"Attack them now, before they have more time to prepare." Phoebe urged the eager young darklighter.
It had not been long since her appearance in the underworld and she, along with Mel and Cole, had managed to locate the darklighter among the crowd of various demons. Interestingly, it seemed that the strange spell had affected him too- the creature that stood before her had a large pair of jet black feathered wings- similar to those she had seen on Chris, Leo and Paige with the exception of the colour.
A slow grin spread across the darklighter's face as he thought over what he had just been told. "Yes. If I am able to breech the manor as you have told me too, then I shall easily be able to eliminate them all."
"Excellent." The woman replied, her eyes glinting maliciously. With her arrival in the underworld had come an even stronger desire to eliminate the 'good' that had seeped into her family over the years. She wanted them dead. Gone.
Except for Piper…
Piper had always been there for her- they had experienced so much together- both as they grew up and as they developed as the Charmed ones.
She did not want Piper hurt.
She wanted her at her side so that she too could experience the great sense of freedom that Phoebe was experiencing now.
Paige was worthless; a poor substitute for Prue.
Leo had always been hopelessly diluted by his stupid sense of morality.
Wyatt and Chris were too much like their father to be of any use…
Piper was the only one worth saving…the only one who deserved to live.
"Go. Now." Phoebe stated coolly, addressing the darklighter. "Kill the whitelighters and bring the witch back to me."
Without another moment's hesitation the creature orbed out in a swirl of darkness, ready to complete the task that his kind had dreamed of for years; killing the half breed Charmed one, the half breed progenies, and the whitelighter that always protected them all…
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"Darklighter!" Paige's voce screamed again as Wyatt and Piper appeared in the manor's living room.
Piper felt her heart rate increase wildly as she took a moment to survey the scene before her.
Leo lay unconscious and bloodied on the floor, a deadly arrow protruding from his chest.
Chris was cowering behind the couch and a frantic Paige continually orbed to random spots around the room between her cries for help.
It seemed strange that neither showed any intention of actually fighting back…
"Hey." Piper yelled, instantly jumping back to reality. She had learned many years ago that even a few seconds could make all the difference when dealing with demonic attacks.
The darklighter turned around to face her, his eyes full of premature triumph. "I'm not here to harm you, witch." He stated "I'm here for the rest of them."
The creature raised his bow again and this time aimed it at Wyatt who had not moved since entering the room.
"No!" Piper cried with a frenzied wave of her hands. Unfortunately, she did not manage to strike the darklighter himself, but she did blast the weapon out of his hands. The bow flung across the room, landing with a loud thud a few inches away from Chris.
The darklighter tried to make a dash for it but she managed to freeze him before he could take more than two steps.
"Who sent you?" she demanded, her eyes narrowed dangerously. She was not one to be messed with when her family's welfare was threatened. "Tell me now or I'll blast you to pieces."
The darklighter hesitated slightly before giving in. "A…a witch I think…down in the underworld, with two demons. She said if I attacked now I could get rid of the whitelighters…"
Piper's heart sunk as her fears were confirmed.
Phoebe had done it…Phoebe wanted her family dead.
Something was seriously wrong- she knew that deep down; her sister would never betray them like this.
At least, she didn't think so…
Piper gave a loud sigh and, knowing that she had received all of the information she needed, she blew the darklighter into tiny bits with a flick of her hands.
"That will teach you." She muttered under her breath as she stared down at the slight scorch mark that remained on the floor. It felt good to get out some of her aggression after this terribly stressful and confusing night.
"Mom." Chris said from across the room as he stood up and moved out of his hiding place. "You need to help dad. Get the arrow out, I'll heal him."
Piper's attention instantly turned towards her husband as she rushed over to his side. For the second time that day, she pulled out the darklighter's arrow, hoping that there was still enough time left to save him. He was still breathing- that was always a good sign.
She moved aside as Chris slowly healed his father and gave a sigh of relief as Leo sat back up. "Piper. Chris." He whispered, his eyes still unfocused. "Is everyone alright?"
"Everyone's fine." Piper replied, pulling him into a gentle embrace. "Stressed out, but still fine."
"Phoebe sent him." Paige said with a hint of bitterness from across the room. "This is all her fault…I really think we need a vanquishing potion- Cole is obviously having an even worse impact on her now."
Groaning inwardly, Piper stood back up and turned to face her youngest sister. It seemed that Wyatt was right; the spell was affecting Paige mentally as well as physically. The whitelighter in her wanted to see Cole- and all demons for that matter- dead.
"We're not vanquishing him." Piper stated, folding her arms across her chest. "And I know that you don't really mean that- you're being influenced by the spell."
Paige scoffed. "I am not! I've never seen things so clearly. It's simple. Demons are bad and it's up to witches to get rid of them- without exception. There is no such thing as a good demon and-"
"Paige." Piper cut in with exasperation. "Something IS happening to you. You're not seeing clearly, you're seeing like a whitelighter, which, sometimes, have a very biased view of the world. You're picking up their characteristics…think about it…" she glanced briefly at Leo and Chris before continuing. "Why didn't you fight back against the darklighter?"
There was a short pause.
"Because…" Paige began slowly. "I…I don't want to fight."
"Me neither." Chris stated thoughtfully. "It was strange…it was there, right in front of me, but I just couldn't bring myself to use any destructive powers."
Piper nodded slowly, having proven her point.
"Exactly." She said quietly. "Aside from showing your true physical form, this spell had brought out your true nature as well. You just have to fight it…we're going to find a way to reverse the spell…everything will go back to normal and we'll all be one big happy family again."
She could not keep the apprehension out of her voice as she spoke; as the hours ticked by, it was beginning to seem less and less likely that they would all be reunited.
She hoped that it wasn't already too late to reverse the damage that had been done.
Could she ever really forgive Phoebe for wanting to kill her husband and sons?
"Now," she continued, not wanting to hear anymore argument. "I want all of you to go to the dining room. We're going to set up crystals to keep you safe, and I'm going to clean up this mess." She glanced down at the cross bow and bloodied arrow that lay on the wooden floor.
"But Mom-" Chris began to protest. Piper held up a hand to silence him.
"No buts, Christopher." She said, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Phoebe could send more darklighters- you're all very venerable right now."
"I'm still going to get her." Wyatt cut in from behind her. "I've taken the blocking potion- no one will know what I am. I'll get Phoebe back here and we'll reverse whatever curse she's under."
"You're not going, Wyatt. It isn't safe…" Piper protested, her motherly instincts not wanting her precious little boy put in any danger.
Wyatt, however, refused to be swayed. He, like both of his parents, was undeniably stubborn. "I'm going." He stated once again, before orbing out in a swirl of blue and giving his mother no further time for protest.
Piper resisted the urge to cry out as she watched her oldest son leave. She felt so helpless…he was heading into danger, and there was nothing she could do.
Somewhere inside of her, however, she knew that this was the only way. They needed the power of three…they needed Phoebe back. Soon. And Wyatt was the only one capable of getting her.
All she could do now was hope for the best and protect the rest of the family. "Alright." She muttered. "You three, in the dining room. Do not even think about getting close to that cross bow."
Knowing that it was best just to obey Piper when she was in one of her moods, Leo, Chris and Paige reluctantly did as they were told.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wyatt appeared in a hidden alcove of the main chamber, unseen and unsensed by the surrounding demons.
He wanted to get this done quickly. He would find Phoebe, grab her and orb her out before anyone had time to stop him.
It really wouldn't be too hard.
His mother had no reason to worry.
Focusing briefly, he sensed her presence to his left and slowly began moving in the right direction. Surprise was an important element to his plan; if he was seen by Mel, Cole or Phoebe then he would be in serious trouble. The rest of the demons may have been unable to detect his true identity due to the potion, but his family knew what he was…and how to kill him.
He had to catch them unawares.
He made his way around a small group of brute demons and tried not to notice the strange looks they gave him. He realized suddenly that he still looked rather out of place down there; ugly and very inhuman looking demons filled that cave- their twisted features a contrast to his unaltered ones.
'Get Phoebe. Get out.' His mind screamed as he continued his trek.
The sooner, the better.
He could feel that he was approaching.
He was getting close.
But before he could reach her, a flash of light filled the room, distracting his attention, before fading out just as abruptly as it had appeared.
A large figure had appeared out of the flash; standing on a raised podium…he was evidently a demon of some importance.
"Friends." His loud voice boomed from the front of the chamber. "So glad that you could join me."
Wyatt, along with almost every demon in the room turned towards the strange new arrival. He was a large and brutish looking demon; probably an upper level one with a significant amount of power.
Wyatt could not help but wonder what he was up to…perhaps he was the one responsible for this entire mess…
"It has been so long since some of you have visited the underworld- your true home." The demon continued with a slight smirk. "Many of you have hid among the humans…trying to ignore your inner desires. Those days are over, my friends- no longer will we hide ourselves. We will rise up- show the humans who their superiors are- and roam the earth as ourselves…doing as we please."
The loud buzz of many conversations filled the room and the confused demons tried to absorb what had been said. Many seemed as if they were still disoriented from the night's events- from being abruptly torn from the new normalcy they had established.
"That is a right which belongs to us…we are meant to rule over the weak."
Wyatt could hardly believe what he was hearing…he had had no previous knowledge of a new and powerful demon with such plans…usually, he and the rest of the family knew about and eliminated threats before they became too serious.
The sound of clapping and cheering filled the room.
The demon was winning the crowd over easily.
Wyatt began to look around frantically, he knew that he had to complete his task even more quickly now. He needed to get back and warn the family before it was too late…
Phoebe.
He spotted her suddenly…with two demons that could only be Cole and Mel.
The young witch-whitelighter began to push through the crowds, his blue eyes set on his ultimate goal. The demon continued to speak, but the words did not register in his brain…he was much too distracted to pay them any notice.
He had not taken more than a few steps, however, when he felt a familiar sensation overcome him…it was the sensation he felt every time his shield was about to go up.
A sickening fear filled him. This was the worst possible time for this to happen…the sight of the blue glowing force field would attract more than a few demons in his direction.
Focusing hard, he managed to keep it down, but he could not help but wonder why it had tried to go up in the first place…there must have been some significant danger around…
His fear intensified as he suddenly realized what had caused it…
It was the grey mist.
The same type that had resulted in chaos at the manor earlier that day was making its way through the chamber.
It was too late to stop it now- he had been hit this time- he knew it.
He could feel it.
The world was beginning to become fuzzy. He needed to get out of there.
Now.
A demon to his left noticed his sudden pain. There was something oddly familiar about her…
"Whitelighter." She shrieked, her spiteful voice pounding painfully in his head. "There's a whitelighter over here."
The demons turned in his direction.
He was in serious trouble now…
Focusing his last ounce of strength, Wyatt forced himself to orb, hoping desperately that he managed to make it all the way back to the manor.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chris sat, pouting, at on one of the dining room chairs. Wyatt had left fifteen minutes ago and he was still bitter that he had not been able to go too. He loved going on missions with his brother…but tonight, his stupid wings had prevented his participation.
Deep down, he knew it was probably for the best. As his mother had pointed out, his changes that night where not simply physical; he found himself fighting an internal battle too. Part of him wanted to be in the underworld with Wyatt…but the other part could not stand the thought…that part wanted to find a peaceful solution to the problem…
If he was put in a battle situation, he wasn't sure how he would react. Maybe he would fight- maybe he wouldn't…
Quite frankly, he didn't want to find out.
His thoughts fluttered briefly to the events earlier on that night. In all of the chaos, he had almost forgotten about the dance. He wasn't sure if he could ever show himself at school again, now that everyone knew he was far from normal…
Most days, he didn't really hate what he was- and some days he even thought that being a witch-whitelighter was sort of cool…but today, he wished more than anything that he was like everyone else. This spell had harshly reminded him of just how different he really was. He had always found some comfort in the fact that at least he looked human, but tonight he had discovered that this had been a false assumption.
He wasn't really human- he never had been.
He was an angel, and in his 'true form' he had white feathered wings- just like those that people had depicted for centuries…
Could he ever really remain a part of regular society?
Could he have regular friends?
…Jenny.
His mind was instantly filled with the lovely image of the girl he had loved for so long. The girl he had always found it so easy to relate to. She was wonderful, and beautiful and perfect…but he should never have brought her to the dance. She knew his secret now…she'd hate him…fear him.
She had seen him blow up into a mass of orbs at the hands of his demonic cousin…he had left her at the dance…confused and alone…
There was no chance they could ever be together now.
"Chris? What's wrong?" his father asked, his voice laced with concern as he noticed his son's grim face.
Chris considered telling the truth- explaining that he felt like a freak and that he had ruined all of his chances of normalcy.
It was all his father's fault...he was the reason Chris had been born this way… but the boy did not feel that this was the right time to discuss these issues.
"Nothing." He replied quietly.
Leo sighed, unconvinced, and took a seat across from his son. "Chris, I know that this is hard on you…and I know that I probably should have told you about these things sooner but…"
He trailed off and his eyes filled with a sudden fear.
Seconds later, Chris understood why.
Wyatt.
Wyatt was out of the underworld, but he was till in trouble…
"No," Chris whispered as he stood up abruptly and tore out of the room.
"What's going on?" Piper asked as her youngest son passed by. "You're supposed to stay in the other room."
Chris, however, ignored his mother and did not stop until he had reached the closet. Wyatt needed help and he was going to provide it.
Yanking open the door, Chris grabbed his father's large brown coat and hastily put it on to cover up his wings.
"Chris, where-" Piper began again, but before she could finish the boy dissolved into a swirl of blue, thinking of nothing else but saving his brother…
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wyatt rolled over with a groan. He could feel the rough pavement against his chest and he was suddenly very aware that he did not seem to be wearing a shirt.
His head was still spinning and it took him several seconds to remember what had just happened. The underworld…Phoebe…
Wyatt's heart began to pound wildly as it slowly came together…he had orbed away from the demons, but he had obviously not made it back to the manor. As his eye sight cleared, he could see that he was lying face down on a side walk…and that a small horde of people had surrounded him. They were all watching him…with a combination of awe, curiosity and apprehension.
The spell…
He had been hit by it down in the underworld, and that could only mean one thing…
A quick reach towards his back confirmed that his suspicions were indeed correct. His shield had not been there to protect him this time; now, he had wings too. And to make matters much worse, he had ended up in a public area where a whole bunch of people had seemingly discovered him and were now continuing to gawk.
He wanted nothing more than to orb away, but he knew that exposing more magic was not wise and, much to his displeasure knew that he was still too weak anyway. He would just have to do his best to deal the situation and get away as soon as possible.
Slowly, and somewhat painfully, Wyatt forced himself to his feet. The crowd had begun to mummer now that he had regained hic consciousness.
"Did you fall down from the heavens?" A young girl asked suddenly, her blue eyes wide with awe.
Wyatt sighed. "Um, not exactly."
"But…you are a real angel…" she persisted. Everyone else grew quiet, anxious for an answer to that very question.
"No…" he began quietly, searching for a good explanation. "It's just a costume…now if you'll excuse me- ouch!"
He stopped mid sentence as he felt a sharp pain near the base of his left wing. Turing around, he could see that a man had stepped forward and pulled out one of the feathers. "They're real, he is and angel." The man decaled somewhat triumphantly.
Wyatt sighed, wishing that mortals were not so aggressive…he did not appreciate being stared at like some sort of freak; even though he knew he was one…
"Are you here to save us from the bad things, angel?" the little girl asked, not taking her eyes off of him.
He realized that she meant the demons which had suddenly been forced to show themselves all over the city. Deciding that it was best just to give in and tell them what they wanted to hear, he gave a slow nod. "Yes, that's my job. I fight bad things everyday." He paused. "Now I suggest that you all go back home…it's not safe out here tonight."
Nobody moved.
'Great.' Wyatt thought to himself with annoyance. 'They all just want to stand here and stare at me…this can't possibly get any worse.'
But he had thought too soon.
Bright blue lights began to appear beside him and before the figure even materialized Wyatt knew who it was. Chris should have known to stay at the manor…his brother really was an idiot sometimes.
"Wy, I sensed that you needed help." Chris began frantically before, looking at his brother in concern.
Wyatt sighed. "Yeah, well, now we both do." He muttered.
The younger brother looked up and took in his surroundings with apparent shock. The awestruck crowd was even more enthralled than they had been before.
Chris swore under his breath as his eyes grew wide.
"Are you an angel too?" someone asked.
"He must be." Someone else replied. "Didn't you see how he got here?"
Before Chris managed to bring himself out of his stunned state, the same man that had pulled out Wyatt's feather managed to yank the large brown coat off of the younger Halliwell's shoulders.
The crowd gasped and Chris blushed bright red with embarrassment.
"Two angels." The little girl squeaked. "We have two angels to save us."
Wyatt rolled his eyes, feeling annoyed more than anything. "Nice going genius." He muttered to his brother. "How are you going to get us out of this one?"
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A/N Sorry for another long wait…I was actually planning to wait longer, but then, lucky for you, I got writers block on my other story. Hope this wasn't too confusing…and yes, I do realize that there are possible ways for the characters to escape situations that I have ignored, but if I don't then there would be no plot. Hope you enjoyed it. PLEASE REVIEW!!!
alienangel19852003- Thanks for the reviews, glad you've been enjoying it!
Traci- Sorry for the wait. Thanks again!
lemu91- Thank you!!
phoebe turner- I think you're "great!amazing!wonderful" As for your question about Phoebe…the spell in the last chapter cast by Mel is what was responsible for her evilness.
Phoenix5143- Well, I think this was a bit less time between updates. SOOO glad that you like it, and sorry that it's been taking me awhile. Thanks for a great review!
Cornett- I think this chapter answers your Wyatt shield question, lol
Alyssa Halliwell- Happy that you liked it, thanks for reviewing!