Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Angel the series.
Chapter Five
Cordelia was fumbling with the clasp. She'd gotten the gown on, something high price, looking, in black. Her hair was done up in soft curls a few escaping around her face. Her face was done with an expert hand, her lips nearly perfect blood red and right now she was biting at them trying to get this clasp on the necklace behind her.
"Let me."
She jerked then closed her eyes and let Wesley take the necklace from her. When she opened her eyes he had finished and put hands on her shoulders.
"Thanks. I'm, a little nervous."
He smiled at her through the mirror.
"So am I. We, can find another way you know."
She smirked then turned around to adjust the bow tie on his tuxedo.
"Hey, if you have a plan I'm all ears. For the next five minutes."
He smiled and reached for her hands.
"Right, on to the show then?"
AA
Spike woke to the hand on his shoulder with a jerk and a growl. Angel grabbed his arm.
"It's us."
Spike calmed and looked around then sat up with a sigh.
"No offense, but not th' face I was hopin' t' wake up t'."
Rubbing a hand through his hair he looked over at Faith standing at the door. Sliding eyes from her to Angel, and Angel nodded. She was fine.
"So what's wit' th' wake up call, poof?"
Faith didn't turn back but answered anyway.
"Final round coming up. They're coming for us."
Angel offered him a hand and helped Spike to his feet.
"You're looking better."
"Let's hope so, sounds like 'ts time t' play."
AA
Marcus was fuming.
"I can not believe they escaped!"
Robertson smiled politely while the other two showed a decided disinterest. They walked the halls to the pit and the area they had saved to stand and watch. Marcus had already been upset about being outvoted and not getting his private booth to view. He was loosing ground, and he knew it.
"You mean you can not believe you lost them."
"I did not lose them!"
"I do believe it was your idea to detain the seer, she had no part in this, you lost control because you overstepped, and anyone in the Council will realize the same as soon as the reports are filed."
"Do not threaten me Robertson!"
As they entered the pit the noise level increased, people were already milling about, but Robertson was not going to be easily intimidated as he stood face to face with Marcus.
"If you believe that was a threat then you have much to learn. That was simply a statement of fact. You will know when I threaten you. Gentlemen?"
He added to the other two as he walked past Marcus to the side of the pit. They followed with little to no hesitation and left a blustering Marcus behind. The man finally caught up and they stood at the edge, looking over the round center railings to the pit below. The demons that had won their place in final rounds were just being brought in when Jacobs started blustering.
"Is, that them?"
"No you idiot, that's the demons, the slayer and vampire are not brought in yet."
Marcus hissed, trying to gain a better position. Jacobs pointed across the room, on the other side of the pit.
"I meant Pryce and the seer, imbecile!"
Before Marcus could turn on him the rest were looking across. To just catch a glimpse of the former watcher in a simple black tux and the woman dressed in a sparkling strapless black dress. They were dressed much like the rest of the betting party. They didn't have champagne and their faces were slightly more anxious then others, but they were trying their best to blend in. Robertson nodded to Jacobs.
"Seems they didn't want to miss the final test. Send the guards, we'll have them join us."
AA
They had barely gotten in. They had no invitation, knew no one inside who might have invited them, and they certainly weren't on the list. Only Cordelia's quick thinking had gotten them in. Wesley had been impressed until he realized that the Queen C attitude and demands about calling 'daddy' were most likely just how she got into the parties and clubs she would use to socialize and as she put it, network, for contacts in acting. Not that she had done so recently. If he stopped and thought about it, she hadn't gone to a single audition, meeting with an agent, or photo shoot in months. Of course, now was not the time to think about it. Once they sauntered inside, Cordelia's chin as high as she could get it, she pulled him to the side and mentioned that it would only work for a few minutes so they had to disappear into the crowd. Quickly.
They slipped through the throng of people trying to keep an eye out for the Council members, though not one of them had met them face to face. Wesley thought he might recognize them, if nothing else from how they dressed and behaved. He almost lost her twice as they shimmied through the crowds and finally had to call out for her frustrated.
"Cordelia!"
She jerked to a stop and turned to see him disappear behind a couple. An older man that just had to have money. With a woman that young and pretty on his arm. Especially since she wouldn't stop smiling and laughing, fawning over him. Cordelia smiled and thrust an arm past them to grab Wesley's arm.
"Oh I'm so sorry, he gets so lost without me!"
Her mega watt smile dazzled the man long enough to not even noticed Wesley stumbling to her side. Or his date's glare. He just muttered something and tried to smile back. Cordelia threaded an arm through Wesley's and turned to head off quickly. She kept the smile on, as much to blend in as to not freak out.
"Sorry Wes, I'm just. . ."
"I know, nervous. So am I. We should find them."
She sighed and shook her head as she saw a railing up ahead and went that way.
"I'm scared, I just, feel like we might be too late and I can't, if something happened to them -"
He covered her hand on his arm with his own hand.
"I know. What's that up ahead?"
Cordelia tried to get to the railing but it was a popular area. She finally had to tap a man on the shoulder and offer another one of those smiles. Adding in a batting of eyes and a rather small sweet voice she mentioned that it was her first time and she wasn't sure about watching. So worried it would frighten her. That was all he needed to move aside for her. Hoping that she'd grab onto him in fear. She quickly pulled Wesley with her, much to the man's chagrin. Cordelia and Wesley looked over the edge, eyes scanning the fighting area when Cordelia went pale and the smile slipped.
"Wes."
He looked over and saw it then. They were leading the finalists in. Faith walked in, Angel was shoved and followed by Spike. He looked better than he had before but that wasn't saying much. Still bruised and only one eye working he was obviously injured and favoring one side. Wesley reached for her hand. Tears sprang to her eyes and her jaw ticked in anger. Her hand moved to her throat.
"What did they do to them? Why?"
AA
Angel was trying to find a way to keep Spike behind them. There was no way he could fight in the condition he was. not alone, but he was failing miserably. Spike growled at him to keep an eye on the slayer and let himself be pulled back with other 'bad guys'. This wasn't a team match up, it was two warriors against evil and he wasn't one of the warriors. By the time he entered the ring he found they weren't separating them so moved over to the other two.
"Right, best bet is t' take the rest down till we're th' last standin'."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
Faith's face looked ready to fight, but her eyes looked frightened. Angel stepped up letting Spike stay just to the other side of her.
"Faith, these guys, are all bad guys. They got here by killing, even outside of this pit we'd end up having to fight them."
He knew that she was worried about it, about killing again. Spike nodded and kept his eyes on the enemy ahead of them.
"See them not injured pet? This lot kills wit'out a thought. Tried t' make it easy death when I had t' kill, what we got 'ere are demons that wanna draw it out, right? Make it hurt. We take 'em down an'. . . damn it!"
They looked at him then and saw him looking up and past them, both heads turned to look into the crowd. Faith frowned.
"What is it?"
"Cor."
Angel finally spotted them and Faith's eyes widened as she searched. Finally she saw them, she hadn't expected them to be all dressed up, she thought they'd stand out but they blended right in. She caught Wesley's eyes then and his hardened, hers looked apologetic and he shook his head. Cordelia had her hand to her throat, she was obviously upset and Angel tried to look away.
"We can't get distracted, we have to get out of this."
"They 'ere on their own? They best not be attemptin' a rescue, get their fool necks killed!"
Angel was about to look away when he saw them, guards slowly moving around to their sides. His eyes went wide and Faith saw it then to.
"Guards! Wes!"
She went to see if she could somehow just scale the sides but Angel grabbed her.
"We can't help them down here!"
He growled up as the guards grabbed for them. Cordy started to turn and yell at them but they grabbed her wrist and twisted. Wes turned to fight but was hit in the stomach with a gun. Guards led them away from the edge and the three had nothing they could do as they were lead away. Cordy turned and yelled something that Faith didn't catch.
Spike moved alongside her.
"Says they'll get us out."
He bit off, Faith looked back at him.
"Okay, now I'm ready to kill something."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
Angel growled back and as if on command the three turned towards the demons across from them. The vampires put on their game faces and Faith smiled unpleasantly.
AA
Marcus smiled as they were brought over.
"Well well, so nice of you to join us Pryce."
Wesley pulled away from the guards and reached for Cordelia. She moved towards him and Robertson shook his head.
"No please, join us. It's Miss Chase isn't it?"
He gave his own dazzling smile and offered his arm to her. She stared at him then looked at Wesley. The guard between them made it clear they were separating the two of them. Wesley gave a short nod towards Robertson and Cordelia straightened her shoulders. Pulling her arm from the guard she gave Robertson a smile that out did his own and took his arm.
"Well, it's about time someone behaved like a gentleman. I was beginning to think Wesley here was the last watcher with any manners at all."
Robertson patted her hand and stepped away from Wesley, putting Marcus and the guard between them as he went towards the railing.
"Hardly. You'll have to excuse Marcus, I'm afraid he is simply not used to dealing with a lady. My name is Leonard Robertson, I'm sure you've already realized we are from the Council."
Wesley raised his chin at Marcus who snarled and turned to the pit. Wesley caught Cordelia's eye then looked over, but stayed a few steps back from the railing. Cordelia's eyes were nervous as they met Wesley's but if Robertson wanted to play this game, then she could more than keep up.
"I have. It's a shame really though."
"What is that, Miss Chase?"
She made her smile soften around the edges and tilted her head towards him.
"Well that I had to figure it out myself. What a disappointment to find you all have lost the ability to properly introduce yourselves."
He narrowed his eyes in amusement.
"I must say, you are not what we expected Miss Chase."
"Cordelia, please, and I'll take that as a compliment."
He gave a short bow.
"As it was meant."
"So, why don't you explain to me how this works."
Wesley kept an eye on the pit, while Cordelia was remaining calm at least in demeanor, they had to time things well he knew. They had started fighting and his hands flexed as they kept Spike back as best they could, but even with the pent up anger and frustration, Faith was taking a few hits.
Robertson put a hand at her lower back and stepped closer as they leaned over to watch. He could feel her breath catch as one of her friends got hurt or took a hit. Yet she played things calm, he was impressed. Their files had shown the seer to be nothing more than a spoiled princess that had lost it all to the IRS and was 'stuck', for lack of a better word, in this position. From the way she was acting, and it was one hell of a performance, he knew not to underestimate her.
"Ah well, you see typically they simply pit vampires and demons against each other. Those that win go onto another round, moving up in ranks much like boxing or any other sport. The ensouled vampire and the slayer were kept out of fighting until this round. This is the final level and as their test, they should be capable of destroying the evil in the pit."
"You mean those demons? They are, well at least one is a Plyxet?"
"Plyxiete."
Wesley corrected without a thought. He hadn't meant to show he was paying attention but it was an automatic response. Cordelia never got the names correct. Robertson took notice and nodded.
"Plyxiete, yes. You have some experience?"
"Well, it is what we do of course."
"I was under the impression you simply received visions."
She smiled up at him again.
"Like you said, I'm not what you expect."
"Indeed. However they need to be the last two standing in order to win."
"You mean last three."
He smiled then.
"No, I meant two."
She glanced to Wesley then. Her hand fluttered towards her necklace and he shook his head. They couldn't chance it, not yet.
AA
Faith kicked the thing in the face then stomped on it's wrist to get the blade away. Once she'd killed it she turned only to find Spike growling and flying at another demon that had been coming up behind her. He tackled it but it smacked him aside and Angel was there, grabbing the demon's head and twisting, killing it. He glared at Spike.
"We told you to stay back! You're going to get killed!"
"Saved th' slayer didn' I now? You lot jus' worry about gettin' out of here. You get t' them, you hear?"
A quick glance up and Angel nodded, turned and let him get himself up. They were going to get out, all of them, that had been the deal. The deal had changed when they saw Wesley and Cordelia grabbed by guards. They found the Council members easily once they found the two in the crowd again. Not one of them had been happy about that, and the plan changed. Kill what you needed to, and get to the Council.
AA
Cordelia covered quickly, she'd watched Spike get tossed aside and stiffened but had kept it out of her voice, which was the best she could do. She silently prayed that Angel and Faith could finish up the fight, because it was only when the demons were gone that they could do anything. Except they were almost done. One demon left and he ran. She smiled to herself thinking this was it, they'd won on their own. She glanced to Wesley and he frowned. Her own smile slipped and she glanced back down. Robertson smiled beside her.
"Ah there we go, the final test."
She blinked, whatever that thing was entering the pit it wasn't a demon, it couldn't be.
"What, is that?"
"That, is the true test. You didn't think simply killing evil things was enough to prove they were champions now did you?"
"Well, you boys are full of surprises."
She felt her heart speed up. Faith had gone to attack and Angel and Spike both grabbed her and pulled her back, muttering something that had all three backing up from it. She looked over to Wesley and he looked scared.
"So uh, how do they kill it?"
"Oh, they don't. It absorbs souls. Souls laden with evil. If they are truly on the side of the light now, they'll survive, or at least enough of their souls will survive. For those with no souls, well, let's just say it's not a messy death."
She shook her head and went to step back but his hand pressed at her back.
"Surely you don't want to miss this."
Cordelia was done playing now. She stomped a heel into his foot and backed up. Wesley had been watching and reached for her as he stepped closer. She grabbed his hand.
"You know what, I think I have a better idea."
She smiled and grabbed the necklace, she and Wesley muttered something then threw it towards the pit. Robertson was hobbling after her with a frown and reached for her arm and caught the wrist too late, the necklace went sailing over the pit. A guard went for the two but the necklace exploded into a bright light, it got brighter and brighter, pure light that had the crowd screaming and tossing arms up to protect themselves. A high pitched whine accompanied the light then suddenly, an oppressive silence broke through that was almost painful. Robertson groaned and opened his eyes.
There was no light, but it was white, everything, everywhere. He looked around and Marcus was looking just as confused. The only people they could see were the Council members, Angel, Spike, and Faith. Once they got their bearings Faith glared at Robertson.
"Where they hell are they!"
Angel and Spike stepped forward and then stopped, confusion written on their faces as they put hands up, hitting an invisible barrier keeping them from the Council members. At leas Marcus looked relieved, but it was short lived as they heard a voice. It echoed, male and female at the same time, distant.
"Let the judging begin."