Infection
Part 1
Sequel to "Transfer". I do not own any part of Charmed, I just write about it.
"Are you sure about this?" Kazan asked.
"No, but there's no other choice," Mortanos said softly. "You know as well as I do what will happen if we don't do this."
"Moebi, are you sure the futures don't show anything different?" Fiona asked anxiously.
"I don't know anymore.I'm afraid to trust in my power." Moebi replied honestly.
"This is only the beginning, and it will only get worse. There is no other way, we have to do this," Mortanos interrupted. He looked at all of them, and watched as each of them slowly nodded. He then said, "I'll take care of it."
***
"Morning honey. How did you sleep?" Piper asked as Phoebe walked downstairs.
Phoebe yawned and commented, "Pretty good, except I woke up alone. Where is Cole?"
"Gabriel took him and Gerald off for an early morning training session. I swear, your son makes a drill sergeant look nice," Paige remarked.
"Hey, they need to learn how to use their powers," Phoebe countered defensively.
"Calm down, I was only teasing." Paige explained.
"Let's change the subject. How's the wedding coming along?" Piper interjected.
Paige sighed, and a slightly stressed look came over her face. "It's all coming together nicely, but it's still so stressful. I can't believe I'm going to be married in less than a week. In one week, I'll be Mrs. Paige Errant."
Piper snickered, and Paige glared. "I'm sorry, I'm just remembering how much like Phoebe you are right now. Remember her 1st wedding, how stressed she was?"
"Hey, I'm in the room," Phoebe exclaimed.
"So?" Piper drawled.
"Should we discuss your wedding, and the fact you almost didn't have it," Phoebe countered.
"No, we shouldn't." Piper said quickly.
"Speaking of your wedding, where's Leo?" Paige commented.
"I don't know, he had some kind of meeting this morning with the Elders, and he's not back yet." Piper said.
"Hmm.the Elders. Boy, with a Guardian in the house, it's been a while since we've needed to talk to them," Paige remarked.
"That reminds me. We need to spend some time with Melinda," Piper said suddenly.
"Why, what's wrong?" Phoebe asked.
"Nothing, but I get the feeling she's feeling a little left out. We need to do something kidlike with her." Piper explained.
"Good idea, why don't we go grab her now?" Phoebe suggested.
"Sure, I'll orb up and get her," Paige said.
"Paige, we're in the house, and it's like thirty feet. We can walk," Piper interrupted.
"That works too. Let's go." Paige said. As she and Piper walked into the living room, there was a strange creaking noise from above them. Curious, Paige and Piper looked up.
"Look out!" Phoebe shouted, and both Piper and Paige felt something shove into their backs hard. They fell forward, and heard a crash and the sickening sound of bones breaking. They whirled to see Phoebe collapsed under the chandelier. She wasn't moving.
"Oh my god, PHOEBE!" Piper shouted. She ran forward with Phoebe and they both pulled the chandelier off. Phoebe was very still, and there was a pool of blood forming underneath her.
Piper looked up and shouted, "LEO!"
***
"Come on, you're so close. Just a little more and you'll have it. One more time," Gabriel shouted encouragingly.
Cole took a deep breath, and pushed even harder. He could feel his wings on the very edge of his reach, but no matter what he did, he couldn't summon them. He pushed and pressed, until finally he collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
"That was a good try, we'll take a five minute break," Gabriel pointed out reasonably.
"Only five minutes," Gerald gasped from his position next to Cole. "Remember, we're part human. I'm not sure we can take more of this,"
"Why are you whining, you got to rest while Cole tried," Gabriel countered.
"So?" Gerald gasped back.
"Honestly, you're both doing very well. With the amount of Azarian active in you, you're very far along. Another week or two of sessions and you should be able to assume the Azarian form."
"Oh, joy." Cole muttered. He then leaned in towards Gerald and whispered; "Now I know what I put Phoebe through. Remind me to apologize to her later."
"Sure," Gerald said absently.
"Brother, what's wrong? You've been distracted all week," Cole asked.
Gerald looked up to find both Cole and Gabriel staring at him worriedly. He sighed and said, "Alright, if you must know, I feel.empty."
"What do you mean?" Gabriel questioned.
"I feel like the purpose of my life is gone. I know I want to do good in this world, but I just don't think I'm doing enough," Gerald replied.
"Gerald, you're the CEO of a major corporation that sponsors close to two dozen charity organizations. I know because you have me doing their paperwork. Trust me, you're doing good in this world." Cole pointed out.
"In the mortal world, yes. But I still feel very useless. There must be something more I can do. I'm a demon that's done a millennium of evil and wants to atone, and yet I can't figure out how to do it." Gerald said reasonably.
"You'll find your purpose. It's just taking you a little while to get used to being an agent for good. Once you are more settled, it'll come to you. Trust me, you'll be a major force for good." Gabriel commented.
"Thanks. Hey, how'd you get so smart?" Gerald asked.
"Good genetics.from my mother's side," Gabriel teased.
"Hey, don't knock the Turner DNA. It gave you those wings you love so much," Cole remarked.
"Yeah, but." Gabriel began, but stopped as a curious look came over his face. His eyes lost focus, and then his face went pale. "Oh, no. MOM!" he was then gone.
Cole looked at Gerald worriedly and remarked, "Take me back to the Manor. It must be bad if Gabriel left like this. Take me back, quickly."
***
"Hurry up Leo, heal her," Piper snapped when Leo appeared.
As Leo ran to Phoebe, Paige looked up and asked, "How did this even happen? The chandelier has been sturdy for a long time, and there's been no recent disturbances. What made it fall?"
"Bad luck I guess," Piper commented. She looked back and saw Leo's worried face. "Leo, what's wrong?"
"I.I can't heal her," Leo said. "My powers won't work. WHAT HAPPENED?"
"The chandelier fell, and Phoebe pushed us out of the way," Paige explained.
"Oh God no," Leo said brokenly.
"Leo, what's wrong?" Piper asked softly, fighting to keep back the tears.
"This wasn't caused by evil, it was an accident. My po.powers can't work on accidents. I'm so sorry, there's nothing I can do," Leo said with tears in his eyes.
"You mean.no, NO, you have to heal her. It can't end like this, it just can't." Piper cried. Tears began to fall as she and Paige fell into each other's arms.
"She won't last much longer," Leo commented.
Suddenly, there was a blast of white light from Phoebe's body. Leo, Paige and Piper shielded their eyes quickly as the light hit them. It lasted for several seconds, and then it passed. As they opened their eyes, Piper gasped.
Slumped against one of the walls and staring at Phoebe's body in disbelief was a man with auburn hair and dressed all in black. He slowly rose and said, "What happ." he trailed off as a look of dread came over him, and he began to shiver.
"Who are." Piper began, but stopped as a raw emotion hit her. It was a rage that settled a dark chill in the room. Piper fought not to shiver as she felt the sheer force of the burning cold, as it froze her blood and stole her breath. A few moments later, Gabriel appeared, and his face promised nothing but death and pain.
The man fell to his knees and said, "My deepest apologies. I didn't know, please, I was just following orders."
Gabriel looked at him for a moment, and then said in a soft voice that reminded Paige of Cole in his darker days, "Show me your Seal, NOW!"
The man thrust his right hand out, palm facing towards him. A few moments later, a strange insignia appeared on his hand. Gabriel saw that, and something seemed to go out of him. His shoulders slumped slightly, but his face never changed.
"Leo, you can heal her now. Do so," Gabriel said softly.
"But." Leo began, but paled as Gabriel turned the full force of his glare onto him. Leo stumbled forward and placed his hands over Phoebe. A few moments later, his healing power kicked in, and Phoebe's wounds began to disappear.
Gabriel turned back to the man and said, "I'm going to let you go this one time, but deliver a message to your boss. Tell him he trespasses, and I demand a Conclave. Do that, and remember next time I won't be so generous."
"Yes, of course," the man said cringingly, and then he vanished.
Some of the rage left Gabriel's face, and the freezing rage dissipated enough for Piper to breath again. Just then, Cole and Gerald appeared. They took one look around and then Cole demanded, "What happened? PHOEBE!"
"She'll be fine," Leo commented. Indeed, Phoebe began to stir, and slowly stood up.
"Wha..what happened? Uggh!" Phoebe began, but stopped as Piper and Paige pulled her into a hug.
"Thank God, we thought we'd lost you," Piper and Paige cried.
"What happened?" Cole demanded.
"That bastard," Gabriel whispered, and the others turned to see his shoulders shaking from suppressed rage. "How dare he, without telling me! He has no right, NO RIGHT!"
"Son, please, I need to know. What just happened?" Phoebe said softly.
Gabriel turned to her and said softly, "That was an Angel of Death, and he came for you."
Phoebe slumped and Cole said softly, "No."
"I'm doomed, aren't I?" Phoebe asked after a few moments.
"No, because he shouldn't have come. He cannot take you, you bear my mark," Gabriel explained.
"What mark, where?" Paige questioned.
Gabriel's eye flashed, and everyone looked at each other in shock. On each of their foreheads (except Gerald) was a weird insignia, like the Angel's but slightly different.
"You tattooed me?" Piper snapped.
"The mark isn't visible normally, but it tells everyone that you are under my protection, and that I am the one who must take you up when your time comes. It prevents natural accidents from being fatal," Gabriel continued.
"You mean we're accident proof?" Piper murmured incredulously.
"Don't get any ideas; I can't protect you all the time. If you go seeking death, it will find you. But it is supposed to keep the Angel from putting you on his list."
"So what happened?" Cole asked.
"Mortanos betrayed me. He sent the Angel to take Phoebe to the afterlife, without my permission and in direct violation of the Guardian Code. That's why I called a Conclave of the Guardians. We will judge him, and pass sentence."
"What is the sentence for doing this?" Piper demanded.
"I don't know, I really don't. But it's time to find out," Gabriel said, and then he vanished.
***
"I feel him coming," Kazan murmured.
"Kazan, a baby could feel that rage. I've never felt him be so mad before. He makes my hot tempers look tame," Fiona retorted.
Mortanos said nothing, merely waited. A few moments later, Gabriel appeared. He glared at the assembled audience and then said, "Mortanos, you have trespassed. You went after someone under my direct protection in violation of the Guardian Code. How do you plead?"
"I am guilty, as are we all," Mortanos replied.
"What?" Gabriel asked in confusion.
"All eight of us knew what I was doing, and we all took part," Moebi explained.
"This.this is unbelievable," Gabriel said in shock. "Why would you do this to me, why would you all break our Code?"
"It doesn't matter, what matters is the punishment. The eight of us have voted, and decided only one punishment is fit. Death." Mortanos continued.
"You're joking," Gabriel said in disbelief.
"No, we've violated one of our most sacred codes, and this is the only punishment. As the only innocent Guardian, it falls on you to carry out the punishment," Fiona said softly.
"You want me to kill all of you? Why, why would you force me to do this?" Gabriel demanded, "I won't do anything until I know,"
"It doesn't matter, judgement has been passed, NOW DO IT!" Mortanos shouted.
Gabriel glared at him, and then his widened, "There's some kind of barrier, a glamour over you all. What are you hiding?"
"Nothing," Kazan said quickly, and Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
"I don't think so, and I'm going to find out RIGHT NOW!" Gabriel shouted, and unleashed his power. The other Guardians tried to defend themselves, but Gabriel tapped into his Azarian power and overwhelmed them. He hit the glamours like a tornado, and they shattered.
Gabriel stared at the Guardians in utter shock, and began to back away, "No, no, it can't be.I don't believe it."
On each of the other eight Guardians right temples was a single pulsing black vein.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Part 1
Sequel to "Transfer". I do not own any part of Charmed, I just write about it.
"Are you sure about this?" Kazan asked.
"No, but there's no other choice," Mortanos said softly. "You know as well as I do what will happen if we don't do this."
"Moebi, are you sure the futures don't show anything different?" Fiona asked anxiously.
"I don't know anymore.I'm afraid to trust in my power." Moebi replied honestly.
"This is only the beginning, and it will only get worse. There is no other way, we have to do this," Mortanos interrupted. He looked at all of them, and watched as each of them slowly nodded. He then said, "I'll take care of it."
***
"Morning honey. How did you sleep?" Piper asked as Phoebe walked downstairs.
Phoebe yawned and commented, "Pretty good, except I woke up alone. Where is Cole?"
"Gabriel took him and Gerald off for an early morning training session. I swear, your son makes a drill sergeant look nice," Paige remarked.
"Hey, they need to learn how to use their powers," Phoebe countered defensively.
"Calm down, I was only teasing." Paige explained.
"Let's change the subject. How's the wedding coming along?" Piper interjected.
Paige sighed, and a slightly stressed look came over her face. "It's all coming together nicely, but it's still so stressful. I can't believe I'm going to be married in less than a week. In one week, I'll be Mrs. Paige Errant."
Piper snickered, and Paige glared. "I'm sorry, I'm just remembering how much like Phoebe you are right now. Remember her 1st wedding, how stressed she was?"
"Hey, I'm in the room," Phoebe exclaimed.
"So?" Piper drawled.
"Should we discuss your wedding, and the fact you almost didn't have it," Phoebe countered.
"No, we shouldn't." Piper said quickly.
"Speaking of your wedding, where's Leo?" Paige commented.
"I don't know, he had some kind of meeting this morning with the Elders, and he's not back yet." Piper said.
"Hmm.the Elders. Boy, with a Guardian in the house, it's been a while since we've needed to talk to them," Paige remarked.
"That reminds me. We need to spend some time with Melinda," Piper said suddenly.
"Why, what's wrong?" Phoebe asked.
"Nothing, but I get the feeling she's feeling a little left out. We need to do something kidlike with her." Piper explained.
"Good idea, why don't we go grab her now?" Phoebe suggested.
"Sure, I'll orb up and get her," Paige said.
"Paige, we're in the house, and it's like thirty feet. We can walk," Piper interrupted.
"That works too. Let's go." Paige said. As she and Piper walked into the living room, there was a strange creaking noise from above them. Curious, Paige and Piper looked up.
"Look out!" Phoebe shouted, and both Piper and Paige felt something shove into their backs hard. They fell forward, and heard a crash and the sickening sound of bones breaking. They whirled to see Phoebe collapsed under the chandelier. She wasn't moving.
"Oh my god, PHOEBE!" Piper shouted. She ran forward with Phoebe and they both pulled the chandelier off. Phoebe was very still, and there was a pool of blood forming underneath her.
Piper looked up and shouted, "LEO!"
***
"Come on, you're so close. Just a little more and you'll have it. One more time," Gabriel shouted encouragingly.
Cole took a deep breath, and pushed even harder. He could feel his wings on the very edge of his reach, but no matter what he did, he couldn't summon them. He pushed and pressed, until finally he collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
"That was a good try, we'll take a five minute break," Gabriel pointed out reasonably.
"Only five minutes," Gerald gasped from his position next to Cole. "Remember, we're part human. I'm not sure we can take more of this,"
"Why are you whining, you got to rest while Cole tried," Gabriel countered.
"So?" Gerald gasped back.
"Honestly, you're both doing very well. With the amount of Azarian active in you, you're very far along. Another week or two of sessions and you should be able to assume the Azarian form."
"Oh, joy." Cole muttered. He then leaned in towards Gerald and whispered; "Now I know what I put Phoebe through. Remind me to apologize to her later."
"Sure," Gerald said absently.
"Brother, what's wrong? You've been distracted all week," Cole asked.
Gerald looked up to find both Cole and Gabriel staring at him worriedly. He sighed and said, "Alright, if you must know, I feel.empty."
"What do you mean?" Gabriel questioned.
"I feel like the purpose of my life is gone. I know I want to do good in this world, but I just don't think I'm doing enough," Gerald replied.
"Gerald, you're the CEO of a major corporation that sponsors close to two dozen charity organizations. I know because you have me doing their paperwork. Trust me, you're doing good in this world." Cole pointed out.
"In the mortal world, yes. But I still feel very useless. There must be something more I can do. I'm a demon that's done a millennium of evil and wants to atone, and yet I can't figure out how to do it." Gerald said reasonably.
"You'll find your purpose. It's just taking you a little while to get used to being an agent for good. Once you are more settled, it'll come to you. Trust me, you'll be a major force for good." Gabriel commented.
"Thanks. Hey, how'd you get so smart?" Gerald asked.
"Good genetics.from my mother's side," Gabriel teased.
"Hey, don't knock the Turner DNA. It gave you those wings you love so much," Cole remarked.
"Yeah, but." Gabriel began, but stopped as a curious look came over his face. His eyes lost focus, and then his face went pale. "Oh, no. MOM!" he was then gone.
Cole looked at Gerald worriedly and remarked, "Take me back to the Manor. It must be bad if Gabriel left like this. Take me back, quickly."
***
"Hurry up Leo, heal her," Piper snapped when Leo appeared.
As Leo ran to Phoebe, Paige looked up and asked, "How did this even happen? The chandelier has been sturdy for a long time, and there's been no recent disturbances. What made it fall?"
"Bad luck I guess," Piper commented. She looked back and saw Leo's worried face. "Leo, what's wrong?"
"I.I can't heal her," Leo said. "My powers won't work. WHAT HAPPENED?"
"The chandelier fell, and Phoebe pushed us out of the way," Paige explained.
"Oh God no," Leo said brokenly.
"Leo, what's wrong?" Piper asked softly, fighting to keep back the tears.
"This wasn't caused by evil, it was an accident. My po.powers can't work on accidents. I'm so sorry, there's nothing I can do," Leo said with tears in his eyes.
"You mean.no, NO, you have to heal her. It can't end like this, it just can't." Piper cried. Tears began to fall as she and Paige fell into each other's arms.
"She won't last much longer," Leo commented.
Suddenly, there was a blast of white light from Phoebe's body. Leo, Paige and Piper shielded their eyes quickly as the light hit them. It lasted for several seconds, and then it passed. As they opened their eyes, Piper gasped.
Slumped against one of the walls and staring at Phoebe's body in disbelief was a man with auburn hair and dressed all in black. He slowly rose and said, "What happ." he trailed off as a look of dread came over him, and he began to shiver.
"Who are." Piper began, but stopped as a raw emotion hit her. It was a rage that settled a dark chill in the room. Piper fought not to shiver as she felt the sheer force of the burning cold, as it froze her blood and stole her breath. A few moments later, Gabriel appeared, and his face promised nothing but death and pain.
The man fell to his knees and said, "My deepest apologies. I didn't know, please, I was just following orders."
Gabriel looked at him for a moment, and then said in a soft voice that reminded Paige of Cole in his darker days, "Show me your Seal, NOW!"
The man thrust his right hand out, palm facing towards him. A few moments later, a strange insignia appeared on his hand. Gabriel saw that, and something seemed to go out of him. His shoulders slumped slightly, but his face never changed.
"Leo, you can heal her now. Do so," Gabriel said softly.
"But." Leo began, but paled as Gabriel turned the full force of his glare onto him. Leo stumbled forward and placed his hands over Phoebe. A few moments later, his healing power kicked in, and Phoebe's wounds began to disappear.
Gabriel turned back to the man and said, "I'm going to let you go this one time, but deliver a message to your boss. Tell him he trespasses, and I demand a Conclave. Do that, and remember next time I won't be so generous."
"Yes, of course," the man said cringingly, and then he vanished.
Some of the rage left Gabriel's face, and the freezing rage dissipated enough for Piper to breath again. Just then, Cole and Gerald appeared. They took one look around and then Cole demanded, "What happened? PHOEBE!"
"She'll be fine," Leo commented. Indeed, Phoebe began to stir, and slowly stood up.
"Wha..what happened? Uggh!" Phoebe began, but stopped as Piper and Paige pulled her into a hug.
"Thank God, we thought we'd lost you," Piper and Paige cried.
"What happened?" Cole demanded.
"That bastard," Gabriel whispered, and the others turned to see his shoulders shaking from suppressed rage. "How dare he, without telling me! He has no right, NO RIGHT!"
"Son, please, I need to know. What just happened?" Phoebe said softly.
Gabriel turned to her and said softly, "That was an Angel of Death, and he came for you."
Phoebe slumped and Cole said softly, "No."
"I'm doomed, aren't I?" Phoebe asked after a few moments.
"No, because he shouldn't have come. He cannot take you, you bear my mark," Gabriel explained.
"What mark, where?" Paige questioned.
Gabriel's eye flashed, and everyone looked at each other in shock. On each of their foreheads (except Gerald) was a weird insignia, like the Angel's but slightly different.
"You tattooed me?" Piper snapped.
"The mark isn't visible normally, but it tells everyone that you are under my protection, and that I am the one who must take you up when your time comes. It prevents natural accidents from being fatal," Gabriel continued.
"You mean we're accident proof?" Piper murmured incredulously.
"Don't get any ideas; I can't protect you all the time. If you go seeking death, it will find you. But it is supposed to keep the Angel from putting you on his list."
"So what happened?" Cole asked.
"Mortanos betrayed me. He sent the Angel to take Phoebe to the afterlife, without my permission and in direct violation of the Guardian Code. That's why I called a Conclave of the Guardians. We will judge him, and pass sentence."
"What is the sentence for doing this?" Piper demanded.
"I don't know, I really don't. But it's time to find out," Gabriel said, and then he vanished.
***
"I feel him coming," Kazan murmured.
"Kazan, a baby could feel that rage. I've never felt him be so mad before. He makes my hot tempers look tame," Fiona retorted.
Mortanos said nothing, merely waited. A few moments later, Gabriel appeared. He glared at the assembled audience and then said, "Mortanos, you have trespassed. You went after someone under my direct protection in violation of the Guardian Code. How do you plead?"
"I am guilty, as are we all," Mortanos replied.
"What?" Gabriel asked in confusion.
"All eight of us knew what I was doing, and we all took part," Moebi explained.
"This.this is unbelievable," Gabriel said in shock. "Why would you do this to me, why would you all break our Code?"
"It doesn't matter, what matters is the punishment. The eight of us have voted, and decided only one punishment is fit. Death." Mortanos continued.
"You're joking," Gabriel said in disbelief.
"No, we've violated one of our most sacred codes, and this is the only punishment. As the only innocent Guardian, it falls on you to carry out the punishment," Fiona said softly.
"You want me to kill all of you? Why, why would you force me to do this?" Gabriel demanded, "I won't do anything until I know,"
"It doesn't matter, judgement has been passed, NOW DO IT!" Mortanos shouted.
Gabriel glared at him, and then his widened, "There's some kind of barrier, a glamour over you all. What are you hiding?"
"Nothing," Kazan said quickly, and Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
"I don't think so, and I'm going to find out RIGHT NOW!" Gabriel shouted, and unleashed his power. The other Guardians tried to defend themselves, but Gabriel tapped into his Azarian power and overwhelmed them. He hit the glamours like a tornado, and they shattered.
Gabriel stared at the Guardians in utter shock, and began to back away, "No, no, it can't be.I don't believe it."
On each of the other eight Guardians right temples was a single pulsing black vein.
TO BE CONTINUED.