Eye of the Storm

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 character Azar is loosely based on a character in the Mayfair version of Chill.


Saturday October 11, 2003, Night:  Kingman’s Bluff

A black-robed figure accompanied by several Harbingers stands near the edge of the bluff.  “Ithaqua is gone but some of his power still remains.”  He sits and begins to chant softly.  What looks like a large white seed slowly forms.  The black-robed figure picks up the seed and leaves the bluff.


Sunday April 11, 2004, Early Morning:  Kingman’s Bluff

A circle of purple-robed ghouls with silver-like masks sits in the center of the bluff.  Around them are gathered other ghouls with canine features and hooves.  The purple-robed ghouls begin a chant to Mordiggian and the other ghouls join in.  A cloud of darkness appears and the temperature drops.  The cloud strengthens as the chant continues.  It extends tendrils to the purple-robed ghouls and silently communes with them.  It hovers for a few moments and then rises into the air as the ghouls continue to chant to Mordiggian.


Sunday April 11, Morning (Los Angeles Time):  Unknown Demon Dimension

A group of figures in black robes is gathered in a circle.  One of them begins to speak.  “It is six months since our elder brother was taken from us.  But he is never truly gone as long as one of us remains.”  The black-robed figures begin to chant.  Power gathers above the circle, then descends on one of the black-robed figures.  He is briefly outlined in flame, then the flame fades into a covering of serpents.  The other black-robed figures bow to him.  “Azar!  Azar has risen!”


Friday April 16, Evening:  Morningstar’s Basement

Morningstar is talking to Willow and Tara.  “Thought you might like to know more about your recent acquisitions.  Black Lotus extract is useful if you’re very careful.  Although not as useful as the tablets.”  He hands Willow two books.  “These might be a good place to start looking.”


Saturday April 17, Afternoon:  Melissa Johnson’s Residence

Melissa is tutoring Anya in magic in one part of the room while Amy and Lisa practice attack spells with Willow and Tara in another part.  Anya concentrates and a glowing shield surrounds her.  Melissa studies the shield and launches several probes to test it.  She nods approvingly.  “Very good, Anya.”  She pauses.  “I think it’s time to try another team spell with Lisa and Amy.”


Sunday April 25, Evening:  Summers’ Residence

Willow is sitting in her room in front of a bronze statuette with Dawn standing nearby.  Dawn asks “A new meditation?”

Willow replies “No.  I’m just sending a few of my images out to explore.”

Dawn glances at the chest containing the Dup Shimati.  “Tablet of Destinies.  Shouldn’t that be tablets?”  She pauses and takes a deep breath.  “I know you need my blood to use their full power.  Whenever you need it, all you have to do is ask.”


Thursday April 29, Early Morning (London Time):  Severn Valley, England

A mixed group of humans and assorted demons are gathered deep in the woods around a crude symbol drawn on the ground.  The group begins to chant.  “Demon Sultan.  Primal Chaos.  Who gave birth to the universe and who will destroy it in the end.  We call you across the dimensions.  Your time has come.”  They continue to chant until the symbol erupts in flame.  The flames engulf the chanters, burning them to ashes.  Azar steps out from behind a tree.  “Fools.  But useful fools.  It answers to the Tarakans’ call.  But with my guidance.”


Thursday April 29, Morning:  Melissa Johnson’s Residence

Melissa answers her cell phone.  “Mac!  Great to hear from you!”  She listens.  “Today?  Flight’s already reserved?  Let me get a pen.”  She writes down the flight information.  “Riley will meet me at BWI airport.  Got it.  I’ll start packing.”  Shortly afterwards she sees Giles in the living room and tells him “Alan McCormack called.  He asked me to come to DC for a few days.  Something to do with his Anti-HST unit.  He didn’t give any details.”


Friday April 30, Evening:  Summers’ Residence

Willow receives a call from Melissa.  “Melissa!  Hi!”  She listens.  “I can be there right now.  I just need to tell Tara where I’m going.”  Willow sends a mental message to Tara.  She concentrates and then vanishes, leaving an image back in her room to help guard the house.


Friday April 30, Night (Maryland Time):  Camp David, Maryland

Willow appears next to Melissa, just outside of what looks like a house.  Melissa explains “I’d hoped to keep you out of this, but it was either you or nothing.”  They open the door and walk inside, after the agents at the door check their identification.  Willow looks around the room and sees a number of people, some involved in animated conversation.  They walk upstairs and enter one of the rooms.  Quentin Travers, Miss Harkness, Colonel Alan McCormack, Riley and Sam Finn, and Ahmad Alkindi are standing around a small table.  A small silver mirror is face down on the table.  Willow also sees what looks like a statue of the President standing against a wall with an agent standing on each side of it.  Her eyes widen as she realizes the “statue’s” eyes are alive.

McCormack explains “It happened last week.  He was found like this with the mirror next to him.  At least no one else looked at it.”  He pauses.  “Someone called Quentin and things snowballed from there.  I don’t know how your friend Alkindi got involved.”

Willow concentrates briefly on the mirror and it vanishes in a flash of light.  “Ghatanothoa’s image.”  She pauses.  “I can reverse the petrification but he may already be insane.”  Willow contacts Tara through her image in Buffy’s house and Tara appears in the room.  Willow links hands with Tara and concentrates.  She sends an image down through the floor in the middle of the depetrification process.

Willow’s image returns with a cylindrical object and places it on the table.  Meanwhile, the petrified skin returns to normal but the President still doesn’t move.  Melissa remarks “Catatonia.”

Willow turns her attention to the cylindrical object.  “Cthonians planted it under the house.  I put a stasis field on it.”  The object is covered with strange symbols and seems to pulse with power even through the field.  “It could explode at any moment once the field goes.”

Alkindi comments “The Al-Azif speaks of items called god-killers.  None were previously known to exist.”

McCormack asks “Should we evacuate the building?”

Willow shakes her head.  “You won’t be able to leave safely.  There’s a large force of Mi-go gathered overhead.”

McCormack nods.  “At least we can get people out of this room.”  Everyone except for Willow and Tara leaves, the President being carried by the two agents.  Willow looks at Tara and glances toward the door.  Tara shakes her head and takes Willow’s left hand.  Willow places her right hand on the cylindrical object and removes the stasis field.  After a few minutes she looks alarmed and jumps on top of the object.  There is a muffled explosion and Willow transforms into blue magical energy.  Melissa, Miss Harkness, and Alkindi reenter the room at the sound of the explosion.  Willow feeds Tara power until Tara is surrounded by blue energy.  She feeds lesser amounts of power to Melissa, Miss Harkness, and Alkindi and sends an image up through the ceiling to incinerate the Mi-go.  She also sends a surge of power to her image in Buffy’s house.  The image sends power into the house shields, and to Buffy and her sword, then heads outside to blast the Harbingers and other creatures that have surrounded the house.  Another image goes to Melissa’s house to strengthen the shields there and feed energy to Faith and her scythe.  A third image goes to their future headquarters house.  All three buildings briefly glow with energy before fading.  Finally, Willow sends an image each to SAVE’s North American and World Headquarters, Watcher’s Council Headquarters, and Miss Harkness’ house to strengthen those buildings’ defenses.

As she continues to expend power, Willow gradually regains shape.  Tara absorbs the energy crackling around her and asks “Are you all right?”  Willow nods and squeezes Tara’s hand reassuringly.

Alkindi steps forward and tells Willow “One of my order had a divine vision.  She said that destiny must be unlocked to be preserved and that danger approaches through hidden dimensions.  I think she also suggested that you and Buffy will save or destroy the world.”  He hands a piece of paper to Willow.  “Here are her exact words.”

Quentin reenters the room.  Willow says quietly “Someone wanted to lure me away from Sunnydale.”

Melissa nods.  “And all of us have attracted the attention of the highest official levels.  This could complicate matters.”

Quentin shrugs.  “Nothing we can’t handle.”


Saturday May 1, Afternoon:  Melissa Johnson’s Residence

Illyria sees Willow in the living room and asks “I’ve always wondered about something.  Why do you still follow Buffy?  You are much more powerful than she is.”

Willow replies “I don’t follow her.  We’re best friends.”  She pauses.  “And she’s Buffy.”  She pauses again.  “I-I should get to magic practice.”


Sunday May 2, Afternoon:  Summers’ Residence

Willow, Tara, Giles, Melissa, and Buffy are in Willow and Tara’s room.  Giles reminds Willow “Be careful.  Black Lotus extract is very dangerous.”

Willow answers “I know.  But you saw Alkindi’s message.  I think we need to try this.”

Willow places five candles on the floor arranged in a pentagon, places a small bowl in the center of the candles, and mixes a bottle of Black Lotus extract into a potion.  She traces a symbol on the floor with her hand, places a crystal in the bowl and pours a second bottle of extract over it, and lights the candles.  Then she drinks the potion, sits near one of the candles, links hands with Tara and starts to chant.  After a few moments, Willow gestures and a kind of map appears in the room.  Willow points to the earth on the map and then to a blinking dot.  “A chunk of primal chaos.  An avatar of Azathoth.  It’s moving through the dimensions toward us.”

Giles points to another dot.  “Looks like it has to go through here.”

Willow says “A dimension called Eriu.  Maybe we can head it off there.”  She carefully stands up.  “Still a little dizzy.”

Melissa cautions “We need to learn more about Eriu.”

Willow gestures and the map seems to vanish.  “The map’s still there.  We just need to call it up.”  She pauses.  “Do we have any books on Eriu?”


Tuesday May 4, Night:  Eastern Pacific Ocean, North of Equator

Azar holds the seed created from the remnants of Ithaqua and places it in the ocean.  “Winter storm gives rise to summer storm.  Let the black wind ride on the summer storm.  Let it cleanse the Hellmouth of the human vermin.”  The seed dissolves and a storm slowly starts to grow around it.


Wednesday May 5, Morning:  Wolfram & Hart, Los Angeles

As the staff arrives in the morning, they find the head of a Senior Partner in the lobby with a note nailed to it.  The note says “Who will be next?” and is signed “Azar.”

The head of another Senior Partner is found in the lobby on each of the next two mornings.


Thursday May 6, Night:  Summers’ Residence

Willow, Tara, Buffy, Dawn, Melissa, Giles, Faith, Xander, and Anya are meeting in Willow and Tara’s room.  Willow explains “The avatar is still approaching.  It has to go through Eriu unless it uses a lot of power to change course.”

Buffy asks “So you think we should intercept it there?”

Willow nods.  “Eriu’s a better place to fight it.”

Buffy considers.  “All right.  When are we doing this?”

Willow responds “I can set up a gate tomorrow evening but it’ll only be available at specific times.”  She pauses.  “We’ll need someone to go through and anchor the gate for the rest of us.  They’ll have to stay there for almost a week.”

Tara says “I can do that.”

Willow hesitates then nods.  “I’ll go through on May 11.  We may be able to send another group through on May 12.”  She pauses.  “I wrote up a summary of the information on Eriu.  It’s very mythic Irelandy.”


Friday May 7,  Night:  Summers’ Residence

Willow is in her room, looking at a picture of her and Tara.  Morningstar appears and says “So you’ve seen Tara off on her little journey.”

Willow looks startled.  “How did you get through the shields?”

Morningstar grins.  “They don’t keep me out because you know I’m not an enemy.”  He pauses.  “I came to warn you to watch out for storms.”  He vanishes.


Monday May 10, Morning:  Summers’ Residence

Willow, Buffy, Giles, Melissa, Faith, Dawn, Xander, Kennedy, Molly, Vi, and Rona are meeting in Willow and Tara’s room.  Buffy reports “Willow’s been tracking a hurricane that seems to be heading our way.”  She pauses.  “I didn’t think we even got hurricanes.”

Willow replies “We usually don’t.  One did hit San Diego in 1858.”  She pauses.  “It’s early in the year for any Eastern Pacific hurricane.  But this storm isn’t entirely natural.”

Giles comments “According to Sumerian mythology, the owner of the Dup Shimati was the storm god Enlil.  Some scholars associate him with Ithaqua.”

Buffy says “So he’s trying to get the tablets back?”  She pauses.  “Will, can you protect us from the storm?”

Willow answers carefully “The storm’s small but very powerful.  A strong Category Five.  I can protect this house, even keep the water and electricity going.  If I can knock out what’s driving the storm, then I can also protect Melissa’s house and our future headquarters, and probably the grocery store.  If I can’t, then most of Sunnydale is going to blow away.”  She pauses.  “I can set things up so I can quickly teleport six other people out of Sunnydale if I have to.”

Buffy considers.  “So seven of us stay here and everyone else leaves.  Giles, I want you with the group that’s leaving.  I need someone I can trust to lead them if things go wrong here.”  She pauses.  “I’m staying and so is Willow.  I think Melissa and Faith should also stay.”  She pauses again.

Dawn says firmly “I’ll be safer here.”

Xander adds “We’ll need a repairman.”

There is a brief silence as Kennedy, Vi, Molly, and Rona consider what to say.  Dawn remarks “Vi knows a lot about first aid.”

Buffy agrees.  “Dawn, Xander, and Vi bring us to seven.  Everyone else will leave for Los Angeles later today.”  She pauses.  “I’ll ask Angel about staying at the Hyperion.”

Giles asks “Does the Order of the Grail know about the hurricane?”

Buffy replies “Lynette said they’re making their own preparations.”


Monday May 10, Morning:  Wolfram and Hart, Los Angeles

Angel, Spike, Wesley, Fred, Gunn, Lorne, Connor, and Lilah are meeting in Angel’s office.  Angel says “The building is almost empty.”

Lilah responds “That can’t surprise you.  You’ve seen the heads.  Except for your friend Morningstar, who’s mainly a silent partner anyway, the Senior Partners are dead or hidden so deeply they might as well be.”

Wesley comments “I’m surprised that you’re still here.”

Lilah shrugs.  “If they can find the Senior Partners, they can find me.  I thought I’d be safer around people they might hesitate to attack.”

Angel asks “You’re not saying that someone who can take out the Senior Partners is afraid of us, are you?”

Lilah shakes her head.  “Not afraid of you.  Afraid of Willow.  They might not want to attack you until they’re sure she’s either dead or too distracted to notice.”


Monday May 10, Morning:  Melissa Johnson’s Residence

A mass meeting is held in the living room.  Willow sends an image to attend in her place.  Buffy briefly explains the situation, the decision to evacuate, and who will be staying.  “Everyone else will be leaving at six p.m. for the Hyperion Hotel in Los Angeles.”

Shannon asks “Why don’t we all stay so we can help against the avatar?  We’ve all been training.  And we’ve all learned basic shields.”

Buffy replies “Because if the storm hits full force, Sunnydale disappears.  We could be cut off for weeks.”  She pauses.  “If we can, we’ll bring everyone back after the storm passes.”


Tuesday May 11, Afternoon:  Summers’ Residence

Willow, Buffy, Melissa, Faith, Vi, Xander, and Dawn are gathered in Willow and Tara’s room, with the storm blowing outside.  Willow is sitting in front of the bronze statuette.  One hand is on her amber pendant.  The other holds the Ring of Set.  The lights go out, then Willow gestures and they go on again.  The storm continues to build as Willow probes for weaknesses.  The pendant and the ring occasionally glow and then fade.  Finally Willow smiles and says “I’ve done it.  It’s an ordinary hurricane now.”  She pauses, looking exhausted.  “It’ll weaken fast, but it’ll still hit us as a Category Two.”

Willow gestures and the map appears, showing the progress of Azathoth’s avatar.  Her eyes widen in surprise.  “It sped up and bypassed Eriu.  It’ll be here before midnight.  It ate up a lot of power so it’s not as strong.”  She pauses.  “We’re supposed to open the gate to Eriu tonight.  We have to bring Tara back.”

Melissa points out “It’s a one-way gate tonight.”

Buffy tells Willow “You have to stay here.  There’s no time to do anything else.”

Willow protests “We can’t just abandon her.”

Buffy replies “She’s safer where she is.”

Xander says “Buffy has a point, Will.”

Willow insists “She’s expecting help.  We have to do something.”

Faith suggests “I could go and tell her what happened.”

Melissa adds “And now that the gate’s set up, I can open it so Willow won’t need to spend the energy.”

Buffy considers.  “All right.  We can send Faith.”  There is a lengthy silence then Willow reluctantly agrees.

Xander looks around and asks “So how are we going to stop the avatar?”

Willow looks uncomfortable.  She glances at Dawn, who nods at her.  She says hesitantly “I’m not going to be strong enough tonight.  N-not unless I use the greater powers of the tablets.”

Buffy objects.  “You’re not bleeding Dawn!”  She pauses.  “Is this payback?”

Willow responds angrily “Payback?  Do you really think I’d do that?”  She pauses to calm herself down.  “It won’t be pleasant, but Dawn will be fine.  I promise.”

Dawn nods.  “All right.”  Buffy starts to object but Dawn insists “It’s my decision.”

Buffy stares at Dawn but finally concedes.  She warns Willow “If anything happens to Dawn...”


Tuesday May 11, Night:  Summers’ Residence

Melissa, Willow, Buffy, Dawn, Vi, and Xander are in Willow and Tara’s room, with the hurricane blowing outside.  Dawn is lying on a cot and the Dup Shimati are spread out on a table near her.  Vi tightens a tourniquet around Dawn’s left arm, cleans the arm with antiseptic, and inserts a needle into a vein.  Blood enters the needle and flows through a tube and over the tablets.  Vi warns “She’ll lose a pint of blood about every nine minutes.”

Willow places her right hand on the tablets and concentrates.  A blue glow surrounds Dawn and a stronger blue glow surrounds Buffy.  The bronze statuette begins to glow dimly.  Buffy’s eyes glow orange and she says, in an echoey voice, “It’s here.”  Buffy leaves the room and heads downstairs, with Melissa and Vi following.  Xander sits next to Dawn, splitting his attention between her and the door.

Buffy halts at the foot of the stairs.  Something tries to seep under the door and Buffy gestures and forces it back.  She hears pounding on the walls and doors and sees tentacles try to pound on the windows.

Upstairs, Willow continues to concentrate.  “It’s all around the house.”  She gestures and the house glows blue.  She says softly “Now.”  Buffy opens the door and strikes the creature with her glowing sword, burning it away from her.  A surge of energy comes from the house and blasts away the creature.  Buffy closes the door, her eyes return to normal, and the blue glow fades.  She turns, sheathes her sword, and runs upstairs.

Willow removes the needle from Dawn’s arm, heals the puncture wound, and removes the tourniquet.  She concentrates and the tablets glow, burning away the remaining blood, then she slumps in exhaustion.  Buffy rushes into the room.  “Dawn?  Dawn?”

Dawn smiles.  “I’m fine, Buffy.  I’m fine.”


Tuesday May 11, Night:  Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles

Giles, Illyria, Amy, Anya, Angel, Spike, Lilah, Lorne, Fred, Gunn, Connor, Wood, Andrew, and the Slayer evacuees are gathered in the lobby along with Willow’s image.  Willow tells them “I’ve shielded the hotel” and vanishes.

Some time afterwards, Azar arrives accompanied by Harbingers, a pack of Hounds of Tindalos, and two Servitors of the Outer Gods.  The shields flare blue as Azar concentrates.  Kennedy asks “Are we just going to wait for him to take down the shields?”

Giles asks “Can he?”

Lilah responds “I’d be surprised if he couldn’t.”

Suddenly Azar is swallowed by a vortex of darkness and his followers are attacked from behind.  Giles quickly organizes a sortie from the hotel.  Illyria, Connor, Angel, Spike, and most of the Slayers slash their way through the besiegers, as Amy and Lisa send blasts in support.  Azar breaks free of the vortex only to be met with blasts from Amy and Lisa.  Then Illyria rips his head off as the rest of his body is again engulfed by the vortex.  The fighting ends and they see several ghouls in purple robes and silver-like masks and a larger number with canine features and hooves.  One of the purple-robed ghouls announces “Mordiggian’s power has struck down our enemy.”  The ghouls then withdraw.

The sortie party returns to the hotel.  Anya says “I didn’t think ghouls were that powerful.”

Giles explains “Mordiggian’s free now.  And they were directly channeling him.”

Willow’s image reappears to tell them of the victory in Sunnydale.  Lilah warns her “It’s not over.  You can’t win in the long run.  You must know that.”

Before anyone can answer, they see what appears to be Jenny Calendar in the lobby.  Jenny tells Willow “Of course you can win.  You have the Ring of Set.  The Tablets of Fate.  Morningstar.  Mordiggian’s ghouls.  The Pendragon’s vampire knights.  Everything you need to replace me.  To become the Queen of Air and Darkness.  The Dark Lord on her dark throne.”  She changes to Warren.  “And you already know you have to get rid of Tara and Buffy first.  Sending Tara into danger was a good idea, but Eriu wasn’t quite dangerous enough.  You’ll do better next time.”  He vanishes and Willow stares uneasily after him.


Wednesday May 12, Evening:  Summers’ Residence

Willow, Buffy, Dawn, Melissa, Vi, and Xander are in the basement.  Willow stands near a symbol on the floor and begins to chant.  The symbol glows and Faith and Tara appear.  Willow hugs Tara tightly and says “Are you all right?  I was so scared for you.”

Tara smiles.  “I’m fine.”

Faith announces “Tara’s famous in Eriu now.  There are songs about her.  She who faced the death-gaze of Balor Evil-Eye and not only survived but slew him and routed the Fomorians.”

Willow asks worriedly “D-Death-gaze?”

Tara reassures her.  “I’m fine.  I wasn’t in any real danger.”


Wednesday May 12

Excerpt from the Journal of Rupert Giles

Angel and his friends are moving back to the Hyperion for now.  The Los Angeles office and several other offices of Wolfram and Hart were ransacked last night.  Fortunately they were all vacant at the time and many of the important books and artifacts in the Los Angeles office had already been removed.  I have also learned that both SAVE World Headquarters and Watcher’s Council Headquarters were unsuccessfully attacked at about the same time as the fighting in Sunnydale and here at the Hyperion.  All of the attacks appear to be connected.


Wednesday May 12, Night:  Summers’ Residence

Willow and Tara are in their room.  Willow admits “I didn’t even try to use all of the powers of the tablets.”

Tara asks “Why not?”

Willow responds “I was afraid that it would kill Dawn.  And even if it didn’t that I couldn’t handle it.”  She pauses.  “Sometimes I’m scared I can’t handle the power I already have.”  She pauses again.  “The First said I was going to kill you.  You and Buffy.”

Tara squeezes Willow’s hand.  “It was just trying to frighten you.”  There is a lengthy pause.  “Sometimes I get worried too.  But I trust you and I know we’ll figure it out.”  She smiles at Willow and Willow tries to smile back.


Thursday May 13, Afternoon

Giles, Illyria, Amy, Anya, Wood, Andrew, and the Slayer evacuees return to Sunnydale early in the afternoon.  A convoy of military vehicles arrives not long afterwards.  Their official purpose is to assist in rescue and recovery operations but the convoy also includes teams from Colonel McCormack’s anti-HST Special Operations Force.  As the convoy heads into town, Riley and Graham pay a visit to the Summers’ Residence.

Riley knocks on the door and Buffy answers.  He explains “We’ve just been assigned to Sunnydale.  We’ve been asked to suggest that your group place itself under our command.”

Buffy replies “You’re not serious.”

Riley says “Just passing on a message.”  He pauses.  “And no, I didn’t expect that you’d agree.”


Thursday May 13, Evening:  Summers’ Residence

Willow, Buffy, Tara, Faith, Giles, Melissa, Xander, Dawn, Kennedy, Vi, Molly, Rona, and Anya are meeting in Willow and Tara’s room.  Buffy reports on Riley’s visit.  Melissa reassures her.  “Mac knows that he can’t force us to do anything.”  She pauses.  “SAVE doesn’t think the pressure will become too serious.”

Buffy responds “I’m still a little worried about having them around.”  There is a lengthy pause.  “On another subject, how much did the hurricane set back our new headquarters?”

Xander replies “Thanks to Willow we won’t lose much time.  We should still be ready to move in by June 19.”

Willow says hesitantly “I have a f-feeling that whatever’s going to happen will be long before then.  And it’ll probably involve the tablets and that means it’ll involve Dawn.”  She pauses.  “I promise I’ll ask you, Buffy.  Ask both of you.  I promise.”

Buffy says firmly “I don’t want Dawn involved at all.”  She glances at Dawn and continues quietly “But I understand it’s mostly her decision.”


Thursday May 13, 2004, Night

Buffy stops at her mom’s grave while patrolling with Isabella.  She turns around and sees what appears to be her mom.

Joyce says “Willow’s going to kill you.  And then she’ll claim the tablets by draining Dawn.  I know you don’t want to believe me, but it’s true.  You have to stop her and it has to be soon.”  Joyce vanishes and Buffy stares uncertainly after her.

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