Chapter 3: Wendigo
Aurora sat across from Phoebe and Prue at Quake as Phoebe talked to Piper on her cell phone. Piper is stranded somewhere with a flat tire, trying to change it herself.
"That's not gonna work," Phoebe said as she glanced at Prue and Aurora. "She's looking for a long wooden spoon." She listened as Piper found the wooden spoon and it broke. "Okay, stay there and Aurora will teleport us to you." She listened as Piper stated that she could the tire herself. "Piper, you're stranded and you're all alone and the only thing you have to protect yourself with is a wooden spoon that's broken." She glanced at Aurora. "It would be nice if we had lightsabers."
Aurora sighed. "Phoebe, first off building a lightsaber is a rite of passage. It happens at different points in each Padawan's training. Aunt Buffy, mom and Uncle Anakin did not get to build their first ones at the same times. Second of all the use …"
"For defense, never for attack," Phoebe finished for Aurora. "We know. But at least Piper would have something to use for defense." She listened to Piper telling her she had the power to freeze and that she would be okay before hanging up to call the auto club. "Piper, wait. Hello?" She looked to Prue. "She is out of her mind."
"Alright, we'll give her 15 minutes, then Aurora can take us to her," Prue said.
"Aunt Buffy said I can't use my power in view of the public," Aurora interjected. "Not till magic is revealed to the public anyways."
"We won't have you teleport us from here. We'll do it from somewhere out of sight of everyone else," Prue said. "I promise. We won't go against Buffy's orders."
And they didn't go against Buffy's orders for they didn't teleport to Piper when the fifteen minutes were up. They knew if Piper was in real danger she would call. But when Piper did not show they began to worry and an hour later Prue's cell phone rang.
"It's Andy," Prue said as she looked at the caller ID. "Hey, Andy."
"Prue," Andy said. "Could you and Phoebe come down to San Francisco Memorial. Piper has been in an accident."
"We'll be there shortly," Prue said as she hung up. "Piper is at San Francisco Memorial, she's been hurt."
They left Quake and ran around the back of the building into an alley and then Aurora grabbed Prue and Phoebe's hands and they disappeared in a flash of green.
Moments later Prue, Phoebe and Aurora walked up to the receptionist at San Francisco Memorial. "We're here to see, Piper Halliwell," Phoebe said.
"Prue, Phoebe."
Prue, Phoebe and Aurora turned to see Andy standing a couple feet away.
"Andy, thanks for calling us," Prue said.
Since being told that magic existed. He did not question how the three of them got there so fast. "Hey, she's like my sister too," he said. "She's in here." He led them into a room where a doctor was bandaging Piper's arm.
"Oh my God, that's a lot of blood," Piper said.
Aurora frowned something was off with Piper, she could feel it in the Force.
"Hey, sweetie," Prue said as she and Phoebe moved next to Piper.
"Oh my God!" Phoebe said. "Are you okay?"
Piper nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said as she looked to the doctor. "If I pass out and I need a transfusion, I'm AB negative. It's very rare, it could be a problem."
Andy smiled. "Try not to look at it. Just so you know, I'm AB neg. too. Plus, I love good food. Perfect donor."
"There is no need," Aurora said. "While we do not yet have Bacta tanks setup on Earth. As you likely know there is a Mon Calamari ship in orbit. We can repair any damage up there."
"Master Skywalker," Phoebe said drawing Aurora's attention to her. "It's not that we have access to other medical technologies, it's the sentiment behind the gesture."
"Of course," Aurora said as she glanced at Andy. "I'm still getting used to Earth customs."
"Of course," Andy said.
"So no stitches?" Prue asked the doctor.
"No. It's not that deep," the doctor said before returning his attention to Piper. "Follow up with your doctor in the morning though. Keep it dry, a little aspirin for the pain, you'll be fine."
"Easy for you to say," Piper said.
"You're all set. Just sign this."
"Oh, I got it," Prue said as she took the forms and signed them.
"Come here, baby," Phoebe said as Prue and the doctor and his nurse left the room. She put her arm around Piper and they and Aurora left the room as well. "I don't understand, why didn't you just freeze him?"
"I was trapped in a phone booth," Piper said. "My power doesn't work outside the room I'm in remember."
"Another question is why didn't you call us?" Aurora asked.
"I was trying to, it's the reason I was in the phone booth when it attacked."
Aurora nodded. "I think I should talk to Aunt Buffy and see about getting us comlinks. They would add in another way of keeping in touch."
Piper noticed a guy coming toward them. "Oh my God, Billy."
"How are you?" Billy asked.
"Phoebe, Master Skywalker," Piper said. "This is Billy. He saved my life."
"Yeah, I'm just glad I got there in time," Billy said.
"Yeah, I'd like to talk to you about that. Along with that flare gun you just happened to show up with," Andy said as he came up to them with Prue.
"Inspector," Aurora said. "This is Jedi business. One of our Order was after all attacked."
Andy sighed. "No offense … Aurora isn't it …" Aurora nodded. "The San Francisco police department has an interest in capturing this person, assuming it is a person, as he or she has murdered other people."
"It's not a person, it's a creature ..." Billy said.
Just then Agent Fallon walked toward them. "Describe it. Billy, what are you doing here?"
"Same thing you are. Hunting that thing," Billy said.
"Padawan's Piper, Prue and Phoebe Halliwell and Jedi Knight Aurora Skywalker, this is Special Agent Fallon of the FBI," Andy said.
"FBI. Cool," Phoebe said.
"Phoebe," Aurora said with a role of her eyes.
"Describe it?" Piper said. "Oh, okay, big, scary, strong. Kind of like a cross between a werewolf and Charles Manson."
"Yellow eyes?" Fallon asked.
Piper nodded. "Yes."
"Talon-like hands?"
"Uh huh."
"Can I talk to you, Inspector?" Fallon asked as Andy nodded.
"Excuse me," Aurora said as she moved to follow Fallen and Andy.
"This is …"
"Jedi business," Aurora finished. "Our jurisdiction supersedes yours when it concerns a member of our Order. I understand that you want to catch this thing because it has murdered others. But I am afraid you can't shut us out just because …"
Fallen sighed. "Fine, come along, Ms. …"
"I'm addressed as Jedi Skywalker," Aurora said.
Aurora, Fallon and Andy walked away from the sisters to continue their conversation.
"Ms. Halliwell," Fallon started.
"Padawan," Aurora corrected.
Fallon nodded. "Padawan Halliwell is the first one to survive an attack."
"Unlike that poor guy we found last night with his heart ripped out of his chest," Andy said.
Fallon nodded. "Just like the killings in Chicago and New Orleans."
"Yeah, I've sent for the Coroner's reports."
"Why?" Fallon asked. "I think it's pretty obvious this case is out of your jurisdiction, Inspector."
"No it's within his jurisdiction," Aurora argued. "Since he is the liaison between the Jedi Order and the San Francisco Police Department. It became outside your jurisdiction the moment a member of the Jedi Order was attacked. But yet we aren't asking you to withdrawal from your investigation."
Fallon sighed and nodded. "This witness corroborates every other statement. According to their descriptions, this perp's not either animal or human. Neither of you blinked, I was expecting a response."
"That is because Inspector Trudeau and the Jedi Order know about the supernatural beings inhabiting this world," Aurora said. "Can you give us any kind of description on what we are looking for?"
"You believe them?" Fallon asked. "That it's not human?"
"Of course we do," Aurora answered.
The next morning back at the manor Piper sat across from Buffy at the kitchen table as she looked through the Book. "If that thing last night wasn't demonic, I don't know what is," Piper said.
"Do not worry, Piper," Buffy said. "We will find it. Aurora was correct in telling Agent Fallon that this now falls under the jurisdiction of the Jedi Order. It, he, she attacked you."
"I know," Piper said.
Just then Phoebe walked into the kitchen wearing a business suit instead of her Jedi robes.
"Nice outfit," Piper remarked.
"Why aren't you in your robes?" Buffy asked.
"I know the three of us are still in training, Buffy," Phoebe said as she down next to her cousin. "But till Earth comes up technologically with the rest of the galaxy, we still have bills to pay."
Buffy sighed and nodded. She knew how that went. At the moment the Watcher's Council, thanks to Giles after he had taken over, was sending her backpay for her years in Sunnydale so she would be able to pay bills herself.
"And I have to impress my new boss," Phoebe finished before looking at Piper. "Hey, how's the arm?"
"Itches," Piper said.
"Piper," Buffy said, "you should have Aurora teleport you up to the Mon Calamari ship in orbit have one of the medical droids take a look at it. It could be infected."
"It's not. It's fine," Piper said. "Besides even if it was I would just get the same model you got, Buffy."
Buffy sighed and looked down at her arm that had been replaced with a mechanical one when Glorificus had sliced it off. "You don't want to go down that road if you don't have to."
"Hey where is Prue?" Piper asked trying to change the subject.
"I sent her and Aurora to get your car," Buffy said. "And check out the area. Now while Phoebe has her job you and I are going to be looking through your Book trying to ID this thing."
Piper sighed. "You know I thought I was gonna die last night. I was totally helpless and all I could think about is I was never gonna see you guys or Prue, Aurora or even Dawn again. And then suddenly out of nowhere comes Billy. Saved me. Protected me. That thing took away the person he loved and he's out there all alone trying to kill it. I can't just do nothing."
"And we're not," Buffy said. "We need to know what we're up against."
As Phoebe left the kitchen Piper turned to a page in the Book and her eyes widened, she had found the creature. "Whoa."
Buffy moved around the table, "A Wendigo," she said as she read the page. "It looks human during the day but then it transforms at night. Sounds like a werewolf except for this next part. It survives by feeding on human hearts."
Piper nodded. "Look at this. The first Wendigo was a mortal who betrayed by his lover, cut out her heart and ate it. As soon as he did, his own heart turned to ice and that's how he became this monster."
"Wo what attracted it to you?" Buffy wondered. "Okay it maybe a distant cousin of the werewolf. "It strikes during the three phases of the full moon. Which means it may try again tonight. I'll contact Andy and let him know that he can tell Agent Fallon."
Piper nodded as she stood up and then gripped the chair. "Whoa. Dizzy."
"You okay?" Buffy asked.
"Must have stood up too fast," Piper said as the phone rang. She moved over to it and answered. "Halliwell residence, Piper speaking."
"Piper, it's Andy. Just checking in to see how you're doing."
Piper glanced at Buffy and mouthed Andy before returning her attention to the phone. "Oh, Andy, that's sweet. Um, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired."
"Yeah, well, you should be relaxing."
"I'm okay. Listen, Master Naberrie is here and got some information for you," Piper said as she handed Buffy the phone.
"Hello, Inspector," Buffy said. "We have found out what it is. And if our information is correct it will attack again tonight. I will fax what we got over to you and you can relay it to Agent Fallon."
"Alright."
"I'm going to take a nap," Piper said as she headed out of the kitchen and into the living room.
Piper was dozing when she heard the doorbell ring. She got up and went to open it finding Dawn standing on the front steps. "Master Skywalker," Piper said remembering how Dawn was a stickler to the whole being called a Master by those below her in the Jedi Order.
"You can call me Dawn," Dawn said. "I'm not here as a Master, but as a concerned cousin. Buffy told me what happened. I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing."
"I feel great," Piper said.
"Did you take Buffy's advice about seeing a med droid on the Mon Cal cruiser?" Dawn asked.
"Why do you ask?" Piper wondered.
"Because your wound is healed."
All of a sudden, Piper turned into a Wendigo and grabbed Dawn.
Suddenly Piper found herself on the couch in the living room. It had been only a dream. Just then the doorbell rang and walked into the foyer. "Who is it?"
"It's Dawn."
"Master Skywalker, go away. Please, for your own safety."
"Piper, is Buffy there?"
"I … I don't know. I fell asleep on the couch
"Let me in, please."
Piper sighed as she opened the door and let in her cousin.
"Where is Buffy, it's important?"
"A kitchen, I think," Piper said. "Buffy!"
Dawn made a tsk tsk tsk noise.
"I know, Dawn," Piper said. "Can you forgive me just this once. I feel …"
"Of course, Piper," Dawn replied as Buffy came in from the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup and set it down on the kitchen table.
"Here you go, Piper," Buffy said as Piper nodded and smiled at her as she sat at the table. "What is it, Dawn?"
"I was meditating and received a Force vision. I had …" Dawn said as she glanced at Piper. "You know who orb me here."
"What did you see?" Buffy asked.
"Piper, transforming into a werewolf or similar creature."
"I … I think Dawn's right," Piper said with a sigh. "Before Dawn knocked on the door waking me up, I had a dream, a dream where she knocked on the door and when I opened it I turned into the Wendigo and attacked her."
Just then another knock came at the door and Piper moved to open it. As Dawn was already there she opened the door to find Agent Fallon on the front steps.
"Hello," Fallon said.
"You must be Agent Fallon," Buffy said as she stepped up beside Dawn. "I'm Grandmaster Buffy Naberrie of the Jedi Order and this is my sister Master Dawn Skywalker also of the Jedi Order."
"I have a quick question," Fallon said. "If you don't mind."
"No, go on ahead," Buffy said.
"Have you in your investigation identified the creature that attacked Padawan Halliwell?"
"Actually we have," Buffy said. "It is called a Wendigo and that it attacks, much like a werewolf, during the full moon. And like a werewolf it transforms into a normal human during the day."
"Really?" Fallon asked surprised. "That's new. Any idea who it might be?"
Buffy shook her head. "None so far."
"That's too bad," Fallon said as Piper came up beside Buffy and Dawn. "How's the arm?"
"It's fine," Piper said. "Well, it hurts like hell."
"May I?" Fallon asked motioning toward Piper's arm. Piper held her arm out as she looked over the bandaged area. "You're the only one to survive the attacks. Hope you didn't get infected by it. If there is any more information you come across, call me directly." She handed Buffy a business card.
Buffy smiled as she took it and then grabbed her purse, reaching in and pulled out a business card. "You do the same," she said as she handed her business card to Fallon.
As Fallon turned and left Dawn closed the door. She and Buffy turned to see Piper shaking.
"Piper," Dawn said a worried tone added to her voice. She and Buffy watched as Piper took the bandage off her arm, to reveal the huge amount of hair that had grown in underneath it.
Buffy reached into her purse and pulled out a comlink. "We're getting you up to the Mon Cal ship, immediately," she said before speaking into the comlink. "Grandmaster Naberrie to the Mon Calamari ship, New Hope. I am bringing up Padawan Piper Halliwell, I want a quarantine area set aside and medical droids waiting. I want the area cleared of personnel from the shuttle bay to the medical bay once we've landed."
"Understood Master Naberrie," came Admiral Ackbar's voice from the comlink.
Buffy turned to her sister. "Dawn, their Book is upstairs. Look through it. Find a way to kill this Wendigo. And find a way to cure, Piper."
"I'm on it," Dawn replied as she headed for the stairs.
"And call Prue and Phoebe," Buffy called after Dawn as she and Piper headed out the door.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
At the park where Piper was attack, Andy and Fallon strolled through it.
"Both Piper and the first victim were attacked by the far end of those trees," Andy said.
"Must have hidden in that stretch of woods waiting to attack," Fallon said. "Wanna get a closer look?"
Andy nodded. "Absolutely."
"You better turn your cell phone off too. Wouldn't want it to ring and scare it away," Fallon said as they both turned off their phones. "This is a nice spot. How'd you find this place? You and Piper's sister spend some time here?"
"No, I tended to run more to the highbrow." They turned to see Prue standing behind them. "There was a development. Piper has gotten worse, Master Naberrie took her up to the Mon Calamari ship. Phoebe went back to the house to help Master Skywalker find a way to kill the beast."
"I'm sure Piper will be fine, Prue," Andy said.
"I'm sure, too," Prue said.
Fallon frowned, she needed Prue gone if she intended to what had to be done. "Maybe we should split up. Padawan Halliwell, maybe you can take the other side of the clearing? While Inspector Trudeau and I keep watch on this side?"
"Alright," Prue agreed as she turned in the direction that Fallon had indicated. She reached into the Force, she could get a clear read on Fallon but she got the feeling that something was not right. When Andy and Fallon were out of sight she turned and headed into the woods back toward Fallon and Andy.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
On the New Hope Piper lay on the medical bed sweating and shaking.
"There is an infection," the medical droid told Buffy. "It is of an unknown type. Given what the Jedi Order has added to the databanks of this world. It is possible this infection is mystical."
"Despite, the fact that being a droid, you don't believe in magic. What is the probability is something that is mystical in nature?" Buffy asked.
"If it were a normal infection standard antivirals would have worked coupled with a bacta patch for the wound itself. Standard antivirals have not worked and more aggressive medical techniques have failed also. Therefor the probability of being mystical is near one hundred percent."
Buffy let out a sigh. "Thank you," she said. "Keep me apprised."
The medical droid nodded as Buffy stepped out into the corridor and said, "Leo!"
Leo orbed in five feet from Buffy. "Buffy, what is it?"
Buffy motioned toward the window that looked into the quarantine area of the medical bay. "Piper has been infected by a Wendigo. You said you can heal, right?"
Leo nodded and sighed. "I can, but this kind of healing is beyond me. Piper is turning into a demon. To turn Piper back, the one that infected her must be vanquished."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
At the manor Phoebe and Dawn looked through the Book of Shadows.
Out of the corner of Phoebe's eye she noticed the card Fallon left. "What's this?" she asked as she picked up the card and instantly had a premonition of Fallon turning into a Wendigo.
"What did you see?" Dawn asked noting Phoebe's reaction.
"I just saw who the Wendigo is. Agent Fallon," Phoebe told her.
"Her?" Dawn asked. "You told me it was a him."
"I guess I was wrong, Master Skywalker," Phoebe said. "And even worse, I saw her, Andy and Prue at the park at night, just the three of them. She kills Andy first, rips his heart out. And then turns on Prue."
"Okay," Dawn said as she pulled out her cell phone and dialed.
"Prue Halliwell."
"Prue," Dawn said speaking into the phone. "The Wendigo is Agent Fallon. Phoebe had a premonition of her killing Inspector Trudeau and then turning on you."
"I know something felt wrong. What do you want me to do?"
"Get Inspector Trudeau out of there. I'll call you when we know how to vanquish her," Dawn said before hanging up. She turned back to the Book and looked over the Wendigo page. She noticed something at the bottom. "C.f. Desiderata."
"What does that mean?" Phoebe asked.
Dawn smiled. "It's Latin for look up things that are yearned for," she said as she flipped through the book to another page. "All right, unbecoming a Wendigo. So we have to kill the Wendigo that slashed you by melting its heart of ice." She pulled out her comlink and contacted Buffy filling her in and then pulled out her cell phone and dialed. "Aurora, sweetie, I need you at the manor. You are cleared to teleport."
A minute later Aurora appeared in a flash of green. "Mom," she said as she hugged Dawn.
"Phoebe, call Prue and fill her in. Tell her Dawn and I will be there momentarily," Dawn said when her daughter had released her.
"How are you going to melt her heart?" Phoebe wondered.
Dawn smiled as she unclipped her lightsaber from her belt and hit the activator switch as the silver blade sprang forth. "How's this?" she asked. She looked to her daughter. "Take us to Prue."
Aurora nodded and in a flash of green she and Dawn were gone, leaving Phoebe alone in the attic quickly calling Prue.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
On the New Hope Piper was sweating. She screamed as her eyes turned yellow. She then turned into a Wendigo as her clothes ripped to shreds.
"Fire to stun," Buffy ordered as the guards fired their weapons and Piper slid to the floor unconscious.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
At the park Prue hung up her phone as she watched Andy and Fallon. She had been just about get Andy out of there when Phoebe had called. She waited only a moment and then Aurora and Dawn appeared in a flash of green.
"Why is he still with her?" Dawn asked Prue.
"I was about to get him out when Phoebe called," Prue replied. "I decided to wait till you got here."
"Andy, doing okay?" they heard Fallon asked Andy.
"A little on edge," Andy said as he glanced around wondering if Prue was nearby.
"Instinct of the hunt. That's why you're here. That's why you're a cop," Fallon said.
"Does this turn you on or something, Agent Fallon?"
"Or something."
"Look, you are a gorgeous woman, but we're on this job together," Andy replied. "Let's just leave it at that."
"Let's not," Fallon said as she changed into a Wendigo.
Dawn leaped out of the bushes as she ignited her lightsaber. She drove it into the creature's heart. The Wendigo burned and then disappeared.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Onboard the New Hope Piper changed back into herself, albeit quite naked.
"Andy," Prue said as she raced over to Andy. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Andy said as he looked at where the Wendigo was. "I never would have guessed it was. It was a perfect cover though. Be the creature, and pretend to be the hunter chasing it."
"Yeah," Dawn said as she moved beside them. "I'm Jedi Master Dawn Skywalker."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Andy said as he held out his hand and Dawn took it.
That evening at Quake Aurora, Dawn, Buffy, Phoebe and Prue shared a booth as Piper brought them each drinks.
"On the house, for saving my hide," Piper said.
"Literally, you Wendigo, you," Phoebe said as they all laughed.
"Are you okay to work?" Buffy asked as Piper sat next to her.
Piper nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's like nothing ever happened."
"Well one thing happened," Dawn said. "We know now that a lightsaber can vanquish not only vampires, by way of decapitating them, but also one kind of demon without a spell."
"So when do we get to build our own?" Phoebe asked.
"Soon," Buffy said. "If this taught me one thing. We can't afford to wait. That said I have to try and decide when the right time is."
Author's Note: I am debating whether or not to drop the Thrawn Trilogy adaption in Thrawn in Wonderland and do an adaptation of Force Awakens instead for the DtRH universe. We'll see, Force Awakens may not be doable, won't know till the movie comes out in December. Of course who knows I may be able to do both, we'll see. I doubt I would start Thrawn in Wonderland soon anyways. In fact with the time it took me to do DtRH (which was a huge undertaking to begin with) and SiW is almost as big or as big as DtRH, I may not start Thrawn in Wonderland till after Force Awakens is released.
Also when do you all think Piper, Prue and Phoebe should build their lightsabers? And what colors do you think they should have?
