Chapter 12<\/b><\/p>\n
Xander stared at the vampire. \u201cAlive? Since when? How?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday. Have they called? I didn\u2019t hear the phone ring.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, I\u2019m sure they\u2019re all fine.\u201d Fred pushed up her glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Powers gave her back to us to help stop the end of the world, they wouldn\u2019t just let her die again before the end of world. That wouldn\u2019t make any sense. She said she had to help stop it. And she still has her demon powers. Plus, Gunn and Wesley are with her\u2026 and Buffy, everyone says she\u2019s really strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Willow stood up. Fred had said it again. \u201cDemon powers?\u201d<\/p>\n
Fred blinked. \u201cYou didn\u2019t know. I thought you did. We didn\u2019t tell you? I guess not. Then again, why would we? It’s a family thing. Anyway, Cordy\u2019s part demon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander flopped down on the couch. \u201cCordy came back from the dead as part demon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not, she was part demon before. Chose to be one for Angel, to keep the visions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia Chase, Queen C, Miss Priss, hater of all things gross and demony, chose to be one for HIM- dead boy?\u201d Xander pointed at the glowering vampire.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa, Zeppo, demons in the room, one that\u2019s getting pretty pissed and it\u2019s not moi.\u201d Lorne rolled his eyes. \u201cThough, now I can see why you cheated on the Princess, you have absolutely no powers of observation.”<\/p>\n
Xander looked up finally noticing that Angel had stilled, his stance and expression definitely menacing- all directed towards him. \u201cWhat did I say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I said, can’t see what’s in front of your face. Angel cakes, don\u2019t bother.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel tore his eyes away from Xander. \u201cIt\u2019s taking too long.\u201d He growled.<\/p>\n
Dawn went up to the vampire. \u201cAngel, Buffy will be fine.\u201d Biting her lip.<\/p>\n
Angel stared at the teenager, not understanding. He started to speak and then stopped, noticing the young girl’s concern for her sister. \u201cI\u2019m sure she is.\u201d Angel said, going back to stand by Fred and Lorne. \u201cShe better be,\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do I NOT think he\u2019s growling over any worry about Buffy,\u201d Xander whispered to Willow.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause, he\u2019s not.\u201d Willow sighed.<\/p>\n
Chapter 13<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cThis don\u2019t look cool.\u201d Gunn slouched his large frame further behind the boulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cGee, what demon orgy does?\u201d Cordy whispered.<\/p>\n
Gunn glanced over to the young woman; her eyes were fixed on the tableau before them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat don\u2019t look like any orgy that I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy shot a look over to the black man<\/p>\n
\u201cThat I\u2019ve heard of, was what I was going to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUmhm, hidden past there, Gunn? What would Fred think?\u201d her hazel eye\u2019s twinkling under arched brows.<\/p>\n
Gunn rolled his eyes, but he wasn\u2019t annoyed. Cordy could tease all she wanted. It was much better than her earlier silence and aloofness. It was almost normal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main event hasn\u2019t started yet.\u201d Cordelia turned quickly away from Gunn\u2019s grin and pointed to the naked man and woman chained to the wall, the woman’s head and hands were covered with a dark material. The male obviously human, the female- humanoid in form, but her skin was a dark gold tone. \u201cMeet, mom and one of the dads.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMom ain\u2019t human and what do you mean one of the dads?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordy pointed, \u201cVision says dad number two- the creepy demon with no face leading the audience of other creeps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn stared at the large robed figure at the alter leading similar beings in a chant; all together there was about a dozen. Black hooded garments covered each demon’s frame and head, but where Gunn expected to see a face of some sort he saw nothing but a black vortex.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell, what are they?\u201c Gunn shivered, looking at that swirling empty vacuum instead of a face was unnerving. Gunn could feel the malevolence of the beings grasping at his lungs and chest.<\/p>\n
Again, Cordy shrugged. \u201cThat\u2019s Wesley\u2019s area, I only see and report. And my report is those are some scary whatevers, not your typical gross demony type, but definitely creepy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. Daddy number 1 and mommy don\u2019t look overly thrilled at being here.\u201c Gunn forced himself to look away from the robed figures and towards the struggling couple straining against their chains. \u201cWhere\u2019s the kid that\u2019s supposed to be sacrificed?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shrugged. \u201cIn the vision, mommy was pregnant, daddy #2 delivers the baby by bloody cesarean. Daddy #1 was already gutted.”<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get some damn pretty sights, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Again, Cordelia shrugged. \u201cPerks of the trade. Gunn, look.\u201d<\/p>\n
The faceless leader raised a bony hand, a flash of swirling fire and darkness appeared encompassing the bound couple, just as suddenly it was gone.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, not the standard safe sex.\u201d Gunn eyes widened as the woman\u2019s body now showed definite signs of pregnancy- nine months worth. Several of the demons had grabbed the woman dragging her to the alter as others moved towards the collapsed young man, sharp sickle like weapons in their skeleton hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cGun, now.\u201d Cordelia leapt up from her hiding place.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy looked back in the direction that Gunn and Cordy ran. \u201cI should be saving the victim, not going on a scavenger hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, if Cordy says that the object is important than it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMore important than the victim?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d Wesley didn\u2019t even look back.<\/p>\n
Buffy stood the doubts clear on her face. She couldn\u2019t let go of her memories of the utter incompetence of both Cordelia and Wesley, she didn\u2019t know if she could trust them not to get the victim or anybody else killed. She shook her head.<\/p>\n
Obviously, both had changed during their time in LA, she just might have to accept it. But it was hard to forget her high school impressions. Buffy tried to be objective, Angel must have trusted Cordelia and also in Wesley- at least before the former watcher betrayed him. Buffy did have faith in the vampire. She ran after Wesley.<\/p>\n
Buffy reached the former watcher\u2019s side immediately, pulling his arm, gesturing him to remain still. She mouthed, \u2018I heard something,” and pointed.<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded and moved slower, Buffy now taking the lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, what is it and where\u2019s its face?\u201d Buffy pushed Wesley against the cave wall.<\/p>\n
Wesley peered over the slayer\u2019s head. \u201cI have no idea. But it\u2019s performing a ritual and I would venture a guess the talisman in the fellow\u2019s hand is the disc Cordy wants us to get. Also, it would be beneficial to get a sample of its blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood? You did see its hands, right? Not much blood there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but the body looks firm enough, though with the robes it\u2019s difficult to tell. Buffy, I\u2019m sensing an urgency in the chanting\u2026.I do wish I recognized the words. Ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
Okay, Buffy was really thinking she would have to readjust her opinion. Wesley wasn\u2019t running away screaming like a girl, but moving forward with determination and confidence.<\/p>\n
Well, there was only one of them. \u201cI kick low, you grab.\u201d She said running, lunching herself at the being.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a plan.\u201d Wesley followed.<\/p>\n
The demon fell back with a wail as Buffy\u2019s foot plunged into its stomach. Wesley ran snatching the disc from its flailing arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was easy.\u201d Buffy said kicking at the body again. She was pleased that her blows were falling on firm flesh and causing damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve learned that nothing is that easy. Buffy.\u201d Wesley turned slowly in a semi circle.<\/p>\n
The slayer jerked her head up following Wesley\u2019s gaze. \u201cThis isn\u2019t good is it?\u201d Dark swirling bursts appeared in the air, twirling until they formed into more beings, each holding a weapon of a very sharp nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cInteresting.\u201d Wesley lifted his axe.<\/p>\n
\u201cInteresting? That we\u2019re being surrounded? That\u2019s not interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI disagree. The manner of their appearing is interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo it\u2019s not, it\u2019s just freaky.\u201d Buffy turned trying to target where each being was forming. Buffy looked at the axe in Wesley\u2019s hand. \u201cYou do know how to use that, right?\u201d Buffy couldn\u2019t help but remember Wesley\u2019s fumbling attempts to handle a weapon during a real battle. He had been very dangerous \u2013 to those he was supposed to have been helping.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been practicing a little. I suggest we get on with this.\u201d Wesley shoved the disc in his pocket and charged, axe swinging.<\/p>\n
Buffy blinked, Wesley was definitely not running and screaming like a girl. Buffy swung, twisting her body in the air landing a fierce kick on an approaching demon\u2019s empty hole of a face, grabbing its weapon as the demon fell.<\/p>\n
Buffy spared a glance at Wesley as she sliced into another demon. The former watcher was engaged in his own battle with two demons. He was good. Buffy looked around as she kicked and stabbed, but it may not be enough. For every demon they killed another one appeared within a mini vortex. Buffy really wished Cordelia could have had this particular vision at night. Angel would\u2019ve been really helpful right now. Buffy continued to fight.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Cordelia ran to the demons dragging the young woman. She swung her sword decapitating the nearest. Cordelia grumbled as she felt the splattered blood and goo land on her shirt. Great, she didn\u2019t have any other clothes. This was just too typical for words. Cordelia grunted and swung some more, pulling the bound woman behind her. Once the immediate demons were dead, Cordelia knelt removing the cloth from the female\u2019s head \u201cAre you all right? Nevermind, run.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stood as more demons swirled into the cave. \u201cGunn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m noticing.\u201d Gunn grunted smashing the last metal link that held the young man to the wall. \u201cGet the hell outta of here.\u201d The young man just stared at that black man, his eyes large saucers. He wasn\u2019t moving.<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn\u2019t, dawg.\u201d Gunn waved a hand in front of the released man\u2019s face. \u201cShit, he\u2019s in shock.\u201d Gunn picked the man up and tossed him as far as he could away from the emerging demons. \u201cRun, damn\u2019t.\u201d Gunn yelled at the slumped figure.<\/p>\n
\u201cForget him, they seemed more interested in us and her.\u201d Cordelia glanced at the female demon. \u201cRun.\u201d She urged.<\/p>\n
\u201cHands, release my hands, hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Cordelia leaned in then suddenly swirled catching an approaching demon by its throat. She stilled as a familiar surge built up in her hand. \u201cEyes closed.\u201d She warned as her body was engulfed in a bright light, radiating from within exploding outward in a great flash.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, what the hell was that?\u201d Buffy yelled as a bright flare encompassed the cavern, cleansing the area of all of the attacking demons.<\/p>\n
Wesley adjusted his glasses. \u201cThat would be Cordy, I presume.\u201d Wesley never had the opportunity to see Cordelia\u2019s new demon power. But in one of his rare trips to Caritas, Lorne had described it. \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, did that? How?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure she even knows. Her demon powers hadn\u2019t fully developed before she\u2026before she died.\u201d Wesley blinked back the memory of Cordelia dead on the ground, the knife embedded in her chest.<\/p>\n
Buffy stopped. She had assumed that Cordelia meant the visions when she said ‘demonizing powers’, not that she had ‘demon’ powers. Did that mean she was a demon? Angel never mentioned that. Buffy was beginning to feel an urgent need to talk to the vampire.<\/p>\n
There was a lot that he left out about ‘his best friend’ and it was time she found out everything.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn, girl. You couldn\u2019t have done that sooner.\u201d Gunn scrambled up from his crouch. The cave was empty of all the cloaked demons.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, don\u2019t yell at me. It doesn\u2019t always work on call. It mostly just happens. But, hey, cool, uh.\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBruises, nothing that TLC from my girl won\u2019t take care of. You?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, no TLC needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo bad, Angel would\u2019ve\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGunn, shut up. Hey, where\u2019s your saved victim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally ran I guess.\u201d Gunn shrugged limping and rubbing his shoulder towards Cordelia and the female demon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned around to face the female demon. \u201cI\u2026\u201d Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened and her voice broke. \u201cOh my god, your baby, I\u2026 Oh god,\u201d her eyes clenched shut against the evidence of what she had done, her arms hugging her body tight. The demon stood no longer pregnant.<\/p>\n
The demon held out her bound hands touching Cordelia. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t my baby. You purged me of the evil the Drakkus put there. You didn\u2019t kill anything. Don\u2019t feel pain over it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a baby, I saw it. I killed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. It was a tool, nothing more and it was evil. It had no life, just blood, believe me, please and thank you.\u201d The appreciation in the young demon’s eyes was boarding on hero worship.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrakkus? You know what those things were? And not to be rude or get personal or anything but what are you, you ain\u2019t one of them, you have a face.\u201d Gunn stepped up draping his coat over her naked body. The female demon definitely had a face, actually a very pretty one supplied with a set of big bright green eyes, a pert nose, pouty lips covering some very straight pearly whites.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d The young woman smiled at Gunn, trying to pull the coat further around her body. \u201cMy hands, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry.\u201d Cordy quickly untied the material that had covered the demon’s hands binding them together in one big mitten.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, Gunn.\u201d Wesley came running in.<\/p>\n
Gunn nodded. \u201cShe\u2019s fine, we both are, you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley stopped and stared trying to judge Gunn\u2019s question. He slowly nodded as he came to the conclusion that the black man was sincere.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Cordy\u2019s power manifested itself at an opportune time. The demons\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDrakkus- were popping in through swirly black holes.\u201d Gunn nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrakkus? I\u2019m unfamiliar with that species of demon. How did you know?\u201d Wesley straightened looking somewhat annoyed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s because they aren\u2019t of this dimension.\u201d The young demon commented.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat.\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her nose. \u201cThey\u2019d be from a hell dimension wouldn\u2019t they, Geez, how many of them are there.\u201d She shook her head.<\/p>\n
The young demon scrunched up her nose. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. Well, lets get you some clothes and you can tell us what you do know, got to be more than us.\u201d Cordelia smiled. The demon girl couldn’t be much older than eighteen or the equilivant in human years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d the young demon pulled at Cordelia\u2019s arm. \u201cWhat are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, sorry, my name\u2019s Cordelia, yours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, What are you? You aren\u2019t a Glisterain. You\u2019re human or mostly, but you have our power. What are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked. \u201cUh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe light.\u201d The young demon raised her hands; a glow formed brightening her body radiating heat and light, her feet floating off the ground.<\/p>\n
Wesley stepped forward. \u201cI\u2019m also unfamiliar with what type of demon you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s because I come from Drakkus also.\u201d She turned back to Cordelia. \u201cWhat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph. I got zapped with hell dimension demon DNA, figures.\u201d She shook her head and studied the young demon. The gold was kinda of pretty, better than green and she didn\u2019t have horns or a tail, not ugly or gross at all. Cordelia shook her head and sighed. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026 we\u2019re not sure\u2026But, my name is Cordy, you are\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKrystalizeakndal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUhuh, how about Crystal or Chrissie?\u201d Cordelia smiled hopefully.<\/p>\n
The young demon smiled back. \u201cCrystal\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, come on then Crystal. You need some clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia stalled and shot a look to Wesley and Gunn. \u201cPlease tell me that I didn\u2019t hear what I thought I heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy cleared her throat. \u201cIf you heard static sparks and the ripping of air showing swirling blackness, then you heard, if not, you didn\u2019t hear anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia turned. They all stared as small cuts and tears were ripped into the fabric of the atmosphere. \u201cMore Drakkus on the way?\u201d<\/p>\n
Crystal bit her lip. \u201cNo, not yet, but the spell was started- the vortex was formed. I kind of hoped it was stopped, but it doesn\u2019t look like it. This is bad. But, we have time, I\u2019m just not sure how much, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, you\u2019re the demon and dimension expert.\u201d Cordy questioned. \u201cTime for some expert like wisdom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. Crystal, what\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI could\u2019ve done that.\u201d Cordelia scrunched up her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but you didn\u2019t hence the reason I\u2019m the expert. To get the answer one must know the questions to ask and where to ask them.\u201d Wesley said smugly.<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. \u201cPfft, kiss my Glistering ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunn laughed. Things were really almost normal, right down to the weird unknown shit.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well said, Cordelia, very mature.\u201d Wesley smirked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmph.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy,\u201d Wesley said still smiling, \u201cdid Giles leave any of his texts, I may need more than I brought with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the Magic Shoppe.\u201d Buffy shifted uncomfortably on her feet. Nobody asked if she was all right. Sure, she was fine, not an injury on her, but she could\u2019ve been hurt. She had begun to wonder if they even realized that she was still there.<\/p>\n
They didn’t seem to get that this was Sunnydale, not LA. This was her town. It was her apocalypse.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, I suggest that we return there, hopefully, Crystal will be able to give us the information we need to devise a plan to stop whatever is happening. Gunn, please call Angel, I\u2019ll need Fred and her computer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWillow does the computer work,” Buffy said, asserting her opinion.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one beats my girl on the those, she\u2019s a hellcat.\u201d Gunn flipped open his cell phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure Willow can be of some help to Fred, if she needs it. I seem to remember Willow was getting quite proficient with computers in high school.”<\/p>\n
“Proficient! Willow’s awesome on the computer. She has her own lap top.” Buffy yelled, but Wesley had moved on and no one else was listening.<\/p>\n
“Hey, Gunn, tell Fred we need clothes for Crystal.” Cordy called and then turned to the demon. “Don’t worry, I\u2019ll make Wesley wait until you’re fully clothed and comfortable before he dissects your brain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUh.\u201d Crystal\u2019s bright green eyes blinked.<\/p>\n
\u201cKidding, Geez.\u201d Cordelia smiled. “Though, he may bore you to death.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew you were kidding,\u201d the pretty demon smiled back at the brunette and moved to follow the others.<\/p>\n
Wesley stopped going back to a still motionless Cordelia. \u201cCordy, what is it, another vision?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia\u2019s gaze followed Crystal. \u201cNo. She\u2019s nice, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCrystal? We don\u2019t know anything about her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia chewed on her lip and nodded, her feet slowly moving towards the exit of the cave.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing. Come on, we have a world to save from swirly black voids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia sighed as she followed her friends out. Well, Skip was right. He said she would know and she did. Cordelia found her replacement.<\/p>\n
It was really going to happen, she was going to die again. Cordelia had almost forgotten.<\/p>\n