When Leo returned he had mixed news.
"The Elders weren't able to locate an abandoned church emanating evil," said Leo. "But they did locate one on the outskirts of San Francisco that has an undefined presence in it. Something is masking just who or what it is but they feel it may be the gargoyle."
"Could there be some magic masking the gargoyle or Toushell?" Paige asked.
"Maybe," said Leo. "Or it could be the blessing put on churches is still intact. Most churches are dedicated to good and unless that dedication is desecrated it will remain intact. It could be masking the evil of Toushell and the gargoyle."
"Wouldn't their presence desecrate the dedication?" Phoebe asked.
"Not necessarily," said Leo. "The presence of evil doesn't contaminate a place any more than it contaminates a person. It would take a specific act to desecrate the church or a thoroughly evil act performed inside the church. Anyway, the Elders think based on what you've discovered that the presence may be Toushell and the gargoyle."
"Well if we're going to vanquish this gargoyle we'd better get there right away," said Piper. "If we're lucky we'll get there before the egg hatches and we can figure out a way to destroy it before it does."
"The Elders believe the egg has all ready hatched," said Leo. "You'll have to be very careful. If it has hatched the gargoyle will be a formidable opponent even though it's not fully matured."
"We're ready," said Paige. "We have the explosive potions Piper made and we have the spell Phoebe wrote. Not even a gargoyle should be able to stand up to all that."
"I hope you're right," said Leo. "A lot of people died the last time they had to face a gargoyle."
"They didn't have the Power of Three," said Phoebe. "Now, let's go kick some gargoyle butt."
They all linked arms and Leo orbed them to the church on the outskirts of San Francisco.
The church had apparently been abandoned for several years. It was rundown but by all appearances butit was still pretty much intact. The sun was just starting to set and without electricity the failing light created weird shadows throughout the building.
"They could be anywhere," said Leo. "Be careful."
"We will," said Piper. "I suggest we all stay together. We can't afford to be caught alone when we find this thing."
"That won't be much of a problem," said Toushell, stepping out of the shadows at the back of the church. "You're very resourceful. I hadn't expected you to find me so quickly."
"Too bad for you," said Piper, starting to bring her hands up.
"Ah, ah, I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Toushell, stepping back into the darkness partially. "My little friend might not like it."
Suddenly another figure moved out of the darkness next to Toushell. The creature was over eight feet tall and the color of stone. It had a face that only resembled a human in the most rudimentary way. Sharp, jagged teeth filled its mouth and long vicious looking claws extended from each finger. A large pair of bat-like wings sprang from its back as it looked at the four and hissed at them.
"The egg has hatched," gasped Leo.
"Yes," said Toushell. "And as you can see they grow to maturity quite rapidly. I was just about to take my new pet out for a bite to eat. But, as you humans say, it looks like he'll have takeout instead. The blood of a witch should be quite satisfying to him."
"Think again, slime," said Piper, glancing at Phoebe and Paige.
In unison each of the threw the vials of the explosive potion Piper had made. The three vials struck the gargoyle exploding on impact. The gargoyle exploded into a thousand shards that suddenly reversed direction and reformed the gargoyle. The demon howled at the sisters and suddenly a tongue of flame shot out of its mouth at them.
Phoebe and Paige dived to the sides to avoid the attack. Piper was not so quick. She was just turning from the attack when Leo suddenly reached over and pushed her out of harms way. But in saving Piper's life Leo had placed himself directly in the path of the attack. As he pushed Piper to safety the fire enveloped him and Leo suddenly vanished in the conflagration. The gargoyle howled and began to advance on the sisters.
"Pew," said Paige, reaching out with her hand.
One of the pews still left in the church suddenly orbed out and Paige moved it toward the gargoyle. It struck the gargoyle sending it careening across the room. Hurriedly, Paige moved over and grabbed Piper by the arm. As she did, Phoebe moved over and took Paige's other arm. Before the gargoyle could regain its footing Paige orbed them all out of the church and back to the manor.
Toushell cursed the sisters. He moved over and stood next to the gargoyle that had finally regained its feet.
"Well," said Toushell to the gargoyle, "looks like our little ploy has been discovered. No problem. It just means I have to advance my timetable a bit. Come, my friend. They will have returned to their manor. Let's pay them a little visit, shall we? You can show them what you're really capable of doing."
The gargoyle just growled as Toushell took the creature's arm and shimmered them both out of the church.