The Closing Chapter 3
Xxx
Billie had run for what seemed like miles and soon found herself in a small park. She wiped the tears from her eyes and sat down on a bench near a fountain. The park was very peaceful and quiet, nobody else was there. She stared at the flowing water as the words Piper had said ran through her head over and over.
"That girl tried to kill us. She betrayed us after we took her in and trusted her. How could you do that, Billie? After everything we have done for you?"
"Is this seat taken?" A familiar voice sounded next to her.
Billie looked up to see Phoebe standing next to her.
"Phoebe, what are you doing here? Piper said..." Billie began.
"Piper doesn't make my decisions for me, Billie." Phoebe said as she sat down.
"So why did you follow me?" Billie asked.
"I don't know. A lot has happened between us, Billie, but I still care about you." Phoebe said.
"After everything that I've done?" Billie asked.
"You're not the only one who's made mistakes, you know." Phoebe said.
"But my mistakes are a little bigger than most people's." Billie said. "I've betrayed the best friends I ever had. I tried to kill you."
"Because you wanted your sister back." Phoebe said.
"Yeah. But how could I have been so stupid. How could I not see what she really was?" Billie asked.
"Because you didn't want to see it, Billie. You were blinded by your love for your sister." Phoebe explained. "I know what that's like. I followed Cole to the underworld because I didn't want to see what he had really become."
Billie didn't know what to say and stared into the water. Phoebe looked at the young woman and placed a hand on hers. Billie felt the warmth of Phoebe's hand and broke down in tears.
"Oh sweetie." Phoebe said with tears in her eyes.
She let go of Billie's hand and pulled her in for a tight hug. Billie placed her head against Phoebe's shoulder and cried hysterically. Phoebe could barely hold her own tears, she could only image what pain Billie must be feeling.
Unknown to both the witches, a couple of swirling white orbs descended down upon them. Phoebe let out a gasp as the orbs entered her body and briefly engulfed her in a white light. From that moment on, Phoebe could do more than image the pain Billie was in, she could feel it. Everything Billie was feeling, Phoebe could feel as well. The pain, the sorrow, the anger and confusion. It was too much to handle. Phoebe started to cry as well. She knew what had just happened. Though she didn't understand how or why, she had just got her power of empathy back.
Phoebe wished she could help Billie, take this awful feeling away from her. Then she realized that maybe she could. Maybe she could take Billie's pain away, just like Coop had removed the block from her heart and opened it to love again. She closed her eyes and focused, this had to be the reason why she received her power back, to help Billie!
Phoebe started to glow in a soft pink light that expanded to Billie. The negative emotions were expelled from the girl's body like a dark cloud that evaporated in the air. As the pink light faded away both Billie and Phoebe let out a sigh of relief.
"What happened?" Billie asked surprised as Phoebe let go of her.
"How do you feel?" Phoebe asked.
"I feel better, but I don't understand." Billie asked. "You did something, didn't you?"
"I did, I still don't understand how, but I think I just got back my power of empathy." Phoebe said.
"It's like all the bad feelings just poured away." Billie said. "The memories are still there, and I remember the feelings, but I don't really feel them anymore."
"So do you feel better?" Phoebe asked.
"I don't know." Billie said. "It feels like I cheated. Like I just took the cheap way out instead of truly dealing with my feelings."
"You didn't cheat, Billie." Phoebe said. "I felt what you felt, you have had enough pain. It's time to move on. You must still deal with what you have done and try to make amends, but you don't need to carry around that pain anymore."
"Thank you, Phoebe." Billie said while wiping away her tears.
"You're welcome." Phoebe said with a smile.
"I need to tell you something." Billie said. "The reason why I came today."
"Okay, so tell me." Phoebe said.
"It's Christy." Billie said. "I don't think she is really gone."
"What do you mean?" Phoebe said confused. "We saw what happened to her, she took her own life."
"You mean I killed her." Billie said.
"No, she is the one that threw the fireball, Billie, you were just defending yourself." Phoebe said.
"That doesn't change anything, Phoebe. Killing someone in self-defense is still killing someone. And I killed my own sister." Billie said.
"But why do you think she's still around?" Phoebe asked.
"She came to see me." Billie said.
"Wait, you saw her?" Phoebe asked. "What do you mean?"
"She just appeared in my dorm room out of nowhere." Billie said.
"Do you think she's a ghost? That her spirit is trapped somehow?" Phoebe asked.
"I don't know what she is. Only that she still wants to kill you." Billie said.
Upon hearing that, Phoebe remained quiet for a moment. Billie looked at her and knew what she was thinking. She knew what question was coming.
"Billie, why did she come to you?" Phoebe finally asked.
"I think you know, Phoebe. I can see it in your eyes." Billie said.
"I am sorry Billie, I just needed to ask it." Phoebe said.
"I understand, I would have doubts too." Billie said. "She wanted me to join her. She said we could still fulfill our so-called destiny."
"The destiny that the Triad made up, to kill us." Phoebe added.
"Yes." Billie replied. "Christy will never give up. The triad still has her brainwashed."
"Do you know what she is planning?" Phoebe asked.
"No, I don't." Billie said. "She knew I wouldn't join her, so she wouldn't tell me. She said I would find out eventually."
"We need to go to my sisters. Tell them about Christy." Phoebe said.
"I know." Billie said unwillingly.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Phoebe asked.
"I don't really have a choice. Christy is my sister and I have to help you stop her. It's the only way I can begin making things up to you." Billie said.
"I understand. We should hurry." Phoebe said.
Both witches got up and headed back to the manor together. As soon as they left, Christ appeared out of nowhere next to the fountain. An evil smile formed on her lips as she watched Phoebe and Billie leave.
Xxx
"How dare you show your face here again?" were Piper's first words as she headed down the stairs and saw Odin and the other Elders standing in her dining room.
Odin was the elder that had tried to take Leo from his family years ago, when Leo was torn between remaining an Elder or returning to his family. In order to test him, the Elders stripped him of his memory and sent him somewhere to find his true nature. However, Odin cheated and tricked Leo into choosing being an Elder. If wasn't for a dying Piper calling out to him, Leo would have never even remembered his family. Odin's deceit had caused the fragile relationship between the sisters and the Elders to fall even further apart. Piper hated the man for everything he had done, and the feeling was mutual.
Leo followed Piper down the stairs.
"Odin. What are you doing here?" Leo asked cautious but politely.
"Leo, it is good to see you." One of the other Elders said. He had the appearance of a young man, about 25 years old, with dark brown hair and green eyes.
"Good to see you as well, Noah." Leo replied with a smile.
Noah had been a whitelighter that had been promoted to Elder during the time Leo was an Elder as well. Leo had personally trained him and had been a close friend during this time.
Odin cleared his throat in order to get attention.
"Can we get down to business?" Odin said.
"What business?" Paige asked.
"No, there is no business we need to get down to. We're done, we fulfilled our destiny." Piper said.
"Henry, Coop, why don't you take the boys to the kitchen for a while." Paige suddenly suggested, feeling the situation could get very bad.
"Good idea." Coop said.
The two men picked up the boys and headed for the kitchen.
"You may have fulfilled our destiny, but there is still the mess you left behind." Odin said.
"What mess?" Piper asked.
"You may not realize it, but your selfishness has cost us dearly this last year." Odin said.
"Wait a minute. How dare you come into our home and talk to us like that? Who do you think you are?" Piper angrily said.
"I am an Elder. We are and always will be your superior, witch. I would advise you to remember that." Odin said threatening.
"Okay, that's it. You have three seconds to get out of my house before I blow you back up there myself." Piper almost yelled.
"Piper.." Leo said, trying to calm his wife.
"No, I am sick of this. We fought the Ultimate battle, we're done." Piper said.
"No matter what damage you left behind?" Odin asked.
"Wait a minute, this is about Magic school isn't it?" Paige asked.
"Finally, one of you uses her brain for once." Odin said.
"How is what happened to Magic school our fault?" Piper asked.
"By selfishly faking your deaths to escape your destiny, Magic school was left unprotected, allowing evil to take over." Odin said.
"So it's all our fault?" Piper asked. "And where were you during all of this? Better yet, where were you during the Ultimate battle, when the entire magical community turned on us?"
"Don't turn this around on us. You are the ones responsible for this entire thing." Odin said.
"So what do you want us to do about it?" Paige asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Odin asked. "We want you to reclaim Magic school once and for all."
"But Magic school is filled with demons. We're not even sure if the sisters can reclaim is back so easily." Leo said.
"Wouldn't it just be easier to found a new school?" Paige asked.
"You are talking about giving up on a magical institute that has trained magical beings for thousands of years. And you just want to give it up and start over?" The other, unknown Elder asked.
"Well, when you put it like that." Paige said.
"Why don't you just reclaim it yourselves?" Piper asked.
"We tried." Noah said. "And failed miserably. A very large tribe of demons have claimed the school as their territory after the Ultimate battle. They outnumbered us."
"So much for the superior Elders." Piper remarked.
"Look, this isn't a negotiation." Odin angrily said. "You will reclaim Magic school for us."
"Why would we do that?" Piper asked.
"Because you do not want the Elders to be your enemy. You of all people should know that we can make your life very difficult." Odin said.
"Odin, what are you doing, are we making threats now?" Noah asked surprised.
"Be quiet, you rookie." Odin sneered.
"You know, every time I think you Elders have hit rock bottom, you just have prove me wrong." Piper said. "Don't you ever come into my house again and threaten my family."
Odin and Piper stared each other down, until Odin gave in.
"This conversation isn't over." He simply said and orbed out.
The other, unknown Elder instantly followed him, but Noah remained.
"I apologize for the way Odin treated you." Noah said. "He can be… difficult."
"That's one way of putting it." Paige said.
"Look, I know you have every right to hate the Elders after everything that has happened. But forget about us, this really isn't about us." Noah said.
"It's about the entire magical community. They need Magic school." Leo added.
"But if this demonic tribe is as powerful as you say, how can you be sure we can defeat it?" Paige asked.
"You are still the Charmed Ones, the most powerful force of good, destiny or not." Noah said. "if anyone can do it, you can."
"That is all very great and all, but you still haven't answered one of my questions." Piper said.
"What question was that?" Noah asked.
"Where were you during the Ultimate battle, when everyone turned on us?" Piper repeated her questions.
Noah hesitated for a while.
"Several Elders, mostly the ones of the older generation, felt that it didn't concern us. That is was between you and the Ultimate power. We younger Elders wanted to intervene, but we have fewer and have less influence." Noah explained.
"Let me guess, Odin was in charge of the opposing party?" Piper asked.
"Piper, we are aware of your history with Odin and that your relationship is unfriendly, to put it politely. Most of us felt he was too involved to make a rational decision, but Odin is very powerful among the Elders." Noah said.
"Sounds like something needs to change up there." Paige remarked.
"Trust me, we're working on that." Noah said with a nod.
"Really?" Paige said with an amused smile. "Go younger Elders."
"So let's get back to this whole Magic school thing." Piper said. "What is the worst thing that could happen?"
"Well, Magic school was created to keep untrained magic in check. If we don't find a way to restore it, we could have an Atlantis situation all over again. This could mean massive destruction, thousands of deaths and the exposure of magic." Noah explained.
"Wow, you really go straight for the worst case scenario, don't you?" Paige remarked.
"So I guess we really don't have a choice, do we?" Piper said.
"You always have a choice, Piper. I just hope you make the right one, for the right reasons." Noah said. "I should really get going or else they'll wonder what's taking me. Leo, I hope we meet again under better circumstances."
"Me too." Leo said. "Take care."
Noah was about to orb out, but was stopped by Piper.
"Noah, wait." She said. "Tell them we'll do it, but not for them."
"Piper, are you sure?" Paige asked.
"Yes, I am. Noah is right. This isn't about us or the Elders. It's about the future of magic, the future of our kids." Piper said.
"Thank you, Piper." Noah said and orbed out.
Xxx
Phoebe and Billie walked up the stairs in front of the Halliwell manor. Witch each step, Billie's shoes grew heavier. When they reached the front door, Billie stopped. Phoebe turned and looked at her.
"I need a moment." Billie said.
"Don't be afraid Billie. Piper is hurt and she is angry, but she doesn't hate you. None of us do. You have nothing to be afraid of." Phoebe said.
"Okay, I can do this." Billie said.
"I know you can. Just be strong." Phoebe said.
She took out her key and opened the front door. She held the door open for Billie and guided her in. Phoebe closed the door behind them and took of her coat. Leo came walked into the foyer.
"Hey Leo, where are Piper and Paige?" Phoebe asked.
"They are up in the attic. Why is Billie here?" Leo asked surprised. "I mean, of course you are welcome." He later added.
Billie gave him a quick smile. She was glad he didn't feel the same way as Piper. He had always been a good friend and teacher.
"I brought Billie back because she told me something very important. And Piper and Paige really need to hear this." Phoebe said. "Why are they in the attic?"
"Something has happened..." Leo said.
"Oh my god, was it Christy?" Billie blurted out before Leo could continue.
"Christy?" Leo asked shocked. "I thought she was.."
"Yes, that's the thing we need to talk about, we're not sure yet." Phoebe said. "So what happened here?"
"I think you'd better go up to the attic and let your sisters tell you." Leo said.
"Okay, let's go, Billie." Phoebe said and headed up the stairs.
"Are you sure that is a good idea?" Leo asked.
"Of course." Phoebe said. "It will be fine."
Xxx
In the attic, Piper and Paige were gathered around a large round table filled with tiny bottles and various potion ingredients. Paige was going through some jars while Piper was stirring through a black pot. The Book of Shadows was lying on the table next to it.
"I sure wish we knew what kind of demon we're dealing with." Paige said.
"Probably just the generic kind." Piper said while reading a page from the book. "Could you hand me the Hemlock root? And careful, it's very explosive."
Paige searched the table for the hemlock root and handed it to Piper.
At that moment, Phoebe came waling in.
"Hey guys, guess who I brought." She said cheerfully.
Paige and Piper both looked up. Upon seeing Billie enter the attic, Piper dropped the hemlock root in the black pot, causing it to explode. Piper and Paige were both thrown away from the table in opposite directions. The Book of Shadows and the other stuff on the table were also blasted. The book protected itself and landed near Billie.
"Oh my god, are you alright?" Phoebe yelled.
She hesitated, unsure of which sister to run to first. She decided to go for Paige. Luckily she had landed on a pile of boxes and was unharmed. Phoebe helped her up.
"Oh, that hurt." Paige said.
"Piper, are you okay?" Phoebe asked.
Piper had been less fortunate that Paige and had crashed into a small wooden table, which was now broken. She had a deep cut in her arm.
"Here, let me heal that." Paige said and walked over to Piper. She placed her hand over Piper's cut and started to heal it with a golden light emitting from her hands.
Meanwhile, Billie walked over the Book of Shadows and picked it up.
"Piper, I'm sorry for startling you." Billie said as she placed the book back on the table.
Piper stared at the book. It had let Billie pick it up, meaning it didn't saw Billie as evil or as a threat. She herself wasn't sure what to think of Billie. She remembers what she had promised Leo, to at least hear her out. Meanwhile Paige and finished healing her and helped her up.
"So I guess we have a lot to talk about." Piper said.
"Yeah." Billie said nervously.
xxx