Replay




by Heather Martin




Chapter 2- Back to Life, Back to Reality







Buffy opened her eyes to see nothing. Pitch blackness surrounded her. She reached out and her hand hit something hard. Her arms flayed frantically. She was tightly enclosed in a wooden box. She tried to scream but nothing came out.




No, not again! Oh God, her mind cried.




She pounded on the ceiling and then began to tear at the lining. She smashed her fist through the lid. The rich scent of soil flooded her nostrils.




Buffy lifted herself out of the coffin. She crawled up and up. The ground seemed forever, going on to infinity. Her lungs burned. Finally her right hand punched through grass and into the night air. She used her slayer strength to pull the rest of herself out of the grave.




She collapsed, sucking in gulps of fresh air. Her hair was in tangles, her skin caked in dirt. She glanced down to see that she wore a black dress. Sitting up, her eyes traveled over the landscape. Trees stood before her.




Where am I? she wondered.




She spotted the tombstone and her questions were answered.




Buffy Anne Summers

1981-2001

Beloved Sister

Devoted Friend

She saved the World

A Lot




Buffy scrambled to her feet. She backed away, shaking her head. It wasn't possible. She turned and ran.




+ +




“Get back.”




That voice. She didn't have time to process what it meant because Dawn was shoved backwards. The sound of motors filtered into her ears. The black form before her rose toward the sound. Dawn's eyes locked on the man's back. She recognized that coat. Long, worn, and smelling of alcohol.




“Spike?” Dawn asked.




The bleached-blonde turned. A gasp escaped Dawn's lips. It was him, down to the scar across his left eyebrow. After a moment, her mind clearing from its jumbled state, she jumped up with a squeal. She slammed into him, wrapping her arms around him.




Spike froze in shock, then awkwardly patted her before pushing her away. “What was that about, nibblet?”




A giant grin spread over Dawn's face. “I can't believe this is happening. We thought you were dead.”




He rose an eyebrow. “What are you goin on about?”




They were interrupted by a woman's scream from across the street. There was a crash as a chair was thrown out the window. Spike smiled to himself. Dawn shook her head. Same old Spike. Things suddenly fell into place. That was it! Old Spike, as in before the soul.




Dawn glanced around her. They stood next to a house. Her house, the house her mother had bought in Sunnydale. She spotted the mailbox. It was smashed but she could still read the address. 1630 Revello Drive. Her eyes grew big. She glanced from the house to Spike, and then to the commotion next door.




This had all happened before. More than two years ago.




Memories of the alley flooded her brain. I did this, she thought. Somehow I sent myself to . . . Wait, what was the exact date? It was sometime during the beginning of the school year.




“Spike,” Dawn said. He looked over. “What day is it?”




“What?” He furrowed his brow. “Tuesday. October second.”




Laughter spilled out of Dawn. “Tuesday, of course.”




Spike's expression of concern deepened.




All of a sudden another motorcycle came into view, coming from around the corner. The tires screeched as it zipped toward them at a high rate.




Dawn stood up. Her mouth gaped open.




“Oh my God!” Dawn exclaimed. Something had just occurred to her. She might have brought Buffy with her on this journey through time. And today was the day she had been resurrected. She couldn't let her sister go through that again. “This is terrible! We have to get to Buffy's grave.”




Dawn grabbed Spike's arm. She tugged at him. “We have to go! I can't explain it right now.”




“Look, Bit. . .” Spike began.




“Please, Spike. It's important.”




He shook his head. He ran at the demon on the motorcycle. He leapt, kicking the creature off. The demon landed hard on the ground. Spike confiscated the bike, hopping on.




He beckoned Dawn. “Let's fly, Pigeon.”




Dawn nodded. She joined him, snatching up the kid football helmet on the way.




+ +




In a daze Buffy walked. The entire town was trashed. Litter was dispersed all over the streets, stores had been looted, houses broken into, and cars bashed in.




She forced her legs forward until she saw something that made her stop in her tracks. There was a group of demons gathered. A few barrels were positioned around them, glowing embers coming from them. There was a burning pile of trash in the background.




The leader addressed his minions. “This here is a momentous occasion, the beginning of a new era.”





Buffy neared, coming up behind them.





“Now, no question, the open backroads and highways have been good to us. But we've got ourselves a juicy little burg here, just ripe for the picking. And I ain't in no hurry to leave it. You? ” Razor continued.





The demon lackeys yelled 'no' in response.





“So I figure, what better way to kick off our ... semi-settling-down, than with a little christening?





There was an uproar of cheers.





“A symbolic act commemorating the new order around here ... and ridding ourselves of any not-so-pleasant reminders of the old.”





Razor held up a gun and loaded it.





“All in one quick, really, *really* violent fell swoop.” Razor held the gun higher. “Gentleman, start your engines.”





Buffy saw the chains attached to the demons' motorcycles. She realized what was happening too late. Her eyes met the bot's, surprised.





“Bye bye, slayer.”





Buffy took a step closer in protest. The Buffy-bot was pulled apart by the chains attached to her arms.





“No!” shouted Buffy.





All eyes fell on Buffy.





“Another one for the fires, boys,” announced Razor.





Buffy backed away. A demon on a motorcycle came from behind and cut in front of her. She turned to see another one coming at her, swinging a chain over his head. Buffy ran at that one as the first one followed. She ducked, and the chain hit the first demon, knocking him off his bike.

Buffy took the opportunity to flee the scene.









+ +





Spike zigged and zagged through the graves. It was a bumpy ride over the grass and Dawn held tightly to her friend. They traveled on until the markers began to thin out. Spike skidded to a stop.





Spike hopped off and slowly made his way to a tombstone that stood aloof from the others. It was hidden partially by trees, as if they might be able to protect it.





Dawn removed her helmet, dropping it to the ground. She hurried to Spike's side. She took in her sister's grave. The ground had collapsed, creating a hole.





“We're too late,” Dawn said.





Spike just stared at where his love used to rest.





“We have to find her,” Dawn continued.





Suddenly Spike rushed at a tree. His left hand formed a fist and he smashed it into the trunk. “Arrgh!”





“Spike!”





Spike fell to his knees. Dawn wasn't sure because he was facing away, but she guessed he was crying.





“Spike, are you okay?”





It took a moment for him to reply. “Someone took her. . . Bloody hell, can't leave sleeping slayers lie. You think after death they could show some respect.”





Dawn shook her head. “No. It's not like that.”





He spun around. His face was smeared with tears. “What is it like then?”





Dawn's expression softened. “Buffy's alive.”





Spike's eyes widened. “What did you do?”





“Me? I didn't do anything. It was Willow.”





“The witch?” He picked himself up. He briskly wiped his cheeks. “Of course Red couldn't leave well enough alone.”





“I know you hate magic, Spike, but it's Buffy. She's back.” She grabbed his arm. “And we have to find her. We can't let her wander through town.”

++





Buffy jumped down into an alley. She had finally managed to escape the hellions. She righted herself to come face-to-face with four familiar figures.





“Watch it,” the male said.

“It. . . It's the Buffy-bot,” someone else said.





Buffy squinted at the speaker. She knew that she knew her but her brain wouldn't cooperate.





“Ah, peachy. No doubt to lead the wild bunch right to us again. Hey Will, next time this thing's damaged, couldn't ya program it to find the nearest Radio Shack, or...” the man said.





The red-head studied her. “Buffy?”





Buffy's eyes scanned the group fearfully. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. Her mind felt like it would explode from overdrive. She clutched at her head.





“Buffy, is it really you?”





“Buffy?” Xander asked.





Xander. That was the man's name.





“It's Willow. Can you hear me?”





Lifting her head, Buffy looked at the woman with red hair. “Willow?”





A relieved smile came to Willow's mouth. “Yes. Willow. Oh, Buffy, you're really here.”





“I-I can't think straight,” Buffy whispered. Her hands shook.





“Her hands are bleeding,” Tara said.





“She's filthy,” Anya commented.





Xander pointed at his resurrected best friend. “Oh no!”





“What?” Willow asked with confusion.





“How could we be so stupid!?”





“Xander!”





“Our spell worked like a magic charm. We brought you back to life, Buffy.” Xander glanced at Willow. “Right where we left her.”





Shock spread over them.





“Oh god,” Willow murmured.





“In her coffin,” Xander finished.





Willow turned away. Tara hugged her, trying to offer as much comfort as possible.





Broken, Xander turned back to Buffy. “We're sorry. We didn't know.”





There was a span of silence. Buffy kept watching them, taking in their actions.





“I . . . I don't understand,” Buffy muttered.





“It's okay,” Xander said. “You don't need to. Take it slow. All that matters is that you're home now. We brought you back. You're home with us.”





Buffy opened her mouth to speak. She didn't get a chance to have anything come out, though. That was when Razor interrupted.





“Yeah, welcome home, slayer,” Razor said.





His minions roamed in the back, eager to wreak havoc. All they needed was a signal from their leader.





“Alive and kickin after all.” He paused. “Not lookin so good, though, is she?”





“I don't see you winning too many beauty contests,” Xander punned. Xander hefted his sword. “Unless the Miss 'My face fell off' pageant gets going.”





“Big axe you got there.”





“The better to cut you down to size, grandma.”





The others seemed nervous. Razor took a step toward them.





“Ah. So you got a witch in the mix,” Razor said.





Tara held Willow's hand. “More than one.”





“I happen to be a very powerful man-witch myself.” Xander noticed the demon's amused look. “Or. . . male . . .” He glanced over his shoulder. “Is it a warlock?”





A nod from Willow was sent his way.





“Warlock.”





“Plus, we have a Slayer here, uh, who might actually be looking to eat some brains, so, I think a little quiet moseying, no hard feelings, and I'm sure your demon horde won't think any the less of you,” Anya took the liberty to say.


“Now, my boys, see, that's tricky. They came looking for a massacre...”





Out of nowhere Buffy's fist flew, cutting him off. It hit with a great amount of power, flinging his head to the side. Her entire stance had changed. It was commanding. Her veins flowed with slayer instinct.





Buffy rolled her shoulders. “I'm beginning to get this,” she said. A grin formed on her lips. “I think I like it.”





Her friends watched in amazement.





Buffy punched Razor again. “I don't know about eating brains, but I think I can kick your ass.” She kicked him in the gut. He went flying to the ground unconscious.





She hovered over Razor's inert body. Then she directed her gaze to the other demons. “Who's next?”





One of the demons charged at her. With ease she grabbed his arm and swung him. He landed roughly to the pavement. Two more came forward. She kneed one in the groin, ducked a punch, rose, and then offered her own.





“Anyone else?” Buffy prompted.





The remaining demons exchanged glances. Then they turned and ran.





Buffy turned around. She stalked over to a metal rod. She picked it up and twirled it for show. Then she went over to the fallen Razor. In a brutal act, she impaled him with it. His eyes flew open and he hollered. Buffy twisted the rod and he went still again.





“She's Buffy,” Xander commented. “She's herself again.”





Buffy turned toward Xander.

“Wow, Buff, we didn't even have to help out. You're back. You really are.”





Xander stepped over with outstretched arms. She accepted the hug.





“Yeah, I am,” she said. Then she added more softly, “And so is your eye.”





He pulled back. “What'd you say?”





She smiled. “Nothing.”





Willow came over as well. Buffy embraced her.





“It's good to see you guys,” Buffy said. She looked over at Tara and Anya. Her smile wobbled. “Tara, Anya, hey.” She beckoned them to join the reunion.





The newbie Scoobies seemed surprised but obeyed.





After a group hug, Buffy said, “Let's go home.”



What do you think?