Hidden Evil
Piper was in the kitchen, cooking several things at the same time. She was using her powers to help her, heating up some of the food, but in a moment of distraction, she dropped a glass on the floor; she tried to freeze it, but it was too late.
-Oh no. –She complained. She looked around to see if anyone was near and then waved her hand, rebuilding the glass. She smiled at her new power and continued to put all the food on the table.
After she was done, she went to the basement, where Prue and Phoebe were training combat together. Phoebe had just done a flying kick, with the help from her levitation power, which Prue evaded skillfully. She, then, tried to hit back, but Phoebe blocked her. Prue closed her eyes and an astral projection appeared behind Phoebe; as they fought, though, another one appeared.
-Not fair. –Phoebe said. –Since when can you create unlimited "Prues"?
-Don't know. –She replied and they disappeared. –Break? –Phoebe nodded.
-You're doing great. –Piper commented when she got there. –Why are you training so hard?
-We've gotta get back on shape. –Prue said. –Don't know when the battle's coming, but we better be prepared.
-And it feels good too. –Phoebe added. –I missed this energy.
-You're pretty good for our age, but just remember you're not twenty anymore. –Piper said, smiling. –Now come have lunch.
The sisters agreed and went upstairs.
…
Paige was walking in a park, her clothes were dirty and her hair messy.
-Ugh, I can't do this anymore. –She complained as she walked through some bushes. –Why did this leprechaun have to hide here? Why not in a spa, or at least near my house? –She kept talking to herself.
She stopped when she hear a pain moan coming from nearby. She rushed to the place and found the little man lying on the ground, with an arrow in the right side of his body; his shirt was stained with blood and his eyes were closed.
-Oh no! –Paige gasped and rushed to help. She kneeled besides him and he opened his eyes slightly. –Hold on. –She said. –Arrow! –She orbed the arrow out of his body.
The leprechaun groaned and gasped in pain, and Paige tried to be as careful as possible.
-Don't worry, I'll help. –She put her hands over his wounds, but it didn't heal. She tried again, and again. –Why isn't it working? –She looked around, worried. –What happened?
-A… hunter. –He said, with difficulty. –This arrow is poisoned… I was hit too… too long ago
-I'll find him, but after I get you a cure.
-You can't… I'm too far… -He couldn't finish.
-Hold on for a minute, ok? I'll come back. –She orbed away, leaving him there.
She appeared in the manor, where her sisters were having lunch.
-Girls, I need your help. –She said.
-What's wrong? –Piper asked, getting up. –Are you ok?
-I'm helping this leprechaun, but I can't heal him. He was poisoned by some arrow. Do you remember the spell we used on Billie's friend?
-I do. –Phoebe said. –Let's go.
They all stood close to Paige and she orbed them away, but this time, her orbs were a little darker. They appeared in the park, next to the leprechaun; she was gone for only a minute, but he looked a lot worse. Sweat dripped from his head, and his face was twisted in pain.
-Wow. –Prue said. –Who could have done that?
-A hunter. –Paige explained. –Come on, let's do the spell.
They held their hands and started to chant:
"Make this wound hurt no more.
The power of four will heal this sore"
Strangely, nothing happened.
-It didn't work. –Phoebe said, shocked. –Why?
-Let's try again. –Prue said, and they did. Again, there was no effect.
-No. –Paige said. –Is it something wrong with me?
-Of course not. –Piper said. –Maybe… maybe he's too far to be saved. –She pressed her lips, tense.
-I can't let him die, especially not in pain. –Paige said. –I said I'd help.
-I can do something. –Phoebe said. She put her hands over the leprechaun and they were surrounded by a gray aura. His face became peaceful, but he kept lying there.
-What did you do? –The younger sister asked.
-I took away his pain, all off his feelings, actually. It's like the opposite of my empathy. I don't know why I can do that now.
The three sisters stared at Phoebe, probably thinking the same thing.
-I'll take him back. –Paige said, suddenly. –I'll take you home first. –She grabbed the arrow on the floor and orbed her sisters away.
When they got there, they found Leo and Billie, talking.
-Billie! –Phoebe said.
-What are you doing here? –Piper asked.
-I came to tell you I'm going back… to the mermaids, I mean. –She said, staring at the three sisters' disbelief faces. –I'm thankful that you helped me with Max and the hounds, but I've gotta get back, I'm feeling closer and closer to them, and I feel my powers changing.
-But I thought you were staying, I thought you had changed your mind. –Piper insisted.
-You know it's not a hundred percent my choice. It's more something I need.
-Just let us help you in the beginning! I mean, let us take a look at the book and try to figure something out. –Phoebe said.
-Ok. –Billie sighed. –But I'm sure there will be nothing there.
They went upstairs, to research the Book of Shadows.
-Sometimes new entries appear. –Phoebe said. –Maybe something's changed.
She grabbed the book, but when she opened it, it was blank.
-What the… -She kept flipping through it. –It's empty.
-How come? That's impossible. –Piper said.
-Oh no, maybe it's me, the demonic energy. –Phoebe said and handed the book to Piper, but nothing changed.
-Billie, call Paige. –Piper said. –I'll get someone to help. –She left.
Piper went to Wyatt and Chris's room, where they were playing, and Leo followed her.
-Who are you gonna call? –He asked.
-Your elder friend. I suppose he's watching right now.
-Nathaniel? How do you know him?
-He was here, when Wyatt was sick. Maybe he can help us.
-I don't know… -Leo was interrupted when the elder appeared.
-Leo! How are you? –He said, greeting him like an old friend. He looked like Santa Claus, but in golden clothes and with no gloves.
-I'm good. –Leo answered, smiling.
-I heard you needed my help. –He said. –Is anything wrong with the children?
-No, they're ok. –Piper said. –The problem is with me and my sisters. Come, let me show you.
They went back to the attic, where Prue, Phoebe, Billie and now Paige were waiting.
-Who's this? –Billie asked.
-That's Nathaniel, he's an elder. –Leo introduced his friend. –Maybe he can help us.
-What happened? –He asked.
-Something is wrong with our powers. –Phoebe said. –We couldn't do a power of four spell, and the Book of Shadow is empty, everything's gone.
-And some of us have been showing strange power advancements. –Prue added. –My astral projection is growing stronger by the hour, Phoebe got this… I don't know… apathy thing…
-Apathy? –The elder asked.
-Yeah, she said it was like the opposite of empathy, right? –Prue explained and Phoebe nodded.
-And my whitelighter powers are growing too, but in aggressive ways. It's wrong. –Paige said, remembering the light darts she used against the hounds.
-Piper's powers are growing too. –Billie said. –But to me it was ok, she could reverse the effects of her powers.
-Or anything similar to them. –Piper added. –Undo explosions, or breaks, and stuff. –She didn't think her new powers were strange, even though she knew that never meant something good was coming.
-I see. –Nathaniel said. He raised his hands and closed his eyes. –I can sense darkness in here. There's an aura around you, around the five of you. –He looked at Billie. –I don't know what did this, but…
-It's my fault. –Paige said. –I knew it, that cleansing never really worked.
-Yes it did. –Phoebe said. –The hounds came from that. It's my fault, the Angel of Destiny said I'd face consequences.
-No, no, no! –Prue interfered. –No pointing fingers.
-Maybe it's everyone's fault. –Billie said. –Remember that the hounds were supposed to come back, but didn't? Maybe they're doing this to us.
-But it started now. –Prue argued. –Why?
-The demonic energy triggered it. –Leo concluded. –Since you're sisters it affected all of you. –That's the only explanation.
-What about Billie? –Piper asked. –She's not our sister.
-But she was with us all this time, it must have affected her too. –Leo explained.
-I don't like the way this is going. –Paige said.
-Well, you do have a complicated history, don't you? –The elder said. –Unfortunately, I can't do anything now. I can look for a solution, but I can't guarantee it will work.
-Thank you. –Leo said.
-I must go. –He added. –I'll come if I have any news. –He orbed away.
-Ugh, we're so screwed. –Billie said. –It's sounding like something terrifyingly planned.
They all looked around, concerned.
-Ok, I'll go home and work a little. I can't stand feeling as useless as I feel right now.
-I'll go with you, I'm meeting Andy. –Prue said.
-You could all use some fresh air. –Leo said and Piper agreed. –I'll look at the kids while you go out and do something.
-Well, I have a hunter to find. –Paige said. –See you tomorrow. –She orbed away, her orbs a little darker.
However, as soon as Piper, Prue and Phoebe walked out of the door, they were approached by two men in black suits.
-Excuse me? –Phoebe said. –Who are you?
-They're with me. –A voice explained, coming from a car. It was Agent Murphy.
-Agent! Long time no see. –Piper sounded surprised.
-That's a good thing, right? –He joked. –I need your help, girls. I'm lucky that I got three of you here.
-Agent, it's been some tough weeks for us, I don't think we can help… -Phoebe said.
-It's urgent, a hostage situation involving a demon. –He said. –I'm not calling you for nothing.
-What kind of hostage situation? –Piper asked.
-At a bank. The demon is disguised as a human and demanding many things. There is something around 10 innocents there. The camera caught him creating a fireball, but people thought it was a gun.
-We have to go. –Prue said. –Get him to agree to let the innocents out and us in. We'll vanquish him before you know.
-That's a little more complicated. How are we gonna explain his disappearance? –Phoebe asked.
-We'll get him to come out. –Murphy explained. –In the truck, you can vanquish him. I just don't get why would a demon rob a bank?
-If it's an upper level demon, maybe he's trying to live here. –Piper said. –The underworld is a pure mess right now.
-Ok, can I count on you? –He asked and they nodded.
…
Paige was at her apartment, with the arrow in one of her hands and a crystal in the other. She was scrying for the hunted, and the stone pointed to a place on the map. She orbed away and appeared in a dark alley. The street was smoky and people hid in the shadows.
Paige walked confidently, until she found a broken door, the place the crystal had indicated. She walked inside and everything changed. She found what looked like a magic night club; dwarves, nymphs, faeries, leprechauns and other creatures walked around; the music was loud and everyone was drinking, dancing and gambling in the corner.
-What is this? –She asked to no one in particular.
-Welcome to The Nest. –A woman in a black dress said to her. –The best place for your magical adventures.
-What? So it's really a place for magical creatures? How come no one finds out?
-It's well hidden, you can't be tracked inside here. –She explained and then kept walking. She held a tray full of empty glasses.
-Wait! –Paige rushed after her. –You work here, right? Do you know who the hunter is?
-We've got many hunters here, witch hunters, gypsy hunter, bounty hunters… but if you're looking for the big man, it must be him. –She pointed at a tall and muscular man, with a bow and quiver on his back. –He got here just now. He's called Eagle Eye, because he never misses a shot. He works for the Magician himself.
-Thank you. –Paige said and left after the man.
He was standing next to a table with four other man: a bald man with an eye in the back of his head, a man that was part snake, a darklighter and a man in a large dark green robe. They seemed to play some kind of card game, while the hunter watched over.
-Hey, you! –She said. –Come here! –She knew she was being stupid, this was a place full of demons, and evil creatures that could attack her, but she couldn't walk away.
-Me? –He asked coming towards her. –What do you want… -He sniffed the air. –Witch –He said, disgusted.
-I want justice. You killed a leprechaun today, and he didn't deserve it. This is one of your arrows, right? –She showed him the arrow.
-It is. But I didn't kill anyone who was innocent. That leprechaun was in dept with The Magician, and he doesn't like liars who don't pay their bills.
-So you killed him? This is sick. –A small crowd gathered around them. –I won't let you walk away.
-Are you really challenging me? –The hunter said and the Magician stared, curious.
-Yes, I am. –Paige looked at him, brave. –Ready to lose? –She smiled, provocatively.
…
Piper, Prue and Phoebe were wearing black spy clothes.
-Ready? –Murphy asked and they nodded. –Remember the plan: immobilize him and vanquish him here. Good luck.
-Don't forget to turn off the cameras. –Prue added. –Don't want anyone seeing us, right? –He nodded.
They left and agent Murphy contacted the demon. As soon as the girls got in, three people were sent out.
-We agreed to let everyone go. –The agent argued.
-I'm not stupid. I know you sent witches, I'll keep my insurance with me. –He crushed the phone in his hands. He had exposed his true form now, with red and green face.
-Hey. –Piper said when they got in. She waved her arm and froze the 7 innocents there.
The demon rushed to them, but Prue sent him against a wall.
-Not so fast. Piper, freeze him!
-I can't. –Piper said. –It's not working.
Slowly, he got up and sent a fireball against Piper, she blew it up, but the explosion sent her against a wall and unfroze everyone. It was a total chaos, people screaming and shouting for help, they saw that he was distracted and tried to get up.
-Everyone calm down! –Phoebe shouted, using her empathy. –Girls, take care of him! –She asked. She kept her hands up and looked at the people, transferring calmness and peaceful thoughts.
Prue astral projected and kicked the demon in the back, sending him to Piper, who blew the air in front of him, unbalancing him. He fell on the floor, but before they had a chance to attack, he sent an energy blast that knocked Piper and Prue down.
Everyone screamed when he got up and grabbed a man by his neck.
-Give me what I want or I'll kill him. –He said to Phoebe. She put her hands down, and even though no one moved, their panic was clear.
-Let him go. –She said.
-You don't get to call the shots. –The man he held was afraid and shaking.
Phoebe raised her hand and a grey aura appeared around it. The demon's anger disappeared, and so did his will to get what he wanted. He let the man go.
-You're part human, you have feelings. –She said.
Piper and Prue were getting up, and Piper quickly froze the 6 panicking people. Before they realized, the man next to the demon also had an empty look on his face.
-Phoebe, stop! –Prue put her hand in her sister's shoulder. She put her hand down, and the man and the demon "woke up".
Prue waved her hand and sent the demon against the ceiling; he fell on the floor, unconscious.
-We're done. –Piper said in the phone to Murphy.
The three sisters looked at each other and at the man on the floor, confused.
…
Paige was kicked out of the place, and fell on the floor, sliding until she hit a wall. She slowly got up, hurt. When she looked up, she saw Eagle Eye with an arrow pointed at her.
-Do you know why they call me Eagle Eye? Because I never miss a shot. –He let the arrow go, but Paige was prepared. She created and orb shield and the arrow fell on the floor.
-Too bad. –Paige said. She raised her arm and orbs appeared around the hunter, crushing him.
-Aren't you gonna do anything? –A man asked The Magician.
-He chose his fight, I won't interfere. There are plenty of hunters out there.
The hunter used his strength and broke the orbs, he had an animal look on his face. He set three arrows and shot them. Paige evaded by using her shield, but she had to find a way to vanquish him, whatever he was.
-Tired? –Paige asked. –I can do this until you run out of arrows.
-That won't happen. –He shot two more arrows. The first one hit the force field and broke it, leaving Paige defenseless.
-Arrow! –She shouted right on time, and the objected was orbed back, hitting the hunter. She wasn't planning to do that, but she couldn't control herself.
He fell on his knees, horror printed in his face. The magician and the others went back to the club, leaving him there. Paige noticed, as the blood dripped from the wound, that the hunter was human.
-Oh lord! You're a human! –She said.
-Of course I am. –He gasped.
-But-but how come you never miss?
-It's the bow and arrow, I was good, but they made me perfect. I was in dept with The Magician, now I'm free.
-Oh no, please no. –Paige said. –No, no! I killed someone.
-You've dealt with bad men before. –He gasped.
-Demons! And warlocks, and monsters, not humans! And I can't heal you.
As she cried, the man passed away. She got up and stumbled through the dark, not knowing what was real and what was not anymore.
-Henry! –She called. She kept walking, running from the shadows around her. She saw people and monsters and just kept walking, until she collapsed on the floor.
Henry orbed right next to her and kneeled on the floor.
-What's going on? Are you hurt? What were you doing here?
She didn't answer, she had an empty look on her face. He held her and orbed away, leaving the place empty.