My Favorite Things About Dawn
In season five we learn that Buffy has a sister. Has always has a sister. Dawn Summers has always been a part of big sis' life.
But of course she wasn't. She hadn't been. Her life, all her families memories everything about her was fabricated. Before she was sent to the slayer she was a mass of living energy, the key, an epical powerful energy source transformed into human appearance by benevolent monks. The monks wanted the slayer to protect the key from the beast- a hell-god named Glory- who wanted to use it to tear down the walls between dimensions and return to her own Hell demension. So they sent the key in the form of a sister which she would protect with her life.
Of course Dawn was just a fourteen year old girl. She reacted badly that she 'wasn't real'. But finally Buffy managed to convince her that family isnt about origin and that she loves her. However the happiness becomes marred by the sudden death of her mother.
Shortly thereafter, Glory arrived to find the Key and try to use her to open a portal that would release hell on earth. Despite knowing that her sister would be left entirely alone, Buffy sacrificed herself in Dawn's place to prevent the portal from opening. Unable to accept the death of her friend, Willow used her rapidly increasing Wiccan powers to raise her from her grave and bring her back to Sunnydale.
Buffy's return gave Dawn short term happiness but ultimately Buff's coolness and distance led Dawn to shop lift and scream for attention, because she felt so alone, much to the distress of the scoobies
A turning point came when Buffy fought the demonic skeletons brought to life by Willow's rage over Tara's death. Dawn began to fight alongside her Slayer sister, and Buffy was amazed at the strength and power the girl suddenly displayed. Together they were victorious, and Buffy gained a new respect for her younger sister, much to Dawn's relief. But now, Dawn must face one of the most hazardous experiences the universe has to offer: high school. Lucky for her she's got the Slayer on her side.
