FIC: The Armegeddon (3 and 4/?)

["sam " <shadowmage_draco@xxxxxxxxx>]

Title: The Armageddon(3 and 4/?)
Author: Shadowmage_draco
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters commonly associated
with Buffy the Vampire Slayer; they are used without
permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Archive: ask
Pairing: B/W

Note: Sorry it took so long to get this out but an unexspected power
surge fried my computer.
Some intersting events now pull Buffy, Willow, and there freinds
closer to Armegeddon. Any feedback is greatly appricated.

Part 3: The awakening

`As chaos unravels so comes the dawn of the blood moon, the
prelude
to war.'

--The Book of the Ages

Sunny Dale

As day gave way to night the streets were all but abandoned except
for two lone figures who walked hand and hand through the night.
Suddenly the blonde stopped and looked to the redhead. "Willow
get
behind me now" the Slayer said.

"Vampires"

"Several" Buffy replied as 10 vamps came out from the tree
line that
surrounded the cemetery. She took a fighting stance and pulled Mr.
Pointy from her backpack. Willow began chanting a protection spell
for her new lover, then they came. Four vamps rushed at Buffy as the
others started to spread out trying to circle the two girls. Buffy
let loose with a round house that connected to one of the vamps head
and sent him flying, she then caught one with a right hook followed
by Mr. Pointy to the heart. Another vamp caught her across the back
of the head knocking her up against a tombstone. She quickly
recovered and deflected his next blow. A series of kicks left him
and the other vamp who had charged in laying on the ground. She then
staked him quickly as the other vamp leapt from the ground and began
swinging wildly at the slayer. Buffy deflected every one of his
blows and waited for an opening to strike. The other six vamps had
started to move in on her but could not get close enough to do
anything, Willows protection spell was working extremely well. Buffy
finally got her chance and the last thing that vamp saw was Mr.
Pointy being plunged into his chest, then he turned to dust. She
surveyed the scene. There were six vamps left. They had formed a
circle around them but were not getting any closer. She looked at
her girlfriend to see if she was all right. Willow just stood there
chanting a golden aura seemed to surround her. Buffy thought that
whatever she is doing it's working. She took up her defensive
stance
and was pondering her next move when the remaining six vamp simply
turned to dust. "How'd you do that" a very impressed
slayer asked.

"I didn't"

"Then&" Buffy's train of thought was lost when she
realized that her
and Willow were not alone. Before them stood the messenger who had
appeared in both of their dreams. He however was not caring his
sword anymore. Instead in his hand he held a five-foot long granite
staff with a blue gemstone shaped like a dragon on top of it. The
two girls stood there in awe as the messenger approached them.
"The
time has come for that which you seek to be revealed"

Back at Giles house life had taken a very unexpected turn. He had
been going through some text on demons hoping to find a reference
about the Armageddon, Xander and Anya were helping him but none of
them was having any luck. That is when everything changed. The
doorbell had rang and like he had done so many times before he simply
had gotten up to answer it. He was shocked when he opened the door
and Wesley and five other council members stood at his door. That
had been about half an hour ago and now He was even more shocked.
Wesley's words were running continuously through his mind as he
tried
to absorb it all. <The rest of the council dead, the watchers and
slayers in training let go, disbanded forever, Life as he had know
was now changed forever. >

"Giles are you going to be alright" Wesley's voice was
filled with
concern, after all he just dropped a rather large bombshell on Giles.

"I just need a few moments to gather myself, would you care for
some
tea," Giles asked, still trying to sort out all the information
that
he had just been given.

"That would be great, I think we are gong to need it to. There
are
several dozen books in the van outside that I hope will aid us in
helping Buffy."

"That is great, I went through all the books I have here and have
found very little to help us."

"That's quite all right, I have been reading ancient
prophecies and
text ever since we left England. I believe the most important thing
we can do now is help Buffy find her soul mate"

"Wesley, that has already been taken care of"

"Great who is the lucky chap", now it was Wesley's
turned to be
shocked. That however did not last long because Spike had decided to
leave the cellar. The ex-council member stared at the blonde vampire
and shouted "What is he doing here".

Giles spent the next several minuets explaining about the recent
events of the secret commando group who had neutered Spike.

"Can we trust him" Wesley asked after hearing Giles tale.

"Bloody Hell you can, I don't want to see the world destroyed
as much
as you do"

"But you're a vampire" Inserted Wesley.

"Yeah, and what do you think my old pals would do if they found
me
like this, I sure as hell don't want to find out. And as for all
this vampires want to destroy the world, sure it is true about some
of my kind but personally I kind of like this world, after this is a
pretty exciting place."

Giles was the next one to speak, "Are you two about done we have
plenty of research to do". Across town in one of the many
cemeteries
the slayer patrolled things were changing more than Giles or anyone
else at his house could imagine,

"The time has come for that which you seek to be revealed."

"We are seeking the Book of the ages as you told us to in our
dreams,
but we don't know how to find it" Willow said as she looked
at her
love. The slayer returned the glance and then looked at the
messenger "Ditto" was all she said.

With that he reached into the pack he was wearing and pulled out a
very old and expensive looking book. Its cover was made out of
silver and the words on the front of it were not only written in some
ancient language long since forgotten but were also scribed in gold.
The messenger extended his hand with the book in it out to the two
girls, "I believe this is what you seek"

"Wait a minute, if you had it the whole time how come you
didn't just
give it to us" Buffy said as she took the book and handed it to
Willow.

"That would have been against the rules, Even the shadow realm is
subject to the rules of the God's, We had to wait for the two of
you
to find one another, now that you have we can reveal the Book of ages
to the mortal realm once again"

Willow looked at the book for a few minutes then looked to the
messenger, "How do we read this I don't even recognize what
language
it is in"

"It is written in the tongue of the realm of ancient man, as far
as
translating it goes I have something, along with other gifts that
will aid you in not only translating the Book the ages but also help
in the task ahead of you" With that said the messenger pulled out
three items from the bag. He handed Willow an Oval shaped glass
crystal with a flat surface with gold trim. There was an eye
engraved in the center of it and the words `for the seekers of
knowledge' were scribed in silver at the top and bottom of the
oval. "Hold the crystal over the Words on the book."

Willow did as the messenger said and she and Buffy who was on her
tiptoes looking over the redheads shoulder were momentarily stunned.
As soon as willow held the crystal over the words on the cover they
seemed to start to move and take new shapes. What was once worlds
that had no meaning to them now read `Scribed by Dragon, dictated
by
the Goddess, the prophecy of the Guardian, The Book of the ages

The messenger then spoke " it is called the stone of knowledge,
the
Guardian created it specially to translate the ancient tongue into
something the soul-mate of magic could understand. The next gift is
also for the soul mate of magic." He handed Willow a bottle that
had
a bright blue liquid substance in it. "For one to develop the
powers
of a mage two things must be present. One is that person must be
born with them. You child were born with the powers of a mage and
your potential is great. There is powerful magic within you, but
you have not discovered it yet. That brings me to the second thing
one needs for the power to become a mage, and that is time. It takes
several years to fully develop magic powers and control them, however
we do not have that time. This liquid will do that for you drink it
and when you awake in the morning the powers of the mages will be
with you, as for controlling them that knowledge will be given to you
in a dream once you go to sleep tonight. Do you understand?"
Willow
nodded her head and Buffy looked very confused and nervous at what
the messenger had Just said, so he Spoke "I sense you have some
questions"

"That drink, it won't hurt her, will it" Buffy's
voice was filled
with concern for her new found love

"No it is perfectly safe Lord Talon gave it to me to give to her.
He
said that this potion had been blessed by the Gods of ancient man and
was meant to awaken the powers of the your beloved"

"Will she still be the same Willow"

"Yes, except that the mage in her will have been released"

"But she is already a very good witch"

"Yes, but she is meant to be a mage, witches powers can only go
so
far. They rely on spells, chants, and rituals to perform their
magic. The magic of a powerful mage is controlled by thought alone.
No spells, no ingredients, and no structured chants are required.
The magic comes from within the mage. With this capability her
spells will be more powerful than either of you could imagine and
trust me you will need that power if the two of you are to survive
what lies ahead, I hope I have set your mind at ease"

Buffy nodded, gave Willow a hug, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Go
ahead and drink it if you're ready" She did. The messenger
then held
out the last item he had. It was a small silver box. He opened it a
produced two golden rings. There appeared to be nothing special
about them, they were rather plain, no symbols or writing just what
appeared to be you everyday run of the mill golden ring. "Place
these on your hands."

The two girls did as the messenger said, unknowing putting the rings
on each other's ring finger. As soon as they did the strangest
thing
happened, In that moment they could see into each other's mind,
feel
the others emotions, and read the others thoughts. They stood there
for several minutes seeing everything abut the other, there love,
their sacrifice, their pain, everything. It was the messenger who
finally broke the two from their trance.

"Do you wish an explanation"

"Yes" the two lovers responded.

"They are binding rings., The rings bind you to one another
allowing
to see and feel what the other see's and feels. With then you
are
magically connect, should the two of you become seperated for one
reason or another all either one of you has to do is think about the
other and the ring will take you to her."

The two girls looked at the messanger then to one another. It was
Buffy who now spoke, "What are we to do now?"

The Messenger looked at the chosen ones and smiled. Look to the Book
of Ages. The Blood moon is coming soon, and in the book answers will
be revealed." He looked at the two lovers, "she is growing
very
tired and it is not a good idea for the two of you to be out with her
in that state" As the messenger finished speaking he raised the
staff
to the air.

There was a great flash and thing that Buffy and Willow were now
alone in their dorm room. Buffy helped Willow get to bed then called
Giles.

Giles looked over at Wesley and the others who were engrossed in
researching the books he had brought from England. "That was
Buffy
on the phone. Her and Willow are back at their dorm room. They are
going to skip their classes tomorrow and will be here bright and
early."

"Are they alright?" asked a concerned Wesley.

"Yes, but She did say they had some surprises for us but she
would
not elaborate"

Xander looked around the room, then right at Giles "I don't
know how
this can get any stranger" Just as he was finishing with that
thought
they heard Anya "Giles, Angles here"

"I guess that answers my question" Xander said

"What brings you to Sunnydale" Giles inquired

Angle now stood in Giles living room. He looked even more serous
than usual, then after a few seconds words formed "The powers that be
have sent me here. They said that I am to help in any way I can
because the Armageddon is coming."

"I See" replied Giles could say, the others seemed to nod
there heads
in agreement, after all they were going to need all the help they
could get, "Um, Angle We would appreciate any aid you could give
us
but I do need to talk to you first."

"What about"

Giles pondered his words for a moment, "Recently certain
relationships have changed"

Angle seemed a little bit confused then he saw Spike standing over in
the corner with a rather large smirk on his face. "I take it you
mean he is on our side in this" Angle said sure he had guessed
what
the watcher was going to say.

"Well you are right recent events have put Spike on our side at
least
for now, but that will have to wait till later." Giles paused
for a
moment trying to think how he was going to break the news of Buffy
and Willows new and improved relationship. However before he could
form the right words Spike jumped in.

"Can I tell him?" piped a strangely overjoyed Spike. The
Thought of
the anguish that this news would bring Angle filled his mind. He
might be temporary out of commission but at least he could still have
a little fun, he was pretty sure this would be like pure torture to
the other vampire.

"Tell me what"

"Buffy" Spike said his mind raising with joy, this was going
to be so
much fun. He could see the other vampires face deepen with concern
at the very mention of her name. All he could think was how fun this
was going to be.

Giles however spoke up effectively putting an end to the blond vamps
little game, "Spike, why don't you go back to the cellar for
now."
He then stepped back for a moment and gathered his
thought. "Everyone, We have been working very hard today and it
is
pretty late. I say we call it quits for the night and start again in
the morning. Any one who wishes can stay, actually I would prefer it
because right now is not the best time to be out and about at
night"
He paused for a second then looked directly at Angle . "Could
the
you follow me please, I need to bring you up to speed on what has
happened over the last few days."

Angle had taken it better than he thought he would. He was a little
sad but glad that Buffy had moved on and found someone else.
Everyone one was now finding spot to crash and preparing to get some
rest. Giles sat in the kitchen with Wesley as they drank some tea
and discussed some of the books they had read. A whole day and
evening of research and still they were no closer to understanding
what was going on than they were a few days ago.


The Realm of Shadow

"Lord, the task has been completed"

"Good, hopefully they will find the knowledge that they need
quickly"

"Yes my lord, what am I to do now"

"Summon the commanders and have them prepare the armies of the
realm,
then await my return"

"You are leaving, My Lord"

"I have business in the mortal realm that must be taken care
of" As
soon as Talon had finished speaking he was gone.

Sunnydale

Willow had fell into a restless sleep. Buffy lay there in bed next
to her holding the redhead In her arms, after a few minuets she too
fell into sleep.

Buffy and Willow found themselves standing hand in hand atop rocky
cliffs that looked out over a relentless sea. There moon was full
and a light blue mist seemed to fill the air. They looked at each
other, both of them thinking the same thing, were are we. Before
them stood a young man dressed in blue robes with a black and red
cloak . His eyes were blue on blue and seemed to radiate magical
energy that the tore through the predawn sky. He looked at the two
of them, then Spoke. "Welcome chosen ones",

"Who are you and were are we?" Buffy asked as she
protectively
wrapped her arms around Willow.

"Be not afraid my children. I am Talon, Guardian of the Chosen.
I
have come as my messenger instructed you I would to teach the young
mage how to use her powers"

"Then why am I here"

"The rings the messenger gave you bind the soul-mates, you are
simply
sharing in your loves dreams"

"Now that I have answered your question, Shall we begin your
training"

Buffy had set there for hours as Talon had taken Willow through
several magical exercises. She was in amazement at her little
redheaded mages power. She could have stayed there forever watching
Willow practice her newfound skills.

Talon looked at the young mage then to the warrior, "You can go
over
to her now, there is nothing else left for me to teach you" With
that
Willow walked over to Buffy and took the blondes hand into her own.
They now stood side by side looking at the guardian.

"The hour has grown late and it is time for you to return to your
own
realm, and rejoin your friends."

"But there is so much for us to learn" Willow said

"There is nothing more for me to teach you, you have all the
skills
you will need. The rest of the knowledge that you need is contained
in the book of the ages. Read it carefully. Many of its secrets
have been lost to the mortal realm for millennia." The guardian
looked at the two of them as he continued to speak, "the battle
is
now yours but do not be afraid of what lies ahead, you both now have
all the necessary skills you will need to fight the good fight."

Then the world around them began to fade away. The mist covered blue
sky gave way to darkness and the darkness gave way to light. Buffy
and Willow awoke at the same time. They were in their dorm room,
laying together in Willows bed. Buffy looked over at the clock on
the nightstand, "Will its ten Giles is going to have a cow"
She
shouted leaping out of bed, it was almost noon.

Part 4: Gathering

Sunny dale

Giles paced the room, He was still worried. It was almost noon and
no one had heard from Buffy and Willow. His heart was racing, hoping
that they were alright. The rest of the group was no better off,
they had stopped researching and were engaged is meaningless chatter
waiting for the two girls to arrive. Then it happened, a bright
flash erupted in the far corner of the living room and everyone for
just a second everyone was temporally blinded. When their eyes were
able to refocus on their surroundings they were in awe, Buffy and
Willow now stood before there hand in hand.

The words stammered out of Giles mouth "Buffy, Willow, How?"

"Teleportation" Replied Willow

"Say what" A confused Xander interjected. The looks on the
rest of
the group's faces showed that he was not alone.

"She said Teleportation" Replied Buffy, "You know, presto
chango were
here"

"But how" Asked Wesley

Xander cut in before either of the girls could speak" Yeah
How"

"Come now everyone, give them a chance to explain" Giles said
rather
sternly. No one said anything after that, they just looked at Giles
as if their father had just scolded them. He continued "I
believe
the floor is yours"

The two girls looked at each other then to one another.

<You tell them>

<Why>

<You're the mage>

<But you're the slayer>

<So>

Buffy and Willows battle of the minds was interrupted by Giles
"Are
the two of you just going to stand there looking at one another or
are you going to let us in on what is going on here"

"Well it all started when me and Willow were on patrol last
night.
There were these vamps and we were holding our own then, boom they
were gone."

"Gone" Giles asked looking for a better explanation.

Buffy continued "Yeah poof turned to ashes by the Guardians
messenger" She looked for Willow for some help.

Willow smiled at the blonde and picked up were she had left off,
"Yes
had come to give us a message along with some gifts that had some
rather interesting effects."

The two girls looked at one another then Buffy started to talk
again, "He gave willow a magical potion that awoke the Mage in
her,
that is how she was able to just zap us here."

Buffy continued "There are also rings he gave us that bind us
together, tand allow us to see into to one another's minds and
communicate telepathically"

"That is extremely interesting" Giles asked his voice filled
with
curiosity. at the events that were unfolding in his living room.

Willow then took over the conversation "There is more, last
night we
shared a dream in which The Guardian trained me on how to use my mage
abilities. There is however another item of great interest that the
messenger gave us"

Giles looked at the two of them for a second before he spoke.
"And
that would be"

"The Book of ages" Both girls said in unison as Willow
produced
seemly out of thin air.

After a few minuets of question and answer with the two soul mates
the group had went back into full research mode . Giles and Wesley
were working with the two soul mates. Giles, Wesley and the other
five former council members were taking notes and talking about
watcher type stuff as Willow used the stone of knowledge to translate
the ancient text. The rest of the group sat in a circle around them
taking in everything that Willow was reading. After all with the
book of ages there seemed no reason to waste anymore time going
through the other books.

The Realm of Shadows

Talon looked over a virtual sea of warriors. All dressed in chain-
mail armoire and prepared to fight in the Armageddon. The army was
vast There were over two thousand warriors, each of having spent
there life training and preparing for they day that they might be
called to fight just as their fathers had done before them and there
fathers, fathers had done. The Guardian turned away from the army
and soon looked to his messenger. "Soon we shall go into
battle"

Part 4: Gathering

Sunny dale

Giles paced the room, He was still worried. It was almost noon and
no one had heard from Buffy and Willow. His heart was racing, hoping
that they were alright. The rest of the group was no better off,
they had stopped researching and were engaged is meaningless chatter
waiting for the two girls to arrive. Then it happened, a bright
flash erupted in the far corner of the living room and everyone for
just a second everyone was temporally blinded. When their eyes were
able to refocus on their surroundings they were in awe, Buffy and
Willow now stood before there hand in hand.

The words stammered out of Giles mouth "Buffy, Willow, How?"

"Teleportation" Replied Willow

"Say what" A confused Xander interjected. The looks on the
rest of
the group's faces showed that he was not alone.

"She said Teleportation" Replied Buffy, "You know, presto
chango were
here"

"But how" Asked Wesley

Xander cut in before either of the girls could speak" Yeah
How"

"Come now everyone, give them a chance to explain" Giles said
rather
sternly. No one said anything after that, they just looked at Giles
as if their father had just scolded them. He continued "I
believe
the floor is yours"

The two girls looked at each other then to one another.

<You tell them>

<Why>

<You're the mage>

<But you're the slayer>

<So>

Buffy and Willows battle of the minds was interrupted by Giles
"Are
the two of you just going to stand there looking at one another or
are you going to let us in on what is going on here"

"Well it all started when me and Willow were on patrol last
night.
There were these vamps and we were holding our own then, boom they
were gone."

"Gone" Giles asked looking for a better explanation.

Buffy continued "Yeah poof turned to ashes by the Guardians
messenger" She looked for Willow for some help.

Willow smiled at the blonde and picked up were she had left off,
"Yes
had come to give us a message along with some gifts that had some
rather interesting effects."

The two girls looked at one another then Buffy started to talk
again, "He gave willow a magical potion that awoke the Mage in
her,
that is how she was able to just zap us here."

Buffy continued "There are also rings he gave us that bind us
together, tand allow us to see into to one another's minds and
communicate telepathically"

"That is extremely interesting" Giles asked his voice filled
with
curiosity. at the events that were unfolding in his living room.

Willow then took over the conversation "There is more, last
night we
shared a dream in which The Guardian trained me on how to use my mage
abilities. There is however another item of great interest that the
messenger gave us"

Giles looked at the two of them for a second before he spoke.
"And
that would be"

"The Book of ages" Both girls said in unison as Willow
produced
seemly out of thin air.

After a few minuets of question and answer with the two soul mates
the group had went back into full research mode . Giles and Wesley
were working with the two soul mates. Giles, Wesley and the other
five former council members were taking notes and talking about
watcher type stuff as Willow used the stone of knowledge to translate
the ancient text. The rest of the group sat in a circle around them
taking in everything that Willow was reading. After all with the
book of ages there seemed no reason to waste anymore time going
through the other books.

The Realm of Shadows

Talon looked over a virtual sea of warriors. All dressed in chain-
mail armoire and prepared to fight in the Armageddon. The army was
vast There were over two thousand warriors, each of having spent
there life training and preparing for they day that they might be
called to fight just as their fathers had done before them and there
fathers, fathers had done. The Guardian turned away from the army
and soon looked to his messenger. "Soon we shall go into
battle"

Part 4: Gathering

Sunny dale

Giles paced the room, He was still worried. It was almost noon and
no one had heard from Buffy and Willow. His heart was racing, hoping
that they were alright. The rest of the group was no better off,
they had stopped researching and were engaged is meaningless chatter
waiting for the two girls to arrive. Then it happened, a bright
flash erupted in the far corner of the living room and everyone for
just a second everyone was temporally blinded. When their eyes were
able to refocus on their surroundings they were in awe, Buffy and
Willow now stood before there hand in hand.

The words stammered out of Giles mouth "Buffy, Willow, How?"

"Teleportation" Replied Willow

"Say what" A confused Xander interjected. The looks on the
rest of
the group's faces showed that he was not alone.

"She said Teleportation" Replied Buffy, "You know, presto
chango were
here"

"But how" Asked Wesley

Xander cut in before either of the girls could speak" Yeah
How"

"Come now everyone, give them a chance to explain" Giles said
rather
sternly. No one said anything after that, they just looked at Giles
as if their father had just scolded them. He continued "I
believe
the floor is yours"

The two girls looked at each other then to one another.

<You tell them>

<Why>

<You're the mage>

<But you're the slayer>

<So>

Buffy and Willows battle of the minds was interrupted by Giles
"Are
the two of you just going to stand there looking at one another or
are you going to let us in on what is going on here"

"Well it all started when me and Willow were on patrol last
night.
There were these vamps and we were holding our own then, boom they
were gone."

"Gone" Giles asked looking for a better explanation.

Buffy continued "Yeah poof turned to ashes by the Guardians
messenger" She looked for Willow for some help.

Willow smiled at the blonde and picked up were she had left off,
"Yes
had come to give us a message along with some gifts that had some
rather interesting effects."

The two girls looked at one another then Buffy started to talk
again, "He gave willow a magical potion that awoke the Mage in
her,
that is how she was able to just zap us here."

Buffy continued "There are also rings he gave us that bind us
together, tand allow us to see into to one another's minds and
communicate telepathically"

"That is extremely interesting" Giles asked his voice filled
with
curiosity. at the events that were unfolding in his living room.

Willow then took over the conversation "There is more, last
night we
shared a dream in which The Guardian trained me on how to use my mage
abilities. There is however another item of great interest that the
messenger gave us"

Giles looked at the two of them for a second before he spoke.
"And
that would be"

"The Book of ages" Both girls said in unison as Willow
produced
seemly out of thin air.

After a few minuets of question and answer with the two soul mates
the group had went back into full research mode . Giles and Wesley
were working with the two soul mates. Giles, Wesley and the other
five former council members were taking notes and talking about
watcher type stuff as Willow used the stone of knowledge to translate
the ancient text. The rest of the group sat in a circle around them
taking in everything that Willow was reading. After all with the
book of ages there seemed no reason to waste anymore time going
through the other books.

The Realm of Shadows

Talon looked over a virtual sea of warriors. All dressed in chain-
mail armoire and prepared to fight in the Armageddon. The army was
vast There were over two thousand warriors, each of having spent
there life training and preparing for they day that they might be
called to fight just as their fathers had done before them and there
fathers, fathers had done. The Guardian turned away from the army
and soon looked to his messenger. "Soon we shall go into
battle"