Chapter 12

"Are you sure about this?" Wesley asked clearly not too pleased about the situation.

"Trust me, the more you try to discourage them, the more they're going to want to help," Trish said.

One look at the determined wrestlers, and Wesley knew she was right. Just as well, he thought. A second vision hit Cordelia before they left for the arena. In the vision, there were other people in the fight that she didn't know. When they met Trish's friends, Wesley noticed a flash of recognition come over the brunette's face.

He turned to the wrestlers. "Okay, as you may know the Vultek can only be killed by beheading them. Have any of you used a sword before?"

Bubba said, "I used a kendo stick in a hardcore match once."

Edge admitted, "I sometimes got spearing penalties when I played hockey as a teenager."

Jeff said, "I watched The Musketeer four times."

Spike added, "'Pirates of the Caribbean' is my favourite ride at Disneyland."

Wesley looked at them for a moment then said, "Gunn, give them the maces."

"I used to fence at university," Trish said.

Wesley went to the bag they had brought and pulled out a short sword. "Cordelia felt you might need this."

Trish accepted the sword with a touch of apprehension, and the rest of the weapons were distributed.

Welsey laid out the plan. "The main thing is to find the orb. If we can do that and send it back to where it belongs, the Vultek will have no reason to come back here. We'll split up, go in opposite directions and meet at the other side of the arena."

"Sounds good," Spike said, "but people are going to ask questions if we start walking around with swords and maces."

"Trenchcoats," Trish blurted out. "Edge and I usually wear trenchcoats. Rupert, Angel and Wesley also have long coats. Between the five of us, we should be able to hide the weapons."

"Well, most of them," Cordelia said looking pointedly at Gunn and his custom-made battle-ax.

"You're not touching my ax," he said.

"Heaven forbid anyone get between a boy and his toy," Cordelia said rolling her eyes.

"Damn straight," Gunn agreed very seriously.

ooOoo

Although he enjoyed training the newest bunch of wrestling hopefuls on the latest version of Tough Enough, Al Snow missed the main show. He stopped by the arena to touch base with Stephanie and some of his fellow wrestlers. He saw two of the younger ones heading toward him now with a small entourage. "Hey guys!"

"Hey Al," Jeff said oddly. "How's it going?"

"It's going," he said. "Who're your friends?"

"They're some Edgeheads from the audience," Edge replied.

"We're big fans," one of them said with a British accent.

Frankly Al wondered if the man had ever seen a professional wrestling match but was distracted by the object the young black man held. "What's that?"

"It's, uh, a new prop idea," Edge said.

"Yeah, we were just going to see Stephanie and show her," Jeff added.

"Is that a hubcap?" Al asked intrigued.

"Yes, yes it is," Jeff replied.

"We thought it might work for Hardcore Holly," Edge explained. "You know, with his racing background."

"Good one," Jeff whispered.

"Thanks," Edge whispered back.

"Can I take a look?" Al asked as imaginative uses for such a prop went through his head.

The small group closed flanks, and Al swore he heard metal clang. The pretty brunette smiled at him. "Thing is, it's kind of fragile, but we'd love to show you the finished product once Stephanie's approved."

"We better get going," Jeff said.

"Yeah, it's great seeing you. Talk to you later!" Edge said leaving behind a slightly confused Al Snow.

ooOoo

Angel was with Giles, Trish and the Dudleys when he found the supply closet in question. He groaned when he saw the remnants of the tape and the hole in the grating above the shelf. He pulled out his cellphone to call the others.

"Yes?" Wesley answered.

"We found the supply closet."

"Great!"

"Not so great. From the looks of the things, it was either taken or got bored, broke free and flew into the ventilation system."

"It could be anywhere," Wesley moaned.

Angel agreed then overheard Gunn yell.

"Wesley, we got company!"

"Angel, get over here now!" Wesley shouted before being cut-off.

The vampire needed no further urging. He took off, followed closely by the others.

ooOoo

Ted Stern was in the midst of checking his camera when he heard the thunder of footsteps rush by. He saw some guy being chased by Trish, the Dudleys and the man Stacy had flirted with.

Suspecting something exciting was about to happen, Ted grabbed his camera and followed them, discreetly of course.