Characters of Buffy The Vampire Slayer are owned by the holders of that copyright.
Blackfeather, the Crow and Rebecca are of the TV series The Crow.
The Demon Hunters and associated characters are copyright to me.
Time-line. Before Joyce died, before Tara's birthday
SO GILES, CARE TO EXPLAIN PART 1 OF 3
"Buffy, I'd like you to meet Sally, Sally is a natural Chimera," said Giles. "A Chimera? what's that?" asks Buffy.
"Hey, don't look at me B, I missed school that year," said Faith.
"Don't look at me either, hey Will?" asked Xander.
"I suppose so, a Chimera, in Greek mythology, part creature part human." said Willow.
"So Giles, care to explain?" asks Buffy.
"As I said, Sally is a natural Chimera, born with the DNA of a snake, a tigress, a mosquito and a human."
"Okay, but does that make her a chimera though?" asked Willow.
"Allow me to explain, you'd better sit down. Another watcher, Robson, a good friend of mine. He knew about Sally, he asked her to come here, to help Buffy and Faith."
"How would we need her?" asked Faith
"Right, if either of you were to attack Sally, you'd lose."
"But, they are slayers!, you're joking right," said Xander.
"If they both attacked now, and together. I'd put a years wages on Sally winning, and in a few seconds. Buffy, Faith ever heard of the saying, know your attacker?. Sally is born with Tigress DNA, and she can be a Tigress at will, according to Robson, that's an adult four hundred pound Tigress, she also has female mosquito DNA, she only drinks blood to feed her young," said Giles.
"She's a vampire?" asked Willow.
"Hmm, yes Willow, but she isn't pregnant. Your not are you."
"Wouldn't matter if I was, would it? any blood'll do," said Sally.
"Sally also has the DNA of a snake, a king cobra to be precise, in the human form, as she is now she can disable any opponent with her spray, two king Cobra's have enough poisonous spray to kill a platoon of soldiers, so I'm guessing that Sally could do that and more, oh and she is immune to her poison, all poisons..
Faith looks at Buffy then at Sally, they both greet Sally, hugging, vigorously shaking her hand.
"I know," said Buffy, "Clothes, and ooh new shoes!".
"Ooh yes, there's a new shop in the mall, could be worth a look," said Willow.
"The mall!, let me walk you there, guided tours free of charge.
Sally smiles at Giles as she is escorted from the magic shop.
"I feel sorry for the evil, what-ever can it pit against them?"
IN LOS ANGELUS
"Is my dear Spike here?"
"Dru? what brings you back here."
"You did."
"There's two slayers here now."
"Your worth it, Spike. Did you feel it, did you huh. Did you feel it."
"Something, I felt something."
"There a light in our tunnel, it's getting brighter. I know who can get rid of your chip."
"You do?"
"Mmmm, wave bye bye, send to never never come back land. And guess what."
"What's that Dru."
"Mummy is back!"
"What!"
"I brought back mummy," she smiles to Spike.
"Hang on?" asked Spike.
"I'm mummy to mummy, and she still wants him, she might bring daddy home soon, that's where that chip can go from."
"Sounds like a plan then, ok."
"If we hurry we might see daddy again."
LATER, IN ANOTHER PART OF LOS ANGELUS
"Look who I found Mummy."
"Is he like Angel?" asked Darla.
"He's not a pretend daddy, but he is tamed, but I know how to make him better."
"Then we can play happy family's again."
"Yes mummy dear, and soon," said Drusilla.
"Daddy will be back soon, shall we go and see him mummy," said Darla.
"And they can give me my Spike back," said Drusilla.
IN SUNNYDALE
"Willow, Xander, Sally can you leave us alone please," said Giles.
Buffy looked at Faith, then grins.
"Don't grin Buffy, I've asked the council for help."
"What is it?" asked Faith.
"Bad news, it could be a problem Faith."
"Guessed that when you said you'd asked the council for help."
"They told me there is another slayer, she's coming here," said Giles.
"Where is she from?" asked Faith.
"England, not far from my house, hundred miles or so."
"Who is she, what's she like?"
"She has been taught by Miss Harkness. I didn't know it, but that slayer is a witch, but I don't know her name yet. I rang miss Harkness as soon as I found out, and she said this slayer is already here."
"No, it couldn't be her," said Buffy.
"Who?"
"Willow's friend is a witch," said Buffy.
"You mean that Tara?" asked Faith, "I've been getting a feeling when she's around."
"Willow? could you come back here please?" asked Giles.
Willow wandered into the slayers training room, she looked at them.
"This new friend you have, Tara, can you get her here," asked Giles.
"Sure, why?"
"Just tell her miss Harkness and I have been talking."
"Is that all?, I'll ring her now," said Willow.
Buffy waited until Willow had left the room.
"So what is the bad news?"
"I've had a few reports from certain people in LA."
"Angels on the scene again is he?"
"Sort of," said Giles
"What do you mean sort off?" asked Buffy.
"It isn't Angel, it's Angelus, he is with Darla, Drusilla and Spike."
Willow walked back into the room, she caught Giles's attention
"What is it Willow?"
"We've got some visitors."
"Who is it?"
"There's Fred, Gunn, Wesley and Connor," replied Willow.
"What do they want?" asked Buffy.
"Somewhere safe, and to warn you," said Wesley.
"Warn us? oh about them being back together, we know," said Faith.
"Hi there Wes, how's things?" asked Buffy.
"Not good, we've seen some rough things in the last two days."
"We must be due for some good news soon," said Gunn.
"Well if your going to stay here, we've got some. There's another slayer due soon," said Giles.
"You mean Faith? we heard she'd gone bad," said Gunn.
"No she hadn't, it was a plan that didn't work too well," said Giles
"Not a perfect plan, but we got some good information," said Buffy.
"Giles, look," said Xander.
"Miss Harkness!, and Tara. It must be true then," said Giles.
"Tara, Miss Harkness, welcome," said Willow, "what you looking up there for Buffy?"
"Just looking to see if any lights are coming on."
"What?"
"The power of three, you know," said Buffy. (Charmed reference)
"Not that far fetched, together we are stronger. Soon, each of us will be as powerful as all three of us, plus there is another three here," said Tara.
"Yes, sorry. Wesley, Connor, Fred, Gunn, about that good news!, I'd like you to meet Tara, the Vampire Slayer," said Giles, " and Sally, who is a vampire."
"Ah!, vampires!, Cordelia won't be coming here. Angel had this thing for her, Darla and Drusilla ended Cordelia, and what they did to her, I'm sorry, but Darla may have released the jealous side."
"If this Darla tries to harm Buffy I will kill her," said Sally.
"You won't stop Darla, she's got the strength of six vampires," said Fred.
"One of the things I haven't told any-one here yet, when Robson first found Sally, he was trapped by fourteen vampires. Sally stopped them, then killed every-one of them, by herself. Sorry to ask this Sally, can you show them what you can become?" asked Giles.
"I'm not really ready just yet," replied Sally.
"What do you need?" asked Willow.
"Some clothes, for when I return."
"We've got a spare set of clothes in the cabinets, Faith?, yeah, any of the stuff that fits," said Buffy, "I'll have some towels ready."
Sally became a Tigress then roared at Gunn, he Connor and Wesley were unable to do anything but stare.
Fred got on her knees. "Oh, isn't she just gorgeous!"
The Tigress looked at Fred, paced around Connor then went and sat next to Fred. Fred cuddled the Tigress then stood up.
"Mr Giles, is there a room behind that wall, for Sally to get changed."
"Yes, the store room is in there," said Giles.
"When Wesley said about coming here, I wasn't keen on the idea, I don't like magic, it usually goes wrong," said Connor.
"If Willow wanted to, she could make you be in England, mind you it might be best if your wearing a wet suit, just in case you go to far," said Tara.
Connor looked puzzled as he stared at Tara, slowly he began to laugh..
"Where's every-one going to stay?" asked Buffy.
"Good point, I've got a couple of spare rooms," said Giles.
"Best be careful then, tell you what, put Fred and Sally at Giles's place, they be looked after there, if Xander can take Gunn and Conner,
I'll give a room to Faith and miss Harkness," said Buffy.
"My mother's out of town for a while. So Wesley can have my room for two weeks, I'll stay at Tara's place, if that's ok with Tara," said
Willow.
"WILLOW! stop smiling like that!" exclaimed Buffy.
Xander heard some one come in, he turned to see who it was.
"Buff, it's your mum," said Xander.
"Oh wow!, she's back!, great," said Buffy.
"Where's the been?" asked Faith.
"She went to Australia to have that thing in her head fixed."
Buffy picked up the phone.
"Hello Buffy, a friend of yours just called, from some place where you've met Angel before, I told her where you are, she said she'd call you," said Joyce.
"Thanks mom, how did it go?"
"It was a lot better, I had a CAT scan, they took me to hospital and I had an MRI, I was being operated the next morning. I've got it written down here, I had two types of tumour that was in the fourth ventricle, that impacted on the brain fluid and was stating to cause pressure on various parts of my brain.
They took out the tumours completely, gave me a clean bill of health and here I am, ready to start nagging you again," said Joyce, smiling.
"Glad your home, although Australia would have been safer."
"Yet another threat to world safety is there?"
"I've just arranged for some people to stay at our house, oh no, I forgot about Dawn, damn!," said Buffy.
"That's ok, company for me, company for Dawn, it'll be ok," said Joyce, "if I can help I will, and let's face it, if it wasn't for the watchers council I wouldn't have got my brain fixed."
"I'll wait for the call, but I'll send Faith and a miss Harkness to be with you and Dawn," said Buffy.
"Who is Dawn?" asked miss Harkness.
"It's her sister," said Tara.
"So why didn't you tell me?"
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE
Joyce opened the front door.
"Faith, and, oh you're miss Harkness, I got the impression that you'd be older, you look just like that other witch from Australia, oh what's her name, that's it, Fiona Horne."
"What's that Faith?"
"Buffy asked me to give you this bar of candy and she said to tell you that miss Harkness is Tara's watcher, she said you'd know what it meant?"
"Can't think," replied Joyce, "Dawn!, your sister has sent some people to stay here. There you are dear, have you met Faith? and this is miss Harkness."
"My name's Fiona," said Miss Harkness.
"I'm writing a play for my dolls, er, female action figures. Will you help me?" asked Dawn.
"Fiona will, Dawn. Joyce have you got a phone I can use, to let Buffy know we're here," said Faith.
"In the dining room, thanks for asking, Faith," said Joyce.
IN THE MAGIC SHOP
"Buffy, it's the phone, Faith," said Giles.
"Hi, Buffy, can you come here, can you bring Willow and Tara, Giles, Fred and Sally, and quickly!," said Faith.
"Ok, I'll be there after my friend has rung," said Buffy.
"She'll only be telling you about the vampires, they're not coming, get here quick, there's a much bigger problem now," replied Faith
EN ROUTE FROM LA TO SUNNYDALE
Angelus picked his phone up from beside him
"Yep, you got me, what is it."
"Angelus, its Lilah. We've just had a message from the senior partners, their pulling out, seems there's other evil going to Sunnydale, they're leaving this dimension, best you keep away from there."
"Guys!, pull over, Dru is pitching a fit back here," said Darla.
"What is it love?, Dru, Dru?" asked Spike.
"Don't go there, there's something else there," said Dru.
"Get used to it Dru, we are going to Sunnydale," said Angelus.
"Then let me out, I'd sooner die here than upset her," she looked at Spike, "Hell is going there."
"Good," said Angelus.
"Not good, hell is in the slayers domain, it's still going there."
"Guys, if mummy says don't go there, we don't go there," said Darla
Spike kept driving towards Sunnydale, if anything he went a little faster, Darla casually and quietly struck a match then lit the top of the bench seat. At first the flames were unnoticed but as soon as the foam caught on fire.
"Bloody Jesus!, what the soddin' hell!" shouted Spike.
Darla smiled, she held up the box of matches and smiled at Spike.
"Mummy really doesn't want to go to Sunnydale."
Spike was about to ask Darla a question, then he decided to see what Drusilla had to say, but she just smiled at him.
"So, Angelus?, LA sound ok?" asked Spike.
"Yep, good for starters," then looking at Spike, "at least I know where the evil streak in me comes from."
He glanced at Darla. She smiled so innocently at him.
IN SUNNYDALE
"Hi, come in B, guys, there was a phone call for you B, some girl. She said that she saw Angels car heading back towards LA ."
As they all settled into the front room.
"Willow can you make them all a drink, use the back entrance to the kitchen, Buffy, Tara, Giles, Fiona, I'll need to speak to you in the dining room, sorry Joyce, but this is slayer / watcher stuff only," said Faith.
Giles slid the doors across, waited till they were all in the room.
"What is it Faith?" he asked.
"There's no easy way to say this, Buffy let me finish first. I don't think Dawn is your sister, in fact I'm sure she isn't. I know what she is, but not why she's like she is. Tara, when you knew your watcher was coming here, did you tell her everything?" asked Faith.
"Yes."
"Fiona, did Tara happen to mention that Buffy had a sister?" asked Faith.
"No, she didn't even mention Dawn," replied Fiona.
"Figured as much, I really don't want to do this, but, oh well. Giles, can you ask Willow to come in here?" asked Faith, "I'll want you three witches to link hands, then look into my past, as far back as you can."
Say what you see and feel, Fiona, but no more."
"What do we do then?" asked Buffy.
"Then we go out into the garden, with the others. The three witches make a portal for the person, then we think of some-one for her to be in, then when she walks with us we ask her what Dawn is, or why she is here," said Faith.
"Willow, hold Tara's hand. You and I will look into Faith's past and Tara will say what is seen and felt," said Fiona.
The seconds ticked by then.
"I see a massive creature," said Tara, "it is in front of me, it threw something. The creature, it sees me, it's now picking me up, it, it's Faith!, this isn't this world, it's, oh my, Faith is a demon!"
Tara looks about the room, Buffy and Giles stare at her.
"Faith?, that wasn't even in this dimension was it?" asked Tara.
"I would have given anything not to do that," said Faith.
"What has that got to do with Dawn?" asked Giles.
"Tara, you saw me, that was along time ago, but I was as old as I am now. Dawn is not the problem, what created her was. Now we need to go into the garden, bring Joyce and Dawn there'll only be there purely so that they don't get scared watching us," said Faith.
"I'll get Joyce and Dawn into the garden, anywhere special for them Faith?"
"We'll set up between the seat and the house Giles," said Faith.
"What is it that you'll want us to do?" asked Fiona.
"Make a portal to where you last saw me," said Faith, "I'll call my friend, then ask her to appear like us. That's a thought Buffy, if you think about one of our enemies, my friend will be that enemy."
The eight of them sat in the garden, the three witches made a portal, Faith asked for her friend, Buffy thought of an enemy then Darla appeared before them.
"B?, I was trying to be subtle, I assumed you'd have thought of Angel," said Faith.
"I tried , but I kept thinking of Darla standing on the pool table when she was gunning for me."
"Er Faith!," said Giles, "is she Darla?"
"No!, this is my friend. With her being in a vampire's body she might not have to contain her powers."
"What powers Faith?" asked Willow.
"The same powers I had to leave when I became a human."
"What! so what powers does, er, your friend have, who is your friend? what should we refer to her as?" asked Giles.
"She can stop time for every-one but her, if she wants to, she can be in three places at once, she can know what you are thinking and will think, Buffy."
Faith sprang to Dawn, then held her tight.
"It's ok Joyce, I'm not going to hurt your daughter," said Faith.
"Thank you for not hurting her, but she isn't my daughter."
"What?" asked Buffy, "What makes you say that?"
"Guess they must have touched the wrong bit of my brain, I know things now."
"What else do you know?" asked Giles.
"I know who Faiths friend is, I know why Dawn is here, but like Faith, I don't know why, oh Faith, it is a problem having some-one who you know as some-one else, and call her by a different name. It'll confuse the heck out of three certain other people, er vampires."
"This is all well and good, but who is she?" asked Giles.
"Friends, this is my childhood friend, The Goddess Illyria, but we should refer to her as Illyria," said Faith.
"Illyria, welcome. If you want to, then stay here. This is Dawn, she has been sent here, but I don't know who by. I know who created her but Buffy here, needs to hear about Dawn from some-one else and please tell us about her, what-ever else you know?" asked Faith.
"You have done me a great favour Faith," said Illyria, "Baaliitus and I threw out Glorificus from our dimension, Dawn was energy for Glorificus to return, but she has been hidden as Dawn, now I can finish Glorificus. Dawn, do you wish to stay here, or be on my world?" asked Illyria.
"I'd like to stay here, these people are all I know," replied Dawn.
"Then stay here you will, I will protect you. Faith, there is another here who is she?"
Sally appears with them. "Her, who is she?" asked Illyria
"A friend, another who will protect Dawn," said Faith.
NEAR TO LOS ANGELUS
The car screamed to a halt, Angelus turned to Drusilla.
"Where did Darla just go?"
"She was taken," said Drusilla, "a hell-god just took her."
"Where, where is she?"
"She is with the three slayers," said Drusilla.
Angelus turned to Spike.
"There's three slayers now!"
IN SUNNYDALE
"How can Sally help us?" asked Illyria.
"When as a snake she can expel poison at her chosen victim, a paralysing spray," said Giles
"Do not become a snake. Let me take her on alone," said Illyria
"Do you know where she is?" asked Faith.
"Yes, I think she has gone to a far shore, she must have help."
"It is near to where I come from, there has been a rumour that a ghost has held the truth about evil," said Fiona.
"Where is that?" asked Buffy.
"The ghost appears in Warwickshire," said Fiona.
"Then we go there, now," said Illyria.
NEAR LEEK WOOTTON
"This is the stretch of road that the ghost appears on," said Fiona.
"What does the ghost take it's form as?" asked Giles.
"It is said to be the ghost of a small truck," replied Fiona.
"Why is the ghost truck thought to be special, what could it do?"
"I've heard tales of a ghost that is as old as time, it's mean't to be in this area. It is rumoured that this ghost has appeared as many things through time. It is said to have caused many deaths," said Giles, "have you heard about this ghost Wesley?"
"I seem to remember that there was a sighting of it once, but only once. It comes straight at you then vanishes just before it hits you."
"How far is just before?" asked Buffy.
"Part a millimetre, several times now vehicles have been found at the sides of the road, all having seemed to turn a corner," said Wesley
"But this is a straight bit of road," said Fred.
"That's what makes it scary," replied Giles
"So how can we find out more about this ghost?" asked Fiona.
"There was another thing that was said about the driver, he is meant to have red eyes!."
"I can think of one way, it's a but risky though," said Gunn.
"What is it?" asked Giles.
"If another truck is made to appear, but it reverses as fast as the ghost goes forward, then Buffy or Tara are put with the ghost," said Gunn.
"If you can put me in and get me out, I'm up for it," said Buffy
"What does the truck carry?" asked Connor.
"Lets hope Buffy remembers to ask," said Tara.
"How long would it take to organise that?" asked Giles.
"You tell me when you want it done, we'll do it," said Fiona.
"How about now, there's the ghost."
For ten minutes the ghost truck chased their truck before Buffy was transported into the cab.
The driver gazed at her, then slowed the truck down to Buffy's friends.
"First things first, who are you? and how long have you been killing the good guys?" asked Buffy.
"My name is Epimetheus, I have always been here. I have to stop the evil from getting what is in the back."
"What are you carrying and why?" asked Faith
"Long story that, my brother stole fire and gave it to others to use."
"Keep going, with a few more details," said Buffy.
"My brother was Prometheus, he stole the fire from Zeus. Zeus had a box made with all the evil's in it, but to stop the box being damaged from the inside he put hope in there," said Epimetheus.
"Just a minute, that's Greek Mythology," said Giles.
"Is it? when my brother tried to steal the box the carrier opened it but closed it too soon."
"According to mythology the evil escaped but the box was shut before all the hope was released," said Wesley.
"That was about Pandora's box though," said Giles.
"It is the vision of that box that I carry," said Epimetheus, "Zeus saw what had happened, the hope was meant to stop the evil now I have to stay awake to be ready to fight the evil doers. Zeus gave the box to a powerful wizard for his protection."
"We can help you fight the evil. What was the wizards name?" asked Buffy.
"I was told the name Myrddin," said Epimetheus.
"If Myrddin was to protect the box, then I may know where it is. He is said to have lived in that place, I hope no-one here is claustrophobic, ?cos that place is a cave," said Wesley.
"Where though?" asked Willow.
"Epimetheus can you come with us?"
"I don't see why not, can I take the truck there?"
"I don't think so, but then again, it can be put somewhere hard to get to. As I'm sure we'll be looking in the right place, it won't matter if it's found."
"But you haven't told us where the place is," said Fiona
"Oh yes!, I know where you mean," exclaimed Giles, "you mean at Tintagel castle."
"What made you think of that place?" asked Epimetheus.
"The name of the wizard, he is known as Merlin. He is said to have lived in a cave under King Arthur's Castle," said Wesley.
"Where can you put the truck."
"At the entrance to the cave, then let it go backwards into the sea," said Giles.
AT TINTAGEL CASTLE REMAINS.
Carefully at first they all made their way into the depths of the cave. Two hours of tracing their way along floors of caves they came to a cavern. They spent another hour, feeling their way in the darkness. Giles found a fire already prepared, he was about to light it.
"Is that going to give us enough light?" asked Connor.
"Probably not, but we may be able to see where the smoke is going."
"Normally I'd agree with you Giles, but what if the place that the air is coming from is halfway up the wall," commented Fred.
"Either of you two notice that the air is fresher when you stand, than if you lay on the ground," said Giles.
"So Connor, how much do you want to help us?" asked Fred.
"As much as I can, why?"
"Because if we could burn your denim jacket, it'd give us a lot of light and we'd be able to see where the air is coming from," said Giles.
"Oh!, oh all right," said Connor.
"Look at it this way, it could have been your denim jeans," said Giles.
"I think my eyes are becoming accustomed to the dark," said Buffy,
"cos I can see that there's something over there?"
"Giles, get your lighter going. Tara, Faith, come here quickly," said Connor.
"What is it?" asked Buffy.
"The slayers, your said to have had a spirit of a demon put into you. Any-one know what sort of a demon? Buffy you just said you could see something," said Giles.
"Nicely said, but I can't see to much."
"So if the demon can see in the dark?" asked Giles.
"Like a cat or a dog," said Faith.
"Exactly, how-ever a werewolf seems more likely," said Giles, "Faith, if you can see better in ten minutes than you do now, then the watchers will add another component to the training, seeing in the dark," said Giles.
"I must be in the dark, more than those two. Over the other side, there's a few stalactites," said Tara.
Connor took his jacket off and lit it, he went to where the stalactites were.
"There's something not right here, they should be narrower where the water had dripped down."
"Well they could be columns then," observed Buffy.
"The use of a column would indicate that something was being held up, is there anything that would have needed holding up?" asked Epimetheus.
"A column could also mean a table a page, and as a page tells a story so could the column's be telling a story," said Willow .
"But would that need a column to support it?" asked Wesley, "a local folklore said about a cave under the castle where the wizard Merlin used to live. What if we are in that cave, or maybe columns support that cave."
"Maybe if we see them as columns, but as pages and supports, we should clean them to see the writing," said Willow.
Their cleaning revealed several markings, the markings were found to be letters. Letters that were in the form of an anagram,
"They're not in Latin, anyone heard of Occam's razor?" asked Willow.
"Yes, where the simple answer the obvious answer is usually the right one," replied Wesley.
"Go with that then, the letters were R-I, S-E-T, O-N-E, W, T-I, M-E. The most obvious to me is they are in English, join them to make one line and see what you see," said Giles
"R-I-S-E-T-O-N-E-W-T-I-M-E," replied Tara.
"Then pick out the words."
"Yes, but there was six columns, shouldn't there be six words ?" asked Fred.
"Why ?, if there's two hundred letters in a book the title, it doesn't have to be two hundred pages in the book.. Try, ?Rise To New Time?, that sounds alright' ish," said Willow.
"Then we need to understand the meanings," said Faith.
"One could be taken as a literal meaning of rising to a new time, another way of reading it would be rise, as in what's upwards. Then a new time, so some-thing that is up from here will take you to a new time," remarked Buffy.
"Something is above the columns?" asked Gunn.
"Why not ? a column is a support, several columns are supports for something bigger," replied Fred.
Tara shines her torch above the columns. "There, look," she says, "it's like a joining of two rocks, they are long wide rocks."
"If you look at the ground, it appears as though some-one has turned each of the columns, like this."
Willow holds the first column and turns it, she continues to turn each column. Above the columns is hidden cave, Tara looks then see's what's in the new cave.
Faith, Buffy, turn around, "Is that what we hope it is?, is it Pandora's Box."
"I've seen it, I have actually seen it. How or why it's here is a good question, maybe we should see what's inside it," said Tara.
As they walk around it, Fred looks at what is on the back with interest.
"Recognize any of these markings on the panels?" asked Giles
"These markings appear to be star signs," said Fred.
They spent the next few hours trying to understand the markings,
"I think I'll go for some food, I'm getting hungry, if I had the choice I'd have a turkey sandwich," said Fred.
A panel at the side of the box opened, a piece of paper is revealed.
Faith looks at the message on paper, she appears stunned by it.
"Here, in this box is a part of hope, only he with hope may read it, should read it, then look into it".
She looks up and sees two figures
"I am one of it's protectors I am known as Myrddin, or Merlin though my friend is known to you as Guen. I am the protector, Guen will find he who should open the box."
"Who, of all the males in here has the most hope?" asked Guen.
They all looked around.
"If I was asked that question I'd say that Epimetheus hopes for sleep much more than any-one else could want for anything," said Buffy.
"Epimetheus, you were one of those present when the box was first opened, you have the first part of hope," said Guen.
"How does that work?" asked Faith.
"Hope is in the world, but it is hope with doubt. If the right person has all the hope then hope is in the world then the hope is alive and kicking," replied Guen.
"How long before the hope rules?" asked Buffy.
"Hope will never rule, but the meek will have the hope, so an end to the evil is possible," said Merlin.
"If Epimetheus has the hope, how will that help the world?" asked Buffy.
"I know," said Faith, "Epimetheus can sleep, but it'll be more than just a sleep. Now it's like he is sleepwalking in his death, soon he won't be sleepwalking, when that stops he'll die and hope can be in the world."
Blackfeather, the Crow and Rebecca are of the TV series The Crow.
The Demon Hunters and associated characters are copyright to me.
Time-line. Before Joyce died, before Tara's birthday
SO GILES, CARE TO EXPLAIN PART 1 OF 3
"Buffy, I'd like you to meet Sally, Sally is a natural Chimera," said Giles. "A Chimera? what's that?" asks Buffy.
"Hey, don't look at me B, I missed school that year," said Faith.
"Don't look at me either, hey Will?" asked Xander.
"I suppose so, a Chimera, in Greek mythology, part creature part human." said Willow.
"So Giles, care to explain?" asks Buffy.
"As I said, Sally is a natural Chimera, born with the DNA of a snake, a tigress, a mosquito and a human."
"Okay, but does that make her a chimera though?" asked Willow.
"Allow me to explain, you'd better sit down. Another watcher, Robson, a good friend of mine. He knew about Sally, he asked her to come here, to help Buffy and Faith."
"How would we need her?" asked Faith
"Right, if either of you were to attack Sally, you'd lose."
"But, they are slayers!, you're joking right," said Xander.
"If they both attacked now, and together. I'd put a years wages on Sally winning, and in a few seconds. Buffy, Faith ever heard of the saying, know your attacker?. Sally is born with Tigress DNA, and she can be a Tigress at will, according to Robson, that's an adult four hundred pound Tigress, she also has female mosquito DNA, she only drinks blood to feed her young," said Giles.
"She's a vampire?" asked Willow.
"Hmm, yes Willow, but she isn't pregnant. Your not are you."
"Wouldn't matter if I was, would it? any blood'll do," said Sally.
"Sally also has the DNA of a snake, a king cobra to be precise, in the human form, as she is now she can disable any opponent with her spray, two king Cobra's have enough poisonous spray to kill a platoon of soldiers, so I'm guessing that Sally could do that and more, oh and she is immune to her poison, all poisons..
Faith looks at Buffy then at Sally, they both greet Sally, hugging, vigorously shaking her hand.
"I know," said Buffy, "Clothes, and ooh new shoes!".
"Ooh yes, there's a new shop in the mall, could be worth a look," said Willow.
"The mall!, let me walk you there, guided tours free of charge.
Sally smiles at Giles as she is escorted from the magic shop.
"I feel sorry for the evil, what-ever can it pit against them?"
IN LOS ANGELUS
"Is my dear Spike here?"
"Dru? what brings you back here."
"You did."
"There's two slayers here now."
"Your worth it, Spike. Did you feel it, did you huh. Did you feel it."
"Something, I felt something."
"There a light in our tunnel, it's getting brighter. I know who can get rid of your chip."
"You do?"
"Mmmm, wave bye bye, send to never never come back land. And guess what."
"What's that Dru."
"Mummy is back!"
"What!"
"I brought back mummy," she smiles to Spike.
"Hang on?" asked Spike.
"I'm mummy to mummy, and she still wants him, she might bring daddy home soon, that's where that chip can go from."
"Sounds like a plan then, ok."
"If we hurry we might see daddy again."
LATER, IN ANOTHER PART OF LOS ANGELUS
"Look who I found Mummy."
"Is he like Angel?" asked Darla.
"He's not a pretend daddy, but he is tamed, but I know how to make him better."
"Then we can play happy family's again."
"Yes mummy dear, and soon," said Drusilla.
"Daddy will be back soon, shall we go and see him mummy," said Darla.
"And they can give me my Spike back," said Drusilla.
IN SUNNYDALE
"Willow, Xander, Sally can you leave us alone please," said Giles.
Buffy looked at Faith, then grins.
"Don't grin Buffy, I've asked the council for help."
"What is it?" asked Faith.
"Bad news, it could be a problem Faith."
"Guessed that when you said you'd asked the council for help."
"They told me there is another slayer, she's coming here," said Giles.
"Where is she from?" asked Faith.
"England, not far from my house, hundred miles or so."
"Who is she, what's she like?"
"She has been taught by Miss Harkness. I didn't know it, but that slayer is a witch, but I don't know her name yet. I rang miss Harkness as soon as I found out, and she said this slayer is already here."
"No, it couldn't be her," said Buffy.
"Who?"
"Willow's friend is a witch," said Buffy.
"You mean that Tara?" asked Faith, "I've been getting a feeling when she's around."
"Willow? could you come back here please?" asked Giles.
Willow wandered into the slayers training room, she looked at them.
"This new friend you have, Tara, can you get her here," asked Giles.
"Sure, why?"
"Just tell her miss Harkness and I have been talking."
"Is that all?, I'll ring her now," said Willow.
Buffy waited until Willow had left the room.
"So what is the bad news?"
"I've had a few reports from certain people in LA."
"Angels on the scene again is he?"
"Sort of," said Giles
"What do you mean sort off?" asked Buffy.
"It isn't Angel, it's Angelus, he is with Darla, Drusilla and Spike."
Willow walked back into the room, she caught Giles's attention
"What is it Willow?"
"We've got some visitors."
"Who is it?"
"There's Fred, Gunn, Wesley and Connor," replied Willow.
"What do they want?" asked Buffy.
"Somewhere safe, and to warn you," said Wesley.
"Warn us? oh about them being back together, we know," said Faith.
"Hi there Wes, how's things?" asked Buffy.
"Not good, we've seen some rough things in the last two days."
"We must be due for some good news soon," said Gunn.
"Well if your going to stay here, we've got some. There's another slayer due soon," said Giles.
"You mean Faith? we heard she'd gone bad," said Gunn.
"No she hadn't, it was a plan that didn't work too well," said Giles
"Not a perfect plan, but we got some good information," said Buffy.
"Giles, look," said Xander.
"Miss Harkness!, and Tara. It must be true then," said Giles.
"Tara, Miss Harkness, welcome," said Willow, "what you looking up there for Buffy?"
"Just looking to see if any lights are coming on."
"What?"
"The power of three, you know," said Buffy. (Charmed reference)
"Not that far fetched, together we are stronger. Soon, each of us will be as powerful as all three of us, plus there is another three here," said Tara.
"Yes, sorry. Wesley, Connor, Fred, Gunn, about that good news!, I'd like you to meet Tara, the Vampire Slayer," said Giles, " and Sally, who is a vampire."
"Ah!, vampires!, Cordelia won't be coming here. Angel had this thing for her, Darla and Drusilla ended Cordelia, and what they did to her, I'm sorry, but Darla may have released the jealous side."
"If this Darla tries to harm Buffy I will kill her," said Sally.
"You won't stop Darla, she's got the strength of six vampires," said Fred.
"One of the things I haven't told any-one here yet, when Robson first found Sally, he was trapped by fourteen vampires. Sally stopped them, then killed every-one of them, by herself. Sorry to ask this Sally, can you show them what you can become?" asked Giles.
"I'm not really ready just yet," replied Sally.
"What do you need?" asked Willow.
"Some clothes, for when I return."
"We've got a spare set of clothes in the cabinets, Faith?, yeah, any of the stuff that fits," said Buffy, "I'll have some towels ready."
Sally became a Tigress then roared at Gunn, he Connor and Wesley were unable to do anything but stare.
Fred got on her knees. "Oh, isn't she just gorgeous!"
The Tigress looked at Fred, paced around Connor then went and sat next to Fred. Fred cuddled the Tigress then stood up.
"Mr Giles, is there a room behind that wall, for Sally to get changed."
"Yes, the store room is in there," said Giles.
"When Wesley said about coming here, I wasn't keen on the idea, I don't like magic, it usually goes wrong," said Connor.
"If Willow wanted to, she could make you be in England, mind you it might be best if your wearing a wet suit, just in case you go to far," said Tara.
Connor looked puzzled as he stared at Tara, slowly he began to laugh..
"Where's every-one going to stay?" asked Buffy.
"Good point, I've got a couple of spare rooms," said Giles.
"Best be careful then, tell you what, put Fred and Sally at Giles's place, they be looked after there, if Xander can take Gunn and Conner,
I'll give a room to Faith and miss Harkness," said Buffy.
"My mother's out of town for a while. So Wesley can have my room for two weeks, I'll stay at Tara's place, if that's ok with Tara," said
Willow.
"WILLOW! stop smiling like that!" exclaimed Buffy.
Xander heard some one come in, he turned to see who it was.
"Buff, it's your mum," said Xander.
"Oh wow!, she's back!, great," said Buffy.
"Where's the been?" asked Faith.
"She went to Australia to have that thing in her head fixed."
Buffy picked up the phone.
"Hello Buffy, a friend of yours just called, from some place where you've met Angel before, I told her where you are, she said she'd call you," said Joyce.
"Thanks mom, how did it go?"
"It was a lot better, I had a CAT scan, they took me to hospital and I had an MRI, I was being operated the next morning. I've got it written down here, I had two types of tumour that was in the fourth ventricle, that impacted on the brain fluid and was stating to cause pressure on various parts of my brain.
They took out the tumours completely, gave me a clean bill of health and here I am, ready to start nagging you again," said Joyce, smiling.
"Glad your home, although Australia would have been safer."
"Yet another threat to world safety is there?"
"I've just arranged for some people to stay at our house, oh no, I forgot about Dawn, damn!," said Buffy.
"That's ok, company for me, company for Dawn, it'll be ok," said Joyce, "if I can help I will, and let's face it, if it wasn't for the watchers council I wouldn't have got my brain fixed."
"I'll wait for the call, but I'll send Faith and a miss Harkness to be with you and Dawn," said Buffy.
"Who is Dawn?" asked miss Harkness.
"It's her sister," said Tara.
"So why didn't you tell me?"
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE
Joyce opened the front door.
"Faith, and, oh you're miss Harkness, I got the impression that you'd be older, you look just like that other witch from Australia, oh what's her name, that's it, Fiona Horne."
"What's that Faith?"
"Buffy asked me to give you this bar of candy and she said to tell you that miss Harkness is Tara's watcher, she said you'd know what it meant?"
"Can't think," replied Joyce, "Dawn!, your sister has sent some people to stay here. There you are dear, have you met Faith? and this is miss Harkness."
"My name's Fiona," said Miss Harkness.
"I'm writing a play for my dolls, er, female action figures. Will you help me?" asked Dawn.
"Fiona will, Dawn. Joyce have you got a phone I can use, to let Buffy know we're here," said Faith.
"In the dining room, thanks for asking, Faith," said Joyce.
IN THE MAGIC SHOP
"Buffy, it's the phone, Faith," said Giles.
"Hi, Buffy, can you come here, can you bring Willow and Tara, Giles, Fred and Sally, and quickly!," said Faith.
"Ok, I'll be there after my friend has rung," said Buffy.
"She'll only be telling you about the vampires, they're not coming, get here quick, there's a much bigger problem now," replied Faith
EN ROUTE FROM LA TO SUNNYDALE
Angelus picked his phone up from beside him
"Yep, you got me, what is it."
"Angelus, its Lilah. We've just had a message from the senior partners, their pulling out, seems there's other evil going to Sunnydale, they're leaving this dimension, best you keep away from there."
"Guys!, pull over, Dru is pitching a fit back here," said Darla.
"What is it love?, Dru, Dru?" asked Spike.
"Don't go there, there's something else there," said Dru.
"Get used to it Dru, we are going to Sunnydale," said Angelus.
"Then let me out, I'd sooner die here than upset her," she looked at Spike, "Hell is going there."
"Good," said Angelus.
"Not good, hell is in the slayers domain, it's still going there."
"Guys, if mummy says don't go there, we don't go there," said Darla
Spike kept driving towards Sunnydale, if anything he went a little faster, Darla casually and quietly struck a match then lit the top of the bench seat. At first the flames were unnoticed but as soon as the foam caught on fire.
"Bloody Jesus!, what the soddin' hell!" shouted Spike.
Darla smiled, she held up the box of matches and smiled at Spike.
"Mummy really doesn't want to go to Sunnydale."
Spike was about to ask Darla a question, then he decided to see what Drusilla had to say, but she just smiled at him.
"So, Angelus?, LA sound ok?" asked Spike.
"Yep, good for starters," then looking at Spike, "at least I know where the evil streak in me comes from."
He glanced at Darla. She smiled so innocently at him.
IN SUNNYDALE
"Hi, come in B, guys, there was a phone call for you B, some girl. She said that she saw Angels car heading back towards LA ."
As they all settled into the front room.
"Willow can you make them all a drink, use the back entrance to the kitchen, Buffy, Tara, Giles, Fiona, I'll need to speak to you in the dining room, sorry Joyce, but this is slayer / watcher stuff only," said Faith.
Giles slid the doors across, waited till they were all in the room.
"What is it Faith?" he asked.
"There's no easy way to say this, Buffy let me finish first. I don't think Dawn is your sister, in fact I'm sure she isn't. I know what she is, but not why she's like she is. Tara, when you knew your watcher was coming here, did you tell her everything?" asked Faith.
"Yes."
"Fiona, did Tara happen to mention that Buffy had a sister?" asked Faith.
"No, she didn't even mention Dawn," replied Fiona.
"Figured as much, I really don't want to do this, but, oh well. Giles, can you ask Willow to come in here?" asked Faith, "I'll want you three witches to link hands, then look into my past, as far back as you can."
Say what you see and feel, Fiona, but no more."
"What do we do then?" asked Buffy.
"Then we go out into the garden, with the others. The three witches make a portal for the person, then we think of some-one for her to be in, then when she walks with us we ask her what Dawn is, or why she is here," said Faith.
"Willow, hold Tara's hand. You and I will look into Faith's past and Tara will say what is seen and felt," said Fiona.
The seconds ticked by then.
"I see a massive creature," said Tara, "it is in front of me, it threw something. The creature, it sees me, it's now picking me up, it, it's Faith!, this isn't this world, it's, oh my, Faith is a demon!"
Tara looks about the room, Buffy and Giles stare at her.
"Faith?, that wasn't even in this dimension was it?" asked Tara.
"I would have given anything not to do that," said Faith.
"What has that got to do with Dawn?" asked Giles.
"Tara, you saw me, that was along time ago, but I was as old as I am now. Dawn is not the problem, what created her was. Now we need to go into the garden, bring Joyce and Dawn there'll only be there purely so that they don't get scared watching us," said Faith.
"I'll get Joyce and Dawn into the garden, anywhere special for them Faith?"
"We'll set up between the seat and the house Giles," said Faith.
"What is it that you'll want us to do?" asked Fiona.
"Make a portal to where you last saw me," said Faith, "I'll call my friend, then ask her to appear like us. That's a thought Buffy, if you think about one of our enemies, my friend will be that enemy."
The eight of them sat in the garden, the three witches made a portal, Faith asked for her friend, Buffy thought of an enemy then Darla appeared before them.
"B?, I was trying to be subtle, I assumed you'd have thought of Angel," said Faith.
"I tried , but I kept thinking of Darla standing on the pool table when she was gunning for me."
"Er Faith!," said Giles, "is she Darla?"
"No!, this is my friend. With her being in a vampire's body she might not have to contain her powers."
"What powers Faith?" asked Willow.
"The same powers I had to leave when I became a human."
"What! so what powers does, er, your friend have, who is your friend? what should we refer to her as?" asked Giles.
"She can stop time for every-one but her, if she wants to, she can be in three places at once, she can know what you are thinking and will think, Buffy."
Faith sprang to Dawn, then held her tight.
"It's ok Joyce, I'm not going to hurt your daughter," said Faith.
"Thank you for not hurting her, but she isn't my daughter."
"What?" asked Buffy, "What makes you say that?"
"Guess they must have touched the wrong bit of my brain, I know things now."
"What else do you know?" asked Giles.
"I know who Faiths friend is, I know why Dawn is here, but like Faith, I don't know why, oh Faith, it is a problem having some-one who you know as some-one else, and call her by a different name. It'll confuse the heck out of three certain other people, er vampires."
"This is all well and good, but who is she?" asked Giles.
"Friends, this is my childhood friend, The Goddess Illyria, but we should refer to her as Illyria," said Faith.
"Illyria, welcome. If you want to, then stay here. This is Dawn, she has been sent here, but I don't know who by. I know who created her but Buffy here, needs to hear about Dawn from some-one else and please tell us about her, what-ever else you know?" asked Faith.
"You have done me a great favour Faith," said Illyria, "Baaliitus and I threw out Glorificus from our dimension, Dawn was energy for Glorificus to return, but she has been hidden as Dawn, now I can finish Glorificus. Dawn, do you wish to stay here, or be on my world?" asked Illyria.
"I'd like to stay here, these people are all I know," replied Dawn.
"Then stay here you will, I will protect you. Faith, there is another here who is she?"
Sally appears with them. "Her, who is she?" asked Illyria
"A friend, another who will protect Dawn," said Faith.
NEAR TO LOS ANGELUS
The car screamed to a halt, Angelus turned to Drusilla.
"Where did Darla just go?"
"She was taken," said Drusilla, "a hell-god just took her."
"Where, where is she?"
"She is with the three slayers," said Drusilla.
Angelus turned to Spike.
"There's three slayers now!"
IN SUNNYDALE
"How can Sally help us?" asked Illyria.
"When as a snake she can expel poison at her chosen victim, a paralysing spray," said Giles
"Do not become a snake. Let me take her on alone," said Illyria
"Do you know where she is?" asked Faith.
"Yes, I think she has gone to a far shore, she must have help."
"It is near to where I come from, there has been a rumour that a ghost has held the truth about evil," said Fiona.
"Where is that?" asked Buffy.
"The ghost appears in Warwickshire," said Fiona.
"Then we go there, now," said Illyria.
NEAR LEEK WOOTTON
"This is the stretch of road that the ghost appears on," said Fiona.
"What does the ghost take it's form as?" asked Giles.
"It is said to be the ghost of a small truck," replied Fiona.
"Why is the ghost truck thought to be special, what could it do?"
"I've heard tales of a ghost that is as old as time, it's mean't to be in this area. It is rumoured that this ghost has appeared as many things through time. It is said to have caused many deaths," said Giles, "have you heard about this ghost Wesley?"
"I seem to remember that there was a sighting of it once, but only once. It comes straight at you then vanishes just before it hits you."
"How far is just before?" asked Buffy.
"Part a millimetre, several times now vehicles have been found at the sides of the road, all having seemed to turn a corner," said Wesley
"But this is a straight bit of road," said Fred.
"That's what makes it scary," replied Giles
"So how can we find out more about this ghost?" asked Fiona.
"There was another thing that was said about the driver, he is meant to have red eyes!."
"I can think of one way, it's a but risky though," said Gunn.
"What is it?" asked Giles.
"If another truck is made to appear, but it reverses as fast as the ghost goes forward, then Buffy or Tara are put with the ghost," said Gunn.
"If you can put me in and get me out, I'm up for it," said Buffy
"What does the truck carry?" asked Connor.
"Lets hope Buffy remembers to ask," said Tara.
"How long would it take to organise that?" asked Giles.
"You tell me when you want it done, we'll do it," said Fiona.
"How about now, there's the ghost."
For ten minutes the ghost truck chased their truck before Buffy was transported into the cab.
The driver gazed at her, then slowed the truck down to Buffy's friends.
"First things first, who are you? and how long have you been killing the good guys?" asked Buffy.
"My name is Epimetheus, I have always been here. I have to stop the evil from getting what is in the back."
"What are you carrying and why?" asked Faith
"Long story that, my brother stole fire and gave it to others to use."
"Keep going, with a few more details," said Buffy.
"My brother was Prometheus, he stole the fire from Zeus. Zeus had a box made with all the evil's in it, but to stop the box being damaged from the inside he put hope in there," said Epimetheus.
"Just a minute, that's Greek Mythology," said Giles.
"Is it? when my brother tried to steal the box the carrier opened it but closed it too soon."
"According to mythology the evil escaped but the box was shut before all the hope was released," said Wesley.
"That was about Pandora's box though," said Giles.
"It is the vision of that box that I carry," said Epimetheus, "Zeus saw what had happened, the hope was meant to stop the evil now I have to stay awake to be ready to fight the evil doers. Zeus gave the box to a powerful wizard for his protection."
"We can help you fight the evil. What was the wizards name?" asked Buffy.
"I was told the name Myrddin," said Epimetheus.
"If Myrddin was to protect the box, then I may know where it is. He is said to have lived in that place, I hope no-one here is claustrophobic, ?cos that place is a cave," said Wesley.
"Where though?" asked Willow.
"Epimetheus can you come with us?"
"I don't see why not, can I take the truck there?"
"I don't think so, but then again, it can be put somewhere hard to get to. As I'm sure we'll be looking in the right place, it won't matter if it's found."
"But you haven't told us where the place is," said Fiona
"Oh yes!, I know where you mean," exclaimed Giles, "you mean at Tintagel castle."
"What made you think of that place?" asked Epimetheus.
"The name of the wizard, he is known as Merlin. He is said to have lived in a cave under King Arthur's Castle," said Wesley.
"Where can you put the truck."
"At the entrance to the cave, then let it go backwards into the sea," said Giles.
AT TINTAGEL CASTLE REMAINS.
Carefully at first they all made their way into the depths of the cave. Two hours of tracing their way along floors of caves they came to a cavern. They spent another hour, feeling their way in the darkness. Giles found a fire already prepared, he was about to light it.
"Is that going to give us enough light?" asked Connor.
"Probably not, but we may be able to see where the smoke is going."
"Normally I'd agree with you Giles, but what if the place that the air is coming from is halfway up the wall," commented Fred.
"Either of you two notice that the air is fresher when you stand, than if you lay on the ground," said Giles.
"So Connor, how much do you want to help us?" asked Fred.
"As much as I can, why?"
"Because if we could burn your denim jacket, it'd give us a lot of light and we'd be able to see where the air is coming from," said Giles.
"Oh!, oh all right," said Connor.
"Look at it this way, it could have been your denim jeans," said Giles.
"I think my eyes are becoming accustomed to the dark," said Buffy,
"cos I can see that there's something over there?"
"Giles, get your lighter going. Tara, Faith, come here quickly," said Connor.
"What is it?" asked Buffy.
"The slayers, your said to have had a spirit of a demon put into you. Any-one know what sort of a demon? Buffy you just said you could see something," said Giles.
"Nicely said, but I can't see to much."
"So if the demon can see in the dark?" asked Giles.
"Like a cat or a dog," said Faith.
"Exactly, how-ever a werewolf seems more likely," said Giles, "Faith, if you can see better in ten minutes than you do now, then the watchers will add another component to the training, seeing in the dark," said Giles.
"I must be in the dark, more than those two. Over the other side, there's a few stalactites," said Tara.
Connor took his jacket off and lit it, he went to where the stalactites were.
"There's something not right here, they should be narrower where the water had dripped down."
"Well they could be columns then," observed Buffy.
"The use of a column would indicate that something was being held up, is there anything that would have needed holding up?" asked Epimetheus.
"A column could also mean a table a page, and as a page tells a story so could the column's be telling a story," said Willow .
"But would that need a column to support it?" asked Wesley, "a local folklore said about a cave under the castle where the wizard Merlin used to live. What if we are in that cave, or maybe columns support that cave."
"Maybe if we see them as columns, but as pages and supports, we should clean them to see the writing," said Willow.
Their cleaning revealed several markings, the markings were found to be letters. Letters that were in the form of an anagram,
"They're not in Latin, anyone heard of Occam's razor?" asked Willow.
"Yes, where the simple answer the obvious answer is usually the right one," replied Wesley.
"Go with that then, the letters were R-I, S-E-T, O-N-E, W, T-I, M-E. The most obvious to me is they are in English, join them to make one line and see what you see," said Giles
"R-I-S-E-T-O-N-E-W-T-I-M-E," replied Tara.
"Then pick out the words."
"Yes, but there was six columns, shouldn't there be six words ?" asked Fred.
"Why ?, if there's two hundred letters in a book the title, it doesn't have to be two hundred pages in the book.. Try, ?Rise To New Time?, that sounds alright' ish," said Willow.
"Then we need to understand the meanings," said Faith.
"One could be taken as a literal meaning of rising to a new time, another way of reading it would be rise, as in what's upwards. Then a new time, so some-thing that is up from here will take you to a new time," remarked Buffy.
"Something is above the columns?" asked Gunn.
"Why not ? a column is a support, several columns are supports for something bigger," replied Fred.
Tara shines her torch above the columns. "There, look," she says, "it's like a joining of two rocks, they are long wide rocks."
"If you look at the ground, it appears as though some-one has turned each of the columns, like this."
Willow holds the first column and turns it, she continues to turn each column. Above the columns is hidden cave, Tara looks then see's what's in the new cave.
Faith, Buffy, turn around, "Is that what we hope it is?, is it Pandora's Box."
"I've seen it, I have actually seen it. How or why it's here is a good question, maybe we should see what's inside it," said Tara.
As they walk around it, Fred looks at what is on the back with interest.
"Recognize any of these markings on the panels?" asked Giles
"These markings appear to be star signs," said Fred.
They spent the next few hours trying to understand the markings,
"I think I'll go for some food, I'm getting hungry, if I had the choice I'd have a turkey sandwich," said Fred.
A panel at the side of the box opened, a piece of paper is revealed.
Faith looks at the message on paper, she appears stunned by it.
"Here, in this box is a part of hope, only he with hope may read it, should read it, then look into it".
She looks up and sees two figures
"I am one of it's protectors I am known as Myrddin, or Merlin though my friend is known to you as Guen. I am the protector, Guen will find he who should open the box."
"Who, of all the males in here has the most hope?" asked Guen.
They all looked around.
"If I was asked that question I'd say that Epimetheus hopes for sleep much more than any-one else could want for anything," said Buffy.
"Epimetheus, you were one of those present when the box was first opened, you have the first part of hope," said Guen.
"How does that work?" asked Faith.
"Hope is in the world, but it is hope with doubt. If the right person has all the hope then hope is in the world then the hope is alive and kicking," replied Guen.
"How long before the hope rules?" asked Buffy.
"Hope will never rule, but the meek will have the hope, so an end to the evil is possible," said Merlin.
"If Epimetheus has the hope, how will that help the world?" asked Buffy.
"I know," said Faith, "Epimetheus can sleep, but it'll be more than just a sleep. Now it's like he is sleepwalking in his death, soon he won't be sleepwalking, when that stops he'll die and hope can be in the world."
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