Disclaimer: OK, I'm over here, wondering what the point of this is but I figure...hey, its a traditions so here goes: I don't own Charmed. *Waits for the applause* Alright, so that wasn't real flashy and I didn't use big words, but the least you could do is pretend to be happy....
AN: Well, here it is, the second chapter. I hope everyone enjoys it. Starring Piper, my muse, helped me with this. Thanks Twin!
Kristen's Paige: Thanks sissy! You were my first reviewer!
Falcon: I'm not certain if you are reading, but I wanted to think you for the mega compliments on A Life Cut Short!
Lara-Beth: That's right, I'm baaaack! You guys are awesome, thanks for all the wonderful support!
Starring Piper: heya twin, thanks for reviewing even though you had already read the chapter. You rock! PTTT!
Smiling faintly, he muttered the spell that would carry him into the Charmed Ones subconscious, into their dreams. The plan was so perfect, practically flawless. His confidence soared aas he felt the pull, and then sucked away into the minds of his enemies.
"I knew you would be here to join me," he whispered and stepped into the forest clearing. The girls looked confused, very confused. He smiled to ease their minds, and laughed inwardly. They had chosen a forest? How...quaint. The eldest, Prue if his research was to be believed, narrowed her eyes. He grinned, knowing she was trying to use her powers and couldn't. "Now that really isn't necessary," he reproached, "Especially when considering that I, Naruk, am here to help you with a very pressing problem." Their disbelief was instant, obvious, and almost tangible. He didn't allow that to deter him. He had expected their skepticism, even included it in his planning.
"Why would you want to help us?," Paige demanded, her temper flaring. The nerve of this guy. Naruk smiled and stepped forward. Immediately, the sisters stepped back in order to maintain adequate distance between themselves and what they believed to be a threat.
"You don't trust me," Naruk stated, feigning disappointment, "Yes, I suppose I should have expected that." Sighing, he spread his hands wide, challenging them to do what they wished to him. After a few moments without harm, he relaxed his stance. "May I explain my proposition?," he asked. His plan was going smoothly, their reactions so predictable. Prue gave a quick nod, indicating that they would hear him out. "Thank you," he breathed, "Here is what I propose. I heard from several sources that you recently lost a sister." He paused, waiting for some kind of comment. None came. "I also know, from personal experience, that you are wanting her alive. I can give her back to you, fully restored," he said, taking pleasure in their shocked faces.
"You're kidding right?," Prue scoffed, "Do you actually believe we are that stupid? Naive? Or didn't your "sources" tell you that we don't trust easily? Even if you had the power to bring her back, and I'm not saying I believe that you do, there would be horrible, unthinkable repercussions. Am I right?"
"No, no. If I brought her back, it would be consequence free. However, you are correct to suspect that there is something more to the deal," he clarified. Now was the time to make it known that he was, in fact, evil.
"What else is there?," Piper ventured. As much as she hated it, his offer had her curious. She felt searing looks from both of her sisters, but ignored them. It was too late to call back her words now, anyway.
"I am so pleased you asked," Naruk purred, clasping his hands together, "It is very simple. I will give you a series of tests, obstacles if you will, that you must complete. There will, of course, be a time limit. You cannot expect me to wait forever, after all." Paige sneered at him, hating the flippant arrogance in his tone.
"What kind of tests?," Piper blurted out before she could stop herself. This time, though, she received nothing from her sisters. So, they were curious too...
"That, my dear, I cannot tell you unless, and until you agree," he replied, smiling. Paige felt an almost irresistible urge to wipe the smug look off of his face. She restrained herself, though, to keep from starting something disastrous.
"Do we get to think about it first? I mean, you can't expect us to answer now," Prue pointed out.
"It is only fair that I give a few days to decide," Naruk answered amiably.
"All right, we will think about it. No promises, but we will consider your offer," Prue told him, signaling that their little meeting was over. Paige gaped at her, but she shrugged. She hadn't committed them to anything. Besides, she was prepared to do anything, ANYTHING to get Phoebe back. If they had to work with a demon, so be it.
"You have one week," he called, "Until we meet again..." He was gone as suddenly as he'd appeared.
Piper awoke the moment he disappeared and knew, or rather, felt her sister wake a few seconds later. That was either a strange coincidence, or they had all had the same dream. Somehow, she doubted the coincidence theory. Coincidences just didn't happen in the Halliwell house.
Prue met Paige in the hallway, but neither seemed surprised to see each other. The "dream" had been entirely too real for either of them to dismiss. Instictively, both started down the hall to Piper's room. It was natural for them to talk it over with her. She was always the ear, the listener.
"Come in guys," Piper called from her room before they had even reached the door. Prue, surprised, glanced at Paige, who shrugged.
"ESP," she muttered before opening the door. Prue caught the words, then promptly forgot them. They had more important things to worry about than why Piper just "knew" they were coming.
"Alright, so either we are way more connected than I first thought, or that was a legitimate offer," Piper declared as they seated themselves around her.
"First of all, Piper, it came from the mouth of a demon. Nothing about that screams "legit."," Paige argued. If she wasn't mistaken, her sisters were actually considering this. They were either completely crazy, or right to consider the demonic deal. At this moment, she was willing to bet on crazy.
"Actually, I think Naruk, or whatever he called himself, was being serious," Prue cut in, "which leaves us to decide what to do with his proposition." Piper nodded her agreement. She believed he'd been honest about that much, at least.
"I vote we check the Book of Shadows, see if he really has that kind of power," Piper suggested. Paige gasped and bestowed a shocked look upon her lunatic sister.
"You can't honestly be considering this. Piper, he's evil!," Paige pointed out, making her disapproval well-known.
"I want her back. I know you do, too. This is a way for that to happen," Piper answered quietly. Paige looked down at her hands. She was right. More than anything, she wanted her sister alive.
"I think I might remember Naruk being in the Book earlier," Prue interrupted. Paige and Piper exchanged glances. So that was where she'd been while they were in the living room.
"What were you looking for in the BOS?," Paige asked, although she knew the answer.
"This opportunity," Prue answered quickly, then jumped of the bed and left the room. Piper and Paige followed their sister hurriedly. When they arrived in the attic, Prue was already at the altar which held the Book. She started at her marked page, and began to quickly flip backwards, running her finger along each page.
"Got it," she exclaimed, smiling and tapping her finger triumphantly on the page. Piper and Paige quickly moved to read over her shoulder. "Naruk, demon of obstacles," Prue read aloud, "Well he wasn't lying about that."
"No, but what a name. The demon of obstacles...gee, I'm scared," Paige said sarcastically. Piper elbowed her lightly, silently telling her to shut up.
"He has the power of resurrection, but he has never used it except for his own reasons. Every witch he has tricked into signing his contract, has died or lost their powers. It goes on to warn anyone against falling into his trap," Prue finished.
"See?," Paige gloated, "I told you. We can't agree to this. It's practically suicide." Piper looked at her and her eyes mirrored the storm of emotions inside of her. The smug feeling fled from Paige and left in its place a deep sorrow. "But we have to, don't we?," she voiced. Both of her sisters nodded, confirming her fears.
"We'll use the week he gave us to prepare ourselves for his 'tests'," Prue said, already forming a plan.
"A week? That can't possibly be long enough to get ready for him. He has defeated every other which he's encoutered," Paige argued weakly. It was no use, they would be doing this. With or without her.
"He hasn't been faced with three very determined Charmed Ones either," Piper pointed out, teaming up with Prue. Again.
"Fine, so we're going to do this," Paige relented, "What do we start with?"
AN: Well, here it is, the second chapter. I hope everyone enjoys it. Starring Piper, my muse, helped me with this. Thanks Twin!
Kristen's Paige: Thanks sissy! You were my first reviewer!
Falcon: I'm not certain if you are reading, but I wanted to think you for the mega compliments on A Life Cut Short!
Lara-Beth: That's right, I'm baaaack! You guys are awesome, thanks for all the wonderful support!
Starring Piper: heya twin, thanks for reviewing even though you had already read the chapter. You rock! PTTT!
Smiling faintly, he muttered the spell that would carry him into the Charmed Ones subconscious, into their dreams. The plan was so perfect, practically flawless. His confidence soared aas he felt the pull, and then sucked away into the minds of his enemies.
"I knew you would be here to join me," he whispered and stepped into the forest clearing. The girls looked confused, very confused. He smiled to ease their minds, and laughed inwardly. They had chosen a forest? How...quaint. The eldest, Prue if his research was to be believed, narrowed her eyes. He grinned, knowing she was trying to use her powers and couldn't. "Now that really isn't necessary," he reproached, "Especially when considering that I, Naruk, am here to help you with a very pressing problem." Their disbelief was instant, obvious, and almost tangible. He didn't allow that to deter him. He had expected their skepticism, even included it in his planning.
"Why would you want to help us?," Paige demanded, her temper flaring. The nerve of this guy. Naruk smiled and stepped forward. Immediately, the sisters stepped back in order to maintain adequate distance between themselves and what they believed to be a threat.
"You don't trust me," Naruk stated, feigning disappointment, "Yes, I suppose I should have expected that." Sighing, he spread his hands wide, challenging them to do what they wished to him. After a few moments without harm, he relaxed his stance. "May I explain my proposition?," he asked. His plan was going smoothly, their reactions so predictable. Prue gave a quick nod, indicating that they would hear him out. "Thank you," he breathed, "Here is what I propose. I heard from several sources that you recently lost a sister." He paused, waiting for some kind of comment. None came. "I also know, from personal experience, that you are wanting her alive. I can give her back to you, fully restored," he said, taking pleasure in their shocked faces.
"You're kidding right?," Prue scoffed, "Do you actually believe we are that stupid? Naive? Or didn't your "sources" tell you that we don't trust easily? Even if you had the power to bring her back, and I'm not saying I believe that you do, there would be horrible, unthinkable repercussions. Am I right?"
"No, no. If I brought her back, it would be consequence free. However, you are correct to suspect that there is something more to the deal," he clarified. Now was the time to make it known that he was, in fact, evil.
"What else is there?," Piper ventured. As much as she hated it, his offer had her curious. She felt searing looks from both of her sisters, but ignored them. It was too late to call back her words now, anyway.
"I am so pleased you asked," Naruk purred, clasping his hands together, "It is very simple. I will give you a series of tests, obstacles if you will, that you must complete. There will, of course, be a time limit. You cannot expect me to wait forever, after all." Paige sneered at him, hating the flippant arrogance in his tone.
"What kind of tests?," Piper blurted out before she could stop herself. This time, though, she received nothing from her sisters. So, they were curious too...
"That, my dear, I cannot tell you unless, and until you agree," he replied, smiling. Paige felt an almost irresistible urge to wipe the smug look off of his face. She restrained herself, though, to keep from starting something disastrous.
"Do we get to think about it first? I mean, you can't expect us to answer now," Prue pointed out.
"It is only fair that I give a few days to decide," Naruk answered amiably.
"All right, we will think about it. No promises, but we will consider your offer," Prue told him, signaling that their little meeting was over. Paige gaped at her, but she shrugged. She hadn't committed them to anything. Besides, she was prepared to do anything, ANYTHING to get Phoebe back. If they had to work with a demon, so be it.
"You have one week," he called, "Until we meet again..." He was gone as suddenly as he'd appeared.
Piper awoke the moment he disappeared and knew, or rather, felt her sister wake a few seconds later. That was either a strange coincidence, or they had all had the same dream. Somehow, she doubted the coincidence theory. Coincidences just didn't happen in the Halliwell house.
Prue met Paige in the hallway, but neither seemed surprised to see each other. The "dream" had been entirely too real for either of them to dismiss. Instictively, both started down the hall to Piper's room. It was natural for them to talk it over with her. She was always the ear, the listener.
"Come in guys," Piper called from her room before they had even reached the door. Prue, surprised, glanced at Paige, who shrugged.
"ESP," she muttered before opening the door. Prue caught the words, then promptly forgot them. They had more important things to worry about than why Piper just "knew" they were coming.
"Alright, so either we are way more connected than I first thought, or that was a legitimate offer," Piper declared as they seated themselves around her.
"First of all, Piper, it came from the mouth of a demon. Nothing about that screams "legit."," Paige argued. If she wasn't mistaken, her sisters were actually considering this. They were either completely crazy, or right to consider the demonic deal. At this moment, she was willing to bet on crazy.
"Actually, I think Naruk, or whatever he called himself, was being serious," Prue cut in, "which leaves us to decide what to do with his proposition." Piper nodded her agreement. She believed he'd been honest about that much, at least.
"I vote we check the Book of Shadows, see if he really has that kind of power," Piper suggested. Paige gasped and bestowed a shocked look upon her lunatic sister.
"You can't honestly be considering this. Piper, he's evil!," Paige pointed out, making her disapproval well-known.
"I want her back. I know you do, too. This is a way for that to happen," Piper answered quietly. Paige looked down at her hands. She was right. More than anything, she wanted her sister alive.
"I think I might remember Naruk being in the Book earlier," Prue interrupted. Paige and Piper exchanged glances. So that was where she'd been while they were in the living room.
"What were you looking for in the BOS?," Paige asked, although she knew the answer.
"This opportunity," Prue answered quickly, then jumped of the bed and left the room. Piper and Paige followed their sister hurriedly. When they arrived in the attic, Prue was already at the altar which held the Book. She started at her marked page, and began to quickly flip backwards, running her finger along each page.
"Got it," she exclaimed, smiling and tapping her finger triumphantly on the page. Piper and Paige quickly moved to read over her shoulder. "Naruk, demon of obstacles," Prue read aloud, "Well he wasn't lying about that."
"No, but what a name. The demon of obstacles...gee, I'm scared," Paige said sarcastically. Piper elbowed her lightly, silently telling her to shut up.
"He has the power of resurrection, but he has never used it except for his own reasons. Every witch he has tricked into signing his contract, has died or lost their powers. It goes on to warn anyone against falling into his trap," Prue finished.
"See?," Paige gloated, "I told you. We can't agree to this. It's practically suicide." Piper looked at her and her eyes mirrored the storm of emotions inside of her. The smug feeling fled from Paige and left in its place a deep sorrow. "But we have to, don't we?," she voiced. Both of her sisters nodded, confirming her fears.
"We'll use the week he gave us to prepare ourselves for his 'tests'," Prue said, already forming a plan.
"A week? That can't possibly be long enough to get ready for him. He has defeated every other which he's encoutered," Paige argued weakly. It was no use, they would be doing this. With or without her.
"He hasn't been faced with three very determined Charmed Ones either," Piper pointed out, teaming up with Prue. Again.
"Fine, so we're going to do this," Paige relented, "What do we start with?"