I love it when I get insightful reviews to help further along the development of my fics! So I'd like to get some things out there-

WhynotWho: Thank you for the Faith thing, I was having a hard time trying to bring in other characters (it's somewhat hard when I'm trying to get all this explaining out there) so I wasn't extremely apt to bring Faith in, which I did in the last chp. But thanks for the insight! I was able to try and fully do something about that, because it really didn't make sense. And though those of you, who hate Faith being a lackey, because she doesn't seem the type, don't worry, I have plans for our dear Faith.

And also…

spikespet2002: I know what you mean. I LOVED season4, but season three seemed the right time since Spike was chipless, Faith was coming to town and Angel hadn't arrived yet, so I picked it because it seemed the best place to start-and then I went totally AU from there. I love Anya as Xander's bf. Cordelia was fun, but she wasn't for Xander if you get my meaning. So pretend that the whole Cordy thing is of the past, and Anya and Xander hit it off directly after. It makes no sense time wise, but…I love Anya so wormholes are permissible.

As for Cordelia and Angel, they'll be coming right up. Now that I've finished most of the explaining part, I'm gonna try to get some work in.

(Note: All events in this chapter happened on the exact same day…)

Metamorphosis

A week ago…

Cordelia Chase moved her dark hair away from her face and cocked her head inquiringly to the side, her slender fingers moved over her delicate but striking features. Her dark eyes narrowed at her reflection and she shook her head.

Shorter? No…I like it better long, Harmony's an idiot for suggesting I cut it.

She made a small snort and backed away from the mirror, a lock of her hair being pulled and tugged almost apprehensively by a tremulous hand.

She didn't use to be like…this. Blubbering and unsure of her status or place, her disposition overwhelmed with uncertainty and a newly developed maturity that produced a conscious and insight that was almost distressing.

And it was all because of them.

The Scoobies.

It was Xander's fault for bringing her into it. She had loved him; unlike anyone else she had ever dated or flirted with. There was just something about the cute dork that hit a tender spot and Cupid had pulled tightly on her heart strings.

But he had been in love with Willow, she should've been able to tell but she was too arrogant to even consider the idea of anyone overlooking her for the geeky though cute redhead.

It seemed as if yesterday she had caught them, kissing in the library after the regular research-the-new-demon-party. Confessing their feelings, their uncertainty their need…

It was then that her degradation from her customary popularity began, and when she and Xander had broken up the next day…Her whole life had changed, everything that had held some significance was now meaningless.

The funny thing was, Willow and Xander had decided to remain only friends, and no one seemed to care what kind of an effect that had on her. Ms. Popularity was now overlooked and neglected.

And to think, she had once had everything in the palm of her hand.

Cordelia snorted, her life had turned into this.

The mansion was quiet, as always. Her dad was probably out at some business meeting in Morocco or in China. He had mentioned something about oil companies and China's sudden development with foreign expansion.

He wanted to 'get in on the action' as quick as possible.

He always wanted to 'get in on the action' and he was never home so she didn't have much nostalgia for his company.

She had other plans.

Giles hadn't been in the library like he usually was (everyday and every night), and he had left his demonic and supernatural spell books out in the open, clearly he didn't think anyone would take an interest in them. But most of those were books on small spells: how to levitate, lust spells, spells on teleportation and creating momentary light.

Small things she had no use for.

The larger spell books were hidden in his cramp box for an office in a vault with an oversized lock. Lucky for her she had been snagged the combination for it. Giles was slow when remembering things; it was as if he wanted her to know it when he had opened the damn thing.

The leather bound book, sitting like an ominous, beckoning instrument upon the table was what she had confiscated, though why was currently beyond her. It wasn't even in English, some stupid demon language she couldn't read or understand.

But something about it had called to her, whispered that it had all her answers, the very key to her heart's desires.

It was a beautiful book, really, something that had surprised her when considering all the others she had become used to. It was bathed in mahogany leather; the face was embedded in gold and picturesque writing that resembled the beautiful prudence and assiduousness of Arabic shined beneath the dust.

Below the writing the book was embedded with jewels arranged meticulously in a line: one large red ruby, a white pearl small in comparison, a fiery opal slightly larger, a blue sapphire here that seemed bigger than the previous two but still no comparison to the first and more jewels that inclined and decreased in a strangely familiar pattern.

She had the odd, foreboding notion that it was symbolic. Taking a closer look it reminded her of a complete plot of the planets-the red ruby of tremendous size being the sun, the miniscule fiery opal Mars, the sapphire Earth, the slightly larger emerald Venus…

Strange, but what had she expected from a spell book?

Wasn't there a planetary alignment today or something? I think I heard it on the news…might not be a good sign.

She had seen what coincidences could do in the magic and spell-binding world and wasn't sure if it was a good idea to screw around with fate.

But she was curious, dangerously curious.

One hand reached out and touched the gold lock that held the book closed, her brow tightened in scrutiny.

No, I shouldn't…I'll just take it back…

The lights flickered and she started, bumping her knee against the table. The book bounced upwards and fell back onto the floor; the clasp holding it down came undone.

Shit…!

Cordelia stared at it wide eyed. Her hands hesitated as she reached out and brought the open book to her lap, moving suspiciously to the first page and to a nerve wrenching surprise-it was in English.

"Spell of Undone," She read the first page and her eyebrows knitted, just what she was looking for, a spell to undo everything she had done.

This didn't seem right somehow.

"By the power of the sun, the earth, the stars, I invoke the Powers of Sight, I invoke the Powers of Time, I invoke the Will of the Old Ones! Come forth! Descend from the stars and become one with this world! Come forth! Come forth!"

Cordelia's eyes widened. This didn't sound like a spell to undo anything she wantedShe prompted to stop speaking, but her mouth moved of its own volition, her hands were numb and clutched the book with an unknown ferocity.

Damn!

"Come forth Darkened Creatures, bring the Powers of the Old Age, the Powers of the Immortals, Come Forth! Come! Come!"

Cordelia screamed as heat built up behind her eyes. The pain made her body rivet and then contort into painful convulsions. She shook and fell forward, crashing into the table, the book rolling from her hands as she screamed and clawed at the pain between her eyes, in her hands and building up beneath her chest.

What the fu-!

Warm fluid spread from her eyes, and she realized with horror that it wasn't tears but blood. Black spots blinked in and out of her vision, the world became distorted, then a haze of colors and finally…nothing but darkness.

All was dark; all was quiet except for the relentless beating of her heart.

Cordelia Chase had gone blind.

"Buffy!"

Angel fell forward in pain, roaring the name of his beloved.

His body was on fire.

Literally.

The flames had gradually gone, but smoke rose from his clothes in the cool night air, his black shirt was covered in blood and ragged cuts were assembled over his forearms. His face was visibly bruised, his lips swollen and a fresh burn scar diagonally crossed his face.

Gradually the wounds began to heal before his acute vision, the bruises and swells disappeared. Angel looked at the rapidly healing wounds in confusion and then remembered he had these abilities-the ability to heal like this.

Scars never healed in hell, and he had been there for one hundred years.

So long, so much pain.

He advanced to push himself up but hissed, vamping out and clutching at his left leg. It was broken, goddamn it.

He opted to stay where he was for a moment until the pain became bearable, until his healing abilities made him capable of limping at least. Sniffing he realized he was in the cemetery, the smell of death and decay underneath the earth was poignant.

And so much of it too, I must be back in Sunnydale, he mused grimly.

"Right you are!"

Angel growled and looked around; he hadn't even heard the human sneak up on him. Except…he sniffed…it wasn't exactly human.

"Why that's not a good way to think about someone, you haven't even met me yet," Whistler bowed.

Angel snorted; the small man seemed familiar in an annoying way. The Angelus in him wanted to break his neck and pummel him until his face bled.

He pushed the demon back with a visible wince.

"Who…the…hell…are you?" His voice cracked, his mouth was desperately dry and his throat was tight.

"Whistler's the name. And you, Angel. Are in luck, unlike some." He mused almost with amusement; Angel shifted and winced in pain.

Whistler's face became almost sympathetic.

"Here," Whistler bent down and handed him the water bottle, smiling and seemingly distressed, "You're probably thirsty."

Angel snatched the bottle away, twisting off the top and squeezing it down his throat for every ounce.

Strange, the only thing he had ever before been thirsty for was blood. He was still thirsty for blood, but water seemed suddenly necessary, essential even. How could his body be this hot if it was supposed to be cold?

"You were in hell, what did you expect? To come back out of that hell hole a cool icicle? I know it's your first time there, but come on," Whistler snorted.

Angel threw the bottle away and glared, almost vamping out in irritation.

"What do you want? Who are you?"

"I already told you who I am. As for what I want…that can wait…We need to get you out of here. Things are happening."

"Sooo many things are happening, it feels so fun. And to think, I owe it all to those above."

He laughed, his shoulders bent forward as he wheezed into his hands.

He was getting better. The lines were beginning to smooth out, become healthier, livelier and more youthful. He had been ninety seven as of yesterday, but now he felt forty; the white wisps of hair had become peppered black and thick, almost as thick as they use to be.

His dull, dark blue eyes had become vibrant again, the handsome features that had made girls swoon in his youth was beginning to show itself again.

I'll be here soon, Mersher you keep your end of the bargain.

The voice whispered within his mind and he nodded resolutely, his face still giddy and contorted into a grin.

"Of course. My powers are returning to me, soon I'll be able to give you your army, Fair One."

Yessss…my army, my beautiful Starlings. Make them powerful for me, Mersher. You were the most powerful sorcerer in existence once; I know you can do this for me, especially today, on this night above all others…

"As you wish, Goddess."

We will be together soon, you and I. You will be my general, you will assist me rid this world of evil.

Mersher smiled and looked upon his gradually youthful fingers, turning them over in awe and admiration, tears threatening to penetrate his vision.

To be young again, He thought.

"It will be done, Fair One. By my honor it shall be done."

I love dramatic endings, which is why I cut off this chp. I made this part immediately along with the next chapter, but I couldn't help but end this chappie this way! But don't worry, my muse is just soooo enthused all of a sudden, I think it's because of all the reviews and chocolate. Good idea chiefhow! RR! Read and Review! It makes my muse happier and keeps the chappies flowing!