Disclaimer: no ownership
A/N It's either feast or famine, I suppose. But, I do owe you guys a few chapters (as well as a few new episodes, not to mention the other episode as yet unfinished…) And I couldn't leave you all hanging on a cliff for another few weeks…Looks like my 'Thanksgiving Episode' will be late…No wonder the real writers have hiatus breaks!
(X)
Chris looked at the entering horde of demons with dread. One-on-one he could take them, maybe he alone could face 2, 3, possibly even 5, but he knew he was no match for the 20 that entered his small cave now. Squaring his shoulders, he vowed to himself that if he was going to die then he was going to take as many of them with him as he could!
(X)
Peyton backed away, hardly daring to breathe, least that slight sound awaken the demon leader sleeping on the bed before her. Nearing the stairs, knowing the small flight was directly behind her in that way you always know in dreams exactly where you are, she turned to descend. Running down the four steps she ran right into the arms of Phobos! Glancing behind her in surprise she saw that the bed was now empty. She faced the ruler of demons fearfully. Maybe most of her family could face demons without a flicker of fear but she was a sixteen year old, new to her powers witch facing the most lethal demon of them all. She was terrified!
(X)
Chris tk'd demon after demon away from himself as well as trying to telekinetically 'catch' fireballs and throw them back. He wasn't doing too badly but he felt himself growing tired. Two demons rushed at Chris at the same time and he tk'd them into each other, bouncing their heads together.
"Nice move, Little Brother. I always wondered why you liked those old Three Stooges movies, I never realized you were learning fighting techniques from them," Wyatt grinned at his brother. In response to Chris' unasked question, "Mel sensed you were in trouble, told me, I was with Bree and Nix, Bree blinked, here we are."
Chris grinned in relief at his rescuers, "I like that you're a man of few words Wy."
"Especially when he uses them as succinctly as he does," Phoenix added. "Uh, boys, can we do the group hug later?" She back flipped and kicked a demon under the chin.
Bree too was busy fighting demons. Water wasn't usually so dangerous but when Bree used her powers, water had the force of a fire hose. Easily knocking her adversaries back and, more often than not, down. Her power, while not too aggressive, did allow Wyatt, Chris and Nix an edge when fighting waterlogged, exhausted demons. The four quickly dispatched the 20 demons that Chris had no hope of overcoming alone. When the fight was finished, Chris glanced at Nix.
Quietly she reminded him, "You have us."
That's when they heard the scream from the familiar voice.
(X)
"Hello, Peyton," Phobos said in a welcoming voice, which terrified the young witch further. "Why do you look so scared?" He mused for a moment, "True, I didn't invite you into my chambers, but that's never really stopped you or your family before has it?" his voice a little less friendly now than when he welcomed her.
"I couldn't help it. I don't even know why I'm here," she stammered.
Phobos looked at Peyton interestedly, "Do you really think that my first casualty in the war with your family would be you?" He chuckled slightly, "Peyton, I want to make a statement, killing you…yes, it would be easy…but what would it say about me? I'd look like I was afraid to face someone of more… I apologize… power and wisdom. When the war begins, and it will," he assured her, "I will face you, maybe ten years from now… you'll be all that's left of the Halliwell legacy. But I can wait to end your family line with you, first I have all the older members to dispatch." Her scream of terror interrupted his speech. He cocked a brow, "A tad overdramatic, don't you think?"
Seconds later four witches blinked into his sanctuary. Phobos threw his hands up in exasperation, "Doesn't anyone knock any more?"
"What are you doing to my sister?" Phoenix demanded dangerously, placing herself protectively between Phobos and Peyton.
Peyton looked around in confusion, certain she was no longer dreaming but uncertain as to when her dream stopped and reality began.
"I'm not in the habit of hurting children," Phobos declared, "Although if I find her in my chambers again, I do know a few demons who aren't above…"
"You will stay away from her!" Wyatt cautioned, loudly.
Phobos made a show of rubbing his ears, "Screaming, yelling, bursting in unannounced, didn't your parents teach you any manners?" His playful, mocking tone vanished, "I have already said that she entered my chamber without permission. Take her and leave. Little sister," he addressed Peyton, "Stay close to your family. None of you are ready to face me, you in particular."
Wyatt threw his arms out to send an energy blast at Phobos, who raised a hand and froze the room. He headed towards Peyton, he looked her over, scrutinizing her face, "I will find out why I am unwilling to hurt you!" He vowed. "Why you, of all your family should be safe from me. When I find out, you won't be safe anymore, you'll be just like them," he sneered jerking his head towards her relatives. His gaze softened, inexplicably he kissed her forehead, gently, "Thanks for playing with me, Peyton." Unable to understand his own actions Phobos blinked away from his chambers, effectively unfreezing the room with his absence.
Wyatt, Phoenix, Bree and Chris looked around in confusion. "Where did he go?" Chris asked.
"I think he froze…us all," Peyton whispered, her face pale.
"That makes him a little scarier," Phoenix shivered, "Can you imagine a demon with the power to freeze non-demons, the way Aunt Piper has the power to freeze anyone who isn't a good witch?"
"Let's get out of here," Bree agreed.
Peyton looked guiltily at her rescuers, "Let's go."
(X)
uh oh…clues abound….who can figure it all out? Pretend cookies to anyone who does.