Chapter 3
Much to do about something
Episode 9.04
The bedroom of Kara's apartment was dark as she slept, her closed eyes moving rapidly keeping apace with her breathing as she gripped the dark red silk sheets tightly. She was dreaming and her body revealed that without question.
Kara is talking to a man inside a large hallway made of green marble that showcased statues of all types of creatures on all sides. Kara is wearing a long black coat with three slits on its back. A tribal design embedded in green thread went from top to bottom on its back as well. Her black boots blended into her black leather pants and her long sleeve black leather shirt was very intricate in its design that went to her neck with a v slit, revealing a little skin while dark glasses cover her eyes. The man was wearing all dark brown and holding a tablet. He had dark brown hair and his eyes had a reddish tent in the pupil.
"We need to find the book," Kara said to the man in front of her.
"Okay, you go to Jade and I will go to mirth."
"Be careful Tolan will be following us."
"What about the Avedon, if she gets the book and the seven vials its over?" The man asks.
"Well than I suggest she doesn't get them."
Five men come running into the hallway clearly not wanting to help, as the sound of crystals breaking and words being spoken that could not be understood, echoed through it. Japanese dragons, large blades and what look like werewolf type creatures were materializing out of a red vapor heading right toward Kara and the man.
"We need to go now, you can't fight them all," The man's voice rushed out.
"The hell I can't," Kara replied as she turned to face her advancers.
"God you're stubborn, and going to get yourself killed."
"Go I will catch up," Kara said as she readied herself.
"I will meet you aware we agreed," The man replied and ran off.
Kara turns to face them and the tribal design on her back begins to glow. Long silver spikes start rising out of her back creating almost a tire spoke affect around her and without warning the 50 silver spikes spring forward.
Kara sits straight up in bed as perspiration dripped off her chin and nose. For a moment she sat there still gripping the sheets while her knuckles were turning white from the pressure as her eyes blinked rapidly into the darkness.
"What the hell was that?" Kara said finely finding her voice.
The kitchen table held remnants of breakfast as a new day was beginning at the Manor as the three sisters where drinking coffee while standing around the kitchen island.
"I should probably stop mooching off you for breakfast," Phoebe said as she took a sip.
"No, I love it when you guys come over," Piper replied.
"Soon there will be more of us," Paige said while putting her coffee on the table.
The truth is Piper missed them terribly and loved it when they came over to visit. There were just some things she could not talk about to her husband and kids, and sometimes even in a full house with her family she felt lonely.
"Aren't you both supposed to be cutting back on that?" Piper asks remembering when she was pregnant and how she had to drink herbal tea all the time.
"It is going to have to be a slow withdrawal, I found out I don't orb very well without a pick me up," Paige replied.
"How can you not orb very well?" Phoebe asks not sure if she wanted the answer considering she orbs with her on occasion.
"Trust me you don't want to know," Paige said with an uncomfortable smile.
"So the elders want Kara to stay here Paige?" Piper asks not wanting to know about the orbing problem in the same way Phoebe didn't and decided to change the subject.
"Yap at least until we figure out what is going on."
"Not to sound like a protagonist, but unless she's going to sleep in the boys room, I don't see how she can protect them," Phoebe said as she took her cup to the sink.
Paige narrowed her eyes a bit, "I was thinking about that and I think we can use motion sensors."
"What's wrong with the crystals?" Piper asks.
"They're immune from magic remember," Paige replied.
"Not completely, Kara was able to freeze them and you used magic to kill it with that metal spike," Phoebe added as she turned around.
"Well technically the spike was fully materialized when it hit him, and Kara might not be all witch," The last part she said quietly.
"What?" Piper said as she almost dropped her cup, "Because in case you haven't noticed I have trust issues."
"I know Piper but that does not mean she is evil, the elders aren't sure what she is yet but they do sense some witch."
"What about the other part?" Phoebe asks a little worried.
"They don't know, I don't know what else we can do besides leaving the boys in magic school all the time," Paige answered defensive.
"I don't think that's a good idea anyway, they need to be home where they should feel safe," The baby sister interjected.
"Well unfortunately they're not," Piper's voice raising a little mostly out of frustration that she cannot protect her children.
"It's okay honey you know we won't let anything happen to them," Phoebe replied as she rubbed Piper's back.
"Anyway I don't even know her phone number and what is her last name?" Piper asks.
"Smith, and I can just pop over to her apartment," Paige replied and moved closer to her other sisters.
Phoebe leaned around Piper as she clearly remembers something. "Talking about popping over, you erased all of Elise files a couple of days ago."
"What are you talking about?" Paige replied as she leaned around to meet her older sister's question.
"You know when you orbed out without saying a word?" Phoebe asks.
"Nope, "Paige replied but then her eyes opened wide, "Oh wait, oh no I think I did. But it is your fault you told me too."
"No my power of persuasion did, and it's okay all of my appointments with her were canceled this morning and trust me I'm not that disappointed."
Piper moves around Phoebe smiling and goes to the refrigerator pulling out a bagel. Which is then orbed away from her after she puts cream cheese on it.
"Paige!" Piper said looking directly at her baby sister.
"It wasn't me," Paige said putting up her hands to show proof.
"Oh Wyatt what am I going to do with him?" Piper said as she looked up.
"I don't know, but it is making me look forward to the wonderful little treats my offspring will bring. I need to go, talk to you guys later," Phoebe replied and grabbed her purse making her way out of the kitchen.
"Be careful with your power missy," Piper said as the middle sister left.
"I will, and quit worrying," Phoebe's voice yelled from the Fortier as the front door opened and closed.
"I will go get Kara and tell her what is going on," Paige said.
"I still don't know if this is a good idea."
"Piper we do not have much of a choice, and for what it's worth I do trust her."
A half-eaten bagel orbs back into the Piper's hands. "Well at least he left me some."
The front doorbell rings and both Paige and Piper look at each other with curiosity of who it could be at this hour in the morning.
"Who could that be?" Paige asks as she made her way to the front door. But before any of them could get to the door Chris was already opening it. Piper put her hands on her hips and used the Infamous whole name correction. "Christopher Perry Halliwell."
Chris turned quickly on his heels hearing his entire name from his mother was a good indicator he did something very, very wrong and immediately pulled up his defenses.
"I'm sorry Mommy," Chris responded with watering eyes.
Piper's hard and angry expression soften as she looked at her youngest son eyes. "Oh honey it's okay, but you know the rules about the front door I just don't want you to get hurt, I love you," She reassured her baby boy as she picked him up.
Paige opens the front door reveal a nervous Kara, "speaking of the devil."
"You know that's not funny, considering that a lot of things in this house can be taken literally," Kara replied.
"Hay Kara come in," Piper said and put Chris down.
Kara and the others walk into the bright solarium as Kara was the only one dressed while the others still had their pajamas on. Her turquoise short sleeveless shirt blended well with her dark blue pants as she sat down in one of the wicker chairs.
"What are you doing here?" Piper asks.
"Hi how are you, I'm fine," Kara replied sarcastically.
"Hi my name is Chris and I am 4, what is your name?" Chris asks as he held up 4 fingers.
"Kara and fill like I'm 80."
"Mom she is older then you," Chris said as he wrinkled his face.
"Go get ready for school peanut and I will be up in a minute," Piper asks while smiling.
"Can I take lanky?" Chris asks hopefully.
"Yes you can take your blanket, "Piper replied and watched her son run up the stairs.
"We need to ask you a favor," Paige asks once Chris was out of site.
"Good, so do I."
I know we don't know each other very well, but is there a way you can stay here, until we..," Piper said but immediately Kara cut in.
"Hay, we haven't even had a first date yet, don't you think that's a little rushed. And what does Leo think about it, oh wait is this one of those families that shares a little too much?" Kara said now standing up and started playing with her hands.
"What, Noooo you didn't let me finish, it's just until we can kill those things on our own," Piper said a little in shock over what just came out of Kara's mouth, Paige let out a snort.
"Sorry when I get nervous I."
"Mumbled, we got that," Paige added.
"I'm sorry to ask for this, I know this is all new to you," Piper said as she sat down. But she did not trust Kara, not because she did anything wrong. It's because this family has been burnt so many times over the years that she refused to be naïve about anyone.
"That's okay I need to look at your book anyway," Kara replied a little calmer.
"Why?" Piper asks as alarm bells were going off in her head.
"I had a really odd dream and I was just curious if what I saw was in there."
"Kara the book is used for vanquishing demons not analyzing your dreams," Piper said.
"Now who is the sarcastic one," Kara replied looking cocky over at Piper.
"We can take a look at it later; I need to go to the club and restaurant?" Piper said as she left the solarium.
"Sounds good, Paige can you orb me back to my apartment to get some clothes?" Kara asks and stood next to Paige.
"Might want to rethink that," Paige said in a slight whisper.
"Oh for Pete's sake just go," Piper yelled from the other room.
Kara and Paige orb away in a swirling of blue and white lights.
The afternoon made itself known by the heat that seemed to push through every crack and crevice around the window, and made the small office of Phoebe halliwell seem like an oven, or the underworld. She patted her head with a towel and continued typing away answering numerous pleas for help from strangers in the form of letters on her desk. "God it's hot, hot, hot." She said to herself until her thought was broken by a demon shimmering in.
"What the hell, not at my work!"
Phoebe stands up and throws a punch, it lands hitting him in the mouth, but before she can strike with another he said a word in Latin and she went flying backwards into the cabinet.
"This is getting easier," The demon said with a confident smile.
"Ouch, you son of a bitch that hurt," Phoebe said trying to keep her voice down.
Phoebe stared him down tapping into her power, but he said another word and she fell to her knees holding her chest trying to breathe.
"The new source is teaching us well," He said as he pulled out a red crystal from his pocket.
Phoebe looks up frightened and starts to crawl backwards towards the wall as a rush of footsteps of her staff members walking over to her door.
"Oh god Paige!" Phoebe's voice was barely audible as she tried to breathe and felt herself losing consciousness.
Paige orbs in with Kara and the demon reacted quickly saying something and Latin and both Kara and Paige goes to their knees grabbing their chest. "This should finish you all," He said while holding the crystal out in front of him. But before he could say anything Kara lunged forward and began planting one punch after another hitting him so hard the sound of bones cracking filled the room. She was moving so fast that he did not have time to react. She was punching him in different spots on his body, ribs, nose, and chin, chest until finally he collapsed and shimmered out.
"Thank god, what the hell is going on?" Phoebe said as she helps Paige up and her breathing was clearly back to normal.
"Hay you didn't turn into a lizard, and where did you learn how to fight like that?" Paige asks in amazement of her new charge.
Kara looked at them for a moment in distress while her body shook. "I don't know it just happened. I really need to look at the book; I remember that crystal he was holding in my dream. And for some reason I knew if it broke it was going to be disastrous," Her voice a little cracked and her chest was moving in and out rapidly.
The staff members were now trying to peer through the office windows and banging on the door.
"Are you okay Phoebe?" Some asks from behind the only barrier that kept their secret.
"I'm fine, I just tripped over something!" Phoebe replied trying to sound normal.
"OK, just wanted to make sure it was okay."
"Thanks!"
"I think this is the first time you were ever attacked at your work," Paige said while tilting her head.
"No it happened once before, but only once but we have a new problem, there is a new source. And he is teaching them something."
Kara and Paige are picking up the fallen paperwork and putting things back in order, while Phoebe gets her bearings.
"Do you need to be healed?" Paige asks while picking up a fallen chair.
"No just bruised more than anything else."
"What's the source, and what you mean he's teaching them something?" Kara asks while putting some papers on the desk.
"Right I forgot you're new to this the source is the root of all evil and he is very powerful. We have vanquished him at least four times but every time he comes back he seems to be stronger," Phoebe replied as she sat down.
"Great, I've known you guys for a week and now I have the person who goes by many names trying to kill me!" Kara said and started to pace.
"Well we wouldn't want you to feel left out," Paige added.
"Apparently he's teaching them Latin, but he just said one word and I was pretty much down for the count. I couldn't even use my power of persuasion because I couldn't concentrate," Phoebe said as she coupled her hands under her chin. "Dammit, my place of work and now I'm pregnant to boot, I've really never been that scared of dying until now," She thought as she closed her eyes shut and took a deep breath.
"I need to get you to your apartment Kara and get your clothes, Phoebe you need to go to the manner we need to figure this out," Paige said and walked over to Kara.
"Where is Piper?" Phoebe asks now opening her eyes to look at her baby sister. "What would we do without her, she has saved are asses so many times over the years and never asks for anything in return, god I love her."
"She went to the club, I will pick her up after dropping off Kara," Paige answered.
"Where are the boys?"
"They went with Piper but she was going to drop them off once I brought Kara back to the manner."
"Well I need to tell Elise that I will need to work from home today. That should go well. I will see you guys at the manner," Phoebe said and headed out the door as Kara and Paige orb away.
Piper is taking down chairs off of tables at P3 before any off her workers arrived. She loved this time alone and used it to think or just relax. It sometimes became a refuge when things got bad or she needed a place to run too. Of course she wasn't completely alone this time as her boys played in her office. She stopped for a moment and sat down in one of the chairs she put into place. "Please god not my kids, do anything you want to me just not my kids." She thought back to when Leo was gone, not once but 3 times she had to live without him and it almost killed her. The idea of losing any of her children made her almost scream in panic. She was taking a deep breath when three demons shimmer in and she does not see them.
"Mucro!" a demon says and the red crystal breaks in front of him as he throws it. Five long swords form out of the red mist as Piper turns after hearing the demon.
"SHIT!" Piper yelled out and threw up her hands and the room freezes. The long swords hovered uncomfortably close to Piper's body, so she backed away slowly and blew up the swords. Then she set her sights on the demon. But before she could blow him up, he began to unfreeze as two more demons's shimmered in.
"Dammit she froze me, together," The demon yelled and all three held out there red crystal. "Acer, canis and lupus the demons said their Latin and all the crystals broke. Red vapor filled the air as things that should not be began to form out of it. 20 very sharp knifes formed out of the red mist while two very ferocious dogs formed out of another. And the last red mist created a werewolf looking creature as the demons laughed.
"Oh god Paige!" Piper yelled out.
"Kill her!" A demon said while pointing at Piper.
All of the objects created began to move forward and knives approaching very quickly. Piper threw up her hands and froze them, but she was hit by the werewolf looking creature straight in the center of her chest, that threw her back 5 feet knocking the breath out of her.
"Paige Now!" Piper pleaded while holding her chest and tried to crawl away from her office.
Kara and Paige orbed in seeing Piper on the floor and bleeding a little from her wound.
"Finish them," A demon said now pointing at the two new arrivals.
The knives changed direction and headed towards the two of them as they approached Piper. "You don't even know me," Kara said as she ran with Paige.
"Knifes! Demon!" Paige's voice was strong as she used her hand to orb the fast traveling knifes to one of the demons. The knifes swirled in orbs and embedded themselves into one of the demon, causing him to explode. The other two demons exploded as well. The two dogs and a werewolf looking creature that was heading towards them suddenly evaporated.
"Nice one Paige," Kara said impressed.
"Piper looked stunned as she started to stand but looked at the blood on her hand and began to panic. "Paige," Her voice was low.
The baby sister ran to the oldest one, "I'm here honey," she said in a softened voice and puts her hands over the wound, it only takes a few seconds and Piper is healed.
Thanks, now what the hell was all that, and how did you kill the other two?" Piper asks now standing up.
"I don't think she did," Kara said while pointing to the office and then Wyatt and Chris smiled and ran over to them.
"Wyatt I told you to stay in the office," Piper tried to scorn her 6 year old but in truth was very grateful for the help.
Wyatt looked down playing with his hands for a moment. "I know mommy but you needed help, and Chris made me, "he added while pointing at his little brother.
Chris was hanging on to Piper's leg wanting to be picked up, "No I didn't mommy."
"Its OK boys I will let it go this time, but you need to listen to me when I tell you to do something, I don't want you getting hurt," Piper replied and picked up her anxious son.
"OK, sorry mommy," Wyatt said and hugged his mother's leg.
Kara was already walking over to the bar and was not interested in the mother son bonding moment; right now she wanted to kill any brain cell that might remember this day. "I so need a drink."
"Are you okay Piper," Paige asks noticing Piper was still a little shaken.
"I'm OK, just got a little scared for a minute. It's been a while since I've seen my own blood."
"I don't like the word blood," Chris said as he played with the tip of her nose.
"Well that makes two of us kid," Kara chimed in after taken a drink.
"We need to get back to the manner, Phoebe is meeting us there and she was attacked as well at her office," Paige said while motioning Kara to come back over to the group and she got a rolling of the eyes back.
"Oh no, is she okay and did anyone see?" Piper asks concerned.
"She is fine and thank god no one saw anything, now let's go," Paige responded and orbed everyone out.
All of them orb into the solarium as Phoebe is pacing back and forth. "Where have you been?" She asks while putting her hands on her hips.
"I will never make it to my apartment at this rate," Kara said with dejection.
"Are you okay Phoebe?" Piper asks while looking at her stomach.
"We are fine; I just wish I knew what was going on."
"Paige could you orb the kids to magic school?"
"I'm glad I don't have to refuel it would cost you a fortune. And what should I tell Leo?"
"Nothing right now I don't want to worry him, and he's in the middle of teaching his class. Just say I had a work thing and we are still getting Kara set up here."
Paige holds the boys hands and orbs away.
"Piper are you OK you look a little pale?" Phoebe asks now lowering her guard.
"I'm fine, probably just need a blood transfusion," The oldest replied with a little laugh.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing it's okay."
"Well we need to check the book," Phoebe said and started walking towards the stairs.
"It's about time," Kara said and got up from the couch to follow Phoebe.
"Phoebe and Piper give Kara a hard look as she walks past them in the hallway. "Where is it exactly?"
"Upstairs, let's go." It seems she shows up and then all hell breaks loose," Piper said to herself as they ascended the stairs.
A black scorpion scurried across the coarse sand while the heat rose from the surface, but was stopped when a large foot with 3 claws stepped on it and gave it a twist for good measure. A bold man in black was being circled by a seven foot Shadow-dell.
"It looks like demons are using Mirth powers," The Shadow-dell said while continuing his movement.
"I know I have been teaching them Shondeas," The bold man replied while looking at his staff.
"Why would you do that they are beneath us," Shondeas said as he stopped in front of the man.
"Because they create a distraction and it does not matter, all I have to do is create an Avedon to wipe demons and the witches out."
"This again, and I thought you did not want to lead the demons?
"I don't but for some reason they see me as their new source, whatever that means. Once I get Kara out of the way it should be a breeze."
"You said that before."
"It's different here the powers are weaker, Alda is far more powerful," the man replied now facing Shondeas.
"I thought you wanted to kill the boy?
"I do, but his brother keeps orbing him away when I try to get close," He replied through his teeth.
"Then do it from a distance."
"I don't tell you how to do your job, so don't tell me how to do mine."
"We have an agreement, don't get sidetracked."
"You may be immune to magic and Alda but you are not immune to me, so hold yourself Shadow-dell."
"Maybe we will align ourselves with the Avedon instead of Time Weavers," Shondeas voice rose as he moved closer to the man.
"You have your free will do as you please, but that also means you will not be turned back into Alda, since I am the only one who knows how to do that at this point, it seems you would be giving up a lot."
"If you break your promise I will bring all of the Shadow-dells upon you."
"Then I better keep my promise."
The attic of the manor was quiet at the moment as the four girls look at Kara suspiciously while she made her way to the family heritage. Piper stood in front of it not sure to let the new comer even get a Chance, or to just trust her. She felt a knot at in her stomach as Kara walked towards her, and tried not to show her uneasiness around Paige's new charge. Paige watched the seen and also felt a knot in her stomach, but not for the same reason as her older sister but in frustration of how Piper was treating her charge. "Come on Piper not everyone is evil, please don't do this we need her I know it." Paige said to herself as she made her way to the couch. Phoebe's empathy power was wreaking havoc on her emotions, Piper's distrust and Paige's frustration towards Piper, not to mentioned Kara's nerves and decided to be the first to speak.
"I don't understand all of these demons that have attacked us are low-level, how could they have that kind of power," Phoebe said while looking at one of the demons pictures in the book.
"Not to make you even more suspicious of me, but in my dream the people that were attacking me were using those red crystals," Kara said as she tried to walk over to Phoebe.
"That couldn't possibly make me more suspicious of you," Piper said blocking her path.
"Piper the elders said to trust her, that we need to or we will not survive this," Paige's voice showing signs of irritation.
"Oh come on Piper, I'm not going to steal it," Kara said while standing her ground in front of an unmoving Halliwell.
"Well if she's evil the book will let us know it, so let her pass Piper," Phoebe said in hopes of moving something along.
Piper reluctantly moves out of the way and Kara walks over and touches the book slowly and nothing happens. "Well that's one thing that doesn't hate me," Kara said and let out a sign of relief.
"We don't hate you honey, we have just been burnt before," Paige said walking over to the others.
"Wow there is a lot of crap in here, maybe I can find something that talks about Mirth and Jade," Kara continued as she turned the pages and everyone else in the room stops and stares hard at Kara.
"What did you say?" Piper asks.
In my dream I was talking to a man but I don't know who he was. He seemed friendly; I on the other hand did not. Anyway he said he would go to Mirth to get the vials and I should go to Jade to get the book," Kara replied confused.
"What book?" Paige asks very curious.
"I don't know we got attacked by five people before the conversation got any further. Wait there was something about an Avedon and a man named Tolan," Kara answered as she looked down at the book.
"Jade and Mirth Alda was on the diagram in one of Pipers memories, the problem is it was in the source's chamber on the ceiling," Phoebe included as she looked at Paige who was now running out of the room covering her mouth.
"Was it something I said?" Kara asks concerned.
"No, just the wonderful joys of being pregnant," Phoebe reassured her with a smile.
"Oh my god she's pregnant?" Kara's voice relayed her worry for her Whitelighter.
"Yap and so am I, so far I've managed to keep my breakfast down," Phoebe replied rubbing her stomach.
"I don't miss that," Piper added.
"I'm sorry, I feel like this is my fault somehow," Kara said trying to avoid Piper's acknowledgment.
"Actually I think the only reason we are still alive is because of you," Phoebe said trying to remove the tension in the room.
Piper turns and heads to the window and makes a remark that no one understands under her breath. "I'm sorry you don't trust me Piper, but I understand why. Paige told me about Billy and Christie," Kara's voice sounded apologetic.
"Let's just focus on what we need to do," Piper replied not turning around.
"Paige enters the room with a glass of water." You know for some reason eggs Benedict just isn't as good the second time around," She said as she took a drink.
The other three women make faces that show a little discussed. "Okay, so what we do know is that Mirth and Jade Alda has something to do with this. And demons especially low-level are getting very powerful powers," Phoebe interjected.
"On the bright side at least we are getting new ones as well," Paige replied as she put the glass of water on the small round antique table.
"Let's just hope it's enough, because at the club I was having some major issues dealing with them," Piper said as she noticed the glass of water that was clearly leaving a ring. Paige noticed her older sister's gaze and picked up the glass without saying a word. Everyone knew except poor Kara about Piper's neurotic behavior when it came to cleanliness around the house.
They attacked at the club is there any place safe?" Phoebe said in a raised voice.
"Their demons I'm guessing not," Kara added.
Coop materializes is in the room with the concerned face. "Are you coming home any time soon?"
"Hi baby, sorry there's a lot going on right now," Phoebe answered and walked over to her worried and a little irritated husband. But once she gave him a kiss, his demeanor softened. "How are you feeling?"
"A little tired but okay."
"I felt like something was wrong earlier, but I was with the client so I'm sorry I didn't get to you," Coop apologized putting his hands on her shoulders.
"It's okay Paige and Kara saved my butt," Phoebe replied looking at Paige then Kara. Piper let out a snort and everyone then looked at her as she rolled her eyes.
"Thanks guys," Coop said looking at Piper oddly as he was not sure why her arms were folded and the snort.
"You're welcome," Both Kara and Paige said.
Paige's cell phone rings." Hold on I'm going to take this outside, its Henry."
"Maybe we're looking at the wrong book, maybe we should be looking somewhere else for answers," Piper suggested as she unfolded her arms.
"What like mythology, I wasn't the best student when it came to that but I don't remember anything about Jade and Mirth Alda?" Phoebe asks as she looked up to the ceiling trying to recall her school days.
"Me neither and I actually was a good student," Piper replied noticing her middle sister's mental struggle.
"Smart ass," Phoebe replied as she looked defiant into an eldest sister smile.
Kara walks over to the window and looks outside seeing two men one wearing all dark brown and the other wearing dark green. She hesitated at first before saying anything, and then recognized one of them from her dream. "Guys there are some men outside staring up at us."
All of them run over to the window and see the two men. "Who the hell are they?" Piper asks.
"I don't know, wait the one in brown looks like the man in my dream," Kara said looking at the younger man tilting her head.
"Was he the one attacking or talking?" Piper ask not sure if she wanted the answer.
"The one talking and he was trying to protect me."
"Well at least we know he is on our side. Let's go talk to them." Phoebe said and headed for the door.
"And what if they try to kill us in the middle of the street?" Kara asks as she followed them out.
"Then we blame Phoebe," Piper said and left the attic.
"Again smart ass," Phoebe said as she followed Piper, Kara and Coop out of the attic.
Outside the Manor on the other side of the street, two men are standing looking over at the house. One of them was dressed in a dark brown coat with no sleeves and dark brown pants, his short dark hair moved slightly in the gentle wind. The other man was in his 60s and was wearing a long dark green cote that had a tribal design on its back and was buttoned completely up from bottom to top. His long gray here also moved a little in the wind.
"Why hasn't she tried to contact us?" Seth asks his cohort.
"I don't know Seth, I think she does not know who she is but we need to get her home, we have a war to fight," Ileru answered.
"I don't know how the portal was even opened; just remember seeing her and Tolan being hit by something, and then being sucked through."
"We know that he's here and we know he'll find her, and if she doesn't figure out who she is soon he will kill her," Ileru said looking concerned at Seth.
"I'm not going to let that happen, it took me a long time to open her heart and I will be damned to see a close again," Seth answered his dark eyes almost watering.
"We should go to the house, but with caution I've been watching them and they have unusual powers. Kara seems to have picked up on some of them."
"What do you mean?"
"She can change herself into something, I don't know what it is but it looks like a little lizard.
"Kara is anything but a little lizard," Seth added as the front door of the Manor opened.
With cautioned both the men start walking towards the house while the front door opens. The first to greet them was Piper who made it very clear who the boss was. "OK, I don't like weird men standing outside my house so unless you have something to say you should leave." Both men stop for a moment but continued to walk forward. "Their greeting is odd year." Seth whispered to Ileru.
"Come on Seth, I'm guessing that's an invitation."
Seth felt something familiar as he approached the red house; his hart skipped a beat like it always did when he was around Kara, "That woman sounds like Kara on a good day."
The two men walk up to the front door and the women and Coop back up nervously not sure to kill or trust their guest. "We mean you no harm, we are just here to get Kara and bring her home," The older one said as he stepped in front of Seth.
"Kara looks hard especially at the man in all dark brown." I don't know you."
Seth looked hurt but approaches her." What, how could you not remember me?" His voice strained slightly.
"I'm sorry I don't, should I?"
"We've only been together for five years. And winning your heart is not easy," Seth replied as he tried to get closer to Kara.
"I'm sorry, I don't know who you are," She replied backing away slowly.
"Give her some room, while don't you start by telling us who you are?" Piper demanded and led the men into the living room.
"Nice house," Ileru complemented as he looked around.
Phoebe could not sense much from the older man, but the younger was obviously nervous and very hurt. "Thank you, unless you want to kill us for it?" She asks as she stepped into the room with the others.
"I'm sorry?" Ileru replied confused from the question.
"Nothing, we've had a bad day," Phoebe replied and put her hands in her back pocket.
"I need to go honey, will you be okay?" Coop said while looking up.
"I'll be fine, I don't feel threatened by them, someone's heart is broken and the other one seems to be happy but kind of oblivious." She whispered back to him.
"Fun, if you need me just call, I love you" Coop said as he gave her a kiss and then hearted away.
"I love you too."
"That was interesting he didn't need a tablet," Ileru added as he looked where Coop was standing.
"What?" Phoebe asks.
"In order for us to do that we need a tablet." Ileru pulls out a rounded top piece of stone about 5 inches high and 3 inches wide, with tribal symbol in its center.
"Why do I recognize that?" Kara asks as she looked inquisitively at the tablet.
"Because you used to use one remember?" Seth's voice showed hope as he brought it over to her.
Kara backed away again. "No I don't remember anything, I woke up in the hospital about a year ago, and they said I had amnesia."
"What why didn't you tell us?" Piper's voice rose while eyeing Kara down.
"It's not something you tell new people, hi I have this weird power that makes me turn into a lizard, and by the way I have amnesia, let's be friends," Kara answered defensively.
"Kara we could have helped you remember, and wow you are very sarcastic," Paige said raising her eyes at that last part.
"Well at least that hasn't changed. Honey you need to remember because Tolan is here," Seth said but realizing his mistake and closed his eyes tight.
"Honey! I'm not your honey, and who is Tolan?"
"Maybe we should hit her in the head again," Ileru said while picking up a lamp.
Piper immediately grabbed it out of his hand." Hey that's an antique, use this," she said while handing him a large phone book.
"Piper!" Phoebe yelled and grabbed the book out of her hand.
"What I was just trying to move this along," Piper replied as she rolled her eyes.
"Kara sits down on one of the high-top chairs," I think my brain is going to explode." The last year has been a struggle trying to remember who she was and now two men show up out of nowhere, and tell her who she is.
"Kara if you lost your memory then why is your name Kara?" Paige asks narrowing her eyes.
"Well I thought going by Jane Doe might create some problems, so when they ask I just picked Kara," she answered.
"I know this is a lot to take in, but it looks like you're starting to remember some things," Seth said as he sat down on the couch.
"Yeah but it doesn't make any sense."
"Okay, let's get our bearings what are your names?" Phoebe asks.
"Seth."
"Ileru, I'm a book."
The room went silent as they all looked at the smiling man who believed this would not create more Questions. "Not now Ileru, let's keep it simple," Seth quietly said.
"Oh this is far from simple," Ileru replied with a snort.
Seth took a deep breath and began to explain. "OK, here we go then. Kara is the leader of both Mirth and Jade Alda. It wasn't always that way in the past Mirth and Jade were fierce enemies, until the arrival of an Avedon."
"What's an Avedon?" Paige asks now sitting down with the others.
Someone born with both powers. The Avedon almost wiped out all Mirth and Jade, but Kara and I defeated her unfortunately she was being used by Tolan a Time Weaver."
Wait, when we were attacked by that creature you said it called you a weaver Kara," Piper said as her suspicion began to grow again.
"I think the powers are mixing, she must have gotten some of Tolans powers when they came through the portal," Ileru answered.
"What portal?" Phoebe asks knowing that portals were never a good thing.
"The one that was opened a year ago and our worlds have been connected ever since," Seth added.
"That could explain a lot," Paige said sarcastically.
"Did you say creature, what did it look like?" Seth asks.
Paige explained what the creature looked like and Seth stood up erect, Phoebe could feel his fear and panic and held her stomach as she backed away hoping no one would notice.
"Shadow-dells," Seth said almost in a whisper.
"Is that what they're called?" Paige asks.
"Yes, and even in our world they are fierce enemies. They have aligned with Weavers."
"Seth what is my real name?" Kara finely asks as she seemed to be absent from most of the conversation.
"Kara Jade Oseeth."
"Leo orbs in with the kids and they immediately head to their mother. "Mommy," The eldest said as he outstretched his hands wanting a hug.
"Hay buddy, Leo what are you doing here?" Piper asks while picking up Wyatt.
"I don't know, I thought I come and see my wife and who are those people?" Leo replied while holding Chris and gave his wife a kiss.
"I'll fill you in later."
"OK Seth go ahead," Paige asks as she grabbed a piece of paper.
"Where was I? Oh during a big battle a portal opened and Kara and Tolan were sucked through."
"The interesting thing is that they were both hit with something, some kind of white round ball before they were gone," Ileru added.
"I'm not sure if that's relevant right now, but Kara needs to remember who she is and her powers. If I know Tolan he will strike soon not giving her a chance to defend herself," Seth continued.
"Okay this may be a stupid question, but are you guys good or evil?" Paige asks unsure if she wanted to know.
"Neither side is good nor evil it is how you use the power. The Avedon wanted to destroy our world or control everyone in it," Seth answered.
Chris starts to squirm in Leo's arms which meant that he wants down so Leo obliges his request. "Sorry I know I missed a lot, but there is one thing I do know, that portals are not good. Is there a way to close it?
"We don't know, we have been spending our time looking for her," Seth answered while looking at Kara who was wide eyed at all the information that was being dished out.
"Okay I'm assuming because they're called Time Weavers that they can do something with time?" Phoebe asks.
"Not the way you think, in our world it takes two or three to create a time web. The reason for this was to hide our battles from humans," Ileru answered.
"Is your world different than ours? Phoebe asks as she took Wyatt from Piper's arms and put him on her lap in attempts to distract him, before he started getting bored.
"Not by much, actually they are similar." Seth answered noticing a four-year-old looking directly at him.
"How does it work exactly, you know their web? Paige asks while writing down some notes as Wyatt tried to help.
"Once they create the Web everything that is not Alda freezes. And once the battle is over the weaver can rewind time by two seconds to remove any damage that was done," Seth answered but would look back and forth to Chris and the others as the little one just kept staring.
"Time weavers were created to be neutral, but there was a bad batch and they were choosing sides. Unfortunately they aligned with the Avedon and the Shadow-Dells which are immune to Alda powers, but the creatures are not immune to the weavers." Ileru said noticing Seth's uneasiness at the small child staring at him and laughed a little.
"I guess you could call it checks and balances," Seth said through an awkward smile.
"Wait, you keep saying you create everything? Paige asks a little amazed.
"Yes at one point there was a book called the book of Ileru and seven vials. The vials are filled with an elixir of different types. All of us in our world have a dormant gene and the elixir unblocks it."
"So it's not a choice, are people just picked up randomly off the street and given the elixir?" Piper said with a little anger and picked up her staring four-year-old slowly moving away from Seth.
"No, there are certain traits that dictate whether or not the elixir will work, and we do not grab people off the street, I think even in your world that's called kidnapping," Seth replied defensive.
"It is passed to generation to generation depending upon their traits will depend upon what they are made," Ileru continued.
"Who the hell would want to be a Shadow-Dell?" Kara finally found her voice and asks.
"Shadow-Dells were in layman's terms a messed up Time Weaver," Seth answered.
"What? Paige asks.
"Sometimes the transformation did not go well, and when trying to make a Time Weaver a Shadow-Dell could be made instead," Ileru said as he walked over to Piper and started making baby faces to Chris who caused him to giggle, but Piper stepped away from the older man. "Sucks to be on that end of a screw up," She said still looking at Ileru.
"None of this matters because they are coming after us and our children so how do we kill them?" Leo's voice raising a little.
"I'm afraid only she can, Tolan is very manipulative and he can project different images around him so it makes it hard to tell what is real and what isn't. Another Time Weaver trait," Seth said while looking understanding towards Kara's predicament.
"But you said they are immune to Alda powers? Kara asks as she stood up.
"They are but you are an expert fighter in all weapons as well as martial arts and that is not necessarily an Alda power. The Shadow-Dells fear you so did Mirth and Jade respected you.
"Well I'm Kara Smith and I turn myself into a lizard when I get a little afraid, so were screwed."
"You used your power when you saved me at work Kara, so were not screwed honey. We will help you get through this," Phoebe said sensing Kara's pressure and panic.
"Is there any way we can help? Leo asks as he was clearly worried for his family.
"Of course we happily accept any help," Ileru answered.
"Wait you said the book of Ileru but isn't that your name?" Paige asks now letting Wyatt draw on the paper.
"Yes, I used to be a book but Landrick who used to be leader of Jade turned me into a human, once he knew Tolan was not neutral anymore and was trying to make a Avedon, but unfortunately it was too late he was able to read the book and get the instructions he needed," Ileru answered.
"Kara please try to remember! Seth's voice was now hard and demanding.
"I can't I'm sorry," She replied and leaves the room heading for the kitchen. Phoebe puts Chris down and follows Kara.
"Kara are you OK? Phoebe asks trying to catch up.
"I feel like this is all my fault and I'm going to get you guys killed," Kara replied through tears.
"Why would you think that?
"Because they're coming after me and hurting your family."
"Kara in case you haven't noticed were kind of use to it." Phoebe replied as her eyes reflected what Kara was feeling. "We will figure all this out don't worry."
A loud crashing noise was heard in the other room and Phoebe left without saying a word as Kara began to breathe hard, knowing something bad just happened.
Phoebe ran into the very active living room as three demons stood on one side, while the others stood on the other. Seth and Ileru were pinned to the wall by a continues rush of water as the rest were trying to get their footing as the after spray was all over the hard wood floor. A demon threw a crystal in front of him towards Piper and Leo with the boys behind them, and a brick wall formed out of the mist. Piper managed to get her footing first and with a flick of her wrist the wall exploded sending pieces of the red brick everywhere and one struck Leo in the forehead cracking his skull open, knocking him out.
"Leo!" Piper yelled and tried to get to him but lost her footing again and fell.
"Wyatt shield!" Phoebe yelled to the stunned six year old as she tried to help Piper up. His shield went up without hesitation and he began to heal his father as Chris stood next to him. Another demon threw a crystal out in front of Paige, who was now standing and tried to orb it out the window but the crystal broke near the stained glass. The red mist swilled picking up pieces of the window's sharp aftermath and before Paige could even react her throat was cut by the pieces of glass the red mist created.
"NO!" Piper's voice cracked and she instinctively put up her hands and a bubble went around her baby sister as her jugular was clearly cut, and blood sprayed out but was now unmoving inside the bubble.
"Freeze them!" Phoebe yelled out in hopes her oldest sister would do so.
Piper tried to do what she asks but was hit by a fireball that seemed to come out of nowhere, throwing her to the wall. Phoebe was not scared anymore, now she was pissed and put her sights on the demon that tossed it. The pupils of her eyes turned to a swirling of blue and white orbs as she looked directly into his eyes.
"Kill yourself," She demands gritting her teeth.
The demon produces a knife and stabbed himself in the chest causing him to blow up. Piper started to rise and cased the room, one demon was trying to get into the bobble that held Paige, Seth and Ileru were pinned and Wyatt was still healing Leo. Kara finely got the courage to run into the room and stopped suddenly looking at the scene in front of her.
"Kara help!" Seth said has he took gulps of air while the water pinned him as he tried to pull something out of his pocket.
Phoebe made her way to the other demon, giving him a round house kick but he shimmered out and then shimmered back in behind Phoebe, but before he did so, he threw one more fireball towards Piper who was already in a firing position. The fireball froze and the demon that was trying to get to Paige fired another one in Piper's direction that she did not see coming, it hit her in the leg knocking her to the ground.
"KARA USE YOUR POWER!" Seth pleaded and managed to pull out a red crystal of his own but dropped it.
The demon behind Phoebe materialized a knife and stabbed her in the back as he held her throat with is other hand, making it and impossible for her to breathe or scream, and after a few seconds she fell to the ground not moving. Chris left the safety of Wyatt's shield to attend his fallen Aunt.
"Aunt Phoebe!"
Seth finally got hold of the crystal and with one word in Latin it broke. The crystal breaks and 10 circular blades came shooting out at the demon across from him cutting him into pieces. While Piper was trying to get to her feet again but went down to one knee as blood came out of her leg and shoulder. She was also dazed and did not see Chris leave the shield as he made his way to Phoebe.
"Good by little witch," The demon said and generated a fireball.
"NO!" Kara yelped and run towards Chris pushing him out of the way and the fireball hit her dead center in the back, the force throwing her to the other side of the wall. Piper looked up seeing Chris near the demon and without hesitation flicked her wrist blowing up the last uninvited guest.
"Phoebe," Piper's voice barely audible and with a shaking hand put her middle motionless sister in a bobble and collapsed on the floor. The water that held Seth and Ileru ceased as Leo began to stir.
"Kara," Seth said as he ran to her bloody body.
Leo woke up rubbing his eyes trying to focus as his son used his little arms to help him up. Chris was standing up and crying hard as he looked around him. Leo panicked and ran to his youngest son checking for Injuries and when he saw none he too looked around. Paige was in a bobble and so was Phoebe as Kara was unconscious along with his wife.
"Oh my god," He said as he exhaled. "Wyatt go heal your mother."
Wyatt left his father side and sat down next to Piper and the familiar orange white glow came out of tiny shaken hands as his eyes were narrowed in concentration. It took a couple of minutes for her wounds to heal and she stood up slowly with the help of her husband and Chris latched onto his mother's leg crying hard.
"Leo are you ok?" Piper asks as she placed her hand on his forehead.
"Yeah you?
"Fine thanks to this little man," Piper replied patting a very proud and smiling Wyatt as she picked up her crying four year old son.
Seth was trying to wake Kara who was barely breathing as Ileru stood nervous next to him.
"Give her the serum, Seth?" Ileru said and pulled out a syringe looking device.
"It may cause more harm than good, she has been here too long."
Piper remembered what happened and started to get her bearings as she walked over to Seth who was crying and holding Kara in is arms.
"Don't you leave me I did not come this far to lose you?"
"She saved Chris's life Wyatt honey you think you can help her?" Piper said putting her hand to her chest as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Wyatt nodded and put his hands over Kara making the blood that surrounded her move in reverse and then she opened her eyes slowly.
"Ouch, that hurt," Kara said through a very raspy voice and looked up at the man that held her.
"Sorry I forgot," Seth said as he let her go and backed away noticing her uneasiness.
Piper then looked around the room and saw Phoebe and Paige encased in a bubble. "Great," she said though a sigh.
Piper closes her eyes and began to reverse Paige until the injury was gone. "Wow thanks sis that sure is handy." Paige said as she shook herself off trying to get rid of the pieces of glass on her clothes.
Piper then focused on Phoebe and did the same. "Thanks Piper and you Christopher Perry Halliwell! Don't you ever leave your brother side while being attacked," Phoebe scorned the youngest while still in his mother's tight embrace with her hands on her hips.
"How did you know he left, you were unconscious?" Kara asks as she sat down on the soaking wet couch.
"I heard him say my name and then felt his worry, it got stronger by the second so I knew he was coming towards me. So I must not have been that out of it yet." Phoebe answered.
"Sorry Aunt Phoebe," Chris replied as he buried his head into Piper's shoulder.
"Oh, its ok honey we just don't want you to get hurt," Piper added while moving a strain hair out of his red face.
"Sorry mommy, I love you," Chris replied now looking up with red eye's into his mother's loving ones.
"I love you too peanut."
"You did such a great job healing mommy, Kara and me", Leo said as he picked up Wyatt and kissed Chris on the head.
Kara stood up from the wet couch looking around at the damage. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know what to do I just froze."
"Kara you saved my son's life that's not the actions of someone who froze," Piper said as she walked over to her," I guess we can say the trust issues are over, thank you."
"Kara smiled back at her and padded Wyatt on the head." Thanks buddy, I own you one."
"Me too," Seth added.
All of them set there in silence for a moment when Paige said a spell that made their room go back to its original state before the attack.
"That's convenient, I'm starting to like it here," Ileru said looking at Paige impressed.
"A demon shimmers into the room." Oh come on give us a break," Phoebe said as she stood defensive.
"I'm not here to attack, I'm here to offer a truce," The man said quickly to avoid getting killed.
"Right we've never heard that before," Piper said holding Chris tighter than before.
"This time it is for real, but don't expect it to last forever."
"Can you give us a date when you will attack again? Paige asks while folding her arms.
"Sure let me check my schedule," He replied in a duh expression.
"No reason to be a smart ass," Phoebe chimed in.
"This is the offer take it or leave it; we will not attack you for a short time if you will not attack us out of revenge."
"You almost killed my family and you expect me not to retaliate? Piper replied angry.
"Yes again this is just for a short time, so look at the bright side it will give you time to build up some anger."
"I don't need time to build up anger, apparently you don't know me," Piper answered and put Chris in Leo's arms to free hers, and before she could blow him up, Phoebe grabbed her arms.
"I know you very well but like I said take it or leave it."
"Looks like we don't have much choice, so I guess we will take it," Paige responded.
"Fine, then we have a truce."
"Why? Phoebe asks.
"We have our reasons and that's all you need to know." He added and then shimmered out.
"It doesn't mean we're not going to prepare," Piper said as she headed for the kitchen with everyone in tow.
Meanwhile in the underworld Tolan and some demons are standing in a large cave when a demon shimmers in.
"Did they accept the offer," Tolan asks the new arrival.
"Yes,"
"Good, it will give us time for me to teach you better."
"I think they did pretty well, they would've had them all if it wasn't for this stupid bubble thing that Piper can do."
"It does not matter, the first thing we do when we attack after the truce, is we kill all the healers first. Then I go for Chris and Kara."
"Why do you want that little boy so much, and why didn't you kill Kara when you first got here?
"I have my reasons, and I just found Kara when I was going after Chris. Somehow their paths connected. But at least she does not know her true power, are we would all be dead. The last thing I want is it to trigger.
"But if you go after her now, it would be easier? The demon asks confused.
"No, her power is independent of her and can react on its own, so it's not that easy."
"Then we need more crystals."
"I will get them, hence the reason we needed the truce, we need more supplies."
"There were two men there but I don't know who they are."
"Seth and Ileru,"
"They know her?
"Yes, and we have to move fast after I get the supplies, we will attack before Seth can remind her anymore of who she is. Now go and tell the others to keep practicing I will be with you shortly." Tolan answered.
"As you wish," The demon replied and walked away into the shadows.
Tolan raises his tablet and draws a symbol on it. An archway rises up from the ground made of black vapor and he walks through it.