Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

Author's Note: Hi!

Thank you so much for all your reviews. I'm not very good with fight scenes or action... I'm better with emotions and family scenes, but I tried with this. I didn't give to much extra throught, just let if flow.

I hope you like.

Last Time...

The boy nodded a little and let his mother lay him back; he was asleep within seconds, Piper sighed watching him.

Phoebe glanced over at their helpful assassin, and her eyes widened, "He's gone..."

"What!" Piper cried alarmed, looking over as well.

Phoebe frowned, "I didn't feel any wind, did you?"

Piper shook her head, "No... and I..." she glanced at Chris, "I have a feeling I may have behaved a little... wrong... to him, just now."

Phoebe nodded, "I don't think we have any idea what it's like in their world..."

"I think I want to keep it that way," Piper stated, "We have to keep it that way... their world can't come into existence, Phoebe, we have to stop it."

"We will," the younger replied confidently, "In the meantime though, he left... and he didn't even say goodbye," her tone slightly petulant.

Piper smirked, "We're not exactly friends ya know…were you expecting him to? "

Phoebe shrugged a little, realizing what she'd just said, "Kinda... I mean he wasn't evil..."

Piper stood and went over to where he'd been standing, "Maybe he hasn't left... he can turn into air right?"

"Yeah, I guess so..."

Piper looked all around her, then said kindly, "If you're still here Evan… I just… I want to say that I'm sorry for not believing you," she called out, "And thank you for leaving us alone, for letting us know... for trying."

"Yeah, but next time could you not shoot my nephew..." Phoebe grumbled.

The wind caught them by surprise, it ruffled their hair and caressed their faces and smelled of a summer morning.

It brought small smiles to their faces, "I think he's accepted our apology," Piper commented.

"Yeah," Phoebe said almost wistfully, her eyes unfocused.

Piper laughed lightly, "He was beautiful wasn't he?"

Phoebe pictured the chiseled face, full lips, dark intense eyes of their assassin and nodded slowly, "Yeah, he was…"

"How's the spell coming?" Piper asked, a few moments later, dispelling the lighthearted mood.

Phoebe sighed, she too shaking away the carefree atmosphere—they had work to do, "Not as good as that potion you made… I'm scared of messing up the wording. We could end up anywhere…"

"We need it to work, Phoebe, we don't have time to end up anywhere, come back, and try again… it has to work the first time."

"Jeez, no pressure," Phoebe grumbled, as she headed back to her table.

With a quick smirk, Piper went to her table and began pouring her potion into several vials—it never hurt to be extra prepared.

A few minutes later Phoebe spoke, "I'm going to invoke the power of the three… and the matriarchs…"

"Invoke whatever you want, Phoebes, just make it work," Piper hissed as she finished bottling the potion and walked over to Chris.

"Thanks for the support."

"I'm sorry, Phoebe, I just… I'm stressed out here…"

Phoebe and opened her mouth to speak, the sound of orbs cut her off.

"Thank god," Piper cried when they materialized. Without another word she went to Leo and threw herself in his arms, burying her face in his shoulder.

The man immediately wrapped his arms around her, "Hey, hey, what is it? What happened?" He asked, his gaze worried.

"He's so sick…" she murmured and Leo's arms tightened around her.

"Did you get it?" Phoebe asked.

Paige nodded, "Yeah and we stopped by magic school to pick up the ingredients they were putting together for us." She frowned suddenly, "It's why we took so long… everything was messed up. We practically had to put everything together from scratch. It's a good thing Leo insisted we double check everything—if not the potion would have ended up useless."

"But how…?" Phoebe asked taking the ingredients Paige held.

The youngest sister shrugged, "You got me? Gideon was supposed to be supervising, but we couldn't find him… and didn't waste time looking… we got everything though… even the unicorn powder…"

"Great… Piper made a killer potion—not literally, and I just finished the spell, that hopefully will take us to that Island."

"So we're all set?" Paige asked, looking around; her gaze finally landed on Chris, "He doesn't look so good…" she murmured.

Piper pulled herself away from Leo, and dragged him over to the boy, "Heal…" she commanded.

Leo nodded, kneeling and holding out his hands. The glow appeared but only worked for about a minute before fading.

"That's it… that's all I can do. The poison is stronger…"

Piper held back a sob. The sisters were silent as they stared at the boy. He hadn't stirred when Leo had worked on him, and even now remained very still, his breathing deep.

"We have to do this now," Phoebe said firmly, "Come on Piper… grab your potions."

"Leo you work on putting everything together, while we're gone," Paige ordered.

"Yeah, that way when we get back we just add the water." Phoebe agreed.

Piper didn't move, her gaze remained locked on the sleeping boy. Her focus on keeping her emotions from bursting forth and wreaking havoc—which is what she felt like doing.

Leo's hands were suddenly on her forearms, "Go Piper…"

Her gaze lifted to his, "I don't want to leave him…"

"I know," he murmured gently, "But he needs you to. You have to do this." He paused, then lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was gently and warm, "I know you can do this." He told her, "And while you do it, I'm going to be here… taking care of him. I promise."

Piper swallowed hard, and nodded. A moment later she took a deep breath and pulled away from Leo to join her sisters.

Phoebe stood in the middle, holding the slip of paper she'd written the spell on.

"Okay, it looks like this should work," Piper murmured as she read silently.

"Did you write one for how to get back?" Paige asked.

Phoebe shrugged, "Yeah, it's right here… on the back…"

"Okay," Paige said, nodding satisfactorily.

Phoebe nodded, then said firmly, looking around, "Let's do this…"

The sisters took deep breath and solemnly recited the spell:

Power of the witches rise, Matriarchs of the Halliwell line

The Power of Three calls to thee, An invisible island we need to see

The Booyan Isle is what we seek, To make a potion most unique

Take us to where we will find, The magic we need, to this curse unwind.

A moment later, Leo watched as they faded away.

"It worked!" Paige cried, when they reappeared on a hilltop.

"Sshhhhh," Piper hissed, "We don't know what's out there."

"Good point," Paige whispered.

"Okay than, if I were an almighty healing stone where would I be?" Phoebe asked, turning around as she took everything in.

"The spell was supposed to take us to the magic we need…" Piper said her brow furrowed.

"I don't see a well, do you?" Phoebe asked her head tilted back as she surveyed the landscape, "We're on a mountain or something…"

"Or something is right, Phoebe," Paige said, she'd walked a few steps away from her sisters and was standing staring down at something.

"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked, as she and Piper approached her.

"Remember that huge snake thing…"

"Yeeeahhhh…"

"I think we're on it…"

"What!" Piper cried in alarm.

"Look…" Paige said pointing downwards.

The sisters were standing at an opening, looking down – way down – they could see what looked to be a well.

"That explains why this mountain is so… uhhhhh… shiny..."

"That's a long way down…"

"How do you think we get down there?"

"Can you even see water down there… or a stone for that matter…?"

Their conversation was interrupted when the "mountain" they were standing on suddenly began to quiver, then shake.

"Ooooooh, ooooooooh, not good!" Paige cried.

"Uhhhhh, guys… really not good," Phoebe said, point upwards.

An enormous shadow seemed to be moving towards them—rapidly.

"Okay, here…" Piper said handing out potions, "… I only had enough for two extra; so make it count…"

"Do we have vanquishing spells or potions ready?" Paige asked.

"Nope, we're not allowed to kill them," Piper screamed, as she and Phoebe ended up opposite coils. At the same time the giant shadow began its' descent.

"Wait for it guys," Piper cried, trying to keep her balance.

"This is ridiculous! Just blow it up before it kills us!" Paige screamed. The Hawk was clearly visible now… and it didn't look happy. The huge snake was uncoiling under their very feet, they were descending rapidly, and being thrown against each other in the process.

Quite suddenly a huge head hissed above them, the beady eyes of a serpent trained on them.

"Oh shit!"

"NOW, NOW! JUST THROW IT NOW!" Paige cried.

Piper aimed at the Snake, Phoebe at the Hawk—they threw.

They both missed.

"UGH!" Paige hissed; she threw one vial up in the air, "Hawk!" she cried, motioning it towards the imminent predator.

Without waiting to see what happened she did the same to the second vial, "Snake!" she cried, motioning towards the serpents head.

All three sisters toppled over each other and to the ground as the earth shook with the impact of the collapsing beasts.

"Oh hell…" Phoebe grumbled, rubbing the arm she'd landed on.

"That was too close…" Piper stated, still lying on the ground.

"I don't think it's over," Paige said pointing to small specks of light that were rapidly encircling them.

"Okay, nobody mentioned them," Piper said, rushing to her feet, her voice getting frantic. They needed to hurry… Chris needed them…

"What is it?" Phoebe asked.

Suddenly they were surrounded, encage really, by small fairy-like creatures with bows and arrows—arrows made of fire.

"What dares disturb our peace?"

The voice that questioned them did not seem to come from any of the small creatures, but from all around them. It was loud and male and angry.

"We- we're the Charmed Ones," Piper began, but before she could finished the voice sounded again.

"For this intrusion—you will die."

"Whoa! Wait a second!No need for that!" Phoebe cried, "We mean no harm."

"You have invaded our sanctuary, murdered our guardians, threatened our very existence-"

"No! no, they're not dead!" Paige clarified, "Honest, just knocked out…"

"And we understand the need for secrecy, we don't threaten that," Phoebe added.

"As for the invasion of your sanctuary… we had no choice— I'm sorry, but… we're desperate!" Piper's cry did indeed sound desperate, and it resounded with startling clarity around them.

There was no answering voice, but the small creatures around them did not move. The sisters used this opportunity to take stock of their new surroundings.

They were still standing on the serpent, but at a considerably lower height. From where they were standing they couldn't see where it's head had dropped, but they could see the prone figure of the hawk.

"The intruders speak truth—Garafina and Gagana live." The voice resounded again. Before the sisters could speak the tiny creatures drew closer to them, forcing them to squish together or be burned.

"Hey, hey, you heard the man—we told the truth!" Phoebe cried.

"Calm yourselves." The voice responded, but it was quieter now, and came from a man who was now standing directly outside the circle.

"Where the hell did you come from!" Paige cried.

"What is your purpose here… Charmed Ones…" he asked, not even a glimmer of friendliness evident.

"We need water from your well," Piper stated firmly, she moved as close to the circle as she dared without being singed.

"Impossible." The man said firmly, "We do not consort with the outside world—and we do not appreciate intruders."

"We won't leave here without it," Piper said fiercely.

"You are mortal, this isle is hidden from your world—how is it you came to be here?"

"A spell," Phoebe told him quickly, "We're witches… how do you not kno-"

"They don't consort, remember," Paige said quickly, elbowing her to cut off her words.

"Witches…" he murmured, than shrugged carelessly, "It makes no difference your presence here is an abomination; you will remove yourselves or we shall do so for you…"

"We need water from your well," Piper repeated.

"It is not available to mortals."

Piper took a steadying breath, and flexed her hands to keep from blowing him up, "I don't give a shit!" she hissed angrily, "Don't make us have to take it…"

"DO YOU DARE MAKE THREATS!" The man bellowed suddenly and the tiny fairy-like creatures around them buzzed, but the sisters had too much at stake to waver.

"We will do whatever it takes," Paige stated, standing to Piper's left.

"We won't leave without it," Phoebe added, standing to Piper's right.

The man studied them a moment; and suddenly, in the blink of an eye he was joined by two more men.

All three dressed in dark robes, with somber expression. They stood like that for several minutes.

The three of them studying the three sisters, the air between them buzzing with threats and determination.

They didn't have time to waste, it was the thought running through the sisters'heads. And mutually they all gave silent sighs—they'd so hoped do this peacefully.

Piper prepared to freeze then blow up, Paige shifted slightly so that she was facing the direction of the well, Phoebe too prepared to fight.

"They will fight to the death."

The soft voice surprised them into stillness.

It hadn't come from any of the men, before they could process where it had come from the fairy creatures had backed off and they watched as they flitted away as quietly and quickly as they had come.

The three men backed away—to reveal a woman. Tall, elegant with silky blonde hair the woman walked forward, "Won't you?" She said to them.

The sisters didn't respond, this mission was not going the way they'd planned, and they were running out of time.

"I believe your intentions to be pure, but regardless you cannot be here," the woman continued softly, "You must leave."

"Who are you?" Piper asked, her gaze narrowing.

"I am what you seek," she said calmly, "I am the Stone of Alytar."

"WHAT!" They all screeched.

"But-"

"How-"

"It's not pos-"

None of them could form a sentence.

"NO," Piper nearly screamed, "The stone is a stone and it has to be in a well because we need water from that well!"

"The stone refers to my pecularbirthmark," she told them simply, and outstretched her wrist. Embedded into the skin there was indeed the a beautiful multicolored gem. "I have the gift of immortality."

"But the well…" Paige said, "The legend said there was awell…"

"Yes, the fabled fountain of youth. Water I draw from the well has the properties of immortality." She told them, "It can heal…"

"So draw some water so we can be on our way," Phoebe snapped.

"That is not possible."

"Listen lady-"

"Immortality is not a commodity… I do not sell it… even to witches."

Piper's hands flexed.

"I advise against any violence," the woman stated, her gaze drawn to Piper's hands, "You will die in the attempt."

"I won't leave here without that water—my son is dying."

"I am sorry, but death is a part of life."

"NO! Not his life! Not yet!" Piper cried.

"Mothers lose sons daily."

"Not before they're born they don't!" she hissed at the woman.

"We're desperate here lady, we'll do anything you want…" Paige offered, but the plea only earned a shake of the woman's head.

"Many have come to us through the eons, none have bargained successfully. Immortality is not to be unleashed on mortals…"

"We don't want immortality, we just want to heal him," Phoebe offered, "We have to… it's not just for him or even us… it's for the world…"

"Myself and my world exists removed you and yours…"

"But you're good aren't you? Don't you want to preserve the balance, to stop evil from spreading… that's why you're here to stop the corrupt…?" Paige added.

The woman studied her a moment, "Yes, we preserve this isle as a oasis from the corrupt." Her gaze slid to Piper, "You're son is to die before yet being birthed." She stated.

Piper swallowed hard and nodded, but couldn't find words.

The woman turned to face the men, another moment passed before they vanished as instantly as they had appeared.

She turned back to the Charmed Ones, "Come to me. I will give you one chance to prove the truth of your words."

"Wha-what do you mean?" Phoebe asked, taking a tentative step forward.

"A circle of truth shall show all to me," she told them holding out her hands.

The sister formed a circle with the woman. She closed her eyes and a moment later a humming sound filled the air.

The sisters gasped as images appeared within the circle. Before their eyes flashed their lives from the moment Chris had appeared to them to the moment they had left the attic using the spell.

They said nothing, too fascinated by what they were seeing to utter a sound. Minutes later it was over and the circle broken by the woman.

She had turned away from them; Piper took a deep breath, "We need to get out of here…" she whispered.

"Let's take the water and go," Phoebe whispered back.

"The water is useless to you unless I draw it," the woman stated, turning around to face them.

Piper opened her mouth to respond, but stopped when the woman held up her hand. "I have seen your truth,"she said, "... you fight with bravery and courage, you protect and you defend. Yet you are mortals and thus you err. I see your truth." She repeated again.

After a pause she began again, "Many have come here seeking what I will give you now." She said and the sisters felt their hearts soar, "I warn you however, this gift I will bestow upon you will not be repeated. You may not come here again seeking life. For death must be endured by all mortals—of those of your exceptional ilk."

"Yea, yes, okay… never again…" Piper said hastily.

"Heed my warning, Charmed Ones, for if you ever again enter my world seeking life, I shall take back the gift I have given."

Without another word, the elegant woman walked over to the mouth of the well and before the sisters could say a word, she dived head first into it."

"Oh my god!"

"Did you see that?"

"Oooooooh, look at that!" Phoebe exclaimed; out of the well, in one large, illuminated mass tiny star-like dots, thewoman was rising.

The star-like dots rose up and out of the well before settling in front of them andforming into their elegant woman—shining and glistening.

In her hands she held water.

Piper immediately put out the container she'd brought for it. And the woman carefully poured the liquid into it.

"Thank you," Piper whispered, blinking back tears.

The woman nodded silently. After a moment she spoke, "The water heals… it will not return life."

"Thank you so much," Phoebe added.

Again she nodded, after a moment she smiled at them, "Your words were proven true; we are sisters in our fight," she whispered.

No sooner had the words been said though, then the smiled vanished, and the eyes grew cold, "Take your leave," she said firmly, "…now."

And with that she too vanished.

The sisters were left alone, and for a moment they didn't move; it was Piper who broke the stillness, "You heard the lady, lets get the hell out of here."

"Couldn't have said it better myself; Phoebe the spell…?"

Phoebe nodded, and pulled out the sheet of paper. Quickly, the sisters read their spell:

Power of the witches rise, Matriarchs of the Halliwell line

Our mission here is quite complete, Take us home, to where this curse, we will defeat

As they faded away they each hoped that this nightmare day would soon be at an end.

And silently the Stone of Alytar watched them fade—her loyal protectors watching behind her in bafflement as to why those mortal women had gained such favor. She did not feel the need to explain herself, only hoped that the women would indeed succeed in their battle.

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