CHARMED
"Immortal Games 2: Checkmate"
(Sequel to the story "Immortal Games")
By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. NoAzMale) and Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. K+
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 4 episodes "Enter The Demon" and "Size Matters".)
Concerned that the Charmed Ones may come after him, Steffan Van White puts out an Underworld contract on them and Cole.
PRELUDE
Steffan Van White sat in his office in Singapore. It had been nearly two months since he had barely escaped from the Charmed Ones and Art McDonald. For nearly four years Van White had constantly evaded McDonald who had relentlessly stalked him trying to learn the secret to his immortality. A secret which Van White guarded jealously from everyone. Now he had the tracking stone McDonald had used to trace his movements and McDonald had no way of finding him again.
Van White thought about McDonald as he looked at the tracking stone in his hand. McDonald was as immortal as he was. Nothing could pierce his skin and no chemicals seemed to affect him. Which meant that there was no way for Van White to dispose of this pest. But since McDonald had no way to track him any longer his annoyance was minimal.
Van White had other matters on his mind at the moment. He had searched out the powerful witches known as the Charmed Ones and tricked them into helping him get the stone. But now they had become a concern for him. While McDonald may not be able to track him he had no doubt they might find a way.
That was a problem for him. The alchemist who had given Van White his immortality had told him there should be no way to undo it. But he had checked into the Charmed Ones. They were indeed powerful. Perhaps powerful enough to find a way to undo what the alchemist had done. That was definitely not an option.
Suddenly a figure simply appeared in the office near his door. The figure was dressed in all black and glance around furtively. Apparently content that they were alone, the figure walked over and stood in front of Van White's desk.
"You sent word you wanted to see me."
"Yes," said Van White, looking the man over. He was what Van White liked to call one of his freelance employees. On occasion he would perform services that none of Van White's other employees were equipped to handle. "I need you to do something for me. Pass on a message, as it were."
"Pass on a message?" questioned the man. "Look, I'm not a messenger boy, you know that. You have a White Lighter you want killed, I'm your man. But I don't deliver messages."
"I thought you might make an exception in this case," said Van White, handing a check to the Dark Lighter.
The Dark Lighter looked at the check, impressed with the number of zeros on it. He slid the check into his pocket.
"This must be some message."
"You might call it more of an announcement," said Van White. "I thought because of your unique nature you would be able to make sure the right people get it."
"Right people," repeated the Dark Lighter. "As in demons?"
"Or whoever you think might be best equipped to handle a special job I have in mind."
"Just what is this announcement you want me to make?"
"I want some people dealt with. People who could become a problem for me."
"Is that all? Just tell me who these people are and I'll be glad to deal with them for you. My specialty may be killing White Lighters but I can assure you I can also handle others as well. It's just a matter of figuring out the best way to deal with them."
"I believe," said Van White, "that these particular individuals may be out of your league, to coin a phrase. That's why I need you to deliver the message. Perhaps locate those best equipped to handle the situation. You will, of course, receive the normal ten percent commission for this little service."
"Who are these individuals you want dealt with?" asked the Dark Lighter suspiciously.
"I believe they call themselves the Charmed Ones. I recently had an altercation with them and I find it necessary to make sure they don't become a nuisance."
"The Charmed Ones? Are you insane? No one goes up against the Charmed Ones. Every demon who has ever gone up against them hasn't lived to regret it. They have the Power of Three and nothing can stand up against that."
"It is my information that one of the sisters has recently passed away. I believe that for the Power of Three it necessarily requires three of them. So that should not be a problem."
"Except there's another sister. A half sister. And she has powers just like the others do. Which means they still have the Power of Three."
"I'm not asking you to go against them yourself," said Van White. "I simply want you to spread the word that I'm hiring to have them eliminated. And to make sure the necessary individuals know of the offer."
"It's going to be expensive," said the Dark Lighter. "Very expensive. This job is going to cost you at least three times what you've paid for anything else. Maybe more depending on who you hire."
"I am well aware of that. And I can assure you I can well afford the fee. I also have three other assignments. Assignments which may prove a bit easier to deal with. And I will, of course, be willing to pay top price for all of these as well."
"Who else you want to go after? The Elders?"
"Elders? I don't know of these Elders. One of the assignments is a demon called Belthazor. He's acquainted with the Charmed Ones."
"Yeah, I've heard of him. He might be a bit of a problem, though. The Charmed Ones protect him."
"But he should be easier to deal with than the witches," said Van White. "I would like their White Lighter dealt with as well. And I also have one last assignment. He is an alchemist named Kreegan."
"The White Lighter will be easy," said the Dark Lighter. "I can handle that one myself. And I've heard of Kreegan. He could also be a problem. Rumor has it he's immortal and can't die."
"I'm aware of that. And it will not be necessary to actually kill him, especially since that would be next to impossible. But I'm sure it would be possible to incarcerate him somewhere. A location from which he could not escape."
"Yeah, there are places like that. How long you want him held for?"
"Permanently," said Van White. "It will be necessary for him to remain incarcerated for the rest of his life."
"I can handle that. Incarceration could get expensive. The upkeep alone could be exorbitant."
"As I said, I can afford it. Just pass the information around so that the right people learn of it. I want this handled as quickly and as expeditiously as possible."
The Dark Lighter just smiled and then vanished from the office. Van White was certain that his "problems" would very soon be a thing of the past.