Forbidden Magic
Disclaimer: I don't own victorious
A/N: Important-What I am posting are the last few chapters. The battle is in three parts, so that's three individual things that do go together.
Chapter 21 (Preparing for Battle: The Plan)
"We laid the trap. All we can do now is wait for her to come." Jade listened to Sabrina talk to the coven, telling them of their plan. She was a little anxious in wondering whether her mother would come or not, but the woman desired one thing and was determined to get it. Therefore, leaving items that belonged to Jade gave a good chance that she would show up-as risky of a chance as it was.
They were going to take a chance to summon the spirit Orobas, a willing spirit that could command release of the souls trapped in Morgan. It was going to take a lot of time, and quite a bit of energy, so Piper was going to lead the coven witches in holding back Morgan and keeping her at bay while the summoning was taking place.
"Salem, you're to help Alex and Camryn put up a shield to keep Morgan from escaping." The cat perched himself on the rock and nodded hastily as the twins studied him. "Zelda and Hilda, you two work with Piper to contain and control Morgan until they can get back to help you."
"Understood," Zelda replied. "Maybe we should help build our energies some?" Sabrina looked to the fire burning in the middle of the camp. She tossed a stick of wood into it and drew out an exhale.
"Agreed. We should prepare ourselves." Sabrina stood and motioned for the others. Jade stepped next to Sabrina and took her hand, Paul did the same on her right. They formed a circle and closed their eyes as Sabrina led them into a chant.
Soon they all joined in the chant and Jade followed suit, feeling herself growing calm and relaxed while the energy within her began to rise. The environment around them, all the elements of air, water, fire and earth fueled them. Jade lifted her head up to the sky and breathed slowly as her spirit strengthened and grew high on the energy that surrounded them.
When they finished with their chant, her eyelids lifted halfway and any of her nerves had diminished away leaving only confidence and certainty. "Alex, Camryn, Salem. Prepare your spell." Sabrina spoke with the same level of calmness in her voice. The three witches moved off to different corners of the location, forming a triangle. "Good. Now…Aunt Zelda, Aunt Hilda, Piper…get ready."
The reason they were the ones chosen to start the fight with Morgan was because they were the oldest in the group, and very capable of holding Morgan off until Salem and the twins could join. Granted, Salem was much older than any of them, but he had to help the twins put into practice the strongest barrier they could work with, so they needed his experience.
Piper and the aunts found a spot to hide and continue their own chants and prayers to strengthen their own ability.
"Okay, this is it." Sabrina looked at Jade with a subtle smile and clapped her hands once. "Are you absolutely ready for this?" Jade looked up, no doubts filled her mind. "Because we need to rely on the others to fend her off, and if you, Paul, or even I have any doubts…We won't be able to summon Orobas correctly. If any of us at all are weakened, the whole plan could fall apart."
"I'm ready for this."
"Same here," Paul replied.
"Okay."
Jade could hear leaves rustling nearby and turned to them, feeling a negative presence approaching. "She's here," she whispered. Paul and Sabrina nodded and turned with her just as Morgan stepped into view. The woman still looked as though she'd aged forty years, which Jade was grateful for as it was a sign of weakening.
"You see," Morgan growled, "This is why I didn't want you getting involved with magic. It would have been much better had you never known my plans for you."
"I would never have done anything for you," Jade replied with a bitter tone in her voice. "I would and will fight you to my last breath if need be." She bared her teeth and clenched her fists as Morgan's glare burned into hers. "I would sooner die than to give myself to you."
"That…can be arranged. If I cannot use you, I will always find another way." Morgan took a step forward, her body tensed and her breath fell out with a subtle rasp. "But at the end of the day, you will join me. All of you will."
"So you've forgotten what it means to be human?"
"Who says I have forgotten?" Morgan laughed and reached up, sweeping the grey hair from her face. "I know very well how mortal I am. Why do you think I have been doing my work for so long?"
"You are a dark witch and you must be punished for your evil ways."
"What are you going to do?" Morgan circled her and slowly tapped her finger onto her chin. "Kill your own mother?" Jade stood her ground, not daring to allow her mom to manipulate her. "How willing are you to risk yourself? To kill me? Or should I say…" Morgan twisted around and curved her lips into a sly grin. "The lives of your very friends."
Jade's heart stalled and her eyes widened as Morgan's voice grew venomous and spiteful. "How often have each of your friends been over to our house, Jade? Can you remember?" She felt an frightening sensation creeping up her spine. Each of them, even Andre and Robbie had been over, but what was the circumstance? "How many times have I prepared a snack for them? They've all partaken in some sort of treat."
"What? What did you do to them!"
"Calm," Sabrina whispered, "Stay calm and don't let her shake you."
Jade nodded as Morgan threw her head back in another deep, bellowing laugh. "Oh nothing my dear, but I'll have you know that part of my soul was baked into every treat they ever ate. Corrupting them, connecting them." Jade moved her hand up to her chest and shook her head in disbelief. "If you kill me. You kill them."
"No…"
"What are their names again, sweetie?" Jade felt her knees buckling and she pushed her shaking hands into her pockets. Morgan closed her eyes and started to chuckle. "Cat. Tori. Robbie. Andre, and who else?"
"N-No."
"Ah yes. Sweet little Beckett." Morgan licked her lips and narrowed her eyes. The motion sent a shiver throughout Jade's body as she sank back. "The man you love, adore…I have some pride as a mother, I know what you two do behind closed doors." Tears started at Jade's eyes and she quickly shook her head.
"No. We haven't done anything."
"It will please me to see him, above all others, pass away freely-his heart exploding from within."
Paul set his hand to Jade's shoulder and leaned down, whispering to her. "She's trying to psyche you out. Don't let her." It was easy to see, since Jade was the newest person here she could technically be pulled away the easiest. "The one we're summoning controls spirits. Orobas will sever those 'connections', and your friends will live. Remember that, Jade. No matter what this woman tells you, remember that nobody else will be affected."
"What are you telling her?" Morgan lifted her arm and stretched her index finger out. Paul snapped upright and let out a loud painful yelp. The woman's eyes narrowed and her lips turned into a scowl. "Paul, you traitor. I knew I should have just killed you many years ago."
"That's…" He let out a groan and Jade's eyes widened as he struggled to lift his hand. "Your problem!" He uttered a statement and Morgan's body twisted around to the right. She screamed out and Paul took a step back, taking in a deep breath. "You're too late, you can't play your games anymore."
"We released the statues already," Sabrina stepped in front of Paul and Jade, narrowing her eyes as Morgan shot her a wide eyed glare. "I'm sure you're already aware of that. I'm also sure you're aware that your little zombie puppets are gone too."
Morgan turned her eyes up as three flashes of light shot into the sky, forming a triangle around them. "What's this? A barrier spell? You're creating a barrier spell?" It wasn't completed just yet, but it was an indicator that the process had begun. "Are you sure this is wisest?"
Jade swept her tears away, her blood was pushing her anger throughout her body and swelling with determination. She was confident in what Paul said about Orobas, and certain that he would keep her friends safe.
"Yes, mother." Morgan's eyes snapped to her and the woman started to scowl. "This is where it ends, you can't manipulate your way out of this. We will free the souls you've eaten all these years. That includes the Salem witches."
"What? The people in the trials? Oh please-half of them weren't even real witches! That whole thing just got out of hand, it was…" She curled a wrinkled finger over her lips and moved her eyes to the corners of her sockets, narrowing them. "Depressing. Such a shame the entire town believed a couple children who were up to no good and didn't want to be punished for their childish actions."
"Yeah, a lot of innocent people lost their lives because of them, and you're no better."
"Oh I'm not?"
"No! You're not. All you've ever done is cause pain and misery." Jade poked an accusing finger at her and narrowed her eyes as Morgan took a small step back and flared her nostrils. "You've ripped people from family, from friends, and you've destroyed so many lives throughout the years. It's a wonder no one stopped you earlier."
"No one dared try because they were much smarter. Smarter than a group of renegade, vigilante children that need to be taught their place." She lifted her hand up and growled. The feeling in Jade's legs started to numb and she looked down with a yelp, unable to move. Sabrina and Paul were reacting with the same level of surprise. "I always tried to be careful not to over-discipline, but I see now the error of my ways. Children must learn to sit quietly and not speak out against their elders."
Sabrina lifted her head, scoffing at Morgan. "It begins. Sometimes old people need to learn their place in society too, so sit down and shut up like a good elder." The woman raised an eyebrow as Sabrina snapped her fingers. "Now!" Piper, Zelda and Hilda emerged from their hiding spot and Morgan turned her head over her shoulder, glancing in surprise as the three women uttered a spell that toppled Morgan to the ground with incredible force.
The feeling returned to Jade's legs and she ran towards the center fire with her older siblings. She looked over her shoulder to see Morgan rising up and facing the three women with a vicious snarl.
"Jade, are you alright?"
Jade looked back to Sabrina and nodded. "I'm fine. Orobas will protect my friends."
"Yeah. Good, we need to start this now. They'll keep her at bay until we can summon Orobas. Just be calm, patient, and don't let yourself be afraid."
"I won't. Let's join hands." She took their hands and formed a circle around the fire.
As they started the chant, they could hear Morgan's pained grunts. It was a challenged not to look and see what was going on, she trusted Piper and the others to handle this situation.
"Orobas hear us," Sabrina started, "We ask of your assistance and protection." Jade felt a rush of wind at her back, but it wasn't a calming one. It was Morgan attempting to pull the group apart, but Zelda had somehow twisted the attack away.
Remember, this along with 22 and 23 are the battle in three parts. 24 is the final chapter. That is why I am posting them now.