Ash

Ash
Flora Winters

I do not own Charmed or Smallville. I also do not own the song Destroyed by Within Temptation.

Summary: After the Charmed Ones defeat the Source of all evil (again) they discover that they have a baby brother named Phoenix who is Paige’s twin. Looks like Mom and Grams have been keeping secrets (again). Phoenix is dating a reporter for the Daily Planet who is really the demon Phyre who has plans for the half witch/half whitelighter. Will Phoenix be able to choose between his family and a love that burns hotter and darker than the very flames of the Underworld? M/M, Language, OC, Crossover, Character Death

Chapter Thirteen

The Seer stood up and was about to go check on a potion when her head was thrown back so hard from the force of the vision it knocked her off her feet to land on her back. Her eyes was glowing a bright milky white and her mouth was open in a silent scream. There was so much power and the force of the vision made her feel like her head was going to implode. She could feel his anger and by all the dark gods of the Underworld it was terrifying.

Just as soon as it came it was gone. She blinked several times for her vision to correct itself and felt the ground under her rumble. She got to her feet shaking and flashed away to find her lord. Her plans were spoiled once again. Maybe it really was time for her to retire and move to Miami for the warm weather.
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Phoenix stood in a semi dark cavern listening to the soothing sound of water trickle and drip from the stalagmites. He was remembering the day he and Kal was four-wheeler riding and Kal had fallen though the hole he was now standing under. He had been so scared when he looked down to see Kal just lying there in a small patch of light a hundred feet below him only to hear him groan and set up.

He laughed at how stupid he had been because he had forgotten how Kal was indestructible. Kal had shouted up for him to teleport down and he had done so. They discovered markings on the walls that looked to be hundreds of years old.

After that day the Kawatche caves had become a treasure for the Kawatche people thanks to Kal’s accidental discovery. It was childish but the two of them had come here to play hide and go seek for hours. They had even played pranks on the security and got them to believe that the caves were haunted by angry spirits. Chloe had a field day with that. He had never told her it had been Kal and him who were the infamous ghosts of the Kawatche caves.

Black eyes snapped open as tears fell from the corner of one because he would never get the chance to tell her now. There were so many things he wanted to share with his best friend and now she was gone forever.

He turned around to gaze at the ancient symbols written all over the cave walls. They were so beautiful and intricate and had meaning beyond this time and place. He reached out a pale hand and traced one of them that seemed to call to him since the first time he had last laid eyes on it all those years ago.

There was a hidden power in this cave. He could not feel it before but now it seemed to hum in his blood. It was strong, vast, and beyond his comprehension. It smelled wild, alien, and the faint energy pulsed with a color he had never seen before.

Some bats flew around his head and he looked over to see an octagonal hole in the wall. He could have sworn he had never seen that here before. He reached out to touch it when, “Found you.”
He spun around in a hiss of silk to look at Phyre, “I got worried.”

Phoenix quickly looked away from him. He did not want him to see what he had done. Phyre walked over to him and took his chin with his golden fingers, “Look at me Phe.”

He shook his head and Phyre squeezed his chin gently turning on the puppy dog eyes full bast, “Please.”

Phoenix took a hesitant breath and opened them to allow Phyre to see, “What made you do it?”

“Do what,” Phoenix asked.

“Steal all their magic,” he said.

“How did you know,” Phoenix asked.

“The Seer,” Phyre told him while gazing at his glowing red hair that seemed more vibrant than ever.

“I see,” Phoenix said gently removing Phyre’s hand from his chin.

“Why,” Phyre asked him.

“Why not,” Phoenix snapped and his voice dramatically deepened, “They let her die! She was helpless! Now they are to!”

Phyre pulled him close, “You need to calm down Phe,” he whispered, “Or you’ll bring the whole cave down around our ears.”

“I am calm,” Phoenix snapped stomping his heel which made the ground under it crack. The both of them took a deep breath while looking at each other and then they were falling into darkness.
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Phoenix hit water and came up gasping for air to look around for Phyre. He saw that the entire cavern was made up of glowing green stones. Even the water was glowing a faint green due to the stones on the bottom. Flashbacks from that night on the farm assaulted his mind and he panicked, “Kal!”

He splashed around screaming his name until he heard a very weak, “Phe, help me.”

He turned around in the water to see Phre grasping at a rock sticking up out of the pool to keep himself from going under. Phoenix swam to him, “I have to get you out of here,” he said and then saw that there was blood on his hands. He quickly pulled Phyre into his arms to see a rock sticking out of his shoulder.

“Oh shit,” he cried and Phyre gasped in pain, “I have to pull it out or you’ll die.”

Phyre nodded his head, “Do it.”

Phoenix kissed his head, “I’m so sorry baby,” and Phyre braced himself and cried out when Phoenix pulled it free. He threw it across the pool for it to sink to the very bottom.

“Hold onto me tight baby,” Phoenix commanded, “I’m getting you out of here.”

Phyre whimpered and hissed at his weakness but did as Phoenix told him. Phoenix held him close, “Hang on baby.”

In a great roaring of flames they were gone leaving the underwater pool boiling. A person stepped out of the shadows smiling as they bent down to pick up a green rock that was no longer glowing.

Soon it would.
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Patty was holding her two daughters close while Grams cradled the book. It turned out that Paige could still orb and the potions they had made still worked, so they were not completely helpless.

Leo had orbed to go speak with the Elders in order to find the location of the new Source and their brother which was now super charged by a centuries worth of good magic that he could now use for evil.

Paige could not help herself, “Now do you think we should have gone to him?”

Pipe closed her eyes and cried, “I didn’t know.”

Patty kissed her cheek, “Its nobodies fault.”

Paige touched Piper’s shoulder, “I’m sorry.”

“No,” Piper said, “I am. I’m the oldest. I should have done better.”

“There was nothing you could have done dear,” Grams said, “He made his choice.”

Tears slid from Patty’s eyes, “He stabbed you.”

“He was angry and hurting,” Paige said.

“But he stabbed you,” Patty said, “What if his aim was off and he hit a major artery?”

“It healed,” Paige said, “Plus we have Leo.”

“Why did it heal though,” Piper asked.

“He didn’t want you to die,” Grams said, “He wanted you to feel helpless.”

“I’ve been stabbed, shot, electrocuted, thrown through windows, lost my powers too many times to count, and lost two sisters,” Piper listed off, “This is nothing new.”

“Are you sure,” Patty asked.

Paige touched her should and Piper said, “I was so scared.”

Grams put the book down and went over to take her in her arms, “I know dear,” she whispered, “We all were. We still are.”
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Phoenix and Phyre appeared in the bedroom with Phyre in his arms. Phoenix looked at the door and it slammed shut and locked. He then waved his hands and the entire room glowed a violet color. Nothing magic could get in unless he allowed it.

Phyre smiled up at him, “Thank you.”

Phoenix kissed him tenderly, “I was so scared,” Phoenix cried, “I thought you were going to leave me to.”

“If I had been alone,” he whispered, “I would have.”

“I’m sorry Kal,” Phoenix cried, “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s ok,” he said, “I’m fine, see.”

Phoenix looked him over to see that the wound was completely closed and that he looked perfectly fine. Spider crawled out from under the bed to yawn. Phoenix smiled at him and petted him behind the ear and he jumped up on the bed.

Phyre looked at Phoenix, “Your eyes are normal.”

“Are they,” he asked, “I didn’t know they changed.”

“They were black as night Phe,” Phyre told him while removing his wet clothes.

“Were they as pretty as yours,” he asked.

“Even more so,” Phyre told him, “But Phe?”

“I’m sorry,” Phoenix said, “I’ll never go behind your back again.”

Phyre stepped close to him, “You promise?”

Phoenix nodded and Phyre asked, “Why did you risk it beloved? Why did you risk the one thing that keeps me sane in this world?”

Phoenix trembled, “I wanted them to feel my pain,” he whispered, “I wanted them to feel how helpless and scared she must have felt.”

Phyre closed the distance between them and pulled him into his arms and squeezed him tightly, “It’s ok to hurt,” he said, “Its ok to feel anger, just never ever do something that stupid again.”

Phoenix gripped his shoulders, “I promise.”

Phyre ran his fingers through his damn red hair and breathed him in, “You smell so good Phe.”

Phoenix leaned his head against his chest, “Why can’t I ever get close enough to you?”

Phyre opened his eyes, “You feel that way?”

“I don’t know how to explain it,” he said, “When we’re together, holding each other, it’s like I can’t get close enough. I can’t hold you tight enough.”

Phyre smiled and he continued, “It’s like I want to be one with you. I want to just melt into you and never leave. Do you understand what it is I’m trying to say?”

Phyre kissed his head tenderly, “Of course I do Phe.”

Phoenix smiled, “Take me out tonight?”

Phyre looked into his emerald orbs, “So soon?”

“I have to sing,” Phoenix told him, “I have to do something to keep myself busy.”

“Are you sure,” he asked, “Won’t your sisters be looking for you?”

“They’re powerless,” Phoenix said while removing his wet clothes, “Plus, they can’t find me if they tried.”

Phyre nodded, “I’ll make arrangements.”

“Thank you,” Phoenix said, “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Phyre smiled, “I had the same idea.”
Phoenix took a big golden hand, “Let’s go.”

Spider yawned and chewed on a pillow.
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Phoenix leaned back into Phyre’s gentle touches as the hot water washed to soap from their skin. Phyre planted kisses on the base of his neck and tilted it to the side as he planted more. Phoenix moaned when Phyre started to suck and lap over his sensitive spot which made him go all weak in the knees.

The both of them sunk down to the floor with steam billowing all around them. Phyre took Phoenix’s left nipple in his mouth and Phoenix hissed which made Phyre pull back quickly, “Did I hurt you?”

Phoenix stroked his cheek, “No, it felt good.”

Phyre grinned and kissed him more and Phoenix rolled them over so he was on top looking down at a very hot naked Phyre, “I want you so much Kal.”

Phyre moaned when Phoenix licked his abs and then jumped when Phoenix gently cupped his balls which made his foot go through the front of the shower wall. Phoenix snorted, “Sorry.”

Phyre looked at him with sad glowing black eyes, “I can’t.”

Phoenix crawled up to his mouth and kissed him, “I know,” he whispered, “Its ok,” he said while rubbing his hands through his shaggy black hair.

Phyre smiled and then pulled his foot from the hole, “Damn.”

Phoenix waved his hand and the wall repaired itself instantly, “Pretty cool, huh?”
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Piper refilled everyone’s mug with coffee and put it back on the burner. She took a seat at the table and took a small sip to keep from burning her tongue.

Piper was going over a list of potions that they had to use in order to defend themselves in case a demon was to attack now that they were vulnerable. They only had twelve potions and half of them were useless.

Patty looked at her mother, “How could we have allowed this to happen?”

“Two words,” Grams said, “We’re dead.”

Patty rolled her eyes, “Not funny,” she said, “We have to do something.”

“Like what,” Grams asked, “Excuse me dear grandson of mine I really must protest to your behavior recently,” she said while shaking her finger disdainfully, “Now give back the magic you stole or I shall send you to your room without supper.”

Piper snorted, “Yeah, that’ll convince the little fireball.”

“We can’t just sit here and do nothing,” Paige said while checking off the list, “Where the hell is Leo?”

“Right here,” he said just now orbing in, “I think we may know where Phoenix will most likely be.”

“Where,” All four asked.

“The club that he sings at,” he said, “We need to go stake out Club Mystika.”

Piper and Paige both shouted, “Let’s go,” and ran over to him.
Grams and Patty looked at each other and then at them, “Well, what are we waiting for?”

All five of them orbed away.
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Piper was sitting at the bar and Paige was stationed out on the dance floor. Grams and Parry were sitting at a table off in the corner looking over a menu. Leo was sitting at a table over in the far corner next to the stage talking to a waiter.

Paige was dancing with a cute guy and almost missed seeing the Seer dancing a few feet away. She quickly moved off through the crowd thinking, “What the hell?”

Piper was more than flattered when the guy at the bar asked to her ID. She whipped it out and went to town on her Bloody Mary. She then looked over to see her mom and Grams up dancing with each other. She shook her head, “Can’t take them no where.”

Leo was sipping excitedly from his glass full of Dr. Pepper. He had not had one in forever and by the Elders he needed it. He was even thinking about getting a refill.

Piper was looking at the clock to see that midnight was drawing near and still no sign of the firebird. Paige was dead on her feet and went to find a table in a nice spot. Grams and Patty were still dancing because the dead don’t get exhausted. Leo was on his seventh glass of Dr. Pepper when a voice came over the loud speakers, “Everyone it’s time for the Consort of Darkness, Phoenix Kent!”

The floor went dark and the stage was lit in an eerie green glow. The crowd cheered and Piper looked at the stage and shivered when the music began to play. The dark curtains open and Phoenix stood there in billowing green silk, and the crowd roared.

“How’s everyone doing,” his voice echoed beautifully and dancers whistled and rooted, “I can’t hear you!”

They cheered even louder and he stepped closer to them, “Sweet,” he cooed and every ones eyes were dead on him, “This song is for my family.”

Piper gasped as did the others in various places throughout the club, “I see you,” you cooed.

Paige paled and id behind an empty table as Phoenix called out, “Enjoy the show everyone!”

Music filled the club as mist flowed around Phoenix. Balls of green light played along the ground as he swirled around in billows of silk. Piper was mystified at how graceful he was as other dancers moved along the edge of the stage.

I did my best to please you
But my best was never good enough
Somehow you’re only able to see
All I am not

Did you ever look behind?
Aren’t you afraid of the pieces you’ll find?
I have failed you
But you have failed me to

It’s so easy to destroy
And condemn
The ones you do not understand
Do you ever wander if it’s justified?

It’s so easy to destroy
And condemn
The ones you do not understand
In your lives why didn’t you ever try?

Grams and Patty could not believe their ears at what they were hearing. Was this how he really felt? The two of them looked at each other in tears.

The music played on and fire danced along the edges of the stage and dancers swirled, spun, and leaped back and across in front and behind of a swirling Phoenix. Yards and yards of silk flowed and billowed from him as if born on a magical breeze.

Paige could feel his anger and his pain as he moved to the rhythm of his own song. Piper watched the haunting figures dance across the stage. Phoenix smiled darkly at her and her eyes widened in surprise as he began to sing again.

I close my eyes as I walk the thin line
Between love and hate
For the people with the same blood in my veins

You show no regrets
About all the things you did or said
I have failed you
But believe me
You failed me to

It’s so easy to destroy
And condemn
The ones you do not understand
Do you ever wonder if it’s justified?

It’s so easy to destroy
And condemn
The ones you do not understand
In your life why didn’t you ever try?

The music played on and the dancers moved all around Phoenix. The silk billowed and swirled all around him and then he stepped upon it and walked around in spirals up the yards of silk. The people in the audience were awed and slammed at such great stage effects. Piper and Paige almost choked at what they were seeing and Leo was looking for the cleaners and knew that even they would not dare mess with this pissed off boy. His beautiful voice that would enchant the very sirens of seas finished off the last notes of the song.

It’s so easy to destroy
And condemn
The ones you do not understand
Do you ever wonder if it’s justified?

It’s so easy to destroy
And condemn
The ones you do not understand
Do you ever wonder if it’s justified?

Phoenix jumped through the spinning silk to land on the stage and it swirled along and over his shoulders to rest as a big explosion of lights went off and he was setting on the edge of the stage smiling at the cheering audience, “Thank you,” his voice boomed, “Thank you!”

He took a graceful bow and flipped over backwards for the curtain to snap shut behind him.
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Phoenix was behind stage being held in Phyre’s arms. He was resting his head on his chest crying because of the song. It was meant to make them feel sad, not him! His emotions were really fucked up right now.

Phyre was rubbing small circles on hi back to soothe him. Phoenix could be so strong and yet break so easy. Phyre hated that he could not kill that which brought his beloved such pain. If he had not promised Phoenix he would have without so much as a second thought.

Phoenix gently pulled away, “I think I feel better.”

“Are you sure,” Phrye asked.

Phoenix blinked back a tear, “Not really.”

Phyre suddenly growled and Phoenix spun around to see his family standing there looking at him. How the hell did they get back here? He stripped them of their powers. Oh, that stupid whitelgihter.

Piper was holding a deadly potion in her hand, “We don’t want to hurt you Phoenix.”

“A little too late for not wanting to,” Phoenix snapped, “You have hurt me worse by not doing anything!”

“We didn’t know,” Paige said, “It’s not our fault.”

Phoenix hissed, “Yes it is,” he shouted, “You abandoned me when I needed you the most!”

“You chose evil Phoenix,” Piper shouted, “It could have been a trap!”

“Ring around the roses sisters,” Phoenix said in a sing-song voice and Piper thought he had lost his damn mind, “Time to fall down!”

He stomped his heel and the stage rattled under them causing each of them to all on their backs. He laughed, “I spared your lives,” he said, “Don’t make me regret my act of kindness!”

Patty pleaded, “Please baby, come home to us.”

Phoenix narrowed his eyes and Phyre was ready to jump in at any moment, “I have a home,” he said taking Phyre by the hand, “Where I am loved.”

“It’s not love,” Grams shouted.

Phoenix’s eyes bled to black and his hair whipped around his face like a wild flame. Oh he was terrible to behold Phyre thought, “What would you know you old crone? You’ve used men and spat them out like yesterdays garbage! You know nothing of love!”

Leo got to his feet, “He’s blinded you Phoenix!”

Phoenix’s wickedly beautiful face smirked, “I’ve never seen more clearly in my life.”

Patty reached out her hand to him, “Baby, please!”

“You’re not my mother,” he roared sending all of the back with a lash of breath stealing wind, “Martha Kent was my mother!”

Patty cried out and Piper yelled, “Bastard!”

Phoenix froze and Phyre was about to jump her only to be stopped by a pale hand. Phoenix turned back to glare at his soon to be dead relatives, “I had a father. He loved me more than anything in this world,” he said in a voice so cold it made Antarctica feel like a summer beach resort and spa, “How damn you call me that!”

He held out a pale hand and a huge ass fireball appeared in it and swirled. He was about to throw it when he heard a voice, “You’re something beautiful. You come from angels.”

The fireball vanished and the black fire left his eyes, “We’re leaving now,” he said, “Just stay away from me.”

“My lord,” the Seer said trying to find her way though the curtain, “The limo is ready to return us to the Luthor castle.”

Phoenix closed his eyes and Phyre seethed with rage that sent pulse waves from him that everyone could feel. The Seer quickly saw he mistake when she saw the Charmed ones and muttered, “For the meeting, then we shall return home.”

It was too late. Their reaction had given it away. Phyre pulled Phoneix to him and growled at the interlopers, “If you are spotted within a fifty mile radius of the castle you will be killed.”

Phoenix looked at him, “You promised.”

He ignored it, “We risk all by letting them go now beloved.”

“They’re helpless,” Phoenix said.

Piper threw a potion at them and fire shot from Phyre’s eyes making it explode a few feet away in the air and looked down at Phoneix, “Not so much.”

Phoenix just looked at them and shook his head sadly, “Even now I spare you and you still try and kill us,” his eyes bled black, “If you come after us and threaten Kal and me again I will kill you myself.”

“Or,” Phyre said, “I’ll just let the legions of the Underworld deal with you.”

Phoenix glared at the Seer and hissed, “You are in big trouble.”

The Seer lowered her head and the three of them vanished in leaping roaring flames that stole the breath away from all five of them. Their little brother seemed to still care enough about them to keep sparing their lives even though they kept trying to take his.

Grams seemed to say something when she suddenly disappeared in glowing white lights along with Patty. The two girls looked at Leo who said, “Their time was up.”

Piper and Paige both had tears streaming from their eyes, “We’re screwed.”

“No,” Leo said,” We now know where they reside.”

“You heard him,” Paige said, “He’ll kill us.”

“We just need a plan, “Leo said, “A very good plan.”

Pipe snapped, “I quit!”

“What,” the both of them gasped.

“I’m done,” she said, “I quit, I can’t handle this.”

“Piper,” Leo said only to be silenced with a look.

“Take me home,” she told him, “I’m done.”
Paige could not believe what she was hearing, “Piper?”

“No,” she roared, “I won’t lose you to!”

She fell into Leo, “Just take me home!”

He kissed her gently and looked to Paige who just closed her eyes and nodded. All three of them vanished in swirling orbs of blue light.

TBC…


Thanks Celtic Wolfster for the kind review.