Prue walked through The Square, smiling at all of the demons and warlocks. She frowned when she reached the empty space where her favorite used to be.
"He was killed yesterday."
Prue turned to look at the demon that was to her left.
"By who?"
The demon shrugged; it was not an easy task, being chained to the wall and all.
"Some warlock that was looking to prove himself and get out of some insane deal." The demon said.
"Do you know what he looked like?" Prue asked.
"Hmmmm. Dark hair, black clothes, a black duster trench coat thing, and dark eyes... but they weren't black."
"Bastard." Prue said in a low voice, then shimmered out.
* * Outside The Source's chamber * *
Prue shimmered in front of the three guards that normally guarded the door, then went to walk past them, but the largest grabbed her round the middle and put her down a few steps away from the door.
"Let me in." Prue said, her eyes flashing with anger.
"No." The guard said and blocked the door.
"I said, let me in." Prue said threateningly.
"No." The guard repeated.
Prue then shook with anger. She tried for a moment to contain herself, but couldn't. Her eyes narrowed, then all three guards smashed into the wall and the door burst open.
She marched into The Source's chamber and saw Lierre kneeling in front of The Source. She walked over, then kicked Lierre onto his back. Then she descended on him and began beating him.
"Enough!" The Source cried after a few minutes, then lifted his sword and put it against Prue's neck.
Prue slowly stood up, then took a few steps away from Lierre and the sword.
Lierre touched his lip, which had been split open again, then stood up.
"What was the meaning of that?" The Source asked.
"I know what he did." Prue said. "He killed my favorite so he could get out of the agreement."
"He did, that is true." The Source said. "But he will not succeed in the second part. He is bound and will stay that way."
"Well then," Prue said, then smirked at Lierre. "Happy anniversary."
Prue then shimmered out and Lierre looked at The Source.
"What did she mean, happy anniversary?"
"Today marks the six month of her joining of the side of evil." The Source said smiled to himself.
She was his. There was now a Charmed One on his side.
"You should find her." The Source said to Lierre. "Take her to the Seer. I'm curious to know her future."
Lierre nodded then shimmered out.
He appeared in Prue's chamber and was a little shocked. He could tell by the room she was a favorite. She had a large queen-size bed (black, of course), a black desk, a small wardrobe, and an altar.
Lierre couldn't help but feel jealous. All he had was an altar and some straw. He went over to Prue's bed and felt the material of the comforter. Definitely better than straw.
"What're you doing?"
Lierre turned and saw Prue in the doorway. He blushed a little then looked at the floor. He'd been caught.
"I'm here to take you to the Seer." He said after he regained himself.
"The Seer?" Prue repeated. "Why?"
"It's a customary thing for the Upper-levels." Lierre told her. "Once you've been in the fold for so long, you go to either the Oracle or the Seer."
"Why am I not going to the Oracle?"
"An unfortunate accident has occurred and the Oracle...well, she's not very... alive anymore." Lierre told her.
"Really? And how did that happen?" Prue asked and walked over to her desk.
She looked at two swords that were mounted on the wall; they were in the shape of an X. Lierre hadn't noticed them. She was definitely a favorite. Prue ran a finger along one of the shining blades and Lierre was momentarily mesmerized; until Prue looked at him.
"Well, there was a... confrontation between some witches and -"
"No regular witch has enough power to kill an Oracle." Prue interrupted.
"You're absolutely right." Lierre agreed. "No *ordinary* witch."
"Oh, it's them is it?" Prue said and made a disgusted face.
"Yes."
"Oh well, they'll get theirs soon enough I'm sure." Prue said. "Now, about that Seer..."
* * The Source's chamber * *
The Seer appeared in front of The Source, ready to report.
"What did you see?" The Source asked.
"She has a very difficult road ahead." The Seer informed him. "She could lean either way. I feel if she has a meeting with her sisters, she will go to the side of good and certainly destroy us all. However, if she is kept with the warlock, the strange emotional bond they have formed will lead her down the path of evil."
The Source chuckled to himself. He was going to win. The most powerful witch of all time was with him and would help cause the destruction of the world of good.
"What of the emotional bond?" The Source asked. "Will it expand?"
"I'm certain it will escalate." The Seer said. "Of course, I'm not sure if it will end in our favor or not. They could either fuel each other or destroy each other. It all depends if love enters the fold."
"Love?" The Source said. "They cannot love."
"It would seem so, but... love is something that no magic, good or evil, can control. If it happens, it must be used to our advantage. The side of good must be constantly threatening to them, or they will join it." The Seer said.
"I do not condone love. Love is the death of all we know."
"I know this." The Seer said. "However, if we could somehow force them into a love fueled by evil..."
"We would have the two most powerful beings of all time." The Source finished.
* * Lierre's chamber * *
Lierre screamed in rage.
"You lose again." Prue said and waved her hand, putting the chess pieces back to their starting positions.
"How do you win so easily?" Lierre asked.
"The competition is weak." Prue said and moved a pawn.
"Weak? Ha!" Lierre mumbled and moved a piece. Prue rolled her eyes then moved a piece.
"I really want something to do." Prue said, then took one of Lierre's pawns.
"Like what?" Lierre said.
"I don't know." Prue said, then captured another one of his pieces. "I'm really hoping to get some kind of job."
"Like, go up and mingle with the masses?" Lierre said.
"I suppose." Prue said. She moved another piece, then all of a sudden got an idea.
"Why're you smiling like that?" Lierre asked. "Am I about to lose?"
"Well, yes." Prue said, then declared a check. "But that isn't why I'm smiling."
She grabbed Lierre's wrist suddenly then shimmered out with him.
* * In front of P3 * *
Lierre shook his head when he saw the building. They were across the street from the club.
"No, uh-uh. There is no way we're going in there."
"Oh, come on." Prue said. "It'll be fun. They won't even see us. Just stay away from the bar and the alcove and there's no way they'll see us."
"Are you sure?" Lierre asked, looking at the club.
"Yeah, but we've got to go in the back way." Prue said, looking at the bouncer. "Still the same guy at the door."
Lierre thought it over. Then realized, what was the point? This one of Prue's games, and Prue always won.
"Fine." He sighed.
Prue then led him to the back of the club and they went in. It was packed, as usual; and the music was good, as always.
"What is this music?" Lierre asked.
"It's Ice Cube and Lil Kim." Prue said. Lierre didn't know. "It's the song from the soundtrack for Save The Last - oh, why do I even bother?"
"What kind of movie title is that?"
Prue rolled her eyes then went to the dance floor. Lierre watched her for a second, then sat down in a dark corner. He sighed and looked around. There were a lot of people, but he couldn't find the Charmed Ones.
He watched Prue dance with some guy, then sighed and went to the bar. He figured it was safe if he went, they didn't know him. He sat at the bar, a little bored. But he perked up when he heard the woman behind the bar say "demon." She was talking to two other women.
Lierre smiled. How lucky could he possibly be? He then moved a seat over to hear the conversation better.
"Enough of the business talk." He heard one say. "About the DJ -"
"I know." The one behind the bar said. "He's a little rap obsessed."
"Let me just say," The third one said. "That your regular guy cannot get back soon enough."
"Maybe a live band until he got back." Lierre finally pegged this one as Phoebe.
"Maybe." Lierre then pegged the one behind the bar as Piper. "But who would I get?"
"Someone good." This was the new one. Lierre didn't know her name.
"Great solution, Paige." Piper said. Lierre rolled his eyes. Another P name. "Any suggestions?"
"Oh!" Phoebe exclaimed. "A guy I went to college with had a band. Maybe I could get him to play."
"Any good?" Piper asked.
"I, well, never heard them play together as a whole." Phoebe said. "But he was good on the guitar."
"Do you know the name of the band?" Piper asked.
"Uhm, I think it's... Dead Cat Rourke." Phoebe said with a sheepish grin.
*Where the hell are you?* Prue's voice invaded his head. Lierre rolled his eyes, then left the bar, drinkless.
He found Prue at the edge of the dance floor where she had left him. He just looked at her and suddenly wondered what The Source was talking about.
"What?" Lierre asked.
"Well, somebody's not having fun." Prue said.
"Not a lot of fun going on here if you ask me." Lierre said.
"Well, no one asked you."
Lierre turned and saw a twenty-something standing behind him.
"Lierre, this is Nate." Prue introduced. "I just met him."
Lierre sized him up. This is who she'd been dancing with? Lierre figured he could take him.
"Who is this guy?" Nate asked.
"Oh, he's nobody." Prue said. "Can you come to my car for a second? Lierre, wait here."
"Okay." Lierre nodded, then Prue and Nate walked to the back. "Wait, she doesn't have a - oh no!"
Lierre raced out of the club. He was an idiot. Why did he let her leave him? She was probably going to push him in front of a bus or something.
When Lierre got to the alley, he saw Nate cowering in a corner, Prue standing over him. Nate looked like he was about to cry. He already looked pretty abused.
"Prue!" Lierre called.
Prue turned. Lierre walked over to her and looked down at Nate, then back at her.
"What're you doing?"
"I was just gonna play hopscotch with him." Prue said innocently, then laughed. "I couldn't keep a straight face. Sorry. I was actually going to send a little message to my sisters."
"There will be no message sending." Lierre said. "They have no idea about you and they can't know."
"Fine!" Prue said, then shimmered out.
Nate fainted. Lierre then conjured up a bottle of booze and poured some on Nate, then put the bottle in his hand.
"That takes care of you." Lierre said. No one was going to believe a drunk, he probably wouldn't even believe it himself. Then Lierre shimmered out.
* * Inside P3 * *
Leo orbed into the backroom, then made his way to the bar, where Piper, Phoebe, and Paige were.
"Leo!"
"Hey!"
"Hi."
He didn't respond to their greetings and their faces fell when they saw his serious expression.
"What is it?" Piper asked.
"There was something here." Leo said.
"Like what?" Paige asked.
"Evil." Leo said quietly. "There were two forces of it. One was so strong that the Elders sensed it. It's been showing up here for the past few months. It gets stronger every time."
"Great, so there's a new demon in San Francisco." Piper said.
"No." Leo said. "It wasn't a demon. That's why the Elders are so, well, scared."
"He was killed yesterday."
Prue turned to look at the demon that was to her left.
"By who?"
The demon shrugged; it was not an easy task, being chained to the wall and all.
"Some warlock that was looking to prove himself and get out of some insane deal." The demon said.
"Do you know what he looked like?" Prue asked.
"Hmmmm. Dark hair, black clothes, a black duster trench coat thing, and dark eyes... but they weren't black."
"Bastard." Prue said in a low voice, then shimmered out.
* * Outside The Source's chamber * *
Prue shimmered in front of the three guards that normally guarded the door, then went to walk past them, but the largest grabbed her round the middle and put her down a few steps away from the door.
"Let me in." Prue said, her eyes flashing with anger.
"No." The guard said and blocked the door.
"I said, let me in." Prue said threateningly.
"No." The guard repeated.
Prue then shook with anger. She tried for a moment to contain herself, but couldn't. Her eyes narrowed, then all three guards smashed into the wall and the door burst open.
She marched into The Source's chamber and saw Lierre kneeling in front of The Source. She walked over, then kicked Lierre onto his back. Then she descended on him and began beating him.
"Enough!" The Source cried after a few minutes, then lifted his sword and put it against Prue's neck.
Prue slowly stood up, then took a few steps away from Lierre and the sword.
Lierre touched his lip, which had been split open again, then stood up.
"What was the meaning of that?" The Source asked.
"I know what he did." Prue said. "He killed my favorite so he could get out of the agreement."
"He did, that is true." The Source said. "But he will not succeed in the second part. He is bound and will stay that way."
"Well then," Prue said, then smirked at Lierre. "Happy anniversary."
Prue then shimmered out and Lierre looked at The Source.
"What did she mean, happy anniversary?"
"Today marks the six month of her joining of the side of evil." The Source said smiled to himself.
She was his. There was now a Charmed One on his side.
"You should find her." The Source said to Lierre. "Take her to the Seer. I'm curious to know her future."
Lierre nodded then shimmered out.
He appeared in Prue's chamber and was a little shocked. He could tell by the room she was a favorite. She had a large queen-size bed (black, of course), a black desk, a small wardrobe, and an altar.
Lierre couldn't help but feel jealous. All he had was an altar and some straw. He went over to Prue's bed and felt the material of the comforter. Definitely better than straw.
"What're you doing?"
Lierre turned and saw Prue in the doorway. He blushed a little then looked at the floor. He'd been caught.
"I'm here to take you to the Seer." He said after he regained himself.
"The Seer?" Prue repeated. "Why?"
"It's a customary thing for the Upper-levels." Lierre told her. "Once you've been in the fold for so long, you go to either the Oracle or the Seer."
"Why am I not going to the Oracle?"
"An unfortunate accident has occurred and the Oracle...well, she's not very... alive anymore." Lierre told her.
"Really? And how did that happen?" Prue asked and walked over to her desk.
She looked at two swords that were mounted on the wall; they were in the shape of an X. Lierre hadn't noticed them. She was definitely a favorite. Prue ran a finger along one of the shining blades and Lierre was momentarily mesmerized; until Prue looked at him.
"Well, there was a... confrontation between some witches and -"
"No regular witch has enough power to kill an Oracle." Prue interrupted.
"You're absolutely right." Lierre agreed. "No *ordinary* witch."
"Oh, it's them is it?" Prue said and made a disgusted face.
"Yes."
"Oh well, they'll get theirs soon enough I'm sure." Prue said. "Now, about that Seer..."
* * The Source's chamber * *
The Seer appeared in front of The Source, ready to report.
"What did you see?" The Source asked.
"She has a very difficult road ahead." The Seer informed him. "She could lean either way. I feel if she has a meeting with her sisters, she will go to the side of good and certainly destroy us all. However, if she is kept with the warlock, the strange emotional bond they have formed will lead her down the path of evil."
The Source chuckled to himself. He was going to win. The most powerful witch of all time was with him and would help cause the destruction of the world of good.
"What of the emotional bond?" The Source asked. "Will it expand?"
"I'm certain it will escalate." The Seer said. "Of course, I'm not sure if it will end in our favor or not. They could either fuel each other or destroy each other. It all depends if love enters the fold."
"Love?" The Source said. "They cannot love."
"It would seem so, but... love is something that no magic, good or evil, can control. If it happens, it must be used to our advantage. The side of good must be constantly threatening to them, or they will join it." The Seer said.
"I do not condone love. Love is the death of all we know."
"I know this." The Seer said. "However, if we could somehow force them into a love fueled by evil..."
"We would have the two most powerful beings of all time." The Source finished.
* * Lierre's chamber * *
Lierre screamed in rage.
"You lose again." Prue said and waved her hand, putting the chess pieces back to their starting positions.
"How do you win so easily?" Lierre asked.
"The competition is weak." Prue said and moved a pawn.
"Weak? Ha!" Lierre mumbled and moved a piece. Prue rolled her eyes then moved a piece.
"I really want something to do." Prue said, then took one of Lierre's pawns.
"Like what?" Lierre said.
"I don't know." Prue said, then captured another one of his pieces. "I'm really hoping to get some kind of job."
"Like, go up and mingle with the masses?" Lierre said.
"I suppose." Prue said. She moved another piece, then all of a sudden got an idea.
"Why're you smiling like that?" Lierre asked. "Am I about to lose?"
"Well, yes." Prue said, then declared a check. "But that isn't why I'm smiling."
She grabbed Lierre's wrist suddenly then shimmered out with him.
* * In front of P3 * *
Lierre shook his head when he saw the building. They were across the street from the club.
"No, uh-uh. There is no way we're going in there."
"Oh, come on." Prue said. "It'll be fun. They won't even see us. Just stay away from the bar and the alcove and there's no way they'll see us."
"Are you sure?" Lierre asked, looking at the club.
"Yeah, but we've got to go in the back way." Prue said, looking at the bouncer. "Still the same guy at the door."
Lierre thought it over. Then realized, what was the point? This one of Prue's games, and Prue always won.
"Fine." He sighed.
Prue then led him to the back of the club and they went in. It was packed, as usual; and the music was good, as always.
"What is this music?" Lierre asked.
"It's Ice Cube and Lil Kim." Prue said. Lierre didn't know. "It's the song from the soundtrack for Save The Last - oh, why do I even bother?"
"What kind of movie title is that?"
Prue rolled her eyes then went to the dance floor. Lierre watched her for a second, then sat down in a dark corner. He sighed and looked around. There were a lot of people, but he couldn't find the Charmed Ones.
He watched Prue dance with some guy, then sighed and went to the bar. He figured it was safe if he went, they didn't know him. He sat at the bar, a little bored. But he perked up when he heard the woman behind the bar say "demon." She was talking to two other women.
Lierre smiled. How lucky could he possibly be? He then moved a seat over to hear the conversation better.
"Enough of the business talk." He heard one say. "About the DJ -"
"I know." The one behind the bar said. "He's a little rap obsessed."
"Let me just say," The third one said. "That your regular guy cannot get back soon enough."
"Maybe a live band until he got back." Lierre finally pegged this one as Phoebe.
"Maybe." Lierre then pegged the one behind the bar as Piper. "But who would I get?"
"Someone good." This was the new one. Lierre didn't know her name.
"Great solution, Paige." Piper said. Lierre rolled his eyes. Another P name. "Any suggestions?"
"Oh!" Phoebe exclaimed. "A guy I went to college with had a band. Maybe I could get him to play."
"Any good?" Piper asked.
"I, well, never heard them play together as a whole." Phoebe said. "But he was good on the guitar."
"Do you know the name of the band?" Piper asked.
"Uhm, I think it's... Dead Cat Rourke." Phoebe said with a sheepish grin.
*Where the hell are you?* Prue's voice invaded his head. Lierre rolled his eyes, then left the bar, drinkless.
He found Prue at the edge of the dance floor where she had left him. He just looked at her and suddenly wondered what The Source was talking about.
"What?" Lierre asked.
"Well, somebody's not having fun." Prue said.
"Not a lot of fun going on here if you ask me." Lierre said.
"Well, no one asked you."
Lierre turned and saw a twenty-something standing behind him.
"Lierre, this is Nate." Prue introduced. "I just met him."
Lierre sized him up. This is who she'd been dancing with? Lierre figured he could take him.
"Who is this guy?" Nate asked.
"Oh, he's nobody." Prue said. "Can you come to my car for a second? Lierre, wait here."
"Okay." Lierre nodded, then Prue and Nate walked to the back. "Wait, she doesn't have a - oh no!"
Lierre raced out of the club. He was an idiot. Why did he let her leave him? She was probably going to push him in front of a bus or something.
When Lierre got to the alley, he saw Nate cowering in a corner, Prue standing over him. Nate looked like he was about to cry. He already looked pretty abused.
"Prue!" Lierre called.
Prue turned. Lierre walked over to her and looked down at Nate, then back at her.
"What're you doing?"
"I was just gonna play hopscotch with him." Prue said innocently, then laughed. "I couldn't keep a straight face. Sorry. I was actually going to send a little message to my sisters."
"There will be no message sending." Lierre said. "They have no idea about you and they can't know."
"Fine!" Prue said, then shimmered out.
Nate fainted. Lierre then conjured up a bottle of booze and poured some on Nate, then put the bottle in his hand.
"That takes care of you." Lierre said. No one was going to believe a drunk, he probably wouldn't even believe it himself. Then Lierre shimmered out.
* * Inside P3 * *
Leo orbed into the backroom, then made his way to the bar, where Piper, Phoebe, and Paige were.
"Leo!"
"Hey!"
"Hi."
He didn't respond to their greetings and their faces fell when they saw his serious expression.
"What is it?" Piper asked.
"There was something here." Leo said.
"Like what?" Paige asked.
"Evil." Leo said quietly. "There were two forces of it. One was so strong that the Elders sensed it. It's been showing up here for the past few months. It gets stronger every time."
"Great, so there's a new demon in San Francisco." Piper said.
"No." Leo said. "It wasn't a demon. That's why the Elders are so, well, scared."