“So, should I be scared or something, cause I'm not! And I REALLY don't have time for this!” Buffy Summers said as a vampire revealed his fangs, making his move to attack. “How bout this . . . How bout I stick this pointy stick in your chest like this,” she said staking the vamp, “and you turn to dust like that? Great! You got it!”
“Yeah!” Xander said jumping up from the pile of garbage cans he was thrown in to.
“You okay?” Buffy asked turning to him.
“Yeah, luckily that massive pile of tossed salad and empty cans of corned beef broke my fall! Geez, would it kill people to recycle around here?!” He said wiping the excess garbage off of his shirt.
“Come on, we gotta get to the docks and get the new potential before we're too late!”
“So is this the place?” Justin asked as he and Josh pulled over on the highway, just outside Sunnydale's boarder.
“Yeah, I'm sure!”
“But why are we here exactly?”
“I have no idea, all I know is there's a lot of energy radiating from this place; can't you feel it?”
“Yeah, it's like oozing!” Justin agreed.
“More so than LA too . . . And that's saying a lot when it starts raining fire from the sky!”
“But how is that possible?”
“I have no idea, but this place must be connected somehow.”
“So what now then?”
“We investigate! Hopefully Lance and the others will be able to figure out what the deal is in LA!”
“And if they can't?”
“We'll cross that bridge when we get there! For now, let's just check this place out!” Josh said as he started the car and drove into the town, fog surrounding their vehicle.
“Hey Xand?” Buffy said as the fog thickened around them.
“Yeah?”
“You head back to the house, I think I'm gonna get some more patrolling done. See if I can find this girl!”
“You sure? I mean I almost really had that last one before he introduced me to the fine cuisine of sloppy joe's and salsa! And besides, do you really think she's alive? There was no sign of her at the docks!”
“Yeah, I'm sure!” She said laughing a bit. “And that's exactly why I need to look! These guys aren't exactly known for covering up their tracks! If she was dead we would've found the body!”
“Are we even sure that it's a potential you're looking for? I mean, Willow said it herself that this message wasn't like the rest!”
“That's why I have to check it out! If it isn't a potential, then I need to find out what or who I'm supposed to be looking for!”
“I guess . . .”
“Don't worry, I'll be fine!”
“Well, Giles comes back tomorrow, so if you don't find anything, maybe he'll be able to shed some light on this whole 'there is another' mystery! I'll see you later!”
“Bye!”
“So what now?” Justin asked at Josh parked the car.
“We split up!”
“Okay . . . Meet back here in an hour?”
“Yeah, if you need me, you know what to do!”
“Gotcha!”
As Josh made his way through the town, the fog getting thicker with each step, he came across a cemetery and was naturally drawn in to investigate.
“Why here?” He thought to himself. “Well, granted, it's a graveyard, but why this town?” His thoughts were cut short when he passed a newly disturbed grave, “Well looks like I'm gonna get a work out at least.”
Sensing danger approaching, he turned just in time to block a blow to the head by a vampire with a branch clenched in his hands.
“Slayer!” He grumbled.
“Vampire!” JC mocked.
Holding part of the branch in one hand, Josh threw a palm strike to the vamps arm, dislocating his shoulder, causing him to let go of the branch. Breaking the branch, Josh stuck the tip into the vamp's chest, causing him to turn to dust. Just as he thought the danger was over, he felt the presence of more vampires approaching.
“Another night, another vampire slain.” Buffy said as she killed a vampire that attempted to attack her. “But what did they mean? 'There is another?' Another what? Another villain? Another potential? Is the principal the other? They've been pretty straightforward with us so far, why the cryptic all of a sudden?”
As she entered the cemetery, she heard some commotion and went in to investigate. She saw a group of vampires fighting with someone obviously not of their own kind, and from the looks of things, human. As she ran over to the brawl, one of the vamps was thrown in the air and a knife was thrown at his chest with pinpoint accuracy, piercing his heart, causing him to turn to dust before he hit the ground.
“What the . . .”
“Get out of here, quick!” Josh yelled, staking one of the vampires.
Not knowing who the man before her was, also not caring, since he was outnumbered, Buffy grabbed one of the vamps and flipped him.
“I told you to get out of here!”
“Look . . .” Buffy said staking the vampire that had returned to his feet, “I don't know who you are, or what you're doing here, but you're in my town, and either way” she said grunting as she threw a punch at one of the vamps, “you're outnumbered!” She said stabbing the vamp in the back.
“Watch out!” they both yelled as he flipped in the air over her and she somersaulted under him and both dropkicked the two vampires that attempted to sneak up on them.
Seeing a stake on the floor that Josh used on one of the earlier vampires, Buffy stabbed the vampire under her. Standing over his prey, Josh picked his foot up and stomped on the vamp's neck, the sound of the bone snapping sent a kind of pleasurable relief through his body as the vamp turned to dust. The group of vampires now reduced to a big pile of dust, both slayers turned around and faced each other.
“Funny, I knew there was a team in California, but last I heard they were in LA!” He said as she began sizing him up.
“A team? What are you talking about? More important, who are you?” She said wary about her newfound vampire killer.
“You don't know who I am? I thought all the Chosen Ones did!”
“Wait . . . hold the vampire killing phone . . . Did you say Chosen Ones? Like with an S at the end?”
“Yeah . . . So . . .”
“Ok, who the hell are you?! What team are you talking about, and since when is there more than ONE Chosen One?!”
“You really don't know do you? But . . .”
“Spare me the inner monologue and spill! I'm not a very patient person, and I for one have NO problem in getting the answers I want through physical pain!” She said moving in to grab him by the collar of his coat.
“Whoa there missy!” Josh said as he turned and stepped behind her, grabbing her shoulders, his speed blurry to Buffy's vision.
“What the . . .” She said not knowing what happened.
“Calm down! I'm not here to hurt or fight you!”
“Some how that doesn't sound too reassuring!” She said flipping him.
“Look . . . I don't want to have to hurt you!” He said flipping back up to his feet.
“Why don't you try and see who gets hurt!” She said getting in her fighting stance
“You don't know who you're messing with here . . .”
“I'd say the same to you!”
“You really don't know who I am!”
“Neither do you!”
“How bout an introduction then!”
“Fine by me!”
“I'm the Chosen One!” They both said at the same time. “What?!”
“You mean you're A Chosen One? Right?”
“You heard me! What's the matter, finally rethinking your place?!”
“Something's not right here . . . I don't get this . . . you must be apart of a team . . . that's the only way you could be a Chosen One!”
“What team?! It's very simple! I'm The Slayer . . . The Chosen One . . . You know . . . every generation a girl is born to protect the innocent . . . she is The Slayer! That whole big prophecy thing!”
“Wait, what do you know about the Prophecy?”
“Exactly what I just said!”
“Something is very wrong here!”
“I'll say . . . Since when is there a dude Chosen One?!”
“Since the beginning!”
“That's not how I heard it!”
“Then we better find out which version is right!”
“I know someone who might . . .”
“Take me to him!”
“Wait a minute . . . hold on there Mr. Tall Dark and Leathery! I don't even know your story!”
“How bout we just start with a name?”
“Fine by me!”
“Josh!”
“Buffy!”
“Now . . . where is this person?”
“Follow me!”
“So I'm sittin there getting reminded of the reason why I hate coleslaw,” Xander said waving his hands in the air. “and fang boy is all 'Look at me with my sharp teeth and bad odor' and Buffy's all like 'Ooh Mr. Bad guy, should I be scared or something?!' and” he continued getting stopped by Willow coming down the stairs.
“Well as much as we would love to hear about your dislike off side dishes, where's Buffy? I really need to talk to her! Especially if you didn't find the potential!”
“She said she was gonna look around some more.”
“Okay, as much action as I could find in the heart of town, why is it that I'm here on a street lined with houses?” Justin asked himself as he strolled down the street. “I feel the energy just as much as Josh, well . . . maybe not as much, but either way, what does it all mean? What does it all mean?!” He said chuckling.
“So are you some sort of freelance vampire hunter or something?” Buffy asked as she and Josh were on their way back to the house.
“No . . . I’m a slayer, and I’m apart of a Chosen team of vampire slayers that were basically picked to save the world!”
“By who?”
“The Fates.”
“Ah . . .”
“So what’s your deal?”
“Well . . . basically the same thing, but a little different!”
“Ok . . .”
“I’m not a slayer . . . I’m THE Slayer! Every generation, a
girl is born that has been chosen to fight against the dark forces; she is The
Slayer.”
“And let me guess, you were picked by the Fates?”
“I guess . . . it’s just my birthright, once one slayer dies, the next one is called.”
“So the way your story goes, there’s only one slayer?”
“Well . . . yes and no.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well . . . it’s gotten kind of complicated over the years!”
“Ok . . .”
“Well, to make an extremely long and complicated story short, I died for a few minutes, then was revived, died again, and was brought back . . . and well . . . now, there’s just a lot of chaotic stuff going on and I’m gathering all of the potential slayers to be to train them. There’s an extremely powerful evil at work, the First, and it’s killing all of my kind.”
“So that was the Prophecy you were speaking of?”
“Yeah . . .”
“So let me get this straight . . . You died twice, and you’re back again. There’s another slayer, and from the looks of it, she’s not around. Now, the first vampire ever is back and is killing you all off?”
“Well . . . like I said, it’s an extremely long story, but to sum it all up, yeah. And not first vampire, the first evil.”
“Interesting . . . That explains why I was drawn here. Maybe this guy you’re taking me to can possibly explain why we never knew about each other!”
“Giles.”
“Huh?”
“That’s his name . . . the guy I’m taking you to . . . Rupert Giles.”
“Oh . . .”
“But everyone calls him Giles; he should be back tomorrow,
so you can crash here for the night! It’s pretty much a bunker anyway!” She
said as they walked up the steps to her house.
“I’m not alone though, one of my teammates is . . . right there actually!” He said pointing to Justin, who was standing in front of Buffy’s door.
“Josh!” Justin said turning to his friend, surprised to see him.
“Justin! What are you doing here?”
“I . . . I honestly don’t know! I was just drawn here!”
“Makes sense!” Buffy said coming into the light.
“Who’s this?”
“Buffy, Justin, Justin, Buffy! She’s a slayer . . .” Josh
said making the introduction.
“Ahem . . .”
“I mean, THE Slayer! Either way, she’s not apart of a team,
and we’re not apart of her lineage, so we’re a bit confused!”
“Okay?” Justin said stepping up to shake her hand.
“Yeah . . . That seems to be the general feeling!” She said smiling.
“So again . . . why are we here?”
“Well, we’re gonna crash here for the night, and tomorrow this guy that she knows is coming by, and maybe will be able to explain some things.” Josh said as they walked to the door.
“Hold on, just wait out here for a second, I have to let everybody know.”
“Everybody?”
“My friends . . . they kind of help me out, and remember the potential slayers I was telling you about, well they’re all here. My house has been turned into a camp for the killers of the undead!”
“Score! If I’d have known there was one of those, I would’ve gotten here sooner!” Justin said smiling at Buffy. “Especially with counselors like her!” He said telepathically to Josh.
“So I don’t get it . . .” Dawn said after minutes of silence as the Scooby gang sat in the living room. “Why say that ‘there is another’, and have Buffy going on some wild potential hunt, only for it not to be a potential? What is she supposed to be looking for then?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out!” Willow said emerging
from the kitchen. “As far as another, I mean, it could be another villain,
another potential, I still haven’t ruled that out, another Slayer . . .”
“Wait, how could it be another Slayer?” Andrew asked. “Cause I thought there was only supposed to be one? And of course the bunch of potentials . . .”
“Maybe Faith is back, or maybe she died, and another was brought forth! Who knows!? Maybe it’s even Principal Spawn of Slayer! Whatever it is, maybe Giles will have some answers when he gets back!”
“It’s not Faith . . .” Buffy said entering.
“Buffy!” They all said noticing her alone.
“How do you know? Did you find her? I mean the Potential . . . Or anything else for that matter!” Willow said happy to see her, the interrogation no longer fixed upon her.
“Something else, that’s for damn sure!”
“What’d you find?” Xander asked.
“I’m not sure if this is what they meant, but I did find
another slayer . . . two actually!”
“What?!” They all said in shock.
“Is it Faith? Well, of course not, cause you already said it
wasn’t. But is it another . . .”
“Xander . . .” Buffy said silencing him.
“Sorry!”
“It’s a little confusing . . . They’re both . . . well . . .
Guys.”
“Huh?” Was the collective reaction.
“They’re not . . . Hmm . . . Well, you see, they’re apart of
a different lineage of slayers.”
“Chosen Ones actually . . .” Josh said entering the door. “Sorry, it was getting a little nippy out, and I figured you could use the help explaining.”
“Guys, this is Josh, and his friend . . .”
“Ahem . . .”
“Teammate, Justin.”
“How y’all doin!” Justin said nodding his head and smiling.
“This is Xander, Willow, Anya and my sister Dawn.”
“Ahem . . .” Andrew concurred.
“They’re the friends I was telling you about.”
“I said Ahem!”
“Oh . . . and that’s Andrew . . . It’s a long story, but he’s . . . well . . .”
“Formerly evil and now on the straight and narrow!”
“Hardly . . .” Xander muttered.
“Good to meet you all!” Josh said chuckling at Xander’s joke. “I know there’s a bit of confusion on your parts, but believe me, it’s equally shared by us! Hopefully by the time this Giles person gets here, at least we’ll all have somewhat of an understanding as to who each other are!”
“They’re crashing here for the night, it just makes sense.”
“Understandable, but before we sit around with the Pow-Wow,
Buffy, could I talk to you in the kitchen? I think I found something about the
first . . .” Willow said exchanging an uncomfortable glance with Justin.
“Yeah, sure Will; make yourselves at home guys, Xander will show you around!”
“Yes . . . I will!” Xander said not surprised as to being elected the tour guide.
“What’s up Will?” Buffy said as they entered the kitchen.
“Well, I didn’t find anything about the first, I just wanted
to . . .”
“Make sure that I knew what I was doing by letting this guy
in?”
“Well . . . yeah . . .”
“To tell you the truth, I have no idea who this guy is . . .”
“Exactly!”
“But, I saw him fight. And believe me . . . if he wasn’t who he said he was, then he must not be human, cause the things I saw him do . . .”
“It’s not that I don’t trust your judgment or anything . . .”
“That thought didn’t even cross my mind!”
“It’s just that, well . . . I kind of got an uneasy feeling
with his friend. And with the First being able to take form and such, I mean,
what if . . .”
“Well, like I said, this guy can fight! I mean, could probably go round for round with me! But, also, if it was an illusion, he wouldn’t have been able to touch me or any of the vamps he so precisely killed. And as far as his friend, he shook my hand. So illusions they’re definitely not. But even if they aren’t on our side, I’d rather keep an eye on them, than have them roaming around loose.”
“What are they saying?” Justin asked telepathically as Xander showed them upstairs.
“The expected, not too sure if they can trust us. I’d say the same for them if the roles were reversed.”
“So you’re saying you trust her?”
“Well, while we are diving into unknown territory, I know that she’s definitely a fighter on the side of good. What her deal is exactly, and why we were brought here, I don’t know. That’s what I’m hoping to find out.”
“What about red?”
“I don’t know . . . We’ll have to wait and find out what her
deal is.”
“She was giving me some weird stares . . . I also felt this strange energy about her.”
“Like I said, we gotta wait and find out!”
“Guys?” Xander said staring at them awkwardly.
“Huh?” Josh said snapping back into attention.
“I said if you would rather stay in a less crowded, not so feminine surrounding, I have an apartment not too far from here.”
“Oh . . . Sorry, just trying to let this all sink in!” Josh said apologetically, “But no, I think it’s best if we stay here. Just so there’s no misplaced trust or anything. I know that this situation is weird enough already, and I don’t want to cause any suspicion.”
“Is he coming on to you?” Justin asked telepathically.
“I don’t think so . . . I think he’s just excited that he’s not the only guy around!”
“There’s another guy . . .”
“But I don’t think he’s a friend . . .”
“Okay . . .”
“Ok, well that's pretty much it, I mean there's the kitchen and the basement, but that's pretty much all there is! You'll work out the sleeping arrangements with Buffy.” Xander continued as they headed back downstairs.
“If it's not too much trouble,” Justin started, “do you guys have anything to eat?”
“Um, I think so, you can ask Willow.”
“Ask Willow what?” She said coming out of the kitchen with Buffy.
“If there's any food.”
“If it's not any trouble! I mean I could always order out!” Justin said politely.
“Oh, yeah! There's some left over pizza that you can have, but we were just gonna order out anyway!”
“Oh . . . Cool! Well in that case, I'll pay! But could I still have the pizza, I'm really hungry!”
“Um . . . Sure!” Willow said smiling with a raised eyebrow.
“What are we ordering?” Dawn asked as Willow showed Justin into the kitchen.
“Chinese.” Buffy said. “If that's okay with you guys.” She said looking at Josh.
“Huh? Oh . . . Yeah! I love Chinese! Just make sure to get me some chopsticks!”
“What about Justin?”
“Yeah, I know what he likes! So just get whatever you want, don't worry about expense!”
“You sure?”
“Positive!”
“Okay, a feast it is!”
“Well here it is, you want me to heat it up? Its kind of been in the fridge for a couple days.” Willow said trying to lighten up.
“No, that's okay . . . “ Justin said smiling.
“How bout something to drink?”
“I'm good!”
“Okay . . . Well I'll just be in the living room then!” She said walking away.
“Ok!”
As the door closed, Justin picked up the slice and held it over his hand and charged up a fireball.
“Nothin like hand oven pizza!” He said smiling.
“Oh, the seasonings . . . OH MY GOD!!” Willow shouted at the view of the flame came into eye.
“Um . . .” Justin stammered not sure of what to say.
Everyone ran into the kitchen to see what was going on.
“What happened?!” Buffy screamed.
“He . . . He . . . Fire . . . In his hand . . .” Willow stammered.
“Damn it Justin! Way to keep a low profile!” Josh yelled.
“What the hell happened?!” Buffy asked again.
“I'm sorry! She was out of the room!” Justin yelled defensively.
“Somebody better tell me what's going on RIGHT NOW before I show you what the REAL Slayer is capable of!”
Josh looked at Buffy, a little taken aback, but not wanting to start another, larger confrontation, said quickly,
“Ok, there are some things you should know.”
“Yeah, I think so!”
“Let’s just go into the living room, finish ordering dinner, and I promise, I’ll explain.”
“Buffy . . .” Willow said, looking concerned.
“Really, I promise you, we are not hear to hurt you! We were drawn here for a reason, and that’s what we’re here to find out!” Josh said earnestly. “Please . . . Let us just explain over dinner, and if you no longer want us here, we will leave. But I really think we need each other’s help for some reason.”
“No way . . .” Xander said protecting Willow, “If they
freaked . . .”
“Xander . . .” Buffy said looking at him. “They can stay. But I want answers! Anything you refuse to answer warrants a swift eviction!”
“Thank you!” Josh said relieved at the decision.
As the group went back into the living room, and dinner was ordered, the discussion began.
“Ok so first off, let me say this.” Josh started. “As you
already know, we are a team of slayers, Chosen Ones, we were given powers in
order to help us in our cause. Every team has the same primary powers, but
based on the individual team and slayer, can develop their own abilities. As
far as myself, I have super strength, speed, agility, hearing, night vision,
smell, limited psychic abilities.”
“Like a vampire . . .” Buffy commented.
“Ironically, yeah! As far as Justin . . .”
“I’m a Wizard!” Justin said finally getting to eat his pizza.
“A Wizard?” Willow said taken aback. “That explains the energy!”
“How?”
“Willow’s a witch.” Xander said nodding.
“Must be a powerful one, cause your energy is what got me here!”
“You have no idea!” Andrew commented.
“Andrew!” Willow said defensively and somewhat embarrassed.
“I also have acute sight and enhanced night vision, strength, speed, agility and psychic abilities as well, that goes for all of us, but no where near as much as Josh.”
“And what about your other teammates?” Buffy asked. “Where are they anyway?”
“They’re in L.A. investigating the things that are going on there.”
“We’ve been trying to reach our contacts there, but we haven’t been able to get any answers.” Willow started. “They’ve been busy with their own fight, and so have we.”
“Are these people also slayers?” Justin asked.
“More like hunters . . .” Buffy said, giving everyone a look as not to go into the Angel subject. “So what about your other teammates?” She said taking the subject off of her.
“Well, there’s Lance, he’s an expert swordsman, and technological genius. There’s Joey, he’s a shapeshifter, and there’s Chris, he can turn invisible and teleport.” Josh replied.
“Geez, you sound like a boyband!” Dawn laughed.
Justin and Josh stared at each other with an uneasy look, Josh nodded and Justin waved his hand.
“OH MY GOD!” Dawn screamed recognizing the two.
“Whoa, I can’t believe it! It’s like, really half . . . well two-fifths really, of *NSYNC!” Andrew said also getting excited. “Not that I . . . I mean, Dawn was . . .”
“Shut up Andrew! Okay, so tell me exactly why Justin Timberlake, and JC from *NSYNC are . . .” Buffy started.
“Look, it was fate! And all things considered, I think there are more important things than our celebrity status!” Justin said getting annoyed.
“I don’t get it! Why would someone who has their face plastered everywhere in a teenager’s life cause such a stirrup in the emotional reaction to just seeing them in person?” Anya blurted.
“I’m ok . . . I’m ok!” Dawn said breathing heavily.
“Big picture guys. . .” Xander scolded, diverting his excitement as well.
“Granted, there are things that are more important, it was just a little unexpected!” Buffy said trying to get everyone’s focus back.
“Could we get back to business?” Justin said still a little annoyed.
“Food’s here!” Xander said looking out the window.
As they all crowded around the dining room table, there was an uneasy silence, and an obviously upset Justin. Dawn feeling guilty for overreacting was the first to break the silence.
“I . . . I’m sorry I got so . . . teenybopperish. I just
wasn’t expecting . . .”
“It’s okay!” Justin said sighing and smiling, looking at the young girl. “It’s just that, sometimes we wish people wouldn’t make so big of a deal about it, and because of the severity of the situation, I just got a little . . . I’m the one who overreacted! And for that, I am sorry!”
“Besides, I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of not so great things in your involvement in all this death. If us being who we are publicly brings you a sense of happiness, then you can act as teenybopperish as you want!” Josh said sincerely, causing Dawn to smile and blush.
“Well . . . now that all that’s settled,” Xander began, “could you please pass the eggrolls?”
“Well, through all of the awkwardness, I spoke to Lance.” Josh said his laughter subsiding.
“Huh? How?” Buffy said confusedly.
“Our psychic abilities allow us to communicate with each other telepathically.” Justin replied.
“Oh, kind of like that trick that you guys pulled with super old vamp!” Dawn said pointing with her fork.
“Super old vamp?” Justin asked.
“A minion of the First. Nearly impossible to kill!” Willow answered.
“Everything can be killed.” Josh and Buffy said simultaneously.
As they all exchanged glances at the sudden like-mindedness of the two, for the first time that night, the irony of their situations set in on everyone.
“Lance said that the streets of L.A. are becoming a 24hr buffet . . . None of us still know why the sun has been blocked out, and they’re trying hard to find out.” Josh continued breaking the silence, as Willow looked at Buffy with concerned stare.
“Tell him . . .” Buffy began as the Scooby’s looked at her knowing what she was about to do, “Tell him to look up a private investigation company known as Angel Investigations.”
“Why? What’s there?”
“Answer me this first, do you think that all vampires are evil?”
“No, of course not!” Josh said quickly thinking of the closest thing he ever had to a son, but dismissing the thought and bringing his focus back to the situation at hand.
“Good answer!” Anya said nodding.
“There’s a vampire by the name of Angel, he’s a key figure in a lot of prophecies that were cast. Not yours I’m sure, but he’s a big deal. He has a soul, and because of that, he is a Champion, a fighter of the good fight, a major player in the prevention of the Apocalypse. I’m pretty sure he’d be able to give them some info, if he trusts them that is. And if he doesn’t, tell him that Buffy sent him.”
“Part of the long story you mentioned earlier?” Josh asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
“You have NO idea!” Anya chuckled.
“I’d like to hear it some time if you wouldn’t mind!” Josh said testing to see if he could communicate with her telepathically as well.
“I’m not too big on sharing!” She replied, to his surprise.
“I’m sure we could shock each other with the things we’ve done.”
“I don’t disagree, but please, don’t enter my mind again!”
“My apologies.”
As dinner progressed, the conversation drifted into lighter subjects, the sharing of war stories with not too much personal detail, the trouble of leading double lives, and an appreciation of all the good they had all accomplished, conversation both sides had never really had, but needed. At the end of the meal, a bond had been formed; a bond, which no one knew where it would lead to, but for the moment, all mistrust, had been dissolved.
After they had all cleared the dining room, Buffy and Willow were cleaning up and Justin and Josh decided to help. As the four reconvened back in the kitchen, Buffy suddenly grew serious.
“Ok, now that it’s just us here, I think I should fill you up to speed on what’s been going on here!” She said as all the garbage was now disposed of. “So here’s a brief synopsis of what you need to know . . .”
“Wait, I have an idea that will save us a lot if time!”
Justin interrupted.
“What?”
“Ok, granted, there are things that we still don’t want each
other to know, that’s no big secret! I know you don’t like the idea of us going
into your mind, but hear me out.”
“I’m listening.”
“If I act as a buffer for our side, and Willow acts as a
buffer for yours, being that we all have some psychic ability, we can link up
and pretty much load the necessary info into each other’s heads.”
“How?” Willow asked.
“Somethin Beryl taught me!” Justin said looking at Josh who was also curious.
“Who’s . . .”
“You’ll find out.”
“Ok . . .”
“You two stand next to each other, and we’ll do the same. Now, you and Willow grab hands, and we’ll do the same. Now, we all take our free hand, and just hold it up in front of us, bringing it towards the center, forming a square without actually touching hands, we close our eyes, think of what needs to be said, and it’ll turn into energy that we will absorb and back into thought. Of course, provided you’re willing!”
“And you’re sure it’s just gonna be only the necessary stuff?” Buffy asked, not too sure.
“It’s whatever you want to let be known.”
“And we won’t intrude on each other’s subconscious mind?” Josh asked.
“Nope!”
“Have you done this before?” Willow asked.
“No, but Beryl, who’s another Chosen One, and a powerful psychic, taught me how to do this.”
“If you’re sure it will work, I’m in.” Josh said.
“Buff?” Willow asked.
“I’m in!” She said hesitating for a second.
They did as instructed, and a flow of white energy went through the center of their free hands. Each of them had images of battles, information retrieved, and necessary allies and answers. The exchange only lasted a moment in real time, but seemed longer in each of their minds. As the contact was broken, they all were slightly pushed back, like two like ends of a magnet.
“Whoa!” They all said as they separated.
“At least we now know you’re the real deal!” Willow said smiling.
“Same here!” Justin said smiling back.
“Well now that all trust is established, let’s go back into
the living room and figure out why you’re here!” Buffy said leading the cavalry
back into the living room. “Everybody listen up,” She said as all the attention
was drawn. “After filling each other in on all the necessary details, we’ve
come to establish a trust. Whoever had doubts, let them be settled now. We have
some major detail hunting to do. We need to figure out why we’ve only just met,
what our connection is if there is one, how we can help each other out.
Obviously if they were drawn to us, it’s to help with the first.”
”We don’t know that for sure yet, but continue!” Josh interrupted.
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, do we know if what’s happening here and what’s happening in L.A. is connected?”
“No, but what does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, from what I’ve heard, L.A. will be a total vampire city by the end of the week if the sun isn’t brought back! Even the team there has their hands full! I don’t know if them, plus my guys, and your guys together can handle them all! Even with all our skill combined, it’s an army! I think what we need to find out is if and how they’re connected . . .”
“That is not your fight!” A voice said in Josh’s head.
“Oracle?” Josh replied.
“Yes . . . You are only there to assist in making sure that her line isn’t destroyed. As far as the L.A. situation, they are only there to do damage control. The big pictures are being taken care of, and those aren’t your fights.”
TBC . . .
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