Author's Note: Zeus in my mind can only ever be one actor and that is the
legendary Anthony Quinn. May his soul rest in peace. This chapter of The
Hidden Page is dedicated to his memory. Also as a nod to a wonderful friend
of mine, I'm picturing Evander as Elijah Wood. The late and much missed
Kevin Smith portrayed Iphicles in HTLJ and Claudia Black from Farscape
played the role of Cassandra.
The Hidden Page
True Destinies Revealed
Chapter 28
"Assembled Olympians and treasured guests and allies, it is my distinct pleasure to inform you that the Light has made his decision and it has gone in our favor. We have now officially reclaimed our position from the Elders and are once again the protectors of human kind. This time we vow to live up to our duties and responsibilities and give them the justice and guidance they deserve." There was a huge roar from those assembled and cries of long live Zeus, the king of the gods.
Cole couldn't help but grin when he saw the relieved and happy looks on the Halliwell sister's faces.
"Ding dong the Elders are gone," Phoebe chanted softly.
"No more stupid archaic rules," Piper said gratefully.
"No more judgmental jerks," was Prue's contribution. "We gods and goddesses are so much cooler."
Zeus held up his hands to calm the crowd down.
"As much as I would like to take credit for the turn around it was not my attempts to persuade the Light's representative Michael that turned the tide. It was the self -sacrifice, heroism, bravery, and above all love that was displayed by some of the newest members of our community as well as some of our veterans including my wife Hera, my son Hercules and one of my great granddaughters, Prue Halliwell. It is I who am honored to lead such a distinguished group of individuals. Hopefully you will continue to show all of us including me how it is done. Now I shall spare you one of my long -winded speeches for which I'm sure you are all sincerely grateful. It is time without further ado to begin our induction ceremonies."
Cole had a feeling he was really going to like Phoebe's great grandfather a whole lot. One thing he knew for sure he agreed with the girls. Zeus was going to be a vast improvement over those busybody old cronies they'd dealt with before. He turned his attention back to the dais as Zeus introduced a youthful looking man.
"And now my grandson Evander, will give brief ceremonial instructions. "He looks kind of young to be an immortal soul," Cole remarked aloud.
"He's actually a great deal older than us," Prue whispered. That's one of the advantages of being a god or goddess. Any of us can choose to be any age we wish."
Piper grinned and said: "I think this goddess stuff is growing on me more by the second."
Evander cleared his throat nervously and spoke up. "You will have to forgive me," he said shyly. "This is the first time I have ever been asked to participate in the induction ceremony. I'm a little nervous so bear with me."
"He's a sweetie," Prue said.
"When the inductee's name is called we ask that their guardian god or goddesses please escort them to the dais. We ask everyone to please hold their applause until all the inductees have been inducted. Thank you for your cooperation. Heralds sound the trumpets and let the ceremony begin," Evander instructed.
For being nervous Evander was doing very well. These Olympian's sure did go in for the pomp and circumstance, Cole thought.
"We ask that Piper Halliwell and Leo Wyatt please step forward," Evander continued.
Piper looked almost as green at the gills as Evander and so did Leo.
A delicate blonde appeared beside Piper.
"Hello Piper you don't remember me but I remember you," she said softly. You were one of the most precious babies I've ever held. Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Hestia, goddesses of home and hearth, and at your birth I was given the great honor of being appointed your guardian. It will also be my pleasure to escort you to the dais."
The healer named Baldar whom Cole recognized as the one who saved his life appeared beside Leo. Balder looked at Cole and extended his hand.
"It is good to see you well my friend," he said. "Thank you for healing me," Cole replied. "My duty as well as my privilege," Baldar assured Cole.
The god then turned back toward Leo. " I am Baldar, god of healing! You have done well my great grandson, and brought quiet yet tremendous dignity to your family, we the Norse gods. It pleases me that I was chosen as your guardian and now if the ladies are ready we will be on our way to the dais."
Leo looked like he had been hit by lightening. "I'm a descendant of the Norse gods?" he questioned Prue. S
he nodded. "Now go and claim your heritage," she added.
In a flash Piper and Leo and their guardians were on the dais with Zeus and Hera and another formidable looking couple introduced as Odin and Frigga, king and queen of the Norse contingent. Balder's parents and Leo's ancestors, Cole thought. He was happy for his friend. Zeus stepped forward and took both of Piper's hands in his and kissed them. Hera also approached her granddaughter and placed greeting kisses on her cheeks. Then Zeus asked Piper if she was ready to accept her destiny as a servant of the Light and associate guardian of the home and hearth, and a continued protector of the innocents in the proud tradition of her Wiccan and Olympian family members.
Piper obviously still in awe managed to answer in the affirmative.
"Then by the powers vested in me by the Light, the alliance of the immortals, and the Olympians, I now present to you this cup of Ambrosia. Drink from it and you shall claim your full privileges as a goddess of Olympus including additional powers and immortality," Zeus informed her.
He handed it to Piper who took a delicate sip. Piper's regular clothes turned into a beautiful flowing silk gown of lavender and a delicate yet noticeable glow surrounded her being. Cole looked over at Prue and wondered why he hadn't noticed it earlier. She had the same subtle almost halo type of effect enveloping her.
Then it was Leo's turn and Odin asked virtually for the same pledge him with the exceptions that Leo was made an associate guardian of the healing arts and named as a Norse god. He too drank from a cup of Ambrosia.
"Victor Bennet, please step forward," Evander spoke again.
Victor looked questioningly at Patty who smiled.
"You have a destiny to claim as well," she confirmed.
A pretty long wavy haired brunette and a dark haired man appeared beside Phoebe's father.
"I am Cassandra," the woman introduced herself and the Olympians appointed me a goddess. I was asked to represent the lost civilizations and their gods and goddesses. I was the lone survivor of the lost colony of Atlantis. This is my husband, Iphicles, former King of Corinth and half brother of Hercules. Iphicles was also appointed a god. This was done so the Olympians could gain a full -fledged human perspective. You are our descendant and as such are entitled to all that entails."
"Cassandra," Victor spoke the name as if he were puzzled. "You're the one of legend aren't you? The most famous of those with the gift of sight."
She nodded. "Your Phoebe's abilities didn't come from the Halliwell side alone," Cassandra informed him. Our side made some contributions as well."
Phoebe threw her arms around her father and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks Dad!" she said proudly. "You should go with them to the dais, it is time," she urged him.
Victor's glance strayed toward Patty again. "Could you come with me too?" he asked. I'm feeling a little nervous and out of my league."
Cole didn't blame Victor at all. Patty nodded and she accompanied her ex- husband right along with his guardians to the dais. Victor too was named a protector of civilization and given the powers and immortality of a god.
Evander stepped forward once more. "Would Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner please step forward," he asked.
This time it was Phoebe who had to catch Cole before he fell over.
"Steady there honey," she whispered.
Patty who had just returned wagged her finger at him. "I told you to be prepared for a shock son," she reminded him.
Suddenly Aphrodite appeared beside Phoebe and placed an arm around her.
"Okay, okay, so I'm one of your grannies too, just don't ever call me that. I like to be called Dite or if you prefer the more formal Aphrodite."
"Wow," Phoebe exclaimed excitedly you're my guardian goddess?"
"Natch," Dite nodded. "Whom else did you think it would be?"
Cole heard Piper whisper to Prue: "Whom else indeed? It figures she'd get Aphrodite."
Prue put a comforting arm around her middle sister and said, "well at least we get the goddess of love as our granny too," she giggled.
"We are a perfect match," Aphrodite said to Phoebe. "I remember the day I was first introduced to you. You beamed at me. I remember thinking you were as adorable as my son Cupid, which isn't surprising since you are my grandchild through he and Psyche's lineage. They would have been here by the way but they are working on another special surprise for you from the Love Squad, as we like to call ourselves. Oh by the way the Cupid you met before was not an original. He was a descendant but not my son."
"Cupid and Psyche!" Phoebe squealed and started jumping up and down. "Oh my god, that was like my favorite myth of all time, and now come to find out they are my grandparents. I knew they had to be real. I just knew it."
Aphrodite started jumping up and down and squealing with her descendant.
"Calm down ladies," a very distinguished male voice with a very Irish accent, teased the women. "We immortals haven't seen this much-unbridled enthusiasm in centuries; I'm not sure some of our elder statesmen can handle it. Then again it is just the shot in the arm the rest of us need. It's been far too deadly dull around the heavens lately and you know I can't abide boredom. It's gotten me into trouble far too often."
The speaker materialized beside Cole.
"Whoa," Phoebe remarked. The man had thick wavy dark hair and to die for blue eyes. "There is definitely a distinct family resemblance I'm picking up on here," Cole's bride to be commented. "
"How kind of you to notice," the man replied. I told Morrigan, our fine great grandson here received his looks from my side and she insisted it was from hers." " Great Gra.. Gran. Grandson," Cole sputtered.
"Well many times removed of course but your great grandfather none- the- less, and a very proud one I am indeed. Not only are you brave and witty but also you had sense enough to choose this very lovely lass as your mate. She will be a fine addition to the family of Ere. Not to mention she's on another fine team already or she will be by the time the ceremony is over."
"Oh by the way, I never officially introduced myself to any of you. I'm Erin, descendant of the house of Ere now Ireland, chief god of love for the same, husband of Morrigan, Queen of the gods of Ere, and guardian of Cole. There I think that is all of my titles at least the most important ones, now we'd better go, we don't want Zeus to get impatient with us. Those lightening bolts can smart. Not to mention Morrigan will box both of our ears if we embarrass her. She's already madder than a hornet's nest because she had to wear a dress."
"There has to be some mistake," Cole uttered. "I mean what about the whole half descendant of demon thing? Surely I can't worthy enough to become one of you."
Erin placed a strong arm around his grandson's shoulder. "There is no mistake, you were always meant to be one of us, and one of us you shall be. This has always been your true destiny even though there were those who tried to rob it from you. It is time for it to be returned to you and time for you to step forward to meet it."
With those mysterious words lingering in the air Cole and Phoebe were orbed up to the dais with their guardians.
Hand in hand they accepted their duties as servants of the Light. Phoebe was named an associate guardian goddess of love and Cole an associate guardian god of love. They both were appointed protectors of innocents and Cole was also given an additional title and duty. Since his lineage also included Morrigan, he was appointed as an associate guardian of justice as well. He thought distractedly that maybe that was why he had always enjoyed his time as a D.A. so much and loved to study the law. Even as Morrigan bade him to drink from the cup of Ambrosia, Cole still couldn't believe that all of this was happening.
When he took a sip he felt a warmth unlike anything he had ever felt before seep through his very being. He glanced down at his clothes and noted that they had turned to an emerald green suit of the finest Irish cloth. Cole was now an official god of Ere, an immortal and magical being. He started to ponder what powers he had been given and turned to voice his wonderings to Phoebe.
If she had stolen his breath and his heart the first day he met her, she virtually floored Cole now. All other thoughts were banished from his head. She was dressed in a magnificent silk gown of royal blue and her whole being sparkled like drops of sunlight upon her beloved Pacific ocean. Cole couldn't believe this beautiful being was his to love for eternity. She was looking at him with equal awe and adoration. There was now not a single doubt left in his mind. Prayers were answered indeed.
They kissed as the entire rest of the court broke out into thunderous applause. Cole couldn't resist a soft chuckle against Phoebe's lips. At her puzzled glance, he lifted a strand of her hair so that she could see it. It was curly, past her shoulders, light brown, and frosted with blonde highlights again exactly like she and Prue had done it awhile back. It was Cole's favorite style on her. Phoebe giggled delightedly. The FiFi of Paige and Anton's creation was gone for good. The one and only original Phoebe Halliwell was back and she was Cole's to cherish. Even with all the incredible things that had happened to him this day, Cole thought everything else paled in comparison to that undeniable fact. They threw their arms around one another and held on tight.
The Hidden Page
True Destinies Revealed
Chapter 28
"Assembled Olympians and treasured guests and allies, it is my distinct pleasure to inform you that the Light has made his decision and it has gone in our favor. We have now officially reclaimed our position from the Elders and are once again the protectors of human kind. This time we vow to live up to our duties and responsibilities and give them the justice and guidance they deserve." There was a huge roar from those assembled and cries of long live Zeus, the king of the gods.
Cole couldn't help but grin when he saw the relieved and happy looks on the Halliwell sister's faces.
"Ding dong the Elders are gone," Phoebe chanted softly.
"No more stupid archaic rules," Piper said gratefully.
"No more judgmental jerks," was Prue's contribution. "We gods and goddesses are so much cooler."
Zeus held up his hands to calm the crowd down.
"As much as I would like to take credit for the turn around it was not my attempts to persuade the Light's representative Michael that turned the tide. It was the self -sacrifice, heroism, bravery, and above all love that was displayed by some of the newest members of our community as well as some of our veterans including my wife Hera, my son Hercules and one of my great granddaughters, Prue Halliwell. It is I who am honored to lead such a distinguished group of individuals. Hopefully you will continue to show all of us including me how it is done. Now I shall spare you one of my long -winded speeches for which I'm sure you are all sincerely grateful. It is time without further ado to begin our induction ceremonies."
Cole had a feeling he was really going to like Phoebe's great grandfather a whole lot. One thing he knew for sure he agreed with the girls. Zeus was going to be a vast improvement over those busybody old cronies they'd dealt with before. He turned his attention back to the dais as Zeus introduced a youthful looking man.
"And now my grandson Evander, will give brief ceremonial instructions. "He looks kind of young to be an immortal soul," Cole remarked aloud.
"He's actually a great deal older than us," Prue whispered. That's one of the advantages of being a god or goddess. Any of us can choose to be any age we wish."
Piper grinned and said: "I think this goddess stuff is growing on me more by the second."
Evander cleared his throat nervously and spoke up. "You will have to forgive me," he said shyly. "This is the first time I have ever been asked to participate in the induction ceremony. I'm a little nervous so bear with me."
"He's a sweetie," Prue said.
"When the inductee's name is called we ask that their guardian god or goddesses please escort them to the dais. We ask everyone to please hold their applause until all the inductees have been inducted. Thank you for your cooperation. Heralds sound the trumpets and let the ceremony begin," Evander instructed.
For being nervous Evander was doing very well. These Olympian's sure did go in for the pomp and circumstance, Cole thought.
"We ask that Piper Halliwell and Leo Wyatt please step forward," Evander continued.
Piper looked almost as green at the gills as Evander and so did Leo.
A delicate blonde appeared beside Piper.
"Hello Piper you don't remember me but I remember you," she said softly. You were one of the most precious babies I've ever held. Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Hestia, goddesses of home and hearth, and at your birth I was given the great honor of being appointed your guardian. It will also be my pleasure to escort you to the dais."
The healer named Baldar whom Cole recognized as the one who saved his life appeared beside Leo. Balder looked at Cole and extended his hand.
"It is good to see you well my friend," he said. "Thank you for healing me," Cole replied. "My duty as well as my privilege," Baldar assured Cole.
The god then turned back toward Leo. " I am Baldar, god of healing! You have done well my great grandson, and brought quiet yet tremendous dignity to your family, we the Norse gods. It pleases me that I was chosen as your guardian and now if the ladies are ready we will be on our way to the dais."
Leo looked like he had been hit by lightening. "I'm a descendant of the Norse gods?" he questioned Prue. S
he nodded. "Now go and claim your heritage," she added.
In a flash Piper and Leo and their guardians were on the dais with Zeus and Hera and another formidable looking couple introduced as Odin and Frigga, king and queen of the Norse contingent. Balder's parents and Leo's ancestors, Cole thought. He was happy for his friend. Zeus stepped forward and took both of Piper's hands in his and kissed them. Hera also approached her granddaughter and placed greeting kisses on her cheeks. Then Zeus asked Piper if she was ready to accept her destiny as a servant of the Light and associate guardian of the home and hearth, and a continued protector of the innocents in the proud tradition of her Wiccan and Olympian family members.
Piper obviously still in awe managed to answer in the affirmative.
"Then by the powers vested in me by the Light, the alliance of the immortals, and the Olympians, I now present to you this cup of Ambrosia. Drink from it and you shall claim your full privileges as a goddess of Olympus including additional powers and immortality," Zeus informed her.
He handed it to Piper who took a delicate sip. Piper's regular clothes turned into a beautiful flowing silk gown of lavender and a delicate yet noticeable glow surrounded her being. Cole looked over at Prue and wondered why he hadn't noticed it earlier. She had the same subtle almost halo type of effect enveloping her.
Then it was Leo's turn and Odin asked virtually for the same pledge him with the exceptions that Leo was made an associate guardian of the healing arts and named as a Norse god. He too drank from a cup of Ambrosia.
"Victor Bennet, please step forward," Evander spoke again.
Victor looked questioningly at Patty who smiled.
"You have a destiny to claim as well," she confirmed.
A pretty long wavy haired brunette and a dark haired man appeared beside Phoebe's father.
"I am Cassandra," the woman introduced herself and the Olympians appointed me a goddess. I was asked to represent the lost civilizations and their gods and goddesses. I was the lone survivor of the lost colony of Atlantis. This is my husband, Iphicles, former King of Corinth and half brother of Hercules. Iphicles was also appointed a god. This was done so the Olympians could gain a full -fledged human perspective. You are our descendant and as such are entitled to all that entails."
"Cassandra," Victor spoke the name as if he were puzzled. "You're the one of legend aren't you? The most famous of those with the gift of sight."
She nodded. "Your Phoebe's abilities didn't come from the Halliwell side alone," Cassandra informed him. Our side made some contributions as well."
Phoebe threw her arms around her father and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks Dad!" she said proudly. "You should go with them to the dais, it is time," she urged him.
Victor's glance strayed toward Patty again. "Could you come with me too?" he asked. I'm feeling a little nervous and out of my league."
Cole didn't blame Victor at all. Patty nodded and she accompanied her ex- husband right along with his guardians to the dais. Victor too was named a protector of civilization and given the powers and immortality of a god.
Evander stepped forward once more. "Would Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner please step forward," he asked.
This time it was Phoebe who had to catch Cole before he fell over.
"Steady there honey," she whispered.
Patty who had just returned wagged her finger at him. "I told you to be prepared for a shock son," she reminded him.
Suddenly Aphrodite appeared beside Phoebe and placed an arm around her.
"Okay, okay, so I'm one of your grannies too, just don't ever call me that. I like to be called Dite or if you prefer the more formal Aphrodite."
"Wow," Phoebe exclaimed excitedly you're my guardian goddess?"
"Natch," Dite nodded. "Whom else did you think it would be?"
Cole heard Piper whisper to Prue: "Whom else indeed? It figures she'd get Aphrodite."
Prue put a comforting arm around her middle sister and said, "well at least we get the goddess of love as our granny too," she giggled.
"We are a perfect match," Aphrodite said to Phoebe. "I remember the day I was first introduced to you. You beamed at me. I remember thinking you were as adorable as my son Cupid, which isn't surprising since you are my grandchild through he and Psyche's lineage. They would have been here by the way but they are working on another special surprise for you from the Love Squad, as we like to call ourselves. Oh by the way the Cupid you met before was not an original. He was a descendant but not my son."
"Cupid and Psyche!" Phoebe squealed and started jumping up and down. "Oh my god, that was like my favorite myth of all time, and now come to find out they are my grandparents. I knew they had to be real. I just knew it."
Aphrodite started jumping up and down and squealing with her descendant.
"Calm down ladies," a very distinguished male voice with a very Irish accent, teased the women. "We immortals haven't seen this much-unbridled enthusiasm in centuries; I'm not sure some of our elder statesmen can handle it. Then again it is just the shot in the arm the rest of us need. It's been far too deadly dull around the heavens lately and you know I can't abide boredom. It's gotten me into trouble far too often."
The speaker materialized beside Cole.
"Whoa," Phoebe remarked. The man had thick wavy dark hair and to die for blue eyes. "There is definitely a distinct family resemblance I'm picking up on here," Cole's bride to be commented. "
"How kind of you to notice," the man replied. I told Morrigan, our fine great grandson here received his looks from my side and she insisted it was from hers." " Great Gra.. Gran. Grandson," Cole sputtered.
"Well many times removed of course but your great grandfather none- the- less, and a very proud one I am indeed. Not only are you brave and witty but also you had sense enough to choose this very lovely lass as your mate. She will be a fine addition to the family of Ere. Not to mention she's on another fine team already or she will be by the time the ceremony is over."
"Oh by the way, I never officially introduced myself to any of you. I'm Erin, descendant of the house of Ere now Ireland, chief god of love for the same, husband of Morrigan, Queen of the gods of Ere, and guardian of Cole. There I think that is all of my titles at least the most important ones, now we'd better go, we don't want Zeus to get impatient with us. Those lightening bolts can smart. Not to mention Morrigan will box both of our ears if we embarrass her. She's already madder than a hornet's nest because she had to wear a dress."
"There has to be some mistake," Cole uttered. "I mean what about the whole half descendant of demon thing? Surely I can't worthy enough to become one of you."
Erin placed a strong arm around his grandson's shoulder. "There is no mistake, you were always meant to be one of us, and one of us you shall be. This has always been your true destiny even though there were those who tried to rob it from you. It is time for it to be returned to you and time for you to step forward to meet it."
With those mysterious words lingering in the air Cole and Phoebe were orbed up to the dais with their guardians.
Hand in hand they accepted their duties as servants of the Light. Phoebe was named an associate guardian goddess of love and Cole an associate guardian god of love. They both were appointed protectors of innocents and Cole was also given an additional title and duty. Since his lineage also included Morrigan, he was appointed as an associate guardian of justice as well. He thought distractedly that maybe that was why he had always enjoyed his time as a D.A. so much and loved to study the law. Even as Morrigan bade him to drink from the cup of Ambrosia, Cole still couldn't believe that all of this was happening.
When he took a sip he felt a warmth unlike anything he had ever felt before seep through his very being. He glanced down at his clothes and noted that they had turned to an emerald green suit of the finest Irish cloth. Cole was now an official god of Ere, an immortal and magical being. He started to ponder what powers he had been given and turned to voice his wonderings to Phoebe.
If she had stolen his breath and his heart the first day he met her, she virtually floored Cole now. All other thoughts were banished from his head. She was dressed in a magnificent silk gown of royal blue and her whole being sparkled like drops of sunlight upon her beloved Pacific ocean. Cole couldn't believe this beautiful being was his to love for eternity. She was looking at him with equal awe and adoration. There was now not a single doubt left in his mind. Prayers were answered indeed.
They kissed as the entire rest of the court broke out into thunderous applause. Cole couldn't resist a soft chuckle against Phoebe's lips. At her puzzled glance, he lifted a strand of her hair so that she could see it. It was curly, past her shoulders, light brown, and frosted with blonde highlights again exactly like she and Prue had done it awhile back. It was Cole's favorite style on her. Phoebe giggled delightedly. The FiFi of Paige and Anton's creation was gone for good. The one and only original Phoebe Halliwell was back and she was Cole's to cherish. Even with all the incredible things that had happened to him this day, Cole thought everything else paled in comparison to that undeniable fact. They threw their arms around one another and held on tight.