DAWN OF ARMAGEDDON: Part Four
by Phoenixflame
See Part 1
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Part Four
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Buffy was walking in thick mists. As she walked, a path was cleared before her. She followed it, and found herself in a stone courtyard. There was someone else standing across from her. As she turned, Buffy saw the face that she had seen when she was dying.
As she stood there, black and red roses bloomed around them. Drums began to pound. They became faster and faster. A stone altar appeared at the far end of the courtyard. The drums went faster still as Buffy approached it.
There was a body on the altar. As Buffy stared down at it, the veil of mists obscuring the body lifted.
Kendra lay on the altar, her throat slit. Buffy turned. The girl stood behind her, holding a bloody dagger. The courtyard began to spin. The girl became a mirror image of Buffy, black hair instead of blonde, dressed in black instead of the white dress that Buffy wore. Her eyes were black as night. She lifted the dagger and plunged it into Buffy's heart.
* * *
Buffy awoke in a cold sweat. Breathing hard, she stared around the room in relief. She was in Amanda's apartment, sleeping in the guest bedroom. With a sigh, she fell back against the pillows.
With a resigned sigh, she opened her dream journal, and wrote down the dream. She carefully sketched the face of the girl, and the courtyard.
Laying down the pencil, Buffy closed the notebook. She glanced at the clock. It read seven thirty in the morning.
Buffy threw aside the covers and got up. As she did so, she glanced at her hand. It was covered in blood.
*Oh, god.* Buffy quickly went into the bathroom and scrubbed off her hand. As she did, she glanced in the mirror. She thought she saw the girl's face. Then she blinked. Her own face stared back at her.
Shaking her head, Buffy put on a pair of black jeans, and a black t-shirt. She left her room and went downstairs.
Amanda was sitting at the bar with Nick, reading the newspaper, as usual. The two looked up as she came in.
"Well look what the cat dragged in." said Amanda. Buffy gave her a look. The bartender silently set out toast and orange juice. Buffy picked at the toast.
"Trouble getting to sleep?" Nick asked her.
Buffy shook her head. "No, I had a nightmare." she replied.
"Hmm." said Amanda. Then, "Oooh. Looky here."
Both Nick and Buffy looked up. "What?" asked Buffy.
"A priceless Ming vase just came in at the museum. This provides a good oportunity."
"For what?" asked Buffy, after swallowing half her orange juice.
"To train you in how to get in and out of secured buildings." replied Amanda.
"In other words, how to be a thief." said Nick sardonically.
"Well, yes. There's no harm in being a thief. It doesn't harm anyone, and it's a way of getting money."
Buffy shifted uncomfortably. "I already can fight with swords, and pick locks, and throw grappling hooks, and open safes by ear. Is this the ultimate test?"
Amanda nodded. "Once you pass this, you're fully trained. Lucky for you, I have tools to spare. I have someone who happens to be looking for a Ming vase. You can get in and out easily. No one will be the wiser."
Buffy nodded slowly. "Alright. I'm game."
* * *
Buffy pulled the black mask over her face. She carefully took the pick, and picked the lock on the side door of the museum. Slipping inside, she flattened herself against the wall, and clipped the wire on the motion sensor.
Slipping into the museum, she sprayed around her. A grid of laser beams appeared. Buffy easily stepped over them. She came to the pedestal where the Ming vase was. She picked it up and slipped it into the satchel. Then she stepped over the laser beams, and made her way out of the museum.
* * *
Kendra and Faith stepped out of Giles' Citroen and stretched. Giles got out and peered around. "Well, this is Seacouver. Here is the address of Macleod's Dojo. See what you can find out from people around here. I shall speak with Macleod."
* * *
Kendra walked up to the bar of Joe's, and showed him a photograph of Buffy. "Excuse me, have you seen this girl? It is imperative that we find her."
Joe looked at the girl. *What does she want with Echo?* He wondered. *Still, she seems to be pretty desperate.
"Yeah. She went to Paris with Amanda." he replied.
"Who is Amanda?" asked the girl.
Joe raised an eyebrow. *Definately not an Immortal.* "Amanda Gracen. Here's her Paris number."
He scribbled it on a piece of napkin and handed it to her.
"Thank you sir." said Kendra. She left Joe's.
* * *
Giles entered the Dojo and looked around. He saw Macleod sitting on a bench, drinking water. He went over to him.
"Excuse me, Mr. Macleod, I happen to be looking for someone. Have you seen her?" Giles held up a photo of Buffy. Macleod shook his head. "Sorry. I haven't seen anybody like that."
Giles looked disappointed. "Oh. Sorry to bother you."
Just then, Richie came out of the office. "Who's this?" he asked Macleod.
"I have no idea." replied Duncan.
"Rupert Giles. Tell me, have you seen this girl?" he asked Richie.
Richie looked at the picture. "Sure. This is Echo. Why?"
"It is imperative that I find her. Please, can you tell me where she is?"
Duncan and Richie exchanged looks. "Why?" asked Duncan.
Giles closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Then he opened them. "Mr. Macleod, the Watcher's Council in Britain gave me your name, said you might be able to help. I require you're discretion. What I am about to say will seem incredible."
Duncan raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
Giles squirmed. "This girl may have become Immortal. On top of that. she is a Slayer."
Duncan shrugged. "That's odd. There has never been an Immortal Slayer. Richie, do you know where she is?"
Richie nodded. "Yeah. Amanda took her to Paris to train her."
Just then, Kendra came into the dojo. She hurried over to Giles and brandished the napkin. "I know where Buffy is. She's in Paris, at this address."
"Good luck!" Duncan said to Giles as he left.
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