Chapter 6- A friend in need is a friend indeed
"Welcome to the first day of school I am Mr.s Kelly and I hope we all have an awesome year", Heavenly's fourth grade teacher announced. Heavenly, Kayla and Shaniah were in the same class. "If you were here last year raise your hand", Mr.s Kelly said, as majority of the class raised their hands. "Those who didn't attend our school last year you can introduce yourselves... let's start with you young lady", Mr.s Kelly said, as she pointed at a girl. "My name is Alison and I'm nine years old and I came from New Jersey", Alison introduced. "Welcome to our school Alison.. next person", Mr.s Kelly said. "Hi I'm Johnathan and I am originally from South Africa and I moved from Ohio", Johnathan introduced. "That's awesome welcome Johnathan and last but not least young lady", Mr.s Kelly said. "I'm Akita me and my family just moved from Egypt", Akita introduced. Akita was a beautiful little girl and she wore all sorts of jewellery, she had pure white hair and bright blue eyes. "Welcome Akita I hope you all have a wonderful time this year", Mr.s Kelly stated.
When it was recess time, some kids tried to befriend Akita as they thought that it was cool that she came from Egypt. "Are you like royalty or something?", Shaniah asked. "No", Akita replied. "Where did you get all these jewelries from?", Heavenly asked, she really wanted to be Akita's friend. "My grandmother bought it for me in Egypt", Akita stated. "They're so pretty", Heavenly said. "Thank you". "So what language do you speak?", Shaniah asked. "Arabic and English", Akita replied. "Cool can you say something in Arabic?", Heavenly asked. "What do you want me to say?", Akita asked. "Anything you want", Shaniah said. "Aeazz aisdiqa which means best friends", Akita said. "Yea we can totally be friends", Shaniah said, as Heavenly nodded in approval. "Well well well I see you are talking to the new girl", Kayla said, as she suddenly walked in with her friends Ava and Victoria. "We are best friends what's your problem?", Shaniah said. "Yeah go away and leave us alone", Heavenly said. "You think you are so cool?", Ava said. "I never said that you think we are cool that's why you bug us all the time", Heavenly said. "You are never ever going to be cool", Kayla laughed. "What ever", Heavenly said. "Why don't we all be friends?", Akita asked. "I will never be friends with her", Kayla stated. "Yea and me too", Ava said. "Me three", Victoria said. "Then go away", Shaniah said. "Not without Akita... come on Akita hang out with us we are the cool kids", Kayla said. "No thanks I like Heavenly and Shaniah better", Akita stated. "Why? they are the losers", Kayla insulted. "Stop it they are my friends", Akita said. "I guess there is another loser in town", Victoria said, as the mean girls laughed. "I see you have been looking in the mirror", Heavenly stated, as Shaniah and Akita laughed. "Let's go... and Akita you will regret this", Kayla stated. "She has already regretted seeing your face", Heavenly said, as Shaniah and Akita laughed, while Kayla and her friends walked away angrily. "You are on fire Heavenly", Shaniah praised. "I know", Heavenly said, as she playfully flipped her hair. "It's so fun to meet friends on the first day of school", Akita said. "Yea it's pretty awesome", Shaniah replied. "Can you come over to my house after school?", Heavenly asked Akita. "Why your house?", Shaniah asked. "Because my house is always fun", Heavenly said. "Well true that", Shaniah said. "I don't know I would have to ask my grandma", Akita said. "Do have any brothers and sisters?", Shaniah asked. "No... well used to I had an older sister but she died before I was even born", Akita shared. "I'm sorry", Heavenly said, giving Akita a comforting hug. "May her soul Rest in Peace", Shaniah said, also giving Akita a hug. "Thank you", Akita said."How old was she when she died?", Shaniah asked. "She was eight", Akita replied. "We can play tag", Shaniah suggested after a moment of silence. "What's tag?", Akita asked. "It's a game that you tap someone then they have to chase you", Heavenly explained. "Oh that's easy sure", Akita said. "Tag your it", Shaniah said, as she quickly tapped Heavenly on the shoulder and ran away with Akita.
After school Heavenly was waiting in front of the school with Akita, Nicole recently came and took Shaniah. "How long have you been here?", Heavenly asked. "umm I came here in June so that's 3 months", Akita replied. "Do you like it so far?", Heavenly asked. "Yes it has been alright but my mom hasn't been getting better", Akita said. "What happened to her?", Heavenly asked. "She is sort of sick I can't really explain it", Akita said. "Take her to the doctor", Heavenly said. "A doctor cannot help her she needs something else", Akita said. "Who do you think can help her?", Heavenly asked. "You won't understand", Akita said. "Maybe my mom and her sisters my aunties can help", Heavenly said, then she realized what she just said. "How?", Akita asked, but to Heavenly's relief Phoebe walked in. "Mommy", Heavenly said as she jumped into Phoebe's arms. "No way", Akita said. "Hello there... is everything alright?", Phoebe asked, in response to Akita's reaction. "Mom this is my friend Akita she came from Egypt", Heavenly introduced. "You are a charmed one right?", Akita asked, before Phoebe could say anything. "What?", Phoebe asked. "I know you I have read about you I thought it was just a story but you are real", Akita said. "What are you talking about?", Heavenly asked. "You don't need to fake it I am a witch too and I heard a lot of stories about the charmed ones", Akita said. "How do you know how we look?", Phoebe asked. "My grandmother's friend is a painter and she has a painting of the charmed ones", Akita explained. "Wow mom you're famous", Heavenly said. "And I need your help... you know how I told you my mom is sick?", Akita said to Heavenly. Heavenly nodded. "She's not really sick... she just turned into something and my grandma locked her in our house so she wouldn't hurt anyone", Akita shared. "Something?", Phoebe asked, as she touched Akita and was thrown into a premonition; In premonition she saw a woman with pure white hair and bright blue eyes, and she appeared to be a banshee, and she was giving birth and then a baby with pure white hair and blue eyes was shown and the premonition ended. "Mommy are you OK?", Heavenly asked. "Yes...Akita is your mom... a banshee by a chance?", Phoebe asked. "Yes how did you know?", Akita asked. "I can see the past and future with my premonition power", Phoebe said. "That means you are the youngest charmed one", Akita said. "Yes I am", Phoebe said. "What's a banshee?", Heavenly asked. "How about when we go home we can talk about it... Akita who is picking you up?", Phoebe asked. "My grandmother said she might come but she said if she doesn't come by 3:30pm then I'll have to walk", Akita explained, as she looked at her watch. "How about you come over to my house and we will talk about it", Phoebe said. "I have to ask my grandmother first", Akita said. "I know I will call her and explain everything you told me and maybe my sisters and I can help your mom", Phoebe said. "Don't worry my aunt Piper is home and you can eat her special", Heavenly said. "Yea I am hungry", Akita said. "OK it's settled hop in ladies", Phoebe said, as the trio entered the car.
When they arrived to the manor, Heavenly and Akita were sent to the kitchen to eat after Phoebe called Akita's grandmother and asked for permission in which she was surprisingly OK with it. While the kids ate Phoebe talked to the family about the situation at hand. "Do you think that she is a banshee?", Paige asked. "Yeah I think she is", Phoebe said. "Is it even possible for a banshee to have a baby", Piper said. "We know that some Banshees were witches so she probably turned into one when she was pregnant", Prue reasoned. "That makes sense... I wonder how the grandmother was able to look after a Banshee while raising a little girl", Paige said. "Yeah she's awesome", Piper added. "What's the next step?", Leo asked. "After Akita and Heavenly finish eating we can take Akita home and hopefully find out the full story", Phoebe said. "Are all of you going?", Cole asked, the sisters. "I think it's better if four of us go and maybe we can solve the problem when we get there", Paige said. "I have a feeling that it won't be that easy", Piper said. "Leo and I can stay with the kids", Cole offered. "Is Heavenly coming?", Paige asked. "No I think it's better she stays", Phoebe said. "I agree she still has homework and it might not be safe", Cole said, then Heavenly and Akita walked into the living room. "Thanks for the food", Akita said. "You're welcome sweetie", Piper replied. "So we will be dropping you off and we would like to speak to your grandmother", Phoebe said. "OK is Heavenly coming?", Akita asked. "Not today", Cole replied. "I'll be good I promise please", Heavenly said, "No baby you have to do your homework and this is something that we need to handle", Phoebe reasoned. ""OK", Heavenly sighed. "We are going to orb", Prue informed. "What's orbing?", Akita asked. "It's a way white lighters transport", Paige explained. "What are white lighters?", Akita asked. "They are some sort of guarding angels for witches", Prue replied. "Cool", Akita commented, as they got ready to orb out. "Bye Akita", Heavenly said. "Bye", Akita replied, as they orbed out.
Akita had already given her address to Phoebe, and it wasn't very far from the manor. They all orbed in front of Akita's house after Paige made sure no one was around. "Here we go", Phoebe said, as she knocked on the door. After a couple of seconds an old lady with brown hair opened the door. "Jidd", Akita greeted her grandmother as she gave her a hug; Jidd means grandmother in Arabic. "How was your day?", Akita's grandmother asked as she kissed Akita's forehead. "It was great... this is Heavenly's mom and her sisters and the charmed ones", Akita introduced. "I can't believe I am seeing the charmed ones please come in I am Armani", Armani said. "thank you", The sisters chorused. Akita was sent to her room so the sisters and Armani could talk. "We came to talk to you about Akita's mother", Phoebe started. "What about Amber?", Armani asked. "Who's Amber?", Paige asked. "Akita's mother", Armani verified. "I don't really know how to put this... but is she by any chance a ...banshee?", Phoebe asked, she dreaded to ask. "A banshee what do you mean? what are you talking about?", Armani deflected the question, as she felt ashamed. "No need to be ashamed... I had a premonition about a banshee having a baby", Phoebe said. "Yeah it's still a very sour subject and quite embarrassing... my daughter Amber turned into a banshee.. and I am still trying to see if I can recover her", Armani said. "Where is she now?", Piper asked. "She is in the basement and I trapped her there... and sometimes I cannot go and bring Akita from school", Armani explained. "From now we can bring her along with Heavenly if that's ok with you", Prue offered. "That would be nice thank you", Armani said. "How did she turn into a banshee? and I know that was a very dark time", Phoebe said. "You say it like you have experienced it", Armani said. "Yes I turned into a banshee once and it was because another banshee scream at me and it was due to my heartbreak I turned", Phoebe explained. "Amber's situation is quite unique... and I know you three as the charmed ones who is she?", Armani asked referring to Paige. "She is our fourth sister and she is half witch half white lighter", Piper revealed, as Paige gave a little wave. "Oh but what's a white lighter?", Armani asked. "They are guarding angels for witches kind of", Prue explained. "Ok", Armani said confused, on how one sister could be half white lighter. "I have a different dad from them and my father was a white lighter while their father is a mortal", Paige explained. "Oh that makes sense", Armani said. "So how did she become a banshee?", Prue asked trying to get everyone back on topic. "It's a long story but here it goes... when Amber was pregnant with Akita... my other grand daughter Farah was eight years old she was sweetest little girl", Armani said. "Was as in", Phoebe said not wanting to finish her sentence. "Yes she's dead and this all happened when we lived in Egypt... my son in law Ahmed was a monster... he would always abuse Amber both physically and emotionally.. I wasn't living with her but whenever I came to visit she would always have new bruises... I tried to convince Amber to leave him but she wouldn't listen... it's like he had her under his control...he would beat her all the time... thank goodness that Akita didn't die in the womb... and Farah was hated by Ahmed just because she wasn't a boy... one day Amber, Farah and I just came from a doctor's appointment and we caught Ahmed... Ahmed was with a woman and they were kissing... I was furious but that was nothing compared to what Amber was feeling she was so hysterical... I immediately took Farah away from the shameful scene... the woman ran away immediately they noticed us and Ahmed started screaming and saying that he is the man of the house and other rubbish... Amber was so angry that she went and got a knife and wanted to kill Ahmed I tired to stop her but she was so angry that no one could reason with her... all those years of abuse and agony inside her was coming out it was the most disturbing thing I have ever seen... I didn't know when Farah came downstairs... it happened so fast", Armani shared, as she started to cry, and Piper handed a tissue. "It's alright take your time", Phoebe said as she hugged Armani. "Then as Amber almost stabbed Ahmed Farah came in the way... and she was stabbed in the chest and she died immediately ... Amber was in shock it was like her life came crashing down..then suddenly she let out a scream before I knew what was happening her hair turned pure white and the scream was so loud that glass was broken... then as she continued to scream and she threw Ahmed to a wall and he died... Amber was nine months pregnant so it wasn't hard to hold her down", Armani said "How do you know she turned into a banshee?", Piper asked. "I met with a powerful seer who told me... it was strange even the seer couldn't understand how she turned into one", Armani explained. "Yeah that is very strange... and how come you haven't turned into a banshee?", Paige asked. "I actually don't know.. I think that maybe she turned without being infected by another banshee", Armani reasoned. "That might be true... and I applaud you for being able to be take care of her while raising a little girl", Phoebe said. "Thank you... I am happy Akita turned alright though she came out with white hair she's completely healthy", Armani said. "Yes and that's all that matters", Prue said. "We are willing to help you get your daughter back", Piper said, as her sisters nodded in approval. "I know she would never forgive herself for Farah's death", Armani said. "We will be there for her", Phoebe said. "Thank you I feel blessed to have met you... Akita never got to know her mother... whenever she saw her mother she would cry it's so heartbreaking so thank you so much", Armani said. "We will do what we can so you and Akita can have her back", Prue said. As the conversation was coming to an end, no one noticed that Akita has been eavesdropping the entire time and she was in tears and then she slowly went back upstairs and cried herself to sleep.
The next day Akita told Heavenly everything she heard from the conversation. "I'm sorry but I know my mom and aunts will do everything to help", Heavenly assured. "Hey girls",Shaniah greeted. Shaniah noticed how close Akita and Heavenly were and it was starting to bother her. "Hey", Heavenly and Akita chorused. "What were you talking about?", Shaniah asked. "Nothing really", Heavenly said. "OK so Heavenly can you come over to my house today?", Shaniah asked. "I am not allowed", Heavenly said. "Well can I come over?", Shaniah asked. "I don't know I have to ask my mom", Heavenly said. "But you let Akita come over to your house", Shaniah complained. "It's different because... you won't understand", Heavenly stated. "Yea it's just between us", Akita added, making Shaniah angrier. "Heavenly is my best friend not yours", Shaniah said. "Stop it we are all best friends", Heavenly said. "Then why are the two of you are hanging out a lot without me?", Shaniah asked. "It's not like that it's just Akita needed ride so my mom decided that she should come with us", Heavenly explained. "Whatever... so what did you even do at your house?", Shaniah asked. "Nothing I just ate and Heavenly's mom dropped me home", Akita said. "Oh really", Shaniah said. "What's your problem?", Heavenly asked. "Nothing it's just annoying", Shaniah mumbled. "what?", Heavenly asked. "NOTHING", Shaniah hollered. "How about play tag before we go inside", Akita suggested. "I don't feel like it", Shaniah said. "Why?", Heavenly asked. "Do you want to play?", Shaniah asked, Heavenly. "Yes", Akita said. "Not you I am asking Heavenly", Shaniah said rudely. "Shaniah that was rude", Heavenly said. "I'm sorry", Shaniah said, not really meaning it. "Yes", Heavenly said. "Alright let's play Akita you're it", Shaniah said as she tapped Akita, and ran with Heavenly. The rest of school Shaniah was trying to play with Heavenly without Akita, and Akita was hurt by this. "She doesn't like me", Akita cried. "Yes she does.. she is just being mean.. I will talk to her.. my mom always says when someone is being mean you have to talk to them nicely", Heavenly reasoned. "Ok thanks", Akita said, as she wiped her tears. "Are you feeling better now?", Heavenly asked. Akita nodded in response. "Let's get out of the washroom before the Mr.s Kelly gets mad", Heavenly said as they left the washroom.
After school Phoebe was looking through the book of shadows as she was trying to find out a way to save Amber with no success. "This is so frustrating", Phoebe exclaimed. "Phoebe calm down we will find something", Piper assured. "I hope we do that little girl needs her mother", Phoebe said. "I know we will find way and Prue is on her way from work and Paige is trying to figure things out", Piper explained. "I'm sorry I just feeling defeated", Phoebe said. "I understand but we have to be strong for her", Piper said. "Mommy", Heavenly called suddenly, as she came through the front door. "In the sun room", Phoebe called back. "Hi aunt Piper how are you?", Heavenly greeted. "I'm good how was your day?", Piper asked. "Good thanks", Heavenly replied. "Hello everyone... baby", Cole greeted, as he walked into the sun room. "Hey baby", Phoebe greeted, as they shared a quick kiss. "So how is Akita doing?", Phoebe asked. "She is alright I dropped her off and she feels uncomfortable whenever I ask about her mom", Cole said. "I would too if my mom was a banshee", Piper stated. "Heavenly go change and I will get your food", Phoebe said, giving Heavenly a kiss on her cheek. "Alright thank you mommy", Heavenly said, as she ran out of the sun room. "I love how Heavenly has a friend to relate to", Phoebe said. "Yeah she can talk about who she is without feeling like a freak", Piper said, as Cole chuckled.
That evening the sisters were trying to figure out a spell in the attic, while Heavenly played with Sophia and Wyatt on the floor; Cole and Leo were giving the support they could. "Wait why don't we use a banshee vanquishing potion and change some things to make it different", Paige suggested. "Good idea but we can't risk killing her", Prue said. "true but Phoebe how were you turned back?", Paige asked. "I faced what was hurting me emotionally.. but we needed a dog to track me and Prue was the dog", Phoebe said. "I don't want to be a dog again", Prue stated. "What still don't understand is how she turned into a banshee just out of the blue... I would understand if she was previously attacked by a banshee... but she just turned isn't that strange", Piper said. "Yes it is strange but Armani has no reason to lie to us", Prue reasoned. "True but maybe there's something she's missing", Piper added. "Maybe but we know that when it comes to magic there are many possibilities", Phoebe said. "I guess... how about the return spell", Piper suggested. "Good idea but what if it doesn't work", Paige said. "Let's not be negative Paige", Prue said. "Just saying", Paige said. "Does the spell need a potion?", Piper asked. "No I think it can work on it's own", Phoebe replied. "Can I come with you?", Heavenly asked hopefully. "No baby it's too dangerous", Cole said. "Please", Heavenly begged. "She can stay with Akita so we can do the job", Paige suggested. "I don't know", Phoebe said. "Please mommy", Heavenly said, as she wrapped her arms around Phoebe's waist. "Alright but stay upstairs with Akita I mean it if any rules break there will be no more friends over and whenever we go to help you will be staying at home", Phoebe warned. "Yes ma'am", Heavenly said. "I got the spell", Phoebe announced, as everyone left but Cole and Leo.
When the sisters and Heavenly arrived at Akita's house, Heavenly and Akita were sent upstairs while Armani and the sisters went to the basement. "Alright now the spell.. Phoebe the spell", Prue called. "Oh right here it is", Phoebe said, as she brought it out. "Trouble witch with banshee unease remove this curse and this disease and shift the source of illness borne and free her forever more", Piper read. "Isn't that like the awaken spell?", Prue took notice. "Yes I just changed a few words", Phoebe said. "I have to say it's brilliant", Paige complimented. "Thank you now let's do this", Phoebe said. "Trouble witch with banshee unease remove this curse and this disease and shift the source of illness borne and free her forever more", The sisters chanted, but nothing happened. "Why didn't it work?", Paige asked. "It had to that was an amazing spell there has to be something blocking the spell", Phoebe said. "Or it's just the spell", Prue said. "What if it's the cage that is blocking the magic", Piper suggested. "It could be because I created the cage to block", Armani said. "Block what specifically?", Prue asked. "Nothing really it's just to block her from breaking it", Armani replied. "Can you put it down?", Paige asked. "That would be dangerous she will attack", Armani said. "But she is asleep and we can do it fast", Phoebe said. "I don't know", Armani doubted. "Let's try and be ready to put it back right away", Prue said. "Alright", Armani said, as she closed her eyes and concentrated and then the cage was removed. Suddenly Amber screamed, with the effect of the scream the sisters and Armani were pushed to the floor. "Amber", Armani called, as Amber turned back but ran upstairs, as they followed her. "I knew this would happen", Armani mumbled. As they arrived upstairs they saw Amber had broken through the window and ran away leaving everyone feeling defeated. The noise caused Heavenly and Akita to come downstairs. "Oh my goodness", Armani said, as she broke down into tears, Akita went and gave her a comforting hug. "I'm so sorry but we will find a way", Prue promised. "You know what I'm tired... just leave", Armani said clearly frustrated. "We will fix this", Phoebe said. "NO JUST LEAVE GO AWAY", Armani hollered, as the sisters and Heavenly went home.
"What are we going to do now?", Phoebe asked. "I know that you can't give up... we can track her", Cole said. "Mommy we are going to find her", Heavenly assured. "Yes we are", Prue added. "But how are we going to find her?", Paige asked. "The same way you found Phoebe the other time", Leo said. "That was dangerous", Prue said. "Well we have no other choice", Leo said. "Can I be the dog?", Heavenly asked. "No...why don't we use call the lost witch spell", Phoebe suggested. "But she is a banshee", Piper stated. "I know but she hasn't killed yet because she has been trapped in the basement", Phoebe said. "Yeah so that still makes her witch brilliant", Paige said. "Paige go get Armani and Akita over here", Phoebe said. "How I'm I supposed to convince her?", Paige asked. "Just say we found a way", Phoebe said. "Phoebe what exactly are you up to?", Prue asked. "I think I have found a way... Paige please go quickly", Phoebe said, as Paige orbed out. Everyone followed Phoebe to the attic, and she informed everyone what her plan was. "So we wait for Paige, Armani and Akita... why do they need to come?", Piper asked. "Because in order for a banshee who hasn't killed before to turn back she needs to face her grief", Phoebe stated. "What if she has already killed?", Piper asked. "Then we will find another way", Phoebe said, and then at that moment Paige orbed in with Armani and Akita. "Is she here?", Armani asked. "No we are about to call her", Phoebe said. "Akita", Heavenly called, as Armani nodded her head as approval and Akita went to sit with Heavenly. "Powers of the witches rise course unseen across the skies come to us and settle here come to us Amber and settle here", The sisters chanted, as Amber appeared. "It worked", Paige said. "Amber listen to me I know you are in there some where you have a beautiful daughter that loves you and you have to forgive yourself... come here Akita", Phoebe said, as Akita came over to her. "Don't be scared... Amber this is your daughter and she loves you and your mother also loves you and they need you", Phoebe said, then suddenly Akita went and hugged Amber. With that Amber instantly turned back to normal. Amber had chestnut brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. "Amber", Armani called, as she ran to Amber's side. Amber just kept crying as she hugged Armani and Akita. "Wow", Heavenly said. "How did you do it?", Piper asked. "Well the only way I was able to turn back to normal was when I faced what was making grief", Phoebe said. "Looks like connecting with her daughter brought her broken heart together", Prue said, she had tears in her eyes. "Thank you", Amber said. Phoebe smiled in response, as she wiped a tear "I'm sorry by the way I talked to you", Armani said. "We understand", Prue said. "You people are like angels", Armani said, as the sisters smiled in response. "Hi my beautiful daughter", Amber said. "Hello mommy", Akita replied. "Why is Akita's hair still white?", Armani asked. "I don't know but I think it's just a feature she got", Paige said. "She looks very beautiful", Amber said. "I love you mommy", Akita said. "Love you too", Amber said. After the beautiful moment was over Armani and Amber couldn't stop thanking the Halliwells.
After a couple days, Halliwells decided to invite Akita, Armani and Amber to celebrate Amber's return. "Umm I love barbecue", Akita said, as the aroma of the food made her hungrier. "I can't wait for the food to be done", Heavenly said, as she and Akita went to her room. "I can't believe it I have my life back thanks to your family", Amber said. "It's what we do as the charmed ones", Prue said. "Thanks to Phoebe's brilliant ideas", Piper said, as Phoebe blushed. "I don't know if I will ever forgive myself for killing Farah", Amber said. "Amber that's in the past now right now you have a beautiful daughter to raise", Armani said. "Thank you for being there for her", Amber said, as she gave Armani a hug. "There's no need to thank me she's my grand daughter and I love her". "I know Farah is now resting in peace now that you're healthy again", Piper said. Amber smiled in response, as she thought of her daughter Farah. "It will get better", Prue assured. "Who is hungry food is ready", Cole said, as he came in. "I'm starved", Paige said. Then Heavenly and Akita were called downstairs, and their meal was served, and everyone ate