"I think our friend here could use a refill on his prescription," said Piper when they had all gathered in the kitchen.
"Maybe not," said Leo. "Believe me, there's so much goodness emanating from him that it's almost intoxicating. He's definitely no demon."
"But he is powerful," said Cole. "My demonic half can sense his power. And it's nearly as great as the good Leo describes."
"But to think that this guy is Santa Claus?" Prue questioned. "Come on, guys. A living force of good? Does that make any sense to you?"
"As much sense that Cupid actually exists?" questioned Leo. "As much sense as demons and warlocks exist? We've all seen some pretty strange things especially since you got your powers. A lot of them defy conventional logic. Is it so hard to accept what he's telling us is true?"
"I don't know," said Phoebe. "Cole says he's powerful and you say he's not a demon. So he must be a force for good. But Santa Claus? That's a bit to accept even for me."
"He's not Santa Claus," said Leo. "That's just a human invention to try and explain who and what he really is. Most people don't even believe in demons. Do you think they would believe that good could be a living, sentient force? Santa Claus is the myth built around who he is."
"I still don't understand how we're supposed to help," said Prue. "If he's that powerful, why does he need us?"
"I suggest we ask him," said Cole. "If he needs your help he should be willing to answer whatever questions you have."
"Good idea," said Piper. "Let's go get some answers from Mr. Kris Kringle."
"Have you ever wondered why you have your powers?" Kris asked when they had gone back into the living room but before any of them could speak.
"What?" Prue questioned.
"Have you ever wondered why you have your powers?" Kris asked again.
"We inherited them," said Piper. "We inherited them from our mother who inherited them from grams. We can trace it all the way back to Melinda Warren who started our line."
"Yes, of course," said Kris. "But have you ever wondered why you got those specific powers?"
"Because they were Melinda's powers," said Phoebe.
"Ah, yes," said Kris. "And why did she have those specific powers?"
"I don't know," said Piper. "I guess we never really thought about it."
"Because they are the greatest powers capable of helping humanity," said Kris. "The power to freeze time. To prevent innocents from coming to harm. The power of telekinesis. To move them out of harms' way once time is frozen. And perhaps one of the greatest powers of all. The power of precognition. The ability to know who will be in danger and where. Together these powers represent the greatest benefit to mankind any combination of powers could."
"What's that got to do with us anyway?" Phoebe asked.
"It has everything to do with you," said Kris. "You want to know how you're supposed to help me. It's quite simple. With these three powers you will allow me to find the one person in all the world best capable of spreading goodness through. Oh, it can be done with anyone. But there is a single person in the entire world who can spread it faster and more efficiently than any other person. I need your help to locate that person."
"And just how do we do that?" Piper asked.
"In three simple steps," said Kris. "First, Phoebe uses her ability of precognition to locate the person I'm looking for. Second, Piper freezes time so that the transfer of goodness from me to them can take place. Third, Prue uses her telekinesis to transfer that goodness from me to them. Once that's done the job is completed."
"Okay," said Prue, "if you're so powerful and all, why do you need us? Why not just do it yourself?"
"Because," said Kris, "by transferring the power through a human being, that power is changed. It acclimates itself, so to speak, to the human condition. Humans are flawed. There is good and evil in almost all humans. If I were to infuse one with my pure power it would overwhelm them. They couldn't withstand it."
"It doesn't sound like it would do us a whole lot of good either," said Prue.
"You're witches," said Kris. "Human, true, but still beings of magic. It's like passing electricity through a transformer. It prepares that power for its proper receptacle."
"Okay so why not use Leo?" asked Piper. "He's a White Lighter. Wouldn't he work better for you purposes?"
"If I were passing the goodness onto White Lighters, yes," said Kris. "I'm passing it onto humans. It must be passed through a human."
"And why does it have to be done now?" Piper asked. "Why can't you do this any time?"
"Humans have come to accept it at this time," said Kris. "The excitement and electricity in the air that permeates everything during this season. It is unlike anything at any other time of year. For the goodness to reach its fullest potential it will need that acceptance. Humans would not accept it at any other time. Too many people would be suspicious of someone the rest of the year. At Christmas everyone just accepts that people are more giving, more helpful, more caring. They accept it without question and just mark it up to the season."
"That kind of makes sense," said Phoebe. "I used to know a girl in New York who seemed to be like that all year long. Most of the time the rest of us wondered what she was on."
"A few people have such goodness in them that it radiates long after my infusion is made," said Kris. "Such people are destined for greatness. Most will get what they need to go on the rest of the year. When I can infuse them again."
"And you can't find the one person you need because?" Prue asked.
"Because there are several deserving candidates this year," said Kris. "Usually one person stands out among all the rest. This year it is more difficult. I can't be certain which candidate is the best qualified. So I've come for your assistance."
"You've given us a lot to think about," said Prue. "But we have to be sure what you've told us is the truth. How do we know this isn't some type of ploy by demons to get us off our guard?"
"Prue," Leo began to protest.
"No, Leo, she's right," said Piper. "We've had demons use some pretty unusual strategies before. How do we know this isn't just another one of those?"
"I can only say that what I've told you is the truth," said Kris. "You'll have to rely on the goodness inside you to let you know the right course to take."
"Okay," said Phoebe. "Give us some time to talk it over. We'll let you know."
"Please don't take too long," said Kris. "Time is growing short."
With that he simply turned and left the manor. The girls looked at each other and at Leo and Cole. It was not going to be an easy decision.