Part 4: Awakening

~~

Nethaniel was in his room, resting against the wall instead of his bed. His arms were resting on his knees, and he was staring blankly ahead. It was clear he hadn't given up on plotting an escape, but for now he was mostly calm. His mess of black hair was neatly placed over his dark green eyes, almost concealing them but not quite.

There's a long moment of silence before Cole appears in the room. Nethaniel doesn't acknowledge him until a few seconds later when the Avatar speaks.

Cole: Nethaniel.

Nethaniel: (looking up, mildly surprised) Here to get me out, finally?

Cole: No, I can't. If I were to help you the Charmed Ones would no doubt find out about me in the process.

Nethaniel: Just protecting yourself, is that it?

Cole: Precisely. (a beat, and he continues) In a moment Piper is going to come and demand your help. You will need to give in to her pleas.

Nethaniel: What? (brow raised) Why would I do that?

Cole: Because the same demons who have taken Phoebe, have captured Pyrena.

Nethaniel: (mildly amused) Phoebe's been taken? Pity I didn't know. (scowling) Pyre taken by demons... That's something new, but she can handle herself.

Cole: No, she can't. She's still badly wounded from the last encounter with the Sisters, and in her weakened state she can't destroy the Dariyth Demons and will be killed like the other witches taken.

Nethaniel: Dariyth Demons? Never heard of them before, must be unique to this reality.

Cole: Perhaps, but in any case it will be wise if you help the Charmed Ones. Without Phoebe they will be at a disadvantage, they will need your powers.

Nethaniel: I'll do what I can, but not for Phoebe. If Pyre's in trouble, I'll help her out even if she didn't come back for me. (he glares at the ground)

Cole is silent as he glances off at the doorway.

Nethaniel: She coming?

Cole just nods as he vanishes from the room with one final glance towards his son.

Steps are heard moments before Piper appears at the doorway. Her eyes are narrowed, and her expression deadly serious.

Piper: We need your help.

Nethaniel: Oh, really?

Piper: Yeah. My sister, your Mother, has been taken by a group of demons which want to sacrifice her to steal her powers. You're going to help rescue her.

Nethaniel: And why is that?

Piper: Because if you don't help, I'll bind your powers or vanquish you.

Nethaniel: You'd do that to family?

Piper: If my sister were to die because you wouldn't help – Yes, I would show you the same courtesy you showed my son in the attic. You just wouldn't be healed.

Nethaniel: That's harsh. (still amused)

Piper: (ignoring his amusement) Will you help us?

Nethaniel: Let me think on it.

Piper: No, buddy, you give me an answer now.

Nethaniel: What would I gain from helping you?

Piper: Your freedom.

Nethaniel: Sounds like an offer, but are you willing to keep it?

Piper: Yes.

Nethaniel: Whose to say I won't leave as soon as you allow me outside this room?

Piper: I do. (she pulls a piece of wrinkled paper out of her pocket, and waves it about) This spell will make sure you can't leave the area that me and my sisters are in.

Nethaniel: You've bound me to you and yours?

Piper: In a way, yes.

Nethaniel: (not amused) Lovely.

Piper: I thought so too. (she smirks at him as the blue-energy around the doorway vanishes) Now, come with me to the attic. You're going to help us find Phoebe.

Nethaniel slowly gets up, in no real rush to follow.

~~

Back in the cave, right after Pyrena had sent a rampage of daggers at Phoebe.

Phoebe is totally shocked, and unprepared to dodge the daggers flying towards her. She raises her arms, making to protect herself as best she can. When the daggers get within a few centimeters of her they just vanish, and Phoebe gasps in surprise. She was ready for the blades to penetrate her flesh, not just disappear. Quickly she drops her arms, and gets a good look at Pyrena – passed out on the floor, with the blue-black flames all gone from her arms. Her body shudders painfully once before falling still again.

Trinity: Well that's lucky. (surprised)

Kane: Are you okay Phoebe?

Phoebe: (staring at Pyrena) I'm fine.

Trinity: Who is she, why'd she want to kill you?

Kane: Must be an evil witch.

Trinity: Obviously, she tried shimmering.

Phoebe: She... She's my daughter.

Both Kane and Trinity look equally shocked at that bit of information. It takes a moment for them to gather themselves again.

Trinity: Did I hear you right? You said she's your DAUGHTER?

Phoebe: Yeah... (still staring at Pyrena's unconscious form)

Trinity: But how?

Kane: An alternate reality. (blinking) Brought here by her Father.

Trinity: Hey.. What are you, a telepath?

Kane: (nodding) Yeah.

It takes a moment for Phoebe to register what Kane just said, but when it hits her she looks over at the male witch, eyes wide.

Phoebe: What do you mean 'by her Father'? Did you read her mind... or mine? (confused)

Kane: Hers. (a pause) I mean her Father brought her in to this reality. Made it possible for her to be here, it seems.

Phoebe: That's not possible... Her Father is dead.

~~

At the Manor, in the attic, Paige and Chris are working on potions.

Paige: Well, this is the last of them. Hopefully they'll be strong enough.

Chris: Yeah, hopefully.

Leo orbs in, and looks around for Piper.

Chris: She's talking with Nethaniel.

Paige: But by all means, don't let that stop you from sharing.

Leo: I didn't learn much. The other Elders could only give a few guesses on the whereabouts of the Dariyth.

Chris: (sarcastically) That's helpful. (corks the last vanquishing potion)

Paige: Yeah, very. Nice vague touch to it and all...

Leo: Sorry, but it's the best I could get. (a beat) I did find out that a lot of other witches have been taken as well. So we're not just saving Phoebe anymore, there's a whole slew of innocent witches to save.

Paige: Great, no pressure.

Piper: (entering the attic) Okay, I think we can start locating Phoebe now.

Paige: Going to give the spell another try?

Piper: No, I'm going to let her Son find her.

Chris: How? (looking as confused as Paige and Leo)

Piper: Well, I'm no expert but I think Nethaniel might just have enough of a connection to Phoebe to find her. With the help of a spell on top of that, it should be easy.

Paige: What are we waiting for then?

Leo: This sounds like it'll work. Especially since Nethaniel's soul shares a thread to Phoebe's in this reality.

Paige: A thread? (brow raised)

Leo: I mean his soul depends on Phoebe's to survive here.

Paige: Ah...

It's a few minutes later that Nethaniel actually enters the attic, quite reluctantly. Piper offers him a smirk and motions to the scrying crystal on the table nearby.

Nethaniel: You expect me to use that?

Piper: Yes, we do.

Chris: Unless you have some other way to find Phoebe?

Nethaniel: (looking over at Chris) I almost didn't notice you future boy. Guess it won't matter much in a few weeks, though... (smirking he looks at Piper, Paige and Leo) I can find Phoebe easily without that crystal.

Chris: What do you mean it won't matter?

Nethaniel: (darkly) You'll find out soon enough. Be patient.

Piper: Enough. Just find Phoebe.

Nethaniel: Of course, top priority. (he closes his eyes, and a dark glow surrounds his body)

Leo watches, but he couldn't help but find his eyes drawn to Chris questioningly. What did Nethaniel mean? Was his son in trouble?

A few minutes later Nethaniel opens his eyes, and the glow fades.

Piper: Where is she?

Nethaniel: Not too far from here.

Paige: Take us there.

Nethaniel: (smirking) Are you sure you just want to rush in to this? I'll be no use to you once we're there.

Piper: We'll manage somehow.

Nethaniel: Alright then. (he offers his hand to Piper.)

Piper hesitates a moment before taking his hand, and quickly taking Paige's arm afterwards. Paige grabs Chris, and after muttering something under his breath Chris reaches for Leo. The group then shimmers out of the Manor.

~~

At the cave Phoebe was now sitting next to Pyrena, keeping a watchful eye over her wounded daughter. She looks worried, and troubled by her thoughts.

The light in the area was dim. It was sometime after nightfall, but no one was asleep. Richard was just coming around.

Trinity: Hey Phoebe, your friend's starting to wake up.

Phoebe looks over at Richard and makes her way slowly over to him.

Phoebe: Richard, are you okay?

Richard: (groggily) What happened?

Phoebe: We were kidnapped by demons.

Richard: That doesn't sound good.

Phoebe: It's not.

Richard: Where's Paige?

Phoebe: Not here as far as I can tell. The demon didn't take her – just us.

Richard: Why?

Phoebe: They want our powers.

Richard: I don't have any anymore. (sitting up)

Kane: Doesn't matter, you're still a witch.

Trinity: Unfortunately you'll get the enjoyment of dying with the rest of us. Not that having powers would do you any good, they're useless against them.

The group falls silent at the sudden creaking of the holding's door being opened. Although none of them could see the demons, they knew they were there just by the sudden chill in the area, and the spoken warning.

Demon: Which one's first? ~~

-To be continued...