The Dark Witch

by Arcangelic

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Charmed. But everything in this story you do not recognize from the Charmed Series is mine, so please do not use any of it. At least not without permission.

This is the sequel to THE WRATH OF HELIOPOLIS.

Chapter One – A New Source?

Piper jumped behind the couch for cover, and expected the demon's fireball to blast it away. Suddenly she heard Phoebe call out to the demon and soon she heard the demon be vanquished, probably by his own fireball.

"Piper, are you alright?" Piper got up and looked at her sister. "O yeah, I'm fine. I just want to know what the hell took you so long," Piper bit out, a little cranky about being cornered by a demon.

"I was busy making sure Chris was safely inside Wyatt's bubble before leaving them upstairs," Phoebe retorted, also quite irritated. Piper sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so bitchy. I'm just tired of being attacked every other day."

Phoebe nodded. "I know what you mean. I'm just wondering why they're attacking us so much lately. After all the demons we've vanquished, you'd think they'd reconsider attacking us. It's almost as if they're suicidal or something."

Suddenly Paige orbed in. "Are you guys okay?" Piper and Phoebe both nodded, and Paige sighed. "Did this one say why he attacked?" Piper shook her head. "He just hurled a fireball at me, which I barely managed to freeze."

Paige shook her head and wanted to say something, but Piper cut her off. "It gets worse. I tried to make him explode, but I couldn't. That's when I called for Phoebe and ducked behind the couch." Paige stared at her sisters.

"He was upper level? Then how did you guys vanquish him?" Piper pointed at Phoebe, and Paige understood. "Way to go, Pheebs. I would've been here sooner, but my boss was standing right in front of me. I'd better go, or she'll wonder what the hell is taking me so long in the bathroom. See you guys later."

Paige orbed out, and Piper assessed the damage the demon had done. Phoebe however stood stock still, as if she was considering something. Suddenly she called out to Leo, and within seconds the Elder appeared.

"What happened?" Piper shook her head as her husband hugged and kissed her. "Another demon attacked. This one was upper level," Phoebe answered. Leo gasped. "An upper level demon attacked? Why would an upper level demon attacked you guys?"

"Well, they attacked us for three reasons in the past. Either they wanted to become the Source, or they wanted to impress the Source, or the Source ordered them to. You see where I'm going here?"

Leo gasped again. "What do you want me to do?" Phoebe hesitated. "Could you go down to the Underworld and check things out?" Piper jumped. "There's no way you're going down there, Leo!"

Leo caressed Piper's cheek. "I have to. If there is a new Source, it will be only a matter of time before he comes after you. Or worse, he could go after Wyatt. I have to go."

Piper hesitated, but nodded. "Just come back safe, okay?" Leo nodded before orbing out. Piper turned around and looked at Phoebe. "So, you think there's a new Source?"

Phoebe nodded. "I think that if there isn't one yet, there will be one soon. And then we'll be in big trouble."

Alanqe walked into the throne room. "Master, we have detected a strange presence." The silhouette behind the curtain that hung in the cave, which served as the throne room, moved.

Alanqe focussed on the silhouette, which was still again. "It's the Elder. I see the Charmed Ones are smarter than I thought." The silhouette moved again and Alanqe turned his face away.

"What do you order us to do, Master?" Alanqe bent his head and closed his eyes when he heard the curtain be pulled aside. He sensed his Master's sheer power next to him.

"Don't do anything yet. The Charmed Ones want to play? Fine, I'll play with them. I'll just put my plan into action a little sooner than I originally planned. Alanqe, summon the Council of High Priests."