"Richard, you promised." Paige was watching him with disappointment when he conjured a pair of diamond earrings to Paige.
"I thought you like them." Richard looked crushed.
"They're beautiful, but you know I don't need these." Paige thought they were beautiful, but Richard was getting too dependent on magic. "You know that using magic is super dangerous right now." Other than Piper, another witch went missing.
"I know. But what's the point of being a witch if I can't use magic." Richard uses his spell to make Paige's earrings disappear. Instead, he gives her a athame.
"What's this?" She looked at the weapon. It looked different from any atheme she used.
"It is a old antique. It's been in my family for generations. Rumor is, it kills witches."
"Kills witches? Then why..."
"Do we have it? I assume it was because of the feud." Their old enemies, the Callaways been enemies with his family for generations. Neither side could figure out who started it. "My grandfather, rest his soul, told me it can vanquish even the most powerful witch."
"Vanquish witches?" That sounded dangerous.
"I never used it, and to be honest, I doubt it was ever used. I suggest you test it."
"Hmm." Most athames worked on demons, and all witches were human. But immortals? She looked at the dagger. "Mind if I borrow this?"
Later at the Manor, she was flipping through the Book of Shadows.
"Why isn't there anything useful?" The Book had tons of lore, but nothing that stood out.
"Paige! You home?''
"Up here!" Phoebe must be back from class.
"There you are!" Phoebe had tons of homework, but she wasn't on planning to doing any of it.
"How was school?" Hmm. What's this? "Finding a lost witch?"
"Already tried that. Not gonna work." Feeling her phone ring, Phoebe answers it. "Hello? Hey Sam!" It took a few days for the city to fix their towers. The storm knocked out lots of critical wiring. "Who? The First Witch?"
"What's going on?" Paige mouths. Phoebe held her hand out in a wait a minute gesture.
"Yeah, we were under a spell. A massive one. Biblical. If we heard of her, neither of us remembers. What?! Oh god. Piper."
"What?!" Piper? "Phoebe?"
"Then we better hurry. For all we know, Piper is already in labor. Thanks." Phoebe hangs up the phone
"Well? What?" Phoebe's expression worried Paige.
"We are running out of time. I'm calling Rowena." Phoebe was the only one that knew how to reach her.
Meanwhile in a fancy hotel in Sweden, a dead corpse was found by a maid. She started screaming for help, not apologizing to the man who she bumped into when he got out of the elevator.
"Dammit." He was too late.
"C'mon. Answer."
Rowena's phone rang helplessly. The man, not knowing what else to do takes the phone. He had to leave, the Swedish Police were on their way.
"Well?"
"I think it's too late." Phoebe didn't need her premonitions to know Rowena was dead. "The Book won't help us."
"Fine. Call a Prophet. Call Castiel, Hannah, summon Michael."
"I'll try."
Both women were on their phones trying to get answers.
"The Angel Tablet went where?" Phoebe should have known.
"C'mon Cas! You're an angel. Fine, an former angel." She rolled her eyes. "The Elders are dead! What do mean, you don't know?" Paige was getting a headache.
"What about the Demon Tablet." Phoebe was calling Donatello next. "King of Hell? I can summon a demon." She didn't know Crowley very well, but time was of the essence. "Fine." She has crystals.
"You sure? Thanks Hannah." She hung up the phone the same time Phoebe did.
"Where is the crystals?"
"Over there. Do we have any pegasas feathers?"
"Why do we need Crowley?" Hannah told Paige there was a way to subdue Neena. As a a true immortal, she cannot be killed. But she warned it was extremely dangerous.
"The Elders plus the Angels of Destiny sealed it away for a reason." As much as she wanted Piper and her baby back, it was too risky. "Consider that a last resort." Piper would disapprove big time.
"Yeah, you're right." Paige was curious about it, but no way was she starting her own Apocalypse. "That amount of power, we may need it for the future." Paige had her own nightmare, that everyone was dying of hunger and disease. No one was spared, not even demons and angels. The One called The Beast was riding high in the sky, laughing when God Fell. The suffering, it was just the beginning. Hell, it was a paradise compared to what The Beast had in mind. Paige woke up to a soaked bed. She was forced to throw out her mattress. "What are you gonna ask Crowley?"
"He's the King of Hell, he has more knowledge than the Source." She put down her crystals. "Incoming." She already had all of safety measures in place, she heard stories. Sure enough, Crowley looked surprised when he saw who was standing in front of him. When he looked up, he smirked.
"Well, well, well. Shouldn't you two get ready to celebrate Moose's offsprings birth?"
"None of your business." Paige snapped. "We need info."
"Depends on what it is. I don't work cheap." He screamed in pain when Phoebe threw a potion at him.
"We don't have time! We need info about Neena!"
"Neena. Neena." Crowley holds his head back and closes his eyes in thought. "Never heard of her." He yelped when Phoebe threw another potion at him.
"Now Crowley."
"You're the King of Hell. You didn't get your position by luck." Paige remarked.
"About that...Okay!" When both sisters were holding potions, getting ready to throw. "The First Witch. She cannot be vanquished. Neither can her husband."
"Her husband is the Second Witch? Never mind. Neena. How do we get rid of her?"
"She has to be returned to her realm. You have to hurry, the longer she stays, the faster this world will die."
"Huh?" Paige was confused.
"A long time ago, both were sealed away by your goody two shoes Elders and Angels of Destiny. They become One with magic. Neither can be together, if they do, magic will go haywire. They were sealed away in different realms, The Hunter going to Bliss and Beauty, The Witch going to Hell. Her own Hell, a barren wasteland of loneliness."
"The Elders did WHAT?" God both Phoebe and Paige hated them now more than then ever.
"It was the only way to save reality. They found the Nexus, the true Nexus by accident. Look, even I don't know much about Neena, I only heard stories. The one that probably knows her is Lilith."
"Who the angels took." Everyone wondered what happened to her, Sam said she was very close to getting her humanity back. "How can we return her to wherever she came from?" Phoebe had to save their sister.
"She was the one that killed all her descendants. Their magic, Neena wants everyone to have magic. Mortals included."
"Which would mean disaster." This would be way too big for The Cleaners to clean up. "Is that why she wants Piper's baby?"
"Her baby is a direct descendant of her and her mate."
"So? Many witches married hunters. What makes hers so special?" Paige was wondering that herself.
"Sam is a Winchester, a legacy. Piper is a Charmed One. Both bloodlines are powerful. Their child, she or he, they would be sacrificed for her spell."
"Damn! We have to hurry." Phoebe ran out of the attic.
"Hey! Hey! Get me outta here!" Crowley yells. When both witches ran out, he sighed. "Time to get comfortable." He knew magic, but getting himself freed would take awhile.
"Where are we?" They must have travelled almost everywhere around the world. Since they had no idea where to start, they checked out any magical places they knew.
"The Middle East?" Paige didn't recognize this place. "Why here?" She sneezed.
"Bless you." Phoebe sensed a powerful source of magic here. "We came here for a reason. Got that knife of yours?" She had her potions, they created the most powerful potions they knew.
"If Crowley is right, then this is may be plastic cutlery."
"If it cuts her, then good enough for me." Phoebe looked around circle anything unusual. "Hmm." Seeing a bundle of old bones, she bent down, a large sword narrowly missing her head.
"Behind you!" Paige takes out her athame.
The two demons were dressed up like the villains in the Aladdin movie. Shouting what they had to assume were Arabic, they move forward in a threatening manner.
"Paige!" Phoebe throws her potion, instantly killing a demon.
"Got it!" She uses her dagger to kill his partner. Once both demons were dead, they look at one another.
"You okay Paige?" That demon nearly cut Paige in half with his large sword.
"Yeah, thanks to Piper." Piper trained both as hunters, she warned that they needed to depend on themselves instead of magic. "I think you were right about magic." If Piper was here, that would explain the two demons. "Ahh!" She gasped in pain when a fireball hit her shoulder.
"Paige!" Seeing a demon riding on a flying carpet, (Phoebe stopped caring about weirdness at this point of her life) she grabs a nearby trestle and throws it in front of it.
"No!" When his bottle fell from the bump. Before he can pick it up, he yelps in pain when Phoebe throws a potion.
'Dammit.' He had no choice but to run. He was strong, but he recognized that dagger. He takes his carpet and flies off.
Paige wakes up to see a guy flying away on a carpet.
"Is that a flying carpet?" Luckily that fireball was weak.
"You okay?" Paige was rubbing her shoulder.
"Just need some ice. I'll be okay." She went outside to see where the demon went.
Phoebe was about to follow her when she spies something on the ground.
"Looks like he dropped something." Phoebe absentmindedly rubs the sand off, when a puff of pink smoke flies out of it.
When the smoke cleared, both were shocked to see a woman standing in front of Phoebe.
"You read my message!" Jinny, also known as the Genie of the Bottle was bowing gratefully at Phoebe.
"Wait. Are you Jinny?" Jinny was dressed as a stereotypical genie, complete with a bare belly and lavender pantaloons.
"At your service...Master." She bowed to Phoebe.
Paige, knowing they had another, more pressing issue, takes all three home.
San Francisco
"I can heal her. You are my master, no?" Jinny was trying desperately to get Phoebe to use her wishes.
"I'm fine." Paige was wearing a sling, she went to a clinic. Her injures weren't too serious, but the doctor warned her the burn would take a few days to heal. "I know a cure." Richard was making her a ointment, his family dabbled in medicine.
"But my method is faster! Your sister's health is more important! My former master is cruel and evil. Those poor archaeologists. They stood no chance." Jinny shook her head.
"I think she got it under control." Crowley was already gone when they came back, neither cared, he was a slippery demon and knew how to escape from magic traps.
"Good thing Richard knows his stuff." Paige took some time off from the academy. Her instructor wasn't too happy, he warned Paige she won't graduate in time. Paige said she'll take summer school to keep up. She rubbed her shoulder, the burn was still painful. "Sure wish Leo was still around." He would have cured her in a instant.
"Good idea master. Save your wishes." Jinny was reading over Phoebe's shoulder. "You have a book about demons? Smart. I know him!" When Phoebe turned a page. "He was my master back during the Crusades! He helped King Richard win the war!"
Phoebe looked over her shoulder at Jinny.
"A genie helped win the war?"
Jinny nodded with enthusiasm.
"Your history books leave out lots of details. For example, food was very scarce. My master, he wished that the enemy soldier starved to death."
"Wait a minute. Why would a demon want Christianity to win?"
"Good question." Paige was staring at Jinny with suspicion.
"It was all about money. He, like many people was greedy. He saw what happened during the Roman Empire. King Richard, he was losing. So I granted his wish. The enemy had no food and they died of malnutrition."
"That's awful."
"Wishes can grant good or evil. Genies are neutral." Jinny explained to Phoebe. When squealed when Phoebe turned a page. "There!" She touches the page. "My master."
"Bosk." According to the Book, Bosk was a low level demon. His task was to torture and kill on command. "He probably wants a promotion."
"He was never able to go above Alistair's position." Alistair was a notorious demon, most of Hell's citizens feared him when he was still alive. "He is cruel, even for a demon. The things he did to those innocents and fellow demons." She shuddered in disgust.
"He can be vanquished." The ingredients were simple. "We have everything in the house. I can start a potion. Paige, mind keeping an eye on her?" Hearing a doorbell ring, Phoebe excused herself.
"I don't need protection. Bosk needs me, and won't hurt or kill me." Jinny opens the Book of Shadows. "I know him! And her!"
"All the reason to protect you." Great. They needed to find Piper and they were stuck babysitting.
When Phoebe saw who was outside of the door, she looked surprised.
"Hi. Can I help you?" A blonde guy was standing on the other side.
"I need to speak to Piper."
"You're too late, she moved across the country." He looked so familiar. Phoebe swore she met him before. He must have read her mind, he reintroduced himself.
"You saved me from ninja assassins a few years ago. Plus helped me find my friend."
It took a minute for Phoebe to remember.
"Ohhhh. Is your name, Chris?" When he nodded, Phoebe shoos him away. "Look. I like to help you, but I'm kinda busy." When she heard a loud crash, she apologizes and shuts the door in his face. "We're renovating at the moment. Excuse me."
Both Paige and Jinny were dodging attacks from Bosk's fireballs.
"Ack!" That was a close one. The fireball almost hit Paige's head.
"If only my master is here. She could wish him away." She ducks another fireball.
"No wishes. We know you are tricksters." That necklace he was wearing, Paige's attacks barely hurt him.
"Paige? Jinny?" She found herself on the floor just before a fireball hit her.
"Stay down!" Chris throws a potion at Bosk. His necklace, the one supposedly immune to magic melts on him.
"Ahh!" He glares at the hunter. "I'll be back." He takes his carpet and flies away.
"Everyone okay?" Once Phoebe got up, she demanded on what's going on. "How did you get in? And why are you asking about Piper?"
"Your door was open. Your sister, she needs you."
"Your sister is in trouble? Make a wish. She can be cured." She looked at Paige who was rubbing her shoulder.
Ignoring Jinny, she demanded information about Piper.
"You mention Piper's name. Who are you?"
"A friend. I was her general in the future." Instantly Phoebe remembered everything.
"You came back looking for your friend." She looked confusingly at him. "Did you say the future?"
"Bianca. Anyways, you have to find your sister. She's in trouble." Chris refused to answer her second question.
"Missing sister? I can find her in a flash. Make a wish."
It was tempting, but Phoebe knew what genies were.
"We'll do this the right way. Chris, you mentioned you know Piper. Then she is okay." He mentioned he took orders from her.
"I was her general. I never met her personally. Anyways, she needs you. I came here to find her, since she wasn't in Lawrence."
"Then where is she?" Paige demanded.
"I don't know. But I have my orders. Neither one of you have a whitelighter anymore. I was asked to assist you."
"Did Piper give you these orders?" It was like the Terminator.
"I can't tell you that. I know basic medical care, but I'm also a hunter. You obviously need me. Whattaya say?"
Both Paige and Phoebe look at one another. They used magic, and got them nowhere.
"Can we trust you?"
"You trust Sam and Dean. Without your sister, you are lost." He looked back and forth. "Fine. I'll just go. If you need me, just call my number." He hands Phoebe a card. "I'll be seeing you."
"I wish he didn't leave."
Jinny clapped her hands together and nods her head.
Phoebe looked surprised when Chris walked back in.
"Really?" He was staring at them with annoyance. "I may not be a witch, but if you need me, don't use me like that."
"Your wish is my command. Master." After Jinny granted her wish with a head nod.
Phoebe wanted to kick herself.
"You still have two wishes. Save them for Bosk." Jinny recommended.
"No wishes." She and Paige didn't know what to think about Chris, but hearing he was from the future, plus his knowledge about Piper, they needed all the help they can get. "About Piper..."
"I would get rid of Bosk first." Chris recommend.
"Listen to your friend. He came from the future, no?"
"We don't have a choice." Paige was stuck. "Is Bosk a threat in the future?"
"I would get started on your potions." Chris said evasively.
Once Chris and Phoebe went downstairs, Jinny was telling Paige about Bosk.
"He got smart over the years. After he escaped Hell, he went on a binge. He tortured and killed to find me. You see, he wasn't as gifted with magic like the rest of us. He didn't know how to use magic. My bottle, he spent years searching for me."
"The note." The website was asking for help.
Jinny nods.
"It was the only way I can be saved. He possessed a human. His former army, they stayed in that cave trapped for centuries. You heard of the army of forty thieves."
"Thirty eight." Paige and Phoebe killed two.
"They were older than Bosk."
"Why would old demons follow Bosk." Bosk would have been enslaved.
"They don't care who they follow. They just want to go home."
"Where is that?" Before Jinny could answer them, Paige found herself wearing a diamond necklace.
"That is lovely. Who conjured that?"
"My boyfriend." Not again. "Will you excuse me?" She leaves the room.
Phoebe was trying unsuccessfully to talk to Chris.
"You were so talkative when we first met. Now you are Mr Silent?" She tried using her empathy powers, but realized she couldn't.
"I was schooled intensively about magic. You can't read my mind unless I give you permission."
"Then why come all this way?" It was like Charmed. His name was Chris, but he looked different from his television counterpart.
"I have my orders. Pass me that herb." Chris uses a grinder to mince it to a fine powder. "Before you ask, I'm not related to you."
"How do you know that?" Can Chris read minds?
"I seen what's inside that telescope." He still had his limp, but it wasn't very noticeable anymore. "There. This potion is powerful."
"Your teacher a witch?" The way he crafted that potion.
"Mm hmm. Use this on the leader of the thieves. Conventional potions won't work on him, neither will your athames."
"Thanks." Who is this guy? "Why should we trust you?"
"I'm glad you don't. Being too trusting can get you killed." He was about to leave, but realized he couldn't. "You mind telling your genie to release me?"
"Sure. Where are you going?"
"To do my job. Mind if you give me permission to come in?"
"Only if you have keys. Wait a moment. Do you?"
Chris chuckled.
"No. But your home was a museum. I came here several times when I was young. Witches were revered and feared."
A museum? Prue always said her nightmares ended with the manor in ashes.
"Okay. There is spare keys in the back. But if you stay here, you must pay rent, plus a damage deposit." Phoebe and Paige (occasionally) didn't live here anymore, but rented their home to witches and hunters.
"Deal." Once Chris left, (after she used her second wish), Phoebe goes upstairs. "Where's Paige?" Genies must be neutral to magic, Jinny was flipping through the Book.
"She went to see her lover. I know him! And her as well! I been around for a long time. Us genies, we are slaves to our masters."
"You trickers, whomever traded you off must have made a fortune." As much as she disliked trickers, she felt sorry for genies. Most were trapped in bottles being traded for every new master.
"A huge one. I already told your sister about his first two wishes. He found me, and made a wish. But not before slaughtering everyone in that cave."
"What was his first two wishes?" Phoebe hated demons, but was curious about his wishes.
"He wished to become a leader. Those demons, they follow him."
"The carpet, that was your doing?"
"He is limited on his use of magic. A magic carpet, it was left over from the last man that used it."
"Like Aladdin?"
"Its name was changed over the centuries. As for Bosk, you must make sure his third wish isn't granted."
"I thought genies were freed after the third wish." Phoebe remembered that genie from years ago.
"The lucky ones. Us younger genies, we don't have that luxury. The only way we can be freed is our master to free us."
"Nice try." Phoebe wasn't going to be fooled. "We'll stop Bosk, and figure out what to do with you."
Paige was getting frustrated by Richard.
"Most women would be happy with presents. What do you want with me Paige? You don't want my gifts, you rejected my money, what is it what you want?"
Paige didn't know. They dated for the last few years, they even discussed marriage. Richard was worried Paige was pulling away. When he materialized behind her, Paige didn't jump.
"You know how to do that?"
"I been working my butt off. My magic, it is getting better."
"I told you about the danger."
"That witch? I know. That's why I'm studying." He takes out his phone. "Here. You don't want magical gifts, go pick out something from Tiffany's."
"I don't want anything from you!"
"Then what?"
The way he was looking at her. Paige realized something. But not now.
"Just stop with the magic."
"I think you should go."
Paige sighed.
"Take care of yourself."
"I love you too." Richard whispers as the door shut.
"The lost city. What is that?" Jinny told Phoebe what Bosk wanted.
"Zanbar. It was a evil empire back in the day. Ruled by evil, it was feared by everyone. It was lost over time. Your wish, free me, and I can find and kill Bosk. I know his true weakness."
They were interrupted by Chris.
"Hi. Mind if I talk to Phoebe, alone?"
"Of course. Master?"
"Back in the bottle." Once Jinny went inside, Phoebe asked what's up. "Is there anything else I should know?"
"Nothing at the moment."
"Then why are you here?"
"To keep an eye on you."
"Why?" Both were thrown on the floor when Bosk came flying on a carpet.
"Miss me?" His new necklace, it was indestructible. None of Chris's or Phoebe's potions burned him. "Where's your sister?" He was pleased to see that dagger wasn't around.
Phoebe, knowing an innocent was around, picks up the bottle.
"Jinny, I wish you free!" Neither was prepared on what happened next.
A mixture of pink and blue smoke appeared. Jinny, no longer wearing her genie clothes stands up wearing black clothes.
Bosk looked horrified.
"What did you just do?" He was staring fearfully at her.
"Pathetic. Who's the master now?" She conjures a fireball and throws it at him, engulfing him in fire.
"Ahhhhhh!" As he explodes in a fiery ball of fire.
This was her chance. Jinny went to grab the genie bottle, but before she could, the bottle got knocked over by Chris, who slammed his body on the table.
Chris, seeing the demon throws his potion at Jinny.
Jinny, seeing how powerful that potion was, jumps on the carpet and flies away.
"Phoebe?" Chris was looking around. "Phoebe?"
"In here!" A small, muffled voice calls out. "Hello! Anyone?" Seeing a large eyeball staring at her, Phoebe sheepishly waves from the bottom of the bottle. "Hi. Master."
Paige walks morosely inside. She felt nothing but guilt. Richard, he didn't do anything wrong. He showered Paige with gifts, if not that, he treated her like a queen. When did her feelings change? Forgetting about Piper, she went to see Phoebe, to ask for advice.
"Phoebe? I need help! Phoebe?" She went to the attic and saw Chris who was staring inside a bottle. "Hey! How did you get inside?"
"I'm your new tenant. At least for a few days. I already gave Phoebe my rent money and a damage deposit." He was still holding the bottle, but used his other hand to pull out a set of keys.
"Fine. Where's Phoebe?" She was surprised when he handed her the genie bottle. "What's this for?"
"See for yourself." He raised his eyebrow at her. Paige, not knowing what else to do, looks inside.
"Phoebe?" A miniature version of her was inside.
"Spare me the lectures." Phoebe felt foolish.
"Get out of there!" She looked at Chris.
"Good thing I was here, otherwise your sister would be gone."
Paige looked back inside.
"He's legit! There's no whitelighters remember? A hunter is better than nothing!''
"Then get out of the bottle!"
"I can't! I tried. Only my master can."
"Your master?"
"Chris. He picked up the bottle, and he's my new master."
Chris silently takes the bottle from Paige.
"Phoebe, I command you out of the bottle."
A puff of blue mist swirls around, with Phoebe dressed up like a genie.
"Nice outfit. Are you going to find your Major Nelson today?" Paige smirked.
"Remind me to laugh." Phoebe looks in the mirror. "I look ridiculous." The outfit was bad enough, but the hair? "Why do I always get stuck with the wig?" She was wearing a outfit similar to Jinny's, but was blue, complete with a cheap blonde wig.
"How?"
"I wished her free. What? I thought she was a innocent! A demon was torturing her." She looked at Chris. "You knew that was going to happen."
Chris just shrugged.
"You made a wish?" Paige couldn't believe it.
"And I'm paying the price!" She looked at Chris. "Is that why you're here?"
"I'm here to guide you, whatever you do, that's on you."
"You sound like Leo. Sure you're not a whitelighter?" Paige looks in the Book.
"Well, how do we switch back? Plus save Piper?" Great, another thing to worry about.
"Think."
"God you sound like Piper." Paige wondered what she was like in the future. "Throw us a bone."
"Read the bottle."
"We never took Arabic." Phoebe was a witch, but other than some French, she didn't speak or read other languages.
"And you call yourselves witches." Chris looks at it. "It's a warning label. It says to never free the genie inside, otherwise, you'll take her place."
"But she wasn't a trickster."
"She was a demon. It also contains a signature. It says, Bitch deserved it for rejecting my hand."
"Let me guess, a sorcerer."
"Chain a demon, get more power." Phoebe saw Jinny's memories from inside the bottle. The sorcerer was in love with the demon, but Jinny hated him. He cursed her to be forever trapped inside, forever being a slave to everyone who commanded it. Leaving a warning label to anyone who was foolish enough to try to free her.
"Then how do we get her back inside?" Paige asked, as worried she was about Piper, she was too busy thinking about Richard.
"The same way, she must wish you free."
"Great. I'm sure she's dying to switch back." Phoebe said with sarcasm. "Why didn't you stop me?"
"I already changed enough things as it is. This is all on you. I have other clients to watch over too you know."
"Is Murphy your boss?" Phoebe knew she had to switch back, the more she wasted time here, Piper's time was running short.
"Why didn't your empathy thing didn't work on Jinny?" Paige was trying to find a index about genies and tricksters.
"She's been around for eons. All her former masters, she must have learned some tricks. She even fooled the Book." Evil couldn't touch the Book, ever.
"Look, solve this fast, get your sister back." Chris demanded.
"Yes Master." She looked at her school books. "Can you wish a favour for me?"
Chris smiles.
"Nice try. Paige here, she told us all about personal gain."
"Me? Cool." Paige was always the flaky one, it was usually Piper or Phoebe bailing her out.
"Then what about Piper?"
"You'll figure it out. I'm hungry, mind if I order a pizza?" Once Chris left, Paige and Phoebe exchanged notes.
"The genie thing aside, what are you going to do about Richard?" Phoebe sensed Paige was pulling away.
"I want to break up." Paige felt awful. He was better than Charles, her ex, Richard, he was perfect. "He is the best boyfriend ever. Total husband material."
"But, you don't love him."
"You can tell huh?"
"I don't need to be a empath or a psychiatrist to tell."
Paige was dreading the next few hours.
"Let's stop this demon, and get back on track to save Piper." Paige was about to go downstairs, till she realized Phoebe wasn't behind her. "Aren't you coming?"
"Tell Chris to bring me down. I can't leave the bottle."
"Fine."
"It's been over an hour, where's my pizza?" Chris was starving.
"This is San Francisco, probably tons of orders." Paige knew how busy the restaurants were around here.
"Did you order from Bang Pizza? Good luck waiting." That was one of the few pizza restaurants that served authentic Chicago/New York style style pizzeria. "They take forever, but the wait is worth it." Phoebe usually ate healthy, but that pizza was an exception. Good thing they made vegetarian.
"We don't have time for this. I wish they'll come now."
"As you wish." Phoebe closes her eyes and blinks.
DING DONG!
"I'll get that." Paige goes to answer it.
"That didn't count!"
"You said it, I was just answering orders."
"Chris, you owe me twenty bucks." Paige says walking in with a pizza box.
Deep in a cave in the Middle East, a demon screams as he is burned alive.
"Anyone else wants to disobey an ex-genie?" Jinny used that demon as a a warning. She smiled when everyone bowed their heads.
"We are in your command, my queen." The leader bows in obedience.
"Queen. I like the sounds of that." Jinny paces around. "Every queen needs a empire. Any ideas on where the Lost City is?" She never been there, but her former masters called it the 'Desert Atlantis.'
"We believed we have found it." The leader tells her.
"Good. First order of command. Find that bottle, we are going on a witch hunt."
Paige was trying to shut out Phoebe's annoying voice. She kept telling Paige her wording was wrong.
"Do you mind? I may not have written as much spells, but I am a witch." Paige was still figuring her witchy side, her whitelighter side was currently bonded. She was trying to write a spell to return Phoebe to normal.
"All I said that you should add a rhyming part."
"If it works, who needs a rhyme. Now go away before I call Chris."
"You wouldn't."
"Chris!"
"He's not here, he said he had a job." Chris was a self proclaimed hunter/guide to the two women, but he did say he helped other clients. Whoever they were.
"Then be quiet. I need to concentrate." Paige picks up her pen. "To rid a Jinny, make her shimmy.''
"That won't work."
"CHRIS!"
Piper was looking at a catalogue of clothes.
"I hadn't done this in years." She never realized how she took things for granted with the Internet. "My baby, he is almost here." She guessed he was a boy, she was short, her sisters were around the same height, her baby was predicted to be at least eleven pounds. All she kept hearing was how large her baby was. William, he had baby furniture and supplies delivered, he said it was necessary to keep her safe. "Oof."
"You alright?" William was putting a crib together for her, Piper was too tired these days.
"Yea. Just a kick." She knew it was almost time. She didn't need a doctor to know it. "Did you call Dr Paul?" He was the town's local obstetrician.
"He is currently delivering triplets, but he did say he would be here as soon as we call."
"That looks cute." Piper was kicking herself for not having a baby shower. She always heard it was bad luck to buy things before the baby was born. "You think we have enough diapers?" She had tons in San Francisco and Lawrence, she remembered how fast Laura went through a week. William and her bought things from the pharmacy, like scissor clamps and sterile cloths. She wanted to go to the hospital, but William warned she needed to stay out of sight this time. Piper didn't know why she trusted him, she didn't trust anyone. But she trusted his judgment.
"We have enough."
"Is she immune to those runes?" William spread them everywhere. She rubbed her belly, her baby was moving inside.
"I hope so."
"Well, I like to go for a walk. I'm getting cabin fever." Other than the doctor, she rarely went anywhere. She didn't even have her phone, William made her throw it out back in Massachusetts. She painfully tries to get up.
"Just to the lake's edge." William helpfully helps her up. "Afterwards, we can watch the World Cup."
Piper detested soccer, she wasn't very good at it. But hearing how long her baby's legs are, she was trying to learn the plays, just in case.
Back in the manor, both sisters were sitting in the sunroom waiting for Chris to come back. Paige made sure to set a few traps, since Phoebe couldn't fight, she had no choice but to watch.
"Why do we need Chris? You have my potions and a athame." Phoebe was walking around, she was glad Chris was still out, otherwise would be back in the bottle.
Paige's eyebrows raise when Phoebe clapped her head together and blinked.
"What was that about?" Paige thought Phoebe sneezed.
"Chris made a wish. He wanted to get out of a ticket.''
Paige wanted to ask something else, but she was interrupted by the doorbell.
"I'll be right back." When she opened it, she couldn't believe it. "Richard." He was standing on the porch with a huge bouquet of flowers. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to apologize. Plus give you these. Not magical, I bought them from a flower shop. Cost me a fortune. Here." He hands Paige the roses.
"They're beautiful. But I can't accept these." When he got down on one knee, Paige wanted to faint.
"Paige. For the last few years I thought I'll never find love again, then I met you. Paige, will you marry me?" He held up a velvet box with a huge diamond ring.
Hearing a crash, Paige and Richard run inside the house, the roses and ring forgotten.
Chris was inside, he was protecting the bottle from the Forty Thieves, who were trying to steal the bottle.
"Chris! Where's Phoebe?" Paige and Richard started fighting. Richard, knowing how dangerous demons were, starting chanting a spell to subdue the enemy.
"The bottle, don't let them take it!" He kicked the bottle away, silently apologizing to Phoebe who was inside.
"Watch out!" A demon sneaks behind Richard. Paige takes out her athame and stabs him, instantly killing him.
All three fought hard, but when they got overwhelmed, Chris had no choice but to make a wish. He grabs the bottle from its hiding place.
"Phoebe! I wish the enemy vanquished from here!"
"That's a wish I can grant!" Phoebe took no time by vanquishing the demons. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to enjoy it, she was sucked back inside the bottle.
Jinny, who was outside waiting patiently goes to sneak inside, too bad for her, Richard takes the bottle and vanishes, but before trapping her in a trap Paige set earlier.
"Dammit Richard." She wanted to go after him, but they had a dangerous demon to watch over.
"You think these can hold me?" She yelped in shock when she got zapped while touching the crystal cage.
"Just for awhile. See this?" Paige was holding her athame. She saw her eyes go big.
"Where did you get that?" That dagger been lost for eons.
"This? It was a gift."
"You idiot." Jinny was shaking her head. "You have no idea how stupid you are for carrying it."
She saw Chris's face. It was blank, but his eyes.
"Excuse us." Once they were gone, Jinny closed her eyes and concentrated.
"Chris? What exactly is this knife?" It looked like a ordinary dagger. Wasn't as fancy as other daggers, most collectors wouldn't display it. Both Bosk and Jinny were startled when they seen it.
"Powerful." He gently put her arm down. "Go save your sister, I'll keep an eye on Jinny."
Phoebe had no idea where she was, or who her new master was. She just needed to get outta here. She just hoped her new master was friendly.
"Okay. Back and forth." She ran back and forth, trying to knock down her prison. "Almost wish Jinny's jailer didn't make it indestructible." As she pushed against the walls.
Richard didn't notice the bottle on the table rocking back and forth, he was too busy looking for a book about wishes. When he heard a thump, he looked up to see blue smoke coming from the tipped over bottle.
"Oh thank god. Thought a demon got me." She looked around. "What are you doing?" She looked around. "You promised." Paige confided in Phoebe that Richard was getting dependent on magic.
"Whatever she said, it isn't like that. You had those nightmares too, am I wrong? The hell is that book?" He was digging through his family's secret stash of books.
"Yeah, but we are just preparing. What you are doing, it isn't right. Plus it's dangerous." So was hunting, that's why Sam and Dean tried to balance their lives.
"The First Witch? I'm not worried about her. Unlike those other witches, she spared me."
"What do you mean?" Phoebe demanded.
"She saw the future, she wants us all equal. Mortals, witches, we'll all have magic."
"What?!" Before she can ask further, Paige warps in.
"Richard? Oh Phoebe. Thank goodness." What's going on?" She looked at the mess in the family magic vault.
"Nothing good." Phoebe's warnings fell on deaf ears.
Chris was getting bored. He seen Jinny meditating, she was most likely trying to call for help.
'Good luck with that.' He knew demons wouldn't help her, she was gone for far too long. He went to make a call, he had to make sure Bianca wasn't going anything stupid.
Jinny was concentrating hard. She knew no one would help her, but that didn't mean she couldn't help herself.
When her magic carpet came in from underneath the door, she opened her eyes when the carpet burned in ashes after it hit the magical cage, opening her prison.
"So those werewolves were taken care of? Good. You weren't alone were you? Mm hm. Just lay low. Eat some fish for me." Bianca was somewhere in Newfoundland, Canada, she was hunting with some native hunters who were having trouble with the local werewolves. "Bye." When he hung up, he was shocked to see Jinny out of her cage holding a fireball.
"Take me to the bottle." She ordered.
Richard was telling the sisters about the First Witch's offer.
"That sounds dangerous." Sounded intriguing, but were humans ready? Paige hated hiding.
"Because it is." Phoebe was for now a genie, but she knew human nature better than anyone. "No way. Magic was hidden for a reason. Remember the angels? Plus what Sam and Dean said about that dark universe? Magic, power can corrupt even the purest soul. Richard, what was your deal?"
"Nothing. I just wanted Paige safe. I love her. My family, other witches, hunters. Are we enough for what's coming?" Her offer, what she showed Richard. "We need all the help we can get."
Before Paige could say anything, she found herself getting thrown on the floor by Richard.
"The bottle, or your friend dies." She was holding Chris who was dangerously close to getting burned alive by a fireball.
Richard, wanting to protect Paige, makes a wish.
"Phoebe, I wish you free!"
Immediately, he and Phoebe found themselves surrounded by grey and blue smoke. Next thing Richard knew, he was wearing a black outfit that almost looked like pyjamas.
"What's this?" Richard was staring down at himself.
Jinny, seeing her chance shoves Chris towards the sisters, making them fall on the floor. She then grabs the bottle.
"Genie, I want the Charmed Ones dead." She ordered.
Richard, now a genie, reluctantly claps his hands and nods.
Both Phoebe and Paige roll their eyes in the back of their heads as they drop dead on the floor.
"NO!" Chris yelled. Dammit! He waited too long.
Piper felt a jolt when she woke up from her sleep.
"You okay in there?" She asked her belly. In response, her baby kicked.
'Thank god I planted those runes.' Williams felt that magic. Piper, and Prue were both alive and safe. He wasn't too worried about Phoebe and Paige, they were a lot smarter than they looked. As for their reapers, he cast a spell to keep them away temporarily.
"Will, do you have some tea?" Piper called.
Chris was apologizing to the Charmed One's ghosts. Jinny was already gone with the bottle, she didn't care anymore about the sisters or their friend.
I'm so sorry, this was my fault." He felt awful. He broke his promise to protect them.
"Are we dead?'' Paige was looking down at their bodies.
"Never mind us, is Piper and Prue okay?''
"I don't see our reapers.''
"Piper, and I assume Prue is fine too. It took serious Charmed magic to bring me from the future, if she was dead, I'll disappear."
"What do you mean by that?'' Paige asked suspiciously.
"Never mind. You have to stop that demon."
"How, we're dead." Phoebe was staring resentfully at her dead self.
"You're ghosts. You can go anywhere. Just concentrate on your target, and you'll find it."
"We have to save Richard." He was in danger.
"Then we can save Piper." Phoebe looks down at herself. "No funny business."
"Is this the site?" Jinny asked the Leader of the Forty Thieves.
"Yes my Queen. Myself and my men managed to find it before they attacked the witches."
"You hear me in there!" She yelled at the bottle in her hand. She holds it out. "I wish for the lost city of Zanbar!" She smiles at the lost city that risen from the sands. "Every queen needs a empire." She couldn't wait to rule. Seeing the bones of Cerberus, the three headed hellhound that guarded the city, she smiled. "It's good to be back." She lost out then, she won't be stupid to sleep with the Sultan's loyal advisor. Stupid sorcerer.
"Too bad you won't enjoy it." It couldn't be. Jinny eyes were in disbelief.
"You're dead!" Both dead witches were ghosts. "Death takes all away!"
"We have some unfinished business. Phoebe!" Jinny didn't have time to react before getting possessed by Phoebe's ghost.
Phoebe in Jinny's body, uses a fireball to destroy the leader. He was already dead, his own vessel was dead for centuries. He screamed as he was destroyed. Once he was gone, she picked up the bottle.
"Richard, I set you free!" She leaps out before she gets trapped with Jinny. Jinny then gets surrounded by grey and pink smoke.
"NO!" When she found herself trapped inside the bottle again.
Richard was looking down at himself. Seeing the ghosts, he commanded the genie to bring them back to life.
"Yes...Master." Jinny said with gritted teeth. She was once again dressed in her genie clothes.
"Hi honey." Paige smiles before she fades away.
Richard looked at the city.
"It's all yours." He left the bottle and city behind, he never wanted to see magic like that ever again.
The Hunter sent Richard home, but not before returning the dagger back to the city. Paige didn't need it, that dagger wasn't meant for Man. He then returned the genie sealing her forever in the royal vault before re-sinking it. His former mate, she didn't need that amount of power.
Paige had to do one more thing before she and Phoebe hit the road. Once she walked in the Montana living room, she saw Richard staring blankly at the floor.
"Hi." Her heart broke what she was about to do. But it was the right thing to do for both of them.
"Hi." He was staring at Paige's diamond engagement ring. "Before you ask, I spent six months looking for a perfect diamond. The band is made out of the finest mythril metal, it would have protected you against all evil magic. Wasn't cheap, I had to sell my stock to buy it."
Paige wanted to cry. She should have happy to find the perfect guy, he checked off everything off her list. Unlike her exes, he had no secrets, was a witch, and loved her unconditionally. But her heart wasn't feeling it.
"I don't deserve you." She sat down and cried on Richard's shoulder.
"Don't cry, you know I'll try to fix it." Richard was trying to hold it together himself. He did hold Paige till she stopped sniffling.
"I'm a terrible person." Her breakup with Charles didn't hurt this much.
"You are a good person Paige. I wouldn't have fell in love with you if I didn't." He and Paige just sat on the couch holding one another. "I took a power stripping potion. I no longer have my active powers." He realized as long as he had his magic, he'll never be at peace.
"You did what?" Paige looked at him. "Why?" Sure Richard was dependent on magic, but to take them all away?
"Because of me, your sister is in danger. Stripping my magic is a suitable punishment."
"Who is she?" Naming the First Witch.
"She goes by many names, but her favourite name is Neena. You better get going, she is close to finding your sister, a day at least."
Paige should have have hated him, but couldn't.
"How do we kill her." Richard, those nightmares must have scared him.
"She can't. She is magic herself. Sealing her away, at least till you can find out how to strip her powers, will keep Piper and her baby safe."
"How?"
"She can sense all magic. As a witch, you'll be at a disadvantage. But a hunter, they are completely invisible. Just as long as they are not witches or any magical creature. She can be sealed back in her realm, at least for the time being."
"I'm calling Sam." She hugs Richard. "Take care of yourself." She saw the For Sale sign on the front lawn.
"Goodbye Paige." He didn't cry, he wouldn't. Once the door shut, he looked up with red eyes. "What am I supposed to do now?" Hearing the footsteps behind him.
Chris puts his hand on Richard's left shoulder.
"Many of the best alchemists I know don't need magic to thrive. They work harder to perfect their medicines."
"A alchemist? Me?" He had his college degree in business, but also a minor in chemistry.
"You can reapply to Knox for your grad degree. Unlike Magic School, they accept mortals."
Richard was wondering what do next. Unlike his brother, he didn't want to work in the family business.
"I can apply for the winter term." Scotland was beautiful, his family owned a castle there.
Chris smiled when Richard walked away to make a call. He won't be alone forever, Chris saw a cupid hanging around. He went to bed, he was off the clock.
Lawrence, Kansas
"Phew!" Sam gagged when he opened Laura's diaper.
"Get used to this Sammy, this is only the beginning." Dean teased. Laura was growing fast, she was already crawling around. She was starting to babble. Both Dean and Jenna were making bets on what her first word would be.
"How can you stand this?" So much poop.
"I'm used to it. I changed you more than Laura." Dean was barely a child when he was forced to be a second father figure to Sam. "Uh, uh! Don't forget the corn starch." After Sam cleaned her up, Sam powdered her up. He then carefully puts on the diaper. "Let me see."
"I know how to change a diaper." Sam said in a grouchy tone.
"Just making sure." He checks her over. "Perfect. Now her onesie." Once Sam dressed her, he picks her up.
"See, I told you are a natural." Jenna was at work, Dean asked Sam to help keep an eye on Laura. He smiled at Sam who was cooing at her.
"Can you say uncle Sam?" Hearing his phone ring, he ignored it.
"I'll get it." When Sam didn't answer his phone, Dean answered his when it rang. "Yea. What?! Where?"
Sam looked up in curiosity. Dean was pacing back in forth.
"Who? No offence, but I'll yank the bitch."
"Who is it?" He mouthed to Dean.
"You have to ask Sam. I'm not a expert on magic."
Now Sam was really curious. He was holding Laura who was babbling.
"You want your toy?" Laura was reaching for one of her toys. "Here you go." He was staring curiously at Dean who was pacing back and forth.
"I can't leave my family."
A case? What Dean said next, Sam set Laura down in her crib.
"Anyone hurts Sis." Dean was clenching the phone. "Okay. I'll get my gear. I can make some calls. Thanks for letting me know."
"You said Piper. Dean, what's going on?" Sam spent the last few days looking for anything unusual, he and Bobby worked overtime to find anything magical happening. "Whatever it is, I'm going."
"No you're not." Dean was calling his wife. "I need someone here to watch over Jen and Laura. I don't trust anyone else. Babe? I need you home this instant."
"The hell I am." That was his wife and unborn baby. He was about to follow Dean when Laura started crying. "Now? I just changed you." He smelled something familiar. "You're Dean's kid alright." Dean always used ways to distract Sam.
Once Jenna got home, Dean was packing his car. Jenna, once Dean explained everything, she came straight home telling her boss she had a family emergency. He threw his duffel in the trunk, and just as he was about to close it, he got his arm grabbed.
"You're not going Sam." He threw Sam's arm off him. "I need you to watch over your niece." He was worried about Jenna, since Devon's death, she withdrew onto herself. She even got a part time job working at a convenience store. She argued that she needed to stay busy. Her and Dean even hired a nanny to help out whenever both were working.
"My wife is out there. I'm going." Sam needed to see her. "Open the car doors Dean!" When Dean refused to move. "If you are worried about Jenna and Laura, I already called Bobby. He's on his way here at the moment. Either open the doors, or I'll steal a car and follow you. I know magic. I can cast a spell to make you obey me." He threatened. "Dean? What's wrong?" When Dean's shoulders sagged.
"I can't let you go Sam. It's too dangerous."
"Too dangerous. Dean, what's going on?" He stood beside him. "I went to Hell, died several times, and was frozen in a box. I can handle myself."
"It's not you, it's your baby."
"What about my baby." Sam's heart was beating faster.
"There is this Witch. The First Witch. She, she, wants your baby dead."
Sam's heart turned to ice.
"I'll kill her and anyone else." When he tried to take off to steal a car, Dean grabbed him. "Dean! Let go!" He punched Dean in the nose. "Dammit, Dean!"
Dean refused to back down. Even with his nose bleeding, he didn't stand down. He was about to tell Sam the truth, but remembering Phoebe's warning refused to.
"What are you hiding from me?" Sam demanded.
Dean already made several calls. Donna, Jody, Claire, Castiel. They all agreed to help Dean. Claire was on her way here to stay with Jenna, with both Jody and Donna helping her. He already told his wife, who promised to keep the truth away from Sam.
"You trusted me since you were young. I'm doing what's best for you."
"I will break your legs. You will wish you kept your bowed legs." Sam knew how to break bones. "Open the doors. Now."
Dean sighed.
"As you wish." He nodded at Jenna who was watching from the back door. Thank goodness their neighbour was a witch. She was keeping an eye on the house. "Fine. Get in." Dean opens the door to let Sam in. "We have a long drive, get comfortable."
Once they drove away, Jenna sighed.
"Sam won't be fooled for very long." Bobby's glamouring spell was almost fool proof. But it wouldn't last.
"Bobby knows Sam better than Sam knows himself." Dean also knew how stubborn Sam was. Dean knew Bobby wasn't happy about his broken nose.
"Where's he taking him?" She was holding Laura who was babbling her baby talk.
"Sa...Sa...my."
Both looked at each other in excitement, Sam temporarily forgotten.
"Did you hear that?" She was hoping Laura's first word was 'mama,' or even 'dadda,' but her saying Sam's name made them both smile.
"Did you say Sammy?" Dean picks her up and smiles. "Can you say daddy?"
"Samny."
"Close enough." Dean hated to leave, but Piper was in grave danger. "Bobby and I put a timer on the Impala." Dean hated to put his 'Baby' in danger, but Piper's life was literally on the balance. Sam's presence would draw Neena to Piper and her baby like a beacon. It was so bad, her own sisters couldn't come. But they managed to find her location, thanks to a hacked security cam. To protect her, they immediately deleted any footage that showed her. "Donna is the closest, she's thirty minutes away."
"Where's Bobby taking Sam?"
"Somewhere far away from Sis." Dean hoped Bobby was okay, he knew Sam would be pissed. "I already have a car, sure your boss won't mind?"
"He was happy with the amount of cash I offered him." It was a junk bucket, but according to Gil, it had a major engine overhaul. "Take care." She takes Laura away from Dean's arms. "I already left you a ton of food and drinks. Plus enough cash to carry you all the way." She gave Dean a few thousand. "Tell Sis I love her." Piper was like a sister.
"Will do." He kisses his wife and baby. "I'll call." Dean had a brand new cell, he wasn't stupid, he had spoof numbers only Jenna knew. To be safe, she was carrying a flip phone, with a number only Jenna knew. As for Phoebe and Paige, Dean promised to call when Neena was taken care of.
"Drive safe." She and Laura wave goodbye when Dean drove away. Dean was wearing a disguise, he knew Sam will be watching anyone with his description. Good thing he worked in Hollywood.
Los Angeles, California
A dark haired woman was dancing in a nightclub. She was having a good time, she managed to track down that witch. But she wasn't in a hurry, her and her baby were perfectly safe. She turned down a dance from some guy, she already had a date.
"Thanks, but I'll sit this one out." Victoria was exhausted from dancing. She walked back to her date. "Where's the troll?" She hated trolls, especially short ones, but according to Hogan, they worked for anyone willing to pay.
"Knowing him, he is looking up women's skirts." Hogan was a warlock, but he wasn't a pervert. "I thought you were in a hurry?"
"Why rush?" She steals a drink from a passing waitress. "Let's dance." She pulls Hogan to the dance floor.
Piper was starting to breathe hard.
"Piper?" William immediately goes to her.
"False labor." Her birthing coach told her that would happen. "Hhh hhhh." She felt her baby shifting. "Ow!"
"I'm calling the doctor."
"No. Sam isn't here, not even my sisters." Piper refused to have this baby alone.
"You may not have a choice." He didn't know much about labor, but he watched a lot of videos. "Breathe."
William hoped her friends came soon. He was a witch, but no way he can face Neena alone.