Now we are getting close to the end. Like the previous chapter, this one took some time to write. However I have reread it, edited etc so I hope I haven't made the same mistakes as I did in the last chapter.

I always knew from the start that Darryl would find the Wolfen, a little lesson the sisters needed to learn that magic can't solve all problems.

The hardest bit to write was Seekers death and the battle between the Wolfen and the demons. I have always liked the Wolfen despite what they are and it wasn't easy.

So will Ripper survive, stay tuned.

Sunday Early afternoon.

A three way fight that goes badly.

With a grimace, Darryl stepped out in to the hallway as he pulled his cell phone from his top pocket. Opening it, he said "Darryl here". Watching from the Living room, a curious Matt saw Darryl's face change as what he heard changed the way he stood. He stiffened and a smile of success spread across his face. Simply saying "Well done", he closed his phone.

Turning, he found himself looking back at everyone else, who were now staring at him. With a sigh, Darryl said "I think I may have found the Wolfen".

"Huh" replied Phoebe. "Hold on" asked Paige, "how could you do that when Phoebe and I can't?". With a grin Darryl replied "Ha, I don't have to use magic, all I need is my police instincts and some dogs".

"OK, Darryl, spill it" demanded Prue.

Darryl explained "I was interviewing the security guard who called the police about the attack on the Hunter's base. He mentioned that his dog became afraid and tried to run away. This was a dog who had never shown fear before yet it was terrified. That reminded me of the killing of the woman in the park. The tracker dogs there refused to follow the scent of her killers, they also showed terror".

"When Paige and Phoebe identified the area the Wolfen were in, I sent several dog teams to sweep the area. If they got close to the Wolfen then the dogs would react and they have. That was Lieutenant Anderson on the phone, the dogs on his team won't go anywhere near an old building near the river".

"Well done Darryl" replied Phoebe. "Way to go" added Paige. With a proud grin, Darryl then asked the question that everyone was thinking "What now?".

"We don't have a lot of the Wolfsbane potion" said Piper, "although it won't take long to make some more. Its tricky and difficult, but with care we should be able to make enough to provide all of us with several vials each. I found two sets of bottles at P3 that we can use. One will fit in the other and both together will make an ideal potion container".

"That still leaves the Wolfen, we need to make sure they are in that building" said Prue. "And if they are?" asked Cole. "Then we vanquish them" Prue replied. Turning to Piper, she added "The four of us should start making the potion, Piper, you and Paige make the first part, Phoebe and I will make the second part".

"And us" asked Leo. After a pause Prue decided "You, Cole and Matt, go with Darryl and keep an eye on that building. Leo, you can find a hidden place we can orb into. We will call when we have enough of the Wolfsbane potion. Leo can then orb back here, then you and Paige can then orb us over so we can remain unseen.

"What about us" demanded Victor. Prue turned to look at him, "Sorry dad, you and Sheila must stay out of this, none of you have any idea of how dangerous the Wolfen are". "What about Matt" demanded Victor as he pointed to Matt. Prue reached out to hold Matt's hand and said "He's been with us when we fought demons and I promised him that he could always be a part of my life". A suddenly nervous Matt smiled but refused to say anything as a burst of fear made him decide to keep his mouth shut.

"Well I don't want to go" said Sheila, "I have met them once and I do not want to do it again".

"We will need help here, will you stay please?" asked Phoebe.

Meanwhile in a cavern

"Success my Lord" intoned the Seer as she stood before the Source. "I have located the Wolfen. The Triad's spell was easy to penetrate once you had vanquished them."

"Good" replied the Source as he rose from his throne. As he swept past the Seer he added "Follow me". Descending deeper into the maze that was the Underworld, the Seer realised that the Source was heading for his dungeon. A place that few had ever returned from, the Seer being one of those few. Following him, she emerged into one of the larger caverns that made up the outer dungeon.

In front of her, filling the middle of the cavern, she saw many demons, kneeling on the floor. These were the lucky ones, demons who had fought the Source and surrendered. Those who had fled, the Seer knew were all dead as she had helped the Source's soldiers to find them. Standing around the walls, were the loyal and powerful members of the Source's body guard.

Moving into the middle of the floor and stopping just in front of the prisoners, the Source said "I have come to offer you a way to regain my trust and favour". He paused and waited until all the kneeling demons had raised their heads. "An old enemy has returned to my city, one that was banned long ago. It is time they were reminded of what would happen if they had the arrogance to return. The Seer will show you were to find them, then you will destroy them. Do as I command, survive and win my forgiveness. Refuse or betray me and the Wasteland waits".

Pausing as he scanned the prisoners, he waited long enough to see all of the demons accept the offer as they bowed so low that their foreheads touched the floor. With that, the Source turned to the Seer and simply said "Wait and show them the way". Then he turned and stalked out of his dungeon to return to his throne room.

All the demons rose to look at the Seer. With distain and a look on her face that implied this was the last place she wanted to be, the Seer said "Listen to me".

The Manor

Cole, Leo, Matt and Darryl quietly left the Manor and walked down to Darryl's station wagon. The drive to the Wolfen's lair would take over an hour and they exhausted any conversation within a few minutes. The rest of the journey was completed in silence as doubts about what they were doing started to set in. None wanted another fight with the Wolfen given what had happened in the past. Even Matt who had not seen the Wolfen in the flesh, had picked up enough vibes from those around him to begin to worry.

Absorbed in their own thoughts, no one noticed the three cars that carefully took turns to follow them. These drivers were experts and not even Darryl had he been looking, would have spotted those following them.

Back at the Manor, the sisters quickly settled down to making the two potions that when combined would produce the Wolfsbane. Both Sheila and Victor could do little but help by handing over various ingredients when asked. Sheila in particular was concerned for her husband and even Prue's promise that Darryl would not be allowed to join them, failed to prevent her imagination from picturing the worst.

As Darryl's car neared the old building, he took care to park at least a block away, in a busy enough area that would hopefully hide them from the Wolfen. However the busy activity around them also hid Agent Keyes' team as they carefully watched Darryl and the others from a distance. Keyes himself arrived in the third car, a very obvious black SUV that screamed government. The only people who noticed were several drug dealers and a few others involved in illegal activities, who promptly left the area.

Waiting for them was Lieutenant Anderson who was able to brief them on the building. Noticing the for sale posters on the building, he had located the local real estate agent handling the sale. Despite it being a Sunday he had used his initiative and his badge, to convince the agent to provide a floor plan of the building.

After being thanked and commended by Darryl, a puzzled Lieutenant Anderson was told to collect his team and head for home.

As agents in the other two cars, fed a constant stream of updates to him, Keyes and Murphy tried to make sense of what was going on. The men were here for no logical reason that they could determine. Another watch team had verified that the sisters, their father and Darryl's wife had remained at the Manor. They could only wait and see what would happen.

Only when they ran out of two key ingredients, did the sisters decide that they had finished enough of the Wolfsbane potion. After carefully testing the two potions by mixing samples as Susie had shown them, were Prue and Piper satisfied with what they had produced.

As they were now ready, Piper called to Leo for him to return. Once again, a dark alley proved useful as Leo and Cole disappeared out of the watching agents sight. From there Leo orbed back to the Manor. There he found Prue arguing with her father.

"Dad, its too dangerous, if demons turn up here while we are away, they will kill both you and Sheila. You both need to leave and no you can't come with us". After a brief argument with all three of the sisters backing Prue, Victor reluctantly agreed but he and Sheila would also join Darryl. It would take them at least an hour to drive over and as Piper pointed out, they probably would have finished checking the building long before they arrived. With that Victor replied "Good, phone us when you are back at the Manor and we will return".

As the sisters hurriedly changed their clothes as they had for the attack on the Rat demons, an unhappy Sheila got into Victor's car to drive across town to join her husband. Their departure was passed onto Keyes by the team watching the Manor who also reported that while they could see movement inside, they were unable to confirm that the sisters were still there. This only deepened his unhappiness and uncertainty as neither Cole or Leo had returned from the alley.

When all four sisters, Leo and Cole emerged from the alley, less than a minute later to join Matt and Darryl, he almost lost it. A blistering reprimand to the team watching the Manor did little to ease the situation. After accepting their belated apology, he finally decided to allow the watch team to complete the next phase. He then ordered all four Battagliana's to confirm the Manor was now empty, then enter and plant the surveillance equipment they had decided on.

A quiet group surrounded Darryl's car as they examined the brief history and floor plans of the building which he laid out on the bonnet. Three stories high and build in a U shape around a courtyard. It had a brick exterior with an interior wooden floors and walls. An old building, it was now waiting for its fate to be decided. It had been condemned as a fire trap and was almost too old to easily renovate.

Initially it had been a hostel, first for the many nurses who worked at the local hospital and then converted into a single men's quarters. But that had been many years in the past and now it just sat there, with most of its windows boarded up to prevent vandals breaking them. Those squatters who had lived in it had either quickly moved out or become the Wolfen's first meals.

"This is what I think we should do" said Prue, "We need to find out if the Wolfen are present and to do that, we need to get inside that building. I propose that we split into two groups, Paige, Matt and me in one and Leo, Piper Cole and Phoebe in the other. Each group has someone to orb them out in a hurry, someone with active powers and someone who can sense if the Wolfen are close. Paige, Matt and I will check out the top floor, Leo, your group can check out the second floor. Stay together and orb away at the slightest sign of danger".

Darryl, Leo and Cole immediately objected as splitting into two groups prevented them from using the Power of three and doubled the danger they were in. However they were over ruled by the sisters who wanted to get this over as quickly as possible. Collecting the torches they had stored in Darryl's car, they prepared to leave.

Leaving Darryl to wait for Sheila and Victor, they headed back into the alley to find a sheltered area to orb into the hostel. Meanwhile a lonely and unhappy Darryl started to become suspicious of a several men who seemed to far to inquisitive of the alley the two groups had entered. Their prompt departure immediately after he started watching them, only deepened his concern and he began to carefully examine his surroundings.

Inside the hostel, the pack came together in the basement to prepare for the night's hunt. Despite being deep in the building, they immediately became aware of the two groups arrival at the far end of the two floors. The narrow corridors and many small rooms made it impossible for either group to move quietly and such was the Wolfen's hearing ability, they sounded like a herd of elephants.

With a quick snap to gain everyone's attention, Firstfang gave her orders. She and Striker were to investigate the group on the second floor which sounded the largest. Slowdeath and Seeker would check out the group on the top floor. If they could, they were to attack and kill, but only if success was guaranteed. Starbright was to join a still ill Sprinter who was watching the cubs and Ripper, then escort them to a safe place. Jumper and Watcher would check the other side of the building.

Starbright quickly joined Sprinter, Ripper and the cubs. Sending Ripper ahead, both she and Sprinter grabbed a cub and set out to follow. Quietly the other six Wolfen quickly climbed the stairs and moved stealthily towards the intruders. As the various scents drifted down the ventilation shafts, they easily identified the intruders as the witches they had tried to kill before.

All realised that if the Witches could find them here, then they would not be safe anywhere else, so killing them was now essential. They would never have a more favourable location for a fight as by now they knew the building like the back of their paws.

Slowdeath and Seeker were the first to make contact as the upper corridors were mostly clear of obstacles.

Prue was leading her group as this would allow her to use her telekinesis without anyone getting in the road. Paige followed close behind her, using her sensing power to look for the Wolfen. Almost immediately she had picked up what felt like them but something in the environment made it difficult for her to determine how close they were. Following behind, with potions in hand was a nervous Matt who found it difficult to trust either Paige's ability to warn them or Prue's telekinesis.

By now Prue had realised that the men had been right, the narrow, dark corridors made it difficult for them to move and she was regretting her decision. Holding up her hand, she stopped Paige and Matt while she reached for her cell phone. After contacting the other group, she intended recommending their immediate return to the alley or the Manor.

Paige stepped past her as she sensed something further down the corridor. Prue reached out to prevent her from venturing to far. As Paige turned to see what Prue intended, she stopped as she saw Prue pull out her cell phone. She was distracted for just long enough to allow Slowdeath and Seeker to charge.

Hearing Paige's yell and seeing her dive sideways out of the corridor into a side room, Prue dropped her cell phone and raised her hands to use her power. Slowdeath who had jumped high to land on Prue, once again found himself been thrown heavily back down the corridor.

Seeker who like the last time stayed low, changed her attack from Paige, to go after the more dangerous witch. Before Prue could do anything, Seeker hit her hard, slamming her off her feet and onto her back. Grabbing Prue's left arm, she shattered it in two places with two swift bites. As Prue screamed in pain, Seeker shifted her attack towards her throat. One swift bite and the witch would be dead.

Jumping forward, Matt saved Prue's life as he threw one of his potion bottles. Shattering on Seeker's back, the Wolfsbane spread over her causing immediate and unbearable agony. Howling in pain, she convulsed as muscle spasms caused her to fall sideways through an open door into another room. There she continued to thrash around in agony as the poison killed her.

Paige joined a barely conscious Prue as Matt frantically removed his belt so he could put a tourniquet on her arm and stop her from bleeding to death. As Paige supported Prue she glanced into the room as Seeker's agony finally ended. As she died, like with the others, her magic unraveled and she vanished in a ball of fire.

Further down the corridor, Slowdeath stopped in horror as he heard his mate scream in agony. The smell of the Wolfsbane quickly spread down the corridor and he realised what was killing her. Only when she died, was he finally able to start moving, as a bright red grief rose within him and he started his charge.

Paige easily picked up on Slowdeath's intentions as his emotions made him stand out like a bright light. Grabbing both Prue and Matt, she said "We don't have time, the other one's coming" and she orbed them one floor down to seek Leo's help, ending up behind Piper's group.

This corridor was filled with rubbish and obstacles so the second group had made poor progress. However Firstfang and Striker had arrived. Warned by Phoebe, a battle had developed as the two Wolfen tried to close with the group. Using holes created between the rooms with this in mind, they tried to slip behind or flank the group. They had been stopped by several badly aimed potion bottles which had shattered on obstacles creating partial barriers. Piper had also attempted to blow up the Wolfen however the poor lighting and fast moving Wolfen had meant that she had only hit the walls or the floor, creating more holes.

Everyone stopped and looked up in horror as Seeker's agony penetrated down to them. Both Firstfang and Striker stopped their attack and retreated a short distance down the corridor to reconsider their strategy. While they were doing this, Paige and Matt who was supporting a still badly bleeding Prue orbed in. Matt carefully lowered Prue onto the floor and quickly tied his belt around Prue's upper arm to reduce any further blood loss.

Leo and Phoebe turned and ran back to help as Cole and Piper slowly retreated back towards them. Cole held several potion bottles and Piper was ready to explode anything that moved. As Phoebe and Leo arrived to help, demons began to flame into the hallways.

Throughout the building from the basement to the top floor, groups of demons flamed in to gain the Source's forgiveness. Three demons flamed in behind both groups as Leo tried to heal Prue's broken arm. A by now furious Phoebe immediately got to her feet and channelled their powers so completely that they vanquished each other before they could even scream.

Two more groups of demons flamed into the corridor, one between the witches and the Wolfen and the other almost alongside Firstfang and Striker. Piper immediately attacked, exploding three of the demons before the remaining two could get out of sight by retreating into two side rooms. The Wolfen also attacked, ripping into the demons between them and the stairs, killing two and then fleeing down the corridor.

As Piper turned to check on what was happening behind her, a demon stepped into the corridor and threw a fireball. Hitting her squarely on her right side, she was flung sideways to hit and then crash through the plaster, slats and wooden beams that made up the wall. Unconscious before she hit the floor, she was covered in deep cuts that started to bleed profusely.

As Leo frantically ran to his wife, he was joined by Phoebe and Cole who took shelter as more fireballs sped down the narrow corridor. As the fireballs neared them, Prue raised her right arm and tried to deflect them over her head. The first barrage did just that and a large fire started in the roof and walls behind them as the fireballs exploded. Prue's arm dropped as this took the last of her energy and she could barely remain conscious.

Leo carefully held his wife as Phoebe checked for a pulse, "She still alive but you and Paige have to heal her, she's losing far too much blood" she said with concern and fear in her voice. "But not here" said Cole, "those demons will be all over us in seconds and Paige is trapped out there. We have to return to the Manor, the demons are here to kill the Wolfen but we are a far greater prize".

As a second set of fireballs were flung at them by six demons, Paige held out both arms and called the fireballs to her. Pulling her arms back over her head she flung them back down the corridor, forcing all six demons to seek cover. This gave them a priceless few seconds to decide what to do.

Once again the fireballs set fire to the corridor and a thick hot cloud of smoke began to spread as the fire took hold. Sprinklers now came into action however it was obvious that they were inadequate given the circumstances.

Phoebe appeared in the doorway and yelled to Paige, Matt and Prue, "We can't stay here, orb back to the Manor now, we will meet you there". Paige needed little encouragement and immediately wrapped her arms around Matt and Prue as she orbed out.

In the room, Leo rose to his feet as he carefully cradled Piper. Phoebe joined them and wrapped her arms around them both, to help Leo hold Piper. Cole held onto Phoebe as Leo orbed away.

Elsewhere in the building, the Wolfen fought for their lives. Moving fast, in a building that they knew well, they avoided most of the demons fireballs. However there were just too many demons who gave little thought to their own existence as their oath to the Source compelled them to attack.

Slowdeath was overwhelmed as he fought to the death in the corridor outside the room his mate had died in. A series of fireball hits, first slowed him and then destroyed him. As the fire spread, his ashes mixed with those of Seeker and the buildings.

Firstfang and Striker almost made it to the first floor before her luck ran out. A fireball thrown at her by a demon on the second floor, slammed her through the railing and down into the room below. As she struggled to her feet, another fireball hit her squarely on her lower back, shattering her spine and causing major internal injuries.

As five demons ran forward to finish her off, Striker arrived and without hesitation attacked. Three demons died as a demented Striker raged amongst them, he could not be stopped. Fireballs missed or seemed to have no effect as he fought to save his mate. As the fires spread, the remaining two demons flamed out.

Firstfang forced herself to remain conscious as she tried to pull herself across the floor, finally managing to pull herself into the dubious shelter of an alcove. As she raised her head and tried to focus on her surroundings, she realise how badly hurt she was. As she could feel her life flow from her, she waited for death to come.

Striker came out of the smoke to stand alongside her. With almost the last of her energy she tried to order him away, however for the first time ever, he refused to obey her. Once, along time ago, he had fled a similar fight but never again. Where Firstfang was going, so would he. He lay down alongside her and gently pushed his head into hers, in life and death, they would always be together. At the rate the fire was spreading, it would not be long.

Elsewhere Starbright and Sprinter also fought for their lives and that of the cubs. Trapped in a room where they had tried to hide, the fight was short and vicious. Both Wolfen died quickly with Sprinter at least having the satisfaction of taking a demon with her. The remaining demons laughingly examined the two snarling cubs who tried to threaten them. Two fireballs, casually thrown, ended their existence.

Jumper and Watcher barely escaped from the building as they ran down a prepared escape route. Behind them, the ever present fireballs thrown at them, set fire to the rest of the building. By now almost the entire building was ablaze, and even the demons could no longer risk staying. Certain that the Wolfen were either dead or would be soon as the building burned, they flamed out.

Jumper, aware of the inferno developing above, quickly led Watcher to the other escape routes, desperately hoping that he would find other Wolfen survivors and that Starbright would be one of them.

Outside, a horrified Darryl called 911 to summon the fire brigade. Keyes also watched, this time in fascination as he did not know that the Halliwells had entered the building.

Darryl then tried to contact Prue, however first she refused to answer and then he could not make contact. Unaware that Prue had dropped her cell phone in the hostel where it had been destroyed by fire, Darryl began to fear the worst.