The Death of Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins by Andrew Wells

As the final battle against pure evil began, Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins and her hapless assistant Andrew Wells patrolled the halls of Sunnydale High School. When the uber-vamps broke the line of newly called upon Slayers and ascended from the Hellmouth, Anya and Andrew braced themselves for the final showdown.

Andrew shook in a nearby corner as Anya took out two uber-vamps and a Bringer with her long sword. When all seemed quiet, he appeared. From the shadows came a Bringer who Andrew sensed had superior strength. Anya could sense it too. The Bringer and Anya faced off for a duel of epic proportions. As their lightsabers swords clashed in a fury of sparks, Anya whispered to her foe, "If you strike me down, I will come back stronger than you could possibly imagine." The Bringer didn't respond.

Andrew saw multiple opening where he could have stepped in and saved the day. But remained watching.

Anya and the Bringer remained evenly matched until Anya retreated backwards and raised her sword. Before the Bringer could pounce on the opportunity, she became one with the force, causing a blast that expelled the Bringer back to Hell, sacrificing her remaining years to protect mine Andrew's.

It should have been him. Anya should have lived. She should have been happy with Xander or without Xander or making money at the Magic Box or singing or hating bunnies or making sarcastic comments but she isn't. She's dead. And Andrew is alive.

I wrote this after visiting Sunnydale for one last time before beginning my Watcher training.

Dedicated to Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins

A Really Long Time Ago-2003