SEVENTEEN
"I didn't expect you so soon," said Michael when the others returned. "I thought for sure you'd have at least one more fight on your hands."
"The remaining demons didn't seem to have the heart for it," said Piper. "Especially after we destroyed Ahken Tans' necklace and prevented the transmigration."
"Good," said Michael. "I was wondering what had happened. I couldn't return right away. Malevant had to be properly angry with his subordinates for turning on him. I assume this is the child."
"We understand," said Paige. "Besides, there wasn't much to it really."
"Yes, it's Ahken Tans' child," said Kiethran. "Excuse me. Don't misunderstand this question. By why aren't you dead?"
"I orbed a second before that fireball hit," said Michael. "I had to time it just right to make it look like I'd been killed. But in all honestly, that one fireball wasn't enough to kill me. Although it could have done some damage."
"What do you mean you couldn't return right away?" asked Phoebe. "And what has that to do with Malevant being angry?"
"That's a good question," said Kiethran. "I'd like to know the answer to that one myself."
"Phoebe," said Piper, "you know good and well that Michael and Malevant are the same. It's his most closely guarded secret."
"You and Malevant are the same?" asked Kiethran. "Just how does that work?"
"He is?" asked a shocked Phoebe. "I had no idea."
"Sure you did," said Leo. "After you defeated the Source, he helped protect you against some upper level demons that were trying to kill you. You were there when he change from Malevant to Michael so I could heal him."
"Oh, yeah," said Michael, a bit embarrassed. "Actually, Phoebe didn't know."
"What?" asked Paige. "Okay, now I'm confused."
"Well," said Michael, "after you defeated the Source, the Seer came to me. As Malevant, of course. She told me that Turner was going to replace the Source and had gained all of his powers.
"Well, it wouldn't do to have the Source know my secret. I'm powerful, but not even I can stand against the power of the Source. I wouldn't have lasted ten minutes in the underworld. So I had to do something about it.
"I know a witch who has a rather unique power. He can literally remove memories from a person. I just had him remove the memory of Michael and Malevant being the same person from Turner's mind. While he was still fighting against the Sources' takeover of him."
"What about me?" asked Phoebe.
"When you joined Turner," said Michael, "it was too risky to let you keep those memories. Basically you're a good person, Phoebe. I didn't know if you'd deliberately reveal my secret or not. Anyway, I couldn't risk that you might accidentally reveal it. So I had the same witch remove the memory from you as well. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. But it was necessary if I was to remain such a valuable source of information to the Elders."
"So you've been messing with my mind?" asked Phoebe.
"Not exactly," said Michael. "It's a very selective removal of specific memories. Only the ones where you knew my secret. I'll have my friend stop by for a visit. He can put the memories back, if you'd like."
"Yeah, I think I'd like that," said Phoebe.
"So you're a White Lighter and an upper level demon?" questioned Kiethran. "Okay, that's a new one on me."
"I'll explain it all later," said Michael, smiling. "I have to stop helping you girls. Every time I do, someone learns my secret."
"Only the good guys," said Piper. "And I'm pretty sure you can trust all of us to keep it."
"I have no doubt," said Michael. "Now, what about the child? Any ideas what we are going to do with her?"
"I know a couple she'd be perfect for," said Kiethran. "They can't have children of their own and they'd be more than willing to take her in."
"She's the daughter of a half demon," said Leo. "It's possible she might have powers. Will they be prepared for that?"
"Absolutely," said Kiethran. "They're both druids. If she does develop any powers, they'll be able to teach her how to use them for good."
"What about Turner?" asked Michael. "I noticed he didn't return with you."
"He vanquished Ahken Tan," said Piper. "He didn't seem happy that we didn't agree with his decision."
"Well," said Michael, "he is half demon. I guess there are just some things that will never change. I'm sorry, Phoebe."
"Don't be," sighed Phoebe. "I accepted long ago that he would never changed. This just proves it."
"Michael," said Paige, "who is this Cattarrin that Delshun mentioned? Cole and Delshun both seemed to know who he was."
"All demons know him," said Michael. "He's the ruler of the Wasteland. The beast that lives there absorbs the magic left behind by vanquished demons. It then transfers this power to Cattarrin, who in turn transfers them to someone else. New demons or warlocks or such. The magic doesn't just evaporate once a demon is vanquished. It has to go somewhere."
"Great," said Phoebe. "I've seen that beast. It's pretty nasty. Just one more thing for us to worry about."
"Not too much," said Michael. "Cattarrin rarely leaves the Wasteland. He's too busy allocating powers and such. I wouldn't worry too much about him."
"Michael," said Piper, "would you really have vanquished the baby? If we hadn't been able to get the necklace from Ahken Tan?"
"Absolutely," said Michael. "Piper, I know this may be difficult for you to understand, but that baby wouldn't have been an innocent. It would have been Ahken Tan. Even in the baby's body she would have been completely aware of what was going on. It would have taken her some time to get control of the body, so it would have seemed in all respects to be nothing more than a human baby. But nothing could have been further from the truth."
"I understand what Michael is saying," said Kiethran. "As humans we have this prejudice that what is beautiful must be good. And that evil must always be ugly. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. Looks have nothing to do with good and evil as a rule."
"I guess so," said Piper. "It's just hard to believe that a newborn baby can be evil."
"Many demons were newborns at one time," said Michael. "Especially demons like Turner. Demons who are also half human. But evil is an inherent part of their being. It's what they are. Turner proved that when he vanquished Ahken Tan."
"I hear what you're saying," said Piper. "I guess I still have some things to learn."
"Don't we all," said Michael. "Well, I'd better get going. The danger is passed and I've been thinking maybe I will really take a few days off."
"Stop by again some time," said Phoebe. "Maybe next time we can just sit and talk instead of running around the countryside looking for demons."
"That would be nice," said Michael. "Kiethran, I'll be sure and stop by Los Angeles soon. It's been a long time since I've talked with a druid. I'd like to see what's been going on in your particular war on evil lately."
"Make sure you do," said Kiethran. "I'm still curious how a White Lighter can also have demonic powers. That must be quite a story."
"It is," said Michael. "Leo, take care of this little lady. She's carrying the future for us all."
"I will, Michael," said Leo. "I'll see you at the next meeting."
"Count on it," said Michael. "Well, Phoebe, Paige, it was good to see you in action again. Good to see you can still handle yourself under stress."
"Well we get every opportunity to practice," said Paige. "I wouldn't mind a break now and then."
"Everyone take care of yourself," said Michael. "I'll stop by again when I get the chance."
Michael orbed out of the manor.
"I should be going, too," said Kiethran. "Shallon is going to be concerned for me. I'm afraid I wasn't able to give her much reason for my departure. She always worries when I'm gone too long. Especially when demonic activity is involved."
"So, you think the two of you will ever get married?" asked Phoebe. "From what you've told us about her, she must be quite a woman."
"She is," said Kiethran. "But I don't think marriage is in the cards for us. We're very good friends and she is my assistant. Even if she is over three-hundred-thirty years old."
"You did say druids live longer than most people," said Piper.
"That they do," said Kiethran. "Well, I'll try to get back myself soon. Maybe we could have a quiet evening instead of a death defying battle."
"We'll do our best," said Leo.
Kiethran teleported out of the manor. Teleportation was similar to orbing but was actually faster. Kiethran would be back at his home at nearly the same instant he had left the Halliwell manor. Paige and Phoebe went into the kitchen to get something to eat, leaving Piper and Leo alone in the living room.
"I didn't expect you so soon," said Michael when the others returned. "I thought for sure you'd have at least one more fight on your hands."
"The remaining demons didn't seem to have the heart for it," said Piper. "Especially after we destroyed Ahken Tans' necklace and prevented the transmigration."
"Good," said Michael. "I was wondering what had happened. I couldn't return right away. Malevant had to be properly angry with his subordinates for turning on him. I assume this is the child."
"We understand," said Paige. "Besides, there wasn't much to it really."
"Yes, it's Ahken Tans' child," said Kiethran. "Excuse me. Don't misunderstand this question. By why aren't you dead?"
"I orbed a second before that fireball hit," said Michael. "I had to time it just right to make it look like I'd been killed. But in all honestly, that one fireball wasn't enough to kill me. Although it could have done some damage."
"What do you mean you couldn't return right away?" asked Phoebe. "And what has that to do with Malevant being angry?"
"That's a good question," said Kiethran. "I'd like to know the answer to that one myself."
"Phoebe," said Piper, "you know good and well that Michael and Malevant are the same. It's his most closely guarded secret."
"You and Malevant are the same?" asked Kiethran. "Just how does that work?"
"He is?" asked a shocked Phoebe. "I had no idea."
"Sure you did," said Leo. "After you defeated the Source, he helped protect you against some upper level demons that were trying to kill you. You were there when he change from Malevant to Michael so I could heal him."
"Oh, yeah," said Michael, a bit embarrassed. "Actually, Phoebe didn't know."
"What?" asked Paige. "Okay, now I'm confused."
"Well," said Michael, "after you defeated the Source, the Seer came to me. As Malevant, of course. She told me that Turner was going to replace the Source and had gained all of his powers.
"Well, it wouldn't do to have the Source know my secret. I'm powerful, but not even I can stand against the power of the Source. I wouldn't have lasted ten minutes in the underworld. So I had to do something about it.
"I know a witch who has a rather unique power. He can literally remove memories from a person. I just had him remove the memory of Michael and Malevant being the same person from Turner's mind. While he was still fighting against the Sources' takeover of him."
"What about me?" asked Phoebe.
"When you joined Turner," said Michael, "it was too risky to let you keep those memories. Basically you're a good person, Phoebe. I didn't know if you'd deliberately reveal my secret or not. Anyway, I couldn't risk that you might accidentally reveal it. So I had the same witch remove the memory from you as well. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. But it was necessary if I was to remain such a valuable source of information to the Elders."
"So you've been messing with my mind?" asked Phoebe.
"Not exactly," said Michael. "It's a very selective removal of specific memories. Only the ones where you knew my secret. I'll have my friend stop by for a visit. He can put the memories back, if you'd like."
"Yeah, I think I'd like that," said Phoebe.
"So you're a White Lighter and an upper level demon?" questioned Kiethran. "Okay, that's a new one on me."
"I'll explain it all later," said Michael, smiling. "I have to stop helping you girls. Every time I do, someone learns my secret."
"Only the good guys," said Piper. "And I'm pretty sure you can trust all of us to keep it."
"I have no doubt," said Michael. "Now, what about the child? Any ideas what we are going to do with her?"
"I know a couple she'd be perfect for," said Kiethran. "They can't have children of their own and they'd be more than willing to take her in."
"She's the daughter of a half demon," said Leo. "It's possible she might have powers. Will they be prepared for that?"
"Absolutely," said Kiethran. "They're both druids. If she does develop any powers, they'll be able to teach her how to use them for good."
"What about Turner?" asked Michael. "I noticed he didn't return with you."
"He vanquished Ahken Tan," said Piper. "He didn't seem happy that we didn't agree with his decision."
"Well," said Michael, "he is half demon. I guess there are just some things that will never change. I'm sorry, Phoebe."
"Don't be," sighed Phoebe. "I accepted long ago that he would never changed. This just proves it."
"Michael," said Paige, "who is this Cattarrin that Delshun mentioned? Cole and Delshun both seemed to know who he was."
"All demons know him," said Michael. "He's the ruler of the Wasteland. The beast that lives there absorbs the magic left behind by vanquished demons. It then transfers this power to Cattarrin, who in turn transfers them to someone else. New demons or warlocks or such. The magic doesn't just evaporate once a demon is vanquished. It has to go somewhere."
"Great," said Phoebe. "I've seen that beast. It's pretty nasty. Just one more thing for us to worry about."
"Not too much," said Michael. "Cattarrin rarely leaves the Wasteland. He's too busy allocating powers and such. I wouldn't worry too much about him."
"Michael," said Piper, "would you really have vanquished the baby? If we hadn't been able to get the necklace from Ahken Tan?"
"Absolutely," said Michael. "Piper, I know this may be difficult for you to understand, but that baby wouldn't have been an innocent. It would have been Ahken Tan. Even in the baby's body she would have been completely aware of what was going on. It would have taken her some time to get control of the body, so it would have seemed in all respects to be nothing more than a human baby. But nothing could have been further from the truth."
"I understand what Michael is saying," said Kiethran. "As humans we have this prejudice that what is beautiful must be good. And that evil must always be ugly. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. Looks have nothing to do with good and evil as a rule."
"I guess so," said Piper. "It's just hard to believe that a newborn baby can be evil."
"Many demons were newborns at one time," said Michael. "Especially demons like Turner. Demons who are also half human. But evil is an inherent part of their being. It's what they are. Turner proved that when he vanquished Ahken Tan."
"I hear what you're saying," said Piper. "I guess I still have some things to learn."
"Don't we all," said Michael. "Well, I'd better get going. The danger is passed and I've been thinking maybe I will really take a few days off."
"Stop by again some time," said Phoebe. "Maybe next time we can just sit and talk instead of running around the countryside looking for demons."
"That would be nice," said Michael. "Kiethran, I'll be sure and stop by Los Angeles soon. It's been a long time since I've talked with a druid. I'd like to see what's been going on in your particular war on evil lately."
"Make sure you do," said Kiethran. "I'm still curious how a White Lighter can also have demonic powers. That must be quite a story."
"It is," said Michael. "Leo, take care of this little lady. She's carrying the future for us all."
"I will, Michael," said Leo. "I'll see you at the next meeting."
"Count on it," said Michael. "Well, Phoebe, Paige, it was good to see you in action again. Good to see you can still handle yourself under stress."
"Well we get every opportunity to practice," said Paige. "I wouldn't mind a break now and then."
"Everyone take care of yourself," said Michael. "I'll stop by again when I get the chance."
Michael orbed out of the manor.
"I should be going, too," said Kiethran. "Shallon is going to be concerned for me. I'm afraid I wasn't able to give her much reason for my departure. She always worries when I'm gone too long. Especially when demonic activity is involved."
"So, you think the two of you will ever get married?" asked Phoebe. "From what you've told us about her, she must be quite a woman."
"She is," said Kiethran. "But I don't think marriage is in the cards for us. We're very good friends and she is my assistant. Even if she is over three-hundred-thirty years old."
"You did say druids live longer than most people," said Piper.
"That they do," said Kiethran. "Well, I'll try to get back myself soon. Maybe we could have a quiet evening instead of a death defying battle."
"We'll do our best," said Leo.
Kiethran teleported out of the manor. Teleportation was similar to orbing but was actually faster. Kiethran would be back at his home at nearly the same instant he had left the Halliwell manor. Paige and Phoebe went into the kitchen to get something to eat, leaving Piper and Leo alone in the living room.