Several days later Shannen had slipped into the routine at Halliwell Manor. Since she knew only a three people in this reality she stuck pretty much to P3 and the Manor watching the boobtube and reading the newspapers.
"Your world isn't much different that mine. Histories are pretty much the same through the 1990's. After that all these different celebrities and political figures show up. Probability apparitions of our writers," mused Shannen looking through the paper. "I can't find any mention of my old talent agency or most of the people I know in show business. If I'm going to contribute to this home here I need to find a fulltime position somewhere."
"That makes two of us. Care to start up some kind of business with me? Open a Wiccan shop or something?" asked Phoebes as she plopped down on the couch beside her. "I have my degree and nothing good has come form it yet."
"Don't really think our finances can launch two businesses, Phoebes," said Piper listening to the conversation as she wandered from the kitchen eating a morning bagel.
"And what do I know about being a witch? Don't answer that! Acting has been my life for twenty plus years and that's where I should start," said Shannen pulling herself up to a sitting position.
"Just don't run away from us to L.A.," said Piper. "We're getting used to having you around."
"Fat chance. You're the only solid anchor I have in this crazy world. I don't want to lose you two. Unfortunately I'm here and Hollywood is way down south," said Shannen sadly. "Not many options at this point. Rattling around this old house I feel like a caged animal."
Suddenly a flash occurred and the three women found themselves in a cage with shinny stainless steel bars in the basement of an old house.
The cage was surrounded by a faint yellow glow that left a slight buzzing sound in their ears.
"Caged animal? I wished you come up with some fresh cliques," Phoebe jumped to her feet. "Where is this place? Hello? Anybody here?"
"Wait a minute. We were in the Manor..." said Shannen sounding very nervous.
"..and something transported us here," said Piper finishing the shocked mortal's statement. "This is not good. LEO!" Piper cried out, but no one answered her.
The basement door opened and down the rickety wooden stairs came a woman in her fifties looking very pleased with herself. "My. My. My. It took months of planning and scheming, but it seems to have been worth it. I finally have caught the Charmed Ones." Dressed in a nondescript blue skirt, white blouse and apron, she looked like anybody's middle-aged mother.
"Uh, I think you miscalculated a bit. " said Piper "You see.."
"Silence, time freezer," snapped the woman impatiently.
"Excuse me. You're right! YOU CAUGHT the Charmed Ones. My mistake. Pray continue.." huffed Piper as she retreated to a corner.
"Yes. I know how you three witches work and what you are capable of doing. The interplexic field around your cage deflects all of your little parlor tricks. And when I am done with the three of you, you will have no willpower left. Each of you will do as I say. You'll love being evil. Ladies," she said greedily. "The excitement is just intoxicating. With your powers and my plans, there is nothing we can't do. So sleep tight. Good night, ladies," she said waving to them looking very pleased with herself.
Phoebe plopped down on the hard concrete floor. "Why do suddenly feel like I'm four years old again?"
"Well, it could be because it feels like we've been kidnapped by Grams. First little old lady demon we ever came across," quipped Piper sounding on the ironic side.
"Kidnapped by Betty Crocker?" asked Shannen not quite getting the last statement.
"How tough can she be?" asked Phoebe in a little voice.
"You don't remember when Grams found Prue and me in her make-up when I was four," replied Piper as she approached the edge of the cage. Touching it she felt a strong electrical shock. "Ohhh. Let's she how good a cage this is. See that curtain over there? I'll send it to the nether regions." Flicking her fingers Piper released her magic. Something bounced off the field hitting the three women feeling like thousands of tiny little needles hit their skin.
"Ahhhhh!" screamed Shannen tearfully.
"Oh my God!" screamed Phoebe as she rolled on the floor rubbing her naked arms.
"Wo, wo, woooooooooo," screamed Piper who was closest as she began to dance about. "That smarts. Never gotten a taste of my own medicine like that before."
"Hey, watch it, Piper. You might have disintegrated us," Phoebe said feeling the pricks still dancing on her nerves.
"Piper. How about a little less trial and error. That smarts! The 'whatever it was' told us it reflected your powers. Now that you have proved her right about that, what's left?" asked Shannen recovering from the effects of Piper's power.
"Just wait and see. It's really her move now. We don't have much else to work with. No name, no potion, no powers, no Book of Shadows. A bigger zilch I've never seen," said Phoebe sitting on the floor with her chin in her hands.
Piper shook her head. "Whomever she is, she has us figured out."
"There must be something that you two can do. You've always come thorough, Piper, Phoebe?" Shannen pleaded with her friends.
"May I remind you that one of use did NOT make it. And if you'd brought some powers with you.." said Piper staring her down.
"I'm not here of my own accord. That your doing, Miss Plumber," snapped Shannen putting her hand on her hips.
Piper's eyes bulged as she retorted, "Piper. The name is Piper, Miss Phony Hollywood Prue. You're about as much use.."
"..as your powers are in this damn zoo. Unless you kill us first!" Shannen yelled at Piper.
"Dead is what we'll be when Grandma Demon finds out she doesn't have the Charmed Ones. And believe me I hope you're the first!" screamed Piper.
Phoebe jumped in the middle, "Hey, guys! No fighting amongst the animals. We need our wits with us tomorrow. OK? It DOESN'T matter how we got here. We have to stick together to get out of this mess. I hope. Now back off before I call the zookeeper!"
Piper took one step toward her looking angry.
"Ah-ah. I said back off Piper," Phoebe reminded her raising herself above Piper a bit looking down a here.
Piper glared at her and went off into one corner as Shannen chose the far opposite corner.
Phoebe first sighed and thought to herself that at least everything was quiet. She sat down curled up on the hard damp floor and went to sleep.
After a strange dreamless and premonition-less night, Phoebe woke up when she heard footsteps on the wooden stairs. In a strange long purple robe decorated with ancient writing on it their jailer joined them.
"Get up, Charmed Ones. It's been long enough and I'm impatient. We now shall begin your training. Time freezer, you're first," said Grandma Moses in a more sinister tone the day before.
Phoebe hopped up, took a quick breath and then gave a sly smile approached the bars. The smile was one that Piper only saw on her face when evil forces had taken her over. "No-no-no. You think you know us. You think we're screwed. HA! We've got powers you never even seen or dreamed of."
"Phoebe!" Piper whispered to her annoyed not knowing what her little sister was up to.
"Yep. We haven't even started on you yet. Come here Piper. 'PRUE'" she called do her sisters. "We have to take this turkey down!"
"Phoebe?" asked Piper quietly.
"Bluffing her like Coogan never saw. Shannen you know the power of three spell? Act it out like your life depends upon it. IT DOES!" whispered Phoebe. "Here it goes."
"OK," said Shannen looking up not believing a she was really trying to 'perform' witchcraft.
"My field will keep me safe from all the magic you can throw at me, dearies. Do not attempt it or it will destroy the three of you" she warned them still looking quite confident.
Phoebe looked at both women and crossed her fingers.
Phoebe asked, "Ready?"
"