The Darkness of the Past on Trial (The Conclusion)
The DARKNESS of the Past
on Trial

The Conclusion: Emotional Repercussions



A couple of hours later, back in Electro City, Ace practiced on the ring of fire for the grand finale trick when he received a psychic message from Angie that she would be home within the next hour. However, he also sensed pain and sadness in her heart, which revealed the hearing did not go the way she had wanted.
Coming off the plane at Electro City International, she found Ace and Cosmo and hugged them. "It's great to be home again."
"It's great to have you back," said Ace. However, we need to talk when we return to the Express. I know you're in more pain than you want us to see.
Okay, because you're right. I am in a lot of pain right now.
Returning home after a long couple of days away, Angie knew she was more sad than happy.
As soon as they entered the Express, Ace wanted Cosmo to take her luggage to her room so he could talk with her alone. He then faced his kindred sister. "Angie, they didn't get the parole, did they?"
"No, they didn't. It's no victory or defeat. Mr. Rogers won't be with his family, and Mr. Fallon will be staying in a little longer. Fallon deserves to stay behind bars, especially after he tried to attack Mr. Rogers' son."
"Fallon did that? Why?"
"It's obvious. Fallon had no remorse for what he did, and he remained defiant all the way through the hearing. He yelled at me because he thought I would use my celebrity status to set him free. When the parole was denied, he almost got his hands on Barry, but I stopped him in his place without physically hurting him, of course."
"I'm glad you were able to restrain yourself from harming him."
"Ace, the last thing I wanted to do was get myself in trouble with the authorities."
"Maybe, but I sense something else. You're a little upset because you discovered a certain shifter decided to follow you to the hearing."
"Which reminds me, where is Marshall right now? If she's at the Sanctuary, I want to have a long talk with her. She had no business following me. This was a private matter."
:I'm here somewhere, but not at the Sanctuary.:
Don't bother me right now, Marshall. I'm in the middle of a serious discussion.
:Well, guess what, you and I need to have a discussion ourselves. If you want this mess settled, then meet me immediately.:
Marshall, Ace thought sternly, I'll let her see you in a few minutes. Let us finish this first, okay?
:Very well, Magician. I'll let her find me.:
Ace then went back to speaking with Angie. "Angie, I—"
"You knew Marshall followed me, didn't you?" she suddenly snapped.
"Only after Michael Raven and Father Sean came to the airport and told us when you left. We couldn't tell you because we were afraid you would be affected emotionally during the hearing. In fact, it got to the point where you actually broadsent an image into everyone's mind in the room, and Marshall had to tell everyone not to react…including Ashley and Rita."
Angie was shocked. "I did that? Everyone, including Williamson, Fallon, the Rogers family…?"
"Yes. You became very emotional after Rogers' son Barry had his little outburst, which caused you to broadsend that image of the moment you learned of your parents' deaths. Marshall also knew of a rather disturbing dream, where you're actually trying to…kill Fallon. Your parents knew it, too."
"I know my parents did. But how did Marshall—"
"She can dreamwalk, remember? She saw you using your powers to make him nervous, and then nearly choking him to death. Angie, I'm very worried about you."
"You don't need to worry about me, Ace, I'm fine!" She then stormed out of the Express to cool off for a while.
He then put his face down. Marshall, it's up to you right now. Angie's blocking my mind.
As Angie walked in a rapid pace, she noticed a birch tree not too far away. "Maybe I can collect my thoughts there." She then entered a nearby park and sat underneath the tree. She closed her eyes and softly said, "Ace, I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
Angie, you haven't done anything wrong, but you need to talk to someone about how you're really feeling.
:Yeah, like me.:
She opened her eyes and looked up into the tree. "Marshall, get down here. We need to talk immediately."
The silver falcon swooped just inches away from Angie's head and landed on the ground. :Hello, Angie,: Marshall thought coolly to the female magician.
"Marshall, I want to know how and, more importantly, why you followed me 1500 miles to the parole hearing in my hometown. Didn't that leave your wings exhausted?"
:Not really, no. How did I follow you? I "tagged" you, finding out through our link about your problem, which made me concerned. As for why, something was wrong enough to warn me you might need covert watching. Appears I was proven right, too.:
"What do you mean?" Angie asked nervously. "What do you know?"
:Ace did explain that you broadsent, right?:
"Yes, along with the fact you looked into my dream," she reacted with slight anger.
:Ah, yes. Your dreams were pleasant, too…You're emotionally distraught about those acts already, so you should go to the Sanctuary now.:
"I still don't understand how I was able to broadsend an image into the minds of everyone in the room."
:Your emotions hold the key to your power. Angie, my suggestion about going to the Sanctuary is no longer a request, but a command. You are starting to broadsend again, and the only place within running distance that is shielded is there. Now move!:
"You can't force me to go against my will, Marshall! I don't need it!"
Suddenly, the falcon's eyes flashed in silver light as a surge of power swirled around her soul. :Go. I am not kidding, Angela Jacobs. Head there now or I will forcibly remove you there myself.:
The female magician gasped in fear, knowing Marshall was not one to kid around in a situation as serious as this. "All right, all right, I'm going, but don't think I'm happy about it."
She then took off for the House Sanctuary as fast as she could. "She's crazy," she said to herself. "There's nothing wrong with me!"
A few minutes later, she noticed Victor carefully clipping roses in the Sanctuary's garden.
He turned and saw Angie looking very nervous. "Angie, are you okay? What's wrong?"
"I…I don't know," she responded with heavy breathing. After being allowed to get her breathing back to normal, she added, "I'm a little mad at Marshall because she followed me to my hometown for the hearing." She explained what had happened during the course of the parole hearing, carefully leaving out Marshall's intervention with the snake. "It's a victory because Fallon's back behind bars, but it's also a defeat because Rogers won't be with his family for another seven years."
"So Fallon was a jerk?" Victor asked. No, he thought. From the way Angie's reacting about Fallon, "jerk" isn't enough for that man.
"Let me put it this way. He kept insisting it wasn't his fault, and when he lost the parole, he almost attacked Rogers' son. I had to use my powers to stop him."
Victor whistled in surprise. "That bad? What a creep. What about Rogers?"
"He was sad but understanding. When I mentioned about his family possibly being involved, he realized it was one scenario he never expected could have happened."
After thinking carefully, Victor put his hands on Angie's shoulders and said, "It sounds like you need someone a little more experienced in dealing with tangled relationships and time to heal. We can have our first date when you feel ready for it, but not before. I want you to feel better about yourself first."
"Oh, Victor," she said sadly, "I'm so sorry. I feel I'm wrecking everything."
He then came up and gave her a hug. "No, Angie. You've got a lot to deal with right now, and I think that needs to be the priority for you right now. Father Gregor is in the Sanctuary proper if you want to chat with him."
"Okay," she said returning the embrace. "Thank you." She next walked into the Sanctuary itself.
Victor, though, could not help being concerned. "She's going through a rough time. I hope she'll be okay."
In the main area of the Sanctuary, Father Gregor noticed the female magician and greeted her with a warm smile upon her entrance. After she returned the greetings, he said, "Come, join me on the floor, Angela. You are troubled about the outcome of the parole hearing…"
"Wait a sec. Can you read my—"
"No, young one. I can read it plainly on your face."
Taking a seat next to him, she sadly said, "Father Sean, I'm just so…confused right now."
"What has caused this uncertainty in your soul?"
"A lot of things in the last few days. The dream I had about strangling Brad Fallon is the most disturbing part to me, though. I'm not capable of doing something like that to anyone…or am I?"
Father Gregor put his arm around Angie in trying to comfort her. "Everyone, at some level, is indeed capable of such actions, though you are less likely to do so than many who do come here for counsel. Let me ask you this: Have you totally forgiven the other man for his act against you? Just answer with your first thought, as I know how you feel about Mr. Fallon."
Angie gave the question intent thought and after ten seconds finally said, "Well, maybe not completely. I mean, Mr. Rogers could have ignored Fallon's actions."
"Do you feel that you have to forgive this man?" he asked gently.
"I feel compelled to do so because he does have a wife and children. He didn't mean to do it, but he was a factor in my parents' deaths."
"Now, consider this. If he had no family at all, no connection at all, would you still feel that compulsion of forgiveness for him?"
"Probably not," she answered with her face going down in shame.
"I understand. In order to protect others, you would attempt to forget. Forgetting is not forgiving. Forgiving requires that the wrong be fully acknowledged, and not necessarily on both sides, though this is most helpful. This has not been done because I believe you are not in control of the part of you that would allow the grievance to be heard and judged in the heart." With a sad smile and a benediction, Father Gregor left Angie alone in the Sanctuary.
Angie rubbed her hand through her light brown hair and shook her head. "I thought I got rid of my guilt. I guess I was…wrong."
Sean means more than your guilt, Angie, a quiet, yet dark female voice whispered in the female magician's head. He means that you're not in control of your dark side, the side that holds the shadows.
"What?" She turned around suddenly. "Marshall, are you haggling me again?"
The voice laughed wickedly. Who said it was Marshall? She's not doing this.
Angie's breathing became more upsetting by the second. "What's going on here? Who's doing this to me?" She then remembered one person with that kind of ability. "Mrs. Brighton, are you trying to rape my mind again?"
You are so blind, Angela, said the mysterious voice. Mrs. Brighton's on the run, thanks to you and your best friend, remember?
Angie then thought about an unlikely person. "No, it isn't Ace. He'd never do anything like this to me."
Your kindred brother understands his darker self, but you don't.
"Ace doesn't have a darker self!"
On the contrary, my dear. All human beings have darker sides and darker feelings. You don't want that to come out. You don't want…me to come out. I will come out sooner or later.
Angie decided to leave the Sanctuary and return to the Magic Express, the place she called home.
She entered, with Ace sitting in the living room. "Ace, I'm sorry for being angry with you earlier. I didn't mean it."
He hugged her tightly. "I know," he stated calmly. "You've had to deal with one of your worst demons from the past, and…I'm afraid it's beginning something bad within you."
"Bad? How?"
"You need to embrace all parts of yourself, including that of…darkness."
"Darkness!?" Angie asked, becoming increasingly nervous. "What darkness?"
"There's a darker self somewhere inside your soul, but you won't let it come out. You won't accept it."
"Come on, Ace, you can't be serious."
"Even I have a darker self."
"No, you don't! I've never seen it."
"Because I was able to accept it years ago. You know I can still get angry, right? Remember the exposé Paparazzo did?"
"Yeah, I do remember. You were upset with me because I had considered getting revenge on him for doing that to me. I guess…I'm still angry."
"I agree," Ace said assuredly. "However, you won't show it as much. It's as though you keep so much inside you, and I'm worried this could harm you if you're not careful."
Angie put her face down. "I'm scared, Ace. I'm really scared."
"I know." It's late. Why don't you get some sleep, and we'll talk more in the morning after breakfast. Okay with you?
Yeah. I am tired. I'm sorry, kindred brother.
Don't be, Angie. We all go through these difficult stages in life. Now, go to bed and rest.
"Okay. Good night, Ace."
"Good night." When Angie went to her room, Ace quickly made contact with Marshall. You were right, Marshall. Angie won't accept her darker feelings.
:It is unfortunate. Her parents are also gravely concerned for the state of her inner being. The question right now is, what will it take for her to embrace all parts of her being?:
I don't know. I hope nothing drastic will be required, but her power could become dangerous if the darkness explodes.

That night, Angie was asleep when the strange voice from within returned to haunt her once more. You can't hide from me, Angela Jacobs. You know I'm here, yet you won't let me be a part of you.
She suddenly awakened. "What the—who's there? What's happening?" She scanned the room with her eyes. "Cosmo, if this is your idea of a joke, it's not very funny!"
Cosmo? Ha, why would someone you care about play a sick joke like this? However, this is no joke. You don't want me around because you will lose your friends if I am seen by anyone, especially your kindred brother, Ace Cooper.
Angie then closed her eyes and went inside herself. Angry self, is that you?
Nope, it's not me. I'm afraid it's someone a lot worse than me.
Then, what's happening to me?
I can't tell you that, Angie. You've got to come up with the answers on your own.
Angie started breathing heavily and became more frightened. "What is this!?"
In his room, Ace slept soundly until he felt a sharp pain in his head. "Angie," he gasped.
He quickly got out of bed and ran to her room. "Angie, are you okay?"
"No, I'm not. This is scaring me now. What's wrong with me?"
The Magician embraced her in warmth. "It's your darker self. As long as you don't accept that, you're going to place yourself at greater risk. Listen, tomorrow morning, after breakfast, I want you to go back to the House Sanctuary for a little while, okay?"
"Maybe…maybe that could help me some. Sorry I woke you up."
Ace then noticed the quarter on the nightstand. "It's beautiful. From your aunt?"
"Yeah. Mom gave one to her after she and Dad got married. After the Sanctuary, I'm going to the Sentimental Savings shop to get the quarter made into a necklace. I want to preserve this forever."
"Okay. Just think about what I said, though."
"I will. Thanks, Ace."
"Anytime, kindred sister. You'll be all right now?"
"Yeah. 'Night." She then went back to sleep.
As Ace walked back to his room, he wondered if Angie would ever accept her darker feelings before it was too late.

The next morning, Angie wasted no time in getting to the House Sanctuary to try and sort out her own feelings. "Why is this happening to me, why now of all times? I haven't done anything wrong."
"Don't be so sure of that, Angela," said someone sitting right behind her.
Angie recognized the voice and had a tone of anger. "Marshall, are you trying to give me a headache again? I went through enough yesterday with you."
"No, I'm just trying to help you see the truth: You're scared of the darker side of yourself."
"What are you talking about!?" Angie toned in an angry whisper. "I am not afraid of my dark self!"
"That is a lie you tell yourself, the only one you have ever allowed yourself to believe."
"And just why would I be afraid?" the magician queried seriously.
"You fear if others see that side of you, they will stop liking you as a friend or sister. You, despite everything, cannot trust well."
"Why wouldn't I trust others or myself?" Angie demanded. "I have learned trust!"
"Have you really?"
"We-ell, Ace…and the family."
"Maybe so, but they had to prove it first, didn't they? Plus, you are always trying to prove to yourself that their trust is justified with you. What do you fear, Angela, that you are unable to trust others, even (and most importantly) yourself in all occasions?"
"I-I don't know."
"Do you want me to tell you, even though this could hurt you?"
"Yes…please."
"You cannot trust others because you do not see yourself as worthy of love. Others, yes, but yourself, no. Very deep within your soul, you feel unworthy…and you fear love. There's nothing else you fear more than love itself, and you are frightened of it on all levels."
"All levels?" Angie asked in slight confusion. "You mean there's more to love than just family, friends, and romance?"
"I don't believe this," Marshall said, very surprised. "You're almost 25 years old, and you don't know all the levels of love?"
"In case you forgot, Marshall, I led a sheltered life growing up. I was too busy in my studies to think about love other than my parents and my best friend at the time."
"There is something I need to know, though. The night you learned your parents died…you tore up your prom dress and didn't have your magical gift go out of control. How come?"
"That's because…I was too overcome with emotion to even think about using my powers. The magic within me was the last thing on my mind or in my heart at that point."
"Oh, I see. You were awfully lucky that night. However, I'm warning you right now. If you don't accept the darker part of yourself soon, you're going to have a magical catastrophe within your soul."
"Magical…catastrophe? I don't understand."
"You're going down the same path I took, where I kept my own anger and grievances buried away. I almost killed Ace in my gryphon form, remember?"
"I know that. However, I'm not a shifter. I can only magically change clothing, not forms. What is it I need to do to understand this darkness inside of me?"
"I can't tell you. In fact, no one, not even your parents, can answer that. It's all up to you, Angie."
"Gee, thanks, Marshall," said a sarcastic Angie. "You're some help." She then looked at her watch. "I need to get to the Sentimental Savings place so I can get my special quarter turned into a necklace." Angie quickly got up and ran out of the Sanctuary.
Marshall knew better, though. "She's going to keep running away until it's too late. I fear she is placing herself in danger by not allowing acceptance of her darker self."
I know, thought Ace to the shifter guardian. Unfortunately, it's exactly what you said. Angie must face that darker self, or something dangerous could come out of it.
She was on her way to the Sentimental Savings store when that dark voice returned. You can run, Angie, but you can't hide!
"Stop it!" Angie whispered loudly. "I don't want to hear from you again! Just leave me alone!"
She made it to the Sentimental Savings shop and got her special quarter saved into a necklace. After paying for it, she put it proudly around her neck. "That's it. Now Mom and Dad are even closer in my heart."
Angie left the mall and soon went about her normal daily activities, including shopping for groceries and cooking good meals for her friends.
However, deep down she knew her darker self would continue the inner war against the female magician herself, a war which would last quite a while…

The parole hearing did not leave her satisfied at all, and now Angie's darker half is beginning to show signs of surfacing. Will Angie be able to face her darker self, or will she continue to ignore it and hope it will go away? This is only the first of three major stories focusing on Angie's inner struggle with her darker self. The next story, "A Double Take of Revenge," will be coming soon, so stay tuned for it.