A/N: Zythe: Thanks so much for your great reviews. I always look forward to them. I try to go beyond the "norm" with the plot when I can. Loved your idea about Queen Prue and Queen Phoebe. Although, I really detested the Cole as the Source storyline on the show, I'm definitely going to think on that for the sequel! Wyatt333: The best way to explain things is that in my world Melinda Warren is like the "head" High Priestess to the Realm. Penny is one as well but she's one of many lower level high priestesses. Melinda out ranks them all and since Prue is a Charmed One she out ranks Grams. Penny and Melinda of course are going to guide Prue quite a bit. On the show I always pictured the girls magic being way stronger than Patty's or Grams so it makes sense to me. PrueTrudeau: Thanks so much for your kind your words! Princess Pinky: I'm glad you like what I've done with Paige and Prue's "magical boost". Yes, Prue is more powerful, but not ridiculously so. Her main thing is going to be logic in her duties to govern. You'll see more of that in the sequel. Jdjams: thanks so much for taking time to review! I think that as you continue to read that you see that Prue and Andy are still very much alive. Sci-FiGillian: Thanks so much for sticking with me through all of this! You're reviews are always greatly appreciated!
FYI: This part is kind of long but there are a several twists and turns I think you'll all like. Enjoy!
Charmed in the Afterlife: Fit for a Queen
Prue walked slowly through a garden filled with luscious looking ivy and flowers. Singing birds and butterflies hovered all around her, expressing their quiet beauty. "This is so not my vision of Utopia" Prue said dryly thinking of her family and how much she missed them. She'd now been in the afterlife so long she'd forgotten exactly how many mortal days and months had passed.
Phoebe and Piper must have found a way to heal Andy by now she thought, thinking that he'd be with her, if they hadn't. Spotting Melinda Warren, standing near a crystal blue lake, Prue let a soft smile form to her face.
"This is my vision for Utopia" Melinda told her soon to be successor. "I used to dream about raising my daughter, Prudence in a place like this. A place filled with beauty and innocence.
"It is truly beautiful," Prue returned.
"But it is not the vision you desire, is it?" Melinda cocked her head, "I sense that you are not happy"
Ashamed, Prue lowered her head. She didn't want to admit it but she missed her sisters and her children terribly.
"Great power does not come without great sacrifices" Melinda continued, reading her mind. "I sacrificed my life so that my daughter Prudence and the Halliwell line could continue, much like you sacrificed the love of your life to save your sisters." Taking a hold of Prue's hands, Melinda continued to smile.
"You are a born protector, Prue. Your destiny is but to lead so that one day, we all have the vision of Utopia we so much deserve. Come now, there is someone I want you to meet. Prue walked with Melinda down the garden path until they reached a clearing filled with large marble statues embedded in a barrage of roses.
This area is known as the Thorn of Roses beyond it's gate lays portal in which the dignities of evil are allowed to pass.
"Dignitaries of evil?" Prue stance quickly turned defensive.
"Sometimes it isnecessary for us to meet with our adversaries to so that we can come to mutual understandings about certain laws, but that is not why I have brought you here." Melinda then motioned to a figure dressed in cloak white robe. "I want you to meet your political advisor"
"My what?" Keeping in step with Melinda, Prue padded over to the figure.
"This is Natalie" Melinda said proudly, "she is my most worthy and trusted advisor"
"Natalie! You've got to be kidding" Prue's face absolutely fell when the figure lowered her hood. There standing before her, was no other than Andy's former white lighter and Paige's appointed trainer. Natalie, the one who fought tooth and nail to keep she and Andy apart.Natalie had even gone sofar as tokidnapped their daughter at birth. Was this some kind of joke?
"Your highness" Natalie smiled cordially at the high priestess elect, gloating inside over Prue's look of total and utter shock.
"Natalie is an expert on the laws and rules that were established to help govern our world" Melinda supplied, not seeing Prue's jaw clench.
"I know"
"She will be there to assist you in whatever you need"
"Great" Prue replied, thinking she'd just fallen intotheAfterlife's version of hell.
Melinda then touched Prue's shoulder excusing herself, "I'll leave you for a fewminutes to get reacquainted. I must go oversee some last minute details for the coronation"
"No-" Prue started to stutter, "don't leave with me-" But Melinda was already gone.
Gazing down, Prue noticed that in Natalie's hands she held a large book, one nearly the size of the Book of Shadows. "That your book of rules?"
Natalie recanted with a placid smile "Now do you see why I was so concerned about your destiny?"
"Honesty?" Prue raised one eyebrow holding her ground. "I suppose you were behind Andy's turning back into a ghost?"
Natalie shook her head, "that was not my doing. I merely enforce the rules and by the way, you don't have power to override the apparitional laws of death"
"What does that mean?" Prue challenged as the book floated from Natalie's hands and promptly opened to the center page.
Thumbing through the open pages Natalie quickly found what she was looking for, "that means under apparitional law number 49865B, that any spell that Phoebe writes to try to maintain Andy's mortal form will promptly backfire"
"Backfire?"
Manor
Piper and Paige sat in the sunroom contently watching Ally rock back and forth on her knees trying to crawl. "She's almost got the hang of it" Piper cooed as finished nursing Melinda and placed her over one shoulder to burp.
Paige leaned forward from her chair, placing her elbow on her knee so that her chin rested upon her first. ""She does, before we know it she'll be pulling up on the furniture and cruising around, like nobodys business"
"Yeah" Piper sighed, somber, "I just wish Prue were here to see it"
Paige sat up making herself a bit taller, "she can look down on us anytime she wants right?And soon she'll be able to come and visit just like Mom and Grams"
"It's not the same," Piper droned, pressing her face to her own daughter's head. "Prue should be here raising her children, not taking charge of the friggin' wiccan world!"
"But it's her destiny" Paige replied handing Piper a clean washrag when Melinda spit up onto her shoulder.
"Thanks" Piper said under breath as she set Melinda down on a large comforter, and started to clean the mess "but you don't what it's like. You lost your adoptive Mother when you were sixteen. You had her with you for most of your childhood. Prue, Phoebe and I, lost Mom when we were young. We missed out on everything."
"Hmm…I guess you are right" Paige answered softly right before an explosive blast sounded from the kitchen. "What was that?"
Piper threw the soiled rags to the coffee table, and then stalked towards the kitchen, while Paige gathered Ally. "I don't know, but I swear if Phoebe has made another mess with that potion, to help Andy, I'll-"
Her words were cut short as the kitchen door swung open to reveal that her prized kitchen was now in shambles. Purple and green goo was splattered everywhere. Andy and Phoebe were both on opposite ends coughing from the smoke the explosive potion has caused.
"Oh my God! Look what you've done to my kitchen!" Piper began to rant, until Paige tapped her shoulder. "What?"
"Look" Paige pointed, "Look at Phoebe"
Piper's hands immediately flew to her face, covering her eyes, "Oh…no…no…this is not happening"
Phoebe lay on the floor covered in the goo smiling up at her sisters, "I guess it didn't work because Andy's still transparent" she said flicking her eyes over to her brother in-law. The young witch had yet to notice that her most recent attempt at returning him to normal had ended with a serious backfire.
"So are you!" Paige told her, "Phoebe, you're a ghost"
"I am?" Phoebe looked at her hands, in shock. "I am a ghost!"
"Welcome to my world" Andy quipped flinging some of the goo from his hair.
"This is not good," Phoebe rose to her feet, "what are we going to do?"
Piper pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her nose, "we'll fix it. I don't know how but someway we'll fix it"
Piper then growled loudly at the sound of the doorbell, "who the hell is that?"
"I'll get it" Phoebe offered only to have Piper wag a finger.
"You stay put, Casper! Paige will the get the door"
Briskly, Paige walked back through the dining area and the living room to open the door. "Oh hello" she said brightly. A tiny fairy was fluttering at her eye level holding an invitation-sized envelope.
"Is this for me?" Paige smiled and took the envelope from the struggling fairy. The fairy disappeared as Paige closed the door and started back for the kitchen.
"What is it?" Piper asked watching her sister tear into the envelope.
"It's invitation" Paige said slowing taking time to read the card thoroughly, "our presence is requested at Prue's coronation"
A bright smile crossed Phoebe's face in combination of excitement, "We're allowed to attend Prue's coronation? When is it?"
"It's tonight" Paige answered, "six pm our escort will be here at 5:50 to pick us up"
"Six PM?" Piper looked at the clock on the stove, "It's 4 o'clock now that doesn't give us much time". Her thoughts about Phoebe's transparent condition were completely forgotten.
"What am I going to wear? I've got shower and bathe the girls….I don't if two hours is going to be enough time"
"Hmm…I wonder if we should dress formal?" Paige added pressing a finger to her lips, as she and Piper started to turn from the room, leaving Phoebe to panic.
"Uh hey guys, what about me? I'm a ghost remember"
"We'll deal with it tomorrow" Piper said dismissively, while Paige looked back over her shoulder.
"Don't worry honey, I'm sure they're used to seeing ghosts up there"
Phoebe looked down at her transparent self, and then at Andy. "Don't look at me" he shrugged, "I don't have a problem with it"
Leo arrived at exactly 5:50 dressed in his traditional white lighter robes. Paige was just coming down the stairs wearing a long black sequined evening gown. Piper and a transparent Phoebe followed wearing similar attire. Andy was already in the parlor clothed in a white shirt, with a pair of navy slacks.
"How do we look?"
Leo took a moment to survey, their attire. "You're all wearing black?"
"What's wrong with black?" Paige retorted.
"It's a demonic color" Leo shifted his eyes to Andy who raised his hands.
"I tried to tell them"
"You don't have time to change" Leo rubbed his chin "are the girls ready?"
"Yes they are," Paige added a matter of factly as she went back out to the sunroom to retrieve the three children. "They look like perfect little angels, all dressed in white"
"Aren't you even going to ask about me?" Phoebe placed her hands on her hips, miffed that Leo had yet to ask about her present transparent condition. "I'm a ghost!"
Leo just stared looked at her without urgency, "the elders and the dignitaries won't mind"
"That's it, everybody abandon the transparent witch!" Phoebe tossed her hands in the air, letting slap back down to her sides, just as Cole was shimmering into the room.
Sorry, I'm late…." His voice trailed as he set eyes on Phoebe, "what happened to you?"
"Don't ask" Phoebe looped her transparent arm through the crook of his elbow.
"Ok" Cole raised his eyebrows in bewilderment as everyone joined hands with Leo preparing to orb.
Afterlife:
The group arrived in the realm, just as the ceremony was about to begin. "Wait here" Leo instructed, I have to go help Prue". Leo orbed out and the rest of the group hung back marveling at the lavish golden décor of porcelain and white.
Hearing the sound of angelic trumpets, Paige lifted Amanda into her arms, "I think we're going to get to see your Mommy" she whispered, just as Andy turned solid.
"Hey how come that didn't happen to me?" Phoebe harped, as Paige handed Amanda to her father. "Because he's suppose to be that way and you're not". Paige then took Ally from Cole and glanced over at Piper who was holding Melinda.
"Look there's Grams," she whispered watching Piper nod as Penny appeared in the center of the room looking very official.
"I call forth from space and time, matriarchs from the Halliwell line, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, our family's spirit without end, to gather now in this sacred place, to celebrate destiny's grace" Melinda Warren and other Matriarchs appeared all holding candles formed a semi circle with Penny in the center.
"Is the chosen one ready?" Melinda asked, handing her candle to Penny
"She is" Penny smiled proudly.
Phoebe leaned over to Andy whispering, "who's the guy that looks like the Pope?" A man wearing a gold laced white robe and a mitre hat was seated upon a throne overseeing the ceremony.
"We call him the eternal one" Andy explained. "He's the one who grants new elders and priests their powers"
"He means God" Cole quipped.
"Bring the chosen one forth" Melinda commanded raising her arms.
A bright golden light beamed down from the sky, followed by a set of angelic circles. Prue materialized wearing a long white flowing robe with a train. Her dark raven hair was shining spilling over her shoulders.
"Prue" Piper said under breath clasping her hand over her mouth, "she looks beautiful"
Phoebe bit down her lip, beaming, "of course she does, she's our sister"
"Come forth" the Melinda invited. Leo then offered Prue his arm and escorted her to the front of the ensemble where she was then made to kneel on a small velvet pillow.
Melinda smiled speaking with both grace and confidence of a matriarch "Prudence Melinda Halliwell, Granddaughter of high priestess Penny, and first born of the Charmed Ones. It is with great honor that I bestow you, the title of High Priestess with Governorship to the Wiccan realm. Your destiny from now on is to preside over and govern all laws of magic and to keep the balance among the Wicca race". Melinda then removed a gold triquetra medallion and placed it around Prue's neck.
"Prue's absolutely amazing" Paige smiled squeezing Andy's arm.
"She's a goddess" he returned making eye contact with Prue as Leo helped to her feet. "I love you" he mouthed, making her smile so big that it showed the little gaps between her teeth.
Leo stepped back as Prue turned, taking Melinda's hand. Again Melinda spoke with the tone of a dignitary, "Eternal one, Elders, matriarchs of the Halliwell line, the prophecy today has come true, with this coronation, I give you our newest high priestess, and your new governess, "Prudence Melinda Trudeau-Halliwell"
The crowd of matriarchs cheered loudly, before forming the traditional receiving line. Penny and Patty were amongst the first to congratulate Prue.
"Congratulations darling"
"Welcome to your destiny Prue" Patty kissed both of her daughter's cheek.
Andy waited near the back of the line with Amanda and Ally for all of the matriarchs to offer their words of wisdom followed by the Elders. "Would I be asking to much to ask for kiss your highness?" he asked when he finally came face to face with Prue"
"Kiss me or lose me forever" Prue quipped, as she took Ally from his arms, letting him heft Amanda up into the spot that Ally had vacated.
Strategically, Andy leaned forward, whispering playfully as he lifted his eyebrows, "Are you sure it isn't against the rules?"
Well I'm sure I it is, but as high priestess to the Wicca Realm, I intend to change that"
"I like the way you think"
"Me too" Prue lifted her chin melting in to his kiss, "Now this is what I call heaven".
"Ahem" Phoebe cleared her throat, "how about sometime for the transparent sister?"
"Pheebs?" Taken back, Prue giggled, "what happened to you?"
"A backfire what else"
"Paige and Piper will fix it," Prue returned glaring at Natalie who was lurking nearby, with her ever watchful eye.
"I know they will" Phoebe flung her transparent arms, slicing right through Prue, "Oh Sweetie we are so proud of you"
Paige stepped up next" So I guess there's some truth to the super witch stuff"
"I love you, Paige," Prue held her baby sister tightly.
"You too" Paige whispered kissing Prue's cheek, "knock em dead sis"
"Congratulations, Prue" Leo took his turn leaving only Piper.
"I won't do it" Piper said shaking her head. Tears covered her eyes blanketing them in a sea of red, "You're my sister and I love you, but I can't accept this. I won't live with a destiny that takes you away from me"
"Piper" Prue choked.
Piper swiped at her cheeks, "but we're the Charmed One's Prue. What happened to that?"
"We are still Charmed" Prue swallowed, "I just have to take another path"
Melinda Warren stepped in, offering comfort, "Piper, you can call on Prue whenever you like."
"It's not the same, Prue needs to be with us and with her children. Amanda and Ally need their Mother!"
"And they shall live with their Mother if she so chooses" The Angel of Destiny appeared, earning everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?" Prue asked slowly.
"I mean my dear, it's time for you to make a choice"