Impressionable Sorrows
by DawnBTVS
Part XII: Battle
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"We have to go, Giles," B says. I'm nursing my arm, no longer in its sling. I don't know where the sling went, and I'm not really caring at the moment. Right now, I want revenge.
"W-well, we don't know where Glory and Dawn are," Giles stammers, as I roll my eyes, and stand up next to B.
"So, we look," I say, turning. I need a good weapon, maybe grab a sword off one of these dead guys. I bend down, and snatch a sword from a Knight. It's hefty, nice weight. I turn towards the table. "We only have so much time," I snap.
"Girl's right, ya know. I may hate you all, but I happen to like the pint sized brat," says Spike, marching in, grin on his face. "When there's no future, how can there be sin? If we're gonna kick her ass, now's the time," Spike says, stepping up beside me.
"Oh! Take Olaf's hammer," chirps Anya, as Buffy nods her head. She grabs it, as the rest of the gang is now assembling. Willow's wielding a crossbow, as is Tara. Xander's holding an axe, while Giles is holding a sword much longer than mine, and damn if I don't feel jealous that his is longer. We head out, B leading the way. I just hope that Dawn hasn't started bleeding yet.
~~~BTVS~~~
We haven't seen anything yet. Luckily for us, Tara spots Dawn first at some warehouse, shame she isn't in it. Instead, she has to be placed at a wicked tall tower. She seems bound by rope, but it's hard to see from down here. Showtime. I pull out the Dagon sphere, and quietly walk in.
"Huh. Got a death wish?" Glory asks, spotting me. I quickly shift the sphere behind my back, aware that the rest of the gang is getting ready to advance.
"What can I say? Heard you had a family friend. Didn't really sit well with me," I reply, as Glory grins.
"You think you can stop this? You have no idea who you're facing," she snarls at me. I pull out the Dagon sphere and see her recoil slightly.
"I'd wager that what I'm facing is somebody who doesn't like what I have right now," I say, as Glory glares, but keeps her distance.
"You don't even know what it does," she snaps back, and I laugh. So much for being afraid of impending death it seems.
"You're scared of it though. That's really all that matters. Catch," I call, tossing the Dagon sphere to her. She catches it, probably out of instinct, and she makes a pained face but promptly crushes it in her hand. Just enough time as I charge forward, catching her with a hard left. I hiss in pain, but keep my grip on my sword. I can hear the battle waging between the minions, ugly fuckers they are, and the rest of the Scooby Gang. Glory squares up, now looking pissed off. I just hope I can keep the onslaught up long enough for B to reach Dawn. Glory looks back and snarls. I think she spotted B. Shit. I charge forward with the sword, and catch her good in the stomach. She winces in pain, but backhands me to the ground. She pulls the sword out and holds it down over my left shoulder. She smiles at me, a real evil smile. A Spike type smile, one that says you're going to suffer and you can't do anything. Then pain is searing through me, as she jabs the sword through. I gasp, and pull the sword out, quickly pulling my shirt off, and wrapping it around. I can see Glory reaching the tower, and starting to climb. B better hurry, since she's only halfway up, and Glory's gaining on her fast.
"Okay, time to continue battling," I mutter to myself. I see Glory and Buffy falling through the air, smashing into the ground. That looks like it hurt. Buffy grabs Glory and shoves her, sending her flying. Glory rises to her feet, and then sees the wrecking ball. I grin, Xander helming the wheel as Glory goes flying through the air. B charges towards the tower, and I'm hot on her heels. I see Spike above us, and with fear, realize that there's somebody else up there with Dawn. I quickly ascend, and we're almost at the top.
"Spike!" I hear B shout, as she moves even faster. I look down, and spot Spike just lying on the ground. I frown, but follow B.
"It's open, B," I gasp out, just as we reach the platform. Dawn's looking scared, rightfully so, and there's an old guy next to her. Buffy walks forward as the guy charges. B ducks a swing, but gets caught with a kick. She staggers back. The guy turns, and grins. I stagger forward. B grabs the guy from behind, and throws him off the platform. I just gaze at B and Dawn.
"Buffy, it's started," Dawn says, tears now streaming. B just looks at me. I see her eyes shift over my shoulder. That's never a good sign. I turn to see a minion...nice.
"The fuck?" I ask, half laughing. Come on, like this guy can be dangerous? He charges, and I dodge him. He keeps his momentum going and smashes into B though, sending B staggering. Oh no. B gives a look at Dawn, and tumbles off! I gasp, and dive, but B's falling fast. I see her reach a hand out, catching the edge of a platform down a good forty feet. She's hanging there, and finally hauls herself up. I turn my attention to the minion, the blood has stained my shirt a good crimson now. I think it's worse than the skewer guy, but I can't really bother to look.
"You'll not stop this," he says, in a gruff voice. I roll my eyes and march forward. He turns and cuts the ropes, now holding Dawn hostage, damnit. He shoves Dawn backwards, charging at me. I shove the guy off, and dive for Dawn. I grab her by the wrist, and smile at her.
"Just...hold on," I say. She looks up at me, fear in her eyes. Dawn just smiles at me, a grim, cold smile.
"I have to," she says, as I shake my head. Fuck that, B would never forgive me.
"No way," I say. She just continues to eye me, silent.
"Tell Buffy, I love her. She couldn't have stopped this though. It's what I had to do," she says, as I feel her grip let go, and her hand wriggled from my grasp.
"No!" I shout, scrambling further out, reaching farther down. I can feel hands on my waist, pulling me back. I turn to see it's B. Willow and Giles are right behind her. I glance down at Dawn, now lying on the ground, motionless. The portal's closed. I can feel tears on my cheeks. I bury my face against the steel. This hurts beyond words. I should've saved her. Should've, didn't. I can feel Giles embracing me. B and Red are crying in each other's arms. I bury my head against Giles' chest.