Part 12<\/b>: A Simple Plan<\/p>\n
\u201cI have just one question,\u201d Lorne started. \u201cDoes Senor Diaz need to be conscious for this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Tara looked up from the spell book with a perplexed look on her face. \u201cI don\u2019t think it should matter. Willow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t matter,\u201d Willow said. The redhead lit incense candles all about the room. Willow then took the Crystal of Hekate and carefully placed it on a small stand on the table.<\/p>\n
The Crystal was shaped as a prism, and was about the size of a baseball. When the light from the candles struck it, the Crystal bent the rays into a multitude of colors.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, for us laymen not educated in the art of magik, do you think you could explain this one more time?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s called an Adficio Spell,\u201d Tara explained. \u201cThe idea is to drain him of his mystical powers so he can\u2019t do any more harm.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the Crystal of Hekate is used to store the power?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. By storing the power, there is always the chance that it could be freed. Diaz could find a way to reabsorbed his magik,\u201d Tara said.<\/p>\n
Willow finished adjusting the prism before picking up the explanation. \u201cIf we wanted to merely capture his power, we\u2019d just use a mystical orb or some other device. But using a prism is different.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d Tara continued. \u201cWhen the mystical energy is pulled into the prism, the crystal has the same effect as it does on light waves. It actually disperses the energy into different elements.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when the elements are dispersed, it\u2019s like taking apart the components of a bomb,\u201d Willow said. \u201cThe mystical energies are rendered impotent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can do this?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheoretically,\u201d Tara said. \u201cWhat?\u201d she asked off his look. \u201cIt\u2019s not like I\u2019ve ever done this before. Sure, I\u2019ve read about it. I\u2019m fairly certain I can do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow certain, Cupcake?\u201d Lorne asked.<\/p>\n
Tara wrinkled her nose as she thought about it. \u201cNinety-four percent?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you asking us or telling us?\u201d Gunn wondered.<\/p>\n
\u201cUh, I\u2019m telling you,\u201d Tara decided.<\/p>\n
Gunn, Lorne, and Fred did not look convinced. Groo was busy playing with the coffee maker, while Angel sat in the corner, listening to the conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t be in any danger, right?\u201d Angel asked. \u201cIf something were to go wrong, would you be harmed?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably not,\u201d Tara said. When Angel was about to object, she defended herself. \u201cLike I said, I\u2019ve never done this before. But I am fairly certain I can do this. Besides, don\u2019t the benefits outweigh the negatives? If this isn\u2019t done, who knows what this guy will do? Maybe he won\u2019t hurt you again but we saw how many beads were on his necklace. He\u2019d stolen souls before, and if we don\u2019t do this, he might do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel had to admire the resolve the young woman showed. But still, the doubt was there. \u201cWillow?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right, Angel,\u201d Willow said. \u201cThe risk is too great to not try. And I believe she can do this. Tara is one kick-butt witch,\u201d she said proudly. Tara returned the compliment with a shy smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I guess that\u2019s settled,\u201d Gunn observed. \u201cHow soon can we do this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as I get a fire going,\u201d Tara answered.<\/p>\n
***********<\/p>\n
The still drugged form of the soul stealer was laid unceremoniously on the mattress. At the foot of the bed was the table. In its center sat the Crystal of Hekate, and on both sides were a pair of lit candles. Behind the table sat Tara in one of the hotels cheap wooden chairs.<\/p>\n
To her right on a small stand rested a metal bowl. A small flame burned gently inside it. To Tara\u2019s left was another chair, and on top was tray containing various herbs that she would need during the incantation.<\/p>\n
Surveying the room setup, and double-checking her ingredients, Tara finally decided that she was ready to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cOk,\u201d she said to the others. \u201cI\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone gathered around the bed holding small bundles of smoking herbs. The group mimicked Willow\u2019s motions as they all waved them in the proper fashion. Tara grabbed a small handful of a ground, yellowing substance and dropped it into the fire. A bright yellow flame shot up, almost causing Fred to drop her herb bundle.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoddess,\u201d Tara beckoned. \u201cI call on you to help us. Please give us your blessing and give me the power to fight this harm. Goddess, I beg you, help me remove the magik from he who takes souls!\u201d<\/p>\n
Tara took a handful of a bluish powder and tossed it into the flame. The fire once more shot up, casting a blue shadow over the room. \u201cGoddess! Direct his power into your Crystal, guide it so he may never bring harm again!\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, Diaz\u2019s eyes snapped open. \u201cIs this normal?\u201d Fred asked fearfully. Diaz bolted upright, his eyes devoid of any recognition. His head was thrown back as his mouth dropped open.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoddess! Expel him of his power!\u201d Tara pleaded once more. From Diaz\u2019s mouth poured a black mist. Tara slumped in her chair, but Willow was soon by her side. Everyone else watched as the mist crawled towards the Crystal of Hekate.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid it work?\u201d an exhausted Tara asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think so,\u201d Willow said. \u201cLook.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mist began to enter the prism. The Crystal of Hekate began to glow with a tremendously bright luminescence. In the darkened room, the sight was all the more remarkable, as the mystical energy was broken apart. A rainbow of colors shot from the prism as the now ineffective magiks were separated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow. Pretty,\u201d Groo observed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe silent now, pseudo-Angel,\u201d Lorne said<\/p>\n
\u201cYa gotta admit,\u201d Gunn whispered. \u201cYou don\u2019t see that every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diaz flopped back against the bed, the spell knocking him further into the drug-induced unconsciousness. While Willow tended to Tara, Lorne place a lid over the bowl to put out the flame.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what now?\u201d Fred asked. \u201cWhat do we do with him?\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel placed two fingers on Diaz\u2019s neck artery. \u201cWell, he can\u2019t hurt anyone. I guess we put him on the first plane to Brazil, Honduras, or wherever he is from. I really don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel\u2019s right,\u201d Gunn said. \u201cNow that Diaz has been neutered, we got more important things to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be tough,\u201d Angel told them. \u201cWhere she\u2019s being held is surrounded by many vampires.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many is many?\u201d Lorne asked.<\/p>\n
Angel stared at Diaz\u2019s form as he stated his answer. \u201cFifty, give or take a few.\u201d A collective moan of disbelief rose from the group. \u201cTheir Master is a tribesman named Kelemoke. He\u2019s strong and he\u2019s smart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich means?\u201d Gunn asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means he\u2019ll realize how important Cordelia is and is probably prepared for an assault.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo basically, we\u2019re fucked,\u201d Gunn stated<\/p>\n
\u201cI could do a spell,\u201d Tara offered. \u201cIt\u2019d be enough to give cover until you get inside the building.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat should be good enough. Gunn, Groo, and Lorne can use that to sneak in the backdoor and get Cordelia,\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n
An almost evil smile played at Angel\u2019s lips. \u201cI\u2019m going to go right through the front door.\u201d He picked up his coat from the floor and went to the door. \u201cI need to go make a few deals. I\u2019ll be back by sundown.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vampire was gone before they could question further. Only a few minutes later, a new day began to rise. And all knew, one way or another, it would all end tonight.<\/p>\n