This is my very first fan fiction. All constructive criticism will be welcomed with open arms.
Disclaimer:
None of these characters are mine. I offer any apologies to Joss Whedon (BtVS/Angel) and Aaron Spelling (Charmed) for any misuse which is purely unintentional.
Summary:
AU – Phoebe finds that Cole is back ... again, but he's not alone – he has a new witch in his life.
Author's Note:
The prologue to this story takes place around the same time of Angel's final climactic battle. At this time, Wyatt is 2 and Chris is just a twinkle in his mother's eye. In my universe, Leo doesn't die and is still a white lighter.
Prologue, Part One
Spring 2004:
"Will!" Buffy screamed in desperation, as she was fighting off several large and quite ugly demons. Her small and lean form was spattered with demon guts. She looked to her friend who was sitting in the midst of pentagram of crystals. Power was emanating from her small form, her hair appearing white with the power. "What's taking so long? I don't know how much longer I can hold them off!"
Willow was at her wit's end. What was taking so long? She had shut smaller gaps in the dimensional ether before with less power. Something was stopping her from closing this gateway. "I don't know, Buffy! I just don't know! Something is jamming the opening!"
Xander cursed as he recklessly rammed a demon in the stomach with his head. "Ooof!" he exclaimed. The demon threw him across the underground chamber they were fighting in. "What do you mean jamming? Does that mean there's some ugly hellbeast stuck in a hole like Winnie-the-Pooh in the honey hole?"
Willow turned to look at him suddenly. Yes! Of course, that's what it was. Something maybe not large, but certainly powerful enough to hold the gateway open while she tried to close it. The answer to their problem was risky ... but feasible. "Buffy! I've got an idea! It's risky, but..."
"And we're risk free right now? Just tell me what to do .. we need to close this so I can get back to LA!" Buffy's heart contracted at the thought of what just might have happened to her soul mate, the angelic vampire with a soul, Angel. She hadn't wanted to close this gateway. She'd wanted to head straight to LA and Angel but yet here she was when her heart was with him. God, oh please if there's a God, please protect him. "What do you want me to do!"
"Reach into the gateway and pull out whatever's in there!"
"Huh, Will? Have you lost it?" Xander interjected. "Whatever's in there is probably big, ugly, and very, very evil!"
"I know, Xan! But it's the only way. Once we get out the blockage, we can close the drain!"
"Uh, Will..." Buffy started and then with one swift swing of her arm decapitated the nearest demon. "What if there are a whole bunch of hell beasts right on his tail?"
"Well, I did say it was risky. We need to clear the blockage and block it back up quickly!"
"Well, duh!" Xander burst out sarcastically. "Is there we say 'let's synchronize our watches'?"
The three of them giggle nervously and with a nod of her head, Buffy signaled the go-ahead. She kicked two demons out of the way and, with a scream borne from desperation and exhaustion, she reached head first into the portal.
Xander and Willow looked at each other helplessly. What would they find? What would be brought into this world?
