Endgame
Disclaimer: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and all characters
from the shows are the property of Joss Whedon and Fox. The Cthulhu
Mythos material is loosely based on the "Call of Cthulhu" role-playing
game (copyright Chaosium Inc.) and the book "Encyclopedia Cthulhiana"
by Daniel Harms. SAVE and associated material is based on the
organization and other information in the Chill Roleplaying game
(copyright Mayfair Games Inc.) and the earlier version of the game
(copyright Pacesetter, Ltd.). My main source for information on
Arthurian legends was "The Arthurian Companion" by Phyllis Ann Karr.
The character of Melissa Johnson is my own invention. Any similarities
between the organization called the "Order of the Grail" and any
organization of a similar name in anyone else's stories are purely
coincidental (apart from constraints due to basic Arthurian Mythology).
The Byblos demon is a creation of Eden Studios for the Angel
Roleplaying game.
Previously...
Melissa Johnson examines writing on the base of a bronze
statuette. “It’s a mantra to the Goddess Tara.”
Giles looks startled. “The Dup Shimati. The Tablets of
Fate. The Tablet of Destinies. He wants you to retrieve
THAT?”
Faith announces “Tara’s famous in Eriu now. There are songs about
her.”
Thursday May 13, 2004, Night:
Summers’ Residence
Buffy is dreaming. The image looks unclear, as if partially
blocked by static. She sees Willow standing next to Dawn.
Willow goes into vamp-face, then bites Dawn and drains the blood from
her. Buffy wakes up, stares at the ceiling for a while and tries
to go back to sleep.
Thursday May 13, Night: Wolfram
& Hart, Los Angeles
Angel, Spike, Wesley, Gunn, Fred, Lorne, and Lilah are meeting in
Angel’s office. Desk drawers and file cabinets have been emptied
and documents are strewn on the floor. Angel shakes his
head. “They’ve been very thorough.” He pauses.
“Anything left in the vaults?”
Wesley replies “Not much of any importance.” He pauses.
“Are you planning to move back in here?”
Angel shrugs. “We still own the place. It seems a waste to
leave it empty.” He pauses. “At least this time we don’t
have to worry about interference from the Senior Partners.”
Friday May 14, Night: Willy’s
Bar
Buffy and Anya are talking to Willy. Buffy asks “So why are we
suddenly hip-deep in demons? I know it’s the Hellmouth but I’ve
never seen the town this crowded with them.”
Willy stares at them. “You really don’t know.” He
pauses. “The word’s gone out. The Outer Gods are
returning. Any demon who doesn’t want to join them is looking for
somewhere to hide.”
Buffy shakes her head. “So they come here to Ground Zero?
To the two most powerful witches in the world and a small army of
Slayers?”
Willy replies “Safer than being anywhere the Outer Gods’ servants can
follow. At least you’ll leave them alone if they don’t bother
anyone.”
D’Hoffryn emerges from the crowd and Willy slips away. D’Hoffryn
glances at Anya. “There’s a spot open for you if you’d like to
come back.”
Anya replies “I’ve already told you no.”
D’Hoffryn shrugs. “It was worth a try.” He lowers his
voice. “It’s coming. One week. Less.” He
teleports out of the room.
Saturday May 15, Night:
Summers’ Residence
Willow and Tara are sitting on the floor of their room, hands
linked. A kind of map is visible in the room. Willow’s eyes
are closed and she is chanting softly. Willow opens her eyes,
studies the map, and points to a section of it. “There.
That’s what we sensed.” She pauses. “Azathoth. On its
way here.”
Sunday May 16, Afternoon: Near
Melissa Johnson’s Residence
Colonel Alan McCormack is talking to Melissa. “There’s been more
pressure to bring your people under our command. Along with
everyone else who knows about certain recent events.”
Melissa nods. “Try to stall them for another week.” She
pauses. “If they’ll listen to you at all, you might warn them
against putting too much pressure on Alkindi.”
Sunday May 16, Afternoon:
Melissa Johnson’s Residence
Willow, Buffy, and Giles are in the library, looking through a stack of
books. Willow says hesitantly “I f-found something. A
prophecy about an evil witch and her rise to power.” She
pauses. “I think it’s t-talking about me.”
Giles looks over the passage. “Translated from the Alexandrian
Codex.” He pauses. “Willow, Cyril was a religious
fanatic. He would not even comprehend the idea that someone like
you could be anything other than evil. Even if he had a true
vision, his interpretation of it is likely to be seriously in error.”
Buffy agrees. “Giles is right, Will. Don’t worry about
it.” Willow nods but still looks uncertain.
Monday May 17, Morning:
Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles
Wesley and Fred are sitting behind a desk in an office on the ground
floor. A woman in her late twenties is sitting on the other side
of the desk. Wesley says “You said that you had found some
information on the Dup Shimati.”
The woman nods and places a book on the desk. “I remembered an old
volume that contained ... instructions.” She pauses. “I
think you’ll find the indicated pages especially of interest.”
Wesley and Fred examine the book and skim through several pages.
“Yes, I think this will be very useful.” He takes out an envelope
and hands it to the woman. “A finder’s fee.” The woman
looks inside the envelope, nods, and leaves the room.
Wesley and Fred study the book for several minutes, then Fred says
“We’d better call Willow” and makes a phone call. After a brief
conversation, Willow’s image appears in the room.
Wesley explains “From one of my more reliable contacts.
Half-Byblos. Photographic memory and a natural interest in
knowledge of all sorts.” He pauses and hands the book to
Willow. “I thought you’d be better able than us to make use of
this. The indicated pages should be especially useful.”
Willow glances at the book and then vanishes with it.
Monday May 17, Evening:
Summers’ Residence
Willow, Tara, Buffy, Xander, Giles, and Dawn are meeting in Willow and
Tara’s room. Willow reports “The book contains a ritual for using
the full powers of the tablets. It needs to be cast
outside. Giles thinks that’s because the tablets were originally
associated with a storm god. The ritual uses the key’s energy to
fully activate the tablets and can separate out that energy from any
vessel.” She pauses. “I th-think that Dawn will survive the
extraction.”
Buffy objects. “That’s not good enough.”
Giles asks “Are you sure you’re ready for that much power?”
Willow shakes her head. “N-no. But if I d-don’t try...”
Buffy interrupts. “I haven’t said you could do this.”
Dawn looks at Buffy. “It’s my decision, not yours.” She
pauses and tells Willow “I think you should try it.” Dawn stares
at Buffy until Buffy concedes.
Monday May 17, Night: Summers’
Residence
Willow is sitting in her room in front of a bronze statuette,
attempting to meditate. Tara asks “Are you all right?”
Willow says quietly “I’m terrified. Terrified of what all that
power will do to me.”
Tara considers. “What happens if you don’t try the ritual?”
Willow glances at her. “I d-don’t think anyone survives what’s
coming at us.”
Tara takes her hand. “Then there isn’t much choice, is
there?” She pauses. “We’ll worry about afterwards,
afterwards.”
Tuesday May 18, Morning: Site
of Sunnydale High School
The sky darkens. An enormous mass of black streamers emerges from
the site of the high school and slowly moves across the sky. The
mass stops and rapidly breaks up, sending streamers in multiple
directions.
Tuesday May 18, Night: Near
Summers’ Residence
Willow is out for a walk and sees what appears to be Warren. He
grins at her. “Congratulations. You’ll soon have total
power. And you’ve even convinced your friends that you’re doing
it to help them. But we know differently, don’t we?” He
vanishes and Willow stares uneasily after him.
Wednesday May 19, Night:
Summers’ Residence
Buffy is dreaming. The image seems unclear, as if partially
blocked by static. She sees Willow devour Dawn and grow to giant
size. Strings run from Willow’s hands to a planetful of
puppets. The scene shifts and Buffy sees Joyce saying “When the
time comes, you’ll need the sword to stop Willow.”
Thursday May 20, Afternoon:
Summers’ Residence
Willow is sitting in her room in front of a bronze statuette. The
Tablets of Fate are next to her. Wesley appears at the doorway
and stands there for a moment before she notices him. He tells
her “Everyone has gathered in the backyard.” He pauses.
“Are you finished up here?”
Willow nods. “A meditation called Healing the Five
Elements. It helps with mental balance.” She pauses.
“Meditations. The Ring of Set. Buffy’s sword. My
amber pendant. The Threefold link spell and the ritual to
Sineya. The statuette. Links to Glastonbury Tor and the
Kaaba. M-maybe it’ll all be enough without...” She glances
at the tablets. “Maybe.”
Wesley considers. “But you don’t really believe that, do you?”
Thursday May 20, Afternoon:
Kingman’s Bluff
Willow, Tara, Xander, Giles, Dawn, Amy, Anya, Andrew, Robin Wood,
Melissa, Illyria, and Ma’at; Buffy, Faith, and the other Slayers;
Wesley and Gunn; Riley, Graham, and Sam from the anti-HST force; and
Bethany Chaulk and the Groosalug (reinforcements from SAVE) are all
gathered on the bluff. Buffy, Faith, and the other Slayers
(except for Lisa, the only Slayer Witch) are standing near the front
edge of the bluff, with Buffy and Faith near the center of the
line. Illyria is on the right flank, the Groosalug on the
left. Amy, Anya, Melissa, Ma’at, Lisa, and Bethany are behind the
line as magical and telekinetic support, while most of the others are
there as immediate reinforcements. Willow and Tara are further
back, next to Dawn and the tablets.
Gawaine, Cador, and Priamus from the Order of the Grail arrive at the
bluff. Gawaine explains “The others are helping with a major
ritual. But we thought Caliburn would be of more use here.”
A portal opens at the back of the bluff and a raven flies through,
followed by a dozen warriors who seem to glow with light.
Tara says quietly “The de Danaan.” She calls to the leader of the
warriors. “Ogma! You’re here!”
Ogma grins. “How could we miss the chance to fight alongside the
slayer of Balor Evil-Eye?” He pauses. “Will you join us as
you did in Eriu?”
Tara glances at Willow and Buffy. Willow hesitates but then takes
Tara’s hand and energy seems to flow from her to Tara. Tara takes
a position at the head of the de Danaan and they move to near the
center of the line, the raven flying above them. Buffy rearranges
the formation and moves Lisa back near Willow and Dawn.
There is an explosion at the site of the high school and the sound of
bells rings out. The temperature drops and everything starts to
grow dark. Willow concentrates and the area of the bluff stays
lighted. A brighter light surrounds the de Danaan. A
creature with a single red trilobed eye and vaguely resembling a giant
bat approaches the bluff, then stops. Buffy says quietly “The
Haunter of the Dark.” She pauses. “It’s stalling us.”
Willow senses something emerge from the high school and feels pressure
build against her shields. She hesitates then glances at Dawn,
who nods at her. Willow takes a deep breath and begins to
chant. She places one hand on the tablets and draws green energy
from Dawn. Dawn faints as Willow turns translucent and absorbs
the tablets.
Meanwhile, the darkness starts to advance. Buffy and Gawaine’s
swords glow in response and light flows from Tara and the de
Danaan. The darkness pauses, then builds into a wave that crashes
into the front line, stunning several Slayers. The darkness draws
back slightly, then builds into a second wave that forces the remaining
Slayers back several steps. The bat-like creature shifts into a
huge man-shaped shadowy figure wearing blackened samurai armor and
wielding a katana. Corrosive red blood drips from cracks in his
armor. Melissa says softly “Aku-Shin Kage. The Dark
Warlord.”
Aku-Shin Kage walks toward the bluff and Buffy steps forward to meet
him, telling the others to stay back. She manages to counter the
first few blows but then gets knocked down. Aku-Shin Kage raises
his katana to kill her, but Tara and the de Danaan hit him with a blast
of energy. Buffy recovers and drives her sword through a crack in
his armor, the sword burning off his blood before it can reach
her. Tara and the de Danaan continue to blast him as Faith and
Gawaine join the fight. Aku-Shin Kage disintegrates and his
armor falls to the ground. Buffy catches her breath for a moment
then sees the darkness build into a third wave. Willow
concentrates and blocks the wave then forces back and dispels the
darkness. She reseals the Hellmouth and repairs most of the
damage around the high school.
Buffy turns and sees Dawn unconscious. Willow says quietly “She’s
alive.”
Buffy, her sword still drawn, walks toward Willow and stops a short
distance from her. Tara follows Buffy and stops a couple of steps
behind her. Buffy studies Willow for a moment, then relaxes and
sheathes her sword. Tara walks up to Willow and takes her
hand. A pillar of light surrounds them and they both ascend
skyward. Buffy looks uncertainly after them, then her attention
shifts to Dawn who is beginning to stir.
Thursday May 20, Afternoon:
Morningstar’s Basement
Morningstar watches through a viewing crystal, a pleased look on his
face. “Championship match to Willow.” He pauses. “I
knew she’d make good use of that book.”
Friday May 21
Excerpt from the Journal of Rupert Giles
I think we’ve sorted out most of what happened yesterday.
Willow’s absorption of the tablets seems to have resulted in her and
Tara attaining a quasi-divine status. They sent us a message
saying that they’re fine and they’ll contact us later.
We’ve learned that there were multiple attacks at the same time as our
battle. The majority of them were blocked, but there were also
serious losses. In particular, the Watcher’s Council Headquarters
was blown up and there was severe damage to some of the Regional and
Continental SAVE Headquarters. At least Alkindi and his order
managed to contain the reanimated Sphinx before it did any
damage. Still no progress on moving it back to Egypt.
The Order of the Grail also seems to have taken losses, although
they’re keeping quiet about them. They’ve indicated that they
intend to keep their truce with humans and their alliance with us.
Saturday May 22, Evening:
Summers’ Residence
A news bulletin appears on the television. It reports that it has
just been revealed that the President has been incapacitated for almost
a month.
Wednesday May 26, Afternoon:
Summers’ Residence
Dawn is in Willow and Tara’s old room, sitting in front of a bronze
statuette. An image of Tara appears. Tara remarks “So you
decided to skip the big meeting.”
Dawn responds “It’s mostly for the Slayers.” She pauses.
“I’ve missed you so much. Are you all right? What have you
been doing?”
Tara says quietly “I miss you too.” She pauses. “We’ve been
learning about our powers and trying to figure out what to do with
them. We set up a pool of energy to boost the Slayers’ magical
defenses. And the statuette’s a focus for us.” She pauses
again. “We m-might keep our distance for a while. It’ll be
easier that w-way.”
Sunday May 30
Excerpt from the Journal of Rupert Giles
We’ve been working out the new arrangement with SAVE and the remnants
of the Watcher’s Council. We’ll be spreading out and setting up
local headquarters to accomodate the large increase in the number of
Slayers, although some of us will remain in Sunnydale.
Willow and Tara are setting up foci for our new locations.
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