It was an interesting feeling for Angel to go from panicked distress to unusual joy in such a short amount of time. One moment his thoughts were placed solely on Cordelia's well being, where she was in Pylea and how they were possibly going to bring her back. He had just gotten back into her good graces and everyone else's; now she was transported to an unknown and, at least to Lorne, horrible place.
He and everyone else could think of nothing else. Until they actually made it to Pylea. That alone was a fantastical miracle, but when Angel didn't burst into flames despite the daylight thoughts within the group were finally allowed to linger elsewhere. Behind him Wesley and Gunn arguing about the possible dangers of what they had just done, Lorne lamenting his presence back home and, of course Angel's own situation allowed them a brief moments rest from their concerned thoughts. At least, for everyone except Doyle, but even his concerns lay elsewhere rather than with Cordelia.
"Umm, why am I no human?" He asked anxiously.
As much as the sun had affected Angel positively- the lack of spontaneous combustion- it seemed to affect Doyle negatively. After several failed attempts it became obvious that the man was stuck in the form he hated most. His green skin made him fit in better than any of the others, but fitting in was not what Doyle was wanting at the moment. Angel felt sorry for him, but couldn't hide his own jubilation over the situation. His exposure to the sun was limited in his long life. Being away from anything this long made it a special occasion to be reunited with it.
It didn't take long for his mood to match Doyle's and everyone else's however as it occurred to them they didn't have the book to get them back any longer and no possible clue as to where to find Cordelia. After some cohesion and general threats however the group made its way to a house Lorne claimed some friends would be. The made to enter the house alongside Lorne when he stopped them abruptly.
"Look guys, these aren't exactly the friendly type."
"Neither am I" Angel retorted, still trying to push his way through.
"That's cute," Lorne replied sarcastically,"but I mean it. They won't welcome humans inside."
"Can't I just come in then?" Doyle asked, not willing to waste any time.
"Just wait out here for a moment, huh?" Lorne said shortly before entering the home. They didn't see, but Doyle's comment seemed to spark something in Lorne's thoughts.
The four others waited impatiently for what seemed like an eternity, Doyle furiously pacing the grounds, Angel tempted to do the same but instead joined Wesley and Gunn instanding stoically. None of them had any idea what to do and patience was hardly in large supply. Lorne however, had not been in the place more than thirty seconds before he came running out. He looked desperately to the group before he guided them running through back alleys away from the others Angel cold hear shouting "traitor" and "deserter" among other things.
"Lorne, what the hell?" Angel asked angrily, clearlyblaming the empath for the detour to finding Cordelia.
"No time to explain...I think I can get us out of this, though." Lorne exclaimed still running.
"What's that, more running?" Gunn asked equally as frustrated as Angel felt.
"Just follow my lead." He exclaimed once more.
No one felt like following any more of the empath demons lead any longer but reluctantly they stopped alongside Lorne right in the middle of the village square. At this point it was awash with fellow villagers content to find and probably dispatch of Lorne and anyone who followed him. Angel quickly lunged for his sword. Just as his fingers graced its steely presence Lorne pushed him to the ground alongside him, trying to suede Angel's lust to just fight his way out. Confused, he watched as Lorne instead tossed the sword to Doyle, who stood dumbfounded with the weapon in his hand. Frustrated Angel wanted nothing more than to forget Lorne and take the weapon back from the obviously equally confused Doyle. Looking at the Doyle's demon face it seemed obvious he wanted to do the exact same as well. Instead he swallowed the desire and watched Gunn and Wesley follow Lorne's lead.
He admired their ability to trust unconditionally those who had been there when Angel had abandoned them but still couldn't help feel as if maybe Lorne was guiding them to their death. He racked his brain trying to think of what Lorne was trying to do here and couldn't come up with any other explanation. Doyle attempted to follow suit to his knees as well but was instead met with rounds of applause and cheers. Still confused Doyle raised the sword at the approaching demons, ready to strike. Instead, a few began to slap him on his back as if congratulating him.
"This stranger has managed to capture the traitor Krevlornesworth and these cow companions!" A demon exclaimed to the excited crowd.
"He's the constable, Doyle's the only one who isn't going to be considered a traitor or less than them. Only demons are considered normal. Humans are treated like slaves." Angel heard Lorne explain under his breath as his plan became more apparent. If they made it look like Doyle had captured them he would seem like a hero and they might actually stand a chance at surviving. At least more of a chance than if they had followed Angel's plan to just blindly attack.
"Tonight, we celebrate his conquest! Throw these cows in the dungeons!" The constable continued. Angel watched nervously, hoping Doyle was realizing the plan as quickly as he was. Unfortunately it didn't appear so as Doyle flinched at the order to through the others in the dungeons. It looked like Doyle was actually going to openly object to these plans, turning the constable towards him. About to speak Angel heard himself loudly curse as Doyle was prepared to ruin the plan because of the same loyalty Angel had admired only a few instants prior. Doyle's words never came, however as he collapsed in a fit.
"One...One of the Drokkens...its attacking someone. Have...have ta help them." Doyle offered in pain.
Murmurs of shock and awe came from the crowds. The vision itself hardly seemed the point, Angel observed. The constable instead turned back to his fellow villagers.
"The prophecy! Quickly," he said to a few of his guards, "Get Silas at once. Take these to the dungeons. We'll deal with them as soon as we deal with him." He finished still with awe in his voice.
Angel tried to object but instead was met with a glare from Lorne telling him that would be a mistake. Doom once more filled Angel's insides. Now it was Doyle and Cordelia in trouble and he, Wes, and Gunn were going to be useless in cages.
Prophecies. he thought bitterly as he was lead away from Doyle and to the dungeons with Wes and Gunn. It's always got to be a damn prophecy.
Yeah, so, big changes. Does it work or are there flaws in my little plan?Please Review.