In the Future Manor (approximately 2024)
The trashed attic gave a desolate and ruined appearance. Books and potion vials littered the floor, and it looked as if it had been ransacked at least ten times. Dust, that lay on all articles great and small, was so thick than it seemed apparent that the attic had been abandoned for at least ten years, with no change in setting.
Until now.
Smoke began to fill the spacious area. At first it was a dull gray, then it shifted to more lively colors, like yellow, blue, and pink all swirled together like a child's Play-Do collection, where all shades are unrecognizable, yet produce a magnificent result.
Seven people become visible once the smoke dissipated. The Charmed Ones all coughed heavily, the heavily fragrant smoke filling their lungs instead of oxygen. Little Ella sneezed in an almost dainty manner, and finished with a high-pitched squeak. Cole wheezed roughly, but only for a second, and Mel and Leo were completely unfazed.
"What happened?" Leo asked, looking around with dismay and shock at the attic.
"Oh, damn it," was Melody's response.
"What is it?" asked Phoebe. Cole looked around, and came to the same conclusion as his daughter. They were back in their own time.
"We need to get out of here." He said this with authority, and pulled Ella up, holding her tightly. She whimpered as well, realizing where they were.
"What? Why?" Piper demanded. She didn't see any reason to move so quickly.
But between Cole and Mel, all were transported out of the attic within a second; the pair left no room for argument from people who had no idea what the deal was in this time.
And it was not a moment to soon. It had not even been a minute since their departure when a demon flamed in, followed by his partner.
"Where did they go?" growled the second demon.
The first demon looked around sharply, and kicked a piece of spare debris into the closest wall. The brittle board shattered into pieces.
"Who ever it was, they're gone from here," he replied seriously, trying not to let his fear spread into his voice. "We can only hope that Lord Wyatt stays wherever he is this time long enough for use to find them."
In the Source's Lair…"Where are you taking us?" Paige yelled, her body not yet having materialized.
"Be quiet!" Melody whispered furiously, shimmering in with her mother and other aunt. Leo pulled away from Cole with disdain. Cole smirked.
"Sweetie, what's going on?" Phoebe asked her daughter quietly. Mel, however, was paying no attention to her. She quickly scanned the room, and then closed her eyes and reached out with her subconscious. She detected no magical bugs, or invisible demons. However, she did pick up on residue…Wyatt's reside. His magic was stronger than most that she normally dealt with, so she could easily differentiate.
"Hon, what's wrong?" Cole asked with concern. He caught her expression, and knew she sensed something. Leo rolled his eyes, and was promptly hit by Piper, who saw the rude gesture.
"Wyatt's been here." Cole paled when she spoke.
"My baby?" Piper whimpered. The thought of Wyatt in the underworld scared her, even though she was told he was evil in this time. Some part of her stilled denied this.
"What happened?" he demanded almost gently. She closed her eyes, and picked up a premonition.
Wyatt orbed in, and saw her demons. They scattered, eventually calling others using the crystal alarm system. She saw Wyatt's awful smirk, and then his shock when he realized he was over powered. She watched as the procession moved out of the room with Wyatt as hostage, and were out of her range of seeing.
"What's she doing?" Piper question Cole, but Ella answered her.
"She's getting' a vision."
"How," Phoebe asked curiously, "she didn't touch anything."
Ella rolled her eyes.
"She doesn't need to touch anything! She just gets 'em from the air! That's how she can beat up bad guys; she sees the punches and stuff before they do 'em."
"She's a little more adept than you are," Cole said gently, seeing the astounded look on his future wife's face.
"I guess so," she murmured.
Mel opened her eyes, missing the end of the conversation between her parents.
"It's okay, Dad," she said excitedly, "We got him!"
"Who got who?" Leo asked. The Charmed Ones looked at her expectedly.
Cole shook his head subtly. Mel sighed.
"They'll find out sooner or later," she argued.
"Let's make it later," Cole reasoned. Mel pouted rather immaturely, but did not push the issue.
The Charmed Ones and Leo, however, were very confused. It was clear to them that they were witnessing a conversation where the main idea was not being spoken, and this made them realize that Melody and Cole still had secrets that had gone untold.
"Ok, you two," Phoebe asked accusingly, "what's going on?"
But before either one could make up a clever and convincing lie to satisfy the sisters and Leo, a demon flamed in, directly in front of the sisters and Leo.
"Demon," shrieked Piper. To all, except Ella, Melody, and Cole, there was panic. Leo pulled Piper away in an attempt to protect her, and Paige flinched. Phoebe lookedat the demon inhorror, realizing that a six-year-old - her six-year-old -was about to be traumatized.
However, panic lead to confusion as Ella hopped out of her father's grasp and ambled toward the demon, throwing herself into his arms.
This demon was Ahwthork. He caught Ella and hugged her tightly, genuine pleasure dawning across his face.
"Why is my daughter hugging a demon?" Phoebe demanded.
"It's fine, Mom." Mel stepped forward, and was now Ahwthork's view.
At that moment, one of the last, major secrets Melody had been keeping disappeared. Cole smacked his forehead with an 'ugh!' as he watched the demon fall to his knees.
"My liege."