The Scepter of Anubis
The sequel to "Aftermath". I do own any part of Charmed, I just write about it.
Phoebe woke up with a start, and looked around fearfully for a few moments until she felt Cole's arms around her and relaxed. Ever since she remembered Cole's 'death', she had been having nightmares that he was gone and she was alone. But seeing his face and feeling his presence was always enough.
She looked behind her into his sleeping face and smiled. As he slept, Cole's face relaxed and he looked almost peaceful. It always calmed her and reminded her why she fell in love with him. As he slept, Phoebe could feel his inner goodness and love that drove him.
Phoebe felt something pressing against her midsection, and fought not to laugh. Gabriel was cuddled against her yet again. Cole and Phoebe were almost at wits end trying to keep from laughing. Every night they put Gabriel to sleep in his own bed, and every morning they woke up with him cuddling in theirs. Yet they never heard him enter either their room or their bed. They finally shrugged it off as the powers of a Guardian.
Phoebe's smile faded slightly as she looked at Gabriel's visage. Even now, a week later, his face still had a hollowed and emaciated look. Despite eating more than most armies (or so Piper complained) Gabriel was still thinner than normal. The week of constant power usage and lack of food really drained him. If only she'd been more supportive.
Phoebe pushed those thoughts away forcibly. That was the past, and both Cole and Gabriel had forgiven her. Now it was time to move on, and reconnect with both of them. They were family, and nothing was going to get in their way. All they needed was a little time, and everything would be fine. Phoebe drifted back to sleep, content with those thoughts.
***
"What do you mean you can't find it," Kreli shouted.
The demon bowed slightly, and said, "Kreli, I have scoured the Underworld, and the book is not here. I am sorry."
Kreli wordlessly snarled and gestured. The demon was slammed against the wall as the others in the room dived away. "Don't you understand the position I'm in? I can't wrest away the control of the Underworld from the Source without the Scepter, and I need the book to find it. Are you trying to keep me from my goal?"
"Nnnnoooo.master," the demon gasped through the pressure. Suddenly, the pressure stopped and the demon fell to the ground.
"I will spare you.this time. But in the future I would not fail me again," Kreli warned. He looked behind the group for a moment, and then waved his hand and commanded, "leave me, I must consider my next move."
As the demons shimmered out, a robed and cowled figure appeared. He bowed low and said, "My lord Kreli, the future Source, you requested my presence."
Kreli sat down heavily on his 'throne' and sighed, "Friend, all is lost. Those idiot underlings of mine couldn't find the book I need. I'm not sure what to do next."
Friend shook his head, and said, "You mustn't lose hope. I told you when I came to you two weeks ago; you have a great destiny ahead as the Source. All of this is merely a small obstacle in your path, one you will triumph over."
"I suppose, but what about the book?" Kreli demanded.
"I took the liberty of tracking it down once I realized your lackey wouldn't find it," Friend replied. "It is not in the Underworld. Rather, it is on display at the San Francisco Museum in the Egyptian display. Send some men and retrieve it, and your path to power will be assured."
Kreli nodded regally as he said, "You have been a worthy and trusted advisor, Friend. Trust me when I say you will be rewarded when I get what's coming to me."
It seemed like Friend smiled as he said, "I have no doubt." There was a flash of sapphire around his eyes, and then he was gone.
Kreli looked outwards and shouted, "Men, return. I have an assignment for you!"
***
"Come on Piper, hurry. We're going to be late," Paige stated impatiently.
"Calm down, we'll get there in time," Piper remarked, "and we have enough time for breakfast."
"I know, I know. But Michael's speaking in an hour at the museum, and you know how bad the traffic can get." Paige said anxiously.
"Paige, honey, I know this is very important to you, but rest assured, we won't be late." Piper soothed.
"Late for what?" Cole asked as he, Phoebe, and Gabriel came down the stairs.
"Michael has been asked to give a presentation on some of the artifacts his parents donated to the Museum from their last expedition." Piper explained. She then groaned and said, "Slow down, Gabriel. The food's not going anywhere."
Gabriel shrugged as he inhaled his fourth bagel and began to pour himself some cereal. "Sorry, I'm."
"Really hungry? I think we get that," Piper finished.
Gabriel grinned sheepishly as he added, "Sorry, but ever since I came back, I've always been starved. I can eat everything in sight, and two minutes later I'm hungry again."
"Oh, no." Paige remarked in horror. "Could he be going through a growth spurt?"
"What? He's less than a year old," Phoebe protested.
"So, maybe his powers make him go through a growth spurt now," Paige countered.
Piper was about to comment when Gabriel said, "Um.more please?"
Piper looked at him and said, "You just ate 12 bagels, 9 eggs, four pancakes, and finished off an entire box of Cheerios in what, a minute? He's definitely going through a growth spurt, one I'm not sure the entire US farming system could handle."
"I'm sorry, but I'm just really hungry.could I raid the pantry?" Gabriel said hopefully.
"Absolutely not! Look, we have to get going, why don't you three meet us at the museum. And keep that little black hole out of my pantry," Piper stated as she and Paige walked quickly to the door.
Cole looked at Phoebe, and they both started to laugh. "I guess I'll make something," Cole stated, "Want some oatmeal?" ***
"Thanks for coming you guys," Michael said nervously.
"Don't be silly baby," Paige chided, "I wouldn't have missed it."
Michael grinned, and remarked, "Of course not, but it'll be nice to have at least one familiar face in the crowd."
Paige saw how nervous he was, and soothed, "You'll be great. Don't worry."
"You're right of course. It's just.hey, what's going on there?" Michael asked in puzzlement.
The sisters turned to see someone walk through a door with a sign saying, "Exhibit closed. No trespassing."
"Maybe he's a guard or works here," Paige suggested.
"Dressed like that? I doubt it," Michael replied suspiciously. "We should take a look."
"You go on in ten minutes," Paige pointed out.
"So? I'm curious." Michael said with a shrug as he walked to the door. Paige looked at Piper, sighed, and then followed Michael.
When they walked in quietly, they saw five men looking at each exhibit. Their leader was waiting impatiently, and snarled, "Hurry up. Kreli will have our livers for lunch if we don't find it."
Paige looked and Piper and whispered, "Demons?"
One of the men snarled and fired an energy ball at the wall. "This is pointless! Why are we wasting our time like this?"
"Definitely demons," Piper replied softly.
"I found it," one of the demons said excitedly. He handed the leader a book that looked ancient.
"Excuse me," Piper said firmly, "Can I see your museum pass?"
The demons whirled, and the leader glared, "Boy did you pick the wrong people to mess with."
"Funny," Michael remarked," That was what I was going to say. Afarini Hrulgfi." A blast of light erupted from him, and the demons ducked instinctively.
Before they could move, Piper gestured. A demon exploded, and the force of the explosion threw two others hard enough against the wall to make an impression in the rock.
The leader's eyes widened, and he hissed, "Witches." He fired an energy ball, which Paige redirected back at him. "Fall back!"
As the demons started to shimmer, Paige shouted, "BOOK!" The book orbed out of the demons hands just as they vanished.
"Nice grab," Michael complemented.
"What is this?" Paige wondered aloud.
"I don't know, but we need to figure it, fast," Piper remarked.
***
"WHAT!" Kreli shouted.
"I'm sorry," his minion said cringingly" the Book was in my hands, and then it wasn't."
"That is unacceptable," Kreli muttered, "You failed me, and I cannot tolerate failure in my men." An energy ball appeared in his hands, and the minion began to back away in fear.
"Master please, this witches were different. They were powerful. One of them blew up one of my men with a gesture, and slammed the others against the wall. I didn't know what I was up against, so I ran."
Kreli paused and said thoughtfully, "The power of explosion.interesting. That sounds like the Charmed Ones." The energy ball disappeared as Kreli sat back down. "You are forgiven, for the witches were an unexpected complication. We must remedy the situation. Leave me, while I decide how to handle this."
His men bowed quickly and vanished. Kreli looked up and said, softly, "Friend."
The cowled figure appeared again and said, "You summoned me?"
"The Charmed Ones are trying to interfere with my plans.I must stop them. Any suggestions?" Kreli mentioned.
"I may have a few ideas worthy of your consideration," Friend replied.
As he outlined the plan, Kreli grinned evilly. "Perfect, they'll never see it coming. With this plan and my men, I guarantee the Charmed Ones will be doomed."
TO BE CONTINUED.
The sequel to "Aftermath". I do own any part of Charmed, I just write about it.
Phoebe woke up with a start, and looked around fearfully for a few moments until she felt Cole's arms around her and relaxed. Ever since she remembered Cole's 'death', she had been having nightmares that he was gone and she was alone. But seeing his face and feeling his presence was always enough.
She looked behind her into his sleeping face and smiled. As he slept, Cole's face relaxed and he looked almost peaceful. It always calmed her and reminded her why she fell in love with him. As he slept, Phoebe could feel his inner goodness and love that drove him.
Phoebe felt something pressing against her midsection, and fought not to laugh. Gabriel was cuddled against her yet again. Cole and Phoebe were almost at wits end trying to keep from laughing. Every night they put Gabriel to sleep in his own bed, and every morning they woke up with him cuddling in theirs. Yet they never heard him enter either their room or their bed. They finally shrugged it off as the powers of a Guardian.
Phoebe's smile faded slightly as she looked at Gabriel's visage. Even now, a week later, his face still had a hollowed and emaciated look. Despite eating more than most armies (or so Piper complained) Gabriel was still thinner than normal. The week of constant power usage and lack of food really drained him. If only she'd been more supportive.
Phoebe pushed those thoughts away forcibly. That was the past, and both Cole and Gabriel had forgiven her. Now it was time to move on, and reconnect with both of them. They were family, and nothing was going to get in their way. All they needed was a little time, and everything would be fine. Phoebe drifted back to sleep, content with those thoughts.
***
"What do you mean you can't find it," Kreli shouted.
The demon bowed slightly, and said, "Kreli, I have scoured the Underworld, and the book is not here. I am sorry."
Kreli wordlessly snarled and gestured. The demon was slammed against the wall as the others in the room dived away. "Don't you understand the position I'm in? I can't wrest away the control of the Underworld from the Source without the Scepter, and I need the book to find it. Are you trying to keep me from my goal?"
"Nnnnoooo.master," the demon gasped through the pressure. Suddenly, the pressure stopped and the demon fell to the ground.
"I will spare you.this time. But in the future I would not fail me again," Kreli warned. He looked behind the group for a moment, and then waved his hand and commanded, "leave me, I must consider my next move."
As the demons shimmered out, a robed and cowled figure appeared. He bowed low and said, "My lord Kreli, the future Source, you requested my presence."
Kreli sat down heavily on his 'throne' and sighed, "Friend, all is lost. Those idiot underlings of mine couldn't find the book I need. I'm not sure what to do next."
Friend shook his head, and said, "You mustn't lose hope. I told you when I came to you two weeks ago; you have a great destiny ahead as the Source. All of this is merely a small obstacle in your path, one you will triumph over."
"I suppose, but what about the book?" Kreli demanded.
"I took the liberty of tracking it down once I realized your lackey wouldn't find it," Friend replied. "It is not in the Underworld. Rather, it is on display at the San Francisco Museum in the Egyptian display. Send some men and retrieve it, and your path to power will be assured."
Kreli nodded regally as he said, "You have been a worthy and trusted advisor, Friend. Trust me when I say you will be rewarded when I get what's coming to me."
It seemed like Friend smiled as he said, "I have no doubt." There was a flash of sapphire around his eyes, and then he was gone.
Kreli looked outwards and shouted, "Men, return. I have an assignment for you!"
***
"Come on Piper, hurry. We're going to be late," Paige stated impatiently.
"Calm down, we'll get there in time," Piper remarked, "and we have enough time for breakfast."
"I know, I know. But Michael's speaking in an hour at the museum, and you know how bad the traffic can get." Paige said anxiously.
"Paige, honey, I know this is very important to you, but rest assured, we won't be late." Piper soothed.
"Late for what?" Cole asked as he, Phoebe, and Gabriel came down the stairs.
"Michael has been asked to give a presentation on some of the artifacts his parents donated to the Museum from their last expedition." Piper explained. She then groaned and said, "Slow down, Gabriel. The food's not going anywhere."
Gabriel shrugged as he inhaled his fourth bagel and began to pour himself some cereal. "Sorry, I'm."
"Really hungry? I think we get that," Piper finished.
Gabriel grinned sheepishly as he added, "Sorry, but ever since I came back, I've always been starved. I can eat everything in sight, and two minutes later I'm hungry again."
"Oh, no." Paige remarked in horror. "Could he be going through a growth spurt?"
"What? He's less than a year old," Phoebe protested.
"So, maybe his powers make him go through a growth spurt now," Paige countered.
Piper was about to comment when Gabriel said, "Um.more please?"
Piper looked at him and said, "You just ate 12 bagels, 9 eggs, four pancakes, and finished off an entire box of Cheerios in what, a minute? He's definitely going through a growth spurt, one I'm not sure the entire US farming system could handle."
"I'm sorry, but I'm just really hungry.could I raid the pantry?" Gabriel said hopefully.
"Absolutely not! Look, we have to get going, why don't you three meet us at the museum. And keep that little black hole out of my pantry," Piper stated as she and Paige walked quickly to the door.
Cole looked at Phoebe, and they both started to laugh. "I guess I'll make something," Cole stated, "Want some oatmeal?" ***
"Thanks for coming you guys," Michael said nervously.
"Don't be silly baby," Paige chided, "I wouldn't have missed it."
Michael grinned, and remarked, "Of course not, but it'll be nice to have at least one familiar face in the crowd."
Paige saw how nervous he was, and soothed, "You'll be great. Don't worry."
"You're right of course. It's just.hey, what's going on there?" Michael asked in puzzlement.
The sisters turned to see someone walk through a door with a sign saying, "Exhibit closed. No trespassing."
"Maybe he's a guard or works here," Paige suggested.
"Dressed like that? I doubt it," Michael replied suspiciously. "We should take a look."
"You go on in ten minutes," Paige pointed out.
"So? I'm curious." Michael said with a shrug as he walked to the door. Paige looked at Piper, sighed, and then followed Michael.
When they walked in quietly, they saw five men looking at each exhibit. Their leader was waiting impatiently, and snarled, "Hurry up. Kreli will have our livers for lunch if we don't find it."
Paige looked and Piper and whispered, "Demons?"
One of the men snarled and fired an energy ball at the wall. "This is pointless! Why are we wasting our time like this?"
"Definitely demons," Piper replied softly.
"I found it," one of the demons said excitedly. He handed the leader a book that looked ancient.
"Excuse me," Piper said firmly, "Can I see your museum pass?"
The demons whirled, and the leader glared, "Boy did you pick the wrong people to mess with."
"Funny," Michael remarked," That was what I was going to say. Afarini Hrulgfi." A blast of light erupted from him, and the demons ducked instinctively.
Before they could move, Piper gestured. A demon exploded, and the force of the explosion threw two others hard enough against the wall to make an impression in the rock.
The leader's eyes widened, and he hissed, "Witches." He fired an energy ball, which Paige redirected back at him. "Fall back!"
As the demons started to shimmer, Paige shouted, "BOOK!" The book orbed out of the demons hands just as they vanished.
"Nice grab," Michael complemented.
"What is this?" Paige wondered aloud.
"I don't know, but we need to figure it, fast," Piper remarked.
***
"WHAT!" Kreli shouted.
"I'm sorry," his minion said cringingly" the Book was in my hands, and then it wasn't."
"That is unacceptable," Kreli muttered, "You failed me, and I cannot tolerate failure in my men." An energy ball appeared in his hands, and the minion began to back away in fear.
"Master please, this witches were different. They were powerful. One of them blew up one of my men with a gesture, and slammed the others against the wall. I didn't know what I was up against, so I ran."
Kreli paused and said thoughtfully, "The power of explosion.interesting. That sounds like the Charmed Ones." The energy ball disappeared as Kreli sat back down. "You are forgiven, for the witches were an unexpected complication. We must remedy the situation. Leave me, while I decide how to handle this."
His men bowed quickly and vanished. Kreli looked up and said, softly, "Friend."
The cowled figure appeared again and said, "You summoned me?"
"The Charmed Ones are trying to interfere with my plans.I must stop them. Any suggestions?" Kreli mentioned.
"I may have a few ideas worthy of your consideration," Friend replied.
As he outlined the plan, Kreli grinned evilly. "Perfect, they'll never see it coming. With this plan and my men, I guarantee the Charmed Ones will be doomed."
TO BE CONTINUED.