Heaven's Mistaken Gift
by: Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell
Co-written by: That70sShoLova
Chapter 19: The Queen's Secret Empire
Melinda shimmered to the Underworld while Cole was sleeping. He sure can be a pain in the ass, she thought while sitting on the throne. The chill went through her as the lingering power of the Source from the throne entered her body.
Suddenly, a pesky demon at the bottom of the food chained shimmered in the cave. He raised his eyebrows. "Kali?"
That was what everyone called her down here, Kali. A name of evil. Besides, Melinda was too suspicious. She nodded in boredom at the demon scum. "And your name would be...?" she drawled out lazily.
He bowed, remembering that she was an important demon. His shiny bald head twinkled, she noticed, amused.
"Stanley," he answered, his head still bowed.
"And what do you want?" she asked.
"To see the Source, Milady," he answered.
"You would be looking at her," she stated grandly while hopping down and lifting his head. "I am his heir, after all."
"B-But in order to take his place he would have to die—" his eyes lit up in fear and realization.
"Exactly," she nodded, "and I need you to tell no one." She threatened him with a fire ball. "Or else."
He nodded. "Yes, milady."
Her eyes narrowed. "Good, now what is it that you need?"
"Your plans on the destruction of the Charmed Ones, Milady," he said nervously.
She rolled her eyes. "Why should I tell you? It's Cronyn you work for."
Seconds later, Cronyn shimmered in and bowed. "Yes, what can I do for you?"
She scoffed. "Stanley," she said in a sweetly evil tone, "your presence is no longer required."
"B-But—"
She grabbed his shirt collar. "Are you questioning me?" she threatened. "Are you trying to make me angry?"
"N-N-No, Milady," he stuttered as she threw him to the ground. He shimmered away.
She smirked and took her rightful place. "Now that he's left us, what is it that you want?"
Cronyn raised an incredulous eyebrow at the ten-year-old but continued nevertheless. "Milady, I have heard of a prophecy–"
"A prophecy?" she scoffed. "They are merely suspicions. They have no supporting facts. They're all just witches taking a guess."
"But, my liege, this prophecy says that the first born child of the Charmed Ones will be the strongest power known to man. We must seize it! Make the child evil. The power of evil will be unstoppable!" He started to become excited, imagining the possibilities.
She growled and threw a fireball at the older demon. "Fool! Why bother me with such nonsense?"
"Nonsense? This could change the fu–"
She threw another one, but he ducked. "Imbecile! I am the first born of the Charmed Ones!"
He gasped and bowed down quickly. "Milady, I must apologize. I did not know."
"Nobody knows," she stated, "And I would like to keep it that way." she lifted him up with her telekinesis and forced a blade through his heart. He was swallowed by flames and she sat back on the throne. "Dumb ass."
Manor
They shimmered to the fronts steps and walked inside. As per Piper's 'friendly' warning, Cole figured this was safer. Knowing Piper she wouldn't hesitate to blow him up.
Walking into the entry, Phoebe leaned against the wall. "Well, that was…unexpected," she said as he stood beside her.
"Yes, but there is hope. Even though part of her is pure evil, the other part still wants you as mommy. I truly believe that," he said brushing her hair behind her ear.
"I don't know. Is there a way to convince her that they were only looking out for me? That they weren't there to hurt her?"
"Only if we apologize for watching your back," Piper said as she and Paige walked into the room.
"And that's never gonna happen," Paige finished. "We had every right to be looking out for you."
Phoebe sighed. "I know, but you guys said you were in this with me no matter what, so how can you do that?"
"I've lost one sister, Pheebs, I don't want to lose another if it's preventable."
"And Prue's wasn't. Piper, she's my daughter, your niece. You're just gonna have to get used to it," she said as she went upstairs.
Piper ran a hand over her face. "Nobody say anything!"
Paige shrugged. "Is Phoebe okay?"
Cole nodded. "But the demon side of her sure feeld threatened by the three of you. Which is why you were hurt. It was like she tried to explain. That was why I only wanted her to come."
"At the expense of her life?"
"If might not've been that way, Piper. We'll never know," Paige admitted. "You know how unpredictable demons are."
"Yeah, but in reality is us apologizing going to make this situation any better?" Piper asked. "We can't change who we are. Just like we can't quit killing demons," she turned to Cole, "sorry."
He held up a hand. "It's okay. Now if you don't mind, I think I'll go say goodnight." Since neither woman objected, he headed upstairs.
Her stopped at her door and knocked.
"It's open."
Cole stepped in and closed it.
Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "So, did they give you a bashing after I left?"
Cole shook his head, sitting beside her on her bed. "No, but they don't think apologizing with solve anything."
She sighed, resting her head in his neck. "Why can't this be easier?"
"I wish I knew."
"I need to talk to her again," she said, taking hold of his hand. "I want to know why she has such an urge to kill me. The three of us I get. The world's most powerful witches, but she's just…so angry at me."
He nodded. "True, your death seemed more personal."
"Yeah." She yawned.
He laughed, standing up. "Looks like all the excitement wore you out."
"Mhm," she said climbing into bed.
"Well, goodnight," he said, still holding on to her hand.
"Yeah." She looked away. "Hey Cole?"
"Yes?" he said.
"Remember when you'd just stay with me until I fell asleep in case Jared came back?"
He chuckled, sitting back down on her bed. "You're scared aren't you, of her true self?"
She scooted over as he laid on top of the covers. "Yes, but do I have a reason not to be?" she asked, wrapping an arm around him and laying her head on his chest.
He sighed, putting his arm over her. "No. and someday I think you should talk to her again."
"Mhm," she murmured as Cole turned off the light. "Hey, one…last…thing?"
"What's that?"
She lazily raised her head off of him and moved closer until their lips met. It was soft, but didn't neglect passion. He laughed, sitting up to catch her as she fell to sleep. He moved her down further before doing so himself. Maybe now he'd find the peace of mind he'd missed for ten years.
Melinda shimmered back to her bedroom. Knowing she needed rest, she relinquished control of her body to her younger self. She walked over and turned on the lamp beside her bed, seeing the storm raging outside which frightened her. The trees whipping against the window and the rain pounded the house. She ran out of her room to her daddy's only to find him not there.
She climbed up on the bed and began to cry. "Daddy! Mommy!"
Cole's eyes opened upon hearing her. Technically, hearing calls was a Whitelighter or Elder ability, but he'd always been able to hear Melinda's calls.
He sat up, making sure he heard right. "Daddy! Mommy!" Yep, she definitely called for her mommy too.
He shook her shoulder slightly. "Phoebe?"
"Mmm?" she asked.
"Phoebe, wake up!" he said, sitting her up with him. "Melinda needs us."
"Us?" she asked through a long yawn. "Why me?" she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Cole looked toward the window, seeing the horrible storm outside. "That," he said, pointing to the window, "she's never slept through a storm."
Phoebe became more alert as the thunder boomed above the house. "Well, that does make sense. I never used to either."
Cole stood up and Phoebe threw the covers off and grabbed a sweatshirt to put on over her light t-shirt. The sweatpants would be fine. She walked back over to Cole. "Let's go."
He nodded and they shimmered away.
The appeared from thin air just inside the door of the master bedroom, seeing the girl curled up in a ball, rocking back and forth while crying.
Phoebe let go of Cole and walked over slowly. "Melinda? Sweetie?" She sat on the bed.
Melinda felt the bed shift a little and rolled in that direction. Upon seeing Phoebe her eyes lit up. "Mommy!" she cried, crawling over into her lap.
Cole came and sat on the other side of her. "What's wrong? Did the storm scare you?" he asked.
She nodded, burying her head into her mom's shoulder. "Uh huh."
Thunder boomed again and she whimpered. Phoebe wrapped her arms around her. "Awww! Its ok. It can't hurt you." She looked at Cole, then stroked her long blonde hair. "We won't let it, will we?"
Cole smiled, wrapping his arms around them both. "That's right. Mommy and Daddy won't let anything hurt you," he kissed her cheek, "we promise."
Melinda nodded, snuggling into their hold. Her demonic side scoffed at how the most powerful person in the Underworld could be afraid of a little thunder and lightning, but maybe…maybe it wasn't so…repulsive to have the witch around. After all, with her there, her sisters wouldn't touch her.
The little girl continued to shake as Phoebe stood up, with her in her arms and moved closer to the head of the bed before she laid down. Cole smiled, covering them up as he laid on top of the covers next to Phoebe, who turned toward him so Melinda was in the middle.
"You're safe now, baby girl," Phoebe whispered. "Sleep."
"You both are," Cole said as the three of them drifted off.
Sunlight fell over her face in lines through midnight black blinds. She squinted, bringing her hand up to block the light. She felt something in her arms and she looked down to see Melinda sleeping peacefully with her arms wrapped around her neck.
Part of Phoebe was surprised she hadn't been killed in her sleep, but she figured the little girl was tired enough that the other side wouldn't have the energy to attack her. She smiled and brushed her hair away from her face. Something in her still didn't trust her though. Sure, she was sweet and harmless now, but it never lasted for long.
Feeling the absence of a warm body beside her, Phoebe figured Cole had gone to work. Which left them here all alone. Strangely, it didn't terrify her as much as she thought it would.
"Why do you hate me, Melinda?" she whispered.
Blue eyes opened and a dark voice answered. "I don't hate you."
Flinching, Phoebe scooted back a few inches.
Melinda laughed. "Smart witch you are. But I am not here to harm you."
"Yo-you're not?"
She shook her head. "I could, I should for not being here for so many years, but I don't. My demonic power hates anything and anyone good. Its rare I actually have clear moments like these in this state. When I sense great power, my childlike defense melts into what was almost your downfall."
"Because you crave great power," Phoebe realized.
Melinda nodded. "I stabbed you because…I thought you brought them here to destroy me."
She shook her head. I didn't. They just insisted on coming."
"I-I know…" she said through gritted teeth.
"Melinda, what's wrong?"
Her demonic powers were wanting to take full control of her. Her childlike side was still drowsy and was unable to attempt to fight it off, not that her attempts did much good. Her demonic side usually won out every time.
"No-noth-I need to go!" she said, shimmering out.
"Mel! Melinda, come back here!" Phoebe yelled.
I'm sorry. I can't. Not now. She thought as she sat on her throne in the Underworld. Why did I do that? she thought angrily. The witch was right in her grasp. She could have been dead, forever. Then it would have been only too easy to kill the other two, so overcome by grief. The Whitelighter would soon follow, willingly, also grieving from the loss of his wife and sister-in-laws.
Her hand shot out, sending streaks of fire across the cave. She was starting to feel for the witch. She couldn't though, not now, not ever! Her killing the Charmed Ones was too great of an opportunity.
Plus, the fact that she held a grudge against her mother. How dare she! She waltzed back into her life as if she hadn't done anything and wanted to make amends? And she was warming up to Cole.
She hissed and shot a built of lighting out of her fingertips. That was her father, her mentor and that stupid witch was taking him away from her. He had never been afraid of her demonic side before Phoebe.
And the good side of her that had the maturity of a ten-year-old was too afraid to see Piper and Paige, so there went her chances of striking against the Charmed Ones all at once. But that might be a good thing. The three together were too powerful. She grinned, but she had double their power all put together.
"Abaddon!" Melinda shouted.
A shimmer formed in front of her and a scruffy, rough around the edges, thirty-something man looked at her questioningly. "Kali?" he asked.
"Must I go through this with every demon I call?" she growled, "Yes, Kali. The Source has died and I, as his heir, have taken his place." She choked him with her telekinesis. "And you must tell no one of this. Only people I approve of."
As the right-hand-man of the Source, or second, as Balthazar was the first, he nodded, obligingly, "Yes, my liege."
She grinned. "Good. Now, round up the Source before me's cabinet. Except Balthazar."
"Yes, milady," he shimmered out to do her bidding.
She relaxed against the throne and smiled wickedly.
Later on, numerous demons gathered around a table she conjured. Their talking was loud, all confused why a ten-year-old demoness had gathered them.
Kali wolf-whistled loudly, the sound bounced off the walls and caused the demons to wince.
"As you all know, the Source is my biological father," she stated, "and two days ago he was killed." Roars and shouts of disbelief filled the cave and she shot the wall with fire to get them to quiet. "I, as his child and heir, have taken his place. I am now the Queen of all Evil."
Abaddon's voice raised above all others. "My liege, what is your request?"
"We are going to kill the Charmed Ones," she growled and vanquished a demon next to her. "Oh will you shit up? Before you say anything, yes, I know it is foolish. Foolish for a weaker demon perhaps, but 'tis not for me. I have thought up a plan. You all try to think of the most elaborate plan that is quite idiotic, but see, I know these witches. They're human. They live with humans. They think like humans. And they shall die like humans."
She paused, letting the suspense grow before continuing. "We'll keep their Whitelighter distracted, and the middle child's new boyfriend also." She did not say Balthazar's name because it would lead to great consequences for him. "We'll kill the middle child first, and the youngest and oldest will follow. The sisters have a great bond, when one dies, the other will be crushed. They will be easy to get to, and once they are dead, the Whitelighter will offer himself to us. Beg and plead for us to kill him, and we will."
A low-level demon spoke up. "What makes you think they will die so easily, my liege?"
"Because, as I said, they are human. Yes, they take the titles as witches, but they want nothing but a magic free life. They are weak, like humans. They are not as emotionless as us. Once one dies, the others will fall in grief so deep they will welcome death."
He thought a moment. "The middle child seems to quite like being part of something bigger than herself. What about her? Won't they prepare for our attack? They are usually on guard."
She grinned, "But, I know something you do not, little demon. You may be high up on the food-chain, but I am higher. They will not be on guard, because they are wrapped up in something at the moment. They shall not be expecting an attack, least of all from the new Source. No one knows put you that I am the new Source, and it will shock them greatly."
"How will you get to them? Won't they be suspicious of you?"
"Like I said. I know something you don't, so you might as welll stop asking these petty questions. I am one hundred percent sure, that she will not be suspicious at all." she growled.
"Hmmm," Cronyn walked in, bowing before taking a seat, "you act like you know them personally."
Kali scowled, "You have no right to speak, Cronyn! And I do not know them personally, I have brushed up on them. I have studied them, and used the notes of other demons who have studied them."
She shot an electricity ball, "Exactly, your liege! You have no right to speak to me that way, I practically own you, Cronyn. I am your Queen and you follow what I say. Now what rumors have you heard?"
"Well, rumors are rumors, but while Balthazar may be your 'Daddy'," she cringed at the word, "that is why you hate the middle Charmed One so much! What, do you call her Mommy now?" he tried to hold back a laugh, but he failed. Remembering the prophecy, he straightened up. "The prophecy must be true then..."
She shimmered up to him and held a dagger to his throat, "You had no right to share that information with anyone here. And you shall be punished. Guards!" Two red skinned demons shimmered in, "Torture him until he dies. For he has disobeyed me."
They nodded, grabbing his arms before shimmering out. Now the cave was buzzing with chatter. "Stop!" she roared above the crowd. "I am your Queen and you will listen to me. Yes, what he said was true. But that means nothing. The Source is my Father and his powers are thrumming through my blood. I want those witches dead. And I want them dead now! Now you will do as I say and whoever disagrees will end up like Cronyn. It will be a long and painful death, I guarantee."
Abaddon stood up again, bowing gracefully. "Whatever you wish, my liege."
Author's note: So what do you think?
Reviews are much appreciated. Please?
Review thanks to: That70sshowlova, HalliwellMB, BikerChick101
Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell & That70sShowLova