Piper lifted the dark robe and pulled it unceremoniously over her head. Paige was already in hers and gave Piper a twirl.
"How do I look?"
"Positively Evil. Ugh, this smells like something died in it."
"Well if you think about it something almost did die in it."
"Gee Paige, thanks for that lovely mental image."
"Its why I'm here." She stuck her tongue out and pulled the hood up. Piper straightened hers out them did the same. They began to walk down the tunnel, after five minutes Paige turned to Piper.
"Piper can we stop for a rest now. My legs are tired and stuff."
"But we've only been walking for five minutes!"
"Yeah I know, but I'm not used to it. I either drive or orb. And these boots were certainly not made for walking." She pointed at her knee length, leather boots and pouted. Piper laughed and turned Paige back round.
"You can have a 'rest' when we get Phoebe. Or when a demon throws you against a wall and knocks you out."
"Not funny Piper. Shall I orb ahead and see if I can find anything?"
"No, I think it's best if we stick together. I don't want to lose another sister, however whiny she can be." They carried on walking down the passage. Torches flickered and occasionally they passed a demon or warlock, hurrying along to perform some task for Nilim.
"Piper this is getting us no where. We've been wandering around for hours and hours. And we haven't even vanquished anything!"
"Paige it has not been hours. By my watch it says twenty minutes, and you should be thankful at the lack of demonic activity. Something will turn up...eventually."
"Yeah well it better, or Phoebe can get herself out of this mess." She saw the horrified look on Piper's face and hastily assured her it was a joke. "Hey! It was a joke, ok? Goddamn, I just want some kind of sign as to where she might be." Suddenly the dull roar of a crowd cheering and clapping filtered through down the passage.
"Well I think we just got our sign. Lets go check it out." They hurried off down the passageway, towards the source of the noise.
* * *
"Please don't do this, I'm begging you! There must be some way out of this. If you don't then...then...my sisters will find you and vanquish you!" Phoebe was begging Ralis not to take her, she knew what was coming and didn't know whether she could make herself go through with it. She was being held outside the Arena in a small area, lined on both sides with benches. The demon had forced her to sit, something she was glad of, considering her legs were shaking so much.
"Silence witch. Or shall I make you shut up instead?" The demon henchman snapped at her and held his fist up. Ralis cracked the staff over the demons clenched hand and pointed the end at him.
"You know that one mark on her means Nilim will take both our lives."
"It would be worth it, if only to watch you get killed." He spat and stalked to the other end of the room. Ralis sighed and idly tapped the staff against the ground, as he tried to block out the sound of Phoebe's pleas. A few seconds later the door burst open and light flooded into the gloomy room. The deafening sound of a worked up crowd blasted through. Three loud fanfares cut through the noise and Nilim began to speak.
"Warlocks! Demons! Assorted Minions of Evil! Welcome to The Arena!" Another deafening blast of cheering and clapping broke out, only to die down with a few waves from Nilim's hand.
He spoke into some kind of Microphone. "Today, as a surprise, we have a very special competitor in The Arena. None other than A Charmed One!" Frantic murmuring grew to confused shouts and random outbursts of cheering. Nilim smiled and carried on.
"To fight the Charmed One I have selected one of my most powerful warlocks. An old favourite returning, I present…. H'pets!" She jumped down, from next to Nilim and landed in front of his podium. He laughed and swept his arm up, encompassing the stands and viewing pulpits.
"One moment dear patrons, the Charmed One needs to be brought out." The crowd erupted and began to clap in unison. The powerful rhythm reverberated throughout the Arena and surrounding passages. Back in the room Ralis, unknowingly, tapped his staff to the beat. Phoebe took deep breaths and tried to calm herself.
"Stop it! Just stop banging the staff. Just stop…please." He abruptly stopped and stared steadfastly at the opening. Her time was near, he could sense it.
* * *
Piper and Paige stopped and looked confused.
"Ok this is weird. It sounds like a crowd of people are cheering or something."
"That's crazy talk Paige. We're…well. I don't really know where we are. But I'm sure that there wouldn't be…" They walked around the corner and through an arch, which opened out onto a balcony. Paige peered over the edge and stood speechlessly. Piper continued in a stunned voice. "…A stadium filled with all kinds of evil, all cheering and clapping."
"Oh god. This is just too surreal. Look!" She pointed at a warlock selling drinks and hot dogs. Piper took Paige's arm and shut her eyes.
"Paige what the hell is going on? What is this? Some kind of demonic football game?"
"No, it must be the place they fight in. Remember what that woman we helped earlier said?"
"Oh yeah. Well its freaky whatever the hell it's used for." Paige sat on one of the chairs, which were on the balcony. Piper rolled her eyes and turned to Paige.
"What are you doing now? This is no time to be sitting down."
"Well I want to sit down. Phoebe is bound to appear down there soon enough. Why not keep up my strength and relax. I'll orb down to her and then we can all go. Bam! End of story."
"When you say bam things have a tendency to go wrong. Remember the spell that switched your and Phoebe's bodies?"
"Minor hitch. Look something seems to be happening." She pointed over the balcony at H'pets, who was stalking round the Arena, occasionally brandishing her sword.
"Maybe someone is about to go and fight in there…with that…'woman'?"
"Maybe, well at least we've got good seats."
"Paige! Trust you to find the 'silver lining'." Piper reluctantly sat down and looked down into the arena. A large door swung open down in one corner of the large stadium and two demons walked out, dragging a woman in chains.
* * *
"Please! Stop them, I know you want to. I can see it in your eyes." Phoebe pleaded. She was close to sobbing. Ralis turned away from her, feeling torn. He knew he should do something, but he couldn't! She didn't understand. She tried to brace herself against the doorframe, but to no avail. A demon sent her sprawling into the arena with one powerful kick. Nilim smiled to himself. This would certainly be a fight to remember.
"Ah ha! It looks like our…'guest' has arrived!" The comment bought cruel laughs and harsh sneers from the audience. "H'pets, I'll leave the rest of the proceedings in your… more than capable hands." He disappeared in a cloud of flash of dark and reappeared on his private podium just behind him. One of the demons undid the chains around Phoebe's wrists and ran out of the arena, slamming the door shut behind him. She rubbed her wrists and blearily looked around her. The flashing lights and jeering of the crowd blurred and sounded strangely muted. Rubbing her eyes, she got to her feet, only to be knocked down straight away. She let out a cry and fell onto her back, a thin trail of blood dripping down her left temple. Two shining blades flew towards her; only a quick roll to the side saved her from being skewered to the floor. The knives clattered on the roughly hewn floor and then swiped to the side. Phoebe screamed in pain as the blades found their mark and sliced two blood gashes down her leg. She ignored the pain and jumped into a crouch, quickly swinging her leg low. She aimed for her attackers legs, protected by a pair of dark leather boots. Just as her leg was about to make contact her H'pets jumped, causing her to miss. H'pets jumped high and spun around. She landed with her back facing Phoebe and went down on one knee, her head bowed. Phoebe took the pause to scramble to her feet.
"Can't we just talk about this? I'm sure that if we just…" She tried pleading with H'pets but was cut off when H'pets spun round and kicked her to her knees. Phoebe grimaced in pain and laid her hands on the floor for support.
"For a Charmed One you really aren't much of a challenge. I was really expecting more, you are quite the disappointment." H'pets said, in a condescending tone. Phoebe wiped the sweat from her brow and replied.
"If I had my powers you wouldn't be so damn cocky. If I had them then I would be able to…"
"Premonition me to death?" Interrupted H'pets, her expression mocking. She pounced at Phoebe, aiming her twin blades towards her chest. Phoebe threw herself backwards, pulling her own daggers free. She parried one of H'pets' blades and slashed downwards with the other, scoring a trail of crimson down her opponent's thigh. H'pets gave a shocked gasp and stared at her wound. She ran her finger down it and looked at the rich dark colour, a twisted smile on her face.
"So, the witch has a bite to her." She emphasised the word bite with a sharp click of her teeth. Phoebe backed away, clearly scared by the demonic warrior. H'pets laughed, a chilling, evil sound and shook her hair free from its restraint. It framed her face, half hiding her large malevolent eyes. They flashed red and she drew her lips back over teeth, hissing her words. "One mark on me is nothing, I've been to the brink of death and back. You are nothing, and soon, you will know nothingness." She pushed her daggers together; they merged into one shimmering metallic mess. H'pets held her hand over it and muttered under her breath. Phoebe stared in horror as the molten metal took form in H'pets grasp and morphed into a large two-handed sword. Its surface flickered with an oily luminescence and the fire reflected on its slick and deadly surface.
"You… what have you… you are insane!" Stuttered Phoebe, as she got to her feet and started to back towards the exit.
"Insane? Now that's a bit harsh coming from you, one who has flirted with evil many a time. Enough talk! We end this now!" She took the sword in two hands and lifted it above her head. Phoebe fell backwards and dropped her knives, causing them to clatter across the ground. The blade slashed down, whistling through the air. Phoebe screamed, knowing it was her time to die. She clenched her eyes shut and waited. A few seconds passed and she was still alive. She warily opened one eye and saw H'pets struggling to move the blade. It seemed to be frozen in mid air. Frozen in mid air! Her heart leapt and she knew Piper was here. H'pets screamed with rage and spat at Phoebe.
"What magic is this, witch?" Her eyes began to glow darkly, smouldering a dark red. Phoebe got to into a crouch and scrabbled around on the floor, searching for her weapons but not taking her eyes of H'pets.
"I tried to warn you that my sisters would come for me. Now they are here." A cluster a light appeared next to Phoebe. Paige and Piper appeared. "If I was you I'd run away… fast." H'pets stared wordlessly at the witches, unsure of what to do. The crowd were shouting and roaring. They began to chant again, baying for blood and death. Piper grabbed Phoebe's arm with one hand and raised her other one to H'pets.
"You keep still or I'll do more than freeze your sword. Phoebe come on, we've got to get out of here!"
"Yeah, this place is too freaky." Added Paige. She muttered the spell to get the talisman off.
"Free this woman,
Let her be,
With this spell,
Let powers flow free"
Phoebe's talisman de activated and fell off. Paige turned round and stared at the demons and warlocks sitting in the stands.
"It looks like we're going to have company soon!" She pointed at the wide doors that had suddenly been flung open. Nilim's lackeys were flooding out, preparing to capture all three Charmed Ones. H'pets took that moment to lunge at Phoebe. Piper threw up her hands and the sword unfroze, its inertia causing it to fly forwards. H'pets screamed and arched up, the point of her sword cutting through her chest. A spray of blood hit Phoebe in the face, making her recoil in disgust. The blood triggered a premonition. She saw Nalia and Serena… all of the slaves… fighting the demons! They were breaking free. She saw herself leading them, cutting through the enemies and then onto freedom! She broke out of the premonition and gasped. H'pets fell to the floor, the fire in her eyes dying.
"Come on Phoebe, quickly!" Said Piper urgently. "Paige orb us out!" Phoebe raised a hand to stop them.
"Piper no! I have to stay; there are people I have to help. I …saw … myself helping them." Piper sighed and gestured at the demons, which were beginning to circle them.
"Are you sure? You really wanna stay here alone with them?" Phoebe gave a rueful smile.
"I have to. Now go get out of here!" She pushed Piper and Paige together and watched them orb out. She turned to the circle of demons. They were moving forwards more quickly now that Piper and Paige had gone. After a moment of panic she put up her hands and spoke. "It's alright, don't hurt me. I surrender." After that statement the demons ran forwards and bound her arms. Ignoring her complaints they dragged her out of the Arena. Nilim stood up on his podium and addressed the crowd. His voice was weaker than it had been before, and had lost its confident tone.
"Well… I can honestly say that history has been made today in the Arena. I… have much to think about so the rest of today's battles will be cancelled." An angry murmur broke out amongst the spectators. Nilim didn't want a fight of his own, so hastily added, "All of you will be given a free pass to the next hosted battle, collect from the guards at the entrance." There was still a murmur, but the demons were placated. They all began to leave and Nilim muttered to himself.
"Much to think about indeed."
a/n Incase you were wondering why I gave the character H'pets such a stoopid name I just thought I'd tell you. Spell it backwards then add the numbers 18 to the end. Then you get the name of the Queem. Expect more cameo appearances from other ff.net writers as the story progresses.
"How do I look?"
"Positively Evil. Ugh, this smells like something died in it."
"Well if you think about it something almost did die in it."
"Gee Paige, thanks for that lovely mental image."
"Its why I'm here." She stuck her tongue out and pulled the hood up. Piper straightened hers out them did the same. They began to walk down the tunnel, after five minutes Paige turned to Piper.
"Piper can we stop for a rest now. My legs are tired and stuff."
"But we've only been walking for five minutes!"
"Yeah I know, but I'm not used to it. I either drive or orb. And these boots were certainly not made for walking." She pointed at her knee length, leather boots and pouted. Piper laughed and turned Paige back round.
"You can have a 'rest' when we get Phoebe. Or when a demon throws you against a wall and knocks you out."
"Not funny Piper. Shall I orb ahead and see if I can find anything?"
"No, I think it's best if we stick together. I don't want to lose another sister, however whiny she can be." They carried on walking down the passage. Torches flickered and occasionally they passed a demon or warlock, hurrying along to perform some task for Nilim.
"Piper this is getting us no where. We've been wandering around for hours and hours. And we haven't even vanquished anything!"
"Paige it has not been hours. By my watch it says twenty minutes, and you should be thankful at the lack of demonic activity. Something will turn up...eventually."
"Yeah well it better, or Phoebe can get herself out of this mess." She saw the horrified look on Piper's face and hastily assured her it was a joke. "Hey! It was a joke, ok? Goddamn, I just want some kind of sign as to where she might be." Suddenly the dull roar of a crowd cheering and clapping filtered through down the passage.
"Well I think we just got our sign. Lets go check it out." They hurried off down the passageway, towards the source of the noise.
* * *
"Please don't do this, I'm begging you! There must be some way out of this. If you don't then...then...my sisters will find you and vanquish you!" Phoebe was begging Ralis not to take her, she knew what was coming and didn't know whether she could make herself go through with it. She was being held outside the Arena in a small area, lined on both sides with benches. The demon had forced her to sit, something she was glad of, considering her legs were shaking so much.
"Silence witch. Or shall I make you shut up instead?" The demon henchman snapped at her and held his fist up. Ralis cracked the staff over the demons clenched hand and pointed the end at him.
"You know that one mark on her means Nilim will take both our lives."
"It would be worth it, if only to watch you get killed." He spat and stalked to the other end of the room. Ralis sighed and idly tapped the staff against the ground, as he tried to block out the sound of Phoebe's pleas. A few seconds later the door burst open and light flooded into the gloomy room. The deafening sound of a worked up crowd blasted through. Three loud fanfares cut through the noise and Nilim began to speak.
"Warlocks! Demons! Assorted Minions of Evil! Welcome to The Arena!" Another deafening blast of cheering and clapping broke out, only to die down with a few waves from Nilim's hand.
He spoke into some kind of Microphone. "Today, as a surprise, we have a very special competitor in The Arena. None other than A Charmed One!" Frantic murmuring grew to confused shouts and random outbursts of cheering. Nilim smiled and carried on.
"To fight the Charmed One I have selected one of my most powerful warlocks. An old favourite returning, I present…. H'pets!" She jumped down, from next to Nilim and landed in front of his podium. He laughed and swept his arm up, encompassing the stands and viewing pulpits.
"One moment dear patrons, the Charmed One needs to be brought out." The crowd erupted and began to clap in unison. The powerful rhythm reverberated throughout the Arena and surrounding passages. Back in the room Ralis, unknowingly, tapped his staff to the beat. Phoebe took deep breaths and tried to calm herself.
"Stop it! Just stop banging the staff. Just stop…please." He abruptly stopped and stared steadfastly at the opening. Her time was near, he could sense it.
* * *
Piper and Paige stopped and looked confused.
"Ok this is weird. It sounds like a crowd of people are cheering or something."
"That's crazy talk Paige. We're…well. I don't really know where we are. But I'm sure that there wouldn't be…" They walked around the corner and through an arch, which opened out onto a balcony. Paige peered over the edge and stood speechlessly. Piper continued in a stunned voice. "…A stadium filled with all kinds of evil, all cheering and clapping."
"Oh god. This is just too surreal. Look!" She pointed at a warlock selling drinks and hot dogs. Piper took Paige's arm and shut her eyes.
"Paige what the hell is going on? What is this? Some kind of demonic football game?"
"No, it must be the place they fight in. Remember what that woman we helped earlier said?"
"Oh yeah. Well its freaky whatever the hell it's used for." Paige sat on one of the chairs, which were on the balcony. Piper rolled her eyes and turned to Paige.
"What are you doing now? This is no time to be sitting down."
"Well I want to sit down. Phoebe is bound to appear down there soon enough. Why not keep up my strength and relax. I'll orb down to her and then we can all go. Bam! End of story."
"When you say bam things have a tendency to go wrong. Remember the spell that switched your and Phoebe's bodies?"
"Minor hitch. Look something seems to be happening." She pointed over the balcony at H'pets, who was stalking round the Arena, occasionally brandishing her sword.
"Maybe someone is about to go and fight in there…with that…'woman'?"
"Maybe, well at least we've got good seats."
"Paige! Trust you to find the 'silver lining'." Piper reluctantly sat down and looked down into the arena. A large door swung open down in one corner of the large stadium and two demons walked out, dragging a woman in chains.
* * *
"Please! Stop them, I know you want to. I can see it in your eyes." Phoebe pleaded. She was close to sobbing. Ralis turned away from her, feeling torn. He knew he should do something, but he couldn't! She didn't understand. She tried to brace herself against the doorframe, but to no avail. A demon sent her sprawling into the arena with one powerful kick. Nilim smiled to himself. This would certainly be a fight to remember.
"Ah ha! It looks like our…'guest' has arrived!" The comment bought cruel laughs and harsh sneers from the audience. "H'pets, I'll leave the rest of the proceedings in your… more than capable hands." He disappeared in a cloud of flash of dark and reappeared on his private podium just behind him. One of the demons undid the chains around Phoebe's wrists and ran out of the arena, slamming the door shut behind him. She rubbed her wrists and blearily looked around her. The flashing lights and jeering of the crowd blurred and sounded strangely muted. Rubbing her eyes, she got to her feet, only to be knocked down straight away. She let out a cry and fell onto her back, a thin trail of blood dripping down her left temple. Two shining blades flew towards her; only a quick roll to the side saved her from being skewered to the floor. The knives clattered on the roughly hewn floor and then swiped to the side. Phoebe screamed in pain as the blades found their mark and sliced two blood gashes down her leg. She ignored the pain and jumped into a crouch, quickly swinging her leg low. She aimed for her attackers legs, protected by a pair of dark leather boots. Just as her leg was about to make contact her H'pets jumped, causing her to miss. H'pets jumped high and spun around. She landed with her back facing Phoebe and went down on one knee, her head bowed. Phoebe took the pause to scramble to her feet.
"Can't we just talk about this? I'm sure that if we just…" She tried pleading with H'pets but was cut off when H'pets spun round and kicked her to her knees. Phoebe grimaced in pain and laid her hands on the floor for support.
"For a Charmed One you really aren't much of a challenge. I was really expecting more, you are quite the disappointment." H'pets said, in a condescending tone. Phoebe wiped the sweat from her brow and replied.
"If I had my powers you wouldn't be so damn cocky. If I had them then I would be able to…"
"Premonition me to death?" Interrupted H'pets, her expression mocking. She pounced at Phoebe, aiming her twin blades towards her chest. Phoebe threw herself backwards, pulling her own daggers free. She parried one of H'pets' blades and slashed downwards with the other, scoring a trail of crimson down her opponent's thigh. H'pets gave a shocked gasp and stared at her wound. She ran her finger down it and looked at the rich dark colour, a twisted smile on her face.
"So, the witch has a bite to her." She emphasised the word bite with a sharp click of her teeth. Phoebe backed away, clearly scared by the demonic warrior. H'pets laughed, a chilling, evil sound and shook her hair free from its restraint. It framed her face, half hiding her large malevolent eyes. They flashed red and she drew her lips back over teeth, hissing her words. "One mark on me is nothing, I've been to the brink of death and back. You are nothing, and soon, you will know nothingness." She pushed her daggers together; they merged into one shimmering metallic mess. H'pets held her hand over it and muttered under her breath. Phoebe stared in horror as the molten metal took form in H'pets grasp and morphed into a large two-handed sword. Its surface flickered with an oily luminescence and the fire reflected on its slick and deadly surface.
"You… what have you… you are insane!" Stuttered Phoebe, as she got to her feet and started to back towards the exit.
"Insane? Now that's a bit harsh coming from you, one who has flirted with evil many a time. Enough talk! We end this now!" She took the sword in two hands and lifted it above her head. Phoebe fell backwards and dropped her knives, causing them to clatter across the ground. The blade slashed down, whistling through the air. Phoebe screamed, knowing it was her time to die. She clenched her eyes shut and waited. A few seconds passed and she was still alive. She warily opened one eye and saw H'pets struggling to move the blade. It seemed to be frozen in mid air. Frozen in mid air! Her heart leapt and she knew Piper was here. H'pets screamed with rage and spat at Phoebe.
"What magic is this, witch?" Her eyes began to glow darkly, smouldering a dark red. Phoebe got to into a crouch and scrabbled around on the floor, searching for her weapons but not taking her eyes of H'pets.
"I tried to warn you that my sisters would come for me. Now they are here." A cluster a light appeared next to Phoebe. Paige and Piper appeared. "If I was you I'd run away… fast." H'pets stared wordlessly at the witches, unsure of what to do. The crowd were shouting and roaring. They began to chant again, baying for blood and death. Piper grabbed Phoebe's arm with one hand and raised her other one to H'pets.
"You keep still or I'll do more than freeze your sword. Phoebe come on, we've got to get out of here!"
"Yeah, this place is too freaky." Added Paige. She muttered the spell to get the talisman off.
"Free this woman,
Let her be,
With this spell,
Let powers flow free"
Phoebe's talisman de activated and fell off. Paige turned round and stared at the demons and warlocks sitting in the stands.
"It looks like we're going to have company soon!" She pointed at the wide doors that had suddenly been flung open. Nilim's lackeys were flooding out, preparing to capture all three Charmed Ones. H'pets took that moment to lunge at Phoebe. Piper threw up her hands and the sword unfroze, its inertia causing it to fly forwards. H'pets screamed and arched up, the point of her sword cutting through her chest. A spray of blood hit Phoebe in the face, making her recoil in disgust. The blood triggered a premonition. She saw Nalia and Serena… all of the slaves… fighting the demons! They were breaking free. She saw herself leading them, cutting through the enemies and then onto freedom! She broke out of the premonition and gasped. H'pets fell to the floor, the fire in her eyes dying.
"Come on Phoebe, quickly!" Said Piper urgently. "Paige orb us out!" Phoebe raised a hand to stop them.
"Piper no! I have to stay; there are people I have to help. I …saw … myself helping them." Piper sighed and gestured at the demons, which were beginning to circle them.
"Are you sure? You really wanna stay here alone with them?" Phoebe gave a rueful smile.
"I have to. Now go get out of here!" She pushed Piper and Paige together and watched them orb out. She turned to the circle of demons. They were moving forwards more quickly now that Piper and Paige had gone. After a moment of panic she put up her hands and spoke. "It's alright, don't hurt me. I surrender." After that statement the demons ran forwards and bound her arms. Ignoring her complaints they dragged her out of the Arena. Nilim stood up on his podium and addressed the crowd. His voice was weaker than it had been before, and had lost its confident tone.
"Well… I can honestly say that history has been made today in the Arena. I… have much to think about so the rest of today's battles will be cancelled." An angry murmur broke out amongst the spectators. Nilim didn't want a fight of his own, so hastily added, "All of you will be given a free pass to the next hosted battle, collect from the guards at the entrance." There was still a murmur, but the demons were placated. They all began to leave and Nilim muttered to himself.
"Much to think about indeed."
a/n Incase you were wondering why I gave the character H'pets such a stoopid name I just thought I'd tell you. Spell it backwards then add the numbers 18 to the end. Then you get the name of the Queem. Expect more cameo appearances from other ff.net writers as the story progresses.