Chapter 9

"Hey, can you hand me another ginger leaf please?" Chris spoke as he cautiously mixed the ingredients that would rid the Halliwell's of one of the two evils.

"You know, you never change Chris" the man said handing his brother the ingredient.

"How do you mean?"

"Your obsession with magic dude, I mean you live, sleep, eat and breathe this stuff. I swear you really need a hobby little brother" the man teased as he leaned over his siblings shoulder, peering into the potion pot.

"Sorry but when you're trying to save your brother from becoming the source of all evil, hobbies and fun usually don't rank very high on your list of things to do" the boy said not realizing the damage that his words would have on his brother.

"Oh, right, I'm sorry" the man said in a somber tone as he took a step away from his younger sibling.

"Hey Wy I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, it's just that my most of my life has been spent trying to save you or protect myself and others from you and I know that's not who you are any more, but it's just going to take a little getting used to, you know? But don't worry, we'll have plenty of time to get to know each once we've gotten rid of Gideon and Barbus" the boy said with a slight smile trying to put his brother's mind at ease.

"I know and I'm sorry for what he did to you. You know when Mom and Dad told me the whole story all I kept thinking was terrible it must have been for you and how I couldn't wait to make it up to you once we were back home. And no matter how many times they told me it wasn't my fault and that it was another Wyatt not me, I just couldn't help but feel reasonable for what I…he did, somehow"

"How, when he wasn't even responsible for his actions. Gideon and Barbus were to blame for what he had become, not my brother. They chased him and tortured him and came close to killing him all while he was trapped in the underworld, alone, scared and running for his life. I can't imagine what that would be like for me as an adult do you know what that must have felt like for a two year old child?"

"No I can't. But you have to hold me accountable on some level Chris"

"No I don't. I love you and I know that if it weren't for them and what they did to you, well him, that we would have had a great relationship. I mean not that we didn't sometimes but things would just be, different. Am I making any sense?"

"Actually, yeah you do. I love you too Chris and I know… Deep down you have to hate me Chris, or at lest be a little jealous of me. After all I am the twice blessed son and the keeper of both Mom's and Dad's affections"

"What!" Chris snapped back in response as he spun around to come face to face with Wyatt, HIS WYATT.

"What the hell is going on?" the boy questioned as his own fear threatened to paralyze him.

Barbus: There is no way to save him Chris. Your brother is evil, he always has been always will be.

"Chris, are you ok?" the real version of his brother called out as he took in the boy's panicked state. "Chris, bro, talk to me, please"

"That's right Chris not only did Mom and Dad love me best but I'm also more powerful then you. So tell me little brother, how does it feel to know that you will never measure up to me? How does it feel to know that you've the reason our parents are so miserable" evil Wyatt spoke as ascended upon the frightened boy.

"Go to hell Wyatt!"

The distant and far away look in the boy's eyes told his brother all he needed to know.

"Don't listen to him Chris, it's Barbus, it's just an illusion. Come back to me Chris, please" the man pleaded with his sibling while trying to sense the demons exact location.

"Oh what's the matter CHRISTINE, did I hit a nerve? Does it hurt to know how much your own family hates you, how they wish you were never born" the fake Wyatt continued to taunt him.

"No you're just showing me how pathetic you really are. First you come here saving me and pretending to be my friend only to do what Wyatt? Get close enough so you can take me back to the future and torture me. No, I won't let you, I'll kill you first" the boy yelled as he used his telekinesis to throw the real Wyatt several feet back hitting his head hard as it made contact with the floor.

"Chris please, I'm not him. I love you and I want to take you home to a happy future. One where we're best friends and Mom and Dad are still alive and together" the man said sending a energy ball near his brother hoping to hit the demon, unfortunately for him the younger boy saw it as an attack.

"Do you really think you can stop me Chris?" the man laughed as he rose to his feet.

"Chris, please don't make me hurt you, it's me Wyatt, the good one, the brother that save your life. Come on bro, snap out of it" the older sibling cried out as his younger brother advanced on him.

Downstairs

"What the hell was that?" the youngest Halliwell sister questioned as she turned her gaze upwards.

"Wyatt! Chris!" their father yelled as he made a dash for the stairs with the sisters hot on his trail.

Attic

"Chris please don't listen to him" the older man said trying desperately not to hurt his brother as he formed an energy ball in his hands now sensing the location of the demon.

"Come on little brother show me what you're made of, I dare you!"

"With pleasure" Chris spoke as he released an energy ball of his own at the same time his brother did.

Both of the balls of death made contact with their targets as the rest of the Halliwell's made their way into the attic.

"NO!" the mother of the dueling brothers screamed as her oldest son's body hit the floor just as the demons hold on his brother's psyche broke.

Quickly flicking her hands Piper gestured to blow the demon up but only managing to injure him as Chris grabbed the potion vial and threw it in his direction. Unfortunately the demon was too fast for the boy and was able to flame away as the vial crashed against the wooden floor.

"Wyatt" Chris whispered as he and the rest of his family turned their attention back to his brother's lifeless form.

"I didn't mean too, I…" the boy spoke as tears fell from his eyes.

"It's okay Chris, it wasn't your fault" his aunt Paige spoke as led him over to the couch allowing her brother in law enough space to work on his son.

"Come on sweetie wake up" Piper pleaded with her son as she held his hand tightly.

"Leo, why is it taking so long? Why hasn't he woken up yet?" the middle sister questioned.

"Leo" his wife whispered as he looked up with sorrow evident in his eyes.

"No, no, don't you say it, don't you dare tell me that my son is dead" Piper Halliwell yelled out as the room fell silent.