Oni-Gil: Yes, that is quite aggravating…and it probably will happen more. Actually, I assure you it will!

chuckles1414: Well, I won't say if anything is going to end happily ever after or not…but I'm glad you enjoy the story and I'm glad that you want everyone to be happy! So do I, but my brain seems to go on its own path…

Patricia L. Bryans: I'm glad that cleared it up for you. Basically, Phoebe got the premonition, Lucy intercepted it, and she sent it to Heather, who almost saw the entire thing, but it stopped before she saw herself and her sisters, as she already knew where they were. But the eyes she saw were Phoebe's, in case the chapter did not clear that up…I'm not sure I even brought up the premonition later, but now I'll have to add that in…well, now you've just seen a sneak peek! 

Thank you all, for reading this! It is getting to the action bits, I promise!

-15-

A roaring fire blazed red-hot in the huge, ancient stone fireplace set into the rough walls of the meeting cave. The great block of oak wood that fueled the fire cracked and spewed sparks across the dirt carpet, searching for anything in its path to consume. Despite the fire however, the room was filled with cold evil.

Seated imperiously at a small round stone table, shrouded in black and its face hidden, was the Source of All Evil. Seated at his left hand was the quivering demon, Justain, who continuously shot furtive glances at his master and then at the only exit. The Source remained still and silent, calm but anticipating the arrival of the demon who was to meet him.

After a short moment, Justain spoke, the sudden noise breaking the air sharply but not startling the Source at all. "Lord, I am gratified that you chose me to accompany you-"

"I did not choose you for your loyalty, Justain. You know too much to have left you behind. Although, I might as well kill you now, as you are no use to me anyway. Pathetic demons who can't even capture a witch are no good." A sharp intake of breath from the other demon was heard only by the Source who smiled, inwardly pleased that he implanted so much fear into low beings, but he resisted in actually killing Justain. Who knows? He might come in useful in the near future. After all, he did manage to kill a Magicked One…perhaps he would do so again.

A sudden apparition appeared in front of the table as Lynxe and her back-up demon formed from the air effortlessly, but the Source didn't bother to rise, nor welcome her. Why would he? He had to show her that he was the boss, not the other way around. Instead, he leaned back in his chair. "Greetings," he offered, gesturing at a seat with forced courtesy.

"Greetings," Lynxe replied, slowly sitting opposite of the demon, sizing him up out of the corner of one evil eye. This "Lord of the Underworld" certainly had power and followers, many of them, but her master was much more powerful than all of them combined. This should be easy.

The Source spoke first, still maintaining his role as the more powerful in an effort to wow this new female demon. "I understand you're master, Zoltof, has succeeded in capturing the Magicked Ones," he rasped.

Lynxe nodded her head slightly, revealing nothing by speaking only the amount of words necessary. "You understand correctly."

Silence reigned in the cave for a few seconds. This demon has done what my followers could not, thought the Source, coolly. Never before had a group of witches been captured together with all of them alive. Especially not a group of witches with a powerful reputation, whom demons feared to go against. Just how powerful was this Zoltof? These Magicked Ones were not a push over by any means. "And what are you planning to use the witches for?" The Source inquired aloud.

Lynxe stared into the demon's unseen face, working to identify and eye or mouth, but could see nothing except the black shrouds. What did this demon want with the Magicked Ones? If he was so powerful, why weren't the Magicked ones, or the Charmed Ones for that matter, killed or captured before now? Surely if this "Source" were so powerful he would have killed them by now. "To get to the Charmed Ones, then destroy all seven witches, enabling us to rid the world of Good at last," She answered, slowly, deliberately lengthening her explanation create suspense.

"Even with the Magicked Ones in your master's control, the Charmed Ones will be a great obstacle to conquer. They are extremely powerful, dangerous, and they are not daft to their situation. They will fight back hard, make no mistake. They will try to save the Magicked Ones, without a doubt. They are all…sister witches after all." The Source was warning this demon, but he was careful not to hint that Zoltof was weak. The Source was ambitious, but he valued his life and knew where to draw the line.

Lynxe leaned forward, her arms on the table. "What are you suggesting?" She hissed, though interested in the Source's information.

"I am suggesting that perhaps you require more help. My help. Together, we can surely defeat the witches and achieve a Utopia for the demonic race, as well as for all the Evil in the universe. No longer will we have to battle the witches for freedom or preservation of life. No longer will we have to hide in the Underworld, biding our time. Our time is now. Now is our time to conquer! It is the age of Evil. Why else could you defeat the Magicked Ones so easily? The force of Evil is growing and between your master, you, and myself, nothing will stand in our way. Nothing! Then we will rule the demons together." The Source had leaned forward on the table, capturing Lynxe's full attention with his short speech.

"How do you profit?" Lynxe whispered, suspicious as ever of a plot twist, but her eyes were glinting, betraying her desire.

"Profit?" The Source repeated, trying to keep the glee out of his voice. The demon was almost in his grasp. "No profit except a safe way to live, no witches barging in, trying to vanquish me with spells and potions every day. I only have one condition should you join me."

"And that is?"

"I kill the ones they call Prue and Kate. Those witches have always been the backbone of Good, even if no one has had the sense to see it. I have. Kate has always been able to evade capture and assassination, and Prudence is the one chucking potions at me continuously and escaping each demon I throw at her, even Barbas, the demon of fear. With both of them dead, their sisters will not stand a chance. Your master is free to do what you wish with the remaining witches, as long as I get those two. So, what do you say?"

Lynxe straightened in her chair, pretending to be thinking, but really listening to a whisper of air that blew by her ear which said, "Do it." She could not disobey her master's orders. "We agree to your request."

The Source could barely contain his happiness as he asked another question, now more comfortable in his role as the master. "Where are you keeping the Magicked Ones?"

"In a holding cave in my master's lair," was all Lynxe said.

"I have an incredibly safe place to keep the witches until we capture the Charmed Ones."

"As have we," Lynxe replied again, coolly.

"I don't doubt that," the Source said, nodding once to show his understanding. Well, that was the wrong thing to have questioned this demon about. There was no need to upset her, after all. Not when they were going to be…partners. "However, my lair holds caves with the utmost security and my demons are more than capable of handling a few witches."

Lynxe couldn't curb her tongue in time. "Like you've handled the Charmed Ones in the past?"

The other demon's lip curled. "With my cave and your demons, the Magicked Ones could never escape."

Doubtful, Lynxe thought, but replied, "Your idea is a good one, but have you considered escape? Given the chance, these witches will stop at nothing to escape, and I'm sure the Charmed Ones are already searching for them."

"Impossible," interjected the Source. "Guards will be posted at all times, and this particular cavern is extremely difficult to detect, as it is cloaked magically. The witches will be chained there until you see fit to use one of them as you will. Well, do we agree to everything?"

Lynxe spat on her hand and held it out. The cloaked demon before her did the same, and they grasped hands, claw to claw, the hatred and evil mingling.

The deal was made. The war had begun.

A/N: I apologize for the briefness of this chapter. I felt that the shorter the better when dealing with evil. Everyone knows their intentions, besides, demonic leaders don't much enjoy talking to one another…but that's the explanation of why this chapter is so dang short!