CHARMED
"A Divergent Path"
By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. Noazmale) with Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. Tessalynne)
Emails: K+ (for mild language)
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 5 episodes "A Witches Tail" and "Happily Ever After".)
Concerned that her precognitive power hasn't been working recently, Phoebe casts a spell to see if she can figure out why. A spell that has unforeseen results that could alter history forever.
ONE
Phoebe closed the Book of Shadows and rubbed her eyes. She had been looking through the book for hours. There didn't seem to be anything that was of any help to her. It had been so long since she had had a premonition. She should have had one about their recent fairy tale adventures. But she hadn't even had a glimmer.
"You okay?" Paige asked from the doorway to the attic. "You look like you're pissed about something."
"No, not really. Just trying to figure out why I'm not having any premonitions lately. But there's nothing in here that's of any help."
"That's too bad. I know how upsetting that can be. You don't have any idea why you aren't having any?"
"None. I'm beginning to think that maybe I've lost it."
"I doubt that, sweetie. At least you can still cast spells. That's something."
"Yeah, I guess. Still, my premonitions are part of the Power of Three magic. Without it I feel like I'm letting you and Piper down."
"Nonsense. You're as much help as ever. You have helped teach me a lot. I'm sure it's just temporary. Before you know it you'll be having premonitions left and right."
"I hope so."
"Well, I'm off to work. I'll see you when I get home."
"Okay."
Phoebe thought about what Paige said. Except for her premonitions everything seemed to be working fine. And Paige was right. She could still cast spells so they still had the Power of Three when they needed it. That had proven useful even if her premonitions weren't working at the moment.
She could still cast spells. That didn't seem to be any less affective than it had always been. Maybe there was a way for her to find out why her premonitions weren't working even if there was nothing in the Book of Shadows. And it wouldn't be like it was personal gain. Her premonitions were meant to help the innocent. So, in a way, it was for the innocents at risk.
She picked up a pad and pencil and began to write down a spell. It was more difficult than she had imagined. Writing spells to vanquish demons seemed to come easily for her. Writing a spell to find out why she wasn't having premonitions wasn't as easy. She finally decided it would probably be best if she wrote a spell that helped her find her "lost" power.
Finally she decided the spell was complete. It was simple and direct. If it worked she should have her precognitive power restored to her. Or at the very least know why it wasn't working right now. She took a deep breath and read the spell out loud.
"I call upon the ancient power. To bring to me the visions of past and future. To restore that which was lost and allow those events which are yet to come to be seen again."
The magic of the spell began to coalesce in front of her. She found this odd. The magic should have affected her, not something external. As the magic was forming she found herself becoming dizzy. It passed quickly and she decided it must be the affects of the magic. She watched as the magic began to take form. Within moments a man stood in front of her facing away from her.
