Was this a fast enough update for you?
And now for the credits which are way overdue.
Chantedly: Yes, you've captured perfectly the duality of Talia's nature that I wanted to ahow. She is good now, but being evil is part of her nature, and if she allows herself to be bad, she can be very, very bad. What makes Talia a very complex character, is that she actually chooses to be good. It's a much harder path to walk than being bad, and she is often tempted to be bad.
Mickis: Can you read minds then? };-) Did you actually guess that there was something this bad in Talia's past that made her leave the Underworld, or was it more of a vague feeling? And as for your little wish, since you hinted so politely . . . I'll see whatI can do.
Pentagon Merlin: I hate being sick and I'm really glad that my story cheered you up, or at least gave you something to do. Thank you for the compliment. It's reviewslike yours that I treasure. I'm not actually British, although I did go to a British school. Brownie points to those who can guess where I am. I am trying to use as many American terms and phrases as I know, because the show is American, but it's a lot harder than I thought. Hope you feel better now!
Phoebe-Cole-lovers-foreve: 'Fraid not! I hate to disappoint, but it wouldn't be fair to lie to you. Don't get me wrong, I love them together. A friend once described their story as "the ultimate love story." I find it hard to argue, but I've already described in my chapter "Tales of Memories and Ouzo", why I think the producers had them torn apart on the show. Their relationship couldn't possibly last, although both of them wanted it to. I still don't think the producers should have killed off Cole, though!
Barb6: I never left! Even a broken down computer couldn't stop me from putting up chapters to this story, albeit less frequently. I'm really impressed with everyone. I half expected all of you to have lost interest by now (even though I sincerely wished, and still do, that you don't).
Ori: You know what's better than a new reviewer? A frequent reviewer! I loved your review, it made me blush, and I never blush! Your observation about why Talia and Wyatt didn't tell the Charmed Ones about the plot against Josh was pretty accurate, but do you honestly think that Talia's insistence on them handling this on their own is so far fetched? She is stubborn, independent and proud. Of course she wants to handle this herself and of course she refuses to ask even her own mother for help. It's a miracle how she's opened up to Wyatt!
Prue101 & Charmedfanatic3000: It was your incessant bugging that made me contribute this chapter so soon after the last one. Thanks for keeping me focused guys!
Chapter 28: We Do What We Must
In a cavern deep underground, a terrified lower level demon faced Valdis.
"I barely escaped with my life, sir, you have to believe me," Nemos whined.
"And you say she knows that the Source has ordered the hit on this mortal?"
"Y-yes sir," the other demon shakily admitted.
Nemos couldn't help but notice that Valdis' expression showed no displeasure at the news. In fact it remained completely neutral and, strangely enough, that scared him even more.
"Sir, if I may be so blunt. . ." the nervous demon licked his lips and looked at Valdis for permission. Only when Valdis finally nodded, did Nemos continue.
"Sir, I don't know why the Princess argued with his majesty, her father, or why she left the Underworld, but perhaps the rumours of her joining the other side are . . . greatly exaggerated. You should have seen her defending her domain, sir. She's a demon through and through!"
Valdis withheld the urge to laugh. The fool! Many lower level demons refused to believe that their adored Princess had switched sides. They had accepted that she had left the Underworld, for some unknown reason, but the idea that someone as fundamentally evil as the Source's own daughter could turn, was beyond them. It had been immensely clever of Talia to play on that belief when facing Nemos and Deimos.
The most popular belief was that the Source's argument with his daughter was over power. It was the only thing that made sense to demons. They believed that the Phoenix had had enough of taking orders from her father, that she wanted the throne for herself, and many argued that she would make an even better Source than her father, who had led the Underworld for the last sixteen years through paths of glory. It was also said that the rumours of Princess Talia having joined the Charmed Ones, were spread by the Source himself to undermine her as an opponent. It would also explain the price on Talia's head, to the common demon population, who had spent the last few years whispering with reverence the name of the Princess of the Underworld.
But Valdis had seen the love for her in Cole's eyes, had heard the concern for her in his voice, and he had even seen Talia one evening sitting alone in the garden, lovingly looking at a picture of her father. It had almost made him give up his plan.
Yet every time he thought of her with Josh, laughing, letting him put his hands all over her, allowing him to kiss her, he felt his demon blood boil in his veins and continued his plan with renewed effort.
The Plan was the only way he could see, to turn her back to Evil. And turning her back to Evil, was the only way they could be together.
"Sir?"
Nemos' voice interrupted his thoughts. Valdis had forgotten that the lower level demon had been standing there.
"Thank you Nemos. You have done well. You may go now."
Relief was evident in the other demon's face. Gratefully he bowed and quickly proceeded to the exit of the cavern.
A fireball formed in Valdis's palm. In a swift and fluid motion, the fireball left his hand and hit Nemos square in the back. His screams echoed in the stone walls of the cavern until there was nothing left of him but a pile of ash on the stone floor.
Valdis' expression betrayed no emotion. Nemos' death was necessary because he could betray Valdis' involvement in this plot, to Talia. Talia would eventually learn that he was a demon, but only he, would chose the when and how.
***************
Talia and Josh were finally an item. The school was buzzing with the much awaited news. To the dismay of teenagers of both sexes, it had become painfully obvious as early on as the Autumn Prom, that their getting together was only a matter of time.
Talia and Josh walked the school corridors hand in hand, oblivious to the trail of whispering they left behind. He opened doors and pulled chairs for her to sit on, he draped his football jacket over her when she was cold, and he hardly left her side. She was the envy of every girl in school, except for maybe Judy. So why wasn't she happy?
It was Talia's idea to start going out on "an exclusive basis" with Josh. The more time they spent together, the better she could protect him. Josh barely needed any encouragement to ask her.
She liked Josh. She really did. Yet she hated having to pretend she was something she wasn't. She wasn't normal or carefree like the other people they hung around with. She wasn't even what you'd call "nice". Consequentially she often found herself having to use every ounce of her willpower, which was considerable, to stop herself from blasting some of the constantly-giggling girls of the "in-crowd" she now hung around with. The smile she wore seemed plastered on her face and felt so forced, that Talia was surprised when no one seemed to notice.
No one except Wyatt of course. She could often see him giving her funny looks. He was pleased when Talia and Josh had gotten together, but it was soon clear to him that the situation wasn't making Talia happy. He hadn't asked her about it yet, but Talia knew it was only a matter of time. With a start, she realised that she couldn't possibly lie to him when he did.
But then, something happened that finally confused her feelings for the blond, football captain even more.
They had all just finished their classes for the day and Talia found herself standing outside the school gates with Josh's arm casually draped around her shoulders. Josh was chatting to one of his football team mates, and Talia occupied herself with scanning the crowd of students, searching for Wyatt's blond head. That's when she saw him on the other side of the road.
His dark hair seemed ruffled by the wind and he cut an impressive figure on his large motorbike. A leather jacket covered his wide shoulders and back, and sunglasses hid his eyes, which Talia knew were a steely grey. Talia felt her heart beat faster. Just the mere sight of him had awakened memories of the passionate kisses they had shared on a refreshingly cool, September night under the stars, and of the sensuous dance that had left her breathless and quivering in his arms, almost a whole month ago.
Talia frowned slightly. She'd only seen him twice before and knew nothing about him, yet simply looking at this man sent her pulse racing and almost made her shiver in anticipation. Valdis, she heard his name echo in her mind. What was he doing here?
With a pang of excitement she realised that it was her he was looking at. Talia couldn't see his eyes behind the sunglasses, but if she could, Talia knew that their eyes would have locked, an equal flame of desire burning in both. She could feel it radiating across the distance.
Josh felt her tensing up next to him. He looked down at her strangely, and she was forced to look away from the dark figure in the shadows, to give him a reassuring smile.
When she finally turned her eyes back to the place on the other side of the road where Valdis' motorbike had been, she only caught a glint of metal, as he sped away in the distance.
They hadn't even spoken, never mind touched, yet Talia knew that in those few seconds that she was sure their eyes had met, something monumental passed between them. The strange encounter left Talia reeling.
She had to forcibly remind herself that she was with Josh now, and that the main thing on her mind should be protecting him from his demon would-be assassins, and not some tall, dark and handsome stranger.
Talia decided that the moment Wyatt met her, they would head back to the manor. From there, Talia would then flame to the Underworld, and maybe she would finally find out why the Source wanted Josh dead. She turned and smiled again at the blond standing next to her. He smiled back before resuming the apparently riveting conversation on football with his friend. After a while Talia felt her eyes glazing over at the torrent of technical terms that flowed from the two boys' mouths.
************************
Meet my new laptop, everyone. His name is Ernie.
Ernie, this is everyone.
Ernie: It. Is. A. Pleasure.
Ernie and I have worked very hard, and completely ignored the enormous pile of studying we have to do, to bring you this next instalment. We have both slaved away until the early hours of the morning for it! *lays on the guilt trip!* The least you can do to pay us back for all the pain and suffering is to review. . .
And now for the credits which are way overdue.
Chantedly: Yes, you've captured perfectly the duality of Talia's nature that I wanted to ahow. She is good now, but being evil is part of her nature, and if she allows herself to be bad, she can be very, very bad. What makes Talia a very complex character, is that she actually chooses to be good. It's a much harder path to walk than being bad, and she is often tempted to be bad.
Mickis: Can you read minds then? };-) Did you actually guess that there was something this bad in Talia's past that made her leave the Underworld, or was it more of a vague feeling? And as for your little wish, since you hinted so politely . . . I'll see whatI can do.
Pentagon Merlin: I hate being sick and I'm really glad that my story cheered you up, or at least gave you something to do. Thank you for the compliment. It's reviewslike yours that I treasure. I'm not actually British, although I did go to a British school. Brownie points to those who can guess where I am. I am trying to use as many American terms and phrases as I know, because the show is American, but it's a lot harder than I thought. Hope you feel better now!
Phoebe-Cole-lovers-foreve: 'Fraid not! I hate to disappoint, but it wouldn't be fair to lie to you. Don't get me wrong, I love them together. A friend once described their story as "the ultimate love story." I find it hard to argue, but I've already described in my chapter "Tales of Memories and Ouzo", why I think the producers had them torn apart on the show. Their relationship couldn't possibly last, although both of them wanted it to. I still don't think the producers should have killed off Cole, though!
Barb6: I never left! Even a broken down computer couldn't stop me from putting up chapters to this story, albeit less frequently. I'm really impressed with everyone. I half expected all of you to have lost interest by now (even though I sincerely wished, and still do, that you don't).
Ori: You know what's better than a new reviewer? A frequent reviewer! I loved your review, it made me blush, and I never blush! Your observation about why Talia and Wyatt didn't tell the Charmed Ones about the plot against Josh was pretty accurate, but do you honestly think that Talia's insistence on them handling this on their own is so far fetched? She is stubborn, independent and proud. Of course she wants to handle this herself and of course she refuses to ask even her own mother for help. It's a miracle how she's opened up to Wyatt!
Prue101 & Charmedfanatic3000: It was your incessant bugging that made me contribute this chapter so soon after the last one. Thanks for keeping me focused guys!
Chapter 28: We Do What We Must
In a cavern deep underground, a terrified lower level demon faced Valdis.
"I barely escaped with my life, sir, you have to believe me," Nemos whined.
"And you say she knows that the Source has ordered the hit on this mortal?"
"Y-yes sir," the other demon shakily admitted.
Nemos couldn't help but notice that Valdis' expression showed no displeasure at the news. In fact it remained completely neutral and, strangely enough, that scared him even more.
"Sir, if I may be so blunt. . ." the nervous demon licked his lips and looked at Valdis for permission. Only when Valdis finally nodded, did Nemos continue.
"Sir, I don't know why the Princess argued with his majesty, her father, or why she left the Underworld, but perhaps the rumours of her joining the other side are . . . greatly exaggerated. You should have seen her defending her domain, sir. She's a demon through and through!"
Valdis withheld the urge to laugh. The fool! Many lower level demons refused to believe that their adored Princess had switched sides. They had accepted that she had left the Underworld, for some unknown reason, but the idea that someone as fundamentally evil as the Source's own daughter could turn, was beyond them. It had been immensely clever of Talia to play on that belief when facing Nemos and Deimos.
The most popular belief was that the Source's argument with his daughter was over power. It was the only thing that made sense to demons. They believed that the Phoenix had had enough of taking orders from her father, that she wanted the throne for herself, and many argued that she would make an even better Source than her father, who had led the Underworld for the last sixteen years through paths of glory. It was also said that the rumours of Princess Talia having joined the Charmed Ones, were spread by the Source himself to undermine her as an opponent. It would also explain the price on Talia's head, to the common demon population, who had spent the last few years whispering with reverence the name of the Princess of the Underworld.
But Valdis had seen the love for her in Cole's eyes, had heard the concern for her in his voice, and he had even seen Talia one evening sitting alone in the garden, lovingly looking at a picture of her father. It had almost made him give up his plan.
Yet every time he thought of her with Josh, laughing, letting him put his hands all over her, allowing him to kiss her, he felt his demon blood boil in his veins and continued his plan with renewed effort.
The Plan was the only way he could see, to turn her back to Evil. And turning her back to Evil, was the only way they could be together.
"Sir?"
Nemos' voice interrupted his thoughts. Valdis had forgotten that the lower level demon had been standing there.
"Thank you Nemos. You have done well. You may go now."
Relief was evident in the other demon's face. Gratefully he bowed and quickly proceeded to the exit of the cavern.
A fireball formed in Valdis's palm. In a swift and fluid motion, the fireball left his hand and hit Nemos square in the back. His screams echoed in the stone walls of the cavern until there was nothing left of him but a pile of ash on the stone floor.
Valdis' expression betrayed no emotion. Nemos' death was necessary because he could betray Valdis' involvement in this plot, to Talia. Talia would eventually learn that he was a demon, but only he, would chose the when and how.
***************
Talia and Josh were finally an item. The school was buzzing with the much awaited news. To the dismay of teenagers of both sexes, it had become painfully obvious as early on as the Autumn Prom, that their getting together was only a matter of time.
Talia and Josh walked the school corridors hand in hand, oblivious to the trail of whispering they left behind. He opened doors and pulled chairs for her to sit on, he draped his football jacket over her when she was cold, and he hardly left her side. She was the envy of every girl in school, except for maybe Judy. So why wasn't she happy?
It was Talia's idea to start going out on "an exclusive basis" with Josh. The more time they spent together, the better she could protect him. Josh barely needed any encouragement to ask her.
She liked Josh. She really did. Yet she hated having to pretend she was something she wasn't. She wasn't normal or carefree like the other people they hung around with. She wasn't even what you'd call "nice". Consequentially she often found herself having to use every ounce of her willpower, which was considerable, to stop herself from blasting some of the constantly-giggling girls of the "in-crowd" she now hung around with. The smile she wore seemed plastered on her face and felt so forced, that Talia was surprised when no one seemed to notice.
No one except Wyatt of course. She could often see him giving her funny looks. He was pleased when Talia and Josh had gotten together, but it was soon clear to him that the situation wasn't making Talia happy. He hadn't asked her about it yet, but Talia knew it was only a matter of time. With a start, she realised that she couldn't possibly lie to him when he did.
But then, something happened that finally confused her feelings for the blond, football captain even more.
They had all just finished their classes for the day and Talia found herself standing outside the school gates with Josh's arm casually draped around her shoulders. Josh was chatting to one of his football team mates, and Talia occupied herself with scanning the crowd of students, searching for Wyatt's blond head. That's when she saw him on the other side of the road.
His dark hair seemed ruffled by the wind and he cut an impressive figure on his large motorbike. A leather jacket covered his wide shoulders and back, and sunglasses hid his eyes, which Talia knew were a steely grey. Talia felt her heart beat faster. Just the mere sight of him had awakened memories of the passionate kisses they had shared on a refreshingly cool, September night under the stars, and of the sensuous dance that had left her breathless and quivering in his arms, almost a whole month ago.
Talia frowned slightly. She'd only seen him twice before and knew nothing about him, yet simply looking at this man sent her pulse racing and almost made her shiver in anticipation. Valdis, she heard his name echo in her mind. What was he doing here?
With a pang of excitement she realised that it was her he was looking at. Talia couldn't see his eyes behind the sunglasses, but if she could, Talia knew that their eyes would have locked, an equal flame of desire burning in both. She could feel it radiating across the distance.
Josh felt her tensing up next to him. He looked down at her strangely, and she was forced to look away from the dark figure in the shadows, to give him a reassuring smile.
When she finally turned her eyes back to the place on the other side of the road where Valdis' motorbike had been, she only caught a glint of metal, as he sped away in the distance.
They hadn't even spoken, never mind touched, yet Talia knew that in those few seconds that she was sure their eyes had met, something monumental passed between them. The strange encounter left Talia reeling.
She had to forcibly remind herself that she was with Josh now, and that the main thing on her mind should be protecting him from his demon would-be assassins, and not some tall, dark and handsome stranger.
Talia decided that the moment Wyatt met her, they would head back to the manor. From there, Talia would then flame to the Underworld, and maybe she would finally find out why the Source wanted Josh dead. She turned and smiled again at the blond standing next to her. He smiled back before resuming the apparently riveting conversation on football with his friend. After a while Talia felt her eyes glazing over at the torrent of technical terms that flowed from the two boys' mouths.
************************
Meet my new laptop, everyone. His name is Ernie.
Ernie, this is everyone.
Ernie: It. Is. A. Pleasure.
Ernie and I have worked very hard, and completely ignored the enormous pile of studying we have to do, to bring you this next instalment. We have both slaved away until the early hours of the morning for it! *lays on the guilt trip!* The least you can do to pay us back for all the pain and suffering is to review. . .