32 TFB: An Honesty Candle Catharsis

"But I see in you what I see in myself/Written in the marrow of my bones…"

-Kimbra, song "Human"

7 pm, One Weekend Later, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

After a meal of roast chicken, steak frites, and mushy peas (Harry's personal favorite), both sets of Charmed Ones and their families reconvened in the living room to strategize further. Their simulated attempt earlier that day of vanquishing Portender and the four flame minions had been fruitless, mostly due to the lack of fire-resistance.

Paige's phone suddenly buzzed, its ringtone The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now," as she unlocked her phone. "Sorry guys, I gotta take this," as she orbed to the backyard garden.

"We've got every weapon in our arsenal," Maggie remarked, "but it's no use if we get melted every time—"

"Yeah, Aunt Maggie's right," Matilda chimed in. "Aunt Mel, isn't there a potion or something for this?" Mel shook her head.

"I wish there were, but fire is not a typical substance we deal with—that's mostly an "evil creature" thing. We on the other hand, deal with sparkles, green glows, smoky…" Mel sighed. "If only…" And where on earth was Macy?

7:02 pm, Vera Manor Garden, Seattle, Washington

Paige's eyes bugged out. "Rose did WHAT on Twitter?" she shrieked. "What the fork does that even mean—" she rolled her eyes. Media broadcast standards still following her, even after all these years. "Ok, Jennie, how much damage control do I need to do?" Paige listened to a stream of consoling words that flew a mile a minute as she alternated between nodding her head and inserting a word here and there. She always made an effort to travel between alternate universes; her Whitelighter-witch duality often meant she was shepherded, however reluctantly, into various forms of diplomacy. "When do you need me?" Paige paused and listened. "Now? But I'm in the middle of—" more words ensued, "I know—ok fine—I'll be there ASAP—" she ended the conversation, and screamed in sheer frustration—

"Everything ok there?" Paige whirled around. Macy.

"Um—just life—complications—" Paige managed to reply. How long had Macy been eavesdropping?

As if Macy read her mind, she replied, "I won't tell a soul. Also, I come bearing gifts," indicating a large duffel bag next to her. "Help me bring them in?" Paige nodded and reached for one of the duffel bag's straps as Macy reached for the other, orbing directly into the living room.

7:07 pm, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

"From Nedra," Macy told Harry by way of explanation. "Fire-proof full-body suits—" she held one silvery, reflective spandex-like number, which shone, sparkling, glitterati-like.

"Ooooh, they're pretty!" Phoebe squealed, as Piper frowned.

"Macy, how do we know these work?" she inquired.

"They're from a trusted friend who tested its use—" Macy began.

"On herself, might I add," interjected Harry.

"Oh. Oh my," Piper breathed. "Ok then."

"I suggest we each grab a suit, put it on, then meet back here in ten minutes. Capiche?" Jordan made eye contact with every single member present.

7:20 pm, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

Everyone returned wearing a sparkling coverall suit, exclaiming over its comfortable fit and the sleek embedded soles under one's feet. "Everyone good?" Jordan called out, wearing a full-body suit of his own; all responded in the affirmative as Harry put a hand over the simulation crystal once more.

7:21 pm, Simulation #10, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

Instead of flames, grey snow-capped mountain peaks rose high above them as they stared in awe of the magnificent splendor, though realizing this was likely a psychological distraction to keep them from their mission. Macy silently gestured, causing the mountains to swiftly collapse, crumbling inward upon itself as the entourage jumped for cover—

And then they found themselves tumbling back into Vera Manor's attic, lit with roaring flames along the windowsill, as Mel gasped in horror. The surviving oldest of the former Charmed Ones was in a large birdcage-like iron prison and was none too thrilled about it. "Let's get this straight. You guys summoned me to a cage where my powers don't work, so we can all die together?" Piper shouted indignantly, as Paige and Phoebe ran to her side to attempt various enchantments to free her.

"It's a ruse!" Wyatt screamed, as the four minions and the Portender slammed open the attic door. "Everyone to their places!"

Maggie began her pathokinesis toward the three flame minions (A, B, C, D), two of which (C and D) began viciously pummeling each other while B attacked A, distracting A enough so that Matilda could successfully vanquish it. One down, three to go. Macy employed telekinesis to obstruct the Portender's path, aided by Paige at turns. At this point, Mel began inserting herself near Jordan, sprinkling a mixture of powders and potions to confuse the opposing forces while Paige telekinetically stripped all of the minions' weapons, tossing them to both sets of the Charmed Ones. B was soon vanquished, while C and D continued to fight each other to the death. Matilda snuck up on both and successfully ended them, leaving just one more. The Portender. Who apparently had enough power to turn into a blue-colored flame when provoked. Matilda made to immobilize him, but her powers, having long since been depleted, were of no use—

7:31 pm, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

"Ten minutes! And—time," Harry called out, retrieving his phone's stopwatch. "I have to say, that's certainly an improvement from earlier," he remarked referencing their nine prior failed simulation attempts that involved early incineration. "What have we learned this time around?" He peered around the room, surveying the huddled mass of people clutching their foreheads in pain.

"I hate cages," Piper muttered, as Macy resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Right then," Harry paused. "Anything else?"

"Nedra's suits really work—" Phoebe and Paige chimed in. Harry beamed.

"Was hoping that would be the case—" replied Harry.

"This is kinda like contact sports—" Jordan started.

"Bingo!" exclaimed Harry. "This entire setup reads like an American football match—or what I imagine one to be," he said.

"So basically, we have to keep an eye on the opposing team, tail them, drive 'em nuts?" Jordan asked.

"Exactly."

7:45 pm, Living Room, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

"But what about the Portender?" Mel spoke up. "We defeated four minions but fell to the Portender—"

"Ah, but that's easy," replied Harry.

"In what sense?" Matilda frowned, her brow furrowed. "I used up all my energy by the time we got to him, we're basically sitting ducks—"

"That's where Phoebe and Piper come in, isn't it?" Wyatt interjected. "The dual power of three, right?"

"You might give Maggie a run for her money, because you just read my mind," Harry grinned as he threw a corny joke, much to the groans of all present. "I would recommend, besides leveraging the dual power of three for the Portender, that Phoebe use her precognition skills pre-attack so we're not caught—ahem—unawares," he pointedly glanced in Piper's direction. "I doubt we'd be able to kill the Portender if a third of the original Charmed Ones is in an enchanted birdcage."

"But that's not fair!" Piper indignantly cried out. "Pre-simulation, I was totally ready to meet the monster—how's it my fault I got locked up before I got in the game?"

"A simple invisibility potion could've avoided that," Harry answered. "I'd suggest you get the recipe from Mel. She knows a thing or two about covert surveillance." Burn.

Piper crossed her arms and grumbled something involving the word "men."

"Piper—look. You were born a Charmed One. We all were. And I think we better start learning to deal with that," Macy spoke finally, addressing Piper, Paige, Phoebe, and both of her sisters in turn.

"You don't think I know that?" Piper shouted. "I have to deal with these two," pointing at Phoebe and Paige both of whom expressed outrage, "as if that weren't hard enough—" as Paige threw her finished can of sparkling water at the wall in a fury, which bounced off and hit Phoebe in the face, igniting a full-on spar as the current Charmed Ones and their families stared in silence.

"ENOUGH!" Maggie bellowed, slamming her long, thin Empathic Staff on the floor, causing a reverberating echo that shook the overhead chandelier. "Book nook. NOW."

8 pm, Book Nook, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

Maggie lit a purple-glowing candle as Piper, Phoebe, and Paige sat around. "What's that?" asked Piper.

"An honesty candle," answered Maggie. "I'm a psychologist—it comes in handy in the work I do—"

"Therapy?" Phoebe blurted out. "Is this an intervention? This is nuts—this can't be happening, right? her eyes implored Maggie's, as Maggie nodded.

"I think it's time you three got your issues out in the open before we do anything involving open combat," Harry stated matter-of-factly, and the three seated witches fell silent.

"Everyone's going to go around and state their feelings," said Maggie. "Piper, what's bugging you?"

"This mission—having to deal with my sisters, in combat—again," Piper spat angrily.

"What about your sisters?" Maggie gently guided the conversation. "Piper and Paige, I mean—have they done something to offend?"

Piper was unused to such directness and paused. "N-no," she answered. "I guess…" she felt her tongue loosen. The honesty candle. "I'm angry that for all Phoebe's premonition powers, she couldn't save Andy. Or Prue."

Ok, we're getting somewhere, Maggie thought to herself, taking mental notes. "Anything else you'd like to add, Piper?"

"Paige. I don't hate her, she's really sweet, means well, but…" she hesitated, trying to iron out her thoughts. "She's not Prue," as a sob overtook her. "I'm so angry at Prue for leaving us—for leaving me as the responsible one. Paige…heaven knows she's tried, but…she's not Prue. I know it, and she knows it. Prue should be here too…it's not fair—" Piper began crying, unable to stop, as her sisters rubbed her back sympathetically.

"Phoebe, what about you?" Maggie continued, inquiring after the curly-haired witch with doe-like eyes.

"Piper drives me forking crazy with her neuroticism," Phoebe immediately answered as she felt an odd warmth prickling at her cerebral column. "Truth be told though…not gonna lie…I'm jealous of her too—" she paused as she gazed over at her sister Piper, still sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm jealous of her ability to freeze time and space—and here I am—a county fair thrill—spitting out fortunes that might or might not come true—"

"Oh, Phoebe," Piper lifted her head to glance over at her sister. "You know that's not true—your premonitions saved so many lives—"

"I know," murmured Phoebe. "But sometimes, I feel so…insignificant."

"And you, Paige?" Maggie arrived at the last original Charmed One. "What about you?"

Paige subconsciously twirled a lock of her auburn hair, now streaked with silver. "My persona across dimensions has been driving me batty recently, and there's nothing I can do about it. My attention's split across that and this Portender dude. And I feel…inferior. Because I know I'm not Prue," her lip quivered. "I've never met her, she sounds goddess-level amazing, and I feel like whatever I do, it'll never be enough, no matter how hard I try. If I could switch places, if that were even the slightest bit possible, I would, but—I can't. It's not possible. Prue's dead, and I've lived in her shadow for several decades," as a tear fell on her alabaster cheek, which she hastily wiped away. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "I've never really admitted that out loud. Ever."

"Paige, we're so sorry," the other two sisters crowded around their red-haired sister, hugging at turns as Macy covertly passed around a tissue box.

8:30 pm, Hidden Chamber Behind Book Nook, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

Just then, Maggie had a premonition—the open chamber—and fell back to reality a mere millisecond later. She motioned for the three to stand and each remove a book from the bookshelf in front of them. The moment Piper, Phoebe, and Paige had done so, a secret door caused the bookshelf to swing open, revealing a hidden chamber. "After you," she motioned the original Charmed Ones, who gaped in surprise.

"What is this place?" marveled Phoebe aloud.

"A place of weapons and…reckoning," Maggie casually remarked. "I'll be outside the bookshelf in case you need anything," she called out, as she closed the door behind her.

8:40 pm, Hidden Chamber, Vera Manor, Seattle, Washington

"What's supposed to happen?" muttered Piper to Phoebe and Paige. The two shrugged, then—suddenly—a beam of light shone in the chamber's center.

A glowing figure appeared, as they gasped aloud and began to tear up once more.

Prudence Halliwell.

"Sisters," her ethereal, holographic voice began, "these are terrible times. Disease and pestilence have, once again, overpowered the world as humanity seeks to achieve enlightenment in the most corrupt and immoral of ways." She surveyed their visages closely. "But you, along with the Charmed Ones whose house you entered, have the power to defeat evil and bring safety, health, and happiness to humanity once more. It's not easy. I know I'm not there—I wish with all my heart I were. You must defeat the forces of evil once more—do it for the power of three."

A second glowing figure appeared.

"I'm the mother of Macy, Mel, and Maggie, the current Charmed Ones," the beautiful dark-haired figure pronounced. "And I second Prue's statement, adding only two pieces. One, in the words of Pablo Neruda, "the darkest night is often the bridge to the brightest tomorrow." I have full faith and confidence in the dual power of three. Two, as I've often told my own daughters, you're better together, your differences are your strengths, and nothing is stronger than your sisterhood. Nurture that."

Piper, Phoebe, and Paige nodded silently as Marisol continued. "Even though this is a weapons chamber, I have no weapons to provide."

"The best and greatest weapon," added Prue, "is the bond of your sisterhood, in the battle between good and evil. Be the women I know you're meant to be. Make me proud?" she ended, and the three present assented. We will.

And just like that, the two figures vanished. The trio walked back up to the hidden door and exited the hidden chamber, wiser for the experience.