As Cordy and the gang returned from their meeting with the Oracle they started to discuss what they should do next.
Willow: So what do we do now?
Cordy: I'm not sure but I want to make sure the town is safe before we leave.
Kennedy: Can't you just have a vision and see where we need to go next?
Bol: The visions don't work like that, The Powers That Be send Cordy the visions she can't just will them.
Kennedy: Oh right, Sorry.
Willow: The first thing we should do once we get back is phone Giles and let him know what we found out.
Cordy: But we didn't find out anything we didn't already know.
As they reached the outskirts of town they stopped to take a breather.
Bol: ……
Cordy: Oh No.
Kennedy: What's wrong?
Bol: Something's wrong with the town.
Willow: I can't sense anything. What about you Cor?
Cordy: Bol's right demons have prepared an attack.
Kennedy: Then we better hurry, but we are going to need some weapons first.
Bol: I have some weapons at my house.
Cordy: Good, then let's head there first.
As they ran to Bol's house Cordy could sense the demons nearby.
Once they reached Bol's house, Bol opened up his weapon chest.
Kennedy: So Bol how come you have weapons here if the town was always protected?
Bol: The Powers informed me of the barrier weakening so I gathered weapons for when the time came.
Cordy: I don't mean to be rude but we haven't much time, everyone grab a weapon we headed out.
Willow: Um Cordy, I still can't sense anything. Maybe I should try casting a spell before leaving just to be sure I can still use magic.
Bol: I agree without Willows powers we would be at a disadvantage.
Cordy: Surely you must have your powers because you teleported to the gas station to meet me?
Willow: I know but I just want to make sure.
Cordy: Ok but let's be quick.
Willow, sat in a mediating position and started to chant the word for a shield spell, after a few minutes had passed Willow got to her feet.
Willow: Ok Cor, hit me.
Cordy: What?
Willow: If the spell worked you shouldn't be able to touch me.
Cordy steadied herself; with one swing she punched Willow squarely in the jaw knocking her to the floor.
Willow: Ow Cor that hurt.
Kennedy: Oh crap that's not good.
Willow: I can't believe this?
Cordy: Willow, we will figure this out, but in the meantime can you manage to fight with out your magic.
Willow: Yeah I should be fine.
Bol: Ok then everyone ready, good lets go.
The four of them took their weapons and headed out, once outside they heard some of the villagers scream.
Cordy: Looks like we have company guys.
Everyone ran straight to the centre of town where the screams were coming from once there they saw at least thirty demons surrounding the entire town.
Willow: There is no way we can fight that many.
Cordy: Yes we can Will, we have faced worse than this over the years.
Kennedy: Hey freakazoids over here.
Bol: I suppose that's one way of getting there attention, I would have preferred the sneak up on them approach personally.
Kennedy: Sorry can't help my self.
Cordy: Well what's done is done, prepare yourself.
The pack of demons startled by the new group of humans slowly started heading towards them.
Cordy: Here goes nothing.
Kennedy: Can't wait.
Brandishing their weapons they charged the oncoming assault, Cordy took the four demons on her left, jumping clear of civilians caught in the middle.
Cordy: Just what I needed after being in a coma for months.
The demons started attacking from each side blocking any chance of escape. Cordy dodged a sidekick from the demon on her right and blocked a punch using her sword.
Cordy: You asked for it.
Cordelia then suckered punch the Demon in front of her then delivered a round house kick to the demon on her right. Before they could regain their footing Cordy swung her sword and decapitated the two demons left standing.
Willow took of to her right and freed a civilian from one of the demons with a blow to the back of the head. Just as she was about to finish the demon off three others surrounded her. The demon in front then knocked her axe out of her reach.
Willow: Great!
Willow with nothing to defend her self with relied on her old instincts and rolled out of the way and dodged an incoming sword, quickly and precisely she disarmed the demon and delivered a killing blow slicing the demon in half.
Enraged at the death of one of their kind they started to brutally attack Willow
Kennedy: WILLOW NO
Bol: Kennedy look out.
But before Kennedy could prepare herself, the leader of the demon gang charged at her and punched her in the side of the head. The force form the blow knocked her into a nearby wall knocking her out.
Bol: Damn it. Take this.
Bol launches himself at the leader weapons clashing as they both try to kill each other. Neither side showed any signs of letting up. Bol not able to hold out much longer pulled a dagger from his back pocket but before he could attack the Demon slash at his waist and sending him flying hitting the same wall as Kennedy.
Seeing Bol and Kennedy slowly regaining consciousness Cordy went to help Willow and end this fight.
Cordy: Will hang on, I'm coming.
But before she could get there all the demons surrounding Willow started to levitate in the air, slowly Willow got to her feet and sent a blast of pure magical energy into each of her targets causing them to disintegrate.
Using the time from Willows attack everyone regrouped. Tired from the fight the remaining demons made a last ditch attempt at killing them
Kennedy: I don't think I could manage another round with these guys.
Willow: I don't think any of us can.
Cordy: I WILL NOT LET YOU KILL US.
Bol: Cordy?
In mid air Cordy stood eyes blazing and ready for battle.
Willow: Dear god?
Kennedy: What's that?
Cordy raised her arms and let out a flash of pure white light covering the entire town. Once it had gone everyone was shocked to see that all the demons had been killed.
Kennedy: Did Cordelia do that?
Willow: Yeah that must have been the purifying light she told me about, I didn't realise she was that powerful though.
Bol: At least we won.
Kennedy: Yeah that's for sure, but how come she isn't coming down.
Willow: I don't know, I'll check on her and see if she's alright.
Willow focused all her energy and started to levitate up towards Cordy.
Kennedy: At least we now know what Cordy can do and that Will has her powers back.
Bol: True let's just hope she keeps them this time.
Willow slowly made her way towards Cordy's motionless figure.
Willow: Cordy, Cordy you ok?
Cordy's face was blank and no sign of emotion. Then Willow realised her eyes have turned pure white.
Willow: Cor?
Gently Willow touches Cordy's arm, instantly she sees flashes of a mountain range, an old monastery and its owner. As quickly as it came the flashing images went. She realised her hand from Cordy's arm and was happy to see that Cordy had woken up.
Cordy: Willow, I had a vision of our next destination.
Willow: I know but first things first let's back onto solid ground.
Cordy then realises she is still levitating.
Cordy: Good idea.
Once they were back with the others Cordy informed them of her vision.
Kennedy: What happened?
Cordy: I had a vision. Willow what did you mean you knew?
Willow: When I came to check on you I touched your arm and saw flashes of places.
Cordy: How?
Bol: I'm not sure but it could simply be that Willow somehow tapped into your powers when she touched your arm and saw glimpses of your vision.
Willow: Really?
Bol: Yes you two posses a vast amount of power so anything's possible.
Kennedy: What did you see?
Cordy: I saw a village at the bottom of some mountains, an old monastery at the top of the same mountains and an old friend.
Willow: Who?
Cordy: Family, someone we both know that's all I can say for now.
Willow: I understand.
Bol: Did you see where this was at all.
Cordy: Yeah I think it was Tibet.
Kennedy: Tibet, how we going to get there.
Bol: I have an idea but why don't we head back to my house first.
Willow: Good idea I'm pooped.
Once everyone was back at Bol's, Bol explained his idea.
Bol: Well I was thinking what if Willow was to tap into Cordy's powers and teleport us there.
Willow: I'm not sure if that will work.
Cordy: Willow, it's the only option we have and with our powers combined I think we stand a good chance.
Willow: Ok, I'll give it a try but I am going to need to rest up for a bit first.
Bol: That's fine; I'll prepare anything we may need to take with us.
Cordy: Bol is it ok to use your phone as I should inform Giles of what's happened.
Bol: Of course.
Bol and Cordy then left Willow and Kennedy alone in the sitting room. Once in the hallway Bol started to go through the various weapons and magical herbs they might need, while Cordy went into the kitchen and phoned Giles.
Cordy: So that's what has happened since we last spoke.
Giles: Bloody Hell, are you all ok?
Cordy: We're fine, Willows resting before we leave.
Giles: Good, now as for the senior partners, I believe they have a group of powerful demons working for them in LA. I think they are called the Circle of the Black Thorn but I still need to do some more research.
Cordy: Thank you Giles.
Giles: No Problem. Let me know what you find in Tibet and be careful.
Cordy: We will Giles, Thanks again.
Once Cordy hang up she put the phone back on the hook and re-entered the seating room and called a meeting.
Kennedy: What's up?
Cordy: I have just spoken to Giles.
Willow: And?
Cordy: He seems to think the senior partners at Wolfram and Hart may have a group of powerful demons based in LA called the Circle of the Black Thorn.
Bol: You think they are involved in the upcoming battle?
Cordy: It's a possibility. Giles is going to do more research and see what he can come up with.
Willow: Cor can I make a suggestion.
Cordy: Sure Will, what is it?
Willow: Before we leave perhaps we should try and fix the barrier protecting this place.
Bol: I agree future Champions may need a stronghold where evil can't enter.
Willow and Cordy prepare the ritual needed to cast the protection spell. They set up protective circle in the middle of Bol's living room. Once everything was done Willow instructed everyone to sit inside the circle and hold hands.
Kennedy: Um, What if it doesn't work?
Willow: We will cross that bridge once we cross it.
Cordy: Ok let's do this.
Borrowing energy from her friends Willow begins chanting an incantation in ancient Samarian. Ten minutes later and Willow breaks the circle.
Kennedy: Did it work?
Bol: The only way to tell is by asking the powers.
Cordy: Can either of us contact them?
Bol: No they contact us, but I think they could be another way.
Willow: How?
Bol: Perhaps you and Cordy might be able to sense if the barrier is working or not.
Cordy: It's worth a try, right Will?
Willow: Defiantly.
Willow and Cordy centre themselves using a mediation kata. Cordy focused her mind and tried to see the barrier. A sudden bright red flash appeared and covered the entire town.
Willow focused her mind so she could see the magical traces left behind by spells and power signatures.
She identified three of them belonging to her, Cordy's and Kennedy but couldn't identify the last two; one was a bright red power while the other was a stream of blue power.
Once both Willow and Cordy came back Bol and Kennedy was looking at them for answers.
Kennedy: Well?
Cordy: All I could see was a bright red flash covering the entire town.
Bol: Willow?
Willow: I tried to follow its magical signature and could see two I didn't know one was bright red the other was blue.
Kennedy: Well if you both sure a red signature surely that means it must of worked?
Bol: I believe so.
Cordy: Good now I think we should head off to this village I saw in my vision. Bol have u packed everything we might need.
Bol: Yes it's all here.
Bol points to a couple or back packs.
Bol: It's mainly weapons and magical supplies plus some cash.
Cordy: Good thinking. Now Willow are you ready?
Willow: Yes. I need everyone to stand in a circle and hold hands. You might feel a slight tingle going through your body, that's just me borrowing some of your strength.
Once everyone took a backpack and formed a circle Willow focused on the village. Bol's house melted away into nothing and the sound of a busy village came rushing in.
As soon as they arrived everyone and adjusted to the new surroundings Willow spoke up.
Willow: Is everyone ok?
Cordy: I think so. That was some trip though Will.
Willow: Yeah I know what you mean I've never been able to teleport that many people before.
Bol: Well I think we should ask around about this monastery you both saw.
Kennedy: Agreed and it might be quicker if we split up.
Cordy: No we stay together, none of us nowhere we are, it wouldn't be good if we lost each other.
Willow: Good point so where should we start.
Everyone looked around to see if they could find anyone to help them.
Cordy: Over there seems to be a general store of sorts.
Bol: Yes and the shop keeper look like he speaks English.
As they made their way over, the shop keeper came over and asked if they needed any help.
Cordy: Actually we do, we are looking for an old monastery around here. Do you know where it is?
Shop Keeper: Yes it's at the top of those mountains and in fact two of Master Shantou's students are in town, I'll take you to them.
Willow: Thank You.
The shop keeper took them through an old ally way before reaching an old magic shop.
Shop Keeper: They should be inside, If you need anything else don't hesitate to ask.
Cordy: Thank You
As the shop keeper left Cordy and the gang entered the shop, when the bell above the door jingled the two customers turned round to see who entered.
Customer: Cordy, Willow is that you?
Willow: Oz?
Authors Note: Hi Guys sorry bout delay, had some trouble finishing this issue, unfortunately this is the last issue im adding on here, as i am concertrating on my own site which can be found in my profile. I be adding the rest there of the issues over there.
WhiteTigerRanger