Apocalypse - now? - Completed

[brummsumsel]

San Francisco in the year 2027. Somewhere in a back street.

"Chris - duck!" Wyatt Halliwell yells in the middle of a fight against a slimy lohesh-demon.

The demon had astonishing skills in martial arts, in spite of his huge resemblance with the blob. Actually - he was a blob - with two legs and two arms. The only scary part of it was its one red eye right in the middle of his forehead - or that what's supposed to be a forehead.
He had a firm grip on Chris, who was disgusted by it, because slime was running down his body. Covered his clothes and the smell was unbearable.
For some strange reason he couldn't orb out of his grip and this thing made noises as if he would throw up any moment. Or swallow something any moment. The book of shadows hasn't been quite clear about that part. But it gave away that the 'blob' was eating magical creatures. And since Chris was a magical creature and at the moment pretty much captured by it ...

Chris looks at his brother, with a disgusted face. And an annoyed look, because how should he duck? He is almost completely covered by this slimy demon and ... oh, how he hates to go demon hunting with his brother.

"Just do it already, Wyatt!" he yells.

He'd do everything just to get rid of that demon. Especially of that smell ...

"If I blow him now, I'm gonna blow you with him." Wyatt yells back and rolls his eyes.
"Then blow around me! You're the friggin Houdini of magic - just do it!"

Thunder gets loud and clouds suddenly cover the blue sky. Dark clouds. Lightning bolts shoot down. Hitting buildings, cars, blowing holes in the streets. Fire hydrants suddenly spit water, as if someone had turned them on. The traffic lights are changing the colors again and again and suddenly the earth is shaking.

The lohesh-demon raises his head, looks up into the sky, shivers and suddenly shrinks. Gets smaller and smaller and plop - he's gone.

Wyatt looks at the spot, where the demon just has been standing. Astounded. That has never happened before. Not to him. Not since he's hunting demons. Not ...

"What the ...?" he says, as Chris walks to him.

Covered with green slime, smelling like a manure pit. He tries to rub it off, but it just sticks to him. He's covered all over, from head to feet.

"How did you do that? I didn't see you blow him." he asks and tries to shake off the green slime from his hands.

"I didn't." Wyatt answers and looks around.

Now, something was wrong here. Something happened. The ground was shaking, lightning bolts shooting holes in streets ...

"Didn't you feel it?" he asks his little brother.
"What? The earthquake? Of course I did. You think that scared him off?"

Chris looks at his brother. Notices his face expression. It is thoughtful, wary.

"What? What is it? Oh, I hate this look. It never means something good." he asks and wants to touch Wyatt at his shoulder, but he jumps back.

"Don't even think about touching me, bro. Not before you've been taking a shower. Gosh, you stink!" he says and raises his hands refusing.
"Well, what is it then?"

Chris rolls his eyes annoyed, but lowers his hand.

"I felt power. Incredible power. I've never felt so much power before." Wyatt explains and looks up to the suddenly blue again sky.

Everything was as if nothing has ever happened.

"Well, maybe you felt your own power."

Chris knows that this speculation wasn't really the smartest one, but he was stinking like a wet dog, the slime was all over him and he is yearning for a shower. Soap! Please - soap!

"Nah, it wasn't me. It was something else. And whatever it was - it is incredible powerful. I think we should go and see the parents. Maybe Dad has an explanation." Wyatt answers, as if Chris speculation was meant serious.

He looks at his younger brother.

"I can't believe you didn't feel it." he notices.
"Well, excuse me, but I was kinda busy. Slimy demon, hugging me to death, you remember?" Chris replies and tries to shake the slime off his hands again.

It just wouldn't work. It is stuck like glue.

"You need to take a shower before we go to see Mom and Dad." Wyatt suggests, as he gets aware of his brothers complete condition.

Chris stops his vain try to get rid of the sticky stuff and looks at his older brother, as if he was coming from another planet.

"No way, Sherlock. And I thought it would be fun to go like this." he mocks and pulls a grimace.

Wyatt just grins.

"Well, let's go then." he says and wants to disappear, but Chris stops him.
"Hold it!" he says.
"I can't orb."
"What do you mean, you can't orb?"
"I mean I can't orb! Must be the slime. I couldn't orb out of the hug either. Maybe it blocks my power."
"But that means I have to touch you." Wyatt notices and pulls a disgusted face.

Chris plants himself before him, hands on his hips, and looks at him.
"Well, excuse me. But I felt the need to get real sticky and dirty today and I want to share it with you. Now touch me, so you can share my joy."

Wyatt laughs and finally lays his hand on his brother's shoulder. He pulls a face, as he feels the slime underneath his hand, but dematerializes together with Chris.

"Why do I always get the slimy ones anyway? I never saw you covered with sticky icky stuff before." Chris says, as they disappear out of the back street.

[~Empath~]

This is so great brummsumsel, keep it up, I can't wait to see where this is going!

[brummsumsel]

After the shower and getting all cleaned up, changing clothes and using a lot of aftershave, the brothers finally orb over to their parents.

Halliwell house

The TV is on in the living room. The rest of the house is silent, as Chris and Wyatt orb in. Wondering about it, since their parents never watch TV during the day, they follow the noise of the TV into the living room. Leo and Piper are sitting together on the couch, watching the news. Both with shocked faces, holding each others hands. Piper looks up as she hears her sons walking in, Leo's look remains on the TV.

"Hey, what's happening?" Chris asks, who gets wary about the serious looks on the faces of his parents.
"Didn't you hear?" Piper asks back and looks at them.
"Hear what?" Wyatt wants to know, walks over to the couch and sits down next to his father.
"Hey, dad. What's going on?" he asks there and Leo just points at the TV.
"It's all the over the news." he says, as Chris walks over and sits down on the floor before the couch.

A news ticker runs at the bottom of the screen, while the newscaster is speaking.
"'German parliament wiped out! Germany without government. Great-great-great-grandson of the last German emperor takes over the control. Says: I'm the rightful heir to the throne - and I demand it. Scientists confirm: The bombs were British.'"

"That's horrible." Chris says shocked.
He couldn't take his eyes of the TV.

"We've just received the latest news from Europe. The French President has been assassinated. He was shot on his way into the parliament. He died right away on the stairway. The security has captured the assassin - British agent from the M16. Calls for vengeance are getting loud in Europe." the newscaster reads, then looks into the camera.

And the news ticker continues:
"'British government admits: Yes, we did it and we are proud of it. Ferdinand of Hohenzollern enthroned as new German emperor. Says: Vengeance is ours! French people on the streets. French parliament dissolved. Napoleons heir takes over the French throne. Versailles is back in business.'"

"That's unbelievable! What's happening over there?" Wyatt asks just as shocked as his parents and his brother.
"Whatever it is - it's not normal. Something's happening." Leo answers.
"Has it something to do with the power that was loose a couple of hours ago?"

Piper and Leo are looking at their sons.

"So you felt it, too?" Piper asks.
"I sure did. But Chris was a bit busy doing some close dancing with a lohesh-demon." Wyatt answers and grins at Chris.

He still smells. Not that strong, but the smell is still there. And the aftershave didn't really cover it. Actually it makes it worse.

"So that's what smells here so awful. Gee, why didn't you take a shower, son?" Piper asks, as Leo raises his hand and indicates them to be quiet.

The newscaster says:

"Germany declares war! The new German emperor calls every men and women who are fit for action to arms. The new French emperor declares alliance with Germany and also declares war. Queen Leonor from Spain takes over control and forms alliance with Germany and French, declares war on Great Britain. Our correspondent in Berlin, Germany has reported that the first eurofighters have left to start bombing London. Scotland and Wales have declared their independence, as consequence of this unbelievable argument, in order to escape the coming war."

"What the ...?" Chris says, stunned by the happenings.

The news is showing an excerpt of a press conference held in Berlin. The German emperor says: "Those who are not with us - are against us. America - remember your roots."

The news ticker at the bottom of the screen keeps blowing out more news of unbelievable happenings in the world:
"'The Irish army is marching on Belfast. Reclaiming Northern Ireland. Assassination of the Prime Minister in London - the English King is ruling again. India declares war on Pakistan, throws A-bomb. Russia reinstates the Tsar, after the treacherous assassination of the President. Russian army is marching on China! President Bush still undecided. Says: There's no threat for America. This is not our war.'"

Leo turns off the TV. Stunned, like the rest of them. The world is on fire. All of a sudden and completely out of nowhere. There hasn't been a war in Europe since more than 80 years and all of a sudden ....

"Something has happened. I just don't know what. Yet." he says and gets up.
"It is quite obvious that something has happened, Dad. And what's with the reinstating of monarchs and stuff?" Chris replies and moves over on the couch.
"I really think it has something to do with the incredible power that showed up earlier." Wyatt says thoughtful.
"And I think you're right." Piper agrees, as the phone rings.

Chris gets up and takes it.
"Halliwell residence - how may I help you?" he asks polite.

Phoebe is on the other end, sounding nervous, shocked, even frightened. Chris puts her on the speaker, so everybody can hear her.

"Premonition alert, people. Phoebe has something important to tell us." he warns the family.
"Zip it, Chris, and listen." Phoebe just says.
"Is everybody listening?"
"Yes, Phoebe. What is it?" Piper asks annoyed.
"I had a premonition."
"Well, what did you see?" Leo asks wary.
"Something really bad. I've seen war - everywhere. It starts with war. And I saw sick people, all over the world. It looked like the plague. Then I saw people starving. And again everywhere. Not just the countries down in Africa - I mean everywhere. It was horrible. And then I saw death. All living human beings. Around the world. They all died." Phoebe finally answers.
"Phoebe, are you sure about that?" Leo asks shocked.

His face is pale as a corpse and his hands are suddenly trembling. He reaches for Piper, lays his around her, presses her to his chest and she suddenly knows, that Leo has an idea of what is going on. Although she has never seen this reaction on him. It is a sure sign that something very serious is going on.

"Of course I am sure!" Phoebe answers fast.
"Four riders, Leo. I've seen four riders. One in some sort of ancient armor. He was sitting on a red horse and he had a huge sword. The next one had a scale in one hand and a spear in the other. He was riding a black horse. The third one was a skeleton with a black cape sitting on a pale horse ... and ... "

Phoebe stops. They can hear her breath, but she doesn't continue.

"... and?" Piper asks.
"... and hell follows him." she finally finishes.

Silence is laying on the living room. Piper, Chris and Wyatt are staring at the telephone, but Leo turns away. Swaying, trembling and pale. He walks over to the couch, sits.

"Oh my god." he whispers.

"What's with the last rider, Phoebe?" Wyatt asks, while Piper follows her husband to the couch.

She is worried about him. The premonition has literally knocked him off his feet. She has never seen him like this before. Worried? Yes. Nuts? That too. Crazy? Even that. But not like this.

"The rider was sitting on a white horse. He had a bow and a crown on his head." Phoebe answers.
"Leo?" she asks then.
"Phoebe, you should get Paige and come over." Piper says, because Leo wasn't able to answer.

He's just sitting there on the couch. His head on his hands. And he keeps repeating:

"Oh my god."

[brummsumsel]

"There is something else about the fourth rider." Phoebe says before hanging up.
"What?" Piper asks concerned.

She's watching Leo sitting on the couch, his head in both hands, shaking it in disbelief.

"The forth rider, on the white horse and with the bow and the crown - he started all this. He was the first one to ride and he opened some sort of seal. And that unleashed the rider on the red horse."

"What?" Piper asks confused.

Leo suddenly gets up and wants to leave the room, but stops at his wife.

"We have to summon the Elders, Piper. This is big. I mean, really big. Probably too big for us." he says and leaves to go upstairs to the attic.

"Phoebe, get Paige and come over. Now." Piper orders and follows her husband.

Phoebe hangs up and Chris turns to his brother.

"Is it just me, or does stuff like this only happen to our family?" he asks.

He shakes his head and follows with Wyatt his parents to the attic.

Halliwell house. Attic.

Three Elders are in the attic, as Wyatt and Chris enter the room. Surprised, because the Elders have never moved so fast, when somebody was calling them.

One held a book in his hand and his face was concerned.

"What we're facing here is the judgment day." he says and hands over the book to Piper.

She looks at the cover and raises one eyebrow.

"You're giving me the bible?" she asks amazed.
"Its description of what will happen is the best. Revelation 6. Read it." the Elder answers.

Piper opens the book. She doesn't touch the pages, as they suddenly turn.

She reads it and looks at the Elder. Still not convinced, but obviously deeply concerned.

"So, you're telling me that we're facing the four horsemen of the Apocalypse? Literally?"

The Elder nods.

"The rider on the red horse is war and power is given to him to take peace from the earth. And war will be throughout the world." Leo explains, still pale as a corpse, but he had himself under control again.
"The rider on the black horse is hunger and the power is given to him to bring hunger throughout the world. The rider on the pale horse is death and hell follows him. He has received the power to kill - with the sword, with hunger and illness and the beasts of hell ride with him."

"What about the fourth rider? What's with him?" Chris asks into the silence that followed Leo's words.

"He is called the conqueror. He's unleashing the other riders by opening the seals and when the last rider - death - is unleashed and every living creature is wiped out, then he will come to rule. And the world as we know it will be no more." the Elder says.

"Didn't we face them already? The four riders?" Piper asks, as Paige and Phoebe orb in.

"Whoa - hello!" Phoebe says surprised as she sees three Elders standing in the attic.
"Are we back doing the council stuff?"
"No, Phoebe. We're back in the saving-the-world business." Piper just answers.
"Oh please, no. I thought we're passed that since the boys are out of the diapers." Paige says and sits on the couch.

Chris and Wyatt look at her. Chris raises his hand, waves.

"Hello - still here." he says, whereupon she pulls a face.
"What? It's true! Why going through all the talks with passing on the book of shadows to the next generation of the Halliwell's and the legacy must go on and yada yada yada in the first place? I mean, the book is still here in the attic and we're called about every darn day. I got a life too, you know?"
"Oh, stop the whining, Paige! This is serious. They can't make it alone anyway." Leo scolds, much to the surprise of the others.
"Actually - she's right." one of the Elders interferes and the complete Halliwell family turns to him.
"Wyatt and Chris have to face them - alone."

Now that they didn't expect. The family always worked together when something big was going on. And this time, against something that big - and the boys had to go out and deal with it alone.

"We can't let them do that alone." Piper says right away.

That was totally against her principles.

"You have to." the Elder replies and turns to Wyatt and Chris.
"You have to stop them, before the last horseman is unleashed. If the conqueror is able to open the last seal and to unleash death, then the world as we know it will end."
"But didn't we face them already? Phoebe, don't you remember? Back then, when Prue was still alive? We faced the horsemen of the Apocalypse, didn't we?" Piper interferes again.

Phoebe walks to her and nods.

"Yeah, we did. What's up with that? These horsemen now seem definitely more threatening than the others back then."
"The horsemen you faced back then were demons. Nothing more and nothing less. But the horsemen you're facing now are sent by the greater being. Mankind has been judged and these riders are here to execute the judgment. They can't be defeated, but they can be stopped. They've been stopped once. Back then in the ancient times and therefore it can happen again." the Elder explains.
"So how did they do it? We can do the same." Paige asks, gets up and comes over to the small group.
"That we don't know." the Elder answers.
"Sacrifices must be made. Be prepared."

And with that the Elders orb out of the attic.

"That really reminds me, why I love the Elders so much." Paige says and walks back to the couch.
"Do we really have to face them alone? They will be our first big ones." Chris asks and follows his aunt.
"Since when do we do what the Elders want us to do?" Piper answers and walks straight to the book of shadows.
"We're not going to leave you alone with this." Phoebe agrees and joins Paige and Chris on the couch.
"Well, but what do we do? How do we get started? Where should we look? And for whom?" Wyatt asks and joins his mother at the book.

Only Leo remains silent. He just watches and listens. This was too big for his sons. He didn't doubt them - no way - but the sake of mankind was now lying on their shoulders. Something totally different than vanquishing simple demons, reversing spells or undoing black magic. This was serious. Very serious. Too serious?

[brummsumsel]

But then he nods. If his sons have to get out there to stop them, then he would do everything to help them. To make sure they succeed. He wouldn't them alone with this task. Although he knows that in the end, they would have to face the horsemen alone.
This was their task to proof themselves worthy of the powers which was given to them. To proof that they could carry on the legacy of the Warren line and that the fate of the world and mankind wasn't lying in the wrong hands. This means everything.

Leo nods again, determined and steps to Piper and Wes to the book of shadows.

"The first thing to do is to find the conqueror. Do we have a map of the world?" Piper says thoughtful.
"I think we do." Leo answers and leaves the attic to get one.
"What do you want to do?" Phoebe asks curious.
"Trying to find him. The way we always find the demons. With a map and a crystal." Piper answers and shrugs her shoulders.
"But they are no demons. They are the judgment cowboys." Paige notices.
"Well, if you have a better idea - then please, go ahead and spill it. But if not - get the crystal."

Paige rolls her eyes and gets up.

"All right, all right. It's at least a start." she mutters and goes to the cupboard.

Chris sits on the couch. Feeling a bit uncomfortable with this task. Going against the horsemen of the Apocalypse was a bit big. He didn't doubt himself and his brother, but were they strong enough to stop them? So far they only fought normal demons, nothing world threatening. This here didn't just look bigger - it was bigger!
Phoebe notices his thoughtful face and takes his hand to press it encouraging, as a premonition hits her, which was stronger and more intense than ever before. She takes a deep breath through clenched teeth, closes her eyes tightly and presses Chris' hand firmly. So firm that it hurt him, but he didn't let go of her.

"Mom! Wyatt! Paige!" he says, to get their attention to Phoebe.

Phoebe sees a huge hall. Bigger than every room she has ever seen. Everything seems to be made out of marble. There was a light, bright as sunshine, but there was no sun. She sees white clouds. Up at the ceiling, but there was no ceiling. There was ... the sky. A golden throne is standing on the one end. Thick, round columns were standing in regular intervals in the hall and strange figures slowly come out. They wear white tunics with golden sashes and they have ... wings. White wings. She sees angels. And behind them the council of Elders steps out from behind the columns. And a light comes out of the clouds at the sky and it shines directly on the throne. Like a spotlight. A strong angel steps out into the light and he has a golden book in his hand. It is sealed with four seals. And a deep voice says:
"Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?"

No angel and no Elder moves and silence lies on the hall and a weeping gets loud.
Phoebe sees a man coming in, wearing a white tunic and he has a golden crown on his head and a bow in his hand.

"I am worthy of opening the book and to loose the seals." he says and the voice replies:
"Mankind was tested and judged and they failed. They are not worthy. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse shall be unleashed to execute the judgment and shall clear the path for a new beginning."

And the man opens the first seal and a white horse comes in. He mounts the horse.

"So it shall be." he says and rides out of the hall.

Phoebe is breathing heavy and fast, as she opens her eyes. And she looks shocked at her sisters and her nephews.

"What did you see?" Chris asks, as his father returns to the attic with a map in his hand.
"I saw the horsemen being sent out. I saw angel and I saw ... the Elders. They were there when the judgment was made. We're looking for a golden book with four seals. The conqueror opened one for himself. And I think I heard the voice of ... god." she answers.

[brummsumsel]

All eyes are lying on Phoebe, which is pale as a corpse. She never had such an intensive premonition before. She stares into the room, but not at something particular. She just stares and tries to deal with the feelings, which this premonition had freed in her.
She feels Chris next to her moving. Trying to free his hand from her, which she held so firmly, that his knuckles were cracking.

She smiles apologizing and lets go of him, whereupon he rubs his tormented hand and asks:

"So, what we're facing here is gods judgment, am I right with that?"

And Phoebe nods.

Thunder rolls dangerously loud. The earth shakes and the floor seems to vibrate underneath their feet. Noise gets loud. Screams and voices. Mixed with other sounds. Sounds of cars, airplanes, explosions ... A small sparkle grows right in the middle of the attic. A sparkle of white light. A warm and friendly light and it grows bigger and bigger, till it fills out the room. It is too bright to see something, but it doesn't hurt the eyes and all of a sudden it was gone. And with it the sisters.

Chris jumps up, as Wyatt comes towards him. They look around. Panic is about to spread out in them. They were gone. Their mother and their aunts were gone!

"Mom? Phoebe? Paige?" Chris yells and turns around again.
"Where are you?"

Wyatt stands there, looks around as well, but there is no sign of the sisters. They're simply gone. Taken by the strange light.

"Wyatt, they're gone." Chris says and looks at his brother.
"No sh**, Sherlock. The question is - where are they? What took them away from here? And what the flying hell are we going to do now?"

Chris runs to the door, rips it open and storms out and down the stairs.

"Dad? Dad, are you here?" he asks loud and runs into the living room.

And there Leo was. Standing before the cupboard, rummaging in one of the drawers.

"Oh my god, Dad. You're here." Chris notices relieved, turns around and yells:
"Wyatt - Dad is still here!"

And just moments later Wyatt rumbles down the stairs and runs into the living room. The book of shadows under his arm.

"Jesus - Dad. I'm glad you're here." he says and receives a confused and suspicious look from his father.
"Yes, I am here, Wyatt? Where else should I be?" he asks wary.

But then he gets aware of the pale faces of his sons. The panic in their eyes and he gets nervous.

"What happened?" he asks and looks from Chris to Wyatt and back.
"What happened up there? Did you guys do any spell? Did it backfire again?"

And he turns around to run upstairs to the attic.

"One of these days I'm gonna kill Phoebe myself. Her spells are life threatening!" he grumbles and has his foot on the first step, as Wyatt stops him:

"Dad, it wasn't Phoebe. There was a light and it took Mom, Phoebe and Paige. They are gone. Just like that!"
"What do you mean - just like that?"
"He means - just like that!" Chris answers.
"A light?" Leo repeats and his sons nod.

Leo walks back in to the living room slowly and thoughtful.

"That means that you really have to face the horsemen alone. Just like Elders said. No help from the power of three." he suggests.

He knows that Wyatt and Chris were behind him. Were following him, so he doesn't bother to look, if they really were.

"But you're still here." Chris notices and sits on the couch.
"Maybe, because I wasn't upstairs when it happened. Maybe, because I'm human and therefore they don't think of me as help in the common way. Maybe, because they want a human to help you, but not a magical creature ..."
"A lot of maybes, Dad. But what do we do now? How do we get them back?" Wyatt wants to know.
"There is no way of getting them back. I think they will be send back, if you manage to stop the horsemen. And if you can't then there is no need to send them back, because we're all going to be dead."
"Can't you cheer us up a little more, Dad?" Chris asks cynical, as his father walks back to the cupboard to get the world map.

He puts it on the table and sits on the couch next to Chris.

"You got the crystal?" he asks and Chris shakes his head.

But instead of getting up and back to the attic, he just stretches out his hand and the crystal orbs right into it.

"Didn't I tell you not to use magic, if it is not necessary?" Leo asks reproachful and Chris smiles apologizing.
"Well, I thought we're in a hurry, you know."

Leo takes a deep breath and points on the map.

"Wyatt, you both have to do this. You're combined magic seems to be the key to this mess." Leo says and Wyatt joins them on the couch right away.

He takes Chris hand, who starts to swing the crystal over the map. Slowly and carefully. Both concentrate and have their eyes closed and Leo watches them nervous and tensed.
And the crystal falls.

All three bent over the map at the same time. Looking at the spot where the crystal has landed.

"Ethiopia!" Leo says and leans back.
"Isn't the next rider hunger?" Chris asks.
"Yup, it is and this country is a very good place for him to start." Wyatt answers.
"Okay, let's go." Leo decides determined and gets up.

His sons also get up. They are not really ready to face the horsemen of the Apocalypse, but what else should they do?
Chris takes his father's hand and together they orb out. Wyatt follows them right away.

[brummsumsel]

It's hot, sunny, muggy and very dry almost desert like, when two figures materializes out of nowhere it seems. But the few people that were very thin, dark and half naked, wearing nothing but a loin cloth, run as fast as they can. Scared out of their minds ...
But hey they are dehydrated and hungry ... starving, so maybe they are hallucinating, seeing a mirage. But they’re not staying to find out.

Chris looks after the running figures, than looks to his father.
„Oops"
He shrugs.
Wyatt materializes following them. Looking around, as he comes and has to hear the 'oops' from his little brother. He is thinking something already happened and so he raises his hands, ready for a battle of sorts.

„Man ... don't do that." he scolds.

Chris turns to look at his older brother, his emerald eyes on him and raises a brow.

"What? We weren't expecting company, now were we?" he says and points at the now faded figures still running.
"And we're the good guys ...!"

Leo just stands there, thinking a few moments on what their next move could be.

"Well he’s not here in this spot anymore ... let's get going and find him.“

But right as they want to leave to look at another place in Ethiopia, the earth starts to tremble. Thunder gets loud and sky darkens with almost black clouds. A shriek, loud and deafening, rose and they had to cover their ears, because it hurt so much. Sand whirled up, but surprisingly only at one spot and out of nowhere the white rider appears with a golden bow in his hand and a golden crown on his head.
He doesn't seem to notice the brothers and Leo, or maybe he just doesn't see them as a big threat. Right behind him another rider appears. A horseman on a red horse, wearing an ancient armor and a helmet, which covers his face.

The white rider gets off his horse and suddenly a golden book appears in his other hand. With four seals and one of the seals is already open.

"That's the conqueror." Leo whispers to his sons, which is quite unnecessary, because it is obvious for Wyatt and Chris that this is the one rider they had to stop.
"You stay here, Dad. We will try to talk to him." Wyatt says and steps forward.

Chris looks at his brother, but then follows him. Not very enthusiastic, but he follows.

"What are you going to tell him? To stick the book where the sun doesn't shine?" he asks Wyatt whispering, but Wyatt only snorts and grins.
"If it only was that easy, bro. I have no clue, what I'm going to say, but we have to try to do something and this seems to be a good start. At least it can't harm anybody."

They walk towards the red and the white horsemen. The red one is still on his horse and is just watching the white one, who either doesn't seem to notice the brother's coming closer or again doesn't care about them.

"Hey, yo." Chris says to get his attention.
"Yo?" Wyatt whispers, raises one eyebrow and gives him an amused look.

Chris shrugs.

"Well, what should I call him? Mr. White man?"

Instead of perceiving the brothers, the white horseman starts to speak in an ancient language. A dead language and it seems, as if he is holding a ritual.

"What is he doing?" Chris asks his brother nervous, as Leo suddenly steps forward.

"In the name of all that's good and right - stop it right here!" he yells and walks closer to the white horsemen.

"Dad!" the brothers yell at once and run after him.

The white rider raises his head and the red rider his sword. He points with it at Leo and flames shoot out of the blade.
As Chris sees the movement of the red horsemen, he orbs away while running, materializes right next to his father and orbs away with him, before the flames can hit him.
They materialize again a little away from the horsemen, which were now dealing with Wyatt. Chris looks back to his brothers, turns to his father and with a
"Now stay here!" he orbs away again.

"The chosen one!" the white rider says as he sees Wyatt and his voice sound like thunder.
"And his brother." Chris adds, as he arrives.
"It is time for you to stop and to crawl back into the hole which spat you out." Wyatt says.
"You have no authority, human. Mankind has been judged. And you can't stop us."
"We will see to that." Wyatt answers and raises his hand.
"This is the last warning. Stop right here and now."

The white rider moves his head, whereupon the red rider interferes. He rides towards the brothers and the earth trembles with every step the horse makes. And fire and lightning bolts shoot out of his blade, which makes the brothers jump aside.
And a fight begins between Wyatt and Chris and the rider named war.

Leo is watching from the distance. Seeing that his sons are making the mistake to concentrate on the red rider, instead of on the conqueror and he sees that he continues with his ritual.
He runs back to them. As fast as he can.

"The conqueror!" he yells, to get Wyatt and Chris' attention back on the white horseman.

Wyatt shoots fireballs and balls of electrical energy out of his hands. Tries to fight war, while Chris tries to get his hands on his sword telekinetically.

And thunder rumbles loud. Sand whirls up again. Lightning bolts shoot down from the sky and the conqueror opens the next seal.

"No!" Leo yells and suddenly disappears.

As if he has never been there.

Wyatt and Chris whirl around as they hear their father's voice and see him disappear. The earth is shaking underneath their feet and so they turn back. And they see another horseman appear, sitting on a black horse and he has a scale in one hand and a spear in the other. His body is skinny and his eyes are black.
Wyatt raises both hands and unleashes a wave of power, but it doesn't affect the riders.

"I can't stop them, Chris." he shouts through the noise of the earthquake.
"The book! We have to get a hold of the book!" Chris shouts back and orbs away
"No, Chris. Stay here. It's too dangerous to try it this way!" was Wyatt answer, but Chris was already gone.

He materializes right before the conqueror, which seems to be surprised about this sudden attack, but as Chris wants to take the book, he gets hit by some sort of strange but mighty power and he flies backwards and lands hard on the ground.

The conqueror turns to the black horseman and nods and he raises his spear and throws it. A screaming whistle sounds as the spear flies and a deep, all stupefying thunderclap sounds when he lands. A wave spreads out to all sides from the spear and everything living - trees, birds at the sky, cows - dies. The hunger is spread.

[~Empath~]

Wow brummsumsel! This is so completely awesome. Using the book of Revelation as a front-run for the story is great. I would love to see where you are going with this story.

Oh and yes, I would love to write a story with you, after you are finish with this and I am finish with "There's Only One Prue Halliwell" Lets touch bases and write a whole fic together.

This is amazing!

[brummsumsel]

Wyatt runs over to his brother, which is lying unconscious on the ground. He falls on his knees next to him and lays his hand on his chest to see if his heart is still beating. He hears noise behind him and turns his head around.
The conqueror mounts his white horse, the book still in his hand. Three of the four seals are open. And Wyatt knows if they don't stop him now, the fourth seal will be opened and it will bring the end of the world as it is known.

He raises his hand and concentrates. Forms a very powerful energy ball in it and it grows. The power he combines in that ball, makes hissing sounds. Wyatt slowly gets up, uses his other hand to hold on to the ball. It grows bigger and bigger and with a desperate outcry he throws it against the conqueror, who is about to open a portal to the next location. With a loud, whistling sound the ball flies through the air and it hits the conqueror into the back. It explodes and a wave of power spreads out. Powerful and mighty enough to throw all three riders off their horses.

Chris wakes up and tries to shake off the dizzy feeling and as he hears the noise, he slowly opens his eyes and sees his brother throwing the huge and mighty energy ball. He jumps up to help him, which sends a stabbing pain through his left arm. It is broken and Chris can't suppress a slight groan of pain. But this is not the time and place to be paying attention his broken arm. His brother is trying to fight the three riders alone and he can't let that happen. They hardly have a chance together. But his brother alone, as mighty as he was, doesn't have a chance at all.

And so Chris follows Wyatt, who walks towards the horsemen, who are thrown of their horses by the energy ball. They land on their feet and turn to face Wyatt.
He doesn't waste any time and forms a lightning bolt between his hands. He raises them and shoots again. He hits hunger and throws him off his feet, but war raises his sword and points it at Wyatt.

Chris raises his right arm and moves it with an outcry of despair and hits the sword telekinetically out of his hand. The conqueror raises his bow and an arrow appears out of nowhere. The book disappears out of his hand and he aims at Wyatt, who throws another wave of power against war.

"Wyatt!" Chris warns screaming, who sees the conqueror aiming at his brother, but it is too late.

The arrow flies through the air making a deafening whistling sound. Wyatt hears his brothers warning and whirls around to face his new enemy, right as the arrow hits him in the shoulder. It throws him off his feet and he lands hard against a rock.

"No!" Chris screams and runs towards the conqueror.

He raises his arm and swings it again, trying to hit the white horseman telekinetically. The conqueror feels it, but wipes it off as if it was nothing but a fly bugging him.

"There is no way you can stop us, humans." he says and raises his hand.

The other two horsemen mount their horses again and the white horse comes to him. He mounts it as well and opens a portal. A whirling vortex in the air.

Chris runs over to his brother, who can't do anything else than watching. The arrow is stuck in his shoulder and it spreads pain in his body, which he had never felt before. It paralyzes him and he almost can't move, but he tries to raise his arm.
Chris picks his brother up, holds him in his right arm and looks back, as the conqueror turns and says:

"Mankind has been judged and I am chosen to execute this judgement. Don't cross my way again, human, for I will kill you if you do."

And he rides into the vortex, followed by war and hunger.

The brothers can only watch how the vortex closes behind them.

"There is no way we can stop them, Chris. He is right." Wyatt says with a trembling voice.

His eyes are dark with pain and cold sweat is running down his cheeks.

"You can. I saw it. You have the power to stop them." Chris replies.
"No, Chris. I can't."
"Yes, you can. We just have to get up and follow them. You have to use your powers again."
"No, Chris. You don't understand. I can't. My powers are gone."

[brummsumsel]

empathic said:

Wow brummsumsel! This is so completely awesome. Using the book of Revelation as a front-run for the story is great. I would love to see where you are going with this story.

Oh and yes, I would love to write a story with you, after you are finish with this and I am finish with "There's Only One Prue Halliwell" Lets touch bases and write a whole fic together.

This is amazing!

Back again. lol

Just hollar at me as soon as your done and we'll go from there. I'm anxious to see what kind of a story we two can get together.

[~Empath~]

Wyatt lost his powers! Wow, keep going, I can't wait for the next update!

[brummsumsel]

Chris looks at him, as if Wyatt has just hit him with a sledge hammer.

"What?" he asks gasping.
"How?"
I don't know. I can hardly move. I think it's the arrow. I can feel that something is flowing into my body." Wyatt answers, his face distorted with pain.

Chris looks at his brother, thoughtful and desperate.
Wyatt was the most powerful living creature - if they are strong enough to take his powers, how in gods name should they stop them? His brain works feverish, but no matter where his thoughts are going, he just can't think of a solution.

"Okay, we will work this out. I know we can. We faced bigger things than this and we came out okay." he says, more to convince himself, than his hurt brother.
"No, Chris. This is so far the biggest thing we ever faced and I don't think we get out of this okay. I mean look at me."
"Stop being so pessimistic, bro. There is a solution for everything. We just have to find it." Chris scolds, but wasn't so sure of it either.
"Stop sounding like mom, Chris. It's enough to hear that from her all the time." Wyatt replies.
"Well, she's right. I mean, the power of three are still existing and they really faced a lot of crap."
"They have never faced the end of the world. At least not that I know of."

Chris gives his brother a reproachful look.

"Anyway, we should get back home. There is only one horseman left and we should get ready to stop the conqueror now. Come on, Wyatt."

And Chris helps his brother up on his feet. He tries not to use his broken arm too much, so Wyatt doesn't notice that he is hurt too. He had enough to worry about; he shouldn't worry about his arm too.

"Wait, we can't go without dad." Wyatt says and looks around.

Both have seen him disappear, but they hope that he is still somewhere around.

But there is no sign of Leo. He's gone.

"I think we get him back when we defeated the horsemen. At least I hope so. Now come, Wyatt. I'll orb us home."

He grasps his hand and orbs them away. Back home into the living room of the mansion.

Halliwell Mansion. San Francisco.

The living room looks just the way they've left it. The world map is still lying on the table, the crystal right on it. It still points at Ethiopia. Nothing has changed. It is just ... silent.

The brothers orb in and Chris drags Wyatt to the couch and lays him down. He is in terrible pain. Every movement hurts and makes his break out in sweat.

"Okay. We have to get that arrow out of your shoulder, Wyatt. Whatever it does to you - it does it fast and I have the feeling, if we don't get it out, it will kill you." Chris says and kneels on the floor next to the couch.

Wyatt just nods. He knows that Chris is right. He can feel it. The pain grows with every moment. As if this arrow would suck the life out of his body and replace it with unbearable pain.

Chris brings himself in a good position and looks at his brother sympathetic.

"This will hurt." he warns, whereupon Wyatt rolls his eyes and tries to grin.
"No sh**, Sherlock. It already does. Just get it out, would ya. We can use it to find them on the map."
"All right, on three." Chris says and gets ready.
"One."

Wyatt takes a deep breath, digs his fingers into the pillows on which he is laying. Chris raises his hand. He wants to push it out telekinetically.

"Two."

And he moves his hand and the arrow moves with him. Literally shoots out of Wyatt's shoulder and into the opposite wall. Wyatt can't hold back a scream.

"God damned, Chris! I knew you would do that!"

Wyatt breathes heavy and fast. His face is all red and cold sweat is running down his forehead and his cheeks. His eyes are dark, almost black.

"Sorry." Chris replies and unbuttons Wyatt's shirt to take a look at the wound.
"It's clean. I'll try to heal it."
"Since when can you heal?" Wyatt asks cynical.

He has a point there, because Chris has never healed before.

"Hey, remember? My dad was an Elder, when he and mom screwed around and made me? I can at least try. It's not gonna harm you."

"Fine. Try. But make sure you have a plan B if this doesn't work." Wyatt says annoyed and leans his head against the back side of the couch.

He closes his eyes and waits.

[brummsumsel]

The thing though is that Chris never really felt the need to heal before, maybe because his aunt Paige and his brother could heal too, so there was not much need for him to even try. And he never found his 'trigger' for it either. Until now. What better time to heal for the first time, than now - on his big brother, his family. He loved him. They might not be too mushy towards one another, but one thing was fact ...they did love each other and the urge to protect each other was great.

At first it seems as if it wasn't working and Wyatt sighs:
"See, you tried. I guess we get the first aid kit and some iodine or alcohol. What ever is usually used. "

Chris just eyes him.

"Gee thanks brother ... just shut it, will ya, and let me concentrate."

He closes his eyes, places his hands over Wyatt’s wound again and takes a few deep breaths, than opens his eyes again slowly. The green in them so bright and even more intoxicating than usual. There is something behind it. As if he is connecting with some power he never had. He did always have it however; he just didn't know how to connect with it.


All of a sudden there is a yellowish golden light and Wyatt’s wound begins to slowly close over and disappear as if it was never there.
Chris did it! He healed! He healed! He jumps up and raises his hand in the air, laughing and cheering.
"I did it!”

"Ouw. Ouw. Ouw!" he says, as he remembers his broken arm, because his wild happy dance and jumping around causes pain.

Wyatt sits upright immediately, looking at his brother concerned, who stops his dancing and just plops on a chair.

"What is it, bro?" he asks and slowly walks over.

He is healed - yes, but the strange power is still in his body. He can feel it, although it gets weaker and weaker.

"My arm." Chris groans and holds his left arm pressed to his chest.
"I totally forgot that it is broken."
"You did what?" Wyatt asks back stunned.
"How on earth can one forget that his arm is broken?"

He kneels before his brother to take a look at his left arm. It's covered with bruises, all deep red and it is clearly to see, where the bone is broken. Wyatt raises his hands over it and starts to heal it. Slowly and with less power than Chris had healed him, but he heals his arm.

He sits back exhausted, leans against the couch and looks at Chris.

"This ... power ... - it weakened me. I can feel it inside of me. It's not that strong anymore and I think it's easing off, but it is still there and it somehow affects my powers." he says and sounds really tired.

"I hate to say it, Wyatt, but we don't have time to rest. I mean, you look bad, but we have to go on."

Wyatt nods, knowing that Chris is right. But the thought of his nice, warm and comfortable bed just sounds so good at the moment. The feeling of his head lying on the soft pillow. Closing his eyes and just letting go. To sleep for a while. He didn't want much. Just one or two hours. But he knows that these hours could decide the fate of the world. Of mankind.

"I know. I know. So what now? If you wanted to destroy the world and unleash death with his hell, where would you go?" Wyatt asks and looks at the map on the table.
"Well, what do we know about hell? Fire, lava, everlasting torture .... " Chris answers, but Wyatt interrupts him:
"A volcano - right. You're a genius, bro!"
"I know I am, but what are you talking about?"
"Think, Chris. Think!"
"I got no clue. Just spill it, would ya?"
"Where do you find lava, fire and that stuff - in a volcano."
"And?"

Chris looks at him taken aback. Wyatt rolls his eyes annoyed, takes a deep breath and tries again.

"The people say that volcanoes are the gateways to hell. What if they're right? Ever thought of that? And it makes sense."
"Okay, but what do you want to do? There are a bunch of volcanoes out there. Do you want to check out each and everyone? In what - an hour?" Chris asks back.
"I have the feeling that we have to look just for one. A volcano that has been inactive, but now spits fire again."
"Okay, let's try the crystal thingy again and see if it takes us somewhere." Chris suggests and pulls the table closer to him and Wyatt.

Wyatt moves up on the couch. Chris takes the crystal and starts swinging it over the map. Wyatt takes his hand and both concentrate. They let he crystal swing, doesn't even look at the map. And then it falls.

Both look at the map.

"Greece. Santorini, to be exact." Wyatt says.
"Well, let’s go." Chris suggests and orbs out, without waiting for a respond from his brother.

He orbs to the island of Santorini and looks around. And notices that Wyatt wasn't there with him. Looking down on an active volcano.

He turns and looks around, thinking, Wyatt could've landed somewhere else, but he can't make him out. Nowhere. So he takes a deep breath and orbs back home into the living room. And there Wyatt sits on the couch, looking at him waiting.

"Ah, you’re back." he notices unnecessarily and smiles.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you coming?" Chris wants to know.
"I can't orb."
"What do you mean - you can't orb?"
"I mean - I can't orb. Why do you always have to repeat what I'm saying?"

Chris rolls his eyes annoyed, grabs his brother's arm and orbs out with him.
They materialize at the same spot and Chris points at the volcano.

"There's our baby, Wyatt. Now all we have to do is to get closer to it."

Wyatt nods and at the same time an earthquake starts to shake the island. Dark clouds slowly cover the blue sky and an icy stormy wind starts to blow. Thunder rolls loud and threatening.

"It has begun." Wyatt says thoughtful and calm.

[Astral Echo]

Wow, amazing, great plot and very well written. The connection between Chris and Wyatt are perfect right down to a key. More soon!

[AjentAnjel :)]

so...whens the next update?

[brummsumsel]

I'm sorry, but I had to work very much. I'll update soon. I promise.

[brummsumsel]

"We have to get to the foot of the volcano. I bet we will find them there. And I hope we're not too late." Wyatt yells.

The thunder is rolling loud, the stormy wind whistles uncanny and the earthquake shakes the land. Houses break down; people shriek and shout with fear. They run away, run for their lives. Panic breaks out and the smell of fear lies in the air.

"Let's go then. Before it gets worse!" Chris yells back, grabs his brother's hand and orbs away.

They materialize at the foot of the volcano. Right at the edge of a crevice in the surface of the earth.

"Whoa, hold it!" Wyatt yells through the noise and grasps his brother's arm, who is about to lose his balance.

Both turn around and look down into the crevice. A stream of lava runs deep down there and the heat literally hits them in the face.

"Holy ...! That was close." Chris says, as he sees, what he was about to fall in.
"A bit deep and a bit hot." Wyatt replies and looks down as well.

The noise of horse hoofs resounds behind them and when Chris and Wyatt turn round, they see the three horsemen of the Apocalypse. War, Hunger and the conqueror.
All three descents from their horses and in the hand of the conqueror the golden book appears right out of nowhere.

"Hey listen, buddy. I can't let you do this." Wyatt says and steps closer to the conqueror, as he raises the book and starts speak in an ancient language.

He stops and looks at Wyatt.

"Neither can I." Chris adds and plants himself on his brother's side.

The icy blue eyes of the conqueror wander to Chris, looks at him from head to toe and then back at Wyatt.

"You are brave warriors. Here, but not meant to be here. Strong, but not strong enough. Mankind has been judged and there is nobody on this earth, who could stop the punishment." he says and raises his hand.

War and Hunger suddenly attack Chris and Wyatt. War raises his mighty sword, the blade turns into pure fire and he strikes. He lets it go down on Wyatt over and over again, but Wyatt is fast enough to duck and jump out of the way. Chris watches his brother for a moment startled, but soon finds himself in a fight with Hunger. His spear in one hand and a sword with a black blade in the other.

"Listen, man! Not all of the people are bad and deserve to be punished! What about the children? They are innocent!" Wyatt yells at the conqueror and hits War with all his might against the chin, which makes him stagger back, but he didn't fall.

"The innocent will find light, but the guilty will fall into darkness and shall never return!" the conqueror answers and raises his golden book again.

He doesn't seem to care at all about the fight that is going on right next to the edge of the crevice. Chris pushes Hunger back, raises his hand and tries to throw him through the air telekinetically. It seems as if he is trying to make a fly go away, because Hunger doesn't move a bit. Hunger opens his mouth in his hollow and pale face. A dark hole and gives a deafening, supernatural shriek. So loud and painful that Chris has to cover his ears. His head seems to explode and bright sparks explode before his eyes. He can feel the pulsating blood behind his temples and he falls on his knees. He's holding his head, tries to cover his ears and screams.
Wyatt turns around, as he hears his brother. Sees him on his knees and the shrieking Hunger coming closer. The black sword up and ready to strike.

"Leave my brother alone!!!" he yells, loud and angry.

Wyatt raises his hands and a mighty, powerful wave spreads out and the power throws Hunger and War off their feet. He uses the moment of distraction and runs over to Chris, helps him up on his feet and in the next moment he sees that even the conqueror has stopped his ritual to open the last seal.

"We have to get the book. Now!" he whispers fast and Chris just nods.

Both take a deep breath, scream and attack the conqueror. Wyatt arrives him first and starts to hit him. Blow after blows goes down on the conqueror, who doesn't seem to care. To be bothered or to even feel anything. Wyatt forms lightning bolts and shoots them at the white horseman, while Chris attacks him and hits him. A blow against the chin, another one in the stomach ...
The conqueror picks him up with one hand and throws him against a rock. The stone breaks and Chris remains lying. Unconscious, maybe even worse, because Wyatt can make out blood oozing out of his brother's mouth and nose.

"CHRIS!" he screams and runs over.

The sky is covered with dark clouds. Lightning bolts shoot down, the earth is shaking and the stormy wind becomes stronger. The volcano spits fire again and the noise of thunder is deafening.
The conqueror raises his golden book again, continues his ritual. His voice sounds through the noise - loud and clear.

"Chris! Chris! Wake up! Jesus - wake up. We don't have time for a nap!" Wyatt says desperate and slaps his brother.
Again and again, till his cheeks are red. But he slowly opens his eyes.

"Are we dead?" he asks weak and sits upright groaning.
"Not yet, bro, but we soon will be. One way or another." Wyatt answers, but doesn't look at Chris.

His eyes lie on the conqueror, who stands close to the edge of the crevice. He's completely ignoring the brother's now and is getting ready to open the last seal.

"He is too strong, Wyatt. All of them are. We can't beat them." Chris says and moves to get a bit more comfortable.

A piercing pain flashes through his arm and also through his right knee. His arm is broken and his knee seems sprained.

"I don't think that I can go on any longer, Wyatt."
"I don't think we have to go on much longer, Chris." Wyatt replies, looks at his brother and back to the conqueror.

Chris follows his look. Sees where the conqueror is standing and then looks at Wyatt. Their eyes connect and both think the same. And Chris slightly nods.

"Mom and dad are going to be so proud. And pissed." he says and reaches for Wyatt's hand.
"I bet they will." Wyatt replies and helps his brother up.
"Ready?"
"Ready."

And with a desperate scream they run towards the conqueror, grasp him and the book before he can open the seal and take him with them down into the crevice and into the stream of lava.

[prue]

holy cow!!! that is soo good! i can't wait to read more! this is going to be so hard!

[~Empath~]

Oh my Gosh! I've read all the updates for this story and I am amazed!!! This is so good! Keep going, I want more!

[Astral Echo]

Wow this feels so real, it actually should be real. This would make a great Charmed One off episode. Please more soon.