CHARMED

"No Place Like Home"

(Sequel to the story "Munchkin 'Cisco")

By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. NoAzMale) and Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. Tessalynne)

Rating: 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 "Trial By Magic" and "Lost And Bound".)

The Charmed Ones and an old "friend" must join forces once more for the ultimate battle between real and fantasy magic.

PRELUDE

Abigail Martin sat in her jail cell contemplating the last few days. It should have been so easy. Kill Prue, take her powers, and replace her. Then it would have been a simple matter to kill Piper and Phoebe and take their powers. Her plan had been flawless. Well, almost flawless. She had underestimated only one minor part of the plan.

Prue's power of telekinesis had emanated from her eyes not her hands. If not for that miscalculation she would have succeeded where no other demons had succeeded before. Her research on the Halliwell's had been impeccable. Prue had the same power as one of her ancestors. That should have meant it worked the same way.

Obviously Prue's power had progressed since she had gotten it. Abigail knew that would happen but she had not expected it to progress so rapidly. She looked at the full moon through the window in her cell. It would be an easy matter for her to escape. But that would alert the police. If she just disappeared from her cell they would make a concerted effort to find her.

But if she bided her time it would be much simpler. All she had to do was get her public defender to plead her guilty by reason of mental defect. At the very least she would be committed to an institution for examination. Once there she would become just another statistic. One more mentally disturbed person mixed in with countless others. Then she could quietly slip away without notice. All she had to do was wait and pick her time.

She turned to walk back to the single bed that sat in the cell. There was little for her to do at the moment. Just sit and wait. It shouldn't be more than a couple of days. As she took a step toward the bed she suddenly froze in place. She was no longer in her tiny jail cell in the police station. She was standing in what appeared to be a palatial mansion.

She was apparently in what appeared to be the library. It was huge and three of the walls were lined with books. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and a very expensive looking Persian carpet covered the floor. She was facing the only wall not covered in books. It held, instead, a large picture window that opened onto a spacious garden beyond.

"I'm disappointed in you, Abigail."

Abigail spun around and found herself facing a frail looking old man sitting in a wheelchair. Two young women about Abigail's age flanked the wheelchair. A bottle of oxygen was strapped to the chair. The old man looked to be well over a hundred years old. His leathery wrinkled skin was a light gray color and his black eyes twinkled in the light from the chandelier.

"You were always one of my favorites," said the old man. "It pains me that you would betray me this way."

"Grand Mystic," gasped Abigail. "No, no, it's not like that, sir. I did it for you, sir. To gain the power you need."

"The Charmed Ones are off limits," said the Grand Mystic. "You knew that. They are off limits for a reason. To be of use to me their power must be fully developed. Because of your interference you have exposed us."

"No," pleaded Abigail, "it's not like that. They have no idea who I am. They think I was just a deranged human bent on replacing Prue. Next time I'll be successful."

"There will be no next time. Despite your intentions we have been compromised. My instructions were very explicit. The Charmed Ones were to be left alone until I dictated otherwise. So that when the time was right we would have the element of surprise on our side. Your disobedience has changed that. You have jeopardized everything."

"Grand Mystic," pleaded Abigail, "please, I can make this right. If you'll just give me another chance…."

"There will be no second chance. You have openly defied me and I cannot permit that. You of all people know the rules. I demand blind obedience from all Mystics. And your impudence will be seen as weakness in me if I do not punish you."

"But Grand Mystic…."

Abigail's pleas fell on deaf ears. The Grand Mystic raised one hand and a strange magic enveloped her. Screaming in agony Abigail simply faded from the room.

"You did not vanquish her," said one of the women standing next to the Grand Mystic.

"No," he replied. "Sometimes vanquishing is not enough. She will serve as an example to others who would wish to defy my authority. Make sure that all others know of her fate. The same fate that awaits any who would challenge me."

The woman that had spoken bowed slightly and then silently faded from the room.

"What will you do now?" asked the second woman.

"Put out the word," said the Grand Mystic. "The moratorium on the Charmed Ones is lifted. Any who wish may make the attempt against them. But also make sure that all know how powerful the witches are. I would suggest that only the most powerful make the attempt. Others would stand little chance against them."

"Understood, Master," said the woman.

The Grand Mystic smiled as the woman faded from the room. After all these centuries he would finally have what he desired most. He knew nothing would happen right away. Mystics were notorious for careful planning. It might be weeks or even months before even one felt confident enough to go after the Charmed Ones.

But he had time. And once his plan came to fruition not even demons would be able to challenge him. Yes, he had time.