by J. B. Tilton email:
Rating: PG (for mild language)
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 2 episodes "How To Make A Quilt Out Of Americans" and "Chick Flick".)
When the Charmed Ones are attacked by a demon thought vanquished two hundred years ago, they use a spell to summon a talisman rumored to be able to vanquish it. What they get is something totally unexpected.
ONE
Piper was going over some papers when Prue stormed into the manor. Prue flopped down in a chair across from the sofa where Piper sat.
"Well, you're late," said Piper. "Bad day?"
"Horrible," said Prue. "We got a large shipment in today. I had about half of it already inventoried when the entire computer system just suddenly crashed. It took them over an hour to get it back up and when they did I had lost everything. I had to redo the entire inventory. My new boss was not happy, let me tell you."
"I'll bet," said Piper.
"Where's Phoebe?" asked Prue.
"In the attic," said Piper, "practicing her martial arts. She keeps saying with no active power she needs some kind of edge."
"She might be right about that," said Prue. "What are you doing?"
"Bills mostly," said Piper. "I never realized how involved running a club could be. If I don't stay on top of everything every day it becomes a mess."
"Now you know what I go through every day," said Prue, smiling. "What's for dinner?"
"Leftovers," said Piper. "Sorry, I just didn't have the time to prepare anything."
"That's okay," said Prue. "It will take you a while to get your stride. Once you do, it'll be easier."
"I hope so," said Piper.
"What will be easier?" asked Phoebe, coming down the stairs, wiping her face with a towel.
"Being a proprietor," said Piper. "It's more work than I first thought."
"You'll get it down, honey," said Phoebe, patting Piper on the back. "I have faith in..."
Her sentence was cut short as a premonition flashed in her mind. She watched as a demon crashed through the window in the living room. Before any of the sisters could move, it jumped to the sofa and decapitated Piper.
"Move," screamed Phoebe, grabbing Pipers' hand, pulling her off the sofa.
No sooner had Piper cleared the sofa then the front window shattered as a demon crashed through it. It stood five feet tall and was covered with red fur. It had only three fingers on each hand with long, razor sharp claws on each finger. Long jagged teeth filled its mouth as it snarled at the sisters.
Prue raised her hand and the demon was cast across the room. It tumbled to the floor, but was on its feet in an instant. Piper raised her hands and the demon froze in place.
"That was much too close," said Phoebe. "A second later and that thing would have killed you."
"What is it?" asked Piper. "It must be a demon but it kind of reminds me of the Wendigo."
"I think this is something different," said Prue. "There are some noticeable differences in the two. We need to figure out what this is while it's still frozen."
"I'll check the Book of Shadows," said Phoebe.
"Prue," said Piper, "there's a generic vanquishing potion in the fridge. I'm not sure it will work on this thing, but it's all we have right now."
"I'll get it," said Prue.
"I'll wait here in case my freeze wears off," said Piper. "I'll just have to keep it frozen until we find a way to stop it."
Before any of them could move, the creature broke free of the freeze. Piper raised her hands but the freeze no longer affected the creature.
"Uh, guys, problem," said Piper.
Prue used her power to cast the demon back against the wall. Except her power passed harmlessly around the creature with no affect.
"Oh, this is bad," said Prue.
The demon snarled at the sisters as it moved toward them.
