A/N: Sorry for the brevity of recent chapters. I hope that I can fix that with the next one (if not this one), but it's hard. For example, chapter 18 (Found) was three pages, but it looks and feels much shorter when it's on ff.net. Oh well. How are you guys liking it so far? By the way, I hope no one is offended that only one member of the Balance is female. That's how it worked out in my head.
Chapter 19: Pleading with the Balance
Perhaps we should intervene, Henry finished pleading his case to the Balance.
The four men and one woman, who made up the Balance, looked at each other before turning back to Henry. Their faces spoke for them. It was a resounding no.
Selim, the most friendly of the Avatars (which wasn't saying much), spoke for the group. Cole Turner, he looked disgusted and added, the Avatar, must find his own footing.
What if the prophesied child dies in the process? What if his wife dies? He will never forgive you for not preventing the death of his witch! Then you will never have his support! Henry threatened.
We will take that risk. The Avatars stood by their decision.
Read the book! Henry, in a fit of rage, threw the book of one Phoebe Halliwell at his superiors. Read the damn book! Than you'll know!
Selim, without even blinking, stopped the book on its path and floated it over to himself. Putting the book down on the desk in front of him, he gave a disappointed frown to Henry. The book changes with every decision.
There is more than one book on Phoebe Halliwell, Henry started to go on another tirade, but Selim raised a hand, silencing him.
Phoebe is her name? Selim asked.
Henry said, trying to maintain his anger. Why does it matter?
It doesn't, another Avatar said coldly.
I had just never heard her name before, Selim replied to both.
If you do not interfere the witch will die! The little witch has been taken by an Avatar! They will kill her, evil will take the chance to kill the Charmed Ones, due to their death many innocents will die, a whitelighter and a powerful Avatar - moved by grief - will try to annihilate everything in their path turning them into vicious machines, thus magic will be discovered by all, witches will be killed, and you will spend thousands upon thousands of years rebuilding the balance! Henry exploded. Their decision made the future of magic. The events caused by one witch's death would bring down the world and cause evil to reign free.
Selim looked amused. Really Henry?
Damn it! Pay attention! Henry threw another book of Phoebe's at the Avatars. It floated, once again, in front of Selim. Henry threw another. And another. We shall review the evidence, Henry.
By then it will be too late! Henry glowed reed with rage, sweat poured from his brow.
Selim stood up, all amusement gone and replaced by anger. He slammed his fist on the table and Henry disappeared in a flash.
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Which one of you should I take? Cole asked, appearing in the foyer of the manor.
Piper asked, shocked.
I only have enough magic to protect one of you. Who should it be? Someone needs to help me save Phoebe.
Before any saving happens you need to tell us how the hell you got involved with the Avatars, Piper exclaimed, shock gone from her face to be replaced by outrage.
Who do you think you are barging into our house like this? And working with the enemy, Cole! The enemy! Paige stood behind Piper, hands on her hips.
Cole, who was elated only moments ago, turned on the sisters in anger. I'm the guy who is going to save your sister's ass! And if she hadn't died than I wouldn't be in this mess! You think I wanted to be a damned Avatar? I'm only one because it got Phoebe back! And I can't even see her now!
Paige asked.
Can't see her? Piper questioned.
Cole took a deep breath and calmly explained. I found Phoebe in that cave - dead. Margaret, an Avatar, offered me a deal. It was Phoebe's life for mine. I become an Avatar and promise never to see her again and Phoebe lives.
What are they going to do if you see her, Cole? Paige asked with a laugh.
If they come after you and try to kill you we'll be right there with you, Piper said, giving an encouraging smile.
That's the problem, Piper. That's the problem. Cole paced for a few moments before looking up. His gaze switched from Paige and Piper and then to Leo. It was less painful to look at the whitelighter than Phoebe's sisters. If I see her than they'll kill her. And I know they'll find a way.
Cole looked at Piper and Paige. He shouldn't have. Piper stood there, mouth agape, trying to shake herself out of it. Paige shifted into a battle type stance and glared at Cole, as if it was his fault. He almost laughed. The cleft in her chin and determined, angry look in her eyes reminded him of Prue for a second. Cole didn't believe, sometimes, that Paige was the youngest. She reminded him more of an older or middle sister.
Cole took another deep breath and asked again, So who's coming with me?
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Phoebe took a deep breath and tried to scream as a huge hand clamped over her mouth, but it came out as a squeal. Bartholomew smirked. Phoebe, her brief stupor gone, became angry. She lashed out trying to kick Bartholomew. He took a step back and a strong arm clamped around her middle. She struggled against the person.
Bartholomew ran a hand over her hair. he said, waving a hand over her face. She immediately fell unconscious. He laughed. Let's go, Tur. Bartholomew seemed to shrink inside himself and disappear. Tur followed, Phoebe in his arms.
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Don't go! Henry, still in his three piece suit, rushed down the stairs of the manor.
Piper motioned to freeze him. What are you doing? He shook his head and ran towards Cole. Out of breath he wheezed. You can't go. Phoebe's been kidnapped. There's pandemonium spreading, quickly.
Leo, who had been called only moments ago, orbed in, confirming what Henry had just said.
So what? Paige interrupted. Phoebe was kidnapped by evil before and no one cared.
It's different this time, Paige. You are Paige, correct? It's different, Henry said, turning towards the Charmed One. Phoebe was never pregnant with a prophesied child or kidnapped by an Avatar, who is said to be in leagues with the Source.
Cole asked, a pained smile on his face.
Yes, Cole. Now's not the time. We must work quickly. I'm going to do some research. Prepare yourselves for the biggest, hardest battle of your life. Find your weaknesses and strengths. Discover who is the best among you. Your lives may depend on it, Henry explained the situation with his usual ambiguity before disappearing.
Now who the hell was he? Piper said.
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A/N: Now it's true. Painfully true. I'm stuck! Give me some ideas. I know how some things are going to work out (the whole Cole not being able to see Phoebe thing and Cole's future), but other things (where Gazana and the Source come in and Bartholomew's SUPER evil plan) are not there for me. Ideas! Review! (Either will make me a very happy person...) Thank you!! :-))
*Big Question*
WHO SHOULD BE CHOSEN TO ACCOMPANY COLE TO SAVE PHOEBE?
I'm letting you people decide! So don't complain if the person you wanted didn't get picked and you didn't vote! So press the review button and send me:
(a) flames
(b) reviews
(c) ideas
(d) your vote
C'mon people!!
