Chapter 5: Power Outage Part 2
November 16, 2001 – Friday
Halliwell Manor
In their shared bedroom, Buffy and Dawn found themselves surrounded by half-packed suitcases and scattered belongings. The room, once filled with tension and frustration, now served as the backdrop for a quiet introspection.
As they continued to pack, their movements became slower and more deliberate. The initial haste gave way to a contemplative rhythm, allowing them to focus on the task at hand while also creating space for conversation.
With each folded garment and neatly arranged item, the silence between them began to dissolve. The weight of their anger and confusion seemed to lessen with every shared thought, their voices becoming a bridge to understanding.
"I don't get it, Buffy," Dawn said, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Why were we so angry with each other? I mean, it all feels so distant now."
Buffy paused, carefully placing a book into her bag. She glanced up at Dawn, her expression thoughtful. "I know what you mean," she replied, her voice laced with a touch of wonder. "It's like the anger just... evaporated. And now that I think about it, I can't even pinpoint why we were that mad in the first place."
Dawn nodded, a contemplative look on her face. "Yeah, it's strange. I mean, we've had arguments before, but this one felt different. More intense. But now..."
"I know," Buffy agreed as she glanced at the blouse that Prue had torn during the fight. "Everything we, mom, Aunt Piper and Aunt Phoebe were fighting over was insignificant. But yet it like at the time… Come on, let's go find Mom, Aunt Piper and Aunt Phoebe. I think we both know packing and running away back to Sunnydale or anywhere else isn't the answer."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Prue and Piper diligently worked together to clean up the aftermath of the heated argument. Phoebe had already left, leaving a void in the tense atmosphere. They were unsure if Buffy and Dawn were in the process of packing or simply needed some time alone.
As Piper knelt down next to her sister, offering her support, she gently said, "Here."
Prue, focused on cleaning up the broken glass, reassured her, "It's alright."
Piper insisted, "I'll get it," understanding that her sister needed a moment of respite. Prue gratefully accepted her help, acknowledging the unspoken understanding between them.
In the midst of their cleanup, Leo suddenly appeared, orbing into the room. Piper, sensing something was amiss, asked, "What's wrong?"
Leo's concern was evident as he replied, "You tell me." The gravity of the situation hung in the air, awaiting an explanation.
Prue took a deep breath, mustering the courage to recount the events. "Well, Piper, Phoebe, Buffy, Dawn, and I had a little tiff," she admitted, understating the magnitude of the argument.
Leo's response conveyed the impact of their discord, "Must've been more than little because they felt it."
Piper, perplexed by Leo's statement, sought clarification. "What do you mean they felt it?"
Leo's reply carried a weight of urgency, "Whatever happened severed the Power of Three."
Dawn and Buffy entered the kitchen at that moment. Dawn voiced her confusion at Leo's statement, "That's impossible, isn't it?"
"Piper, freeze this," said Leo as he picked up a glass bowl and dropped it. Piper tried to freeze it but nothing happened and the bowl shattered on the floor.
Prue, equally perplexed, tried to manipulate the broken glass with her telekinetic powers, only to encounter the same unexpected failure. "What happened to our powers?" she questioned; her voice tinged with concern.
Leo's words resonated with a sense of urgency, "That's what we have to figure out. Let's start with your little tiff."
Dawn interjected, admitting the magnitude of their argument, "Well, that's a bit of an understatement."
Buffy chimed in, affirming the intensity of their emotions, "It was big."
Leo sought further clarification, his voice filled with concern, "How big?"
Prue searched for an apt comparison, drawing upon historical events to convey the magnitude of their dispute. "Um, do you remember Pearl Harbor?"
"Okay, so what triggered it?" he wondered, perplexed.
Prue responded honestly, "We're not really sure. Just little things, I guess."
Dawn added her perspective, recalling the unresolved issues that fueled their anger. "The meeting, me still not being enrolled in school."
"Me borrowing mom's clothes because mine are still in boxes up in the attic," Buffy added. "Plus, mom's camera equipment being a tripping hazard."
Prue shared her own setback, a missed job opportunity caused by her car running out of gas. "My car ran out of gas, and because of that, I missed my job."
Leo considered their explanations, seeking a rational explanation. "That's it?"
Prue acknowledged the peculiar nature of their anger, realizing that there may have been an external influence at play. "Yeah, I mean, it's weird. We were angry, but we shouldn't have been that angry. It was almost like something..."
Dawn completed her mother's thought, recognizing the eerie similarity. "Someone sort of came over us."
Prue concurred. "Yeah, something like Belthazor."
Leo interjected, dismissing the possibility. "That doesn't track because no matter what he does, he doesn't have the power to take away yours. So, back to your argument. You yelled and threw stuff?"
Prue's admission revealed the extent to which their powers had been entangled in their anger. "We did more than that. We... used our powers."
Leo's eyebrows furrowed in concern as he processed the revelation. "What, on each other?" he asked, struggling to comprehend the extent of their actions. "Alright, well, then that's what happened. Your powers are rooted in your bond as sisters, Piper, Prue. Using them against each other and Buffy and Dawn must have severed that bond."
Buffy, her voice filled with a mix of realization and apprehension, interjected, "It's more than that though, isn't it? It's more the family bond, isn't it? After all, Dawn and I were involved as well."
Leo nodded, acknowledging Buffy's insight. "It is possible that you added to the situation. The both of you being part of this family adds a new dynamic that had originally not been there. Now you all need to repair the damage of your relationships fast because without the Power of Three, you all are extremely vulnerable. So, you need to get Phoebe..."
Prue interrupted; her voice laced with a hint of regret. "Phoebe's gone," she disclosed, revealing the consequences of their tumultuous argument.
Dawn added to her mother's statement, her tone tinged with a mix of sadness and urgency. "And Buffy and I almost followed her out the door. We were packing getting ready to head back to Sunnydale or anywhere at the time that wasn't here."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In the attic of the Manor, a somber atmosphere enveloped the room as Buffy and Dawn observed Piper and Prue scrying to locate Phoebe. The dim light cast eerie shadows on their faces, mirroring the uncertainty that loomed over them.
Leo, focused on his task, glanced up as Dawn posed her question. "Leo," she began hesitantly, "is it possible my powers have been influenced by the Key?"
Leo, flipping through the pages of the ancient Book of Shadows, raised an eyebrow in response. "It's possible," he replied, his voice tinged with intrigue. "Why do you ask?"
Dawn's voice trembled slightly as she recounted her experience. "During the fight, I think I created a portal," she admitted, her eyes searching for any signs of understanding.
Buffy, her brow furrowed, interjected with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Could she do that? Control the Key?"
Leo nodded; his expression thoughtful. "It is possible, Dawn. But if you do have that power, it could make you as powerful as the Power of Three. For the Key itself is as old as time, and if you have access to the magic that created the Key..."
Interrupting their discussion, Piper's voice resonated with frustration. "Nothing. I-I can't find her," she confessed, her grip on the scrying crystal faltering. "We don't even have basic powers anymore."
Prue let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping with the weight of their predicament. "I cannot believe this is happening," she lamented.
Piper, her eyes filled with confusion, voiced her own perplexity. "What I don't understand is how could Belthazor make us that angry? That's not his power."
Leo, now flipping through the Book of Shadows alongside the others, interjected with newfound knowledge. "No, it's not, but it is his..."
"Andras, the spirit of rage," Dawn read, her voice filled with a mix of caution and realization. "He uses anger as a portal to enrage his victims until they commit a grievous act of violence."
"Yeah, but that doesn't really explain everything. I mean, even if our fight was supernaturally amped, Andras magnifies anger into rage, he doesn't just create it out of thin air," said Prue.
Buffy nodded in agreement; her gaze fixed on the book. "Which means each of us gave him an opening," she acknowledged. "I gave him the opening by being mad at you, Mom," she confessed, her voice filled with a tinge of guilt.
Dawn, her tone filled with self-reflection, admitted, "I gave him the opening by being frustrated about not returning to school."
Piper chimed in, her voice resonating with regret. "We all gave him an opening," she acknowledged.
Prue's words hung in the air, a heavy reminder of their collective responsibility. "And he took full advantage," she concluded, her voice a mix of frustration and determination.
Cole's Apartment
Cole and Phoebe found themselves locked in an intense moment of passion; their lips pressed together in a passionate kiss. But amidst the fervor, Cole's hand instinctively reached down, grasping the handle of a concealed knife nestled in his belt. The glint of the blade caught his eye, reminding him of his dark purpose.
Suddenly, a wave of hesitation washed over him, disrupting the momentum of their embrace. He abruptly pulled away from Phoebe, their connection severed by his internal struggle. "I can't. I can't."
Confusion etched Phoebe's face as she tried to comprehend what was going on. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Cole, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and concern, stood up, distancing himself from Phoebe. "Phoebe, you need to go home," he implored, his voice tinged with urgency. "Now."
A pang of hurt resonated within Phoebe's heart, but she mustered a small smile, understanding his intentions. "What? Why?" she questioned, seeking clarity.
"Because you're vulnerable right now," Cole confessed, his words laced with a hint of anguish. "I don't... we shouldn't do this. You need to go home. You need to go and figure out what happened."
Phoebe's gaze softened, appreciating his concern. "You're right. I do," she conceded, accepting the truth in his words. As he guided her towards the door, she whispered, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Cole replied, his voice filled with a mixture of tenderness and longing. He sealed their parting with a final kiss, his gaze lingering on her retreating figure as she made her way home.
The silence of the empty apartment was shattered by an unexpected voice, resonating with malicious intent. "So, the rumors are true. You've fallen for a witch," Andras taunted, his presence materializing within the room.
Startled, Cole whirled around, his eyes narrowing at the sight of his unwelcome visitor. "What are you doing here? Get out!" he demanded, his voice a mixture of anger and frustration.
"The great Belthazor. Who would've ever thought?" Andras jeered, unfazed by Cole's outburst. His eyes danced with mischief as he observed the situation. "I can hardly wait to see what the Triad will do when I tell them you failed."
Cole's grip tightened on the knife he had hidden between the couch cushions, his gaze narrowing into a fierce glare. Determination flickered in his eyes as he retorted, "I will kill you before you ever get the chance."
Andras grinned, reveling in the tension that filled the air. "Yeah? Then you really are a traitor, aren't you?" he taunted, goading Cole further. As the air crackled with anticipation, Andras revealed a sinister truth. "Pissed off, are you? Good. Because there's something you don't know about me. I can possess my victims too."
In a swift and seamless motion, Andras lunged, merging with the form of Belthazor, their identities blending together. The transformed entity unleashed a mighty roar, the echoes of its rage reverberating through the room. Gazing into the mirror, a wicked smile crossed its face. "Now, let's go finish what we started, shall we?"
Halliwell Manor
Piper, Buffy, and Dawn stood together; their eyes fixed on Prue as she engaged in a tense phone conversation. The room was filled with an air of anxiety and concern, with half-formed worries lingering in the minds of each family member.
Prue's voice wavered slightly as she spoke into the receiver, her tone urgent and desperate. "If you hear from her, just tell her to come home, okay? It's an emergency. Thanks." With a heavy sigh, she ended the call, her eyes betraying a mix of frustration and worry. "So, she's not at the club, and none of her friends have seen her," she informed the rest of the group.
Piper's face reflected her growing unease, her voice tinged with a sense of guilt. "Did you try Cole?" she asked, desperately clinging to a shred of hope.
Prue nodded; her expression somber. "No answer," she replied, her voice laced with disappointment.
A deep sigh escaped Piper's lips, her shoulders slumping. "If something happens to her, I'll never forgive myself," she confessed, her voice heavy with self-blame.
Buffy and Dawn shared in Piper's sentiment; their voices filled with shared concern. "Neither will I," they echoed in unison, their bond as sisters strengthening in the face of uncertainty.
Leo, ever the voice of reassurance, attempted to quell their fears. "Nothing's going to happen," he interjected, his words laced with conviction.
But Piper couldn't shake the weight of their troubled history. "Leo, something has happened to several members of this family," she countered, her voice laden with a sense of resignation. "Something happened to Grams, something happened to Mom, something happened to Buffy. It kind of runs in the family, both those by blood and those by adoption."
Just as the tension reached its peak, Phoebe entered the room, her presence a balm for their troubled hearts. A collective sigh of relief escaped their lips as they welcomed her into their embrace.
"Phoebe, thank God," Prue exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine relief.
Phoebe, still unaware of the gravity of the situation, responded with a touch of humor. "Has the tribal council spoken? Am I booted off the island?" she quipped, attempting to ease the tension.
Piper's concern overshadowed her attempt at light-heartedness. She held Phoebe tightly in her arms, seeking reassurance. "Are you okay?" she inquired; her voice filled with genuine concern.
The embrace continued as Buffy and Dawn joined in, enveloping Phoebe in their shared affection. Phoebe, her eyes filled with gratitude, answered Piper's question, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and determination. "Yeah."
Dawn couldn't contain her curiosity, her words flowing freely as she stepped back from the embrace. "Where were you?" she asked, her voice a mix of relief and curiosity.
Phoebe took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she recounted her recent experiences. "I was at Cole's. And after a lot of talking and a lot of tears, he convinced me to come home and deal with what happened," she revealed, her voice tinged with a newfound resolve.
Prue interjected; her tone serious as she provided a summary of the events that had unfolded. "Belthazor is what happened," she stated matter-of-factly, her words carrying the weight of the truth.
Confusion flickered across Phoebe's face as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "What?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief and concern.
Piper interjected, providing a concise explanation amidst the growing turmoil. "Abbreviated version: he used some underling spirit to enrage us, and when we fought, we lost our powers," she explained, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "No more triquetra, no more Power of Three. Maybe even no more family magic since Buffy and Dawn fought as well. Who knows? It's possible if the Elders felt it that the Powers that Be did as well and stripped Buffy of hers."
Phoebe's voice quivered with a mix of disbelief and apprehension as she processed the shocking revelation. "What, we have no powers? But that means that..."
Prue, her expression grave yet determined, nodded in agreement. "That he's going to try and come kill us. Which, when you didn't come home, we thought that he had already..." Her voice trailed off, the unspeakable fear lingering in the air.
Phoebe reassured them; her voice filled with a newfound strength. "No, it's okay, I'm fine," she insisted, trying to mask any lingering vulnerability. She quickly shifted her focus to finding a solution. "So, what do we do? A spell, a vanquish, a potion?"
Leo interjected with his counsel. "Everyone needs to restore the bonds they share," he advised, his voice resonating with authority. "The most important bond is that of the three of you as sisters. But if Piper is right, then Buffy and Dawn need to restore their bonds to you as well as each other, so their powers return as well. I'll give you some privacy." With that, he respectfully left the room, granting them the space they needed.
Prue lightened the mood with a touch of humor. "A potion would be easier, huh?" she quipped, her attempt at levity met with a soft chuckle from her sisters and her nieces.
Amidst the tender moment, Piper took the opportunity to address past grievances. "Oh, yeah. Um, Phoebe, Grams didn't say you'd never amount to anything," she admitted, her voice laced with regret. "That was just me being mean. She was, is, very proud of you."
Phoebe's eyes softened, grateful for the reassurance. "We all know that sometimes I'm not the most responsible person in the world," she confessed, her voice tinged with self-reflection.
Prue interjected with sincerity. "No, Phoebe, that's all kind of ancient history, isn't it?" she stated, her voice brimming with forgiveness and understanding. "I mean, you've grown up a lot, and I'm sorry if I don't always treat you like you have."
Phoebe nodded, a sense of understanding passing between them. "It's okay. Since Mom died..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of their shared loss hanging in the air.
Piper's gaze softened as she looked at Prue, gratitude evident in her eyes. "You did take care of us, and you do still look out for us all the time, and we don't always say thank you," she confessed, her voice filled with heartfelt appreciation. "Sometimes we take you for granted."
Prue's eyes sparkled with a mixture of playfulness and warmth. "I don't think I'm the one who's been taken for granted around here," she teased, a hint of amusement in her voice. "You know, who needs Oprah when we can do it ourselves?" A collective giggle escaped their lips as the tension began to dissolve. Prue then turned her attention to her daughters, her expression softening.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Buffy and Dawn spoke in unison, their voices carrying a sincere apology and a renewed sense of understanding.
Prue's voice carried a mix of remorse and self-reflection as she acknowledged her own role in the family dynamics. "I know," she admitted, her tone tinged with regret. "And part of that is my fault. You are right to be frustrated, Dawn. I've been dragging my heels, claiming Buffy's adoption needed to go through first. But it was me. I wasn't sure I was truly ready to be a mother." Her gaze then shifted to Buffy, her eyes filled with a blend of empathy and realization. "And I forget, Buffy, sometimes what you have been through. That you have actually been doing this longer than Piper, Phoebe, and I have. And that you have had to grow up faster than you should have."
Buffy and Dawn exchanged warm smiles as they embraced Prue, a collective understanding passing between them.
"Tomorrow, I am going to get you enrolled, Dawn," Prue declared with determination, her voice laced with newfound purpose. "And Buffy, you should go back to college. Whatever makes you happy. You should do it. If that includes not reopening Joyce's gallery here in San Francisco, that's okay. If that means reopening the gallery and not going back to college, that's okay. And it's okay if you don't want to do either and want to find something else that makes you happy."
Buffy's face lit up with a mixture of gratitude and aspiration. "I still want to go back to college," she affirmed, her voice carrying a renewed sense of determination. "I think Mom would like that. Who knows, maybe I will even change my major and follow in her footsteps and yours and pursue an art degree? And I do want to reopen the gallery, even if it's only to eventually hand it over to Dawn."
Phoebe, always perceptive, interjected with an important question, shifting the focus to their magical abilities. "So," she began, her eyes scanning the room, encompassing their family, both blood-related and chosen. "Do you think we have our powers back?"
It was at that precise moment that Belthazor abruptly burst through the door, shattering the tranquility of the conversation.
"Oh!" Prue exclaimed, her hand instinctively swiping through the air, only to be met with disappointment. "Alright, no, you try," she urged her sister, Piper, a flicker of hope still lingering.
Piper, determination etched on her face, attempted to freeze their unexpected visitor. "No," she gasped, her voice tinged with frustration and disbelief. "Mine aren't working either."
Dawn concentrated, her brow furrowing with determination, but her attempts to open a portal yielded no results. "No dice," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "Or maybe I just haven't figured out how I did it in the first place."
Phoebe chimed in, reminding them of their progress. "We worked on our issues," she interjected, her voice filled with conviction.
In a split second, Leo charged towards Belthazor, swinging a chair at his back with force. But the malevolent being swiftly retaliated, striking Leo in the face.
"Leo!" Piper cried out; her concern evident in her voice.
Buffy's mind raced as she assessed the situation. Uncertain if Piper's theory held true and her Slayer powers had indeed been stripped away during their disagreement, she made a resolute decision. It didn't matter to her whether her powers were intact or not; what mattered was protecting her loved ones. "Run," she urged, her voice firm and determined. "I'll hold him off."
"No," Dawn, Phoebe, Piper, and Prue objected in unison, their voices laced with concern.
"Buffy, we're in this together," Phoebe insisted, her words resonating with unity and determination. As she spoke, the triquetra symbol on the Book of Shadows began to emit a radiant glow. When the glow subsided, two additional smaller triquetras had appeared on either side of the main one. "Look, the Book."
Prue, Piper, and Phoebe directed their gaze towards the book, realizing that the magic within it now recognized Buffy and Dawn as not only family but also witches, regardless of Buffy's true nature.
With swift precision, Prue telekinetically knocked the knife out of Belthazor's grasp. In retaliation, Belthazor hurled a deadly energy ball towards them, but Prue telekinetically deflected the attack. The powerful energy ball rebounded, striking Belthazor and causing Andras to be expelled from his host.
"Okay, that's new," Dawn remarked, her voice filled with both astonishment and relief.
"Demon with demon filling," quipped Buffy, her words laced with a touch of humor amidst the intense situation.
Belthazor, seething with anger, growled, "Nobody crosses me," as he unleashed another energy ball, this time targeting Andras, who was swiftly vanquished. With determination in his eyes, he retrieved the knife, his intent clear.
"Okay, positions," Prue commanded, her voice filled with determination.
As Belthazor advanced toward Buffy and Phoebe, they swiftly reacted, delivering simultaneous kicks to his face, staggering him momentarily.
"Uh, Piper?" Piper's attention was drawn to Prue's warning, and with a swift gesture, she froze the knife that hurled toward her in mid-air, preventing it from reaching its intended target.
Prue utilized her astral projection power, effortlessly appearing behind Belthazor and delivering a powerful kick to his back, destabilizing him further.
Dawn grabbed the knife out of mid-air, wielding it with confidence as she sliced through Belthazor's flesh. A chunk of his skin fell to the ground, eliciting a ferocious roar from the demon. As he reached out for Dawn, a mischievous smile graced her face, and a portal materialized behind her. Stepping backwards, she seamlessly passed through the portal, emerging unharmed on the opposite side of the room.
Prue swiftly returned from her astral projection, seamlessly merging back into her physical body. Drawing upon her powers, she telekinetically sent Belthazor through the nearby window with a shattering crash.
The group rushed to the window, only to find Belthazor gone.
"He's gone," Phoebe stated, a mixture of relief and caution in her voice.
"At least for now," Prue acknowledged, her voice tinged with wariness.
Concern etched on her face; Piper turned her attention to Leo. "Are you okay?" she inquired, searching for any signs of injury.
"Yeah, good thing I'm already dead," Leo replied with a wry smile. "Did you get him?"
Dawn interjected, holding up the slice of skin she had obtained. "Yep, I got a slice."
Prue couldn't resist a hint of dark humor. "Mmm, yum, the other white meat," she quipped.
Leo chuckled, relieved to have been spared. "Better him than me."
Phoebe shifted the focus back to their mission. "Well, at least now we can work on the vanquishing spell," she suggested.
Prue nodded in agreement. "Well, we better hurry before Belthazor's encore," she warned, a sense of urgency in her voice.
November 17, 2001 – Saturday
Halliwell Manor
Prue, Piper, and Phoebe anxiously awaited Leo's arrival, having sent Buffy and Dawn to the movies to ensure privacy for their discussion about the mysterious change in the Book of Shadows' cover.
Leo orbed in; a hint of confusion evident on his face. "Prue?" he greeted, uncertain of the reason for his summons.
Piper raised the Book of Shadows, her eyes fixed on the altered cover. "What does this mean?" she asked, gesturing towards the unfamiliar design. "We understand why the book recognizes Dawn as part of the Charmed legacy, but Buffy?"
Leo took a moment to compose his thoughts before providing an explanation. "The Elders believe that Buffy may be a progenitor," he revealed. "Throughout history, magic has always been intertwined with the Slayer lineage. The First Slayer herself was imbued with the essence of a demon, which is the source of a Slayer's powers."
Phoebe's curiosity was piqued. "So, does that mean Buffy can also perform magic?" she inquired.
Leo sighed; his response tinged with uncertainty. "I don't know," he admitted. "The Elders are uncertain as well. Before Buffy joined your family, Slayers were under the jurisdiction of the Powers that Be. But now that she has chosen to walk away from her traditional calling and utilizes her Slayer powers to aid you, she falls under the purview of the Elders. Only time will reveal if she has the potential to wield magic. However, if she is indeed a progenitor, it is possible that she may never develop magical abilities herself, though her descendants could."
The weight of this revelation settled upon the sisters, contemplating the unknown possibilities that lay ahead for Buffy.
November 19, 2001 – Monday
Admissions Office, Berkeley
Phoebe sat beside her niece, a gentle smile on her face, as they waited in the bustling admissions office. She reached out and lightly nudged Buffy's shoulder, seeking to ease her nervousness. "Buffy, stop worrying so much," she advised, her voice filled with warmth.
Buffy raised an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance. "Who says I'm worried, Aunt Phoebe?" she responded, her fidgeting betraying her true feelings.
Phoebe's eyes softened as she spoke, her words laced with reassurance. "You've been through this process before," she reminded Buffy. "It should be easier this time."
A hint of concern clouded Buffy's expression as she looked at Phoebe, grateful for her presence by her side. "But that's exactly what worries me," she confessed. "I dropped out of school in the middle of the year. What if they reject me because of that?"
Phoebe leaned in closer, her voice comforting and supportive. "Then you simply explain that your birth mom passed away, and you had to take time off to care for your sister," she suggested. "How could they possibly say no to that? Now, repeat after me: 'Everything is going to be fine.'"
Buffy mirrored Phoebe's smile, feeling a glimmer of optimism. "Everything is going to be fine," she echoed, finding solace in her aunt's words. "Thanks."
Phoebe chuckled softly, her love for her niece evident. "That's what aunts do," she replied with a reassuring squeeze of Buffy's hand.
"Payson Halliwell," called the receptionist as she pointed towards the door. "The Dean will see you now."
"Good luck, Buffy," Phoebe said as she watched Buffy rise from her seat and make her way towards the dean's office.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Buffy's gaze remained fixed on the balding man seated before her, a mix of anticipation and apprehension etched on her face. She couldn't help but fumble with the armrests of her chair, struggling to find a comfortable position as she prepared to face the Dean of Admissions.
After what seemed like an eternity, the Dean extended his hand, a massive palm outstretched towards Buffy. His voice carried a hint of formality as he introduced himself. "Well, I guess greetings are in order. I'm Dr. Acosta."
Buffy mustered a polite smile and reciprocated the handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she responded, her voice steady despite her inner nerves. "I'm Payson Elizabeth Halliwell. Although, as you'll notice on my records, it still lists my birth name as Buffy Anne Summers. Recently, I made the decision to be legally adopted by my sister's birth mother since I'm over eighteen. And my new mom, in keeping with our family tradition, chose to change my name, with my consent."
The Dean nodded, acknowledging the explanation. He reached into his desk and retrieved a stack of papers, ready to commence the interview process. "Now, I'm going to ask you a series of questions, and I want you to answer to the best of your abilities," he began, adopting a more serious tone. "Remember, a wrong answer could impact your chances of admission to this university. Do you understand?"
Buffy nodded in affirmation. "Yes," she replied, her voice resolute.
The Dean considered her response before speaking again. "I think we'll skip the first question," he decided. "Although I am curious to hear how you would answer it. The question was, 'What is your name?'"
A small, knowing smile played on Buffy's lips as she contemplated her reply. "I can understand why you might skip it," she remarked, a touch of lightheartedness entering her tone. "Considering I technically have two names now. Among my adopted family, I'm still referred to as Buffy, even after the name change. It's more of a nickname now, you could say."
"Alright, second question: what color is your hair?" he asked, glancing down at his notepad.
"Blonde," Buffy replied confidently, her blue eyes meeting the Dean's gaze.
"Good. And your eyes?" he inquired, making a note on his pad.
"Blue," Buffy answered, a subtle smile gracing her lips.
Dr. Acosta nodded, impressed by her quick responses. He then posed a more challenging question, "Alright, Ms. Halliwell, what is the square root of negative one?"
"That is a trick question," Buffy replied thoughtfully. "Depending on which definition you go with, it is either an imaginary number or it's undefined."
"So it is," the Dean concurred, his eyes glinting with approval at her astute answer. "May I ask, why did you choose this particular University?"
Buffy leaned back slightly in her chair, her expression contemplative. "My Aunt Phoebe is a student here; she's set to graduate at the end of next semester. She recommended this University," she explained, a sense of pride in her voice.
As their conversation flowed, the Dean delved into her academic history, noticing her initial major in Psychology. Curiosity piqued, he asked, "I see your original major was Psychology. Do you intend to continue and finish in that field?"
"I might double major," Buffy pondered, her eyes shining with determination. "But if I don't, I will be going into the Arts field."
"Why the change?" Dr. Acosta inquired, genuinely intrigued.
"Kind of in honor of both my birth mother and my adopted mother," Buffy shared, her tone carrying a touch of reverence. "My birth mother owned Summers' Art Gallery in Sunnydale. She passed away last February. I want to reopen her gallery here in San Francisco. An Art degree would help with that. Plus, my adopted mother is Prue Halliwell; she is a freelance photographer. You've probably seen some of her work in 415 Magazine."
The Dean's face brightened, his appreciation for Buffy's family background evident. "I actually have," he said with a smile. "She is quite talented in my personal opinion. Well, that's everything I need to know. I think you will make a fine addition to Berkeley, Ms. Halliwell. Congratulations."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the campus as Buffy and Phoebe strolled towards Prue's car. Buffy's face was a mix of relief and excitement, her eyes shining.
"Well?" Phoebe's heart raced with anticipation as she turned to Buffy, unable to conceal her eagerness. The sunlight danced in her hazel eyes, reflecting the hope she held for her niece's success.
"I'm in," Buffy's voice rang out, brimming with pride, as she flashed a radiant smile at Phoebe. Her shoulders relaxed, and the weight of uncertainty lifted, replaced by a sense of accomplishment that was evident in her posture and bright expression.
Phoebe couldn't contain her joy as she enveloped Buffy in a warm, tight embrace. Their bond as aunt and niece was evident in the way they held each other. The happiness shared between them seemed to reverberate through the air, adding to the serene ambiance of the campus.
"Congratulations!" Phoebe's words echoed with sincerity and affection, a testament to the immense pride she felt for Buffy's achievement. Her smile widened, and her cheeks blushed with excitement.
As they hugged, the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze and the distant chatter of students created a harmonious backdrop for this special moment. The campus seemed to share in their delight, as if acknowledging the significance of Buffy's accomplishment.
November 20, 2001 – Tuesday
Dr. Janice Green's Office
Buffy took a deep breath as she entered the cozy office. The familiar scent of lavender candles and soft instrumental music immediately enveloped her, creating a calming atmosphere. She settled into the comfortable armchair; her gaze fixed on the serene landscape painting adorning the wall.
Janice greeted Buffy with a gentle smile. "Good afternoon, Buffy. How are you today?"
Buffy returned the smile, though a hint of nervousness lingered in her eyes. "Hi, Janice. I've been doing okay, I guess. Actually, I have some exciting news to share with you." Her voice carried a mix of anticipation and vulnerability.
Janice leaned forward, her eyes reflecting genuine interest. "Oh, do tell. I'm all ears."
Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Buffy began, "Remember how I had to drop out of UC Sunnydale after my mom passed away? I had to take care of my sister, Dawn, and things were just... chaotic."
Janice nodded; her expression filled with understanding. "Yes, I remember. It was a challenging time for you given what happened back in May," she said referring to Buffy's death where she had sacrificed herself for Dawn.
"Well," Buffy continued, a spark of determination igniting in her voice, "Belthazor sent a demon after me, Dawn, Mom, Aunt Piper and Aunt Phoebe. I won't get into the whole story. But that encounter helped me to realize something. That I wanted to go back to college. So I applied and had an admission's interview yesterday at Berkeley. I was accepted!"
Janice's face lit up with genuine happiness. "Buffy, that's incredible news! I'm so proud of you for not giving up on your aspirations. Returning to college takes immense strength and courage."
Author's Note: I have not actually decided whether Buffy can do magic or not. Hence the way everything was worded by Leo. But since a fair number of my stories have had Buffy magical in some way, I thought I would at least address that since my stories take place in a loose form of a multiverse. That said if she can do magic, she won't have powers unless they are given to her by Prue, Piper and Phoebe (and later Paige). Which if I do that, I would go the route I saw in a story I read a long time ago by BuffyL where she had given Buffy powers by creating an amulet with a copy of select powers stored in it that Buffy could access when she wore it.
Since I originally wrote this Author's Note, which was actually a few days before I actually posted this chapter. I actually came up with another way, if I do the powers which I am not saying I will, to do the powers. Buffy could get hurt and needs a blood transfusion. Due to the whole Buffy sacrificed for Dawn in closing the portal, and their blood being supposedly the same, I figured that Dawn would be a match for Buffy and if Buffy needed a transfusion then Dawn could give it to her and she could get the powers that way.