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. All the rest are the other people included. First Person Narrative is done through Prue Halliwell.

Note: Thanks go to Elizabeth Stanway for helping beta-read this, and also for her encouragement to complete this fanfic!

Feedback is welcome at [email protected]

Earlier Stories in the New Powers & New Lives Serial:

A Wyerd Beginning~
Drawing the Lines
Witchy Demons
Powers Quadrupled
Kevin's Musings
Resentment
Kevin's Revelation
Hearing Voices
Mental Pep Talk
Break Up Woes

***********Part 1***********

It's been two years since we'd started on our mission.

Two whole years since I learned that I had a unique destiny. Two years of exploring what it meant to have sisters, and to have these powers. Vanquishing demons and warlocks has been kinda fun, but at times, it can be annoying, because it always seems, without fail, to interfere with our normal lives. Even so, we've tried to maintain one, and still do.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, eyes closing, as I stopped writing in my journal. Chewing the end of the pen, I found it oddly relaxing to just jot my thoughts down on paper, when I couldn't just tell my sisters. Why would they need to know what they already knew? My thoughts were my own thoughts, even if I had a mind reading sister. Or two. Heh. Another thought occurred to me, as I put my pen back to paper.

Recent events left me ...surprised, including this newfound power of mine, to overhear my sisters -- even though it's only my sisters... which I think I'm grateful. I don't know how Phoebe can handle it with overhearing all her new friends in her mind, and us, and possibly others who have a modicum of talent! However, I have tried to practice that technique that she taught us in the beginning as much as I can - to ensure privacy between us three, and also to stop getting so distracted by a random voices in my head, and wondering who's talking. What did Phoebe call it? Ah, yes, Shielding. Personally, I see it as a very useful skill there. It's too bad it doesn't include tangible protection toward physical threats. A physical shielding power would be nice. Piper does have that, but it only stays up for so long, and seems to only extend to physical projectile-type weapons and powers.

I sighed heavily to myself, gently tapping the felt-tip pen's end on my lip, thinking to myself. Continuing in this vein, I frowned slightly in concentration.

I just wonder if all I'm good for is an electricity generator. I mean, flinging zapballs around is useful - for vanquishing demons - but I wondered if I'd even exhibit any other powers, as the Book of Shadows mentioned at first. We still don't know why we have wonky powers. I keep hoping that sometimes we'll get the ones we were meant to have over time, but after two years, that hope is growing slim. I've even tried to contact Grams, in the hope of attaining any understanding of this situation, but I have not been able to summon her spirit yet. Leo hasn't found anything regarding this either. It doesn't help Leo's concentration that Piper and Leo are mooning over each other lately.

Let me amend that. I think it's sweet, personally, I'm happy for them but I just wonder if I'll find anyone, even remotely close to Andy. Andy was so kind and patient, even though I struggled to keep my secret from him. When he found out, it was surprising for me, and not quite so for him - probably because he somehow remembered through the forget spell Grams put on him. As he described it, flashbacks began occurring as Grams died, but not till the end of last year did the full truth emerge.

Even after he knew I was a witch, he tried coping with the reality of powers, demons and warlocks. I knew it was difficult, for it was plainly displayed in his expression and how he tried talking with me. In my heart I knew he loved me still, but trying to merge the two worlds into one is a monumental task, even for me.

I was told to try to write how Andy's death felt by a shrink I saw a while ago, when my sisters couldn't comfort me. I realize as I think about Andy's sweet personality, and his whole outlook on life, it wasn't quite so dissimilar to ours. Andy's death struck us really hard. He had a place in all of our hearts, especially mine.

I sighed gustily, wiping a lone tear off my cheek and remembering some of the good times I had with Andy, as well as the bittersweet memories of struggling to keep a secret while wishing he could figure it out. At that time, I remember, it felt like I lived two separate lives, similar to a spy movie. I shook my head softly, at that thought, smiling softly. If I could only find someone else, remotely like Andy...

[ Prue? You okay? You've been up in your room all morning. Lunch's about done... ]

That was Piper. She must have noticed my thoughts were inwardly focused. I knew that she was worried. That brought a small curved smile to my face.

[ Piper, I'm alright. Just...thinking. ] I deliberately left it dangling because I didn't really want to admit that I was writing in my journal.

Anxiousness filled my mind for a moment as Piper sent another quicksilver thought.

[ Prue? ]

I sighed mentally, making sure not to let that leak through to Piper then I mindsent another thought downstairs, [ Piper, don't worry about me. I'm just fine. ]

I could tell that she wasn't convinced, but her link dropped without a sound. I exhaled deeply. I was glad that she hadn't pried more...but why was I so hesitant about sharing my thoughts, or even about the journal entries? Putting the pen down, I stared out of my window, at the wispy clouds floating by and the softly chirping birds. Things seemed so normal. My fingers drummed the desk with idleness as I tuned out of my surroundings for a moment, listening to the peaceful song of the birds outside. As I closed my journal, I had an sudden feeling before something somehow struck me.

[ PRUE!! PIPER!! ] I winced as if someone had struck a blow against my head. Suddenly dizzy, I clutched my head and blinked rapidly, trying to keep the sting of tears out of my eyes. The voice was unmistakable, it could only be Phoebe.

I could hardly stay standing, as Piper came running into the bedroom with a panicked expression, and wild eyes. Trying to support myself on the chair backing, I blinked, staring at Piper with slight confusion, and worry.

"That was Phoebe! What happened? I nearly collapsed over the kitchen counter --" Snapping out of her shock, she hurried to lead me to my bed, where I surrendered my precarious balance, and sat.

"Uh.. what happened, Piper?" I swung my head to stare at her confusedly.

Piper shook her head in reply. She laid her hand on my shoulder in a gentle grasp, and didn't say another word... Vocally. Otherwise, she kept talking.

[ Phoebe?!? What's going on? Where the hell are you? What's happening? ] Piper kept broadcasting as loud as she could.

[ .....PIPER? ] A voice tinged with incredulity answered. I barely heard anything because I was slightly dizzy and tuning out of the telepathic bond.

Piper's eyebrows furrowed in concentration before answering. [ Oh my god. Is that you, Megabyte? ]

I snapped my head up at Piper in surprise. I had thought that random telepathy with Kevin was a random fluke, maybe because Phoebe and Kevin were so close. (See "Mental Pep Talk") I hadn't dreamed it'd be possible to talk to the others. It got me to thinking... Why are we suddenly able to hear the other Tomorrow People? Are we becoming like them? I didn't know if I wanted to be like them, even though I was envious of their existence. It reminded me of one thing: that it was possible to have peace through other means rather than violence. Those thoughts passed through my mind quickly, as Piper recovered her composure.

[ Yes. It's us. Have you seen Phoebe? I thought she was with you guys for the afternoon? We heard a scream that just about clobbered us -- ] I watched Piper's face as she trailed off, with a furrowed brow that meant she was deeply worried, but I knew what she was feeling, because I echoed it as well. What the hell happened to Phoebe? I hoped it wasn't another 'prophecy' dealing with the Tomorrow People. We had dealt with one just recently.

A grim, resonating voice entered our minds fully for the first time. [ No, I've not seen her. I heard it. I'm worried. In fact, I was about to pop over there. I cannot find Kevin anywhere, or Ami. Look - I need to come over because talking like this seems to give me a headache...]

Wierd. I didn't feel any different. Maybe it was just different because we weren't quite Tomorrow People, or just that our telepathic bond was a bit different and quite possibly broadening out slightly. Shrugging off the thoughts, I reached out to Megabyte. [ Come right over... We'll meet you in the kitchen. ] Silence greeted us as Piper pulled me up by the arm, slowly, to make sure I could still walk steadily.

"Come on, Prue, Let's go." I was feeling a lot better than I had since Phoebe screamed, but still was shaking slightly inside. I hoped she was still alright. Sighing softly, I followed Piper's trail to the kitchen. We entered, seeing Megabyte was already there, tapping his foot; his face was filled with concern, and impatience.

"About time. So what the hell is going on? I can't find Phoebe, or Kevin, or Ami. At all. The others are worried but they can't get away from what they're doing."

Megabyte's pose betrayed that he was deeply worried. I knew by now that they seemed to have a passive, and permanent connection, to each other, as if they were a community. Each seemed to know when the other was in trouble. If they couldn't find someone by tracing that link, they got worried. One...perhaps simply shielding very strongly, but three...missing?

Piper gasped, her hand going to her mouth. Megabyte nodded solemnly.

I exhaled softly, wondering what to do next. "Now what? I know - we'll scry for them!"

I watched as Piper quickly brought out a map depicting San Francisco, and a large portion of California along with a homemade quartz crystal on a chain. She spread it out on the table.

Megabyte looked at me dubiously as I swung the quartz around, concentrating on Phoebe, mostly because she tended to stay in town. I grinned, despite the situation, at Megabyte's expression.

"With all you can do, you don't believe in scrying?" I gestured with my free hand, with a slight mocking grin, as I kept an eye on the quartz crystal.

As I said this, the crystal gravitated toward a spot in northern California, and landed with a 'click', temporarily magnetized to that spot. I leaned forward trying to read where it landed.

"Isn't that Mt. Shasta? Why would Phoebe be there..?" Piper's voice was tinged with puzzlement.

I shrugged, but gazed at the two, with determination. "If Phoebe's still there, I'm sure the others are. Let's go." I grabbed our jackets, and looked at Megabyte expectedly.

Megabyte nodded without a word, which was surprising, because I knew he always had a wisecrack comment.

He touched our shoulders, closing his eyes, concentrating on picturing rugged mountains with snow caps....

..and in static bursts of light, the three of us vanished.

***********Part 2***********

Mt. Shasta - Cave Entrance?

Three bursts of light illuminated the darkened interior for a moment, causing us to blink, looking around confusedly.

"Damn. It's dark in here. Did anyone think to bring a flashlight?" Piper grumbled in an annoyed tone.

Megabyte cleared his throat uneasily, as if shifting around in embarrassment. "Uh, No. I think this is the spot where she was. I must have been drawn here by something. Somehow we ended up here, although I pictured the outside of the mountain."

Piper whispered, "It's ok, Megabyte. At least we should be here. Wherever this is..."

I called out unexpectedly, "Phoebe?!" Even I jumped slightly as echoes rebounded all over the walls. It sounded deep and smelled a bit damp.

"Why don't you use your power, Prue?" Piper sounded like she had an idea.

"My power? Zapballs? Why? Oh." I suddenly felt like an idiot. Electricity, if gathered tightly enough, would generate light. Holding my palm up, I flared a zapball, as bright as I could concentrate it, into a tight sphere.

The cave's interior flared up and threw shadows, as Piper and Megabyte winced from the sudden change in light.

I saw Piper grinning, knowing that we found another use for my power. That gave me a small measure of contentedness, although it only lasted a second as I knew we had to find the others fast. We didn't know if they were dead or not, but I forced the worst of my fears aside. I knew they were probably still alive, because we all were linked to each other.

It was time to forge on: hopefully to find Phoebe, Kevin, and Ami.

"OK. Let's go." I led the way into the deeper portion of the cave. I felt the two of them trail behind me, but not too far behind. After walking a few minutes, Piper chuckled nervously, because shadows kept flickering due to our improvised lighting.

I decided to stick to telepathy at least for the moment, because it didn't sound so eerie in here without a physical voice.

[ Piper, you okay? Megabyte? Can you still hear me? Stick to telepathy for now. Seems less creepy that way. ]

Piper nodded, sending a wordless affirmation along our link.

Megabyte chuckled, the only sound coming out from any of us, in the last two seconds.

[ I'm still surprised I can hear you two. Maybe ...naw. It may just be the link is just stronger because we are all connected, through Phoebe.... ] Megabyte trailed off, seemingly unsure what to say next.

Piper was quick to catch on, adding her two cents. [ You don't mean that we could be in the process of becoming a Tomorrow Person, do you? I can't imagine what that would do to the Power of Three....]

I was impatient to hurry them along, so I crisply sent back to both of them, [ Quiet. I'm trying to find Phoebe. We have something more important to worry about than whether we're going to become Tomorrow People. Let's GO. ]

Piper and Megabyte stared at me a bit guiltily, then let it drop, and tried to call out for Phoebe again.

A weak whisper echoed into our minds. [ ...Megabyte? Where are you? ]

KEVIN? That was Kevin? He sounded weak. I knew that he didn't like enclosed spaces. We exchanged a wordless glance, and hurried toward where the mindvoice seemed to be coming from. We came to a cave fork and stopped for a moment, but the feeling seemed to be tugging me toward the left.

We started walking faster toward the left path, and the sensation in me started getting stronger. It was akin to feeling electricity, but more somehow ...it was like attracting like. That was the best explanation I could come up for myself.

Very soon we came up to Kevin, who was apparently exhausted, and barely conscious. Scratches and bloody gashes covered his whole being. We rushed to his side, and propped up his head, so he could see we were here.

"Kevin!? What happened?"

He moaned softly, raising his arm to touch his scratched forehead. "Uhh... I don't know. We were somewhere else, somehow...couldn't teleport, or call... someone attacked us. ... " He lapsed into silence that made me anxious. Too anxious. His arm suddenly went limp, as his eyes closed momentarily.

"Can't we get Leo here?" Piper's whole being was aflame with concern, and worry. Continuing, she pleaded, "He can't last much longer, not without Leo. He knows what happened. Ami, and Phoebe are still out there somewhere!"

I knew we had to do something. I knew that caves, and the underground, had a way of keeping someone from finding us.

"Megabyte, teleport us to the Manor now!" Megabyte still looked visibly shaken, but put his hands on our shoulders, while we propped Kevin with our free arm. I doused the zapball by closing my fist and absorbing the electricity. Closing his eyes, Megabyte instantly teleported us all to the Manor.

More specifically, on the kitchen floor.

Piper wasted no time when she recognized her surroundings. "LEO! Get down here!"

A rain of blue and white orbs materialized into Leo, who instantly assessed the situation, and put his hands over Kevin's chest. A warm glow covered Kevin, and his wounds began to vanish, his skin becoming whole and intact.

Kevin groaned as he tried to sit up. Leo helped with a hand behind his back supporting him for a moment.

"...What happened? Oh...Prue? Piper? Megabyte...? Where's Phoebe? Ami?" His groggy tone became panicked, as he realized that they weren't there. Full realization overwhelmed him for a moment before he could actually speak.

"Um. We were just out hanging out at the beach...not by the Ship, but down on the coast here. Ami had always wanted to see it, so we showed her the sights. Then something attacked us, from behind. We didn't stand a chance. It ...was if someone had drugged us from a distance. I don't really remember what happened then. I think ... I was thrown against the wall, somehow, repeatedly. Then I passed out....But not before I saw ... a warlock. She, um, somehow stared at us three, then all of my abilities seemed as if they vanished completely. I...I tried to reach her with my mind...but ...I-I can't."

Kevin looked ashamed in that moment, proving that he really loved her. I tried to comfort him the best I could. "It's ok, Kevin. Somehow scrying for Phoebe found you. Maybe we should do it again."

Megabyte stared at his friend wordlessly, unease etched in his face.

***********Part 3***********

Leo gazed at all of us for a moment with puzzlement on his face. He looked away, as if trying to search his memories for something.

Piper looked at him with questions in her eyes. "Leo?"

I watched as Leo didn't speak immediately.

That worried me for a second. It seemed as if he knew something, but was reluctant to speak of it.

I made a nearly inaudible sound, which snapped Leo out of his musings.

He shrugged.

"...I don't know. When Kevin was relating what happened, it seemed to bring back some memories, of when I had ..um, first started researching the Tomorrow People to make sure it...it wouldn't be bad for you three...."

Megabyte intook a sharp breath, and stared intensely. "You mean you were spying on us back then?"

Leo cringed visibly, and looked away. "I was ordered to keep an eye on things, and make a decision on whether Tomorrow People were a force of good, or if it'd wreck things."

Continuing on this vein, Leo unhappily glanced up again, barely looking at Megabyte, and Kevin. "I'm sorry. The Elders were concerned about The Tomorrow People. It had been the first I'd heard of you - and the Elders knew nothing of you then as well. It really didn't matter once Phoebe broke out, and I knew you were good."

Megabyte looked stunned, but wisely kept his mouth shut.

Piper looked visibly impatient as she urged Leo to go on with a wave of her hand.

Leo nodded, continuing with a furrowed brow. "Well, basically it was just that the Tomorrow People were cross referenced with a few warlocks that could borrow powers, but not exactly in the same way. I can't explain it. The Book of Shadows most likely will have a page, because it had one on that warlock that you three had to defeat, along with Kevin."

Kevin grimaced at this and closed his eyes, trying to block out the memory. I laid a hand on his shoulder, with sympathy. How I remembered that time! That time was a really close one. That episode had utterly convinced me once and for all that Tomorrow People cannot kill.

(See "Resentment")

"It'll be okay, Kevin. I was there. I am never doing that again."

Kevin looked at me wanly, nodding, without a word. I indistinctly heard a low murmur that I had associated with all of the Tomorrow People's telepathy, knowing that he was trying to contact his lost friends.

Kevin suddenly stared at me with bleakness in his eyes. "I can't find Phoebe, or Ami. I've been trying. No one else can."

Megabyte nodded in grim agreement.

Phoebe struggled futilely against invisible bonds that held her body against the cave wall. Exhausted, she stared around the cave, and saw Ami similarly bound across from her. She seemed unconscious. Her thoughts quickened in fear when she couldn't see Kevin anywhere in the room. Phoebe gritted her teeth as her mind attempted to touch Ami's, and couldn't. Fear began growing as she tried to reach Kevin as well.

Blind panic began to set in, as she realized her telepathic ability was blocked. She quickly formed a picture of the kitchen in the Manor, and focused her whole effort in being THERE. A headache exploded in her mind; She moaned in exquisite pain as her head slumped.

Seeing stars in her vision, she nearly blacked out, but determination and stubborn will made her regroup her thoughts. She breathed raggedly, and forced deep breaths slowly in and out of her body in an effort to make herself recover.

Phoebe managed to calm herself somewhat as she took in the surroundings around her. There were only sparse cave walls, lit with torches in certain niches, and a cave entrance to her left. As she looked to her right, she saw an ordinary thick-boarded table, scattered scrolls and a set of candles that framed the wall. The only thing out of place was the wall above that table, and the pictures there. Pictures of Phoebe, and her sisters, were pinned to a propped up tackboard.

A sickening feeling rose in her stomach as realization began to set in. / ...Oh no. It was a trap. Kevin was left behind to make the others get here and I can't call for help - Dammit. /

Another thought arose in her mind as she saw Ami hanging there. / Why is she still here? If all whoever this is wants the Charmed Ones...? /

Unnoticed by Phoebe, a tall female glided in, and grinned evilly at Phoebe's thoughts - so open to her, but not the others of Phoebe's own kind. "Quite simply, 'Phoebe'....I wanted another witch's powers, and I got two for one here. And more are coming."

Phoebe, startled, whipped her glance toward the female warlock with anger, and some fear, setting in. "Let us go!"

She strode up to Phoebe, and smiled crookedly, "My my. You do have a temper, don't you?" She turned her back after a moment's lingering glance at Phoebe, and walked toward her desk, bending her attention toward a particular scroll intently.

Phoebe growled inwardly, and struggled some more against her invisible bonds. This only served to elicit a short, breathy laugh from the warlock. "Phoebe, my dear, you can't escape. Either the bonds, or this place, until I will it so."

Phoebe thought savagely, / We'll find a way! / The female warlock only smirked as she turned toward the other prisoner.

She looked closely at Ami with a curious expression that bordered on greed. "This one is pretty. Too pretty. She also has power. Like yours, but...It's different." Her expression shifted to puzzlement. "It's no power I've ever sensed...Her, I will save for last." Seeming to change her mind, she shifted her attention back to the tackboard.

As an unseen shift in power floated over the warlock's senses, her expression contorted to a near-feral grin. Tossing her flame-red hair around, she glowed with pure power and avarice, making Phoebe shudder inwardly.

"Very soon they will come. I'm prepared. Are you?"

Phoebe did nothing. Inside, her heart quaked, and her knees weakened in fear.

I sat down suddenly, feeling odder and odder. I felt dizzy and suddenly weaker. Drained somehow, stumbling, I sat down on the nearest chair.

Piper suddenly clutched the counter top in the kitchen for support, trying not to collapse. Kevin and Megabyte looked at the two of us strangely, before Kevin spoke up, "What's wrong?" Leo looked alarmed.

I groaned, and shook my head, trying to clear the dizziness, with a palm pressed against my forehead. "I do..don't know. I'm.. dizzy...don't...feel good."

Kevin looked alarmed. / It...can't be? They're exhibiting...signs of a Tomorrow People link? What does it mean? /

Megabyte looked speculative, and slightly alarmed, recognizing something of a similar nature. Leo rushed over to me, laying a hand on my head. I saw a glow, but the feeling didn't pass, and a frown began to form on his face.

Kevin saw the results and shook his head. "...I don't think it's an ailment. It's a symptom."

Leo turned toward Kevin with concern warring with barely contained anger. "What do you mean?" His voice held a sheen of ice overlayed with softness.

Kevin cocked his head and shifted from one foot to another in hesitation. "Uh, well. We Tomorrow People tend to feel what happens to another Tomorrow Person. I ...I'm kinda surprised."

Megabyte nodded and gestured with a palm outstretched in incredulity. "Hell, surprised, I'm shocked. Prue and Piper are NOT Tomorrow People. There is no way they *should* be affected like this."

I stared at Megabyte in shock, since the dizziness was finally clearing from my head. "What? We aren't supposed to be?"

***********Part 4***********

Piper shook off the last vestments of her apparent dizziness, and stared at the two younger Tomorrow People with a look of disbelief.

"Are you telling me that we might be becoming ... Tomorrow People?"

Kevin looked uneasy, but only slightly, as if this might have occurred to him before. "...I don't know. Maybe. I doubt it."

I growled at Kevin, then amended it to a steely resolve. "Never mind that. We have to find Phoebe and Ami immediately!"

Leo shrugged helplessly, his face etched with deep worry and concern. "I've been trying to find her for the last few minutes. It's like she's off the radar."

Piper sighed in frustration, throwing up her arms. "Of course she is. She's probably near that place where we found Kevin... or underground - somewhere. Nearby, hopefully."

I crackled inwardly with similar frustration. "Should we check the same spot that we found Kevin? Any other thoughts?"

Kevin nodded solemnly. "I somewhat remember that I was suddenly blocked in a cave room, but I don't remember anything beyond that, other than...uhm..."

Megabyte stared at Kevin momentarily. "And then, Kevin? You can do it."

Kevin hesitated, and then nodded, choked up. "W-well, I couldn't do anything in that room, not even a teleport. Phoebe wasn't there - and nor was Ami. I ...I remember someone grabbing me by my shirt. I felt a whisper of air, then everything flooded my senses, and I passed out until I managed to wake up a little."

I looked at him and nodded silently in compassion. / Hmm... I wonder. /

Phoebe growled again, softly. Her wrists felt sore as she kept testing the bonds on the rock wall to no avail. The female warlock, who hadn't identified herself yet, had left the room momentarily. As her glance swept the room, it landed on her fellow TP. Ami appeared to still be unconscious. Relying on her visual perceptions only, she cast her glance over Ami's body, trying to ascertain if Ami's vitals were compromised. Ami's chest moved slowly in and out regularly, as one did during sleep. A sigh of relief escaped Phoebe's lips as she guessed Ami was alright. Then worry set in. Ami would be alright...for now. Trying to keep her thoughts to herself, and rather non-specific, she turned inward.

/ What are my options? How the hell do I get out of here? If I can't call for help, or leave... I have to warn my sisters somehow... /

A chill ran up her spine, as her mind suddenly exploded, not to a place, but another time. She stared unseeing into the cave, but saw an altogether familiar place.

She saw herself helpless on the wall, with a vague white line linking her to her sisters and a stronger one to Kevin. The female warlock laughed, and flung Kevin against the wall knocking him unconscious. Prue began taking an aggressive stance, and had electricity crackling strongly around her fists, but Phoebe saw to her puzzlement that Prue seemed reluctant to fire.

Piper shouted, "Prue! Hit her! I can only hold off her powers for so long."

Prue looked visibly shaken. "I..I can't... "

A flash blinded her for a moment, as it shifted to another time and place. She saw the Manor Hall, under the chandelier by the grand staircase, her sisters...and someone else? She saw new links being formed between the three, stronger than they had been with Prue, Piper, and Phoebe. That path was full of promise, the other of ruin.

She sagged heavily against the bonds, her mind reeling by the implications, as her vision returned her to the present.

/ How did this happen? I didn't realize I was ...endangering them. How could I have not seen it? /

A tear slid down her cheek, as she slowly grasped the vision's meaning.

I looked at Kevin and Megabyte with a question that left my lips. "So, think you can find that spot again?"

Kevin nodded grimly. "Most likely. How'd you find me, though?"

Piper spoke up quietly. "We scried for Phoebe...but we found you... I'm assuming you were left nearby."

Leo shifted his weight slightly, in deep thought. This whole scenario sounded vaguely familiar, setting off his unease. "Are you sure this is not a trap?"

I sighed softly, putting my thoughts together, once things seemed to fall in place. I rubbed my neck, slightly tired. "Of course it's a trap. The room they're keeping them in sounds like it's warded against all psychic abilities, so once we're in there, we're helpless other than our witchy powers. That's probably why Phoebe got captured. Her powers lean more towards the psychic than the either of ours. I don't really see us having too much of a problem."

I had hoped to exude enough confidence that it'd make the others lighten up. I knew we had to rescue Phoebe from whomever it was that captured her. But I am the oldest; therefore, I had to take charge. I couldn't help but feel a prickle of unease that stirred in my stomach whenever I thought about going in to save her.

Piper, outwardly composed, wove a tightly thin line of communication into my mind all of a sudden.

[ Prue... Are you sure about the cave's protections? ]

I studiously avoided Piper's glance, not replying, not even with a word or emotion. Not yet. A moment passed. Then another. I stood up, looking at the others. "We need flashlights. We forgot to bring some."

Leo immediately went to the closet to pick up a few flashlights, leaving the other four in the kitchen, looking at each other with various emotions; unease warred with bravado, concern mingled with suspicions, and impatience overrode it all.

I looked at Piper again, suddenly realizing she was about to freak out, and touched her with my mind through our tight link, hoping the others hadn't overheard.

[ Piper -- I...I'm sorry I didn't answer. I don't really know. I am only assuming from what Kevin said. He didn't say anything about trying his witchy powers.]

Piper stared at me, not saying another word. Her mind was fuming, yet pulsating through our narrow link at the moment. [ How the hell do you know?! We could be walking into our death-trap for all we know. Phoebe may not be able to contact us or us her, but it doesn't mean we blithely march right in! ]

[ I know. But what else can we do? ] I mind-sent back.

Megabyte shifted his weight, tapping his foot impatiently. "If you two would stop telepathin', we could get going!"

I startled in surprise at Megabyte's near-vehement response. "I...I'm sorry. Where's Leo? He should be back now."

I guess they could tell we were talking but inwardly I thanked goodness that they didn't seem to pick up any of it. Kevin looked wordlessly at Megabyte and I, and shrugged. "Don't worry, Megabyte. We'll get Ami and Phoebe back."

"I regret that this course of action must be taken, Leo, but it IS the best way for the Charmed Ones, and the Tomorrow People."

Leo stared angrily, fists clenched, "Dammit, I'm not going to sacrifice one of the sisters just because you have this belief..."

The Elder held up his hand sharply, and stared solemnly. Leo could see there was a trace of saddened compassion, before it vanished, as he spoke again.

"Leo - I do not like this course, but we have observed the link between the Tomorrow People and the Charmed Ones blur beyond any auguries we have been able to perform. It may come down to the breaking of the Power of Three, or the world's ruin."

Leo stared at him in anguish. / The world? or the Power of Three...? / Forcing his glance downward, he resignedly spoke softly. "Are you ...absolutely certain?"

The Elder remained silent, which was enough for Leo.

He turned to orb back to the Manor, when the Elder laid a hand on his shoulder. "Leo, please. I know it's very difficult to ask, but you must not interfere."

Leo said two words quietly before he vanished in a twinkle of blue lights. "I know."

Megabyte settled down as Leo brought back the flashlights. He had dug up around four of them, one for each of us.

Piper turned to Leo, and beseeched lightly. "Leo, come with us? She might be hurt."

Leo sighed. "I can't. I was sworn not to interfere. Plus it's unlikely that the wards would extend past whatever room she's in. Get them out of that place, and you should be able to teleport them back."

Leo looked drawn, as if he knew what might happen, but shoved the flashlights in their hands, against Piper's protestations. "Go find Ami and Phoebe."

I looked at Leo curiously, noting his strange behaviour, but knew that whatever it was...had to wait.

"Ok. Let's go." Inside, I suddenly felt ...fear?

***********Part 5***********

Armed with our flashlights, Piper and I stood in the middle of the kitchen, between the island and the table, flanked by Megabyte and Kevin.

Kevin and Megabyte whispered, "Ready?" They laid a hand on our shoulders, and I linked an arm with Piper, and nodded. I had no time to think before static flashed over us again, and compressed into a burst of light, leaving no trace of us in the kitchen.

Sadness grew in Leo's face at their departure. "I hope they'll come back safely. I'm afraid one won't..."

Four shapes of static light materialized at the last spot that they had left, forming into Megabyte, Piper, Kevin, and I. Pitch black darkness greeted us until we flipped the flashlights on, casting narrow beams of light that cut the darkness only somewhat.

I spoke softly, as to not startle the others, "Damn. I didn't realize it was so dark here... Should I generate some electricity as well, since it might be more helpful?"

Kevin seemed to shrug in the dim light. "Hmm. Yeah. It'll be helpful."

Piper seemed to be picking up something in me, as she cocked her head toward me questioningly.

I pocketed my flashlight away, and closed my eyes. The familiar feeling of crackling began as I focused it around my hand, and suddenly, I felt slightly queasy. Opening my eyes, I took a deep breath, forcing the queasiness away, and flared it into a condensed sphere around my hand.

The zapball glowed in the cave, giving more illumination than the three flashlights combined. They gazed around the cave's corridor, and shrugged, putting their flashlights away.

"Okay. Where do we go from here, since we can't scry for Phoebe or Ami?" Piper gazed at all of us as she asked this.

Kevin looked speculative for a moment. "...I ...I might have an idea. Something... If I can do it at all ...I don't know if it'll work."

Megabyte growled inaudibly, "Well, spit it out!"

Kevin gave a half-glare toward Megabyte in response. "...I was...thinking of using amplification, but maybe it'd work in reverse?"

I saw the possibilities... if he could dampen the enchantments far enough ...maybe Phoebe could have a chance.

I held the crackling sphere higher. "Hmm. Can't hurt. First we have to try to see if it works."

Thoughts ran through my mind. If it didn't work, there was always a cobbled together spell. Hopefully that'd work if nothing else would. For now, we'd go with Kevin. Now we had to find the fringe of the enchantments.

Piper seemed to be of similar thought, and urged us further into the corridor. "We should hit the boundary sometime."

We had no choice to follow her suggestion, with me in the front, and the others trailing behind. I opened my mind, linking to Piper. That would be our main indicator that we had reached the boundary...once we lost the link. We kept walking for what seemed like hours.

Emotions churned through the link between us. Determination to find Phoebe, sullen anger at the warlock that captured her and the other TP's, and a niggle of worry clashed with each other in our minds. As we stepped around the corner, we saw a light shining across from us, twenty feet away.

As I stepped forward, I stumbled blindly against a slight resistance. I fell through slowly, and crumbled to the floor in surprise, my lightning sphere extinguished once I lost my concentration. The others stopped immediately, looking at me in puzzlement. Piper suddenly paled, and looked afraid.

Kevin placed a hand out near me toward the rippling wall, and nodded. "Yes. This is it. It has the same...cloying feeling."

/ Ugh. He's right! / I was feeling decidedly better as I realized my telepathic abilities were just...gone. I panicked, scrambling up and across the border, into the unenchanted region.

As I left the enchantment, I felt Piper's mind panicking, then calming once she realized I was still connected.

I stared at the barrier, and growled softly. "Damn. That was ...disturbing." Shivering inwardly, I turned toward Kevin with a grave look. "Listen, I know we've needed your help a lot, but...if you're still not sure about this... tell us."

He dropped his hand and turned toward me, emotions unidentifiable in his face. "...That was...only the vanquishing. I was glad to help out at first, but..." He dropped his glance downward, and exhaled deeply. "...This is to help Phoebe. I think I can do this. As for reversing the amping... I'm not sure if it'll work.... at least 100% anyhow."

I smiled at his courage, speaking quietly, laying an hand on his shoulder. "...Thanks. If it doesn't work... we can always do a spell, a spell that'll protect our mental abilities from being blocked, or remove the barrier."

Kevin closed his eyes, and seemed to relax as he reached within, yet his eyebrows furrowed together in concentration. He put his hands up toward the barrier.

/ ...must find the power to dampen. It *must* work! /

Kevin started to frown as it took more concentration than he ever had to focus before, forcing his will onto the barrier. The barrier's golden shimmer rippled once, and seemed to recede further and further, slowly, inch by inch. Kevin clenched his hands into claw formations, trying to force the barrier to compress further. A weak telepathic thought warned Megabyte, only a second too late.

[ / ...Uuughh... can't...hold..../ ]

Suddenly Kevin flew backwards into the wall, stunned, as the barrier sprung up full force. Piper quickly pulled Kevin up, and held him up until he could stand on his own. "....Kevin?"

Kevin groaned, and held onto Piper for support. "...I'll be okay. I tried."

Megabyte nodded with an expression similiar to awe, bordering on impressed. "Yeah, you did at that. I saw it compressing, but....what happened?"

Kevin shrugged. "...Too strong for me to dampen. Dammit. It took all my concentration and energy."

I nodded reassuringly, with a small smile. "Kevin, You did your best. And, I think, you did discover a new aspect of your powers."

Piper looked at the barrier grimly. "It's our turn now." I just nodded at her, and tried to brainstorm a spell.

I started speaking to myself softly. "We need to get rid of the barrier completely...." As usual, I tried to let my feelings guide my mind, and actions.

"Hmm... How's this....?" I stared at Piper and thought at her. I had found that we could telepath each other with words to spells, and not have them take effect. It seemed like it had to be spoken verbally in most cases. Apart from that one time. (See: Resentment)

[ Let the mind see, no barriers will hold, Our wills be strong! ]

Piper nodded in reply. [ Not bad, but...it still sounds a bit vague? ]

Kevin shifted from foot to foot and had already detached from Piper's grasp, impatiently. "Why are you telepathing?"

I broke my glance with a slight coloring in my cheeks. "Uh. I find it's easier to brainstorm if we're telepathing...it seems like it doesn't translate into an actual casting otherwise.... Sorry about that."

Megabyte shrugged, "No biggie. Did you guys come up with something?"

My shoulders shrugged slightly in reply. "...I think so..."

[ Any other ideas, Piper? ]

Piper shook her head. [ Best idea so far... might as well try it. ]

I took a deep breath. "Ready?"

Piper crossed her arms, looking speculative. "...Yeah. I think so."

I looked at Kevin expectantly. "...Kevin, I want to ask you to help amplify our spell, but it's still your choice..."

Kevin looked subdued but, after a minute of thought, he nodded.

"It's not a vanquishing, so....yeah." He stood in the middle between Piper and I, and touched our shoulders lightly. He closed his eyes, and he spoke out quietly, "Anytime you're ready...."

I dimly sensed his power as an undercurrent flowing between us, and blinked in surprise. Why hadn't I seen it before?

I shook myself out of my thoughts, and nodded toward Piper. We began. I started chanting in a strong voice, then was hesitantly accompanied by Piper, and was shocked when Kevin started speaking up, somehow picking up our words.

"Let our minds see, No barriers hold, Our wills be strong!"

I glanced at the golden shimmer that stood in front of us. We watched the barrier ripple violently, and bubble, then into a soundless explosion of light. I felt the power behind the barrier fade as my mind felt freer than it had since we had arrived here. I had been feeling slightly claustrophobic for some reason, although I had the link with Piper for the duration.

Megabyte blinked as his mental links resurged into life with the others. "Oh no! We better hurry. I can't contact Ami. Phoebe's ...awake."

I grinned at Megabyte in relief. "Good to hear. Let's go!" I forced another zapball into my hand, preparing myself for combat, although why did I feel so uneasy?

Piper quickly followed, trailed by Kevin and Megabyte, as I led the way roughly 20 or 30 feet forward. We walked as quietly as we could into the cave's entrance.

Lights on torches flickered, now giving enough light to see by although I kept my zapball handy, raised just high enough to project it if necessary. All seemed quiet, other than breathing and muttering that seemed to be coming from the far wall, my crackling zapball, and our light scuffling that passed for tiptoeing.

I saw Phoebe. In midair? I guessed there might be invisible bonds..? I spoke quietly in case the warlock or demon was in the room, "...Phoebe?"

Phoebe's head snapped up, and looked like she had been crying. She looked grim. "...Prue...! It's a trap!"

I nodded cynically to myself, then sent a quicksilver thought aimed in her direction, [ Pheebs! Are you alright? ], and was met with silence. Silence? Why wouldn't she answer? I could sense her presence, but it seemed distant...somehow withdrawn.

Piper was already trying to find a way to get her down, when Phoebe slid down abruptly, suddenly released.

Phoebe's eyes widened. I turned around to face our enemy.

A rich, velvety voice tinkled out behind us, sounding so oily sweet that it made me clench my teeth in distaste. "And what do we have here? All of the Charmed Ones?"

I curled my lip in a distasteful expression. "...And who are you?"

I held my zapball in my hand in a semi-threatening posture.

***********Part 6 & Conclusion***********

That only served to make her laugh breathlessly, which made the whole scene creepier. Piper mustered some courage with a reply. "I demand you tell us who you are...."

Phoebe raggedly sighed. "She's been tracking us for months. Studying us, what we can do..."

She smiled pleasantly, although I could almost feel the hate bubbling within her. "Ah, yes. I have been studying you for months. To find out your weaknesses. And I think I've found --..."

She suddenly cocked her head in puzzlement, then in dawning understanding. "Ah. I see you've found a way to destroy my enchantment. How clever. Don't think it will help you though." As a cat begins plays with a mouse, she continued. "I was known as Wilhania, and I used to be one of those powerless witches that have no clue of true POWER." As she uttered the last word, an avid expression overtook her, and her grin grew more menacing. Her flaming red curls settled around her.

"I found that I could steal other witch's powers, and knew the taste of power...."

"Eventually, I heard of the legend of the Charmed Ones, and bought the information I needed about the three of you."

I scowled at her. / Another wannabe powermonger -- / ...and yet, another twinge of uneasiness resurged through my stomach. I forced it down again. Piper was already preparing to erect a force shield, when the warlock suddenly swung her arm around and picked Kevin telekinetically, throwing him against the wall.

Kevin groaned as he hit the wall and slid down. He weakly shook his head.

Phoebe gasped. "Kevin!"

Realizing that his and Ami's presence was nothing but a distraction, and served nothing but to maybe get the other TP's killed, Megabyte quickly grabbed for Ami and concentrated, vanishing with a static burst of light before anyone else could react.

I distinctly heard his voice reverberate in my head in my head reverberently, [ Get her! I've gotten Ami to safety. ]

I powered up the zapball to the highest saturation, and aimed. I felt a strange reluctance overcome me as I held the zapball in my hand, and focused on Wilhania's features. Wilhania wasted no time and started lobbing fireballs at us, but before they could reach us, Piper suddenly erected a wall between it and us, disintegrating each fireball in a shower of sparks.

The warlock kept firing a volley of various fireballs at the force field, straining it. Piper shouted, "Prue! Hit her! I can only hold off her powers for so long."

I heard her shout, and I shook inside, at the realization. I can't kill. "I..I can't... "

I hadn't seen Phoebe, but she was paling every second this was playing out, and I hadn't expected her movement.

Phoebe gave us one last mental link to us, with a disturbing emotion: anguish, [ I have to do this. ]

I had no time to consider what it meant, until she ran in front of the next flung fireball, and screamed. I felt the pain in my head, more than anything else, as she slowly was engulfed in the flame's burst.

Then came the silence. Silence in the room, and... My heart tore, then my anger rose like a tidal wave, as I blasted the warlock with all the energy that I could muster in a pure stream of electricity. Wilhania stared in surprise, then as the pain caught up to her, she screamed as her body electrocuted in a pure miasma of light, then exploded.

I collapsed at the ground, sobbing. I felt so empty. So alone. / No...It can't...be. Phoebe ...gone. /

Piper stood there in shock, and only managed one word. "...Phoebe?"

I smacked the ground angrily. "Dammit. She knew ... she knew I couldn't kill with her ... linked with us ... she knew she ...was holding us back... She ...sacrified herself..."

A groan came out from across the cave, then sobbing.

I stumbled to my feet, my mind still awhirl with thoughts of Phoebe dead, and groped for Kevin. "...K-kevin...Pull yourself together. I...I know she's gone, but..." My eyes were drawn back toward the charred spot on the ground that was all that remained of my sister. My breath caught in my throat, but I gasped out a few more words. "...But we can't stay here. We have to... to get home. Kevin, please ...we need your help."

Kevin hiccuped noisily. "I-- I know." He stood up shakily, looking somber beyond his years. Sniffling, he stood by the two of us, taking a few deep noisy breaths, he closed his eyes, and tried to focus. It took a few tries, but then we vanished.

I closed my eyes as the light of teleportation engulfed us. I didn't feel the transition as I had felt the last few. Somehow...I knew that I never would again. The empty feeling in my head would never be filled. No more overhearing private jokes, and laughter in my head. Phoebe had given herself up because she was crippling the Power of Three, and she had taken the abilities that had leaked to us with her. For better or worse, the Power of Three was broken now. But, for the moment, I didn't care. Phoebe was gone, and nothing would ever bring her back.

Epilogue

A single burst of light materialized into the Ship's central chamber near the Ship's pillar. The still form was badly burnt, almost beyond recognition. A glow enveloped it humming quietly as somehow the burns seemed to recede, and the original figure began to reform.

A female in her late 20s began to be recognizable. Her skin began to heal rapidly, becoming pink and flush. Her clothing began to reform around her, made from the tatters of her own. Soon after, impossibly, her breathing started up again, and she started to breathe slow and deep, as if in a peaceful sleep.

Megabyte stared at Phoebe, speechless. / She's alive! /

Ami lay on another of the benches, still fast asleep. He had felt the broken link as well, and nearly had dropped Ami before managing to lay her down. Shocked and grieving, he had not expected to watch the whole process of seeing her come back.

Megabyte felt the grin spread across his face, relief flooding him, he rushed over to check on the miraculously revived TP. As he knelt by her, his grin faded slowly as a thought occured to him. What must Kevin and her sisters be going through now? Initially he started to reach for Kevin, then pulled back suddenly.

/ ...No. Phoebe has a choice to make. / He swallowed hard as he realized immediately that Phoebe faced a choice as hard as any she had ever made. She had been given a new start, a new beginning - free from her family ties - but would she take it?

End?