Title: The Awakening of a Warrior Princess
Author: FantasyChick
Summary: To any who has started reading my Lady Firebird fanfic, this is non-Buffy alternative. For any who haven't, this is about Cordelia and the others, but for the moment mainly Cordelia.
Disclaimer: I wish . . . where's a wish demon when you want one? . . . Anya! . . . Anyanka!
Prologue: A surprise awakening!
Las Angeles
Buffy's viewpoint
Buffy crept unnoticed into the secure medical wing of the hospital with a practised ease. In the mostly white room the comatose brunette figure in the bed at the center of the room was also the most noticeable.
Buffy had visited Cordelia at least once a week since she had first found out what had happened to her in LA especially when she found out Cordy had gained visions from the Powers-That-Be, before the events caused her to her current position.
It was extremely dangerous for someone not born to be such a vessel to gain it so abruptly and for it to go from a demon to a human, well the was just alarming considering the fact that a normal human couldn't take as much stress as a demon. Not to mention that Doyle had struggled with the sight himself. Buffy still didn't know what Doyle had been thinking doing such a stupid dangerous thing.
Buffy, who had had the training to deal with her own seer gift at a young age had been shocked and concerned when she had learnt that Cordelia had gained the gift so unexpectedly and how she had gained it.
It was the fact that Cordelia had survived that had caused Buffy to investigate further. The slayer used her contacts with the American Ministry of Magic to research everything they could about Cordelia.
What she found was astonishing.
Shaking out of her memories, Buffy pulled a vial out of her carryall. She took the stopper out and let the small amount of liquid drip slowly into Cordy's mouth, then sat back to see if the phoenix tears would work.
The following morning just before dawn Buffy, having just finished the preparations for her departure, crept silently through the Hyperion careful not to alert Angel or the others of her activities.
She placed an envelope addressed to everyone on the coffee table in the lobby, before she picked up her packs, and gripped the medallion. Glancing at the clock she saw it was 5:29 am.
She took a deep breath.
One minute to go, one minute before she returned to the world that she had left eight years ago. A moment later Buffy felt a familiar tugging at her stomach and there was a quiet pop as she disappeared, baggage and all.
Other's viewpoint
Later that morning Angel and the others sat around the coffee table, stunned as Angel read the letter left behind for them by Buffy.
Dear Everyone,
As you are all sleeping or doing other important things I had no wish to disturb or worry you, hence this letter.
First I would just like to reassure you all that this not a suicide note and no I am not running away.
For the last couple of months I've been feeling restless, as if there was something I needed to do. Last night I received word from an old acquaintance of mine that needs help urgently and as soon as I get to where I am going I'll ring ASAP to let you know I'm alright. Until then I have just a few things to tell you all.
Giles, did I ever thank you for being there for me during some of the hardest times I my life. If not I'm sure I don't do it often enough so I'll say it now. Thank you. Thank you for being there for me and thank you for being more of a father to me then my own ever was. And if there was such a thing as a chosen Watcher then you would be it Watcher-mine.
Dawn. You have grown to be such a strong, smart and beautiful young woman and I know that Mum would be proud of the woman you have become. I love you.
Willow, Kennedy, look after each other and the newbie slayers etc. I love you Wills and Kennedy and if you do anything to hurt each other I'll kick both your arses.
Xander, Anyanka, I have two things to say to you two. Firstly I know you are both going slowly but there is a thing as going too slow. You have both faced a lot of adversity in your relationship and you are still together after all of that, doesn't that tell you anything. I love you both.
Faith, you and I have been through so much. I have to admit that when you first came to Sunnydale I was upset and treated you bad. I was still hurting over the death of Kendra and was afraid that you would die as early as she had. I was afraid to get close. So I'm sorry about the way that I first treated you and kept you at a distance. And you know, it is funny how Slaying makes a girl Hungry and Horny.
Wes, I would also like to apologize to you about how I treated you when you first arrived. And despite what happened I have to say that you have turned into a great watcher. If I hadn't already had the job of training Giles I would definitely have been training you as my watcher.
Fred, Gunn. I don't you both all that well but I have to say thank you for welcoming me into your lives. You are both very special people and I hope you realise that.
Conner, give your old man a rest. And try not to brood so much or, as a certain bleached blonde would say, you would turn into the great pouf, the pouf being Angel. You are young and still have much to experience. I have just one question you have to answer for yourself. What gives you the right to judge anyone?
Angel, look after all of them for me will you. And please get a sense of humour. Doyle told me that you have one in there somewhere so let it out. Have some fun. Oh and so you don't go crazy wondering about how Doyle told me, I met him in heaven. He is a very nice guy. A bit strange though. He had somehow managed to start a weekly poker game and you would not believe the spirits that joined the group.
Queen C. Cordelia. Doyle told me to tell you that after your ordeal is over to not punish yourself over it. Remember, you were chosen as a seer for the powers that be for a reason. You are a warrior for the light side. Just like a certain ancestor of yours. She too was seduced by the dark forces for a time before she returned to the light side. And she grew stronger for it. I believe you know the name from the TV series they made about her. She was known as Xena, Warrior Princess.
I've left a box in my room that has certain things in it for all of you all. Dawn, Spikes old leather duster is now yours. It's hanging in my closet.
I love you all.
Buffy
Another's viewpoint
In the Hospital, Cordelia awoke with a start, sitting up abruptly and scaring the dickens out of the nurse who was doing her early morning rounds.
