CHARMED
"Penance And Plots"
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 8 episodes "Repo Manor" and "12 Angry Zen".)
After vanquishing the demons who were able to utilize the Power of Three, the Charmed Ones set out to discover how demons were able to appropriate their power.
PREFACE
The demon stood in the chamber waiting. He had received word that his master wanted to speak with him. That was never a good sign. It usually meant that something had gone wrong and he had to do some fast explaining. It was not the first time. In the past he had been forced to explain a failure. Lucky for him it was a skill he had cultivated long ago. It had saved him from being vanquished on more than one occasion.
Suddenly another demon flamed into the chamber. The senior demon stood in the shadows. It was impossible to tell who or what the demon was. But the junior demon knew him well. In the last five years he had helped this demon hide his identity even from the rest of the Underworld. The senior demon wore only a simple black robe.
"You asked to see me?" questioned the junior demon.
"Yes. The doppelgangers have failed. They have been vanquished as has their master."
"This is bad. They were supposed to be the downfall of the Charmed Ones. Once the sisters had been vanquished the doppelgangers could have easily replaced them. No one would have been the wiser."
"That's right. They passed their test magnificently. They vanquished the demon who was controlling their clan without a problem. Going up against the Charmed Ones, however, proved to be more than they could handle. Again the Charmed Ones have thwarted our plans."
"It wasn't my fault," pleaded the junior demon. "I did exactly as you instructed. Kumak was able to duplicate the sister's powers exactly. The doppelgangers were even able to duplicate the Power of Three. Even the test to vanquish the demon holding their clan prisoner worked exactly as you predicted. But the Charmed Ones have always been able to best any demons sent against them."
"We do not hold you responsible for their failure. We are all too familiar with the power and ingenuity of the Charmed Ones. And as you know we have planned for the contingency that they might fail. We underestimated the Charmed Ones once before and it cost us dearly. We do not plan to do so again."
"The girl. You're talking about the girl that was taken fifteen years ago."
"Yes. Her power will allow us to finally defeat our greatest enemies. But she must be in position to do so. Which means that she must be returned to the mortal plane. Once she and her sister are together again we can begin to implement our contingency plan. The one that will finally put an end to the Charmed Ones and give us the ultimate power.
"Are you sure that's wise? She's still human. And she's a witch. And her sister is with the Charmed Ones now. It's possible she may choose to side with them over you. Perhaps we should spend more time indoctrinating her."
"No. We have spent a great deal of time preparing her. She won't fail us. But it will be necessary for her to be rejoined with her sister so they can accomplish our goals. You will see to it that her sister finds her. But don't make it too easy. If they find the girl too easily they may become suspicious."
"As you wish. How long before she will be able to make her move against the Charmed Ones?"
"That's difficult to say. You must reinforce her hatred of them. Once she and her sister are ready they will vanquish the Charmed Ones for us. Until that time it will be your job to make sure that she stays on track."
"You can count on me."
"We had better be able to. If you fail us again we may not be so forgiving the next time."
The senior demon suddenly flamed out leaving the junior demon alone in the chamber. He had plans to make. Reuniting Christy with her sister without arousing suspicion was not going to be easy. But the benefits were well worth whatever risk was involved. Silently the demon shimmered out of the chamber to make the plans he needed.
