The Neighbors

(Warning: There is a lot of swearing. I always felt if the world really had gone to Hell like Chris had said he would have a 'nicer' vocabulary than he did. Of course, it is a TV Show so they could have certain words said but he rarely cussed that we saw. I apologize to any who take those sort of things in offense. Oh, and disclaimer, I do not own the show and I am not getting any monetary gain for my writings.)

Laveda Clay sat there in the council meeting. She was at the head of the table, leading the resistance. On her left was Young Pandora Matthews, the last of the Halliwell line – besides Christopher Halliwell and Wyatt Halliwell that is.

The chair to her right was empty. That was usually where she sat. The seat she currently occupied rightfully belonged to Christopher Perry Halliwell, the leader of the resistance. He'd founded the resistance when he was fifteen; right after Wyatt took over the United States. That was when he'd begun the mass slaughter of innocents.

"I suggest we kill the Dark-Lord," a voice yelled and then there was an outcry of cheers.

After a few rowdy minutes Laveda stood up. "That is enough of that," she bellowed, her voice echoing off of those cavernous walls giving her a more dramatic sound which she used to her advantage. There was a sudden sound of silence that greeted her in response. "Thank you."

Her emotionless bright blue eyes glanced over the twenty-two other people roomed within those walls. They all looked upon her expectantly.

"If death is what you want then look around you," Laveda yelled. "This is what death gets you; huddling up in caves, running, and hiding to stay alive. You kill Wyatt," there was a visible flinch when she spoke his name; "you might as well take his place killing and torturing other living beings."

It was the same speech Christopher gave so often she'd learned to memorize it. It was very useful and normally nobody argued with it. This wasn't one of those days though.

"We will be killing a fucking Tyrant not a civilian," a woman yelled standing up. She was dressed in a green robe making her a witch – the star in her left sleeve meant she was a high priestess – leader of her clan. Everyone there was someone important in the magical world.

"He's evil, I understand that. However, are you telling me you have no one fighting against us on the same side as him? No relatives, no friends, no one you knew from before this war hunting us down, just as he is?" Laveda asked. The woman looked down. "I thought so. Wyatt is no different. Now, how would you feel if someone killed whoever it is you have over there? Wyatt was my friend as a child, He is Christopher's brother, He is Pandora's Cousin. For all his evil deeds you have to remember that every time you suggest killing him or anyone else they all have a family out there. There is always someone out there who cares about them. Even Tyrants have a family."

After seeing they had all gotten it she sat down once more. There was a pungent pause. However, before anyone had the chance to speak there were shimmers and a double agent stood before them. He looked horrible, even for a demon. The look on his face was one of grim regret.

"I apologize for interrupting the Council but I have disturbing news," The demon said getting down on one knee respectfully.

"What is it, Rianhart," she asked, recognizing her agent.

"I'm afraid the Dark Lord has gone too far," Rianhart said sadly. "Christopher was brought forward from the past. He was powerless. Christopher Halliwell and Bianca Reynolds were both slain."

"Liar," Pandora yelled outraged as she stood up swiftly. "Wyatt would never kill Chris, never. Chris is his fucking brother after all. He couldn't kill him."

Laveda motioned for the young child of fourteen years to sit down once more. The demon looked at her sadly and terrified. The anger of Pandora Matthews was well known. Demons feared all of the Halliwell blood for their anger and their strength. They had all been quick to vanquish.

"I'm sorry," Rianhart said in a hushed tone as he looked down at his feet, afraid.

"Rianhart, see me in my quarters," Laveda said coldly. Then she turned to the rest of the people there. "This meeting is adjourned."

She heard inaudible murmurs as they left. Some left through the door, others shimmered out, some orbed out – there were both light orbs and dark orbs – and a few other odd teleportations left the room. With that Laveda traveled through one of the back halls to her quarters with Rianhart following right behind. Pandora's door slammed but Laveda took little notice, deciding to deal with her young charge after she'd dealt with the matters at hand first.

"I'm sorry," he apologized once more as she closed her door silently behind him. He sounded almost afraid of her.

"There is no need to apologize, you were only doing your duty," she stated coldly. Her blue eyes never once flickered with emotion. She had after all been notably nicknamed the ice queen. "I would like to know how it happened, do I have your permission to access those memories?"

He nodded slowly before bowing before her. She placed her hands on either side of his face, just inches away. Then she closed her eyes and was instantly sucked into hazy memories.

-

Rianhart stood in the front watching a portal open and Christopher with a leather clad Bianca moved through it from the past. Wyatt made his way and stated they were no threat. Then he ordered them to leave.

Rianhart left and anxiously waited for Wyatt's call. He heard it and returned when summoned. It was there, in the attic of the manor, where he was informed that Christopher and Bianca were both dead. Christopher's figure was near the portal, nothing more than a scorch mark now. Bianca on the other hand was lying on the floor, a piece of wood piercing her chest. There was a pool of blood surrounding her.

-

Laveda dropped her hands from his face and looked at him.

"Thank you Rianhart," she stated respectfully. "I saw all that I could, you may leave… oh, but don't let anyone else see. Those images are obviously too graphic for many of the weak at heart, as you already know."

He nodded. "Yes ma'am," he stated before standing once more. He was about to shimmer out when he stopped. He turned to look at her in the eyes trying to relay the truth of his words. "I am sorry Ma'am; I know how close you were to Christopher."

She just nodded in response, her eyes still blank of all emotions. That's when he shimmered out of her room.