As they slept, Xander and Cordelia were experiencing changes neither they nor their parents had anticipated when they had set out on their quest to end the Game. The power sucking athame that Xander had dropped into his pants pocket and forgotten had transferred the Magic of one of the most powerful demons in existence, Zankou, into his own body. Zankou was so powerful that with his power intact it would have taken the destruction of the Nexus beneath Halliwell Manor to destroy him. Without his powers Piper had been able to atomize him. These powers were making themselves right at home in Xander's body. Combined with his immortality, were hyena and god given blood, Xander was on the verge of becoming nearly as powerful as a god himself. Nearly. Fortunately for Xander, the transfer did not include any of Zankou's personality or blood lust. The powers Xander was gaining included energy balls, fireballs, particle swarms, flaming, apportation, power absorption, shape shifting into alot more then a were hyena and force blast, in addition to the shimmering method of transportation that demons used.
In Cordelia's body, Kyra had fully blended with her. They was now one entire being, instead of two separate beings. Physically, she now was half human, half demon. Her own seeing ability would have given her glimpses of the future. Now she was adding full on premonitions and divination, as well as immortality and shimmering to her abilities. She would not equal god level power, even with her blood connection to Artemis, she wasn't acquiring enough power for that. Kyra knew she'd never survive a showdown with Cordelia and her god blood, so Kyra was allowing herself, her personality, to merge as well. This would have the effect of increasing Cordelia's libido, Kyra being sexually aggressive. Fortunately for both Xander and Cordelia, Xander was a demon magnet. Kyra was laser focused on Xander and the magically enhanced pheromones clinging to him. Before long, Kyra ceased to exist as a separate being, even personality wise. She'd hoped to experience being a human for herself, but now it wouldn't even happen vicariously as it had through her divining pool. More sacrifice then she'd realized.
After sleeping later then they'd intended, Xander and Cordelia dragged themselves downstairs.
"I feel like I didn't get any sleep." Xander said, as they sat down to eat the breakfast Biggy prepared for them. "I have no idea why, because I know I did sleep. I had some really nice dreams involving multiple Cordys."
"Is that a common dream for you?" Will asked.
"Never had one before, but the last reality we were in, we met another version of ourselves, second time that's happened during this trip and there was also a look alike Cordy in the last one. I suppose it's fueled my imagination."
"Power of suggestion." Will agreed. "Probably not a big deal. And you, Cordelia?"
"I feel tired too. We've been on the go for nearly a week and started this journey after a 14 hour plane ride followed by a two hour car ride. I think we've been playing catch up and haven't quite caught up yet. But like we said yesterday, we should only need one more jump to get everything we need and then we can go home. I think I'll sleep for a week."
Fortunately, their stay in the Sanctuary was uneventful and that afternoon they reclaimed the control device from Henry. Xander held it in his hand and holding Cordelia's hand with his other hand focused his thoughts on finding the Alterans.
"Thank you guys for helping us out. We could have kept jumping for awhile more and not realized there was a problem with the control device. Hopefully you've saved us alot of trouble." Xander told them.
"Well, now I have to figure out a way to keep reality jumpers from getting into the Sanctuary." Henry said good naturally. "But I enjoy new puzzles, so I don't have any issues with you guys visiting."
"Considering the last several times our defenses were breached people were trying to kill us or our residents, this was definitely a pleasant breaching of our defenses." Magnus agreed. "Good luck."
Xander pressed the button and "Alterans." An electric tingle and the world shifted.
From the Sanctuary peoples point of view, they blinked and Xander and Cordelia were gone.
"No teleporting effect like with John or Ashley." Magnus commented, remembering her dead daughter and her daughter's father.
"My instruments are picking up that energy they don't recognize." Henry said. "It seemed to have worked. We may not have proof that they came from another reality with the information we have, but I'd like to think they did."
"Me too." Magnus said. "A mystery beyond us for now."
Xander and Cordelia materialized in a darkened room. They looked around trying to figure out where they were. As they turned around they could see through what looked like a glass window. Outside the window was something that took them a moment to comprehend.
"Cordy." Xander said softly. "Are we under the ocean?"
"I think we are. A long way under the ocean. I see sunlight up there, but it's kinda dark down here. Where are we?"
"Let's find out."
A/N List of Zankou's permanent powers, does not include powers he would have temporarily stolen from the sisters if he'd lived.
