Chapter 18 – First Thing is first

"I think we have a winner!" Fred exclaimed, sighing with relief at her computer. Gunn, Wes, and Lorne stopped researching and walked over to Fred with curiosity.

"What did you find?" Wes asked, affectionately squeezing Fred's shoulders.

"Good news is that no demons carry the power to blow up offices and mimic voices onto voice mail, but the bad news is that we may be dealing with something that is beyond any demon that we have successfully defeated." Fred explained, browsing through the demon and apocalypse sites. Silence fell temporarily on the group as they anticipated more from Fred.

"What?"

"You didn't fill us in on whom or what that bad thing may be, my dear," Wes prompted. Fred blushed, it was a busy day and her mind was like a slow clock with the wheels turning backwards.

"Well as far as bad news goes this thing is stronger than any demon put together. It's the -"

"First Evil," Lorne and Fred replied simultaneously.

"I had a feeling that the office disaster and the prank calls were leading up to something, but I just wasn't expecting it to come this soon. It looks like we're going to have to call Angel cakes on this one, folks. It could get real ugly. Once the chaos spreads then we are in for some nasty fighting." Lorne shook his head and heaved out a great sigh.

Wesley's and Gunn's eyes widened with realization.

"Of course. The First can change his voice into anyone who has died or is technically dead. Why didn't I think of that before? We must be on guard." Wesley loosened his neck tie, nervously.

"So what about these demons? What is their plan of destruction? I mean the First has to work with powerful minions, right? Does anyone even have a clue on what these things are?" Gunn folded his arms, feeling desperate for action.

"We don't know yet, but I believe Faith and Angel might have an idea since they have been hunting for answers in the building." Fred replied grabbing her coat to walk out the door.

"I think it is much safer if we called, my dear. I gave Angel a cell phone." Wesley insisted, grabbing onto Fred's arm to stop her.

Fred turned and nodded, handing Wesley her cell phone to call Angel. Ever since the massacre in Angel's office, the Angel Investigations have been using their cell phones so that the Wolfram and Hart Firm would not trace their calls. It was a security measure that seemed to reassure them immensely. Wesley dialed the number and waited as the ringing sounded in his ears.

The Fur Elise song filled the tunnel as Angel and Doyle worked their way through it. Doyle's head whirled around at the sound.

"What ta heck was that?" Doyle frowned.

"My cell phone. Looks like they found something." Angel reached for his duster pocket.

"Since when do ya use cell phones?"

"Do you assume I am going to live in the dark ages all my life?"

"Well…yeah. I never thought of ye as a technology wizard."

Angel shrugged slightly. "I buckled down a bit and decided that these small phones would work like a charm when it came to emergencies. In any case I don't have to find a pay phone like Superman anymore." Doyle glanced at Angel skeptically.

"Okay, fine. Cordy made me buy one. She said it was the best way to get me into the twenty-first century. I have to admit these things can be a pain in the butt to figure out at times."

Doyle nodded and grinned. Only Cordelia Chase could persuade the Dark Avenger to give into current technology.

Angel struggled to reach for the phone in his pocket and then slipped and crashed down into another room. Doyle coughed and waved his hand to get rid of the dust and glanced down at Angel from the broken hidden door.

He dropped down next to Angel. Angel winced in pain.

"I think I broke my back." Angel grimaced.

"Stay still and hold on. Don't flinch 'way from me." Doyle whispered glancing around the room to make sure it was secure. Doyle lifted up Angel's shirt and peeked at Angel's bruised scars. Doyle laid his hands over Angel and seeped his healing power into Angel. Blue air sparkled and consumed the wound until it was thoroughly healed.

Angel got up slowly and looked up at Doyle in awe.

"It's gone. That was incredible! How did you do that?"

"It's 'jus one of the many mysteries of bein' a white lighter." Doyle smiled, his eyes glowing brightly.

"You shine and you healed me. I don't think angels are allowed to heal demons." Angel frowned.

"I'm far from an angel," Doyle revealed his demon side to prove his point and then shook himself back into human form. "Besides you're me friend and if what I did goes against the rules then so be it. Are ye goin' ta get the phone?" Doyle asked with a laugh. Angel smiled weakly and picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Buzzing entered Angel's ear. "Must be out of range or something." Angel frowned, putting his phone back into his duster pocket.

Doyle looked around the room. The room was spacey with a few cream leather coaches, an oval coffee table, a fridge, golden walls and one small window with green curtains blocking the sun. Doyle crashed into the sofa with exhaustion, his feet up and his hands behind his head.

"Wonder what's in the fridge," Angel thought aloud.

"Ah…wouldn't hurt ta look," Doyle leaned forward and peaked inside the medium sized fridge and scrunched up his face in disgust.

"They have yogurt, lamb's head, pig intestines, demon eyes and human hearts. This is what ta rich and powerful live on? Glad I wasn't invited as a dinner guest," Doyle searched aimlessly through the fridge until he finally found what he wanted.

"Jackpot! Corona will do me fine, I guess. Ye think they would have more 'o a variety though. Want some?" Angel lifted his hand and shook his head. He zoned out on a vase full of run down roses. Red and armed with thorns. Sweet, but dangerous.

"What's wrong, mate?" Doyle asked, sensing Angel's tension as he took another swig of beer.

"It's a dream I had of roses. The end is coming.Roses represent passion and hatred. I remember from my days of being Angelus. It's the lust to kill. Chaos only needs a drop of blood and then all hell will break loose again like it did in Sunnydale." Angel moved uncomfortably on the coach. Doyle placed his finished bottle on the coffee table and looked deeply at Angel.

"Ye saw it too?" Doyle sat thoughtfully in silence for a moment and then quickly got up off the coach. His eyes were glassy like a crystal pond. Angel could see his friend's emotions suddenly shift. Doyle had a way of changing his moods quickly and you could see it clearly through his eyes.

"We need to talk ta the Oracles. They're the only ones with the answers ta our questions."

"We don't have any gifts." Angel replied, checking his pockets.

"We'll 'jus make it a quick visit. Easy come, easy go. If there are any consequences then we'll deal with it." Doyle took the ingredients out of his pockets and mixed them around until a bright light came from the back wall.

"See you on the other side." Angel nodded towards Doyle as they both jumped into the bright light.

"How many corridors have we turned? I swear we're lost. We should have found the main lobby by now." Paige complained, gazing down the dimly lit hallway.

"Hold your knickers on, Glinda. The place is big. We're probably on our way for another round of the Price is Right or maybe Jeopardy," Spike joked.

"I'll take 'Where are we?' for five hundred," Faith shot back, laughing.

"Guys, this is no time to be laughing. Back in the white room I got a message from an anonymous voice that blocked my call to Doyle and told me that we are in for a lot of blood tonight. It's dangerous and is a matter of life and death." Paige confessed, ringing her hands around nervously.

"Relax chica. You must have powers if you teleported here. It's no biggie." Faith wrapped a casual arm around Paige.

"Well about that…You see I can orb only a short way here." Paige demonstrated her teleporting power and orbed ten feet away. Faith laughed, clapping Paige's shoulder. Paige winced at her shoulder.

"Looks like your Tinkerbell powers are diminishing, pet. Should we clap and jump up and down chanting that we believe in fairies?" Spike suggested with a grin.

"We don't have much time before the tide comes in. I'm serious! We may be looking at possibly watching our friends dying." Paige frowned, folding her arms, looking impatiently towards both Faith and Spike.

"I'm sure that Nancy Boy and his side kick Blue Pin Cushion Head are taking care of it like good little heroes." Spike muttered halfheartedly.

"Yeah or B and her team of secret agents are on the prowl for the next green goblin that appears." Faith shrugged with a grin.

"I have to get to my sisters. They may be in trouble." Paige stormed past Faith, looking clearly upset. Faith side stepped in front of her and put a hand gently on Paige's shoulder.

"Look P, I'm…sorry. We'll find them. We'll find B, the gang and your sisters. I promise. We just need to find a way out of this maze, got it?" Paige shook her head slowly. Faith smiled and companionably patted Paige on the back. Paige winced again, but Faith just grinned.

"Right," Paige replied skeptically.

"Spike can get us through this place. He's a big, strong, lad," Faith mimicked Spike's cockney English accent.

"Thanks for your words of wisdom, luv." Spike grunted as he suddenly stopped walking.

"What is it, oh poor, pitiful, soulful vampire?" Faith shoved Spike aside, but could see nothing.

"Do you hear that?" Spike asked, covering Faith's mouth to get a read on the voice.

"No, but then again I'm not a pathetic, soulful vampire like yourself. What do you think it is?" Faith questioned. Spike concentrated again and shrugged.

"Bullocks! I swore I heard some girl talking. Looks like we have some sort of life form not too far away, eh pet?" Spike turned to look at Paige. Paige was gone.

"Where did she go?" Faith frowned. "She couldn't have gone far with her dinky powers."

"No, I don't think she intentionally left us, luv. Look over here," Spike pointed out at a piece of silky purple torn fabric.

"It's a part of P's shirt. How could someone have taken her when there was not a thing or person in sight? Your voice came from the opposite direction, right?"

"Yeah. Bloody hell! Some poofter must have thrown its voice. Nice trick. I can't believe it got me." Faith frowned at Spike.

"It got me too, whatever it was. We better go find her. If B shows up I don't want to be held responsible for loosing the little witch."

"Good idea, Slayer. You are actually starting to make sense. Lets separate. She couldn't have gone far. You take the left and I'll take the right. We'll meet somewhere in the middle." Faith nodded her head towards Spike's direction.

"Right…You'll find us with your downright sexy vampire senses. Good point. I'll see ya later then, lover," Faith grinned smacking Spike's butt before she trotted towards the opposite corridor.

"What now?" The male Oracle asked, looking down upon Angel and Doyle.

"Easy man, their bite is worse than their bark," Doyle whispered patting Angel's shoulder and nodding his head towards the Oracles.

"You're going to make me do all the talking?" Angel tilted his head to the side observing Doyle inching away from the Oracles. "I thought this was your idea." Angel whispered.

"It is…was. You see…I owe them." Angel grabbed Doyle by the collar to stop him from retreating.

"You know you could have warned me before we entered the lions' den." Angel folded his arms, feeling annoyed.

"I sorta forgot. I didn't know I was goin' to be brought back ta life. Can ya forgive an old friend?" Doyle smiled nervously.

"Sure. Why not? I will if we get through this without the price on our heads. You know now that you have a second chance at life you may want to rethink that old lifestyle of yours," Angel suggested quietly. Doyle shrugged. Angel lifted an eyebrow, his lips pressed together in a disapproving manner.

"Fine, I promise. I'll speak with them, but ye have ta seek their approval. Give me an opening, ya know. After you," Doyle waved him over to the Oracles. Angel sighed. Some things never changed. He was now going to have to play peace keeper between Doyle and the Oracles because of the gifts Doyle owed them.

"Well, well. It is the noble warrior and the beggar." The female Oracle forced a smile.

"That's a bit harsh. I did suffer tremendously and sacrificed me life fer the likes o' saving others." Doyle smiled weakly, his eyes mirroring fear, but glittered with what appeared to be hope. The male Oracle clapped loudly with half a smile on his shiny gold face.

"We will see about that. Have you brought us anything?" The male Oracle asked curiously.

"No. Not really. Don't have anything that would be to your approval," Angel cut in.

"Then I'm afraid we can tell you nothing. That disappoints me, but I think we may have other plans for you both." The female Oracle's eyes turned hazy as a burst of light ripped through them.

Angel dodged for cover, tucking Doyle under his arm. The light felt close and was full of heat like fire. Suddenly music filled the room. The blazing light crept closer to Doyle and Angel as they rolled over for cover.

Angel quickly and carefully took the phone out of his duster.

"Yeah. Hello?"

"Angel? Are you okay? We've been trying to reach you for hours. Listen we think we solved the mystery to your massacre in the office and the voice on the phone. It's not a regular demon. We believe something big is about to happen," Wesley announced quickly over the earpiece.

"I know what your talking about. I –" Angel protected Doyle and himself with his duster as another bolt of light flashed from the male Oracle this time.

"Angel is everything alright?" Wesley waited for an answer. There was a long pause.

"Like it always is, Wes. I'm taking care of it, don't worry," Angel muttered into the phone.

"Where are you?"

"Don't worry about it, okay? How's everybody else doing at the office? Is everyone okay?"

"We're fine. Why do you ask?" Wesley responded with shock.

"Demons have attacked the firm. They're Hoygles and are gargoyle demons that can look and sound like humans. It's a long story. I'll tell you as soon as I get back-"

"Angel?"

"Yes?"

"The First is back and is more powerful than we can ever imagine. The First Evil has been the source of the massacre and the voice. It's coming back and has brought minions."

"The Hoygles! It is bringing us into another Hellmouth battle. I had a feeling it was more than just a dream. I'll be back at the office as soon as I can," Angel promised and then hung up. The lightning beams from the Oracles had stopped.

"Doyle, what's happening?" Angel turned to Doyle. Doyle looked at his phone and then back at the Oracles.

"Seems like we have somethin' ta give 'em after all," Doyle smiled with relief.

"What an unusual tool. What is it?" The male Oracle gazed on with curiosity.

"It's a way of contacting to the outside world. It's called a cell phone." Angel answered swiftly.

"Lets see it!" The female Oracle nodded as it flew from Angel's hands. Angel turned to Doyle. Doyle shrugged. "Can't have 'em all, man."

"Ask your questions. Time is precious so you may want to do it quickly," the male Oracle suggested, folding his arms. Angel nodded towards Doyle. Doyle sighed. It looked like he had to speak after all.

"Are we havin' an apocalypse?"

"Yes. Stronger and more fierce than any other before it." The female Oracle nodded gravely.

"Not one, but two cities have connected evil crests that will soon open to reveal death," The male Oracle added waving his arm over Angel's and Doyle's head.

"How and why did Angel become human when the Powers need him ta most?"

The female Oracle looked up and lifted up her hand gracefully and shrugged.

"How is uncertain. The Powers did not do this and no demon has exchanged blood with him. The power of the old warrior has been taken because someone wants to test him." The male Oracle answered. "You have one more question. Choose wisely."

"Can we save everyone?" Doyle responded quickly, his breath caught as he shuttered. The Oracles looked up, paused and sighed wearily as they looked into Doyle's and Angel's eyes.

"You can only save those who choose to be saved. We cannot reveal who will perish and who will not. The future is for you both to decide." The female Oracle lifted her hand as if to reach out to them and then folded it back down next to her.

"The plague of infection grows strong. Leave us," The male Oracle waved his hand as Doyle and Angel flew back into the spacious room.

"Are ye ready to fight this good fight, man?" Doyle steadied himself with the coach's armrest, rolling his burnt shoulder back as he gave Angel a half smile.

"In a heart beat, Doyle. Let the games begin," Angel nodded, his cheek bruised and red. They shook hands to renew their promise to protect the innocent.