Poltergeist: The Legacy - Book of Shadows

Poltergeist: The Legacy

Book of Shadows

Rating: PG - Drama - Violence

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies, I don't own them all characters are the property of MGM Studio's and all afillated companies.

Book of Shadows

By Kay De'Vil.

Kat slammed closed the car door and ran into the house, the last words her mother heard where "I hate you!"

Sighing to herself Rachel collected the groceries from the trunk of the car and started inside herself, her arms full of bags and the front door once again closed. Struggling with the front door she was relieved to hear a familiar voice "Give you a hand there Doc?"

"Oh Nick, you’re a treasure" she stated as he began to unload her arms. She held the door open for him as he carried the bags into the house and threw to the kitchen.

"Kat around?" he questioned as he placed the bags on the side, Rachel sighed and pointed upstairs "Something wrong?" he inquired as they began to pack the groceries away

"Just the usual teenage ‘I hate the world because everyone is out to get me’ syndrome"

"Ah, want me to have a talk to her?"

"If you think it will help" she replied as she flicked on the kettle "You want some coffee Nick?" He grinned as he sat down at the kitchen table "Silly question" muttered Rachel as she took two mugs out of the cupboard.

******************************************************

Sat in her room, Kat was writing in her journal when she heard a knock at the door, believing it to be her mother she cranked up the volume on her CD player "Go away mom I’m busy" she shouted. After a few moments the door opened "Mom, I said I… Oh, it’s you Nick" seeing it was him, she turned the volume down again and closed her journal.

"Hey Kat, how’s it going?" he questioned as he sat on the end of her bed.

She sighed and looked at him "Let me guess, mom asked you to come and talk to me"

"Actually no, I volunteered… So what’s going on here?"

"Gees, nothings going on Nick… Just the usual mom knows best. I can’t make a single decision for myself in my life, crap!" she replied bitterly.

Nick sat silently watching her for a moment, then stood up "What is it you’ re wanting to do that your mother objects too?" he questioned, leaning against the wall.

She sat cross-legged on the bed looking at him "Ricky Mulligan invited me and some of the other girls over to his place for a party and sleep over. Mom says she won’t let me go because there are gonna be boys there".

Nick raised an eyebrow at the comment "And tell me Kat, are Ricky’s parents going to be there?" when he saw her looks down at the bed covers and begin to play with her pen, he knew the answer.

"Yes" she replied in a hesitant voice, unable to look at him. He folded his arms and stood leaning against the wall in silence, waiting for her to tell him the truth "Ok… No, all right… Happy now?" she demanded angry at being caught in the lie "Their going away for the weekend so Ricky is throwing a party"

"And a take it there will be more boys than just Ricky at the party?" questioned Nick calmly, she nodded "Are any of these boys planning on bringing alcohol to this party?" she shrugged and again refused to look at him "How old is Ricky and his friends?"

"Seventeen" she replied as she finally looked up at him "Nothings gonna happen Nick" she stated

"Oh I agree" replied Nick

"I knew you would… So you’ll talk to mom for me, help convince her to let me go?" she questioned smiling at him.

He pushed off the wall and stood before her "No can do kiddo" he replied with a sympathetic expression upon his face.

The smile fell from her face as she looked up at him "But can’t you just talk to her?" she pleaded with him as he started towards the door.

As he opened the door he stopped and looked back at her "I’m sorry Kat that wouldn’t be smart", she looked at him confused, and he couldn’t help the faint smile that spread across his lips. "You see Kat, I was Ricky once… and you seriously don’t want your mom knowing what went on that night". With one last glance at her he waved and left the room.

Kat sat for a moment staring at the door, her mind wondering what really had happened that night. Sighing she flounced down onto her stomach and pulled out her journal again:

‘Nick was just here, sent up by mom no doubt, he denied it… of course. But what he said wasn’t what he thought; it was what mom told him to say. Nick’s always been my friend, and always will be, I know now what he meant as he left. He meant for me to learn from my own experiences… I’m going to that party and there’s nothing mom can say or do that’s going to stop me.’

"Katharine Marie Corrigan, get down here right now!" shouted Rachel from the foot of the stairs, in her hand she held a letter from the school. Kat slowly descended the stairs, she knew from her mother’s tone of voice, that whatever was about to be said it wasn’t good.

As she stood on the last step she looked at her mother "Yes mom?"

"Don’t you yes mom me young lady… What’s the meaning of this?" demanded Rachel as she waved the letter around.

Kat looked at the flailing piece of paper "I don’t know"

"You don’t know… You don’t know! Oh let me guess it wasn’t you who forged MY signature on three… THREE detention slips… this week alone!"

Kat stood looking at her mother as innocently as she could "I don’t know anything about it mom" she stated "It must be a mistake".

As her mom looked at her, Kat for a few brief moments believed she was going to get away with it. Rachel glanced over her shoulder at Nick who was sat in the kitchen drinking his coffee. "This is the final straw young lady, you’re grounded for the next month!"

"That’s not fare!" exclaimed Kat angrily

"You stand there and lie to my face and you want to complain about being grounded for a month!" shouted Rachel as she quickly began to lose patience with her daughter "You can forget about going to that party Kat, after this there is no way your going!"

Seeing Nick in the kitchen, Kat tried to call in reinforcements against her unreasonable mother "Nick, talk to her please" she pleaded

"Oh no you don’t young lady, Nick has nothing to do with this!" stated her mother. Kat saw Nick’s shoulders drop as he hunched forward, tightening his grip on his coffee mug.

Sighing, Kat looked back at her mother "I hate you!" she said as she ran back upstairs to her room and slammed the bedroom door again.

Rachel sighed as returned to the kitchen, she hated fighting with Kat "I’m sorry about that Nick" she said as she sat down opposite him.

He reached out and touched her hand offering her support "Rachel what’s going on here, lying and forgery aren’t the Kat I know?"

"At first I thought it was just a phase she was going through, all her mood swings and her new look… I put them down to her being a teenager"

"Yeah I noticed her new gothic dress style" he admitted "But a lot of kids are dressing like that these days".

Rachel nodded agreement "That’s what I thought as well… but since she started hanging out with Ricky Mulligan and his friends, she changed Nick. Sometimes I hardly recognise her" As she spoke the house was suddenly filled with loud music.

Shaking his head and squeezing her hand he said "Look, bring her up to the house after school tomorrow, I’ll see what I can do to help"

"Thanks Nick… I appreciate it".

******************************************************

Kat carefully opened her bedroom window and looked down at the pavement below "Ricky… You there?" she called in a hushed voice.

After a moment a young man appeared "Yeah, throw me your bag then climb down" he instructed.

Grabbing her bag she tossed it down to him then after one last look around her room began to climb out the window. As she reached the pavement Ricky hugged her and kissed her neck "You ready to leave Kat?" he questioned as she looked back at the house.

For a moment she appeared unsure then she turned to look at him "Yeah, let’s get out of here" she stated in a cold tone.

He grinned and put his arm around her shoulders as he shepherded her towards his car. Closing the door after she had gotten into the car, Ricky looked back at the house, his eyes glowing red.

******************************************************

Kat stared out the window as they drove up a winding road up into the hills "You’ll like it at my uncles place… some of the others are all ready there" stated Ricky as he glanced across at her "You ok Kitty Kat?"

"Don’t call me that…" insisted Kat glaring at him.

Ricky shrugged "Sure, whatever you want Kat". As he spoke a large house came into view "What ya think?" he questioned grinning at her.

She looked from him to the house "Whoa, your uncle must be loaded".

Ricky laughed as he brought the car to a stop in front of the house "Come on Kat, tonight is the night your life takes a new turn".

******************************************************

Nick stretched and looked at the coffee pot, he had been entering data into the computer since returning from Rachel’s and could now feel sleep trying to sneak up on him.

Stifling a yawn he stood and picked up his mug. As he poured out the coffee his mind wandered back to the scene at Rachel’s home, the change in Kat bothered him. He had always considered Kat to be a good, stable, and above all honest kid, but after what he had heard he now had to re-evaluate his position on her.

Putting down the coffee pot he rubbed wearily at his eyes, then grinned as a thought crossed his mind "I’m getting to old for these all-nighter's" he commented to himself

"Nonsense Nick your in the prime of your life… then again" joked Derek as he entered the control room.

Nick shook his head and returned to the computer "So what can I do for you this night, oh Grey and wrinkled one?" he joked back grinning at Derek’s expression.

"A little less of the wrinkled one please… As for the Grey, who do you think put most of them up there?" objected Derek pointing at Nick and grinning.

Nick grinned back and conceded defeat "So what can I do for you tonight Derek?"

"Night, Nick its 7:30 in the morning" stated Derek with a raised eyebrow "Don’t tell me you’ve been at this all night"

"Ok, I won’t" Nick smiled then covered his mouth as another yawn struck.

Derek took Nick’s coffee mug "No more coffee for you Nick, go get some sleep" as Derek spoke he gently pushed Nick up out of the chair "No arguments, go" he added as he sat down himself.

As Nick sighed and turned to leave, the phone rang, being closer to the phone than Derek he was able to answer it "Lunar…"

"Nick… Nick, its Rachel… Kat’s gone" came Rachel’s hysterical voice he could hear her crying "Calm down Rachel tell me what’s wrong" he said, instantly catching Derek’s full attention. Putting the phone on speaker he waited for her to calm down enough to tell them what had happened "Kat… Kat’s gone Nick. She’s run away" sobbed Rachel

"Your sure she’s run away, she hasn’t just gone to stay at a friends house?" questioned Derek

"She’s gone… She left me a note and some of her things are gone. Nick you have to find her… She… She listens to you". As she spoke Nick was looking at Derek, the grabbed the mug of coffee back "Rachel sit tight, I’m on my way over… We’ll find her, I promise"

"Thank you Nick." he heard Rachel’s relieved voice before Nick hung up and started to gulp down the coffee

"Why would Kat run away?" questioned Derek confused as they both started out of the control room.

"She and Rachel had a big fight yesterday" explained Nick as he put on his jacket and grabbed the keys to his car.

"What about?" questioned Derek as they left the house and headed for the Mustang.

Nick sighed as he got in and buckled up, Derek followed suit and waited "Seems like Kat may have gotten in with a bad crowd. She’s started swearing, lying even gone so far as to forge Rachel’s signature on her detention slips" explained Nick as he started the car and sped down the drive.

"Are we talking about the same Kat?" questioned Derek in disbelief

"That’s what I thought as well, until she tried to lie to me, that is" stated Nick as he gunned his way down the road.

******************************************************

Kat yawned and looked around her new room, she thought about her mother and what had happened and sighed. The night before, running away had seemed like the answer to all her troubles, but now in the light of day, she realised it had been a big mistake.

Getting dressed she had made up her mind to call Nick and get him to come pick her up, however as she left her room she was met by Ricky "Hey Kat… Going somewhere?"

"This was a mistake Ricky, running away isn’t going to solve anything" she stated as she tried to get past him.

Ricky blocked her path, his hand trailing down her face "But you only just got here Kitty Kat, and my uncle so wants to meet you"

"I told you not to call me that" she stated as she again tried to push past him "I’m going to call Nick and have him come pick me up. This was a mistake"

"Oh call Nick by all means, my uncle has wanted to meet Mr. Boyle for sometime" as he spoke Ricky’s voice became hard "Don’t forget to call your other Legacy friends while your at it" he added as he grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back.

"Ricky stop it your hurting me!" pleaded Kat as Ricky pushed her down the hall.

******************************************************

Nick and Derek arrived at Rachel’s house and went inside, both knew that Rachel was hysterical so Nick left Derek to calm her down while he went up to Kat’s room to see what was missing.

Derek found Rachel sat in the kitchen clasping a mug of coffee "Rachel?" he questioned in gentle tones as he sat down beside her.

"What have I done, where did I go wrong?" she questioned as she looked at him.

Derek wrapped his arm around her pulling her into a hug "You didn’t do anything wrong Rachel, she’ll be back"

"What if she doesn’t come back… hundreds of kids run away everyday, some of them are never seen or heard from again" sobbed Rachel

"Kat’s a smart girl, I’m sure she’s already realised running away isn’t the answer and is on her way home right now"

"Dear god I hope you’re right Derek… I don’t know what I’d do if she didn’t come home".

Upstairs, Nick sat on Kat’s bed looking around the neat little room, sighing he reached under the mattress and took out Kat’s journal. For a while he sat looking at the closed book, trying to resolve his conscience at being about to read Kat’s deepest, perhaps darkest secrets.

"Sorry Kat" he said to the empty room and opened the journal to the last page.

‘Nick was just here, sent up by mom no doubt, he denied it… of course. But what he said wasn’t what he thought; it was what mom told him to say.’

Sighing to himself, he skimmed over the rest of the page, until the last paragraph.

‘Ricky called tonight, we talked about mom, Nick and what happened. I think he’s right, I think it’s time I showed mom, Derek and the others that I’m not a little kid anymore. That I can make it on my own.’

Closing the journal Nick tapped it against his hand, his mind remembering and digesting what he had just read. Standing he looked around for Kat’s phone book.

Unable to find it he pulled out his mobile phone and pulled up one of Kat’s girlfriend’s phone numbers and called. "Hey Sally, it’s Nick Boyle…yeah it has been a long time…. Look, Kat’s not there is she? …. No? Oh well it was worth a shot…. Oh, she and her mom had an argument and she... Yeah. You don’ t happen to know where Ricky lives do you... No, hmmm…. His uncle’s address, yeah that would be a great help."

As he spoke, Nick grabbed a pen and scribbled down the address she gave him "Got it. Thanks Sally you’ve been a great help…oh…. Umm sure, see you soon."

As he hung up he looked at the phone and smiled to himself "Well, that’s a first for you Nick" he joked to himself "Getting hit on by a fourteen year old."

Looking down at the piece of paper, he put away his mobile phone "Right, Mister Ricky Mulligan…time for me to pay you a little visit."

Stuffing the piece of paper into his pocket he took one last look around the room then headed back downstairs to talk to Derek and Rachel.

Derek looked up as Nick entered the kitchen "Any luck?"

"Yeah I think so" replied Nick as he joined them at the table; he instantly took Rachel’s hand in his "Hang in their Rachel I’ll find her"

"What did you find?" questioned Rachel as she dried her eyes.

Nick glanced at Derek before answering "I found her journal… it appears that Ricky phoned her and as a result of that conversation she decided to run away"

"Ricky, I should have known he’d have something to do with it… I tell you Nick, that boy is trouble with a capital T" growled Rachel as she stood up and began to pour Nick a mug of coffee. "I swear when she gets home, she’s grounded for the next year and she’ll never see Ricky Mulligan ever again!". As she spoke Nick and Derek exchanged glances, a slight smile appearing on both their faces.

******************************************************

Ricky smiled to himself, as he looked at his group of hooded followers "Soon we shall have the book… The book of Shadows will once again be used for its true purpose. To free our brethren and bring about the destruction of those that oppose us". As he spoke four hooded men entered the room carrying a struggling form between them. "Soon we the Fir Bholg shall finally bring the Legacy to its knees and open the way for our mistress’s domination of this domain".

The hooded followers cheered and soon began to chant, as they did Ricky stepped over to the alter where the four hooded men had restrained their charge "And you shall be the vessel for the mistress’s return", as he spoke he trailed his hand along the alters edge, laughing insanely.

****************************************************

Leaving Rachel in Derek’s capable hands Nick headed for the address Sally had given him, he again smiled as he thought of the young teenage girl trying to hit on him.

Shaking his head Nick returned his attention to the road. A few moments later his mobile phone rang so he pulled into the side of the road to answer it "Nick Boyle"

"Nick, its Kat"

"Kat where are you… your mom’s worried sick about you"

"I’m at Ricky’s uncles place… Nick come get me" he could hear the fear in her voice and knew that something was wrong.

"Kat what’s wrong?"

"Just come get me Nick... Please come get me"

"It’s okay Kat, I’m on my way… are you alone?"

"No"

"Has Ricky hurt you?"

"Yes… I don’t know what’s happening Nick, I feel strange"

"It’s okay Kitty Kat, I’ll be there soon" just before he finished speaking, the line went dead "Kat… Kat?" closing the phone he pulled back onto the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel hard enough to turn his knuckles white.

His foot was pressing harder and harder on the gas pedal as Kat’s last works repeated in his head ‘Yes… I don’t know what’s happening Nick, I feel strange’.

Slamming his hand on the steering wheel he muttered "If you hurt her Ricky Mulligan there’ll be no place on heaven, earth or hell for you to hide. I’ll find you and rip your heart out".

*****************************************************

Nick brought the Mustang to a tire-screeching stop outside the house of Ricky’s uncle. Getting out of the car he slammed the door closed and marched up to the front door.

He pounded on the front door until someone opened it, then he pushed his way inside "Kat!" he shouted

"Excuse me, but who are you?" demanded the man who had opened the door

"Kat!" Nick again shouted, ignoring the man and starting up the stairs all the time calling for Kat.

The man followed him up and blocked his way into one of the rooms "Get out!"

"You either get out of my way right now or I’m gonna rip of your head and shove it so far up your ass you’ll be seeing out of the top of your neck… do I make myself clear?" growled Nick as he held the man by his shirt front.

"Now you wanna show me where Kat is or am I gonna have to get physical?" The man didn’t say anything; he just nodded mutely and moved out of Nick’s way.

Opening the door he saw Kat laid on a bed with a young man stood over her pawing at her. Instantly Nick saw red and rushed into the room, slamming his fist into the young man’s stomach sending him crashing to the floor.

"Touch her again and you’ll never see another sunrise" growled Nick as he stood between Kat and the young man

"She lead me on man, she said she’d give me some" insisted the young man.

Taking a step towards the young man, Nick’s hands clasped into tight fists "get your sorry ass out of here kid, before I give you something you seriously don’t want".

"I’ll call the cops, you broke in and threatened me!"

"Call the cops… they can clean up the bloody mess that’s gonna be all that’s left of you if you don’t shut up and get the fuck outta my sight!" growled Nick as he stood over the young man.

The man, who had answered the door, grabbed the younger man and started to drag him from the room.

Nick turned away and lifted Kat into his arms, then without a word he turned and left the room, growling at the two as he passed them.

******************************************************

Derek had received the phone call from Nick informing him that he had Kat and was taking her to Angel Island. Derek had been confused by the anger he had heard in Nick’s voice but hadn’t questioned him on it. He was sure Nick would explain what had happened once they where safely back on the island.

He and Rachel had immediately left for the island and where now sat with Alex in the lounge awaiting their arrival.

When they heard the front door open all three rushed out to meet them, they where shocked to see Nick carrying an unconscious Kat in his arms

"Dear God Nick, what happened?" demanded Derek as Rachel rushed over to check her daughter.

"Put her on the couch" instructed Rachel as she followed Nick into the lounge.

Gently he placed her onto the couch and stepped back out of Rachel’s way, his hands once again balling into tight fists. Derek could see the anger radiating from Nick and knew that whatever the ex-SEAL had found had upset him to a level Derek had never seen before.

Derek watched Nick out of the corner of his eyes as Rachel checked Kat over "She seems physically unharmed… just asleep" she stated relieved.

At hearing Kat hadn’t been hurt, Nick left the lounge.

"Where did you find her?" Questioned Alex turning to look at the spot Nick had just vacated "Where did he go?" she questioned looking at Derek confused.

"I’ll go talk to him, you stay here with Kat and Rachel" he instructed as he turned and left the lounge going in search of Nick.

He eventually found him in the gym, working out some of his anger on the punch bag. Closing the door behind him Derek stood watching him for a few minutes, he noticed Nick hadn’t bothered taping his hands before he began assaulting the bay "Your gonna tear your knuckles if you’re not careful" he commented trying to start up a conversation. Nick didn’t behave as if he had even heard him "You want to talk about it?"

Nick continued to pound on the bag for a few more minutes, then finally looked at Derek "The little shit was pawing her Derek, he drugged her then started feeling her up when she couldn’t stop him" Nick continued to punch the bag as he felt his anger again rising.

Derek too was becoming angry, he had known that whatever had happened had upset the ex-SEAL, but this had been the last thing he had expected "Did he… did he?" Derek couldn’t bring himself to ask the question.

Nick slammed his fist into the bag "No… but he would have" he hissed.

Derek could now see blood on Nick’s hand and knew that despite the younger mans anger it was time to stop him "Nick your hands" Derek commented as he moved towards the younger man, but he continued

"That little shit… If I see him again" each word was followed with a hard hit to the bag.

Derek grabbed Nick’s arm as he drew back his hand to strike again "Nick… stop. Kat’s safe you got her away before anything happened. Now stop hurting yourself!" Nick looked at Derek coldly and for a second the precept feared that Nick was about to hit him, but the anger vanished from Nick’s face to be replaced by sorrow and guilt.

"I should have known she’d be planning to run away," Nick said as he dropped his bloody hands by his sides. "I should have said something"

"Nick how could you have known?" questioned Derek as he watched Nick move over to the window and look out

"I should have, Kat’s like a little sister… I should have known what she was planning to do".

Derek sighed and moved over to stand next to him "Nick, I can understand your anger at what you found, I feel it as well and I didn’t see it. But I can’t understand your guilt, your not responsible for Kat’s actions, there is no way you could have known what was going to happen"

"Derek I’ve been where Kat is at the moment, teenager growing up in a single parent family" he stated as he looked at Derek "You know what I’m talking about Derek".

Sighing Derek nodded, he understood what Nick was talking about, but he still didn’t understand why Nick felt responsible for Kat’s actions.

"I should have seen that she was planning to run away… I’ve been there, I’ve almost done it myself" Nick stated

"Nick you shouldn’t blame yourself" came Rachel’s voice from over by the door "None of us saw this, not Alex, Derek nor me… and I’m trained to see it" she stated as she moved to stand next to him.

Derek looked at her then back at Nick, he wasn’t sure how much the younger man was taking in, but he thought that hearing it from someone else might help.

Nick’s shoulders dropped as he turned to look at her "I’m sorry Rachel" he said as she pulled him into a hug

"It’s alright Nick you did your best, and you brought her home just as you promised". As she held him close, she noticing his hands where bleeding she released him and took his wrists within her hands and raised them "What happened?" she questioned "Nothing" replied Nick looking at the floor, Rachel looked at Derek and he mouthed to her that he would explain later.

"Come on Nick, lets go soak and dress your hands" she insisted as she took his arm and lead him from the room. Derek sighed and glanced out the window.

When Derek entered the lounge he was surprised to find Alex sat with Kat and no sign of Rachel or Nick "Where’s Rachel?"

"She and Nick went into the kitchen"

"Thanks Alex" he said as he turned and headed into the kitchen, as he entered the kitchen he heard Rachel

"Nick, what happened to get you this upset?"

"Who says I’m upset?" questioned Nick defensively, then hissed as Rachel pushed his hands down into the bowl of antiseptic and water.

"How about very abused hands" commented Rachel dryly.

Derek entered the kitchen and sat down opposite Nick "Anything broken?" he questioned looking at Rachel, who shook her head

"Good, why don’t you go sit with Kat, I’ll stay with Nick"

"I’m not a kid… I can take care of myself!" snapped Nick.

Derek just grinned at Rachel as she said "I’d like to see you try to bandage those hands by yourself, by the time their finished their gonna be swollen as big as grape fruits." Handing Derek the gauze and bandages she left the kitchen without saying another word.

Nick sighed and looked down at the rapidly reddening water within the bowl.

******************************************************

She could hear them talking, knew that they where talking about her, slowly she opened her eyes and looked around "Hey Kat, how are you feeling?" questioned Alex as she moved into Kat’s line of sight.

Slowly Kat sat up and looked around "Okay, but where’s mom?" she questioned

"Right here honey," said Rachel as she entered and moved to Kat’s side "How you doing?"

"I’m okay, what happened?" she questioned confused "How did I get here?"

"Nick brought you home" explained Alex

"What’s the last thing you remember honey?" questioned Rachel concerned.

Kat looked at her as she tried to remember "Running away with Ricky, Oh mom… I’m sorry I didn’t mean what I said, I didn’t mean any of it!"

"Shh, I know you didn’t honey. I’m just glad Nick found you before anything happened" stated Rachel as she hugged her daughter.

Alex smiled at them as they finally pulled apart "Well it’s good to have you home Kat, and please… don’t do that again"

"I second that" stated Derek as he and Nick entered.

Kat looked down at the floor "I’m sorry, I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll never run away again" she stated.

Derek smiled and sat down beside her "Good, now give me a hug" he instructed smiling at her.

As she released him she looked at Nick and noticed his bandaged hands "Nick what happened to your hands?"

"Nothing worth worrying over kiddo… I’m glad you’re alright" he smiled at her and she returned the smile

"Thanks for bringing me home"

"Any time kiddo, any time… Just don’t make a habit of it" he grinned at her.

******************************************************

Sat in the control room Derek rubbed wearily at his eyes, it had been a long day. Glancing over at Nick he could see the physical and emotional strain had taken its toll on the younger man "Nick why don’t you call it a night, Alex and I can finish this research"

"Derek’s right Nick, you look dead on your feet, call it a night and start fresh in the morning" agreed Alex as she stood and moved over to Nick’s side. As she touched his shoulder, she was suddenly struck by a vision.

‘Nick lay asleep in bed, his door opening and a beautiful young woman entered. She moved to his bedside and smiled down at him.’

Alex stepped back as the vision ended, both Nick and Derek where looking at her concerned "I’m Okay" she said grinning at Nick "I just had a vision"

"Of what?" Derek questioned fearing some new evil was about to rise up and attack the house.

Again Alex grinned as she looked at Nick "Nothing bad Derek, you can relax," she said. Derek looked at her confused and was about to ask her to elaborate when she said "Derek why don’t you take Nick upstairs while I finish up here"

"Alex I’m not a baby… I don’t need any help going to bed" as he spoke he swayed slightly and leaned against the desk. Alex raised an eyebrow and looked at him "Okay, Derek take me to bed" stated Nick as he pushed off the desk and started out of the room.

"But Nick… I don’t swing that way" Derek joked as he followed Nick.

Nick chuckled and shook his head "Keep working on it Derek, that sense of humour is sure to mature soon" he joked as they left the control room, leaving a laughing Alex to get back to the research.

******************************************************

Kat tossed and turned in her sleep, her dreams where ones of strangers doing battle, groaning she turned over, as she did an eerie blue mist began to surround her bed, encasing her as the light began to glow from her body.

When the mist cleared and the light had vanished, where the teenage Kat had been laid, now lay a fully-grown woman in her mid to late twenties. When she opened her eyes for a moment Kat’s brown/hazel eyes looked out upon the world, but where quickly replaced by Deep Ocean blue ones.

A smile spread across the woman’s face as she stretched, standing she moved over to the dressing table and looked into the mirror "Oh yes, I like this one" she said to herself as she moved around the room.

****************************************************

Derek groaned in his sleep, nightmares of battles also plagued his sleep, then the two combatants’ faces came into view. At first he didn’t recognise either, but they quickly changed, first the woman’s face changed, slowly morphing into the young face of Kat.

As the man’s face changed Derek instantly recognised it, even in his sleep Derek tried to warn his young friend of what was to come "Nick… it’s Kat… No Nick" he mumbled.

Stood looking down at the tossing Derek, the woman smiled. She knew whom her nemesis would appear within, perhaps if she was to destroy the host she could prevent her nemesis’ arrival.

She looked around the room, she knew that if she were to posses the Book of Shadows she would have to destroy the Legacy holders.

Unable to find anything within the room she decided to kill the host first and return for the rest later. Slowly she backed out of the room, and moved down the hall towards the back of the house where she knew Nick’s room was located, thanks to her host she knew every inch of the house, even where the Book of Shadows was located.

******************************************************

Nick heard someone moving around in his room and was instantly awake, as his eyes shot open he was shocked to see a beautiful stranger stood beside his bed.

"I must still be asleep... I have to be dreaming" he commented a smile spreading across his face as he looked up into the woman’s beautiful Deep Ocean blue eyes.

She smiled back at him and knelt on the bed, she leaned towards him, her lips brushing against his as she pulled back the blanket covering his body.

He stroked his hand down her face and smiled as she straddled him, kneeling over him she began to slip his T-shirt off, her fingers lightly brushing his skin, making it highly sensitive.

He groaned as she began to trail kisses down his neck and across his chest, her hands stroking his sides and stomach. She kissed him passionately as his hands began to explore her body.

As his fingers brushed across her back he groaned in ecstasy as her hot skilful tongue found one of his sensitive areas. Suddenly his bedroom door flew open to reveal Derek looking anxious "Nick don’t, that’s Kat!"

"What?" questioned Nick confused as she looked up at the woman, for a brief second Kat’s face appeared but was quickly replaced by the woman’s.

An instant later the glint of metal caught his attention and he saw his own K-Bar held within the woman’s hand. Reacting out of instinct he kicked the woman off his body and deflected the rapidly descending blade with his forearm. He hissed as the sharp edge cut into his flesh, but quickly scrambled away from her "What the hell!" he exclaimed as he backed away.

"I don’t know how, but that’s Kat" stated Derek as he stood in the doorway

"Yeah I got that part… but why the hell is she trying to kill me?" exclaimed Nick as he jumped back to avoid the blade headed for his stomach.

The woman growled and charged at him, unable to do anything else, Nick struck out at her but it had no effect. As he again tried to dodge the blade, he received a glancing blow from the woman’s fist that sent him crashing into the wall.

With Nick momentarily out of action, Derek had to take the initiative if Nick was to stay alive. As the woman made a move to finish off the dazed Nick, Derek jumped her from behind. Grabbing her arm he tried to force her to release the knife, but she was surprisingly strong, and it took all his strength and wits to keep from encountering the blade himself.

Before he knew what was happening Derek found himself flying through the air and impacting upon the far wall. As he slid to the floor and could feel unconsciousness creeping up on him, he saw the woman once again moving towards Nick, the knife grasped firmly within her hand.

As the veil of darkness descended upon Derek the last thing he saw was Nick and the woman grappling for control of the knife.

******************************************************

Nick staggered away from the woman, blood dripping from his arm. He could see Derek slumped against the wall and knew that the precept was hurt, but he also knew that if he allowed his attention to waver from this woman, she would kill him in an instant.

Panting for breath and beginning to feel the affect of his physical exhaustion he tried to keep as much distance between himself and the woman. "Why.... Are you... doing this?" he questioned as he dodged her attack.

She swept the black at him causing him to dive and roll away from her.

"To stop Tuath De'Danann. The host must die!" She shouted as she against struck out at him.

As the blade came towards him, Nick knew there was no way to avoid it so he moved forward trying to limit the damage. The blade sunk into his shoulder, tearing at the muscle. He cried out in pain.

As he staggered back once again trying to put some distance between himself and the women the room was filled by a bright blinding light and Nick felt a strange heat radiating out of his body.

******************************************************

"Derek, Derek wake up."

Groaning Derek opened his eyes at the voice and saw that Rachel and Alex were there, kneeling beside him. "N...Nick?" he questioned as he waited for the pounding in his head to stop "Where's Nick?"

"There's no sign of him.... Just some blood." stated Rachel in a shaky voice.

Groaning, Derek forced his body to obey him and struggled to his feet. "Come on, we need to find them." He stated as he rubbed his neck and staggered towards the door.

"Find who?" Alex asked as she and Rachel exchanged confused glances.

"Nick and Kat.... Only she's not little Kat, she's a fully grown woman."

"Huh?" questioned Alex.

"Derek it sounds like you hit your head harder than I thought." Commented Rachel as she and Alex followed him out of Nick's room out into the hall.

A brilliant flash of light cut its way through the window startling the three legacy members. "A storm?" questioned Alex as she moved to look out the window. As she did she saw two flowing forms out on the lawn "Derek, its Nick!" Derek and Rachel joined her.

As the three legacy members looked out of the window they where stunned to see Nick and the woman preparing to do battle, a strange green aura surrounded Nick as he raised a long sword above his head.

Derek looked at the sword for a moment. He knew he recognised it but from where. ‘Come on, think’ he mentally shouted at himself "I know what's happened." he stated as he turned and started down the hall towards the library. Alex and Rachel, after exchanging confused glances followed him.

In the library Derek began searching the shelves for the book that he had been reading a few days earlier.

"What are you looking for Derek, maybe we can help" started Alex as she and Rachel watched him.

Stopping he looked at them and nodded "I recognised the sword" Derek said as he suddenly grabbed a book from the shelf next to him "The sword Nick was holding, I'm sure it's in this book" as he flicked through the pages of the book he suddenly grinned "Got it!"

As he spoke he showed them the drawing within the book "The sword itself isn't significant, but what is important is the stone held within the hilt of the sword" as he spoke he began to flick through the pages again. "Ok, looks like the woman... Kat is the Druid Goddess Domnu; she has a group of followers called the Fir Bholg. Hmm, this goddess is the harbinger of death and destruction... okay according to the book, the sword Nick has belongs to the God Tuatha De'Danann".

Sitting down in the edge of the desk he looked at Rachel and Alex "Tuatha De'Danann and Domnu are equal forces, only the book of shadows" he held up the book as he spoke. "Can sway the balance, if the book is held by dark forces when a particular passage is read, the power of the book is transferred to Domnu and evil shall prevail"

"So if we read the passage the power should be transferred into Nick... I mean Tuatha De'Danann, right?" questioned Rachel. Derek nodded as he stood up "Right"

"But what happens to the host body of the loser?" questioned Alex anxiously as they started out of the library.

Derek stopped and looked at them, suddenly realising what they where asking and the implications behind the question "From what I understand, if evil wins the host bodies die, but if good wins everything is restored to as it was before the battle"

"So we have to make sure Nick wins" stated Rachel, the others nodding agreement.

*****************************************************

The Fir Bholg watched the raging battle from the cover of the woods; they knew that soon the other Legacy members would arrive, bringing with them the book of shadows.

Ricky smiled to himself as he saw the three legacy members leaving the house "Soon the world shall be at our feet" he whispered to his followers.

*****************************************************

Derek and the others knew that with Domnu upon the island, that the Fir Bholg where sure to be close by. So before leaving the house they had armed themselves. They knew that no matter what if they where going to save the lives of both Nick and Kat, they had to read the passage from the book of shadows to allow Tuatha De'Danann to banish Domnu from this earthly realm for another thousand years.

As they came down the steps to the level the God and Goddess were doing battle upon Derek saw the Fir Bholg appearing from the tree line.

"Get ready, here they come." He stated as he handed Rachel the book of Shadows "Rachel begin to read the passage, Alex and I will hold them off." Drawing his gun he began to move into a better position to cover her.

"Derek" she shouted seeing the precept moving to flank the Fir Bholg "DEREK!" she shouted again finally catching his attention "I can't read this!" running over to him she thrust the book into his hands. "You’re the language scholar" as she spoke she took the gun from Derek’s hand and hurried to a defensive position.

Sighing Derek opened the book and quickly located the passage.

The demon form of Ricky saw Derek reading from the book and started towards him. He easily avoided the bullets as they flew around the garden, killing his human followers.

Closing the distance between himself and the Legacy precept, he pounced, knocking the book from Derek's hand "Legacy... you shall not read from the book of shadows... Domnu's time has come" hissed the demon as it held Derek by the throat.

Grasping at the demon's hand, Derek tried to catch his breath, he needed to break away from this demon and complete the reading or all would be lost. Kicking out he managed to free himself from Ricky's grasp, his hand automatically reaching for the fallen book.

Enraged Ricky struck out at Derek, back handing him so he fell away from the book.

Derek could taste blood in the back of his throat, but it didn't matter, nothing mattered. If he had interpreted the book correctly and he was able to complete the passage so that Nick could win the battle, none of them would ever remember this day.

Forcing his body to move Derek again reached for the book, this time however he pre-empted Ricky's attack and struck him. The demon fell away from the precept and the book and roared in anger, calling upon his demonic powers he again tried to strike at Derek who now had the book of shadows within his grasp.

As the demon's attack reached Derek, he was both shocked and relieved to see that the book of shadows offered him protection against the demons powers, sending the demons attack back upon itself.

A slight grin appeared upon Derek's face as he saw Ricky consumed within his own hell fire and vanished. Flicking through the pages of the book, Derek quickly glanced around the garden to check on Alex and Rachel.

He was horrified to see Alex laid upon the ground unmoving, blood trailing from her mouth. Even though he looked he could see no sign of Rachel anywhere within the garden, but he couldn't see any of the Fir Bholg either.

Finding the correct page he once again began to read the passage.

***************************************************

Tuatha De'Danann could feel the power of the book of shadows coursing through his human host's body, he knew that good had prevailed in the battle over the book of shadows and that once again Domnu could be banished from the Earth for another thousand years.

Grasping his sword within both hands he looked up at the now cloud ridden sky. Raising the sword above his head, it was suddenly hit by a bolt of lightening, quickly he slammed the blade of the sword down into the ground and a green ray of light appeared from the stone of Destiny held within the hilt, the light struck Domnu squarely in the chest causing her to scream out in pain, and drop her own sword.

As the sword fell to the ground, Domnu began to writhe in pain, then a green light formed around her cloaking her in its brightness, until with a brilliant flash, both Domnu and Tuatha De'Danann had vanished.

Looking around in confusion Derek could see Kat and Nick laid upon the floor, neither moving. However his primary concern was for Alex and Rachel he had to see if they had survived this battle of good and evil.

As he ran over to where Alex lay, he was disheartened to see her eyes wide open looking up at the sky, lifelessly. Dropping to his knees he drew her inert body into his arms and allowed a single tear to trace a path down his cheek "Dear God Alex... why did this have to happen" he sobbed

"All things happen for a reason" a faint yet familiar male voice carried on the wind behind him.

Derek looked up into Nick's face but not his eyes, these eyes held a wisdom of centuries and where a Deep Ocean blue "Evil shall not prevail this day Derek Rayne, as before the Legacy has saved this world, and shall do again" stated the God Tuatha De'Danann.

Suddenly a radiant light rose from the hilt of the sword blinding Derek, who covered his eyes trying desperately to see what was happening. As the light grew in intensity Derek cried out.

******************************************************

Derek groaned and opened his eyes; outside he could hear the familiar call of the peacocks and knew that morning had once again arrived. Sitting up he stretched and looked around the room it looked like it was going to be another bright and beautiful day. Smiling to himself he got out of bed and to get dressed.

As Derek entered the dinning room he was greeted by Alex "Morning Derek, did you sleep well?"

"Very well" he replied smiling at her "You?"

"Like the dead" she replied smiling back.

At her words he suddenly stopped something within the back of his mind ringing alarm bells, shaking his head he tried to ignore the feeling, however it only grew stronger as Rachel and Kat joined them.

"Morning Derek, its a beautiful day" commented Rachel as she poured herself the first mug of coffee for the day

"Yes it is" he agreed as he sat at the head of the table mug of coffee in hand, morning paper before him.

Kat smiled and hugged him "What was that for?" he questioned in confusion

"No reason" she replied with a grin as she sat down and began to eat.

Derek raised an eyebrow as he looked at Rachel, but she just shrugged and poured herself a coffee. Her expression clearly stating ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, who knows how long Kat’s good mood would last’.

As Nick entered the dinning room from his morning jog, Derek noticed a confused expression upon his face "Something wrong Nick?" he questioned, Nick looked at Derek in confusion then produced something from behind his back

"Umm you could say that... I found this out in the garden. You didn't lose one of your swords did you?" as he spoke he handed the sword to Derek, who was hit by a vision.

'Nick and a woman doing battle within the garden, evil forces trying to posses a book that Derek had held, a strange green beam of light striking the woman encasing her until she finally vanished in a brilliant flash of light'.

Groaning Derek looked at the sword and remembered everything; he knew the importance of the sword and knew that like the book of shadows it had to be kept safe, away from the Fir Bholg and other evil forces.

Nick looked at Derek curiously as he ran his fingers along the hilt of the sword "Its a very important piece to a very old puzzle" stated Derek as he stood and left the dinning room, sword still in hand.

Nick watched him go, shrugged then joined Kat and the others at the dinning table "Hey kiddo" he said as he hugged her.

******************************************************

July 17 1999,

Nick and the others have no clue as to what happened, as far as they are concerned yesterday was a normal day, however I know different.

Nick found Domnu's sword out in the garden where she had dropped it after the battle. It is now locked away within the Legacy Safe along with the book of shadows.

For hundred's of years the Legacy has held the book of shadows with no knowledge of its true powers, now we know, we can use the time we have before the next coming of Domnu to prepare so we have a better understanding of the forces we shall face.

How Domnu was able to posses the body of Katharine Corrigan I shall never know. Kat is still an innocent to this world, she has not yet realised the full dangers of the darkness that lay in wait for the chance to strike, not only at her but at all of us.

I can only pray that when the battle again occurs, as it is sure too, that the Legacy will have the strength of mind and body it will take to defeat her. For Domnu must never be allowed to win the battle, she can never be allowed to take control of this Earthly realm for it would mean the end of all that was good and poor, an end to life itself.

Derek Rayne

Precept San Francisco House.

THE END.. for the next thousand years

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