Once upon a time, long before Faith signed any contract with the WB, there were two slayers. This always confuses people. As Xander said, "I always knew that 'I'm the only one' bit was an attention getter."

Yet its true - there were two Slayers and this is the tale of how it happened. Remember first season when Buffy died for a whole minute or so? She was fighting the Master and according to Prophecy, she would die, the hellmouth would open and the world would be overun by Hell's creatures. The Prophecy didn't reckon on friends like Xander who took CPR in high school health. He found his beloved Buffy lying face down in that awful pool and administered breath. Buffy was revived and went on to kill the Master (the first time).

Well in that one minute when our world was devoid of its Buffy, a new Slayer was born!!! Well, if you want to get technical about it, she wasn't born ...she was summoned/activated. Seems there was this carribean chick who owns one shirt and lives on a small, superstitious island who's been waiting her whole life for Buffy to die so she can get her chance at being The Slayer. She was actually quite nice once you got to know her.

Well her name was Kendra and she was the "Non-Buffy Slayer." The fight scene back when she and Buffy first met was amazing. She saw Buffy and Angel ice skating and assumed both were vamps "Strike one for the rookie," quipped Buffy as she pointed out her living status.

Yet in time Buffy grew to like and even enjoy being with the other Slayer. The two teamed up for this whole One episode to ensure that poor Drusilla did not fully regain her powers and Spike could become a cripple. ITS TRUE!!! Inside sources have told me the whole thing was just a feminist sham to give Dru power over Spike (who just happens to be blonde). Well ok, so I made that last part up but that's ok because this is my page...

The truth is that Drusilla needed her sire's blood to revive her dying corpse. Since Angel was her sire, she and Spike showed up at the hellmouth, expecting to drain the guy and go on their immortal way. Well they didn't reckon on two slayers, one intent on saving her lover, the other intent on destroying all vamp kind.

Kendra was very straightlaced and direct in the pursuit of her "calling." Her people recognized her destiny at birth and she was handed to her watcher. She grew up without the company of anyone but her watcher and seemingly without emotions. What she did have was this really wicked accent that I can't place but is really mysterious and exotic. (I recently heard its jamaican but it might just be a buffy-rumor - you know how those things can be).

Her Watcher doesn't let her watch television, talk to boys or do anything but study. She knows a lot about slayering and her calling though. Buffy once referred to her as the She-Giles because of her knowledge and interest in the inner workings of demonhood. At the time Buffy was kind of jealous that Kendra had a Slayer's Guide and she didn't. My favorite exchange in dialogue between the two was when they had to split in order to save Angel's life but Kendra wanted to check in with Giles first.

Buffy: I don't take orders. I do things my way.
Kendra: No wonder you died.

Although I shared Buffy's initial dislike of the poor girl, she grew on me. Kendra never meant ill, she was just very determined. Well after Drusilla's "party" the two slayers parted on excellent terms - although Kendra's distate for the hug Buffy gave her as she was leaving on her flight (rather than sneaking into the luggage compartment) was hilarious. 0:-)

*sigh* Three seasons laster I can't believe she is gone - and in such a terribly silly way!!! I mean lets face it - its pretty hard to kill a vampire. First you need something pointy that can pierce through skin and bone, then you need to stab them exactly in the heart...and to top it all off - you need to be really strong because a scrawny ass Bill Gates wouldn't be able to do it. What did Drusilla need to kill the slayer? SHARP NAILS!!! While in the past I have made a big deal about her nails and how cool they are - I can't believe she was able to kill Kendra like that. A tiny slice, some whispered words and suddenly the slayer is gone - HOW CHEESY IS THAT???

I liked Kendra!!! I thought she was amazingly cool and fun...but that ditzy Joss Whedon jumps out and decides the only other slayer in the whole wide world should become a radical post girl and deliver the sword which would send Angellus into Hell. Has Joss never heard of UPS??? The strike is over!!! Get over it and bring back the slayer!!! *sigh*

but of course...if one Slayer dies, another comes forth - and so we end up with a ridiculous, murderous bitch like Faith (meant in a good way).

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