Hey guys! I'm back. Wow this is my fastest update yet. I just had the sudden urge to write--it was great. If this chapter has some stupid mistakes in it, just let me know and I'll edit it as soon as I have time. It's late, I'm tired and hopefully you won't be able to tell! Oh yes, and thanks to all who reviewed! You guys rock! Patience Halliwell, I'm so honored to be on your favorite stories list along with Raya. I mean, Raya is such a brilliant writer and so are you! Thanks Raya, for reviewing all my chapters! And thanks, andy, for being a loyal reviewer too. Thanks to all whom I didn't mention! I love y'all! Hope you enjoy the chapter...Nope, this isn't the end..and nope, after Leo and Phoebe, this should be it for character deaths. Don't worry, the next chapter will have help arriving for Cole and Prue. Adios!
"What the hell are you talking about?" Piper demanded, her voice shaky and insecure.
"Phoebe's gone, and there's nothing you can do about it, Super Bitch," Madria replied, smiling happily at Piper like she was telling a joke.
"I don't understand," Prue said weakly. "What...What's going on?"
"Gee, can't you figure it out? You're the oldest sister, the commando of the Charmed Ones. I thought you of all people would get it by now."
"Get what?" Prue asked, her expression hardening.
"Phoebe is dead, dumbass. I tricked you. Ya know when I went to the bathroom before we left? Well, I had the potion with me and I took some advice from the good ol' Spice Girls and spiced it up a bit. The potion, that is. I added a little something that the Source gave me."
"The Source?" Cole asked, incredulous.
"Yep, the new Source. But moving on–"
"So everything you told us was a lie? Everything? The potion, who you were?" Piper interrupted, pissed off.
"Yeah, and no. I used to be Madria the vampire hunter, but I ran into one of the Source's servants and we became buddies. Her name is Jessica. Remember Jess, who I told you about earlier? My witch buddy? Well, Jess is a witch, but a bad witch. A very bad witch that helped out the new Source. She helped us track down Dargo and made up the 'potion' to 'cure' Phoebe. Sure, the potion was legit, but when I kicked it up a notch, it was deadly. Deadly enough to kill, and it did," Madria nodded over to the spot where Phoebe had once stood. "Now, about Dargo, he was a rogue vamp causing a lot of damn trouble. The Source decided to spare his pathetic vampire life and offer him a choice. He could die or he could help me out in the Source's new plan. The plan was to have Dargo spy on the Charmed Ones and wait until one of them was left alone and vulnerable in the Manor. Then Dargo would sneak in and have a nice feast of the witch. Dargo agreed to help, since witch blood is pretty damn good, according to him at least. The Source enhanced his vamp powers a bit and pointed him out to the Manor. He hung around the Manor for days waiting for the opportune moment. He knew he had to succeed this one time, or he would die a very very tragic death at the hands of the Source. So, he waited until Phoebe was home alone, then bit her and sired her. And why would he sire her? Why not just kill her when he had the chance, you ask? Well, the Source figured that vampire Phoebe would kill a few of her loved ones in the process of turning evil, so that just helps us out down in the Underworld. Less good to deal with. And the Source was right. Phoebe killed Leo, your Whitelighter. It's too good to be true."
Piper's upper lip curled in distaste, but she kept quiet. She didn't want to interrupt Madria when she was spilling her guts so well. I wish she were literally spilling her guts, Piper thought with hatred.
"The Source considered trying to bring vampire Phoebe to our side. She would be a great help, being a former Charmed One and all. But she (the Source is female) thought better of it, knowing that you darn Charmed Ones would probably find a way to bring Phoebe back and save her. Anywho, now on to me. God, I love talking about me. So, after Dargo sired Phoebe, it was my turn. Tag, I'm it! My job was to deceive all of you into thinking I was still good. Since Cole here isn't a demon anymore, he wouldn't know that I had turned to the bad side. So, I came here and did my whole 'I'm not evil, really!!' act, and you guys bought it. I guess all those acting lessons did come in handy back in high school. Right, back to my story. We made the potion and I added my special ingredient in it, and then off we go. I killed Phoebe. Oh yeah, I killed a Charmed One. I destroyed the Power of Three. The Source will be so happy!" Madria beamed at Prue, Piper, and Cole.
"How could you?" Cole asked in disbelief.
Madria rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Haven't you been listening? I'm evil, duh! This is what I do. The Source was right. You good guys are so trusting. I don't get why the earlier Sources didn't realize it."
"Why did you just fill us in on all that information? Are you that stupid, or are you just gloating?" Prue hissed.
"Ah well, it's not like you can do anything now. You are all completely vulnerable without your Whitelighter, and Phoebe is dead, therefore no Power of Three. Cole has no demon powers, and if I'm correct, you don't have any powers now, do you, since Phoebe is gone?" Madria smirked, advancing slowly towards Prue. "I guess I might as well take out the rest of the Charmed Ones. What do you think?"
Prue panicked, and flung her arm out in defense at Madria. Nothing happened–no telekinesis. Prue quickly stepped backwards away from Madria.
"My powers!" She croaked. Piper flicked her hands out but the result was the same–no powers.
"Oh god.." Piper whimpered. "Prue...."
Madria snatched a knife out of her belt and leaped towards Prue, slashing her across the throat. Prue gasped and fell to her knees in agony. Madria then turned to Piper with a devious grin on her face.
"Any last words, bitch?" Madria snarled. Piper grabbed Cole by the arm and they both backed up into a corner. "I guess not. But hey, Piper, look on the bright side! You'll be joining Leo, and Cole, you'll be joining Phoebe."
Cole stepped in front of Piper protectively. "You stay away from Piper."
Madria cocked her head. "What're you gonna do Cole?"
Cole looked around in desperation for anything that he could use against Madria. Seeing nothing, he decided that using his own body and strength would have to do. By now Prue had collapsed onto the ground, out cold. I have to hurry, Prue needs help.
Cole twisted his body forward and punched Madria full force in the gut. Madria stumbled backwards a bit then recovered.
"Why do you even bother, Cole? Trying to be the hero, are you? Well, I wouldn't bother. You'll just end up getting yourself killed. You're fighting a losing battle."
Cole ran forward to shove Madria into the sharp corner of a coffin, but Madria was too fast. She bounded to the side and in turn shoved Cole into the coffin. He fell to the ground with a moan and Madria stabbed him in the back with her knife.
"You back stabber.." Cole whispered with his last breath before falling to the floor. Madria twisted the knife in his back then jerked it out sharply. Madria turned around and frowned when she saw that Piper had disappeared.
"What the hell?" Madria's eyes narrowed. "That's odd. Piper doesn't seem like the type of person who would bail on her dying loved ones." Madria paused, then shrugged. "Oh well, who gives a damn. Prue and Cole will be dead soon enough, and Piper won't be a threat. Hell, maybe she'll even commit suicide." Madria stopped to relish the thought, then went on muttering to herself. "Time to go home." She gave one final look at the carnage about her. The ten bodies of Phoebe's meal, Cole and Prue, and the shattered potion on the stone floor. "Damn, I am so skilled."