Paige gave a sigh of relief as she watched Leo rush to heal his fallen son. This night was really taking a toll on her nerves and she didn't know how much more she could stand.
She wanted it to end…quickly.
Glancing over at the still unconscious Cole, her mouth formed a slight frown. She knew that the man would snap again one day….she could remember all of those times he had tried to get rid of her when they first met…he had even altered reality to ensure that she wouldn't interfere with his relationship with Phoebe. Paige had been happy to see him vanquished and unbelievably angry when he had managed to return yet again. Evidently, they hadn't really killed him in the first place- she had just thought that they had.
He had come waltzing back into their lives and despite her suspicions Phoebe was convinced that he had changed for good this time…AND that he was the rightful father of the daughter she had foreseen. Paige had trusted him too eventually…
But tonight he had shown his true nature once again and she knew that it had been a mistake to ever let him come back…
"Thanks dad." She heard Wyatt muttered as Leo helped him off the floor.
Paige smiled slightly. At least something had worked out that night.
She didn't know what she would do if one of her nephews had been seriously hurt…
It was something that she would rather not ponder.
"We need a plan." she said matter of factly, turning to face Leo and Wyatt. "We need to vanquish that demon's sorry ass."
The both nodded in agreement, but neither seemed to have any useful suggestions. Not that she could really blame the- Wyatt was still pale and weak form the poison and Leo was recovering from the shock of his sons near death experience.
"What about the potions?" another voice cut in.
Emily quickly ran over to them, her eyes wide with alarm. "Phoebe's holding the demon off for now, but she can't last forever."
Paige was slightly confused by the remark…hadn't Phoebe been working with the demon? But she managed to nod in agreement. "Good idea."
"We tried one." Leo stated sadly. "It didn't do too much."
"Well, then we'll just use them to weaken him." Paige replied, glancing over at her brother in law. "And we'll follow it up with a spell…I think I have the perfect one…"
"I can hold him off with my power to buy some time." Emily added helpfully, wanting to do anything she could to end the fight.
Paige smile. "Perfect. Leo- go get the crystals to trap Cole in case he wakes up. I'm going to go to Piper, I'll need her help if this is going to work."
And with that, the witch-whitelighter took off in her oldest sister's direction, hoping desperately that their attack would be a success…
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"You broke the deal!" Phoebe shouted as she delivered yet another kick directly into the demon's gut. Her fighting skills had only gotten better over the years, and the demon was already doubled over in pain and bleeding in several places.
"You said you wouldn't hurt her!" she yelled, kicking again. "She wasn't one of the targets!"
She felt nothing but rage pulsing through her as she attacked the pitiful creature. Things were so clear now- clearer then they had been all night. Seeing Piper trapped by the demon had brought her back to reality and she suddenly knew that family- her entire family- was all that mattered.
She didn't want any of them hurt- she never really had.
Her love for her sister had brought her back, and reminded her of the love she held for not only Piper, but everyone else. She only hoped that one day, they could forgive her for all that she had done…believe that she truly was on their side….
…the side of good.
Killing this demon was certainly a good way to prove where her loyalties lie.
She punched him right between the eyes and smiled slightly at the sound of his skull beginning to crack. She noticed the small spray of blood that now covered her front, but she didn't care…she wanted him dead…he had tried to kill Piper…
With another yell, she kicked him again and watched in satisfaction as he finally sunk down to the floor, his eyes clouded over in pain.
She quickly turned around, and was relived to see Piper standing a few feet behind her.
"You're okay." The middle Charmed one said quietly as they locked identical sets of brown eyes. "Piper, I'm so sorry…"
But before she could finish her apology, the saw fear cross Piper's face. "Phoebe look out!" she shouted, clearly alarmed by something behind her. Without hesitation, Phoebe dove to the side, scarcely avoiding a fire ball the slowly recovering Demetrius had flung at her during her distraction.
The fireball hit the wall and fizzled out harmlessly.
"You can't kill him like that Phoebe." She heard Piper whisper as she ran over to help her back to her feet. "We've tried…he's too strong."
The demon gave a cool laugh, and began advancing on the two sisters. "That's right witch, I am to strong." He paused and summoned up another fireball "All deals are off now-I'm going to kill you both. I'll have the heads of all three charmed ones to prove my power."
He fired the weapon directly at them, but with a flick of her wrists Piper managed to freeze it before it could hit its targets. The two stared at the static flame for a second; unsure of what to do- they needed to redirect it somehow…they needed…
"Fireball!" A voice behind them called.
Paige came running in their direction and she swiftly sent the demons attack straight back at him before the freeze could wear off.
"Good timing." Phoebe noted, giving her little sister a brief smile.
Paige didn't smile back and remained focused on the attack. She redirected two more fireballs into the wall and orbed three bottles of the potion they had made into her hand.
"Here." She said quickly passing them to her sisters. "We have a plan."
"We…?" Piper began to question what Paige meant, but her query was soon answered.
She saw Emily pop out from behind the attics couch and make a wild gesture with her hands. Demetrius was suddenly engulfed in a ripple of sweltering heat and he shouted in pain as his skin began to blister and burn.
"Throw the potions." Paige instructed, and her sisters quickly did as they were told.
The demon cried out again and fell to his knees…he was growing weaker by the second…
Piper almost had to cover hear ears as he suddenly let out a spine tingling scream which echoed though the small attic.
"Repeat after me!" she heard Paige shout, despite the annoying ringing in her ears. "Vanquish, we the witches cry. One final shock and then you die."
Piper grabbed onto her little sisters hand and recited the spell again. "Vanquish, we the witches cry. One final shock and then you die."
Demetrius screamed again, and his body slowly began to glow a murky red.
"Vanquish, we the witches cry. One final shock and then you die." Phoebe joined in the chant and Piper reached for her hand as well.
They were together and strong once again.
The power of three was united…
"Vanquish, we the witches cry. One final shock and then you die."
Piper heard more voices join in the spell as they repeated it a fourth time. She could see Chris, Jenny and Mel running up behind them…she could hear Wyatt and Emily across the room chanting too…
"Vanquish, we the witches cry. One final shock and then you die."
The eight voices chorused through the room and the red glow grew stronger by the second. Their voices were full of determination…their minds were focused on their task…
As Piper recited the spell one final time, she was suddenly overwhelmed with an immense joy. Her family was together again…her sisters were together again…everything was going to be alright.
"Vanquish, we the witches cry. One final shock and then you die!"
Demetrius' mangled body burst into a bright flames and he gave a final scream of anguish. Red light illuminated the room, temporarily blinding all of its inhabitants, before abruptly fading away.
A blissful silence filled the attic, and as Piper's vision cleared, she could see that a large scorch mark was all that remained of the demon. She could not help but smile widely as she looked down at it.
This horrible night was finally over…
The demon was gone…
The family was together…
Things could go back to normal.
Feeling extremely relieved, Piper turned around to see Chris standing directly in front of her and she swiftly enveloped him in a tight hug. But she realized only a second later that something wasn't right.
Her smile slowly faded and her eyes widened as she took a step back and looked directly at her son.
"Mom?" he asked, his green eyes full of worry as he too realized the problem. "Why do I still have wings?"
Maybe it wasn't over after all…
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A/N Muahaha. So, did you like it? I'm rather fond of the second part actually. Sorry that it's a bit short, that seemed like the natural ending to the chapter. If it wasn't clear, 'the scream' Chris Mel and Jenny heard was the demon's scream, and them running up to help with the vanquish is what they did directly after the events in chapter 11 (sorry, confusing again). And no, I couldn't let it end that easily…killing Demetrius didn't reverse the spell:) They still have a bit of a problem to sort out, lol…
PLEASE REVIEW (and then I shall write more)
Leigh
I can't believe all of the reviews for the last chapter! Thanks so much guys!
Phoenix5143- You're brilliant, astonishing, marvellous…etc! Thank you SO MUCH for another wonderful review. I'm so happy you like the story so much!
The-Cheese-Fairy-Awww, that was such a great review! Thanks so much. Happy that you liked the Paige/Cole grudge- added a bit more in this chapter- just for you;)
charmed1s-halliwells-I'm sorry that the story got a bit confusing, but I swear it will be a lot simpler from now on. Thanks for reviewing, glad you like it anyway!
Alyssa Halliwell- Yes, I think Phoebe is partially redeemed now, lol. "Yay for Wyatt hurting Cole"? Aww, I like Cole…don't expect much more Cole bashing;)
IcantthinkofaFnick-The end is in sight…but there should be a few more chapters yet…never fear…less action though. This was the climax. I do want to end it before the next charmed episode airs in April…if you've read the spoilers, you'll know why:( Thanks for the review!
foureverCharmed- Thanks! Glad you liked the Piper part!
phoebe turner- lol, that was rather enthusiastic. Thanks again.
Midnight murderer- Thanks for the review! Glad you like it:)
ilovedrew88- So happy that you didn't find it confusing! Thanks for another great review!
chattypandagurl- Not too long of a wait this time…don't hate me:)