PART IX--THE CHALLENGES
CHAPTER TWO-A: KIARA'S and JIMMY'S CHALLENGE
LATER IN THE DAY
Her gaze traveled from Protector number one to Protector number two. With a taunting grin, she said, "So this is what the President's daughter must feel like. Okay guys, radio the others and inform them that the coast is clear and that the eagle has landed. Ten-four, over and out!"
"How Clu can even put up with your sarcasm, Fiona, is way beyond comprehension." Jimmy responded, teasingly.
"Ditto to that." Kiara agreed.
Fiona was spending the afternoon with Jimmy and Kiara. Carey, after much insistence on his part against the many protests from the others, was at P3 with Molly. He needed to keep himself busy, and he now had a bountiful amount of energy to spend on the music. Annie then insisted that she follow him, and maybe can practice her songs as well with him. When Kiara arrived at the Halliwell house, she was briefed by Jimmy on what had happened with Carey. Clu and Fiona had planned on spending some down time together, but due to recent events, Fi felt that maybe Clu should hang out with his brother for a while.
So now here she was, hanging out with her new friends, chilling in a small café. Kiara had promised Fiona a calm magick-free afternoon. She suggested that they do some shopping, which was music to Fi's ears. Kiara also managed to rope Jimmy into following them. She would have gotten Jack as well, but he was saved by Prue.
"Like Prue really needed Jack to help with her laundry!" She scoffed. "All the witch really needed was one of her fingers and SNAP!" Kiara snapped her fingers. "Clean clothes all nice and tidy."
"Either Phoebe's spunk is rubbing off on you, or vice-versa." Jimmy smirked, earning him a good whack from Kiara.
A soothing silence fell upon the trio. Fiona sighed, content with good company and good snack. The calm was disturbed, however, by Jimmy's curiosity.
"I wonder who's next?"
"What?" Both girls asked.
He eyed Fiona, "Fi, I know that you might not want to talk about it, but aren't you the least bit curious on who's going to be tested next?"
"I do wonder, Jimmy." She replied, thinking solemnly back to what had happened with Carey. "I just hope that whoever is next, that I can be there for them."
"You have a big heart, Fi." Kiara commentated, smiling at her young friend. "And it's because of that heart that you will ultimately pass."
"Wise words, Kiara. Very wise words to take into consideration." Jimmy smiled at the woman, causing her to blush.
Before Kiara could respond, her cell phone began to ring. She smiled sheepishly at him as she excused herself for a moment.
Once she was out of range, Fiona turned to him, "Trying to score some major points, aren't ya Jimmy?"
"Yeah, well…" He turned crimson, a shy smile on his face.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. Jimmy and Fiona jumped up, attention peaked. They met eyes, wondering where that scream came from.
"Jimmy! Fiona!" Kiara jogged up to them, eyes urgent. "A woman's being attacked… by, I think, demons! I saw her being dragged into the alley behind the café. C'mon!" She turned around, running to help. Fi and Jimmy tried to catch up with her, but she was too fast, so they just followed close behind.
====================================================================
Kiara struggled against the shadows surrounding her. Black, ugly, thick and deformed monsters were trying their best to swallow and, if anything, suffocate her.
"In here, guys!"
The witch's blood froze. That was her voice! And yet, she hadn't spoken a word. Her eyes frantically scanned the corner alley while keeping alert against her enemies.
"No!" She cried as she mentally flung one of the dark figures into the wall. "Jimmy! Fiona! Stay back!"
"Kiara?! Kay?!"
"No, Jimmy!" Kiara made an attempt to run towards them, warn her friends, but was grasped at the throat by one of the shadow creatures.
Her eyes widened in shock and fear as a woman that looked exactly like her came into the proximity. When the second "Kiara" spotted her, her eyes shifted ever so slightly to reveal an evil soul inside.
"It's a trap!" Her mind screamed. It was then that an idea came to mind. She closed her eyes, mentally concentrating on her message to them. *Jimmy! Fi! Stop! It's a trap! Get help!*
==================================================================
As Jimmy Olsen and Fiona Phillips were about to turn the final corner, Jimmy collapsed on his knees, holding his head in his hands. Fi immediately stopped, falling to his side.
"Jimmy?! Hey, what's wrong?"
He looked up, extremely pained. "Can't you hear her? Can't you feel her?"
"What?" Fi was confused by his words. "Jimmy, I—" Suddenly, she too stumbled, crying in pain.
"You feel it too, Fi. It's Kiara." Jimmy tried to regain composure, but was too overwhelmed by what had happened.
*Jimmy! Fi! Stop! It's a trap! Get help!* They both heard Kiara's voice push through.
They met eyes, not knowing what to think or do.
"A trap? We were running into a trap?" Fi wondered aloud.
"I don't understand it either, Fi. But with everything that's happened…" His voice trailed off as a new thought came to mind. Fear and concern clouded his eyes, "It's Kiara's turn. They're testing her now."
Fiona tried to stand, but buckled by the pain that Kiara was mentally sending out to her friends. "I have to help her, Jimmy."
"We both do, Fiona." He managed to get on his feet, but had to immediately lean himself on the wall. Jimmy held his head with one hand, while helping Fiona with his other.
Once she was standing, make that leaning against the wall, as well, a single voice was called from her lips. "Leo! Leo!"
===================================================================
Kiara felt lightheaded. They were surrounding her too fast, overtaking her too hard. She was losing breath, losing sight of everything around her.
The fake Kiara crossed her arms, sneering at the young witch as the demon shadows were squeezing the life out of her. With a just a snap of her fingers, the fake Kiara transformed herself in a different, older woman.
Kiara tried to focus on this new woman. Tried to get as much details as she can.
"What's the point, child?" The woman snickered, knowing what Kiara was trying to accomplish. "You'll kill yourself trying."
"Who… are…" It was getting hard for her to take in air. She felt as if the shadows had jumped into her, filling into her lungs like smoke. "You?…"
"Me?" The woman slithered up to Kiara. "You want to know who I am? Let me ask you this, young witch… do I look like a fool? And even if I did reveal who I am, you won't live to tell."
"Kiara!"
The woman spun around at the sound of that strong voice. Kiara gazed up, a small hopeful smile on her face as she recognized the glowing aura of Leo the white lighter.
"Leo…" Kiara's voice was hoarse as she called out to him.
"Whoever you are, let her go." He stalked up to them, Fiona and Jimmy closely behind him.
"Uh-uh-uh." The woman replied, waggling her index finger at him. "Remember the rules, white lighter? It's their turn to take the challenge. And that means, no heavenly helpers helping."
Leo stopped in mid-step, taking in what the vixen had said. "What do you mean by 'their turn'?"
"Exactly as it sounds like, white lighter." She glanced back at the weakening Kiara, an ugly smirk on the woman's face. "Young Kiara isn't the only one being tested. And I'm not talking about young Fiona as well."
Jimmy's heart stopped. He looked upon the helpless Kiara, and was immediately worried and angered by her state. Gazing at the one responsible for his lady fair's misery, "It's my test as well."
He made his way to stand in front of Leo. Jimmy stood courageously tall, "I'm ready for whatever you throw at me. Just let Kiara go, and you can do whatever you want of me."
"If I let her go, you willingly give up your life for her?"
Jimmy didn't need to think that answer over. With no hesitation, "In a heartbeat."
She looked the young man over, taking his offer into consideration. Slyly, she turned her back towards him, as if to think it over. Unknown to the awaiting heroes, the villainous was forming a very wicked fire ball within her very hand. "Well, Olsen, I guess then that my answer would have to be…"
Kiara could feel her whole world turning black. She knew that unless she fought, she would die… yet, if she did, she would just die more quickly. Her sight was deteriorating fast, but not fast enough. Instantly, her vision caught sight of something forming in her foe's hand. Kiara felt her throat tighten at the realization of what it was. With every strength that was left in her, she screamed out, "Jimmy!"
"No."
Before her friends could react to the woman's answer, or to Kiara's cry, the evil vixen swung around to reveal the ball of flames in her possession. Fiona held out her hand instinctively as if to magickally stop the ball. Only, the woman did not throw it at them… but merely revealed it to them just before she threw at Kiara.
"KIARA!!!" Jimmy cried, his legs moving towards her… but it was too late.
Her screams echoed the closed space as the flames immediately engulfed her. The shadows in her lungs had vanished from her, but only aided in the fires attempt to scorch every part of Kiara's body.
The devilish woman giggled at what she had done, before disappearing into the darkness of her shadowy demons.
"Oh my God!" Fiona was frozen in place. She didn't know what to do, how to react.
"Kiara!" Jimmy was about to reach out to her, but Leo had tackled him to the ground.
"Jimmy, don't!" He held him down, refusing to let go.
"Leo?! What are you doing?!" Fiona raced up to the white lighter, grabbing hold of him. "Let him go! We have to help her!"
"I have to… Leo, please!" Jimmy struggled against him.
"Guys… look." Was all he said, his own eyes mainly focused on Kiara.
Kiara, who had just been swallowed up scorching flames and whose very screams revealed that of pain and agony, was now collapsed on the ground, unconscious and… miraculously unscathed.
Once Leo released him, Jimmy and Fiona got up and raced towards their fallen friend. Jimmy scooped the young girl into his arms, holding her tight. "Kiara…" He whispered.
Leo joined them, placing a hand on her forehead. "She's extremely feverish. We have to get her to the hospital." He looked at them, dread in his eyes. "And we have to hurry."
CHAPTER TWO-A: KIARA'S and JIMMY'S CHALLENGE
LATER IN THE DAY
Her gaze traveled from Protector number one to Protector number two. With a taunting grin, she said, "So this is what the President's daughter must feel like. Okay guys, radio the others and inform them that the coast is clear and that the eagle has landed. Ten-four, over and out!"
"How Clu can even put up with your sarcasm, Fiona, is way beyond comprehension." Jimmy responded, teasingly.
"Ditto to that." Kiara agreed.
Fiona was spending the afternoon with Jimmy and Kiara. Carey, after much insistence on his part against the many protests from the others, was at P3 with Molly. He needed to keep himself busy, and he now had a bountiful amount of energy to spend on the music. Annie then insisted that she follow him, and maybe can practice her songs as well with him. When Kiara arrived at the Halliwell house, she was briefed by Jimmy on what had happened with Carey. Clu and Fiona had planned on spending some down time together, but due to recent events, Fi felt that maybe Clu should hang out with his brother for a while.
So now here she was, hanging out with her new friends, chilling in a small café. Kiara had promised Fiona a calm magick-free afternoon. She suggested that they do some shopping, which was music to Fi's ears. Kiara also managed to rope Jimmy into following them. She would have gotten Jack as well, but he was saved by Prue.
"Like Prue really needed Jack to help with her laundry!" She scoffed. "All the witch really needed was one of her fingers and SNAP!" Kiara snapped her fingers. "Clean clothes all nice and tidy."
"Either Phoebe's spunk is rubbing off on you, or vice-versa." Jimmy smirked, earning him a good whack from Kiara.
A soothing silence fell upon the trio. Fiona sighed, content with good company and good snack. The calm was disturbed, however, by Jimmy's curiosity.
"I wonder who's next?"
"What?" Both girls asked.
He eyed Fiona, "Fi, I know that you might not want to talk about it, but aren't you the least bit curious on who's going to be tested next?"
"I do wonder, Jimmy." She replied, thinking solemnly back to what had happened with Carey. "I just hope that whoever is next, that I can be there for them."
"You have a big heart, Fi." Kiara commentated, smiling at her young friend. "And it's because of that heart that you will ultimately pass."
"Wise words, Kiara. Very wise words to take into consideration." Jimmy smiled at the woman, causing her to blush.
Before Kiara could respond, her cell phone began to ring. She smiled sheepishly at him as she excused herself for a moment.
Once she was out of range, Fiona turned to him, "Trying to score some major points, aren't ya Jimmy?"
"Yeah, well…" He turned crimson, a shy smile on his face.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. Jimmy and Fiona jumped up, attention peaked. They met eyes, wondering where that scream came from.
"Jimmy! Fiona!" Kiara jogged up to them, eyes urgent. "A woman's being attacked… by, I think, demons! I saw her being dragged into the alley behind the café. C'mon!" She turned around, running to help. Fi and Jimmy tried to catch up with her, but she was too fast, so they just followed close behind.
====================================================================
Kiara struggled against the shadows surrounding her. Black, ugly, thick and deformed monsters were trying their best to swallow and, if anything, suffocate her.
"In here, guys!"
The witch's blood froze. That was her voice! And yet, she hadn't spoken a word. Her eyes frantically scanned the corner alley while keeping alert against her enemies.
"No!" She cried as she mentally flung one of the dark figures into the wall. "Jimmy! Fiona! Stay back!"
"Kiara?! Kay?!"
"No, Jimmy!" Kiara made an attempt to run towards them, warn her friends, but was grasped at the throat by one of the shadow creatures.
Her eyes widened in shock and fear as a woman that looked exactly like her came into the proximity. When the second "Kiara" spotted her, her eyes shifted ever so slightly to reveal an evil soul inside.
"It's a trap!" Her mind screamed. It was then that an idea came to mind. She closed her eyes, mentally concentrating on her message to them. *Jimmy! Fi! Stop! It's a trap! Get help!*
==================================================================
As Jimmy Olsen and Fiona Phillips were about to turn the final corner, Jimmy collapsed on his knees, holding his head in his hands. Fi immediately stopped, falling to his side.
"Jimmy?! Hey, what's wrong?"
He looked up, extremely pained. "Can't you hear her? Can't you feel her?"
"What?" Fi was confused by his words. "Jimmy, I—" Suddenly, she too stumbled, crying in pain.
"You feel it too, Fi. It's Kiara." Jimmy tried to regain composure, but was too overwhelmed by what had happened.
*Jimmy! Fi! Stop! It's a trap! Get help!* They both heard Kiara's voice push through.
They met eyes, not knowing what to think or do.
"A trap? We were running into a trap?" Fi wondered aloud.
"I don't understand it either, Fi. But with everything that's happened…" His voice trailed off as a new thought came to mind. Fear and concern clouded his eyes, "It's Kiara's turn. They're testing her now."
Fiona tried to stand, but buckled by the pain that Kiara was mentally sending out to her friends. "I have to help her, Jimmy."
"We both do, Fiona." He managed to get on his feet, but had to immediately lean himself on the wall. Jimmy held his head with one hand, while helping Fiona with his other.
Once she was standing, make that leaning against the wall, as well, a single voice was called from her lips. "Leo! Leo!"
===================================================================
Kiara felt lightheaded. They were surrounding her too fast, overtaking her too hard. She was losing breath, losing sight of everything around her.
The fake Kiara crossed her arms, sneering at the young witch as the demon shadows were squeezing the life out of her. With a just a snap of her fingers, the fake Kiara transformed herself in a different, older woman.
Kiara tried to focus on this new woman. Tried to get as much details as she can.
"What's the point, child?" The woman snickered, knowing what Kiara was trying to accomplish. "You'll kill yourself trying."
"Who… are…" It was getting hard for her to take in air. She felt as if the shadows had jumped into her, filling into her lungs like smoke. "You?…"
"Me?" The woman slithered up to Kiara. "You want to know who I am? Let me ask you this, young witch… do I look like a fool? And even if I did reveal who I am, you won't live to tell."
"Kiara!"
The woman spun around at the sound of that strong voice. Kiara gazed up, a small hopeful smile on her face as she recognized the glowing aura of Leo the white lighter.
"Leo…" Kiara's voice was hoarse as she called out to him.
"Whoever you are, let her go." He stalked up to them, Fiona and Jimmy closely behind him.
"Uh-uh-uh." The woman replied, waggling her index finger at him. "Remember the rules, white lighter? It's their turn to take the challenge. And that means, no heavenly helpers helping."
Leo stopped in mid-step, taking in what the vixen had said. "What do you mean by 'their turn'?"
"Exactly as it sounds like, white lighter." She glanced back at the weakening Kiara, an ugly smirk on the woman's face. "Young Kiara isn't the only one being tested. And I'm not talking about young Fiona as well."
Jimmy's heart stopped. He looked upon the helpless Kiara, and was immediately worried and angered by her state. Gazing at the one responsible for his lady fair's misery, "It's my test as well."
He made his way to stand in front of Leo. Jimmy stood courageously tall, "I'm ready for whatever you throw at me. Just let Kiara go, and you can do whatever you want of me."
"If I let her go, you willingly give up your life for her?"
Jimmy didn't need to think that answer over. With no hesitation, "In a heartbeat."
She looked the young man over, taking his offer into consideration. Slyly, she turned her back towards him, as if to think it over. Unknown to the awaiting heroes, the villainous was forming a very wicked fire ball within her very hand. "Well, Olsen, I guess then that my answer would have to be…"
Kiara could feel her whole world turning black. She knew that unless she fought, she would die… yet, if she did, she would just die more quickly. Her sight was deteriorating fast, but not fast enough. Instantly, her vision caught sight of something forming in her foe's hand. Kiara felt her throat tighten at the realization of what it was. With every strength that was left in her, she screamed out, "Jimmy!"
"No."
Before her friends could react to the woman's answer, or to Kiara's cry, the evil vixen swung around to reveal the ball of flames in her possession. Fiona held out her hand instinctively as if to magickally stop the ball. Only, the woman did not throw it at them… but merely revealed it to them just before she threw at Kiara.
"KIARA!!!" Jimmy cried, his legs moving towards her… but it was too late.
Her screams echoed the closed space as the flames immediately engulfed her. The shadows in her lungs had vanished from her, but only aided in the fires attempt to scorch every part of Kiara's body.
The devilish woman giggled at what she had done, before disappearing into the darkness of her shadowy demons.
"Oh my God!" Fiona was frozen in place. She didn't know what to do, how to react.
"Kiara!" Jimmy was about to reach out to her, but Leo had tackled him to the ground.
"Jimmy, don't!" He held him down, refusing to let go.
"Leo?! What are you doing?!" Fiona raced up to the white lighter, grabbing hold of him. "Let him go! We have to help her!"
"I have to… Leo, please!" Jimmy struggled against him.
"Guys… look." Was all he said, his own eyes mainly focused on Kiara.
Kiara, who had just been swallowed up scorching flames and whose very screams revealed that of pain and agony, was now collapsed on the ground, unconscious and… miraculously unscathed.
Once Leo released him, Jimmy and Fiona got up and raced towards their fallen friend. Jimmy scooped the young girl into his arms, holding her tight. "Kiara…" He whispered.
Leo joined them, placing a hand on her forehead. "She's extremely feverish. We have to get her to the hospital." He looked at them, dread in his eyes. "And we have to hurry."