A/N:

Thank you for the reviews.

Chapter 10

Magic vs Technology

After the celebrations were over it was time to truly understand the capabilities of Melinda's inventions and technology. The members of the clan took front row seat as Mel and the others were going to practice using some of her gadgets and learn new powers. The sisters were standing on one side while their children were on the other. Leo, Henry, Coop, and Cole were sitting as it would be their turn next.

"You know what they say nothing works better than experience," Lila said as she stood up and motioned for some men to bring something for them to fight." Things were much larger here and probably will be what you will encounter not just here but also in the as you make your way to the other clans, for when you leave to fight your battle."

The ground beneath them shook has 10 clan members held tightly onto chains and pulled something that was not remotely happy about being dragged to his new destination. The sisters have mostly fought demons and although some of them have been powerful like the source, none of them have had this mass before. "Gentlemen I suggest you watch and learn from their mistakes and successes," Lila said as Leo looked at Coop.

"She knows that I'm mortal right," Leo said as he got a good look at what they were going to practice on.

"Sucks to be you," Coop said and tried to give a comforting smile that Leo did not appreciate.

Melinda and the other hell five did not seem phased by the 15 foot creature that snarled and clawed at the ground as it was brought to them.

"First the hell five, then the charmed ones and of course Wyatt and Chris. After that if there's anything left the husbands and Cole will use what ever they can to finish it off.

"This should be interesting," Cole said as his adrenaline was already starting to kick in. The sisters moved out of the way so the hell five could get into position.

"Did Mel go over anything with you about your suit?" Phoebe asks.

"Nope, not yet," Piper replied.

"I think we are about to see what our kids can do," Paige said and felt both worry and a little excitement as ladybug took center as the others waited as she let the fight unfold in her mind.

"Well?" Mel asks as the pupils of her eyes grew slightly as she was kicking her suit into gear.

"Do you want the easy way, or the fun way?" Prue asks as the men let go of the chains and it let out a loud roar. Its teeth where at lest 6 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. Its claws were much bigger as it started to rush them.

"The fun way," Jack replied as he reached behind him and grabbed a metal pipe that began to change into a bow like something you would see in Transformers. He pulled back and a arrow formed like it was being created at that very moment. The tip was shaped more like the tip of a missile, then the standard arrow head. Astra's tattoos began to glow as Trinity orbed a long staff that had two sharp ends and had a bluish glow to it. Mel teleported flair looking gun and pointed it high in the air just above the creatures head and fired. Over 50 small metallic balls shut out and hovered at least 20 feet in the air and seemed to follow the beast that was now only a few feet away.

"Right then, lets get the kinks out," Prue said as she placed her hands to her side and the ground beneath her began to swirl.

"Levitation?" Phoebe asks.

"I don't know I've never seen you do it like that," Piper replied.

Jack fired and fired again and again as the arrows were being created as quickly as he pulled back on the string. Astra fired as well and a extremely bright orange stream of light shot out of her hands and hit the creature dead center. It stopped its rushing and was being pushed back by the immense force but was able to push through it. The arrows penetrated its leathery skin and began to explode, but it only slowed it down. Trinity used her fast orbing and went for the weak spots with her spear. She slipped on her knees as she went past its ankles and sliced the main artery. She then fast orbed to various parts of its body slicing away as Prue was now 10 feet in the air and the small vortex was now the sized of a F1 tornado as it moved away from her. The creature swung its tail that had several spikes around its body to stop the assault of Trinity. She managed to get out of the way of most of the swipes except one.

"Trinity up!" Prue yelled as she already knew how this fight is going to go.

Trinity did a back flip and the large tail went right underneath her body as she landed on her feet. Mel teleported what looked like some kind of rocket launcher to herself and moved slowly avoiding contact with the large tail. Jack was done firing his bow and went for the more direct approach.

"I will distract it!" he said and ran towards the colossal beast. "Hay you big piece of shit!" he yelled and was actually laughing as he ran towards it. It snarled and raised his claw to crush the little man coming towards him. Mel then teleported to the first round metal ball and fired her weapon. The tips of the rockets were screw shaped and moved in a circular motion as they flew through the air and hit their target. They drilled into the large body of the beast, but it was not random but precise aim as they went into where the joints meet. She teleported from one ball to the other firing in between as the beast tried to grab her in mid air, but she was too fast. Prue used her generated tornado and sent it to the beast. The dust and debris made it impossible for the creature to see its enemy. Astra fired again and was even being pushed back as she slid on the dirt ground while her power was now causing damage to the already injured creature. Trinity fast orbed back to the front and then did something Paige has never seen. Blue and white orbs formed around its arms and legs as Trinity had her hands out. Jack began to climb the beast to get to its head while it was thrashing about trying to get a hold of any of them. He used his daggers as ice picks to give him leverage. The sound of explosions one after the other could be heard as the joints of the beast were torn from the main body. Mel teleported back to her starting point and she nodded to Trinity who used the looseness of the ligaments, to rip them off. She stretched out her arms to her side with a loud grunt and the creatures arms and legs were removed from its body. It was beginning to fall as Jack made it to the head and pulled out two swords from his back. As the creature was falling backwards he stabbed the swords into its eye sockets as he glided down with it. It hit the dirt hard and a dust ball emanated from its head and engulfed the crowd as they cheered. Jack then stepped off the creatures head and walked over to the others as it died.

"That was just the starter right?" Mel said while looking at her brothers with quite a bit of cockiness. The others dusted themselves off and walked away injury free as the creature turned into dust and disappeared.

"Show off," Piper said and smiled.

"Wyatt, Chris your up," Lila said as a new creature was brought out. It was similar to the first one but this one had a surprise that they would see shortly.

"Come little brother lets show them how its done," Wyatt said and got into position with Chris beside him. "Oh um try not to take out the entire village."

"Noted," Chris said got himself ready.

Wyatt called for Excalibur and the magical sword appeared in his hand. "You know we do have a slight disadvantage, we can't orb," he said.

"Trinity did," Chris remembered.

"I think her's is different it may be mixed with technology," Wyatt said as the beast was let loose. Chris stretched out his hands and let his half elder kick in. Lightning shut out and Leo could not help but feel pride as he watched his sons take on the creature without flinching. It hit the beast and the electricity caused it to jerk violently. Wyatt pointed his sword holding the hilt close to his face and fire streamed out of its tip, but the beast used its own fire to block Wyatt's.

"Shit," Wyatt yelled as the hot flame was heading towards them. Chris put out his hands and a shield formed around them and stopped the fire from hitting them. "Ok new plan," Wyatt said once the fire stopped. He plunged the sword into the ground and the earth in front of him cracked open, like a small earthquake. The creature began to slide into the newly formed hole, but managed to get back to solid ground as it rushed them.

"You should have made it bigger," Chris said while shooting lightning to slow it down as it ran to them.

Wyatt stretched out his hands in front of him. He was tapping into his exploding power and they all could feel the wind as it rushed past them and hit the beast. Chunks were coming off as he kept firing. They had to dive out of the way when its large claw tried to crush them. Chris looked around and saw sharp objects on top of the roofs. He then used his orbing power to send them into the creature, but it did very little damage. Wyatt had enough of playing around and closed his eyes with his hands outstretched. The dirt around him began to move like small vortexes as they formed into beast of his own. He used his conjuring to create two medium-size dragons.

"Dragons, that's original," Mel said and snorted.

His knew pets took flight and began to circle the beast breathing fire on it while Chris used his lightning but this creature's skin was tough and hard to break through. Wyatt tossed his sword at the creature's heart but it just missed as it moved out slightly and was now embedded into its tough skin.

"Wyatt I have an idea," Chris yelled while dodging its tail.

"Chris don't!" Wyatt yelled knowing exactly what his brother was up too.

"It will work," Chris said and then tried to orb but found it was blocked. "Dammit this is going to suck," he said and got in front of the beast. "Eat me!" he yelled.

"Are you crazy?" Wyatt asks while both were avoiding its claws and tail.

"A little," he replied and let the beast take him in its hand.

"NO!" Piper yelled and got up along with Leo.

"Don't mom, he knows what he's doing," Wyatt yelled as he did not want either of his parents to interfere and get hurt in the process.

The beast swallowed Chris whole and everyone stopped breathing as the site was extremely disturbing. Wyatt backed up not wanting to use his power on it, considering his brother was inside. It then stopped and its face contorted in pain as a bluish light was emanating from its chest.

"Its going to blow!" Wyatt yelled as the light got more intense. Everyone took cover as pieces of the creature splattered the houses and anyone who did not find refuge. Chris was covered in guts and other unfamiliar pieces as he stood up and smiled. He looked over at the hell five and gave his own cocky grin.

"We didn't have to get eaten," Prue said.

"That's because you don't have the guts," Wyatt said.

"Yeah but at least we don't have guts all over us," Trinity added as the competition was getting the best of them.

Piper and Leo ran to Chris and checked his entire body for injuries. "Stop guys your embarrassing me," Chris said.

"Are you ok?" Leo asks.

"I'm fine, I blew it up from the inside," Chris replied as he kept his promise of not taking out the entire village.

Rigar walked over to the sisters," Well charmed ones its your turn, let's see what you've learned," he said and motioned for another creature to be brought out.

"You know we can't be showed up by our kids right," Paige said but as the 20 foot ork like thing snarled at them, she realized that they have never fault anything this big. Wyatt's Dragon does not count as he was the one who made it go away to keep Piper from getting hurt.

They walked out into the center and faced their largest challenge in their eight year history.

"Ok considering I don't know how to use my new active power and you don't know how to use your suit, I give the odds to the big ork," Phoebe said as she stood her ground as it shook beneath them.

"And you are supposed to be the great pep talk person," Paige said.

"Ok its strategy, remember what Mel did, she went for the joints and Trinity went for the arteries, so that's what we do," Piper said taking the lead. The beast gave a confident smile and some saliva escaped its mouth making all of them wrinkled their faces at the sight.

"Ewe," Phoebe said and felt something hot in her hands. She looked down and they were glowing. "Astra," she said as she must have been tapping into her power. "Hot, Hot," she said while her hands got brighter.

"Well fire it," Paige insisted and Phoebe put her hands out in front of her. The brightly colored orange light turned into a stream and she could feel the immense power as it exited her hands. It hit the beast in the chest but her control was not fine tuned and all it did was push it back as it struggled to see through the bright light. Phoebe was also getting pushed back as she could feel pressure on her hands as though something was pushing back. She dug her heels in and extended her arms like she was pushing a wall out of the way.

"Any time you guys want to help," Phoebe yelled while the beast was fighting through it but did not go unscathed as it skin was beginning to burn. Piper flicked her wrist and tried her exploding power, but it was like a small firecracker on a tank.

"Yeah that was ugly," she said and began to back up while Paige looked for anything she could toss at it.

"I hope they don't take this out of my check," she said and stretched out her hand to orb the gazebo's top because it had a long spike on its roof. She orbed it to the beast and it impaled into hit chest. "And I just pissed it off," she said as he pulled it out and threw it at them. Piper put her hands up out of instinct and froze the large roof a few inches from them. Phoebe could no longer tap into the power as it was draining her. She put her hands on her knees and was trying to get her breath back.

"Guys we should move," she said while looking at the roof that was coming out of its freeze. They all dove out of the way as it crashed behind them and debris went everywhere.

"Piper do something," Paige said to her oldest sister.

"I am, I am panicking," Piper said and then turned her hands out with her palms up and tried to teleport something to herself. Mostly it was small weapons coming in and out of her hands until a round circle appeared in front of her with some kind of red liquid plasma in its center. The beast was trying to put the fire out on its chest while other symbols inside of smaller circles appeared around the larger one.

"What the hell is that?" Paige asks and Piper looked over at Mel who just shrugged her shoulders as it was impossible to explain and hoped her mother would have better luck using the conjuring device. The creature was finished putting its fire out and began to rush them. Piper out of instinct once again try to blow it up but her power went through the circle. The symbols changed and even Mel was now standing as she was not sure what was happening. It only took a second until a huge fireball emerged and looked more like an asteroid with a fiery tail then just a random fireball. It hit the creature hard and even knocked him off his feet.

"Send your powers through this thing and hit the joints and other major organs," Piper said as she liked this new capability and seemed to enhancer her power.

"Is that what you made it for?" Jack asks.

"Nope, but I will have a lot of data to look at later," Mel replied.

Paige saw some fencing that was made out of metal and had sharp points on the ends. She orbed a portion of the fence and sent it through the hovering transparent red circle. Again there was a second of nothing until finally the small fencing was now 10 feet long spikes, 20 in total hovering and ready to be maneuvered. "Oh yeah," she said and sent them flying as the beast stood up. Paige maneuvered them to the main arteries of the beast. One hit the neck and the main jugular as others hit kidneys, ribs and various parts. They were big enough to do quite a bit of damage and Phoebe looked at Trinity.

"I have an idea," Phoebe said and tapped into Trinity's orbing. She was gone in a flash, only leaving behind a bluish white stream of what looked like electricity in water. She went through the circle and Piper along with Paige held their breath as they were not sure what was going to come out. Phoebe emerged holding one of the long spears and moved even faster than before as she fast orbed above the creatures head. She used her levitation and tapped into Prue's to get more height as the creature was pulling out the spears from before. Phoebe needed a lot of force to do what she wanted and tapped into Wyatt's power for a shield. It formed around her and she did a battle cry as she came down on the beast. The spear was just outside of the shield and the speed she was going made the metal hot as she brought it down on its skull and disappeared from sight. The beast did not move as everyone stood motionless not sure where Phoebe went. Everything went slow as the 20 foot beast began to separate into two pieces. One side falling right and one falling to the left as the smell of burnt flesh permeated the air. Phoebe was on one knee while the long red hot spear was touching the ground. It did not take long for everyone to figure out what she did, she cut it in half. Once both sides hit the ground making a very loud thud as it did, Phoebe looked up and smiled. She felt powerful for once in a very long time. Piper and Paige also felt very proud as they smiled back at her.

Melinda smiled as well as she looked at her aunts as the sisters walked back over to the others.

"Nice job mom," Prue said.

"Thank you honey," Phoebe said and sat down while Enait walked over to Leo and the others.

"You know your mortal right?" he said.

"Yeah we got that," Henry replied and Enait looked pondered for a moment.

"Your probably going to die," he said not very sympathetically.

"Thanks," Leo said and Piper began to walk over to her husband.

"We can't have that," Enait said and put his hand on Leo's chest and one on Henry's. Leo could feel something warm enter his body and then circular tattoos began to appear on the exposed areas of his skin.

"Hay!" Piper yelled and ran towards Leo with Paige behind her as she was not sure what this man was doing. Enait smiled as he finished and Leo with Henry looked at each other.

"Now you're not mortal anymore," Enait said as Piper got to Leo.

"Are you ok?" she asks.

"Yeah I am better than okay," he said as he could feel the power running through his body. It was stronger than when he was an elder and even a little more potent than when he was in avatar. Henry on the other hand looked a little shocked as he has never had power before.

"Um I don't have any idea how to use this," Henry said while looking at his hands.

"Powers usually work by tapping into them with emotion. Its how ours work," Paige said and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Its time men, I suggest you don't get showed up by your wife's or ex wife's," Rigar said and looked at Cole who just smirked.

"Leo are you sure about this, we can tell them no," Piper said as she was afraid that the lack of using powers may get them in trouble. Leo leaned in and kissed her.

"I am not going to let you have all the fun," he said and walked out to the fighting area as the other men followed.

Paige stood next to Phoebe and whispered," Have you ever seen Coop use powers to fight?"

"No," Phoebe replied as her stomach was tightening. Cole seemed unfazed as he walked out with the others.

"You can do it dad," Chris said to give encouragement.

Another beast was brought out and the men stood side to side as Cole cleaned out his fingernails. "Ok so we either find a way to cut the thing in half or go for the jugular," Leo said and turned his hands up as the tattoos on his body began to glow. Henry was having issues getting his initiated.

"Come on dammit," Henry said in frustration.

"Are you afraid?" Leo asks.

"What do you think?" Henry replied.

"Good use it to tap into the power," Leo said as Coop stepped forward. He put his hand to his heart as the beast approached them and closed his eyes. After a moment he opened them and the pupils were deep red. He then turned sideways as he put his hands close together and a bright red ball began to form.

"That's new," Cole said noticing the power build up.

"Ok guys lets kill this thing," Coop said and fired. The ball grew larger as it flew through the air and hit the beast in the center of the chest, right at its heart. The beast stumbled backwards and almost seemed to weep. It shook its head and screamed in rage and they could smell its bad breath and its hot wind. Henry put his hands out as the fear in him grew and he let it exit through his hands. The bright stream of orange light shut out and hit the beast as Leo did the same. Cole on the other hand was still cleaning out his fingernails as though he was not entertained.

"Cole anytime you want to participate," Leo said getting irritated with him.

"Why you guys are doing just fine," he said as the beast broke through the powers and went to smash them. They all dove out of the way except for Cole who just stepped back and the large fist that was as tall as him caused dust and debris to disperse around him. He waved his hand to get the dust out of his face and coughed slightly. The beast put its other hand palm down on the ground and leaned forward to face Cole. He could feel its breath on his skin and just gave a small smile as it screamed into a either overly confident or foolish man. Leo got up and started using his powers again along with Henry as Coop generated another red power ball.

"What the hell is he doing?" Phoebe asks.

"Its Cole who knows," Piper replied as the beast was distracted by the burning sensation of Leo's and Henry's power while Coop fired. Again the red ball hit the heart of the beast but all it did was piss it off. Coop had jumped out of the way as the beast tried to smash him once again.

"Cole!" Phoebe yelled wanting him to help but she had a feeling he wanted Coop to die. Cole looked over at his ex wife and rolled his eyes.

"Fine," he said and stretched out his hands to his side were closing his eyes. The beast stood straight and was ready to smash Cole into the ground when the earth began to shake beneath the creature. It looked down at its feet as Cole opened his eyes and raised his hands higher. Roots from distant trees shot up through the earth and went through the creature's forearm and wrapped around like a python. More large roots went through every part of the monsters body and wrapped themselves around getting tighter and tighter. Leo and the others took this opportunity to finish it off. They used their powers and caused the roots to ignite to flame as the beast was held in place by the roots. It screamed in pain as it collapsed to its knees and Cole did a slight twist of his wrist and it began to get pulled apart like a rag doll. The fight was over and the test was complete as the men join their families except for Cole who stood alone and could already feel the un-trusting gaze of them all.

"Thanks for the entertainment but it is time to choose your groups that will ascend into the forest and find your army," Rigar said.

"Wait he is going to pick?" Phoebe asks.

"Yes its part of the negotiations," Mel replied and now they were all very nervous.

"Piper, Leo, Jack and Enait," Rigar said and Piper tilted her head slightly not sure why he groups Jack and Enait with them.

"Um don't you think it would be better if our kids came with us?" Piper asks but only received a very inpatient look. She exhaled deeply and bit her lower lip holding in her normal comments of disapproval.

"Melinda, Wyatt and Chris," Ridar continued and Mel had the same expression on her face as her mother did.

"Phoebe, Coop, Prue and Cole."

"What, Cole oh I don't think so," Phoebe tried to argue as Rigar continued.

"Paige, Henry, Trinity and Astra," Rigar said as his wife approached him.

"Astra, we just got her back," Lila said worriedly.

"They will need her Lila, she is home and will be safe, no one would dare hurt her knowing where she is from," Rigar said as men were coming up the road holding ropes that were attached to something they only have seen once, but never like this.

"Unicorns?" Piper asks and creatures almost snarled at the name.

"Not quite, unicorns are descendents from these pure breeds and are called Titanius, the truth killers," Rigar replied.

"Truth killers?" Paige asks.

"That horn is not for looks, betraying them will result in death. I suggest you listen to their instincts as they will know if something is coming that is not friendly before you. Treat them with respect and they will protect you, treat them with disdain and they will kill you," he replied although it did not really answer the question of the truth killers, they all decided to leave it.

The Titanius were brought to each of them as Mel pulled out a small bag from her pocket and pulled out lighter shaped metal cylinders. "Since you can't orb use these to teleport back if you get into trouble," she said and handed one to each of them. "Just flipped the lid on the top and push the button."

"There are provisions in the saddlebags but I suggest you also live off the land. It will take at least a week to get to each clan. The Titanius will take you the right way once you leave the village. Let them have control until each group is out of sight of each other. Then you will be able to control them. Piper hesitantly walked over to her ride and its size was daunting. They were not the normal white unicorns but instead black and a lighter shade almost gray that made symbols on its body. Its eyes were deep blue and its skin shiny. The single horn was not in a helix shape, but instead was straight and sharp with small spikes coming out of its side. If it went into someone, it would rip on its way out.

"Um we may have a problem, I don't know how to ride -."

A clan member picked Piper up by placing his hands on the side of her arms and lifted her up and placed her on the Titanius. "Horse," she finished in did not like being manhandled.

"I suggest you don't call them that," Rigar gave some advice as the others were place on their Titanius.

"Wait what about my boys?" Piper asks as Penny and Patty walked up to them holding little Wyatt and Chris.

"We got them honey, just do what you need to do. Don't worry the elders can't get here, so they are safe," Patty replied as Piper gave her boys a long hug and kiss while Leo did the same.

"I love you," Piper said and reluctantly handed them back. "One hair, out of place, you and me will have issues."

"We know and please don't worry," Penny said and backed away.

"for selv de lamme No facis viatge bakover," Rigar said and they all understood what he said. 'For even the lame do not trip backwards'

The clan watched as they knew arrivals were now going into the unknown to negotiate with people and beings they knew nothing about. Lila said goodby to her daughter and so did Rigar while Penny and Patty remained behind to protect their grandsons.

"Blessed be, my darlings," Penny said as they disappear into the distance.

To be continued...