Chapter 14 the son of Piper

Damn, that kid was too good for his own. He had no choice but to get rid of him, before his plans were ruined. There was too much at risk.

Dear boy,

You really are a nuisance.

That Chris had to be son of Piper Halliwell.

With a mother like her, it was no chance that he had turned out as he had.

Piper of course had long since forgotten about him.

But he hadn't.

How could he?

Piper had finished the maze.

And she was only 6 years old.

Now that was really something.

That's why he had kept a close look on the Halliwells', they really were something else.

Something told him, that the kid just might make it through all of this.

He didn't understand why in the first place he was being so soft. The boy could be dead by now; it could have ended swift and quickly.

Instead he was leaving it to Chris. The maze, that of course was beatable, it just took the right kind of person. And Chris was just that. He was underestimated by all, you could take a look at Chris…and the first thing that would come to mind…was Angel.

His face so full innocence. But the truth was that he could put up a hell of a fight.

Now he would have no more mercy, Chris would be finished once and for all.

Too bad…..he would have made the perfect host. But he was not powerful enough, no where near as powerful as Wyatt could be.

Controlling Wyatt, now that was going to be a pleasure. The entire world would be at his mercy, at The Puppet Demon's mercy, not Wyatt. Too bad all the credit would go to Wyatt.

From everything he had heard so far, mostly from Chris, his fears and watching the Halliwells. He came to the conclusion that he would succeed.

---At the manor---

"I know what happened! I know!" cried out Chris nearly hysterical as he orbed into the Manor, where everyone sat quietly waiting to hear more.

"I am so sorry, guys, I guess I was too harsh and I didn't mean it."

"And the demon, the one who trapped me, that was the demon that turned you Wyatt. I just know it! It all fits! He controls them without the host knowing it! If we stop him, then we prevent everything from happening and the future is saved!" cried out Chris talking excitedly and quickly. He was practically jumping up and down with excitement.

Wyatt nodded. If this turned out to be true, then it wouldn't be his fault entirely, all those things he did.

"Are you positive, Chris?" asked Leo.

"Yes, Leo. I'm sure," replied Chris exasperated. He expected more reactions. Geez. Here he was telling them that the demon that turned Wyatt could be the Puppet Demon, and they didn't seem to understand the importance of this information.

"Come on people, a little more reaction!"

Chris what do you have in mind? What do we do? Asked Wyatt telepathically.

Finally someone takes me into consideration! I was thinking we get some potions together then go vanquish the demon, but we are going to need all the help we can get. If he got you, then he must be powerful, very powerful indeed. Answered Chris.

"All right, let's get some potions together!'

Piper nodded solemnly.

"Chris can I talk to you for a sec, in private?'

The others left quickly. Wyatt and Phoebe headed up to the Attic, while Leo and Paige headed towards the kitchen to work on the potions.

Chris nodded, already imagining what this conversation was going to be about.

"Yes Pi-I mean Mom?"

"Chris, I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier, and about what happened in the …maze," she began, only to be cut of by Chris.

"Look mom, there's nothing to talk about, ok? I am ok, now. I was just a bit confused back there. And the maze….it doesn't matter, it's over ok. So just forget about it, we have more important things to do, I'm not important right now. Right now what's important is vanquishing that demon before it's too late. When that's done, maybe then we can talk."

Piper wanted to protest, but Chris walked away to join the others.

Chris, oh Chris.

"Dad, maybe you could go up there, and ask the Elders what they know about the puppet demon?" asked Chris entering the kitchen, followed by Piper.

Leo nodded. "I'll be right back."

"Mom, I'm going down there, see what I can find out. I'll be back in about half an hour."

"I'm going with you," Piper immediately demanded.

"But...But...but mom!" whined Chris, pouting.

"Sorry mister, but you are not going down there alone."

Chris sighed, knowing he was defeated.
"All right mom," he answered. A part of him smiling, enjoying the attention.

Turns out only a handful of the demons seemed to know about the Puppet Demon, and the few that practically wet themselves when they heard the name.

Chris couldn't remember feeling this comfortable, this content in a long time.

Piper really did feel right, she really was his mom. Maybe not the mom he had grown up knowing and loving. For one thing this Piper was much younger, and in a way very different than the Piper he had had.

Every time Chris stared into her eyes, he saw love, but he also saw a longing for ……a normal life.

How easy that sounded. Normal unfortunately wasn't a part of the Halliwell.

He knew that as time went by, Piper would grow accustomed to this life of magic, and come to love it.

The Piper he knew was strong. This Piper was strong, too, but he could tell she had many doubts. Many fears.

But that was part of what made her stronger. Her fears……her fears for her family, they helped fuel her power, and her determination.

"Mom I'm sorry I nearly ruined your marriage," finally apologized Chris figuring he owed her an apology for sending Leo to Valhalla.

"You were just doing what you thought was right. Even if it wasn't the right thing to do. You know, you should have told us the truth from the beginning. I'm sorry Chris, I'm sorry for all the things we said to you, and we did to you," she replied quietly.

Chris shrugged. "You didn't know. It was my fault, but let's just forget about all that. I mean it's over. We just might save the future. Just keep being the great mom you are to me, to little me."

Piper nodded, embracing Chris a few tears managing to escape.

"I love you," she whispered to him.

"I love you, too," replied Chris quietly. He didn't trust himself to say more. He was on the verge of tears, and yet ever so joyous. He held onto his mother tightly, loving the sensation of feeling safe.

Finally he cleared his throat, determined to get done with the job.

As mush as he wanted to stay here with his mom, and forever feel the warmth his mother always enlightened him with.

"Let's go home."

Home………such a powerful word.

Leo was back from up there, and with what seemed not to be good news.

Chris might not be an empath, but he could sense the tension in the room.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Did something happen to Wyatt?" he asked glancing at older Wyatt who also had a look of hopelessness.

Wyatt shook his head.
"No little me is ok," he reassured Chris and Piper who was also looking anxious for news, whether they be good or bad news.

"Then what's wrong?" asked Piper.

This time it was Leo who spoke.

"I spoke with the other Elders, and……they didn't give me very good news.

When I asked them about the Puppet Demon, I immediately sensed their "dislike" of the topic. They told me very little, if not nothing about the Puppet Demon, except that he could not be defeated," he paused momentarily as if reluctant to continue.

"And that it would be best to forget about going after the Puppet Demon. That Wyatt, if it is meant to be will fight his control, and win, but if not…..then …it would all have to be for the best."

"That's bullshit!" cried out Chris clearly outraged. He jumped to his feet.

"How can that be for the best?? Are they stupid?!! They haven't seen the future, they have no idea what it's like. And believe me; it won't all be for the best. The world is doomed, if we are to follow those &)$$ elders. Who do they think they are?!!! And they say they stand for good, well to hell with them!!!!!" shouted Chris his voice burning with rage. He paced around the room breathing heavily.

"How can they just say that?" whispered Phoebe shocked at the Elder's indifference at the situation.

"Those elders, good for nothing…" muttered Paige.

Leo stayed quiet.

"So what's going to happen?" asked Wyatt quietly.

Piper walked towards her son. She laid a firm hand on his shoulder.

"No way are we listening to those Elders. We won't let that demon hurt you, I promise. "

She looked at Leo.

"So are you with us, or with them?" she demanded.

Leo nodded.
"Do you even have to ask? I might be an elder, but that doesn't mean I think the same way they do. You are my family, and family always comes first. There's no doubt in my mind. I can't understand why…..why…why they could think that way. They are supposed to stand for good."

Leo smiled warmly at everyone.

It was decided.

Inside he was overly disappointed with the elders. They were the good in this world, they were not supposed to act as the bad. He could not understand them at all.

Chris was his son, and he believed him when he told him all the things going on in the future. He understood his son Wyatt was not to blame for all the terrible things he did. It was the puppet demon.

Judging by the elders reaction, he was sure they were not scared of him. But if they weren't, why then would they suggest doing nothing to stop him?

"We need the help of the Avatars," suddenly burst out Chris.

"The avatars?" echoed Phoebe confused.

Piper and Paige were as confused/clueless as Phoebe.

"But why them?"

"Chris what are you doing? Do you want to change the future too much? You know they don't meet the avatars for a while still!" cried out Wyatt.

"We need their help; they are powerful, together maybe more than you! Besides they have already met them, not knowing of course, but they have," replied Chris irritated.

"What are you talking about Chris? We haven't met an avatar!"

"Yes L—I mean dad you have. Remember Cole?"

"Cole?" Phoebe nearly choked.

"Yes he was an avatar for a while, you know around the time he was the source."

Chris bit back more words, not wanting to hurt Aunt Phoebe's feelings.

He knew all about Cole and Phoebe's story.

He had formed his own conclusion about it.

Cole was dead because of Phoebe. He really loved Phoebe.

In a way Chris understood Phoebe, his story with Bianca was so similar to her story with Cole.

Even the ending…….in a way.

Piper immediately noticed Chris's silence.

He didn't speak anymore, it seemed as he were staring at nothing, maybe remembering.

"I'll be back in a while," he informed them before orbing out. His voice had been shaky.

He went to the only place that provided comfort for him.

Not the park, not their place. That was too painful.

It seemed like old wounds had opened.

Wounds that he had thought were long gone and healed.

Piper stared after his orbs. She turned to Phoebe, the empath.

"Did you get any feeling from Chris?"

She nodded quietly.

Wyatt couldn't stand the discomfort he felt at the moment, he knew. He knew Chris had orbed to the bridge, he knew how Chris was feeling, he knew because it was his entire fault.

Stop that Wyatt! It is not your fault, ok. Seriously you are driving me nuts! Shouted Chris telepathically.

I killed her. Responded Wyatt remorsefully.

You were not yourself, and look just drop it already. I have a headache, and you're just making it worse…

Please, it's not your fault. I hope you know that. (Chris replied with a heavy sigh. He sounded tired.)