Hi guys! Yeah, I'm still not sure where I'm going with the story, but expect a little more action (yay for mindless violence!) to come in. Hehe I'm in this chapter! I couldn't resist putting myself in the story, I've ALWAYS wanted to be a part of the Charmed World! Just so you know, I don't look anything like the girl that will be described in this :P Alright, I'll let you read now! Read and Review!
"AAAAHHHH! CHRIS!"
"Piper, look out!" I grabbed her and pulled her out of the way as a spinning sword came flying towards her head.
"Sorry!" A girl called as she came running towards us. "I so did not mean to do that! It slipped! Are you hurt?" I stared at her as she rambled, smiling. She had long dark hair that spiraled down her back. Her eyes were dark brown, just like her mother's. I wonder when she'll recognize me.
"I'm okay. What why did you throw a sword at me?" Piper said, hitting my arm. It was just then that I realized I was still holding on to her shoulders. I let go quickly and stepped away.
"I didn't mean to! I was just practicing but my grip loosened and it flew and-oh I'm rambling aren't I? I'm sorry. My name is Melinda. And who-"
"Mel, you talk too much." I said, trying not to laugh. Her eyes widened as she realized who I was. I stumbled as she threw herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I felt like my eyeballs were going to pop out of my head. "Mel," I choked. "You're hurting me!"
"Oh! Sorry! Chris! Hey! I can't believe you're back! Wait... That's not good. Why are you here? And what is Mo-"
I clamped my hand over her mouth. "Mel, that's Phoebe, and this is Piper, and that one over there is Paige."
She backed away from my hand and nodded slowly. "Ooooh, I see. So, what is Phoebe wearing? Since when is she blonde?"
"Long story. She's a genie. Don't EVEN think about making a wish."
"Paige! You're alive! Well I mean of course you're alive, the future changed, but... I'm gonna shut up. It's good to see you guys." I watched the girls stiffen as she hugged the three of them, and then gasp for air.
"Mel, watch the strength!"
Mel jumped back. "Oh, right! Sorry!"
"Wow, you're really strong." Phoebe commented as she gasped.
"That's my power. I have super strength. Some people make fun of it, but, hey, I've never lost a fight."
"Interesting." Piper said. "Who are you?" She was clearly getting impatient. I couldn't blame her. This world did things to people.
"Oh! I'm Chris's cousin. Prue-have you met Prue?" The girls nodded. "Yeah, she's my older sister."
"You have cousins?" Piper turned to me.
"Yeah... My family got pretty big over the years." Just as I was saying that I heard footsteps entering the training room, followed by familiar voices.
"Chris! Hey, man! It's good to see you." I smiled as Henry clapped me behind the back. I was especially attached to him, despite him being three years younger than me. He was the only other male in my family since Wyatt left and my father was never around.
"You too. How are things?" He didn't look so great. He had a black eye, and his skin was too pale. The bangs of his dark hair were choppy, and his amber eyes didn't have their usual brightness.
"Not so great. We've been having a hard time finding more witches. He keeps getting to them first."
I hung my head at this news. Just one less gift in this world, thanks to my brother. I clenched my jaw tightly and put on my mask of indifference, not wanting to let anyone see me in pain. Emotion is weakness, and weakness gets you killed in this world.
"I'm sorry." I said as flatly as I could.
Before Henry could reply, I was pinned to the ground. "CHRIIIIIIIS!" Two voices shrieked. I laughed as Piper, Phoebe, and Paige jumped almost a foot high.
"Hey you guys. How are my favorite twins?" The girls raised their faces to me from the floor. Zoey and Annabeth's amber eyes and naturally red lips matched their mother's. Their faces were sharp and hard, like their fathers. I thanked God they were as small as their mother too.
"Great, now that you're here." They answered together. I looked at Annabeth, noticing the one distinction between her and her sister. Smeared across her left cheek was a light pink birthmark. It looked as if someone had put blush on their thumb and rubbed her cheek with it.
Both of them had grown a lot in the past year. The two sixteen year olds had filled out and matured. I'm sorry I missed seeing that.
"I missed you guys. All of you." I said, feeling choked up and fighting to keep it under control.
"That's enough. Let Chris breathe, you two." With simultaneous sighs, Zoey and Annabeth got off of me and helped me up. I turned to Prue. "Thanks."
She nodded stiffly. Prue was the oldest of the girls in our family, and she never let the other girls forget it. Like me, she was a leader. She was the coldest, hardest, and meanest of us, behind me, of course. She had to be. With me gone, the job of protecting our family fell on her. I know how it feels to bury everything inside for the good of others. She was definitely paying the price. Her face was completely cold and hard. She looked like a mixture of her mother and her aunt that she was named after. She had her aunt's hair, but her mother's eyes. She definitely had her mother's curves, and she crossed her toned arms across her chest as she watched the reunion expressionless.
"Are you all family?" Paige asked us, eyeing the twins curiously.
"Yup!" Melinda said cheerfully. You could always count on Mel to bring a smile with her. She was our ray of sunshine in this world of darkness. "Oh!" She said suddenly. "We haven't made proper introductions. Okay, well you guys have met Prue and me. Those girls over there are Zoey and Annabeth."
"Call me Z." Zoey interjected. Annabeth had lost her grin and now looked more like herself. Where as Z is a less energetic version of Melinda, Annabeth had become more like me and Prue around when she was ten. She had seen and lost more than a girl her age should have to.
"And you?" Paige asked her.
"No nickname. Just Annabeth."
"Anyway," Mel said, her cheeriness unaffected by Annabeth's usual uncaring attitude. "That's Henry, the twins' older brother."
"Hi!" Henry said politely. We called him the "grey" of the family. Because unlike our black and white, hot or cold attitudes, Henry was naturally calm. He wasn't dark like Prue and I, or bright like Melinda and Zoey. He had a sad air around him, but so did everyone in the family. I admired him for being able to look on the bright side while taking the bad side seriously.
"How are you all related?" Phoebe asked Melinda, snapping me out of my thoughts of my family members.
"Basically, we're all as close as siblings so that's what we say we are."
"I understand that." Paige agreed faintly.
Suddenly a boy came running in the training room, looking panicked. "Prue..." He stopped to catch his breath. I recognized him as one of the members of the Pertinacia.
"What is it, Louis?"
"There are two witches being attacked a few blocks down. One of them is injured and barely conscious. The other is fighting for her life. She needs help, but we don't have enough fighters to go help her without leaving our defenses open."
Out of habit, I took charge before Prue could. She was only filling in while I was gone, anyway. That's because this isn't what I was supposed to come back to.
I heard that. Prue said in my mind. I shook my head. I had almost gotten used to not having a telepath around.
"How many is she fighting?"
The boy blinked and looked at me in surprise. "Chris! I didn't realize you were-"
"How many?" I repeated urgently.
"Four demons, three warlocks."
"Send three of the witches from the defense to help. Henry and I will join them. Annabeth, be ready with the First-Aid kits, and you may have to heal. Zoey, go get weapons, then you and Melinda come help me and Henry. If we haven't driven them off by then, we'll need it."
"Can we help?" Piper asked.
"NO!" I shouted, feeling the memory of my fourteenth birthday creeping up on me. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "Sorry. I mean, you can't. You're from the past. It's too dangerous."
"I think I can take care of myself, Chris." Piper said, sounding offended.
"No, Piper."
"Chris just let me-"
"I CAN'T LOSE YOU AGAIN!" Piper looked taken aback, and I blinked unspilled tears-or maybe just long ago spilled tears-from my eyes.
"Again?" She asked quietly.
I put my fingers to my temples and tried to regain my composure. "It's too dangerous. I'm not willing to risk it. I need you and your sisters to go back to the bunker and stay there. If I'm not back by nightfall, I won't be coming back at all. If that happens, Henry will finish what I started."
"Got it, Boss." Henry said.
"Wait... Could... Could that happen? I mean, come on, I fight warlocks and demons all the time. We hardly ever lose innocents. What are the odds..." Piper never finished. Her voice faded as her eyes met mine. I remember how I used to wish my eyes matched hers instead of my father's. I still do.
"Things change." I said simply, before turning my back and leaving with Henry to fight for all I believe in. To fight for all I stand for.
"AAAAAHHHH!" I pumped my feet harder as I raced towards the direction the battle cry sounded from. Whoa. That's a lot of rage.
"Incoming!" Henry shouted and then tackled me. I looked up from the ground to see a flash of... Something. Is that... Lightning?
"Get your hands off of her you son of a-" From the sound of the rage-filled voice, it was a woman that couldn't be much older than I was.
"Oof!" Just as I had gotten up I ducked my head just in time. A screaming demon on fire flew above my head. He exploded as he made impact with the wall. Wow.
I jumped as a small figure in tattered clothing flipped in front of me, and somehow, short as she was, the next thing I knew she was holding a knife to my throat. "Friend or foe?" She asked quickly and darkly.
"Uh... We're here to help.. But you don't seem to need it..."
"I got the demons. My friend over there is hurt. She needs healing. If you really want to help, get her out of here."
"I'm on it," I addressed my group, careful not to let my throat make contact with the blade. "Get the injured girl!"
"You got it, Boss!" One of them shouted. I waited for the woman in front of me to resume attacking the demons that were flinging fireballs and energy balls in her direction.
"If you hurt her, I swear to Goddess I'll kill you."
"I told you," I said, pushing the blade away slowly. "I'm here to help."
With a stiff nod, she did a back flip straight into the air and landed on the shoulders of a warlock. Putting her dagger between her teeth, she put her hands on each side of the warlock's face and twisted his neck all the way around. A sickening crack filled the air. As she fell, she twisted so her shoulder would cushion the blow, but I knew she would be down for a minute.
Apparently, so did the remaining two demons. As they charged toward her, I swung my arm out and sent the bigger demon flying into the one beside him. With a surprised look on their faces, they fell. The girl jumped up, the sleeve completely torn off her already tattered shirt and her shoulder pouring blood down her arm. "Nice." She said quickly as she back-flipped to the demons. Okay, now she's just showing off.
As she made her last flip she landed on her knees beside the demon and stabbed her dagger straight into his chest. Before he had to time to yell and burst into flames, she pulled it out and impaled the other demon, then she stood and bolted in my direction.
I shielded my eyes as a bright light temporarily blinded me. When I could see again, I saw Henry carrying a barely conscious young woman and the woman on the floor coughing and bleeding. Much to my bewilderment, she actually stood up and began to limp towards Henry. I caught up with her and gently grabbed her elbow, trying to both support her and stop her.
"Whoa, be careful. It's over. You need help."
She gagged. "I really do appreciate you help, but I can take it from here, if you don't mind. If I could just have my friend-" She was interrupted by another fit of coughs. She tried to take another step, but she collapsed to the ground. I kneeled next to her as her body trembled on the ground and blood continued pouring from her shoulder and her face.
"I don't think so. You're coming with us. Don't worry, we can help you." Before she could protest, I scooped her off the ground and made my way towards Henry and the others.
"How is she?" I asked him.
"Not good. She could go any minute. We need a Whitelighter, fast."
"Annabeth!" I called. Annabeth was one of the many Whitelighters in our family, but she was the only one that could heal. Of all of us, she was the only one who had ever loved strongly enough to be able to. Ironic, isn't it? Six years younger and she found true love before I did. Sadly, she also lost it before me, and that I will always regret not being able to protect her from.
Orbs suddenly appeared beside me. I turned, expecting to see Annabeth, but was instead surprised-and irritated-to see Leo. "Oh my God, what happened?"
"What do you want now? Where's Annabeth?" I asked angrily, feeling my rage burn through my aching arms.
"I just wanted to check on you. I told Annabeth I'd come instead. Come on, let's get these two back to the Pertinacia." Before I could ask any more questions-or shout any more swear words, Leo grabbed me and Henry, whom had hold of the rest of the group, along with the unconscious girl, and orbed us back.
"Oh, thank God!" Piper said as we all appeared.
"Annabeth! Prue!"
Annabeth came rushing over with bandages crumpled in her hand. "Holy Hell, what happened?"
"No time! They both need some serious help!"
"There's a problem. We're running low on medical supplies!"
"WHAT?" I shouted. "Why hasn't Prue conjured more?"
"She's worried about personal-"
"UUUUUGGGGHHH!" I cut her off with a frustrated yell.
Leo moved to Annabeth's side. "Save your supplies. Allow me." He put his hands over the girl in my arms and his hands glowed golden. The bleeding on her shoulder came to a sudden stop, and many of the cuts on her face disappeared. But, not all of them, I noticed. I thought I saw an angry line slashing across her face from her left temple, across the bridge of her nose, and down her right cheek bone.
Her eyes snapped open, and suddenly her fist flew at my nose. Against my will, I dropped her and she immediately jumped up and looked around, wild-eyed. "Who are you? Where am I? Where's Aislinn?" She reached into her boot and pulled out her dagger. I hadn't realized she'd put it in there after she'd killed the demon.
"Aislinn? Is that the friend that was with you?" I asked calmly.
"WHERE IS SHE?" She screamed, flinging the dagger at me. Thank God I can orb.
"Leo," Piper said. "Heal the other one." Henry laid Aislinn down gently and Leo put his hands over her and they began to glow. For five minutes he stayed this way, but nothing happened. Finally he moved his hands away and hung his head.
"I'm sorry..." He said sadly. "She's gone."
At this the woman I saved released a truly horrible cry and rushed over to the body of her dead friend. "No... Aislinn, no... Wake up, Aislinn..." Her voice filled with tears as much as her eyes did. "I'm so sorry," She cried, burying her face in her friend's chest. "I didn't mean to drag you down, too. I'm so, so sorry."
"Hey..." Henry approached her gently. "I'm sorry for your loss, but we have to take the body now. We'll give her a proper burial. I wish we could give you more time to grieve, but..." He drifted off as he met her broken expression. She got up and stepped back, letting him and another guy take Aislinn. I saw her shake her head and wipe the tears from her face. She took a shaky breath and turned to Leo, suddenly looking cold, yet also broken.
"I-" Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat and tried again. "I appreciate what you did for me, and what you tried to do for my friend. I am in your debt."
"No debt needed. Your thanks is enough. I'm sorry I couldn't save Aislinn, too." The girl bowed her head.
"I never said thank you. And I never will. The words are so hollow. But please, do not be offended. I may not say thank you, but I will not forget what you have done for me." Then she turned to me. "And I am grateful for you saving my life. If I can ever help you in any way, let me know."
"Well," I said, feeling curious about this strange witch. "You could start by telling me your name."
"My name is Sky. And may I ask yours?"
"I'm Chris." I said. She gasped.
"Chris? As in Chris Halliwell?"
"What?" Piper, Paige, and Leo all exclaimed at the same time.
"Ah, crap." I said.
Dun dun dunnnnn! Soooo, what do you think so far? Just in case you were wondering, my character isn't the same age as me! I made her older so she could be around Chris's age. What can I say, he's my favorite character for many reasons ;D Yay for cliffhangers :P Please read and review, and thank you everyone for the reviews and story alerts and all that other stuff that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! You guys rock!
