Charmed

Another Side, Another Story

IV

A Song of Love and Hate

(Part 1)

Issim stands among his brothers. His radiant blue eyes show brightly. He's excited. His brothers are shrouded in darkness, so is their father.

"I have discovered the location of the three Witches of San Francisco," Issim announces.

One Warlock hovers cross-legged in the air. This is Issim's older brother Xyphlo. "You found the three Witches? That was fast. Good on you."

Three Warlocks are gathered. One keeps his hands interlocked. This is Baryl. The second lays sprawled out on a rock formation. This is Gartler. The third sits on a mound with his hands on his knees. This is Khrytn. These three are his eldest brothers, and Baryl generally spoke for the three of them. He does so now.

"Weren't you supposed to avenge our fallen brothers," Baryl says. "We don't care where they're located. They should be dead."

"Ordinary Witches wouldn't be able to fend us off," Issim retorts. "These are three. These three are known as The Charmed Ones."

Ai, one of the twins, laughs with his arms crossed. The twins are side by side. "The Charmed Ones don't exist. They're a story made up by Good Witches for the hope of a better future."

Ea, one of the twins, holds his right shoulder with his left hand. He adds: "Even if they did exist, we'd know about them. The forces of Good would've tipped their hand and given them away long before now."

"These are the three," Issim says sternly. "They have managed to protect their home from lowly outside forces that I've sent after them, they outsmarted a powerful Warlock, and they vanquished our brothers. These three are The Charmed Ones."

"Sounds like he's afraid to face them alone," Xyphlo says and grins. "It's all right brother. I'd be happy to help you out."

"No," Argyl speaks. Their father has his back to them all. "He's smart enough to know The Charmed Ones are a force of nature. Hope is a powerful force. They are the embodiment of it."

"We don't even know if this is true Father," Ea says.

"I would hate to lose any more of you," Argyl says, "but would you like to test Issim's theory?" He slightly turns toward his sons.

"I said I would avenge our brothers," Issim says. He grit his teeth. "They vanquish members of our family." He clenches his fists. "They vanquish my friend." His eyes radiate intensely. "I will make them understand, even evil has loved ones." He regains his composure. "I will end them."

Opening Credits Roll

Prue – Shannen Doherty

Piper – Holly Marie Combs

Phoebe – And Alyssa Milano

Darryl – Dorian Gregory

Graham – Will Dorsey

Whitney – Nadia Vixamar

Theme Song: How Soon Is Now by Love Spit Love

Prue sits on the couch with her cup of coffee. She was up first, made it, and had been the one to receive their early morning guest. She wants to drink her coffee with her morning paper, but even though she had been smiling Prue sensed that their guest's news wouldn't be good. Her morning paper would have to wait.

Piper sits beside Prue on the couch. She's half awake because she only got in bed about two hours ago. She rests her arm on Prue's knee. She started her business this week, and the nightclub venture on the weekend began last night. Prue offers her some coffee, but Piper turns it down. She's more focused on their guest, who paces back and forth in front of them.

Phoebe sits beside Piper on the couch, but she's asleep on Piper's shoulder. Piper shakes her awake. Phoebe quickly lifts up her head and looks around. She remembers it's about 6:30 a.m. "Why are we up so early?" She asks groggily. She blinks a few times and recognizes Whitney standing with her back to the three of them.

"Whitney came to speak with us," Prue says, "and she says it had to be this early. She needs to tell us something, and she figured this was about the best time to catch the three of us all at the same time."

"I also don't want Graham to become suspicious about needing to speak with all three of you," Whitney says. "None of you can discuss with him what I'm going to tell you now."

Prue raises an eyebrow. Piper tilts her head slightly. Phoebe sits up.

"Is everything ok?" Piper asks. "Should we be worried?"

"Are you in trouble?" Phoebe asks. "Is Graham in trouble?"

"You tell us what's going on," Prue says, "and we'll handle it."

"It's not good," Whitney says, turning toward them. She takes a deep breath. "My mother might be alive."

Phoebe finds her news confusing. Piper realizes Whitney wouldn't say it wasn't good news unless she meant it, but she wonders how it could be bad. Prue simply places her coffee cup on the coaster set on the coffee table.

"Your mother might be alive?" Phoebe asks. "Why wouldn't you want Graham to know?"

"She's with Graham's father," Piper says. "You don't want him to know."

"If she's alive," Whitney says, "it means so much more. It means Graham's not my half-brother. It means she left us for our father. It means she might be evil."

"That would mean your father isn't trapped in the Underworld," Prue says.

"That's exactly what it means if I'm right," Whitney says.

"We went to the future," Phoebe says. "Your dad was a big problem for Graham there."

"If my father is free to do as he pleases," Whitney says, "that means he has a lot in store for me, for Graham, and for The Charmed Ones as well. He'll be a big problem for us all."

"As the one who's generally the first to panic," Piper says, "I think I can hold off until we get some answers."

"First thing's first," Prue says, "Phoebe tries to get a Premonition on your mother."

"Or your dad," Phoebe says. "In the meantime, we should prepare to deal with Skye. He's one of your brothers. He's waiting to come after me, waiting to come after three of us."

"I have to work tonight," Piper says, "but I feel like I should be helping with the Wiccan duties in some way."

"You should talk to Graham," Phoebe says.

"Not only that but you should train with him," Prue says. She wraps an arm around her.

"Talk," Piper questions. "Train? What?"

"You need to learn a few moves," Prue says. "I worry about you working late hours, and we both know you'll hate it if I try to teach you."

"True," Piper says, nodding in agreement.

"I'll be keeping an eye on my lover boy," Phoebe says.

"And you'll be the best person to convince Graham that whatever he doesn't know is for the best," Whitney says.

Piper gives Whitney a look, not entirely convinced herself.

"She's right," Phoebe says. "I can't do it because when I'm around him I can't help think about us having hot sex." She and Prue laugh. Whitney smiles and shakes her head. Piper sighs. "And Prue can't do it because she's an older sibling too. She'll end up telling him because we know his future."

Piper ponders all this for a few moments. "I want to talk to Graham, and I should learn a few self-defense maneuvers." I don't know Graham very well. I'm curious to know if he desires a normal life like I do one day.

"I apologize for dropping this on all of you," Whitney says. "I thought you should know."

"No need to apologize," Prue says. "We all have a stake in this. Our future depends on all our actions. Not just the actions of The Charmed Ones."

Prue, Piper, and Phoebe nod to Whitney. Whitney nods in return.