Chapter 5

Back at the house, Giles was practically gushing over their new weapon. The small group of Scoobies, Faith, and Spike were clustered in the kitchen discussing their plan of attack.

“The craftsmanship… it’s remarkable…”

“Yeah, and the power,” Faith added.

“Power?” Giles questioned.

“You don’t feel it?”  This from Buffy.

“Uh… no… but, it’s still a fine weapon.”

“Must be a Slayer thing,” Buffy commented. “Listen, I have a plan…”

~*~*~*~*~

“…Buffy, what you said…it flies in the face of everything we’ve ever… of what every generation has done in the fight against evil… I think it’s bloody brilliant,” Giles gushed.

“You mean that?”

“If you want my opinion,” he replied softly. Over the last several weeks she had astonished him. Knowing full well what was about to happen, she never let on. Never let the grimness of the situation get to her. She motivated, encouraged, trained… she was just Buffy. And he was in awe of her. When this was all over, he’d spend the rest of his lifetime immortalizing the actions of this Slayer. So that future generations of her line could look back and see the deeds she had accomplished.

Willow broke in at some point to put in her two cents. After last year’s “crazy witch phase” she was reluctant to perform such a powerful spell.

“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think you could handle it,” Buffy told her friend.

“I’m not sure that I’m stable enough.”

“You can do this, Willow,” Giles encouraged. “We’ll get the coven on the line and we’ll find out how they can help.”

It was time to tell the others of their plan.

~*~*~*~*~

Buffy looked around the room, her eyes locking momentarily with each face she encountered before she spoke.

“I hate this. I hate being here. I hate that you have to be here. I hate that there’s evil and that I was chosen to fight it. I wish a whole lot of the time that I hadn’t been. I know a lot of you wish I hadn’t been, either. But this isn’t about wishes. This is about choices. I believe we can beat this evil. Not when it comes. Not when its army is ready. Now. Tomorrow morning I’m opening the Seal. I’m going down into the Hellmouth and I’m finishing this once and for all. Right now you’re asking yourselves what makes this different. ‘What makes us anything more than a bunch of girls being picked off one by one?’ It’s true, none of you have the power that Faith and I do. So here’s the part where you make a choice.”

Taking a breath, she launched into her plan. She watched as their eyes lit up, understanding dawning on their face. A few even began to nod.

“What if you could have that power… now? In every generation one Slayer is born because a bunch of men who died thousands of years ago made up that rule. They were powerful men.” Buffy stopped momentarily to look at Willow, point at her. “This woman is more powerful than all of them combined. So I say we change the rules. I say my power should be our power. Tomorrow, Willow will use the essence of the scythe to change our destiny. From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer, will be a Slayer. Every girl who could have the power, will have the power. Can stand up. Will stand up. Slayers… every one of us. Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?”

~*~*~*~*~

After the emotion-filled speech in the living room, Buffy left to return to her room – the basement she shared with Spike. It was almost time and Buffy wanted to spend her last moments alone with him.

Spike watched as she left the living room, and moved to follow. Together they descended the steps, closing themselves off from the others in the house.

They had just reached the bottom when Spike asked, “So… where’s tall, dark, and forehead?”

Buffy whipped around to look at him.

“Let me guess… you could smell him?” He didn’t bother to answer. He was sore, not dead…well, he was. But he wasn’t deaf. He’d heard her conversation with Angel. All of it. That she thought that they wouldn’t be together… even if he couldn’t give her grandchildren… it hurt.

“Where’s the trinket?”

“The who-ket?” she stalled. God, she didn’t want this to play out this way. She had hoped he wouldn’t find out about it, that she could be the one to wear it. Leave it to the fates to stick to the script.

“The pretty little necklace your ‘sweetie-bear’ gave you. The one with all the power. I believe it’s mine now.”

“How do you figure?” a little miffed about the sweetie-bear comment. Didn’t he realize how much this conversation was killing her? Of course he didn’t. Spike hadn’t seen the movie like she had; for her this was a repeat performance.

“Someone with a soul, but more than human? Angel meant to wear it. That means I’m the qualified party.” He held out his hand… waiting.

“It’s volatile. We don’t know…”

“You’ll be needing someone strong to bear it then. You plan on giving it to Andrew?”

“Angel said it was meant to be worn by a champion.” Spike’s face fell and his hand dropped away. Turning from her, he walked over to the bed. He didn’t see as she slipped the amulet from around her neck.

Fisting it in her hand tight enough to draw blood, she walked over to Spike. His head was down gazing at the floor as he sat on the bed. Kneeling before him, she put her empty hand under his chin and raised his gaze to hers. 

Spike was shocked by the emotion blazing behind her eyes. They glowed with her love for him.

“You are my champion, Spike,” her whispered words belied the conviction in her voice. “Forever and beyond…” His earlier words to her were repeated back to him.

Lifting his palm in her hand, she placed the amulet in his, using her fingers to close his around the object. Her heart broke in that moment, knowing that she had just sealed the fate of her love.

“I love you,” she murmured before throwing her arms around his neck and holding him tight to her.

His own arms banded around her back and Spike held her close. His reciprocating words of love floated around her. Together, they held one another before their bodies craved a more intimate touch.

Clothes were quickly shed as the two came together in a testament of their love. Throughout the night, they showed each other – by word and deed – how much they meant to the other. An hour before dawn’s first rays lit the sky, the two lovers fell into an exhausted sleep, Spike’s arms wrapped protectively around Buffy.

~*~*~*~*~

They awoke to the sound of knocking on the door. It was time.

Buffy and Spike dressed quickly… quietly. Both were lost in thought. It took all she had for Buffy to keep silent and not say anything about what was to occur. She wanted nothing more that to run – screw the Hellmouth, her sacred duty. In the end, she did nothing, just dressed with a silence that was oppressive.  

Sensing her unease, Spike walked over to her. Pulling her close, he whispered, “It’ll be ok.” She nodded against his chest and bit her lip to keep from saying anything. If she spoke, the damn holding her emotions at bay would break and she would confess all to him.

Gripping her shoulders, he pushed her to arms length. He trailed one hand down the side of her face, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.

“I’ll take the sewers and meet you at the school. Be careful.”

He gave her a quick, hard kiss and was gone.

Walking up the stairs, Buffy went to meet the others.

~*~*~*~*~

They strode into the high school. Wood’s voice rang out in the deserted hallways.

“Welcome to Sunnydale High. There’s no running in the halls, no yelling, no gum chewing. Apart from that, there’s only one rule: if they move, kill them.”

Buffy saw Spike slowly walking down the hallway towards their group. 

“Okay, potentials in the basement. Follow Faith and Spike.” Faith walked over to the blond vampire and together they led the soon-to-be Slayers down the hallway towards the basement.

Wood showed Willow where she could set up for her spell, pointing towards his office. Kennedy grabbed the scythe and supplies, starting off in that direction. Willow wanted a last chat with her friends of so many years.

Giles and Wood headed to the lounge. Anya and Andrew made their way to the north hall. 

That left Dawn, Willow, Xander and Buffy alone in the entryway. 

Buffy turned to speak to Dawn.

“I’m going to check out our field of engagement,” Dawn stated.

“Dawn…” Buffy began.

“No! Anything you say is going to sound like goodbye.” Buffy’s shoulders fell and she nodded. She watched as her sister made her way down the hall towards the atrium.

“Guys, I…” Buffy started.

“It’s ok, Buffy,” Willow said. “We know.” The three embraced and Buffy watched as her friends made their way to their respective spots. She wasn’t too worried, she knew she’d see them both later… her sister too.

With a heavy heart, she started towards the basement.

~*~*~*~*~

Buffy used her blood to open the seal and she and the Potentials followed one after the other into the hole; Spike and Faith brought up the rear.  As all of them made their way to the edge, they gaped in astonishment.  Thousands upon thousands of Turok-Han stood below them waiting for battle.

“I’m not worried,” Buffy began, trying to reassure the others, and herself. “As long as Willow can work her spell before they…”

Buffy’s eyes widened as the army caught sight of them.

“…see us,” she whispered. “Willow…”

~*~*~*~*~

Upstairs in Wood’s office, Willow was enveloped by the magic swirling around her. Her hair went white and she allowed the power of the scythe to channel through her to the awaiting potentials.

“Oh… my… goddess,” she breathed. The magic that possessed her body left her feeling breathless but, oh so wonderful.

“You’re a goddess,” Kennedy replied, referring to her suddenly white hair.

“And… you’re a Slayer. Here,” she began, handing Kennedy the scythe, “Get this to Buffy.”

~*~*~*~*~

One by one, the girls felt the essence of the Slayer envelop them. It changed their whole outlook on the battle before them. Gone were the meek girls, in their place stood Slayers, ready to take on whatever evil stepped in their path.

“Buffy!” Kennedy called out. With a flick of her wrist, she launched the scythe towards her. Buffy grabbed it and started hacking away at Turok-Hans as they crested the rise. 

Behind her she heard Spike comment, “Buffy! Whatever this thing does, I think it’s…” She turned towards him and fell as a sword was impaled in her flesh. Weakly, she called out to Faith.

“Hold the line…” She threw the weapon to Faith and collapsed on the ground. She didn’t feel a thing as several demons trampled her in their quest for the exit. Then, no more trampled her. The girls were holding them back.

Slowly, she became aware of her surroundings and watched as a couple Slayers fell. 

Then, the First was before her, taunting her.

“Oh, no… ow! Mommy, this mortal wound is all… itchy. You pulled a nice trick. You came pretty close to smacking me down. What more do you want?”

“I want you… to get out of my face!” Rising slowly to her feet, she heard her name called and then the scythe was in her hand. She began methodically hacking at Turok-Han until she heard Spike call her name.

“Buffy!”

Buffy turned and watched as Spike’s amulet lit up casting a bright ray of light that instantly disintegrated any demon it encountered.

“Spike!” Dropping the scythe, she rushed to his side.

Scared to touch him, but helpless not to, she reached out and lightly ran her hands over his face. The soft touch of her fingertips grazed along his cheek before sliding around to trace his lips.

“I can feel it, Buffy,” he whispered, amazed.

“What?” she asked, although she already knew. The look in his eyes said it all.

“My soul. It’s really there…” Tears slipped helplessly down her face. This was it. This was the end… for him. For them. No! Not for them. He would be with her always… forever and beyond. She’d promised him that. 

She concentrated on him, ignoring the destruction of the cavern around her.

“I love you, Spike,” she told him. He just looked at her and nodded. The amulet he wore made it impossible for him to speak, the power of it wiping him of the breath necessary to form words. Her body was held taut as the magic of his soul powered the amulet, destroying the evil around him.

When the last demon was vaporized, the amulet eased for a moment allowing him to speak.

“Time for you to leave, luv.”

“No… I…”

“Buffy…it’s time for you to leave. Remember… forever and beyond.” His smile was a little wistful. He wanted nothing more that to spend the rest of his unlife with her, but it wasn’t in the cards. The last few weeks they spent together would be forever etched in his mind. And he’d gladly sacrifice himself if it meant her being safe.

Lifting his hand, he reached for her, once more overcome by the power of the amulet. She didn’t hesitate, instantly raising her own to link with his. She ignored the pain as his hand burst into flame, wanting to remain tethered to him. As if she alone could prevent what was about to happen.

“Spike…”

His name whispered softly from her lips had him turning to look at her again. 

Behind her, Faith was leading the potentials hell-bent out of the cavern. The place was going up… or down, as the case may be.

“B, come on!” Faith shouted from the seal opening.

Buffy ignored her, her gaze locked with Spike’s, her hand still linked with his.

“Buffy… Go… Live,” he mouthed. “I love you.”

Releasing his hand, she stood up on tiptoes and softly brushed her lips across his. The cavern was quickly falling down around her. She had to go.

“I love you, Spike.”

He gifted her with a smile. It conveyed such a wealth of emotion. His eyes lit up. His love for her was blatant for any who chose to see. How she could have ever thought that he couldn’t love her?

With one last glance that would have to hold her, she turned and rushed towards the portal… determined to live for him.

She didn’t see as Spike slowly burned, his body fading to ash, taking the rest of the Hellmouth and Sunnydale with him. Buffy somehow had managed to make it to the rooftop of the school, and just before it collapsed, she jumped, landing on the roof of the bus carrying the others to safety.

The bus picked up speed as it attempted to outrun the backlash of the Hellmouth imploding. Buffy tried valiantly to keep her balance when the bus lurched first left then right as it found the road out of town.  The explosion behind her almost tumbled her from her perch, so she lay down hoping that would help keep her atop the bus.

On the outskirts of town, Giles brought the bus to a stop.  

The battle-weary occupants filed out, just as Buffy dropped to the ground. Dawn threw herself at her sister, holding her tight. Buffy hugged her back, grateful her sister had made it out alive. She looked up, seeing who was still among the living: Giles, Willow, Xander…good. Andrew, Kennedy, Faith… She looked around, her eyes falling back on Faith.  

Faith gave her a slight smile. “He’s on the bus.” 

“Ah…” Buffy had noticed Faith and Wood seemed to be getting close the last few days. It would be good for the girl to have him around. He was a decent man and would treat her right.

Releasing her sister, she walked towards the crater where Sunnydale used to be.

‘Goodbye, Spike.’

Xander and Willow walked up towards her to gaze at the pit they used to call home.

“What happened?” Xander asked, confused. Buffy couldn’t get the words out. She was numb, physically and emotionally. If she said anything right now, she’d start crying – and she didn’t think she’d be able to stop.

Giles saved her, however.

“Spike,” he said.

“Spike what?”

“He died to save us all… and Buffy knew… this whole time. Ever since she came back from that portal. She’s been carrying this burden, this knowledge of what was going to happen, since then.”

“Oh… Buffy,” Willow exclaimed. “That’s why…” she couldn’t continue. The anguished look on Buffy’s face as she stared out over the destruction that was Sunnydale, prevented Willow from finishing. Her friend looked moments away from a total breakdown.

Buffy continued to stare at the humongous pit, her jaw working…

No one said anything; they just waited silently until she was ready to leave.

Finally, Buffy turned away from the mess, and made her way towards the bus.

“What are we going to do now?” Dawn asked.

A slight smile on Buffy’s lips was her only answer.

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