The next day, after school, the Slayer and her Slayerettes all gathered in the
library, ready for another night of research. After 15 minutes of waiting, Giles
unlocked the door and walked out of his office. His face was unshaven, his cloths
all wrinkled and there were dark circles around his eyes. It was clear he had
spent the whole night in his office. But the look on his face proved that it had
not been an entire waste.

"Well, Giles? Are you going to let us die of curiosity or are you going to solve
the mystery?" Buffy demanded, secretly hoping it was good news that followed the
smile of her Watcher.

"I think I've found what you are asking for," Giles began. "When Willow read us
the first line of her message, I was still skeptical that the Coven's predictions
had anything to do with the prophecy. But the description of this 'Sister of
Darkness' was parallel to the one in the Watcher's Prophecies. There was no doubt
that the message was describing this fight. My next question was how these witches
can possibly predict this event with such accuracy. So, I called an old friend,
and fellow Watcher, of mine, Eric Walden. His son, Christophe, who was recently
made a Watcher as well, is a significant member of the Los Angeles Witches' Coven.
He got me in touch with Christophe and I have an appointment with him today. From
the little he said on the phone, I am pretty sure he knows far more than we do
about this battle."

With that, the library doors opened and a young, handsome man with dark brown hair
walked in. A beautiful young girl followed him. She was scarcely 17 years old, with
long, jet-black hair that flowed freely down to her waist.

"Christophe, so nice you could come." Giles greeted him. "I was just telling the
gang about you. Everyone, I would like you to meet Christophe Walden. Christophe,
this is Buffy, Willow, Oz, and Xander."

Christophe nodded to group and then focused his attention on Xander. Xander, who
was too busy drooling over the girl behind him, didn't seem to notice Christophe's
disapproving stare. The girl remained passive towards Xander's gaze. However, Willow
and Buffy couldn't help letting out a giggle. They were all too familiar with
Xander's behavior towards women after he broke up with Cordelia.

There was an awkward silence that lasted until Christophe spoke up. His voice was rich
and refined. "I must confess that I did not come here solely because of Giles' request.
I have been researching the prophecy that Giles mentioned for over a month now. It seems
that a great amount of power is leaking out beneath Sunnydale and being collected by the
vampire society of LA. I was already planning a trip to Sunnydale to study this Hellmouth
before Giles' call. Of-course I was delighted to accept his offer." Even though his looks
suggest otherwise, a certain amount of maturity and wisdom, gained only with age, came out
with every word he said. < I wonder if he is a vampire? > Buffy though. However, all her
Slayer senses suggested otherwise. Her thoughts were soon distracted when Christophe
introduced the girl that had drawn so much attention from Xander.

"I hope you don't mind," he started to Giles, "but I brought along a friend. This is
Julienne Solo, a Witch of the First Order and a member of the LA Witches' Coven. She has
been working closely with me researching on this Hellmouth and I thought she might be of
some service."

"I'm very happy that you brought along help. I'm sure I can find a place for you two to
stay." Giles answered. The room fell silent again. Buffy was still contemplating the
fight. Willow and Oz were worrying over what the future might hold for them while Giles
was busy looking up a suitable hotel for the two new guests. Xander was still drooling
over Julienne. The ringing phone brought everyone back from their reveries. Giles quickly
grabbed the receiver.

"Hello, Sunnydale High Library, may I help you?" he said the customary greeting.

"I must speak to Christophe, is he there? It's a matter of life and death. " A mysterious,
female voice asked.

"Yes, he is. Hold on a minute." Giles gave the phone to Christophe with a curious look.
Christophe was equally confused.

"Hello, this is Christophe. Can I help you?"

"This is Elli, a strong source of Evil energy was just sensed around Sunnydale's
Hellmouth. We think that the portal's going to let it out, and soon. Maybe in an hour.
I suggest you get out of there quickly. Anyone within 100 feet could be affected."

Christophe's face paled at this. "Okay, let me tell the others," he uttered. Then,
turning to Giles, he said, "The witches just informed me that the Hellmouth below us
is scheduled to open in the next hour. A great deal of power will be released. Anyone
standing in a 100 feet radius could be spiritually consumed." The librarian's face
instantly darkened. He quickly informed Christophe that they were standing approximately
10 feet away for the center of the portal. As Christophe returned to the phone, he
mentioned for Giles to get everyone to safety. One by one, every member of the Scooby
Gang ran out of the library. Julienne stayed behind to wait for Christophe, then the two
ran out as well. After running a block or so, the group stopped and waited.

No one was sure what they were waiting for, but it happened sooner than expected.
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. Christophe mentioned to everyone to close their
eyes and shield their faces against the library. A red mist, the color of fresh blood,
emanated from beneath the library and spread outwards toward the rest of Sunnydale.
Trees, flowers, and other plants withered once the mist touched them. It faded away
as it neared the group. No one dared to turn around. Had they did, they would have
seen Julienne holding up her right hand and deflecting the fog that came toward them.

After half an hour of waiting, the red mist disappeared. "It's all right now," Julienne
spoke for the first time. Her voice was rich and melodic. Everyone slowly turned around.
The city was dark except for the distant light of the library. Cautiously, the group
returned to the school. Each was consumed in their own reveries. Buffy wondered how to
stop this thing. Willow's mind was pondering the magic behind that mist. Oz made sure
everyone was safe. Giles worried over his library and books. Christophe was making
mental notes to himself. Julienne remained passive, but had a look of determination.
Xander stopped thinking about Julienne and was considering the group's options.

Soon, they reached the lawn of Sunnydale High. The group hesitated a little. Buffy
was the first one to enter; she was followed by Giles, Willow, Oz, and Xander. Christophe
and Julienne brought up the rear. As they entered the library, they found surprisingly
little damage. A few books were thrown off the shelves from the quake, but everything
else seemed to be in order.

"That was interesting." Buffy said as she helped Giles reshelf the books. The rest of
the group nodded in agreement. When they finished cleaning up the library, everyone
retired to their homes, rescheduling their meeting to the next morning.