TITLE:LAST DAY'S DESTINY
CHAPTER 2:The Ring of Garaath
AUTHOR:M.C.SHERIDAN
BRIEFING:COLE FEARS HE IS LOSING PHOEBE. MAX CASTS A SPELL ON PRUE TO PERSUADE HER TO KEEP HER POWERS, AT A TRAGIC EXPENSE.
COMMENTS:KEEP COMMENTING AND GIVING ME SUGGESTIONS - ALL WELCOME!
''And you promise this will do the trick?'' Max asked the cloaked woman, eyeing a vial with red liquid and putting it into his pocket.
''I gave you what you asked for. Now, I want what you promised me.'' She held her hand out, which was complete with eight inch red talons.
Slowly, Max turned around, checking no one was hiding in the shadows, spying on his betrayal.
''The Elders better not find out i gave you this.'' He warned her, handing her a small gold ring.
''The Ring of Garaath.'' She smiled, bearing green rotted teeth and accepted it.
''You promise you'll only use it to find your brother?''
''Brothers. There are three of them. My family.'' She sighed, a solemn note tinged between her words. ''Yes. then you can have it back and The Elders will know nothing.''
Max nodded, turned his back on her and orbed out of the dark cave deep within the Underworld.
''I hope that's all she does with it.''
''Phoebe, come here a minute.'' Cole gestured to her to come sit with him on the bed.
''No. I ... I have to go see Prue. I have to check she's okay.''
''Phoebe,'' he started as he pulled himself up from the bed and headed over to the dresser where she was standing. ''I'm sure she'll be fine since the last ten minutes. She knows where you are if she needs you. Just relax for a minute. Please.'' He placed a tender hand on her face and grasped her waist with his arm.
''I'm worried about her, Cole. She isn't coping. It's been three months and she still isn't coping.'' She pulled away from him and turned her back. ''I'm allowed to be worried about her without you crowding me all the time, alright?!''
''Well, do you know what, Phoebe? I'm worried about you, too! You haven't even cried since Piper. She's your sister - ''
''I'm not allowed to fall apart while Prue's like this. I can't. If she can't be the strong one, then it'll have to be me.''
''It doesn't have to be; that's why I'm here. I'm here for you, Phoebe. I'm here to be strong for you.''
''I'm sorry, Cole, but I have a lot to deal with right now and I dont think that can be you as well. She still wants to give up her powers. I can't let her. I have to help her out, okay? I have to. Her powers are all but gone because she hasn't used them in so long. What if she get's attacked?''
''What about Leo?''
''Leo? Leo couldn't care about us anymore. We don't matter to him. We have Max now and I have to make Prue see that.''
''I don't trust him, Phoebe.''
''You trust no one. If you care so much then get Leo back.''
''You said he's not interested.''
''Exactly ... and you don't have to be either.'' She turned quickly, hurrying out of the room and down the stairs.
''Phoebe.'' Cole called after her, following her out into the stairwell, just to see her grab her handbag and speed out of the manor. ''Phoebe!''
Prue pulled into a parking space at the mall and reached into the back of the car for her handbag. She jerked suddenly as a flurry of white lights filled the car.
''Leo?''
''No. It's me.'' Max smiled at her.
''What do you want?'' She snarled, snatching the bag that he pulled out from the seat under him.
''I came to see if you've reconsidered Phoebe's question. There's a pregnant witch across town who could do with some Charmed help. There's a rising of an ancient pack of demons in the horizon and - ''
''Then you deal with it. Tell The Elders I don't do this any longer, okay? Until they give me my sister back, I do nothing. Tell Phoebe, too.''
Max leaned over and grabbed hold of Prue's arm tightly, stopping her leaving the car.
''What are you doing?'' She tried to pull her arm away, to no avail. He was too strong.
''You'll thank me for this.'' He told her, pulling the vial out from his pocket and throwing the contents at her.
''I CALL UPON THE ANCIENT POWER
TO AID HER THROUGH THIS DARKEST HOUR.
MAKE HER KEEP THIS MAGIC GIFT.
HELP THIS WITCH HEAL MAGIC'S RIFT.''
''Well?'' She asked. ''Where is this witch? She needs our help, come on.''
''You did well, Lyanna. The Ring of Garaath. Such an achievement.'' A grey haired old demon climbed out from a twirling porthole and stretched, as though waking from a deep sleep. A younger, skinnier man was pushed out after him by a tall, attractive demon with tribal tatoos covering his arms and chest.
''Come on, let's go get them.'' The handsome one snarled, pushing the younger one out of the way. ''Come on!'' He shouted impatiently.
''Wait Zarinn.'' Lyanna spoke softly, pulling the cloak down to reveal her pretty face. ''I have waited too long for you to come and screw this up. Now I finally have the ring and we can proceed with our plans to take over the Underworld after we get the witches unborns.''
Thanks for the reviews, keep them coming! So help me out, should Phoebe and Cole split up? Is Max evil or just naive? Should Leo come back?
