Degrees of Evil Part 5
"Say what?" Cole asked in surprise.
"You're no longer dead." Leo replied.
"But, that's impossible. No one can bring me back as a demon. Only the Grimoire had the spell, and you destroyed it."
"I didn't say you're a demon only that you are back." Leo said.
Piper and Paige looked at Leo and said, "What do you mean?"
Leo looked at Piper and Paige for a second, and then said, "Cole is a human.no, more than that. Piper, freeze him." Piper gestured at Cole, but nothing happened.
Cole looked at Piper in confusion, and then said, "Why aren't I frozen?"
"Because Piper's powers don't work on good witches." Leo replied. "If you'll excuse me." Leo then turned and walked towards the kitchen. Piper looked at Paige and Cole, and then said, "Figure this out, I'll be right back." She then walked after Leo.
As Cole began to shakily get to his feet, Paige walked over and put an arm under him. "Let me give you a hand. You don't to be too steady right now." As Paige helped Cole sit in a couch, she asked, "So, any idea what your powers are now?"
Cole looked at her in confusion, and said, "What?"
"Well, Leo did say you are a good witch now, however that happened, which means you have powers. So, do you have any idea what your power or powers might be?"
Cole put his hands on his head, and said, "I don't have a clue what was done to me, much less what it means. So, to answer your question, I don't have a clue."
As Paige walked over to Phoebe and made her more comfortable, she said, "Too bad."
***
As Piper walked into the kitchen, she found Leo staring out the window. She walked forward and put her arms around him. "I'm surprised you didn't orb out."
"I'm trying to put off giving my report as long as I can, to avoid." Leo began, but then he stopped.
"To avoid what? Come on, Leo, I'm your wife. Tell me what's wrong." Piper said anxiously.
Leo turned towards Piper, and said gravely, "What our child and nephew did today will have ramifications beyond my comprehension. They broke the boundaries of good and evil, demon and witch, AND life and death. I cannot even imagine what the Elders are going to say about this, much less what they'll do."
"LEO! PIPER! Get in here." They heard Paige shout.
Piper and Leo looked at each other, and then they ran for the living room. ***
When they arrived, they found that Phoebe had regained consciousness, and was leaning against the sofa. That wasn't why Paige had called though. Standing in the middle of the room was a figure. Piper wasn't sure if it was man or woman, because it wore a concealing gray robe with a hood over his face. In his hand he held a wooden staff with a purple crystal. Leo took one look at him and said, "No."
The figure turned towards the sisters and said in a neutral tone, "Phoebe Halliwell, Piper, Halliwell, Paige Halliwell, Leo Wyatt, and Cole Turner. You have been summoned to stand before the Tribunal as witnesses."
"Witnesses to what?" Piper asked.
"To the crimes of the unborn children of Piper and Phoebe Halliwell. If you will follow me?"
Paige turned to Piper and asked, "What do you we do?"
"Follow him," Leo interrupted. They all turned to Leo as he continued. "This isn't something you can fight. The Tribunal is beyond your powers. We have to go."
The sisters looked at each other anxiously, and then they said, "Very well."
The figure made no motions, but the room dissolved, the sisters, Cole, and Leo found themselves standing in a judicial chamber. Cole and Phoebe promptly fell to the ground, too weak to stand on their own. Paige looked around and said, "Where are we?"
"You are in the high chamber of the Tribunal." A new voice said. Paige and Piper looked around and saw a figure approaching them. He was about 5'5 with blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a suit and carried a briefcase in his right hand. All in all, he looked like a lawyer.
"Hello, my name is Azariel, and I will be representing you in this matter." He then looked at Cole and Phoebe, and he said, "That won't do." He gestured, and Cole and Phoebe felt strength flow into them. Within seconds, they felt like normal and stood up. "That's better," Azariel continued, "Now then, does everyone understand what is going on?"
"Not a clue" Paige said, and everyone else winced at her bluntness. But Azariel wasn't swayed as he said, "An honest answer, that's good. Now then, you have been brought before the Tribunal, who will judge the case. They were going to be here now, but they wanted to wait until I had explained what was going on."
"What exactly is the case?" Piper asked.
Azariel turned to Piper and said, "Your children are guilty of violating the Accords of Creation. They brought someone who was supposed to stay dead back to life, and they made him a witch, a right reserved by treaty to the Elders."
"How exactly were they supposed to know about these Accords?" Cole asked. "I mean, they aren't even born."
"That makes no difference," Azariel said gravely, "The Accords are told to anyone who even remotely may have the power to do such a thing. It is known since Creation. Your children knew about it, they just chose to ignore it."
"Assuming they are found guilty, what is the punishment?" Leo asked. "I've never been this high, so I have no idea." He explained to the sisters.
Azariel looked at them gravely for a moment, and then he said, "If they are found guilty, they will be erased from existence. They will simply cease to be."
Piper's face went ashen as she said, "How could anyone good do that to a person?"
"The Tribunal is neither good nor evil. The just are. They try all cases that have to do with such important matters, whether the person is good or evil. And they are completely impartial."
"So, what do you want us to say when we take the stand?" Paige asked. When Azariel looked at her in confusion, she continued, "The person who brought us here said we were witnesses. So, what do you want us to say on the stand?"
Azariel smiled, and said, "I see what the confusion is. First of all, if you did take the stand, you would be compelled by magic to tell the truth. You see that sigil?" Azariel said, pointing towards a sigil inscribed in front of the Tribunal's stands. "When a person stands on that, they cannot lie. Secondly, you won't take the stand. That's not how things work here."
"So, what will happen?" Paige asked.
"They'll bring forth the accused and question them, and then ask for any evidence of mitigating circumstances. Then it's my job to convince them there were, which may help to keep your children alive. And that's it. Trials are much simpler here than in your realm." Suddenly, a gong sounded three times, and a neutral voice said, "All rise for the Tribunals."
As everyone scurried to their feet, three elderly beings walked in, covered by long black robes. They sat down at their stands, and then intoned, "Be seated."
Azariel shot to his feet and said, "Before we begin, I move for a mistrial. There is not adequate representation of both sides."
"What are you talking about?" Phoebe asked.
Without moving his lips, Azariel said, "By law, the leader of both good and evil must be present as silent observers at all trials at this level. While the High Elder is here, there is no Source. I'm not sure what they'll do, since that has never happened before. We'll have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, the Elders were conferring among themselves. Finally, one of them said, "We concede the point, and it is our ruling that the most powerful remaining evil being be brought here for the trial." With that, he waved his hands and two beings appeared. They bowed, and then disappeared.
"What's going on?" Piper asked.
"They've sent agents out to bring the strongest evil here to watch. It's just a matter of time till they bring him back."
A few seconds later, the two agents reappeared and said, "He'll be here in a second." The doors to the courtroom opened quickly, and Ezekiel walked in!
"Ezekiel!" Cole said, automatically attempting to form an energy ball. When nothing emerged, he scowled.
"Calm down, Mr. Turner." Azariel said, "This demon cannot do anything here. He is here to watch only. If he does anything, he will be unmade."
Ezekiel smiled, said, "Nice to see everyone again," and then moved to sit in the place of the Source, next to the High Elder.
The lead Tribunal looked at the sisters, and then said, "Bring forth the first accused." Suddenly, Phoebe felt a peculiar feeling in her abdomen. Looking out, she watched in shock as her son materialized on the sigil, in the form he showed to them before. He turned to Phoebe and said, "Hello again mother."
"Let us commence questioning." The right Tribunal said.
"Before we begin, I would like to take full responsibility for the crime." Phoebe's son said.
"On what grounds?" The lead Tribunal asked.
"My cousin is not strong enough to know of the Accords of Creation," Phoebe's son said, "my cousin doesn't have the power to do what I did. All my cousin did was provide a little power to help me out, without understanding what was going on."
The Tribunals conferred for a few moments, and then said, "Point accepted."
Azariel turned to Piper and said, "Congratulations, he just saved your child. Now, only he will be erased if convicted."
"That doesn't feel like much right now." Piper said.
"Let us proceed with the questioning," the lead Tribunal began. "Do you know of the Accords of Creation?"
"Yes."
"Did you know that you were breaking those Accords when you brought one Cole Turner back from the dead," the left Tribunal said.
"Yes."
"Were you aware of the punishment you would face as a result of your actions," the Tribunal on the right asked.
"Yes."
"Why did you do it?" The lead Tribunal questioned.
"Because in my judgment, it had to be done. My father had paid enough for his birth, and deserved a second chance." Phoebe's son stated.
"That will be all," the Tribunal on the left said. He then turned to Azariel and asked, "Counselor, are there any mitigating circumstances that you wish the court to know of?"
"Your honors, I only wish for the court to take into consideration the age of the accused, and what that would mean in terms of judgment." Azariel responded.
"Very well, we shall confer," the Lead Tribunal said, and then the Tribunals leaned in and began to whisper.
"I think we've won." Azariel whispered.
"Why do you say that?" Phoebe asked.
"Because he is so young, his judgment would be flawed when it comes to matters like this. I am sure the Tribunals will forgive him."
A few seconds later, the Tribunals resumed their positions, "It is the position of this court," the Lead Tribunal stated, "That the son of Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner did not understand the ramifications of his actions. Therefore, he will be forgiven if he undoes what he did."
"Yes!" Azariel said, "Congratulations, you've won!"
As the sisters broke out into grins, they heard someone say, "No."
"What?" the tribunals asked.
"I said I will not undo what I have done," Phoebe's son said, "To do so would be a death sentence for my father. I love him, and would do anything to protect him. If this is what is required for me to save my father, than so be it."
"You do realize what that means?" the lead Tribunal asked.
"Yes, I do."
"Then I am afraid we have no choice but to find you."
"Your honors, if I may address the court?" Cole said suddenly. He had been sitting with a torn expression on his face. Phoebe turned to him and said, "What are you doing?" "Everything I can to save my son." Cole responded as he stood up.
"Your honors, my son is not responsible for his actions. I am." Cole stated.
As the courtroom stared at him in shock, the lead Tribunals said, "I fail to see how this is your fault. You do not have the powers to do such a thing. Only your son does, and it was his choice."
"No, it wasn't." Cole said, "I used the link between myself and my son to cast a spell on him, a spell that would make him do what he did, and would make him feel that it was his choice. He didn't do it, I made him do it."
"You EVIL BASTARD!" Phoebe shouted.
"Azariel, keep your client under control. Mr. Turner, how do we know that you are capable of such an act of evil?" The Tribunal on the left said.
"Look at my record. I would do anything if it would help me." Cole said.
The Tribunals conferred among themselves, and then said, "If this is true, than you will be erased for your crime."
"It is." Cole said gravely.
"Well, we must make sure." The Lead Tribunal waved, and suddenly Cole replaced his son on the sigil. "Do you swear that everything you have just told us is the truth?"
As the sisters watched, Cole's face went tense as it appeared he was struggling to do something. "Y.Ye.No." Cole finally stammered. His face fell as he realized he had failed.
"Why did you lie?" the lead Tribunal asked.
"I would do anything to save my son." Cole said. "I figured you would believe me if I said that, based on my record. Better that I die then my son."
"Your devotion to your son is admirable, but not relevant. We shall now discuss the case." The lead Tribunal said.
"Wait." A voice said, a voice that reverberated throughout the room. As the sisters watched, 8 figures appeared in the center of the room. They varied in size and shape, and each had a skintight glow around them. They heard Leo gasp, and then felt the sheer presence these people emitted. "Leo, who are they?" Piper asked, "Leo." She said, and turned towards him. To her shock, Leo was kneeling in a position one would reserve for Kings in the medieval times. Looking around, she realized that everyone save themselves and the Tribunals were kneeling. "Who are these guys?" Paige asked.
"They're called the Guardians." Azariel whispered. "You should feel honored that you have seen them. Only the High Elder has ever seen them, and even then it was only once. They are beyond your comprehension, and are near the top of the side of Good. I don't know what they're doing here though. They've never come to a trial before."
One of the Guardians stepped forward and said, "You're honors, we would like to speak with you in private." His voice had a echoing quality, and he had a black glow.
"That's Mortano, the Guardian of Death," Azariel whispered. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I think it will be alright."
The Guardians and The Tribunals left the room for a few minutes, and then came back in. The Tribunals seemed to be disturbed by whatever was said. It could be seen in their walk. They walked forward and said, "Based on new evidence, we find the accused not guilty. He is free to go."
Phoebe broke into tears, and walked over to the Guardians. "I don't know why you intervened, but thank you."
Several of the Guardians smiled, and then Mortanos said, "We had our own reasons for intervening, but we thank you for your praise." Then they were gone.
Phoebe's son turned towards Cole, and said, "Thank you Father. I love you."
"I love you too son." Cole said. Phoebe's son smiled, and then he faded.
"Hey, Leo, how bout you get off your ass and orb us home?" Piper said. Leo stood up with an embarrassed smile on his face, and held out his hands. Everyone grabbed hold, and then Leo orbed out with all of them.
Soon, the entire room was empty save for Ezekiel. Ezekiel looked around, and said, "Well, that was an interesting case. While it didn't turn out like I thought it would, it was very enlightening." Ezekiel turned towards where the sisters had been. "Enjoy your peace, my vessel. Enjoy it while it lasts. Your days of good are numbered, for I now know your weakness." With a laugh, Ezekiel disappeared.
TO BE CONTINUED.
"Say what?" Cole asked in surprise.
"You're no longer dead." Leo replied.
"But, that's impossible. No one can bring me back as a demon. Only the Grimoire had the spell, and you destroyed it."
"I didn't say you're a demon only that you are back." Leo said.
Piper and Paige looked at Leo and said, "What do you mean?"
Leo looked at Piper and Paige for a second, and then said, "Cole is a human.no, more than that. Piper, freeze him." Piper gestured at Cole, but nothing happened.
Cole looked at Piper in confusion, and then said, "Why aren't I frozen?"
"Because Piper's powers don't work on good witches." Leo replied. "If you'll excuse me." Leo then turned and walked towards the kitchen. Piper looked at Paige and Cole, and then said, "Figure this out, I'll be right back." She then walked after Leo.
As Cole began to shakily get to his feet, Paige walked over and put an arm under him. "Let me give you a hand. You don't to be too steady right now." As Paige helped Cole sit in a couch, she asked, "So, any idea what your powers are now?"
Cole looked at her in confusion, and said, "What?"
"Well, Leo did say you are a good witch now, however that happened, which means you have powers. So, do you have any idea what your power or powers might be?"
Cole put his hands on his head, and said, "I don't have a clue what was done to me, much less what it means. So, to answer your question, I don't have a clue."
As Paige walked over to Phoebe and made her more comfortable, she said, "Too bad."
***
As Piper walked into the kitchen, she found Leo staring out the window. She walked forward and put her arms around him. "I'm surprised you didn't orb out."
"I'm trying to put off giving my report as long as I can, to avoid." Leo began, but then he stopped.
"To avoid what? Come on, Leo, I'm your wife. Tell me what's wrong." Piper said anxiously.
Leo turned towards Piper, and said gravely, "What our child and nephew did today will have ramifications beyond my comprehension. They broke the boundaries of good and evil, demon and witch, AND life and death. I cannot even imagine what the Elders are going to say about this, much less what they'll do."
"LEO! PIPER! Get in here." They heard Paige shout.
Piper and Leo looked at each other, and then they ran for the living room. ***
When they arrived, they found that Phoebe had regained consciousness, and was leaning against the sofa. That wasn't why Paige had called though. Standing in the middle of the room was a figure. Piper wasn't sure if it was man or woman, because it wore a concealing gray robe with a hood over his face. In his hand he held a wooden staff with a purple crystal. Leo took one look at him and said, "No."
The figure turned towards the sisters and said in a neutral tone, "Phoebe Halliwell, Piper, Halliwell, Paige Halliwell, Leo Wyatt, and Cole Turner. You have been summoned to stand before the Tribunal as witnesses."
"Witnesses to what?" Piper asked.
"To the crimes of the unborn children of Piper and Phoebe Halliwell. If you will follow me?"
Paige turned to Piper and asked, "What do you we do?"
"Follow him," Leo interrupted. They all turned to Leo as he continued. "This isn't something you can fight. The Tribunal is beyond your powers. We have to go."
The sisters looked at each other anxiously, and then they said, "Very well."
The figure made no motions, but the room dissolved, the sisters, Cole, and Leo found themselves standing in a judicial chamber. Cole and Phoebe promptly fell to the ground, too weak to stand on their own. Paige looked around and said, "Where are we?"
"You are in the high chamber of the Tribunal." A new voice said. Paige and Piper looked around and saw a figure approaching them. He was about 5'5 with blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a suit and carried a briefcase in his right hand. All in all, he looked like a lawyer.
"Hello, my name is Azariel, and I will be representing you in this matter." He then looked at Cole and Phoebe, and he said, "That won't do." He gestured, and Cole and Phoebe felt strength flow into them. Within seconds, they felt like normal and stood up. "That's better," Azariel continued, "Now then, does everyone understand what is going on?"
"Not a clue" Paige said, and everyone else winced at her bluntness. But Azariel wasn't swayed as he said, "An honest answer, that's good. Now then, you have been brought before the Tribunal, who will judge the case. They were going to be here now, but they wanted to wait until I had explained what was going on."
"What exactly is the case?" Piper asked.
Azariel turned to Piper and said, "Your children are guilty of violating the Accords of Creation. They brought someone who was supposed to stay dead back to life, and they made him a witch, a right reserved by treaty to the Elders."
"How exactly were they supposed to know about these Accords?" Cole asked. "I mean, they aren't even born."
"That makes no difference," Azariel said gravely, "The Accords are told to anyone who even remotely may have the power to do such a thing. It is known since Creation. Your children knew about it, they just chose to ignore it."
"Assuming they are found guilty, what is the punishment?" Leo asked. "I've never been this high, so I have no idea." He explained to the sisters.
Azariel looked at them gravely for a moment, and then he said, "If they are found guilty, they will be erased from existence. They will simply cease to be."
Piper's face went ashen as she said, "How could anyone good do that to a person?"
"The Tribunal is neither good nor evil. The just are. They try all cases that have to do with such important matters, whether the person is good or evil. And they are completely impartial."
"So, what do you want us to say when we take the stand?" Paige asked. When Azariel looked at her in confusion, she continued, "The person who brought us here said we were witnesses. So, what do you want us to say on the stand?"
Azariel smiled, and said, "I see what the confusion is. First of all, if you did take the stand, you would be compelled by magic to tell the truth. You see that sigil?" Azariel said, pointing towards a sigil inscribed in front of the Tribunal's stands. "When a person stands on that, they cannot lie. Secondly, you won't take the stand. That's not how things work here."
"So, what will happen?" Paige asked.
"They'll bring forth the accused and question them, and then ask for any evidence of mitigating circumstances. Then it's my job to convince them there were, which may help to keep your children alive. And that's it. Trials are much simpler here than in your realm." Suddenly, a gong sounded three times, and a neutral voice said, "All rise for the Tribunals."
As everyone scurried to their feet, three elderly beings walked in, covered by long black robes. They sat down at their stands, and then intoned, "Be seated."
Azariel shot to his feet and said, "Before we begin, I move for a mistrial. There is not adequate representation of both sides."
"What are you talking about?" Phoebe asked.
Without moving his lips, Azariel said, "By law, the leader of both good and evil must be present as silent observers at all trials at this level. While the High Elder is here, there is no Source. I'm not sure what they'll do, since that has never happened before. We'll have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, the Elders were conferring among themselves. Finally, one of them said, "We concede the point, and it is our ruling that the most powerful remaining evil being be brought here for the trial." With that, he waved his hands and two beings appeared. They bowed, and then disappeared.
"What's going on?" Piper asked.
"They've sent agents out to bring the strongest evil here to watch. It's just a matter of time till they bring him back."
A few seconds later, the two agents reappeared and said, "He'll be here in a second." The doors to the courtroom opened quickly, and Ezekiel walked in!
"Ezekiel!" Cole said, automatically attempting to form an energy ball. When nothing emerged, he scowled.
"Calm down, Mr. Turner." Azariel said, "This demon cannot do anything here. He is here to watch only. If he does anything, he will be unmade."
Ezekiel smiled, said, "Nice to see everyone again," and then moved to sit in the place of the Source, next to the High Elder.
The lead Tribunal looked at the sisters, and then said, "Bring forth the first accused." Suddenly, Phoebe felt a peculiar feeling in her abdomen. Looking out, she watched in shock as her son materialized on the sigil, in the form he showed to them before. He turned to Phoebe and said, "Hello again mother."
"Let us commence questioning." The right Tribunal said.
"Before we begin, I would like to take full responsibility for the crime." Phoebe's son said.
"On what grounds?" The lead Tribunal asked.
"My cousin is not strong enough to know of the Accords of Creation," Phoebe's son said, "my cousin doesn't have the power to do what I did. All my cousin did was provide a little power to help me out, without understanding what was going on."
The Tribunals conferred for a few moments, and then said, "Point accepted."
Azariel turned to Piper and said, "Congratulations, he just saved your child. Now, only he will be erased if convicted."
"That doesn't feel like much right now." Piper said.
"Let us proceed with the questioning," the lead Tribunal began. "Do you know of the Accords of Creation?"
"Yes."
"Did you know that you were breaking those Accords when you brought one Cole Turner back from the dead," the left Tribunal said.
"Yes."
"Were you aware of the punishment you would face as a result of your actions," the Tribunal on the right asked.
"Yes."
"Why did you do it?" The lead Tribunal questioned.
"Because in my judgment, it had to be done. My father had paid enough for his birth, and deserved a second chance." Phoebe's son stated.
"That will be all," the Tribunal on the left said. He then turned to Azariel and asked, "Counselor, are there any mitigating circumstances that you wish the court to know of?"
"Your honors, I only wish for the court to take into consideration the age of the accused, and what that would mean in terms of judgment." Azariel responded.
"Very well, we shall confer," the Lead Tribunal said, and then the Tribunals leaned in and began to whisper.
"I think we've won." Azariel whispered.
"Why do you say that?" Phoebe asked.
"Because he is so young, his judgment would be flawed when it comes to matters like this. I am sure the Tribunals will forgive him."
A few seconds later, the Tribunals resumed their positions, "It is the position of this court," the Lead Tribunal stated, "That the son of Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner did not understand the ramifications of his actions. Therefore, he will be forgiven if he undoes what he did."
"Yes!" Azariel said, "Congratulations, you've won!"
As the sisters broke out into grins, they heard someone say, "No."
"What?" the tribunals asked.
"I said I will not undo what I have done," Phoebe's son said, "To do so would be a death sentence for my father. I love him, and would do anything to protect him. If this is what is required for me to save my father, than so be it."
"You do realize what that means?" the lead Tribunal asked.
"Yes, I do."
"Then I am afraid we have no choice but to find you."
"Your honors, if I may address the court?" Cole said suddenly. He had been sitting with a torn expression on his face. Phoebe turned to him and said, "What are you doing?" "Everything I can to save my son." Cole responded as he stood up.
"Your honors, my son is not responsible for his actions. I am." Cole stated.
As the courtroom stared at him in shock, the lead Tribunals said, "I fail to see how this is your fault. You do not have the powers to do such a thing. Only your son does, and it was his choice."
"No, it wasn't." Cole said, "I used the link between myself and my son to cast a spell on him, a spell that would make him do what he did, and would make him feel that it was his choice. He didn't do it, I made him do it."
"You EVIL BASTARD!" Phoebe shouted.
"Azariel, keep your client under control. Mr. Turner, how do we know that you are capable of such an act of evil?" The Tribunal on the left said.
"Look at my record. I would do anything if it would help me." Cole said.
The Tribunals conferred among themselves, and then said, "If this is true, than you will be erased for your crime."
"It is." Cole said gravely.
"Well, we must make sure." The Lead Tribunal waved, and suddenly Cole replaced his son on the sigil. "Do you swear that everything you have just told us is the truth?"
As the sisters watched, Cole's face went tense as it appeared he was struggling to do something. "Y.Ye.No." Cole finally stammered. His face fell as he realized he had failed.
"Why did you lie?" the lead Tribunal asked.
"I would do anything to save my son." Cole said. "I figured you would believe me if I said that, based on my record. Better that I die then my son."
"Your devotion to your son is admirable, but not relevant. We shall now discuss the case." The lead Tribunal said.
"Wait." A voice said, a voice that reverberated throughout the room. As the sisters watched, 8 figures appeared in the center of the room. They varied in size and shape, and each had a skintight glow around them. They heard Leo gasp, and then felt the sheer presence these people emitted. "Leo, who are they?" Piper asked, "Leo." She said, and turned towards him. To her shock, Leo was kneeling in a position one would reserve for Kings in the medieval times. Looking around, she realized that everyone save themselves and the Tribunals were kneeling. "Who are these guys?" Paige asked.
"They're called the Guardians." Azariel whispered. "You should feel honored that you have seen them. Only the High Elder has ever seen them, and even then it was only once. They are beyond your comprehension, and are near the top of the side of Good. I don't know what they're doing here though. They've never come to a trial before."
One of the Guardians stepped forward and said, "You're honors, we would like to speak with you in private." His voice had a echoing quality, and he had a black glow.
"That's Mortano, the Guardian of Death," Azariel whispered. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I think it will be alright."
The Guardians and The Tribunals left the room for a few minutes, and then came back in. The Tribunals seemed to be disturbed by whatever was said. It could be seen in their walk. They walked forward and said, "Based on new evidence, we find the accused not guilty. He is free to go."
Phoebe broke into tears, and walked over to the Guardians. "I don't know why you intervened, but thank you."
Several of the Guardians smiled, and then Mortanos said, "We had our own reasons for intervening, but we thank you for your praise." Then they were gone.
Phoebe's son turned towards Cole, and said, "Thank you Father. I love you."
"I love you too son." Cole said. Phoebe's son smiled, and then he faded.
"Hey, Leo, how bout you get off your ass and orb us home?" Piper said. Leo stood up with an embarrassed smile on his face, and held out his hands. Everyone grabbed hold, and then Leo orbed out with all of them.
Soon, the entire room was empty save for Ezekiel. Ezekiel looked around, and said, "Well, that was an interesting case. While it didn't turn out like I thought it would, it was very enlightening." Ezekiel turned towards where the sisters had been. "Enjoy your peace, my vessel. Enjoy it while it lasts. Your days of good are numbered, for I now know your weakness." With a laugh, Ezekiel disappeared.
TO BE CONTINUED.