Prue, Piper and Phoebe Halliwell, Leo Wyatt and all other characters who have appeared in the series "Charmed" together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent, and the Warner Brothers Television Network. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. The Tomorrow People are also created and owned by Roger Damon Price, Nickelodeon, ITV and/or Thames/Tetra Television. Adam, Ami, Megabyte, and Kevin are portrayed here, with the exception of Jade. The TP's ages are ranging from 18 to 22. (I truly have no idea how old they all are at this point, but I'm assuming at least 18 by now.) This takes place around the year 2000. This is a fanfic that I hope to entertain the people who read this, in the hopes of successfully mixing Charmed and the Tomorrow People. All ideas here, including names of Council Members, are mine. The First Person speaking is Prue Halliwell. All the rest are the other people included. This is the 5th in an continuing saga : "New Powers and New Lives"

Teaser: A warlock tests the sisters' new ability, in this continuing saga.

This is a continuation of "New Powers and New Lives" series.

To find the earlier stories, go to that series, or right here.

A Wyerd Beginning~
Drawing the Lines
Witchy Demons
Powers Quadrupled
Kevin's Musings
Resentment
Kevin's Revelation

And enjoy this series. I do plan to write more soon, but I do NEED feedback in order to write more. (Feedback such as criticism/comments, and a desire to read more)

Feedback is welcome at [email protected]

[ denotes telepathic conversation ]
/ denotes private thoughts /

(To recap: Phoebe is a Tomorrow Person, and the Charmed Ones, and the TPs have accustomed to this new situation.)

At the Manor:

Phoebe was busy in deep telepathic contact with someone. I couldn't guess who it was. Although I could hear Phoebe's end, the other end seemed blanked out. I walked by Phoebe to pick up the remote, not heeding her, not really. I flipped the T.V. on, and lowered the volume, as to not interrupt her conversation. I had grown used to Phoebe chatting busily in midair, ever since we ran into those people. The Tomorrow People, they called themselves, who were really nice, but somewhat hard to understand.

I kept hearing thoughts such as, [ Oh, don't you know that....], and [ Wait, Prue's here. I better talk to you later, Adam. ] I looked askance at her, for a moment before she noticed me staring at her. I decided not to say anything about this yet, but my suspicions were growing to be proved.

I had suspected since the first day Phoebe had broken out. That I could 'hear' her thoughts, if she broadcasted strongly enough. I simply smiled at her. "Hey Pheebs. How was your day?"

Phoebe grinned at me. "Oh nothing much, really. Just been chatting with Adam, and Megabyte, and Ami earlier this afternoon. It's sooooo cool to be able to do this." I smiled. I nodded, and said, "I bet it is. So, what are they up to anyways?"

Phoebe scrunched her nose, and smiled cutely. "Ohh nothing major. Just that Megabyte is grounded..."

I interrupted Phoebe with a quip, "grounded??? HOW do you ground a TELEPORTER??"

Phoebe laughed, and continued, "Also, Ami is berating him for pulling that prank on the university network. Adam is simply bemused and beside himself as well!"

"Whoa! Computer Network?? What'd he do?" I exclaimed in surprise.

"Yea. Megabyte...ya know. his name? It's another ability of his. it's like computers, and he can somehow feel his way and stuff into computers."

I chuckled, at the irony of it. "Why am I not surprised?" Phoebe grinned. "Hey Prue. What're you doing home so early today? I thought you had to work?" She looked at her watch, apparently surprised at the time.

"Yes. I got home early. Work was too easy today. Anyone could have done it. Where's Piper?"

Phoebe shrugged. "I dunno, Prue. I thought she was working at P^3."

I decided to drop the question I'd been wanting to ask her for a few days. I decided it could wait. I told her that we ought to drop by P^3 to help out, or just have some fun. She readily agreed. Cole was working there right now, I thought. Seeing Phoebe's expression at going clarified whether he was. He was. I smiled inwardly. Those two are inseperable! I had wished that I'd have someone ... Since I was the only one who hadn't had a GOOD date in a while.

As if Phoebe were 'echoing' my thoughts, She said out of the blue, "Don't worry Prue. You'll find someone soon." She patted my hand gently. We both got ready, in similiar smashing gowns, mine black as the darkest of nights, with a plunging v-line. Phoebe was wearing something similiar, but in emerald green.

At P^3:

We arrived at the club, to see it extremely busy, and waved to Piper who was behind the bar. We settled into two stools near Piper and grinned at her. She went, "Whoa! You two look hot tonight! You prowling or what?"

I laughed at Piper. "Nah. I might. Phoebe's here for Cole, 'course."

The band was playing a song that I was not familiar with, but was a very good song, as I listened more to it.

 o/` Baby, you're in my imagination,
  When I dream, you become so real,
  Your mind to my mind, love to your love,
  Your heart won't be lonely anymore o/`

I snapped my fingers to the beat. Phoebe slid up beside me and nudged me with her elbow, and said in a rather loud voice, "Not bad isn't it??"

I nodded vigourously at Phoebe with a broad grin. She shouted into my ear, "Gonna talk to Cole!" Not taking my eyes off the band, I nodded at her, and didn't know if she had left my side, since I was getting rather lost in this music.

Unknown to me, Piper was watching me with a grin on her face, but also with a thought, / She should be having a date, but... She is having fun though. / She stared at me, since I somewhat started to glow around my form, as if electricity was somewhat 'sparking' but shimmering instead. I let myself go and my form started to shine more brilliantly. Piper squeaked in a small voice, "Whoa." She tried to get to me as fast as she could. She shouted into my ear, since the club was so noisy, that it was the only way to be heard. "PRUE!! SNAP OUT OF IT!"

I returned to my senses with an abrupt jolt, and the electricity shimmer seemed to fade away immediately. Piper looked angry, and I didn't know why. I looked at her puzzled, and said, "What?"

She was waving her hands around, and mumbling something. "What Piper? I can't hear you?"

She punctuated her words. "YOU. WERE. GLOWING."

I said, "Huh? Glowing?" Then all of a sudden I remembered. I had the ability to generate electricity, in the form of spheres, but, this was new to me. I had realized that I had let my emotions go out of control. Red flooded my cheeks, and I stammered, "Oh my god. I am so sorry. I forgot!"

Piper nodded and waved off that apology like she forgave me already. I smiled at her. But she wasn't finished, apparently. "Prue. What happened to you? It was like your power was unleashed, but...harmless. You had...like a skin of electricity around you. I just wanted to make sure you didn't do that anymore, since ya know...."

I knew. I felt somewhat ashamed that I had lost control like that so easily. I struggled to explain to Piper what happened. "I ... was just listening to the music...and somehow I just...got so meshed in it.. I wasn't thinking whatsoever." Piper softened and nodded. "I know how that is. Just... don't do it anymore!" She waved her hands a bit more, and walked back to the countertop. I looked at her receding back, and sighed. She was right. I wondered how much control I really had? If this gift was the product/cause of emotion....

Left in my own musings, I failed to see a broad shouldered man gazing at me, with lust. Lust of the darker kind. He was sitting at a table about 15 feet away, staring at me. I didn't notice him. He chuckled wickedly to himself, and thought, / How easy it will be to get you, Eldest Charmed One. And the others. Your minds will be food enough for my hunger. / He grinned evilly for a moment, then stood up, threw his cloak over his shoulder, and strode out of the club. I suddenly felt weak, and then it passed momentarily, and didn't think about it. The music seemed so discordant now. I cringed a little, but the music resumed it's previous rhythm.

I looked around, and saw no one in particular I knew. I walked back to the counter, and slumped onto the bar stool. I sighed heavily. Piper noticed my downcast expression. "Prue, what's wrong? You were having so much fun? Did I ruin it?"

I smiled softly at my younger sister. "No. you didn't ruin it. You were right to talk to me about..ah..earlier. I don't really know what's wrong. Just feeling a little blue."

Piper looked at me askance, and asked, "Are you sure nothing's wrong?"

I nodded at her, but thinking to myself, / I need someone. / She simply dropped it, knowing I would probably talk about it later. Right now, I felt like going to bed. I was suddenly exhausted. I mulled over why. / Maybe that's why I'm so down, cuz I was emitting major sparks. / That thought gave me a sudden small chuckle. "How literal." was my soft spoken words to myself.

I thought I should tell Phoebe I was heading home. I knew that Cole would give her a ride home, since he had taken a driving test, and passed, about a month ago. Phoebe was snuggled into Cole's arms, on the lounge couch. I had figured from seeing them, that Cole was on his break. I smiled at the couple, and waved. Cole smiled back at me, and so did Phoebe. She said, "Hey Prue. What's up?" Her head was lying on his shoulder. I couldn't help but smile, while my heart did some serious tuggings. The feelings of needing someone flooded me for a moment, but I managed to push them aside for a short while.

"Hey Pheebs. I'm thinking of going home. I'm a bit bushed. Can you get a ride?"

Pheebs responded, "Sure thing. Are you ok though, Prue? You look a little pale." I denied that anything was wrong, and just said, "Nah. Just tired. I thought I was not as tired, but..."

Phoebe nodded at me. "Okay. I can get a ride from Cole..?" She looked at Cole, who nodded in confirmation. With that out of the way, I bid them good night, and headed for the counter, where Piper was. "Hey sis. I gotta get some sleep. I'm pretty tired tonight." Piper smiled. "No wonder with your sparkage tonight!" I waved a tired dismissing hand, and grinned softly at the pun. Piper chuckled at my expression. She smiled. "See you later tonight, if you're still awake."

I nodded, and then headed home, to get a full night's sleep. Little did I know that things were coming to a head, on my suspicions about a new ability, and a new type of situation that would emerge soon enough.

As I got back to the Manor, I headed right to bed, and knew no more until the next day.

The next afternoon, I blinked groggily at the clock. "Damn!" It said 3:30pm. I groaned as my body felt like it had been wrung dry TWICE. "Ohhhhhhhh", was my low groan as I sat up at the edge of my bed. Piper was on the way to downstairs from her room, heard me, and apparently decided to see what was wrong.

Piper looked at me with concern as she saw my bleary condition. "Hey sleepyhead. You look awful. You okay?"

I nodded softly. "I feel like I've been through a double hangover or something. Weird thing is, I didn't even drink last night. Actually, I really had a great time, just listening to the music." Piper grinned. "It was good, wasn't it?" I nodded, slowly feeling better. Piper has an inkling, which she imparts, "Wait...remember last night, when you were listening to the music, and...ah glowing?" I blushed a little, and nodded.

Piper continued, "Well, that *might* be the reason you're feeling like hell. You were putting enough power out to power San Francisco alone, I would think."

I stared at her in shock. "No way?" I hadn't realized that I could exhibit so much power, and in so short a time. Talk about uninhibited! I smiled at her to reassure her that I was feeling better. Piper offered to make a snack for me to tide me over until dinner time. I smiled at her with a nod. "After I clean up." Piper grins. "Yes. See you in 20 downstairs."

I slowly trudged to the shower, and was ready, surprisingly within 20 minutes, given the state I was in.

An aroma wafted to my nose, as I entered the kitchen. I recognized it as cheese. but I didn't know what she had in mind. When I saw Piper, she smiled and presented me with a plate of sliced cheese, apples, and oranges. "Mmm Those look GOOD. Thanks Piper!" I took a few slices from the plate, and nibbled on them slowly, my appetite returning, and my state of mind seemed to return to normal. I grabbed my mug to fill it with coffee, which was freshly brewing.

I settled at the kitchen table, with my plate of goodies, and smiled up at Piper. I thought about Phoebe for a moment. "Hey? Where's Phoebe?" Piper shrugged, but smiled a little mischievously. "She's still with Cole. Probably having a good day off from work. I don't know where they are."

I managed a small smile, since I knew Cole was indeed keeping her busy. Waving a piece of half eaten orange slice, I mentioned to Piper the big thing I had been thinking about earlier yesterday. Piper looked at me strangely. "So...you think you are hearing Phoebe's thoughts now?" I shrugged. I just simply stated, "I think so. It seems like I keep hearing half of what she's thinking, when she is in 'apparent' telepathic conversation with her friends." Piper gazed at me for a few moments, her expression unreadable. I heard a thought resounding rather loudly in my head, [ Is what Prue's saying true? I don't know, although stranger things have happened. What if she can hear me? ] I looked at her with widening eyes. I heard her! I wondered if it were MY ability, or just an residual effect or something from Phoebe's breakout? Piper looked at me with an odd glance. I nodded to indicate I had heard her. She paled for a moment, and pulled away, in her mind. Actually, the sensation was more like 'closed up'. I felt a bit ashamed that I had read her mind. I looked away, my face set in an ashamed look.

Piper saw me and said, "Don't be ashamed. It's okay. I wasn't expecting you to read my mind."

I looked at her with a hopeful look, and asked in a soft voice, "Are you sure?" She nodded, with a smile at me. I felt better about it, but still I wondered what the ramifications of this new ability was. Did it extend to other people, or just Phoebe, and my sister? Piper seemed to be reading my thoughts, and just simply said, "Go into the lounge. Veg at the TV for a while before dinner. Phoebe will be back for dinner. She called on the phone while you were snoozing away. Cole will probably be here too." I stretched and nodded, thanking her for the delicious fruit and cheese plate. I smiled, and headed to the lounge to flop on the couch.

I flipped the channels on the TV. There was nothing on TV. Geez. I would have thought there'd be something good. I sighed, and looked at the clock. 6:03pm. I was also glad that no demons or warlocks had attacked us lately, but this was ridiculous. There was NOTHING to do! At least it wasn't that far off until dinner. As I thought that, the front doors swung open to admit Cole and Phoebe in a sweeping motion. I smiled inwardly at that image that was conjured up in my mind, of a scene of Phoebe and Cole dancing in a ballroom.

I greeted the two with a smile, "Hey you guys! You look fantastic!" Cole grinned, as Phoebe giggled and blushed. "Thanks Prue. I heard you were conked out this morning..." I looked at her sheepishly. I told her that I didn't know why that happened. I shrugged to emphasize this point. She was thinking, [ Hmm, I hope Prue's really Ok. ] To my not-surprise, I did hear her again. I kept an impassive expression on my face to hide it for now. It seemed like it was sisterly, at least. I thought maybe I should peek in the Book of Shadows later tonight while everyone was sleeping.

Although, after a few moments of thinking, as Phoebe and Cole headed for the kitchen to chat with Piper, I was not sure how far this new power went. Could I read anyone's mind? Could they read mine if I projected? Could Piper pick up my thoughts, or Phoebe?

Unanswered questions continued to simmer in the back of my mind, as I headed to dinner. I smiled and acted as if nothing was wrong, but Piper knew what was up, but didn't say anything either. At one time, when Piper was about to say something, and I knew she was going to bring up the telepathy thing, I looked at her with a swift glance, warning her not to say anything...yet. She impatiently gestured at me to say something, but subsided immediately when she noticed my stubborn expression. Oh, I could be as stubborn as a mule, when I chose.

Amazingly enough, Phoebe and Cole didn't notice, since they were chatting about their day, and explained what had happened at the museum and the fascinating historical perspective Cole had. I stared at Cole at this part, and chuckled. "Of course, Cole. You are 200 plus years old, remember?" Piper chuckled and nodded. Cole looked sheepish. That earned a laugh from all three of us.

A few hours passed, as all 4 of us relocated to the lounge, to enjoy a night's conversation. I was enjoying myself so much, that I had forgotten about the telepathy bit, until Phoebe suddenly looks to one side, eyes unfocused, to engage in conversation.

I sighed to myself. I idly watched Phoebe, ignoring Piper's looks. I finally got pissed off, and thought, [PHOEBE!]

Piper cringed and clapped her hands over her ears but the yell was purely mental. Phoebe gasped and clutched her head, and stared at me in shock. "WHOA." She blinked rapidly at me. Cole was looking at us in a puzzled expression. That had definetly confirmed my suspicions. It was a sisterly thing. But I thought...was it bad or good? She hurriedly told her friend that she'll talk with them later. She dropped the connection, and looked at me with an annoyed expression.

"OK, Prue. What's wrong? How did you do that?" She stared intensely at me, and at Piper.

I shrugged. "I don't know, Pheebs. I don't know really how long I've had this. All I know is I can pick up on your thoughts, Phoebe, and now Piper's."

Cole sat there stunned, and managed to speak out, "Prue? You're ...a Tomorrow Person?"

I waved my hands to say no, vehemently, and said, "No... not a Tomorrow Person. Just telepathic, I think. Piper seems to be getting it too."

Phoebe grinned, "This is GREAT. You don't know how long it's been that I've wanted to share this with you two!"

Piper grinned uncertainly, and quipped, "WELL, speak for yourself... I don't know how to deal with this!"

Phoebe looked at Piper and thought, [ It gets easier with time, hon. ] Piper jumped a little for a moment and smiled. I piped up that it seemed like it was only the three of us who could share this power. Phoebe smiled, "Well, that is still nice. But... I probably should teach you two how to 'shield' or something. Just in case."

Piper looked frightened for a moment, "Just in case? Of what?"

Phoebe smiled to reassure Piper, "It's okay, sweetie. I just meant if we are too noisy in our heads for each other. That's probably why I hadn't noticed either of your thoughts until now." She looked at me with a discerning stare. "Prue...you've known about this for a while?"

I squirmed a little, and nodded. "I wasn't certain, until recently. If I had to pin down the time that I started, it would be probably around the time you had broken out." She said, "Whoa." with a shocked glance. Piper swung to face me, "Why didn't you tell me?" I hesitated, then shrugged my shoulders. "I didn't know for sure." I knew Piper wasn't satisfied with that answer, but she would have to be.

I sighed, "So... ", after an awkward silence ensued in the room. Piper decided to be the ice breaker, and said, "Dessert, anyone?" Phoebe laughed, and nodded, "Piper, what's for dessert?" Cole looked happy that the subject had been changed. I was somewhat relieved that the focus was off me. I lingered while everyone filed to the kitchen for dessert. I looked upwards, and said, "Grams...I hope you're out there. I wouldn't mind having someone to talk to sometime. This can be a bit annoying, ya know."

I caught up with the others in the kitchen, crowded over a chocolate meringue pie. I drooled after taking a bite of a heaping fluff of meringue lying on thick chocolate mousse, with a thick oreo-based crust, piece of pie. I moaned quietly at the heavenly bite. I couldn't believe how good Piper was at baking. I winked at Piper, and thought at her, [ WOW. GOOD. Pie! ] Piper chuckled at me. Phoebe was savoring each piece, apparently had caught the edges of my thought toward Piper and winked at me.

I felt sleepy after the piece of pie, and decided to head to bed. Phoebe stood up from the stool at the island in the kitchen, and was overtaken by a chill. She began to have a premonition.

A flash of white.

A physically cute male, in a five piece suit, with glowing red eyes, held out his hand, and white swirls began to emerge from the three sister's foreheads to be sucked into his hand. The image of the four of us dying, one by one, by apparent suffocation. Phoebe snaps out of her premonition. She breathed heavily, while Cole supported her. Piper asked, "What'd you see?"

Phoebe swayed, visibly worn out from these visions. She blinks rapidly, and said in a soft voice, "Three of us dying. Warlock or something sucking something out of our foreheads." Piper's eyes widen at this, and said immediately. "Book of Shadows. Attic. NOW!" She pointed toward the attic with a demanding expression. I nodded, and started walking to the attic. The others followed in suit behind me.

As we reached the attic, the book started to open, to flip random pages, until it rested on a page.

"Guess Grams is indeed watching...", was my quiet remark to myself, unheard by the others. Piper walked over to the Book, and started reading the entry. Cole and Phoebe were the last ones to reach the attic, since Phoebe was still weak, from her vision. I had an unsettling thought that this ability MIGHT be too strong for her to handle, but I was not going to say anything yet. Not unless it seemed like it might be. She started walking over by Piper, to look at the page.

Phoebe's expression changed from weakened to serious. Apparently we were on the right track. I clustered around my sisters, and browsed the entry.

The entry was as follows:

The Warlock of Stolen Essence.

Garin is descended from a line of unique witches who have the power of mind reading, along with some second sight abilities. Somewhere in the line, this witch became a warlock, when he felt unsatisfied with his power, and got more hunger for the essence of witches. His goal is the Charmed Ones' Essence, to complete his hunger. One might counteract this if one has the ability to read minds, and shield themselves.

The only way to vanquish this warlock, is to merge all the Charmed One's mind into one solid force, and cast the spell in your minds.

Garin, Warlock of Essence,
stolen from witches long past,
will bubble, boil, and trouble thee,
becoming a flame, to burn thee,
and send thee, Garin, to hell!

I interrupted, "Whoa. So... this is definetly something we CAN do...now." Phoebe murmured, and shrugged her shoulders with an uncertain expression. Piper was silent. Cole looked at all of us, with a skeptical look. He interjects, "This thing requires all three of you? But what about Phoebe's vision? Can She do it? I mean...remember her no killing rule?" Phoebe looks up at Cole with a warm smile at his memory, and explained. "Cole, honey... my visions can be misinterpreted sometimes. The threat was clear. If I got it, then it means I...we need to find a way to nullify it. Somehow." I had forgotten she couldn't kill. Not willingly. Damn. I tried to lighten the tension in the room, which was palpable.

I snickered. "OOooh. Big word!" Phoebe glared at me, which broke the tension in the room, with us laughing. I said, "We need a plan. Pheebs, any idea how to do this thing?"

Phoebe nodded, and proceeded to teach us how to shield our thoughts from each other, if we had to, and for general purposes. As for the other part, she explained a little of the mind - merge thing that she had done a few times with her Tomorrow People friends. At first Phoebe seemed to be at a loss for words on how to explain this, but then came up with an explaination that satisfied me.

Sitting in a circle, we took hands, and tried to 'link' with each other, as Phoebe tried to explain in that term. I felt rather uncomfortable trying to 'find' Piper's mind, or Phoebe's. I had no real clue how to do it, and apparently nor did Piper. Frustrated, I groaned, and looked at Phoebe with an annoyed glance. "It's just NOT working. I don't know why."

Cole cleared his throat for a moment. "Ah.. well. Um. If this is what you are doing is definitetly telepathy among sisters....then why don't you think about sister stuff...?"

Piper looked askance at Cole, "Whaddya mean?"

Cole shifted from hip to hip in his seated position. "Ah, well. I don't have much experience with telepathy, although I do know quite a bit. You seem to be strongest when you're 'thinking' as 3 sisters..." He groped for words, and came up with, "I mean... visualize a 'hand' that is your bond between you three. I meant, visualize what you were doing. Holding hands."

Phoebe smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. "D'oh! Why didn't I think of that??"

Piper chuckled at Phoebe's comment, and shrugged. I was filled with eagerness to try again. "Ok. Let's do it."

We all took hands again, and before we started, I suggested, "Phoebe, why don't you start? Since you're the most experienced one." Phoebe grinned and smiled. I waited as a tense-filled moment passed without anything happening, then it took me by surprise. I had the oddest sensation in my mind. I closed my eyes to 'see' it better. It was as if an hand was holding my mental hand, and I could feel her emotions in a small degree surging through the link. The link was no means complete, since I wasn't 'connected' to Piper yet, but I observed in my mind what Phoebe had done, and tried to 'throw' out an hand to my younger sister. Piper caught the connection, and strengthened it. We could hear each other's thoughts. Intimate, and surface. It was unsettling. I now knew somewhat of what she had shared with the other Tomorrow People. Closer than people normally would be. There were no secrets. I opened my eyes to see Phoebe and Piper looking at me. I started to speak, but Phoebe stilled my verbal response with a simple thought, [ Prue, Piper. It's Okay. I know you guys aren't used to this form, but... it is cool, ain't it? ] I smiled at my two sisters and nodded. Piper smiled, and I could feel somewhat that she was uncertain about this. I tried to send a thought to Piper privately, but couldn't since I was still in the link. [ Piper, it's okay, really. It's like a new power, but it only is for us three. I doubt ANYONE could take it. We're gonna kick this warlock's ass! ]

Piper let out a small chuckle, both verbally, and as a surge that flowed through the link to both of us. Phoebe smiled, and just said, [ Okay you two. Time to 'break' up. ], with a small joking tone in her mind. I laughed, and simply 'let' go of my hands to Phoebe and to Piper. Phoebe glanced at me after the circle was broken, and said in an somewhat impressed voice, "Wow, Prue. You are somewhat a natural. You did that so well." I somewhat blushed at this comment. Cole looked at us with a small smile. "So.. it worked then?" Phoebe nodded vigorously.

Piper interjected with an comment that somewhat brought us back to reality. "So. Do we practice more and wait for the warlock to attack?"

I thought for a moment, with a finger on my chin. "Hmm. That sounds like a good plan, but also, we do all need to memorize the spell too. Actually, we should practice 'linking' our minds, at least until we don't need to do it while we hold each other's hand."

Phoebe nodded, and added, "I do have more experience at this, but you two are fairly good, probably because of your practicing with your current powers. I mean that you can focus on how to use powers, and everything."

"Hmm, you may be right Pheebs.", was Piper's thoughtful reply. Piper had a embarrassed grin on her face, "So, this means we get to listen to everyone having sex?"

"Nuh huh!" was my reply. I didn't want anyone eavesdropping on me! Phoebe dryly chuckled, and reminded us both, with the comment, "Remember? You can shield." D'oh.. I had forgotten. That part now made me feel so relieved. I knew how to shield, from Phoebe's teachings, plus it was still rudimentary. I didn't know how much it'd take. But for now, I put that out of my mind.

I was glad we had a plan, at least. Now we had to wait. Fortunately we didn't have to wait too long. A few hours later, we were sprawled out in various ways, on the couch, and the sofa, chatting, in the Lounge, when Garin made his appearance. He shimmered into the lounge. Cole stood up, moved backwards, as we stood together in front of him. He snarled, "GOOD. I have you in my clutches now!" He reached out his hand, palm outward, and chanted:

I felt weaker all of a sudden, as a white mist seemed to start flowing out of my head. Phoebe quickly got into action, and linked all of us at once, which snapped the mist back into my forehead, restoring my sense. I blinked, and glared at the warlock. I sent a quick thought along to Phoebe, [ You sure? ]

She nodded at me, her battle stance ready.

I sent a thought along the link. [ Let's do it! ] The warlock was surprised that we had linked minds, and he could see it. He attempted to try the spell again, but we were too quick for him.

We took our minds, and formed a sphere in front of Phoebe. The growing sphere glowed purple, which seemed to grow larger with our anger. We chanted the spell mentally -

He groaned, and clutched at his head, as the sphere glowed brightly once more, and sped to strike his head. He staggered backwards, his body convulsing with screaming pain, flames licking his skin, as he was sent back to hell. He incinerated in a burst of hot flame, then was no more. I grinned at the others. We had defeated this warlock! I felt triumphant, but also felt a little disappointed since it seemed way too easy.

Phoebe screamed, clutching her head, and fell toward the floor. Cole ran to catch her. Piper and I stood stunned.

I suddenly slumped a little, leaning on the couch armrest for support. I felt rather weak. Piper sagged toward me, and paled. Phoebe did not regain conciousness for long deadly time. We tried to wake her up. PHOEBE!! PHOEBE!!

Suddenly all of the TP's teleported in, with 7 explosions of static light. "What's going on?!", they chorused in voices mixed with anger, and worry.

I explained that we did a spell, but.. I didn't think about how it'd affect Phoebe. Adam seemed to be looking at me, with a scornful look, but filled with compassion. He looked at Phoebe, and tried to heal her. He couldn't, since her mind apparently had suffered a bad backlash from this spell. Piper and I were worried to death. She kept pacing the room, trying to call Leo, but he wasn't answering. But from Adam's report, Phoebe was alright, just in a mental stasis of sorts. That didn't seem to calm Piper much.

Piper screeched, "You're telling me that Phoebe's ALRIGHT, but she's in a mental stasis?!? She is obviously NOT alright!" I tried to soothe Piper, but she just glared at me, and fretted.

The doorbell rang.

I looked up to the heavens, and mumbled, "Now what?" The other TP's, Piper, and Cole gazed at me, as if to say, "Get the door."

I walked to the front door...

A surprise was waiting for us.

I had questions. But they could be answered later. Why was it that they seemed to attack, when we always had a new power emerge? Why did they always want our powers? Why did it have to happen to Phoebe? I hoped she'd recover. I didn't really understand why people wanted power. I was glad this new power allowed me to gain an even closer bond to my sisters, but I somewhat wondered whether it was for a good reason, or was it too much?

[ Fin, for now ]