Disclaimer: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and all characters from the shows are the property of Joss Whedon, Fox, and the UPN or WB Television Networks. 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 is based on the organization 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).
Saturday May 25, 2002, Morning: Los Angeles
Morningstar enters the Wolfram & Hart Headquarters. He shows his
Senior Partner ID badge to the guard. He grins at the guard's
reaction. "Don't worry. I'm just here to do some research."
Morningstar enters a vault and looks through one of the volumes
stored there. He closes the volume and vanishes, reappearing in
his basement in Sunnydale. "Just as I thought" he tells himself.
"The alignment of forces is right for Arthur's return. Wonder if
those vampires who call themselves his servants know this." He
grins. "I think I'll go tell them."
Sunday May 26, Afternoon: Sunnydale, Summers' House
Melissa Johnson has just arrived from New York City. Melissa,
Willow, Tara, Buffy, Xander, Dawn, and Anya are gathered around
the kitchen table.
Melissa tells them "Three things. First, SAVE sent me here to
teach Willow and Tara, and perhaps others, a group of powerful
new spells. And no, I'm not sure this is a good idea." She
pauses. "Second, I'm worried about Morningstar's overtures to
you. We're more or less on the same side but I don't know how
far to trust him." She pauses again. "Third, there's something
I need to tell you about the Urn of Osiris. The one you used to
resurrect Buffy. It wasn't an ancient artifact. It was created
not long before you used it. I helped arrange for its creation."
Willow breaks a stunned silence. "Why didn't you tell us this
earlier?"
Melissa answers quietly "We didn't really plan this. Some in
SAVE wanted to help you with all our resources. Others wanted to
discourage you, perhaps even stop you. When we figured out what
you were going to try, the ones who wanted to help you asked me
to arrange for the creation of an Urn. Once we had an Urn, SAVE
had to make a decision. It was decided that we could send you
the Urn, but we couldn't let you know it came from us."
Willow remarks "You haven't said how you really felt about all of
this."
Melissa answers "If you had asked me, I would have advised
against the spell." She pauses. "But I'd probably have done
what you did if I was in your place." She continues hesitantly.
"About the reason I was sent here. I can feel us losing ground
out there. I'm scared I'm going to push you into something you
aren't ready for. Or overcompensate and be too cautious." She
smiles sheepishly. "Some advisor I am."
Tara says reassuringly "We'll all be fine. And Giles will be
here tomorrow. You can talk things over with him."
Sunday May 26, Night: Glastonbury Tor (England)
The High King, Nimue, Gawaine, Lynette, and Palomides of the
Order of the Grail pause on the slope of the Tor. Nimue gestures
and a gateway opens. They enter the gateway and keep walking
until they come to a coffin. They link hands in front of the
coffin and begin chanting. "The stars are right. The time has
come. Let the sleeping one awaken. Let the Dragon King emerge
to lead us in the Ultimate Battle."
The lid opens and an apparently human figure emerges from the
coffin. "Is it time?" he asks.
"It is time" they answer. "We have come to pledge our fealty to
our true king."
Gawaine holds out Caliburn. "Your sword, your majesty."
The (now former) High King says "Your throne awaits. I have kept
it ready for you, my liege. All the High Kings have called
ourselves Arthur in your honor. With your return, I may no
longer claim that name. What should my new name be?"
Arthur Pendragon considers. "You and your predecessors have done
well. You may call yourself Sir Bohort and serve as my second
and my heir." He pauses and turns to Gawaine. "Caliburn has
chosen you as its bearer. Keep it, with my blessing."
Monday May 27, Night: Winchester (England)
Arthur appears before an assembly of the Order of the Grail. His
eyes glow as he seems to draw energy from their devotion.
Arthur gestures and a silver cauldron appears overhead. "We have
stayed in the shadows for long enough. It is time for us to walk
openly and in the light." He gestures again and light comes from
the cauldron and bathes each member of the Order for a few
moments before fading.
Arthur continues "The End Times have come. The Ultimate Battle
approaches. We have been chosen to fight it. We shall not fail,
no matter what powers gather against us."
Tuesday May 28, Morning: Sunnydale, Magic Box
Melissa, Giles, Anya, Willow, Tara, Xander, and Buffy are meeting
in the back room.
Melissa glances nervously at Giles. "I'm going to be teaching
Willow and Tara some spells that SAVE acquired from N'Tse-Kaambl.
These spells are very powerful but also exhausting and dangerous.
Don't try to improvise with them until you have them down cold.
I'll also be teaching some simple shielding spells that can be
useful for any of you, as well as Dawn."
Anya asks "Is this going to damage the Magic Box?"
Melissa reassures her. "No, I put some wards up. Besides, this
is only temporary. Once I find a more permanent place, we can
move the training there."
Thursday May 30, Night: Sunnydale, Magic Box
Willow, Tara, Anya, Giles, Melissa, Dawn, Xander, and Buffy are
sitting in the main room.
Lynette enters, followed by Gawaine and Bedivere. Lynette
announces "The Scourge is in Sunnydale."
Giles asks "Why is this a priority?"
Lynette responds. "They are up to something major. And they
have entrenched themselves beneath Sunnydale High."
Morningstar appears. "They're going to try to open the
Hellmouth. It'll take at least two more days. The Scourge
presumably wanted to act before the Order could gain too much
advantage from Arthur's return." He walks over to Willow and
hands her a pendant. "A present for you." He pauses. "Call me.
There are things you need to learn." Morningstar vanishes.
Melissa examines the pendant carefully. "It's just stored power.
It should be safe to use." She pauses. "We should begin
planning our attack."
Lynette says "One moment." She hands a letter to Buffy, Willow,
and Tara. "A formal invitation to become full members of the
Order of the Grail." She pauses. "We do not truly expect that
you will accept right now. But when you are ready, the Order
will be here."
Friday May 31, Afternoon: Sunnydale, Summers' House
Melissa, Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, Tara, Dawn, Xander, and
Anya are gathered in the living room.
Buffy reports on her and Melissa's scouting mission. "We checked
out the High School. There are tunnels connecting to the
basement with Scourge soldiers on watch. We couldn't get close
enough to tell what was going on."
There is a knock on the door. Buffy answers it and sees Riley
and Sam standing there.
Buffy asks "Riley, Sam, what are you doing here? Come in!" She
pauses. "You know everyone except for Melissa Johnson. Melissa,
this is Riley Finn and his wife Sam."
Sam says "We had a tip that there was a situation here that
needed to be checked out." She pauses. "We also have a letter
for Melissa from our commander, Colonel Alan McCormack."
Melissa looks surprised. "Didn't know Mac was involved in this."
She reads the letter. "He suggests cooperation between our
respective organizations and asks that I pass this offer on to my
superiors." She pauses. "I can't promise anything but, given
the current mood, the response is likely to be favorable." She
pauses again. "I also don't know how much you've been able to
find out, but there is a group called the Scourge barricaded
underneath Sunnydale High. We think they're trying to open the
Hellmouth. We're going to try to dislodge them tonight." She
pauses a third time. "I should tell you that we have some
unusual allies. There's a vampiric order of knights that calls
itself the Order of the Grail. They don't want the world to end
so they've been helping stop anyone who wants to end it. They've
even agreed to stop feeding on humans, at least for now."
Riley and Sam digest this information. Then Riley says "We'll be
there tonight. Ready for combat. Just tell us when and where."
Friday May 31, Night: Sunnydale, Sunnydale High School
The attack team is assembled outside the High School. Willow,
Tara, Buffy, Giles, Melissa, and Xander are joined by Riley and
Sam, and also by Lynette, Gawaine, Bedivere, Cador, Elyzabel, and
Gwenbaus from the Order of the Grail.
Buffy is on point, along with Riley and Sam. Gawaine and
Elyzabel are on the left flank, Bedivere and Cador are on the
right flank. Lynette backs up the left flank, and Gwenbaus backs
up the right flank. Melissa, Willow, and Tara are in the middle
of the formation with Xander just in front of them. Giles is
rear guard.
The team advances and is attacked by the Scourge. Riley and Sam
blast the attackers and then Buffy and the knights engage them
with their swords. The team advances through the basement and
into the tunnels. The tunnel opens out into a cavern. The team
can see the Scourge barricaded in front of them.
The team halts at the entrance. Lynette says "The Scourge will
flank us if we advance."
Melissa adds "There's also an energy barrier behind them." She
pauses. "Time to try the new spells. Willow, take the center
and the barrier. I'll take the left flank, Tara the right.
Simple explosion spell, on my signal." Melissa raises her hand
and then lowers it. There are three explosions. The center one
takes out the energy barrier.
The team charges forward and another group of Scourge attacks.
Riley and Sam blast them, as do Lynette and Gwenbaus. Buffy and
the knights cut down the remaining attackers.
The team sees a glowing "hotspot" on the floor of the cavern.
One of the Scourge diverts energy from the "hotspot" and sends a
blast at the point, then sends another blast at the right flank.
A group of Scourge tries to attack through the hole in the line.
Blasts by Melissa, Gwenbaus, and Tara take out most of the
attackers. Gwenbaus, Xander, and Giles mop up the rest.
The Scourge mage aims a blast at the left flank. Gawaine holds
up Caliburn and absorbs much of the blow, but Elyzabel and
Lynette are stunned. Buffy gets up, and she and Gawaine charge
the mage but the mage sends them flying backwards.
Tara and Willow link hands and Willow directs a blast at the
Scourge mage. Melissa sends her own blast. The mage returns
fire, stunning Melissa. Willow concentrates and sends another
blast at the mage. He bursts into flame as Willow slumps in
exhaustion. The few remaining Scourge turn and run. The "hot
spot" on the floor starts to pulse, then vanishes in a bright
flash of light.
Friday May 31, Night: Sunnydale, Summers' House
Buffy, Willow, Xander, Tara, Giles, Melissa, Anya, Dawn, Riley,
and Sam are gathered in the living room.
Riley says "We have to head out now." He pauses. "Colonel's
right. We can help each other."
Melissa nods. "We can always use more allies. I'll pass the
offer along." She pauses. "Tell the Colonel to be careful.
There are plenty of things out there that can't be taken down
with weapons."
Saturday June 1, Afternoon: Sunnydale, Magic Box
Willow, Tara, Giles, Buffy, Anya, Xander, Melissa, and Dawn are
gathered in the back room.
Melissa reports "I passed along Mac's offer. SAVE is going to
explore the idea of cooperation with the special ops folks."
Giles adds "The Watcher's Council has suddenly become very
helpful. They've promised full research support and they've also
made some generous new financial arrangements."
Willow glances nervously at Melissa and Giles. "There's
something I need to tell you. I've decided I'm going to accept
Morningstar's offer of lessons." She pauses. "Tara says she's
coming with me."
Melissa and Giles consider for a few moments. Finally Melissa
says carefully "I'm not going to stop you. Just be very, very
careful. Both Giles and I need to know exactly what he's
teaching you. And I might drop in unannounced from time to
time."
Giles adds "Remember that Morningstar is not your friend. Right
now he sees an advantage for himself in helping us. Don't
mistake that for anything more than it is."
Xander looks around. "You're all really going to let her do
this?" He pauses. "Willow, I don't trust Morningstar."
Willow nods. "I know. I don't trust him either. But I think we
may need his help." She pauses. "I promise I'll be careful.
And so will Tara."