FIC (final alpha-release): Upon the Sea of Chaos (1/?)

["Matthias Engel" <Solarsenshi@xxxxxx>]

Well, I worked a little but more on chapter 1. This is the final alpha
version of chapter 1. I hope I didn't catch you guys at a bad time again.
Mostly type mistakes that I noticed have been changed in the first scenes.
Before the last scene of the last release (from Giles POV) there is another
one added. And after that a couple of new ones. I am a bit more satisfied
with it now. Tell me what you think, okay?

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Title: Upon The Sea Of Chaos (1/?)
Author: Matthias aka MysticMew (Solarsenshi@xxxxxx)
Beta: Need one. DESPERATELY!
Rating: R (for now)
Category: Romance/Crossover/Dark (among other things)
Pairings: Buffy/Willow (/Tara?), Lina/Amelia, Xander/Anya, Dawn/Filia,
Sylphiel/Tara (Gourry)
Timeline/Spoilers: During the final battle against Dark Star/Valgaarv
(Slayers) and the final moments of the Season 5 conclusion, so anything from
Slayers up to the real end of Slayers Try and Season 1-5 from BtVS
Summary: The fight with Dark Star ends not as it should and upon seeing
Amelia badly injured, Lina makes a final attempt for the Giga Slave which
somehow gets mixed up with the opening of the Dimensional Gates
Disclaimer: Buffy, the Vampires Slayers belongs to Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant
Enemy and other companies. Slayers belongs to Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi,
Kadokawa Shoten, TV TOKYO, SOFTX, Marubeni
Legal Disclaimer: This work of art contains scenes of a mature nature, among
those the open display of ?affection? between two (or three) woman. If this
is any way illegal or offending to you, turn away and run as long as you
still can.
Important Note: I have not yet fully decided, if I?ll make my first attempt
on an (English) Buffy/Willow shipper or a Buffy/Willow/Tara one, what I do
with Sylphiel and Gourry is basically decided on that. I would like to have
your feedback while I develop the story on what to do.

Foreword

Well (with all the fiction I?ve been writing and probably never finishing
*sigh*), I finally decided to put this into motion after I had some good
time to dwell on the idea of a ?Slayer/Slayers? fusion. The idea has formed
while watching Slayers actually and learning of Willow?s fall into addiction
through a lot of fics on the Buffy/Willow-lists (Season 6 has not started
here yet, most likely in Autumn). The basic difference there I thought was;
BtVS Black Magic: Gah, bad, destructive, chaos, EVIL we don?t want that.
Slayers Black Magic: Well okay, it?s demon based but doesn?t have to be
necessarily used for evil if controlled. Now tell me, what would have become
of Willow, if someone taught her to get a grip on the Black Magic stuff and
control it (like Lina? err, most of the time at least)? A lot of inspiration
on this point also came from Hunter?s Red Moon Series.
So, before I go babbling and giving everything away before writing, here it
goes.

Prologue: Dimensional Chaos

(Lina)
The air around us was thick and filled with utter destruction, its source
directly in front of us, ready to whisk us away from the face of earth. I
was so not going to let this damned dragon do this. Granted he had a point
that this countless battles were pointless, that the question of why the war
between Dragons and Mazoku had to be was a verified one. But destroying the
whole of creation, resetting the evolutionary circle, hoping for a better
life? This was crazy and I think deep down he knows it. The world needs a
certain amount of Chaos to stabilize the Order. Without Chaos mankind would
stagnate and die much quicker. And what did Valgaarv think gave us the
confirmation that the next world would indeed be different, that the Lady
would not simply repeat the whole thing all over again? It was ridiculous!
Even when they managed to destroy this world and the other three, did they
really think they could rebel against their creator? I did not think so and
as an at least somewhat avatar of the Lord of Nightmares I also KNEW so.
Now, when this blasted things would just work again?
I stared down at the bracelets and wondered for the thousand?s time in the
last minutes why I could not cast the Giga Slave. Sure, I was not actually
thrilled with another encounter of death or being possessed by the most
powerful being, the creator herself. But looking up at Filia again who was
still debating with herself, whether she wanted or not wanted to alginate
with Xellos to fulfill the prophecy, I was hard-pressed to believe that the
Giga Slave might be the better solution than her own prophecy.
Just as the Golden Dragon and former priestess seemed to have reached a
decision, everything went into utter chaos. Without warning Valgaarv
unleashed a powerful blast of magic into our rows, scattering the formation
we had tried to form. Zelgadis, Gourry and Sirius had all the presence of
mind to jump or levitate out the way but Amelia was still staying directly
in the path of the destructive force. From experience I knew fully well that
it would be too late for her but I cried out anyway: ?AMELIA, WATCH OUT!?
With wide eyes and clenched fists I watched the blast making impact and
hurling Amelia, who had attempted a half-heartily attempt on a shield, high
into the air, her weapon flying from her hand, the light energy winking out
immediately. I darted forward in a futile attempt to somehow save my friend
but was halted by another magic bolt that just barely passed by me, only to
engulf an equally distracted and surprised Xellos, disintegrating him on the
spot. A second later Amelia landed hard against cold stone, head first and
blood flowing freely.
I felt my stomach lurch at the sight and my heart clenched. Amelia was one
of my oldest companions. Companions that had become friends. Friends that
had become even more on the long run. There was Gourry, yes, but I still
didn?t really know what I felt about him nor was I going to admit it. Amelia
though was always a loyal and good friend, even if we often fought over
pathetic things, even if she aggravated me to no end with her justice
attitude sometimes. I smiled at that, remembering some of her worse stunts.
It was a sad smile and the nostalgic feeling was quickly stomped on as I
focused back on the tattered mess of the girl I considered a really close
friend. If anyone, Amelia did not deserve this.
?Filia, help her,? I said through clenched teeth, my fists vibrating with a
cold fury. Xellos was dead, Amelia close to it ? if not already and I didn?t
even want to think of that ? and we would follow soon. Valgaarv had gone too
far. He had crossed a line, where I wouldn?t, couldn?t forgive anymore.
Filia, still in a state of frozen shock at what her hesitation had caused,
hadn?t moved, her eyes were on me, frightened and scared, unsure what to do.
I wasn?t going to have any of that right now. Her insecurity had caused
Amelia her present state and she was going to fix it.
?NOW!? I growled and the former priestess actually jumped, nodded quickly
and hurried to Amelia?s side. I made sure that she reached her and that
Zelgadis and Gourry were keeping watch, while she applied her dragon magic,
praying to myself that she would make it. Then I finally glanced up to
Valgaarv, I think I saw him flinching under my gaze, even if the emotionless
smile still was there. He really didn?t care anymore. Well, so did I.
I gripped the bow that had fallen not far from me tightly and concentrated.
The first time I invoked the magic of the creator, I had cast it on the
Sword of Light, one of the five weapons of the Dark Star and it didn?t kill
me back then. Still, Sylphiel and the Clair Bible?s warning were all very
much present in my mind as was what my friends reluctantly told me about my
possession while fighting Fibrizo. It was a risk, more for me than the world
since it would be destroyed anyway. ?May the creator have mercy with me?? I
whispered and held up the bow, invoking the power of light.
?Darkness beyond blackest pitch, deeper than the deepest night!?
Valgaarv/Dark Star actually hesitated as the blinding vortex of chaos power
began to swirl around me. The arrowhead began absorbing the power and
turning into nothingness. ?Lord of Darkness, shining like gold upon the Sea
of Chaos, I call upon thee, swear myself to thee!? Now the Demon Lord
actually recoiled from the power and Valgaarv stared down with wide eyes at
the scene beneath him. ?Let the fools who stand before us be destroyed by
the power you and I possess!? Valgaarv had began frantically unleashing
magic at me but it was no use, the chaos storm around me simply absorbed the
energy and added it to mine. I had to fight very hard for control, the urge
to simply let the power free reign almost to great to withstand. I felt the
primal call of destruction, to do what Valgaarv attempted himself. But that
would not be, this time I would not falter. For the sake of the world and
especially for Amelia, I would pull this off.
?You can?t be serious! Stop this, that is madness! Do you want to end ALL of
creation?!?? I ignored Valgaarv?s shouts and looked back over my shoulder at
my gathered friends. There was a mixture of fear and understanding in all of
their faces. Even Gourry who I had heard yelling at me from behind was quiet
and when my gaze fell on him, he just briefly nodded at a series of unspoken
questions. I needed him to understand, I needed him to not blame himself and
I needed him to watch out for Amelia for me. And he did so.
My eyes fell once again on Amelia who was laying on the ground, glowing in a
faint golden light of healing magic. Her eyes were open and met mine with a
pleading gaze that made me almost consider to just drop the magic ? which I
wasn?t sure of even being possible at this point. I think she mouthed my
name and said something else that I couldn?t understand, probably begging
for me to stop. But I couldn?t. Not now, not after what Valgaarv had done to
everyone. What he had done to HER, for her I would sacrifice my soul and the
only way to make sure she was safe most likely involved this aspect.
The realization of how deep my feelings for the young princess ran startled
me but the absolute clarity behind them, began to make sense now. I didn?t
know how or why, not even when or if it was returned but it was so simple
now. The clarity before death?
Smiling a sad smile in her direction, I faced Valgaarv once again and didn?t
bother to answer any of his pathetic demands as I concentrated all remaining
power on the talisman of light, making the arrow pulsate with chaos magic.
?GIGA SLAVE!? Closing my eyes, I let the arrow go and the enormous,
straining power leave me with the force of a sonic boom. Left drained and
empty, I failed to notice the swirling gate of white light popping into
existence the moment the Giga Slave literally impaled Dark Star/Valgaarv?

(Willow)
I heard Dawn?s screams for her sister before I actually saw the horror
happening above. Still cradling a scared and shivering Tara in my arms I
barely caught Buffy diving right into the dimensional gates, which was
opened moments before from the blood of her own sister ? The Key. My heart
threatened to burst right on the spot. What was she doing there? She couldn?
t go, she shouldn?t leave! I had just gotten Tara back but for what price?
?Darkness beyond blackest pitch, deeper than the deepest night!?
Time seemed to stop or at least slow down considerably as I watched my best
friend, my confidence, the person who made me what I am today, vanishing
into the spiraling pool of light. ?Buffy,? I rasped out staring at the sky,
waiting for the miracle to occur. There always was a miracle. Buffy wouldn?t
die, she never did, we all came through in the end. That?s how it was
supposed to be. I waited and waited? and waited? and continued waiting.
?Lord of Darkness, shining like gold upon the Sea of Chaos, I call upon
thee, swear myself to thee!?
?She?s gone, Willow,? Tara?s own sad voice whispered and the words were like
a sharp knife rammed right through my heart and soul alike, sending me into
a state of denial. ?No, no. She can?t be dead! Buffy always survives!
Always!? I cried out, shaking my head, then throwing it back and shouting to
the heavens. ?Do you hear me? ALWAYS!? There was no answer, just the
flashing of the gateway. One time, a second time? No sign from Buffy, the
Slayer was gone. If I hadn?t been holding Tara, I surely would have broken
down by now, so I just cried tears of anguish and soul-shattering tears,
soaking Tara?s clothing wet.
?Let the fools who stand before us be destroyed by the power you and I
possess!?
There was so much I hadn?t told her, so much I still had to share with the
one person who had the most striking influence on my life. ?No?? I
whispered. ?Oh Goddess, please no?? I felt Tara?s arms around me but even
she wasn?t able to take away the pain. I had saved her from Glory, just to
lose the second ? no, the prime important person in my life. The vortex
flashed a third time and then there was a loud boom, accompanied by a shrill
cry of power and rage echoing over the deafening noise. ?GIGA SLAVE!? I
realized the low whisper I had thought to imagine had to be a spell
incantation of some sort. When something came through the portal which was
closing right behind it. At first I really believed it to be Buffy but
quickly realized to my bitter disappointment that what passed through was,
though definitely human and even female, someone different.
I could make out orange-red hair and something resembling a black cloak
through my tear-stained eyes before a shrill, cursing shriek echoed through
the night?s air, followed by a quick and desperately hopeful: ?RAYWING!? For
a moment nothing seemed to happen before a faint aura of? magical wind
flickered into existence, lowering the girl gently to the ground.
?What?? I asked lamely and helped Tara to her feet ? or was Tara helping me
up? Either way we slowly approached the girl on the ground and noticed the
others doing likewise. For a moment we stood over the form the teenage girl,
maybe slightly younger than us which did not betray the signs of maturity,
however. There was a long silence, before anyone spoke. ?What?s up with the
white hair??
Typical Xander behavior to master such situations although I had to admit
that was odd. Tara confirmed my suspicion a second later. ?Magical backlash.
What-Whatever she did, it to-took a lot out of her.? I frowned and studied
the girl a bit closer, even if only for the reason to stop my heart from
jumping wildly around. ?Powerful? Black magic, I guess, can still feel it in
the air? Though the levitation or whatever was not?? Tara?s embrace
tightened and Giles nodded in confirmation. I looked at him with pleading
eyes. ?What about? Buffy? Is she??? I trailed off and saw the ex-watcher
squirming under my gaze.
Finally he sighed somewhat exasperated ? he didn?t even bother to clear his
glasses! ?Willow, would you please calm down and think rationally for one
moment, you would come to a more relieving, even if not really satisfying
conclusion.? As I continued to stare at him blankly and tried to wrap my
mind around whatever he wanted to tell me, Giles sighed yet again. ?Think,
Willow, we all saw the girl come out of the vortex and we know The Key opens
a gate to all dimensions. Normally I would share your fear that Buffy left
us but my guess is that somehow the dimension the young lady here came from,
is connected to ours, probably during similar important events and brought
the girl here. Which would mean that Buffy??
?Is in the other dimension? I had this figured out already. Why do you tell
us something that ob?? Anya stopped in mid-sentence, when she received a
group glare. I looked back at Giles, my hope rising already. ?You think she?
s alive?? I asked meekly. ?Quite so. We just need to figure out where she is
and how we get her back.? I doubted the simplicity of this course of action
but let myself relax into my lovers arms. Giles was right. I was an idiot
for not thinking rationally.
?Easy, Will, it?s normal to react like that, especially after what you?ve
gone through,? Tara reassured me. I didn?t answer but simply closed my eyes,
relishing in the feeling of my once again sane girlfriend?s arms. I noticed
Spike leading a distraught though equally confused and hopeful Dawn down the
tower, while Xander picked up the unconscious girl, for once not receiving a
jealous look or any comment from Anya. ?Let?s go home.?
I looked back at the tower, where we had minutes ago fought our probably
hardest and worst battle ever and nodded silently. Buffy might be gone, but
she was not dead. Now that I could think logically again, I simply knew it
with a surprising clarity. If Buffy was to be dead, I would have felt it.
She was alright, somewhere.

Chapter 1: Partings and Arrivals ? An Unexpected Twist

(Buffy)
I wished I had had more time. Somehow I wished I had had more time. I had
felt it coming from the day onward that Dracula showed me parts of my own
nature ? though I still didn?t believe they were rooted in darkness ? I had
seen it coming. When the true nature of Glory was revealed to me by Travers
and we went out to get Dawn back? I had known for sure that I would not
survive this battle.
As the white light of the dimensional vortex engulfed me, I thought that it
might be better that way. I was tired, tired to endure this again and again.
There was much a Slayer could master, much one could overcome and I never
considered myself a quitter because I always wanted to see Willow and my
friends safe ? and I was the best and only way to ensure that. However,
there is only a certain amount of pressure and despair even I can take. Over
the course of the year my life had gone to pieces in an unyielding downward
spiral. Taking responsibility for a sister that never really existed,
dealing with Willow?s relationship with Tara, dealing with Riley and his
departure, dealing with Mom?s death? almost losing Dawn. That had been the
final straw and if the incredible redhead hadn?t intervened I would probably
never even have mastered the courage and sanity to save my sister and do my
duty ? one last time.
They were alright now. A new slayer would be called or Faith released ? and
I had at least a bit hope for her, Willow was becoming more powerful and
could keep the others save for awhile, Spike would be there too, bound to
his promise. Dawn could try and live a normal life. And Willow, Willow had
her Tara back, who was I to compete with that? She had gone to such great
lengths and risks to restore her mind, I could not even begin to think of a
way to fit into this. Willow was happy, that was all that counted. My
mission here was over, my time had come, I could finally rest? Huh?
I caught sight of something passing by in the opposite direction and for a
moment managed to identify a petite redhead, younger than me in a fancy
garb. She was screaming audible. I wondered what exactly was going on but
the girl had already vanished from my sight and we continued onward in the
direction the other one had come from. Suddenly the exact meaning of where I
was at the moment came to mind and I had the sudden urge to shake my head in
dismay. ?They don?t even let you die when you want?? I sighed and closed my
eyes, bracing for impact, as a brighter swirling vortex appeared before me,
similar to the one I had just jumped through.
There was a flash that blinded me even through closed eyes and then I felt
the familiar sensations of elemental forces upon my skin. Mainly wind but I
was sure the earth was not very far by. Reacting on instinct I forced my
body into a roll and with a wince and the not very reassuring noise of
protesting bones, I somehow managed to land on my own two feet. Only to
wobble slightly as I pried my eyes open to take in my surroundings and
landing on my butt. ?Ouch.? Graceful, Summers, very impressive!
I groaned and rubbed my eyes. What I saw didn?t betray my first conclusion I
had made instinctively while entering this other? dimension, I assumed. The
air was thick and smelled like a lot of energy had been used here recently.
Powerful energy, probably magic and more. The sky was just beginning to
clear from heavy, dark clouds and all around me there was? nothing. Well,
almost nothing except for the several miles wide crater which made the
impression, as if dozens of nuclear explosion had tried to flatten the area.
But there was no feeling of radioactivity in the air and everything seemed
to be fine now. Nothing dangerous, no sense of impending doom.
I stood up groggily and for the first time noticed several figures close by
scattered around the ground. Two males, one with strange blue-gray skin and
two females. Walking over to them, I observed that no one seemed to be badly
hurt or conscious for that matter, except for the two girls. One was
gripping the other?s hand tightly and a dim golden lightly slowly faded
away, her blonde hair pale and eyes closed in exhaustion. The dark-haired
girl next to her seemed to be awake although in a state of shock, as much as
I could tell.
I approached them slowly, making sure not to appear dangerous as I knelt
down to slowly pry the blondes hand away from the shivering girl. ?Are you
alright?? I asked cautiously, wondering again how the heck I always got
myself into such situations. The girl seemed to not hear me at first, before
she blinked and tried to focus on me. ?Li..Lina, is that you??? Her voice
was weak but laced with such a powerful desperation I flinched. She was
obviously still in shock. Something told me she wasn?t talking about her
friend next to her. When I remembered the other girl in the gateway?
?I?m afraid not,? I said, squeezing her hand that had grabbed mine, as if it
was a lifeline. Her strength faltered and I was sure, if I didn?t talk
quickly, I might lose her. ?She wouldn?t happen to have light red hair, some
fancy robe in black and??
?You saw her? Who are you? Where is she? Is she okay?? I almost fell back at
the fury of the question the suddenly quite active girl launched at me and I
stared up at the seemingly helpless girl standing threateningly over me,
demanding immediate answers. How did she do that? Ah, well, better answer
quickly. I gathered my thoughts that were still a bit foggy from the
near-death experience. ?I cannot guarantee you anything but if the fact that
I?m here, there this Lina is, if she is who I think you are talking about,
when she probably is now in the dimension I just came from?? Ack, I was
babbling like Willow now but the sight of the frantic girl in front of me
reminded me to much of my best friend at the moment. The girl swayed
slightly and then collapsed back against the stone she had previously been
leaning on. ?Oh?? After a long pause there none of us moved, she elaborated
that last remark a bit more clearly. ?Do you think she?s alright?? I briefly
considered telling her that I had entered the vortex parallel to a several
feet high tower and that it would be most likely that the fall would not be
a light one but decided against it, when I saw the hopeful expression in the
girl?s face. ?I?m here, aren?t I??

(Amelia)
Lina? gone? Gone? Lina? That was the only coherent thought for a long time
steadily repeating itself in my mind until the blonde girl who appeared out
of nowhere had gotten my attention. Why did it hurt so much? Okay, Lina was
a friend, a good friend that is, and she was very special to me, to any of
us. It was normal to feel sad. But why did it hurt so much inside, why had I
acted like a complete idiot in front of the strange girl who obviously had
no idea where she was or what happened either? Was it because I felt guilty?
That might be. After all Lina had only be pressed to cast the Giga Slave
when our cycle was broken. I should have had the presence of mind to at
least once fulfill a responsible task but no, I had to stupidly stand there
and let the blast smash me almost into oblivion, if not for Filia?s help.
Something had gone horribly wrong and I felt responsible for it, for Lina?s?
whatever happened to her. Yeah, I guess that is it. So, why is there still
this nagging sense that I am missing something here?
I shrugged the thought off for the moment and surveyed the area around us?
Which had nothing to observe other than the unconscious state of my friends
and the missing presence of Xellos although you could never be sure about
him. Filia was leaning on the same stone next to me and looked almost
deathly pale from the strain the recovery spell had put her through. Poor
girl, she spent probably all of her energy. Although I felt the urge to
return the favor at least a bit ? especially since I was fully restored and
healthy ?, I knew that these dragons could recover in the blink of an eye.
Slowly I looked back at the blonde girl who returned the gaze with equal
caution and I was a bit taken aback by her solemn expression, sagged
shoulders, averted eyes? Overall she made the impression, as if she just
escaped a close encounter with death ? which was not at all unfamiliar to me
at the moment ? but actually was sad and frustrated that she was still
alive. I had always been a bit empathic, I guess, and this hopeless look she
gave to the world in general sent a shiver down my spine. It reminded too
much of Valgaarv at the moment.
?So,? I said after a time, ignoring her previous attempt at lightening my
mood, ?what?s your name??
?Buffy. Buffy Summers. Yours?? the blonde replied. ?Amelia Wil Tesla
Saillune.? Buffy arched an eyebrow. ?Royalty?? I nodded slightly.
?Princess.? Buffy nodded and after that silence reigned for another few
moments before I tried to break it again, not wanting to fell into the
process of thinking about Lina again. ?And you?? The blonde looked at me
quizzically before I further clarified. ?What do you do? besides falling out
of giant portals that pop into the middle of our personal Armageddon.? Now I
was being sarcastic but that was better than dealing with thoughts about
Lina? ?Oh?? Buffy said, was quiet for a moment, then said: ?Just a girl who
more or less deliberately tries to fight the forces of evil, namely
vampires, demons etc??
My eyes gleamed at that. There was something I could identify myself with
that. A fellow hero serving justice. ?That?s great!? I exclaimed but became
worried when Buffy just stared at me, as if I was totally missing the point?
Was I missing the point? She shook her head after awhile. ?Try it and tell
me two years later, if you still think it?s great.? The sarcasm dripping
from her voice made me shudder and remind me of that life- and hopeless look
I had witnessed before. Immediately I mentally slapped myself for my
childish behavior and need to change the subject. This fellow heroine had
obviously some hard times behind her and sometimes during Valgaarv?s speech
about the pointlessness of our existence, I had felt like agreeing with him
on some level.
Glancing around I judged by experience that the others would be out of it
for at least half an hour from the exhaustion and the backlash of the Giga
Slave that had almost scattered us in all directions, again. There was no
use waking them up and getting them somewhere more comfortable and suited
for resting. None of us would be able to cast a single spell ? whether
levitation or a Raywing ? and Filia would not be able to carry us all after
focusing all her power on snatching me from the threshold of death. Coming
to the realization that there would be nothing that I could do for now, I
relaxed against the stone and sent a softer look in Buffy?s direction. ?Want
to talk about it?? She shrugged nonchalantly. ?Why not??
For the next fifteen to thirty minutes we exchanged basically our life
stories up to this point. Ok, not that detailed but I managed to slowly draw
the other girl out of her shell and learning in the process about her
calling as the Slayer and a general idea of the trials she had to go
through. I think she avoided some key points but that was alright with me.
After listening for a while and especially about the last year and her fight
with a Goddess, I really wasn?t all that sure, if I wanted to trade. No, I
was certain I didn?t want to.
I, in turn, explained what we were doing and what our latest adventure was
all about. Summing all facts up we came to a basic conclusion that Buffy
seemed to have already made with the knowledge of The Key?s function.
Somehow the Giga Slave and the brief opening in dimensions had interfered
with each other and caused the reaction of not just simply killing both Lina
and Buffy at their individual tasks of saving all of creation but instead
sweeping them in the dimension of the other.
By that time the others slowly began regaining consciousness.

(Lina)
A low moan escaped my lips as the world around me slowly rearranged itself.
My body felt drained beyond anything I?ve ever felt before, my magical
reserves were just beginning to refill and I had no idea how long I had been
out of it. Out of it. Well, there is a thought to consider. The question
still dwelled on me, if I was still alive or dead as I had assumed. My
vision was still a bit blurry but I could make out that I was in a bed, in
an unfamiliar room that definitely wasn?t an inn or anything similar, that I
could tell from experience. I groaned. ?If that is another play to make fun
of me, I?m going to kill the others.?
I sat up and nodded that my usual clothing was not there, instead I wore a
simple pajama ? gah, girl?s clothes. Discarding the subject for the moment,
I tested, if I could stand up and found out to my mutual surprise that
though I was still magically weak, my body seemed to be well-rested. ?Guess
I slept awhile.? Looking out of the window, I noted wherever I was, it was
probably late afternoon and the sun was already rather low. The whole
atmosphere of this place was a bit off too and I could not quite determine
what exactly felt so different.
I decided that mulling over the subject right now was not likely to gain me
any further wisdom about this place. So I walked over to the door and out
into a dimly-lit hallway. Voices could be heard from downstairs and I
followed them, curiously descending the stairs. I reached a larger room and
paused at the door to scan over the assembled group. They all seemed
ordinary human but even with my reduced magical senses, the remaining were
clearly picking different signs and potential levels from all them.
There was the dark-haired, younger girl who ignited a feeling in me,
reminding me of my brief experience of falling down a long white tunnel? Had
that really happened? Then there was the stoic, older man with glasses who
gleamed not only with authority but also with a hidden familiarity with
black magic. One of the obvious couples didn?t seem that extraordinary ?
though still potential ? but the girl had a similar aura as Xellos. The two
girls, sitting in the large couch, cuddled together, struck me the most. The
blonde had such a pureness around her, it reminded of Sylphiel. She was
strong and obviously a mage at least on the same level as Amelia currently
was. The petite redhead however nearly sent me tumbling and my senses
screaming. I consider myself highly powerful but this girl had such a raw
power under her skin it certainly matched, if not even surpassed mine. But
she had just began to tap into her potential and there was the brief taint
that black magic usually caused, if used blind and without caution. She
needed training, I immediately decided, although I had no idea why I should
care.
As my gaze lingered on her, the redhead slowly turned her head in my
direction, probably sensing my presence. ?Oh, you?re awake. Why don?t you
sit down and we talk.? The others looked up and around also. Whoever these
people were, for some strange reason I felt, as if I could trust them. At
least I could trust the redhead although if you asked me, I could not tell
you why.
Introductions were made after that and I came to quickly confirm their
theory of a dimensional exchange of that Buffy-person and me. Though I
uttered the idea that the exchange might have only been ?world?-wise and
that I merely landed in another of the three worlds? most likely not Ames?.
That, however, needed as I expected some explanation and made me wonder, if
their dimensional theory wasn?t the better one, considering how less they
knew over the Sea of Chaos and the very fabric of creation.
?Ok, time out here. You?re trying to tell us that all of creation rest upon
a sea? And we are just one part of it?? interrupted Xander my explanations.
I gave an annoyed sigh and repeated once again. ?Yes, Xander, the worlds
resides upon The Sea of Chaos or more clearly they are PART of the Sea of
Chaos. There are four worlds, all of them with the basic principle of one
God and one Demon Lord fighting for domination. In my world these were
Ceiphied and Ruby Eye Shabranigdu who were both split into parts through
ancient battles. I think it is possible that your world might also be one of
the other two worlds we haven?t learned about but it doesn?t have to be that
way.?
?Well, what you say sounds like the basic struggle between Good and Evil,
but I don?t see the Slayer, Vampires and anything fit into this. And I
certainly didn?t encounter a dragon yet,? reasoned Tara calmly. To this Anya
suddenly spoke up. ?Oh, I saw some, but that was a few centuries ago.? His
boyfriend gave her an raised eyebrow but shrugged then. I eyed her
curiously. She might have been a demon, once, but didn?t seem to be very
frightening.
Willow suddenly looked out of the window and nervously glanced outside.
?Will?? asked Tara softly with a hand on her girlfriend?s shoulder. ?Shouldn
?t someone patrol?? Giles nodded to that. ?Yes, quite. You?re still to
exhausted though. I think, Xander, Anya and I should go. We go fetch Spike
and make a quick sweep.? That got my curiosity doubled. ?Hey, that?s
something I would like to see.? Everyone stared at me disbelievingly. ?I
already told you I am the best sorceress there is! Vampires would surely be
something different from the usual Mazoku.?

(Filia)
I was feeling empty. And that was not due to the drain in magic, that wasn?t
really the problem. Dragon Magic was powerful and drained a lot but dragon
resources were even bigger and we could recover very, very fast. No, that
was not the problem, not the emptiness I felt. Hollow might describe but
would still be too light. The scenes kept repeating themselves in my mind,
unbidden, merciless. It had all happened so fast, the moment of prophecy had
arrived, my OWN prophecy. And I had screwed it up, not only endangering the
lives of everyone in creation but also forcing Lina to take the ultimate
prize. It didn?t really matter that she might simply be in another dimension
due to corresponding events. I sent her there! I screwed up! I chickened
out! And because of me she had been ready to give her life, Xellos had lost
his? And poor Amelia properly the last bit of her innocence, not to mention
a bit of her sanity.
Therefore I could not really blame her for avoiding me in favor to acquaint
with the sweeper. I had heard of inter-dimensional exchanges before so I was
the least bit surprised when I woke up and heard the girl?s story, her
theory was quickly confirmed. At least that cheered up Amelia somewhat, the
fact that I had no idea how to reserve it was not so pleasant. And there
weren?t any gold dragons left I could ask. I was the last and I had failed
them.
At the beginning of this journey I had been innocent and naïve, a mere
child ? by dragon age ? setting out on her first great journey in the great,
wide world. An important journey no less. Maybe a to difficult journey for
an inexperienced priestess as I had been. Then I met the one I was looking
for, Lina Inverse, and learned many things. I grew up, so to say but inside
I still was a little girl. Compared to the rest of the group I was the least
matured, I had never much actively participated in battle, hesitant to use
my magical skills. I had overcome this, so I thought. But in the one moment
where it really mattered, I was too scared and shocked to act. No matter how
saddened I had been by Valgaarv?s tale, I had a responsible to those who
carried out MY mission. And I had failed them.
The greatly reduced party slowly made their way through the wasteland
created by Dark Star/Valgaarv and the effects of the Giga Slave. Gourry and
Zelgadis were walking ahead. Both still carried their light weapons. Sirius
had left shortly after we woke up, thanking and apologizing to us. After all
Dark Star WAS gone. He promised that he?d look for a way to use the portal
other than a bridge between our and his world in order to search for Lina.
To prove this he left the weapons of the Dark Star behind with us, Gourry
had been certainly glad about that although I thought he would have given up
the sword if asked.
After them came Amelia and the new girl, Buffy, talking silently. They
seemed to get along well, which was a good thing. Both surely needed someone
understanding to their situation. Every time I tried to look into Amelia?s
eyes I flinched, the pain there still evident and I was certain it would
only go away when Lina returned. The other girl though? Buffy?s aura was
spectacular to say the least and if there was any doubt, the strong corona
of light proved her to be a strong chosen warrior.
I walked behind them, uncomfortable to still be here. By all means they
should send me away and I could not even have blamed them, only me. What I
had done was unforgivable and I was ashamed. However, I still had a duty to
perform. The least I could do was see to it that they safely returned home,
to the land so long hidden away by the magical barrier. I had dragged them
here, so I would get them back. I owned Lina that much. Even with my
recovery ability it would be some time though before I could fly again.
?Filia?? My head jerked around and I noticed with astonishment that Amelia
had fallen back and was now walking beside me. I had been so focused on my
own self-misery that I hadn?t even noticed her falling in step with me. I
could not bear to look at her long, so my head went back down, not daring to
look anywhere but the ground in front of me. A hand touched my shoulder
gently and a shudder run down my spine. ?Filia, look at me.? Slowly I raised
my head and almost instantly choked out an incoherently apology. The
softness and forgiveness in her eyes, the? pity? was worse than any anger or
hatred. I could deal with the latter. But that, THAT look I didn?t deserve.
I didn?t deserve forgiveness. Not from her, especially not from her. I had
almost gotten her killed, I had taken Lina from her. A child at heart, I
might be, but I had noticed the shy glances, the almost undetectable urge
for closeness. I think Lina never noticed but I had, maybe it was my
innocence or something. Amelia had strong feelings for the sorceress, she
probably wasn?t even aware of, that is why she shouldn?t give me that look.
Not me. Not the person who had been responsible for the sweep ultimately.
Without a word I felt small arms wrap around my waist and drawing me closer
against my will. I should run now, I should shimmer into my kin form and fly
far, far away. The problem was I didn?t have the strength. Neither
physically, nor mentally. Running away would be like hesitating in this
crucial moment and I never EVER wanted to do this again. I whimpered a bit
as Amelia strengthened her embrace and slowly, with trembling hands returned
the gesture. Tears were unbidden running down my face. ?I?m sorry, I?m so
sorry,? I choked out finally and Amelia just held on tighter. The group had
stopped and watched on silently but I didn?t really care anymore. All that
was left were Amelia and I, a human and a dragon, a princess and a dragon,
crying for the loss they had experienced.

(Giles)
?DYNAST BRASS!?
I must say, I have never been impressed like that in my whole life ? with
the exception of Buffy probably. The vampires howled in pain, as they were
engulfed in a glowing pentagram and literally impaled by lightning. The
skill and ease with which the girl handled such powerful magic that had
nothing to do with anything I ever did in my youth was impressive and at the
same time overly frightening. We had been on patrol for all but fifteen
minutes now and Lina Inverse had single-handily ? much to Spike?s
annoyance ? ripped through every undead creature we had come across.
Especially her fire magic proved to be awfully useful in reducing the forces
of evil tonight. That was the fourth graveyard by now and the numbers had
greatly decreased, apparently word had gotten around about the new ?slayer?.
?So, how was that?? Lina asked turning away from the ashes left behind from
her latest spell, She grinned and glanced in my direction but I noticed her
gaze was mostly directed at Tara and Willow, who she had insisted should
come along. Both of them had simply stood back and watched in awe at Lina?s
quick work. If anyone ever asked for a worthy substitution for the Slayer,
here she stood? ?Well, yes?? I cleared my throat, trying to get my nerves
back together. ?That was quite? impressive,? I replied eyeing the girl
critically.
?Impressive? Giles, come on, that was the quickest disposal of surely over a
dozens vamps ? not to include the two demons ? that I have ever seen!?
commented Xander, Anya quietly nodded, Willow and Tara just continued
staring. I sighed deeply. As much as their enthusiasm was justified,
everything concerning black magic gave me ? as the teens would say ? the
wiggins. That was partly rooted in my Ripper days as much as personal
experience over my days as a Watcher. ?Indeed, Xander, very impressive. But
I suggest we??
I was interrupted from a low growl and we all whirled around to face a
massive-built demon that radiated more power than everything we had
encountered tonight together. A typical chaos demon. What is with this town?
I thought bitterly to myself as I readied myself for battle. It almost
seems, as if word that Buffy?s not here anymore spread like a wildfire.
Gripping my battle axe tighter, I advised calmly to the rest: ?Be careful.
Don?t take it lightly??
As always tonight my advice was taken by everyone but Lina. The mage rushed
forward and immediately unleashed a fury of flare arrows at the demon. This
time, however, she was taken by surprise as the demon rushed right through
her assault and rammed its head into her chest. Spike, Xander and I moved
forward to intercept the creature but were stopped as it simply stood there
and laughed. ?That is your pitiful attempt of a Slayer replacement, mortals?
Then I heard the news from our master that the Slayer is gone but a new
force replaced her, I must say I was interested. But what do I find? An
unattractive witch with a few fancy spells that cannot even handle herself
in real combat? That?s a waste of my time!?
Xander groaned at the arrogance of the demon. ?You shouldn?t go around
making judgments over little girls with a flat chest?? A low hiss
interrupted him and we all turned around to see Lina already back on her
feet and if I didn?t know any better I would say there was actually fire
surrounding her. Her eyes were merely slits and the expression? I will not
go there. ?Who? Are? You? Calling? Unattractive? A waste of your time, huh?
Well, I show you who really is the waste of time here!? Lina stood there, as
if to consider for a moment, then closed her eyes and the three talismans I
noticed before started to glow. ?Lord of the Darkness and the Four Worlds, I
call upon you, grant me all the power that you possess! Lord of the Darkness
and Four Worlds, I beseech thy fragments; by all of the power thou
possesseth, grant the heavens' wrath to my hand; unleash the sword of dark,
freezing nothingness; by our power, our combined might, let us walk as one
along the path of destruction: LAGUNA BLADE!?
I gasped as the crackling sword of pure blackness manifested in Lina?s hand
and I saw Tara and Willow taking two steps back immediately. The amount of
power was unbelievable. That was not just simple black magic, THAT was pure
chaos! Power directly from the source of all existence, from the nothingness
that was before creation. To use Lina?s own explanations, she was drawing
the sword from the Sea of Chaos. That was almost an unbelievable thought. I
had come across many wielders of magic in my life, I have read about even
more. But this girl, not more than eighteen, would put every so-called
master mage to shame.
The demon did not have time to react, as Lina rushed forward again, swinging
the Laguna Blade with experience and ease. A loud scream echoed over the
graveyard, and I was sure every creature of the night heard it, as the Chaos
Demon was simply ripped apart and out of existence. Something even a Slayer
would have trouble doing.
Breathing hard Lina let the blade fade away and turned a tired but confident
look in Xander?s direction. ?Now what did you want to say about my figure??
Xander swallowed hard and Anya didn?t look any better. ?No..nothing,? was
all he managed to stutter out and I couldn?t blame him. At the moment I
truly didn?t trust my own legs.

(Buffy)
With a groan I plodded down on the ground onto the spare sleeping bag. I
think it has been Lina?s. The last two days had gone by quickly and merely
consisted of walking and talking, mostly with Amelia. The young witch?
sorceress ? they apparently did not like the term ? had filled me in a bit
more about the history of her world. How magic worked in this world and such
things. Our worlds were so different I could hardly believe we even could
communicate ? come to think of it, how is it possible that they are speaking
English? Or did I just think they did that and it was a spell too? The main
differences were obvious. Where our world was more technological advanced,
this one was gifted with a high level of magic. The part of the world we
were traveling through had been unaware of the potential but it was still
there. I could feel it in the air all around me. I didn?t need to have
magical skills to determine that.
Besides the great differences where were the minor ones. The population was
more sparse and wide-spread than in our world, wide areas of nature still
graced the land, the air was much cleaner. It seemed liked a setting out of
the middle age in Europe. Without actually seeing any civilization yet I had
the feeling that this world was better of without technology. I mean who
needed it than magic was such a daily life thing?
As I said the walk had been rather uneventful? until a dozen or so creatures
jumped us that weren?t actually keen to see us, so to speak. The whole fight
was probably one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. Amelia had
told me that there was a thin line between monsters and beasts in this world
and though she also mentioned that often it was easy to tell the difference,
I still had no idea what actually jumped us. Only that they were, fast,
strong and I had totally screwed up. Only a few of my hits even managed to
connect. Before I had known it I was bruised, beaten and humiliated. The
rest of our group had rather easily disposed of the things with a few
spells. Gah?
Maybe I was just tired, maybe the crossing of dimension had drained me or
put a block on my Slayer abilities? Maybe I had just been too excited to
impress the only people I knew in this world? Maybe I simply didn?t want to
be a nuisance. I wasn?t used to in the way.
Willow would feel at home here, she?d be right in her element, I thought
fondly as my thoughts turned back to the friends I left behind on my world
and wished I was with them or they were here, that Willow was with me. I
felt alone. Amelia and the others were nice but this world still was so
utterly strange and unfamiliar. I had dealt the last couple of years with
mysteries, legends, myths and the sort, so I think I coped better with all
that when a normal human would have but I still missed everyone. My
sacrifice had been to finally receive the rest I deserved, with the
knowledge that my friends were safe. And yet, I was still alive, in a world
I did not know and far away from those I loved. The fact that I screwed up
big time today had certainly not helped.
The organization of this world seemed strangely familiar. Gods ? Dragons ?
and Demons ? Mazoku ? fighting for supremacy and humans in between. The wild
cards so to say. Sounded a lot like home just more simple and basically
known by the majority of people. Yes. Willow would surely be thrilled by all
this. Maybe she was learning with this Lina person right now. From the way
Amelia spoke about her she seemed to be the best human sorceress around
here, she would certainly do my best friend some good. I still remembered
visibly the look in her eyes when she had faced of with Glory in a blind
rush of rage. Nightmares had plagued me days after that event despite
everything I had on my mind around that time. It had scared me and I never
wanted to see her so out of control again.
I really hoped she would be taught. Seeing the others so causally throw
their spells around, I could just imagine what the local demon population
would say, if Willow could do that. My job certainly would be a lot easier
and Willow much more able to defend herself. But what if the sweep hadn?t
been entirely successful, what if Amelia?s friend had really died falling
from the several foot high tower, what? Oh, stuff it, Summers! Things like
that don?t happen with a purpose. You were supposed to be dead by now and
this exchange would make no sense, if the other party simply died
ridiculously while you are still alive! Giles would have said the same
thing. He had taught me that there always was a balance, without a balance
everything would fall apart, order would stagnate and chaos would literally
explode on us. No, I was sure Lina was alive and somehow that made me feel
better. The hellmouth would not be without a capable ?slayer?. And Willow
would not need to do something rush.
That was one of my greatest fears. In the last years, ever since meeting
Tara, her magic had increased dramatically as had her confidence. There was
still the shy little Willow under all the new layers but? If I had really
been dead, I was sure she?d think I had been pulled into some sort of hell
dimension and attempted to bring me back while in reality I had been in
Heaven or something. I chuckled at the thought. Yes, that would surely be my
Willow. And Giles would probably get a major case of ?cleaning his glasses?.
Power was always linked with temptation and I feared my best friend would
not be able to withstand this temptation without the right guidance.
Hopefully Lina could give her that.
Gazing up at the stars, I felt sleep slowly claiming me and sent a last
prayer to the patron Goddess of this world, Flare Dragon Ceiphied. Please be
safe, Willow. I miss you?

(Tara)
Another day had gone by fairly quick and everyone tried their best to cope.
College was hard, especially for Willow, more and more I saw her slip in a
trance, staring at nothing. That was the ?Buffy Depression Phase?, other
times, when we talked about our newest, temporary Scooby, she got all
excited and that. No, really. She practically burst from anticipation for
this night?s patrol. And to be serious, exactly that behavior worried me.
That is why I was coming downstairs now, looking for our new houseguest who
we had given Buffy?s room since we already rearranged Joyce bedroom for
Willow and me. To let her sleep on the couch just didn?t feel appropriate.
Ironically I found her outside on the stairs, watching the sun slowly
vanishing under the horizon. Contrary to her usual carefree? okay, VERY
carefree attitude where almost seemed to be a solemn air around her now. I
wondered, if she thought of her home world, I certainly would.
?Funny, Willow told me Buffy often used to sit out here when she wanted to
be alone.? Without another word I set down beside the redhead. Outwardly she
really appeared to be around Dawn?s age at best, physically that might be
even true, but when you looked in her eyes, you could see a maturity there
usually only acquired with life on a hellmouth. Lina continued to stare
ahead for awhile. A car drove by and I could tell her eyes were tracing its
movements. ?That world is strange.? I arched an eyebrow at her. ?But that
isn?t really surprising. After all your grasp and handling of magic is
probably as old-fashioned and backward as our almost non-existent
tech...technology. Yes. I saw some in the outer world when the barrier fell,
but my homeland is nothing like?? She made a wide hand gesture including
street lamps, the street with a few cars passing by and the near general
area. ?? this.?
I was surprised. They didn?t have any technology there? No lights, no warm
water, no? Well, I suppose with light and small fire spells that basically
anybody somewhat talented could cast that wasn?t really necessary. But? A
chuckle interrupted my thoughts. ?And I haven?t even seen the BIG cities.
Except in that handy entertainment box.? Handy? Oh, she meant the TV.
I laughed softly and after that another few minutes of silence followed in
which I wondered how to best approach the subject. ?So,? I asked carefully.
?Are you going to teach us some useful magic? Since we are using lousy
spells.? Lina looked at me for the first time, rather seriously too. ?I didn
?t say, you?re concept of magic was lousy. It is just? Too simple and
requires long casting time for most of the basic spells I could do without
even really thinking about it. It is simply not useful in real combat or if
you have to quickly heal a person. Do you understand?? I nodded, that made
sense after all. You could be the best wiccan but still needed to actually
cast the spell for healing. Lina showed us last night that she didn?t even
need to chant for this and was doing it remarkable enough to put every high
class healer of this world to shame.
?But that isn?t what worries you,? the young sorceress inquired softly, as
if she already knew what was really bothering me. Maybe she even did. ?No?
It?s? about Willow. She was totally excited about you in school today and
stuff. You know, she?s really good and all. Much better than I could ever
hope to be. But lately? I-I just? She w-worries me. I-I fear t-that?? Damn,
I was slipping into stutter mode again. I had gotten much better lately but
whenever it came to uncomfortable topics, especially such topics regarding
my girlfriend? ?You?re afraid that she gets to over-confident and might end
up doing something? stupid?? A nod. More I could not manage.
Lina sighed deeply. ?Willow? has been tainted with black magic, right??
Another nod. ?D-During Glory?s?. When we thought Glory, she? she robbed me
my sanity, my mind. I remember only f-flashes but? She got really upset.?
Lina rubbed her jaw thoughtfully. ?Hm, I guess that can function as a
trigger, at least addiction out of love is easier to counter. She must
really love you.? That one hurt because it went straight home. I dropped my
head and stared at the ground. ?That might not even be important anymore.
Just? Just help her, okay??
I could feel her eyes on me but resisted to meet her gaze. ?What do you mean
it doesn?t matter anymore. You guys are? together, right? From the sounds of
this your bond must be really strong, why would you??? Before she could
speak any further, I held up a hand to silence her. ?Oh, she loves me, I
know that. THAT time states it more than clearly. But I think Buffy?s?
disappearance might have broken the seal she had kept on her feelings for so
long.?
?Seal??? I almost laughed at her surprised tone. ?Just a metaphor.? Silence.
?Oh,? the other girl finally remarked. And after a short pause with a bit
more realization. ?Oh!? Sadly I faced her again. ?Yeah?? There was not
really anything needed to be said but strangely enough I felt myself opening
to the other girl. ?I love her, with all my heart, That is why I don?t want
to see her hurt through the magic thing. But Buffy? I can?t compete there.
They had known each other since she came here in High School. Buffy made
Willow what she is today, in a way.? I closed my eyes at the familiar pain,
rushing through me. ?I could never compete there and I wouldn?t even dare.
All I want is for Willow to be happy.? For a second I thought an almost
wistful look crossed the mage?s features, she laid a hand comfortingly on
her shoulder. ?You must love her very much.? Then rather casual she added:
?Did you ever consider to share??
The suddenness and speed of my answer surprised me probably more than Lina.
?Maybe.? If it wasn?t such a serious topic I would have laughed at the
expression on her face. I?m sure she would have fallen down, if she hadn?t
been sitting already. Instead I chuckled ruefully before directing the
conversation back to more serious and urgent topics. Maybe I just didn?t
want to think about what my answer implied.
?Can you help her, please? We can?t really give you anything except letting
you stay and?? Lina waved her hand dismissingly. ?That?s alright. Without
you, I would be lost here anyway. And as it looks I need Dawn to at least
have a chance of reversing the sweep. However, that needs careful planning
and shouldn?t be rushed. If what you just told me about Willow?s feelings is
true, I don?t know what she would dare to risk. I?ve seen enough people
became a vessel of magic instead of the magic becoming a tool to the
wielder. I have been there myself a few times. And with her potential, I
really don?t want her as an enemy. Don?t worry, Tara, I will train her and
she will become a fine sorceress. A student I can be and you should be proud
of. I promise.?
Apparently Lina had given that more thought than I gave her credit for.
Nonetheless, her promise made my heart a little lighter. The redhead looked
into the sky again and I noticed that the sun had almost set. ?We should
patrol, huh?? Lina nodded quietly. ?Yes, but not you and not Willow.? At my
surprised look she added: ?She doesn?t need to get any dumb ideas about
flashy fire spells and destructive enchantments. Your girlfriend is very
eager but she is also very confident, TOO confident. We will work on this
first before we begin anything. Magic is not a plaything. If you can?t learn
REAL control first, it can eat you? or those around you.?
With that Lina stood up and soothed her cloak carefully. I took the offered
hand and let her pull me to my feet. ?You remind me of someone I know. We
are calling people like you Shrine Maidens. They serve the Gods in our
world. You will be a very powerful one someday.? I blushed at the sincere
compliment. Willow used to do that to cheer me up when I felt useless. But
hearing that from someone so much better than any of us. ?Th-Thank you.? I
think, Willow and the rest of us were in good hands. Lina Inverse might be
younger than us but she could be as serious as an elder. Yes, I was sure
that she would do her best to bring Willow on the right path.

(Amelia)
The night was clear and the Moon shone brightly down on the Earth below.
Compared to what we had recently gone through the world seemed like the very
description of paradise. Peaceful and without any care. I wondered, if
anyone ever knew how close the world had come to Armageddon. How close
Valgaarv had come to achieve his goal? We would most likely not live very
long to earn any of this fame. That hardly seemed fair, especially to Lina,
whose sacrifice would never receive the proper respect. Much as it had been
with Shabranigdu?s part or Copy Rezo or Gaav or Fibrizo? We hadn?t thought
that battle for fame but it seemed unfair that people?s opinions about Lina
especially would never change. They judged her by all her quirks and little
character flows but only a handful of people knew that deep down Lina was a
truly good-hearted person.
Pondering this I lay awake, staring up in the sky and unable to sleep. The
rest of the group didn?t have this problems but I simply couldn?t get my
mind to rest. It is incredible how much you can miss a person without even
realizing before that you would. Lina had been in the better part of the
last year?s adventures. Without her, I would probably still be wandering
around with my father, thinking how good a hero I was. Lina had revised my
opinion of skill. I had admired her from the day I met her and although we
often fought both of us knew who the better sorceress of us was. I missed
her terribly but I still couldn?t really figure out why it hurt so damn
much.
?It?s not, as if she is never coming back. I mean, we are talking about Lina
here, she always finds a way.? And yet every moment I spent thinking about
her and called up the memory when she was torn into the dimensional vortex
while releasing her deadliest spell? Why did she have to this to me? Why was
I acting like an emotional wreck? Alright, I did blame myself for being so
careless but she didn?t have to react that badly. Why had she reacted so
badly? ?Damn her,? I cursed silently. I couldn?t get her out my mind.
?Is it so hard to accept your own feelings?? I turned around startled and
found Zelgadis sitting upright across the fire. I squinted in the darkness
to make out his face for any clues but the dim fire cast eerie shadows over
his chimera skin which made it even more difficult to read anything in his
usual stoic gaze. ?What do you mean? Accept my feelings? What feelings??
Zelgadis laughed quietly but even with the low sound level I could tell that
the laugh was very bitter which caught me by surprise. ?That you love her.?
Silence. Only the sounds of nature all around us could be heard but I paid
them no mind. Zelgadis casual statement hit home like a thunderbolt,
shocking me deep to the core. There was no mistaking from what kind of love
he was speaking and I was not stupid enough to interpret anything else into
his word. Still, the prospect that I? It seemed so unnaturally, so bizarre,
so totally hilarious. ?I? I?? However? I found myself unable to deny as a
series of memories unbidden began to well up in my mind, reminding me of how
much my feelings to the young sorceress had changed over the years.
At first it had been admiration. After the first time that I saw Lina
casting her Dragu Slave, I began to idolize her, I wanted to be like her.
She was a great sorceress, a hero in my mind?s eye. Later on my view
slightly began to change. I was irritated when my idol did many things that
were so unlike a hero. I had been shocked to learn that she and Zelgadis
were wanted for some dubious crime. But again Lina surprised me and I soon
learned that I could not only listen to the opinions of others, I had to
make my own. And that I did.
I had witnessed Lina dealing with the threat of Copy Rezo, Gaav and Fibrizo.
She was not like the hero I had pictured myself. She had faults and was
probably more human than the most normal people, with an always hungry
stomach and a greediness for money. However, she did take her
responsibilities serious. Although her methods often seemed dubious and
unusual, often overdone, Lina Inverse had stood up to beings I would have
run away from a few years ago when I had just heard their names. That was
when my feelings had changed to respect. A deep, unyielding respect.
Then? Yes, then we had been pulled into another adventure together and I had
wondered how glad I was to travel around with Lina again? although I would
have never admitted it. During our quest to fulfill Filia?s prophecy I had
been more aware of Lina than ever. I had taken notice of all the small
things. When she used to smile, became upset, was enthusiastic. I was doing
all this rather subconsciously and was unaware of how much attention I had
actually paid. Until now I never really had to deal with any emotional
issues of this kind. I was still very young after all, much like Filia I had
yet to learn a lot. Also I always figured that as a princess, I would
probably marry some rich lord or something later on that my father elected
for me. And still, somehow, without me even really noticing, I? had fallen
in love with Lina Inverse.
?Wow,? I breathed, unable to say anything more. The revelation had struck me
dumbfounded. I had not been aware of how great the impact was Lina had made
in my life. In a way she was still my idol, my hero. But she had redefined
my own description of that terms. She was perfectly suited for me. It did
not matter, if she had her faults, in my eyes that only made her more human
and therefore something I could look up to. Something I could try to achieve
for myself.
?Shocking, huh?? I looked back at Zelgadis and suddenly realized something
else. We had also come closer recently. First, I thought that was because of
our similar familiarity with the Spiritual Shamanism. Our powers kind of
harmonized and under his stoic mask Zelgadis really wasn?t that bad. That he
was a Chimera didn?t bother me. Ever since meeting Lina I was far from
judging a person by prejudices. But, compared to Lina, there never was
anything between us. At least not from my side. Had I given him the wrong
impression?
?Zelgadis?? I stopped puzzled, when I saw that he had stood up, his things
slung over his shoulder. ?I wish you good luck and hope that you find a way
to bring Lina back.? With that he turned around, about ready to go. My mind
raced but I could not really find any words at the moment. ?Wait!? I called
out softly. Zelgadis stopped briefly and looked back at me. It annoyed me to
no end that I couldn?t see his face. I had no idea what he was feeling.
Betrayed? Angry? Sad? I had no idea. ?You? You are leaving us? Now?? All I
could make out was a nod. ?There is no need for me to go back with you. It
is highly unlikely that I will ever find a cure there. If I stay here, maybe
I find something in the outside world. I? I?m sorry.?
With that and without another word he turned around and vanished into the
night, his form melting with the shadows. I sat for awhile, stunned at the
turn of events and the sudden revelations that were being made. ?Goodbye,? I
whispered finally, the wind carrying my whisper away moments after leaving
my lips. ?And good luck to you too, Zelgadis.?

(Dawn)
I was used to silence in the evening ? especially when Buffy went out on
patrol. Ever since Mom left us the house had been unusually quiet. It had
begun with the little things, like hearing my mutual mother prepare
breakfast in the kitchen, rustling around the house to do this and that,
coming home from work. Some of the days I would have come home and nobody
was there. Buffy would usually be with her friends discussing matters
concerning Glory. It saddened me every time when I came into the empty house
knowing that I would not be expected from anyone. It felt, as if I was some
kind of intruder.
Then there were the bigger things too. Like having no one around to care for
you, to go to with your problems. True, Buffy had been great in assuring me
that despite being the Key she WAS my sister and I had believed her.
However, Buffy was not Mom. She tried, yes, but I never really expected her
to replace Joyce from one day to another. Besides being the Slayer she still
was barely out of her teens. I have never been aware of how much I would
miss both Mom and my sister before they were gone. Both now.
The silence tonight was a little more relaxed and for the first time since
Mom died, I was grateful for it. The house had been bursting with activity
ever since Buffy and Lina switched dimension, courtesy of me. Lina was cool.
She was a really good witch? err, sorceress. She was around my age but still
rather mature for that except certain aspects of her character. I instantly
grew to like her and I could see that both Tara and Willow respected her
greatly, although Willow had been slightly muffled at being excluded from
patrol tonight. Giles was a little wary of the new addition to the team, but
then again he was an adult, they always saw things differently. I had no
idea what Xander and Anya?s opinions were since they had only been there on
patrol yesterday and hadn?t managed to come today. Tara and Willow had
quickly decided to move in with us since they could hardly leave me alone in
the house and Lina was to young to pose as some sort of legal guardian if
necessary. I was relieved about the addition to the household since it
greatly lifted the uneasy silence.
Currently I was glad about the calm though since it gave me some time to
relax. The day had been hectic. Lina had to be get introduced to life in
Sunnydale and settled in with us. After all we had no idea how long she
would stay and it was essentially to be comfortable. Especially given the
rate how everything around here tended to fall apart. Currently Tara and I
were comfortably seated in the large couch and watching some comedy. None of
us really paid that much attention. I had much to think about as did Tara. I
could see it in her distant look. Her and Willow had been a bit touchy
around each other ever since Tara?s sanity had been restored. I could not
help noticing this, but was reluctant to approach the topic yet.
?So, what do you think Buffy is doing right now?? I almost jumped as the
silence was broken and frowned at the unusual question. I could see that
Tara probably thought I was worried for my sister and tried to lighten the
mood. Which was true, I did miss Buffy. But if there was one truth in my
faked memory, when it was that Buffy always managed to adept to ANY
situation. ?She?s probably kicking some monsters ass right now and
impressing the hell out of Lina?s friends.? Tara could not help a chuckle.
?Yeah. I guess you are right.?
Another period of silence followed in which both of us followed the movie
only partially. ?Do you miss her?? I nodded silently. Buffy was the only
family I had left, at least by blood. In truth, I was actually her, since I
had been made from her. As she said: Summer?s blood. The fact that she was
able to close the vortex was prove enough for that statement. I could not
imagine what would happened, if we never got her back. I didn?t WANT to
imagine.
The quiet was broken again as we heard the front door open. Shortly after
Lina and Giles were coming in. The redheaded sorceress immediately looked
around, as if expecting something. ?Hey, Lina, Giles, how went patrol?? I
asked cautiously. Lina seemed slightly agitated and Giles was well? Giles.
?We had no problems. Though I must say that Miss Inverse?s use of magic is??
Interrupting the Watcher?s rant that was sure to follow, Lina leveled her
gaze at us. ?Where is Willow??
?Upstairs. She said she wanted to go through some of her spells. Why?? Tara
answered the question. I was confused myself. If I wouldn?t know better, I
was sure that Lina looked? troubled. There seemed to be some kind of silent
conversation between the wiccan and the sorceress. Suddenly realization
crept into the blonde?s eyes and a slight gasp escaped her mouth. ?She
wouldn?t?? That only further confused me.
?What?s going on here?? I didn?t receive an answer as Lina turned around and
hurried upstairs. Tara rose with the clear intent to follow but Giles put a
restraining hand on her shoulder and simply shook her head. ?Let her handle
this. As much as I hate to admit it, Lina knows what she is doing.?
Reluctantly Tara calmed down and leaned back with a sigh. ?Would someone
please tell me what is going on?? I asked irritated.
Again any attempt of explanation was interrupted as both Giles and Tara
stiffened suddenly and hurried outside. I was far from questioning their
behavior as I had felt an extreme uneasiness all of a sudden. We arrived on
the front porch just in time to see a giant red streak of power penetrate
the air resulting in a colossal explosion just outside of Sunnydale. I stood
there, mouth agape, staring unbelievable at the spectacle. ?Wh-What was
that?? I finally choked out when I had somewhat recovered from the following
shockwave.
?That, I assume,? Giles answered in a deathly quiet voice, ?was a lesson
about what magic can do and what consequences and price it has.? Suddenly I
did not feel that sure anymore, if I really wanted to learn some of the cool
stuff Willow and Tara could do.

(Willow)
You?re not coming. That was all she had said. Why that arrogant, egoistical
witch! Who the heck did she think she was? Just because she had some ultra
cool magic that could make the hellmouth itself shiver in fear, who was she
to tell me what I could do and could not?!? She could not simply forbid me
to go on patrol or not, that was my fight too, my choice, my DAMN
RESPONSIBILITY! I had to watch out for them, I was ? usual lack of
self-conscious be damned ? the strongest out of the remaining Scoobies! I
had to be there, I had to make sure Buffy?s work in the last couple of years
wasn?t for naught. Who the hell died and made Lina boss?
My face changed into a grimace at this last line of thought. Ok, bad choice,
Rosenberg. As if on cue my mood considerably darkened and went from angry to
simply depressed. Buffy was gone and it was our task to continue her fight.
When I saw her yesterday I was so excited. All day I had looked forward to
see some more of the younger girl?s magic. I was sure, if she just gave me a
few tips, I could master it. I mean, with that kind of magic, I would be a
great asset when Buffy returned? If Buffy returned?
A tear ran down my cheek and I wiped it away angrily. Flipping through a few
more pages, I finally found what I was looking for. True, Buffy was surely
not dead, that I would know. We had known each other so long, if something
would ever happen to the other one we would feel it. With that possibility
out of the way I was spared the painful ritual of a restoration spell, the
only one I had found so far. It was not particular pretty and would have led
to serious troubles with the others. Not that I wouldn?t have been able to
pull it off, of course. But that wasn?t necessary anymore.
A smile began to show on my face. I had finally found what I was looking
for. After a few hours of researching I had already stumbled across a few
spells which could work in bringing Buffy back to us. But all of them needed
to first locate the target and establish some kind of anchor, that was the
real problem. I might have found something now. Although it didn?t look very
pretty either, the spell had the benefit that I didn?t need to involve
anyone, not even Dawnie. Lina could do what pleased her. I, for my part,
wanted Buffy back. And I wanted her back now. Life without her just wasn?t
the same. Afterwards everything could go back to normal?
With a loud crash the door swung open. Startled I looked up, expecting Tara
or Dawn who were downstairs watching TV. Instead I found red eyes locked on
my own with barely restrained intensity. Lina did not bother to say
anything, then she stalked over to me and before I could say anything she
snatched the book I had quickly hid behind my back away with relative ease.
Since I had held the page open ? which I must admit was stupid ? the younger
sorceress did only need to take one look before she tossed it out of the
window and to my utter horror send a fireball right after it.
?WHY??? I started but was interrupted by an eruption of temper I had not
expected. ?Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what that would have done to
you? It appears you really have a death wish, Rosenberg! This stuff is
poison. Even I would not touch it and I knew enough about what consequences
Black Magic can have!? My own temper flared in response as I saw my only
hope for getting Buffy back burn to ashes. ?So do you? I say you give a shit
about what we feel! You are acting all tough and big, saying that you help
us until we find a way to reverse the sweep! What do you know about
consequences? We have practically devoted our lives to Buffy and her fight,
we have dealt with countless problems over the years, we damn well know the
risks and I am prepared to pay what it takes to get Buffy back! I can do
it!? I felt tears staining my anger-clouded vision but I didn?t care. ?I
want Buffy back, without her it is just not the same. Seeing her jump
through that vortex, for a brief moment confronted with the though that she
really was dead? You have no idea what that feels like.?
The force of the slap took me by surprise since Lina clearly stated the
night before that she was not a very good physical fighter. When I turned
back to face her, I flinched at the underlying pain in this otherwise
totally cold and dead serious eyes. ?You are a fool, if you think, you
understand ANYTHING about consequences and risks.? Without a further word or
waiting for a response she grapped my arm and mumbled a few words. Before I
knew it we were already flying up to the roof of a nearby tall building.
Lina sat us down and walked towards one side of the roof. I didn?t dare to
speak, my eyes curiously following her movements. The steps were determined,
her pose serious and at the moment not at all fierce. No, at the moment she
was the perfect equivalent to a shark, cold, calculating and waiting to
strike. By all means I should at least ready myself for any assault that
might come but somehow knew that wasn?t why we were up here. And, in all
honesty, I would not stand a second against someone like Lina.
?Observe.? The young sorceress began to glow faintly as she stood there,
arms raised and her hands in an unfamiliar pose in front of her face. Power
was building all around us, incredible power. Unbelievable power!
?Darkness from twilight, crimson from blood that flows; buried in the flow
of time; in Thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness! Those who oppose us
shall be destroyed by the power you and I possess!? I gasped as the orb of
crimson magic formed between her now cupped hands, glowing and swirling,
full of massive power only waiting to be released. Released? Suddenly I
became aware of how high we were over the town and if she wanted Lina could
easily?
Pointing her hands downwards I could only stare in shock as the crimson ball
expanded again in size and the utterly unbelievable power again rose. I was
sure every sensitive creature in the whole town was standing still at the
moment and I was quite sure that all the Scoobies were standing in front of
the Summer?s house staring in our direction. Yet, I could only stare. ?DRAGU
SLAVE!? In the last possible moment Lina redirected her hands and instead of
the unsuspecting town below the resulting beam of crimson energy leapt
forward and finally erupted in a formation of smaller hills not far away
from the town, completely flattening them. A tremor shook the Earth below
and sudden cries of panic could be heard below. I did tune all this out as I
stared with wide eyes at Lina. I could not betray myself, at the moment I
felt an icy fear grip my heart confronted with the utter destructive power
this girl wielded with an ease that almost seemed idle.
Lina turned around, her expression not changed, not wavering. ?I could have
let this slip. Only the Lady knows how often I did before. I could have
destroyed this town, if I wanted to do. I ask you now one question and
answer me seriously, Willow. Could you have done the same?? The question in
itself was ridiculous really. I never felt so frightened before, I never
felt so insecure, so unsure of myself. Not even before I met Buffy, not even
after countless years of being the school nerd, the looser. I realized with
a shocking clarity how much I had taken for granted what my life had become.
I had worked so hard to be what I was now? Buffy worked so hard to boost my
self-confidence. How could I betray her like that? Of course I was good, of
course I had become powerful, of course Buffy herself had labeled me her
?secret weapon?. However? Was I really ready for that kind of
responsibility. Could I really ever be that good? Could I live with myself
knowing that even the tiniest slip in concentration could effect everyone
around me? The answer was simple and crashed down heavily on my
over-confidence of the last few weeks since I had first touched the Black
Magic books in order to avenge Tara. I could not speak as I felt empty and
my mouth dry, so I simply shook my head in the negative.
For a long moment Lina eyes remained resting on me. Then finally her gaze
softened a bit and she relaxed a little. Turning around she once more looked
out over the town. ?Good. Your training begins tomorrow.?

TBC

Next time:

More about the Slayers world, Buffy and Amelia get to know each other
better. Also Willow begins her lessons under Lina as do the other Scoobies.
And, of course, no event as major as that can occur without a great evil
involved, right? Stay tuned for Chapter two!

Author?s Notes

Phew, I finished it. The first chapter is finally complete. I did have a
sudden burst of inspiration for this and I think I managed to do rather well
now. At first I was not really satisfied with the partially release I had
made to the BuffyWantsWillow list but the last scenes rounded things up
nicely. I think I can leave this chapter as it is.
A few things I like to clear up now.
I must apologize for the quick and certainly a bit unfair disposal of
Xellos. It just simply happened. I wanted to create a situation that really
shocked the group to the core. Not only Amelia?s injuries, that would have
not really been enough. With the death of another I figured that would be
the best way. Xellos was sort of exceptional to my plans, you will see this
later. Again, I apologize for anyone who I offended with the quick disposal
of the Mazoku.
What Lina thought about the different effects of casting the Giga Slave with
different talismans, was a suspicion of mine. We see Lina casting the Giga
Slave against Shabranigdu/Rezo the first time. She just invented it, without
any knowledge of the consequences. Yet, she managed to cast it on the Sword
of Light and succeed, only suffering a magical drain. The second time
against Fibrizo she used her talismans that were more or less directly
linked to the Lady and lost control. Maybe that is an explanation for it but
I figured it might also be because the Sword of Light was a weapon of a
Demon Lord from one of the other four worlds. The talismans though are sort
of directly gifted from the Lord of Nightmares and could manage to channel
her power. The combination of both might have been too much and therefore
instead of casting a controlled Giga Slave, acted as a call to the creator
instead. It is just a theory, mind you.
If some of you wonder about Lina?s sudden maturity level, please consider
that she has just been thrown into another world/dimension that was so
unlike any other. It would not do her any good do get on the wrong side of
the only people she knew where. Also I think that fighting all this battles
must have made her somewhat more mature. Oh, don?t worry. We will see Lina
causing some havoc in Sunnydale in later chapters. Wouldn?t be Lina
otherwise. *Looks around and sweatdrops when receiving glare from a fuming
Lina* Ehehe? Never mind.

That?s about everything for the first chapter. Please send your comments.
Good or bad, whatever they are. Constructive criticism is essentially for an
author.

Ja ne, yours

Matthias