can end this."
Hermione, her heart aching and refusing to accept her sister's sacrifice, vehemently protested, "No!" She was determined to protect Dawn, no matter the cost.
"I have to jump. The energy..." Dawn explained, her voice filled with determination.
"It'll kill you!" Hermione countered, her eyes welling up with tears, unable to bear the thought of losing her sister.
Dawn, her resolve unwavering, continued, "I know, Hermione. I know about the ritual! I have to stop it."
Hermione shook her head in despair. "No!"
Dawn, with tears in her eyes, pleaded with her sister, "I have to! Look at what's happening!" Together, they witnessed a rift opening, and a colossal dragon emerged, its deafening screams filling the air as it sailed past them. "Hermione…"
Torn between her love for her sister and the impending catastrophe, Hermione's heartache was palpable. She shook her head, her voice trembling with emotion, and declared, "I don't care! Dawn, I won't lose you..."
Dawn let out a resigned sigh, her voice trembling as she continued, "You have to! You have to let me go! Blood starts it, and until the blood stops flowing, it'll never stop. You know you have to let me..."
Hermione looked at Dawn, torn between the love for her sister and the harsh reality of the situation. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Dawn, but as her sister explained, there was no other way.
"It has to have the blood..." Dawn emphasized.
Hermione turned and gazed at the end of the platform, her mind racing as she recollected various conversations and events from the past year. The pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place, and realization swept over her face.
She remembered the words of the monk, "Molded it flesh, made it human from both you and your sister." She recalled her own statement, "I'd rather die than lose you." And then, Buffy's words from earlier that day echoed in her mind, "The Monks made her out of us. I think Hermione will agree. We hold her, and we both feel closer to her than... It's more than just the memories they built, it's physical, it's... Dawn is a part of us."
The memories and the deep bond she shared with her sister were etched into her heart, and they had all led her to this moment. With a solemn nod to herself, Hermione made her decision, she will take Dawn's place.
As Hermione turned back toward Dawn, the realization of her sister's intentions struck Dawn like a tidal wave, and she sobbed in protest. "Hermione... no..."
Hermione gently brushed Dawn's hair back behind her ear, her voice filled with love and determination. "Dawnie... I have to..."
Dawn's sobs grew louder as she comprehended the depth of Hermione's sacrifice. She clung to her sister desperately, unwilling to let go.
"Listen to me! There's no time, Dawn, please listen," Hermione implored, drawing Dawn closer so she could speak directly into her ear. Her voice was filled with love and urgency. "Dawn, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I'll always love you. But this is something I have to do. Give my love to Buffy, Harry, and Ron. You have to take care of them—you have to take care of each other. You have to be strong, Dawn. The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me."
Hermione gently wiped away a tear from Dawn's face, her heart heavy with the weight of their final moments together. She took a moment to memorize her sister's face, so identical to her own, and then she placed a loving kiss on Dawn's cheek.
With a final, longing look at her sister, Hermione turned and ran toward the end of the platform. When she reached it, she didn't hesitate. She dove off the edge, hurtling toward the swirling ball of energy below, her sacrifice made out of profound love and a fierce determination to protect her family. (A/N 2)
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On the ground, Dumbledore stood with a solemn expression, his eyes fixed on the falling Hermione.
Buffy approached him, her voice filled with concern, "What's going on?" She followed his gaze, looking up at Hermione as she descended from the platform.
Dumbledore raised his wand toward the falling Hermione and began to explain the situation. "Your friend, Mr. Giles, was both right and wrong. There was another way for the portal to close that did not require a death. A willing sacrifice had to be made. Hermione had to be willing to jump."
Buffy's eyes widened as she listened, her heart filled with both relief and anxiety. She needed to know more.
Dumbledore continued, "See, the monks did more than just make Dawn out of you and Hermione. They made Dawn—Hermione's twin. Only two people could close the portal, one of them requiring a death. You could have jumped in Dawn's place, but your sacrifice would have resulted in your death. But Hermione, since she is Dawn's exact twin, she can close the portal in Dawn's place and not die. The monks knew this when they created Dawn in Hermione's image. When the portal closes as Hermione falls through it, I will magically catch her and lower her safely to the ground."
As the energy ball expanded and then suddenly contracted out of existence, Hermione found herself passing through it. The sensation was disorienting, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread and anticipation as she descended.
However, to her surprise, Hermione felt herself slowing down, defying the expected outcome of her sacrifice. Confusion filled her as she gently floated to the ground. "What? Why am I?" she began to ask, her voice tinged with astonishment. She had expected to meet a different fate.
Buffy's warm smile greeted Hermione as she touched down safely, and the realization of what had just transpired began to sink in. "You saved the day. Professor Dumbledore was just explaining to me what happened. Giles was right and wrong. There was one other way that didn't require a death."
Hermione looked at her sister, still puzzled, as Dawn approached them from the tower.
Buffy continued to explain, her voice filled with pride and affection, "You see, it took you willingly sacrificing yourself to close the portal. Because you sacrificed yourself for Dawn, you were able to close the portal. See, it all boils down to love, Hermione—love for Dawn. Because you loved our sister, you were able to take her place. Once the portal closed, Professor Dumbledore was able, using his wand, to slow your descent and safely bring you down."
Dawn joined the conversation, her eyes filled with hope as she asked, "So it's over?"
Buffy nodded with a deep sense of relief, her voice filled with reassurance. "It's over. You're safe, forever."
Dawn's smile quickly turned into a playful yet affectionate slap to Hermione's cheek. "Never do that again."
Hermione rubbed her cheek, chuckling as she gazed at her twin. "I don't intend to, Dawn. So, you guys got room for a third Summers at home?"
Buffy nodded, her expression warm and welcoming. "We may have to do some rearranging, but I think we can fit you in. Perhaps put you in my room, and I move into Mom's old room."
The three sisters came together in a tight, emotional embrace, holding one another close. In that moment, they were united by their shared bond, love, and triumph over the challenges that had threatened to tear them apart. Buffy never wanted to let either of them go, cherishing the family they had fought so hard to protect and keep together.
Author's Note: I had originally considered Dumbledore using Avada Kedavra on Ben but at the last minute decided to go with canon and Giles killing Ben.
Author's Note 2: I debated doing a cliffhanger for this chapter, leaving you all wondering whether I killed Hermione or not. Then I decided I wouldn't be that mean.
