Returning Evil Part 1
(I do not own any part of Charmed. I just write about it. This continues a storyline begun in Degrees of Evil, and continued in several other stories).
Deep within the Underworld, three figures gathered. They were the last of the Underworld's Dark Priests, and the most powerful evil forces remaining. They met in a chamber as ancient as evil to determine what to do next.
"We are in serious jeopardy my brothers," the eldest began. "Evil is teetering on collapse, and there is no one strong enough to reorganize it. Even if they could, the Charmed Ones would simply defeat them. We have tried every way possible to kill them, but they keep coming. My brothers, we may be doomed."
"No, there must be a way!" one of the others shouted. "Evil cannot falter, for we are the superior side."
"I don't see how." the eldest priest began, when suddenly a gong sounded, a sound that reverberated within the hearts of every priest, and throughout the Underworld. All three priest's faces lit up with joy, and the eldest said, "My brothers, the situation has changed. We are saved!"
***
When Phoebe awoke, she stretched with a smile. For some reason, she was very happy today, and had been happy for the last month. There had been no demonic attacks, and her column was reaching new heights. In addition, Cole's job at the law firm was soaring, and he was perfectly happy. Gabriel was growing nicely, and in general, Phoebe's life was fantastic.
When her hands passed over where Cole should have been, she looked around with a frown. Cole was not in bed, and it was 5am. Phoebe wasn't even sure what she was doing up this early on a Saturday, but Cole definitely should not have been up. She sat up, and looked around. She didn't hear anything from the baby monitor, but maybe she should check anyway. She quietly left the room and walked to the nursery. She passed by Paige's room, and smiled. Over at Michaels again. Oh, well. Phoebe could remember those days fondly. She peeked inside the nursery, and smiled. Both Gabriel and Melinda were sleeping peacefully, and Phoebe had to resist the desire to simply stop watch her son sleep.
Phoebe shook her head, and continued her search for her husband. When she got downstairs, she found Cole deep in discussion with Leo, who was nodding his head and looking a little distressed. A few moments later, Leo orbed out, and Cole got up.
"What was that all about honey?" Phoebe asked quietly. Cole looked up, and Phoebe realized he seemed a little worried.
"I don't know. I just have been getting this sense of doom, of foreboding. I wanted Leo to check it out. I'm sure it's nothing. After all, you're the one with the power of premonition."
Phoebe smiled, and then said, "Don't belittle yourself. You've got some powers under your sleeve as well. Well, now that you've asked Leo to look into it, whatever are we going to do now?" she added with a seductive lilt to her voice. Cole smiled a mischievous smile, and said, "Well, as long as we're up." He pulled Phoebe into a kiss, and then they headed upstairs.
***
Much later, Phoebe and Cole had just finished dressing when they heard over the monitor an infant's cry. Looking over, Cole saw the clock read 8:55. Gabriel had let them sleep in. Cole glanced at Phoebe, who had already gotten up and was heading out the door. Cole followed, and ran into Piper just as another cry punctured the air. Cole smiled, and said, "Now, both of them are doing it."
As Cole and Piper walked into the nursery, they found Phoebe had already picked Gabriel up, and was murmuring softly to him. Piper also walked forward and picked up Melinda, and did the same. A few seconds later, they said, "They need changing. Grab some diapers."
"They are really scaring me," Phoebe remarked. "I know they want to be helpful, but DUAL diaper changing is very unnerving."
Just then, Leo orbed in. He walked over, and picked up Melinda. "Where have you been?" Piper asked in exasperation.
"Sorry, I had something to look into. Cole, I don't know what to tell you. Evil is still around, but just barely. They aren't doing anything. The Elders think that Evil is trying to find a new leader, but they just don't have the pool of evil to pull from. Whatever you think is coming, it's not from there."
"I'm sure it's nothing," Cole said. "Probably just a nightmare or two: nothing to worry about." Cole smiled and then sat down, and let his mind wander as Leo explained to Piper what was going on. It was just a dream, Cole thought with a mental sigh. Nothing but a.
"Come home, my children"
"I'm sorry," Cole said as he looked up. Leo and Piper looked at him, and then Leo said, "Um.I was just saying how you felt a sense of forboding."
"No, what did you say about.never mind, I'm sure it's nothing." Cole said. "Listen, I'm going to head into work, there's work I could get done." He handed Gabriel back to Phoebe, and walked out without a word.
Phoebe turned to the others and said, "I'm really worried, Cole seems really distracted. Isn't there anyway we can check things out?"
"Not without more information," Leo said.
"Well, let's check the Book of Shadows anyway. I can feel it, Cole is worried, and he doesn't get worried." Piper nodded, and then she and Phoebe headed up to the attic.
***
Cole sighed, and then glanced up. While he was getting work done, it wasn't distracting him from what he was thinking about. Who had spoken to him, and what did it want? What did they mean? Cole was so lost in thoughts that he didn't hear another person come in until she said, "Ahem."
Cole looked up, and said, "I'm sorry. I was distracted. Can I help you?"
The woman peered down at Cole, and said, "My name is Serena, and I'm new to the firm. I came in to get a jump on the work I need to get done, and we're the only two people here. I came over to introduce myself, but."
"I didn't notice," Cole said in embarrassment. He always hated it when people snuck up on him. After all, Cole used to have supernatural senses. It just made him feel like he was losing his edge.
"Not a problem," the woman said, "I can respect that level of commitment. Anyway, like I said, my name is Serena DeGuiy." She continued as she held out her hand. Cole took it, and said, "My name is Cole Turner. It's nice to meet you. So, having any troubles?"
The woman looked embarrassed, and then said, "Actually, I have been. I don't suppose.?"
"Sure, I'll give you a hand," Cole said, and he stood up. The woman smiled, and started to walk towards her office. Cole followed, and thought at last he had found a way to become distracted.
***
"Look, I'm telling you, there is nothing here," Piper said in exasperation.
"There has to be," Phoebe replied. "What about the demon of anarchy?"
"Dead, two years ago," Paige responded. "She was killed by a witch friend of Michael's. By the way, I really don't like being pulled away for nothing."
"Look, we won't find anything without more information." Piper said. "Why don't we go to Cole's office and ask him what he knows again? Maybe he'll be more honest this time."
"I doubt it," Paige said, and then held up her hands in mock surrender when Piper and Phoebe turned to glare at her. "Alright, alright, I give up. Let's go." She then grabbed them and orbed out.
***
Cole smiled, and said, "No, you need to do it that way." As the woman smiled, Cole felt himself ease up again. Maybe this was a good idea. For whatever reason, he felt more relaxed now, and able to focus. It was all just a hallucination after.
"Come home, my children."
As Cole's head jerked up, he noticed two things. First of all, the voice was much louder. Secondly, Serena had looked up and whispered, "Master," when the voice spoke. Cole shot up and said, "What are you?"
Serena looked up, and said, "I guess there is no point in pretending. I was sent to get close to you and then kill you, but I got a little.distracted. Oh, well. I guess a simple killing will work." She then gestured, and shot an energy ball, which Cole deflected.
"Listen, Cole, we need to." Phoebe began as the three sisters orbed in. They then ducked as an energy ball shot over their heads.
"What the." Piper remarked, and looked as a woman looked over at them. She gestured, and another energy ball came at them. Paige shouted, "Energy Ball!" and redirected it harmlessly away. She then shouted, "Chair!" and a chair orbed out and slammed into the woman. Cole then walked forward, and slammed a punch into her gut, and followed it with a knee to her face. The woman fell, and Cole pinned her down. He shouted, "Paige, give me a knife!" and one appeared in his hand. Before the woman could shimmer, he had a knife to her throat. "You could try to shimmer, but you'd be dead before you could do it. Now, I want to know just one thing.who is the voice I heard?"
The woman struggled, and then smiled. She then looked at Cole, whispered two words, and then shot her head forward. The knife slid into her, and she was vanquished. Cole fell back in shock, and the sisters watched as his face went pale. Phoebe walked forward, and asked, "Cole, who did she say it was?"
Cole looked at her for a few moments, and then said, "We're all doomed."
Piper walked forward, and said, "Maybe we can fight it, what did she say."
Cole shook his head, and replied, "Not this evil. We are doomed."
"WHAT DID SHE SAY!" Paige said.
Cole stared at her quietly, and then said slowly, "The Founder."
TO BE CONTINUED.
(I do not own any part of Charmed. I just write about it. This continues a storyline begun in Degrees of Evil, and continued in several other stories).
Deep within the Underworld, three figures gathered. They were the last of the Underworld's Dark Priests, and the most powerful evil forces remaining. They met in a chamber as ancient as evil to determine what to do next.
"We are in serious jeopardy my brothers," the eldest began. "Evil is teetering on collapse, and there is no one strong enough to reorganize it. Even if they could, the Charmed Ones would simply defeat them. We have tried every way possible to kill them, but they keep coming. My brothers, we may be doomed."
"No, there must be a way!" one of the others shouted. "Evil cannot falter, for we are the superior side."
"I don't see how." the eldest priest began, when suddenly a gong sounded, a sound that reverberated within the hearts of every priest, and throughout the Underworld. All three priest's faces lit up with joy, and the eldest said, "My brothers, the situation has changed. We are saved!"
***
When Phoebe awoke, she stretched with a smile. For some reason, she was very happy today, and had been happy for the last month. There had been no demonic attacks, and her column was reaching new heights. In addition, Cole's job at the law firm was soaring, and he was perfectly happy. Gabriel was growing nicely, and in general, Phoebe's life was fantastic.
When her hands passed over where Cole should have been, she looked around with a frown. Cole was not in bed, and it was 5am. Phoebe wasn't even sure what she was doing up this early on a Saturday, but Cole definitely should not have been up. She sat up, and looked around. She didn't hear anything from the baby monitor, but maybe she should check anyway. She quietly left the room and walked to the nursery. She passed by Paige's room, and smiled. Over at Michaels again. Oh, well. Phoebe could remember those days fondly. She peeked inside the nursery, and smiled. Both Gabriel and Melinda were sleeping peacefully, and Phoebe had to resist the desire to simply stop watch her son sleep.
Phoebe shook her head, and continued her search for her husband. When she got downstairs, she found Cole deep in discussion with Leo, who was nodding his head and looking a little distressed. A few moments later, Leo orbed out, and Cole got up.
"What was that all about honey?" Phoebe asked quietly. Cole looked up, and Phoebe realized he seemed a little worried.
"I don't know. I just have been getting this sense of doom, of foreboding. I wanted Leo to check it out. I'm sure it's nothing. After all, you're the one with the power of premonition."
Phoebe smiled, and then said, "Don't belittle yourself. You've got some powers under your sleeve as well. Well, now that you've asked Leo to look into it, whatever are we going to do now?" she added with a seductive lilt to her voice. Cole smiled a mischievous smile, and said, "Well, as long as we're up." He pulled Phoebe into a kiss, and then they headed upstairs.
***
Much later, Phoebe and Cole had just finished dressing when they heard over the monitor an infant's cry. Looking over, Cole saw the clock read 8:55. Gabriel had let them sleep in. Cole glanced at Phoebe, who had already gotten up and was heading out the door. Cole followed, and ran into Piper just as another cry punctured the air. Cole smiled, and said, "Now, both of them are doing it."
As Cole and Piper walked into the nursery, they found Phoebe had already picked Gabriel up, and was murmuring softly to him. Piper also walked forward and picked up Melinda, and did the same. A few seconds later, they said, "They need changing. Grab some diapers."
"They are really scaring me," Phoebe remarked. "I know they want to be helpful, but DUAL diaper changing is very unnerving."
Just then, Leo orbed in. He walked over, and picked up Melinda. "Where have you been?" Piper asked in exasperation.
"Sorry, I had something to look into. Cole, I don't know what to tell you. Evil is still around, but just barely. They aren't doing anything. The Elders think that Evil is trying to find a new leader, but they just don't have the pool of evil to pull from. Whatever you think is coming, it's not from there."
"I'm sure it's nothing," Cole said. "Probably just a nightmare or two: nothing to worry about." Cole smiled and then sat down, and let his mind wander as Leo explained to Piper what was going on. It was just a dream, Cole thought with a mental sigh. Nothing but a.
"Come home, my children"
"I'm sorry," Cole said as he looked up. Leo and Piper looked at him, and then Leo said, "Um.I was just saying how you felt a sense of forboding."
"No, what did you say about.never mind, I'm sure it's nothing." Cole said. "Listen, I'm going to head into work, there's work I could get done." He handed Gabriel back to Phoebe, and walked out without a word.
Phoebe turned to the others and said, "I'm really worried, Cole seems really distracted. Isn't there anyway we can check things out?"
"Not without more information," Leo said.
"Well, let's check the Book of Shadows anyway. I can feel it, Cole is worried, and he doesn't get worried." Piper nodded, and then she and Phoebe headed up to the attic.
***
Cole sighed, and then glanced up. While he was getting work done, it wasn't distracting him from what he was thinking about. Who had spoken to him, and what did it want? What did they mean? Cole was so lost in thoughts that he didn't hear another person come in until she said, "Ahem."
Cole looked up, and said, "I'm sorry. I was distracted. Can I help you?"
The woman peered down at Cole, and said, "My name is Serena, and I'm new to the firm. I came in to get a jump on the work I need to get done, and we're the only two people here. I came over to introduce myself, but."
"I didn't notice," Cole said in embarrassment. He always hated it when people snuck up on him. After all, Cole used to have supernatural senses. It just made him feel like he was losing his edge.
"Not a problem," the woman said, "I can respect that level of commitment. Anyway, like I said, my name is Serena DeGuiy." She continued as she held out her hand. Cole took it, and said, "My name is Cole Turner. It's nice to meet you. So, having any troubles?"
The woman looked embarrassed, and then said, "Actually, I have been. I don't suppose.?"
"Sure, I'll give you a hand," Cole said, and he stood up. The woman smiled, and started to walk towards her office. Cole followed, and thought at last he had found a way to become distracted.
***
"Look, I'm telling you, there is nothing here," Piper said in exasperation.
"There has to be," Phoebe replied. "What about the demon of anarchy?"
"Dead, two years ago," Paige responded. "She was killed by a witch friend of Michael's. By the way, I really don't like being pulled away for nothing."
"Look, we won't find anything without more information." Piper said. "Why don't we go to Cole's office and ask him what he knows again? Maybe he'll be more honest this time."
"I doubt it," Paige said, and then held up her hands in mock surrender when Piper and Phoebe turned to glare at her. "Alright, alright, I give up. Let's go." She then grabbed them and orbed out.
***
Cole smiled, and said, "No, you need to do it that way." As the woman smiled, Cole felt himself ease up again. Maybe this was a good idea. For whatever reason, he felt more relaxed now, and able to focus. It was all just a hallucination after.
"Come home, my children."
As Cole's head jerked up, he noticed two things. First of all, the voice was much louder. Secondly, Serena had looked up and whispered, "Master," when the voice spoke. Cole shot up and said, "What are you?"
Serena looked up, and said, "I guess there is no point in pretending. I was sent to get close to you and then kill you, but I got a little.distracted. Oh, well. I guess a simple killing will work." She then gestured, and shot an energy ball, which Cole deflected.
"Listen, Cole, we need to." Phoebe began as the three sisters orbed in. They then ducked as an energy ball shot over their heads.
"What the." Piper remarked, and looked as a woman looked over at them. She gestured, and another energy ball came at them. Paige shouted, "Energy Ball!" and redirected it harmlessly away. She then shouted, "Chair!" and a chair orbed out and slammed into the woman. Cole then walked forward, and slammed a punch into her gut, and followed it with a knee to her face. The woman fell, and Cole pinned her down. He shouted, "Paige, give me a knife!" and one appeared in his hand. Before the woman could shimmer, he had a knife to her throat. "You could try to shimmer, but you'd be dead before you could do it. Now, I want to know just one thing.who is the voice I heard?"
The woman struggled, and then smiled. She then looked at Cole, whispered two words, and then shot her head forward. The knife slid into her, and she was vanquished. Cole fell back in shock, and the sisters watched as his face went pale. Phoebe walked forward, and asked, "Cole, who did she say it was?"
Cole looked at her for a few moments, and then said, "We're all doomed."
Piper walked forward, and said, "Maybe we can fight it, what did she say."
Cole shook his head, and replied, "Not this evil. We are doomed."
"WHAT DID SHE SAY!" Paige said.
Cole stared at her quietly, and then said slowly, "The Founder."
TO BE CONTINUED.