Hello, everyone! So… this is it; the last chapter of Season 11. As you know, there won't be a new one so this is also a "series finale" for my fic (that's why the chapter is so big, I hope you won't mind). Anyway, I'd like to thank each one of my readers; thank you for staying here with me, even when it took months for the next chapter, thanks for commenting, giving me tips, etc. It has been an amazing experience writing this fanfic, and I'm gonna miss it a lot (I hope you too haha), but, like all things, it must come to an end. I have another Charmed-related work in my mind, but before that there are some other projects I have to finish, so you probably won't hear anything about a sequel in a while. Don't let that stop you from giving me ideas, though, I'd love to know what you would like to see in a future project. Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Swan Song
The Charmed Ones kept walking on the desert, getting closer to the horde of demons. They all stood still, until an order resonated in the crowd and they advanced; there were around a hundred demons there.
-Attack! –Prue shouted. Her staff turned into a bow and a quiver appeared on her back, much to her surprise. She grabbed three arrows and shot the demons, vanquishing them. She jumped around, hitting more demons every time.
Paige and Phoebe fought bluntly with their staffs, not sure how to use their powers yet. Phoebe waved her bat, and a whiff of wind knocked the demons down, but didn't vanquish them; however, it gave time for Prue to hit them with more arrows. Piper raised her hands and colorful hieroglyphs appeared in the air; they glowed and a blast of energy was sent, vanquishing some warriors.
They kept walking, and Piper would create shields, protecting her and her sisters from the attacks. Prue was the best of them, her arrows never missed the target, but Paige didn't have that luck; she hit demons with her bat, but it wasn't strong enough to do them any harm, only slow them down.
-I hate Anubis. –She complained. –I can't do anything!
-He's the god of the dead. –Phoebe said. They were behind a wind wall. –It's the opposite you of what you did as a whitelighter; you can't save anyone here, you've gotta use death in your favor. Anubis was responsible of weighing the heart of the dead, and punished those who weren't worth it. Try working with that.
-Your knowledge scares me. –Paige joked as Phoebe headed back to the battle. She took a deep breath and looked at her staff. –Ok, it's now or never. Please.
The staff shone green for second and Paige knew what to do. She hit the ground, strongly sending an energy wave. As it hit the demons, they were turned into skeletons and fell on the ground. Her bat had turned into a sickle, and she used it to attack the demons.
-I can't believe we're actually doing this. –Prue said. –This is amazing. I feel so much power! –She said as she shot more arrows.
-We've got to keep moving! –Piper shouted to her sisters. They had stopped and were fighting the warriors that came near them. –She's not so far away. –While she talked, she got distracted and a fireball hit her, sending her back. It didn't kill Piper, but it hurt a lot, and she couldn't get up. –Ugh.
-Piper! –Paige shouted, and it gave time for a demon to knock her down too. Phoebe stood by her side and raised her hands; wind kept the demons away from the two of them, leaving only Prue in the fight.
-Guys, I won't be able to do this alone! –Prue shouted. She was being overpowered by the monsters; she wasn't fast enough.
-Come! –Phoebe shouted, opening a gap in the shield, for Prue to get in. –I don't know how long I'll be able to hold this!
Piper had created a small force field around her, she was too weak to do anything else, but it kept the warriors away.
-This is not good. –Paige said. –What do we do? We need help!
In that moment, the place was filled by a blue light. The demons stopped, covering their eyes, and so did the sisters. Whitelighters, elders and some other magical creatures appeared in the desert, attacking the warriors with their weapons and with magic.
-Someone called for help? –Camille asked. She was wearing a golden armor that allowed her to have legs. Max was standing beside her, with other four mermaid soldiers.
-Let's do this. –He said and headed to the battle.
After a moment, Piper got up, completely healed, and so did her sisters.
-Come on. Let's show them some of the goddess powers. –She said and went back to the fight with renewed energy.
…
Leo and Nathaniel were having a hard time fighting the digger demon. His armor was impenetrable, and they couldn't find his weak spot.
-Billie! –Leo shouted. –If you can hear me, please, help us!
-I'm trying! –She shouted back. –But I feel like my head is going to explode! I can't make any sense out of all this information! –She fell to her knees.
-What is she doing? –The elder asked.
-She's trying to use Thoth's power, but she can't, for some reason.
-Thoth, the Egyptian god? How is that possible?
-Long story! –Leo said, evading one of the demon's attacks. He hit back with his sword, with no effect. –The problem is she can't control it; it's too strong.
-Of course it is! This power is made for a god to use, not a human!
Leo's face lit up when he had an idea. He ran to the dome, and talked to Billie:
-You can't control it, Billie! When I gave them the Greek goddesses' powers, they had to focus on their human side to control them, otherwise they would only cause destruction. This is the opposite, you have to let go, let Thoth take control, he'll guide you!
-How do I do this? –She screamed. –Ugh. Ok, I give up! Take control, or whatever. –She shouted. –Please, help me!
The place was filled with a blue flash and, inside the dome, an aura appeared around Billie; it had the shape of a man with an ibis head. Billie waved her hand and the dome disappeared; in its place, some words floated in the air.
-I did it. –She said and the other two stared at her. –Under his left arm! –She shouted. –You must hit there! –It was Billie's voice talking, but it emanated a power never seen before.
-Alright. –Leo answered. –Go help the girls, we've got this.
Billie raised her arms and started to float. She flew away, to where the big battle was taking place.
-Careful, Leo! –Nathaniel shouted, but the demon had already hit the human, sending his sword away.
Leo fell on the floor, but his weapon flew and hit the ground right where his blood had been spilled before. The sword shone and hovered to Leo's hand, healing him. He got up, fully covered by a silver armor, and lunged against the demon.
-I have the power of the six original warriors that defeated Lilith, the queen of the underworld! –He shouted and hit the demon in the chest. His armor cracked and fell into pieces, exposing his body, and Leo stabbed him once more with the sword, vanquishing him.
Nathaniel starred, mesmerized by Leo's power.
…
Not so far away, Billie had reached the Charmed Ones, who were too focused on the fight to notice her, until she landed next to them.
-Billie?! –Paige exclaimed.
-Were you flying? –Phoebe asked.
-Guys, listen to me. I can see everything now. We must give in to the gods, that's the only way to use their full power.
-But last time… -Piper said.
-I know, I know. Trust me! –She clenched her fist and the aura appeared.
-Wow. –Prue said. –Ok, let's do it. Neith, I give you the control. –The other three sisters did the same, and aura's appeared around them, except for Phoebe; she rose to the sky and her body turned dark blue, with white, shiny spots. Stars.
-Well, well, well. Look at what you've done. –Lilith said. –I would never have expected that filthy angel to go so far. I have to admit I'm really impressed. –She said, coldly. –At least I'll get to kill those stupid gods along with you. –She had appeared right in front of them, filling the place with darkness.
She turned her sword into a spear and created dark wings in her back. She flew to the sky, being followed by the five girls.
-Let's see what are you made of.
Lilith waved her spear, sending a wave of energy. At the same time, Phoebe raised her hands and turned her and her sisters intangible. The wave passed through the five, not harming any of them.
-Ugh. –Lilith said. –Is that how you want to play? –She clenched her fist and became bigger, three times the size of the sisters. She waved her hand, almost hitting Piper.
On the floor, right bellow them, the priest led the army.
-Prue, Paige, go after him. –Piper said. –We'll take care of her until you're back. –She created a huge sphere of light and attacked Lilith, with little effect. –What's the plan, Billie?
-We need them here. I'll guide you!
…
Prue and Paige landed on earth, in the middle of the battle.
-We need help! –One of the whitelighters shouted.
-I know what to do. –Paige said. She raised her sickle and the bones of the demons she had defeated got up. –Attack! –She ordered the skeletons, and they marched to the fight.
Prue stood still, looking around until she located the priest.
-I've got him! –She said and threw an arrow, which he broke with his bat.
-Gotta do better than this, witch. –He raised his staff and a wave of darkness was sent to them.
-I'm tired of you. –Paige said. –You used me! –She raised her sickle and defended them from the wave; she spun it in her hand and sent a dark green energy wave.
Again, he defended himself, but now, Prue and Paige were closer to him.
-What about this? –Prue shot two arrows; they hit the floor next to him and turned into chains, immobilizing his feet.
He waved his staff, getting Prue without her guard up, and knocked her down. His bat shone and he hit Paige, who attacked back with her sickle. The two stayed there, holding the attack and accumulating energy, but none was strong enough to beat the other.
-You should give up. She won't spare your life, but you'll at least get a quick death. –He said.
-Haven't you noticed? –She smiled. –I am death! –She pushed with the last drop of strength she had and knocked him down. The explosion of energy vanquished all demons around them.
-No. –He gasped as his skin turned into sand and he slowly vanished.
-Prue, are you ok? –Paige asked.
-Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go, the girls need us!
…
Lilith had turned back to her normal size, after multiple attacks from Piper and after Phoebe evaded her hand for the hundredth time. She threw a dark beam, at the same time Piper shot a light one, and they held the beam, sending sparkles everywhere.
-You can't beat me; this chaos only makes me stronger! –She shouted. She stopped the beam and teleported, appearing behind Piper. She punched her, cutting Piper's cheek and making her dizzy.
Piper threw a punch, but Lilith was already away. She raised her hands and created three pillars of fire, sending one after each witch.
-Don't you dare hit me! –Piper shouted. She spun her staff and the waters from the river rose in three pillars as well.
The two women fought, fire against water, until Lilith teleported again, appearing in front of Piper and kicking her in the stomach, sending her a few miles away.
-Piper! –Phoebe shouted, and Lilith took advantage of the distraction to attack her. She dug her nails in Phoebe's back and sent her to the floor, with a loud noise.
-Now, you. –She turned to Billie, but Piper was already back.
-You may feed on suffering, but our powers come from love from our families and friends, and that is stronger. –Piper raised her staff, creating more hieroglyphs than ever and summoned a huge sphere of light.
Lilith laughed hysterically, and before Piper attacked, created a small portal.
-Stupid witch. –Lilith said. From the portal came her children and Leo, now without his armor. –Say goodbye. –She let them fall. –Did you really think I wouldn't be able to find them? You underestimated me.
-No! –Piper said, and Lilith attacked her furiously.
-They're safe. –Phoebe said. She kept them floating, with pain marking her face as her wounds healed slowly.
-Send them away! A place she will never find them! –Piper shouted in the middle of the attacks.
-But Piper…-Billie said.
-Mom! –Wyatt shouted.
-For god's sake, do it! –Piper said with tears in her eyes. –This is our last battle, and I don't think I'm getting out of it. –She kicked Lilith, sending her back.
Phoebe nodded and conjured a small portal, made of stars; she sent them through it as Leo called for his wife, and they disappeared.
-See? Love is a weakness. –She grabbed Piper by the neck, suffocating her. –It… suffocates you. Ah! –She shouted as an arrow hit her in the back. She turned around and saw Prue and Paige. –You're gonna pay!
-Now we can do it! –Billie shouted. She raised her arms and focused on the sisters, sending her thoughts into their minds.
-You can't defeat me! –She conjured chains and used them to attack Prue.
The older sister evaded and sent two arrows. Each one hit one of the chains and pulled them to the ground, holding them firmly; the other end of the chains was tied to Lilith's hands, so she was dragged down, shouting.
-Paige! –Billie shouted. –Remember what Hope said, you're the owner of the ring!
Paige got the message and raised her hand, looking straight at Lilith, who struggled to get rid of the chains.
-I call for my ring! –She said and the object flew from Lilith's finger to her hand.
-NO! –The demon shouted, feeling weaker already.
-Piper! –Billie shouted.
The woman raised her staff and started chanting, accumulating energy; she shot a blue beam to a crack on the ground, where the first demons came out from, and it started to shine. Paige threw the ring too, and a huge portal was created, sucking the demons into the ground. Prue pulled the chains, dragging Lilith to the portal too.
-No! What are you doing? –She asked, desperate.
-The final spell, to vanquish you and close all your monsters in that hole you created, the underworld.
-You can't! It would unbalance the world. You can't lock me up again!
-Oh, we're only locking them up. –Piper said. –You're gonna be killed!
-Piper, the explosion is gonna kill us all! –Phoebe shouted, but no one listened.
Billie was thinking about what Lilith had said about balance. In the last second, she conjured a silver feather and blew it into the portal too, right before Lilith was sucked into it.
-Phoebe! –Billie shouted.
As the explosion was created, Phoebe raised her hands a created a shield containing it, but the five girls were stuck there too, keeping the spell active. All that came after happened in a matter of seconds; Lilith burst in flames, the crack on the floor closed, all the demons out fell on the floor and vanished, and Phoebe felt the pain as her skin burned from the blast. The explosion grew out of control, destroying everything inside the dome Phoebe had created.
Then everything stopped.
…
The sisters woke up inside a golden sphere; right bellow them, the blast slowly disappeared, being contained by the shield. Piper got up, dizzy from everything that had happened, and looked around; she saw Prue, Billie, Paige and Hope, whose body was slowly vanishing.
-You fulfilled your destiny. –Hope said, weakly. –I knew you would be able to do this.
-What do you mean? –Prue asked.
-This was a final test. The elder was correct, you needed to cleanse yourselves, but only now you're completely pure. The spell cleared all of you from the darkness, and it used it to vanquish Lilith once and for all.
-But? –Piper asked. –I know there's something else; where's Phoebe?
-You did a wise choice, Billie. That feather will restore balance, because even good shouldn't win completely. The world doesn't work like that.
-What is she talking about? –Paige asked.
-Unfortunately. –Hope continued, ignoring the girls. –Each one of you had to give something up in order to complete this mission. Prue, you gave your courage, the thing that saved you and your sisters so many times; each arrow you shot, took some of it, even though you didn't feel it right after; you were the most brave witch.
Piper clenched her fists, angrily. Prue stood there, shocked.
-Paige, when you used Anubis's powers, you gave up all of your charges; once you've touched death, you can no longer heal anyone, nor can you harm anyone either, now. Billie, you gave up both your mermaid and witch side; you gave that in exchange for all the knowledge you acquired; you're now human.
-This is sick! We do all of this and all we get back is more losses? What kind of monster created this stupidly cruel fate? Why us? –Piper said.
-You. –Hope turned to her. –Gave up your family; you told Phoebe to send them somewhere Lilith couldn't reach them, but the location is now lost, as Phoebe gave up her corporeal form in order to make a shield strong enough to protect everyone, including you.
-I hate you! –Paige shouted. –She was as angry as Piper, while Billie and Prue were still stunned.
A tear ran down Hope's cheek. Her legs were already vanished; Lilith was gone, so she needed to disappear too.
-Now, I've fulfilled my destiny. –She said, crying. –Even angels have destinies, remember. I'm so sorry I had to do this, but I'll help you…
-Don't do anything else! –Piper said.
-I had to do all of this, but now, in my last moments, I'll give you the chance to get everything back. –Her body was disappearing too. –There's a place called Duat, Piper, your magic, along with a cupid's ring can take you to your sister and your family; there you'll find everything you lost, you and your sisters. Goodbye. –She waved her hand and the women found themselves back in the manor.
-What was that? –Billie asked.
-She was rewarding us; for the first time someone is actually thanked that we helped. –Paige said.
-I am proud too. –A voice said from behind. Dean, the angel of destiny was back. Next to him was Coop.
-Oh my god, Dean! –Paige rushed to her old friend, hugging him.
-Did you miss me? –He laughed. –I heard you might need some help reaching an unknown plane? –He asked.
-You're going to help us? –Piper asked, her face still marked from all the crying.
-Yes, we are. –Coop said. –We know everything. Hope sent us a message. –He was trying hard not to look worried about his wife.
-Technically, I'm not allowed to do this, no one is, and there's a bunch of people who are gonna come after us complaining and blah, blah, blah. But I'm gonna help you. You've still got the power of the original gods, so you can pretty much add your own little chapter on the destiny book. –Dean said. –I'm not saying you can just bring Phoebe back, but you can open the portal; unfortunately, not all of you can go.
-What? –Prue asked. –Why not?
-Billie's destiny is not complete, yet. –Coop answered. –She's got one task left.
-You've got to be kidding me, right? –She complained.
-Sorry, but no. –Dean answered. –I'll explain you everything, once they've left.
-Why can't she do this before we go? Then she can come with us! –Paige insisted.
-No, she can't. Her mission kind of prevents yours from working, and once you're inside the Duat, the power of the gods won't come back with you. It's impossible for her to do the two things.
-This is not fair. –Piper said.
-Guys, it's ok. –Billie said. –You've lost worse things than I have. Now go save Phoebe and the others, I'll be ok. –She sighed.
Piper went and hugged the girl, tightly.
-You're the real hero here. –She said.
-Ok, how do we open this portal? –Paige asked.
-With this. –Coop showed his ring. –It will always take me to Phoebe. Piper, you have to do this spell right, and it's gonna be exhausting.
-I can do it. –Piper said. She raised her staff and conjured the hieroglyphs; this time, they were golden, and lit the room up. – Omnes fores aperi. Pinna et liber ad rescribo historiae! –Piper chanted.
Red and golden sparkles came from the ring, and everything in the room started to fade. Paige saw the floor becoming transparent, and Prue watched as a doll disappeared.
-Piper, you're losing it. You're sending everything into the Duat. –Dean warned. –You need to keep control. We must go. –He added, looking at Billie. They teleported away.
-I'm trying! –Piper shouted. She was shaking and very pale; sweat ran in her face, dripping on the floor. –Control! –She shouted and everything in the attic was covered by a dark blue aura, except from the girls and Coop.
-Whoa. –Paige said. She couldn't touch anything from the attic anymore, but it didn't matter; the walls had disappeared, and so had the rest of the house… and the world. Around them there was an infinity of… nothing.
-What do we do now? –Prue asked. –Ugh, I'm tired of asking that all the time. Where are we? What do we do? What's going on? I wish we had more control of things.
-We do. –Piper said. –Look at this. –She raised her hand and a path was created. –We can do anything here.
-Come on, the ring is taking me there! –Coop ran through the path and the girls followed.
After an eternity, they reached a huge gate. Piper waved her hand once more and it opened, revealing Phoebe, Leo and the kids; behind the door, there was an ordinary room, with chairs and a fireplace, and endless food.
-Piper! –Leo rushed to his wife, being followed by their children; they all hugged, happily. –I thought I'd never see you again.
Phoebe was lying on a bed, seeming asleep, and Coop rushed to her, holding her hand.
-What's wrong with her? –He asked, desperate.
-She doesn't have a soul. –A voice said. –From the corner of the room, a tall, tanned man, in golden and red robes, came. –My name is Ra, I'm the god of the Sun, and king of all gods. –He said. –I've been taking care of your family.
-It's true. –Leo said. –When Phoebe sent us here, he explained everything, including that you'd be able to come after us.
-This is where I and the other gods live. –Ra continued. –An endless realm, able to contain our energy.
-That's why you couldn't fight Lilith yourselves? –Paige asked. –You can't be in our land?
-Exactly. The only time we've been there was enough to create a lot of problems. –He explained. –I believe we can make a trade.
-What? –Piper asked.
-I'll give you all you want, and you'll give me the gods back. –He said. –This is where they belong.
-Wait. –Piper said. –You're the ones responsible for our destiny. You owe us, for everything.
-Piper. –Leo interrupted. –Don't. That's the way things must be, without destiny, there would be chaos. –Ra's face twisted from bitterness at the word chaos. –Apophis is the deity of chaos, and it is far worse than the Grand Design, believe me. Let's just leave and be happy. We're free now, free to raise our children in a land without demons.
-He's right. –Prue said.
-I chose well. I knew you were the right choice for this destiny. –Ra commented. He summoned a large bowl, which contained two bright lights. –This is for you two; your courage and your healing powers.
The lights flew into Paige and Prue, and a blue smoke came out, taking the form of a man with a jackal head and a woman with a bow and arrow. They nodded, smiling and vanished into the Duat. A smoke also came from Piper, taking form of a woman with a crown; she vanished away too.
-What about Phoebe? –Coop asked. –Where is she?
Ra waved his hand and a woman appeared in the middle of the air; she walked to Phoebe and their bodies fused into one. Phoebe woke up, gasping for air as the smoke left her body. Coop held his wife close, as she looked around, confused.
-I believe that's all. –The god said. –Oh, and trust me, Piper Halliwell, you all were strong enough to endure your destiny. –He snapped his fingers and they were back to the attic; slowly, the dark blue cover disappeared, sending them back to their realm.
…
Dean took Billie to the top of the Bay Bridge, where they could see the entire town.
-You know, knowledge is power, but sometimes it harms too; there are things that must stay hidden, for the sake of humanity.
-I know what you want. –Billie said. –You want me to take away society's knowledge of magic. They saw horrible things, these past days.
-Yes, they have. And we need to restore balance.
-What about the dead? How are we going to explain their deaths?
-Natural cause. –Dean said, sad.
-I feel awful.
-Tell me about it, but that's how it must be done. It's for the better.
Billie sighed and raised her hands; a transparent wave ran across the world, sweeping their knowledge. After it was done, a blue smoke left her body, and she fainted in Dean's arms.
-Thank you. –He whispered.
…
Epilogue
The manor was a mess, there were a bunch of teenagers talking, eating and making noise; some kids ran around too, adding to the confusion. Over the table, there was a chocolate cake with candles in the format of the numbers 1 and 7 over it, and "Wyatt" written clumsily in white on the front.
Wyatt and Chris were talking to some teenagers, a bunch of boys and girls, while four younger teens, Melinda, Prue, Tam and Kat talked to some older boys. Billie walked around, looking at her goddaughter running around with her cousins.
-Careful, Patricia! –She shouted, but the girl had already hid the cake table, making it fall.
-Ops. –Piper said, freezing the cake. –Gotta be more careful, little girl. –She joked and Patricia left.
-Sorry, Piper. –Billie said, smiling. –I'll take these little troublemakers outside. –She said and went after the kids.
Prue helped Piper put the cake back on the table for the third time.
-Everything is under control. –Prue said.
-That's nice for once. –Piper joked. –Billie is saving us, the kids love her!
-Yes, they do. –Prue agreed. –She's a teacher after all, she has to make kids love her. –Prue joked. –Now let's go, the girls are waiting for us.
They joined Paige and Phoebe on a table in the garden; there were drinks and snacks over the table.
-It's a very nice party. –Phoebe complimented. –For a very special occasion.
-I can't believe his already seventeen. –Piper sighed. –They grow up so fast.
-At least they grew up mostly without any danger. –Paige commented. –I can't believe it's been ten years since we defeated Lilith.
-Ten years without demons. –Phoebe added. –Who would have guessed?
-Oh, and without new, dangerous powers. –Prue said, laughing. –I think I've never been glad to be weaker, but it's nice.
-Well, cheers to us, then. –Piper said. –We deserve it. –They toasted, smiling.
…
Somewhere, in a mountain far away, a crack opened on the floor; a man crawled out of it. He was wearing dark leather clothes and had scratches all over his arms. He had a silver feather in his hand, which he dropped on the floor. He laughed and flamed away, without showing his face. He appeared behind a tree and stared at the Halliwell manor from this spot; it was too dark for him to be seen, so he just stood there, watching as a teenage girl with brown hair walked in carrying some bags. She stopped by the doorstep and looked behind; she dark green eyes. She sighed and waved her hand, closing the front door behind her.