This is the last chapter of the story. This should, I hope wrap up any loose ends and sets things up for the fight with the Source. Like in the previous chapter, a lot of this revolves around Matt and his parents. Rather than spending a lot of time with magic, I tried to look at what it would have been like from the personal point of view of the various characters.
I am glad I was able to save some of the Wolfen, I found I rather liked them and killing nearly all of them off was not easy.
I haven't included the fight with the Source for reasons outlined in the next chapter. This chapter isn't part of this story, but is my version of what will happen and why.
Some ideas on magic, the sister's powers and their future.
Included is a teaser for the next story "Charmed in Asia".
Epilog : Events and conversations that happen over the next few days.
Kay and Vi Battagliana
Sitting alongside each other in the same room were they had first talked with Agent Keyes, they both looked at a stony faced senior agent. "You were in their home and with your expertise, you should have had no difficulty in planting the surveillance gear. And yet we have nothing. The sisters were on the the other side of the city, I know as I saw them, so how did they get back home so quickly?. "What do you know?".
Both Kay and Vi sat still as the spell forced them to refuse to answer. Only Vi was able to make any reply, simply stating "There is nothing we can tell you, we would if we could". Agent Keyes just looked at them as his frustration grew and he finally ordered them out of the room.
Agent Murphy asked "What now?, we still haven't learnt anything useful". "I disagree" said Agent Jackman, "she said she would if she could, the sisters did something to them to stop them talking. That tells us a lot". "What does it tell us?" asked Murphy.
"That the sisters have a lot of power, enough to control the Battagliana's and that means they are definitely hiding something. And I think I might know what it is".
"Explain" said Keyes.
Paige.
A clearly puzzled and unhappy Bob Cowan watched as Paige packed a cardboard box with the many items she had added to her desk over the past few years. Her resignation had come out of the blue and what little she had told him had not made any sense.
True she had often been late to work but she had always made up for it afterwards. And being a good social worker often meant that hours had to be flexible. He had always known that Paige had an intense relationship with her new family, a relationship that often took priority. However she had always done her best for her clients and she was one of his most valued workers.
As he approached her, in a voice full of unhappiness, he said "Paige, I know I have been tough on you. I don't want you to quit. You've got a real gift for helping people". Paige could only say "Don't worry, I'm going to keep helping people. I just don't want to split my focus anymore. Thanks for everything", she then stepped forward to hug him goodbye. With that he turned and walked away.
A quiet and somber Paige examined the plaque with her name and that she was a Social Worker on it before placing it in the box. Finishing her packing, she lifted the box off the desk and turned to leave. Having already said her good byes to a shocked and sad group of co-workers, she wanted to leave as quickly as possible. This was the last thing she wanted to do but the demands of being a Charmed One was now too great for her to split between her social work and her charmed activities.
At least now she could concentrate on her witch skills as she still had a way to go to catch up with her sisters. And with the Source definitely now after them, it was vital that they get as ready as fast as they could.
The Sisters talk.
As Paige unpacked the box, she found herself examining her name plaque with sadness. A gentle knock on her door and her sensing power told her that her three sisters were about to quietly enter. "Its alright to be scared" said Phoebe, "we all are".
Paige smiled and then shivered as Prue gently hugged her. "Its not so much the fight, its just I don't want to lose any of you. The last few days, when you all have been hurt, afterwards it was hard. Being an only child for so long, I don't want to go back to that, I would rather die". Paige stopped talking as she found it difficult to put words to her emotions.
Both her and Prue sat down on the edge of the bed with Piper and Phoebe sitting alongside her. Reaching out to hold Phoebe's and Piper's hands. Paige continued in a quiet voice, "Its been a heck of a year and one that I have no regrets. I just don't want it to end in pain".
"It won't" replied Piper, "we Halliwell's stick together and what ever happens, we will always be together". As they took turns to hug each other, all four felt a quiet feeling of hope and optimism creep into their souls.
Victor
Sitting quietly in his apartment as old fears once again rose within him, he tried to make sense of the world he once again found himself in. At least this time, his daughters seemed more able to defend themselves.
The Men bond.
Sitting around a table in the back of a quiet and dark bar, Leo and Cole raised their glasses to salute Matt and welcome him into the Halliwell family. With the vanquishing of his first demon, his first war wound and his first visit to the underworld, he was now part of the male side of the Halliwell family as Leo jokingly put it. Well it sounded like a joke, but Matt also read the seriousness in what Leo said. Matt raised his glass in return and after all three had drunk the toast, they settled back to consider what to say next.
By now Matt had a good idea of what was to come. Prue and her sisters were in a fight to the death with a centuries old evil that would stop at nothing to kill them. And that he was also now on the firing line. Something which both terrified and exhilarated him.
Matt had to ask, "What else do I need to know?".
"How long have you got?" was Coles reply. Looking up at the clock on the wall, Matt replied "Not long enough I suspect. You have known the sisters for longer than I have known Prue, what can you tell me?".
"Well there is that time of the month" replied Cole, "make sure you remember". Leo grinned and shuddered slightly. "Yeah, four powerful witches with synchronised PMS, learn to walk carefully and say the right words". "I hadn't thought of that" commented Matt, "worse than demons?". After a brief pause, both Leo and Cole sort of shrugged, "Witches with PMS can have a nasty sense of humour and no sympathy" said Cole. Leo added "And they will gang up on you in a flash if you try to play peacemaker, let them argue with each other, its safer as they have been doing it for years".
As Matt relaxed, another topic came to mind. "What's this Power of Three thing, as there are four sisters and Prue skipped around it". "Thats yours Leo" Cole said as he settled back even further into his seat.
After a pause to collect his thoughts, Leo answered "Witches when they are especially close like the sisters, can unite to create a spell that is especially powerful, far more powerful than the number of witches. But they have to be very close emotionally, usually blood relatives or better still, sisters. Thats what Prue, Piper and Phoebe had before Paige turned up, what was called the Power of Three.
Paige changed things when she joined the family as because she is half Whitelighter, her powers are more pacifist. Rather than creating a Power of Four, she adds her power to the collective but more importantly improves the sisters defensive magic. She also joins the sisters together so that each sister can help the other more effectively. Prue, Piper and Phoebe have the offensive powers while Paige's are mostly defensive".
"Prue doesn't want to get married until the Source has been dealt with so what about the Source of all Evil, whats so special about him?" Matt asked.
"And that one is yours Cole" said Leo. With a rye smile, Cole explained "The Source is the most powerful demon in the city, if not the world and he rules the underworld for the most part. He has been given special powers and is extremely dangerous. The sisters have defeated him twice now and other demons consider him weak. He has been fighting challengers for some time, but now he has defeated and banished the Triad. That means he is going to come after the sisters, he doesn't have a choice. Either he kills them or they will kill him. What worries me is what he said, that he has found the means of their destruction, what is he planning?."
Matt put his drink down as he first looked at a somber Cole and then at Leo who was also looking unhappy. "Still the Charmed Ones are more powerful than they were a year ago when they held off the Source and all his minions. What ever the Source is planning, he will not find it easy or he would have attacked by now" finished Cole.
"And I think the last fight with the Wolfen and the demons will help too" added Leo. As a surprised Cole and Matt looked at him, he added "Yes I know, we got our butts kicked. Both Prue and Piper were almost killed and they have the best active powers. We made mistakes, we shouldn't have gone into the Wolfen's territory and we shouldn't have split up. This is the first time the sisters have lost a fight for a while. It will be a good reminder of how vulnerable they are, especially if they separate."
A reflective Cole agreed "Actually your'e right. Its better that it happened now, not when they are fighting the Source, he won't give up. And with luck he might become over confident and we need every advantage we can get".
Darryl and Sheila
A very unhappy Sheila watched as Darryl packed her bag. "The sisters need our help, and I want us to". She stopped as Darryl turned to face her and in a voice full of fear said "So do I but you were almost killed and if our children had been home, they would have died. Or have you forgotten the rips those animals left, that was a message, if not today, then another. You don't know how close it was, Leo was not at the Manor and would have been too late and Paige had never orbed someone else before. I almost lost you".
"Paige did save me and the sisters have made sure the Wolfen will never return" argued Sheila. "And now demons and Homeland Security are after them" stated Darryl, "I have nothing but respect for them and what they have done, but knowing them puts us in danger and they can only barely defend themselves. You need to go back to the children, as not even Cortez can protect us".
"What will you do?" asked Sheila. Darryl replied "I need you to go back to your aunts and stay with our children. When things work out, then I will call. If you are safe then thats one thing the sisters won't have to worry about and neither will I".
The Wolfen.
As Jumper lay hidden in a thicket of bushes alongside a motorway, he considered the future. A deep sea of grief and rage against both the witches and demons who had taken the pack, his mate and all but one of his children from him, constantly threatened to overpower him. Once again he made the massive effort to push the blood lust back inside, to wait there until he needed it.
Turning to check on the two other survivors, he found himself looking at Watcher's deep and penetrating stare, the one she was named for. Alongside her, fast asleep due to exhaustion, was the only other Wolfen to come out of the inferno, Ripper.
Turning back to watch their surroundings carefully, Jumper waited for the sun to set. Once it had, they would continue to carefully follow the road out of the city. Eventually they would find another pack to join. A skilled Wolfen such as himself and two females would be welcome in any pack. And in time he might even find another mate, but it would be a long time before Starbright's memory faded enough for that to happen.
Unable to resist, he straightened and howled long and loud. Pouring his grief and his anger into the howl, he was joined by Watcher and a confused Ripper who woke and joined in without knowing why.
Cars and trucks passing by, slowed as their drivers first tried to listen to the howl, then as it penetrated and activated an ancient instinct called primal terror, they accelerated instinctively away as fast as possible. People in nearby houses found themselves closing the curtains and making sure the windows and doors were shut and locked, without knowing why.
And those out walking who heard the howl, pulled their clothes tighter around their bodies and with a nameless terror slowly rising within them, hurried home. They found themselves constantly checking behind them as if they expected to be attacked at any moment.
Once again the confidence and pride that was part of all Wolfen returned to them. The knowledge that their destiny would one day allow them to rule over man kind once again as they had once done so long ago, lifted and invigorated them. But not now, as Firstfang's mistaken decision to bring them into the city, had revealed. Too many enemies still existed but one day, it would be their turn.
Only three certainties now remained in him.
First he would survive and see his remaining child safe and settled.
That the story of Firstfang's pack, the courage and drive that had made them great and what had brought them down would be remembered in the songs and stories he would teach.
And one day, before he grew old and feeble. While he still had his strength and speed, he would return to seek his revenge. And the Witches would once again find out how dangerous a Wolfen could be.
Harry Wilson
Leaving town, co incidentally on the same road as Jumper, Harry Wilson was driving his newly purchased car. Finally he was getting out, both from the life he could no longer stand and from the organisation that he now hated.
As he drove away from his old life, he could not stop himself from remembering. As a young man, the Wolfen had destroyed his family with only him and his mother surviving. Like many others who had endured similar traumatic events, both he and his mother had been given the chance to get revenge. For almost 15 years they had hunted Wolfen, trying to gain the revenge they wanted but never quite finding it. Both of them showing an almost total courage and dedication that gained them considerable respect from other hunters. Only when his mother had died, did this desire start to burn out.
Old now by hunter standards, he began to see the futility of what they were trying to do. The successful Wolfen hunts, no longer justified the constant deaths of those around him. And still the Wolfen survived and there was no end in sight.
Within himself he began to recognise the slow but steady development of the fatalism and acceptance that many hunters showed as the combat fatigue associated with the constant hunting and death grew. This often resulted in the hunter committing suicide or allowing the Wolfen to kill them in what was known with grim humour, as suicide by Wolfen.
Desperate to avoid this, his chance had come when the Triad had captured him as they wanted information about the location of Wolfen packs. They were seeking a pack to ally themselves with and his knowledge made that job much easier. Initially the Triad had no intention of letting him survive but eventually he convinced them that he could be of assistance.
Using his knowledge, they had located Firstfang and convinced her to bring her pack to San Francisco where they could help the Triad to over throw the Source. As a reward the Wolfen had been promised free reign over a portion of the city. Enough of the old hunter still remained in Harry so he accepted this as he was well aware that this was a bargain that the Triad had no intention of honoring.
A monetary reward offered by the Triad and what he could quickly take from the Hunter's considerable resources, would allow him to retire. All he wanted was a comfortable apartment and a quiet life. Somewhere located in the middle of a city, high in a building, surrounded by people and as far from the Wolfen and his old life as he could get.
As Cole had theorised, he had betrayed his unit. First giving the location of their base to the Triad and then disabling their most powerful weapons. It had not been easy for him but by then he was too far in, to refuse anything that the Triad demanded of him. His only act of rebellion had been to save Susie.
Taken from the police by two demons, he had realised that he was also going to die, something he actually accepted. Almost like Susie he no longer wanted to live if remaining a hunter was the only option. That he had survived was solely due to the Halliwell's vanquishing of the two demons who had been ordered to interrogate both Harry and Susie before killing them.
When the demons had not returned from seeking Susie, he had eventually managed to escape from the cage that held him. With jewelry taken from the demons lair and money from several of the hunters secure bank accounts, he left to start a new life.
That was if his nightmares would let him.
Paige and Matt
Wandering into the kitchen, Matt found Paige reading from the Book of Shadows. Sitting down opposite her, he paused as she sat back in her seat to look at him with a gentle smile on her face. "A little bit restless aren't we" she asked.
"Everything is starting to sink in, magic, demons, wolfen, this is not what I was thinking about a week ago when I brought the ring" replied Matt.
"Ha, I think I understand. A year ago, I found out that I now had three older sisters. An hour later I found out that I was half witch, half whitelighter, had a destiny and a lot of evil beings wanted my head on a platter" said Paige.
"True, things could be worse, Prue told me what happened and how the Source tried to kill you".
"Actually, you get use to that, and thats strange enough in itself. Can I tell you what I think you will find the most spooky?" asked Paige. "Go for it" replied Matt. "You are back to work tomorrow aren't you?". "Yes, I have a fair amount of catching up to do".
"At some stage you will stop working, look around. Maybe it will be something someone will say, what you have just written or read. And you will think, I'am the only one here who knows about magic, that there are witches who could turn any of you into a Toad with a spell. That tonight I might have to vanquish a demon or orb half way round the world for a picnic" said Paige with a grin on her face. "I find myself doing that at least once a day".
"I hadn't thought of that" replied Matt, "Its going to make tomorrow somewhat more interesting". As Matt considered what Monday morning at the paper might be like, Paige went back to reading the Book of Shadows".
Seeing that Paige was spending a lot of time examining one entry that he couldn't clearly see, he quipped "Found any good demons lately". "Well there's this one" she replied as she turned to show Matt the entry on the Source of all Evil.
As Matt looked at what was written, it made depressing reading. A powerful ancient demon that commanded obedience from most demons throughout the entire Underworld. "I think since he has defeated the Triad, it should say all demons" was Matt's comment. With a grimace Paige looked back at the Book. "And this is what we know he is capable of" as she turned the page to show an impressive list of powers.
"He's not all powerful." came from Cole who had just entered the kitchen with Prue. "There is no way that he is going to take on all four sisters". Prue added "And thats why we need to stay together. Matt, Paige can orb us three over to your apartment. We can collect what you need and bring it back".
"Good" replied Matt, "I can't live out of your old boy friend wardrobe, nothing fits". Prue snorted as Cole and Paige laughed. "Then you won't mind if Paige and I have a look through your old girl friend drawer to see if there is anything that will fit us" replied Prue.
"One point to you Matt, but three to Prue I think" said Cole. With a grin, Matt turned to Paige "Orbing all four of us, is that OK ?" he asked. "No problem, its only a short distance but if you are bringing the kitchen sink, I will need Leo". "And thats a point to Paige" added Cole. "You are not going to win this one". "We will see" replied Matt, "I have all the time in the world". "So do they and you're out numbered" finished Cole.
"Banter later, orb now and be back in time for tea" said an amused Piper who had been listening from the Dining room door. "Cole, you and Paige make sure they are not distracted".
"Yes boss" said Paige as she jumped to her feet. She walked around the table to join Matt. Grabbing his left hand as Prue held onto his right hand. Cole reached out to hold Paige's left hand and they disappeared in a cloud of orbs. As Piper turned to leave, she was startled to see them promptly return after only a few seconds.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Wrong apartment" replied Prue looking at an embarrassed Paige. "Well I have never been to Matt's place. We arrived where I wanted to, just it was the wrong apartment".
"That was Mrs Hamilton's apartment, I am one floor directly above" said Matt. "O'hhh , I have met Mrs Hamilton, thank god she didn't see us or you would be hearing the screams from here" added Prue.
"Hold onto your hats" said Paige, "here we go again". This time all four orbed into Matt's apartment. "Well done, Paige" Prue said and turning to look at Matt, added "you said two suitcases, some computer gear and I believe you have an Italian recipe book Piper is interested in".
Vi and Clara
As the door bell rang, Piper walked down the hall to answer it. Opening the door she stiffened as she found herself looking at both Vi and Clara. Both Matt's mother and grandmother stared back with care at what they now knew was a dangerous witch. "Can we come and talk please. We need to talk to you, your spell won't let us talk to anyone at work and now we are in trouble" asked Vi.
As Phoebe joined Piper who turned to look at her, the question plain on her face. Could they trust the two women. Phoebe quietly regarded the two women and then turned to look out into the street. Clara added "We are here by ourselves, no one else knows we are here, not even Kay and Stephen". Everything Phoebe could feel from the two women, told her they where telling the truth.
Phoebe stepped to one side as did Piper, as without saying anything, they invited the two women inside. Both women carefully entered the hallway and were escorted by Piper into the Living room where they sat alongside each other on a Sofa. As both Vi and Clara looked around, Phoebe spoke for the first time "Prue, Paige, Cole and Matt are not here, they are at Matt's apartment. Since Prue has to stay here for the time being, Matt is moving in. They are collecting what he needs."
Vi face became more somber as she realised that Matt was literally moving further from her and Kay and closer to the Halliwells. "I am sorry that I lied to you before, I love Matt and everything I did was to protect him. Both Homeland Security and the FBI have files on you, files that make almost frighting reading. All I could see was Matt getting hurt or even killed. A lot of people have died around you, police and others".
As Vi began to show real emotion for the first time as her fear for Matt's safety started to over power her control. Clara then added "We are beginning to understand what you are but its hard. Witches and demons, these are suppose to be just stories. You have to understand that we are finding this very hard to accept".
"Now we find out that Keyes is investigating your involvement in the arson of an abandoned building. And there is something else connected to that building, something that no one will tell us about as we are now out of the loop. Only he can't prove anything as while he knows you were near by, he can't place you in the building. And he knows you can prove that you were here which is impossible as there is no way you could have returned given the time involved".
"And Matt was with you, thats why we are so worried" finished Clara.
A cloud of orbs appeared in the hallway as Paige orbed Cole back into the Manor, watched with fascination by both Vi and Clara. "Where are Prue and Matt?" asked Phoebe. Cole replied "They are coming back in Matt's car, with the gear from his flat. They should be here soon". Seeing Vi and Clara for the first time, he added "What the hell are they doing in here?". "They want to talk and Phoebe has checked them out, not even their husbands know they are here" replied Piper.
Phoebe considered the two women as her empathy power clearly showed her, what both were feeling. Vi in particular was barely coping as her organised world had fallen apart. Her husband would not talk to her, her son was leaving her and the world around her had changed beyond recognition now that she knew about magic and that her son was marrying a witch.
Turning to Piper and in a quiet voice only Piper could hear, she said "We need to make peace with them or Vi will self destruct. That will hurt Matt, he still loves his parents". As Piper remembered how badly Matt had been upset that night when he told his parents to leave the Manor, she replied "Yes, I agree. If nothing else we might be able to use them to get Homeland Security off our backs. Take Cole and Paige outside to wait for Prue. Warn them that they are here". With a nod, Phoebe turned to grab Cole and Paige's arm's, "Come on, outside, let the ladies talk".
As Phoebe escorted the other two outside, Piper sat in a chair and examined the two women. Vi and Clara could not help themselves as they also examined Piper. They found themselves looking at a woman who stared straight back at them with a quiet strength and confidence both found unsettling.
Piper said in a blunt voice "There are things you need to know, some I can tell you, others Matt will. Yes my sisters and I are powerful witches and what has happened over the last few years is because of that. We were given a destiny, one that we accepted and that was to protect innocents from evil. And there's a lot of evil out there!. Sometimes people have died as we aren't able to protect everyone". Piper paused as she heard Prue asking Phoebe a question as they entered the front door. "Matt loves you but you hurt him, please I know what it is like to lose someone close, you need to talk to him".
Phoebe escorted Prue and Matt into the Sitting room, both looking unhappy. Pushing them gently towards another sofa, Phoebe added "We will take your gear upstairs for you to unpack later. Matt, talk to them, they need to understand". With that Phoebe and Piper left the room, collecting Paige and Cole, to carry Matt's gear up to Prue's room.
Both Prue and Matt sat on the sofa, sitting close together and holding hands.
An uncomfortable silence settled as Prue and Matt looked at Vi and Clara. Finally Vi plucked up enough courage to ask "Please, why are you moving in here?, what I mean is, whats wrong with your apartment?". Matt looked at Prue and said "What should we tell them?". After several seconds to consider her options, Prue replied "The truth and all of it, Phoebe said the spell was stopping them from telling anyone what they shouldn't. I think this should come from you".
Matt looked his mother squarely in the face and said "The sisters are fighting one of the most powerful demons in the city, one called the Source of All Evil. Think of him as the chief demon and he is very dangerous. As their power is greatest when all four are together, then until he is dealt with, they can't risk separating. Thats why I am moving in", turning to look at Prue, he continued "This is something I made Prue promise, that I was to share her life. She is a good witch and what I have seen both her and her sisters accomplish over the last few days has been incredible".
Prue added "If we win against the Source, then we intend to move into his apartment". "If" asked Vi in a scared voice. "He's a powerful demon who we have fought before. We don't have a choice, he wants us dead" Prue replied. Matt added "The sisters have beaten him before". Getting up off the sofa, he knelt in front of his mother and held both of her hands. "I love Prue, in every way, as a woman and a witch, all of it good. Please for my sake, can you accept this, please".
Without saying anything, Vi put her arms around Matt to hold him tight. As she tried to come to a decision, Clara decided for her. Standing up, she held both her hands out to Prue. As Prue carefully stood up to join hands with Clara, she found herself gently pulled over to Matt's side. Letting go of Prue's hands, Clara reached down to pull Vi and Matt's to their feet. Without any words being spoken, Prue then found herself being hugged by a crying Vi, who was finally allowing herself to respond to her own feelings.
Matt watched his mother and Prue hug and he realised that at least his mother and grandmother had finally accepted Prue. With a relieved smile he looked across to his grandmother who smiled back at him. Vi let go of Prue and stepped back to look at her daughter in law to be. "I am so sorry that I was so rude to you before, I didn't know. I still don't fully understand but I know Matt. You have my blessing. Just please promise me that you will keep him safe".
"With all my power" Prue replied, then turning to look at Matt, she added "for better and for worse, for now and forever". Vi gasped and said "That was part of my wedding vow". Matt said "I want Prue and I to have what you and Dad have, something special that lasts forever".
Over almost the next hour, they talked. By the time Leo returned, both Vi and Clara had finally began to accept the world that Matt had entered. And as Phoebe commented quietly to Paige, Matt had at least made peace with his mother and grandmother. Now if only their other problems could be solved as easily.
The Source of all Evil
Sitting quietly on his throne, the Source, considered his options. The Triad had escaped but were no longer any possibility of a threat. Hurt and driven back to their spirit forms, it would be years before they regained enough power before they could even return to their corporeal state. Now only the Charmed Ones remained to be dealt with.
Their defeat in the hostel along with the destruction of the Wolfen had now made his rule absolute. There would be no better time to attack and destroy them permanently than now.
Only the Seer's vision of the possible futures, showed that taking on the Charmed Ones head on, would only end in disaster and his death. That left only one possibility for success and even if it meant the destruction of everything magical, it would be worth it so long as it resulted in the deaths of the Charmed Ones.
The Seer
The cavern like most in the underworld is made of stone, but lights glow around the walls producing a soft glow that prevents shadows. Around the walls and scattered across the room are various items, some comfortable and others that do not warrant close inspection. In the center, glows a large circular metal strapped fireplace, from which drifts smoke and heat.
Standing in front of the fire and breathing in the gentle smoke that came from the burning herbs that had only just been thrown in, stands the Seer. As she examines the futures before her, she finds herself looking at more possibilities that she had ever seen before.
Important in all of these are the Source, a forbidden power sealed away for millennium, the Charmed Ones and above all, a powerful demon turned mortal. Interesting, very interesting. Navigating these futures would be difficult but the ultimate prize was possible and finally within her reach.
The End
