THE CHALLENGES
ANNIE'S CHALLENGE
DAY FOUR
HALLIWELL MANOR… EVENING
Leo gazed upon everyone present. From young Annie to the Charmed Ones themselves. Everyone was seated in the same places when they had first assembled, with one big exception…
"In light of what has happened…" Leo smiled sadly, "I know that everyone is feeling a bit apprehensive. Kiara is… Kiara was a very special person. She will always stay with us… but we can't let what happened to her cloud our original goal."
"Leo's right," Fiona said. "Kiara wouldn't have wanted her death to be the cause of our own demise."
"Fi's correct." Leo spoke, "With what has occurred, we now know what they are capable of."
"Yeah," Annie commented, "They're willing to kill to get what they want." She looked at her friend, "And they want Fi…" Boldness was evident in her voice, "But they're going to have to get through us to get to Fiona."
Jack smiled at Annie, admiring her conviction.
"You go, girl!" Phoebe grinned at her.
Annie Thelan beamed at Phoebe, then at Leo, "So what do we have to do now?"
"There's only one thing we can do, Annie." Leo sighed, "We have to wait and see who's going to be next."
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"Superb job, darling." The man gazed down at his wife.
"Thank you, husband." She was smiling wickedly at her daughter, who was quietly playing with her toys. The woman then glanced up at the doorway, hearing footsteps coming towards them.
"Novania? Is that you?"
"Yes… it is I." Novania replied, her accent still evident, yet her voice quite unlike her own.
Smirking at the spirit, "So, how is the new body holding up? To your expectations, I hope."
"Ay, madam. Very much so to my liking." Novania emerged from the shadows, combing down her dark hair, her new eyes sparkling menacingly at them.
Angel glanced up at the approaching sound of her aunt Novania. She took in the form, confused. "Auntie Novania?"
"Yes, child?" She looked down upon her.
The little girl then glanced at her parents, "That isn't auntie Novania."
"Yes it is, my darling." Her mother stooped next to Angel. "Look into her eyes, daughter. You will recognize that it is still your aunt Novania."
She listened to her mother, looking intently into the dark and silver tinted eyes of her aunt. Within the very cores of the eyes twinkled the soul of Novania. Smiling sheepishly, "Oh, there you are. I didn't know you can look so young, auntie Novania."
"Neither did I, child." Novania smirked.
"Run along, Angel. Your mommy and I need to talk to your aunt about something very important."
"Okay, daddy." Angel grabbed her toys, got up, and raced to the next room. Before she exited, she turned towards the three adults and smiled.
"That child is too sweet to be of your blood." Novania sneered at them, once Angel was out of proximity.
"Not for long anyway," He replied.
Novania walked towards the couch, sitting her new body down. "So, with this new body comes her powers as well?"
"Without a soul, the body is of no use. With the spell I had cast, you should indeed have her powers, Novania." The woman answered.
"And what of her soul? What did you do to it?"
"The same thing that I do with all the souls I collect… I put them in their proper storage." She walked over to the hearth, pressing down on a secret button behind it. As she did so, the wall revealed a secret compartment. In the compartment was a bountiful amount of crystal balls. She reached in and pulled out one of them.
Novania watched as the wicked sorceress peered into it, beaming evilly at her creation. "This little cell holds the very soul of your body's original owner. She has no powers, for I made sure that when I separated her essence from her body, that her supernatural abilities stay within the physical cell. In other words, you."
"My lovely wife has thought of everything." The man walked over to her, wrapping his arm around her.
"May I see that?" Novania asked, indicating the mini crystal jail.
"Be careful, Novania. If that shatters, her spirit is set free."
"So? What can she do? She will have no body to return to. She will merely just die."
"And when witches die, they are able to return to the earth as spirits and aid in their loved ones whenever they are in need. In other words, Novania, once Kiara Lance is set free, she will immediately seek out the others and reveal all that she knows about us. And we can't have that happening, now can we?"
Novania cast her eyes down at the fragile cell holding the spirit of Kiara Lance. For a moment, Novania actually felt an emotion of guilt… but quickly brushed it aside.
Gazing up at her masters, she asked, "So, what's the next step in your plan?"
The woman formed a transparent round object in her hand. A new image appeared in it. Smiling devilishly at the image, "I do believe that it's mademoiselle Thelan's turn."
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Phoebe was in the kitchen when it happened. She was just fixing up a drink for herself when she spotted a group picture of the Charmed Ones, Leo, and Kiara. Fondly, she removed it from the refrigerator and just stared at Kiara's smiling face.
All of a sudden, Phoebe jerked as images flashed through her. Visions of a woman being murdered, suffocated by… shadows? She then had a haunting flash of Annie. The young woman was being physically and magickally attacked by… Kiara?! When the visions stopped, Phoebe had to grasp the fridge for support as she fought for air.
"Phoebe?!" Declan had entered to kitchen to get a glass of water when he saw her. He raced to her side, concerned. "Phoebe, are you okay?"
"Declan," she gasped for breath, then gazed at him, "I had a vision… two visions…"
"Of what?" He helped her up, letting her lean on him.
She grasped the photograph, "I have to tell the others."
"Okay. C'mon…" Declan aided her to the living area where everyone else was waiting for their return.
When they emerged from the kitchen, Piper and Prue jumped to their feet at the weary sight of their younger sister. "Phoebe!"
"I'm okay, guys." She assured them, still leaning on Declan.
"She had a vision." Declan informed them.
"Of what, Pheebs?" Prue asked.
Declan sat Phoebe on a chair, then allowed her to explain.
"I was just looking at this picture of us and Kiara when it happened. I first saw a woman being overpowered by shadows…"
Leo, Jimmy, and Fiona shared a look. Could the same forces be at work?
"And then I saw Annie."
Annie stood at alert, "You saw me?"
"Yeah, and you were being attacked… and here's the weird part, your attacker was Kiara."
"Phoebe," Leo began, "Are you sure that it was Kiara that you saw? Maybe it was someone who probably had the same features as her and—"
"I know what I saw, Leo." Phoebe stubbornly replied. "It was Kiara."
"But how can that be, Pheebs?" Piper looked at her sister, concerned. "I mean, as much as we would like to believe that Kiara is still alive, she's dead. We all saw her in the hospital. And tomorrow, we will all attend her funeral."
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Clu managed to slip from the room, immediately lost in thought. While everyone was trying to figure out Phoebe's bizarre premonition, a haunting idea came to him. Over the past few days, he had secretly been researching every information on witchcraft. When Kiara died, he had this nagging feeling in him to pay extra close attention to the facts concerning the aftermath of a witch's demise. Suddenly, it hit him.
"She's not dead!"
"What?!" Everyone turned to Clu as he ran back into the living room area.
"Clu, hon, what are you talking about?" Fiona gazed up at her boyfriend's smiling face.
"Kiara isn't dead!"
"Not you too, Clu." Piper moaned. "Look, it's impossible. We all saw her heart monitor go flat line. The doctors themselves say that she's dead. We all saw her."
"Okay," Clu nodded, "So if she is gone, then call upon her spirit to help us. She's a witch, isn't she? When a witch dies, and is later called upon, they will answer."
Everyone gazed at Clu, taking in his words. When realization hit, Fiona jumped up and embraced her boyfriend into a huge hug. "You're a genius, Clu!" She then turned to everyone, "He's right! Let's contact her!"
"What if we do?" Jimmy then responded, unsure about doing the task. "What if we do contact her? It will just prove that she is dead…"
"But what if we are unable to." Phoebe pointed out. "Then that means Kiara is alive, but probably her body and soul was… I guess, kidnapped!"
Phoebe got up and raced towards the attic. Piper sighed, then decided to test Clu's theory. Prue also decided to follow, but then turned to Fiona and Jack, smiling. "We could use the help of two witches."
The Phillips children glanced at each other, then grinned. "Cool."
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Annie decided to stay back, while the others departed up to the attic. She just needed to gather her thoughts.
"What if Phoebe's premonition is right?" she murmured to herself. Annie began to walk towards the door, having the urge to get some fresh air. As she reached the grand entrance, a voice stopped her.
"If it is true, then it might be wise of you to get yourself a body guard."
She spun around, meeting eyes with Carey.
"Carey," she gasped. "You scared me."
"Sorry." He replied. Walking up to her, "You're not going to go outside unprotected, are you?"
"I'm a big girl, Bell." She smirked, "I think I can handle myself."
"Annie, I'm just worried about you."
"I know you are… but as I said, I can handle it." She grabbed the doorknob, opening it… but Carey stopped her.
"Carey?"
"Can I at least keep you company? I would feel a whole lot better if I knew you were at least partly within fail-safe protection."
She smiled at him, unable to resist his protective side. "Okay."
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She watched as the door to the Halliwell manor opened. With wicked intent, she spied two forms emerging from the entrance.
"Perfect…" She grinned as she gazed upon the Thelan girl and the Bell boy.
Patient as a cat, she waited for the right time to pounce.
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Annie resisted the urge to giggle at Carey. She knew how much Carey like Prue, but she could also see how much Prue truly cared about him. So here he was, sitting on the top stoop, woefully telling his tale to Annie.
"Carey," She finally said, "Just give it some time. I'm sure Prue will come around."
"And if she doesn't?"
"Well… it's her lost. Because you're a great guy, Carey Bell. A total sweetheart."
Carey beamed at her, "Back at ya, kiddo." He attempted to tousle her hair, but she managed to smack it aside.
"I'm not a kid!" She giggled as he made a couple of attempts to mess up her golden locks.
The two's laughter could be heard through the night. It was that sound that signaled the huntress to jump from the shadows.
"Aww, how sweet… the wondrous sound of laughter."
Annie and Carey leapt to their feet. They gasped in shock as out of the darkness emerged a familiar and beloved face.
"Kiara?" They both reacted, stunned.
"In the flesh… so to speak." She responded, her once friendly eyes now sparkled of destruction.
The two knew that they face and body belonged to Kiara… but behind it was something, or someone, totally evil.
"You're not Kiara…" Annie began, slowly making her way down the steps.
Carey grasped her arm, "Annie, don't."
"Well, ain't that the sweetest thang you could ever set your sights upon?" She smirked at the two. "The manly man protecting the life of his beloved. If that ain't chivalry at its best, then I don't know what is!"
"Who are you?" Carey commanded, releasing his hold on Annie as he too took a step towards her.
"What? Don't recognize your dear ol' friend Kiara Lance?" She sneered, causing Carey and Annie to wince.
They couldn't believe that this malevolent creature was their cherished Kiara.
It was then that it dawned on Annie. She knew exactly who it was.
"You may have the body of Kiara… but I do know who you are… Nova—"
"Uh-uh-uh." Kiara replied, waggling her finger. "Dear child, if you know what I think you know, then you must realize that once I exit this body, all you'll have left of your dear Kiara is but an empty shell."
"You're lying!" Annie accused. "From what Fiona has told me, once you release your hold on Kiara, she returns back to her old self."
"Ay, that's true…" Kiara said. She was pensive for a brief second, then the wicked smirk appeared on her face again, "And that would happen… unless the body didn't have a soul to take command of it again."
"What?" Carey and Annie asked, thrown off by that statement.
"Oy, you tiny minded creatures you!" Kiara threw up her hands. "Then again, I guess I should have considered the true capacity of a regular human mind." She sneered at them, "Layman's term, Kiara's soul is separated from her body. If I am forced to leave it, all you'll have left is an empty lifeless body."
"What did you do to her soul?" Annie demanded.
Kiara raised her finger to her lips, deep in thought… at least mocking the gesture anyway. She then replied, "I cannot honestly answer that question."
"Why not?"
"Because I am not the one who knows the true answer."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Carey asked, about as baffled as Annie.
Kiara raised her hands to her ears, "Oy, too many questions!" She then pretended to glance down at a watch, "And not enough time." A glint appeared in her eyes, "At least for you anyway."
With a flick of her wrist, she sent Carey flying down the steps, his body hitting the harsh ground.
"Carey!" Annie cried, racing to his side.
"Not so fast, child." Kiara mentally used her powers to knock Annie to the opposite side of Carey.
Annie met the lawn, her head throbbing from the force of impact. She struggled to stand up, confused by what has happened.
The body of her friend stood over her, her deadly intention apparent. "Get up, girl. Face your demise like a good little soldier."
Annie wanted to fight back, but she couldn't do it. In her eyes, she still saw Kiara and not the evil Novania with the Kiara mask.
"You can't, can you, little one?" She smirked. "How pathetic!"
"Please, Nov—"
"Uh-uh. Remember, child, empty shell…"
"Don't do this."
Kiara leered down at Annie, almost mockingly. "I did not come down here to make a plea bargain. Now if you won't get up and face me, then I'll just have to provoke the fighting spirit out of ya!" She turned around and slowly made her way to Carey's still body.
"No!" Annie cried, quickly pouncing on Kiara.
Kiara just laughed gleefully as she physically removed Annie's body off of her, sending the young woman to the ground. "Ha ha! Now that's the stuff that gets the adrenaline pumpin'! C'mon, now… hit me!"
"You're crazy!" Annie proclaimed, inching herself away from Kiara.
"Well, I prefer mentally challenged… but crazy just suites me fine!" Kiara picked Annie up by the neck, enjoying the satisfaction of watching the young lass squirm within her hand.
"You are making this way too easy on me, child!"
Annie felt dizzy. She couldn't breath against this monster's hold of her. Her mind screamed for her to just take control of the situation and kick this vixen's butt… but she still saw Kiara and not Novania.
"You human's make me sick." She sneered, her grasp tightening. "That's why it gives me such great pleasure to just jump and take control your bodies."
When Novania said that, Annie's mind finally clicked. It finally accepted the contrast… and that made all the difference.
With every strength she could get, she summoned up the one spirit that could help her.
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Carey felt something tugging on his arm. His head was singing a painful song, for it throbbed in deep agony. "Aw, man…"
The tugging continued, until he finally swatted it away. His eyes fluttered open to see the source of the consistent pulling of his arm. "What do you wa—"
A pair of gleaming eyes met his, causing Carey to leap to his feet, startled. The beautiful black creature stared at him, regarding Carey's worth.
"Uh… nice kitty? Big kitty…" He held his hands out defensively, waiting for it to strike.
The panther purred at him, then indicated to something behind Carey. The young man turned around, gasping at the sight before him.
"Annie!" He briefly glanced back at the animal, who had mystically disappeared. Before he could completely register what has happened, he remembered Annie.
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"Hey!"
Kiara turned her head, smirking. "Well, well, well… if it ain't the knight and shining armor himself." She glanced back at Annie's struggling form. She then simply tossed Annie to the ground. "I was getting bored with her anyway."
"I know you're not Kiara. And I do know you're true name."
"So what? Do I look scared?"
Carey stood strong, not backing down as "Kiara" made her way towards him.
"What is this?" She indicated to his stance. "You're not backing down, now are you?"
"No."
"Why Carey Bell… you do have the stamina to stand tall against an attractive woman's close proximity. And here I thought you were always a wuss who could easily cave in."
"Kiara is beautiful… but right now, all I can see is the ugliness that is you, Nova—"
"Are all you humans born clueless?!" Kiara exclaimed, throwing her hands up. She mock knocked on his forehead, causing him to swat it away angrily. "Hello! I'm the only soul in command of *this* body. Do you *not* understand that concept?!"
"Yes we do,"
Kiara turned around, seeing Annie standing tall. Though she felt weary, and she could feel a trickle of blood from a cut on her forehead, Annie's fighting spirit was a determined as ever.
"Which is why we would rather have a shell of our kind Kiara, then have to see it die under the hands of an evil spirit like you! Be gone from this mortal form, Novan—"
Novania felt fear in her mortal heart. Reacting instinctively, she swung her hands and sent Annie crashing up into the window of the Halliwell manor.
Carey screamed out Annie's name, racing up the stairs.
Novania heard commotion within that house. Heard that Fiona girl scream. She stared down at her hands… at Kiara's hands.
*Novania! Return at once!* Novania heard her master psychically bellow.
The mortal guilt that came with this body became to overpower her. Why did she have to attain emotions with this human shell?
Taking one last glance at the Halliwell manor, she sighed and made her escape.
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"Annie!"
Fiona ran down the steps as soon as she recognized the shattered figure on the floor.
"Oh my God!" Piper exclaimed, then gazed at Leo, "Leo, you have to heal her!"
Carey stayed by her side, afraid to move her. When he saw her fragile body go through the window, every nerve in his body shot through the roof. Every single version of fear he has ever experienced was simply nothing in comparison to what he was feeling right this moment.
"Annie…" He whispered her name, tenderly brushing her hair away from her face. It was then that he felt the harsh slap of reality when he felt the moistness of fresh blood. "I'm so sorry," He murmured to her, feeling wet tears threatening to fall.
Leo made his way to her, avoiding the broken glass. He looked at Carey, noticing his trance of shock and dismay.
"Carey, help me move her to the couch."
"What?" He awoke from his stupor, looking at Leo incredulously. "Are you sure?"
"Trust me, Carey." He met eyes with the young man, complete assurance in them.
He nodded, slowly helping Leo carry Annie's unconscious body.
Fiona felt Clu's arm around her. She took comfort in him as she kept her gaze on her dear friend.
Jack was stunned. How could this have happened? Prue placed a sisterly arm around his shoulder, mirroring her own shock and confusion over this.
Jimmy ran a hand through his hair in disbelief. What is going on that people have to get emotionally and physically hurt?
Declan took hold of Phoebe's tension, while Piper quickly joined Leo's side.
"How is she, Leo?"
"She's still alive, Piper. But she's bleeding pretty badly."
"She has so much open wounds on her." Carey sighed.
Leo slapped his hands together, rubbing them up to full power. "Okay, here I go." He laid his hands over Annie's most deepest wound, which was on her forehead. Concentrating hard, an amazing light beamed on it, slowly healing the cut. He traveled to each gash, healing it up with all his might.
As Leo tended to Annie, Jack just had to know what exactly happened. "Carey, how did this happen?"
"It was Novania." He spitted out the name bitterly. "She flung Annie through the window."
"What?!" Fiona exclaimed. "How? Novania's just a ball of light!"
"She's in Kiara's body." He faced Fiona, anger in his eyes. "She also has Kiara's powers."
"Kiara? You mean, Kiara's alive?!" Jimmy felt hope grow within him, despite the recent revelation.
"Where is she, Carey?" Phoebe had to know.
"No, you can't go after her."
"Carey, why didn't you just say her one true name? Then Kiara could be set free from Novania's hold."
"That's what Annie tried to do, and look what happened to her."
"I don't understand, Carey." Fiona tried to make sense of it all.
Carey didn't answer, he was too tired and troubled over Annie. Clu noticed the distress on his brother's face. Taking his girl aside, he whispered, "Ask him about it later, Fi. I don't think he's up to answering questions."
She looked at Carey, finally seeing the angst written on his face. "Carey, I'm sorry. I—" Fi shut her mouth, thinking better against saying more than she needed to say. Carey already knew how she felt.
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MINI NOTE from YOUR'S TRULY: C'mon, did you actually think I'd let my own character die?! Hope I didn't upset the lot of ya... and if I did, I'm sorry. What's an epic without a few twists and turns? Especially those that keep the readers on edge!
ANNIE'S CHALLENGE
DAY FOUR
HALLIWELL MANOR… EVENING
Leo gazed upon everyone present. From young Annie to the Charmed Ones themselves. Everyone was seated in the same places when they had first assembled, with one big exception…
"In light of what has happened…" Leo smiled sadly, "I know that everyone is feeling a bit apprehensive. Kiara is… Kiara was a very special person. She will always stay with us… but we can't let what happened to her cloud our original goal."
"Leo's right," Fiona said. "Kiara wouldn't have wanted her death to be the cause of our own demise."
"Fi's correct." Leo spoke, "With what has occurred, we now know what they are capable of."
"Yeah," Annie commented, "They're willing to kill to get what they want." She looked at her friend, "And they want Fi…" Boldness was evident in her voice, "But they're going to have to get through us to get to Fiona."
Jack smiled at Annie, admiring her conviction.
"You go, girl!" Phoebe grinned at her.
Annie Thelan beamed at Phoebe, then at Leo, "So what do we have to do now?"
"There's only one thing we can do, Annie." Leo sighed, "We have to wait and see who's going to be next."
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"Superb job, darling." The man gazed down at his wife.
"Thank you, husband." She was smiling wickedly at her daughter, who was quietly playing with her toys. The woman then glanced up at the doorway, hearing footsteps coming towards them.
"Novania? Is that you?"
"Yes… it is I." Novania replied, her accent still evident, yet her voice quite unlike her own.
Smirking at the spirit, "So, how is the new body holding up? To your expectations, I hope."
"Ay, madam. Very much so to my liking." Novania emerged from the shadows, combing down her dark hair, her new eyes sparkling menacingly at them.
Angel glanced up at the approaching sound of her aunt Novania. She took in the form, confused. "Auntie Novania?"
"Yes, child?" She looked down upon her.
The little girl then glanced at her parents, "That isn't auntie Novania."
"Yes it is, my darling." Her mother stooped next to Angel. "Look into her eyes, daughter. You will recognize that it is still your aunt Novania."
She listened to her mother, looking intently into the dark and silver tinted eyes of her aunt. Within the very cores of the eyes twinkled the soul of Novania. Smiling sheepishly, "Oh, there you are. I didn't know you can look so young, auntie Novania."
"Neither did I, child." Novania smirked.
"Run along, Angel. Your mommy and I need to talk to your aunt about something very important."
"Okay, daddy." Angel grabbed her toys, got up, and raced to the next room. Before she exited, she turned towards the three adults and smiled.
"That child is too sweet to be of your blood." Novania sneered at them, once Angel was out of proximity.
"Not for long anyway," He replied.
Novania walked towards the couch, sitting her new body down. "So, with this new body comes her powers as well?"
"Without a soul, the body is of no use. With the spell I had cast, you should indeed have her powers, Novania." The woman answered.
"And what of her soul? What did you do to it?"
"The same thing that I do with all the souls I collect… I put them in their proper storage." She walked over to the hearth, pressing down on a secret button behind it. As she did so, the wall revealed a secret compartment. In the compartment was a bountiful amount of crystal balls. She reached in and pulled out one of them.
Novania watched as the wicked sorceress peered into it, beaming evilly at her creation. "This little cell holds the very soul of your body's original owner. She has no powers, for I made sure that when I separated her essence from her body, that her supernatural abilities stay within the physical cell. In other words, you."
"My lovely wife has thought of everything." The man walked over to her, wrapping his arm around her.
"May I see that?" Novania asked, indicating the mini crystal jail.
"Be careful, Novania. If that shatters, her spirit is set free."
"So? What can she do? She will have no body to return to. She will merely just die."
"And when witches die, they are able to return to the earth as spirits and aid in their loved ones whenever they are in need. In other words, Novania, once Kiara Lance is set free, she will immediately seek out the others and reveal all that she knows about us. And we can't have that happening, now can we?"
Novania cast her eyes down at the fragile cell holding the spirit of Kiara Lance. For a moment, Novania actually felt an emotion of guilt… but quickly brushed it aside.
Gazing up at her masters, she asked, "So, what's the next step in your plan?"
The woman formed a transparent round object in her hand. A new image appeared in it. Smiling devilishly at the image, "I do believe that it's mademoiselle Thelan's turn."
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Phoebe was in the kitchen when it happened. She was just fixing up a drink for herself when she spotted a group picture of the Charmed Ones, Leo, and Kiara. Fondly, she removed it from the refrigerator and just stared at Kiara's smiling face.
All of a sudden, Phoebe jerked as images flashed through her. Visions of a woman being murdered, suffocated by… shadows? She then had a haunting flash of Annie. The young woman was being physically and magickally attacked by… Kiara?! When the visions stopped, Phoebe had to grasp the fridge for support as she fought for air.
"Phoebe?!" Declan had entered to kitchen to get a glass of water when he saw her. He raced to her side, concerned. "Phoebe, are you okay?"
"Declan," she gasped for breath, then gazed at him, "I had a vision… two visions…"
"Of what?" He helped her up, letting her lean on him.
She grasped the photograph, "I have to tell the others."
"Okay. C'mon…" Declan aided her to the living area where everyone else was waiting for their return.
When they emerged from the kitchen, Piper and Prue jumped to their feet at the weary sight of their younger sister. "Phoebe!"
"I'm okay, guys." She assured them, still leaning on Declan.
"She had a vision." Declan informed them.
"Of what, Pheebs?" Prue asked.
Declan sat Phoebe on a chair, then allowed her to explain.
"I was just looking at this picture of us and Kiara when it happened. I first saw a woman being overpowered by shadows…"
Leo, Jimmy, and Fiona shared a look. Could the same forces be at work?
"And then I saw Annie."
Annie stood at alert, "You saw me?"
"Yeah, and you were being attacked… and here's the weird part, your attacker was Kiara."
"Phoebe," Leo began, "Are you sure that it was Kiara that you saw? Maybe it was someone who probably had the same features as her and—"
"I know what I saw, Leo." Phoebe stubbornly replied. "It was Kiara."
"But how can that be, Pheebs?" Piper looked at her sister, concerned. "I mean, as much as we would like to believe that Kiara is still alive, she's dead. We all saw her in the hospital. And tomorrow, we will all attend her funeral."
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Clu managed to slip from the room, immediately lost in thought. While everyone was trying to figure out Phoebe's bizarre premonition, a haunting idea came to him. Over the past few days, he had secretly been researching every information on witchcraft. When Kiara died, he had this nagging feeling in him to pay extra close attention to the facts concerning the aftermath of a witch's demise. Suddenly, it hit him.
"She's not dead!"
"What?!" Everyone turned to Clu as he ran back into the living room area.
"Clu, hon, what are you talking about?" Fiona gazed up at her boyfriend's smiling face.
"Kiara isn't dead!"
"Not you too, Clu." Piper moaned. "Look, it's impossible. We all saw her heart monitor go flat line. The doctors themselves say that she's dead. We all saw her."
"Okay," Clu nodded, "So if she is gone, then call upon her spirit to help us. She's a witch, isn't she? When a witch dies, and is later called upon, they will answer."
Everyone gazed at Clu, taking in his words. When realization hit, Fiona jumped up and embraced her boyfriend into a huge hug. "You're a genius, Clu!" She then turned to everyone, "He's right! Let's contact her!"
"What if we do?" Jimmy then responded, unsure about doing the task. "What if we do contact her? It will just prove that she is dead…"
"But what if we are unable to." Phoebe pointed out. "Then that means Kiara is alive, but probably her body and soul was… I guess, kidnapped!"
Phoebe got up and raced towards the attic. Piper sighed, then decided to test Clu's theory. Prue also decided to follow, but then turned to Fiona and Jack, smiling. "We could use the help of two witches."
The Phillips children glanced at each other, then grinned. "Cool."
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Annie decided to stay back, while the others departed up to the attic. She just needed to gather her thoughts.
"What if Phoebe's premonition is right?" she murmured to herself. Annie began to walk towards the door, having the urge to get some fresh air. As she reached the grand entrance, a voice stopped her.
"If it is true, then it might be wise of you to get yourself a body guard."
She spun around, meeting eyes with Carey.
"Carey," she gasped. "You scared me."
"Sorry." He replied. Walking up to her, "You're not going to go outside unprotected, are you?"
"I'm a big girl, Bell." She smirked, "I think I can handle myself."
"Annie, I'm just worried about you."
"I know you are… but as I said, I can handle it." She grabbed the doorknob, opening it… but Carey stopped her.
"Carey?"
"Can I at least keep you company? I would feel a whole lot better if I knew you were at least partly within fail-safe protection."
She smiled at him, unable to resist his protective side. "Okay."
=====================================================================
She watched as the door to the Halliwell manor opened. With wicked intent, she spied two forms emerging from the entrance.
"Perfect…" She grinned as she gazed upon the Thelan girl and the Bell boy.
Patient as a cat, she waited for the right time to pounce.
=====================================================================
Annie resisted the urge to giggle at Carey. She knew how much Carey like Prue, but she could also see how much Prue truly cared about him. So here he was, sitting on the top stoop, woefully telling his tale to Annie.
"Carey," She finally said, "Just give it some time. I'm sure Prue will come around."
"And if she doesn't?"
"Well… it's her lost. Because you're a great guy, Carey Bell. A total sweetheart."
Carey beamed at her, "Back at ya, kiddo." He attempted to tousle her hair, but she managed to smack it aside.
"I'm not a kid!" She giggled as he made a couple of attempts to mess up her golden locks.
The two's laughter could be heard through the night. It was that sound that signaled the huntress to jump from the shadows.
"Aww, how sweet… the wondrous sound of laughter."
Annie and Carey leapt to their feet. They gasped in shock as out of the darkness emerged a familiar and beloved face.
"Kiara?" They both reacted, stunned.
"In the flesh… so to speak." She responded, her once friendly eyes now sparkled of destruction.
The two knew that they face and body belonged to Kiara… but behind it was something, or someone, totally evil.
"You're not Kiara…" Annie began, slowly making her way down the steps.
Carey grasped her arm, "Annie, don't."
"Well, ain't that the sweetest thang you could ever set your sights upon?" She smirked at the two. "The manly man protecting the life of his beloved. If that ain't chivalry at its best, then I don't know what is!"
"Who are you?" Carey commanded, releasing his hold on Annie as he too took a step towards her.
"What? Don't recognize your dear ol' friend Kiara Lance?" She sneered, causing Carey and Annie to wince.
They couldn't believe that this malevolent creature was their cherished Kiara.
It was then that it dawned on Annie. She knew exactly who it was.
"You may have the body of Kiara… but I do know who you are… Nova—"
"Uh-uh-uh." Kiara replied, waggling her finger. "Dear child, if you know what I think you know, then you must realize that once I exit this body, all you'll have left of your dear Kiara is but an empty shell."
"You're lying!" Annie accused. "From what Fiona has told me, once you release your hold on Kiara, she returns back to her old self."
"Ay, that's true…" Kiara said. She was pensive for a brief second, then the wicked smirk appeared on her face again, "And that would happen… unless the body didn't have a soul to take command of it again."
"What?" Carey and Annie asked, thrown off by that statement.
"Oy, you tiny minded creatures you!" Kiara threw up her hands. "Then again, I guess I should have considered the true capacity of a regular human mind." She sneered at them, "Layman's term, Kiara's soul is separated from her body. If I am forced to leave it, all you'll have left is an empty lifeless body."
"What did you do to her soul?" Annie demanded.
Kiara raised her finger to her lips, deep in thought… at least mocking the gesture anyway. She then replied, "I cannot honestly answer that question."
"Why not?"
"Because I am not the one who knows the true answer."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Carey asked, about as baffled as Annie.
Kiara raised her hands to her ears, "Oy, too many questions!" She then pretended to glance down at a watch, "And not enough time." A glint appeared in her eyes, "At least for you anyway."
With a flick of her wrist, she sent Carey flying down the steps, his body hitting the harsh ground.
"Carey!" Annie cried, racing to his side.
"Not so fast, child." Kiara mentally used her powers to knock Annie to the opposite side of Carey.
Annie met the lawn, her head throbbing from the force of impact. She struggled to stand up, confused by what has happened.
The body of her friend stood over her, her deadly intention apparent. "Get up, girl. Face your demise like a good little soldier."
Annie wanted to fight back, but she couldn't do it. In her eyes, she still saw Kiara and not the evil Novania with the Kiara mask.
"You can't, can you, little one?" She smirked. "How pathetic!"
"Please, Nov—"
"Uh-uh. Remember, child, empty shell…"
"Don't do this."
Kiara leered down at Annie, almost mockingly. "I did not come down here to make a plea bargain. Now if you won't get up and face me, then I'll just have to provoke the fighting spirit out of ya!" She turned around and slowly made her way to Carey's still body.
"No!" Annie cried, quickly pouncing on Kiara.
Kiara just laughed gleefully as she physically removed Annie's body off of her, sending the young woman to the ground. "Ha ha! Now that's the stuff that gets the adrenaline pumpin'! C'mon, now… hit me!"
"You're crazy!" Annie proclaimed, inching herself away from Kiara.
"Well, I prefer mentally challenged… but crazy just suites me fine!" Kiara picked Annie up by the neck, enjoying the satisfaction of watching the young lass squirm within her hand.
"You are making this way too easy on me, child!"
Annie felt dizzy. She couldn't breath against this monster's hold of her. Her mind screamed for her to just take control of the situation and kick this vixen's butt… but she still saw Kiara and not Novania.
"You human's make me sick." She sneered, her grasp tightening. "That's why it gives me such great pleasure to just jump and take control your bodies."
When Novania said that, Annie's mind finally clicked. It finally accepted the contrast… and that made all the difference.
With every strength she could get, she summoned up the one spirit that could help her.
====================================================================
Carey felt something tugging on his arm. His head was singing a painful song, for it throbbed in deep agony. "Aw, man…"
The tugging continued, until he finally swatted it away. His eyes fluttered open to see the source of the consistent pulling of his arm. "What do you wa—"
A pair of gleaming eyes met his, causing Carey to leap to his feet, startled. The beautiful black creature stared at him, regarding Carey's worth.
"Uh… nice kitty? Big kitty…" He held his hands out defensively, waiting for it to strike.
The panther purred at him, then indicated to something behind Carey. The young man turned around, gasping at the sight before him.
"Annie!" He briefly glanced back at the animal, who had mystically disappeared. Before he could completely register what has happened, he remembered Annie.
====================================================================
"Hey!"
Kiara turned her head, smirking. "Well, well, well… if it ain't the knight and shining armor himself." She glanced back at Annie's struggling form. She then simply tossed Annie to the ground. "I was getting bored with her anyway."
"I know you're not Kiara. And I do know you're true name."
"So what? Do I look scared?"
Carey stood strong, not backing down as "Kiara" made her way towards him.
"What is this?" She indicated to his stance. "You're not backing down, now are you?"
"No."
"Why Carey Bell… you do have the stamina to stand tall against an attractive woman's close proximity. And here I thought you were always a wuss who could easily cave in."
"Kiara is beautiful… but right now, all I can see is the ugliness that is you, Nova—"
"Are all you humans born clueless?!" Kiara exclaimed, throwing her hands up. She mock knocked on his forehead, causing him to swat it away angrily. "Hello! I'm the only soul in command of *this* body. Do you *not* understand that concept?!"
"Yes we do,"
Kiara turned around, seeing Annie standing tall. Though she felt weary, and she could feel a trickle of blood from a cut on her forehead, Annie's fighting spirit was a determined as ever.
"Which is why we would rather have a shell of our kind Kiara, then have to see it die under the hands of an evil spirit like you! Be gone from this mortal form, Novan—"
Novania felt fear in her mortal heart. Reacting instinctively, she swung her hands and sent Annie crashing up into the window of the Halliwell manor.
Carey screamed out Annie's name, racing up the stairs.
Novania heard commotion within that house. Heard that Fiona girl scream. She stared down at her hands… at Kiara's hands.
*Novania! Return at once!* Novania heard her master psychically bellow.
The mortal guilt that came with this body became to overpower her. Why did she have to attain emotions with this human shell?
Taking one last glance at the Halliwell manor, she sighed and made her escape.
====================================================================
"Annie!"
Fiona ran down the steps as soon as she recognized the shattered figure on the floor.
"Oh my God!" Piper exclaimed, then gazed at Leo, "Leo, you have to heal her!"
Carey stayed by her side, afraid to move her. When he saw her fragile body go through the window, every nerve in his body shot through the roof. Every single version of fear he has ever experienced was simply nothing in comparison to what he was feeling right this moment.
"Annie…" He whispered her name, tenderly brushing her hair away from her face. It was then that he felt the harsh slap of reality when he felt the moistness of fresh blood. "I'm so sorry," He murmured to her, feeling wet tears threatening to fall.
Leo made his way to her, avoiding the broken glass. He looked at Carey, noticing his trance of shock and dismay.
"Carey, help me move her to the couch."
"What?" He awoke from his stupor, looking at Leo incredulously. "Are you sure?"
"Trust me, Carey." He met eyes with the young man, complete assurance in them.
He nodded, slowly helping Leo carry Annie's unconscious body.
Fiona felt Clu's arm around her. She took comfort in him as she kept her gaze on her dear friend.
Jack was stunned. How could this have happened? Prue placed a sisterly arm around his shoulder, mirroring her own shock and confusion over this.
Jimmy ran a hand through his hair in disbelief. What is going on that people have to get emotionally and physically hurt?
Declan took hold of Phoebe's tension, while Piper quickly joined Leo's side.
"How is she, Leo?"
"She's still alive, Piper. But she's bleeding pretty badly."
"She has so much open wounds on her." Carey sighed.
Leo slapped his hands together, rubbing them up to full power. "Okay, here I go." He laid his hands over Annie's most deepest wound, which was on her forehead. Concentrating hard, an amazing light beamed on it, slowly healing the cut. He traveled to each gash, healing it up with all his might.
As Leo tended to Annie, Jack just had to know what exactly happened. "Carey, how did this happen?"
"It was Novania." He spitted out the name bitterly. "She flung Annie through the window."
"What?!" Fiona exclaimed. "How? Novania's just a ball of light!"
"She's in Kiara's body." He faced Fiona, anger in his eyes. "She also has Kiara's powers."
"Kiara? You mean, Kiara's alive?!" Jimmy felt hope grow within him, despite the recent revelation.
"Where is she, Carey?" Phoebe had to know.
"No, you can't go after her."
"Carey, why didn't you just say her one true name? Then Kiara could be set free from Novania's hold."
"That's what Annie tried to do, and look what happened to her."
"I don't understand, Carey." Fiona tried to make sense of it all.
Carey didn't answer, he was too tired and troubled over Annie. Clu noticed the distress on his brother's face. Taking his girl aside, he whispered, "Ask him about it later, Fi. I don't think he's up to answering questions."
She looked at Carey, finally seeing the angst written on his face. "Carey, I'm sorry. I—" Fi shut her mouth, thinking better against saying more than she needed to say. Carey already knew how she felt.
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MINI NOTE from YOUR'S TRULY: C'mon, did you actually think I'd let my own character die?! Hope I didn't upset the lot of ya... and if I did, I'm sorry. What's an epic without a few twists and turns? Especially those that keep the readers on edge!