PART IX-- THE CHALLENGES
CHAPTER ONE: CAREY'S CHALLENGE
WITHIN THE OLD ROBERT'S HOUSE
"He's already filling the witches and mortals in on the challenge at hand." The man informed his companion. He smiled wickedly at his life mate and partner.
She beamed at her husband, then focused it on a young sleeping form on her lap. "They will surely fall, my love. And soon, the prize, which is that Fiona Phillip's essence and her powers, will at once belong to our dear daughter."
"You do realize, darling, that we cannot fail. Making a deal with the Higher Powers does have its advantages and disadvantages."
"Of course. If we fail, which we won't, we are sentenced back to eternal damnation… but we will capture that child's spirit, my husband." The woman began to stroke her daughter's silky dark hair. "It will be like killing two birds with one stone. They will be rid of the threat that she posses upon them, and we will be the proud parents of the most powerful, most atrocious witch mankind has or will ever know."
He chuckled, "And there's nothing that the Charmed Ones can do about it, once our Angel receives the Phillip's child's prowess."
*Once you do capture that wretched girl's powers, you'll free me. Was that not the deal?*
The woman snapped her head towards that voice. Her dark eyes were blazing as she hissed at the spirit, "Novania! Can't you see that my daughter is asleep?!"
*Answer me, crone! I must know!*
She stared daggers at Novania, daring it to speak another word. Suddenly, with the flick of her wrist, a defining fireball emerged and struck the spirit into the wall.
"Do not speak, Novania, until you are otherwise given permission to. Now I suggest that if you wish to keep up your strength, you leave."
A flicker of light could be seen climbing the walls, until it disappeared all together.
The woman sighed, closing her eyes. She then opened them, the eyes dancing wildly in the flaming spirit of her soul. "As soon as we have no other use of her, I want to be rid of that awful creature from the face of this earth."
"Once this is over, my love, I will see to her demise."
"So let's get this over with then." A sudden shimmering ball appeared between the unholy couple. The round light glowed as an image came into view. The woman had the most twisted grin on her face. "He will be the first."
"Wise choice, darling." He applauded, his mind focusing on the innocent, unbeknownst face of Carey Bell…
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Carey stood on the sidelines as everyone present drifted into their own little groups. Clu was with Fi, helping each other out with their newfound abilities. Annie was striking up a friendly conversation with Jimmy, while Jack, Leo, and Piper were filling Prue in on the latest information.
His focus was on Prue, yet he would find himself gazing on the happy couple that is his brother and Fiona.
Carey was both proud and envious of Clu. His brother had the love of a special woman, and obviously returned it. And that was the paradox right there. Carey only wanted the best for his little brother, yet he himself wanted what Clu had found and kept within hearts reach.
The young man closed his eyes, sitting himself down in the corner of the attic. His whole entire mind, body, heart, and soul began to slow down on him.
He was so tired… but why? Maybe it's due to the excitement of what's been happening lately… no, that can't be it. Fi and Annie have dragged him through worst situations before.
Why was he even questioning it? Why even fight it? Carey was just plain tired, and there was nothing abnormal about feeling drained out and wanting to rest up a bit. Besides, he could wake himself up at anytime. "Just shut-up and relax, Carey." He told himself, before shutting down his whole entire system.
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Annie's gaze flickered onto Carey. Her heart melted as she saw him fast asleep on the attic floor. She nudged Jimmy, indicating the ever sleepy Carey Bell.
"Aww," Jimmy cooed jokingly. He smirked, "Look at our little Carey, all tuckered out."
"Jimmy," Annie slapped him playfully, even though she couldn't helping laughing herself. "He's adorable, curled up like a ball."
"Hey guys," He called the others, "Check out Carey over there."
Everyone glanced at Carey. They all attempted to hold back a laugh, especially Jack and Clu.
"If he's tired," Piper said, "I think we should wake him up and let him rest on something more comfortable."
"I'll do it." Offered Clu as he walked over towards his brother.
"Why don't I do it, hon." Fiona suggested. "Carey won't even dare to attempt killing me if I tried to wake him, but you on the other hand…"
Clu smirked, "Funny, Fi. That's right, unlike you, I'm replaceable."
"Yeah," Fiona teased right back, "But it takes time to break in a boyfriend… and you know I'm not that patient, Clu."
He kneeled down besides Carey, and began to shake him. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty. C'mon now, wake up sunshine." Clu turned his brother over on his back, still shaking him. "C'mon, Carey, wake up."
As they watched Clu try to wake up his brother, Fiona, Jack, and Leo felt something unsettling in the pit of their stomachs. Leo gazed up, receiving information from above. His face went through various emotions. From realization to shock to urgency to determination. He quickly made his way to Carey's side, much to the confusion of the others.
"Carey!" Leo also began to shake him out of slumber. "Carey, wake up! C'mon, Carey—wake up!"
"Leo? What's going on?" Piper went to his side, as did the others.
His eyes laid on Fiona, as if talking to her only. "He's the first one to be tested."
"What?!?" Clu and Fiona exclaimed out loud.
"Oh my gosh! Carey!" Annie placed her hand over her mouth in shock, while the other pointed at his very still, very pale form.
"Look at him," Jimmy spoke up, his own voice mirroring Annie's reaction. "It's as if his soul is draining away from his body."
"Leo, you have to do something!" Fiona felt this unexplainable terror as she watched Carey's life slip away. This can't happen to Carey. He means so much to everyone. Fiona needed him, for who else can she also pick on if not Jack? She loved Carey as much as Clu did… Fi met eyes with Clu, and her heart went out to him. Clu can't lose his big brother. He just can't lose the one being in this world that can protect him like Carey can.
"You're a white lighter, Leo. You can heal him." Prue said, but was let down when Leo shook his head.
"I can't, Prue. He's already near death… I just can't."
"But you can try!" Both Clu and Prue proclaimed.
"Please, Leo!" Fiona begged, "We can't lose Carey."
"But it's not my fight, Fiona." He said to her. His gaze returned to Carey, "It's his… and yours."
"I don't understand, Leo." Fi tried to fight back her tears. Her hands were shaking, "And even if I did, I wouldn't know what to do! I mean, what can I do?! You said it yourself, if I lift at least one of my magick fingers, the game is over and I lose! We lose!" She jumped to her feet, allowing them to take her to the opposite side of the room. Fi felt herself breaking down when she knew in her heart that she shouldn't.
Fi closed her eyes, trying to regain composure. What can she do? What can't she do? How can she help Carey—yet not help him?
It was then that she felt a pair of safe and comforting arms surrounding her petite body. She knew who it was, and was only saddened by his embrace instead of blessed by it.
"I want to help him, Clu. But I don't know what to do."
Holding her tight, "Leo said that one of the rules is that you cannot use your powers in anyway."
"So what's left, Clu?"
"Faith." He said simply. "That's how you can help him—and all of us when we finally face our battle in this war." Clu turned her around, making sure that she was facing him. He looked into her eyes, "Just have faith that Carey will make it out on his own. That's how you can help. Believe in him… and in yourself."
"Clu's right, Fiona." Jack spoke up. His eyes were warm and brave. "You have so much faith, and it's that inner strength that makes you so strong."
"I do believe in him… but I'm afraid that I'll fail him!"
"Fiona," Leo got up and made his way to her. "You won't fail. You won't fail him, or anyone of us, because you care too much about us to give up. Don't doubt yourself, Fiona. I know you're stronger than that."
Fi's eyes found themselves on Carey. Her heart was breaking at the sight of him. They were right. The only way she could help Carey is to just be there for him. To let his spirit know that she will be by his side through the best and the worst. With courage in her soul, she came to his side, gently taking his pale hands into hers.
"Please, Carey. Make it back to us safely. We believe in you… and we're all waiting for your safe return." She whispered to him, placing a kind kiss on his forehead.
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*Carey…*
A heavy mist formed. His eyes had to adjust to the dark and to the light surrounding him.
*Carey…*
That voice. Why does it sound so familiar?
*Father? Father, can you hear me?*
Father? Who was that calling out to him, and calling him "father"?
It was then that the mist cleared a path for her to emerge from the darkness. Carey was blown away from the sight of her. "Cassandra?"
This was a dream! It had to be…
The woman in red opened her arms out to him, *My husband! For years I've waited for us to be reunited.*
Carey pinched himself, then winced as he felt it. He looked at her, then at his own hands and appearance. "It has to be a dream!" He proclaimed aloud. "Either that… or I'm dead!"
*Does it matter, my love?* She made her way to him, her loving arms around him.
He looked into her own mirrors to the soul, wanting to see how real this—well, whatever this fantasy thing—was. As he stared into them, he found himself drowning and falling into a very comforting familiar emotion.
"It is you." Carey said at last, both in awe and confused happiness.
*You did not remember me?* She teased, her presence intoxicating him.
"I did… but," He couldn't find the words to describe how he suddenly felt. Everything about her felt so… so right, yet so wrong. "Is this heaven? Am I dead?"
*My dear Carey,* Cassandra giggled, *What matters is that you are here and that you're finally reunited with your family.* She turned towards the darkness, calling out a single name that brought surprising joy into Carey's heart. *Abigail? Abigail, sweetheart, your father's here.*
"Abigail…" Carey sighed, his eyes witnessing the appearance of a younger version of himself and Cassandra. She had her mother's eyes, but her father's light sun-kissed hair. This Abigail, who looked barely over seven years old, had the maturity of a young woman. When she appeared from the mist, Carey was instantly mesmerized. He released himself from Cassandra, and ran to swoop the child into his arms.
*Daddy!* She giggled, as Carey held her tight.
"My Abigail! How could I have forgotten you?" He looked into her eyes, falling back in love with the daughter he left so long ago. "Please forgive me, Abigail. I had no idea…"
*All is forgiven, father.* She said simply. *As long as you promise to never leave me and mother again.*
Cassandra joined them, placing her arms around her husband. *Please, Carey. Stay with us. We missed you so much.*
Carey looked at his Cassandra and Abigail, remembering the lives they were supposed to live, yet was unable to. If he stayed, he could live his life with the two most important women in the world to him.
The mist swirled around them, yet they were not affected by it. All Carey felt was warmth and lost love now found. He had gotten back the life that he had wanted so long ago, and still wanted in his present life…
His eyes blinked back the sudden images in his brain. Images of a family. A mother and father. A younger brother who annoyed him, yet loved him dearly. An extended family with another mother, two younger sisters, and younger brother. Especially a young woman with a heart of gold, and a spunk like no other.
*Carey? Darling, what's wrong?*
*Daddy? Are you okay?*
He shook his head, feeling extremely dizzy. He had to sit down, and he did so. Carey had set Abigail down, then found the floor himself. Cassandra and Abigail stayed by his side, eyes worried.
"Something doesn't feel right?" He finally spoke. The images were flashing through him like a movie. He was playing music, which was his first love besides his family and girls. He was going on weird adventures with either the girl with spunk or the girl with a gift for music, but a heart that was equally as pure. He saw himself comforting his younger brother, and another young man in which he also felt the same connection with.
"Stop it!" He cried in anguish, holding his head in his hands. The flashes of memories were too quick, too overwhelming for him.
"Anthony?"
Carey's head snapped, the pictures vanishing into the night. He looked up, recognizing the voice, and the name that the voice had called out.
"Anthony, please. You must leave this place!"
"Cassandra?" Carey, also known in the past life as Anthony, stood up. A light shone from the depths of the dark as a woman of purity emerged. She was everything that Carey could ever ask for an angel… for a wife and mother of his baby Abigail.
Cassandra, dressed in white, appeared before him. Her raven hair shone as the silver streaks radiated her love for her past husband.
"Anthony, you must leave. Everything is not what it seems. You may hold the spirit of my Anthony, but you were reborn into a wonderful man named Carey Bell."
"I don't get it." He approached her, wanting to hold her soft hand once again.
"I lost my husband, Abigail's father, many lifetimes ago. I see a part of him in you, but I also see Carey Bell." She glared dangerously at the two figures behind him. "They are not who they say they are. Look at them, Carey. You were blinded by desire to gain a love you lost so long ago, but you must see past it. For there is a type of love out there just waiting for you to hold on to it."
Carey turned around and gasped. He took a step back as he watched "Cassandra" and "Abigail" transform into two ugly, twisted, dark shadows. They attempted to pull him back into the darkness, but he quickly stepped into the light surrounding the real spirit of Cassandra.
As he did so, one last image shot into his mind. It was of Fiona, only he couldn't remember ever seeing her with such sad yet brave eyes.
"You are seeing something that you couldn't see for yourself. Looking through another person's eyes, you'll see a young woman who has so much faith in your return home from the dark." Cassandra whispered to him.
"But what about you? And our daughter?" He asked, not wanting to leave behind his lost love.
"Carey, to you, we are just a dream. To Anthony, we will wait all eternity for his return, because we believe in his love and in him. Just like your family, and this Fiona, believes in your safe arrival home."
A newfound courage took control of him. He beamed bravely at Cassandra, "Speaking on Anthony's behalf, he misses you two so very much."
"We miss him too."
With that, light engulfed him, and sent the twisted shadows into despair. Carey hold fast as he felt the warm glow around him. The same images began to play, but all were not harmful to him like before. Instead, they brought only peace.
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"You know, I remember the time when Carey poured glue all over me."
Everyone in the room stared at Clu as he chuckled fondly at that memory. He looked up, "What?"
Instead of giving him the usual look, they all smiled.
"I remember," Jack began, turning this semi-tragic event into a game, "I remember the time when Carey pulled this nasty prank on Clu—"
"Hey!" He protested, "I already recalled one humiliating memory on myself. You have to tell one that involves you!"
Fiona laughed softly as she watched her boyfriend's and her brother's interaction. Her hand was still holding Carey's, keeping it warm until he would finally awake from his slumber.
"What?! Why? All the best Carey events involve the embarrassment of one Clu Bell." Jack snickered. "Isn't that right?" He asked, looking towards Annie and Fiona.
Just as the girls' were about to respond, someone had beat them to the punch.
"Darn straight it is…" Carey murmured, his eyes partly closed, but non the less alive and awake.
"See, what I'd—" Jack stopped in mid-sentence. He stared at Clu, then at Fiona, who had the biggest grin on her face.
"Carey!!!" Everyone cried out, rushing to his side.
Carey jumped to his feet before everyone could crash into him. The color had returned to his face, and he looked as if nothing had happened to him. In fact, he actually looked like he awoke from a well deserved nap.
Clu was the first one to hug Carey. He swooped his big brother into a huge hug, "You're awake! You're alive, bro!"
Carey returned the gesture, but then cried to him, "Clu? Clu, dude, air!"
"Oh!" Clu released him, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, bro. Guess I got carried away."
"You think?" He asked, on the brink of laughing joyously himself.
The next person was Annie, who was just as merciful as Clu. "We are never letting you fall asleep in strange places ever again, Carey!" She proclaimed, unable to release him just yet.
"Annie," Carey hugged her back, then kissed the top of her forehead. "I will hold you to that."
After Annie, Jack approached Carey. He tentatively held out his hand, "Carey,"
He took the hand, shaking it, "Jack,"
Both guys looked at each other, then smiled as they gave each other a brotherly three point five second hug.
Jack beamed at his "brother." "Glad you're okay, Carey."
Jimmy and Leo both gave Carey a brotherly hug, each saying how glad they were to see him awake and kicking.
Piper and Prue each hugged him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Prue's kiss however had more of an affect on Carey than Piper's did.
Lastly, but not least, he turned to Fiona.
She stood there, just watching him, a smile on her face.
"Fi…" He began. Carey was about to say more, but Fiona rushed him and enveloped him into the hardest and warmest hug ever given.
"I'm sorry, Carey." She cried in his arms.
"What?! What for, Fi?"
"I almost gave up on you… gave up on my faith that you'd make it… almost gave up on myself as well…"
"Fiona,"
"But I knew in my heart that you had to survive." She brushed away her tears, "In my heart, I had to recognize the faith I had in you. Only then could I actually help you."
"And you did, Fiona." He smiled, "I passed my test with flying colors. I won my battle because of you." He also looked at everyone else, "Because of all of you."
Fiona reached up to hug him again, this time with no tears of sadness or of joy.
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"Oh hell!" She cried, throwing a fireball into the empty hearth.
"Calm down, darling." The man walked behind her, massaging her tense shoulders.
"He wasn't suppose to pass! The mortal was supposed to fall into the darkness that I have prepared just for him!"
"Relax, my love." He suggested. With a free hand, he formed another clear ball of light. "So they have one victory… but the war isn't even half way through. We have many more battles in this cruel war. And we will come out victorious." He promised her.
She sighed in content as her husband got rid of the knots in her shoulders. Another wicked grin appeared on her face, "So, who is our next target?"
"Do you feel like killing two birds with one stone?" He asked, an evil smile on his face as two images appeared in the ball…
CHAPTER ONE: CAREY'S CHALLENGE
WITHIN THE OLD ROBERT'S HOUSE
"He's already filling the witches and mortals in on the challenge at hand." The man informed his companion. He smiled wickedly at his life mate and partner.
She beamed at her husband, then focused it on a young sleeping form on her lap. "They will surely fall, my love. And soon, the prize, which is that Fiona Phillip's essence and her powers, will at once belong to our dear daughter."
"You do realize, darling, that we cannot fail. Making a deal with the Higher Powers does have its advantages and disadvantages."
"Of course. If we fail, which we won't, we are sentenced back to eternal damnation… but we will capture that child's spirit, my husband." The woman began to stroke her daughter's silky dark hair. "It will be like killing two birds with one stone. They will be rid of the threat that she posses upon them, and we will be the proud parents of the most powerful, most atrocious witch mankind has or will ever know."
He chuckled, "And there's nothing that the Charmed Ones can do about it, once our Angel receives the Phillip's child's prowess."
*Once you do capture that wretched girl's powers, you'll free me. Was that not the deal?*
The woman snapped her head towards that voice. Her dark eyes were blazing as she hissed at the spirit, "Novania! Can't you see that my daughter is asleep?!"
*Answer me, crone! I must know!*
She stared daggers at Novania, daring it to speak another word. Suddenly, with the flick of her wrist, a defining fireball emerged and struck the spirit into the wall.
"Do not speak, Novania, until you are otherwise given permission to. Now I suggest that if you wish to keep up your strength, you leave."
A flicker of light could be seen climbing the walls, until it disappeared all together.
The woman sighed, closing her eyes. She then opened them, the eyes dancing wildly in the flaming spirit of her soul. "As soon as we have no other use of her, I want to be rid of that awful creature from the face of this earth."
"Once this is over, my love, I will see to her demise."
"So let's get this over with then." A sudden shimmering ball appeared between the unholy couple. The round light glowed as an image came into view. The woman had the most twisted grin on her face. "He will be the first."
"Wise choice, darling." He applauded, his mind focusing on the innocent, unbeknownst face of Carey Bell…
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Carey stood on the sidelines as everyone present drifted into their own little groups. Clu was with Fi, helping each other out with their newfound abilities. Annie was striking up a friendly conversation with Jimmy, while Jack, Leo, and Piper were filling Prue in on the latest information.
His focus was on Prue, yet he would find himself gazing on the happy couple that is his brother and Fiona.
Carey was both proud and envious of Clu. His brother had the love of a special woman, and obviously returned it. And that was the paradox right there. Carey only wanted the best for his little brother, yet he himself wanted what Clu had found and kept within hearts reach.
The young man closed his eyes, sitting himself down in the corner of the attic. His whole entire mind, body, heart, and soul began to slow down on him.
He was so tired… but why? Maybe it's due to the excitement of what's been happening lately… no, that can't be it. Fi and Annie have dragged him through worst situations before.
Why was he even questioning it? Why even fight it? Carey was just plain tired, and there was nothing abnormal about feeling drained out and wanting to rest up a bit. Besides, he could wake himself up at anytime. "Just shut-up and relax, Carey." He told himself, before shutting down his whole entire system.
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Annie's gaze flickered onto Carey. Her heart melted as she saw him fast asleep on the attic floor. She nudged Jimmy, indicating the ever sleepy Carey Bell.
"Aww," Jimmy cooed jokingly. He smirked, "Look at our little Carey, all tuckered out."
"Jimmy," Annie slapped him playfully, even though she couldn't helping laughing herself. "He's adorable, curled up like a ball."
"Hey guys," He called the others, "Check out Carey over there."
Everyone glanced at Carey. They all attempted to hold back a laugh, especially Jack and Clu.
"If he's tired," Piper said, "I think we should wake him up and let him rest on something more comfortable."
"I'll do it." Offered Clu as he walked over towards his brother.
"Why don't I do it, hon." Fiona suggested. "Carey won't even dare to attempt killing me if I tried to wake him, but you on the other hand…"
Clu smirked, "Funny, Fi. That's right, unlike you, I'm replaceable."
"Yeah," Fiona teased right back, "But it takes time to break in a boyfriend… and you know I'm not that patient, Clu."
He kneeled down besides Carey, and began to shake him. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty. C'mon now, wake up sunshine." Clu turned his brother over on his back, still shaking him. "C'mon, Carey, wake up."
As they watched Clu try to wake up his brother, Fiona, Jack, and Leo felt something unsettling in the pit of their stomachs. Leo gazed up, receiving information from above. His face went through various emotions. From realization to shock to urgency to determination. He quickly made his way to Carey's side, much to the confusion of the others.
"Carey!" Leo also began to shake him out of slumber. "Carey, wake up! C'mon, Carey—wake up!"
"Leo? What's going on?" Piper went to his side, as did the others.
His eyes laid on Fiona, as if talking to her only. "He's the first one to be tested."
"What?!?" Clu and Fiona exclaimed out loud.
"Oh my gosh! Carey!" Annie placed her hand over her mouth in shock, while the other pointed at his very still, very pale form.
"Look at him," Jimmy spoke up, his own voice mirroring Annie's reaction. "It's as if his soul is draining away from his body."
"Leo, you have to do something!" Fiona felt this unexplainable terror as she watched Carey's life slip away. This can't happen to Carey. He means so much to everyone. Fiona needed him, for who else can she also pick on if not Jack? She loved Carey as much as Clu did… Fi met eyes with Clu, and her heart went out to him. Clu can't lose his big brother. He just can't lose the one being in this world that can protect him like Carey can.
"You're a white lighter, Leo. You can heal him." Prue said, but was let down when Leo shook his head.
"I can't, Prue. He's already near death… I just can't."
"But you can try!" Both Clu and Prue proclaimed.
"Please, Leo!" Fiona begged, "We can't lose Carey."
"But it's not my fight, Fiona." He said to her. His gaze returned to Carey, "It's his… and yours."
"I don't understand, Leo." Fi tried to fight back her tears. Her hands were shaking, "And even if I did, I wouldn't know what to do! I mean, what can I do?! You said it yourself, if I lift at least one of my magick fingers, the game is over and I lose! We lose!" She jumped to her feet, allowing them to take her to the opposite side of the room. Fi felt herself breaking down when she knew in her heart that she shouldn't.
Fi closed her eyes, trying to regain composure. What can she do? What can't she do? How can she help Carey—yet not help him?
It was then that she felt a pair of safe and comforting arms surrounding her petite body. She knew who it was, and was only saddened by his embrace instead of blessed by it.
"I want to help him, Clu. But I don't know what to do."
Holding her tight, "Leo said that one of the rules is that you cannot use your powers in anyway."
"So what's left, Clu?"
"Faith." He said simply. "That's how you can help him—and all of us when we finally face our battle in this war." Clu turned her around, making sure that she was facing him. He looked into her eyes, "Just have faith that Carey will make it out on his own. That's how you can help. Believe in him… and in yourself."
"Clu's right, Fiona." Jack spoke up. His eyes were warm and brave. "You have so much faith, and it's that inner strength that makes you so strong."
"I do believe in him… but I'm afraid that I'll fail him!"
"Fiona," Leo got up and made his way to her. "You won't fail. You won't fail him, or anyone of us, because you care too much about us to give up. Don't doubt yourself, Fiona. I know you're stronger than that."
Fi's eyes found themselves on Carey. Her heart was breaking at the sight of him. They were right. The only way she could help Carey is to just be there for him. To let his spirit know that she will be by his side through the best and the worst. With courage in her soul, she came to his side, gently taking his pale hands into hers.
"Please, Carey. Make it back to us safely. We believe in you… and we're all waiting for your safe return." She whispered to him, placing a kind kiss on his forehead.
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*Carey…*
A heavy mist formed. His eyes had to adjust to the dark and to the light surrounding him.
*Carey…*
That voice. Why does it sound so familiar?
*Father? Father, can you hear me?*
Father? Who was that calling out to him, and calling him "father"?
It was then that the mist cleared a path for her to emerge from the darkness. Carey was blown away from the sight of her. "Cassandra?"
This was a dream! It had to be…
The woman in red opened her arms out to him, *My husband! For years I've waited for us to be reunited.*
Carey pinched himself, then winced as he felt it. He looked at her, then at his own hands and appearance. "It has to be a dream!" He proclaimed aloud. "Either that… or I'm dead!"
*Does it matter, my love?* She made her way to him, her loving arms around him.
He looked into her own mirrors to the soul, wanting to see how real this—well, whatever this fantasy thing—was. As he stared into them, he found himself drowning and falling into a very comforting familiar emotion.
"It is you." Carey said at last, both in awe and confused happiness.
*You did not remember me?* She teased, her presence intoxicating him.
"I did… but," He couldn't find the words to describe how he suddenly felt. Everything about her felt so… so right, yet so wrong. "Is this heaven? Am I dead?"
*My dear Carey,* Cassandra giggled, *What matters is that you are here and that you're finally reunited with your family.* She turned towards the darkness, calling out a single name that brought surprising joy into Carey's heart. *Abigail? Abigail, sweetheart, your father's here.*
"Abigail…" Carey sighed, his eyes witnessing the appearance of a younger version of himself and Cassandra. She had her mother's eyes, but her father's light sun-kissed hair. This Abigail, who looked barely over seven years old, had the maturity of a young woman. When she appeared from the mist, Carey was instantly mesmerized. He released himself from Cassandra, and ran to swoop the child into his arms.
*Daddy!* She giggled, as Carey held her tight.
"My Abigail! How could I have forgotten you?" He looked into her eyes, falling back in love with the daughter he left so long ago. "Please forgive me, Abigail. I had no idea…"
*All is forgiven, father.* She said simply. *As long as you promise to never leave me and mother again.*
Cassandra joined them, placing her arms around her husband. *Please, Carey. Stay with us. We missed you so much.*
Carey looked at his Cassandra and Abigail, remembering the lives they were supposed to live, yet was unable to. If he stayed, he could live his life with the two most important women in the world to him.
The mist swirled around them, yet they were not affected by it. All Carey felt was warmth and lost love now found. He had gotten back the life that he had wanted so long ago, and still wanted in his present life…
His eyes blinked back the sudden images in his brain. Images of a family. A mother and father. A younger brother who annoyed him, yet loved him dearly. An extended family with another mother, two younger sisters, and younger brother. Especially a young woman with a heart of gold, and a spunk like no other.
*Carey? Darling, what's wrong?*
*Daddy? Are you okay?*
He shook his head, feeling extremely dizzy. He had to sit down, and he did so. Carey had set Abigail down, then found the floor himself. Cassandra and Abigail stayed by his side, eyes worried.
"Something doesn't feel right?" He finally spoke. The images were flashing through him like a movie. He was playing music, which was his first love besides his family and girls. He was going on weird adventures with either the girl with spunk or the girl with a gift for music, but a heart that was equally as pure. He saw himself comforting his younger brother, and another young man in which he also felt the same connection with.
"Stop it!" He cried in anguish, holding his head in his hands. The flashes of memories were too quick, too overwhelming for him.
"Anthony?"
Carey's head snapped, the pictures vanishing into the night. He looked up, recognizing the voice, and the name that the voice had called out.
"Anthony, please. You must leave this place!"
"Cassandra?" Carey, also known in the past life as Anthony, stood up. A light shone from the depths of the dark as a woman of purity emerged. She was everything that Carey could ever ask for an angel… for a wife and mother of his baby Abigail.
Cassandra, dressed in white, appeared before him. Her raven hair shone as the silver streaks radiated her love for her past husband.
"Anthony, you must leave. Everything is not what it seems. You may hold the spirit of my Anthony, but you were reborn into a wonderful man named Carey Bell."
"I don't get it." He approached her, wanting to hold her soft hand once again.
"I lost my husband, Abigail's father, many lifetimes ago. I see a part of him in you, but I also see Carey Bell." She glared dangerously at the two figures behind him. "They are not who they say they are. Look at them, Carey. You were blinded by desire to gain a love you lost so long ago, but you must see past it. For there is a type of love out there just waiting for you to hold on to it."
Carey turned around and gasped. He took a step back as he watched "Cassandra" and "Abigail" transform into two ugly, twisted, dark shadows. They attempted to pull him back into the darkness, but he quickly stepped into the light surrounding the real spirit of Cassandra.
As he did so, one last image shot into his mind. It was of Fiona, only he couldn't remember ever seeing her with such sad yet brave eyes.
"You are seeing something that you couldn't see for yourself. Looking through another person's eyes, you'll see a young woman who has so much faith in your return home from the dark." Cassandra whispered to him.
"But what about you? And our daughter?" He asked, not wanting to leave behind his lost love.
"Carey, to you, we are just a dream. To Anthony, we will wait all eternity for his return, because we believe in his love and in him. Just like your family, and this Fiona, believes in your safe arrival home."
A newfound courage took control of him. He beamed bravely at Cassandra, "Speaking on Anthony's behalf, he misses you two so very much."
"We miss him too."
With that, light engulfed him, and sent the twisted shadows into despair. Carey hold fast as he felt the warm glow around him. The same images began to play, but all were not harmful to him like before. Instead, they brought only peace.
===================================================================
"You know, I remember the time when Carey poured glue all over me."
Everyone in the room stared at Clu as he chuckled fondly at that memory. He looked up, "What?"
Instead of giving him the usual look, they all smiled.
"I remember," Jack began, turning this semi-tragic event into a game, "I remember the time when Carey pulled this nasty prank on Clu—"
"Hey!" He protested, "I already recalled one humiliating memory on myself. You have to tell one that involves you!"
Fiona laughed softly as she watched her boyfriend's and her brother's interaction. Her hand was still holding Carey's, keeping it warm until he would finally awake from his slumber.
"What?! Why? All the best Carey events involve the embarrassment of one Clu Bell." Jack snickered. "Isn't that right?" He asked, looking towards Annie and Fiona.
Just as the girls' were about to respond, someone had beat them to the punch.
"Darn straight it is…" Carey murmured, his eyes partly closed, but non the less alive and awake.
"See, what I'd—" Jack stopped in mid-sentence. He stared at Clu, then at Fiona, who had the biggest grin on her face.
"Carey!!!" Everyone cried out, rushing to his side.
Carey jumped to his feet before everyone could crash into him. The color had returned to his face, and he looked as if nothing had happened to him. In fact, he actually looked like he awoke from a well deserved nap.
Clu was the first one to hug Carey. He swooped his big brother into a huge hug, "You're awake! You're alive, bro!"
Carey returned the gesture, but then cried to him, "Clu? Clu, dude, air!"
"Oh!" Clu released him, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, bro. Guess I got carried away."
"You think?" He asked, on the brink of laughing joyously himself.
The next person was Annie, who was just as merciful as Clu. "We are never letting you fall asleep in strange places ever again, Carey!" She proclaimed, unable to release him just yet.
"Annie," Carey hugged her back, then kissed the top of her forehead. "I will hold you to that."
After Annie, Jack approached Carey. He tentatively held out his hand, "Carey,"
He took the hand, shaking it, "Jack,"
Both guys looked at each other, then smiled as they gave each other a brotherly three point five second hug.
Jack beamed at his "brother." "Glad you're okay, Carey."
Jimmy and Leo both gave Carey a brotherly hug, each saying how glad they were to see him awake and kicking.
Piper and Prue each hugged him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Prue's kiss however had more of an affect on Carey than Piper's did.
Lastly, but not least, he turned to Fiona.
She stood there, just watching him, a smile on her face.
"Fi…" He began. Carey was about to say more, but Fiona rushed him and enveloped him into the hardest and warmest hug ever given.
"I'm sorry, Carey." She cried in his arms.
"What?! What for, Fi?"
"I almost gave up on you… gave up on my faith that you'd make it… almost gave up on myself as well…"
"Fiona,"
"But I knew in my heart that you had to survive." She brushed away her tears, "In my heart, I had to recognize the faith I had in you. Only then could I actually help you."
"And you did, Fiona." He smiled, "I passed my test with flying colors. I won my battle because of you." He also looked at everyone else, "Because of all of you."
Fiona reached up to hug him again, this time with no tears of sadness or of joy.
=====================================================================
"Oh hell!" She cried, throwing a fireball into the empty hearth.
"Calm down, darling." The man walked behind her, massaging her tense shoulders.
"He wasn't suppose to pass! The mortal was supposed to fall into the darkness that I have prepared just for him!"
"Relax, my love." He suggested. With a free hand, he formed another clear ball of light. "So they have one victory… but the war isn't even half way through. We have many more battles in this cruel war. And we will come out victorious." He promised her.
She sighed in content as her husband got rid of the knots in her shoulders. Another wicked grin appeared on her face, "So, who is our next target?"
"Do you feel like killing two birds with one stone?" He asked, an evil smile on his face as two images appeared in the ball…