A/N: Hey! Wow.. I'm really sorry I haven't updated in days. It's been kinda crazy and hectic. I'm so sorry! But I promise this chapter is worth the wait! It will finally answer some questions!
CharmedOpal: You'll seeee! Muahaha.
Anouki90: Thanks! I'm leaning towards a sequel, maybe.
GirlOnFire33: I'm VERY good at keeping people in the dark! Also, at twists and turns and cliffhangers! I'm actually leaning towards a sequel, because I said Prequel by mistake -_- So sorry about that! Will explain below.
Ariya Elizabeth Cullen Black: This isn't very soon.. Sorry! You're VERY warm on those guesses, though...
Semper Fi Witchlighter: Ooh, shiny award! –Hugs it. – I love being cryptic! So yay! Melinda's behavior will soon be explained...
Okay, so I had asked you guys what you thought of a sequel or prequel. I DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY PREQUEL! I'm so sorry for any confusion, and for anyone who wanted a prequel that I am now letting down. I meant to say I was considering an EPILOGUE or a SEQUEL. I would definitely consider a prequel if I had enough material for it, though, down the road. So let me know what you think: EPILOGUE or SEQUEL.
Okay, please read, review, and enjoy! And I promise to try and get the next chapter up much faster!
...
When the cousins orbed into the Underworld, there was not a demon in site. They stuck together, wandering down deserted corridors, poking their heads into small caverns and large caves. Not a single demon was around, and not a single demon appeared before them.
"Am I the only one thinking this is a trap?" Katelyn asked nervously, gripping several glass vials so tightly, she was sure they were cracking and cutting her palm.
"This is definitely a trap," Corrine agreed, as they came to a stop inside a large room. It looked typical of the Underworld, with rock walls and sandy floors. But it was huge and circular, with what looked like rows and rows of seats made from stone.
"What is this place?" Rebecca asked with a frown. She followed her cousins up several small steps, leading to what reminded her of a stage. It was huge, cut into the side of one of the stone walls.
"It looks like an auditorium," Melinda scoffed, shaking her head as they fanned out on the stage.
"I don't like this." Corrine crossed her arms. "Let's get out of here. We'll go back to the Manor and regroup. Karen can go check with the Elders."
"Probably a good idea," Melinda agreed.
Each cousin had wandered away to different corners of the stage; Corrine was peaking behind a wall; Melinda frowned down at some scorch marks; Katelyn stood at the edge of the stage, squinting out into the bleacher-like formations; and Rebecca stood before a red velvet curtain, fingering it curiously.
"Let's go," Corrine said again, turning to face her cousins.
But each of them was surrounded.
Four demons formed a tight circle around each cousin, blocking them in.
"What the hell?" Melinda snapped, flailing her hands. "I can't freeze them!"
Someone chuckled, the sound echoing out from behind the red velvet curtain Rebecca had been eyeing.
Each circle of demons clasped hands. Black shadows shimmered around each girl, coalescing into black bars and, finally, forming small cages, only big enough for each girl to turn around in.
"Corrine!" Katelyn cried, eyes wide with fear.
"It's okay," Corrine said calmly. "We'll get out of this."
"Are you sure about that, little witch?"
The cousins looked up, watching as a tall, middle-aged man walked out from behind the curtain. He had thick black hair, streaked salt and pepper. He wore a black suit, his hands clasped before him. He grinned broadly, his demeanor relaxed and friendly, although the cousins knew he was anything but friendly.
"Yes," Corrine said firmly. "I'm positive."
The man laughed heartily. "So stubborn. Just like your mother."
Corrine narrowed her eyes. "My mother is a Charmed One. She could wipe the floor with your scrawny ass!"
The man laughed again, throwing his head back, his whole body shaking with it. When he stopped, he zeroed in on Corrine, approaching her cage with clasped hands.
"Don't you mean, was a Charmed One?" he asked silkily. "I believe she's been dead quite a long time now, hm? I should know, since I'm the one who ended her life."
Corrine gasped, feeling as though she had been punched. Her knees shook, and she stumbled into the cage bars. White electricity shot from the bars, and she screamed in agony before righting herself and yanking her arms in, away from the electrified bars.
The man – or, honestly, the demon (because that's clearly what he was, despite how human he appeared to be) – looked amused.
"That was wonderful!" he cried. "I'm so glad the cage works. I did question it, honestly. Oh, I'm so glad this is all coming together so nicely!"
"You bastard," Melinda snarled at him, clenching and unclenching her fists. She was dying to attack him; she just had to find a way out of this damn cage.
"Oooh," the demon said, feigning fright. "Such tough words for such a tiny little witch. Piper had a similar way with words. I see you've inherited that from her. She did have a temper on her."
Melinda looked disgusted. "You don't know anything about my mother! She'll be here any minute, and she'll blow your ass to hell!"
The demon shrugged. "Been there, done that. Besides, I don't think anyone is coming for you... Hm?"
Melinda pressed her mouth into a thin line.
"See, I know the Charmed Ones are dead," the demon said loudly, so all the cousins could hear him, as well as his minions, who stood in groups at each cage, like watchdogs. "You hid it very well from the mortal world. But did you really think the demonic community would not figure it out?"
"Maybe we've tricked you," Katelyn said calmly, trying to sound confident. "Maybe they're alive, and waiting for our signal."
The demon now turned his attention of Katelyn. "Clever. But I won't fall for tricks from Phoebe Halliwell's daughter. She was never the sharpest witch in the coven. You know, if she had just stuck with Balthazar, she would have been Queen of the Underworld. Sad really. They would have made a powerful team. And you, little one, would have been the most powerful Dark Witch anyone had ever seen."
Katelyn recoiled at the thought, scowling at the demon in hatred.
"It's in your nature, Katelyn," the demon reminded her. "Fighting it will only harm you in the long run."
Corrine frowned at the demon in thought. He had clearly been watching them for a very long time, had possibly even watched their mothers before them. He knew a lot about them, as well as the Charmed Ones. She felt a sinking feeling in her gut.
"And Rebecca," he said, walking slowly, purposefully, over to the youngest cousin. "You've been awfully quiet over here. I would expect more from Paige's spawn."
Rebecca hissed at him. "How dare you talk about her that way!"
He chuckled. "Now I get a reaction! I knew that would do the trick." The smirk fell from his face and he stared at her, his cold eyes glinting. "You look so much like her. It's remarkable. Same beautiful raven hair. Same delicate, pale skin." He reached a hand out, as if to touch her, stopping when his hand was inches from the bars. Rebecca backed up an inch, careful not to touch the cage.
"Capturing you four was easier than expected," he continued, once he had collected himself. He turned his back on Rebecca, walking back towards the middle of the stage. "It took years of planning, but it was all worth it."
Corrine glanced at each of her cousins, her brain in overdrive as she struggled to come up with a plan. The cages seemed to be magic proof, and they couldn't touch them without the risk of electrocution. But she feared if they didn't escape soon, things would end tragically.
"The potion," the demon said, nodding to one of his minions. The lesser demon stepped before him, bowing before passing him a small vial of silvery liquid.
He uncorked the bottle. "Cheers," he said, gulping it down in one shot. He let out a sigh of contentment before walking back to Rebecca's cage. He reached for her, and she flinched backwards. From behind her, two of the demons reached in and shoved her forward. She hit the bars, but was not shocked the way Corrine was. But before she could contemplate this, he had grabbed her around the throat.
She gasped and gagged, eyes wide. Blue orbs surrounded her, then shot into the demon. He stumbled backwards, and she slumped down in the cage, unconscious.
"Becca!" Corrine cried.
Melinda gasped, eyes going wide. She felt like she had been punched in the gut. Slowly, the feeling hit Corrine and Katelyn, as well. They felt winded, weak and trembling, and then as if something had been ripped from their bodies. The three of them slumped forward, gripping the cages to keep from hitting the ground; again, they weren't electrocuted this time.
"What's happening?" Katelyn cried, pain radiating through her body.
"I-I don't know," Corrine gasped.
"I've stripped Rebecca's powers," the demon said flippantly. "It has weakened all of you, and severed the bond that created the Power of Four." He grinned. "You are now nothing more than ordinary witches."
They stared at each other in horror. Rebecca, though, was still out cold.
"Release them," the demon barked.
"My lord?" one of the lesser demons asked, frowning in confusion.
He grinned. "They can't do any damage now. Let those three go... Leave the other one."
There was a collective murmur among the demons. Then the cages surrounding Corrine, Melinda, and Katelyn were gone. They ran to each other.
Rebecca remained in her cage, unconscious and powerless.
"Melinda, home," Corrine said firmly.
"But we can't leave Rebecca!" Katelyn cried, horrified.
Corrine frowned at Rebecca, glancing at the demon and his minions – who hadn't moved an inch, who hadn't attacked them. Yet.
"We have to," Corrine said finally, glaring angrily at the demon, who simply grinned at her. "We're outnumbered... Melinda, home!"
Reluctantly, Melinda grabbed Corrine and Katelyn's hands. Katelyn continued to protest, but Melinda orbed out, leaving Rebecca behind.