Legacy 201: Divine Witchervention

Part 9

Xxx

In a small church just outside of the city, Penny stood in middle the aisle. She was staring at an empty place on the floor, the exact spot where her sister had died. She had no idea why she came here, but somehow it had called to her. It felt like the final step before turning her back on her humanity completely. She summoned fire in her hand, intending to burn the entire church down. She would rise from its ashes as the true Goddess of Strife.

"My Goddess, what are we doing here?" Megaera asked as she approached.

"I need a moment." Penny said.

"I understand, but my Furies are hurt." Megaera replied. "We suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Gods. We need to reach out to the other tribes."

"I said I need a moment!" Penny snapped at her with a deep, echoed voice. "Leave!"

"I mean no disrespect." Megaera said carefully. "But we betrayed Rhea for you. We gave up a chance at true power, so you need to prove that you are worthy of our talons."

"I vanquished Rhea." Penny countered. "Is that not enough?"

"Rhea was a Titan." Megaera replied. "We are deities of vengeance, we need to spill blood, mortal blood. I need to know you can take a life."

"Your concerns are noted." Penny said annoyed.

"I put my trust in you." Megaera replied. "Don't make me regret it."

Megaera took a bow before leaving, shutting the door behind her. Penny walked around the church with fire in her hand. She understood where the Fury was coming from, but she didn't like to be questioned. She was a Goddess after all. The flame in her hand increased as she neared one of the drapes covering the windows. She was about to set them ablaze when a column of orbs appeared.

"Great, more interruptions." Penny said as she turned to face Noah. "We're done talking, Noah. What do you want?"

"You're right." Noah replied. "Talking isn't going to solve anything. You need to feel it. You need to feel the pain and anger and learn to accept it. That's the only way you can move on."

"You sound just like a Whitelighter." Penny remarked mockingly. "It's a shame you lose so many charges."

"I'm not losing you." Noah said.

"You really should have left me alone." Penny replied.

Penny raised her spear and shot a stream of fire at Noah, though the flames simply moved through him, leaving him completely unharmed.

"How are you doing that?" Penny asked.

"I'm not really here." Noah replied. "We just needed a distraction."

Noah disappeared in a flash of green light. Penny clenched her fist when she realized the entire thing was a projection created by Henry. She turned to leave the church, but saw the windows and doors were overgrown with plants. Payton had trapped her into another sanctuary. Penny threw a stream of fire at the door, but she was knocked to the ground by a flash golden light.

"Enough games." Penny called out as she leaped back up. "Show yourselves."

"Alright, you got us." Henry's voice sounded.

A green glow engulfed the church and revealed her family members and Noah. Due to Henry's projection hiding their presence, they had been able to surround her without her realizing.

"So what now?" Penny asked. "Are we going to fight? Because I'll gladly kick your asses."

"We're not here to fight." Laura said. "We came to bring you home."

"Seriously, when are you guys going to give up?" Penny called out. "I don't want to go back. I don't care about this family or my stupid humanity."

"We don't believe you." Chris said. "It's time to stop running away."

"We all love you." Wyatt added. "We're not giving up on you."

"So what are you going to do?" Penny asked. "Drag me back against my will? I'll destroy you all before I'll let you."

"You need to let go of your anger, Penny." Payton said. "Prue is gone, but you still have a family that loves you. A sister that needs you. It's time you feel that love."

Getting tired of the therapy session, Penny called for her spear and unleashed a blast of fire in all directions. However, a powerful whirlwind created by Wyatt surrounded her and held the flames back. At the same time, Payton began chanting a spell.

"Open Penny's heart to reveal,

That part which only her family feels.

Send it back from whence it came,

But don't protect her from the pain."

After Payton had finished the spell, color orbs manifested from the hearts of all the cousins. Penny angrily screamed as she tried to fend them off, though the orbs entered her heart. She gasped as she was overwhelmed with the emotions she had been pushing away. She was forced to relive Prue's death and all the horrible pain that followed. It felt like torture.

"I hate you all!" Penny cried out.

"Don't fight it, Penny." Noah said. "You need to push through the pain."

Penny fell to her knees. It felt like the pain was consuming her and letting it in would destroy her. Accepting the pain meant accepting that Prue was gone forever. How could she go on and live? How could she be happy without her? Prue was always the better sister, she was kinder and stronger than Penny could ever be. It was unfair that she got to live while Prue couldn't.

"I can't." Penny pleaded. "Make it stop. It should have been me."

"What do you mean?" Noah asked.

"I should have been the one who died instead of her." Penny cried out.

There was a moment of silence and then Penny suddenly felt a slap across her face. She looked up and saw a crying Payton stand in front of her.

"Don't ever say that!" Payton said. "You're my sister. I love Prue and I miss her every day, but I would never trade her life for yours."

"Prue wouldn't want that either." Noah added. "Think about what she would say."

Memories of Prue began to surface because of the spell. She was selfless and brave. She would never allow Penny to give her life for hers. She just always had to be the perfect big sister. Her death would forever leave a hole in her heart, but it could be filled with the love of her family. It wouldn't erase the pain, but it could make it bearable. Pain and love were different sides of the same coin, she couldn't feel one without the other. She was an idiot for running away from it all this time.

"I'm sorry." Penny cried out as she pulled her sister into a tight embrace.

"I'm just glad you're back." Payton replied.

"We all are." Laura said.

"I don't know how I can ever make this up to you." Penny admitted. "I screwed up big time."

"We've all made mistakes." Wyatt replied. "Family forgives each other, right?"

"But we'll accept free drinks at P3 for a month as an apology." Henry remarked.

"Deal." Penny replied with a smile.

"There is just one more thing to do." Noah noted as he revealed the urn containing the divine essence. "It's time to give up your divine powers."

"Gladly, I can't wait to wear pants again." Chris remarked. "This toga is way too breezy."

"Are you all ready?" Noah asked.

Everyone nodded and Noah removed the lid from the urn. One by one, the cousins were engulfed in a swirl of mist as the essence left their bodies and turned them back to normal. Penny felt a wave of relief as the strife left her. It had influenced her in a dark way, though the choices she had made were still her own. She needed to live with that. Once he had all the essences, Noah closed the lid, causing the natural barrier around the church to fade away as well.

"I'd better take these up to the Heavens right away." Noah said, after which he orbed away.

"I can't believe you came back here." Laura noted as she looked around the church. "This place just feels so painful."

"I don't know why I did." Penny admitted. "I guess I just needed closure."

"It's still strange to think that she's gone." Chris said. "I miss her."

"We all do." Penny said. "But if this thing has taught me anything, it's that we still have each other."

"Don't go all soft now." Henry remarked. "We're supposed to be the cool cousins."

"Oh, shut up." Penny replied. "I felt your emotions too, remember."

At that moment, the doors of the church flew open and Megaera stormed in with her remaining Furies. Once she saw Penny had returned to normal, her eyes widened in anger. She screeched as she and her Furies leaped forward to attack. However, Wyatt summoned a force field between them before they could get close enough.

"What have you done?!" Megaera called out. "You were our Goddess!"

"I'm sorry, Megaera." Penny replied. "I wasn't cut out for the job after all."

"You'll regret this." Megaera hissed. "I swear you will suffer for this. You've made a very dangerous enemy today."

Megaera and the other Furies disappeared through a swirl of smoke. Penny almost felt bad for her and had a feeling that they would cross paths again soon. She would have to wait for another day, though, as all Penny wanted to do now was go home and be with her family.

Xxx

In the Heavens, Odin stood in front of the Heavenly Vault with his eyes closed. Using his foresight, he saw how the threat of the Titans and the Gods was ended. Although their efforts were sloppy and dangerous, Odin had to admit that the Halliwells had done their jobs adequately. Noah had brought out the best in them, as a good Whitelighter should. However, he would never praise him, as his past actions were unforgiveable. A column of orbs rose from the clouds and Noah appeared while holding the divine essence.

"It's over." Noah said. "The Halliwells are back to normal."

"Good." Odin replied. "And you are certain that magic was not exposed?"

"Henry used his abilities to reverse all the damage." Noah said. "Is that all you have to say?"

"What did you expect?" Odin asked with a frown. "A pat on the back? You were doing your job, so were the Halliwells."

"They just saved the world while fighting through their grief." Noah argued. "They deserve a little more credit than that. We nearly lost Penny."

"I saw what happened, Noah." Odin replied. "You might not agree with our methods, but I believe that this experience was exactly what the cousins needed to start healing."

"You knew this would happen?" Noah asked.

"Not exactly." Odin admitted. "I might not be fond of the Halliwell family, but I trust in their abilities."

"They're not just pawns for you to use." Noah said. "This is exactly why the magical community has grown to resent the council."

"The council of Elders exists to govern good magic and protect the balance." Odin replied. "The magical community doesn't have to like us in order for us to do our jobs. You understood that once, before your fall from grace."

"I've made mistakes, but they brought me to where I am now." Noah said. "I was never supposed to be an Elder. I'm meant to be down there and do the right thing."

"Well, we agree on part of that statement." Odin noted.

"You'll never understand what it means to do the right thing without thinking about your precious rules." Noah remarked. "You need to have a heart for that."

Noah handed over the urn and orbed away. Odin should have reprimanded him for being disrespectful, though the young Whitelighter had hit a nerve. Odin entered the vault and returned the urn to its rightful place. He turned to leave, but felt drawn to the hidden doorway in the vault. When he touched the stone, he felt an overwhelming hatred from the past he was desperately trying to keep buried.

"I feel your anger." Odin said. "But I can never allow you to escape this prison. The world is better off without you."

Xxx

The following evening, the cousins were sitting in their favorite booth in P3, watching a local band perform on stage. Everyone was there except for Laura, who had called in sick. Penny took a sip of her drink and enjoyed the music. She had slept the entire day and felt refreshed and better than she had in months. Her pain was still there, but she knew it would get a little bit better every day.

"Are you okay?" Payton asked.

"I am." Penny replied. "And for the first time in months, I actually mean it. I just feel guilty for all the problems I caused."

"We've all done things we'd rather forget." Wyatt replied. "Becoming a God really messes with your mind."

"You also did something good, Penny." Chris said. "You vanquished a Titan and saved the world. That definitely deserves a toast."

"We'll need more free drinks for that." Henry remarked.

"Fine, I'll go get them." Penny replied as she playfully rolled her eyes.

Penny headed to the bar and ordered a new round of drinks. As she was waiting for the drinks, she was joined by Watt, who sat down next to her.

"Came to check up on me?" Penny asked.

"No, okay, maybe a little." Wyatt admitted. "But I also wanted to ask you something. Do you remember that mysterious guy we encountered the hotel?"

"The gorgeous guy I almost killed, sure." Penny replied. "Hard to forget."

"What was he doing there?" Wyatt asked. "Who was he?"

"I have no idea." Penny said. "But he seemed to know us and about Rhea. Do you think we should be worried about him?"

"I don't know." Wyatt replied somewhat distracted. "There was something about him."

"You're not worried, are you?" Penny noted with a smile. "You're into him."

"What? No, that's ridiculous." Wyatt quickly said. "We don't know anything about him, he could be dangerous. Besides, I need to take a break from dating."

"In that case, maybe I'll make a move next time we run into him." Penny remarked. "He's fair game, right?"

"Of course." Wyatt said. "Just know who you're competing against."

Wyatt winked before heading back to the booth. Penny smiled and turned back to the bar. If that was how he wanted to play it, the game was on. She needed some fun after everything that happened. It was time to stop living in the past and look toward the future. Prue would never be forgotten, but she would want her family to be happy. They would go on to make new memories without her.

Xxx

That same moment, Laura stood in her dark dorm room, staring at the paintings she had created of the future. The images filled her with a sense of dread, which was why she had decided not to tell her family yet. She needed to understand first. There were five in total, each revealing a mysterious event that would lead to the end of the world. A column of orbs descended and formed into Noah. She faced him as he turned on the light.

"I was worried." Noah said. "I figured you were here, so what do you think they mean?"

"They're warnings." Laura said. "Something is coming and these paintings can help us figure out what."

"We should tell the others." Noah said.

"No, I won't put them through that." Laura said. "They deserve some peace of mind."

"You can't keep it to yourself." Noah replied.

"You know too." Laura said. "You're my Whitelighter, I'm sure there's some kind of charge confidentiality I can hold you to."

"Of course, but I don't we should keep this quiet." Noah said. "When I talked to Kevin, he mentioned something about a coming darkness. What if it's connected to these paintings?"

"Let's figure it out together." Laura said. "I promise we'll tell the others the moment we have a solid lead."

Laura turned back to the paintings. The first depicted an arrow dripping with a dark fluid. The second painting showed a dark-haired woman looking into a mirror, while a red-haired woman was staring back at her. The third was of a woman in armor turning her back on a man and a crying child. The fourth painting showed a black and white figure embracing while engulfed in flames. The fifth depicted four skeletal horses running through dark woods. Whatever the paintings meant, Laura knew they spelled out danger for her family.

Xxx

In the MIND headquarters in Washingon DC, agent Reed stepped out of the elevator and was greeted by Evelyn. He had been called in by the director and knew he was in for a lecture.

"She's waiting in her office." Evelyn said. "I tried to put in a good word for you."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." Reed replied.

"Good luck." Evelyn said.

Evelyn stepped into the elevator while Reed headed to the director's office. No matter what she was going to say, he didn't regret his choices. Those kids would have been killed if he hadn't been there, plus it was interesting to finally come face to face with the Halliwells. Reed knocked on the door and entered. The director was standing by the window, overlooking the city while holding a glass of whiskey. She was wearing a dark blue pantsuit while her short blond hair was styled in a wave bob line.

"You wanted to see me, director?" Reed asked.

"Don't play coy with me, Lincoln." The director replied as she turned to face him. "You know exactly how I feel about what you've done."

"You mean save lives?" Reed asked.

"I mean charging into a dangerous situation like that." The director replied. "You could have gotten yourself killed."

"With all due respect, that's part of the job." Reed remarked.

"Cut the bullshit, Lincoln." The director said. "We both know you're not just another agent. I was worried, you went after a freaking Titan."

"You're not my mother, Billie." Reed replied. "Stop treating me like I still need training wheels. I'm one of the best agents you've got."

"Because I trained you." Billie snapped at him. "I might not be your mother, but I took you in after what happened and you're part of my family now. I don't want to tell my kids that you got yourself killed like an idiot."

"Alright, I'm sorry." Reed admitted. "I know it was wrong, but I did end up saving lives. You would have done the exact same thing if you were still an agent."

"I can't comment on that." Billie replied with a reluctant smile. "Fine, I accept your official, on the record apology, agent Reed."

"Thanks." Reed said. "Can I get a drink now?"

"Get it yourself." Billie noted as she walked to her desk and sat down. "So you met the Halliwells for the first time. Tell me everything, we might need them eventually."

Xxx

In a dark wooded area, a lone figure entered a meadow filled with moonlight. She was dressed in grey ragged clothing while her tangled brown hair reached her waist. Her name was Selene and she had been restoring her powers ever since been freed of millennia of captivity. The Trinity would rise and get their revenge, but first she needed to find her fellow dark Elders. In order to achieve her goals, she needed a guide in this strange new world. Luckily, she had heard the cries of one of her children during her meditations.

"We're done being captives." Selene noted.

Selene held out both her hands and chanted an ancient spell to tear a rip between the planes of existence. A naked figure fell out of the tear into the grass below, a young man with sleek brown hair. Selene closed the rip and walked toward him.

"Where am I?" the young man asked.

"The mortal plane." Selene replied. "I heard your cries from the astral plane and I freed you, Bryce."

"You're her." Bryce said shocked as he sat up in a kneeling position. "Selene, our creator."

"Yes, my son." Selene replied. "Now rise, for we have a much work to do."

Bryce nodded and stood up. Selene moved closer and touched his bare chest. It had been a long time since he had seen any of her children and it filled her with great pride. The time would soon come for all of them to step out of the shadows and back into the light where they belonged.

Xxx

The End