Title: The White Coven
Author: CordeliaHalliwell
Summary: With the First causing havoc, the Powers that Be have decided to create four new champions to aide those on Earth. What happens when two familiar faces return, months after their death?
A.N: When the Powers refer to the Traitor, they are referring to Jasmine.
A.N2: I have accelerated the timeline a bit, Cordelia died around the same time Tara did. Angel, rather than become C.E.O. of Evil Inc. dragged the team to Sunnydale after Cordelia's death to help Buffy fight the first.
A.N3: The Charmed Ones will make an appearance in this fic, actually more than one. Prue is dead (But fear not all you Prue fans, I have big plans for the eldest sister).
Parings: Parings have been chosen. There are two sets; one will be chosen depending on how the story goes.
Chapter One: Candidates
The heavenly realms had seldom seen such chaos as all manner heavenly beings convened to discuss the looming threat of the First. Groups who were never present in the same space due to differences were now forced to occupy the same room. The three Powers That Be sat elevated above the rest, watching the chaos unfold. Elders argued with Guardians, Muses argued with Oracles, in short it was complete and utter bedlam. Finally, as one the Powers pounded their fists down on the table in front of them, causing an abrupt and eerie silence.
The Power on left spoke in a chilling voice "You were not convened to squabble like children, you will remain silent until otherwise instructed; the first of you to disobey will be recycled." The collected agents of good shuddered and clamped their mouths and minds shut.
The Power seated on the right spoke, "We have gathered you all here to discuss the creation of four new champions to help combat the First Evil." All of the collected beings appeared ready to burst forth with questions and arguments, but were silenced with a glare from the left seated power. The Power on the right continued, "Due to the time sensitive nature of this endeavor, we must draw souls from the dead to be made into champions. There simply isn't time to imbue these gifts onto unborn children."
The center Power continued as soon as the other stopped, "You all have been brought here to help choose the three souls we will elevate as champions, the forth will be chosen by the champions themselves, from among the living, those you suggested must be untainted by evil and blood must never have stained their hands. You may speak."
An elder shouted, "Prue Halliwell."
Collectively, the Powers shook their heads as the center one spoke, "She killed a mortal; her hands are stained." The elders deflated.
Next an oracle suggested, "Allan Francis Doyle, his was a noble death."
An elder spat before the powers could speak, "His ignorance irrevocably altered the fate of Cordelia Chase; her destiny was as witch, not a seer."
Another elder added, "Because of her altered fate, Tara Maclay died and Willow Rosenberg nearly ended the world."
An Oracle glared and snarled back, "One kiss can not be blamed for all of that. Willow Rosenberg's choices were her own."
The elder who had last spoken snapped in return, "Choices or not, Cordelia Chase was meant to return to Sunnydale, to her soul-mate, her gift as a witch would have prevented Tara Maclay's death as well as the death of the slayer Buffy Summers. Had the slayer never died, she never would have been resurrected and the First never would have gained a foot hold in the mortal realm."
The power who had threatened to recycle them roared, "ENOUGH!" The room was instantly silent as the gathered beings stared at the angry Power. The Power spoke again in a more even tone, "Past wrongs aside, two names have been mentioned that hold promise." When the power received nothing but blank looks it continued, "Cordelia Chase and Tara Maclay died before their time and with their destinies unfulfilled. The only way to correct the failures where they are concerned would be to grant them new destinies, as champions." The other two powers nodded in agreement.
The Power seated on the right spoke, "Both sacrificed much as mortals, and were given little in return. They are a just choice."
The Center Power added, "Their hands and souls are clean of evil."
Together the three nodded and intoned, "So mote it be."
The Center power turned its eyes back to the crowd of stunned beings and whispered, "Two have been chosen; one soul is left to be decided."
A blonde elder with bright blue eyes spoke a name softly, "Christopher Halliwell."
Another elder was quick to reprimand him, "Leo!"
Leo ignored him and spoke, "He gave up his own future to stop the Twice Blessed from becoming evil. He died protecting his brother from a force of good. He deserves this more than anyone I can think of."
The argument seemed to make sense to the Powers seeing as they nodded and intoned, "The third is chosen, so mote it be." Leo smiled.
The left seated power scowled and commanded. "Leave, all of you." Every agent of good started and left by their own special means. With a grateful nodded, Leo Wyatt orbed to follow his fellow elders.
Once the chamber was clear the center Power sighed "One of the souls we have chosen will be hard to convince."
The power to the right nodded, "Cordelia Chase has every right be difficult, her fate was most unpleasant."
The Power to the left defended the seer, "Difficult or not, she fought for our side with loyalty and honor, if we didn't need her as a champion I would argue to offer her the traitor's seat among us." The other two powers nodded in agreement and slight regret.
The center Power suggested, "I think it would be wise to convince them individually, starting with the most difficult." Though apprehensive, all the powers seemed to agree so the center power waved its hand and together they waited as the soul of Cordelia Chase materialized.
Cordelia Chase's first action now that she had a face again was to glare. Her venomous gaze caused the Powers to fidget, despite the fact that they were omnipotent beings. The former seer hissed, "Where am I, and who are you?"
The Power on the left steeled itself and replied in a gentle, godlike voice, "You are in the realm of the Powers that Be Cordelia Chase, and we are the Powers." Rather than being impressed as the Powers had expected, Cordelia Chase snorted derisively.
She snapped impatiently, "Why am I here?"
The Power that had just spoken appeared too shocked at Cordelia's lack of awe and respect to answer her so the Power on the right continued, "You have been chosen to become a champion, you will be granted gifts and return…"
Cordelia cut the Power off, "Nuh uh, the last time you guys offered me a gift I was body jacked and then I died."
The center Power smiled, "We wish to correct that mistake, you will be returned to earth, alive and well with powers beyond mortal comprehension."
With a wisdom that surprised the Powers, Cordelia responded "My body is dead and buried and I have no desire to take on the name of someone else, I am dead both physically and legally, not to mention how hard it would be to convince Angel and Buffy that I am the real deal."
The Power on the left finally regained its voice and answered "The matter of your death in legal terms matters not, a simple spell will make it so you never died to the outside world, as for your friends and loved ones, that will be your first challenge. Surely though, the gift of life is worth the trial of convincing your friends."
Cordelia seemed satisfied with the response given and countered, "What kind of powers are we talking about here?"
The Powers laughed and one replied, "You will be one of the four most powerful beings on earth, and your power will eclipse those of many heavenly beings."
Cordelia pondered for a moment and then grinned, "I in. What evil am I looking to destroy?"
The Power in the center answered, "You will be briefed once we have convinced the other two souls that have been chosen." Cordelia nodded and drifted over to the edge of the chamber.
The Power to the left asked, "The Halliwell boy next, I think." The two other Powers nodded and agreement and waved their hands causing Chris Halliwell to appear in the chamber.
Before any of the Powers could speak he blurted, "I agree." The Powers gaped. Sheepishly, Chris added, "My father told me of your offer, I accept." The Powers looked at each other and shrugged. One lifted its hand and directed Chris to where Cordelia stood. The two looked each other up and down, but said nothing.
The Powers again waved their hands and the third and last soul solidified in the chamber. Tara Maclay looked surprised. The limbo she had been occupying had abruptly been replaced by this chamber. For what seemed like years she had remained alone, now though she found her self facing three unknown beings.
One of the beings spoke, "We are the Powers that Be Tara Maclay." A look of surprise and reverence settled across Tara's face. She kneeled. The three Powers looked pleased at the amount of respect being shone to them after dealing with Cordelia Chase's defiance. The Power that had spoken, continued, "We have summoned you here to offer a gift. We have chosen you to become one of four champions we are creating," The power leveled a stare at Cordelia and Chris, silently informing them to listen also, "For thousands of years we have stockpiled power in case the need to create champions like the ones you will become ever arose. An evil known only as the First has risen and can not be defeated by the champions that currently live. So we must create new ones."
Another Power took up where the other left off, "You have each been chosen because you are pure souls who fought against evil. It has been little more than months since each of your deaths and you are acquainted with the champions on earth, a fact that will make your transition easier. You will all be returned to life together at the same place and time, legally, none of you will have ever died. Your friends and family however, you must convince yourselves." Tara looked shocked as she took in what was being offered to her. She turned to look at two she assumed would be joining her on earth if she accepted.
The last Power, who had not spoken in her presence said, "All that is left is for you to agree Tara Maclay." Tara thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement, if this was her chance to return to Dawn and the rest of her family, there was no way she was going to refuse. Cordelia and Chris moved to stand next to Tara. The Power added, "Once you have returned to earth, your positions in the Coven will be revealed to you. Your powers will grow. You first goal upon returning is to find the fourth member of the White Coven. He or she must be a soul with no blood on their hands."
The power in the Center spoke, "If you have no questions, we will return you to your healed bodies." Three lifeless bodies materialized out of no where. Chris, Cordelia, and Tara all silently agreed at how creepy it was to see your own dead body.
Cordelia raised her hand and asked quickly, "If it's not too much trouble, could I have my long hair back." All three Powers chuckled and nodded as the hair on Cordelia's dead body began to grow exponentially. Cordelia gave a sharp nod of satisfaction and crossed her arms, waiting to be sent back to the land of the living. All three Powers raised theirs arms. Each pointed at one of the chosen. With a shudder and a flash of light, the three souls slammed back into their bodies. Each champion arched in pain as power coursed through their bodies. The Powers clapped and with sonic boom the bodies disappeared.