Sorry this has taken so long, basically writers block.

I think I have managed to work my way through it. The rest of the story is planned out to the end and a fair chunk written.

Whats next, the Charmed Ones and Keow's coven go after some demons to test their new potions, spells and find out more about the Queen. Its magic v magic.

The Power of Four return.

Standing quietly in the Manor's sitting room, Piper waited for Phoebe and Paige to get themselves ready. It was 2 am in the morning and even Piper had not found it easy to get organised. Both Phoebe and Paige had found it even harder and could be heard wandering from bedroom to bathroom and back again.

Leo had just orbed away with most of the potions that Paige and her had spent most of the previous morning and early afternoon brewing. He would returning soon to take his wife to Thailand. Deep in thought, she wondered what she should do. Phoebe's return the previous day had been a massive relief however other worries still bothered her. That Phoebe had spend time with their mother had woken old feelings of her own, feelings that felt far too close to jealousy for her own peace of mind.

Also that Phoebe had refused to discuss the City still worried her. At least she would be able to discuss her worries with Prue, so surely something could be done. The long and quiet talk she had with Paige as they nervously waited for Phoebe to return, had at least finally allowed Piper to fully voice her concerns.

Having to concentrate on making potions and not blow up the Manor, had allowed her to finally open up too Paige whose Whitelighter instincts had proved very useful when it came to advice. They had talked for some time, well as Piper had to admit, mostly she had talked and Paige had listened. The occasional words Paige had managed to add, had pointed Piper in the direction needed to start to analyse her feelings.

"Paige is right, trust, I have to learn to trust and not only Phoebe but myself as well" Piper murmured to herself and her baby. "And Prue, Paige and everyone else. Surely I learnt something from that Necron demon".

Breathing deeply to calm herself, she placed her hands gently on her tummy and once again tried to feel her baby. Old fears, that she had thought she had dealt with, started to stir again. Once again she tried to relax as the fear inspired by Necron began to stir within her. And once again her Mother's love and something else rose to counteract it. With a smile Piper, recognised the other, her baby daughter was also reaching out to her.

A cloud of orbs appeared in the hall as Leo returned. Piper stepped forward to hug him, "I felt our daughter. She reached out to me to offer comfort". With a smile on his face, Leo stepped far enough back so he could place his hands on her tummy. Looking intently as his face, Piper saw his delight gradually change to disappointment as it became obvious that he could not feel anything".

"You will" Piper quickly added, "soon".

As both Phoebe and Paige came down the stairs, they paused as they saw both Piper and Leo sharing a moment. Turning to look at her sisters, Piper said "Ar finally the demon hunters have risen from the bed and the bathroom. Time to vanquish some demons, sisters".

Both Phoebe and Paige smiled. With that all four orbed to Keow's shop to find only Prue, Matt, Keow and Kai waiting. As all four sisters looked around in mild surprise, Prue added "The Whitelighters are bringing the rest of the coven now".

Keow's shop rapidly became increasingly crowded as the four sisters, Leo and Matt watched with interest as six other members of Keow's coven were orbed in by Annita and Ammara. Keow's mother, her oldest daughter Panya (called Nok) and her son Sajja (Lek) came down stairs from the rooms above. Paige watched in growing concern as she realised that Kai and her younger nephew Lek, were the youngest witches in Keow's coven and that most of the rest appeared over thirty. Keow's coven, one of the more powerful in Thailand, had only two young witches, both from the same family. This did not bode well for its future.

Finally another six witches arrived, brought by three more Whitelighters. Introduced as representatives of six other Asian covens, several showed the effects of previous demonic fights. Both Phoebe, Kai and Paige couldn't help wince as the emotions from all of the witches rolled over them. Tiredness, grief, fear and an vicious feeling of emotional exhaustion in particular came from two.

Ammara started the ball rolling. "The number of demons waking has been accelerating rapidly. Over the last 24 hours, six groups of demons have escaped their imprisonment. Only two groups were attacked by covens and even then, most escaped. It is also getting harder to hide this from the authorities.

Annita, the female Whitelighter spoke up "Two days ago, three innocent monks and three witches were killed and several badly hurt when they tried to deal with what they thought was an infestation of lower level demons. Only three upper level demons also woke and these proved impossible to deal with. Since then other mortals have also died and several coven's have also lost members in fights as they tried to keep to the creed".

Both Prue and Phoebe noticed the guarded look Keow and Kai directed towards one of the two witches who were broadcasting the most intense feelings. Nothing could be seen directly in their faces but both could see a deep, abiding grief and hatred in their auras.

Ammara added "Too make matters worse, demons we have never seen before have started to appear. These demons can cast spells and throw both fireballs and energy balls. There are rumors to such demons in the histories but then they were unconfirmed. It seems as witch's have advanced their spell craft and powers, so have the demons.

And while we can heal those hurt, we can not bring back those who died. This is becoming a fight that the covens are losing as more and more upper level demons wake. If the Queen wakes then the witches here no longer have the numbers or the power to stop her. That is why we need the Charmed Ones help. And there is something else we were hoping you with your recent experience might be able to help us with.

In each of the battles that involved upper level demons, those demons ran from the fight at the first opportunity. Even when they could have killed many more. Those present described it as if something had seized control of them and forced them to run. Have you ever seen similar behaviour or a reason why they would do this?".

None of the sisters could think of any reason why demons would give up a certain victory to run away. It was as Piper said "Thats not the way any demon we have ever fought, has ever behaved".

Only Matt tried to answer the question as he asked "There has to be a reason for this, just either we can't see it or we don't have enough information". After a pause and with a look on his face that that showed he had just thought of something, he asked "Did you see which way the demons went". As a puzzled look spread over the Whitelighters faces, he added "They have to be going somewhere, what if its the same place and for the same reason".

"The Queen" Ammara replied suddenly, "they must be gathering to protect her and if we can track them, we can find her". The sudden hope in his voice was easily heard, finally they could start to plan ahead rather that just react to events.

An impatient Keow interrupted to ask "You said before that you had found an isolated temple where the demons were stirring. That this is where we could test our new potions and spells. And if you are right about the Queen, we might even find out more about her. So have you?".

"Yes" replied Ammara. "There is a old temple in the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife reserve. It has been deserted for centuries but our records show that it was used to imprison many demons. How many and how powerful, we don't know. It was one of the first used to hold demons and what we know from those times is very uncertain". Then in a quiet tone, showing both pain and some shame, he added "It was a time of battle, confusion and much death. But many lower level demons have definitely woken, we could sense that. However our sensing ability is now being blocked and that would take more powerful demons than them".

After a pause, he sighed and continued "This will probably be as bad a fight as any so far. All the other recent battles have cost witches their life's. I don't know what is waiting".

Another extended pause followed as all present considered the ramifications of a major demon fight. Then Phoebe lifted her head to say "FIght them now or fight them later. I am tired of waiting for them to attack us. Its time we took the fight to them. We have new spells, better potions and all our powers. Not only the Power of Three but there are 17 other powerful witches here. Between us all, they won't have a chance".

Leo grinned and said "Well said, Phoebe. She is right and if we need them, there are other covens from San Francisco who will aid us". Looking across the room at the tired asian witches, Leo placed one hand on his wife's shoulder and the other on Kai. "Together there is nothing we can't accomplish. You are a power of 21 and we Whitelighters are coming also. We can't aid directly in the fight, our powers are too pacifist but we can heal and we will stand alongside you".

Matt added "Don't forget us muggles, we are part of this too". All present could feel the mood lighten, especially as they saw the look that Prue directed at a defiant Matt. Prue then sighed, Matt was coming and this time, there was nothing she would do to stop him. Besides, his ideas had been had been very useful so far and he could easily benefit them again.

"Well if an american mortal can go and you are taking my wife and my children to fight, then I am coming too" said a young man coming down the stairs. Dressed in military camouflage clothing, he walked into the room to stand alongside Nok. Reaching out to hold one of her hands, he then put his arm around the young Lek. Nok smiled nervously and turned to the Charmed ones and their men. "This is my husband Tee, he has always supported us" and she turned to face Keow. "He is right, he may be mortal but this is his world as well". With that all three stared at Keow, waiting for her too make a decision.

Keow slowly looked around the room. No support would come from the Charmed Ones although Prue did not look entirely happy. Nok and her children also made it plain that their father had the right to fight alongside them. The Whitelighters were no help as they took care to remain completely neutral. Speaking to Tee and Nok, Keow said "You realise what you are getting into, thirty years ago, my husband came with me and I couldn't protect him".

Tee replied "Yes but if my wife is going to fight, then I will be with her".

After another short pause, "Good, may the God's watch over you" replied Keow. "Right then, its time we went. Everyone choose a Whitelighter, its time to kick some demon arse". The deliberate choice of words coming from the old woman resulted in more than a few bursts of laughter from those present and it notably reduced the tension.

Leo took Piper, Prue and Matt while Paige took Kai and Phoebe. The other Whitelighters paired up with the rest of the witches. Then without another word being said, they all disappeared in a cloud of orbs.

Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife reserve.

As they all orbed into the temple's courtyard, all present carefully examined the ruined temple that they now knew held at least some demons. Deep in the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife reserve, it had suffered considerably from several centuries of abandonment and natures return. Huge tree roots had pried stones apart and collapsed several of the outer rooms. Even the larger blocks that made up the outer wall had suffered as many now lay scattered around the temple as most of the wall had fallen outwards.

The inner courtyard was covered with a deep litter layer and old tree stumps. It was clear that some attempt had been made in the past to limit the damage as the tree's had been felled, both here and those growing on top of the building. New growth in the form of young trees however showed that nature regarded this as only a temporary setback.

Keow began to describe what she knew of the history behind this temple. One of the over 700 temples scattered over the old Khmer lands, it had been one of the first build to imprison demons that had been bound in stone. Inside the inner temple were the stones that held a variety of demons and if the legends were correct, more than one upper level demon.

"Why are these prisons now considered as temples?" asked Paige.

Keow replied "Our ancestors could not vanquish most of the demons. Imprisoning them in stone was the only way to deal with them. However keeping them bound was not easy, especially during the start of the war. To maintain the prison, the gods had been encouraged to help by adding altars that would allow them to increase their presence. Not only did this prevent the demons escape but it would also keep those still free, from trying to rescue their brethren".

"Now that the power from the demons you vanquished in the new world has returned, it has allowed them to wake. And that the Gods are no longer being actively worshipped here, means that they can not help as well. We are in a way, the authors of our own misfortune".

Annita turned to add "Do not blame yourselves, any of you. We always knew that this day would come, the prophecy made that clear".

"Wait, finish it later, we have company" interrupted Phoebe

A demon jumped up to stand on one of the broken walls in front of them, holding its large wings above it. Larger than the lower level demons, it was about five feet high, with a scaly, hairless hide. It looked at them from a face that looked neither reptilian or bird like, but somewhere in between. Balancing on thin hind legs, it crouched as its lower set of arms reached down to sink into the rock. The other pair of arms which were incorporated into its wings, were swept outwards to make it look bigger than it was and it started to sway back and forth as it prepared to attack.

"Huh" said Prue as she bought her hands together in a clapping motion. Two large rocks on either side of the demon, abruptly slammed together, squashing the demon between them. A burst of red fire from between the now touching rocks, showed that this demon, would never threaten anyone again.

Both the Asian witches and Whitelighters paused in surprise as this was the first time any of them had heard of a demon this powerful being vanquished by a solo witch's power without the aid of a potion. Especially as Prue had easily moved almost a ton of rock to do it. Keow turned her head to see how both Matt and the other Charmed Ones would react to the demon's death and was startled to see no reaction. Clearly Prue had shown this ability on other occasions.

Making a mental note not to get on Prue's bad side, Keow then began to wonder what could the rest of the Charmed Ones could do.

Another demon, basically identical to the first, flew up from behind the inner wall to land on its top. Like the first it was obviously preparing to attack. Paige looked across the courtyard to see another large shaped rock lying on the ground almost beneath the demon. GIven its size and position, it was probably from the same wall that the second demon was now standing on. With a loud but carefully said "ROCK", she first thrust her hand out towards the rock, then lifted her hand up towards the demon as the rock dissolved into a cloud of orbs.

The demon snarled and hunched down as it bought its wings forward so it could attack. Only to stop and look up in surprise as the rock reappeared above it in a cloud of orbs. These disappeared leaving the rock unsupported and it fell. Landing on the demon with a loud crash, which like the first, vanished in a burst of red fire.

"Huh" Paige said in a pleased voice. "It worked. All that remote orbing practise with Leo and thats the first demon I have vanquished using my orbing power. And I put that rock back where it belonged".

"Show off" Piper said in a pleased tone and reached across to gently punch Paige's shoulder.

Six more demons appeared, this time all lower level ones. Following them was a demon none had even seen before. Even larger than the first two, its skin was covered in tattoos in the form of diagrams and runes. It too snarled and as the six lower level demons ran forward to attack, it began to cast a spell in a language none could understand.

A howling gale swept into the courtyard, bringing with it a cloud of leaves and dust that hid the lower level demons attack. Before any of the Charmed Ones could move, Keow, Noo, Nok and three other witches stepped forward to combine their powers. The gale then split in front of the group, passing on either side as they used their wind power to seize at least partial control of the spell. Quickly the gale moved away from the witches and back towards the demon who began to shake as it lost control of the spell.

The six demons burst out of the gale, only to find the rest of the group waiting for them. Piper exploded two with Prue slamming another into a rock, vanquishing it. Two more demons stopped suddenly as their feet sunk deep into the rock floor which then froze around them. There they struggled, as they tried to free themselves. The last almost made it close enough to the group to attack however a bolt of lightening vaporised it. The two trapped demons were then vanquished with two potions thrown by the witches.

The demon magic user released its spell and turned to escape, only to find that it had also sunk deeply into the rock it was standing on. Frantically it began to pull itself free, only to find the coven had already partially surrounded it.

Holding up her hand to stop any potion vial being thrown, Prue said "Can you talk?". The only reply was another snarl followed by another string of words that could only be a spell. Prue dropped her hand and a thrown potion vial hit the still trapped demon. The demon screamed and flung its head back as fire consumed it. As its magic failed and then unraveled, it disappeared in a bright burst of fire that reached several yards into the sky.

"Well that wasn't too hard" said Paige as they all looked around to see if any more demons were forthcoming. "That was only a test, done to see what we were capable of" replied one witch. "They did the same when we went after another group. A small attack to test us followed by the main one. They killed my husband and two others in our coven. They have only just started".

"Agreed " said Prue, "but the new potions worked well, on both the lower level demons and the spell caster. We need to confront the rest as quickly as possible, before they can organise another attack".

With that they turned to face the dark and threatening passage way that led in to the large inner temple. Partially collapsed, covered in vines and the remains of old tree's, it looked very much like what it was, an entrance into something very close to hell.