The Ultimate Demon

[noazmale]

EIGHTEEN

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” gasped Paige.

The demon was nearly ten feet tall and four feet wide. It had two sets of arms ending in claws six inches long. It had cat-like eyes that were a dull yellow. Its skin was a deep black that glistened in the light of the flashlight. Two rows of razor-sharp teeth filled its mouth.

“Humans,” hissed the demon as it raised one arm and pointed at them. “Destroy.”

The lesser demons took a couple of steps forward hesitantly. Angered, the main demon turned to the one nearest it. A stream of liquid shot from the demons mouth, obliterating the lesser demon.

“Destroy,” commanded the demon again.

The lesser demons surged forward. Obviously, their fear of their master was greater than their fear of the White Lighter. Piper exploded one and Amy vanquished another with the crossbow. Seeing they would be overwhelmed, Leo pushed the women out of the room and pulled the door closed. He then pushed them back down the corridor.

They had only gone a few feet when the door swung open and demons surged through. But they were bottlenecked in the doorway. Everyone turned and attacked. The demons were vanquished one by one as they attempted to move through the doorway. Piper exploded one, and then Amy vanquished another with the crossbow. Almost as quickly, Paige would vanquish another with one of the potions.

Soon, no more demons were left. They stopped appearing in the doorway and everyone caught their breath. The doorway was much too narrow for the main demon to get through. Nothing happened for several moments.

Suddenly, a pair of demonic hands grasped the frame over the doorway. A second pair of hands grasped the side frames. With little effort, the demon ripped a hole in the metal wall large enough to accommodate its massive bulk.

Amy raised the crossbow and fired. The bolt struck the demon in the shoulder. It howled in pain but reached up and pulled the offending weapon out, casting it aside. Paige threw one of the potion vials but the demon simply reached out and plucked it out of the air. As it caught the vial its enormous strength crushed the fragile container. The potion exploded totally obliterating the demons arm.

The four watched as a new arm suddenly grew back from the bloody stubble. The demon flexed the arm once, and then continued its advance. Piper closed her eyes and concentrated. She brought all of her power to bear as she raised her hands. Then she released her power in the most massive explosion she could deliver.

The demon exploded in a thousand black shards. As the explosion radiated outward, the shards suddenly reversed direction and reconstituted the demon. It shook its head once, shaking off the effects of the explosion, and then began to move forward again.

“Not good,” said Piper.

“Paige,” called Leo, “we have to get out of here.”

He took hold of Amy and orbed them away. Paige didn’t hesitate. She reached over and grabbed Piper and then she orbed them both out of the corridor. The demon howled in anger as it watched its prey vanish.

[*Sammi!*]

Wow!
Iv just read through it all, and its fantastic. Its like I can imagine it happening right infront of me.

You have everyone down brilliantly! Weldone!

Update soon!

[noazmale]

NINETEEN

“It’s the most power thing I’ve ever seen,” Piper explained to Marcus and Philip. “Not even the Source was that powerful.”

“The Source was a single demon,” said Philip. “This thing is made up of at least a dozen demons. As well as the DNA of a White Lighter. That would magnify its power to an unbelievable level.”

“How did the Third Reich expect to control that thing?” asked Paige. “From what I saw, it considers any human as potential prey.”

“We don’t know,” said Marcus. “As I said, most of the records on it were destroyed.”

“How’s Phoebe?” asked Piper.

“The doctor says she’s stabilized for the moment,” said Marcus. “The transfusion seems to have helped some. Right now she’s in a coma, but he assures me that’s to be expected. It’s her body’s way of helping to bring all of her resistance to fight the infection. If she can fight if off, he thinks she’ll come out of it in a few days.”

“My healing power seems to have helped speed the recovery,” said Philip. “It appears to have stimulated her natural healing processes. But there’s not much more I can do for her.”

“What about our guest?” asked Marcus. “Do you think we can contain it on the lower levels?”

“Not a chance,” said Leo. “At least not for long. As soon as it finds its way to the elevator shaft it will be up here. I’ve never seen anything that strong. It ripped through the metal walls as if they were tissue paper. You could fill the entire elevator shaft with concrete and I don’t think it would even slow that thing down.”

“Then we have to stop it before it gets up here,” said Marcus.

“We can’t,” said Piper.

“What do you mean we can’t?” asked Amy.

“You saw what our attacks did to it,” said Piper. “Or rather didn’t do to it. It recovered from them almost immediately. And it regrew an arm almost instantly. Individually, none of us is strong enough to stop it. There’s only one possible way to stop that thing. It’s going to take a Power of Three spell.”

“But Phoebe is in a coma,” said Leo.

“Exactly my point,” said Piper. “And without her, we can’t cast a Power of Three spell. Which means we have no chance of stopping this thing.”

“I’m not sure it’s fully recovered,” said Paige. “If it was, why isn’t it up here yet? It knows where the elevator shaft is. I apparently had those demons drag the container up to the fourth level. And I’m guessing it sent them up here earlier when the bomb almost went off. So what is it waiting for?”

“She has a point,” said Amy. “Maybe we hurt it more than we thought. Maybe it’s nursing its wounds until it’s fully recovered.”

“If it can be hurt, it can be killed,” said Marcus.

“Not that easily,” said Phillip. “I’m sure Leo has already told you about the significance of the White Lighters’ DNA healing properties. No matter how badly you hurt it, it will eventually regenerate unless you want to keep fighting it forever.”

“That’s not an option,” said Leo. “Look at Piper? She’s exhausted. She can’t keep those attacks up for long. And that thing recovers fast. It would only be a matter of time before it gets the upper hand.”

“Okay, what do we do?” asked Marcus. “You say we can’t contain it and we can’t fight it for long. What are out other options?”

“Have you identified what demonic DNA went into that thing?” asked Paige.

“Some of them,” said Marcus. “There are some we haven’t identified yet.”

“Get me a list of the ones you have identified,” said Paige. “I’ll check the Book of Shadows for vanquishing potions or spells on them. Maybe I can combine them into one massive vanquishing potion. It might not stop that thing but it could hurt it long enough for us to come up with something else.”

“That could be dangerous,” said Piper. “You have no idea what mixing different vanquishing potions together will do.”

“We have to try something,” said Paige. “It’s also possible that each individual vanquishing potion alone might hurt it. It might not vanquish the demon, but it might hurt whatever portion of DNA that demon has in it.”

“If there was only someway to neutralize the White Lighter DNA in its system,” said Leo. “Without its regenerative powers, we might be able to do enough damage to kill it.”

“The only thing that neutralizes a White Lighters’ healing,” said Philip, “is a Dark Lighters’ bolt. As you said, it wasn’t that effective.”

“It seemed to hurt it but that’s about all,” said Piper.

“Marcus,” said Leo, “you’d better put a guard on the elevator shaft. Right now that’s the only way up to the surface. If the demon tries to use it to leave the complex, we’ll need to know the instant it tries.”

“Okay,” said Marcus. “Those explosive potions. Can they be used by anyone or just witches?”

“It doesn’t take anyone special to use the potions,” said Piper. “The potion itself does all the work.”

“I want to give some of those to the guards,” said Marcus. “If that thing tries to climb up the shaft, they can use the potion to at least slow it down some.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” said Amy. “I’ll get some right away and instruct the guards how to use them. It wouldn’t do to have someone blow themselves up by accident.”

[noazmale]

TWENTY

“You know,” Marcus said to Piper, “you may have to go back down there. If this thing is simply recouping from what you did, it may be necessary to do it again. To buy us some time.”

“We know,” said Piper. “And if we do have to go back down there, we will. But let’s wait until that becomes necessary. Leo’s right about one thing. That last attack took a lot out of me. I think I should get some rest in case I’m needed again.”

“Everyone should get some rest,” said Amy. “And everyone should get something to eat. There’s no telling when this thing will try to get out of the lower levels.”

“Okay,” said Marcus, “everyone get some rest and something to eat. I’m still in charge of this complex so I expect everyone to follow my orders. Leo, Philip, can I talk to you two for a minute, please?”

“This isn’t going well,” said Marcus when they were alone. “Amy, Piper, and Paige are nearly exhausted. They can’t keep this up for long. We need to call in some help for them.”

“That won’t be easy,” said Leo. “Piper would think you don’t have any confidence in her. I’m pretty sure Paige would react the same way.”

“So would Amy,” said Philip. “You know that, Marcus.”

“I know,” said Marcus, “but this complex is my responsibility. I have to think about more than their feelings right now. Do either of you know anyone else strong enough to face that thing down there?”

“Michael?” Philip asked Leo. “He’s got to be the most powerful White Lighter there is.”

“Right,” said Leo. “I know of someone else, too. He’s a druid. He might be able to hold his own with that thing.”

“Good,” said Marcus. “We won’t call them in just yet. Not until we’re sure we’re going to need them. But I want you two to go talk to them. Tell them what we’re up against. See if they’re willing to help us if we need it.”

“I know they are,” said Leo, “but we should let them know right away. So they’ll be ready when, and if, we do need them.”

“Good,” said Marcus. “Get back here as soon as you can. We need all the help we can get and you two are two of the biggest.”

“Philip, you talk to Michael,” said Leo. “I’ll talk to my druid friend.”

“Right,” said Philip.

Leo and Philip orbed out leaving Marcus alone in the conference room. He rubbed his eyes. The women weren’t the only ones who were tired. Marcus wondered if anyone could stop that demon. Or if he was witnessing the beginning of the end for the human race.

[noazmale]

TWENTY-ONE

Piper picked up her tray of food and walked into the complex cafeteria. A lot of the employees were in the cafeteria eating right then. She noticed Amy sitting with Crawford. She decided to join them.

“How’d you sleep?” asked Amy.

“Uneasy,” said Piper. “I’m still worried about Phoebe.”

“The doctor says she appears to be improving,” said Crawford. “The transfusion seems to be helping.”

“I didn’t get a chance to thank you,” said Piper, “for helping her.”

“No thanks necessary,” said Crawford. “Glad I could be of help.”

“Thanks all the same,” said Piper.

“Seems a fair deal,” said Crawford. “Your husband made my arm good as new.”

“He’s pretty good at that,” said Piper.”

“Amy has been telling me about him,” said Crawford. “He’s what they call a White Lighter? I never imagined anything like a White Lighter existed. Amy says they have their evil counterparts called Dark Lighters.”

“Yes,” said Piper. “They can be particularly nasty. We’ve encountered them before.”

“Kind of makes sense, I guess,” said Crawford. “These White Lighters heal the good people. It only makes sense that the bad guys would have someone who can heal them.”

“No, Dark Lighters can’t heal,” said Amy. “Only White Lighters have that ability.”

“Really?” questioned Crawford. “So does that mean these White Lighters heal evil people, too?”

“I guess it could happen,” said Piper. “Not as a rule, though. But I guess under some special circumstances a White Lighter might have healed someone evil before.”

“I can’t think of any circumstances where one of these White Lighters might heal a demon,” said Crawford. “They seem to be mortal enemies.”

“It doesn’t work that way,” said Piper. “A White Lighters healing doesn’t work on demons. I guess that’s why they spliced White Lighter DNA into the demon DNA. They could change the coding to allow the healing to work on the demonic DNA.”

“That’s not what it looks like,” said Crawford. “My dad is a geneticist. He was really ticked when I decided not to follow in his footsteps, I can tell you. But I did learn enough from him to know that it doesn’t seem they spliced White Lighter DNA into the demonic DNA.”

“What do you mean?” asked Piper.

“Well, if they had spliced the DNA together,” said Crawford, “after this length of time the DNAs would have become inextricably intertwined. It wouldn’t be possible to tell where the demonic DNA ended and the White Lighter DNA started.”

“So how did they get the White Lighter DNA into the mix?” asked Amy.

“Most likely,” said Crawford, “they used one of these White Lighters as a host. Injected him with the modified DNA and then sealed him up until the new genetic code took over. That would have been the easiest way back then. Genetic engineering was really primitive in those days.”

“So how is the demon healing itself?” asked Piper. “If they didn’t splice the White Lighter DNA with the demonic DNA, the White Lighter part of the demon shouldn’t be regenerating any of the demonic DNA. It wouldn’t work.”

“Can’t answer that one,” said Crawford. “I’m not an expert on demonic DNA.”

“No, but I know someone who is,” said Amy. “Come on. We need to talk to Marcus and the doctor right now.”

[noazmale]

TWENTY-TWO

“James is right,” said Dr. Memphis. “Genetic engineering was barely in its infancy during World War II. A lot of mistakes were made then that we learned from. Even now, there are a lot we just don’t understand about genetic engineering.”

“What about what Crawford said about using a White Lighter as a host?” asked Marcus. “Instead of splicing the DNA into the demonic DNA?”

“Yes, I suppose that would have been the easiest way,” said Memphis. “You get the exact mix you want then inject it into a host body. The mix would alter the DNA of the host in favor of the new DNA.”

“You mean they used a White Lighter as a host?” asked Leo. “They altered his DNA to produce this monstrosity?”

“No,” said Memphis, “the hosts DNA wasn’t altered at all. He was simply injected with the new DNA mix which would then begin to alter the hosts DNA.”

“Well, there have been White Lighters who have disappeared over the years,” said Philip. “If they’re not found the Elders just assume they must have been killed by a Dark Lighter. I suppose that this particular White Lighter wasn’t killed but was somehow taken prisoner. Or maybe they used the body of a deceased White Lighter.”

“No, the body would have to still be alive,” said Memphis. “It doesn’t do much good to inject the new DNA mix into a dead body. There has to be chemical reaction for the new DNA to survive.”

“That would explain why they used a White Lighter,” said Leo. “I don’t think any demonic leader would risk one of its underlings becoming a super demon. They couldn’t be sure that underling wouldn’t kill them to take over. And a human body wouldn’t withstand the demonic DNA in its system. They’d have to use a White Lighter as a host. Only a White Lighter would be able to take the altered DNA and still remain alive for the mix to do its work.”

“That’s why they underestimated how long it would take for it to mature,” said Dr. Memphis. “In order for them to get the completed demon, the new DNA would have had to completely replace the White Lighter DNA. And they didn’t take in to account the amazing regenerative powers of a White Lighter.”

“Leo,” asked Marcus, “exactly how does a White Lighters healing power work?”

“Well,” said Leo, “in the strictest sense, White Lighters can’t really heal. Our power simply stimulates the recipient’s natural healing processes to its maximum potential. The bodies healing processes work so rapidly they actually overtake whatever damage or illness the recipient has.”

“And everyone has some form of resistance to almost all diseases,” said Memphis. “A lot of the time this resistance is negligible, but it’s there nonetheless. And healing injury is very simple. It’s simply a matter of reproducing and replacing damaged cells.”

“Which is what a White Lighters’ power does,” said Marcus. “What happens when a White Lighter heals another White Lighter?”

“Pretty much the same thing,” said Leo. “That’s usually only necessary in the case of a Dark Lighters bolt. The poison on the bolt works faster than a White Lighters healing. So one White Lighter has to augment another White Lighters healing with a sort of boost. What are you thinking?”

“Doctor,” asked Marcus, practically ignoring Leos’ question, “what would happen if White Lighter DNA was stimulated to its maximum potential?”

“If I understand Leo and Philip correctly,” said Memphis, “it would go into overload. I see where you’re going with this. If it were stimulated enough, it would overwhelm any foreign DNA in its system. Literally destroying it to replace whatever DNA was lost.”

“Will someone please explain this to me in English?” asked Piper. “Just what the hell are you talking about?”

“A possible weapon,” said Marcus, smiling. “One that just might stop that thing permanently. We’ve been going about this all wrong. We thought the White Lighter DNA helped the creature to regenerate damage. But it can’t. If what Leo and Philip say is true, a White Lighters healing power won’t work on demonic DNA. Not even the inherent healing of a White Lighters natural system.”

“Some demons can regenerate,” said Leo. “That’s probably how this thing is regenerating. Not from the White Lighter DNA.”

“Precisely,” said Marcus. “This things natural abilities are enhanced by the additional demonic DNA. That’s why it’s so powerful. We can’t destroy it by destroying that DNA. We have to enhance the White Lighter DNA in its system. Get it to overwhelm the demonic DNA.”

“Oh Lord,” said Dr. Memphis. “Leo, you said a Dark Lighter bolt kills a White Lighter.”

“Yes,” said Leo. “The poison on the bolt . . . oh, no.”

“That’s why it hasn’t come up yet,” said Memphis. “It’s not regenerating. It’s waiting for the last of its White Lighter DNA to die. If that happens, our only weapon against this thing will vanish with it.”

“We’ve already shot it several times with the crossbow,” said Amy. “A lot of the DNA will be dead already.”

“And the rest of the DNA is dying right now,” said Memphis. “If that happens, this thing will become truly unstoppable.”

[noazmale]

TWENTY-THREE

“Remember,” Marcus said to Piper, Paige, and Amy, “you can’t stop this thing. All you need to do is distract it long enough for Leo and Philip to get into position.”

“Not to mention looking out for those converted one,” said Paige.

“This is going to be dangerous,” said the doctor. “If all the White Lighter DNA is gone, this isn’t going to work. It could be a suicide mission.”

‘We have to try,” said Paige.

“It’s our only chance,” said Amy.

“We’re wasting time,” said Piper. “You just take care of Phoebe.

“We will,” promised Marcus. “Good luck.”

Leo and Philip orbed the small group to the lower levels of the complex. Marcus looked at Dr. Memphis.

“What do you think their chances are?” Marcus asked.

“If all the White Lighter DNA is gone,” said Memphis, “they’ll all be dead within minutes.”

* * *

The party orbed into the area where they had first encountered the main demon. The hole it had ripped in the wall allowed light to flood into the room. Everyone looked around.

A dozen lesser demons lounged about the room. As they saw the five orb in, they began to howl ferociously. In the back of the room lay the master demon. It looked at the five and then rose up to its full height.

“Destroy,” it commanded its underlings.

It turned its head a moment to make sure the lower demons would obey. Leo and Philip seized the opportunity. They orbed out appearing on either side of the demon. Neither one hesitated. Each grabbed one of the demons’ arms and almost simultaneously activated their healing powers. Neither had ever used their healing power to such a degree. The demon howled loudly, trying to shake the two White Lighters from their grasps.

As Leo and Philip concentrated on the main demon, the women turned on the lesser demons. One after another fell from Pipers’ explosive power, Amy’s crossbow, or Paige’s potions. With their master under attack, the lesser demons were cast into chaos.

The main demon cast both White Lighters off easily. No sooner had they hit the floor than they orbed back to the monstrosity. Philip orbed in front of the beast and grabbed one of the creature’s wrists in each hand. Leo orbed onto its back, his arms locked around its neck. Both White Lighters pushed their healing power to their limits.

The demon slapped Philip away and the White Lighter slid across the floor, dazed. But the demons’ arms wouldn’t allow it to reach Leo on its back. Leo held on for dear life, healing the beast to the limit of his power.

Both Leo and Philip were very concerned. Their healing powers should have had some affect by now. If even the slightest amount of White Lighter DNA was still in the demon it should have been activated by now. It should have started going wild, overwhelming the demonic DNA in the beast. But it appeared as if they were too late. All of the White Lighter DNA must have already been destroyed by the Dark Lighters’ bolts.

Suddenly the demon dropped to its knees sending Leo sliding over its head and across the floor. He came up next to Philip and the two White Lighters watched as the demon sluggishly tried to regain its feet. Suddenly the demon began to glow white. Within seconds it was bathed in a brilliant white light. The light flashed once, and then went out. The demon was gone, only a pile of ash remaining.

As soon as the master demon vanished, the lesser demons vaporized. The women looked around the room to see Leo and Philip sitting on the floor smiling. Both White Lighters were bruised and bleeding, but they were alive. And their injuries appeared to be minor.

[noazmale]

TWENTY-FOUR

Piper, Paige, and Amy sat in one of the rooms in the infirmary talking with Phoebe. It had been three days since they had defeated the super demon. In that time they had searched every inch of the complex. No sign of the demons could be found.

Phoebe had finally regained consciousness. Dr. Memphis told them that at almost the precise moment they had vanquished the super demon, she had suddenly begun to recover rapidly. Almost all the demonic DNA had disappeared from her body. In another day or two she should be back to normal.

“So,” asked Phoebe, “just how did you finally stop that thing? You couldn’t use the spell I wrote with me in a coma.”

“We healed it to death,” joked Paige.

“Actually,” said Piper, “Leo and Philip used their healing powers to stimulate the White Lighter DNA in the demon. It kind of went into overdrive and excised the demonic DNA. It’s a good thing Philip was here. Leo said one White Lighter couldn’t have stimulated the DNA enough to do it.”

“Probably the first time a White Lighters healing power was ever used as a weapon,” said Leo from the doorway.

Marcus and James Crawford stood next to Leo. They walked into the room and stood next to Phoebe’s bed.

“How are you doing?” asked Marcus.

“Okay, all things considered,” said Phoebe. “I understand I have James to thank for that.”

“All I did was donate blood,” said Crawford. “The doctors did all the work.”

“Well, to be honest,” said Memphis, coming into the room, “we didn’t do anything. The blood did all the work. We still don’t know how, but I think I know why.

“Men have an X and a Y chromosome in their genetic code. Women have two X chromosomes. It’s what determines if you’ll be male or female. In some rare cases, some men are born with an extra Y chromosome. We really don’t know why this happens.

“James has this extra Y chromosome. I’m pretty sure that’s the reason for his immunity to the genetic code change in the demonic DNA. And that was passed onto Phoebe through the transfusion, though it was only temporary. But it was transferred long enough to counter the foreign DNA in her system.”

“Aren’t men with this extra Y chromosome more prone to violent behavior?” asked Amy.

“As a rule, yes,” said Memphis. “But that’s not always the case. And the interesting thing is that almost all of the demonic DNA we’ve tested over the years seem to be made up of two Y chromosomes, no X chromosomes.”

“How is that possible?” asked Marcus.

“We have no idea,” said Memphis. “I believe that hundreds or thousands of years ago, demons mated with humans. This produced the XYY chromosome pattern that occasionally shows up in some men. There doesn’t seem to be any other logical reason for the extra Y chromosome.

“But I think that extra Y chromosome acted like an antibody to the demonic DNA. Literally destroying it. And your own body’s natural immune system replaced the destroyed DNA with healthy DNA of its own. Philips’ healing power helped to stimulate the reproduction of healthy tissue.”

“So there won’t be any lasting effects from this?” asked Piper.

“Not as far as I can tell,” said Memphis. “We’d like to keep Phoebe here a couple of more days for observation and to run a few tests just to make sure. But I think the crisis over.”

“What about those lower demons?” asked Phoebe.

“All gone,” said Marcus. “Apparently the lesser demons were dependent upon the main one. When Leo and Philip destroyed the main demon, the lower ones couldn’t survive. We finally finished our count. Forty-seven employees are unaccounted for. Since they couldn’t get out of the complex without us knowing it, the only explanation is that they were converted. And destroyed when the main demon was vanquished.”

“I hope that’s the only one of those things around,” said Paige. “One was more than enough for me.”

“I don’t think there are any more of them,” said Marcus. “The resources needed to produce this one were incredible. It’s doubtful there were enough resources for a second project.”

“When can I get out of here?” asked Phoebe. “After this, working at the paper is going to seem like a vacation.”

“As I said,” said Memphis, “we want to keep you around here for couple of days yet. But after that you should be free to go. Until then, you need some rest. So I want everyone out of here now for at least the next eight hours.”

“He’s the only one here who can give me orders,” joked Marcus.

“When it comes to medical situations, I have the last say so,” said Memphis. “Now, everyone out. And don’t make me post a guard outside the door to make sure you stay out.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” mocked Marcus, saluting the doctor. “Phoebe, we’ll see you in eight hours, then.”

They all said their goodbyes to Phoebe as a nurse came in to check her vital signs. Then they filed back to the conference room.

[elderess]

this is really good so far, very detailed. u've obviously thought it through well. keep it up...

[noazmale]

TWENTY-FIVE

“Where’s Philip?” Amy asked. “It’s not like him to just disappear without saying something.”

“I wish Leo was more like that,” said Piper. “He’s always orbing out saying something about another charge or seeing the Elders or something equally as vague.”

“Very funny,” said Leo. “I always tell you what I can and you know it. Philip went to make our report to the Elders. He said he’d be back as soon as he could.”

“Marcus,” said Piper, “about those files on us that the government has.”

“The government doesn’t have any files,” interjected Amy. “Only Marcus and a few of his most trusted people know about you.”

“They don’t?” asked Paige.

“No,” said Marcus, putting some folders on the table. “Amy suggested you when things started to get out of hand. Everything we have on you is in those folders. They’re yours. Do with them what you want. As far as the federal government is concerned, you don’t exist. At least as far as I know, they don’t know you exist. At least not as the Charmed Ones.”

Amy put her arm around Marcus.

“If they did know,” said Amy, “they’d want to exploit us as weapons for national security or something. My husband has a very personal reason for wanting to prevent anything like that from happening.”

“Good,” said Piper, picking up the folders. “I just don’t want any federal agents showing up at our door looking for our help.”

“They won’t hear about you from us,” said Marcus. “My report to my superiors will show we handled this without any outside help. You won’t even be mentioned.”

“Good,” said Paige.

“What will you do now?” asked Leo.

“This complex will be shut down,” said Marcus. “It’s over sixty years old. We have a new state-of-the-art facility that’s nearly complete in Nevada. We’ll move everything there and then the elevator shaft here will be filled in with concrete. When they’re finished, no one will ever be able to tell this place exists.”

“The nuclear device has already been removed,” said Amy. “That way there won’t be any chance of an accident.”

“Now,” said Marcus, “I have one last favor to ask. Piper, our information indicates you used to be a chef.”

“That was a long time ago,” said Piper.

“Well,” said Marcus, “our cook has graciously agreed to turn the kitchen over to you. There are about forty-five people still in the complex right now. I was wondering if you’d like to become a chef one more time? Our cook has offered to assist you and he assures me he has all the ingredients you’ll need to make whatever you want.”

“I think I’d like that,” said Piper. “It’s been a long time since I was able to be a real chef.”

“Great,” said Marcus. “The kitchen is yours for as long as you need it.”

Amy escorted Piper to the kitchen. As Piper turned to leave, Leo kissed her, and then pulled the folders from her hands.

“You know,” he said, “I know of a nice little incinerator I’ve been meaning to visit for a while. Thought I’d just take a short trip and see if it’s still working.”

Leo orbed our of the complex as everyone went to the kitchen to help Piper prepare dinner

The End

If you’ve enjoyed this story, you can find more “Charmed” stories at my website, Creative Passions, listed in my bio. You can also post your own “Charmed” stories or other stories if you like to write fan fiction.

[demrahc]

Terrific Fun!!! I thought the Hitler Demon breeding theory was very briliant! Thank you for sharing

[noazmale]

Thanks for the review and the compliment. It's always nice to know that people enjoy my work. I hope you enjoy the next one as well.

Jerry