:o) Jedi Alanna, actually, Gideon's not dead, remember?
He's been working with Lana (the Triad daughter whom everyone believed to be Christy). He's the unknown Triad member that the sisters are trying to find. Basically, I only briefly touched upon how he became a member by offering to trade Molly's powers to Dumain and the Triad, so Lana could use them to help Billie destroy the Charmed Ones. I do plan on giving you guys/gals a small background that explains how Gideon is still alive, I'm just waiting to include that during the right point in the story.
Sorry, if I made that confusing for any of you but the Gideon I introduced in my story is the same Elder from the show. It's just that in my story, he's really not dead. And he's a demon now. lol
Also, Gideon's an important factor, here, because he's linked to why and how Prue left in the first place. And how he knew where to find Molly in order to have her kidnapped. So was Prue really dead? I'm not going to tell. LOL, not yet anyways. But soon, like maybe next chapter.
PH2W: Thank you. I take your words as a very high compliment. It can be a daunting task at times trying to figure out how to make the characters sound and act just right. I'm honored that you think I portray them in a way that lives up to the wonderful actresses/actors that portrayed them. :o)
Welcome to my new reviewers. It's really good to have you both on board.
Chapter 10: Ultimate Power Revealed
(New York) Two Days Ago...
Prue kicked her shoes off as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
She felt exhaustion coarse through her entire body after spending all that time in the hospital. Her limbs ached from trying to sleep in a chair three nights in a row. However, the good news was that they finally released her husband but his release was accompanied by strict doctor's orders to take it easy over the next week. And to get lots of rest.
Captain Morris had insisted there be an official inspection of their apartment before allowing them back home. She had agreed to it, if only to keep him off her back and to prevent him from exposing her secret. However, she was still confused on what to make of him. He still hadn't approached her regarding what she was positive he had seen. And yet, she didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. But the problem with keeping it quiet was that he sounded like he might have answers that she needed. Especially if those answers could help her get Molly back. So now the only question was how would she go about getting them?
As Prue was preparing to lie down on the bed for some much needed rest, her cell phone rang. She reached over to grab it off her nightstand. "Hello," she answered, feeling utterly exhausted, and throwing her head back against the pillow. She really just wanted to sleep and not talk to anybody. And because she felt so tired, she didn't even bother to check the caller ID before answering.
"Prue? This is Darryl. We really need to talk," came the hurried response. "Do you think you can meet me by that old abandoned building just before the precinct in about twenty minutes?"
Prue? Why do people keep calling me that?
She turned her head to look at the alarm clock which read eight o'clock in the evening. "Captain Morris? Um, look, I'm sorry but I think you've got the wrong person. This is Marie, remember? My husband works with you now? And, besides, I'm not going anywhere this late," she replied sternly.
"Look, Prue," came his harsh response. "I'm not joking around here. This is serious. You may not remember who you are but others do. I need to talk to you! And the sooner the better."
Prue released an agitated groan. However, she acknowledged this was a conversation that needed to take place sooner or later; therefore, it was much better to just get it over with. "Can't it at least wait until tomorrow morning?" she tried compromising. "It's late, it's dark, and I'm not roaming around the city by myself, at night, looking for some abandoned building I've never seen before. How about 7:30 before you go to work?"
"Fine!" he relented. "But come alone. What we have to discuss is something you don't want others to hear. Trust me!" Then he abruptly hung up the phone.
Okay, talk about rude. He hung up right in my ear!
Her quizzical expression was directed at the cell phone in her hand for several seconds. Prue just brushed it off as she let herself slip into a deep sleep. She was so tired that she didn't even get the chance to change out of her clothes but she didn't care.
ooooo
UnderWorld ... Two days ago
"Why have I been summoned here?" Lana demanded in her usual haughty tone. "This is ruining my plans for Billie and the Charmed Ones!"
A demonic guardsman remained completely silent as he led her through parts of the Underworld she had never seen before. They passed by numerous chambers against the stone-like walls made from gravel. At the end of the narrow walkway, they encountered a hidden passage way. It's entrance was hidden within the gravel because the stone walls surrounding it provided a camouflage effect. As the door in the wall parted to reveal an opening, the guardsman stepped back allowing Lana room to enter.
"Aren't you coming?" she demanded to know.
"No!" replied the guardsman. "I am allowed no further!" He turned around to guard the entry point.
As Lana walked inside, the entrance sealed itself off behind her. While she continued to walk forward, she was greeted by the sight of four men in robes. Three of the men stood inside the center of a circle, deep in trance. The fourth man in robe was no doubt Gideon and he stood off to the side. She immediately recognized the others as the rest of the Triad. She released a smirk.
Finally! We are at a complete resurrection.
Lana stopped in front of the circle and slightly bowed her head to demonstrate both a show of respect and obedience as a lower-ranking member. At the sound of her voice, all three members of the Triad opened their eyes to look upon her.
"My fellow lords," she greeted them.
"Lana!" the FIRST Triad addressed her, getting right to the point as to why they summoned her here. "There has been a change of plans where you are concerned!"
Looking to Gideon and then back to the others again, she felt a nervous sensation flow throughout her body. Gideon smirked in her direction before she rewarded him with an evil glare.
"What is this about my lords?" she demanded to know. So help Gideon if he's behind getting rid of me, she thought.
The SECOND Triad member, immediately sensing where Lana's concerns now lied, interjected. "Don't become testy, Lana! We have no plans to rid ourselves of you!" he replied.
"But we do intend to alter our plans," added the THIRD Triad. "It has just come to our attention that Dumain was mistaken about the Ultimate Power. It appears that it wasn't Billie after all!" He managed to produce a glare in Gideon's direction while saying this.
"Yes, and it also appears that Gideon wasn't as forthcoming with us as he should have been," sneered the SECOND Triad.
Gideon smirked and responded. "Ah, yes, but then what use would that have been to me? You never would have initiated me into the Triad collective if I had told you from the beginning that the other Charmed sister was still alive. And that she, combined with her three sisters, make up the Ultimate Power!"
"Yes, but now we've wasted too much time on a plan that was doomed to fail!" hollered the the THIRD Triad.
"Your plan could have worked! It almost did!" Gideon shouted back. "I provided you with the little girl's power so you could match it up with Billie's. You had Charmed power sitting right in the palm of your hand!"
"Still, it wasn't enough," interjected the SECOND Triad. "All we managed to do was match up Charmed Power against Charmed Power in the Ultimate Battle. Even with the Hollow, it was too evenly matched."
"But still, by using the Charmed Ones own power base against them, you came closer to defeating them than any other demon before you has come. They didn't even see it coming because we used their next generation against them!" defended Gideon.
"Close isn't good enough!" yelled the the THIRD Triad for the second time.
"ENOUGH!" yelled the FIRST Triad putting an end to the whole debate.
Up until now, he had remained quiet, listening to what each member pointed out. Silence ensued before he continued.
"The point is that our focus in now in a new direction. We will now direct our energy into acquiring the Ultimate Power for ourselves instead of just using it to destroy the Charmed Ones. With that kind of power we will be eternally unstoppable. Then, after we acquire it, we will kill all of the sisters and focus on thwarting their next generation with Pandora's Box."
"And how do we plan on doing that?" inquired Lana, who was standing quietly by on the sidelines.
"By capturing the sisters and bringing them here," explained the FIRST Triad. "And Gideon knows which sister to start with, don't you Gideon?"
"Then the rest of the sisters should just follow suit!" added the THIRD Triad.
"How?" asked Lana.
"Well, when the sisters scry, they'll think they're coming for you and the shape-shifter. Like you originally planned, Lana. Only now, they won't be. The shape-shifter will be assisting Gideon in his task instead, while we'll be leading them straight into a trap," offered the SECOND Triad.
"With their long-lost sister as the bait!" concluded the FIRST Triad member.
ooooo
Prue made her way down the busy side-walk, as morning rays hit the top of her head, causing the highlights hidden in her raven hair to shine and stand out.
Tons of people were hustling to get to their jobs on time while other passersby appeared to be college students making their way to their morning classes. She had thrown on a pair of navy blue jeans and a white t-shirt before leaving the apartment earlier this morning. This meeting wasn't scheduled to take place until 7:30; however, she left around six to grab some breakfast at a local cafe and to take some time to think about what she even wanted to say. Michael had still been sleeping when she left and she debated whether or not to tell him. In the end, she settled on leaving him a note just so he wouldn't panic when he woke up and found her gone. Of course, the details of the letter were mostly a lie.
As she approached what she believed to be the abandoned building Darryl was referring to, she stopped and took a closer look at it. The front entrance appeared to be blocked off with no conceivable way to get inside. However, when she turned her head, she noticed the small, slender alleyway that graced the side of the building. She hesitated.
Okay, this is getting too creepy, I'm not so sure I really want to go down there.
Then, after looking around, she decided to relent.
Ah, just suck it up. At least the police precinct is only a few buildings down. I really need to know what is going on here.
Prue proceeded to walk down the alleyway very slowly, while attempting to locate some type of side entrance before she reached the back of the building. Near the back of the alleyway, a black dumpster was positioned against a fence.
"Hello?" she shouted, looking around. "Captain Morris? Are you here?"
At the sudden sound of approaching footsteps from behind, she bolted around only to come face to face with two men. One of them looked like Captain Morris but the other man she didn't recognize.
"Who are you?" came her immediate inquiry.
ooooo
It was just around 7:30 as Andy entered the New York Precinct, the place where he was now assigned to work. The doctor had instructed him to rest over the course of the next week but he needed to be doing something. Anything. He felt restless with the idea of sitting around the house doing nothing all day.
Andy had awoken to find his wife gone and a note beside his pillow. She had let him know that his Captain had ID'ed a suspect from the break-in and assault, that he knew the location, and that she was meeting him there. Actually, to be truthful, the information his wife relayed in the note disturbed him because that type of identification was highly irregular. A potential witness is almost always brought to a precinct to ID a suspect. They are usually never brought to a location where a suspect might be apprehended.
As he pulled his jacket off, and swung it over the back of his chair, Captain Morris exited his own office. Noticing Andy at his desk, he took in a deep breath, and walked over to him. Darryl still felt very conflicted about keeping the truth from him after what had happened, but he was determined to have his conversation with one of the sisters first. But he honestly didn't know how much longer he could hold out. He walked up behind Andy, patting him on the back.
"Hey, Michael. I didn't expect to see you here today. And early too. Shouldn't you be at home resting or something?"
It felt weird for him to be referring to his old partner by the name of Michael. Darryl watched as a peculiar, questioning glance crossed over Andy's features.
"What's the matter, man? You alright?" Darryl asked full of concern.
"Uh," Andy stuttered, looking to his desk, and then back up to his Captain before continuing. "Weren't you suppose to be meeting my wife right about now?" he asked, glancing down at his wrist-watch. His question was followed by a nervous laugh.
Uh-Oh, came Darryl's immediate thought. "Um, no, where did you get that idea?" he asked in all seriousness while shaking his head.
Andy pulled out the letter from his side pocket.
Damn it, I knew something was off!
He slammed the letter down on his desk for his Captain to read. "That's where I got the idea from!" he exclaimed while pointing.
As Darryl picked up the note to read its contents, Andy grabbed for his jacket and the holster holding his gun. He headed for the exit in a hurry with Darryl hot on his trail.
"Whoa, where are you going, buddy?" The last thing he wanted was for Andy to go and get himself killed. Again.
"I'm going exactly where that letter says she was going," replied Andy, exiting the precinct in a hurry, with Darryl still following closely behind him.
ooooo
Prue remained in her position, waiting for the strange man to answer her question.
"I said who are you?" she demanded a second time, in a much firmer tone of voice. Then she turned to address the man who looked exactly like Darryl. "And I thought you said to come alone?!" she challenged.
"I did!" the shape-shifter, looking like Darryl, sneered. Then he laughed. "I asked YOU to come alone. Which you did by the way, so I thank you very much."
Prue took a few steps backwards. What the hell was going on?
"Well, well!" chided Gideon, as he slowly approached the woman before him. "It's been a long time since we've last seen each other, Prue."
Prue continued to back up as the two men advanced on her. All of her senses screamed to her that something was definitely wrong.
Dammit. Now would be a really great time to be able to send someone flying on their ass!
Gideon's features turned dark as he spoke his next words. "And, of course, I do realize that I was one of the many Elders that promised you this wonderful new life with Andy but I'm afraid I'm going to have to renege on that little deal," Gideon wailed his arms around in the air, dramatically, as he spoke each word. "Sorry. I hope there are no hard feelings."
Prue concentrated really hard as she tried to will herself to move the men standing before her as far away from her as possible. She used her arm and moved it in a swift swaying motion. But nothing happened. Gideon, realizing what she was trying to accomplish, stopped advancing on her and let out a laugh.
"I must admit, I've always admired that unwavering determination of yours. You never give up do you? But, unfortunately, that's not going to save you this time," he snidely remarked.
Come on, come on. Do it!
Suddenly, she felt that all too familiar energy that burned to be released from inside of her. "Admire this!" she directed and just as Gideon was about to reach out for her, both men were lifted off of their feet and into the air, both landing on the ground.
Ha! It's about damn time!
Prue went to run past them but became distracted by the two men who were turning the corner. They were beginning to make their way down the alleyway when she recognized both of them immediately. "Michael," she muttered. Confusion spread over her face when she saw another Darryl with him.
"Marie!" Andy shouted, making out his wife standing with the two men getting up from the ground. He reached for his gun as he ran down the alleyway.
Unfortunately, Prue was distracted just long enough for Gideon to make his move. With her back turned towards him, he lifted his hand and released an energy ball that carried just enough voltage to knock her out, but not kill her. As the energy ball hit her in the back, she slumped to the ground unconscious.
"No!" Andy yelled, witnessing his wife slumping to ground. He had seen the man generate some form of energy from the palm of his hand and throw it at her. At the same time, the other man resembling Darryl, arose from the ground with a fireball in hand.
What the hell, came his thought as he witnessed the Darryl look-a-like advancing on him. Andy aimed the gun at him and fired multiple rounds, but the man took each bullet without faltering. Then he released the fireball in Andy's direction.
"Andy, no! Get down!" exclaimed Captain Morris as he pushed Andy to the ground from behind.
The fire just passed over their heads and hit the side of the adjacent building. However, just as both of them impacted the ground, the shape-shifter disintegrated into a pile of dust. Looking up, both Darryl and Andy noticed that the other man had been the one responsible for killing him. In a flash, he latched onto an unconscious Prue and vanished below the surface.
"Marie!" Andy hollered one last time in vain. Then, turning on Darryl, he demanded an answer. "What the hell just happened? And who the hell is Andy?"
Darryl looked to the ground, shaking his head. All that he was left with were his own regrets for not telling them the truth sooner. Now Prue was in danger and there was only one thing left to do. Tell Andy the truth and hope that he listens. Because they needed to get to the sisters and fast.
"You, buddy!" came the answer to his former partner's question.
To Be Continued ... okay, this chapter was a little bit shorter but it was meant to take you back to show you how Prue came to be in the Underworld. The next chapter will pick back up in the present. :o)
