AN: A little bit late, sorry. I hope it was worth the wait.


ALL I THINK ABOUT IS YOU

Chinatown, unlike the rest of the city, was still a bustling throng of people and sounds. It was impossible to not get bumped and knocked about on the street. Rather than try and avoid people, Eve made a beeline for her chosen destination. Bundled up in a thick winter coat lined with fake fox fur and wearing obscenely large sunglasses, she felt well disguised in the crowd of strangers. Two probes, a mortal invention, had passed overhead already; thankfully both had been simply transitioning from once sector of the city to another. Had they been in surveillance mode, her mission in the district would have come to an abrupt end.

She sidestepped a man dragging a screaming old woman. On the opposite pavement, a brute demon was harassing a fruit vendor, upending her small wooden stand. The tiny woman yelled at the demon in Chinese, throwing a pineapple at its head. She turned away before the fireball hit the woman. It was barely controlled chaos.

Chinatown was only patrolled occasionally by the traditional police force. Probes and unmanned drones would scan the section at random intervals. Unless the probe detected a person with significant power, alerts were ignored. None of the Ennead entered Chinatown, as far as she knew. Lucifer, too, left the area to its own devices. The result was a collection of lawlessness, making the streets almost too dangerous to walk on. The lack of law and order, however, meant it was the safest place for her to find out the truth.

She slipped into the corner market at the end of the street, ducking her head to avoid the surveillance camera. The shops proprietor eyed her suspiciously, but she flashed him the wad of green bills she had scrounged up earlier in the day. He left her alone. Casually she strolled down the aisles, picking up a carton to examine its contents and replacing it on the shelf. Finally, she reached the area of interest. An array of happily colored boxes stared back at her. She chose the one with the dullest box and pocketed it. Without preamble she headed for the register and checked out, leaving behind a few more bills than was necessary. The owner did not complain.

Back on the street, she darted over to the small café opposite the store. Lunchtime was nearly over, and the café was relatively empty. A sign hanging over the faded soda fountain stated a key was needed to access the bathroom. She walked up to the counter. A woman in a hairnet and a stern face approached her.

"Yes?"

"I need to use the bathroom."

The woman looked her up and down. "Bathroom for customers only."

Eve dug out some more money. "I'll take a coke and the keys."

Still unhappy, the woman reached down and slammed a key attached to a large wooden pole on the counter. "Soda costs extra."

Eve rolled her eyes and took the key. She hurried to the bathroom, unlocked the door, and quickly closed it behind her. She locked it and looked around the room. It was unkempt. Toilet paper littered the floor. Only half the mirror was still attached to the wall and was covered in scratches. Rust stains overtook the sink and the toilet alike. She pulled out the box and opened it up.

One plastic stick could change her entire world. She closed her eyes and muttered a prayer. Ten minutes later she sat on the toilet, staring at the two blue lines. Someone pounded on the door.

"Out! Out! I call police. Out!"

Eve blinked away the tears and conjured a fire ball. She placed the pregnancy test back in the box and dropped it in the tiny trash bin. She let the fire ball fall from her palm into the trash bin, incinerating its contents. She opened the door and shoved the key into the irate woman's chest. Without a word, she ran out of the restaurant, down the street, out of Chinatown. She kept running and running until she reached the end of a pier.

It was a foggy day. The view and the misty weather matched her mood perfectly. The ocean frothed and foamed beneath her feet as the tears started to fall. Years of training fell away as her emotions overwhelmed her. She sank to the ground, sobs shaking her whole body. People, young and old, gave her a wide berth. She was causing a scene. It was not wise to cause a scene. Some would call the police. She would be recognized. She could not explain this.

"Perhaps, young lady, you should stand up," said a very stern gravely voice.

Eve hiccoughed and looked up at the man towering over her through tears. "W—wh—what?"

The man remained standing; he barely even moved. "Stand up. You are gaining unwanted attention. Stand up and stop your sniveling."

Eve sniffed and rubbed her eyes. A bubble of mucus popped at the end of her nose. "L—le—leave m-mm-me…"

The man bent down and grabbed her shoulder in his powerful hand. He easily pulled her back onto her feet. "This is neither the time nor the place for an emotional breakdown, Indra Storm."

Eve froze; every muscled tensed. "H—ho—how…"

The man interrupted her, steering her through the small crowd of people. He wore a black cloak, revealing no distinguishing features. Even his hand on her shoulder was hidden beneath a fold of the heavy fabric. A black limousine pulled up in front of them, and the door popped open. The man unceremoniously shoved her inside. A light flashed. He climbed in after her. The car pulled away from the curve fast enough for the tires to squeal.

Eve balled her hands into fists but found them too heavy to move. She felt the man's eyes on her despite not being able to see them. They were alone in the back of the car. The windows were tinted so dark she could not make out the buildings they drove past. Another sob passed through her.

"I would have thought a deep cover Resistance member would be more in control of themselves. Alas, that is what we get for having to rely on children. I told Anakin and Adelrich we should have risked sending in Bianca. I supposed that is no longer an option. She is dead. At Lucifer's own hands if the rumors are to be believed."

Eve sniffed and sat up a bit straighter in her seat. "Wh—who are yo—you?"

The man's head moved beneath the cloak, but the cloak itself did not shift an inch. Eve knew he moved because of the soft sound of hair rubbing against cloth. Coming out of her shock, she noted his hands were in his lap, perfectly positioned to be hiding a weapon. The door was locked. The barrier between the back of the car and the driver was up.

The man grunted in disappointment. "Relax, Indra, I could have killed you back on the pier and saved myself the indignity of this car ride. I have no intention of killing you. You are too valuable, unfortunately. Tell me your thoughts on Lucifer's latest announcement."

"What? You mean that thing about being Emperor of Europe? It's public bullshit. Something to keep the mortals in line after the massacre at the Pan-European Parliament. He doesn't give a shit about them."

The man held up one hand to silence her tirade. "No. I know the reasoning behind his takeover of the European Union or whatever they decide to call themselves. No, my interest lays with his other announcement. He's declaration of an heir, an apprentice."

Eve gulped. "You're with the Resistance?"

"No. I've consulted with them, but I am not a member. My agenda extends beyond the fickle fates of mortals and witches."

"But you care about Zach?"

The man became very still, too still. "Zachary Halliwell is a part of my plans."

Eve frowned. "His just a kid."

"So are you, and yet you've been entrusted with a very important task. Tell me, have you failed at that task? Was our faith in you misplaced? Have you been so distracted by having a warm body next to you at night?"

Eve hissed," Shut the fuck up."

The man chuckled heartily. "Struck a nerve, have I? Answer my question, Indra Storm."

"Stop calling me that. My name is Eve—just Eve."

The car turned sharply. A scratchy voice came over the intercom. "Hostiles in pursuit."

The man sighed. "Take the Bridge out of the city. My time with our companion needs to be extensive it appears."

"Yes, sir."

Eve almost jumped to her feet. "The Bridge is destroyed."

"The Bridge was destroyed. At a different time, it was the pride of the city," said the man cryptically. "Our route is not important to you. Our driver has a heavenly touch. I am still waiting for an answer. I am not accustomed to asking more than thrice."

Eve shivered, feeling for the first time afraid of the man. "Lucifer called Zach his apprentice. So what? If you've been in contact with the Resistance then you know he's been held on the island for months—almost a year."

"A year with Lucifer can change a man. How has the young witch changed?"

Eve's eyes shifted to the ground. "He's not—he's the same. It infuriates the Dark Prince."

"The Son of Light was always very impatient. His time in the Cage taught him endurance. Still if the witch is still openly defying him, his patience will wear thin. Has it?" The man said thoughtfully.

Eve shook her head. "No, they—the is a—a—respect between the two of them."

The man raised his hand and lowered his hood. His face was scarred on one side. The scars looked recently. He had lost one eye, but the other constantly changed color, returning often to a steel lifeless grey. His greying hair was thinning and unkempt. The unscarred skin looked sickly and waxy. Still he projected an air of power Eve only felt in the presence of Lucifer.

"Uriel!" she gasped.

The Power bowed his head in acknowledgement. "You have heard of me. Then you understand my concern. I know my brother. He would not declare Zachary as his if it were not true. So what has changed since I spoke to the child less than a month ago?"

Eve shrugged. "Nothing. Nothing's changed, I swear."

Uriel gave her an unimpressed glared. "I found you, a highly regarded Phoenix assassin, crying in public. Something has changed."

"That—th…" Eve choked off.

"The child—it is his?"

Even clutched at her stomach protectively. "How?"

Uriel's eye blazed silver. "I am THE Angel of Death. I can feel the presence of souls. Demons don't have souls; Powers That Be don't have them, either. Yet, there are two in this car."

Eve closed her eyes to keep the tears at bay. "He—I only just…"

"I was of the understanding that pregnancies within a Phoenix coven must be sanctioned. Was this child given the blessing of your uncle?"

Eve shook her head sadly.

Uriel slammed his feet on the floor of the car. "Damn you, child! Falling prey for one of the oldest tricks my brother plays."

Eve wrapped her arms around herself.

"This is why he declared his little victory. The boy—he is blind to his greatest weakness. His love for family will be his death. It will be our doom." Uriel paused. His nose flared as he breathed. "The child must die. Now. Before Zachary becomes aware of its existence. We might be able to undo some of the damage. His connection to you will have to be broken."

"What! NO!" yelled Eve.

Uriel glared at her, and she wilted in her seat. "When you were assigned this mission, you were given explicit instructions. Do not seduce the witch."

Eve jumped to her feet, hitting her head on the roof of the car. "FUCK YOU! I didn't seduce him. It—it was—it—he—I…"

"Sit down, silly girl. The damage has been done. We must now fix what we can. Zachary Halliwell cannot turn dark. His father's turning would have been disastrous enough, but at least, the world could survive it. Zachary is not the Twice Blessed. He does not have the raw magical power of his uncle, but he is the result of a union of two branches of magic that have never been blended. Should he turn, it will not mean the birth of another Source. It will mean the creation of something so dark, so evil it will severe the ties this universe has to my home plane. Do you understand?"

Even shook her head. "No. What are you…"

"I hate mortals. They always fail to see the bigger picture. You were gifted everything in this universe. You did not deserve it, but it was yours. You just had to leave one small tree alone. Greed and pride. Believing you could ever be something more than what you are. Fickle and foolish little ants."

The voice over the intercom stopped Uriel from continuing. "The Bridge is coming up."

"You know what to do," said Uriel sharply.

He turned back to staring at Eve. "The one good thing of this little fiasco is it proves your cover remains intact. My brother would not have used you to entice Zachary to the dark if he knew you were with the Resistance. Adelrich chose well. The witch hunt was a terrible loss. Keep the child if you wish, but Zachary cannot know it is his. Not yet…"


Zach sat on the uncomfortable chair staring at the sterile workbench. A dozen colored potions sat on the metal surface. A thirteenth potion boiled away over an open flame. Each potion was an experiment around a single theme, a forbidden theme. His dreams had gotten worse. That was when he slept at all. His guilt was eating him alive. The potions were a step in a direction for correcting the guilt.

He had chosen to work in Set's lab; because of the second required item in his plan. The summoning circle designed and built the shadowy Ennead was exactly the sort of ritual device he required. Warlocks and demons and other magical beings had attempted what he wanted to do. None of them succeeded. Most died in their endeavor. He had to try. Even if he failed, at least, he could say he tried.

He had spent two months secretly researching the most obscure branches of magic. Lucifer would have been overjoyed to hear of his interest, but Zach did not want to give the Power the satisfaction. He was not doing this because Lucifer suggested it. No, he was doing this because there was no other option, no other choice.

The recording of the closest successful ritual gave him the idea to use a physical circle. Most other examples relied on circles of candles or other objects. The potions were a combination of potions described in other accounts. Some required the most mundane of ingredients, yet other ingredients were so dark he shuddered at the thought of them. He was no expert on magic or potions; he had never gone to Magic School. Each decision was made as much on instinct as on sound facts. He wished Matt were here. His cousin would have been able to solve his dilemma in a heartbeat.

"My lab is not open to the public," warned Set walking through the door.

Zach cocked an eyebrow and tapped his finger on the workbench. "Tell that to your boss."

Set deposited the armload of scrolls he carried onto the other empty tabletop. "He is still off figuring out what the hell happened to Mafdet."

Zach swallowed. He suspected his family was involved. His truce with Lucifer would not save them from the reprisal if it was them. "I thought the reports concluded she tripped one of the traps in the temple."

Set smiled, revealing white and sharp canine teeth. "One can only hope."

"It was probably one of your idiotic Devils. Maybe, you should be spending less time taunting me and more time figuring out explain your way out of that."

Set's eyes turned violet. "An idle threat."

Zach shrugged. "I have need of your equipment. Some of the potions I'm working on require very exact ingredient amounts. I promise Lucifer will be very pleased you let me burrow your stuff."

"Where is your girlfriend?"

Again Zach shrugged, hiding his concern behind a mask of disinterest. "She has the day off. Couldn't you tell by the fact of the two unconscious Phoenix warriors outside your door? Aren't you supposed to be the smart one out of the group?"

Set bared his teeth. "Careful, witch, you may be Lucifer's chosen one, but your insolence will get you in trouble one of these days."

"I've lasted a year so far. I think I'm safe."

Set picked up one of the scrolls. "Keep the explosions to a minimum."

Zach followed the jackal-headed Ennead's progress into the small office connected to the lab. The door opened and closed of its own accord. The office's wards were based on the wards around Zach's bedroom. No one could enter the room without Set's explicit invitation. Zach had tried a few times. Youthful curiosity and lack of respect drove his actions. His hand had stung for weeks afterward.

"Your potion is boiling over," said Peter, walking through the solid wall.

Zach groaned and extinguished the flames with a twitch of his finger. He gathered up the last couple of ingredients, placing them into a mortar and using an ivory pestle grounded them into a fine powder. He ignored Peter's attempts at garnering his attention. The last ingredient required a knife. He summoned a dagger and pricked his fingertip. He added four drops of blood to the powder and sucked on his finger while he turned the powder into sludge.

"Ignoring me, won't help, Zach. I've got all the time in the world."

Zach dug out a bronze spoon from the nearest drawer. Carefully he used it to transfer the pink-colored sludge into the still steaming potion. It sparked and the surface boiled as he stirred it. The color slowly changed from a sickly yellow to a dark, almost black, crimson. Both he and Peter gasped.

"Fucking hell," whispered Peter, taking a step closer to the lab bench.

Zach peered into the glass beaker. He stirred the contents slowly in disbelief. His idea had worked. The potion was ready. It had needed a stabilizing agent. It had required his blood. Lucifer had not been lying to him.

Peter slapped his hand on Zach's shoulder. "Well done, dude."

"We're not finished. I still need to design a functional ritual, and I've got no fucking clue where to start," mumbled Zach.

The smell of strong black tea let Zach he was not alone. He turned around in his seat, making himself as big as possible. Lucifer stood in the doorway of the lab, holding a large black mug in his right hand. His smug smile told Zach there was no point in hiding the potion. He was caught.

"A step forward is something to be celebrated, Zach," he said, sipping on his tea.

Zach slumped a little in his chair. "You weren't supposed to be back for another week."

Lucifer shrugged, still leaning against the doorframe. "There was no point in staying, and I did so miss your prickly attitude."

"Mafdet?" asked Zach stiffly.

"Killed—vanquished by her own arrogance," said Lucifer dismissively. "An error to be rectified should I choose to create more like her. My thoughts on the matter remain lukewarm. I find there may be other options open to me. Now, tell me about the potion you are trying so desperately to keep hidden."

Zach sighed and sulked. "It's nothing."

"From the remnants of ingredients I can ascertain the potion is not 'nothing.' Have we been dabbling in the art of necromancy?"

"It's nothing. I'm not going to do anything with it. I—I was—just…"

Lucifer placed his mug down on a table that had not been there a moment before. He stepped fully into the lab. His boots were covered in ash. The Power took in the entirety of the lab and spotted the pile of scrolls.

"Set has returned?"

Zach jerked his head in the direction of the plain office door. "Inside."

Lucifer waved his hand and a dark blue glow surrounded the door. "I prefer for this conversation to remain between us. The potion is but a small part in a much larger amalgamation of magics both ancient and new. Necromancy is a dangerous art. You should not be practicing it alone."

"Aw, are you worried about me?" mocked Zach

Lucifer crossed his arms; eyebrows raised. "My concern for your well-being has very little to do with this conversation. I prefer to keep this island intact. The last person to try what you are attempting left Chernobyl an uninhabitable wasteland. Not even a nuclear accident causes that much damage."

Zach stared at Lucifer steadily, hiding his shock at the notion. "This was your idea."

"No. I wanted you to study necromancy. I needed you to broaden your outlook on magic, on power. To use it, that was never my intention. Whatever hidden gifts my brother possesses, he has a very dangerous grip on the threshold between life and death."

"You're jealous of him."

Lucifer sat down. "He was always Father's favorite. Have you figured out the ritual? Breaking through the barrier between planes is a delicate process."

Zach frowned. "Summoning spirits is a fairly basic witch power."

"You are not summoning spirits. Spirits are impressions and reflections of a person. You are trying to pull a departed soul back to this plane of existence. You must have read through Set's writings on the subject of summoning Devils. Necromancy is not a whole lot different. It will require similar elements." Lucifer continued.

"So souls—they're a real thing?"

Lucifer chuckled. "I thought you were a Christian. Is the existence of the soul not a fundamental principle of that religion?"

Zach shrugged and mumbled, "I've been questioning my faith."

"You should go to church then. Faith is an important part of who a person is. You do not want to lose it on a whim."

Zach laughed. It sounded hollow even to his ears. "Aren't you meant to talk me out of believing in God?"

Lucifer shrugged. "His existence is something I believe in too. I just find His plan a bit self-centered and child-like. My problem is not with belief in Him, it is in the blind obedience He expects."

Lucifer sat up a bit and held out his hand, palm up. A book popped into existence. He placed it on the workbench by Zach's elbow. "Tonight is a new moon."

Zach picked up the book but did not open it. He kept his eyes on Lucifer. "Why are you doing this?"

"I like putting my brothers in their place," said Lucifer, standing up. "I would not have any distraction in the room when you attempt the ritual."

Lucifer swept out of the room, leaving Zach to his thoughts.

Hours later Zach sat in the center of the summoning circle in nothing but his underwear. Most rituals were performed in the nude. Being naked would be a distraction, and Lucifer said not to have distractions. Around him were symbols for each of the five major elements. Between each symbol was an unlit candle. He used his power of projection to light each in a counterclockwise order. The flames on the candles rose high into the air.

He clutched tightly to the potion he brewed. It felt like it was pounding in rhythm of his heart. The metal rings liquefied. Sparks of electricity jumped around the circle. His blond slightly damp hair stood on end. His body rose, floating above the stone. The throbbing of the potion intensified. He had to wait until moonrise, which coincided with the witching hour.

He could feel the power circulating around him. Nothing compared to the intensity of it. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, stilling his mind. His magic responded, reaching out to the wild energies trapped in the summoning circle. He felt the change in the world. The time had come.

His eyes snapped open and locked onto the triumphant smile on Lucifer's face. He did not care at that moment what it meant. He opened the potion vial and poured the contents onto the stone altar. The crimson liquid thickened and clumped together. The blob took shape slowly, according to the image held in Zach's mind. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Peter watching him.

The flames atop the candles rotated and swirled. They engulfed the nearly humanoid crimson figure below him. The flames burned white, blinding him. He shut his eyes, and the magic around him exploded. He fell through the air and hit his head hard against the ground. Something soft, warm, and pliable touched his leg.

His eyes snapped open. Smoke surrounded him. He coughed and rolled onto his side. Someone else coughed nearby.

"Lucifer?" Zach called out.

Again the person coughed. It was too close to be Lucifer. Lucifer had been outside the summoning circle. Zach gathered his arms and legs beneath him and pushed himself up, unsteadily. He waved his hand, trying to clear the smoke. It stubbornly lingered, obscuring his view of the lab. He shuffled forward and nearly tripped over something.

"Oof," complained the something or someone.

Zach bent down quickly. "No—oh my God!"

Very real, very familiar brown eyes met his wide blue orbs. The boy coughed as he sat up. Hoarsely he said, "Zach?"

Zach threw his arms around the boy. "Mike! Oh my God, it worked. Michael, it worked!"

In the corner of the lab stood Lucifer still smiling. Next to him Isis wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.

"His eyes," she whispered.

Lucifer turned her around and escorted her noiselessly out of the lab. "Weren't they glorious!"


The ward announced the arrival of someone unwanted. Anakin, despite his physical handicaps, rushed out of the house to intercept the visitor before he reached anyone else. He spotted Uriel, coming up the winding road guarded by two men dressed in armor that went out of style in the Middle Ages. Anakin brought his staff to bear, and a light flashed out of the top of it. Matt was correct when he suggested he had been watching too much Lord of the Rings. The two armored guards froze in place and toppled over.

"You're not supposed to be here," said Anakin calmly.

Uriel flicked his head back, throwing off his hood. "And you're supposed to be following the lead in the Outback."

Anakin let his eyes flash with a rainbow of color. "You're not talking them out of it, Uriel. It's been too long."

"I agree," breathed Uriel, defeated.

Anakin stumbled over his words. "What?"

Uriel closed his eye slowly and appeared to age a hundred years in the silence between heartbeats. "I've just learned just how great the hold Lucifer has over the child."

"Zach. His name is Zach," said Anakin fiercely.

"Forgive me, yes, Zach. He is in far more danger than I ever imagined. My lack of familiarity with the nature of teenage romance may be our undoing."

Anakin rolled his eyes. "What are you going on about?"

"Zachary is to become a father."

Anakin grasped firmly on his staff to keep from falling. "You've got to be joking."

Uriel sadly shook his head. "It would appear he and the Phoenix have had something of a romantic entanglement, designed in part by my brother. He laced the Phoenix's drinks with a dark fertility potion akin to the one used on your aunt by the Source. It is only by chance he chose to use our spy as the mother-to-be. The fact that she is on our side will delay my brother's plans, but the fertility potion is potent. The child will be born steeped in evil. His father's sense of family loyalty will keep Zach firmly at Lucifer's side."

Anakin stared at the scarred Power. "But—but he's only a kid…"

"Seems I am not the only one to underestimate teenage hormones."

"No, no—you're—this is terrible. I—this can't be happening."

Uriel waved his hand, and the two guards unfroze. "You have plans to free Zach?"

Anakin nodded silently still processing the information.

"The sooner you act, the better. I cannot be a part of the battle, but I will lend my assistance the best I can. You will, too, be limited in direct actions against Lucifer."

"I'm not sending them into that hellhole without me," declared Anakin, itching for Uriel to argue.

Uriel arched one eyebrow. "I did not say you had to. I am simply reminding you of your limitations."

Anakin breathed out heavily. He sagged beneath the weight of the revelation. "Does he know?"

"I do not know. I told the mother—Eve—the dangers of letting him know. She is far too impulsive, and her loyalty to the greater good is questionable. She will act in the interest of herself and her perceived family."

"Eve doesn't deserve that," admonished Anakin weakly.

The two guards approached, weapons drawn. Uriel sighed. "Take care, Anakin. You must see the situation for what it is, not what you wish it could be. Zachary is a danger to us all."

"And I told you, you try anything and I'll rip you limb from limb," growled Anakin.

Uriel stayed the actions of his bodyguards with a sharp gesture. "I somehow think you might be able to keep that promise. Good luck, my friend."

Uriel vanished, taking with him the two angels for that was what the guards were, angels to stand against the devils summoned by Lucifer and his cronies.

Anakin remained where he stood, lost in memories. Zach was still a baby to him. Those were the only real memories he had of his oldest nephew. Sure he had looked in on the family from time to time. He knew Zach had grown up into this amazing young man, but he could close his eyes and still fell the soft breath of a sleeping Zach against his neck as he carried him in from the car. He wondered, not the first time since returning, if he had Lucien would have had children if they had survived. He always wanted children, but the topic never came up. They were so young when they died.

He sensed the approach of his mother long before she even reach the front door of the house. She must have spotted him from her bedroom window. He did not move from his spot. This was a conversation they needed to have away from prying ears. It was a conversation he would have to have with his brother and his wife as well, but he felt slightly better talking to his mother first. She, at least, did not doubt his intentions.

Piper reached the top of the rise slightly out of breath. She took in the scenery. The snow had melted a bit. While it was still chilly, the smell of spring was in the air even if it was still some time off. The sunrise set off the sky in tones of pinks and blues. It really was beautiful. They rarely stopped to admire the world around them.

"What are you doing up, sweetie?" She inquired softly.

Anakin shuffled his feet to face her. "Sunrise was always Lucien's favorite part of the day even though he hated waking up."

Piper's brow furrowed. Anakin rarely talked about Lucien. She felt a lump grow in her throat. "What's wrong? Is it—is it Z—Zach?"

Anakin smiled grimly. "He's not dead or anything. Lucifer needs him alive; you know that."

"I just—with the announcement a few days ago—I know what the 'Greater Good' means." She spoke in barely more than a whisper.

Anakin's eyes narrowed. "I'd—that's not ever going to be an option. Uriel knows that. He wouldn't try anything."

Piper felt the crushing weight on her chest lighten slightly. "But he's in trouble."

Anakin nodded. "Lucifer made a play we didn't see coming. He's used Zach's greatest characteristics against us, or at least, he's trying to."

"What do you mean?" asked Piper, lost.

Anakin grimaced as pain shot down his leg. He stumbled, catching himself barely. His mother immediately jumped into action and caught him as well. He smiled sheepishly. "Let's sit down."

Two chairs grew out of the ground. Anakin took a seat, easing himself into the chair. He stretched out his right leg and massaged his thigh. He should have healed by now. The trip to Africa had delayed things even if it was necessary. Now, it put Zach's life in jeopardy. For whatever he said to the contrary, he knew when it came down to the choice between the world and Zach, Uriel would choose the world even if made an enemy out of every single Halliwell.

"You push yourself too much," said Piper in her mothering tone.

Anakin chuckled. "I don't have much choice, Mom. We're losing the war. We could lose Zach. I've got to push myself. I won't be the reason we don't save him. Whatever my siblings think, I always put this family first, always."

Piper leaned forward and stretched out her weathered hand. He took it readily, and she gave his hand a squeeze. "They know you love them, Annie. They know you're doing everything you can to save Zach. But you need to lean on them. You can't do all this by yourself. You can't make all these big decisions about us without consulting us. It can't be like last time. We can't lose you again, either."

"I'm pretty sure Wy and Sarah would trade my life for Zach's in a heartbeat, and I don't blame them. I really don't. He's their son, their little boy. They've got to put him above everyone and everything else. It's only right." Anakin let a small smile grace his face. "And I'd lay down my life in that same heartbeat if it meant saving Zach."

Piper's breath caught in her throat. "Baby, don't talk like that."

"I'm not planning any self-sacrificing act at the moment, Mom. It wouldn't help anything. Still, we need to rescue Zach and soon. Before Lucifer has his claws so deep in him it won't matter anymore." Anakin spoke as if he was thinking out loud.

"What's changed? Why was Uriel here?" She pressed.

Anakin nibbled on his nail, finding the best way to break the news. "You're going to be a great-grandmother."

Piper gaped at him. "Huh?"

"Lucifer assigned Zach a bodyguard, a Phoenix at the beginning of last summer. The Phoenix was around his age; it made sense. It kept Zach isolated but not alone. She would become his confidant. She did become his confidant. What we failed to see was the two falling for each other. We failed to anticipate just how sinister Lucifer could be. A physical relationship between the two was not unwarranted. It was not ideal, but the ties between a boyfriend and girlfriend can be severed, and the companionship kept Zach sane."

Piper held up her hands. "Wait, wait. How do you know all this?"

"Partly from the Phoenix. She's a spy—a member of the Resistance. The rest we know from Uriel. He has been in contact with Zach. Zach is the one person Lucifer would lower his defenses around…"

Piper's eyes widened. "That's why you didn't want to rescue him before! He was an information source."

Anakin hung his head, not proud of his decision. "I knew he was not in any physical danger."

"That doesn't matter, Anakin! He is just a kid. He's not a…"

Anakin shook his head, and his lips trembled. "I know. I know, Mom. Believe me, I know. I've hated myself every day because of this. I—I…"

Piper bit her tongue, seeing how much pain her son was in already. She was angry, but it could wait. "So he and this Phoenix…"

"Eve, her name is Eve," mumbled Anakin.

"Zach and Eve are—are pregnant?"

Anakin looked at her with teary eyes and nodded.

"Oh my God…"

"That's not the worst part. Phoenixes take a potion to prevent pregnancy. It's foolproof."

Piper scoffed. "Clearly not."

"Lucifer overcame the potion. He fed her a fertility potion—the same potion the Seer and the Source used on Phoebe."

Piper slapped her hand over her mouth. "No. No!"

Anakin sadly nodded his head again. "The child is evil. He or she will be too strong an influence on Zach."

Piper shook her head violently. "No. No great-grandchild of mine is evil. We can find a way to negate the potion. There must be a way. We just need to get them away from Lucifer. We need to bring them home."

Anakin laughed wetly. "That's the plan."

Piper squeezed his hand again. "You need to tell Wyatt and Sarah."

"I know."

"I'll go get them. They should hear it somewhere they can process it without interruption."

Anakin kneaded his thigh. The muscle was still in a painful spasm. He could not stand up. Piper stood up.

"Sweetie, after you tell them—we need to go back to the city. We're getting them back today." Piper walked away briskly back to the house that had become a second home.


Wyatt looked out across the foggy Bay. In the distance surrounded by a swirling tower of dark clouds was Alcatraz Island. Somewhere on that island were his son and his unborn grandson. He shook his head; the idea still felt wrong. He was too young to be a grandfather. His son was far too young to be a father. He was still just a baby. He felt Sarah walk up next to him. He automatically wrapped a protective arm around her and pulled her close. She leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder.

The wind picked up, throwing cold salt water up at them from the choppy water below. The clouds above them kept threatening to rain. Thunder clapped in the distance. Wyatt watched a seagull struggle to find a perch flying against the wind. They could not have chosen a drearier day to return to the city.

The weather had one advantage. No one questioned why they were so bundled up. Everyone covered himself or herself as best they could in thick rain jackets. They appeared to just be a part of the crowd. The wind also meant the witch hunting probes and drones were grounded. That only left the many patrols of demons and witch hunters to avoid. Somehow his brother had managed to do exactly that. Every time a group would start approaching them Anakin stared at them eerily and they walked away.

"We're going to save him—them," whispered Sarah, kissing his cheek.

Wyatt was not as confident in their success. He had been on the island before. He knew what awaited them. He also saw what Lucifer managed to do to his brother without trying. This time, he doubted Lucifer would be so kind. Nevertheless, he nodded his head firmly and hugged his wife tighter.

Their group had split up to find a vessel to the island, a difficult task. Chris and Piper were asking around the working fishing docks about a boat. Prue and Anakin had opted to try to find if any of the Bay tour ships were operating. The Bay was pretty much void of any ships or boats. Sarah and he were meant to be covertly scouting the small collection of private yachts tied up in the small harbor. They were too distracted by the nearness of their son.

"No luck," called Prue, approaching them downwind. "Everyone is grounded. The storm is expected to be a bad one."

Wyatt frowned; Prue was alone.

"Where's Anakin?" asked Sarah when Prue was closer.

Prue surreptitiously pointed down the short pier. There was a group of armed police converging on a single man in a dark blue puffy jacket. Unlike all the others they had met, this group appeared impervious to whatever spell Anakin cast on them. Wyatt tensed.

"He said to let things play out. We mustn't interfere," hissed Prue.

Wyatt watched the first man get within grabbing distance of his brother. The man disintegrated. One second he was a man waving a baton, and the next atoms. Anakin had not moved a muscle. The rest rushed him. Two pulled out guns. Another unleashed a barrage of fire balls. Yet another charged forward with a sword in hand. Not a single one of them came close to injuring the blond Halliwell. They all met the same fate as the first. Wyatt shuddered. Some of those men had been mortals, and Anakin had killed them.

"It's a good thing he's on our side," muttered Prue.

Wyatt silently agreed, feeling a trickle of fear flow down his spine. Anakin hobbled over to them. He could not use a cane or a staff, as it would attract too much attention.

"It would appear our presence has not gone unnoticed. They must have drones circling higher up."

"What did you do to them?" asked Prue, almost in awe.

Anakin shrugged. "Nothing. That was Uriel's handiwork. He knows I don't like hurting mortals, even if they are trained witch hunters."

"You've done it before," said Wyatt, remembering the time in the Manor.

Anakin nodded. "Yes, doesn't mean I like it. We may need to steal a boat."

"Won't it look funny with just one boat out on the water. Everyone is grounded," said Sarah.

Anakin agreed. "Unfortunately, I can't penetrate the wards from this distance. We need to be closer. Come on, let's find Chris and Mom."

Chris and Piper were only a block away, walking toward them. They had no luck obtaining a boat either. Stealing was an option, but none of them wanted to attract any additional attention. The deaths of the patrolmen earlier meant they could not stay in the area or risk running into more. They hunkered down in a little café, sitting in a corner away from the rest of the occupants.

"Couldn't we conjure a boat?" asked Wyatt softly, hiding his mouth behind a plastic coffee cup.

Chris let his academic side take over. "Magic and water don't mix. We could conjure a boat, but it'd take a lot of effort. Then there's the problem of how it'll interfere with the wards. It's…"

Wyatt waved him into silence. "Ok, ok, I get it, professor. Then what are we going to do?"

"How close do you have to be to the island?" asked Sarah, eyeing a nearby patron suspiciously. The young straggly woman ignored her.

Anakin bit is lip, thinking. "To do it quietly? The closer, the better. Lucifer's beefed up the wards since we broke in last time."

"Could we not ask—uh—Eve? Yeah, Eve for help?" whispered Piper.

"She's not going to be able to help us. The wards would recognize the instant she transported us inside of them. I need to short-circuit them. It's the only way," replied Anakin.

Sarah's eyes shifted to his face. "Eve—you know her?"

Anakin nodded. "I've read her file, and I've met with her twice to get updates from inside the island."

"Is—is she nice?"

Anakin resisted the urge to frown. "She's a Phoenix."

Chris grimaced. "That's…"

"Shut it, Chris," hissed Wyatt, sensing the turmoil his wife was going through. "You loved Bianca."

"Mention that in front of Serena," said Chris threateningly, breaking the tension. Prue and Anakin chuckled.

Anakin swirled the dredges of tea leaves in his cup. "We could try the Manor."

"What?" exclaimed his mother and sister.

"It's the seat of the nexus in this area of the world. I might be able to channel my power into the wards around the island through the ley line connecting the nexus to it," explained Anakin, giving them both a warning look.

All eyes turned to Chris. The brown-haired witch shrugged. "Could work. I'm not the expert here."

They turned back to Anakin. He gulped. "It's just a thought, and there's no way the Manor isn't heavily defended."

"Could Uriel help?"

Anakin shook his head. "His actions have to be—remote…He can't take a direct stand against any of his brethren."

Chris pinched the bridge of his nose. "But the rest of them can fuck around with mortals all they like? This is his war as much as it is ours."

"I don't understand it any more than you do. It's written into the foundation and structure of the Grand Design," said Anakin, tired. "We should scout out the Manor. The longer we're in the city, the more likely Lucifer is to sense my presence."

Piper indicated the conversation was over with a small change in body posture. All her children recognized it immediately and kept silent. Sarah took her cue from her husband. They filed out of the café in pairs. Anakin and Chris bought a second round of coffee and pulled out laptops. They were two ordinary businessmen having a meeting outside the office. The others caught a cab to the corner of the Prescott Street. Chris followed ten minutes later. Leaving, Anakin alone in the middle of the city. The clearing out of the Manor would have to be done by the rest.

He sensed the all clear signal and slipped down a garbage-filled alley. He closed his eyes and focused on making himself as small as possible. When it felt like his power was going to explode he pictured himself standing over the nexus. Reality collapsed and folded in on itself. For the briefest moment or was it an eternity, nothing existed not even time. Suddenly, he was thrown across a cement floor. He coughed and groaned, rolling onto his back. Hanging precariously above him was a worn punching bag. He grinned brightly.

"Anakin?" called his mother; her voice filled with worry.

"Down in the basement," choked out Anakin, still catching his breath.

Piper hurried down the stairs and pulled him to his feet, brushing the punching bad aside with almost practiced ease. He did not remember his mother ever using the object. "Did something go wrong?"

Anakin brushed the dirt and grime off his clothes the best he could. Nothing was broken. "No, I just didn't want to risk transporting myself near any of you in case it went wrong. It's not my best ability."

Wyatt, Chris, and Prue joined them; all with various levels of concern hidden in their expressions. Sarah remained on the stairs. She had been told about the nexus and the demon that lived inside of it. It had been destroyed by the sisters decades ago, but a nexus was never truly destroyed. It stood to reason the shadow had returned with the nexus. She did not want to risk being possessed by it.

"Ready?" asked Wyatt.

Piper stared at Anakin. He offered her a reassuring smile and nodded. "Mom, be ready with the banishment spell."

The four siblings joined hands. Anakin felt the nexus respond to their intentions almost immediately. The cement between them cracked and splintered open, shaking the whole house. Sarah clutched tightly onto the handrails. A darkness swirled out of the decent sized hole. It approached Wyatt but bounced off an invisible barrier.

"It's not your day, shadow. Be gone," said Anakin loudly.

The darkness's laughter echoed around them. It charged at Prue but was rebuffed. It let out an unearthly screech. Prue tried to move her hands to her ears.

"No," warned Chris, "don't break the circle."

The shadow expanded abruptly, like an inky explosion. The siblings were thrown backward, but they managed to hold onto each other. Anakin's eyes blazed pure white, burning a divot in the explosion. The shadow recoiled, turning into a miniature tornado of black blurry and puffy particles. Something akin to a face formed in the densest region of the whirlwind.

"The nexus is mine."

Anakin gave the shadow a stern glare, and it screamed. "Go back to the darkness. My fight is not with you being of power."

The swirling slowed. "It will be your doom, Twice Born. Your quest, it will end in ruin."

Prue's hand gripped his tighter. Anakin squeezed it back. "We have need of this nexus."

The shadow spun to face Wyatt. "The product of your loins has fallen too far. He has summoned a monster, but he is the real monster. An abomination, a creature with no true self…"

"Don't listen to it, Wyatt," yelled Anakin. "It's looking for a shatter point."

The shadow coalesced into a flattened orb. "The Master of Death means for you to die."

"I know," said Anakin softly but firmly. "Now, go!"

Light poured out of Anakin, blinding everyone. The light washed over the shadow, burning it. The light dimmed, leaving Anakin alone standing. He breathed heavily. After checking on his family, Anakin bent over the hole in the basement floor. He reached down, and his fingers brushed against something with the consistency of almost set jelly. The moment his fingers made contact, he lost all connection with his body. It felt like he was everywhere at once. He could hear a billion voices. He could feel magic being used across the world. He gasped and pulled back. The tips of his fingers were blackened.

"What happened," asked Wyatt groggily.

"Every ok?" called Chris a bit more coherently.

Sarah pulled herself into a sitting position on the stairs. "A creature without a true self…"

Anakin blinked and stared up at her. "It's not true, Sarah. The shadow was saying anything to make us lose our connection."

"Then why banish it? You needed it. You can't tap into the nexus directly. No mortal can," said Sarah, almost hysterically.

Wyatt frowned. "What…"

Anakin stood up, helping his mother to her feet. "It doesn't matter," he said with a forced finality. "As for not being able to use the nexus…"

"I believe I can help on that account," said Uriel, appearing in a free corner of the basement along with his two bodyguards.

Anakin stepped aside. One of the faceless bodyguards stepped forward and right into the hole. Its body transformed into an indescribable creature of beautiful and fear. It had six wings and three heads. Its four arms were transparent and surrounded by rings of colorless fire. Its whole body began to vibrate. It opened its mouth in a silent scream and exploded.

Uriel smiled in satisfaction. "It is done. You should find your way through the wards with ease." He vanished along with his remaining bodyguard.

"What the hell was that?" asked Wyatt.

Both Anakin and Chris answered. "A seraph."

Wyatt's frown only increased.

"Does it matter right now?" interrupted Piper.

Anakin offered a silent hand to Chris. Chris took it as Prue linked hands with him. Wyatt and Sarah joined the group. "Right, we've got no idea what we're walking into. We've no way of knowing if Lucifer is there or not. Don't get separated. Understand?"

He did not wait for an answer. He orbed out, taking his family with him. They reappeared near the ruins of the cabin that once held Matt. The yard was empty. The whole island felt empty. Not a sound reached their ears. Even the billowing storm above them was silent. Anakin breathed out.

"Can you sense him?" asked Anakin, looking at Wyatt.

Wyatt blinked and nodded. "It's faint, but, yes." His voice was buoyant.

Anakin jerked his head. "Then, go. Take Sarah, Prue, and Mom. Chris and I will try and find Eve."

"You don't think they'll be together?"

Anakin shook his head. "No. Go, don't engage anyone if you don't have to, and if you do don't hold back. Strike quick and hard. They will be aiming to kill."

Anakin and Chris watched the rest jog in the direction of the prison. Sarah had transformed into a massive wolf with thick brown fur. Anakin watched as she slipped into the shadows and all but vanished from sight. He would not want to meet her in the middle of the night. Chris tapped him on the shoulder.

"So what's the plan?"

Anakin sighed. "If Uriel was his usual fabulous self he put the fear of God and the Devil into Eve. She'd want to be near Zach so that she could still watch out for him, but she'd avoid direct contact. My guess, she's in the guard's tower, watching him on whatever surveillance system Lucifer has running in this place."

Chris nodded, even as his eyes narrowed. "Do you know where that'd be?"

"Beats the hell out of me. Let's try the old guard tower and work from there."

They set off, walking quickly, eyes sweeping every nook and cranny for demons or traps.

"Do you remember coming on the tour?" asked Chris to break the unnerving silence.

Anakin bobbed his head slightly. "Well, I remember Aunt Paige spending the whole time puking over the side of the boat, and Wyatt chatting up every cute girl that walked by. Mom eventually had to threaten him with the loss of his phone to get him to stop."

Chris laughed despite the serious of their situation. "He was incorrigible."

"Wait, didn't you learn that word on that trip?"

"Yes, I had decided back at the ripe age of 10 that I was going to fail the SATs."

Anakin chuckled. "You were always a worrier."

"Not much has changed," murmured Chris.

Anakin stopped at the crossing of two passages. "Except me, right."

Chris swallowed audibly. "Annie…"

Anakin looked over his shoulder and forced a smile. "Don't worry, Chris, I don't blame you guys. I'm not—I haven't been exactly warm and fuzzy."

"You're still our brother. We know that. We just—it's difficult to see you being so analytical about things that are so personal. It's like…"

"I'm one of the Elder's, the great heartless servants of the Grand Design," supplied Anakin, choosing to take a left.

Chris bit his tongue and cringed. Anakin had hit the problem exactly on the head. He knew or, at least, thought he knew why Anakin was the way he was. He understood the necessity of an objective leader in the war. He could not reconcile the need for such a leader and said leader being his baby brother. Even if Anakin had always been less emotional than the rest of them, especially after the other Anakin vanished, he always put his loved ones first. Now, he put Chris in a position to be captured in order keep identities of strangers out of the hands of the enemy. He let his nephew rot away for tidbits of information on Lucifer's plans.

Anakin stopped and turned around, facing Chris. "Not everything I've done has been by choice, Chris. What I am, what Uriel made me in order to save me, it limits my actions like it does his."

"Are you…"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "No. I'm not a Power. I just—it's too hard to explain. There are decisions that I know I cannot make, and there are ones I know I have to make. Recently, ever since Africa, really, those feelings have become murkier. It gives me greater freedom, or I think it does, anyway. Maybe, I'm just crazy and finally losing it."

Chris reached out and grasped his upper arm tightly. "You're not crazy."

Anakin half smiled. "We're about to have company."


Piper flicked her wrists in a well-practiced motion, blasting apart ten demons at a time. No matter how many she vanquished, more poured out of connecting tunnels and stampeded toward her. She vanquished another round of demons, ducked an energy ball, and nimbly tripped a nearby Phoenix assassin. She drove the Phoenix's own athame into his stomach before throwing the blade into the back of a harpy harassing her daughter. Prue shot her a thankful look and returned to fighting off her own hoard.

Piper spun around, looking for her son and daughter-in-law. Wyatt stood in the center of a blue dome, separated from them by thirty demons. He was vanquishing demons scores at a time with his walls of flame. Piper briefly spotted Sarah the wolf. She slipped out of the shadows to rip through three demons and vanished before their companions could retaliate.

They were deep underground and very near Zach's location. They had not run into any demons during their descent through the catacombs beneath the island. That was until Prue stepped on some sort of magical alarm. The trap appeared to have called in half of the population of the Underworld, the low-level half. There was still a suspicious lack of any demon truly capable of taking on a Charmed One or any of her children. Sure, at these numbers, even powerless demons would eventually overwhelm them, but thing could be a lot worse if a dozen upper-level demons showed up.

There were the Phoenix witches who appeared to be in command of the demonic hoard, but they were unfocused, too easy to vanquish. Piper had killed at least four without breaking a sweat. The last time she had faced the Phoenixes it had taken the Power of Three to drive them back. Something was not right.

A demon charged at her with a club held aloft. She blocked the descending weapon with her forearm and drove her palm into the demon's chest, shoving it back. She ripped the club out of its hand and knocked an energy ball out of the air with it. Lazily, she vanquished the demon with her signature power. She smashed the club into the head of the next demon, vanquishing it. She breathed heavily.

Her back bumped into her daughter's back. They both patted the other's shoulder reassuringly still focused on keeping a safe distance between them and any demon. Prue conjuring tiny throwing stars and threw them with deadly accuracy. She was bleeding from a cut across her brow.

"We need to reach your brother," yelled Piper over the cacophony of fighting.

She felt Prue nod. Piper focused her attacks in the direction of Wyatt's blue orb. Demons were throwing themselves upon the impenetrable shield. They should have brought potions, but they had left in such a hurry. Even Wyatt could not keep up an attack indefinitely. Sarah appeared at her side, still shaking the limp corpse of a leather-clad female.

"We're trying to re-group," explained Piper.

The wolf's eyes somehow showed she understood the plan. Piper watched in awe as the shapeshifter bounded forward, physically throwing four demons into the air. Claws flashed, and the demons were disemboweled. Sarah was in full mother bear mode.

"Duck!" screamed Prue.

Piper threw herself to the ground. Something hot flashed past her and crashed into cavern's ceiling. Chucks of smoking rocks began to fall. Piper threw out her hands, freezing the falling mass. She and Prue rolled out of the way and into the feet of a smiling demon, an upper-level demon. Piper recognized him as an oni. Tall, thin, and gray, they were resistant to most forms of magic. They also loved to use swords.

The sword slashed down, and a metal shield appeared inches in front of Piper's face, blocking it. She flipped herself up onto her feet, reveling in the fact she still could do that bit of aerobatics at her age. Prue pulled her out of the way of a second swipe. Her daughter met the third attack with a sword of her own. One that blazed orange.

Prue flung herself into battle. Overwhelming the oni with speed and ferocity. Her sword danced through the air, leaving a streak of color in its wake. The oni's sword shattered. Prue lunged, ready to deliver the fatal blow. Something picked her up and threw her across the passage. The oni shimmered away.

Piper turned, searching for the new attacker. A tall figure carved her way through the demons. With a head of a lioness and two tawny wings spread out behind her, Sekhmet had joined the battle. She still had a finger pointed in Prue's general direction. Piper threw out her hands with everything she had. The air rippled with the amount of energy released. Sekhmet changed focus moments before the attack struck. She covered herself with her wings and dove backward. Piper's attack exploded, destroying the passageway and vanquishing demons in every direction, but Sekhmet survived with little more than a bruised shoulder.

Piper ran. She dragged Prue to her feet. Together they ran hastily. They shoved demons out of the way. Sekhmet laughed wildly behind them. Neither even tried to look behind. They reached Wyatt's shield and threw themselves into it. Unlike the demons, it let them through. Piper felt the tingle as the energy passed around her.

"Sekhmet," patted Piper.

Wyatt's eyes grew wide, summoning Excalibur. "Zach's through those doors. I know it. But every time I get near them demons appear out of nowhere, forcing me back. Where's Sarah?"

Sekhmet's voice tore over the screams and shouts of the demons. "Do you know what the lion did to the fox?"

All their eyes focused on the feline Ennead as she picked up Sarah, the wolf, by the scruff of her neck, holding her out at arm's length. Sekhmet squeezed, and Sarah yelped. Wyatt growled.

"Scavengers should remember who is king," whispered Sekhmet.

She threw Sarah as easily as she was throwing a basketball. Sarah hit the floor hard, knocking over demons, and bounced. She slammed into the wall. Her head snapped back. Bone shattered. The majestic larger than life wolf collapsed in a motionless heap.

"No!" yelled Wyatt.

Sekhmet pointed her long slender finger at Wyatt. The blue shield bowed inward. Wyatt dropped to his knees with a shout. Piper flicked her fingers again. Sekhmet's right wing rose up. A flash of light marked Piper's efforts. The Ennead laughed.

"Where's the challenge? Where's the young warrior who managed to defeat my sister?"

Prue checked on her brother while Piper stared down Sekhmet.

"I'm fine, Prue. We need to get to Sarah," said Wyatt angrily, voice choked up.

Piper ignored her children. There had to be a way she could distract this demon. She had nearly taken down Rahab; she could do this. One lousy demon was not a problem for a Charmed One. She cast her eyes around for a plan. There was nothing immediately available to her, and the demons continued to pound at the shield.

Sekhmet folded her arms across a chest covered in gold-plated armor. "Shall I put the little mutt out of its misery?"

Piper's breath came a bit easier. Sarah was still alive.

Wyatt came to his mother's side, clutching Excalibur. "Leave her alone," he said in an authoritative voice. The ground rumbled in response.

"You're its mate? Come out and defend your mate," taunted Sekhmet.

"Don't."

The world inverted in color for a split second, and Anakin appeared with Chris at Sarah's side. Chris immediately dropped down and held out his hands over her body. Anakin dismissively glared at demons. They disintegrated, leaving the corridor empty.

"Go find Zach," he commanded.

A third figure shimmered in beside Anakin. She was young, too young to be caught up in all this. Anakin turned to her. "Show them the way."

Eve nodded and hurried off, not waiting to see if anyone followed her.

Sekhmet moved, but Anakin waved his hand throwing her off her feet.

"Sarah," moaned Wyatt.

Anakin kept one eye on the Ennead. "Wy, Chris has got her. Go save your son. All of you go!" Anakin waited until they were out of earshot. "Chris, orb her out of here. The wards are down."

Chris hesitated for a moment.

"Go," ordered Anakin in a tone that left no room for argument.

Chris orbed away with a still unconscious and barely breathing Sarah.

Sekhmet rose out of the rubble, roared, and charged. Anakin, slightly hampered by his still injured leg, met her in battle.


The next room turned out to be a massive greenhouse of some sort. It was also teeming with reptilian cousins to the things that had killed Victor. They were horrible creatures, shorter than the average human but incredibly strong. Their scaly skin deflected attacks both magical and physical. Eve called them 'repvils,' but admitted that was a name she and Zach made up.

Guttural barks and hisses chased them down a corridor, the sounds of a hunt. One of the repvils, a large emerald-colored one, paused in front of their hiding spot, spun in a tight circle, then shot on down the walkway past them. Pursuing hotly after the leader came a half-dozen more of the creatures in all shades of the rainbow. They were too focused on the decoy illusion Wyatt had conjured to bother to notice anything else around them.

Wyatt knew they could not spend their time hiding and flicked his left hand at a motley yellow one. He telekinetically lifted it into the air. The demon caught its clawed heels on the walkway railing and began to somersault in flight. Screaming, it crashed through foliage and landed with a satisfying crunch below. Thankfully, they were a bit easier to kill than their gargoyle-like cousins.

The surprised look on the second powder blue repvil's face died as Wyatt skewered its head on Excalibur's blade. The blue-tinged blade swept up through the top of the creature's skull. As fire consumed its body, Wyatt parried a strike from a club held in the hand of the emerald repvil. With two hands on the hilt, Wyatt knocked the club wide, pivoted on his one foot, and side-kicked the repvil in its snarling face.

As that creature pitched backward, a fat gray one lunged with its weapon at him. The weapon looked like a primitive wooden spear. The older witch felt fire as the weapon sharpened edge grazing the inside of his left thigh. Wyatt whipped Excalibur around in a backhanded slash. He separated the creature's triumphant grin in half, top from bottom.

Whirling back, he saw the young Phoenix standing above two smoking piles of ash. She wiped the remnants of guts from her twin hand blades on the outside of her too tight jeans. During an initial skirmish, they had been separated from Prue and his mother. He hid the impressed look quickly.

"Shall we go?" she asked.

The two of them jumped over the railing, dropping to the level below. Wyatt did not know how many levels of the walkway there were, but he could not see the ground. He landed astride the remains of the repvil he had pitched off the upper level. He frowned, wondering why it was not ash.

Any thoughts of investigating vanished as he turned to his right. A devil, a true devil, was approaching them. The muscular stone-grey creature clearly did not belong on this plane. Each of its movements jittered and flashed, some too fast for him to see and others as in slow motion.

"Quick, the corridor. Run!"

Eve darted down the covered corridor that ran directly below the one in which they had hidden. Wyatt twisted on the ball of his foot to follow, but the repvil clutched at his ankle, latching into it with a vice-like grip. He tried to shake his foot free, but the creature clung on as for dear life. The devil roared a challenge and charged. It conjured a sword as it ran.

Giving up on fleeing, he turned about to face the challenge. He was at a severe disadvantage rooted to the spot. He set himself as best as he could. With Excalibur raised to a textbook guard, he felt ready to parry. The devil was almost upon him when the repvil slammed a powerful fist into his badly wounded leg. Pain shot up through him, dropping him to one knee. He looked up and saw the blade of the devil slashing down in a perfect arc to behead him.

Suddenly, Wyatt felt himself jerked back by in strong invisible force. Her twin metal blades catching the filtered light, Eve stepped onto the walkway. She placed herself between Wyatt and the roaring devil. The devil, whose strike had carved through the repvil instead of Anakin, dropped back into a half crouch, with its weapon aimed at the Phoenix.

The devil thrust at her twice. Eve sidestepped one lunge and then batted the second aside. She pressed an attack, cutting twice at its head. The devil retreated, drawing her forward, as it brought its own blade up to block the slashes. Reversing its sword, it parried her lunge. It riposted with a powerful strike. Eve brushed its attack wide, swiveled, and extended her left leg. The kick caught the devil in the groin. Clearly it was a male judging from the look of pain on its face as it doubled over.

Wyatt smiled and chuckled. His good mood lasted for a split second. Eve staggered to one side and collapsed against the banister. As she slid to the ground, her arm left a dark bloody streak. The devil held out its short sword in an attempt to defend itself. Wyatt saw the blood on its one side. Droplets splattered on the ground. The devil broke into a grin.

"Poisoned."

Wyatt rose to his feet, fury racing through him. He summoned magic, pooling it in the palm of his hand, feeling it surge. He knew it would take a significant amount of power to vanquish the devil in one blow. Fueled by anger, he thought he had it in him to obliterate the devil in a heartbeat. Then he thought vanquishing the devil would not be enough. The creature should suffer before the end. He had it in him to torture the devil. The energy in the palm of his hand crackled. He could make the devil shriek in agony.

The devil advanced casually, the remnants of pain gone. It spun its sword as he walked. He reached Eve's feet, and she moaned. He flicked a glance in her direction and slashed the sword at her throat.

In a heartbeat Wyatt reacted, all thoughts of vengeance abandoned. He could not risk striking the devil down with it so close to Eve. He raised one hand and directed one of Eve's own blades up high enough to block the blow to her neck. The devil's weapon buried itself in the railing, splitting wood and steel with a thunder crack.

The devil had almost tugged his weapon free by the time Wyatt reached him. Excalibur swept low and sudden. It severed one leg. The devil began to topple over. Wyatt used Excalibur efficiently. He sliced the devil in two from pelvis to sternum. The stone like armor held together for a moment, stuck together by a black ichor. The ichor gave way, and the armor fell off, melting away before touching the ground. The devil's surprised look remained frozen on the two halves of its face as black flames consumed it.

Wyatt dropped Eve's side. Her arm had army green veins spreading out from the cut. She was breathing heavily and in sputtering gasps. The blood from the wound stank worse than rotten flesh. He released the energy around his sword. He banished Excalibur. Instinctively he knew he could not heal the wound. They would need an antidote. He hefted her up over his shoulder. Eve weakly protested, but he paid her no mind. He started to run. He needed to find the others. He needed to find his son. They had to get off this island.

Piper felt her fear get replaced by a fierce determination as adrenaline coursed through her. Somehow, in the confusion of stumbling into an underground jungle, she had lost track of Wyatt and Eve. The sudden ambush by demons that looked like miniature dinosaurs minus the tails meant fleeing and fighting. She and Prue were currently sprinting across a rickety wooden bridge over a gorge filled with mist obscuring the bottom. A hunting pack of the reptilian demons pursued, nipping at their heels. Prue sported gash on the forearm from where Piper's attack ricocheted off one of the demon's scaly hide.

They reached the other side. Piper blasted the rope attaching the bridge precariously to the side of the mountain. The demons leaped and chirped in urgency as they realized her plan too late. Prue punched the only one who managed to claw itself onto solid ground as the bridge gave way. It toppled backward, swallowed by the mist. Mother and daughter rested against thick tree trunks, breathing heavily.

"Wyatt's about four hundred yards that way," gasped Prue, rubbing her bruised fist.

Piper nodded and stared up into the endless canopy. "Why'd put Zach in a place like this?"

Prue shrugged, wiping away the sheen of sweat. "It's heavily guarded. Like ridiculously heavily guarded. There are hundreds of those things in here."

"What about Chris and Anakin?"

Prue paused briefly. "I can't sense Chris—but that doesn't mean anything, Mom. Ok? Relax, a bit. Anakin probably had him orb out with Sarah. No, Mom, don't try and defend him. It's exactly the sort of manipulative shit he'd do. Send us in here, then banish Chris, so that he can sacrifice himself. God, for once can't he just be honest. Tell us the whole plan."

Piper shot her daughter a warning look. Prue fell silent and wilted under her critical gaze.

"Ok, sorry. Sorry."

Piper huffed. "What about Zach?"

Prue shook her head. "Nothing. Still."

"Let's go find your brother," said Piper, pushing herself away from the tree.

They started the trek through the thick underbrush in silence. Each woman lost in thought and desperately straining with every sense to spot danger before it was too late. The jungle around them remained void of noise save for the little they generated. Without any clear warning the jungle ended, and they found themselves on the edge of a gradually sloping hill covered in tiny yellow flowers. At random intervals, large monoliths stood erect like spines growing out of a creature's back.

"What is this place?" hissed Prue quietly.

Piper shrugged at a complete loss. The place felt alive but not in a good way. It had the appearance of a tranquil park, yet something was off. A large bee-like insect buzzed past them. Both women jumped. It was the first signs of life they had seen since the bridge. The bee flew on, ignoring the two witches. It landed on one of the flowers. Piper watched in horror as the flower transformed into a rotting hand and squashed the bee.

"Oh, shit! It's a…"

"A limbus circus." Anakin finished Prue's thought.

Piper threw her arms around her youngest son and hugged him tight.

"Mom. MOM! We don't have time. I was able to fight Mafdet into a stalemate, but she's bound to find a way around the wards I threw up. Where are Wy and Eve?" Anakin was covered in tiny cuts, and his left eye was swollen shut.

"'You look like shit," said Prue before she too gave him a hug.

Anakin hugged her back with unrestrained gratitude for her continued survival. "Prue…"

Prue stared back at the scene before them. "But this isn't supposed to happen."

"It's the result of the darkest form of magic, and we're talking about the Prince of Darkness."

Piper frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Anakin gestured at the hill and flowers. "This is what happens when the barrier between this world and the next is torn apart. It would have occurred in the ritual place used to resurrect Lucifer and me, but Uriel smite-ed that whole region of the Underworld. My guess, this whole expanded universe dimension greenhouse is Lucifer's attempt to contain the damage."

"Damage?"

Anakin nodded. "The tear in the fabric of reality could expand. It could repair itself. This—whatever the hell it is—has cut it off from our world. Hence the circus limbus. It's the area where Lucifer's magic and the power spilling from the rip are colliding."

Piper looked at Prue. "You know about this stuff?"

Prue sheepishly shrugged. "It—I—um…"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "I told her about it. After Michael died, I told her of the dangers linked in trying to bring him back."

"Oh, sweetie…"

Anakin interrupted his mother. "Wyatt!"

Wyatt staggered out of the jungle a couple of feet from them, soaked in blood. He had a slightly green and very pale Eve over one shoulder and wielding Excalibur in a blur of deflections in his free hand. Anakin raised his hand and screams followed by explosions blasted out of the jungle. Wyatt slumped to the ground. All three witches raced over to him.

"What…"

"Wyatt!"

"Wy."

Wyatt blinked. Excalibur vanished. "Heal her. Anakin—you have to heal her."

Anakin gingerly laid out the unconscious Phoenix. He studied the wound and took her temperature. He clamped his teeth and shut his eyes.

"Anakin!" cried Wyatt more urgently.

Anakin stretched out a hand and squeezed Wyatt's shoulder.

Wyatt shook his head. "No. No. NO! Do you hear me! NO!"

Piper bent down. "Wy, honey…"

Wyatt glared at her. "I don't want to hear it, Mom. NO! She—it was meant—FIX THIS! Someone. Anyone."

Prue brushed the matted hair out of Eve's clammy face. "What happened?"

"A—thing—trapped…me…" managed Wyatt, breathing in gasps.

Anakin breathed out heavily. "Wy, I—this is terrible, I know. I know, believe me, I do, but we've still got to get Zach. Mafdet is coming, and we still need to find your son."

Wyatt blinked at Anakin with tear-filled eyes. "He's in there." He pointed near the top of the hill where the monoliths appeared to make a circle.

Anakin nodded. "Ok. Ok—right, you stay here. Keep her warm. Keep her safe. I'll be right back."

Anakin stood up, and Prue caught him by his upper arm.

"Anakin, no one can enter that—no one alive. Not if they want to keep on living."

Anakin nodded. "I know, Prue, but if Zach's been in it since before it was created—I can get him out."

Prue looked down at Wyatt and her mother. Both were paying them no mind. "Anakin, we can't lose you."

Anakin half smiled and patted Prue's hand. "You need Zach more. Let me do this. Let me prove to you and Wyatt I'm still the brother you loved. Let me save our nephew."

Prue's eyes welled up. "Annie…" She gulped, losing her voice.

"Love you too, sis." Anakin kissed her cheek and stepped back, vanishing beneath a horde of decomposing monsters that appeared out of nowhere. Prue stumbled backward, falling to the ground.

For Anakin, the world changed. It lost most of its color. The air grew cooler and heavier. The near silence of the clearing was replaced by eerie calls and ghostly whispers. He tried to raise an arm and found his body respond sluggishly to his command. It felt like dragging his arm through syrup, thick, stinky syrup. The smell made him gag. It was the smell of death.

"Come on, Anakin, you've been through worse. Pull yourself together."

Anakin balled his hands into fists, which took an excruciating entirety. He dug deep within inside himself and called up the spark. It was not his magic, but it was related to it. It was whatever Uriel had sown to his soul to save it from obliteration. His eyes blazed, lighting up the world returning some of its colors.

"Be careful, child, lest you use up what is still needed."

Anakin spun around looking for the source of the lyrical voice. He was still alone. He focused his attention to the top of the hill. The flowers were gone, turned to ash and brown slick mulch. The monoliths were worn and eroded. At the top of the hill shone a pure bright light. Anakin guessed what it meant and groaned. He started up the hill, digging his heels deep into the slippery ground with each step to keep from sliding back down.

Sweat broke out across his furrowed forehead. Trickles of liquid run down his back. He puffed and coughed. The air was dryer than the Sahara. His tongue stuck the roof of his mouth. Still he climbed, tripping and stumbling. Twice he fell flat on his face, getting the rotting remains that composed the top layer of ground in his mouth, nose, and eyes. After what felt like hours he neared the top of the hill and looked back down. Grey figures, bent and warped, flittered between shadows. The barrier was still growing.

The bright white light pulsated. Unimaginable power flowed over him. It washed away the smell and grime from the climb. In the light, the world was not pale and gray but brimming with blazing color. Anakin wrapped his arms around himself and looked around. He spotted three figures in the distance. Two were kneeling on the ground. The last one, the source of the light, held a sword aloft and was in the midst of a battle against a thin stream of blackness.

Anakin hurried over to the group, careful to keep himself behind the figure with the sword. As he neared the two other figures reacted to his presence. They stood up. The taller one took a step toward him, readying to attack.

Anakin held p both hands. "Zach?"

The blond boy paused and frowned. "Do—do I know you?"

Anakin nodded quickly, glancing up at the third figure. "Yes," he whispered, "Yes, you do. Remember? I'm your uncle Annie. Remember?"

Zach tilted his head to one side. "Annie," he said slowly. "No, that can't be true. Annie died."

Anakin frowned. Uriel had told Zach about Anakin. "Zach, I came back. The night Lucifer was resurrected."

Zach furrowed his brow. "That—that sounds right. But how do I know it's you? This place…there's been others…"

The light pulsated again, pushing Anakin back.

"Think back to the first time you went to the beach. Remember? I was the one you trusted enough to finally come into the water with. Come on, Zach, you've got to remember that."

Slowly, Zach's head started to bob. "Anakin. You're here. You're real?"

"Yes," said Anakin emphatically.

The other boy stepped up to Zach and whispered in his ear. Zach shook his head. "No, Michael, I trust him. He's our uncle. Does that mean my dad's here?"

Michael—Michael was dead.

Anakin knew the other boy was his once dead nephew. He saw Prue's eyes and Kyle's nose of the boy. The young teen was also exactly like his twin, but there were subtly differences. Michael was a little bit leaner than Richard. He had the slightest of gaps between his two front teeth. There was a tiny scar on his cheek from a childhood accident.

"Yes, your dad's here. And your mom, Michael."

Michael jumped at his name. "Mike—call me, Mike."

"Ok, but we've got to go."

Zach glanced back at the third figure. "He said we couldn't go. Not until the rift is sealed."

Anakin looked at the figure. "Lucifer lies. You know that."

The figure reacted to his name. The light grew brighter. Anakin's skin started to blister. He gritted his teeth. "Come on, we've got to go. Zach, something happened—Eve, she's in trouble."

Zach's eyes widened. "Eve. What's wrong with her?"

"We need to go," repeated Anakin, offering a hand.

Zach reached out immediately and took it. Lucifer's light diminished. Michael hesitated but took Zach's hand. The three witches orbed out. The darkness recoiled and vanished. Lucifer dropped to his knees; his light extinguished. As he looked up, breathing heavily, he smirked.


AN: What did you think? Was it worth the wait?

Until next time!