Most of San Fransisco slept quietly as the darkness of night sat over the city. Everyone, that is, except the SFPD, still searing for Jesse McCartney, whose ashes lay at the feet of the Source of All Evil. Also awake, the most powerful of the Charmed Ones, Prue Halliwell, a young black haired witch, who chose to spend her nights lately fighting demons instead of sleeping. Just like any other night, this is no exception.

"You cannot defeat me, witch," said a female demon with dread locks, throwing an energy ball at Prue, who back flipped up onto a dumpster. She then cartwheeled off, kicking the demon in the face. She looked down at her, and chanted.

"Evil demon, spawn of Hell, Death now takes you with this spell." An eerie shadow stretched over the demon, and pulled him into the ground. Prue looked at her watch. 3:37 A.M.

Damn! She thought I need to get home! And with that, she ran to her car.

-P-P-P-

DISCLAIMER: ALL THE CHARACTERS WHO APPEARED ON CHARMED ARE THE SOLE WRITE OF THE ACTORS, WRITERS, AND CREATERS OF CHARMED.

CREDITS:

Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell

Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell

Alyssa Milano as Phoebe Halliwell

Brian Krause as Leo Wyatt

Julian McMahon as Cole Turner

Chad Michael Murray as Kevin Lane

-P-P-P-

Opening the door slowly, Prue crept slowly into the manor. She heard a crash come from the attic and ran faster than a cheetah up the stairs. She was embraced by her sisters upon entering the room. She looked around. A crystal sat on a map, ad the book lay open beside it. They were tying to find her. But Prue, not wishing her sisters to find her, cast a spell to ward of scrying.

"Where were you," asked Piper, "We thought a demon took you!"

"I just needed to get away. Don't worry Honey," said Prue, placing a hand on Phoebe's cheek, "I'm okay. It's nearly five. Let's go to bed. She and her sisters went to their respective rooms. The crystal, which still lay on the map, jumped to another part of it.

-P-P-P-

Where the crystal now lay, Niray had risen from the underworld. Nearby, a demon held his hands up, palms out, facing a mortal, who screamed and fell to her knees. This demon, Rak, has the power to cause someone's brain to press in on itself, then he feeds off the pain. Niray raised her hand and the mortal died.

"Hey!" Rak yelled, "That was my dinner!"

"Forget her," said Niray, "Rak, I want you to join me. I want you to be my minion. I am Niray. I'm sure you know what that means. And I want you to help me destroy the Charmed Ones. Rak laughed heartily.

"The Charmed Ones," he said, "cannot be destroyed. The witches vanquish any demon who attacks them."

"But Shax did. Then that accursed warlock brought Prue back."

"Shax? The witches vanquished him."

"Yes. But not before he was able to kill the eldest. Then time changed when that warlock saved her."
"Warlock?"

"Kevin. The warlock she vanquished."

"How you know she vanquished him?"

"Because! I can sense all beings. And him, I cannot sense."

"But if I did join you, I'd die. And what's in it for me?"

"If you shall fall, I can revive you. And if we kill the Charmed Ones, you will be more powerful than you ever could have imagined!"

"If you're so strong, why can't you kill them yourself?"

"I do not wish to sully my hands with the work of a minion."

"Alright. I'm game. I'll join you." Niray raised her hand, and Rak fell to the ground. The Seal of Niray burned into Rak's neck. Energy covered him, and in a flash of light, he was gone.

"Don't worry, young warlock," Niray said to the air, "I'm the sole person who knows you exist still." And with that, she teleported away. Nearby, Kevin looked down at the square and blinked out.

-P-P-P-

"Hello Sweety," Phoebe said, as Cole shimmered into the attic. Her and her sisters stood around a rug in the middle of the attic, each holding a piece of paper, a spell to summon Niray.

"What're you doing," he asked, "Summoning a demon?"

"No. A witch," Prue said, "Niray. We need to —,"

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Cole interrupted."

"Excuse me?"

"Well," Cole said nervously, trying to fix his mistake, "Niray is too strong for you. She killed three Sources and the entire counsel. Before she went evil, that is. You can't summon her. I won't let you."

"Is she really that dangerous?" Phoebe asked.

"Well," said Cole, "To put it plainly, you'd need another Charmed One to stop her. Plus someone to take her power from her."

"What?"

"Mana, her Pure Energy, won't just disappear when you destroy her. You need someone else to take it."

"Okay. So we need to get more power. And find someone who can take Niray's magic. Cole, could you go down to the Underworld to see what you can find out about Niray?" Cole shimmered away.

"We need to find our sister."

"And someone to take the power."

"And I was hoping for a day off."

-P-P-P-

Niray's eyes glowed in the darkness of the cave.

"Soon," she said, "The Charmed Ones will be dead. And their powers shall be mine."