Diclaimer: Stated on first chapter, please don't make me admit it again!
=====AUTHOR'S STUF=====
Cirri Felini - A beatiful girl, a major player, known as the Felini dagger.
The Unmasked One - Coronel's master
The Dagger - A VERY big aspect of the story.
Warning! There is a little gore, some violent threats and a kissing scene. Reader read at your discretion...
On to the story...
==========Waiting in the Wings...of Suspence===========
Angel Investigations
Tuesday April, 16, 2001
4:00pm
5 mins prior to CH01's ending
"I still don't get it, what could Cordy's vision have meant? It's just so unclear!" Fred cried grabbing a lock of her chocolatety hair in frustration.
"Im guessing its means when vampires die, ashy butt-naked babies will be born." Gunn cracked flipping through one of the many mythical books the team owned.
Fred cracked up at Gunn's remark. "Charles you are so funny!" she cried smacking him on his smooth head with a book.
"And you are too cute." Gunn laughed back grabbing Fred by her waist and pulling her into his lap. "All I really want to do is dump this vamp dusting crap and kiss you." He whispered.
"Awe Gunn…Fred sighed wrapping her arms around his neck. Fred softly nuzzled Gunn's nose with her own. The two love birds flirted and played with each other until they were about to kiss. Gunn felt Fred's warm peachy breath on his mouth as she leaned in; he inhaled a whiff of her vanilla perfume; wanting her so badly. Fred caressed Gunn's cheek as her lips met his; the two began to kiss passionately when Wesley walked in, however his presence remained unknown.
Wes had least expected to be greeted by Fred and Gunn, much less them making out.
Wesley knew he should just leave, he knew that the sight he beheld was going to ruin him, but he just could take his eyes off of two lovers. Fred sat in Gunn's lap, kissing him and rubbing his back with her hand. Gunn was just as eager if not more. Wesley stood there wishing he was Gunn, wishing he was the one who had the adorable young lady in his lap. Wishing he had love like Gunn did.
Wesley turned to leave, but through his anger, he accidentally banged into the weapon cupboard sending a loud noise rippling through the office. Fred and Gunn jumped like hell. Spinning around frantically, Gunn almost fell from the office chair as Fred leapt off of him blushing madly. Gunn launched himself from the chair angrily and made his way over to the provocative Wes.
"So that's what this is now!?!" he shouted. "You just gonna sneak up in here all quiet and slippery and invade my privacy?!!?" Gunn shouted.
"This is simply evidence that you cannot be left to an important task unsupervised!" Wesley replied coldly.
"Look here 4 eyes!" Gunn began. "You ain't got any right to invade our privacy like that; you could have at least made us know you were there!" Gunn shouted with an outstretched hand to include Fred in "we". Fred stood partially behind on one of the book cabinets and nodded in agreement.
"You were not supposed to be kissing on the job and you know that full well Charles!" Wesley snarled.
"Don't you even go there!!!" Gunn retorted. "Just don't even – CRASHHHH!!!!!!!
Everyone looked upwards as that was where the hotel's permeating noise had come from. Wesley and Gunn decided to finish the fuss later as they turn to run up the steps to investigate the noise. Fred followed in suite.
"It came from Angel's room!" Cordelia shouted as she and Lorne met up with the others. The team all huddled in front of Angel's room's doorway and beheld the mind boggling sight. Angel and a Power That Be brawling.
AUTHORS NOTE: Seeing that it is kind hard to tell good fights in story mode I've made up a more interesting way to tell it, its called Better Brawl View
-BBV-
Angel's bewildered friends watch in horror as Angel gets himself into a fight he never should have.
ANGEL: Swings powerfully at Coronel
CORONEL: Ducks quickly
ANGEL: Left kick in the gut
CORONEL: doubles back, 360 degree spin punch
ANGEL: flies backwards into table, cracking it in half
CORONEL: menacingly approaches with a drawn mystical knife.
ANGEL: picks up a broken table leg and sails it at Coronel
CORONEL: unluckily, hits him in the head, he crumbles to the floor, but not for long.
ANGEL: jumps up and grabs another table leg, panting
CORONEL: jumps up too, wheezing.
ANGEL: rushes forward and summersaults right over Coronel
CORONEL: grabs him straight out of the air and flips him down on the ground, Angel cries out in pain.
CORONEL: tries to stake Angel with knife.
ANGEL: Grabs it
CORONEL: Push
ANGEL: Push back
CORONEL: Push harder
ANGEL: brings his foot up and kicks him in the head really hard; knife flies across the room.
CORONEL: grunts holding his head.
ANGEL: Gets up and swings at Coronel.
CORONEL: Duck
ANGEL: Swing again
CORONEL: block
ANGEL: left hook
CORONEL: block
ANGEL: right hook
CORONEL: block
ANGEL: double gab
CORONEL: X – block; kicks angel backward really hard.
ANGEL: lands flat on damaged bed.
CORONEL: jumps on him and gets ready to stake him with back up knife.
Exit BBV
The gang watched in horror as Coronel got the best of Angel, nobody wanted this to happen, but they were too scared to help. Knowing that this was the Powers That Be that Angel had been brawling made them think twice before aiding their vampire friend.
"Say goodnight filthy one, your days on earth are over as you know it, you are going to see hell for the first time, and the last." Coronel snarled; stake raised above Angel's heaving chest.
"Actually, I kinda been to hell before, wasn't pretty." Angel snickered.
"Shut up!" Coronel yelled. "Maybe while you are down there you'll learn some respect!"
"Please, you aren't going to kill me, im a 'major player' remember?" Angel taunted. "Your boss wouldn't like it if you killed me now would he?" Angel smiled wickedly.
Coronel knew that Angel was right, but the nasty smirk on his face cause Coronel to forget about the due consequences of killing Angel. He raised the stake fully and was just about to drive it into the brave champion's chest when he suddenly dropped it. Angel presumed the new expression on his face was connected to the loud sound that just rang through out the room it sounded like two coconuts colliding. Coronel fell like a lead pole and rolled off of the bed. Gunn stood in his place with a large hammer in his hand and a lopsided grin. He extended his hand to Angel, who welcomingly took it.
"Thanks Gunn" Angel thanked him brushing off his crushed shirt. "What came over you?"
"Well like you said, if the Powers That be will attack you for rude comments, then maybe they aren't all that good after all." Gunn reasoned.
"I appreciate you seeing it my way Gunn." Angel told him.
"Actually it was Fred who brought me the hammer; I guess she knew she didn't have the muscle to do it herself." Gunn informed him. "Actually Fred doesn't have muscles" Gunn joked.
Fred shrugged sheepishly, "So what if im a stick figure, don't you like me that way?" She asked.
"The only way" Gunn told his sweetheart patting her head.
"Thanks you guys, now we need to get rid of the – Angel began.
"The body – it – vanished?" Wesley asked stepping into the room.
"Seem so." Gunn admitted.
"Wow, freaky; maybe the PTBs wanted their fallen warrior back" Cordelia tried.
"This place is a mess." Angel stated looking around.
"Courtesy of Angel the Ruthless No-thinker." Cordy blamed him.
Everybody nodded in agreement.
"What? Guys, I had to defend my life, and my beliefs." Angel cried.
"Angel, what do you think the power will do to you now seeing that you dissed them beyond repair, and you took out one of their men?" Cordy asked.
"Gunn did it!" Angel protested.
"To save your dumb ass!" Gunn retorted back.
"ANGEL!" Cordy cried "That's not the point; the point is the PTB are going to enact vengeance or revenge or simply punishment on you…You better be ready."
"For what?" Angel asked.
"I don't know, whatever they feel fit to do to you." Cordy remarked throwing up her hands.
"Angel, this is scary, the PTB are …obnoxious – no I meant, very unreasonably wise." Fred treaded carefully. "But they are powerful, who knows what they will do?"
"Not to mention that freaky vision with the ashy babies and all" Gunn put in.
"Yes, we all have a lot to worry about, which is why we best get to work." Wes said.
"Gunn, you and Lorne will help me downstairs figure out the vision, Angel, you need to clean up this mess, and Cordy, you and Fred keep an eye on Angel, if anything peculiar begins to happen let me know right away." Wesley commanded.
"You got it boss!" Cordelia saluted.
"Ok Wes," Fred answered.
"Yeah Wes, keep me downstairs with you, that way I can bussh your face in for that thing you pulled earlier." Gunn retorted following Wesley out the door.
"Whatever, this is an investigation office, not a kissing booth." Wesley said.
"I didn't ask for…. Gunn's voice trailed off as they got farther away.
"What was that all about?" Angel asked grinning.
"Oh nothing!" Fred cried embarrassedly. "Let's just clean up shall we?"
"No Let Angel clean up" Cordelia corrected. "Im going to check on Connor, all that racket his father was making…"
"Yeah good idea Cordy!" Angel agreed.
Angel turned around and began tossing broken table parts into a pile. The broken wood clattered as they collided on the ground. Every now and again Angel would glance at Fred to see if she was acting funny. Not that acting funny wasn't something would expect from Fred in a time of suspense, but he didn't like the fact that Fred was sometimes afraid of him. He never really meant the harm he brought, it just came, naturally. Fred however had no interest in Angel, it was all occupied by the crystal like dagger she held in her hands. Its polynomial surface was awesomely crafted. Small red Jews decorated the hilt, which happened to be a topaz color. The blade was so sharp; Fred could feel the air splitting as she moved the blade back and forth. Etched in the blade were the words Felini SparkelDust," This made Fred begin to think that the dagger was actually a key, but she said nothing. Her big round eyes, just examined the blade even more.
"I guess you never encounter vampires in Pylea?" Angel asked out of the blue; his back turned.
"What?" Fred asked looking up.
"Never mind, what kind of dagger you suppose that is?" Angel asked.
"It's…magnificent." Fred began. "But it's not to be here." She quickly added.
Fred looked up expecting Angel to say something but he didn't; he just stared into blank space.
Angel soon resumed his work, but he seemed very distracted.
"No Fred, You were right," Angel began
"What was I right about?" Fred asked feverishly.
"I was reckless." Angel stated flatly, "The Powers are going to be after you and Gunn too." Angel observed turning to face the babyish brunette. 'Fred im sorry, you and Gunn had nothing to do with this. If they even lay a finger on you will bring their headquarters from out of the sky myself." Angel growled.
"Angel, its ok." Fred assured him. "You did – well you didn't do the right thing but…we'll survive, we always do."
"Yeah, but I can't help thinking about what Cordy said." Angel insisted. "What are the powers going to do?"
"I don't know Angel, but here is a secret." Fred began approaching him. "I don't believe in Powers That Be either, I rather call them the Powers That Screw You." Fred whispered mischievously with a rude smile.
Angel grinned back, "Yeah I figured you did." He said.
"So there is something ya don't see everyday!" Cordelia cried standing in the doorway with Connor.
"Cordy!" Angel turned; he began cleaning up again quickly.
"Hey Cordelia, Angel and I were just discussing the PTB." Fred smiled. "And this dagger, you have a connection to them, ever seen it?" she added retrieving the dagger.
"No, but it probably sells for much!" Cordelia smiled. "Common Angel, whadda ya say! We have enough weapons as it is."
"No!" Angel barked. Then quickly softening his tone he continued. "I mean, its special, we need to find out what it does, Fred thinks it's a key."
"A key to where?" Cordy asked; her eyebrows raised.
**********
A Smokey Chamber
Tuesday 6:05 pm
"I cannot believe this, I simply cannot! I will not!"
"Master, I am so sorry I failed, but you know as well as I do that Angel in no major player for nothing. Coronel sighed, his head bowed to the ground. His black grainy hair swept the ground as he nodded to everything his superior told him.
"But you let Cirri Felini get lost, you know that this is grave beyond thinkable."
"Yes my lord." Coronel stated obstinately.
"If Angel gets a way to speak to Felini, that is it, the world is over as we know it." The unmasked person informed fearfully. "I will have to take matters into my own hands, for the good of mankind."
"But Master if you -"
"Shut the hell up!" the unmasked bellowed. "You little failing worm."
"Felini is timid, easily tricked, Angel and his friends can use her, and become more powerful than we've ever imagined! How can we stop it now that you lost Felini?"
"Well-
"Well nothing you two-legged snot slurping bat!" "The Powers That Be will NOT fall to Angel, and my power has not yet regained so what WILL – YOU – DOOO!"
Saliva rained down on Coronel as his outraged master vented his anger, he wasn't usually so hyper and full of temper, but things Angel said and did…gosh.
"My wonderfully wise and mighty lord, may I beg to tell you a solution?" Coronel managed to get in.
"What?" the unmasked asked distastefully.
"I managed to retrieve a little something of Angel's when I fled. It will prove most useful. I believe one as wise as your sell will be able to conjure a wicked spell to punish the heartless bastard." Coronel informed his master, trembling all the while.
"I said what?"
"This."
Coronel pulled a small black booklet from his robes; its binding was a pretty pink color, and the word "Winifred Burkle" was scrawled across the top neatly in bright pink ink. "Please ask before opening" was written under that in red.
The unmasked one stared at the book for some time. Then he calmly said: "Corn Hell, I am going to crochet a black bag and stuff you in it if you don't tell me that that is a book belonging to the gypsies who originally cursed Angel."
"Add there is only one type one black thread in this room." He added threateningly.
"Its isn't, but it is still of use."
"Someone please bring me a pair of pliers, a crochet needle, and earplugs."
"Wait my lord!" Coronel pleaded. "This is Winifred's diary, she writes about everyone and everything, including their feelings and her own!"
"And?"
"You know what that means, just remember the gypsies?" Coronel smiled wickedly.
"Ah yes…I see what you are getting at Corn Hell." The unmasked one mused. "Yes, it is sounding perfect already…and Angel will not be able to talk to Felini. Hmmm… Corn Hell you've done it! You saved your self a personal hand bag!"
"Thank you my lord." Coronel thanked him.
"Come with me, we must get started right away."
"Yes my lord, may I rise?" Coronel asked.
"Yes, you may." The unmasked answered. "You see Coronel, that's why I like you, even though your brain is half wedged between your ass cheeks, you still come up with brilliant ideas!" the unmasked one laughed."
"Thank you – I think." Coronel said following his master out of the smoky room.
Fred's Hotel Room
Tuesday 9:49 pm
Dressed for bed in her white silky nightgown, Fred sat it the bed wondering what her friends were up to. She could not sleep, after what Cordy said, and Angel's fight with the PTB, she couldn't stop worrying about him, Gunn – and herself. Fred glanced at the dagger wearily that lay on her night table. She had decided to keep it close, she believed it was something extremely important, she just didn't know what. If the PTB came to get her, at least she'd have the dagger to protect her.
"Oh" Fred sighed. "I am about ready to go Angel's room, the suspense is killing me."
"I wonder if he is ok? Did the powers eradicate him?" Fred asked herself fearfully.
"I don't know." A small cute voice answered.
"Who is there!?!?" Fred cried looking around frantically.
"Me, Felini." The voice answered.
Fred threw the covers from off of her self and jumped from the bed; reaching for the dagger, she held it up defensively and backed up into the corner of the room.
"Who is THERE?" Fred shouted more terrified than before.
"That who you are talking about is in you hands!" Felini told her peevishly.
Fred looked down at the dagger. "Huh?" she said in a tiny voice.
"Yes, I am a girl, inside the dagger, its actually comfy in here."
Fred's eyes bulged as she tried to comprehend what the dagger had just told her. "Um ok…" Fred began.
"Fred, spin the dagger around on your finger twice." Felini told her.
"How did you know my name is Fred???" Fred asked.
"I am a member of the Powers, i ought to know that." Felini stated flatly. "Now do like I said."
"But its not like you said Winifred? You called me Fred? Whats with -"
"Fred SPIN THE DAGGER! NOW!" Felini screamed.
"Oh – oh – ok" Fred stuttered. She did as she was told, and immediately a spirit like substance shot from the dagger and landed on the bed; then it formed into a skinless female. All flesh, muscle, tissue, veins and other human stuff were visible. Slowly the eyes opened and blinked twice, blood ran from them. Soon after, pearly white skin began to creep up the naked (literally) girl.
Fred opened her mouth and screamed as loud as her lungs could possibly allow her to.
"" Fred screamed backing up into the wall.
"Stop Fred, it's just my demon form, look! im a girl my name is really Cirri!" Felini screamed.
Fred began to wail and scooped up the dagger lying on the ground. She ran forward to kill Cirri with it.
Cirri was an unusually beautiful girl of about 16 years old. She had long white-gold hair that flowed around her small body. She was slim and very very pretty. However Fred's fright got the better of her and she tried to stab Cirri with the dagger. Cirri swiftly dodged and snatched the dagger from Fred's weak hands. Then she tripped her so she flew forward onto the bed. Just then Angel burst the door open panting. He looked at Fred and then at Cirri. Angel raised his eyebrows as he noticed Cirri and the dagger in her hands. As If to tell her not to move, Angel glared at the cute blonde.
"I don't know who you are but you are making a mistake." Angel began carefully and slowly. "Please put down the weapon dear." Angel tried as gently as possible.
"Angel! She is the dagger, she was what – Fred started.
"Shut Up Fred!" Cirri pleaded.
"Put down the dagger." Angel gently told Cirri again.
Cirri glanced at Angel and took another step towards Fred. She did not regard ANgel's plees.
"Angel, she is a demon for the PTB and she –
Fred never finished because Cirri was forced to shut her up, she plunged the deadly dagger straight into Fred's petite chest. Fred didn't even scream, her mouth dropped open, and blood began to dribble from it. Fred tried to finish the sentence but she dropped flat on the bed and coughed once, nothing more. Cirri vanished…
Angel could hardly comprehend what just happened; he felt his head grow light and his soul begin to pain. Angel rushed to Fred's side and picked her up. Her pretty nightgown was soaked with fresh ruby blood; she looked like some kind of murdered magical virgin.
"No, no, NO!" Angel screamed. "SOMEBODY HELP!!!!!!!" Angel bellowed rushing out of the room with Fred's body in his arms, he didn't remove the dagger so as to slow the rush of blood…
TBC…
I know, its is cruel of me to do this but thats the way stories go right? Log on to find out what happens next!
Thanks for reading. I beg you to review!
Cyall.