Disclaimers: Gundam Wing is not
mine. Charmed is owned by Warner Brothers, and all associated
parties. Magic and Mayhem is not mine. No copyright infringement intended. I am
not making money out of this. Original part of the fiction is the property and
is copyrighted to the author.
Category: shounen ai/yaoi implications, AU, angst, action, dark themes
Rating: R overall
Pairings: 1x2x1, 34, 5xD, 6x13, 1113,
various
Warnings: language, sap, violence
Finished: July 5, 2004
Author's Notes: It's been so long since I updated this. I mainly got stuck when
I was watching Cole/Phoebe thing on Charmed, because of all the demon facts that
added and clashed with my previous outline for this fanfic. I had a really
hard time deciding whether to follow the TV series' facts or just invent my
own, and then I got stumped by other fics for other fandoms. It's been a long
time, but I've finally decided that even if I based the setting on
Charmed, I'm going to make up everything else from hereon forward (when it comes
to the demon/warlock bits, at least). Needless to say, I fully intend to finish
this fic. Thank you for reading this, and for those of you who reviewed the
previous chapters, domo arigato gozaimasu.
And I couldn't possibly plagiarize my own fanfic, but if someone wonders why this is not posted at AJ Maxwell's Fanfic Realm ( http:kiss.to/duo ), I am currently renovating that site because I haven't touched it for more than a year.
I am the real AJ Maxwell, the one and only. I'm still alive, okay! If you have any questions about any of my previous fanfics (those that are still unfinished and those that await a sequel), please send me an e-mail if you'd like me to continue them. I am in the process of scrapping some of the unfinished multipart fics.
Dedication: For Ryu, my imouto-chan, and Menz-chan.
/blah/ denotes telepathic conversation
blah denotes dream sequence
Title: The Bewitched Chronicles,
Entry #7: The Test of the Eldest Charmed One
Author: AJ Maxwell (
ajmaxwellficrealmyahoo.com
)
Weeks passed. Laden with their responsibilities from school, from keeping their household in order, and from their newly discovered heritage, it was just a great blessing that the three brothers had their White Lighter, Quatre, to help them out. And with the ever-hovering threat of Milliardo Peacecraft's presence in the same island, the atmosphere in the manor had never been the same since.
The boys practiced their gifts in the afternoons for a few hours, and devoted at least an hour in doing their homeworks. Though cooking and doing household chores were not in a White Lighter's job description, Quatre found himself helping the brothers in these areas, with the help of their immortal friend, Dorothy Catalonia.
◊
It was after dinner that the boys were found by Quatre in the attic room, poring over the Book of Shadows, taking notes of the spells and potion ingredients, and practicing their gifts. Hilde, the Charmed Ones' cursed cousin, sat attentively before Trowa, as the youngest Halliwell communicated with her using his gift of reading minds. Wufei stood before the Book of Shadows, perusing the text about the history of the most powerful warlock family, the Peacecrafts. Heero, meanwhile, was by the cupboards making an inventory of the potion ingredients, which he planned on relocating into the kitchen for convenience purposes.
Quatre sighed. He found his charges all dedicated to being wizards, but he feared that he could only hope--not trust--that their abilities were enough to vanquish the threat of Milliardo Peacecraft's heir, and this thought he kept properly sealed within himself.
◊
Wufei collapsed into his bed as he pulled the hair tie that bound his hair. Normally he would change into his perfectly pressed pajamas, fold his used clothing and put it in his own laundry hamper beside his bedroom door. After that he would sit by his dresser/study table, pull his hair tie and keep it in the top drawer, and then he would comb his hair. Then he would climb into his bed, carefully lifting up the covers for him to neatly and comfortably lie down. It was uncharacteristic of him to just hurl himself to the bed like that, really, and he knew that. It was just...
"Mother," he mumbled, nearly gasping for air from weariness. He didn't know if his words could reach their mother, and he wasn't really sure if he wanted them to reach her. "I don't know if I can take any more of this. I know you expect me to be strong, to be a good example to my brothers. I'm trying, I'm really trying my best, Mother. But..." He bit his lip, remembering the more frequent news of unexplained deaths, undoubtedly caused by their feared nemesis, the Warlock Heir. "But I'm scared," he whispered into his pillow. "I'm scared that all of this would be to no avail. I'm scared that I would let my brothers down. I'm scared that I would let you down, Mother, and what would that make me? I don't want to let you down. I don't want to let my brothers down, like what Father did. No... no he doesn't deserve to be called that." He shook his head, as he buried his face into his pillow. "He is not our father, has never been! And I won't be like him! Never!"
His fists hit the pillows, whispering vehemently, biting his lower lip so that no one would hear the anguish in his voice.
On one side of his walls, Trowa lay on his side, emerald eyes open. A lone tear traced a path down his cheeks.
◊
The morning that greeted the Island of Fire was not a usual one compared to the previous mornings that the people have endured for the past several weeks. The sky was clear, and the sun bright in shining--a promise of snow-free, hail-free, and rain-free weather. Although clear skies never stopped sudden disturbing occurrences, such as snow during summer, that particular morning just sent an unexplained feeling that nothing awry was going to happen.
In the villa atop the Hill of Shadows, the Clan Master was not pleased with the overall atmosphere that he woke up to. He preferred thick clouds that impeded the sun to be visible, and he liked the whiteness of snow all around him. He also preferred the cold, and hated the warmth of the sun, although one of his destructive powers was the use of fire.
Truthfully, he could have it snowing in Isla del Fuego all-year round, but he knew that his mortal lover, his Treize, will not appreciate it as much. His lover thrived on sunlight, it seemed to him, and he became noticeably pallid and lethargic with only two days of snow. Also, it would not be beneficial to the whole magic-wielding community as a whole. Not that the great Clan Master Milliardo Peacecraft actually cared for the other magic-wielders, but the whole world might zero-in on their island haven, and discover that their presence was not only in myths, but in real life. Their presence and magic they can keep from the humans that lived in their city, but from the whole world? Milliardo shook his head. It might have been possible in the past when the Cleaners, a neutral group tasked with keeping all forms of magic from being exposed to humans, were still in effect and the Guardians were still more powerful and all-knowing than the earthbound magical beings. Now, the Guardians were no more than wise spectators--they could only advise, but they had no power over the most powerful clans. This happened during the past several centuries that brought each side, good and evil, great increase in power.
The Clan Master pursed his lips, and drew the velvet curtains closed.
In the back of his mind, he was reminded that his own sister had not yet come home. Yes, it was true that he could not feel her power's signature anymore. The last time that he felt it was after they went out to search for his son around the gas stations and grocery stores. He had always been confident of his sister's powers, and of her cunning. He knew that she could find her way back whenever she chose to do so, but he couldn't help but be worried, even just a little. His sister had never left him for prolonged periods of time in the years that they had been together, more than ninety years now, in fact.
Milliard snorted. "I'm worried. Now, what do I make of that?" he murmured to himself.
He tried to be angry at Relena, because her disappearance was distracting him from his most important task, that is to find his son. He could not do it, though. "Oh hell," he muttered. Might as well make his henchmen look for Relena while looking for his son.
◊
In the Halliwell manor within the City of Fire, Wufei, Heero, and Trowa had all just finished eating breakfast and were about to leave for school. Quatre appeared just then to see them off.
Trowa squirmed, his eyes not meeting the blonde's. "Quatre, we have to go now or we'll be late. I'm really sorry about the dishes..."
The White Lighter chuckled. "That's why I orbed here. Don't worry about it, but you owe me for this one."
The youngest Halliwell's mouth quirked upwards. "Okay. Thanks."
As the trio left the house, the blonde White Lighter turned to the dishes and felt something amiss.
That's strange. There's a trace of magic potion here...
He went to the bowls, still on their places on the dining table, and placed his right hand over each of them. When his hand came over Wufei's cereal bowl, his aquamarine eyes widened in surprise.
...But why would he do this?
◊
Wufei felt like he was attacked by a barrage of magic snow and fire balls all at the same time upon waking. His fitful sleep did not help ease his worries, and he woke up, still having dark circles under his eyes.
He cursed as he woke up, he cursed in the shower, and he cursed as he made his way into the kitchen to have breakfast with his brothers. He had two tests that day, one in Physics and one in Calculus, and he cursed, too, as he remembered.
He had hoped that his mood would lighten when he had his breakfast, but he was not counting on it. If sleep failed to bring its usual comforts, then what will? he thought. But as he ran so as not to be late, he felt different. He felt good, he mused. Hell, I feel perfect!
He ran past his brother, Trowa, and was about to reprimand him on running faster for it was his fault that they were running late. As he opened his mouth, he stopped. It's not worth it. I feel too good today. Besides, Trowa's old enough. He doesn't need me always nagging him.
Maybe Mother heard me after all...
Damn, but I feel good!
◊
It was in the afternoon as the three brothers trudged home. Or rather, two of the brothers trudged, while the eldest walked with a slight spring to his step, and a serene look on his face.
Heero found this unnerving, though not an unwelcome occurrence. He'd been wanting to tell his brother to relax, as it was apparent that he was really stressed, but it was unnerving just the same.
Trowa, meanwhile, had a bored look on his face. It was not a distinctly bored look. .He merely looked expressionless to some, though his boredom was apparent to his two brothers in the way that his jaws were not set in a relaxed bite.
Heero found this unnerving as well. He just hoped that his younger brother would not try to pick a fight with him, as all his attempts at drawing Wufei into a harmless banter were foiled by their eldest brother's good mood.
"Why don't we all go to the park?" Wufei blurted out as he threw a look at his brothers, his manner easygoing. "It's a perfectly nice day. We can spar, or meditate."
This is...weird. I've never seen him like this, Heero thought. "I don't think we should do that, Wufei. We still have school work, and we need to practice."
Wufei pouted, which even unnerved Heero further. "Spoilsport. What about you, Trowa? I know you're bored."
"I can't. I have a lot of things to do."
Wufei rolled his eyes. "Well, alright. You two go on ahead. I'll just be at the park. I'll be back before dinner--"
Heero frowned. He knew that some relaxation would do his brother good, but he also worried for his safety. "But Wufei, what about Mill--"
"It's okay," Trowa cut in, looking meaningfully at his brother, Heero. "Wufei can take care of himself, and he won't be late for dinner. Right, Wufei?"
"That's right. Thanks, Trowa. I'll be back before dusk."
Wufei ran towards the park, and the two trudged along, lost in their own thoughts.
As they neared the manor, it was Heero who broke the silence first. "Noticed anything different?"
Trowa shrugged. "Maybe he's just really tired and thought that it's time to take a break."
"Hn."
The older of the two unlocked the door. As they both made their way to the kitchen to have some snacks, their White Lighter appeared before them with a smile, though a bit uneasy.
"What's wrong?" Heero asked.
"Nothing!" Quatre denied, his face flushing the tiniest bit. "It's just one of my other charges, but everything's okay now!"
Heero narrowed his eyes. "You just said it was nothing."
"I meant you shouldn't concern yourself over it, Heero."
"Hn." Then he walked into the kitchen, leaving the other two in the hallway.
"What's wrong?" Trowa asked, eyes looking pointedly at the White Lighter.
A stern look passed over Quatre's face, then soon disappeared. He cleared his throat, and said, "I think it's me who's supposed to ask that to you, Trowa, the morning potion-maker."
Trowa's green eyes widened, though only one eye was visible. "How did you know?" he whispered sharply, nervously looking at the kitchen door to see if his older brother heard.
"I have my ways, Trowa," Quatre said, sounding a bit sad. "Care to tell me what made you do that?"
Trowa sighed heavily, then said. "I had to, Quatre. If I didn't, he would never rest. He never listens to me or to Heero, especially when we all know we're right. He'll never concede to taking a break. He feels really pressured from everything, and for being the eldest among us. He's really tired now, Quatre, I know it."
Blue eyes lit up at him questioningly, and he sighed. "I heard him in my mind last night, Quatre. I felt his pain, and his fear. It was... horrible, Quatre. I don't want to feel that way again, and I don't want any of my brothers to feel that way. I can't stand it. That's why I had to do it. If I didn't, he might die from all of the pressure and fear."
Quatre smiled at him, relieved. "How long will the potion last?"
"Just until he goes back to sleep."
"Good. Where is he anyway?"
"He said he'll be at the park."
"Didn't he think of the dangers? The warlocks might--"
"That's what I have to ask of you, Quatre. Could you keep an eye on him until he gets back?"
"I see. Okay." Quatre smiled. "That's my job anyway. We'll be back later." And then he disappeared.
"So you tampered with the potion ingredients."
Trowa whirled around to find Heero snacking on an apple, the look on his face slightly disapproving. Hilde, meanwhile, was perched right beside Heero's left foot, an expression of alarm and guilt on her feline face as if saying, "I tried to stop him! I didn't tell him, Trowa!". He scowled. "I had to."
Heero just snorted, looking at his youngest brother with mild amusement. "All I'm saying, is that I've been doing the inventory for two nights already, and you messed with it. Do the necessary alterations on the list, then help me carry down the vials later. I'm gonna take a nap."
As his older brother mentioned taking a nap, another concern crossed his mind. He looked at Heero, then ventured, "You're not sleeping well, aren't you?"
"Hn." Heero made his way to the stairs, while Hilde made her way to Trowa's arms. The youngest Halliwell didn't look at her, but promptly stroked her fur as she nestled in his arms.
Trowa tried again, this time more boldly. "It's always him in your dreams. The guy with the braid, the one we saw in the grocery weeks ago."
At his words, Heero came to an abrupt halt. He glared at Trowa, who did not cower under his angry countenance. "You haven't been minding your own business, have you, Trowa."
The words came out as a hiss, and Trowa tightened his arms to keep himself from shivering. Hilde mewled in protest beneath her cousin's long-sleeved shirt. "You're not the only one who's confused by him, Heero. I saw him, and there really is something familiar about him. I just don't know what it is. I'm sure I know him, yet I've never seen him before in my whole life."
It was then that Heero seemed to slump into himself, as he slowly sat down onto the step that he was previously standing on. His face in his hands, he murmured a question, "Have you told Quatre about all this?"
"No, not yet. I wasn't sure if you would be angry if I did. I wanted to ask you first."
Heero sighed. Moments later, his answer came. "We must ask him as soon as he comes back." He stood up, and sedately made his way upstairs. Then, at the step just before he reached the top, he called out softly, "Trowa."
"Hai."
"I'm not angry."
Trowa smiled down at his cousin Hilde, who squirmed in his arms. /That's the closest he can come to saying thank you./
/Can you loosen up your arms a bit? I'm choking here, Trowa!/
/Oh, sorry./
◊
It's been a long while since I've been here, Wufei thought, as he breathed in the cooling air of the late afternoon. I've never been back here since the day of Trowa's birthday, since the day Mother came back to tell us of our heritage.
And it's good to be back. It's so good to be able to relax like this, without worries...
/But we do have a lot of things to worry about. Hell, they're life and death matters! What the hell am I doing here, anyway?! I'm a sitting duck if I'm caught by the warlocks, and I'm dead if Milliardo Peacecraft stumbles upon me!/
Again, not the first time that day, Wufei just felt his quickened breathing slow down, and his pulse calmed. At the back of his mind he knew there was something that was not quite right, but every time he thought about it, he forgot what it was.
Hm. So what if Milliardo Peacecraft kills me? Death is just part of life. Let him conquer the world, for all I care.
◊
Duo had never seen the boy before. Never had he seen hair as black, nor skin tanned quite like the boy's. He had never seen such slant of the eyes, and yet, as their gazes met, it was as if Duo knew this person. It was as if...
It was as if he was family, which was weird, because he never had an actual family.
A feeling surged within him, like tides rising and swelling. It was warm, and it felt like it wanted out of Duo's skin, to envelope the unknown yet achingly familiar boy.
"This is crazy," he muttered, even as his amethystine eyes took on a decidedly ruby sheen. "T-this..."
And suddenly, he was back into another past night, one not unlike the nights of his dreams where a man who looked like Heero had all been in.
"I hope you kissed your dear warlock goodbye, Nicki. Or maybe I should say that I hope you hadn't, as that might alert him that his existence is in peril."
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you, Deandra?"
A pause. "I only want this to be over."
"Ch. Coulda fooled me."
"Do we really have to vanquish Hale, Deandra? He hasn't--"
"Must we wait for him to do something before we act, Triton?"
"Hey! I told you to stop calling me that!"
"Will you two just shut up?! Let's get this over with."
Another feeling fought within him--a force, like a giant rock, trying to quell the other rising emotion from surfacing.
"Who are you?" he asked, his eyes flickering from violet to red and back again. "Why do you... Who...?"
◊
Wufei felt like he was suffocating--one moment, the air was too hot and thick, the next it was back to normal. He couldn't understand what was happening, and he felt all the more confused at the longhaired boy before him.
He had appraised him as harmless enough--a homeless teenager who apparently sought a place to stay in the park. The way that the boy's eyes shone crimson proved otherwise. He must be one of them. I should get out of here fast!
The boy froze in his tracks, his fists tightly curled as if warding off pain. "G-get away from me..." He fell to his knees, gasping, "Go!"
Wufei heeded the words. He scrambled away, stumbling on the bushes. He put as much distance between them as he could.
◊
Not far from Duo, four warlocks shimmered in place.
"Finally!" one of them exclaimed.
"We have to be careful. It looks like he still can't control his powers."
"We better tell the Master."
At those words, Milliardo Peacecraft shimmered in place. "The four of you, you've done me a great service. I shall deal with this on my own."
"Yes, Master," the four acquiesced.
As the four shimmered out, Milliardo set his gaze upon the boy hunched on the grass a few feet away from him.
He's fighting his powers, he thought, alarmed. He's in so much pain because of this transition.
You were also in pain during the transition. Pain helps to be stronger. He may be your son, but this will be good for him in the long run. He needs to be strong, not only in powers, but in heart, to succeed as the clan's master, another side of him argued, one that resembled the voice of his father.
True, but... He gazed at his son and heard him whimper. He frowned and clenched his fists.
There was something within him, so long-buried that he'd thought it was gone, that rose and squeezed at his heart.
Without being fully aware, he was on his knees, hovering protectively over the teenager. "My son," he whispered, taking the quivering boy in his arms. "I'm here now. I'm taking you home."
The two figures shimmered out.
◊
Quatre orbed in right beside a couch, with Wufei hanging limply on his shoulders. He carefully deposited his charge onto the couch, then went to find the other two brothers in the manor.
/Heero? ...Trowa?/
/We're here in the attic,/ Trowa replied with his mind.
He orbed into the attic to find the two brothers gathering carefully labeled potions ingredients into a tray.
"Where is Wufei?" asked Heero.
"He's downstairs, resting," Quatre replied, feeling a bit anxious. "He bumped into me at the park."
The two brothers went about their business, as if not hearing.
The White Lighter tried again. "By 'bumped into me,' I meant literally."
Trowa looked up from the inventorying with a blank expression. "Oh." Then went back to his task.
Quatre pressed his lips together.
/Spill it out./
"Wufei was really scared when I found him at the park. It was as if he was running for his life."
"Did he tell you why he was running?" Trowa asked.
The blonde shook his head. "No. Before I orbed out he just collapsed against me."
"Did you try scanning his mind for images?" Heero asked, his attention now fully focused on the White Lighter.
"I can only pick up thoughts and hints of feelings, Heero. All I got from him was that he had to get away quickly."
"Then we'll just have to wait for him to wake up," Heero decided, automatically taking charge.
"I think it's best if we prepare some herbs for when he wakes up. He might not be feeling well," Trowa suggested.
"Okay, let's do that," Heero agreed.
◊
"The spell, now! ...Triton? Nicki? ... Aaah!"
There was a sharp, burning, and rapidly spreading pain in her chest. As her eyes clouded over, her sister's voice penetrated the fog.
"I'm sorry, Deandra, but I have to have bad karma in order for the deal to be sealed--"
"N-nicki?" she gasped. "What--?"
"I apologize...to the generations ahead of us, for what it's worth."
She felt the poisoned knife withdrawn from her chest. She would have screamed if she could breathe. And then...
She heard her sister cry out in pain, but she couldn't see anymore. Everything was a haze of fading silver, then gray, and then everything was black.
◊
"Wufei! Wufei, wake up!"
"Wufei, you're having a bad dream!"
"Meoww!"
Wufei's eyes snapped open as he violently drew in a breath of air. He held his breath, trapping the air in his lungs, wanting the mounting pressure in his chest to overpower the sensation of the poisoned dagger that still felt so real to him even upon waking.
He hoped it was a mere dream. He hoped--
"Wufei, breathe!"
He let go of the air, exhaling loudly, eyes still not blinking. /Please, please let it be just a dream.../
"Wufei?" Quatre's face loomed over him, large blue eyes tinged with panic.
He frowned, trying to get his wits back.
"Wufei, here, drink this," the White Lighter instructed, handing him a glass of water.
He gulped the water down, and then Heero handed him a cup of tea made from the herbs in their potion ingredients. He also drank it down, unmindful of the warm temperature of the tea.
The soothing aroma from the tea calmed his senses. His heartbeat gradually slowed back to normal after several breaths. There was something within him that wanted to recall what he saw in his dream, and that something within him was telling him that it was of utmost importance. His conscious mind, however, was unwilling.
/No. Surely, surely it was merely a dream. Nothing more. It's only a dream./
"How are you feeling, Wufei?" It was Quatre.
He nodded his thanks, and replied, "I'm all right."
When he offered no further statement, it was Heero who asked, "What happened to you in the park?"
"The park?" Wufei asked, puzzled.
"You told us after school that you'd go there to meditate," said Trowa. "Quatre found you there in a state of...panic."
Wufei slowly closed his eyes, trying to remember what happened to him earlier that afternoon in the park. Yes, he did remember that he was in his favorite spot in the park. He was meditating, breathing in positive vibes and relaxing his tense mind and body. Something happened during that time...
The suffocating feeling snuck up on him without warning, as it did the first time, and after a second it was gone. It was as if it was only his imagination, but to him it clearly wasn't. The unpleasant sensation was trying to remind him of something that happened, of something he had seen. What was it? Who was it?
"I..." The memory was within his grasp, but he couldn't give voice to what he thought he saw. All he remembered was a boy--a faceless stranger who felt familiar to him. A familiar and threatening boy that entreated him to...to "Get away."
"What was that?"
"He...there was a boy. He told me to get away. I was meditating. He came up to me somewhat and told me to get away. The rest is foggy in my mind."
"That's okay, Wufei. You should get some more rest after that ordeal. Maybe after your respite you will feel better."
Wufei nodded and closed his eyes again.
When Quatre, Heero, Trowa stepped out of Wufei's room, with Hilde noiselessly padding behind them, they wore grave expressions. As they decided beforehand, they made their way to the attic and conversed.
"I know you saw something, Trowa," Heero said.
"Did you really, Trowa? What was it?"
Trowa hesitated. He did see something. He clearly felt Wufei's dream. The shock, pain, and betrayal that was palpable in the dream disturbed him that he could not breathe for a few seconds. The thing that he saw in his brother's dream...
"I don't think it holds any significance to whatever happened to him in the park. The dream was quite nonsensical to me... I can't really make anything out of it. I only felt the fear, but maybe that was a remnant of what happened in the park," was what he said. Inwardly, he hoped that neither his brother nor their White Lighter would sense that he was not telling the entire truth.
The thing that he saw in his brother's dream...the person he saw in his brother's dream...
I need to know more. For now, Heero can't know about it. It might not be safe for him not to know, but it might be even more disastrous if he knew right away.
"Well, that's understandable," Quatre said, easily accepting his words. "If that's all that Trowa saw, then we have no choice but to wait for Wufei to remember, Heero."
"Hn." Heero still looked unconvinced. He knew his brother was hiding something; he just didn't know the reason behind the secrecy. But whatever he's hiding, I'm sure I'll know about it soon. "Nothing's kept hidden for long," he murmured thoughtfully, looking right at Trowa.
Trowa met his older brother's steel-blue stare head on, and wielded the weapon that always worked well for him: his silence. I'm sorry, Heero, but I need to talk to Wufei first if you're to know about anything about his dream.
[end part 7]
