“Good thing we’re having that birthday party for Buffy at the Bronze tomorrow!” Josh said quickly, noticing Nibris just in front of them.

“Tell me about it, we could all use a break from all of this!” Justin responded.

“We just gotta make sure we tell everyone who’s going that it starts at 7!” Xander said catching on to what they were doing.

“Seven o’clock at the Bronze? I’ll be there!” Andrew said wanting to add something.

“Now come on, let’s go, we got some stuff to get for the party!”

This time . . .

“Are there any questions?” Giles asked, as he explained the plan for the next evening to the Potentials.

“I need not instill upon you the severity of this whole situation, cause I’m sure you already have a grasp on it.” Josh continued. “You’ve got a lot worse things ahead of you, this is just a bump in the road of death. I also need not remind you that although this will appear to be a party, you are to keep your guard up at all times. The second that you start to think you’re really out to have a good time could mean your life! I’m not saying that you can’t enjoy yourselves; I’m saying that you’re still working through this mask of weakened guard.”

”Like we said, you’re going to be affected by a glamour spell that will make your outside appearances to everyone but who is in our circle, to be that of other girls and or guys.” Justin picked up.

“Nibris and his Shadow creatures won’t be able to tell it’s you, but there’s no guarantee that if he has Bringers with him that they won’t be able to sense you.” Giles continued. “Now, if there are no questions, you can go back to your training, you’re going to have to be prepared.”

“They fought hard and died with honor, may they rest in peace!” Lance said as he covered the bodies of the fallen slayers with a tarp and threw a match down. As they watched the bodies blaze, the sun began to set, bringing night upon them once again. Once the ashes were collected, the blood, which had been charged by the rays of the sun, was now glowing in its container.

“Now we hunt!” Joey said as they walked into the ruins of the city, following the glowing blood, which floated in front of them.

Their search led them to East L.A. where the vampires were attacking a group of humans who appeared to be fighting back.

“Hunters!” Chris said as they ran up to the clearing under the highway.

“They won’t be able to last much longer!” Lance said as he threw a bowie knife at a vamp that was jumping down on a hunter who fell on the floor.

Chris teleported to the guy on the floor and got him out of there just as another vamp came down on him.

”What the . . .” The hunter said as he appeared out of the way of danger.

“We’re here to help!” Chris said as he teleported back to the action.

The Chosen Ones quickly took out the weaker vamps, till all that was left were the six vamps that were high on slayer blood.

“Do you think they have our powers?” Joey asked.

“No, the effects of slayer blood only make them stronger and faster.” Lance replied as he drew his sword.

“Look at this, more slayers to drink!” One vamp said.

“Forget Red Bull, Slayer blood is MUCH better!” Another vamp retorted.

“And vampire dust is all the same!” Lance replied twirling his sword.

The three slayers ran in and got to work; Lance quickly took one out, surprising him with a sword-knife combo. The rest weren’t as easily subdued; Chris was able to avoid their blows via teleportation, but they were always right on his ass when he reappeared. Joey dodged their fists as fast as he could, but the twosome caught him by surprise, one moving behind him quickly, and putting him in a sleeper hold. His sight began to blur, but with his last bit of focus, he morphed his back into fire and got the vamp off. Joey fell to the ground and began to cough when the second vamp kicked him in the stomach. Lance was dueling two of the vamps, one of them held a pipe and the other a chain; they surrounded Lance and the pipe guy swung his weapon. Lance blocked the blows with ease, despite the speed; he did a one handed handstand as the vamp behind him whipped his chain. The chain clung onto the pipe and Lance pushed himself up and landed on his feet on the other side of the chain.

“If Justin were here, he’d electrocute you, me? I’m just gonna slice your heads off in one swing!” Lance said as he did as promised. He then turned quickly and threw a knife at the vamp that kicked Joey in the stomach, and dusted him.

“Thanks!” Joey said as he rubbed his throat, morphed his hand into a spear and dusted the vamp that was on the floor in front of him.

Chris figured the only way to get rid of the two vamps would be to psyche them out. He ran at them while they were standing side by side, he flipped over them and they turned, backs facing each other. He teleported in front of one of them, dove at him, staked him, teleported in front of the other and staked him mid air, and then teleported back to the other guys.

“Nice one!” Joey said as he dusted himself off.

“Thanks! I try, sometimes!” Chris said as he placed his stake back on his armband.

“So now what? We go find the successors?”

“I think we already have!” Lance said as he pointed to the five hunters that they cleared from danger.

“How do you know?” Chris asked.

“Since I used my blood, I can sense it . . . you don’t see that glow around them?”

“Uh . . . no!”

“It’s probably cause he used his blood.” Joey responded.

“So what now? Do we go and introduce ourselves?”

“Now come on . . . did we have it that easy?” Lance laughed as he saw the five advance towards them.

“True . . .”

“We watch over them until they’re ready, or till Josh and Jus get here . . . whichever comes first!”

“Then we should probably vanish!” Chris said as he waved his hand and they all turned invisible.

“So this is the cause of all this chaos?” Justin said as he, Josh, Buffy and Principal Wood stared at the Hell mouth.

“Pretty much!” Buffy responded as they all stood around it.

“I can sense its power . . . that’s half of what I was feeling when we set foot in this town.

“What was the other half?”

“You . . .”

“Yes, well as nice as that may seem, I don’t think we should stay here much longer!” Robin interjected.

“He’s right . . . you haven’t been exposed to the Hell Mouth for long, we don’t know what affect it will have on you! And we can’t afford to have you go psycho on us! I don’t want to have to take you down!”

“I agree . . . But don’t let my pretty-boy public persona fool you, I can definitely throw down!” Josh replied as they turned to head out of the basement.

“So much death . . .” Justin said as he lingered in front of the seal.

“Jus?” Josh said as he turned to his friend.

“What’s wrong?” Buffy asked.

“You have to stop this . . .” Justin said, energy glowing from his hands.

“Justin . . .” Josh said concerned.

“You can’t let it happen . . .”

“JUSTIN!” Josh said grabbing his shoulder.

“Huh?!” Justin said snapping out of his trance.

“We need to get out of here! Now!” Robin said as Josh pulled Justin through the door.

“What was that about?” Buffy asked once they were in the car. “What did you see? Why were your hands glowing?”

“I . . . I dunno!” Justin said as he rubbed his forehead. “Just . . . Just let me think for a minute!”

There was an awkward silence as the three slayers drove back to Buffy’s house. They pulled up to the house and they both turned to Justin as the car stopped.

“I saw . . . death . . . ruins . . . way worse than L.A. It took the west coast by storm and began to spread.”

“What did?” Buffy asked.

“Vampires . . . but they were more powerful than regular ones . . . they were white, I mean albino white, and bald.”

“That’s the army I saw, that’s what lies beneath the seal.”

“You have to stop them!”

“I will . . .” She said then paused. “Why were your hands glowing?”

“Protecting me from being swayed by the evil energy.”

“Is Buffy back?” Dawn asked Xander who was standing in front of the window in the living room.

“Yeah, but she’s been sitting in the car with Josh and Justin for about five minutes already.”

”What’s going on?”

“They’re probably just talking slayer stuff . . . comparing notes, formulating plans.”

”Doing what they do best!”

“Pretty much!”

Once they stepped inside the house, Buffy called a meeting, and within a half hour, everyone met in the living room to discuss the plans for the trap.

“So we move out tomorrow around five.” Buffy started. “We’ve pretty much told you all there is to know, I just want to reiterate a couple of things. Firstly, this battle will be nothing compared to the ones that are ahead, so consider this just another training mission. With more potentials on their way, we need to be sure that those who have been here longer can assist any newbies that show up within the next few days. I know that you still have lots of questions yourselves, but that’s what Giles is here for, and anyone else that’s around who may be able to answer. As for tomorrow, as long as you all stick together and watch each other’s backs, you should be fine! On the same note, I cannot stress enough that this is not a joyride! Although we have to appear we’re partying without a care in the world, you cannot let your focus slip for even one second! We cannot afford to lose anyone with the big picture still an issue! I’ve stressed this upon you countless times; something’s coming . . . something big! The First is just stalling us, gaining more time for whatever lies ahead. Anything can happen at any time, and no matter how much we prepare, chances are we still won’t be ready, but even so, we fight on!”

“Buffy’s right . . . you have a lot to look ahead for . . . but in the same respect, Nibris shouldn’t be underestimated. While we will do our best to contain him to the three of us, there’s no guarantee that he won’t make a move on any of you. If he does, we’ll try and get his attention back on us, but just be prepared to fight!” Josh added.

“Josh and I are gonna go patrol while Justin and Willow work out the spells needed. Spike, you go over some drills with the girls in the backyard. Xander and Dawn, I need you on weapons detail. We need easily concealed and effective!”

As they broke for their assignments, Josh and Buffy stood on the sidewalk and Buffy took a deep breath.

“Hard work actin like you know what you’re doin, isn’t it?” Josh said as he stretched.

“The blind-folded leading the blind!”

“Wanna take my car?”

”Sure! Been curious about it! Where is it?”

“Your chariot awaits my dear!” Josh said as he decloaked the car, parked right in front of her.

“That really IS cool!”

“It’d be a real chick magnet if I could show it off . . .” He said getting in. “And if I swung that way!” He thought.

“You remember how to get to the cemetery?”

“Yeah.” He said as they took off down the street.

“So let me ask you . . .”

”Mm hm . . .”

”Toughest foe you’ve had to face?”

“I’d say myself . . .”

“What do you mean?”

“Not to worry you, but there are definitely times when the power inside me builds up and I go A.W.A.L.L. I can usually keep myself under control, but . . . it happens!”

“That’s kind of how Faith was . . .”

”The other slayer?”

“Yeah . . . She got power crazy and went all psycho-bitch on us.”

”But other than me, so far I’d say this really powerful vampire king, Darlos.”

“Vampire king?”

“More powerful than the vampire gods that I’ve faced so far.”

“Ah . . . that’s right . . . the gods that were set free to this realm.”

”Yep.”

”What was so bad about him?”

“I couldn’t kill him.”

”What do you mean? Then how’d you get rid of him?”

“He shares a soul with someone whom I care for a great deal . . .”

”I know the feeling.”

“Lance, the swordsman, and he are one in the same. Sort of the Fates way of cursing Darlos, but also keeping him in check.”

”So how’d you defeat him?”

“I didn’t; I destroyed the amulet that brought him forth and by doing so, brought Lance back and put Darlos in his place.”

“Definitely know the feeling!”

“You?”

“Other than the First?”

”Yeah . . .”

”I’ve had a few. There was this one goddess chick Glory that was tough, she’s the reason I died the second time. But through it all, I’d say Angelus.”

“Angelus?! THE Angelus?”

”You’ve heard of him?”

“I didn’t think he existed anymore!”

“He doesn’t . . . kind of! But you’ve heard of him?”

“Yeah! He’s mentioned a few times in history alone, let alone the records of the Chosen. One bad ass vamp!”

“You have no idea!”

“What happened?”

“Remember that vamp with a soul I was talking about?”

“Angel?”

“Yep . . .”

”So Angel is Angelus?”

“One in the same, as you put it!”

“Whoa . . . That must’ve been really hard!”

“Had to kill him.”

”But how’s he in . . .”

”They brought him back.”

”Who?”

“The Powers that Be.”

”Cause he’s a Champion?”

“I’m guessing.”

”The irony!”

“Of?”

“Us! We have so much in common!”

”Part of the gig I guess.”

”I guess!”

“That’s probably why we were kept from each other . . .”

”Probably.” Josh seconded, as there was a moment of silence. “We’re here!”

As they entered their playing field, they both felt a sense of peace amongst the silence of the graves. That peace was shortly lived when their senses tingled with the emergence of a newly risen vampire.

”Care to do the honors?” Buffy asked.

“You have home court advantage!” Josh responded as she shrugged and ran towards the fanged beast.

She took him out with ease, and Josh motioned for her to follow him. He led her to a mosque whose door had been broken in.

“A nest!” He mouthed as they crept to the door.

“We just HAD to come to L.A.!” One of them yelled. “Yeah, and get our asses fried the minute we step out of

the car! Luckily the windows were painted black, otherwise we’d be dust!”

“Don’t worry, I can still arrange that for you!” Buffy said as they crept through the door.

“Slayer!”

“But who’s she?” Another vamp asked.

“Well that’s a first, I’m not the one recognized!” Buffy said looking at Josh.

“Don’t worry, you can make sure they know from here on out, though . . . that won’t be for long!” Josh replied.

“I can deal!” She said as she somersaulted over to the vamp and quickly staked him. “I’m Buffy, and you’re in MY town!”

“Oh shit!” A few of them yelled as four vamps made a break for a tunnel that led underground, while the rest advanced toward the two slayers.

There were twelve vamps left, Buffy and Josh now back to back, they circled around them and closed in. Josh took out four throwing knives, equipping two in each hand, while Buffy took out one stake, that being all she needed. The vamps closed in and the slayers both went quickly to work. Josh took out four vampires quickly with one throw, but was knocked over by the stone lid of a tomb, connecting with his head. Buffy jump kicked a vamp into two others, knocking them all down, while she staked one, snapped another’s neck, then picked up and threw the third one into two advancing vampires. She punched another vamp in the stomach who came at her, then quickly staked him. She then ran over to the fallen vampires and staked the two that were on the floor, picked up her flying fang boy and threw him at a vamp that was closing in on Josh who was buried under the stone rubble. Josh quickly got up and tossed a large piece of the lid at the two vampires that were staggering, knocking them on the floor. He then turned quickly towards Buffy and threw a knife at a vamp that was coming up behind her, the knife flying through the air right passed her ear, connecting with the vamp’s forehead. Josh then walked over to the two under the stone, stepped on the slab and kicked their heads in one swift movement, snapping them with his foot.

“Come on, four more down there!” Buffy said as she turned to the tunnel.

“So you went power crazy?” Justin asked, as he and Willow drifted from plan discussion to magick talk.

“Pretty much! I mean, it was like I was hooked.”

”That much power can definitely corrupt! I’ve seen it happen!”

“I was under control for a long time but then . . . well . . .”

”I understand . . . you don’t have to go on if it hurts too much.”

”Well, they keep telling me that the more I talk about it, the less it will hurt, but due to the circumstances, I don’t think they’ll allow my pain to lessen.”

”They who?”

“My guides . . .”

”Well, you gotta look at it as, yeah, you’ve done some bad things . . . but you’ve also done a lot more good things.”

”But the good were never as severe as the bad.”

”Well, then you’ll just have to go on doing more good. The funny thing about Karma is that as long as you balance things out, you’ll make up for whatever it is you did. Nothing can drive something overboard quite like love can. They know that more than anyone cause they’ve seen it over and over throughout time. You’ll live with what happened, but as long as you know you’re truly sorry and that you’re doing something to make up for it, then that’s all that matters.”

”I guess . . .”

“What the . . .” Justin said as the house began shaking.

“What’s going on?!”

“Earthquake?”

“No . . . It feels different . . . Magickal!”

”Nibris!” Justin said as they heard the girls screaming in the basement.

“The girls!”

They both ran down to the basement, stumbling down the steps; as they grasped the rail to steady their balance, they saw a swirling black portal on the side of the wall, sucking in everything in its path. Willow lost her footing and started to fly towards the portal, when Justin grabbed her and clenched the banister as hard as he could. He felt the wood beginning to break under his hand, so with one quick move, he let go, grabbed a grappling hook from his side and stuck it deep in the concrete wall, then tied the line to Willow’s hand.

“Hold on tight, I need you to back me up if this doesn’t work!” Justin said yelling through the wind that filled the room.

He saw one of the girls lose her grip and begin to be dragged into the portal. He grabbed the rest of the rope and lassoed the slipping potential, saving her just as she was about to be sucked in. He then let go of his hold on the rope and was lifted in the air towards the hole. He stuck his two hands out in front of him and they began to glow, the portal closing as he hit the wall where it once stood.

“Justin!” Willow said untying her hand, running over to him as he groaned in pain, rubbing his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Give me your hand!” He said taking her palm and placing it on his shoulder.

He concentrated, using her energy to heal him, the energy used to close the portal, leaving him slightly drained.

“It’s not over!” He said as she helped him to his feet.

“Is everyone okay?!” Xander asked running down to the stairs.

“What the hell was that?!” Spike said letting go of the iron shackle that lay mounted in the wall.

“Nibris!” Justin said as they heard Dawn scream from upstairs.

“Dawn!” Willow yelled as she took off, up the stairs, running passed Xander.

She saw a wave of shadow start to surround Dawn, making her unable to move.

“Solis Illuminae!” Willow yelled, pointing her hand out, projecting sunlight to dissipate the shadow.

Justin ran up the stairs and saw Willow taking care of the shadow, just as the widow crashed open, and the back door was kicked down, two Bringers coming in on both sides. Justin shot a lightning bolt at the two in the window and quickly turned and threw two knives at the rear intruders’ heads, catching the both square in the forehead.

“Whoa!” Xander said as he felt the knives quickly fly by him and a force shield stop him from moving.

“More upstairs!” Willow yelled turning to Justin, her eyes completely black, as she vanquished the shadow, then collapsed on the floor.

“Take care of her!” Justin yelled as he ran, jumped over the banister, kicked off the wall and hopped over the railing upstairs, kicking a bringer into another that was behind it. He landed on top of the blind wannabe monk and snapped its neck, then blasted the second with energy, causing its head to explode. He secured the upstairs then hopped back over the two railings, back downstairs.

“Is everyone alright?!” He asked as the girls emerged from the basement, and he went to Willow’s side.

“Is she okay?” Kennedy asked kneeling down beside her.

“Yeah, just drained, from the energy I used to heal myself. Now it’s time to repay her.” He said grabbing her hand with one hand and placing the other above her Third Eye Chakra.

White energy expelled from his hand and her body began to glow, each of her chakras glowing their respective seven prismatic colors.

“What are you doing?!” Kennedy asked not knowing what was going on, to which Justin just ignored.

His body began to glow the same white color and Kennedy went to touch him, but got thrown back slightly. The energy subsided, and both Justin and Willow opened their eyes and smiled at each other.

“Welcome back!” Justin said brushing the hair out of her face.

“What happened?” Willow asked sitting up, stretching.

“You passed out from your energy being drained. It’s my fault, for using you to help heal me before. But as a bonus, you’re now healed and all your chakras are balanced too!”

“So that’s why I feel like I had the best sleep in the world?”

“Yep!”

“Well then, I guess it was worth it! Are all the Bringers taken care of?”

“Yeah, but there’s a little bit of a mess in Buffy’s room! I kinda had to blow up one of their heads!”

“Ew!” The rest of the gang stated.

“Y’know, just when I thought things were gettin EASIER they still remain a pain in my ass!” Chris said as they descended upon yet another vampire nest.

“Well, with Joey keeping an eye on the newbs, we gotta make sure they aren’t attacked!” Lance said as he sliced through a dozen vamps, his cutlass in his right hand, a katana in his left.

“Well, let’s just hope they’re safe!” Chris said as he jumped in the air to bicycle kick a vamp, then teleported behind him, staked him and then threw a knife to his side dusting another vamp.

“DUCK!” Lance said throwing his katana in Chris direction, just as he stood. He teleported out of the way just as the katana was lodged in the throat of a vampire that was sneaking up behind him.

”Whoa! A little too close there!” Chris said reappearing, his neck scratched from the blade.

“Sorry . . . But that was the last of them anyway. Let’s get back to Joey!” Lance said as Chris grabbed him and they teleported out of the abandoned building.

“That was fun!” Buffy said as Josh helped her off the ground, after dusting the last vampire.

“Always a kick!” Josh said dusting himself off.

They turned from the dead end of the cave to head back to the hole to the surface, when the ground began to shake.

”What the . . . “ Buffy said stumbling grabbing onto the wall.

“That doesn’t feel like an earthquake!” Josh said crouching down, hand on the floor for support.

“We’re sealed in!” Buffy said noticing rocks had cut off their only escape. She went to touch the wall of boulders and was thrown back, landing into Josh, knocking him on the floor.

“Definitely not an earthquake!” Josh said as Buffy turned over on top of him, groaning in slight pain. “You okay?”

“Yeah . . . just a little jolted!” She said looking into his eyes. “You?”

“I can’t feel my leg.”

”What? Is it broken?”

“No . . . you’re laying on it!”

”Oh!” Buffy said laughing, a distant memory quickly popping into her head.

“Could you get up?” Josh said smiling.

“OH! Yeah! Sorry!” She said standing, and extending her hand to him.

“So I’m thinking it’s definitely Nibris!”

“I’d say the throw Buffy across the cave trick definitely supports that theory!”

“Watch out . . .” Josh said picking up a rock and throwing it at the rubble, it getting forced back by the magick border. “Don’t know what that was supposed to do, but there’s got to be a way out of here!”

“Can you contact Justin? Maybe he can get us out of here!”

“What was that?!” Josh said hushing Buffy.

“Sounded like a rustling . . . thing.”

”But where’s it coming from?”

“Nibris again . . .”

”Here . . . Take my sword!” Josh said popping the katana out of its sheath, while Buffy took it by the handle and Josh reached for his twin bowie knives on his right leg.

They stood back to back, circling the cave, hearing the rustling sound get stronger. Suddenly, the vines on the wall lunged out at Josh, grabbing his right hand. Buffy turned to slice him free, but was pulled back by the waist by another vine. Josh cut himself free with his other hand and Buffy did the same. More vines began to fill the cave and the slayers sliced on. Buffy noticed a bud on one of the vines and was surprised when her instincts blocked a dart that shot out of it.

”Watch out for those rose bud things, they shoot out some kind of dart!” She said blocking the projectiles, then quickly slicing through the vine.

“They’re probably poisonous!” Josh said as more darts flew at his knives.

“Josh is in trouble!” Justin said as they finished cleaning up the head goo. “So is Buffy!”

”Where are they?” Willow asked her faced showing her worry.

“In a cave beneath the cemetery!”

“Come on, let’s go!”

“Meet me there, I’m faster on foot!” Justin said as he ran and jumped out of the already broken bedroom window.

”What in bloody hell?!” Spike said sitting out on the porch smoking a cigarette, seeing Justin land in front of him.

“Follow me if you can keep up! Buffy and Josh are in trouble!” Justin said as he took off down the street.

“Whoa!” Spike said amazed at the speed Justin took off at.

“GO!” Willow yelled to Spike as she ran down the steps.

“DUCK!” Josh said as he threw a match in the air and blew a powder out of his hand, it caught fire and Buffy tucked and rolled to her right, under the flame coming toward her and threw the sword, slicing the massive amounts of vines that was reaching to grab Josh. She got back up, ran towards Josh, who tossed one of his bowie knives in the air as Buffy caught it and blocked the darts that flew toward her as she ran. She ran forward, deflecting the darts as they flew more rapidly toward her. She saw a bare spot on a bushel of vines and tucked and rolled, then threw the knife at the spot, it turning out to be the heart of the vine beast, as Josh was being strangled by the vine. The knife punctured and the vine went limp and Josh fell to his knees, three darts sticking out of his neck.

“JOSH!” Buffy said running to his side.

”Justin’s . . . on . . . the way!” He said, numbness creeping through his body.

“Just hold on, he’ll be here soon!” Buffy said taking the darts out.

“I’ll . . . be . . . fine!” He said smiling, his eyes getting faint.

“Come on, you have to fight it! Don’t quit on me now!” She said grabbing his face and looking into his eyes.

“I’m . . . okay!” he said still smiling, placing his hand on the back of her head.

They lay there on the floor looking into each other’s blue eyes, Buffy seeing herself in him in many respects, but knowing how different they were. Her moment was cut short by the rumbling of the stone wall that sealed them in, turning into dust. She then saw the shadow of Justin’s body through the cloud. He was about to walk towards them when Buffy yelled,

“WAIT! There’s some kind of magick shield blocking the hole!”

”That woulda hurt!” He said sticking his hand in front of the shield to feel out the energy blocking the exit. He motioned his fingers outward three times, the third time his hand engulfed in a purple flame-like energy that dissipated the shield. “Whoa!” Justin said getting slightly dizzy, leaning on the wall beside him.

“You okay?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah, just a little light headed!”

“Well get focused, cause Josh needs to be healed!”

“What happened?”

“He was stung by that vine, it came to life, some kind of spell Nibris cast.”

“He got you too then?”

“What happened?”

“I’ll fill you in later . . .” He said going to Josh’s side. He removed the darts and inspected them, feeling them in his fingers and sniffing the venom. “Stand back.” He said sticking his left palm out then rotated his right hand above it, a red energy ball forming, dissipating to reveal a bottle filled with red liquid. He pinched Josh’s nose and opened his mouth and then poured the contents in, forcing him to swallow.

“Is that the antidote?” Buffy asked.

“A magick anti-venom, it’ll interact with his body and force the poison out.”

“How long . . .” She began, but was stopped when she saw a red cloud escape Josh’s mouth. “Never mind!”

“Buffy!” Spike yelled, running through the cave.

“You okay?” Justin asked as Josh came to.

“Yeah.” He said yawning and stretching.

“What happened at the house? Is everyone alright?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah, just a vortex that tried to suck the girls up, and a shadow thing that tried to capture Dawn, but other than that, everything’s fine!” Justin said helping Josh to his feet.

“And Bringers too!” Spike added lighting up a cigarette. “Minimal damage though, love! Nothing to worry about! Your boy here comes quite in handy in a tiff!”

“Let’s get out of here before something else happens!” Buffy said as they made their way back to the hole they came through and Willow helped them up.

“Any change?” Lance asked as he stepped to Joey’s side as they looked out from the window of the abandoned building they chose for their stake out headquarters.

“No . . . But I think we should approach them.”

“I don’t know . . .”

“If we leave them to their ignorance, they stand a greater chance of not opening their eyes! Things are too hectic right now to leave them unprotected! And because of that, we need to stick together the three of us until the others get here, and we can’t afford to have two keep going out and one stay behind!”

“He’s got a point!” Chris seconded.

“I know it’s your call when Josh is not around, so I’ll leave it up to you, but I really think we should at least rope them in for the time being.”

“You have the book?” Lance asked, looking at the sword.

“Right here!” Joey said pulling out from in front of him.

“Then let’s go.”

“What’s the plan?”

“We let them see us, they’ll follow, we lure them into the building, they’ll see the book. The wizard will be drawn to it and will pick it up. Once they’re in the courtyard, and they open the book, that’s when they’ll receive the powers. Once that happens, we appear at the top of the stairs, I’ll throw the sword out, the swordsman will catch it. We’ll fight and then take it from there!”

“Your points of entry will be as follows, I will enter through the front door in my human form,” Nibris explained to the Bringers, who just simply listened. “they don’t know what I look like. Four of you will enter through the back stage door, another six from the rooftop entrance, and the rest of you from the emergency exit around back. Once I get to the center of the building, I’ll call forth my Shadowcats and that will be your cue to enter. If we work quickly, we can take them out before they even know what hit them. The won’t even see us coming!”

“If this Nibris guy is able to pull off attacks like that, in two different places without even being remotely close to either, I’m a little scared to see what he’s capable of in person!” Willow said as the slayers, Spike, Xander and Giles talked in the kitchen.

“You haven’t seen what we’re fully capable of in person!” Justin said eating some left over lo mein.

“But do you really think its enough to handle Nibris?” Giles asked taking a sip from his cup of tea.

“Trust me, he’s nothing compared to others we’ve faced!” Josh said grabbing the carton of lo mein from Justin.

“Should we rethink our plan of action?” Xander asked, leaning on the counter.

“Guys . . .” Buffy began. “Everything is under control! I told you, you have nothing to worry about with Justin and Josh!”

“Dawn!” Giles said placing his cup on the counter. “Are the girls alright?”

“Yeah, just a little scared, but good nonetheless.” Dawn replied, brushing her hair behind her ear, passing Justin to stand next to her sister.

“Is anybody else hungry?” Justin asked stealing the lo mein back from Josh.

“Not really!” Giles replied.

“What’s still open at this time, I need to get some munchies!”

“There’s a pizza place that stays open late on Fridays.” Dawn suggested.

“Sounds good, where is it?”

“Do you think it’s such a good idea to go out?” Giles asked.

“I can handle myself!”

“He has fast metabolism . . . he burns more energy from the magick, so he eats a lot!” Josh said taking the lo mein back.

“Yeah, and I’m a little antsy! Need some fresh air!”

“I’ll show you, that is if you don’t mind company!” Xander offered. “I could use some air myself!”

“Sure!”

“Anybody else?”

“No, I think we’d better stay here!” Buffy replied.

“Josh?” Justin asked, once again taking the lo mein.

“No, but I do have some place to visit real quick.” Josh said dusting his hands off and stepping forward.

“Where?” Buffy asked.

“Lance made the approach to the successors. I have make my presence known real quick.”

“And how are you going to get to L.A. ‘real quick’?” Giles asked.

“That’s where I come in!” Chris said appearing behind them.

“Everyone, this is Chris!” Josh said as they all looked, surprised.

“Nice to meet you, would stay to make introductions, but we got some business to tend to, so therefore, Hi, and BYE!” He said grabbing Josh’s arm and teleporting back.

“Um . . . okay?” Andrew said walking into the kitchen.

“So pizza it is!” Justin said placing the empty carton of lo mein on the counter and heading towards the back door, leaving everyone with a slightly confused look on their face.

“Enough!” Josh said stopping the five from fighting the two. The new set of Chosen gathered back to back and stared at the two slayers that appeared in front of them out of no where. “You have done well! And before you ask, my name is Josh, the man with the sword in his hand is Lance, he is Joey and this is Chris. There is another member of our team, but he had to stay behind to tend to another matter, his name is Justin. I’m sure you have many questions, some of which I can answer, others you must find out on your own and with time. But in the mean time, let us move things along. While you may think otherwise, we did not come here to hurt you, only to train you. For what? I think the answer to that is already quite clear to you, given the circumstances. As you have seen, vampires are quite real, and judging by your lack of shock, so I’ve been told, you already know that. You’ve also, so it seems, battled them in the past, belonging to some kind of hunter clan, or at least at one time. How do I know all this? Well, a lady by the name of the Oracle informed me. Who she is, I’ll get to that. For now, relax in the comfort that you are no longer in danger. I know you trust me, so please, let us sit and talk! We have much to discuss, and I have little time to spare due to this other matter.” He finished, their confused stares showing a slight sense of relief and trust.

“It must be so cool to have the abilities that you guys have!” Xander said as he and Justin drove through the town.

“It has it’s moments, but they come with a heavy burden. It’s not like we were given them just to have em!” Justin said as he concentrated on the road.

“You guys can probably do a lot more than we can!”

“I doubt it.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s not whether you have super powers or not, it’s how dedicated you are to the cause, and how you work with those around you. Based on what I’ve seen, felt and heard, you guys are a pretty tight unit. You have your rough spots, but you all give your all to the fight, no matter what the cost, and in spite of your self-viewed incapabilities.”

“What do you mean incapabilities?”

“You might think that you’re not a valuable part of the team, I mean, Willow has magick, Giles the info, Buffy the strength and speed, Spike the vampire, but you . . . are the reason they continue! You being a mortal man, you who could be doing other things if you desired, you who would give your life for any one of your friends on a moment’s notice without any questions! You who loves them deeply and could not turn your back even if you wanted. You’ve got heart Xander, and that is stronghold of your team!”

“It’s funny, I’ve told myself things like that so many times before, but it never felt as gratifying as it did coming from you.”

“It’s cause you both think that no one notices, cause they never say anything. But they know, they’re grateful beyond words. It was you who stopped Willow, it was her who set Buffy free! You and Dawn.”

“Thank you . . . Turn right!”

“How you feeling?” Willow asked, leaning on the doorframe of the bathroom while Buffy tended her wounds.

“I’ve felt worse.”

“Buffy . . .”

“Yeah?”

“I want you to know . . .”

“What Will?”

“I want you to know that I’m gonna try.”

“Try what?”

“My best! I . . . I was talking to Justin, and he made me think. If I spend all my time fearing my magick, then it’ll go all evil witch . . . But if I stay confident, and in control, I have a chance at doing just that!”

“You’re strong Will!”

“But . . .”

“No buts . . . You have a tremendous amount of power, and I have no doubt that when it counts, you’ll pul through! Plain and simple.”

Night passed into day, and with the sun came the preparations. The club was set up to drive them into the middle, the fighters forming a perimeter, leaving only the exits unblocked for them to enter. Once they were in, the exits would be sealed, ensuring they were all taken care of. The time had come, the stage was set and now all that was left was the wait. Nibris was on everyone’s mind, the potentials wondering if he would show, the slayers knowing he would. They all wanted the battle to end quickly, even though the cause brought them together, and momentarily showed them they were not alone, they all had bigger fish to fry, greater tasks ahead to tend to.

"He's here!" Andrew said from his command post on rooftop of the building across from the Bronze.

"Show time!" Buffy said as the music blazed and they maintained their focus through their faux fun.

"Remember, none of them get out of here alive!" Josh said as Nibris entered through the door.

Nibris walked in with a cocky grin plastered on his face. He was confident that he would win this battle with ease, his power combined with the strength and agility of the Bringers; they wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Cockiness . . . the first mistake of battle!” Josh thought to himself.

“We wait till they make the first move.” Buffy said passing by Josh on the dance floor.

Nibris did as planned and walked to the middle of the club; he looked around and started to laugh sadistically as the music stopped and he began to levitate in the air. A wave of energy was expelled from his body and knocked everyone in the club over. With the two magick workers knocked out of commission, the spell lost its power, revealing the empty club and the masked potentials.

“You really think that I wouldn’t come prepared?! Figures, pathetic humans!” Nibris gloated.

“Time for plan B!” Buffy said as they rose to their feet.

“And that would be what exactly?” Kennedy asked.

“We kick his ass the old fashioned way!” Justin said lightning flashing from his eyes.

As Nibris descended back to his feet, his eyes flashed and the Shadowcats emerged from him. As they shot out to attack, the Bringers broke in, and went after the potentials. Justin waved his and an energy wave dissipated the Shadowcats that were expelled. Josh took out four bowie knives and threw them at some of the Bringers, slicing their throats, saving several of the potentials. While everyone was occupied with Bringers, Buffy ran towards Nibris and jump kicked him, causing him to stumble back, he then grabbed her leg and flung her into the wall.

“Stupid girl, you really think you stand a chance?!” He said laughing.

“She’s pretty tough, and so am I!” Justin said diving at Nibris, expelling energy blasts at him, knocking him to the floor.

“Ooh . . . The wizard!” Nibris said getting up. “I thought you’d be stronger!”

“He’s just getting started!” Josh said punching him in the face, sending him flying back into the stage.

“You ok?” Justin asked as Buffy got up, ran to take out some Bringers then rejoined the two Chosen Ones.

“Yeah, but I think it’s time to bring this to an end.” She said looking at Willow as she sliced through some Shadowcats and fired some arrows at the throats of four Bringers.

“Will!” Justin yelled as he stuck his hands out and got rid of the Shadowcats and knocked over some Bringers, to clear Willow’s path.

She ran towards Justin, firing rounds of arrows, backing up some of the potentials.

“Let’s do this!” Josh said as he and Buffy ran, tucked and rolled towards the stage where Nibris was just starting to get up.

They both kicked him in the head, then grabbed each arm and threw him towards Willow and Justin. The two magick wielders grabbed hands and stuck out their free one in front of them, pointing them at Nibris.

“Virtuous Forces and Powers of Light, strip this monster of all of his might. Bind his magick and his control, remove the power within his hold!” They shouted in unison as white energy coursed through their bodies and flowed out their hands towards Nibris.

The dark wizard screamed in pain as the energy was forced into his body, draining him of all his magickal power. As it engulfed is entire body, began to let out another sadistic laugh as his mystic energy was cast out, the force of the wave knocking Justin and Willow back, destroying what was left of the Shadowcats.

“Fools . . . you may have taken my magick, but there are some things you cannot change!” Nibris said as he transformed into the man-cougar.

That was Buffy and Josh’s cue, they ran and jump kicked him from behind, sending him to the floor just as he emerged full beast. Just as he hit the floor, Nibris flipped back up to his feet, turning towards the two slayers in front of him. He lunged at them, Buffy diving out of the way, Josh grabbing his claws and sticking his foot under Nibris’ jaw, keeping him from biting or scratching at his head. Buffy then jumped on Nibris’ back, slipping a rope from one of the stage curtains on his neck, beginning to choke him. Nibris grabbed at the rope, as he began to stand and Josh started punching him in the chest. He let out a loud snarl and grabbed the rope, throwing it and Buffy off of him, into Josh. He ran to pounce on top of them, but was thrown across the room by a lightning bolt, care of Justin. Willow ran back across the club to assist Giles and Xander, who were being out numbered by Bringers. Spike and Robin were gathering free potentials and were about to take on the last of the Bringers when the main door burst open and a dozen vampires entered.

“Great, just when you thought things weren’t bad enough!” Robin said as they all turned to the new guests.

As they went on stake duty, Justin ran up to Nibris, eyes and fists full of electricity. He began to throw charged up punches, but was knocked to the side by Nibris’ powerful claws. Nibris then turned to a group of potentials that were fighting off the Bringers that entered through the stage door. He jumped at them and just as he had came down on one of them, an arrow hit him in the side of his neck. Stunned, he broke the arrow and turned his head back to the potential who lay on the floor below him, crouched against the wall. As he stammered to his feet, he was brought back down by Buffy who pulled on his leg and dragged him towards her, away from the potential.

“Bad kitty!” she said grabbing the rope again and proceeding to her former tactic. Josh stood beside her and grabbed the other end of the rope, their strength together outweighing Nibris’. They pulled him back to expose his chest as Justin stabbed him with an ice shard through the heart. Nibris screamed in agonizing pain, as he fell to the floor and slowly morphed back into his human form as he died. He lay there naked on the floor in a pool of blood, as the three slayers ran to take care of the rest of the Bringers and assist with the uninvited vampires. The battle ended and just as they all breathed a sigh of relief, the main door burst open yet again.

“He brought vampires with him!” Andrew yelled seeing everyone tense up and in fighting stances. “Oh . . . Well, my walkie-talkie fell from the roof and I ran down as fast as I could, but . . . never mind!”

“I need a drink!” Justin said walking over to the bar.

“I hear that!” Spike said following.

“So I guess that’s it, huh?” Buffy said walking over to Josh. “You gonna head out?”

“Justin can stay and help clean up, but I gotta . . .yeah!” Josh said scratching his head.

“Our work is never done!”

“Nope. Gotta begin training these new recruits!” He said laughing. “You have yours and I have mine!”

“Yeah . . . But at least yours have superpowers!”

“True . . .”

“You heading back to L.A.?”

“Actually, no . . . Out to Nevada. We’re gonna train them in the desert.”

“Why there? Doesn’t L.A. need you though?”

“Well, technically, we’re gonna be in both places at once.”

“How’s that?”

“There’s this spell that can basically create doubles of ourselves that will think and act just as we do, but maintain our own mental focus. Then when we regroup, we absorb their actions.”

“Wicked!”

“Yeah . . . it’s pretty cool!” There was an awkward moment of silence as everyone gravitated towards the bar, leaving Josh and Buffy by themselves, by the stage.

“Look . . .” Buffy started. “I really wanna say . . .”

“Same here . . .”Josh said smiling, knowing what she was going to say.

“It’s just that, I never . . .”

“Me either . . .”

“It’s kinda like . . .”

“Exactly . . .”

“So . . .”

“Yeah . . .”

“Thank you!” They said simultaneously.

“Hey Josh!” a voice said as Josh looked up.

“Josh . . . Come on, wake up! You know you get cranky when you fall asleep in front of the T.V.!” Lance’s voice sounded.

“Huh? Wha?” Josh said stirring on the couch.

“Come on . . . let’s get to bed!”

“Huh? Oh . . . Yeah!”

“That was a nice way to end it, huh?”

“End what?”

“Buffy!”

“It ended?”

“Duh, that WAS the series finale!”

“Huh? Oh . . . yeah . . . I guess it was!”

“Too bad she wasn’t real, she’d probably be able to use our help!”

“Trust me, she’s able to hold her own!”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Nothing . . . I’ll tell you later!” Josh said as they entered their bedroom.

The End . . .

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It’s been a great seven years, we will miss you Buffy!