Legacy 104: Halliwell Family Values
Part 2
Xxx
A little while after her plane landed, Phoebe exited the terminal. She knew she could have just as easily had someone beam or orb her, but she could not explain herself. She did not even know how to bring up her concerns. She knew she had to handle this on her own and find out the truth. Luckily, Coop had charges in Rome to look after, so he did not even notice she had left. She also did not want to intrude on her daughters until she was absolutely sure. She did not even feel comfortable to include Paige in what she was going through. However, she would need the Book of Shadows.
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Noah headed into the bedroom and closed the door after Chris followed him in. Noah was a little concerned, as Chris seemed tired and frankly a little stressed. He had insisted on speaking to him privately, so the sisters would not overhear them. Noah wondered what it could be about, though he knew Chris had been obsessing over the Source.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Noah asked.
"I have been trying to find a way to vanquish the Source." Chris replied. "He has come after my family too many times."
"I know." Noah said. "Did you find something?"
"I think so." Chris said somewhat hesitant.
"Really?" Noah asked both curiously and excited. "How?"
"In order to vanquish the Source, we need to summon back the Nexus." Chris stated, as if it were a matter of fact.
"But the Nexus was banished decades ago, when the Charmed Ones vanquished Zankou." Noah replied.
"I know that." Chris said. "I also know the Elders wrote the spell they cast to do it, meaning they have to know a way to reverse it."
"Where did you get this information?" Noah asked with a frown.
"That is not important." Chris replied after a short moment of hesitation. "All I know is that it is our best shot. But as much as I hate it, we need the Elders."
"I am not sure if they can help." Noah said.
"They have to." Chris said. "They owe my family."
Noah remained silent for a moment. He was somewhat bothered by Chris' attitude toward the Elders. He agreed that the Elders had not always made the right decisions, but for Chris it seemed to be a sport to hate them. However, this was exactly what the Elders wanted to resolve. It was the reason he was assigned to guide the sisters. The Elders wanted to restore the relationship between them and the Halliwells. If this were true, it could be the perfect way to achieve that.
"I'll see what I can do." Noah said.
"Thank you." Chris said with a sigh.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Noah asked concerned, noticing his tired look. "I heard about what happened with Barbas."
"You're not my Whitelighter, Noah." Chris remarked annoyed.
"I know, that doesn't mean I can't help." Noah replied. "All that has happened is clearly bothering you, and I think it might be affecting your judgment. You seem agitated and I don't think it is smart to make any rash decisions."
"I know I cannot do this alone, Noah." Chris replied. "If the Elders can provide the spell we need, I will talk to my family first. We'll need to work together."
"Are you sure you can do that?" Noah asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't worry about me." Chris replied.
Chris nodded and disappeared from the bedroom in a column of orbs. Noah sighed, he had a bad feeling about all of this. However, if this spell could really be used to vanquish the Source, he needed to talk to the Elders immediately. Vanquishing the Source would end the immediate threat and it could bring the Halliwells closer to the Elders. It was worth a shot. Without saying goodbye to the sisters, Noah departed for the Heavens.
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Sitting behind her laptop, Payton tried to focus on the essay she needed to write. She was a little distracted by Noah and Chris heading into the other room, though she was even more distracted by Prue pacing across the room. Payton knew she was conflicted about Matt, and Noah had not helped matters. He was overreacting, Matt was a really sweet guy, and there was no way he would ever turn into an evil spirit. Payton realized that was only part of the problem though, as Prue really liked Matt. It sucked that they only got to spend a week together, and that they could not even touch.
Suddenly Payton got an idea, a way she could help her sister figure things out. "I am going to work in my room." She said as she leaped up and quickly gathered her stuff.
"Alright." Prue replied.
"Don't worry about what Noah said, he was just being an overprotective Whitelighter." Payton said. "And maybe even a little jealous."
"I know, you're right." Prue replied, though there was some doubt in her voice.
"I am sure things will work out fine." Payton promised, barely able to hide a smile because of what she was planning.
With her laptop under her arm and bag over her shoulder, Payton hurried into her bedroom. Once there, she tossed her stuff on the bed and grabbed a notepad. Prue and Matt needed to figure out their feelings before he could move on, and they could use a little magical help in that department. She knew it could be considered personal gain, but sometimes a little magic was needed. Even though she was not that creative, Payton quickly came up with the perfect spell. When it was finished, she stood up and whispered Matt's name, hoping he could sense her calling him. Luckily, a moment later, Matt appeared in white wisps.
"Payton?" Matt asked confused. "What is going on? Why were you calling me?"
"I think I found a way to help you and Prue." Payton said happily as she stood up.
"What do you mean?" Matt asked.
"Look, you only have a week, that was the deal, but the way things are going now, the two of you can never figure out what you're feeling." Payton said.
"Payton, I think you're a little young to understand what…" Matt started, though Payton raised her hand.
"Please, I might not have never experienced what you two have, but I know what I see." Payton interrupted him. "Besides, I am part Cupid, you know."
"Okay, fine. So what is your big plan?" Matt asked with a sigh.
"Allow me to demonstrate." Payton said as he held out her notepad and started chanting the spell she had scribbled down.
"A few hours to cheat death,
Grant this ghost a final breath.
From this time to break of dawn,
Give him flesh before moving on."
When the spell was cast, there was a flash of light and suddenly Matt was bathed in a bright white glow. When the glow disappeared, Matt suddenly looked at his body and felt he was solid. Still a little dazed, he picked up a stuffed bear lying on the bed. A smile appeared when he could touch it and he turned to Payton. When Payton took a step forward, she suddenly felt a weird sensation and heard a thump on the floor. As she looked at Matt, she noticed his eyes widened in shock and his mouth fell open. She looked down and saw her own body lying on the floor. She realized something had gone wrong. She was dead.
Suddenly, the bedroom door flew open and Prue charged in. She first looked at Matt with a confused look and then turned to Payton. She screamed when she saw the body lying on the floor. Even though her body seemed to be peacefully asleep, Prue could see her spirit and instantly figured out that she had screwed up.
"What the hell did you do?" Prue asked upset as she turned to the spirit of her younger sister.
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A few moments later, Prue stormed out of the bedroom with Payton and Matt right behind her. She could not belief how stupid her little sister had been, not to mention reckless. Casting a spell to give Matt solid form, how could she not think about the personal gain consequences of something like that? She wished she could kick her or something, though that was impossible since she was a freaking ghost. She started pacing around the room again and called Noah and Chris, though there was no response from either of them, meaning they had probably left after their mysterious chat. God, how she longed for a normal family sometimes.
"Prue, it is just a temporary spell." Payton said in an attempt to comfort her. "Matt will turn back at dawn, so that means I will turn back as well. It is not a big deal."
"Not a big deal?!" Prue called out as she flung her arms. "You're a ghost. How is that not a big deal?"
"Hey, I only wanted to help you." Payton replied.
"This is all my fault." Matt said. "Just reverse the spell."
"No, it is not your fault." Payton said. "I made this decision on my own. I just wanted to give you time together."
"I'll call Penny, maybe she cast figure out a spell to fix this." Prue said.
"No, wait!" Payton said and suddenly she disappeared in wisps and reappeared in front of Prue. "Trust me, I am fine. The spell lasts until dawn, after that, things will return to normal."
"Are you sure?" Prue asked doubtfully.
"Yes." Payton whispered so Matt could not overhear them. "I know how you feel about him. Just take this time to figure things out."
"Payton, I am not even sure if that is what I want." Prue replied softly. "What if it turns out I really like him? He still has to move on."
"If you don't do this, you might be stuck wondered what if." Payton said. "You might get hurt, but isn't taking that risk better than not even trying?"
Prue hesitated and looked over her shoulder at Matt, who was leaning against the couch while still testing out his solid form. He looked back at her and smiled a little uncomfortably. Prue wondered if her little sister was right. She knew things with Matt could never work, but that did not stop her from liking him. Perhaps spending a day with him was better than never knowing for sure.
"Okay." Prue said after taking a deep breath.
She walked over to Matt, who quickly stood up. He acted a bit clumsy, as he was probably still getting used to having a real body again. When Prue came closer, she carefully raised a hand and placed it on his arm. He felt warm and she could not believe she could actually touch him now.
"Are you sure about this?" Matt asked. "I can understand if it's too weird for you."
"No, it is fine." Prue replied with a faint smile.
Behind them, Payton smiled contently and disappeared in white wisps, giving them some privacy.
"So I was thinking, it has probably been a long time since you actually ate." Prue said. "How about a picnic in the park?"
"Sounds perfect." Matt replied as he took her hand, which was still lingering on his arm. They smiled and headed out to enjoy the little time they had.
Xxx
In the bright and cloudy Heavens, Noah walked past white pillars on his way to the council chambers. He was dressed in a white robe, as all Whitelighters were required to wear while in the Heavens, though he had always hated them. When he entered the chambers, he saw the Elders sitting on high chairs in a half circle. Although their faces were cloaked by the hood of their robes, Noah recognized each and every one of them. After all, he used to be one of them. Noah took a deep bow and patiently waited. The Elder in the middle of the circle took off his hood, revealing his face.
"What news do you bring?" Odin asked.
"Chris believes he has found a way to vanquish the Source." Noah stated. "Though he requires your knowledge for this plan to work."
"Tell us about this plan first." Odin demanded impatiently.
"Chris believes that if the cousins can bring back the Nexus underneath the manor, he and his cousins can draw enough power from it and their ancestors to vanquish the Source." Noah explained.
Several of the Elders started debating among themselves. Noah patiently waited until Odin called the rest to order. Clearly, he did not share his patience, which was not a secret. Although Noah could not stand Odin, he had to admit that he was a man of order and regulation.
"Where did he came up with this plan?" Odin asked.
"I don't know, he would not tell me." Noah replied. "But does it really matter? The cousins need the help of the Elders. This is the perfect way to restore what has been broken. If you help them, they might regain their faith in the council."
"You're out of line." Odin snapped at him. "Or do I need to remind you of your place?"
"Enough Odin." A gentle female voice spoke. Sandra rose from her seat and removed her hood. "Noah is right. If Chris believes this is the way to eliminate the threat of the Source, it is something that we must support him in."
Several Elders nodded and announced their support for the plan, while some remained quiet, including Odin, who seemed rather annoyed. Although Odin wanted the best for the greater good, he seemed to have difficulty putting his personal feelings toward against the Halliwells aside, as well as his vendetta against Noah.
"Say it were even possible to bring back the nexus, it would still pose a risk." Odin eventually said. "The nexus has always been neutral, if this so-called plan fails, the Source could gain access to the nexus himself, making him near unstoppable."
"But what other plan do we have?" Noah asked. "You all claim you want the Halliwells to the trust the council again, so how about a little trust in them first?"
"Agreed." Sandra said. "We need to have faith."
"And what if they discover the truth about the Source's new body before they get the chance to vanquish him?" Odin asked. "Do you all still trust them to do what needs to be done?"
"They clearly recognize the Source as a great threat." Sandra said. "He has already made several attempts to disrupt and destroy their family. They will put their own safety and the greater good above all else."
Several Elders once again nodded and agreed. This time a majority seemed to put their faith in the cousins, while only a small faction agreed with Odin instead. Luckily, the Elders were democratic, and Odin seemed to realize and accept his defeat.
"Let us hope your faith is not misplaced." Odin remarked cynically. "I believe the spell required is somewhere in the ancient scrolls. We will call upon you when we find what you need. Inform the cousins they will need to be ready, as they will have only one shot at this."
"Thank you." Noah replied as he once again took a deep bow.
Noah turned and left the council chambers. Even though he was sometimes annoyed at the way the council operated, he was glad that something good had come out of this. If things worked out, the Source would be vanquished and the relationship between the Halliwells and the Elders could be healed. That way, he could stop hiding things from the sisters, since he hated having to lie to them. However, there were some things in his past that were not easy to share.
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In a dark cavern in the Underworld that was one known as the coronation room, the Source of All Evil stood in the middle of the room. His young and powerful body was covered in a simple black robe and his brown eyes were focused on several scorch marks on the floor. There were many memories tied to this place, dark and sad, but he could not afford to think like that. He was the Source of All Evil, the essence of true evil, not some weak boy with human emotions. The Source closed his eyes and quickly pushed any emotion away, banishing them to a dark place.
Behind the Source, an elderly demon in a blood red cloak entered. He was a dark priest, and in his arms he held a heavy book bound in leather, the pages of which were blackened with evil. The Grimoire. He placed the book on a black pedestal.
"Is everything set?" The Source asked as he turned around.
"Almost, my lord." The priest replied. "Soon the preparations for the coronation will begin. Finally you will be able to truly reclaim your legacy. All the demons in the Underworld will know once and for all that the Source has returned and they will bow down to you."
"Good, it cannot happen soon enough." The Source replied.
"If I may, my lord." The priest said carefully. "I sense that you are troubled. As your loyal advisor, I am sworn to secrecy and will take anything you tell me with me to the wasteland."
"What are you talking about?" The Source asked annoyed.
"My lord. I know that you keep many secrets, though not all are secret to me." The priest said. "I know the truth about your return and I sense that it is taking a toll on you."
"You know nothing!" The Source called out angrily and his eyes were engulfed in flames. "If you speak to anyone about this, you will never make it to the wasteland, your fate will be much worse."
"My apologies, my lord." The priest quickly said with a slight bow. "You know I am loyal only to you."
"Leave me." The Source said as turned his back to the priest.
The Source took a few steps forward and let his eyes fall on the shattered metal cage in the corner of the room. Meanwhile, he heard the priest quickly leaving in a shuffle. That fool had better keep silent. If there was any doubt about his resolve, the demons who should bow to him, would betray him instead. He had come too far and it had taken too long to get here. Nothing could ruin his long-awaited return to power.
However, a pang of doubt shot through his body. His encounter with Barbas had cost him a small portion of his powers, though it had also shaken him more than he was willing to admit. He had long conquered this body and made it his own, as it was always intended, though something inside him still resisted at times. The coronation would put a stop to that permanently, the last remnants of his heir would be destroyed and he would be in full control.
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