Carry On My Wayward Son

[mcharmed21]

“The preparations should be complete within the hour, my lord,” said a demon.

“Excellent,” said Baranas. “Now let’s just hope that pathetic excuse for a pretender doesn’t show up and ruin everything.”<br>
“I’m afraid it’s a little late for that,” said the Source as he flamed in.

Baranas whirled around, and his face turned pale as he saw that Chris’s eyes were completely black. “The Source...but how...”<br>
“Haven’t you learned that my essence cannot be destroyed?” the Source snarled. “However, yours, on the other hand...” Before Baranas could protest, the Source incinerated him with a fireball.

The other demon trembled as he bent down on one knee, and said, “My lord?”<br>
The Source smiled evilly as he said, “Keep the preparations going.” As the demon shimmered out, the Source thought, ‘Soon, you will pay for your betrayal, Belthazor, and the Charmed Ones with you.’<br>
****

“No, no, NO!” Cole shouted.

“We don’t have any choice, Cole!” Piper countered. “Chris is gone. The Source has complete control over him.”<br>
“You may be right about the control, but MY SON is still in there somewhere, and I WILL NOT vanquish him!” Cole reiterated.

“We may not have any choice, Cole,” said Paige.

“That’s not true, Paige,” Phoebe said quietly. “There’s always another way.” Paige gave her sister a quizzical look. Phoebe continued, “I think back to how I felt after we vanquished Cole, and I remember the emptiness of losing the person I shared my soul with. If my mind had been clear that night, we could have done something different, possibly a power-stripping potion, something. But the point is we had other options, and we didn’t even think twice about what we were doing. I will not allow myself to feel like that again.”<br>
Piper looked at her sister with a renewed sense of respect and love. “Alright, then,” she said. “Let’s talk this through. How can we save Chris and vanquish the Source at the same time?”<br>
“Why not a power-stripping potion, like Phoebe said?” Paige suggested.

“That could work,” said Cole, “but remember that the powers have to go somewhere. If we made the potion specific and strong enough, we could separate the Source from Chris physically, leaving Chris with whatever powers he had besides his Source powers.”<br>
“But the powers belong to Chris, so won’t they go right back into him after we vanquish the Source, along with the Source’s essence?” said Leo.

“Not if we strip the Source of HIS powers as well at the same time we say the vanquishing spell,” Phoebe mused. “All we have to do then is add another spell to transform the Dark Magic into White Magic, and that should guarantee that Chris won’t reabsorb the Source back into him or immediately turn evil. Put all of that together, and we should be able to finally kill the old Source without the nasty repercussions.”<br>
“Phoebe, that’s brilliant,” said Piper. “Let’s get the pots ready. We have some potions to brew,” she added, grabbing Paige.

“I’ll get started on that second spell,” Phoebe said, grabbing her notepad and a pencil. However, she noticed that Cole seemed very tense. She went over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, laying her head on his back. “This will work, Cole. I’m sure of it.”<br>
“I hope so,” said Cole. “Neither one of us needs to suffer any more heartache than we already had.”<br>
****

“It’s time, my lord,” said Nevaros.

The Source rose from his throne clad in his ceremonial garb. “Finally, I shall regain what I have lost, and then take my revenge on the Charmed Ones and Belthazor.” He flamed to the Coronation Chamber, Nevaros shimmering just behind him.

The Source walked up to the platform where the Dark Priest and the Grimoire were waiting. The Dark Priest turned to him and said, “May the world’s evil flow through your soul tonight and grant you eternal darkness. Are you prepared to take the power and position of the Source before these leaders of the Underworld?”<br>
“I am,” said the Source.

“Then place your hand upon this page of the Grimoire, and...”<br>
“Not so fast,” said a new voice.

The Source whirled to see the Charmed Ones, Cole, and Leo materialize in the Chamber. “Well, well, more sacrifices for my coronation. I had planned on killing you afterward, but right now is fine too.”<br>
“What makes you think we won’t fight back?” Cole snarled.

“Please,” said the Source, “like you’d really kill your own son along with me? I know you too well, Belthazor. Your human half has made your weak again. You don’t have the guts.”<br>
“You’re right, I don’t,” said Cole. The Source smirked, but then Cole added, “That’s why I’m going to do THIS!” With that, Cole threw the first potion at Chris.

“What is...AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!” screamed the Source. The shocked faction leaders watched as a dark shape separated itself from Chris, and coalesced into the solid form of the old Source. As Chris slumped to the floor, the Source said, “Did you expect that to stop me? I am Evil incarnate, I CANNOT DIE!”<br>
“Wrong,” said Phoebe coldly. Her sisters joined hands with her.

“NO!” the Source yelled. However, it was too late by then as the Charmed Ones began reciting the vanquishing spell.

Prudence, Patricia, Penelope, Melinda,
Astrid, Helena, Laura, and Grace,
Halliwell witches stand strong beside us,
Vanquish this evil from time and space.

The Source screamed in agony as the flames engulfed him. Piper threw the second potion into the flames. Just as the Source exploded, a dark cloud of energy rose through the air and headed toward Chris.

“PHOEBE, NOW!” Cole yelled.

Powers once dark
Now become light
Remove the evil
And make it right

[mcharmed21]

It was clear that the spell had its intended effect, for the dark energy began to change into bright white light just before it entered Chris’s body. As it did, Chris opened his eyes, and by the time he got to his feet, all of the light had entered him.

Piper looked at the demons still in the Chamber and said, “Anybody who doesn’t want to die should leave NOW.” The demons didn’t dare face the Charmed Ones after such a display of power; they shimmered out within seconds.

Phoebe and Cole walked slowly towards Chris. As they approached, they could see the pure joy in his eyes over being free. No longer would the Source whisper lies in his mind to make him destroy his family. The evil was gone, and Chris was himself again.

Chris walked to Phoebe and wrapped his mother in a tight embrace. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I love you so much, Mom.”<br>
Phoebe could feel tears trickling down her cheeks. Her son loved her, and that fact truly made her feel whole again. Not only did she have her soulmate back, but she had her family back, too. “I love you too, son.”<br>
Cole wrapped his arms around both of them, happy and content holding his family in his arms. He had come full circle, and he knew that this was exactly where he wanted to be. “Let’s go home.”<br>
****

Cole blinked open sleepy eyes as sunlight fell across his eyes. For a moment, Cole didn’t remember where he was, but then he noticed the warm body resting on top of his, and he smiled. This was why he had put himself through the trials to get out of the Wasteland, so that he could wake up in the morning and Phoebe would be there with him. Slowly, almost reverently, Cole ran his hand through her dark hair.

Phoebe stirred and stretched. As she opened her eyes and saw Cole, she smiled and pulled herself up toward him. “Morning, baby,” she said as she leaned down to kiss his lips. “Did you sleep well?”<br>
Cole grinned and said, “I haven’t slept that well in a long time.” Phoebe giggled and wrapped her arms around him. Cole rubbed her back for a minute before he thought of something. He gently eased himself from under Phoebe and got out of bed.

“What’s wrong?” she asked anxiously.

Rather than answer, Cole walked to the vanity and looked in the mirror. He saw peace and joy in his eyes, and a look that can only be found in those who are good at heart. He breathed deeply, and turned back to Phoebe with a smile on his face. “Nothing’s wrong, baby,” he said. “This is the first day I’ve looked myself in the mirror and come away content with what I’ve seen. I finally have everything I’ve been dreaming of. I have you, I have our son...I have a family. Do you know how good that makes me feel?”<br>
“Yes, Cole, I do, because I feel the same way,” she said. “It scares me when I realize that I could have lost you forever, but I promise you, I will never turn my back on you again. Now come here. It’s the weekend, so we can cuddle for a little while longer.”<br>
“Cuddling sounds just fine to me,” Cole said as he got back into bed.

****

Lightning flashed in the sky of the Hosech realm. Not that it ever really stopped there. In such a place of nightmares, why would it?

Demons who had been exiled or banished roamed freely, killing each other when they had to for survival. No one was expected to survive for long in this place. Food was scarce, so unless a demon happened to be particularly powerful, it wasn’t likely he’d live to see another day.

Under cover of a cave, a small two-year old watched the big demons battling each other fearfully. The boy really didn’t understand this well, but the small voice in his head said that one day the big demons would be doing what he told them instead of fighting.

A sudden noise made the boy turn around. He saw blue-white orbs entering the cave, and they came together to form a young man. The small voice told the boy to run away, but something in the man’s eyes told the boy not to be afraid, that the man was here to save him.

“It’s ok, little one,” said Chris. “I’m here to help.” As he walked closer to the boy, his hands began to emit a soft white glow. The boy ignored the voice in his head and allowed the man to place his hands beside his head. As he did, the voice was suddenly snapped away. “Give me your hand,” Chris said, holding his out to the boy. “I’m taking you home.” Tentatively, the boy put his hand in Chris’s, and they orbed out a moment later.

****

“Cole, would you please pass the bagels?” Piper asked.

“Sure,” he said, picking up the basket and handing to her.

“You know, if somebody had told me two days ago that we’d be having breakfast with Cole, I’d have thought they were crazy,” Paige said.

“And now?” Phoebe asked.

“I don’t think I could imagine it without him,” she finished truthfully.

“That’s very sweet, Paige,” said Cole, smiling. “Thank you.”<br>
“Here you go, Wyatt,” said Piper as she spoon-fed him some baby food. Looking around the table, she suddenly asked, “Hey, where’s Chris?”<br>
“I don’t know,” said Phoebe. “I haven’t seen him since before we went to bed last night.” Just then, they heard the familiar chiming sound. “That must be him,” Phoebe continued. As Chris walked into the room, she said, “Hey, Chris, you’re laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate...” Phoebe trailed off as she saw what Chris was holding in his arms.

[mcharmed21]

Chris grinned and looked down. The little boy was not afraid of these people. He could feel their goodness, and he knew they would take care of him.

“Chris...is that...is he...” Cole tried to say, but couldn’t get the words out.

Chris nodded. “I couldn’t very well let myself suffer the same fate twice, now could I?” he said. He walked around the table to where Phoebe and Cole were sitting. “Do you want to hold him?”<br>
Phoebe nodded with tears of joy in her eyes. Chris gently placed the boy in her arms, and the boy let out a little squeal of happiness. “Hi, sweetie,” she said. “I’m your mommy, and this big guy over here,” she said, indicating Cole, “is your daddy.”<br>
“Hello, little one,” Cole said as he gently stroked the top of his son’s head with his hand.

Little Chris looked at Phoebe with a questioning look, and he said, “Ma...ma...mama?”<br>
“Oh, my God,” Phoebe said, bringing a hand to her face. Hearing her son say those few words brought her more joy than she could possibly express in words. “Yes sweetie, mommy’s here,” she said softly.

The little boy smiled and gently rested his head against Phoebe’s chest. Within moments, he was asleep, without nightmares of big scary demons chasing after him.

Phoebe sniffled as she looked up at the older version of her son. “Thank you, Chris,” she said. Cole put an arm around her shoulders.

“No, Mom,” said Chris. “Thank you.” As they watched, Chris slowly began to fade.

“What’s happening?” Cole asked.

“All is as it should be now, Father,” said Chris, his voice taking on a slightly echoing quality. “The future has changed once again. But don’t worry,” he said with a smile. “You’ll see me again in about twenty years.” As Chris finally vanished, they could hear him say, “I love you all. Blessed be.”<br>
Cole looked at Phoebe with all the love in his heart. “Now I know what it means to be blessed,” he said. “Never again will I take for granted the fact that I have you and our son in my life.”<br>
“I love you, Cole, and I will go on loving you until the day I die,” Phoebe promised.

Neither Cole nor Phoebe ever forgot how close they came to losing each other. Their son was a constant reminder to them of the power of their love, and they again learned to cherish every moment they spent together.

THE END

[Esmeralda]

BUMP!