Legacy 112: Noah's Arc

Part 6

Xxx

Many years ago,

The Heavens were in chaos. Whitelighter was fighting Whitelighter and friend was fighting friend. Noah stood in the middle of the battle holding the Apple of Discord. He had inspired many to follow his lead, but the apple could not affect the mind of everyone. An opposing Whitelighter charged at him, though Noah quickly knocked him out with a bolt of lightning. He hated that this was necessary, but it needed to be done. The council had hidden themselves in the higher regions of the Heavens, so they needed to be forced out.

"This battle can't go on forever." Kyle said as he was fighting next to Noah.

"It won't." Noah replied. "It will end as soon as those cowards show themselves."

"What will happen after this?" Kyle asked.

"We will form a new council." Noah said determined. "We will make sure things will be better. Everyone will be free, to help those they want… to love those they want."

"Enough!" A bouldering voice echoed through the Heavens.

Lightning struck down in the middle of the battle field and the council appeared in columns of orbs. Odin was leading them, while Sandra and Kevin stood behind him. The appearance of the Elders caused the fighting to stop, as everyone turned their attention to them. Noah stepped forward and faced the killer of the woman he loved.

"Have you lost your mind?" Odin asked. "How dare you violate our most sacred rules?"

"We've had enough of your rules, Odin." Noah said.

"We?" Odin snapped at him. "I only see a madman using a dangerous artifact to control the minds of those around him."

"The apple doesn't control, only inspire." Noah replied. "These feelings were already there, buried under the fear of your rule."

"Noah, how could you do this?" Sandra asked as she stepped forward and looked around with a horrified expression. "This much violence?"

"I wish there was another way, Sandra." Noah replied.

"This isn't you, Noah." Kevin said. "You're a good person."

"Sometimes good people have to do horrible things." Noah replied saddened. "Not just for the greater good, but to get justice as well."

"What happened to you?" Sandra asked.

"Ask him." Noah said as he turned his gaze to Odin. "He started all of this when he killed her."

"What are you talking about?" Odin asked.

"Calliope is dead." Noah said as the apple trembled in his hand. "Your trap worked."

"What does he mean, Odin?" Sandra asked.

"This is nonsense." Odin said. "He has clearly lost his mind. The apple is affecting him as much as the others."

"No, you found out about us." Noah replied angrily. "You knew how much she meant to me, so you sent her on an assignment knowing that it would get her killed. You sent her to her death."

"I did no such thing." Odin argued. "I sent her on a routine assignment to guide a future Whitelighter. I had no idea she would be in danger."

"You killed her." Noah said determined.

"You were in love with her." Sandra concluded when she saw the pain Noah was in.

"Noah, I'm so sorry." Kevin added. "But I don't think Odin would have done this on purpose."

"Don't defend him." Noah said as he held out the apple. "I know you feel the same way about the council as I do. Just admit it."

A golden wave of energy was released from the apple and it engulfed the council. When it faded, Kevin turned to Odin and struck him with a bolt of lightning. Sandra and the other Elders quickly stepped back. Kevin turned around and joined Noah at his side.

"The council is flawed." Kevin said. "I was just afraid to admit it. Whether or not Odin was responsible for Calli's death, things need to change."

"Anyone else who wants to join us should step forward now." Noah added.

The Heavens fell silent as everyone chose a side. Most of the Elders remained with Odin and helped him up. They were supported by a few Whitelighters, while most stood with Noah. Soon two camps had formed, with only Sandra still standing in the middle.

"Sandra, join us." Noah said. "I know you understand our side."

"I will not choose." Sandra said. "I swore to serve the greater good. I will not be forced either way."

"This act of treason is unforgiveable, boy." Odin said as he stepped forward. "You will pay for this. As for everyone else, I'm giving all of you a chance to stand down now. I know the apple is affecting you, so the council will overlook your actions."

"You no longer have authority here, Odin." Noah said.

"You insolent brat." Odin snapped at him.

Odin raised his hand and fired a bolt of lightning. Noah quickly reacted and did the same. Before the bolts could interact, Sandra screamed and jumped in the middle. She was stuck by both bolts and was thrown back. Noah's eyes widened and he nearly dropped the apple. He had never intended to harm his friend. Why did she get in the way? As Noah stood frozen, Kevin quickly ran over and began healing Sandra.

"See what you have done?" Odin asked. "This is the price of your little rebellion."

"No, this is your fault." Noah replied as he tightened his grip on the apple. "You started all of this long ago. When you let your power corrupt you and the entire council."

The Apple of Discord began to glow. Noah could hear Calliope's voice calling to him, telling him to keep fighting. Odin needed to pay for his crimes. He fired a bolt of lightning and struck Odin in the chest. As Odin was being electrocuted, Noah stepped closer with an almost manic look in his eyes. The apple was telling him to keep going, to kill Odin.

Suddenly the apple disappeared from his hand in a swirl of orbs. Noah stopped and turned around. Behind him stood the two people he least expected. Paige and Leo.

"This has gone far enough." Paige said as the apple appeared in her hand.

Paige held up the apple and a golden wave of energy spread across the Heavens, reversing what had been done. When the wave cleared, everyone came to their senses. Paige then waved her hand over the apple and it disappeared in a swirl of orbs. When the realization sunk in, Noah fell to his knees in horror.

"What have I done?" Noah asked himself.

"Good question." Paige said.

"Sandra." Noah called out. "Is she…?"

"I'm alright, Noah." Sandra said as she walked over supported by Kevin.

"Looks like everyone will be fine with a little healing, thank the Heavens." Leo said.

"Leo, Paige, what are you doing here?" Noah asked.

"I called them when I sensed the apple being activated." Sandra said. "I figured they would be able to talk you down if we couldn't."

"I can't believe what I did." Noah said.

"You were overwhelmed with grief." Leo explained. "Your pain drove you to it, and the apple only amplified those feelings. You were influenced by it like everyone else."

"Still, I made the decision." Noah replied. "I almost did something horrible. I was ready to kill Odin."

"Luckily, you didn't succeed." Odin noted as he stepped forward. "But the crime remains, and you must be punished for it."

"Just tell me the truth first, Odin." Noah replied. "Did you sent Calliope to her death? Did you know about us?"

"I suspected." Odin said. "But no, I did not sent her to her death."

"I can confirm that." Sandra added. "I was with Odin when he assigned her this task. There was no reason to suspect a Tracker was after this future Whitelighter."

"So it was just a horrible accident." Paige said.

"That doesn't make it any better." Kevin noted.

"No, it doesn't." Noah admitted tearfully. "But thank you for answering."

"So what happens now?" Kyle asked.

"The council will render judgement on Noah." Odin replied. "Whatever circumstances, our most sacred rules were broken. He committed a serious crime by starting this riot and nearly killing two members of the council. I propose we recycle him."

"Recycle?" Kevin asked shocked. "Forced reincarnation?"

"What do you think, Leo?" Sandra asked. "He was your charge, after all."

"I think Noah realizes his mistakes." Leo replied. "I trust that he has a good heart, and that his intentions were pure. His grief and pain drove him to do something unthinkable, but I have some experience on that front. Noah will have to live with what he has done. I think that is punishment enough."

"He shouldn't pay with his life." Paige added.

"What?" Odin asked angrily. "He tried to kill me. He nearly killed you, Sandra. He doesn't deserve to remain on this council."

"I agree with all of you." Sandra said. "Noah has committed a crime that cannot be ignored, but his life doesn't need to end. Nor does he deserve to remain on the council. He will be stripped of his rank and start anew as a Whitelighter. That way, he shall be given a chance to redeem himself. Are we in agreement?"

The other members of the council, including Kevin, nodded.

"I have one condition." Odin said. "Jail time. I want him locked up until we can find a worthy task for him. Only then shall he be granted a chance to prove himself."

"Odin, is that really necessary?" Kevin asked.

"Just do it." Noah said as he stood up. "I have to pay for what I've done."

Odin nodded and waved his hand. Noah was surrounded in a soft glow as his Elder rank was stripped. He felt like he deserved much worse. He had been blinded by his grief and anger. He had made a horrible mistake and people had gotten hurt. He didn't see how he could ever redeem himself.

"Don't worry, Noah." Leo said. "I still believe what I said to you all those years ago."

"Thank you, Leo." Noah replied.

Odin snapped his fingers and two Whitelighter came to take Noah away. He did not resist. He needed time to think and to mourn Calliope. Odin was not responsible for her death. He needed to accept that and learn how to go from here. He would have plenty of time to figure out how.

Xxx

Present,

When Prue woke up, she found herself lying in her own bed. The fight against the Empusa had taken all her energy and she still felt tired, despite sleeping for hours. She had tapped into power she had never experienced before, she had no idea she was even capable of it until it was needed. Although she could not get her innocent back, she had stood up to the demon and saved many more lives, including Noah and her sisters. That was worth something. Prue looked to her side and saw Noah sleeping in the chair next to her bed. He had probably fallen asleep watching over her. He looked so cute and peaceful that it was a shame to wake him.

"He has been there all night." A whispering voice said.

Prue turned and saw Penny standing in the door opening. She quietly walked over and sat down on the bed.

"Are you and Payton alright?" Prue asked.

"Of course, it takes more than a little bump on the head to take down a Halliwell." Penny replied. "Noah healed us and then he orbed us all home. You've been asleep for almost fourteen hours."

"And he's been here the entire time?" Prue asked.

"He wouldn't leave, he was too worried with all that power you channeled." Penny replied. "Feeling the emotions of an entire city? How can you even handle that? I can barely handle my own at times."

"I had no choice, the Empusa was threatening to kill you." Prue said. "But I'm not planning on doing it again any time soon."

"Too much pain out there?" Penny asked.

"Too much of everything." Prue replied. "There are people out there with some very weird stuff going on."

"Telepath, remember?" Penny said. "You don't need to tell me."

Both sisters laughed, though they quickly stopped when Noah stirred in his sleep and began to wake up. Penny quickly excused herself and closed the door as she left. Noah sat up and yawned as he looked at Prue.

"Oh, you're awake." He said surprised. "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine, really." Prue replied. "You didn't need to stay over to keep an eye on me."

"I just wanted to make sure." Noah said. "Channeling that much emotion takes a very strong mind, but I knew you could handle it. You are one of the strongest people I know. You might even be the strongest of your family."

"If I'm that powerful, then why did you stay?" Prue asked.

"I guess… Because I wanted to." Noah admitted a little flustered. "I mean, you know how I feel about you. You're not just another charge."

"And you're not just my Whitelighter." Prue replied with a smile.

"I'm serious, Prue." Noah said determined. "For the longest time, I thought I could never feel this way about anyone ever again. After Calliope."

"I know." Prue replied.

"It means a lot to me that I could tell you about my past and that you didn't judge me for it." Noah said. "You accept me for who I am."

"I've never lost the love of my life, so how could I possibly judge you?" Prue replied. "You've been through so much."

"And now I finally feel I can move on." Noah said. "Part of me will always love Calli, but I feel like I have been given a second chance with you, and that makes me a very lucky man."

Noah moved over to the bed and sat down on the edge. He leaned in and moved a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He leaned in closer and their lips touched, a sweet and gentle kiss. She could tell they both wanted more, but she was still tired and he was being careful because of that. She pulled back and moved her lips closer to his ear.

"Just so you know, next time you stay over, you don't need to sleep in the chair." She whispered with a smile.

Xxx

Author's Note:

Just one more small chapter to follow.