A/N: Princess Pinky: Andy will still be the Tracer. It's just that before Patty cast her spell in Dream Wedding. He wasn't allowed to be in Prue's world. When they first found Andy, Leo explained that it was Andy's job to stop demons before they reached the mortal world. Wyatt333: Andy is not leaving the storyline. He and Prue are the stars in my world. Gomay, this chapter should answer your question about Andy. PrueTrudeau: Hee-Hee, I like to keep you guessing! Thanks to everyone for reading! Only a couple more chapters to go!
Charmed in the Afterlife: To Destiny and Beyond!
Underworld
The collector warlock stood before the Source, his head bowed. The Source sat expectantly on his throne, dressed in his ominous red cloak holding his staff. He wanted proof that the oldest Charmed One was to receive a new destiny, a destiny which could destroy the underworld and demonic way of life forever.
"Are you sure you found nothing when you probed the youngest sister?"
The collector warlock spoke quietly knowing that his failure to retrieve the information that the Source wanted would lead to his death. "She knew nothing, my Lord. "Nothing but grief for her lost sister"
"How is that possible?" The Source asked looking towards his young, scantly dressed see'r.
The see'r waved her hand over a large crystal ball and an image of Prue and Melinda Warren appeared. Prue was dressed in white with a heavenly glow surrounding her. The rest of the Halliwell matriarchs were gathered around celebrating the coronation of the new chosen one who succeeded Melinda Warren in the line of Wicca rulers.
"The destiny has not changed. My magic still shows me that the oldest Charmed one is in line to receive the ancestral gift, a gift which will destroy you".
The Source's hand wrapped tightly around his staff, if it hadn't been for his skeletal hand, his knuckles would have been white. "the destruction can only occur in combination with the powers from the other sisters can it not?"
"That is correct" the see'r nodded. "The chosen one must use the power of three to obtain the destruction I have seen."
"Then we shall send Shax to kill the other three sister's immediately!"
The see'r bowed and turned on heel, leaving the Source to deal with the collector warlock, "as you wish, my lord".
Halliwell Manor
Phoebe and Paige were gathered around the book when Piper walked into the attic followed by Andy. "A collector warlock attacked Paige" Phoebe announced with a hint of urgency. "He tried to kill her with an informational drill"
"Yeah well if that isn't enough have bigger problems" Piper stood next to her now middle sister and lifted her chin to Andy. "show them".
"Piper, I really don't that this is the time" Andy hedged when he glanced towards the stained glass window where he saw Amanda with her fingers pressed tightly against the glass.
"Fine, if you won't show them I will!" Not seeing Amanda, Piper picked up an antique candlestick and threw it directly at Andy's torso and then waited for her sister's reaction. "He's a ghost" she added when they both watched the candle stick pass right through their brother in-law and smash against a set of old dusty books that were shelved near the wall.
"How can that be?" Phoebe blinked in disbelief. "Isn't Andy angelically mortal like Leo?"
Frustrated and overwhelmed, Piper pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't know. All I know is that if we don't do something fast we're going to lose both he and Prue". The rest of her thoughts were ended by the sound of a tiny gasp near the window.
"Amanda" Piper muttered, with her hand flying to her mouth, "I didn't know she was there"
"I tried to tell you" Andy said sheepishly just as Amanda tried to orb into his arms. Reacting naturally as a father, Andy held out his arms as the blue and white orbs started to materialize into the form of his daughter. "Go to Aunt Paige-" he tried to say. It was too late. The tiny witch/tracer was already rematerializing in his transparent arms. Andy tried to catch her but due to his rapidly deteriorating transparent form, Amanda fell straight through him, landing on the floor with a hard, thud."
Amanda looked at her father with an expression of both hurt and shock.
"Mandy, baby, I'm so sorry" Andy stuttered, reaching down as if he could actually help his daughter. Again his hand passed right through her frightening Amanda all the more.
Tears of betrayal shone in the little girls eyes prompting her to orb again, this time from the room. "Amanda?" Andy called.
Paige brushed her hand, over his shoulder as she went by on her way to the door. "She probably just went to her room".
"Thanks" Andy frowned looking at Piper and Phoebe forlornly.
Phoebe looked at Piper placing her hand on her hip, "well what do you we do now?"
"I don't know but I honestly think without Prue we're screwed " Piper replied dryly as she began to flip through the book in hopes of finding a spell, that might prevent her two nieces from becoming permanent orphans.
Realm of the Afterlife
Prue stood at the fountain watching the events of her family drama unfold within it's mirrored pool. Grams was with her trying to offer comfort.
"Darling, I know this snag with Andy isn't what you expected, but you have to believe there is a good reason."
Indignantly, Prue closed her eyes reeling from her own contempt, "if the Elder's aren't going to uphold their part of the deal, then I want to go back. I'm not going to accept a some chosen destiny in exchange for my children reliving my childhood, where Amanda will feel obligated to play the Mother figure in Ally's life and hate both of her parents for abandoning her!"
Penny looked away for a moment, feeling offended. "I never knew I did such a terrible job of raising you girls, I know I wasn't your mother but-"
"I'm sorry Grams, I wasn't trying to hurt you" Prue apologized, "this just isn't the way things are suppose to be"
"Destiny is rarely what it seems and like it or not it's time you accepted yours" Penny countered in own tough witt. Taking a hold of her granddaughter's hand, Penny squeezed them tightly drawing Prue's attention away from the pool. "You are the chosen one, Prue. The one selected to take over the Wicca Realm from Melinda Warren what you are about to receive is a very powerful and a very special gift. A gift that cannot be received without great sacrifice"
Prue stared at her grandmother, purposely keeping her facial expression indifferent, "I thought I was suppose to be joyously happy in the afterlife" she thought silently, "joyously happy with Andy, while we watched our daughters grow old and my sisters live a worry free life"
Penny smiled back, reading Prue's thoughts, "don't be so doubtful just because you are now the chosen one, doesn't mean you aren't still Charmed. You have your destined life with Andy in the Afterlife Prue. I promise".
"Yeah, well right now, I think I rather that Piper and Phoebe find a spell" Prue turned her attention back to the water. Despite her Grandmother's contagious positive energy Prue couldn't help but feel fearful for her family and her children.
"If it is meant to be, then Piper will find a spell," Penny said assuredly, "and if not she and your sisters will do the best they can raising Amanda and Ally, while you guide them"
"She won't be guiding anyone, if we don't do something to warn the Charmed Ones" The Elder known as Zola suddenly appeared beside them. "We've just intercepted a message that the Source is sending Shax to destroy your sisters"
"Without, the Power of Three, the real prophecy won't be revealed" Penny breathed staring fearfully at Prue.
"Grams what do I do? How do I warn them?"
"There is no time," Penny pointed to the water noting that the vision had changed. Penny, Prue and Zola watched with horror as the stain glass windows of the attic shattered bringing in gusts of tornado like winds.
"Shax" Prue dared to breathe as the blue and gray demon appeared with wind swirling all around him.
Piper held tight to Phoebe squinting her eyes against the harsh wind, "what the hell is this!"
"The End" Shax waved his arm, tossing Phoebe and Piper through the door of the attic as if they rag dolls. The door splintered upon impact muffling the screams of the two witches One after the other, Piper and Phoebe both tumbled down the stairs with a deadly force.
"This is not happening today" Piper pulled herself up looking disheveled from where she'd hit the wall.
Phoebe wobbled slightly as sheused Piper for leverage. "He's toying with us," she said as both she and Piper straightened.
"Yeah well we'll just have to toy with him back" Piper tossed her hair back over one shoulder and defiantly, started back for the attic. "Paige! We'll use the power of three of blow his ass straight back to the Source…IN PIECES!"
"Piper, he'll kill us!" Phoebe argued noting knowing if Paige's power would be strong enough to support the power of three.
"Not without one hell of a fight!" Piper retorted, once again calling loudly for her youngest sister. "PAIGE!"
"You rang?" In a swirl of orbs, Paige appeared beside them, taking Piper's hand.
"Start saying the damn spell" Piper grabbed Phoebe's hand and together they headed back towards the attic, chanting the vanquishing spell as they went back up the stairs.
evil wind that forms from below, no longer may your dwell…"
They were nearly to there when Shax appeared in the doorway, holding Andy's crossbow. Andy was lying just inside the attic with one of his own vanquishing arrows piercing through his chest.
"Uh Piper" Phoebe's voice quavered, as Shax took aim.
"Just keep up the chant!" Piper hissed determined the arrow fired impaling the oldest witch right through the stomach.
"Piper!" Paige screamed releasing Piper's hand as she stood there gaping down at the arrow. Her hands were already covered in her own blood.
"Oh Crap"
"Piper, Piper!" Paige grabbed her falling sister while Phoebe levitated into the air spinning herself at Shax. Shax merely blew wind from his mouth and sent the witch sailing backwards into the wall. He then raised the crossbow, preparing to destroy her as he'd done to Piper.
"PHOEBE NO!" From where she watched in the afterlife Prue screamed unconsciously causing the water to ripple. "I have to do something!" Helplessly she looked at Grams who could only swallow in fear.
"Use your power, Prue" A bright set of swirling lights appeared and the High Priestess and current dignitary to the Wicca world, Melinda Warren, appeared. "You are still very much connected to your sisters and their magic"
Gazing down into the water, Prue squinted heatedly causing Andy's crossbow to fly from Shax's hands.
Shax looked heavenward bewildered as Prue's angry voice began to spout the words of the chant. Evil wind that forms from below, no longer may you dwell, death takes you with this spell!"
"It's Prue!" Paige exclaimed looking over to a dazed Phoebe.
Phoebe sat up dazed from where she was slumped up against the wall. "She's trying to help us" Slowly she crawled over to Paige and Piper as Prue's words echoed around them. "say the spell" she told Paige.
Paige nodded, keeping in time with the sound of Prue's voice. Evil wind thatforms from below no longer may you dwell death takes you with this spell"
Phoebe joined in as she tried to revive Piper, "Piper, Piper sweetie we need you". Slowly Piper opened her eyes, weakly whispering to her sister.
"What's happening?"
"I think we're about to become the power of four" Phoebe said, prompting her wounded sister to say the spell as a set of apparitional lights appeared.
"Prue" Piper swallowed in disbelief.
Apparitional Prue smiled as four voices sounded in rhythm creating a bond in which could not be broken. "Evil wind that forms from below, no longer may your dwell death takes you with this spell!"
Raising both of her arms Prue continued to chat, lifting Shax from the ground with a such force that her telekinetic blast shot him straight through the roof, in time with the vanquished explosion.
Bits of the roof shattered around them, as Phoebe shouted for Leo. "Hurry it's bad!" she told white lighter, fearing for Piper. As Leo held his hands over his injured wife, Paige noticed that apparitional Prue had walked into the attic.
Andy's body was just inside, the arrow still impaling his chest. "Is he?"
"No" Prue answered, "his apparitional spirit can only be killed by Mandela". Mandela was Andy's evil counter part from the other side. Slowly Prue raised both of her hands, pulling the arrow from his chest as Leo slid to his side. A completely healed Piper and Phoebe joined Paige, standing at her side.
Andy sat up with effort, moaning slightly, "Prue?" Rising to his feet,Andy pressed his transparent hand to her apparitional face causing Prue to close her eyes, at the imaginary feel of his touch.
"Hi" she whispered, slowly opening her eyes.
"Hi" he grinned in the adorable smile that was reserved only for her.
"Wait a minute" From where she stood between Paige and Piper, Phoebe began to questions things suspiciously. "How was it that Andy was shot by Shax? Isn't he turning into a ghost?"
"Yes, he is," Prue replied never taking her eyes off of Andy.
Phoebe then looked to Leo for an explanation.
"When Andy called for crossbow, his mortal Tracer half reappeared. That's how Shax was able to shoot him, but now that the mortal Tracer is no longer needed, he's returning to his apparitional state.
"And what about Prue, how come she can't become whole like Grams and Mom?"
"Because she isn't allowed to stay," Penny's voice answered as she appeared through her own set of white lights.
"Aw, Grams can't she just stay for a little while." Piper pleaded.
"I'm afraid she can't" Penny said sorrowfully: Preparations for her coronation are already underway"
Paige jerked her head back and curled her upper lip, "coronation?"
"They're making me a Queen" Prue quipped, jokingly making her smile big.
"High Priestess to the Realm of Wicca" Penny restated correctly, "Your sister will be taking over for Melinda Warren as soon as her time as governess is complete"
"Whoa" Phoebe grinned with a sigh "what a destiny"
"A Charmed Destiny" Penny replied ready to take Prue back to the afterlife.
"Darling are you ready?"
Prue looked hesitantly, sad. She didn't want to leave. Most of all she didn't want to leave without seeing her daughters. "Can I say good-bye to the girls first?"
"Of course"
"I'll get them" Paige offered orbing to the nursery. A few minutes later she returned with a sleepy looking Ally bundled in her arms. Amanda was at her side, her face still tear stained from where she'd been crying.
"My Girls!" Prue cajoled, clamping a hand over her mouth. "I've missed them so much". Ally wriggled in Paige's arms kicking her feet out at the sight of her Mother.
"Do you want to hold her?" Paige asked looking at Penny.
"Only for a moment" Penny answered waving her hand to release Prue from her apparitional state. Timidly Prue reached out her arms, making herself whole again as she took her child from Paige.
Andy leaned over Prue's shoulder, looking at his wife admiringly, "everyday she looks more and more like you"
Prue tenderly kissed Ally's forehead before handing her back to Paige. Wiping stray tears from her face, Prue then placed her hands on her knees calling for Amanda. "C'mere my big brave girl!"
Still shaken, Amanda plopped her thumb in her mouth and looked at Phoebe, "Go on sweetie your Mommy is here to see you"
Gazing back at Prue; Amanda made herself invisible.
"Ah, she's been through a lot" Phoebe covered, "losing you and then Andy turning into a G-H-O-S-T"
"I know" Prue sighed allowing Piper to engulf her in a sisterly embrace.
"She'll be okay, I promise I won't let her forget you ever"
Hearing the sound of chimes, Penny looked upward. "Darling I'm sorry but it's time"
Prue nodded pulling away, letting Phoebe take Piper's place. "We love you"
Tears ran Paige's face as she passed Ally to Phoebe "Nobody can replace super witch" she whispered holding her oldest sister tightly.
Prue stepped back into the ceremonial circle, pursing her lips as she returned to her apparitional state.
"We'll let you know about the coronation," Penny droned softly before adverting her eyes to Andy. "Are you coming home with us Andrew or are you going to wait for a written invitation?"
"No Grams, I want Andy to stay" Prue returned without warning, "I want Phoebe to write a spell, that will keep him here with the girls"
Penny looked at Granddaughter, confused, "Prue are you sure?"
"I'm positive" Prue said locking eyes with Andy. Despite destiny, his staying behind was for the best. "As my first act as the reigning high priestess, I am ordering my sisters to find a way to save you and alter our destiny."
"I love you" she added disappearing in a swirling barrage of lights.