CHARMED
"Trapped"
By J. B. Tilton
Email: K
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 4 episodes "Brain Drain" and "Black As Cole".)
The Source reprieves a demon he banished decades before in a plot to kill the Charmed Ones. The demon then uses his power to trap the girls, Leo, and Cole in the manor with no way to get out.
PREFACE
A demon walked through the caverns of the Underworld. From all outward appearances this demon was nothing more than a normal human. However, it negotiated the passageways of the Underworld without the slightest hint of hesitation. A feat no human could have accomplished considering that it took even demons years to learn the minor nuances of each cavern.
The demon came to a passageway that led into a larger cavern beyond. It hesitated for a moment knowing what would happen as soon as it approached the entrance to the chamber. Smiling slightly to itself the demon walked nonchalantly toward the opening. Suddenly two demons shimmered in on either side of the open passage. These two demons were also in human form and towered over the shorter demon.
"What are you doing here?" demanded the demon on the left. "The personal chambers of the Source are off limits unless you have been summoned. And the Source has not informed us of any summons."
"I know," said the shorter demon. "I must see the Source. It is a matter of utmost urgency."
"Then you will request an audience with the Source in the usual manner," said the demon on the right. "All demons know of the procedure to gain audience with the Source. You are not allowed to simply walk in."
"I know," said the smaller demon. "But this is a special circumstance. And time is growing short. I must see the Source immediately."
"Be on your way," said the demon on the left. "You know the rules. You will abide by them or you will suffer the penalty all demons suffer who disregard the wishes of the Source."
"You don't understand," said the smaller demon. "The alignment will occur soon. Once it passes we will have missed our chance. Time is of the essence. I must see the Source immediately."
"You heard them," said a demon walking out of the chamber beyond. "No one sees the Source without an audience and you know the rules in gaining an audience with the Source."
The demon standing in the doorway towered over all the other demons. It stood some seven feet tall and its skin was a dark green - nearly black - with bright yellow markings. They appeared to be some type of tribal markings that resembled those worn by many other demons in the Underworld. Its eyes glowed bright red like two piercing spotlights in the dark.
"Malevant," gasped the smaller demon, immediately changing to its demonic form. The two demons standing guard outside the chamber remained in their human forms. "Forgive, advisor. I did not know you were here. But it is urgent that I see the Source immediately. There is no time to request an audience in the normal way. The alignment is almost upon us. If I were to request an audience in the normal way the alignment will pass before I can see the Source."
"What are you babbling about?" demanded Malevant. "What alignment? And what does this alignment have to do with your request to see the Source?"
"The alignment of the three inner planets," said the smaller demon. "When they are in the proper alignment a special magic may be used. This alignment comes only once every 200 years. The alignment will soon be in place. But there is no time to waste. While we stand her talking about it the alignment comes ever closer."
"And this magic you spoke of," said Malevant. "What does it have to do with the Source?"
"The magic can be used to rid the Source of his greatest enemies," said the smaller demon. "It can be used to rid him of the Charmed Ones."
Malevant eyed the smaller demon suspiciously. If this were a trick the demon would pay for it with its life. But the penalty for that was well known in the Underworld. And the penalty for angering Malevant was just as well known. Malevant could not see how any demon would risk being vanquished so brazenly.
"Let him pass," Malevant ordered. "But if this is a trick I promise that you will beg to be vanquished before I am through with you."
"It is not trick," defended the demon. "You'll see."
Malevant turned and entered the chamber with the smaller demon close behind.