A/N: Here it is... the next chapter! Review! Review! Review! C'mon... it keeps my spirits up!
Chapter 15: An Avatar and A Waif
Cole snatched his arm away from the Avatar who brought him here, Bartholomew. I don't want to train now or whatever you want me to do. Right now I'm going to talk to a friend, he announced, about to shimmer out.
Not any of the Charmed Ones or their whitelighter, Bartholomew warned, glaring at Cole.
Cole growled, shimmering out.
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Cole landed in a heap on the Library's floor.
Hello, Cole, Henry, the librarian, said quietly, stepping out into the open.
She shouldn't have died! Cole yelled, tears starting to form in his eyes.
Her death prevented future blood bath. As it was supposed to, Henry stated the facts.
Cole swiftly turned to face the librarian. Tell me how!
Bradley, the whitelighter who killed her, understood his actions. He saw the pain on her face and heard her last word - love - and he understood. He clipped his wings and thus his orbing power wasn't given to the Source. If he hadn't killed her then someone would have and his orbing power would still be given to the Source. Henry gulped. If that happened it meant that all good would come to a quick end... including your witch.
She would have lived longer, Cole protested.
And died for good, Henry replied sagely. She's alive now.
And I can't see her or they'll kill her! Cole rested his head on his two fists and yelled in frustration.
Henry laughed, to Cole's utter annoyance, and gave a small smile. You can't see her. That doesn't mean you can't touch, talk, or kiss her.
Cole looked up and a grin spread across his face.
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Phoebe stood up. She was in a field of tall grass, which came almost to her chin.
She looked around, long brown hair flipping around her. Where am I? Who am I?
Phoebe reached out and parted the grass before her and was pulled into a premonition.
Phoebe saw a tall man, Cole, although Phoebe didn't know his name. He was crying, his face a mask of supreme anger. The images swirled and suddenly Phoebe saw three woman, who she also didn't recognize, hugging and laughing, tears falling down her faces. A blond haired man smiled and looked on.
Phoebe gasped as she came out of the premonition and collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed.
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Who's she? a short, merry-eyed, bearded man pointed towards the motionless figure of Phoebe in his bed.
The woman,who was sitting by Phoebe, looked up. Her green eyes looked sharply at him. Her, Jonas?
The man, Jonas, raised his bushy eyebrows and whistled. Yes. Her. He pointed once again towards the girl in the bed.
the woman questioned again, putting a new cloth on the woman's forehead. She's a very sick woman, Jonas.
Looks like a girl to me, Bea. Jonas threw his bag to the floor and got himself a glass of milk.
Girl. Woman. She's sick, Bea, the woman, frowned. Her bow-shaped pink lips curving downwards.
Ah well, Jonas took a sip of his drink. She's waking... whatever she is.
Bea's green eyes grew six times. Bea turned quickly towards Phoebe.
Phoebe groaned. She made a small moan as she struggled to open her eyes.
Who are you, darlin'? Bea asked, taking the cloth off of Phoebe's head.
I don't know, Phoebe said, starting to sit up.
Lay back down, girl, Bea commanded. Phoebe nodded and slumped back into the pillows. Go to sleep.
Halfway through Bea's sentence Phoebe fell asleep again.
Where'd you find her? Jonas asked, sitting down.
Bea placed the cloth back on Phoebe's head and put a finger to her lips, the symbol of science.
She won't waken, Bea, Jonas complained. Where'd you find her?
Lily's Field, Bea replied.
Jonas nodded and, putting his glass in the basket they reserved for dirty items, walked back out the door, leaving Bea alone with the girl.
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Cole smiled, running his fingers along the binding of Phoebe's book. We're going to get her back? He handed the book to Henry.
Henry took the book. Yes, but the Balance said we couldn't look in the book.
Cole considered grabbing the book from the short man.
Henry looked over his silver rimmed glasses at Cole and shrugged. The Balance, he said simply as the book flew out of his hand and through the roof.
Who are the Balance? Cole asked, taking some books, which Henry said would be helpful in their quest to find Phoebe, and putting them on the table.
A group of figures who hand out powers and keep the balance between good and evil, Henry explained ambiguously. Now go. Another Avatar might come after you soon. They know they won't let go of your little witch so quickly. We have to do this in secrecy or they will squash our plans.
Cole nodded, understanding, and shimmered out.
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She awake yet, Bea? Jonas entered the cabin again.
No. Not since the time you've seen her, Bea replied, stirring some stew over the fire.
She going to be sleeping in my bed? Jonas asked dryly.
Bea put her hand on her hip, cocked her head, and stared coldly at Jonas. What do you think?
That you're going to come to your senses and put her on the extra bed in the loft, Jonas replied, slumping into a chair.
You're such a child! Bea scolded. She needs to be close to the fire. You sleep on the extra bed in the loft. You're only mentally sick... she's seriously ill. I don't know what led it on either, she said worriedly.
You had Velma come, sister? Jonas asked, exasperatedly.
Yes. I had the healer of the village come, of course. Bea nodded.
She costs an arm and a leg! Jonas complained.
I'll remove your arm and leg, Jonas, Bea said, turning towards him and pointing her finger at him.
Jonas flinched. Bea knocked a flowerpot, which was on the self above his head, on him with her telekinetic powers.
Jonas held his bald head in his hands.
You deserve it, Bea replied with a small laugh.
Jonas looked up, a smile on his face. Maybe I did, but don't do that anymore. He raised his hands. I'll freeze that fire and you'll never get dinner done, he threatened, a wide smile on his face.
You wouldn't dare, Bea laughed, turning towards him.
Jonas lowered his hands in defeat and guffawed. Maybe I wouldn't.
Bea turned towards him, wielding a wooden ladle. You know you wouldn't. Then you'd never get dinner!
Phoebe heard good=nature laughter as she came back to the world. Phoebe sat up. Where am I? Who am I?
Oh sweet, can't help you on who you are. Where are you? The cabin of me, Bea, and my brother Jonas in the kingdom of Nemeren.
Phoebe repeated the word, rolling it around in her mouth.
Yes. Nemeren. Never heard of it? Jonas asked, baffled.
Phoebe shook her head, sitting even further upwards. No. I'm not from here.
Jonas laughed in surprise. You know where you're from, but not who you are?
Bea made a sucking noise and wagged her ladle at Jonas. Hush. Let the girl speak.
Phoebe laughed. I'm not a girl. I'm a woman. I'm from a different place. I can remember things in the world I'm from, but not home. I know that I'm married, but I don't know who to. Phoebe rubbed the wedding band on her finger and looked up, continuing. I know I'm a witch with the powers of premonition and levitation, but I don't know my name. I know normal things like what's what, but I have no personal memories and I don't remember things that people never forget - like my relatives or my friends. Phoebe hung her head. I don't even remember my name. Phoebe took a deep breath and looked up again. How'd I get here?
Bea had pushed Jonas over to stir the stew and sat down in his chair, I was searching for rare herbs in Lily's Field and there you were! Lying in the middle of the field unconscious! I floated you here telekinetically.
Phoebe echoed. I know I knew someone with that, but I... Phoebe struggled, trying to grasp onto memories that weren't there. I don't know who.
It's okay, girl, Jonas looked over from his place by the fire, kindness shining from him. It'll come back.
Phoebe glanced at Bea for further confirmation. Bea smiled and nodded, agreeing with her brother.
Phoebe, with a deep breath, nodded also and gave a small smile to both.
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Should we contact Paige and Piper? Cole asked, glancing up from a myth book he was reading.
Oh, God, no, Henry hefted some more books onto the table. The Avatars are watching them.
Why do you care the books when you could just float them here? Cole asked his friend, who was dressed in his customary three piece suit.
Henry shrugged. Exercise, boy. Looking through the stack of books he had brought to the table he put a few more, quite slim, in front of Cole. What'd you discover in that book?
It's not a real life, Cole repeated the argument he had said thousands of times before.
You can still learn from it, Henry replied sagely.
Cole didn't say anything, but looked back at the book. The guy in the book was really, really upset because his bride was killed before they could get married. So they let him into the Underworld, where his love's soul was. The king there said that his love could come back if he led her back to Earth without ever looking at her. He looked at her at the last moment and his chances were shot. She had to stay in the Underworld. Cole rolled his eyes. Why would he be so stupid?
You'd be so stupid, boy. You and I both know it. You'd look at your little witch.
Cole shrugged. Fine. I won't be so stupid Henry -
Mr. Whitfield, Henry corrected, interrupting.
Whatever. Hand the ambiguous note from the Balance over here again, Cole replied, frustrated. Henry shook his head. Cole sneered out the word. Henry put it in his hands.
Cole glanced it over with a whistle. I'm definitely going to be a better lawyer when I get back home so that other innocent folks don't get screwed over like I did in this deal with the Avatars.
Henry looked over his silver rimmed glasses at Cole. Mr. Turner, you will not get home if you don't concentrate.
Cole sighed and read the words aloud again for the umpteenth time.
The little witch is not where she should
Liars always lying
Evil never was so good
Orbs, so blue, were flying
Death by a whitelighter
Unheard of before
Death was not such a fighter
Girl brought back, loved so more
She doesn't remember her home
Wanders places not on earth
Places she should not roam
That still doesn't make a damned word of sense. Cole slammed the table.
Analyze it. Don't just read it, Henry replied, flipping through some books. He grabbed the paper from Cole. It's perfectly simple.
The little witch is not where she should
The Avatars, obviously, didn't return her home.
Liars always lying
Do I need to explain that, Cole?
Cole sighed. No, Mr. Whitfield. His words dripped with sarcasm.
Henry replied, putting his glasses further on his nose. Listen.
Evil never was so good
Orbs, so blue, were flying
Death by a whitelighter
Unheard of before
A whitelighter killed Phoebe, which never had happened before. He, whoever he was, was the first whitelighter to kill a person. I wonder what she did... Henry rolled a pencil in his fingers, thinking.
She didn't do anything, Cole growled.
Hrumph.
Death was not such a fighter
Girl brought back, loved so more
The Avatars made a deal with you and death was not such a fighter.' She lived.
She was loved even that much more when she was brought back.
She doesn't remember her home
Wanders places not on earth
Places she should not roam
Your little witch doesn't remember anything. She's not on earth. Thus... I concur she must be either in an alternate reality, on another plane made by the Avatars, or in another world.
That's too many options. We need to find her fast, Cole replied.
We can do that if you do two things for me. Bring me something of Phoebe's and CONCENTRATE, Henry yelled the last word.
Cole grumbled as he shimmered out.
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Phoebe sang a little song to herself, picking some herbs from the garden. She didn't know each one by heart, but Bea was teaching her. Slowly, but surely.
You need this one, Bea? Phoebe held up a sprig of something.
Oh, yes! Most definitely! Bea said, a happy smile on her face. She was starting to grown quite fond of the girl. Jonas was even called her his nicer younger sister.' Bea smiled at the girl. That's all they called her for now, Girl.' Although, Bea felt, that needed to soon be remedied. She called Phoebe over to her.
Phoebe rushed over, making sure not to drop the basket. she asked, putting a few strands of hair behind her ears.
Have you ever heard the song In Lily's Field'? Bea asked.
Phoebe frowned, confused. No. I can't say I have.
Bea smiled. It's about a girl, lost and confused, found in Lily's field. She's too - Bea affectionately tapped Phoebe's stomach, pregnant. I think it's horrible just calling you girl. May I call you Lily? Like the girl in the song?
Phoebe smiled and gave a little laugh. I don't mind. As long as the Lily from the song didn't meet a tragic end.
Bea smiled. Oh no. Her prince came to save her.
Phoebe glanced down at her wedding band for a moment and rubbed it in between her finger. She smiled, but didn't reply.
Phoebe had kept the band on, even though she wasn't sure who she was married to. She didn't know if he was short or tall. She didn't know if he dark haired or blond or bald... or anything. Phoebe sighed. Whoever he was, she wished he'd come.
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Cole! There you are! Margaret shimmered into the penthouse, which was still in Cole's possession and he often spent time at.
Cole turned to Margaret, Phoebe's favorite sweater in his hand.
Still moping? Margaret asked with a reproachful gaze.
Not moping, Cole said.
Margaret pointed her eyes upwards. Well I guess I'll leave you to think' then. Only think for so long, Cole. You must train. And don't leave here. I had enough trouble finding you last time.
Cole nodded his assent as Margaret shimmered out.
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We can have our meeting now, Margaret announced, shimmering in front of the other Avatars.
The eleven of them nodded. The eldest spoke first, Where did you send her?
The little witch? To another world. Nemeren, Margaret responded, sitting down. The man nodded.
Why did you send her? the youngest asked. All eyes turned on him. I still don't understand.
We sent her so that she would not distract our newest Avatar, Cole Turner, Margaret responded patiently. The other Avatars murmured their agreement.
Are we going to bring her back? Bartholomew asked.
Margaret responded flatly.
Did you remove her memories? the harshest Avatar asked, a slight, tall woman who almost always had a cold expression.
Not all of them, Margaret admitted. I let her remember that she was married, but not to who. I let her remember she had family, only she doesn't know who they are. I let her remember her witchy things so she would not be totally defenseless. They will not find her, but they will find out if she was dead. And heads will roll.
Wise decision, Margaret, the eldest commended Margaret. The harshest Avatar nodded begrudgingly.
Are you sure Turner will not search for her? Bartholomew set forward the question all the others had been itching to ask.
Positive. I told him that if he sees her again she shall die. If Turner sees the little witch her necklace will release poison into her, which will kill her slowly.
The Avatars nodded. I still think that Bartholomew and I should keep close watch on the little witch, Turner, and the Halliwells.
The Avatars fully agreed and the plan was put forward.
A/N: Did everyone understand? Phoebe was transported by Margaret the Avatar to another world. Margaret also removed most of her memories and removed all of Cole. Also Bea, the woman who found Phoebe, has decided to call her Lily although I'll still write Phoebe does this' and Phoebe does that.' Get it? Got it? Questions? Review! :-)
