CHAPTER 2: Revelations
Sweat profusely dripped down Phoebe's forehead and neck.
Sparring with Michael took more energy than she had expected. The weight lifting and stretching were not especially tiring, but trying to keep up with his pace in practicing martial arts was near to impossible. In fact, Michael had barely even broken a sweat, and Phoebe was sure the power boost had something to do with that. Strangely, she remarked to herself that the only other person she knew who had Michael's stamina was Cole.
"You look like you could use a breather." Michael's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Is five minutes ok?" she asked.
"Sure, it's not like I'm in a rush," he said, smiling at her. He went and sat down on the steps with her. Soon enough, however, the smile had been replaced by a look of intense concentration.
"What's wrong?" asked Phoebe, concerned.
Michael shook himself. "I was just thinking more about the power boost. I'm starting to get more of an idea of how I'm involved in it all, but there are still a few holes."
"Well, at least you've got something, so that's good," said Phoebe, encouraging him.
"The thing is, there's only one demon I know of that could possibly have any connection to me," said Michael, looking away from her. "My mother."
Phoebe blinked. "What?" she gasped.
"It's true," he said sadly. "She was assigned by the Source to kill my father, but the ended up falling in love. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Of course, being raised in this world, my demonic half had no evil influence, just another facet of my magical ability."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" she asked angrily.
"Because I knew you'd react exactly like this, and I didn't want to push you away," said Michael. "I am a good man, Phoebe, you know that. Just because some of my powers are demonic in origin doesn't make them evil. You said it yourself."
Phoebe sighed and calmed herself down. "I'm sorry I overreacted," she said, giving him a sweet smile. "Forgive me?"
"Always," he said, and kissed her.
"So," she said after they pulled apart, "what does this have to do with your theory?"
"Well, my mother was a direct descendent of the first Source, so she'd be a likely candidate to rule the Underworld. My best guess would be that she sent those warlocks to keep up appearances. Even at times when her demonic nature got the best of her, she never hurt me. She knew I'd be able to handle them."
"So, you think she became the Source to protect you?" asked Phoebe.
"It's possible," said Michael. "However, here's the hole: even though she's my mother, there's no way that her becoming the Source would give me this kind of power boost; we aren't magically linked. In conclusion, I'm stuck." He sighed in frustration. "Anyway, the point is I'm closer to the answer but I'm still a long way off."
"Have you considered talking to her?" suggested Phoebe.
"Yes, but I'm not in a hurry to go down to the Underworld if I don't have to," he answered quickly. "Now, what do you say about finishing our little workout?"
"Okay," she said, smiling.
"I think I've got an exercise that you might enjoy," he said, grinning. Michael took out a blindfold and put it on himself. He turned his back on Phoebe. "Attack me."
"Huh?" said Phoebe, confused.
"Just do it."
Still unsure, but willing to participate, Phoebe moved forward and threw a punch at Michael's head. Michael whirled around and blocked it. Phoebe threw a few more punches and kicks but it seemed that Michael was able to sense the attack the instant before it came. Michael finished the exercise by knocking Phoebe to her back.
Michael pulled off the blindfold and stared at a dumbfounded Phoebe. "How did you do that?" she asked, clearly impressed.
"It's a skill that Merlin helped me refine," said Michael. "You see, even though you don't know it, you, like me, are able to sense an attack before it comes. Most magical beings have some kind of precognition, but usually don't develop it. I have. However, to do this, you first have to learn how to trust your other senses when your eyes fail you. Even feeling the displacement of the air by a punch or kick will help you to eventually sense the punch or kick before it hits you." He paused. "Understand?"
She nodded.
"Now it's your turn," said Michael, gently placing the blindfold on her. "Trust me?"
She giggled. "Of course I do."
"Relax," he said. "Clear your mind and focus your senses. Feel the airflow around you and on your skin. Sense its pattern." Michael waited as Phoebe concentrated. Suddenly, he threw a punch at her. Almost by reflex, Phoebe brought up her arm and caught his wrist. She deftly knocked him on his back and straddled him, holding him to the ground.
She pulled off the blindfold and grinned mischievously at him. "Now, what should I do with you?" Not waiting for an answer, she kissed him passionately. Knowing what would probably come next, he orbed them back up to her bedroom.
****
"You called for me?" said Veraline.
"I imagine my brother is enjoying his new powers," remarked Damien. "It seems rather ironic that a witch would be able to control the powers of the Source. Then again," he said, smiling evilly, "he is half demon, isn't he?"
"What are you planning to do?"
"Michael is a very formidable foe," said Damien. "However, if he were to be turned, he would be a powerful ally."
"You want to use his demon half to make him evil," concluded Veraline.
"I plan to use his own dark side to make him evil," snarled Damien. "The fact that he is half demon is an added bonus. And once I have my bargaining chip, he won't have any choice. He will give in to hate, and that act will make him evil forever."
****
Michael and Phoebe lay comfortably in her bed. They were both spent, and not just from exercising.
"Phoebe?"
"Hmmm?" She rolled over onto her stomach so she could face him.
"I was thinking of going to the Underworld to see my mother."
She sat up in shock. "What?"
"I don't plan to stay long. I just need to find the answers to this." He reached out to hold her hands. "I'm not leaving you, ok?"
Her eyes watered but she cracked a smile. "Ok, but if you die down there, don't expect me to summon you, ever." She leaned down and kissed him passionately, then let him get up to get dressed.
Michael smiled at her. "I won't be more than an hour at most. Love you, babe."
As he orbed out, Phoebe whispered, "I love you, too." She lay back on the bed, sighing in contentment.
****
Veraline sat in her chambers, sadly reflecting on how badly things had been screwed up.
Within hours, one of her children would die at the hands of the other or would be converted to evil. No matter who won, evil would take another family member from her.
Suddenly, she heard a chiming. She turned around to see Michael orb in to the room.
"Mom," he said, his voice cracking on a sob.
"Oh, Michael," she said, rushing forward to embrace him. They held each other for a few minutes, allowing five years worth of separation to dissipate. When Veraline was able to fine her voice again, she said, "Michael, why did you come down here?"
"I wanted to see you. I missed you a lot while I was gone. But, I do have to ask you...why do I have the Source's powers?"
Veraline had been dreading this conversation for a long time, but he deserved to know everything. She just hoped that he would be able to stop whatever Damien had planned.
"We need to talk," she said, "and I think you'd better sit down."
****
Phoebe had almost fallen asleep when she heard the sound of flaming. She opened her eyes to see Michael appear. "Well, you certainly held up your promise, again, returning in just over a half hour," she said, smiling.
"How could anyone in their right mind stay away from you?" he said, giving her a wicked grin.
"Ooh, baby, if you don't stop talking like that, we'll end up staying in bed all day," she said seductively.
"But that won't fit in with my plan," he said, handing her some clothes.
As she finished dressing, she said, "How does your plan begin?"
He pulled her close. "Like this," he said, leaning still closer to her. However, Phoebe was completely unprepared for what happened next.
His eyes flamed and then turned to complete darkness - the mark of the Source.
Before Phoebe could make a sound, Damien had clasped his hand over her mouth. "I wouldn't want you to alert your sisters to my plan, now would I? I want you to witness the destruction of your beloved Michael." Damien flamed them to the Underworld.
****
"So, I have a twin brother and he is now the Source?" confirmed Michael.
"Yes," said Veraline. "The so-called 'twin bond' is what is responsible for the linking of your powers and his. Actually, that's only half the reason. When you two were born, you both had the full powers of the Source within you. Your father and I decided to bind only those powers as they seemed unpredictable. When Damien took the oath, the spell must have unbound your Source powers."
"Well, at least that explains the power boost," said Michael. "And you said he wants me to join him down here forever?"
"He would prefer to have you as a living ally rather than a dead enemy. However, if you should give in to evil, the two of you would be unstoppable, and you would probably never turn back."
"Then that's not going to happen," said Michael firmly. Suddenly, he heard a screaming in his mind and he lurched forward.
"What's wrong?" asked Veraline.
"Phoebe..." he gasped. "She's HERE." Without thinking, Michael grabbed his mother and orbed them toward Phoebe's presence.
****
Michael and Veraline materialized to see Damien holding Phoebe with an athame held against her throat. "Welcome, Michael. I have been expecting you."
"Let her go," he ordered coldly.
"No, I don't think I'm going to do that," said Damien, smiling evilly.
"You're not going to turn me," Michael affirmed. "I will never be evil."
"We shall see about that, brother," said Damien. "I have a proposition for you. If you join me now, I'll let your beloved witch go free. Otherwise..." Damien left the threat open.
Michael thought furiously. If he let Phoebe go, the Power of Three would be unbroken, and the Charmed Ones could find a way of turning him back. However, if he gave himself over, Damien would likely kill her anyway.
Michael searched Phoebe's eyes. He felt her sending a thought at him, and it was not what he expected.
'If you love me, never give in.'
Tears welled up in Michael's eyes. If he screwed this up, Phoebe would die, and he knew it. Wiping the tears away, he glared directly into Damien's black, empty eyes.
"Screw you."
Damien grinned evilly. "Very well, then. Say goodbye to your boyfriend, witch." With a fluid motion, Damien stabbed Phoebe in the stomach and pushed her to the floor.
"PHOEBE!" screamed Michael. He instinctively formed a fireball with his hand. He could feel the burning rage igniting within him. He wanted to kill Damien. Hell, he just wanted to KILL, period. Before he could throw the fireball, he felt a strong grip on his wrist. Veraline's voice came to him as though from miles away.
"Don't do it. That's exactly what he wants you to do. He wants you to give in to your dark side."
The realization washed over him like a soft breeze.
If he had let the bloodlust overtake him, he wouldn't have stopped with Damien, who probably would have deflected the fireball aside anyway. He would have kept going until he killed an innocent, and then his fate would have been sealed. He would have become dark forever.
Slowly, the fire within his soul ebbed away. He extinguished the fireball in his hand, and Veraline released his wrist. He smiled sardonically at Damien. "You lose, brother. I will never join you."
Damien glared at Veraline in anger. "HOW DARE YOU BETRAY ME?"
"Quite simply, I'm not evil. I haven't been since Michael came back."
Damien swiveled his glare at Michael. No way was he going to let him live now. "I'M GOING TO RIP YOU APART!" A sword materialized in his hand and he flew through the air at Michael. However, Michael was ready for him, and Excalibur appeared in his right hand. The clash of steel was like thunder.
The sword fight went on and on. Unfortunately, it seemed that Damien had the upper hand. His pure hatred of his brother had increased his strength, and Michael began to tire. Suddenly, Damien swung a blow that knocked Excalibur from Michael's hands and threw Michael to the ground.
Damien stood over Michael and pointed his sword at his chest. "Almost seems anti-climactic, doesn't it? You know, had you not been so selfish and defied me, your girlfriend's death would have been quick and painless. But now that you PISSED ME OFF, I'm going to finish her, NICE and SLOW."
As Damien raised the sword to deliver the killing blow, Michael summoned the last of his strength and concentrated. He caught the edge of the sword with his hands, and two things happened which made Damien's face contort with shock: he could not push the blade any closer to Michael's chest, and Michael's hands were NOT BLEEDING.
Michael pushed forward with all his strength and threw Damien twenty feet across the cavern. He leapt to his feet and telekinetically pulled Excalibur back into his hand. Enraged, Damien rushed forward on the offensive, but Michael was back to full strength. He focused his magic into Excalibur just before he blocked Damien's blow. As the swords met, there was a blinding flash and a pure, sweet musical note hung on the air. When the flash faded, Damien's sword was in two pieces, cleanly cut, while Excalibur was undamaged.
Before Damien could react any further, Michael slashed his chest. At first Damien just kept the evil grin on his face. However, when he realized the wound Michael had just inflicted on him was NOT healing on its own as it should, he went into shock. Michael quickly made a second slash to his abdomen, and Damien collapsed to the floor. Although Michael hadn't known it at the time, Excalibur's magic could override dark magic through its immunity, which is why Damien was unable to self-heal.
Michael quickly ran from Damien to Phoebe. He placed his hands over her wound. "Come on, damn it!" he yelled. It seemed an eternity before the healing light came from his hands. Slowly, the blood flowed backward and Phoebe's wound retracted. She gasped and opened her eyes. Michael held her close and rocked her in his arms. "You're safe now. I've got you."
Phoebe looked up and stroked his cheek with her hand. She gave him a warm smile which melted his heart. Shakily, she got to her feet. "What are we going to do with him?" she asked, indicating Damien.
"I think I've got just the thing."
****
"Damn it, Leo, where the hell is she?" snapped Piper. She had gone up to Phoebe's room to invite Michael to join all of them at P3, but she was surprised and then worried when Phoebe was not in the house.
"I can't sense her," he said, "which means..."
"Why would she be down in the Underworld?" asked Paige. As to answer her question, Michael orbed in with Phoebe in one arm and Damien in the other. Michael roughly threw Damien to the floor while setting Phoebe down gently.
"Piper, Paige, I give you Damien, my twin brother, the Source," said Michael. "Would you be so kind as to vanquish him? I'd do it myself, but I thought I'd let you have the honor and add another Source to your vanquish list."
Piper and Paige giggled at Michael's little speech, but became serious as they joined Phoebe and said the Source Vanquishing spell.
Prudence, Patricia, Penelope, Melinda, Astrid, Helena, Laura, and Grace, Halliwell witches stand strong beside us, Vanquish this evil from time and space.
Damien burst into flames. Just before he exploded, he turned to Michael and gave a slight bow of his head, acknowledging his twin.
Michael sighed sadly. Evil as he was, Damien was his twin brother, and Michael felt that he should be mourned for the man he might have been if he'd been raised on the Surface. But he'd have the rest of his life to do that.
He looked up just in time to see Phoebe throw her arms around his neck. "You saved my life, again. I wonder what I should do as a reward," she purred in his ear.
"You don't have to do anything," he said, cupping her face with his hands. "The fact that you're alive and well is reward enough for me." The love in his eyes made hers start to tear up again. "However, now that I think about it, I suppose it wouldn't be too much to ask if we could talk privately?"
"Not at all," said Phoebe as Michael orbed them up to her room.
****
They sat down on the edge of the bed. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I told you that the night my father died, it had been my intention to tell you the truth about me." She nodded, following so far. "I had also been planning to ask you something then. I wasn't sure before today, but I think I'm ready to ask you now."
Phoebe's heart was pounding. She KNEW, without even thinking about it, what he had been going to ask her that night, what he was going to ask her now. She felt like everything that had happened to her, even with Cole, had been leading up to this moment in time. There were no more secrets, no more deceptions. "What did you want to ask me?" she said in a carefully controlled voice.
Michael knelt down on the floor in front of Phoebe and took her hand in his. "Phoebe Halliwell, there is nothing in this world that I love more than you. When I met you, I had been stumbling around in the dark, unsure of everything. You gave me a new beginning, a new life. You kept me going when I was in the cloak, because I knew, in my heart, that we would be together again, no matter how long it took. You are my life, Phoebe, and I would be honored to have you as my wife." Michael took a small box from his pocket and opened it, revealing the diamond ring within. "Will you marry me?"
"Michael...I...yes, yes of course I will," she said, kissing him languorously. Tears of pure joy streamed down her cheeks. "I love you so much." Michael reverently slipped the ring on her finger.
"I'd suggest we go spread the good news to the other members of this house," said Michael.
Phoebe giggled in delight. "Piper, Paige, Leo!" she called. "We've got something to tell you." After they had come in, Phoebe proudly held up her right hand for inspection.
"Oh....my God," gasped Piper. "He asked you to MARRY HIM?"
"That is so great!" squealed Paige in happiness. The sisters embraced while Michael and Leo just looked at each other and grinned.
"Welcome to the family," said Leo.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Sweat profusely dripped down Phoebe's forehead and neck.
Sparring with Michael took more energy than she had expected. The weight lifting and stretching were not especially tiring, but trying to keep up with his pace in practicing martial arts was near to impossible. In fact, Michael had barely even broken a sweat, and Phoebe was sure the power boost had something to do with that. Strangely, she remarked to herself that the only other person she knew who had Michael's stamina was Cole.
"You look like you could use a breather." Michael's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Is five minutes ok?" she asked.
"Sure, it's not like I'm in a rush," he said, smiling at her. He went and sat down on the steps with her. Soon enough, however, the smile had been replaced by a look of intense concentration.
"What's wrong?" asked Phoebe, concerned.
Michael shook himself. "I was just thinking more about the power boost. I'm starting to get more of an idea of how I'm involved in it all, but there are still a few holes."
"Well, at least you've got something, so that's good," said Phoebe, encouraging him.
"The thing is, there's only one demon I know of that could possibly have any connection to me," said Michael, looking away from her. "My mother."
Phoebe blinked. "What?" she gasped.
"It's true," he said sadly. "She was assigned by the Source to kill my father, but the ended up falling in love. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Of course, being raised in this world, my demonic half had no evil influence, just another facet of my magical ability."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" she asked angrily.
"Because I knew you'd react exactly like this, and I didn't want to push you away," said Michael. "I am a good man, Phoebe, you know that. Just because some of my powers are demonic in origin doesn't make them evil. You said it yourself."
Phoebe sighed and calmed herself down. "I'm sorry I overreacted," she said, giving him a sweet smile. "Forgive me?"
"Always," he said, and kissed her.
"So," she said after they pulled apart, "what does this have to do with your theory?"
"Well, my mother was a direct descendent of the first Source, so she'd be a likely candidate to rule the Underworld. My best guess would be that she sent those warlocks to keep up appearances. Even at times when her demonic nature got the best of her, she never hurt me. She knew I'd be able to handle them."
"So, you think she became the Source to protect you?" asked Phoebe.
"It's possible," said Michael. "However, here's the hole: even though she's my mother, there's no way that her becoming the Source would give me this kind of power boost; we aren't magically linked. In conclusion, I'm stuck." He sighed in frustration. "Anyway, the point is I'm closer to the answer but I'm still a long way off."
"Have you considered talking to her?" suggested Phoebe.
"Yes, but I'm not in a hurry to go down to the Underworld if I don't have to," he answered quickly. "Now, what do you say about finishing our little workout?"
"Okay," she said, smiling.
"I think I've got an exercise that you might enjoy," he said, grinning. Michael took out a blindfold and put it on himself. He turned his back on Phoebe. "Attack me."
"Huh?" said Phoebe, confused.
"Just do it."
Still unsure, but willing to participate, Phoebe moved forward and threw a punch at Michael's head. Michael whirled around and blocked it. Phoebe threw a few more punches and kicks but it seemed that Michael was able to sense the attack the instant before it came. Michael finished the exercise by knocking Phoebe to her back.
Michael pulled off the blindfold and stared at a dumbfounded Phoebe. "How did you do that?" she asked, clearly impressed.
"It's a skill that Merlin helped me refine," said Michael. "You see, even though you don't know it, you, like me, are able to sense an attack before it comes. Most magical beings have some kind of precognition, but usually don't develop it. I have. However, to do this, you first have to learn how to trust your other senses when your eyes fail you. Even feeling the displacement of the air by a punch or kick will help you to eventually sense the punch or kick before it hits you." He paused. "Understand?"
She nodded.
"Now it's your turn," said Michael, gently placing the blindfold on her. "Trust me?"
She giggled. "Of course I do."
"Relax," he said. "Clear your mind and focus your senses. Feel the airflow around you and on your skin. Sense its pattern." Michael waited as Phoebe concentrated. Suddenly, he threw a punch at her. Almost by reflex, Phoebe brought up her arm and caught his wrist. She deftly knocked him on his back and straddled him, holding him to the ground.
She pulled off the blindfold and grinned mischievously at him. "Now, what should I do with you?" Not waiting for an answer, she kissed him passionately. Knowing what would probably come next, he orbed them back up to her bedroom.
****
"You called for me?" said Veraline.
"I imagine my brother is enjoying his new powers," remarked Damien. "It seems rather ironic that a witch would be able to control the powers of the Source. Then again," he said, smiling evilly, "he is half demon, isn't he?"
"What are you planning to do?"
"Michael is a very formidable foe," said Damien. "However, if he were to be turned, he would be a powerful ally."
"You want to use his demon half to make him evil," concluded Veraline.
"I plan to use his own dark side to make him evil," snarled Damien. "The fact that he is half demon is an added bonus. And once I have my bargaining chip, he won't have any choice. He will give in to hate, and that act will make him evil forever."
****
Michael and Phoebe lay comfortably in her bed. They were both spent, and not just from exercising.
"Phoebe?"
"Hmmm?" She rolled over onto her stomach so she could face him.
"I was thinking of going to the Underworld to see my mother."
She sat up in shock. "What?"
"I don't plan to stay long. I just need to find the answers to this." He reached out to hold her hands. "I'm not leaving you, ok?"
Her eyes watered but she cracked a smile. "Ok, but if you die down there, don't expect me to summon you, ever." She leaned down and kissed him passionately, then let him get up to get dressed.
Michael smiled at her. "I won't be more than an hour at most. Love you, babe."
As he orbed out, Phoebe whispered, "I love you, too." She lay back on the bed, sighing in contentment.
****
Veraline sat in her chambers, sadly reflecting on how badly things had been screwed up.
Within hours, one of her children would die at the hands of the other or would be converted to evil. No matter who won, evil would take another family member from her.
Suddenly, she heard a chiming. She turned around to see Michael orb in to the room.
"Mom," he said, his voice cracking on a sob.
"Oh, Michael," she said, rushing forward to embrace him. They held each other for a few minutes, allowing five years worth of separation to dissipate. When Veraline was able to fine her voice again, she said, "Michael, why did you come down here?"
"I wanted to see you. I missed you a lot while I was gone. But, I do have to ask you...why do I have the Source's powers?"
Veraline had been dreading this conversation for a long time, but he deserved to know everything. She just hoped that he would be able to stop whatever Damien had planned.
"We need to talk," she said, "and I think you'd better sit down."
****
Phoebe had almost fallen asleep when she heard the sound of flaming. She opened her eyes to see Michael appear. "Well, you certainly held up your promise, again, returning in just over a half hour," she said, smiling.
"How could anyone in their right mind stay away from you?" he said, giving her a wicked grin.
"Ooh, baby, if you don't stop talking like that, we'll end up staying in bed all day," she said seductively.
"But that won't fit in with my plan," he said, handing her some clothes.
As she finished dressing, she said, "How does your plan begin?"
He pulled her close. "Like this," he said, leaning still closer to her. However, Phoebe was completely unprepared for what happened next.
His eyes flamed and then turned to complete darkness - the mark of the Source.
Before Phoebe could make a sound, Damien had clasped his hand over her mouth. "I wouldn't want you to alert your sisters to my plan, now would I? I want you to witness the destruction of your beloved Michael." Damien flamed them to the Underworld.
****
"So, I have a twin brother and he is now the Source?" confirmed Michael.
"Yes," said Veraline. "The so-called 'twin bond' is what is responsible for the linking of your powers and his. Actually, that's only half the reason. When you two were born, you both had the full powers of the Source within you. Your father and I decided to bind only those powers as they seemed unpredictable. When Damien took the oath, the spell must have unbound your Source powers."
"Well, at least that explains the power boost," said Michael. "And you said he wants me to join him down here forever?"
"He would prefer to have you as a living ally rather than a dead enemy. However, if you should give in to evil, the two of you would be unstoppable, and you would probably never turn back."
"Then that's not going to happen," said Michael firmly. Suddenly, he heard a screaming in his mind and he lurched forward.
"What's wrong?" asked Veraline.
"Phoebe..." he gasped. "She's HERE." Without thinking, Michael grabbed his mother and orbed them toward Phoebe's presence.
****
Michael and Veraline materialized to see Damien holding Phoebe with an athame held against her throat. "Welcome, Michael. I have been expecting you."
"Let her go," he ordered coldly.
"No, I don't think I'm going to do that," said Damien, smiling evilly.
"You're not going to turn me," Michael affirmed. "I will never be evil."
"We shall see about that, brother," said Damien. "I have a proposition for you. If you join me now, I'll let your beloved witch go free. Otherwise..." Damien left the threat open.
Michael thought furiously. If he let Phoebe go, the Power of Three would be unbroken, and the Charmed Ones could find a way of turning him back. However, if he gave himself over, Damien would likely kill her anyway.
Michael searched Phoebe's eyes. He felt her sending a thought at him, and it was not what he expected.
'If you love me, never give in.'
Tears welled up in Michael's eyes. If he screwed this up, Phoebe would die, and he knew it. Wiping the tears away, he glared directly into Damien's black, empty eyes.
"Screw you."
Damien grinned evilly. "Very well, then. Say goodbye to your boyfriend, witch." With a fluid motion, Damien stabbed Phoebe in the stomach and pushed her to the floor.
"PHOEBE!" screamed Michael. He instinctively formed a fireball with his hand. He could feel the burning rage igniting within him. He wanted to kill Damien. Hell, he just wanted to KILL, period. Before he could throw the fireball, he felt a strong grip on his wrist. Veraline's voice came to him as though from miles away.
"Don't do it. That's exactly what he wants you to do. He wants you to give in to your dark side."
The realization washed over him like a soft breeze.
If he had let the bloodlust overtake him, he wouldn't have stopped with Damien, who probably would have deflected the fireball aside anyway. He would have kept going until he killed an innocent, and then his fate would have been sealed. He would have become dark forever.
Slowly, the fire within his soul ebbed away. He extinguished the fireball in his hand, and Veraline released his wrist. He smiled sardonically at Damien. "You lose, brother. I will never join you."
Damien glared at Veraline in anger. "HOW DARE YOU BETRAY ME?"
"Quite simply, I'm not evil. I haven't been since Michael came back."
Damien swiveled his glare at Michael. No way was he going to let him live now. "I'M GOING TO RIP YOU APART!" A sword materialized in his hand and he flew through the air at Michael. However, Michael was ready for him, and Excalibur appeared in his right hand. The clash of steel was like thunder.
The sword fight went on and on. Unfortunately, it seemed that Damien had the upper hand. His pure hatred of his brother had increased his strength, and Michael began to tire. Suddenly, Damien swung a blow that knocked Excalibur from Michael's hands and threw Michael to the ground.
Damien stood over Michael and pointed his sword at his chest. "Almost seems anti-climactic, doesn't it? You know, had you not been so selfish and defied me, your girlfriend's death would have been quick and painless. But now that you PISSED ME OFF, I'm going to finish her, NICE and SLOW."
As Damien raised the sword to deliver the killing blow, Michael summoned the last of his strength and concentrated. He caught the edge of the sword with his hands, and two things happened which made Damien's face contort with shock: he could not push the blade any closer to Michael's chest, and Michael's hands were NOT BLEEDING.
Michael pushed forward with all his strength and threw Damien twenty feet across the cavern. He leapt to his feet and telekinetically pulled Excalibur back into his hand. Enraged, Damien rushed forward on the offensive, but Michael was back to full strength. He focused his magic into Excalibur just before he blocked Damien's blow. As the swords met, there was a blinding flash and a pure, sweet musical note hung on the air. When the flash faded, Damien's sword was in two pieces, cleanly cut, while Excalibur was undamaged.
Before Damien could react any further, Michael slashed his chest. At first Damien just kept the evil grin on his face. However, when he realized the wound Michael had just inflicted on him was NOT healing on its own as it should, he went into shock. Michael quickly made a second slash to his abdomen, and Damien collapsed to the floor. Although Michael hadn't known it at the time, Excalibur's magic could override dark magic through its immunity, which is why Damien was unable to self-heal.
Michael quickly ran from Damien to Phoebe. He placed his hands over her wound. "Come on, damn it!" he yelled. It seemed an eternity before the healing light came from his hands. Slowly, the blood flowed backward and Phoebe's wound retracted. She gasped and opened her eyes. Michael held her close and rocked her in his arms. "You're safe now. I've got you."
Phoebe looked up and stroked his cheek with her hand. She gave him a warm smile which melted his heart. Shakily, she got to her feet. "What are we going to do with him?" she asked, indicating Damien.
"I think I've got just the thing."
****
"Damn it, Leo, where the hell is she?" snapped Piper. She had gone up to Phoebe's room to invite Michael to join all of them at P3, but she was surprised and then worried when Phoebe was not in the house.
"I can't sense her," he said, "which means..."
"Why would she be down in the Underworld?" asked Paige. As to answer her question, Michael orbed in with Phoebe in one arm and Damien in the other. Michael roughly threw Damien to the floor while setting Phoebe down gently.
"Piper, Paige, I give you Damien, my twin brother, the Source," said Michael. "Would you be so kind as to vanquish him? I'd do it myself, but I thought I'd let you have the honor and add another Source to your vanquish list."
Piper and Paige giggled at Michael's little speech, but became serious as they joined Phoebe and said the Source Vanquishing spell.
Prudence, Patricia, Penelope, Melinda, Astrid, Helena, Laura, and Grace, Halliwell witches stand strong beside us, Vanquish this evil from time and space.
Damien burst into flames. Just before he exploded, he turned to Michael and gave a slight bow of his head, acknowledging his twin.
Michael sighed sadly. Evil as he was, Damien was his twin brother, and Michael felt that he should be mourned for the man he might have been if he'd been raised on the Surface. But he'd have the rest of his life to do that.
He looked up just in time to see Phoebe throw her arms around his neck. "You saved my life, again. I wonder what I should do as a reward," she purred in his ear.
"You don't have to do anything," he said, cupping her face with his hands. "The fact that you're alive and well is reward enough for me." The love in his eyes made hers start to tear up again. "However, now that I think about it, I suppose it wouldn't be too much to ask if we could talk privately?"
"Not at all," said Phoebe as Michael orbed them up to her room.
****
They sat down on the edge of the bed. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I told you that the night my father died, it had been my intention to tell you the truth about me." She nodded, following so far. "I had also been planning to ask you something then. I wasn't sure before today, but I think I'm ready to ask you now."
Phoebe's heart was pounding. She KNEW, without even thinking about it, what he had been going to ask her that night, what he was going to ask her now. She felt like everything that had happened to her, even with Cole, had been leading up to this moment in time. There were no more secrets, no more deceptions. "What did you want to ask me?" she said in a carefully controlled voice.
Michael knelt down on the floor in front of Phoebe and took her hand in his. "Phoebe Halliwell, there is nothing in this world that I love more than you. When I met you, I had been stumbling around in the dark, unsure of everything. You gave me a new beginning, a new life. You kept me going when I was in the cloak, because I knew, in my heart, that we would be together again, no matter how long it took. You are my life, Phoebe, and I would be honored to have you as my wife." Michael took a small box from his pocket and opened it, revealing the diamond ring within. "Will you marry me?"
"Michael...I...yes, yes of course I will," she said, kissing him languorously. Tears of pure joy streamed down her cheeks. "I love you so much." Michael reverently slipped the ring on her finger.
"I'd suggest we go spread the good news to the other members of this house," said Michael.
Phoebe giggled in delight. "Piper, Paige, Leo!" she called. "We've got something to tell you." After they had come in, Phoebe proudly held up her right hand for inspection.
"Oh....my God," gasped Piper. "He asked you to MARRY HIM?"
"That is so great!" squealed Paige in happiness. The sisters embraced while Michael and Leo just looked at each other and grinned.
"Welcome to the family," said Leo.
TO BE CONTINUED...