Part 8

'I'd like to see you kick Ethan's ass.' Willow mocked to herself as she got up shakily from the blow Gwendolyn just delivered.

Well if Ethan was watching her fight with Gwendolyn he was getting to see her powers in action. Or should she say lack of powers in action. Gwendolyn was strong but not as strong as Willow. Willow just couldn't seem to get the hang of the Earth's energies here. Sure for simple spells she could but the serious stuff that she needed to fight Ethan's second in command she wasn't having an easy time of it.

Dru and Darla were busy with their own fights. She wasn't so sure that William would have helped if he hadn't been busy alongside Dru. Ethan had come into town guns blazing as it were. He sent demons to attack Dru, Darla and William. Gwendolyn came to take on her and Ethan did a surprise attack on the mirror. Rupert had no doubt that it was a stalling tactic since it was a halfhearted illusion to keep him busy. But it did work in that Rupert wasn't there to help Willow either.

Wesley, Tara and Faith had their hands full with the local vampire community. It was a full frontal assault from all sides.

Willow dove to avoid a fireball that Gwendolyn sent in her direction. Damn it when this was over if she was standing Rupert was going to teach her how to harness this realities energies to match her power. She had a bone to pick with Gwendolyn in this reality and from hers.

Ethan watched from the shadows. This was the powerful witch he'd heard about? He had no doubt because he could feel her power. Had in fact felt her power cross-country, but she wasn't doing well in her battle with Gwendolyn. Maybe she was playing cat and mouse with her and waiting to use her more powerful magick later. It was what he would have done. Never show your enemy your true power until it was too late.

Willow was getting frustrated with herself and her situation. She hadn't wanted to tap into the dark magick not knowing if she could stop it or how it would work in this reality. But she was seriously getting her ass kicked by Gwendolyn.

Well if she couldn't fight her she would just teleport her out like she had done with Glory. Not too dark a magick, she thought she could handle it. Plus she noticed that Dru, Darla and William were winning in their battle. They could go back to the magick shop and regroup.

Willow threw an energy blast toward Gwendolyn and smiled when it hit her mark. It didn't do much damage but it did get her attention. While Gwendolyn was distracted Willow mumbled her spell.

Gwendolyn felt a slight tingling in her body as the park began to fade in front of her. One minute she was hit with an energy blast and the next she was out of town.

Willow sunk to her knees breathing hard as she watched Gwendolyn fade from view. She hoped she teleported her far enough away and not just a block or two over. On the upside no nosebleed or headache from the spell.

Ethan smiled in the darkness as he saw Gwendolyn fade from the park. Excellent maneuver on the witch's part. She had passed his test. He'd seen her abilities albeit not all of them and saw her fighting skills. All in all a successful mission. With a small wave of his arm he teleported back to his room.

~~~~

Willow sighed in relief as they finally made it to the Magic Box. She hadn't been sure she could make it but with Dru on one side and Darla on the other they'd made it. All she wanted was to sleep for a few days and she'd be good as new.

"Willow!"

Rupert rushed to her side and Darla smiled as she relinquished her hold on Willow.

Rupert desperately looked over Willow trying to find any wounds.

"I'm okay, Rupert. Just winded. Not as in tune with the Earth's energies as I need to be."

"She sent the wicked bitch of the west to a place far, far away." Darla ran her hand softly down Willow's hair as they placed her in a chair.

"You teleported Gwendolyn?"

"Yeah, she was kicking my butt so I thought if I can't beat her send her away so I can regroup." Willow looked up at Rupert with tired eyes, "I need you to help me to harness the energies of this reality. I can't seem to make a connection when I need the 'heavy hitter' stuff."

Rupert wasn't surprised. With what Willow had told him about her not being properly trained and her being a little nervous about the Dark Vein-y Willow making a reappearance she wasn't letting herself connect. The energy was there for her to tap into she just was blocking it herself and not realizing it.

"As soon as you're rested Tara and I will work with you. Angel called, he, Xander and Jesse were able to defeat the Zalanes demon. They'll be here in a few hours."

That brought Willow's head up. Sure she wanted to see Xan and Jesse but not now. She was feeling like crap and she wasn't sure she could take their rejection on top of everything else.

"Don't they have to be in LA? I mean, it's great they want to come and help and all but what about Ethan's emissary there?"

Rupert noticed the quiet panic in her eyes. He knew she was both dreading and looking forward to seeing her childhood friends but Rupert felt the fear of not knowing would be worse than the actual reaction.

He kneeled quietly near Willow and gently took her hand. "They want to be here, Willow. Angel especially and Xander and Jesse want to help in anyway they can. They have people that can continue the battle in their absence."

He absently rubbed circles on the back of her hand as he talked, "Xander and Jesse would like to meet you."

Willow took a deep breath and looked at Rupert, "I know and I know we can use all the help we can get especially when I don't seem to be able to tap into what I need. It's just . . ."

"I know but wouldn't it be better to get it over with?"

She sighed and gave a nod. She wasn't sure which would be better keeping her mind occupied until they got there or going upstairs to her room and resting her body until they got there.

Dru saw the way her shoulders slumped and her tired eyes, "Come on lovey, let's get you upstairs and rested."

"I'll carry Willow." 

Four pairs of eyes stared at William. One, he'd offered to do something nice for Willow and two he'd called her Willow and not witch. Dru and Darla smiled. They knew sooner or later William would accept Willow. She would never take their Willow's place but it was a step for William.

Willow smiled shyly up at him, "Thanks. I didn't think I'd make it up the stairs."

William reached down and lifted Willow into his arms. He hadn't been able to help himself from volunteering to help her. When he'd heard her tired and discouraged voice he saw his Willow sitting there with her head bowed.

For the first time he allowed himself to see her as the others saw her. Not as an imposter but like a twin sister. Someone that was like his Willow but was her own person. Not that he was getting soft toward her or anything but he was giving her that chance she asked for.

William gently laid her on her bed. "All set?"

Willow nodded, "Thanks, William."

William awkwardly patted her shoulder, "It'll work out all right."

A tear slowly escaped Willow's eye. She must be in worse shape than she thought if William was trying to comfort her about the upcoming reunion.

She whispered so soft his preternatural hearing barely caught it, "I hope so."