Guardians of Good
Written by: Jumper Prime
For Disclaimers see Chapter 1.
Last time on Guardians of Good: Charity's powers came fully awake, allowing her to destroy the
Shadow Demon threatening her, Kay, and Miguel in Hecuba's pocket dimension. However, the destruction of the Shadow Demon did not free them from the pocket dimension. When Reese went to the church to retrieve Father Lonnigan for help getting the teens out, the priest insisted on bringing along Matthew Sorenson, who he had learned was also Mordecai Devilslayer, the knight who had helped save Charity from Hell. They arrived as Hecuba was compressing the pocket dimension to crush Charity, Kay and Miguel. Father Lonnigan was unable to aid in a rescue and there was insufficient time for Matthew to open a portal with his own powers. Luckily, Jessica's determination to save her sister, cousin, and friend unlocked the other half of her powers allowing her to create a portal to the pocket dimension, allowing them to escape just in the nick of time. Matthew then revealed to them that he was the Soldier of the Almighty mentioned in the prophecy, inviting them to come see him when they were all rested. Later, while an unwitting Kay gave her a tour of Harmony, Diana planted a magic talisman in the Youth Center in order to summon evil spirits to cause trouble.
Chapter 9: Convergence
Charity woke up in her bed and sat up, afternoon sunlight streaming in the window.
Was it all a dream? she wondered and stared at her hand, which momentarily glowed with white light
If it was, then we're both still dreaming. Jessica said from the doorway I knew Kay was taking Tabitha's niece, Diana, on a tour of Harmony before Mom told me.
It's incredible. I never totally believed the things my mother told me about the supernatural were literally true. But when Hecuba threw me into Hell, I realized she wasn't just superstitious. Evil exists, as do our powers.
Yeah, seems so incredible, but it's true. Jessica walked into the room and sat down on the chair next to Charity's bed You can turn demons into charcoal briquets, Kay's super strong, among other things, and I can see the future and make magic portals. It's like our lives have just turned into a comic book... Or an R. L. Stein novel, considering the witches and demons... Or a certain Aaron Spelling show.
Yet it's all very real. If we're interpreting the prophecy right, I'm supposed to be the Savior,' which implies that everything's depending on me. I hope I can live up to that, both in my power, and my use of it.
Hey, we're all gonna be with you. Jessica reassured her cousin and held her hand Together we'll take down Hecuba, all her demons, and anything else evil that comes our way. And judging by how you nuked that demon, you're not lacking in the power department.
But it took everything I had to destroy it.
You hit it with everything you had, but that doesn't necessarily mean you needed to. We don't know much about your powers. Maybe the amount of power you unloaded on that thing was overkill. You took it out in four shots and the first three looked like they were pretty devastating, with the last one completely vaporizing it. Look, this Matthew guy said he'd explain things to us. Maybe that includes info on your powers.
I hope so. I feel like I'm flying blind. I don't know what I can do and what I can't do. What if it comes out when I don't want it to and hurts someone I love, like Miguel?
I felt sorta the same way this morning. No instruction manual and all that. So, you feel like you've got your strength back yet? We were both pretty wiped after what happened this morning, but you used your powers twice in a row.
Yes. In fact, I feel stronger than I've ever been, but not in the way Kay is.
I get it, inner strength and all that. Your powers ready to cut loose and roast more bad guys. C'mon, Mom left some lunch for us downstairs.
Good. I'm so hungry, I feel like I could eat TWO horses! Charity chuckled
I'm with you on that! Jessica chuckled as well as they both stood up and headed downstairs to eat.
Charity and Jessica were finishing their meal when Kay returned from giving Diana her tour of Harmony. Kay blinked as she saw the empty serving dish and Charity & Jessica's nearly empty plates.
Whoa. No survivors. Kay quipped I think Mom was expecting to get some leftovers out of that.
Charity placed her hand over her mouth as she realized how much she had eaten
I guess we did pig out a bit. Jessica said quietly We were just so hungry.
It's alright. Kay shrugged I already ate, anyway. You guys still feeling tired?
I'm not. Charity answered In fact, I feel full of energy, in more ways than one.
Same here. Jessica agreed I'll bet I could whip up a portal to anywhere you wanted to go.
No need for a portal, Jess. Kay said We're just going a short way to get Miguel, Luis, and Sheridan, then we're squeezing into Luis's car for the trip to the address that Matthew guy gave us.
I'm ready when you are. Charity declared as she put the dishes in the sink.
Same here. Jessica agreed
Then let's get going. Kay smiled and they headed out
The girls walked over to the Lopez-Fitzgerald house where Sheridan, Luis, and Miguel were waiting. When they got there, they all got into Luis's car. Luis and Sheridan in the front seats and Miguel, Kay, Charity, and Jessica shoehorning themselves into the back seat. Kay and Charity wound up sitting on either side of Miguel, much to Kay's delight as they were tightly packed. As they drove, it soon became obvious that the address was in the upper class area of Harmony. Luis eventually pulled the car to a stop in front of a majestic-looking townhouse.
This is the address. Luis said as he stopped the car and got out
Boy, this Matthew guy must be loaded. Kay whistled as she got out of the car and gazed at the townhouse
And powerful. Jessica said as she got out That place is surrounded by an aura like the one around our house, except not as intense.
There's an aura around your house? Miguel blinked I didn't see anything unusual when we brought you guys home earlier.
It's a magical aura. Not visible to normal sight. Almost blinded me when me and Kay left to go to the Youth Center.
When your magesight was stuck on. Sheridan noted
Right. This one isn't as powerful as the one around our place, but I think it could still stop a decent attack.
I feel a sense of peace coming from this house. Charity said as they walked up the path to the door The same kind I feel from a church.
Luis rang the doorbell and the door was answered almost immediately by a grey-haired man in a pristine black tuxedo.
We're here to see Matthew Sorenson. Luis stated
He's been expecting you. Jacob answered Come in and I will take you to him.
Jacob opened the door wide, allowing everyone to enter before closing the door behind them.
If I may say so, Jacob said as he led them upstairs It is an honor to meet you all.
Uh, thanks. Kay responded, a little surprised at the reverence he seemed to have for them
There's something weird about this guy. Jessica whispered
What do you mean? Miguel whispered back
I don't know. He's just... Something doesn't fit about him.
They quickly arrived at the entrance to a spacious room where Matthew was sitting in a comfortable chair reading a very old book.
Sir, your guests have arrived. Jacob announced
Show them in, Jacob. Matthew smiled as he closed his book and put it on the table next to him.
Yes sir. Jacob stepped out of the way and motioned for the group to enter. Luis, Sheridan, Kay, Charity, Jessica, and Miguel walked into the room, distracted a little by the lavish furnishings.
Please, sit down. This will probably take a while. Kay and Jessica each sat down in chairs while the two couples sat down together on a comfortable couch, both the chairs and the couch were already facing towards the chair that Matthew was sitting in. OK, you already know that the supernatural is quite real. Most of you have recently discovered that you possess magical abilities that you didn't know you had. The war between good and evil, between God and the Devil, has been raging, not just for thousands of years, not for millions of years, but for billions of years. When Earth was a young planet, God and the Devil battled directly. The fallout from those battles shaped our world, giving rise to many geographical features that still exist today.
Wasn't all that from natural phenomenon? Miguel asked Volcanic eruptions and shifting plates?
Actually, very little primordial upheaval was natural in origin. God and the Devil battled many times, but it always ended in a stalemate. They were evenly matched. Eventually, they realized that if they kept going at that rate, they'd tear the planet apart and they'd have nothing left to fight over. They hammered out a truce of sorts. They would allow life to develop and each would try to influence that life towards their own ideologies. Things were quiet for a long time as the pieces were slowly forged and placed on the gameboard. 65 million years ago, God and the Devil directly clashed again. Only God and the Devil know why. That information has never been shared with us. But the result of that clash was a cataclysm that darkened the skies worldwide and brought about the end of the dinosaurs. Scientists today think it was a meteor strike, but we know better. When intelligent life began to develop, both began to exert their influence. I won't give you a detailed history of the resultant cold war, since that would take a very long time. Suffice to say, each side ended up choosing beings to represent them directly, endowing them with abilities beyond what normal humans could do. This was the origination of angels, demons, witches, the Army of the Lord, and countless other groups who have battled each other for millennia.
So, the stories about selling your soul to the devil for power are just myths? Sheridan theorized
What makes you think that?
Well, if they're fighting for the Devil, why would he want their souls too?
To make sure that they don't betray him, of course. Many people choose to fight for God because it's the right thing to do, and he gifts them with special abilities to make it easier for them, or as a reward for their righteousness, and if they cross over to the dark side, he exacts no vengeance. The Devil, on the other hand, is very tightfisted with his power. He takes people's souls as collateral for the power he grants them, then if they betray him, or just displease him, his possession of their soul allows him to inflict some serious harm or torture on them.
Charity whispered
That's the Devil in a nutshell. The war rages on today, occasionally coming so close to the surface that the general population almost becomes aware of it. The Tunguska event in 1908, for example, was actually the result of an incursion and not an exploding comet.
What's an incursion? Luis asked
An incursion is the name for when the forces of Hell make an attempt to bring a large number of troops through to Earth. Tunguska was actually the most visible in recent memory. Most incursions, whether carried to fruition or stopped by the forces of good, never come to the attention of the public, though the collateral effects are often mistaken for UFO phenomenon. A nascent incursion is one where the ritual to open the portal from this end is still in progress, while an active incursion is one where the portal is already open. Most incursions start as the nascent variety before going active, while in rare cases they go straight to active by punching a hole from within Hell.
Are we gonna have to deal with incursions too, in addition to Hecuba and her goons? Kay asked
Possibly. The good news is that we should have plenty of warning if one does get started. The early stages of an incursion put out a lot of negative energy and it only increases as the portal forms. Incursions are relatively rare, though, as these things go. The forces of evil will likely use slightly more subtle methods of achieving their ends. Spells and demons and such. You'd be surprised what small actions can increase the power of evil. Things like cheating on your taxes and breaking up a loving couple.
Kay squirmed a little as Matthew mentioned the second act, but no one noticed. As Matthew finished his sentence, Jacob entered carrying a silver tray with a teapot and several teacups on it.
Some tea? the well dressed servant asked
Ah, thank you Jacob. Matthew smiled I am a bit thirsty.
Jacob poured Matthew a cup of tea, then went around to the others, pouring tea for them as well. As he came around to Jessica, the sense of unease she had been feeling from him came into focus. As she looked at Jacob's face, Jessica saw a flash of another face, one similar to Jacob's, but with the addition of forehead ridges and tiny tusks jutting from his cheeks. The sight of this face coming towards her prompted Jessica to stand up sharply, knocking over her chair as she did.
Is something wrong, miss? Jacob asked, not knowing what Jessica was seeing
You're a demon! Jessica said in a panicky voice, causing the others' eyes to widen, except for Matthew He's a demon!
Jacob responded as his eyes flashed with green light A half I wish didn't exist.
You admit it? Kay asked evenly as she calmly rose from her chair
Easy now, don't do anything rash. Matthew cautioned Jacob may be half-demon, but he's not evil.
Demons are evil.
And Jacob is only half-demon. The other half is human. If it weren't for Jacob, I might not exist. He helped one of my ancestors escape from his cell after being captured on a mission to Hell. In return, my ancestor took Jacob with him out of Hell and he's served my family faithfully ever since.
I was not suited for Hell at all. Jacob calmly declared The only reason I was there at all, that I exist at all, was that my mother was kidnaped during an incursion, I don't know how many centuries ago. Seems she struck the fancy of a demon officer who dragged her back to Hell with him when his forces withdrew. She was raped by said officer, repeatedly, from what I was told, and became pregnant. I... I was told that I ripped my way out of my mother's belly. Jacob shed a tear as he forced out the painful sentence. I have no memory of my birth. I don't know if I should be glad that I don't remember it, or sad that I will never know if what I was told was the truth or merely a fiction meant to torment me.
As could be expected, my upbringing was less than wholesome. Several times, I was handed a whip or other implement of torture and ordered to use it on a helpless prisoner. I refused each time, resulting in my being relegated to menial tasks, such as carrying food to prisoners, which is how I met Master Matthew's ancestor. I helped him escape and in return he brought me along with him when he returned to Earth. To repay him for my freedom, I have served the Sorenson family ever since.
Those of you who can, try to sense evil from him. Matthew challenged
I don't sense any evil. Charity said after a few moments What about you, Jessica?
Jessica, who had started to calm down as Jacob told his story, focused her gaze on Jacob and concentrated. She blinked and her face took on a curious look.
I don't believe it... He's not evil. Jessica said in disbelief
Fortunately, I apparently take after my mother, Jacob responded dryly God rest her soul. Would you like some tea, miss?
You're offering me tea after what I said about you? Jessica asked as she slowly sat back down in the chair that Jacob had just righted. Kay was also slowly resuming her seat and the glow around Charity's hands, which had sprung up when Jessica made her declaration, was fading out as well.
I am not offended. I'm actually glad that you saw through my usual disguise. It means that there's a much lower chance of my... brethren... Jacob said the word with distaste Fooling you with a similar subterfuge.
Now that THAT bit of minor excitement is over, Matthew grinned Let's get back to the matter at hand. I understand you girls have some questions about your powers?
Charity answered Jessica and I are feeling really in the dark about our powers. We don't know exactly what we can or can't do. It's a little scary.
Well, it's especially inappropriate for you to be in the dark, Charity. Your powers are, in their most basic form, pure holy light. As deadly to creatures of darkness as sulfuric acid is to normal living things, yet perfectly harmless to anything which is not tainted by evil.
So... I don't have to worry about hurting those I love with my powers? Charity gave a sigh of relief
So long as no one you love goes over to the dark side, that's correct. If your power is light, then your mind is the prism, lens, and mirrors through which it reflects, diffuses, and/or focuses. The uses for your powers are myriad, able to destroy evil creatures, break evil spells, shield against evil, and even perform what are called miracles' by the public. Don't be afraid to experiment with your powers, that's the only way you'll figure out exactly what your limits are.
What about my powers? Jessica asked
From what a certain angel told me a short time ago, you seem to have more or less figured out your powers, already. You're a seer, allowing you to see the future, things far away, and things not readily apparent to the mortal eye. What the prophecy didn't mention was that you're also a portalsmith, able to create magical portals to just about anywhere your Sight can see, on Earth or off it. Matthew paused a moment, turning his gaze to Kay, who remained silent. No questions about your powers, Kay?
The angel girl told me all about them right after Hecuba got kicked out of the church. Kay replied Super strength, agility, fortitude and fighting skill. Seems pretty cut and dried, really. Not like Charity's and Jessica's powers and all their cool special effects.
Don't devalue yourself just because you don't wield the kind of raw power your sister and cousin possess. The Power of the Warrior is nothing to be sneezed at. There are some things that cannot be as easily zapped as the Shadow Demon Charity destroyed today. Some will require a personal touch, which you are well equipped to provide.
Just then, Luis's cellphone rang and he answered it.
he said into the phone
It's Reese. Reese's voice came from the phone Luis, things are seriously cuckoo here at the Youth Center. We got things flying all over the place and- WATCH OUT!- It's getting really hairy in here. It's like a scene outta Poltergeist!
Is anybody hurt?
No, but we're getting everybody out before someone does get injured. A minute ago, a chair was flying around the room like a remote-controlled airplane and almost hit Frank. I'd say it's definitely supernatural.
OK, we're coming over. Luis hung up and turned back to Matthew We gotta go. Something's going on at the Youth Center. Reese said there was stuff flying around the place.
Sounds like unsettled spirits. Matthew responded I can help you deal with them.
We'd be glad for the help.
Matthew nodded and everyone stood up, heading for the door.
The convertible is fully fueled, sir. Jacob said as Matthew passed where he stood
Good. Is my spook bag packed? Matthew responded
Yes it is, sir. In the Armory as always.
Thank you Jacob.
Spook bag? Miguel blinked
A bag containing magical equipment and supplies specifically geared towards dealing with ghosts, specters, and other noncorporeal entities. As he stepped into the hall, Matthew gestured down the corridor and spoke a word in Latin.
A door down the hall opened by itself and a medium-sized carry-on bag floated out the door, flew down the hall, and landed in Matthew's hands.
Now there's a handy trick. Sheridan commented
It's certainly useful. Matthew agreed
Matthew went down to the garage while the others went out the front door to Luis's car. Matthew pulled around to the front in a blue convertible as they were piling into the car.
Looks like a tight fit there. he called I'd be glad to give one or two of you a ride.
I'll go with him. Kay said with little hesitation
I'd love to ride in a convertible. Jessica said a moment later
No Jess, maybe you should stick with the others.
Just, trust me.
OK... Alright.
Jessica got into the car with Luis, Sheridan, Charity, and Miguel while Kay got into the passenger seat of Matthew's convertible and both vehicles started moving towards the Youth Center.
Still don't trust me, huh? Matthew observed
What do you mean? Kay pretended not to know what he meant
You're the best equipped to handle a trap and you didn't want your sister to come with us.
Is it because we just met or because of the revelation about Jacob's true nature?
A little of both.
Surely, either Charity or Jessica noticed the shield around the house. And neither of them sensed any evil when they were specifically asked to look. What more proof do you need?
I don't know. Maybe I'm just a little gunshy since the last supernatural person to offer to help me ended up grabbing my soul and using me in a plot to put my cousin in Hell.
The witch Hecuba. I read the file. I'm nothing like her.
There's a file on it already? Oh gee. Probably in triplicate and everything.
Don't worry. I'm probably the only human who's seen it. The file was delivered direct by angel.
Why'd she give it to you?
Background on the current situation. Part of my briefing.
So you know about what happened that night.
It wasn't your fault. Once Hecuba had your soul in hand, you were hers to command. It's a testament to your strength of will that you were able to resist her enough to blow the lid off her operation, enabling a rescue to be planned and executed.
But if I hadn't sold her my soul, it would never have happened in the first place.
From my interpretation of the file, it seems to me like you were cheated. She didn't keep her end of the deal, getting you a genuine sexual encounter with Miguel, but she used the agreement to take your soul anyway.
That was part of what motivated me to tell. She actually tried to kill Miguel that night. She sent demons and also tried to squish him in the basement. If it weren't for Father Lonnigan, she would've succeeded.
At least a little good came of it.
It was a watershed event for you. Made you realize the depths to which you'd sunk in your efforts to win Miguel's love, and the consequences of sinking so low, like not realizing you were too deep underwater until the pressure started to crush you.
Well, I'm never going that deep again. Hopefully, I won't even submerge.
That's good to hear. Ah, looks like we're here.
Matthew's convertible pulled up to the Youth Center, right behind Luis's car. Everyone got out of the two cars and Reese walked up to them with an odd-looking backpack device strapped to his back.
Forget your ghost trap, Dr. Spengler? Matthew quipped
Actually, this fulfills both the functions of the proton pack and ghost trap from the Ghostbusters movies. Reese answered It's a negative energy vacuum. Fortunately, I was working on it in the workshop and was able to grab it when we evacuated.
Technology won't work on spirits.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. This thing was registering off the scale in the Bennett house the night Charity was sucked into Hell. If Kay hadn't accidentally spilled some soda on it, I'll bet it woulda sucked up the evil responsible and saved us a lot of grief.
Or its containment unit would have overloaded and exploded. The evil force responsible, the witch Hecuba, is vastly powerful... Wait, you said you were working on it. You built it yourself?
Yeah. I got the plans off the Internet, but I had to make some changes to the design before I could get it to work, like using zircon and calcite in place of the usual quartz crystals.
Why zircon and calcite?
I'm not sure. The quartz wasn't vibrating at a frequency compatible with the custom circuitry, so I decided to try something else. I tried a few combinations before I started getting the results I wanted. I got the idea for which stones to use from a website that listed the mystical properties of various gemstones.
Well, I look forward to seeing your device in action.
The group cautiously walked through the doors into the Youth Center, wary of what they would find. All seemed quiet as they walked through the entryway, nothing seeming out of the ordinary. They had walked to the center of the spacious front room before a rattling sound was heard behind them. Turning to look, they saw the steel security shutters over the front doors dropping down much faster than designed to, the lower edge hitting the ground with a crash. A moment later, a supernatural groaning filled the room as several different colored glowing forms flew into the room, followed by some flying furniture, a blue skeleton with glowing eyes that walked on its own, and some more bizarre creatures. The humans ducked as the glowing spirits buzzed them. Reese thumbed a button on the wand cabled to his backpack device, causing a green light to turn on and a whirring was heard as the device cycled up, Matthew removed a clear, pyramid-shaped crystal from his bag, and Charity's hands started to glow.
Looks like some of them are using materials from this place to fashion crude bodies for themselves. Matthew announced Watch yourselves.
Several chairs flew towards the group at high speed as Matthew finished his warning. Sheridan cupped her hands and electricity crackled between her fingers. She extended her right hand towards the rapidly approaching furniture, fingers spread.
Chain Lightning! Sheridan shouted and a bolt of electricity shot from her hand to strike the closest flying chair.
As the first chair was blown apart, a bolt of lightning arced from it to the next closest chair, destroying that one as well. The lightning kept arcing from chair to chair until all the approaching furniture had been blasted from the air. As each chair was destroyed, a glowing form flew out of the explosion, an unearthly howl filling the air as they flew free. Charity threw several bolts of white light from her hands at the spirits that came out of the chairs, those that were hit let out an inhuman shriek right before vanishing. Charity threw a bolt at a monster made of wood blocks and stared in shock as the blast of light splashed off its chest without doing any damage. As she did, the blue skeleton charged at them, all but Matthew recognized it as Mr. Bones' a plastic skeleton that was usually on a metal stand. Reese aimed his device, pressed the trigger, and Mr. Bones screamed as red energy shot out of it and into the tip of the wand. The plastic skeleton writhed for a moment before it collapsed to the ground in an inert heap.
Yes! It works! the bespectacled teen grinned as he noted an indicator on the device had increased slightly
Kay ran forward to exchange blows with the advancing wood block monster while Matthew fired a blast of energy from his crystal that dissipated another of the glowing ghosts and Charity threw another bolt of light at a man-sized lego dinosaur. The blast of light once again failed to affect its target.
Why aren't my powers working on these things!? Charity cried out in frustration
They've sheathed themselves in ordinary matter. Matthew realized It's protecting them from your powers. Concentrate on the free-floating apparitions and leave the embodied ones to us.
Charity started throwing light bolts at the ghosts that were flying around, causing them to scatter as they realized some of their number were being wiped out of existence. Kay quickly smashed apart the wood block monster, causing a glowing ghost to fly out of the remains to be annihilated by a shot from Matthew's crystal. Luis and Miguel started attacking the makeshift constructions which, although fearsome in appearance, were quite easy to disrupt, forcing the ghosts within to exit into the open air. Sheridan blasted the constructions apart with lightning, Kay continued smashing them apart as Luis and Miguel were, Matthew was shooting the ghosts out of the air with energy from his crystal, and Reese used his negative energy vaccum to suck up ghosts, both embodied and not. Jessica, not being as combat oriented as the others, did her best to stay clear of the hostile spirits.
The only problem was, no matter how many ghosts they neutralized, more just kept on appearing. Worse, the new ghosts were able to reassemble the pieces of the makeshift bodies abandoned by the ones that came before, resulting in an endless stream of enemies.
Suddenly, a flying table broke apart on its own into a mass of wooden spikes heading straight towards Charity. Charity saw the spikes coming and instinctively loosed a beam of light at them but, as predicted, the light was ineffective against the possessed, yet still ordinary wood.
Miguel yelled in anguish as he saw the girl he loved about to be impaled several times over and no one in a position to save her.
End of Chapter 9
Latin translation- adipiscor: to come up to, overtake, obtain.
Sorry this chapter took so long. I can't believe it's been almost 4 months since I posted chapter 8. I got fixated on my Gundam Wing fic while I was writer's blocked on this chapter. But I'm over the block now, much to Charity's chagrin. Will she become a holy shish kabob or will she be saved? Find out in chapter 10, coming in less time than this one took(hopefully)
Also, I've made a few minor spelling corrections to chapter 5. Seems I had the wrong synonyms in a few places. No real plot changes.
Written by: Jumper Prime
For Disclaimers see Chapter 1.
Last time on Guardians of Good: Charity's powers came fully awake, allowing her to destroy the
Shadow Demon threatening her, Kay, and Miguel in Hecuba's pocket dimension. However, the destruction of the Shadow Demon did not free them from the pocket dimension. When Reese went to the church to retrieve Father Lonnigan for help getting the teens out, the priest insisted on bringing along Matthew Sorenson, who he had learned was also Mordecai Devilslayer, the knight who had helped save Charity from Hell. They arrived as Hecuba was compressing the pocket dimension to crush Charity, Kay and Miguel. Father Lonnigan was unable to aid in a rescue and there was insufficient time for Matthew to open a portal with his own powers. Luckily, Jessica's determination to save her sister, cousin, and friend unlocked the other half of her powers allowing her to create a portal to the pocket dimension, allowing them to escape just in the nick of time. Matthew then revealed to them that he was the Soldier of the Almighty mentioned in the prophecy, inviting them to come see him when they were all rested. Later, while an unwitting Kay gave her a tour of Harmony, Diana planted a magic talisman in the Youth Center in order to summon evil spirits to cause trouble.
Chapter 9: Convergence
Charity woke up in her bed and sat up, afternoon sunlight streaming in the window.
Was it all a dream? she wondered and stared at her hand, which momentarily glowed with white light
If it was, then we're both still dreaming. Jessica said from the doorway I knew Kay was taking Tabitha's niece, Diana, on a tour of Harmony before Mom told me.
It's incredible. I never totally believed the things my mother told me about the supernatural were literally true. But when Hecuba threw me into Hell, I realized she wasn't just superstitious. Evil exists, as do our powers.
Yeah, seems so incredible, but it's true. Jessica walked into the room and sat down on the chair next to Charity's bed You can turn demons into charcoal briquets, Kay's super strong, among other things, and I can see the future and make magic portals. It's like our lives have just turned into a comic book... Or an R. L. Stein novel, considering the witches and demons... Or a certain Aaron Spelling show.
Yet it's all very real. If we're interpreting the prophecy right, I'm supposed to be the Savior,' which implies that everything's depending on me. I hope I can live up to that, both in my power, and my use of it.
Hey, we're all gonna be with you. Jessica reassured her cousin and held her hand Together we'll take down Hecuba, all her demons, and anything else evil that comes our way. And judging by how you nuked that demon, you're not lacking in the power department.
But it took everything I had to destroy it.
You hit it with everything you had, but that doesn't necessarily mean you needed to. We don't know much about your powers. Maybe the amount of power you unloaded on that thing was overkill. You took it out in four shots and the first three looked like they were pretty devastating, with the last one completely vaporizing it. Look, this Matthew guy said he'd explain things to us. Maybe that includes info on your powers.
I hope so. I feel like I'm flying blind. I don't know what I can do and what I can't do. What if it comes out when I don't want it to and hurts someone I love, like Miguel?
I felt sorta the same way this morning. No instruction manual and all that. So, you feel like you've got your strength back yet? We were both pretty wiped after what happened this morning, but you used your powers twice in a row.
Yes. In fact, I feel stronger than I've ever been, but not in the way Kay is.
I get it, inner strength and all that. Your powers ready to cut loose and roast more bad guys. C'mon, Mom left some lunch for us downstairs.
Good. I'm so hungry, I feel like I could eat TWO horses! Charity chuckled
I'm with you on that! Jessica chuckled as well as they both stood up and headed downstairs to eat.
Charity and Jessica were finishing their meal when Kay returned from giving Diana her tour of Harmony. Kay blinked as she saw the empty serving dish and Charity & Jessica's nearly empty plates.
Whoa. No survivors. Kay quipped I think Mom was expecting to get some leftovers out of that.
Charity placed her hand over her mouth as she realized how much she had eaten
I guess we did pig out a bit. Jessica said quietly We were just so hungry.
It's alright. Kay shrugged I already ate, anyway. You guys still feeling tired?
I'm not. Charity answered In fact, I feel full of energy, in more ways than one.
Same here. Jessica agreed I'll bet I could whip up a portal to anywhere you wanted to go.
No need for a portal, Jess. Kay said We're just going a short way to get Miguel, Luis, and Sheridan, then we're squeezing into Luis's car for the trip to the address that Matthew guy gave us.
I'm ready when you are. Charity declared as she put the dishes in the sink.
Same here. Jessica agreed
Then let's get going. Kay smiled and they headed out
The girls walked over to the Lopez-Fitzgerald house where Sheridan, Luis, and Miguel were waiting. When they got there, they all got into Luis's car. Luis and Sheridan in the front seats and Miguel, Kay, Charity, and Jessica shoehorning themselves into the back seat. Kay and Charity wound up sitting on either side of Miguel, much to Kay's delight as they were tightly packed. As they drove, it soon became obvious that the address was in the upper class area of Harmony. Luis eventually pulled the car to a stop in front of a majestic-looking townhouse.
This is the address. Luis said as he stopped the car and got out
Boy, this Matthew guy must be loaded. Kay whistled as she got out of the car and gazed at the townhouse
And powerful. Jessica said as she got out That place is surrounded by an aura like the one around our house, except not as intense.
There's an aura around your house? Miguel blinked I didn't see anything unusual when we brought you guys home earlier.
It's a magical aura. Not visible to normal sight. Almost blinded me when me and Kay left to go to the Youth Center.
When your magesight was stuck on. Sheridan noted
Right. This one isn't as powerful as the one around our place, but I think it could still stop a decent attack.
I feel a sense of peace coming from this house. Charity said as they walked up the path to the door The same kind I feel from a church.
Luis rang the doorbell and the door was answered almost immediately by a grey-haired man in a pristine black tuxedo.
We're here to see Matthew Sorenson. Luis stated
He's been expecting you. Jacob answered Come in and I will take you to him.
Jacob opened the door wide, allowing everyone to enter before closing the door behind them.
If I may say so, Jacob said as he led them upstairs It is an honor to meet you all.
Uh, thanks. Kay responded, a little surprised at the reverence he seemed to have for them
There's something weird about this guy. Jessica whispered
What do you mean? Miguel whispered back
I don't know. He's just... Something doesn't fit about him.
They quickly arrived at the entrance to a spacious room where Matthew was sitting in a comfortable chair reading a very old book.
Sir, your guests have arrived. Jacob announced
Show them in, Jacob. Matthew smiled as he closed his book and put it on the table next to him.
Yes sir. Jacob stepped out of the way and motioned for the group to enter. Luis, Sheridan, Kay, Charity, Jessica, and Miguel walked into the room, distracted a little by the lavish furnishings.
Please, sit down. This will probably take a while. Kay and Jessica each sat down in chairs while the two couples sat down together on a comfortable couch, both the chairs and the couch were already facing towards the chair that Matthew was sitting in. OK, you already know that the supernatural is quite real. Most of you have recently discovered that you possess magical abilities that you didn't know you had. The war between good and evil, between God and the Devil, has been raging, not just for thousands of years, not for millions of years, but for billions of years. When Earth was a young planet, God and the Devil battled directly. The fallout from those battles shaped our world, giving rise to many geographical features that still exist today.
Wasn't all that from natural phenomenon? Miguel asked Volcanic eruptions and shifting plates?
Actually, very little primordial upheaval was natural in origin. God and the Devil battled many times, but it always ended in a stalemate. They were evenly matched. Eventually, they realized that if they kept going at that rate, they'd tear the planet apart and they'd have nothing left to fight over. They hammered out a truce of sorts. They would allow life to develop and each would try to influence that life towards their own ideologies. Things were quiet for a long time as the pieces were slowly forged and placed on the gameboard. 65 million years ago, God and the Devil directly clashed again. Only God and the Devil know why. That information has never been shared with us. But the result of that clash was a cataclysm that darkened the skies worldwide and brought about the end of the dinosaurs. Scientists today think it was a meteor strike, but we know better. When intelligent life began to develop, both began to exert their influence. I won't give you a detailed history of the resultant cold war, since that would take a very long time. Suffice to say, each side ended up choosing beings to represent them directly, endowing them with abilities beyond what normal humans could do. This was the origination of angels, demons, witches, the Army of the Lord, and countless other groups who have battled each other for millennia.
So, the stories about selling your soul to the devil for power are just myths? Sheridan theorized
What makes you think that?
Well, if they're fighting for the Devil, why would he want their souls too?
To make sure that they don't betray him, of course. Many people choose to fight for God because it's the right thing to do, and he gifts them with special abilities to make it easier for them, or as a reward for their righteousness, and if they cross over to the dark side, he exacts no vengeance. The Devil, on the other hand, is very tightfisted with his power. He takes people's souls as collateral for the power he grants them, then if they betray him, or just displease him, his possession of their soul allows him to inflict some serious harm or torture on them.
Charity whispered
That's the Devil in a nutshell. The war rages on today, occasionally coming so close to the surface that the general population almost becomes aware of it. The Tunguska event in 1908, for example, was actually the result of an incursion and not an exploding comet.
What's an incursion? Luis asked
An incursion is the name for when the forces of Hell make an attempt to bring a large number of troops through to Earth. Tunguska was actually the most visible in recent memory. Most incursions, whether carried to fruition or stopped by the forces of good, never come to the attention of the public, though the collateral effects are often mistaken for UFO phenomenon. A nascent incursion is one where the ritual to open the portal from this end is still in progress, while an active incursion is one where the portal is already open. Most incursions start as the nascent variety before going active, while in rare cases they go straight to active by punching a hole from within Hell.
Are we gonna have to deal with incursions too, in addition to Hecuba and her goons? Kay asked
Possibly. The good news is that we should have plenty of warning if one does get started. The early stages of an incursion put out a lot of negative energy and it only increases as the portal forms. Incursions are relatively rare, though, as these things go. The forces of evil will likely use slightly more subtle methods of achieving their ends. Spells and demons and such. You'd be surprised what small actions can increase the power of evil. Things like cheating on your taxes and breaking up a loving couple.
Kay squirmed a little as Matthew mentioned the second act, but no one noticed. As Matthew finished his sentence, Jacob entered carrying a silver tray with a teapot and several teacups on it.
Some tea? the well dressed servant asked
Ah, thank you Jacob. Matthew smiled I am a bit thirsty.
Jacob poured Matthew a cup of tea, then went around to the others, pouring tea for them as well. As he came around to Jessica, the sense of unease she had been feeling from him came into focus. As she looked at Jacob's face, Jessica saw a flash of another face, one similar to Jacob's, but with the addition of forehead ridges and tiny tusks jutting from his cheeks. The sight of this face coming towards her prompted Jessica to stand up sharply, knocking over her chair as she did.
Is something wrong, miss? Jacob asked, not knowing what Jessica was seeing
You're a demon! Jessica said in a panicky voice, causing the others' eyes to widen, except for Matthew He's a demon!
Jacob responded as his eyes flashed with green light A half I wish didn't exist.
You admit it? Kay asked evenly as she calmly rose from her chair
Easy now, don't do anything rash. Matthew cautioned Jacob may be half-demon, but he's not evil.
Demons are evil.
And Jacob is only half-demon. The other half is human. If it weren't for Jacob, I might not exist. He helped one of my ancestors escape from his cell after being captured on a mission to Hell. In return, my ancestor took Jacob with him out of Hell and he's served my family faithfully ever since.
I was not suited for Hell at all. Jacob calmly declared The only reason I was there at all, that I exist at all, was that my mother was kidnaped during an incursion, I don't know how many centuries ago. Seems she struck the fancy of a demon officer who dragged her back to Hell with him when his forces withdrew. She was raped by said officer, repeatedly, from what I was told, and became pregnant. I... I was told that I ripped my way out of my mother's belly. Jacob shed a tear as he forced out the painful sentence. I have no memory of my birth. I don't know if I should be glad that I don't remember it, or sad that I will never know if what I was told was the truth or merely a fiction meant to torment me.
As could be expected, my upbringing was less than wholesome. Several times, I was handed a whip or other implement of torture and ordered to use it on a helpless prisoner. I refused each time, resulting in my being relegated to menial tasks, such as carrying food to prisoners, which is how I met Master Matthew's ancestor. I helped him escape and in return he brought me along with him when he returned to Earth. To repay him for my freedom, I have served the Sorenson family ever since.
Those of you who can, try to sense evil from him. Matthew challenged
I don't sense any evil. Charity said after a few moments What about you, Jessica?
Jessica, who had started to calm down as Jacob told his story, focused her gaze on Jacob and concentrated. She blinked and her face took on a curious look.
I don't believe it... He's not evil. Jessica said in disbelief
Fortunately, I apparently take after my mother, Jacob responded dryly God rest her soul. Would you like some tea, miss?
You're offering me tea after what I said about you? Jessica asked as she slowly sat back down in the chair that Jacob had just righted. Kay was also slowly resuming her seat and the glow around Charity's hands, which had sprung up when Jessica made her declaration, was fading out as well.
I am not offended. I'm actually glad that you saw through my usual disguise. It means that there's a much lower chance of my... brethren... Jacob said the word with distaste Fooling you with a similar subterfuge.
Now that THAT bit of minor excitement is over, Matthew grinned Let's get back to the matter at hand. I understand you girls have some questions about your powers?
Charity answered Jessica and I are feeling really in the dark about our powers. We don't know exactly what we can or can't do. It's a little scary.
Well, it's especially inappropriate for you to be in the dark, Charity. Your powers are, in their most basic form, pure holy light. As deadly to creatures of darkness as sulfuric acid is to normal living things, yet perfectly harmless to anything which is not tainted by evil.
So... I don't have to worry about hurting those I love with my powers? Charity gave a sigh of relief
So long as no one you love goes over to the dark side, that's correct. If your power is light, then your mind is the prism, lens, and mirrors through which it reflects, diffuses, and/or focuses. The uses for your powers are myriad, able to destroy evil creatures, break evil spells, shield against evil, and even perform what are called miracles' by the public. Don't be afraid to experiment with your powers, that's the only way you'll figure out exactly what your limits are.
What about my powers? Jessica asked
From what a certain angel told me a short time ago, you seem to have more or less figured out your powers, already. You're a seer, allowing you to see the future, things far away, and things not readily apparent to the mortal eye. What the prophecy didn't mention was that you're also a portalsmith, able to create magical portals to just about anywhere your Sight can see, on Earth or off it. Matthew paused a moment, turning his gaze to Kay, who remained silent. No questions about your powers, Kay?
The angel girl told me all about them right after Hecuba got kicked out of the church. Kay replied Super strength, agility, fortitude and fighting skill. Seems pretty cut and dried, really. Not like Charity's and Jessica's powers and all their cool special effects.
Don't devalue yourself just because you don't wield the kind of raw power your sister and cousin possess. The Power of the Warrior is nothing to be sneezed at. There are some things that cannot be as easily zapped as the Shadow Demon Charity destroyed today. Some will require a personal touch, which you are well equipped to provide.
Just then, Luis's cellphone rang and he answered it.
he said into the phone
It's Reese. Reese's voice came from the phone Luis, things are seriously cuckoo here at the Youth Center. We got things flying all over the place and- WATCH OUT!- It's getting really hairy in here. It's like a scene outta Poltergeist!
Is anybody hurt?
No, but we're getting everybody out before someone does get injured. A minute ago, a chair was flying around the room like a remote-controlled airplane and almost hit Frank. I'd say it's definitely supernatural.
OK, we're coming over. Luis hung up and turned back to Matthew We gotta go. Something's going on at the Youth Center. Reese said there was stuff flying around the place.
Sounds like unsettled spirits. Matthew responded I can help you deal with them.
We'd be glad for the help.
Matthew nodded and everyone stood up, heading for the door.
The convertible is fully fueled, sir. Jacob said as Matthew passed where he stood
Good. Is my spook bag packed? Matthew responded
Yes it is, sir. In the Armory as always.
Thank you Jacob.
Spook bag? Miguel blinked
A bag containing magical equipment and supplies specifically geared towards dealing with ghosts, specters, and other noncorporeal entities. As he stepped into the hall, Matthew gestured down the corridor and spoke a word in Latin.
A door down the hall opened by itself and a medium-sized carry-on bag floated out the door, flew down the hall, and landed in Matthew's hands.
Now there's a handy trick. Sheridan commented
It's certainly useful. Matthew agreed
Matthew went down to the garage while the others went out the front door to Luis's car. Matthew pulled around to the front in a blue convertible as they were piling into the car.
Looks like a tight fit there. he called I'd be glad to give one or two of you a ride.
I'll go with him. Kay said with little hesitation
I'd love to ride in a convertible. Jessica said a moment later
No Jess, maybe you should stick with the others.
Just, trust me.
OK... Alright.
Jessica got into the car with Luis, Sheridan, Charity, and Miguel while Kay got into the passenger seat of Matthew's convertible and both vehicles started moving towards the Youth Center.
Still don't trust me, huh? Matthew observed
What do you mean? Kay pretended not to know what he meant
You're the best equipped to handle a trap and you didn't want your sister to come with us.
Is it because we just met or because of the revelation about Jacob's true nature?
A little of both.
Surely, either Charity or Jessica noticed the shield around the house. And neither of them sensed any evil when they were specifically asked to look. What more proof do you need?
I don't know. Maybe I'm just a little gunshy since the last supernatural person to offer to help me ended up grabbing my soul and using me in a plot to put my cousin in Hell.
The witch Hecuba. I read the file. I'm nothing like her.
There's a file on it already? Oh gee. Probably in triplicate and everything.
Don't worry. I'm probably the only human who's seen it. The file was delivered direct by angel.
Why'd she give it to you?
Background on the current situation. Part of my briefing.
So you know about what happened that night.
It wasn't your fault. Once Hecuba had your soul in hand, you were hers to command. It's a testament to your strength of will that you were able to resist her enough to blow the lid off her operation, enabling a rescue to be planned and executed.
But if I hadn't sold her my soul, it would never have happened in the first place.
From my interpretation of the file, it seems to me like you were cheated. She didn't keep her end of the deal, getting you a genuine sexual encounter with Miguel, but she used the agreement to take your soul anyway.
That was part of what motivated me to tell. She actually tried to kill Miguel that night. She sent demons and also tried to squish him in the basement. If it weren't for Father Lonnigan, she would've succeeded.
At least a little good came of it.
It was a watershed event for you. Made you realize the depths to which you'd sunk in your efforts to win Miguel's love, and the consequences of sinking so low, like not realizing you were too deep underwater until the pressure started to crush you.
Well, I'm never going that deep again. Hopefully, I won't even submerge.
That's good to hear. Ah, looks like we're here.
Matthew's convertible pulled up to the Youth Center, right behind Luis's car. Everyone got out of the two cars and Reese walked up to them with an odd-looking backpack device strapped to his back.
Forget your ghost trap, Dr. Spengler? Matthew quipped
Actually, this fulfills both the functions of the proton pack and ghost trap from the Ghostbusters movies. Reese answered It's a negative energy vacuum. Fortunately, I was working on it in the workshop and was able to grab it when we evacuated.
Technology won't work on spirits.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. This thing was registering off the scale in the Bennett house the night Charity was sucked into Hell. If Kay hadn't accidentally spilled some soda on it, I'll bet it woulda sucked up the evil responsible and saved us a lot of grief.
Or its containment unit would have overloaded and exploded. The evil force responsible, the witch Hecuba, is vastly powerful... Wait, you said you were working on it. You built it yourself?
Yeah. I got the plans off the Internet, but I had to make some changes to the design before I could get it to work, like using zircon and calcite in place of the usual quartz crystals.
Why zircon and calcite?
I'm not sure. The quartz wasn't vibrating at a frequency compatible with the custom circuitry, so I decided to try something else. I tried a few combinations before I started getting the results I wanted. I got the idea for which stones to use from a website that listed the mystical properties of various gemstones.
Well, I look forward to seeing your device in action.
The group cautiously walked through the doors into the Youth Center, wary of what they would find. All seemed quiet as they walked through the entryway, nothing seeming out of the ordinary. They had walked to the center of the spacious front room before a rattling sound was heard behind them. Turning to look, they saw the steel security shutters over the front doors dropping down much faster than designed to, the lower edge hitting the ground with a crash. A moment later, a supernatural groaning filled the room as several different colored glowing forms flew into the room, followed by some flying furniture, a blue skeleton with glowing eyes that walked on its own, and some more bizarre creatures. The humans ducked as the glowing spirits buzzed them. Reese thumbed a button on the wand cabled to his backpack device, causing a green light to turn on and a whirring was heard as the device cycled up, Matthew removed a clear, pyramid-shaped crystal from his bag, and Charity's hands started to glow.
Looks like some of them are using materials from this place to fashion crude bodies for themselves. Matthew announced Watch yourselves.
Several chairs flew towards the group at high speed as Matthew finished his warning. Sheridan cupped her hands and electricity crackled between her fingers. She extended her right hand towards the rapidly approaching furniture, fingers spread.
Chain Lightning! Sheridan shouted and a bolt of electricity shot from her hand to strike the closest flying chair.
As the first chair was blown apart, a bolt of lightning arced from it to the next closest chair, destroying that one as well. The lightning kept arcing from chair to chair until all the approaching furniture had been blasted from the air. As each chair was destroyed, a glowing form flew out of the explosion, an unearthly howl filling the air as they flew free. Charity threw several bolts of white light from her hands at the spirits that came out of the chairs, those that were hit let out an inhuman shriek right before vanishing. Charity threw a bolt at a monster made of wood blocks and stared in shock as the blast of light splashed off its chest without doing any damage. As she did, the blue skeleton charged at them, all but Matthew recognized it as Mr. Bones' a plastic skeleton that was usually on a metal stand. Reese aimed his device, pressed the trigger, and Mr. Bones screamed as red energy shot out of it and into the tip of the wand. The plastic skeleton writhed for a moment before it collapsed to the ground in an inert heap.
Yes! It works! the bespectacled teen grinned as he noted an indicator on the device had increased slightly
Kay ran forward to exchange blows with the advancing wood block monster while Matthew fired a blast of energy from his crystal that dissipated another of the glowing ghosts and Charity threw another bolt of light at a man-sized lego dinosaur. The blast of light once again failed to affect its target.
Why aren't my powers working on these things!? Charity cried out in frustration
They've sheathed themselves in ordinary matter. Matthew realized It's protecting them from your powers. Concentrate on the free-floating apparitions and leave the embodied ones to us.
Charity started throwing light bolts at the ghosts that were flying around, causing them to scatter as they realized some of their number were being wiped out of existence. Kay quickly smashed apart the wood block monster, causing a glowing ghost to fly out of the remains to be annihilated by a shot from Matthew's crystal. Luis and Miguel started attacking the makeshift constructions which, although fearsome in appearance, were quite easy to disrupt, forcing the ghosts within to exit into the open air. Sheridan blasted the constructions apart with lightning, Kay continued smashing them apart as Luis and Miguel were, Matthew was shooting the ghosts out of the air with energy from his crystal, and Reese used his negative energy vaccum to suck up ghosts, both embodied and not. Jessica, not being as combat oriented as the others, did her best to stay clear of the hostile spirits.
The only problem was, no matter how many ghosts they neutralized, more just kept on appearing. Worse, the new ghosts were able to reassemble the pieces of the makeshift bodies abandoned by the ones that came before, resulting in an endless stream of enemies.
Suddenly, a flying table broke apart on its own into a mass of wooden spikes heading straight towards Charity. Charity saw the spikes coming and instinctively loosed a beam of light at them but, as predicted, the light was ineffective against the possessed, yet still ordinary wood.
Miguel yelled in anguish as he saw the girl he loved about to be impaled several times over and no one in a position to save her.
End of Chapter 9
Latin translation- adipiscor: to come up to, overtake, obtain.
Sorry this chapter took so long. I can't believe it's been almost 4 months since I posted chapter 8. I got fixated on my Gundam Wing fic while I was writer's blocked on this chapter. But I'm over the block now, much to Charity's chagrin. Will she become a holy shish kabob or will she be saved? Find out in chapter 10, coming in less time than this one took(hopefully)
Also, I've made a few minor spelling corrections to chapter 5. Seems I had the wrong synonyms in a few places. No real plot changes.