NOT THE SUNNYDALE UNIVERSE

SAN FRANCISCO, LATE SEPTEMBER, 2001

The search was over. One sister cried inconsolably.

"How can it be gone?! It was our last best hope for getting her back."

The now-oldest sister tried to keep her head.

"I had nine kinds of nasty wards set around that thing. The Source himself couldn't touch it without yielding up 90% of his power."

The loss ate at the younger one yet again.

"So what the hell do we do now?"

"We-we keep trying the finder spell, to call back that which is lost. Truth be known, I didn't feel too great calling on some Egyptian god, even for her."

The youngest got up, and brushed herself off.

"Morris called. They're finally releasing her body. We can bury her, now."

The older remained, and after she was alone, attempted to use a power that was never hers, but that she would see once again. Holding out her hand, she gestured at the now-empty spot.

"Urn."

All that occurred, though, was the falling of a discarded TV Guide from a shelf. The witch looked at it, hoping for a clue.

"Alyson Hannigan talks about Buffy : Season Six? Yeah, that's right. The TV came to life, and someone inside it stole the urn."

But they had long ago proofed the TV and lines against all matter-transmission magics, fair and foul, so a warlock or demon using that without their knowledge was out. So she said the hated words.

"Pru is dead, and she isn't coming back."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SUNNYDALE UNIVERSE, that same moment...

Tara found Willow exhausted, emaciated, looking like someone had drained her drier than even a dechipped Spike could. But clutched in her hands was the one thing the powerful Wiccan had sworn to get. The means to restore a Slayer.

"You found the Urn Of Osiris?"

Willow handed it off and mumbled before falling unconscious.

"S'no biggie. It was just lying around in somebody's  attic..."