CHARMED
"The Grand Emperor Of Demondom"
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.
With the Underworld in turmoil without a leader, one demon discovers an ancient tradition that will pick the next Source of All Evil.
ONE
Several demons stood gathered in a large cavern in the Underworld. They represented the most powerful factions within the Underworld. Ordinarily most of these demons would not hesitate to destroy the others. But these were hardly ordinary circumstances.
"Okay, we're here," said one of the demons. "The message I received said this had to do with the most ancient of traditions in the Underworld. Who has called us here and to what traditions does this message refer?"
"I have called you here, Reeltak" said a voice from the shadows.
A demon stepped out of the shadows in the chamber. Everyone recognized the demon. His name was Kringe and all had dealt with him at one time or another.
"Bureaucracy demon," Reeltak spat the words in distaste. "What is this all about?"
"You all know me," said Kringe. "For centuries I have maintained the traditions of the Underworld. And as you know over the past few decades I have been creating written accounts of what were before our oral traditions."
"We know what you do," said another demon. "Get on with it."
"Patience, Blator," said Kringe, "I'm coming to that. As I was saying, I've been writing down the traditions that have traditionally been passed down by word of mouth. I recently came across a very ancient tradition. One that impacts the entire Underworld."
"What tradition are you talking about?" Reeltak asked. "We're aware of most of the traditions that affect the Underworld."
"This one is different," said Kringe. "It involves the Source. Or rather, his successor."
"We all know about the successor to the Source," said a fourth demon. "When a Source is vanquished the strongest demon takes his place."
"Yes, ComFrei," said Kringe, "but it was not always so. Before the last Source took power the succession was different. It has been so long since it was used most of us had forgotten about it."
"I remember," said an older demon. "Succession for the throne of the Source was usually determined initially by blood succession. The nearest living male relative of the Source would assume the throne."
"Provided he was powerful enough to vanquish whichever demon had challenged the Source," said Blator. "And now that you mention it, I remember that, too. As I recall, any demon could challenge the Source, just as they can today. Usually if the Source won, things went on as usual. If the challenger won, it became necessary to dispose of the former Source's nearest living male relative."
"You are correct," said Kringe. "Originally, the position of the Source was an hereditary position. It is an ancient law which is still in effect. As with any other position, that law can be circumvented if there is no living male relative."
"Which is why all of the Source's male relatives were vanquished by the challenger if he won. What has that to do with us?" Reeltak's impatience was showing.
"We have no Source," said Kringe. "The Charmed Ones vanquished the Source who was then reborn in Belthazor. Technically, the Source still lived so no one stepped up to ascend the throne."
"But Belthazor has returned from the Wasteland," said ComFrei. "So doesn't that mean he is still the Source?"
"Not technically," said Kringe. "Control of the throne of the Source of all Evil is maintained only until the Source is vanquished. Once Belthazor was vanquished by the Charmed Ones he forfeited his right to be the Source."
"And he does not seem interested in the throne anyway," said Reeltak. "He hasn't made even a single overture to regain the throne."
"So," said Kringe, "according to Underworld tradition, the throne of the Source falls to the nearest living male relative of the former Source."
"Belthazor had a son," said Blator. "A quarter demon who used to represent demons in the human court system."
"Yes, but technically Turner was never the Source," said Kringe. "The former Source had possessed Turner and it was he that was sitting on the throne. Besides, Belthazor's son is mostly human. To rule the Underworld the Source must be demon. So the son of Belthazor is not eligible to ascend the throne."
"So which demon is in succession to ascend the throne?" Blator asked.
"The nearest living male relative of the Source before Belthazor served as the Source," said Kringe.
"I see," said Reeltak. "So the nearest living male of the Source is the rightful heir to the throne of the Source. Which means whichever one of us can vanquish this heir can rightfully lay claim to being the new Source."
"Well, according to tradition that's correct," said Kringe. "However, that may be harder to accomplish than you imagine."
"First we must identify this heir," said Blator.
"I have all ready identified him," said Kringe.
"Then give us his name," said ComFrei. "We may not be able to vanquish you but I can assure you we can make life most uncomfortable for you."
"There is no need for violence," said Kringe. "You will know who he is soon enough. In fact, I've invited him here to meet all of you. He should be here any moment."
Just then a guardian demon stepped into the chamber.
"He has arrived," said the guardian demon.
"Send him in," said Kringe. "Now you will all see who the rightful heir to the throne of the Source of all Evil is."
They all waited impatiently as the guardian escorted the demon into the chamber. Each of the demons gathered was secretly planning the method by which they would vanquish this demon and claim the throne for themselves.
The guardian demon escorted the new arrival into the chamber and then left the chamber. Everyone except Kringe simply stared in dismay at the demon that shimmered in and out of view before them. Almost as one they all sighed a groan.
"The guawdian demon said y-you wanted to see me," stammered Elbert Egbert Klinehopper IV as he stared nervously at the gathering of demons.