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From the woods, Arianna smiled maliciously and wiped the sweat from her brow. She had done it. She was at full power, as proven by the fact that she had just performed one of the hardest spells known to her people. She would show all the doubters.
And she would show Buffy Summers that she was not one to be messed with.
Like her Aunt Leonna, she was rotten. But her aunt was dead, and she was not. There was no demon driving her, it was nothing but the those little things called jealousy, revenge, and hatred. Not only towards the Slayer, but to her people in general.
Soon, she would have the thing she craved.
Angel.
Buffy stood in shock. Leonna had just disappeared. The spell must not have worked, or something must have happened to it. Buffy stood on alert, waiting and watching for a sign.
Leonna appeared behind her and tapped Buffy on the shoulder. She swung around and was greeted by Leonna’s fist in her face.
“How the hell did you do that?” Buffy asked as they stared each other down. Leonna smirked.
“Family is more important than anything. They stand by you, help you out, and look after you. Mine is no different,” Leonna said simply. Buffy threw a punch at her as she vanished again, her laughter ringing in the ears of all who stood near. They were all in shock as well.
“Buffy--” Angel started.
“Shh,” Buffy said, silencing him. “I need to concentrate.”
For several agonizing minutes, the woods were quiet. Spike and Dru stood on the porch, surveying the scene. Suddenly, Leonna appeared. A pattern began. She would hit Buffy a few times and before Buffy could retaliate, she would be gone again. This went on. Her friends watched in terror, desperately wanting to help but not knowing what to do. Ireena was gone, walking back down the path after her grandmother.
Buffy could feel herself growing tired. She was bruised and bloody. Her lip was split, she had a long gash over her right eye, and multiple cuts across her arms. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take of the beating. Leonna hit her squarely in the nose and blood poured out. Buffy saw a million stars in her gaze and knew she was fading. Leonna vanished again and Buffy knew that when she returned she was as good as dead.
She looked over at her friends, her Watcher, her lover. She gave them a silent goodbye. They watched in horror, not believing that Leonna was winning. Buffy wobbled and Angel ran to catch her. She kept her balance and looked into his eyes.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Leonna appeared suddenly in the middle of her and Angel. She grinned and laughed with an intense hatred and moved in for the kill. Buffy fought weakly, but knew this was the end.
From the edge of the forest, Arianna watched expectantly.
Leonna closed the gap, then thought better of it. She disappeared again and stayed out of sight for a moment or two. She had had so much fun hurting the poor little Slayer and wanted to drag her death out. Let her fear rise and make her dread evident.
Just a few more seconds...
Buffy cried out suddenly as an unknown force slammed into her. It took over her entire being, sending a wave of calm and hope through her entire body. She looked around wildly for an explanation.
In her mind, the answers she seeked came into the light. <Buffy, let me guide you> Jenny Calendar’s voice said calmly in the depths of her mind. Buffy suddenly understood.
<You’re here to help, aren’t you> she asked.
<Yes. You’re weak and you have been betrayed. I was summoned to help you win the battle. Let me fight you> Jenny told her. Buffy agreed at once.
<If I live through this, stick around long enough so I can thank you> she said as she allowed the spirit of Jenny Calendar to guide her actions.
The Slayerettes stood gaping at their friend. Buffy had cried out, as if in pain, and then become as still as a statue. She stood quietly, her eyes fixated on an unknown point. The lids fell shut and she took a deep breath. Exhaling, it seemed almost like a sigh of contentment. Almost like she was in slow motion, she whirled around and held her stake at chest level, the tip pointing away from her body.
And she waited.
Leonna came out of the other world she used to travel in, game face on. She licked her lips, anticipating the blood of the Slayer. She leaned down as a sharp pain pierced her tender flesh.
Shocked, she looked down to see the Slayer’s stake sticking out of her heart. She looked up into the Slayer’s smirking face.
It was the last image Leonna saw as she died her final death.
Her friends stood in awe, watching the action. Buffy raised her stake a millisecond before Leonna appeared. Her eyes were closed and a look of tranquility coated Buffy’s features. She was obviously at peace.
And then Leonna appeared and her eyes remained closed She could feel the weight on her stake and knew she--no, Jenny--had killed Leonna. A smirk filled her features, yet her eyes remained closed. As Leonna dissipated into thin air, Buffy lowered her stake and opened her eyes.
“Thank you,” she said softly, before jerking suddenly and gasping. She faltered then, swaying as she fought to keep her balance. Angel swiftly ran and caught her before she fell. She leaned on him heavily and fought to open her eyes. “Angel, she’s here.”
Before he had a chance to ask, a spirit appeared. Illuminated by a heavenly glow, she looked like an angel as she stood before them all.
“Hey guys,” Jenny greeted them. The others stood and gaped. “Didn’t your parents ever teach you it’s not nice to stare? I may be dead, but the same rules apply.”
Buffy looked up at her friends, her eyes shining. “Ms. Calendar was the one who killed Leonna. She just used my body to do it.”
“Buffy was weak and needed help. I was summoned to give it,” Jenny said simply. Giles stepped forward tentatively, as if the slightest movement would send her away from him forever. She gazed at him with big eyes.
“Jenny?” he whispered, silent tears falling.
“Yes, Rupert. I can’t stay long, but I had to see you,” she said, stepping closer to him. He embraced her tightly.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you,” he said quietly. The others stood by, watching the tearful reunion.
“It wasn’t your place to. I don’t blame you at all. You either, Angel,” she added, casting a glance at him. She looked at the group again. “I have to go. You all look like hell, go get cleaned up!” she laughed.
“Isn’t there some way--” Giles asked pleadingly. Jenny finished his sentence for him.
“That I can come back? Not even magic can do that. Death is final, or else it wouldn’t be scary,” Jenny said. She gave him a soft kiss. “I love you, and I’ll wait for you. Until we meet again,” she said, giving him another kiss.
Her glow began to fade and Giles cried out, desperately trying to keep her with him. She touched his cheek and was gone.
No one said anything for a long time. They stood in silence, remembering their friend. Footsteps from the woods brought them all back to the present.
Ireena came stomping into the clearing, Arianna at her side. Arianna and Ireena both wore expressions of intense anger. The girl from the garden--Buffy still hadn’t learned her name--walked behind them, her head held in shame.
“Where the hell were you?” Buffy demanded. “The stupid spell didn’t work.”
“Oh, it worked all right,” Ireena fumed “Why don’t you ask Arianna what happened?”
Everyone swung their gaze to Arianna. “Well?” Buffy said after a moment, her hazel eyes piercing Arianna’s brown ones. Arianna looked at her with intense hatred.
“You want to know what happened? Okay, here goes. I made an agreement with my Aunt Leonna I take that stupid spell off of her, she kills you, I get your boyfriend,” Arianna retorted smugly. Buffy stood fuming for a moment, then with lightning fast reflexes reached out and punched the girl in the side of the head. Arianna crumpled slightly, then looked back at Buffy, her eyes nearly black with rage.
“You are such a bitch! I can’t believe you would stoop so low for someone who wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole,” Buffy cried. “And how could you stop the spell? I thought it required--and I quote this--‘the most intense concentration and skill’?”
“People underestimated my power,” Arianna said simply.
“No, people underestimated that you’re a psycho bitch who thinks they can get whoever they want,” Cordelia spoke up.
“I *can* get whoever I want. Angel here just needed a bit more persuasion.”
Angel, not being able to hear anymore of this, spoke up. “Arianna, I wouldn’t do anything with you unless we were the last two people on Earth. Of course, there would always be sheep...” he said, trailing off. She shot daggers at him with her eyes and took a step closer. Buffy raised her fist threateningly.
“Do you *want* me to dislocate your jaw?” she asked menacingly. Arianna held her gaze for a moment, then looked back at her aunt.
“And how did you know about all this?” she demanded. Ireena took a step to one side, revealing the other girl. “I should’ve known you’d run and tattle.”
“Oh, give it up, Arianna. I wasn’t on your side from the beginning. I was sent to spy on you and see if you went to Leonna,” she said. Arianna turned and tried to bolt, but Buffy caught her arm and jerked it hard, putting pressure on her bone.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you I can snap you arm like a
twig. You shouldn’t have fucked with me. I warned you from the
beginning,” Buffy said. She let go of Arianna’s arm but punched her in
the head again, crumpling her in a heap on the ground. “Sorry.
She just pissed me off.”