Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters are copyright and trademarks of WB, David Greenwalt, Joss Whedon, 20th Century Fox, and others.
Chapter 11: Into Every Generation...
" Dawn Summers." the announcer said, watching Dawn rise and walk across the stage. I smiled as she walked across! She had become a little woman! We had spent the school year together and we were going our seperate ways this school year. Oz, Connor, and Groo had come to watch us, then Groo was going back this summer to watch the Hyperion and would be hiring a new member so we could get more work done while I'm at school. This summer would be the ultimate bonding experience! Yep.Bonding. But right now, I'd just wait for them to call my name. I watched as Dawn accepted her diploma and smiled down at Buffy and the gang. Buffy had taught me so much since the whole 'Demons take over Rome' thing. I had even met the Buffy look-alikes. Nice, but if you knew Buffy, you could so tell. But I guess that's the point, huh? I was happy that I'd get to go with Connor and Dawn to L.A., but I was scared. I had been informed that since Angel and his gang did their number on Wolfram and Hart, things had gotten a lot more hell-ish. More hell-ish than ever, in fact and that's where I come in. Recruiting slayers,wiping evil from the face of the Earth...you know, regular teenage things. All in all it would a..." Austin Young-Daniels",the annoucer said. I smiled and rose, pacing across the stage. I smiled and shook hands and looked down to the group...The Scoobys. The friends. The...people, " These are the graduates! Carpe Diem!" the announcer...announced.
" So, how's L.A. been?" I asked, already guessing the answers. 'Uh, hell on Earth, but still sunny...what? It's not sunny...nevermind.' I thought. We, the Scoobys, had gone to the Krinze to relax after graduation. Everyone had gone there and I was finding it exceptionally hard not to notice the changes in everyone. Buffy had obviously gained a new level of wisdom and beauty that only a slayer could. Willow had become the true meaning of a goddess, strong and beautiful...and powerful. Xander had become more rugged, the new eyepatch was really working for him. Giles had become more fit, very good for someone his age, which I suspected was in his thousands and then there was Faith, who wore a dress that wasn't entirely black. It was blue and black, a mini, but a dress none the less. The influence of Wood, who was always exceptional. Then there was Oz, who had been near bald when I saw him last, now with his patent Oz cut, blended brilliantly with different hues. Connor had shoulder-length hair again, this time without the bowl cut and Groo was even buffer. It was obvious that everyone was maturing.
" L.A. is like Cleveland light." Faith smirked, " We dropped by to check it out. It was like I was back in Boston."
We all chuckled and Connor smirked, " It's not that bad, in the day time, with guns and stakes." he joked.
" That's why we're sending the elite." buffy said encouragingly, " Everything'll be fine."
" Yeah, hand me a wooden stick and I'll stake a whole bunch of undead, evil things." I joked, " It's just the people that I have a problem saving."
Connor frowned, " Micah?" he asked.
" Can't save 'em all." Faith said, looking onto the dance floor.
" Who says? That could be our new motto, 'we save everyone!'," Dawn said, " Then we'd...have to save everyone, I think I see the flaw."
" So, are we going back to Scotland?" Xander asked, " I don't like leaving Andrew with the base."
" Aww, you jealous that he might take your place?" Willow asked.
" No, I just don't want him touching my action figures." Xander said, sitting back in his seat.
" Not soon Xand, we're staying for a while. We've got a tricky situation." Willow frowned.
" Tricky?" buffy asked.
" Tricky, as in sticky." Willow said.
" How sticky?" Buffy asked.
" Tricky sticky." Willow said innocently.
" New Wicca rising?" I asked.
" Oz, you've been quiet all night, why have you not said anything?" Groo asked.
" That's Oz. That's his thing." Dawn smiled.
Oz chuckled, " Yeah. Nothing to say really. I remember our graduation." he smiled, " I think the best part was when Snyder got eaten."
" Snyder got eaten?" I asked, " I just thought a vampire or something got to him...but that doesn't make sense because they wouldn't be able to eat him cause he's...evil, so maybe he'd taste good to them." I looked at Oz, " My head hurts."
" Mine too." Oz said, and we all chuckled and looked around.
" Let's do a group dance." Faith smiled.
" Group dance? What, like the hustle?" Buffy asked.
" No," Faith scoffed, " Just dance, but in a group. Like we used to in Sunnydale before...Yeah, dance."
We all agreed and headed to the floor.
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Two months later...
" Are you ready?" Buffy asked, trying to hold in the emotion she was feeling. We had all spent a summer free of anything Apocalyptic. The fun was over. Back to California.
" Are you?" I asked, staring at the others, who were exchanging hugs.
" I guess not." Buffy smiled, " I feel like I'm losing my little sister...and my little brother. My whiny, sweet little sister and my abnormally strong, fast little brother. I'm sad you guys are leaving."
" It shows." I said.
" Why aren't you showing?" Buffy asked, " I feel like a dope, crying when you're not even crying."
" How do you know it's not showing? And you're not a dope. Dopes don't save the world." I said, hugging her. She smiled and went to say goodbye to the others, " Xander, I'm sorry we didn't get more Watcher/Slayer time." I smirked.
Xander smiled and pointed to his eyepatch, " Not one for watching these days, anyways. I'm so gonna miss you." he smiled.
" It's not goodbye. It's...see ya if I don't die." I smirked, watching him walk to someone else and Willow appear in front of me.
" Hey kiddo." Willow said, hugging me, " Kennedy told us about the speech." she said.
" Oh, that?" I asked.
' On the bus...Buffy jr. I just...I remember when you were this little kid and you and Dawn would try to hang out with me and Xander and Buffy and...Now you're a slayer. A big, manly slayer. Not sure why, but you are. I'm gonna come and visit alot." she said, teary.
" Don't. If you cry, it's gonna be hard. It's hard enough seeing Buffy almost...if you cry, I'll..." I said, sniffling.
" I think Oz is...oh, hell." Willow said, hugging me again and walking away.
Dawn walked to me and at first, we just stared at each other. The silence was heartbreaking and I could feel my heart shattering just staring at her, " seems like we're always leaving." I said, trying to stop the breakage.
Dawn hugged me, " I seriously don't know what I'm gonna do without you." she sobbed.
" We're only a few miles from each other! And there's the phone." I said through sobs, " We could use the phone and you're a good writer, write me a letter and then there's magic." I said, trying to comfort not only myself, but her.
" I love you." she said, " Little brother, I love you."
I frowned, " I love you too, big sis." I said quickly, " You're a giant in my life."
" Be careful. These days, you never know who's the bad guy." she said, imparting wisdom.
I nodded, " You too." I panted, " And watch out for the demonic boys over there. They may be cute...really cute...hell, who cares, they're really cute." I said.
" How'd you know?" she asked.
" I'll tell you next time I see you." I said jovially.
" I'll visit. It's only a few miles away." Dawn said slowly.
I nodded, then smiled and got on the plane. I smiled back at them one last time. The Scoobys. I wanted to stay with them, but there was so many things the world needed and I was one of them. There were 1800 slayers in the world, 500 for Buffy, and the rest were out there, waiting to be picked off by the major evil that haunted us. So, I needed to help. I am a slayer, not sure how, but I am. I fly in the face of everything it stands for, sort of. Strong, empowered women and one doubtful, scared guy. The forces of evil were quaking in their boots. L.A. needed me, so I waved and boarded the plane with Oz, Connor, and Groo.
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I sat on the plane, looking out the window. It was a pretty harsh ride, as the kid back of me kept poking me with some metal doo-hickey and kicking my seat, they had spilled my lunch on me when we hit turbulence, and all sorts of things. I sighed and rocked back in my seat, obviously upset.
" Are you okay?" Connor asked.
I raised my eyebrow in confusion, " Really? You're seriously asking me that? I just got kicked and poked by the kid from hell, used as a living washrag, and not to mention that freaking movie has played so many times I'm quoting it! Seriously, I'm having the most....Grrr! ARGH!" I said in frustration.
Connor just looked at me and smiled, " We'll be there soon," he said, " You're so cute when you're mad."
" I could seriously be the most annoyed slayer." I said angrily.
" I don't think it's the ride that's getting to you." he said, glaring at me.
" Billy, stay right here, mommy will be back. Daddy's sleeping." the little boy's mother said, getting up and moving back to the restrooms.
" I think you might be upset because you had to leave the Scoobys. that and you're scared." Connor said, noticing the annoying little boy's met stick poking from behind the seat. WHO GIVES A KID A FREAKIN METAL STICK!
I snatched it and bent it in half, then handed it back to the stunned boy, " You might be right about the Scooby part. The second part is less believable." I said in contemplation.
" Are you sure?" he asked, " I mean, we could go anywhere else."
" But we're needed in L.A., Buffy started the revolt against the evil, then Angel continued, now it's time for me to take on the beast...s" I smiled.
" I'm sure war was waged before Buffy and Da...Angel." Connor said, looking up at the television.
" Yeah, but it was boring before that." I smiled, hearing the mother coming back, " Shh!" I said, putting on my headsets. Connor did the same and looked at the screen again.
" Billy, what happened to your..." his mother asked, looking at the bent metal.
" Mommy! They twisted it!" Billy said, pointing at us.
The mom looked at us and asked, " Did you do this?" she asked.
I shrugged, " I'm sorry?" I asked.
" Did you bend my son's metal?" she asked.
Connor shook his head, " Do we look like we can bend metal?" he asked.
The mom looked from us to Billy, " What have I told you about lying?" she scolded. Connor and I smiled to each other and I relaxed in my seat and thought, 'Maybe this isn't gonna be so bad.', then I smiled brighter to myself.
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THWACK! That was the sound of the last vampire hitting the wall and falling to the street. I hurried with my stake and staked him, then looked to Oz, who was laying on the ground. Groo and Connor had gotten to their feet and were shaking the cobwebs from their brains.
" Welcome wagon?" I asked, helping Oz up.
" I'd say." Oz said, holding his head, " Could be worse." he said. A big, green demon appeared before us and I looked at Oz, " Sorry." he said.
I shook my head and looked at the demon, " Are you friendly or do I have to kill you?" I asked.
" I have greetings from Wolfram and Hart." the demon said, flashing his giant teeth, " Say goodbye, slayer."
" Goodbye slayer." I said, rushing the demon! I smashed into him with a flurry of kicks and punches and before I knew it, he swatted me and I flew backwards to the groun. The others rushed him, Connor and Groo were doing a good job until he swatted them too. Oz walked towards him, but I shouted, " STOP!" and Oz and the demon looked at me, " I am going to kick his ass!" I said, dusting myself off. I ran at him again, dodging his massive claws and ducking under them. I did a spin kick that knocked him off his balance, the I saw a loose piece of pipe and pulled it from its home. I shoved it through the demon's eyes and watched as it slumped over.
" Ow." Connor said, " Definitely a welcome wagon for you."
" Aww, I feel all special." I smirked, " So, he's not gonna go poof?" I asked, looking at the body sideways.
" We should get to the Hyperion." Oz said, still shaken.
" You okay, Groo?" I asked.
Groo nodded and looked at me, " He was strong. oz is right, we should go now."
I nodded, " I agree. If we stand here too long, there could be another big ass monster looking for brains or whatever." I said, walking forward, " Um, guys, I'm gonna need you to get me there." I smiled.
" Can you keep up?" Connor smirked.
" With L.A.?" I scoffed, " I lived in Sunnydale without slayer strength." I said, walking behind him. We walked to the street and caught a cab. On the way, I noticed, despite the whole 'brimmed with evil' thing, L.A. was beautiful. Even though things were beautiful on the outside, I could tell this wasn't going to be easy. When we finally pulled up to the Hyperion, I marvelled at it's beauty. I was stunned. The gate was the killer. The best thing ever was the gate. What better to keep out the monsters that come out at night? Freaks. Just kidding. I walked through the lobby, stunned, It's beautiful." I smiled.
" Yeah, but it was hell to clean." Connor said, carrying one of my bags." The dead demons out back especially." he said, turning his attention to Groo and Oz, who both carried more of my bags.
" I could have carried those, you know, probably would have been easier." I said, folding my arms, " Having the super strength and all."
" We have super-strength." Connor panted, " What do you have in these bags anyways?" he asked.
" Weapons." I asked, easily grabbing my bag from him.
" WEAPONS!?" Oz said in shock, " How'd you get them through customs?" he asked.
" Spell." I smirked, " Willow loves the magicks."
" Ahh, the memories." Groo said, looking around, " If these walls could talk."
" They'd scream." Connor joked, " This place has seen some pretty amazing stuff."
" Oz, since you're my watcher, should you be doing watcher things?" I asked.
Oz cleared his throat, " I'm watching." he said, " You should get used to this place anyways, you should know your surroundings, right? Or you could be in trouble and we'd have to..."
" Catch that midnight train to Georgia?" I asked.
" Exactly." Oz smirked.
" Which room is mine?" I asked, looking up the stairs.
" There are like a thousand rooms, just pick one." Connor said, picking up some of my bags, " We might have to come back for the res..."
I picked up the rest without flinching, " Got 'em." I said, following him up the stairs. As we turned to the hallway, he stopped, " What?" I asked.
He turned and looked at me, " You could room with me." he said nervously.
I looked at him just as nervously, " What?" I asked.
" I mean, if you don't want to..." he trailed off.
" I would love to, but Connor, we've gotta go slower." I smiled, " I moved in with you and two other guys...so for now, I'm gonna need to just room with me." I smiled, hugging him, " Thank you, though."
" I get it." he smiled, " How about a room next to mine?" he asked.
I nodded, " You're on." I said, following him to one of the rooms on the second floor. He smiled as he led us into my new room. It was red, green and...I knew I'd have to make it my own. It was great, but it wasn't my style. I'd never been a poster guy,this situation called for posters.
" I'm gonna leave you to...You still have the cross?" Connor asked, eyeing my neck.
" Of course. No demon could part us." I smiled, " You like me neck?" I asked.
" Yeah, I remember it." he smiled, " Then that cold, cold shower."
" Yeah. Then stabbing the ghost with the dagger." I said, pulling it from my suitcase.
" You should think of it as a ghost, it's all evil and that dagger can hurt it." he said, " You should protect it with your life."
I nodded, " Evil, protect it, got it!" I smiled.
" I'm really gonna leave." he smiled, turning to the door.
" Do you think L.A. is hopeless?" I asked.
" It didn't, then you came. So, no, it's totally hopeful." he smiled, still walking out. I smiled to myself and turned to the window. I could be on American Idol, crying about how happy I was. I could be on reality television bitchslapping an old celebrity. I could be on Real World, drinking or I could even be on Road Rules, kicking ass with my slayer powers...but I'm not. I am smack dab in the middle of Hell. There is a Hellmouth in Cleveland and a few other countries, and maybe even in L.A. There were only a few. I was protecting the world and trying to hold on to my hope. The hope that we, the slayers, could make a change in the world. Could we really protect the world forever? And does the slayer thing happen in babies just born or does it only affect the slayers already born? It hurt my head and I turned and jumped at the sight of my father.
" Hello, son." it said.
" What is this?" I asked, clutching my dagger.
" Hey, son, don't just wave that around. You might need it soon." he smiled.
" Hey, dad, get the hell out!" I said, walking past him, " I thought I hurt you."
" You hurt the First, I'm not the first." he smiled. I smirked and stabbed him, but it went straight through him, " Ow. Looks like you have no hope." he smirked.
" Get out." I said, stepping back.
He smirked and walked to the window, " This is the part where I pull a Paula Abdul and leave? No, not here to praise you, son." Dad said.
" Dad. Does the death bring deaf...ness?" I asked.
" Of course it brings death." he replied.
" No, deaf." I said.
" I said yes." he frowned.
" Deaf as in not being able to hear." I growled impatiently, " Can you like, kiss my ass?"
Dad cleared his throat.
" Okay, can you kiss my ass, please?" I said cheerily.
" You're not gonna win. Not here. Lucky Buffy got you this far. But do you remember the screams?" he asked. I shifted uncomfortably at his words, " You remember the feel of metal to your skin? The sight of blood gushing from your wounds...but the screaming...god, the screaming was so intense!" he said, invigorated by the nonexistant screams.
" I remember." I said, walking face to face with him...it...him, " Buffy didn't get me this far. I did."
" You made yourself a slayer?" he asked.
" I was next in line. Either way, I'd have to save the world. I am a slayer and even if I didn't have hope, I'd still kick your ass because it's the right thing to do."
" Good luck." Dad said, disappearing with a smile.
" Welcome to hell." I said, flopping down on the bed.