Chapter 4.……… Beginning of the Year of Darkness…………
San Francisco, CA……………..12/29/02.………. Cole's Apartment………..
Cole is standing at the head of a conference table. He is looking around at the other underworld demons also sitting there. He clears his throat and then begins to speak. "Okay. All of us underworld demons have a choice to make."
One of the demons leaned forward and then asked, "What choice is that?"
Cole looked at that demon and answered, "The choice to whether to side with the Dark One and his Dark Demons. Or side with the Charmed Ones to defeat the Dark One."
Another of the demons then said, "Even know it repulses me very much, I say that we side with the Charmed Ones. I know that we all hate those f**king Dark demons. Especially after what they have caused us in the past."
With that statement, all of the other underworld demons agreed to join forces with the Charmed Ones. Cole nodded and indicated that it was now ok for the others to leave.
After they had left he stood for a second and then disappeared.
Later……………… Halliwell Manor……….
Phoebe was sitting in the kitchen typing a new article on her laptop. Paige, is at the sink washing dishes. And Piper and Leo are sitting in the living room looking through a naming book for babies.
Cole appeared and when he did he made both Piper and Leo jump. Leo stood asked through clenched teeth, "What do you want Cole?"
Cole looked at Leo and said, "I need to talk to all of you." Cole indicated for Leo and Piper, who had not said a word yet, to follow him into the kitchen.
As they entered the room, Paige turned and was startled when she saw Cole. She shot Piper and Leo a questioning look. But they just shrugged. Then as everyone, including Phoebe who now noticed Cole, stood waiting for Cole to start speaking.
Cole looked at them and then said, "I have just finished talking to the underworld demons, and we have decided to make a truce with you."
Piper looked at Cole and asked, "Why?"
Cole shook his head and said, even know it was hard for him to say, "They have decided to join with you to defeat the Dark One and his minions."
Piper looked at her sisters and her husband. She then said, "Ok, set up a meeting in a week. But remember if any of them tries anything its off. Understood?"
Cole nodded and then disappeared. Piper and the others sat to discuss what was happening.
Two Days later…………….. Halliwell Manor…………. 12/31/02.…….. 10 minutes before Sunrise
Piper is standing, leaning on the rail on the front porch with a cup of hot cocoa in her hands. The reason that she is up is that she could not sleep. She still was thinking that they had to be careful of the demons during the meet the following week.
5 minutes before sunrise……..
Piper has now been joined by her husband Leo, who had his arms around her waist. He is nuzzling her neck. They both look up as they see the darkened sun start to rise. When they see it they are both surprised. Piper then shakes her head and mutters, "This cannot be good."
8:00 o'clock a.m. …………. Paige's room……..
Paige's alarm went off and she sleepily reached over and shut it off. She then looked up at her window and saw that the curtains were open. But what was strange to her is that there is no sun light shining in the window.
Paige then climbed out of bed and walked over to her window and looked out. That is when she noticed that indeed the sun was up, but it was black instead of yellow. She was of course very shocked.
She was so shocked, that she ran to Phoebe's room and shook her awake.
Phoebe looked up at her sister and asked, "What is it? Is there a demon?"
Paige shook her head and she then grabbed Phoebe and pulled her out of bed, and over to her window. She then pointed and said, "Look at the sun."
Phoebe looked at Paige, as if she was crazy. She then asked, "Why should I look at the sun?"
Paige was now exasperated. She then grabbed Phoebe's head and turned it towards the window and said, "Just look."
Phoebe looked and she was also now shocked. She then said, "Why is the sun black?"
Paige said, "I don't know."
TBC………………………………................
