WHO: The Stranger, Prue Halliwell WHAT: The Return WHEN: Two minutes past midnight... WHERE: Los Angeles Private Graveyard STATUS: Complete RATING: M
A tall man entered the southern end of the graveyard which housed the noble dead. His eyes appraised the darkness and sky... finding this very night justification enough for the forthcoming ritual. The long, black cloak flapped silently in the breeze, as his feet moved to the center of the graveyard.
Two fingers pointed to each of the four cardinal directions, and absolute silence reigned. His actions would be shielded from the five human senses.
The shadowy figure knelt, beginning to carve a symbol in the dirt.
An eye... nostrils... lips... fangs...
Slowly, the scales of the dragon began to form into the symbol of the Old Kingdom... where holy knights reigned the earth. The symbolic black cape with red interior was the emblem by which the members identified each other.
This night, the Order of the Dragon would retrieve another ally.
The man stepped away from the emblem, and removed a large pouch from a pocket. Then he opened the pouch, and removed a fragment of bone. Its grip tightened upon the bone, and clenched it... molding it into dust.
The bone-dust fell lightly in the opening of the dragon's mouth, an image of wreathing flame forming from its fanged lips. It repeated the process, until five bones were crushed and placed in the center of the mouth.
He discarded the pouch, looking to the heavens.
"I have taken away so many of your children as of late, I feel it my duty to return one of your children."
The man closed his eyes, and began to speak.
"Come, unhallowed wrath... return thy spirit to me..."
It began to rain, slowly. The ground began to move, and the dragon's head began to sway.
"...The Lord of Darkness has called unto you, fallen sister."
The dragon's head vanished.
"Come forth... bid your master a welcome kiss."
Then a hand emerged from the ground... fighting its way from the mud.