Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything, except for Prue's kids.
Author's Note: Due to changes in storyline, I decided to combine this chapter with 9x22, "Prue Ya Gonna Call?", as the title wouldn't have worked. It's events came out too short anyway.
Reversal of Misfortune
[Scene: Street. Alley. Phoebe is there hiding while carrying Parker.]
Paige: I'm so sorry, baby. Mommy never should have left with the gas tank on fumes. But since nobody's using gas anymore, it's not like there were a lot of options. All we have to do is get through a magical battlefield. No biggie. (There's the sound of an explosion and Parker starts to fuss.) Oh, no, it's okay, Parker. I'll get us through this. But I need you to be quiet while Mommy thinks, so we don't get caught.
(Someone puts a hand on Phoebe's shoulder and she jumps and gasps, spinning around, but it is just Coop.)
Coop: It's okay! It's okay! It's just me!
Phoebe: Coop, you scared me half to death! (Parker is still fussing.) I'm sorry. I should have waited for you at the manor. I didn't realize things had gotten so bad out here.
Coop: No, we shouldn't have left you alone. Not with the government's magic squads snooping around. Nobody saw you, did they?
(They duck when there's another explosion, this one right by their heads.)
Phoebe: I slipped out the back when I heard them at the front door. I don't know, maybe we should talk to them. They're supposed to be helping.
Coop: No. Prue's right. We have to protect ourselves. With the world like it is, we can't trust anybody.
(Parker is still fussing. They peek around a corner.)
Phoebe: Can we go back the way you came?
Coop: No luck. There's a fifty-foot crater in the road now. I barely made it through. (There's another explosion. It nearly hits Coop, but he dodges.) Our only chance is through that street. (He holds out his arms.) Here. Give me Parker. (Parker is still fussing. Phoebe hands Parker to Coop.) Let's go. (They take off running. There are people everywhere fighting with magic. A blast almost hits Phoebe and Coop. They keep running.) It's not that far.
Phoebe: Look out!
(Phoebe pulls back Coop just in time to save him and Parker from being blasted. They keep running.)
Coop: Just up around the next corner!
(They turn the corner to reveal that they are headed into the Knox Academy.)
[Scene: Knox Academy. Gym. Former magical beings are everywhere, using the Academy as a shelter. Prue, Paige, Elise, and Tyler are there.]
Elise: We're getting more reports of magic squads picking up non-magical beings and taking them to undisclosed locations. Nobody knows what happens when they get there.
Prue: Elise, you're a newswoman. You shouldn't believe crazy rumors. The government wouldn't just abduct its citizens.
Paige: Would it?
Man #1: What about those of us who aren't citizens? They blame us for this even though we're the ones who lost our powers.
Paige: Stop it. You're going to scare the kids.
Tyler: Seriously, Paige. I'm about to graduate. I'm not a kid anymore. I just wish I was graduating from Magic School instead of this place.
Paige: I know, Tyler, but you are better off with a degree from a school that exists at the moment. (Phoebe and Coop walk in, Phoebe carrying Parker. Prue and Paige immediately run over to them.) Oh, good, you're safe.
Prue: Why didn't you wait for Coop to come get you?
Phoebe: There wasn't time. A magic squad finally came looking for answers. Too bad we don't have any.
Prue: Still think it would have been safer to send Parker into hiding with Dad.
Phoebe: She's only three weeks old. I couldn't do that to her. Or him. He's got enough to handle with ten other kids.
Paige: At least we bound Junior's powers. I didn't feel as bad about it as when we did the girls since the magic isn't natural to him.
Prue: If we can't undo this mess, you'll have to reverse the binding as soon as he's old enough. Maybe you shouldn't have even re-bound Richard's powers either. It's not fair to keep them powerless the way things are out there.
(Prue, Phoebe, and Paige go back over to Elise.)
Phoebe: Elise, can you keep an eye on Parker? I have to check in with Piper.
Paige: She's in the nurse's office.
Phoebe: They started already? I'd better get over there. She's going to need some support.
[Scene: Nurse's Office. Piper, Leo, and a doctor are there. Leo is unconscious facedown on a table.]
Doctor: I've done some interesting things since the world went haywire, but this is a first. (He starts operating on Leo with a glowing scalpel.) I wouldn't normally do this in a school nurse's office. Or with the patient's wife looking on. Then again, a wing-ectomy isn't a normal procedure.
Piper: Some of us passed normal years ago.
Doctor: I'm happy to do what I can, but we could all get in serious trouble for not reporting this school to the government.
Piper: We really appreciate your help. And your discretion.
(Piper looks over when she notices Phoebe and Coop, leaving the nurse's office to speak to them.)
Piper: Phoebe, I'm so glad you're okay. You never should have come here alone. How's Parker?
Phoebe: Fine. I really didn't have a choice when I saw the line of black SUVs floating down the street.
Piper: In the world for only three weeks and she's in the middle of a war zone.
Phoebe: We'll fix everything before she's old enough to remember any of it.
Piper: I don't get it. People were dealing with their newfound powers for months without attacking each other. How did it get this bad so fast?
Coop: Everyone was in shock at first. As more and more people came into their powers, they had to deal with it. Once everything finally settled and people realized their magic was here to stay, they started to test their limits.
Phoebe: A shame so many people decided the best thing to do was evil.
(The doctor comes out of the nurse's office.)
Doctor; Piper? Can I see you in here? (They go into the nurse's office where Leo is still unconscious.) I wish I could do more, but the wings won't come off. I've used my healing power on his body though. That should repair the decay weakening him from the wings being out all the time. But I was an accountant three months ago, so what do I know? Sorry. It's the best I can do.
Piper: You saved his life. That's more than enough.
Coop: (to Phoebe) How are you holding up in all this?
Phoebe: I'm just focusing on P.J. and Parker and ignoring everything else. What about you? You've been magical a lot longer than the rest of us. How are you dealing?
Coop: In a way, it's kind of nice being a regular mortal dad. Just wish the world wasn't falling apart in the process.
(Piper comes back out of the nurse's office to speak with them.)
Piper: The doctor did what he could. He promised not to report us, but I wish I had a memory spell to make him forget all this. Wish I could forget it, too.
(They hear an explosion from somewhere.)
Phoebe: It's getting worse out there.
(Prue, Paige, Cole, Richard, and Knox come running over to them.)
Prue: Another magic gang has joined the fight.
Paige: They're getting closer.
Prue: With this kind of battle, the government's going to have to send in a magic squad.
Paige: So either we're killed by the gangs or taken in by the squad. Frying pan, meet fire.
Piper: If we ever do find Rennek, I won't need magic to deal with him. I'll kill him with my bare hands.
[Scene: What looks like a meadow. Rennek is walking through it with a man following along behind him with a clipboard.]
Man: The world is in turmoil. Abuse of magic is rampant. Battles in the streets, fighting for dominance. If you don't take control, I'm afraid the people will destroy one another.
Rennek: Funny how everyone wishes for world peace, but when they actually receive a gift that could make it real, they use it to tear the world apart instead. Oh, well, their loss.
Man: But, sir, you have control of the world's magic. It's your responsibility.
Rennek: I'm honestly not all that worried.
Man: If civilization falls apart-
Rennek: Then they can start over fresh. What do I care about civilization? Civilization never cared about me. I managed to take over the world without ever engaging the Charmed Ones directly or starting some big magical war like those before me. It's not my fault that the people decided to destroy themselves on their own. Now please stop annoying me. (He touches the man's forehead and turns him to dust.) Good help is so hard to find. Although it's a lot easier for me these days.
(Rennek touches a flower and it transforms into a beautiful woman.)
Woman: How may I serve you?
Rennek: Update me on what's happening in the outside world without all that bothersome editorializing.
Woman: Gladly.
[Scene: Knox Academy. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Cole, Coop, Richard, and Knox are going up some stairs.]
Knox: We can get a good view of the fight from the clock tower. You can see for miles up there.
Prue: Great. We need to find a clear path out of your school.
Phoebe: I would have been better off staying at the manor.
Piper: That's just trading one problem for another. At least we're together.
Paige: I hope the kids are alright.
Richard: They're probably better off than we are at the moment.
(They go into the clock tower.)
Prue: You're right. This is a good spot to get a view of everything. We'll check on the battle while you look for an escape route. What about that? What's that building there?
Knox: An old roller rink. It would be large enough to hold everyone. At least for a while.
Phoebe: Uh, guys. Remember when I said the government's going to have to send in a magic squad? Well, they're here. And it looks like they brought everyone they've got.
Cole: Even worse, the magic gangs are teaming up against them.
Paige: Well, that's not good. (A massive fireball heads straight for the clock tower.) Um, is that a fireball?
Phoebe: Yes! Yes, it is!
(They all attempt to run quickly as the fireball hits, destroying the front of the clock tower and blasting them all back.)
Paige: Is everyone okay?
Piper: More or less.
Knox: Oh, dear. I don't know that the school is covered for fireballs.
Paige: The fight's coming this way. Magic squad or magic gang, whoever wins this thing is coming in. We've got to clear the school.
Knox: That's over two hundred people.
Prue: We need time. Cole, Coop, you two stake out the door. We'll go with the emergency route, sneak everyone out through the boiler room.
Knox: It's tight in there. We're only going to be able to send a few people at a time.
Prue: Richard, go with Knox and make sure it's clear. Bring everyone to the roller rink. We can figure out our next move once everyone's safe. (to her sisters) Get Leo and start clearing out the gym.
[Cut to the Gym. Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Leo, Elise, carrying Parker, Bailey, and Tyler are there. Piper, Phoebe, and Paige are evacuating everyone. Tyler is helping Leo walk.]
Piper: Take only what you can carry! Big kids help the little ones!
Leo: I love it when you get all commanding.
Piper: Funny, I hate it.
Leo: It's going to be okay, Piper. I feel like I'm getting back to full strength. At least we don't have to worry about the kids while they're safe with your dad.
Phoebe: Not all the kids. Elise, I've got to stay with my sisters and make sure we get everyone out. Take the baby to Coop. I need you two to make sure she's safe.
Elise: You know he won't leave you behind.
Phoebe: You have to make him. Just go! Go!
(Prue comes running into the gym.)
Prue: Hold up! Everything's okay! The magic squad is on our side! Bailey, go tell Knox and Coop to stop the evacuation! Piper, Phoebe, Paige, come with me! (Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige take off running.) We'll have a better view from the clock tower! Quick! You're never going to believe who's in charge down there!
(They run up the stairs leading to the clock tower.)
Piper: You know, you could just tell us.
Prue: And spoil the surprise? (They go into the clock tower.) Over there, by the sign.
Paige: Is that who I think-?
Prue: Yes! Yes, it is!
(Darryl Morris is down below, fighting the magic gangs with energy beams.)
Piper/Phoebe/Paige: Darryl!
Darryl: How did I know I'd find the Charmed Ones in the middle of this mess?!
[Scene: Halliwell Manor. Living Room. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Paige, and Darryl are there.]
Prue: So what's the official reaction to everything we told you the other day?
Darryl: All government agencies are on alert. We recently captured a demon, and according to him, that darklighter you told me about stole some Grimoire from the underworld just before the world went insane.
Piper: Guess that confirms Rennek really is behind this.
(A government agent comes in.)
Agent: Excuse me. Sorry, but there's someone named Glynnis here to see you. She's kind of heavily armed. Should we let her in?
(Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige nod, and some agents bring Glynnis in before leaving.)
Glynnis: I've come to offer my assistance. Sorry it took so long to get here. Arranging transport from the Himalayas without magic is difficult.
Piper: Couldn't you just call?
Glynnis: I have something for you. My weapons could help the magic community members that have lost their abilities.
(Leo comes downstairs. He is holding the Empyreal Sword.)
Leo: Thought I heard a voice I recognized. Please tell me you've come to explain why I can't make these wings and sword disappear.
Glynnis: Possibly because that is not the Empyreal Sword.
[Scene: Beach. Rennek and the woman are there. The Grimoire is there pierced by the real Empyreal Sword.]
Woman: The Charmed Ones are gathering the pieces they need to determine the engine of your rise to power. You can no longer afford to ignore the outside world.
Rennek: Paradise was nice while it lasted. (He goes over and grasps the hilt of the Empyreal Sword with both hands.) But I knew this day would come. (He closes his eyes and the woman gains armor.) It's only a matter of time before the Charmed Ones come for me. I must admit I've gotten a bit complacent. That's neither here nor there. When they come to attack, I can use the new magic of the world against them.
(The beach turns into a throne room and Rennek takes a seat on the throne as an image of the Halliwell Manor appears before him.)
Leo: How can you say it's not the sword? You've only seen it once.
Glynnis: I would recognize it anywhere. Some objects have an aura. No matter what has happened to the balance of magic in the world, if this were the sword I would still sense the good.
Leo: What would Rennek want with the sword?
(Darryl goes over to some agents when they wave him over.)
Prue: Rennek has a powerful instrument for good and one for evil. What can he do with them?
Piper: When we figure that out, we might learn how to fix the world.
Leo: The wings emerged seven months ago, when the world was just starting to change. I always thought it was another reaction, but maybe it was part of the cause.