Author's Notes: This is second of the two epilogues to 'The Catalyst'. Next up will be the sequel.
Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed or any of its characters except the ones I make up. I do not seek to make profit out of this story.
Epilogue II: Bitter Taste of Hope
"Why did we have to loose Chris? Hasn't my family lost enough already? Answer me!" Leo demanded. The former elder was livid. In stark contrast, Ari was calm as ever.
"There are few events that are unavoidable. Chris did what had to be done in order to stop Gideon," the 'scion of balance' answered almost condescendingly. This infuriated Leo further.
"He did his job, is that it? He defeated your big bad source and you no longer need him. So you are going to discard him like yesterday's trash?" Leo growled. He was sick and tired of all of the so-called 'angels'.
"When Chris fulfills his destiny, I will make sure he lives a life he deserves. But his fight is far from over, Leo. We still need him to save the world," Ari answered. Leo was confused.
"What are you talking about? Gideon was behind all the recent mayhem. And he's gone," Leo said staring at the angel of destiny, suspiciously.
"Granted, Gideon was behind these attacks. But Leo, who do you think was behind Gideon?" Ari said raising his eyebrows. Leo's eyes widened.
"The lady! The one mentioned in the prophecy!" he whispers. Ari simply nodded.
"Where did you get that?" Junior asked Wyatt. The twice blessed was startled and tried to hide the diary by quickly closing the drawer. Junior rolled his eyes.
"I've already seen it. So you might as well tell me what you're doing with it," Henry Jr. said sitting besides his cousin. Wyatt closed his eyes for several long moments.
"It's Chris's diary from the past. The one he locked with his life force," Wyatt answered as if confessing to some great sin.
"I know what it is. Where did you get it? I thought Chris orbed it to a volcano," Junior said, with a frown firmly in place.
"I found it a long time ago. I was searching through the attic for something and found this instead. Obviously, I couldn't get it to open. So I conjured a replica and hid it in its place so that mom wouldn't find out. It wouldn't open no matter how much I tried. Eventually I lost interest and forgot about it till mom brought it out. Chris didn't bother to examine it closely; otherwise he would have instantly realized that it was a fake. He destroyed the fake," Wyatt explained.
"And you kept the original despite knowing you can never get it to open while Chris is alive?" Junior asked. Wyatt shrugged.
"I hoped to find some sort of loophole that would allow me to open it while Chris was still alive," Wyatt answered. Junior snorted.
"This is Chris's spell work. Trust me, there is no loophole. At least not one that you or I can find," Junior said with a hint of pride in his tone. Wyatt smiled sadly.
"You're afraid what you're going to find in there?" Junior asked knowingly. Wyatt shook his head as he wiped is tears. And then it dawned on Junior.
"You're afraid it will open now," He said understandingly. Wyatt nodded affirmative. He was staring at the diary as if it was a bomb about to go off. If the diary opened, it would be proof positive that his baby brother was really gone. Junior waited long moments for Wyatt to make a move. When he didn't he took things in his own hands. He picked it up and tried to open it.
"Junior!" Wyatt gasped, scared. He wasn't ready to face the reality. Junior turned away from his big cousin who was trying to snatch the diary from his hands. After a few moments of trying, he turned around... with a smile adorning his handsome face.
The diary did not open…
That's all, folks!