5x13: It's All Relative

[The Virtual Series]

CHARMED: RESET REALITY (A new Alternate Universe series brought to you by Daniel, 4Ever, Drama, Xenith, and a host of others!)

STARRING:



SHANNEN DOHERTY...Prue Halliwell
HOLLY MARIE COMBS...Piper Halliwell
ALYSSA MILANO...Phoebe Halliwell
ROSE McGOWAN...Paige Matthews

CO-STARRING:



BRIAN KRAUSE...Leo Wyatt
JULIAN McMAHON...Cole Turner
DORIAN GREGORY...Darryl Morris

CHARMED: RESET REALITY is a concept conceived and copyrighted by Daniel Taylor and cannot be copied without his permission.

Based on the television show "Charmed" created by Constance Burge and featuring characters created by her and Brad Kern.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. If we owned Charmed, the last few seasons would be more like this! All characters and locations are fictitious or are used fictitiously. We only own the characters listed as "Original characters" within the credits. All others are products of the old WB and the new CW and belong to them and Aaron Spelling Productions. This work was not written for sale and is meant only to be read by visitors to websites for the fans of the television show, Charmed.

5.13 IT'S ALL RELATIVE

GUEST-STARRING:
FINOLA HUGHES
JENNIFER RHODES
JAMES READ
ANDY MACKENZIE
NICHOLAS SADLER

Script written by...CAMILLE (FOUREVER CHARMED)

Script edited by...DRAMA (ASSASSIN WITCH)

Script proofread by...CAMILLE (FOUREVER CHARMED), DRAMA (ASSASSIN WITCH), DTAYLOR (ASTRAL ECHO)

Executive Producer...DTAYLOR (ASTRAL ECHO)

Produced by...DRAMA, FOUREVER CHARMED, XENITH

Directed by...John T. Kretchmer

[The Virtual Series]

It's All Relative

Teaser

[Scene: October 28, 1970. Bay General. Hallway. Twenty-year-old PATRICIA HALLIWELL and VICTOR BENNETT are in front of a large glass window which separates them from a room full of newborn infants. PATTY is in a white hospital gown, seated in a wheelchair. In the front center row is a sleeping raven haired child whose nameplate reads, “Halliwell, Prudence.” PATTY tilts her head up to VICTOR.]

PATTY: She’s beautiful, isn’t she?

(VICTOR reaches for PATTY’s hand, squeezing it gently.)

VICTOR: She’s-

PENELOPE HALLIWELL’s VOICE: Perfect!

(VICTOR looks over his shoulder to see a thirty-nine-year-old PENNY hurrying towards them.)

PENNY: Oh Patty, she’s just perfect, isn’t she? (She gazes through the glass, staring at BABY PRUE.) And what perfect timing, too! I’ll tell you Patricia, everything happens for a reason, and my granddaughter was certainly born three days before the Wiccan New Year for a reason! (She turns excitedly to PATTY, completely ignoring VICTOR.) We have to have Prue’s Wiccaning on Samhain!

VICTOR: (confusedly) Wiccaning? (to PATTY) What’s a Wiccaning?

(PENNY glances irritably at VICTOR.)

PENNY: It’s not for mortals.

PATTY: (embarrassedly) Mother!

(PENNY tilts her head, looking sternly at PATTY.)

PENNY: I’m sorry, Patricia, but you know that Wiccanings are for the (she eyes VICTOR distastefully) magical family members, only.

(VICTOR glares back at his mother-in-law. He pulls his hand away from PATTY’s, the latter of whom looks a little taken aback.)

VICTOR: (bitterly) That’s fine with me. (He holds up his hands.) I don’t want to take part in your witchcraft anyway. (to PATTY) By the way, I’ve already talked with my mother, and she’s setting up Prue’s Christening for the fifteenth of November.

PENNY: (angrily) Christening?!

VICTOR: Yeah, it’s a Christian thing, you wouldn’t understand.

Clickable Credits.

[The Virtual Series]

{SCENE: The song “Oh Patti,” written by Paul Julian Strohmeyer and sung by Scritti Politti, is heard as stock shots of San Francisco are shown while the Guest Credits are rolled.}

Act One

[Scene: Manor. Entry way. PAIGE MATTHEWS opens the door to find VICTOR standing on the porch. She blinks.]

PAIGE: Uh, Victor… (She steps aside, pulling open the door.) Are you looking for-

VICTOR: Piper. (He steps inside.) I went over to see her and Leo said she was here.

(PAIGE nods.)

PAIGE: In the sunroom.

VICTOR: Thanks.

PAIGE: Sure. (She closes the door and heads towards the stairs as VICTOR makes his way to the sunroom.)

VICTOR: Piper, I- (He freezes in his tracks as he looks into the sunroom and spots PIPER HALLIWELLL seated in a white rocking chair, rocking MELINDA HALLIWELL, bundled in a pink blanket.)

[Flashback: October 31, 1970. PATTY is swaying back and forth in a white wooden rocking chair, holding a small pink bundle. She looks up with a glowing smile on her face.]

PATTY: (whispering) She just got to sleep.

(A very young VICTOR, with dark black hair and sideburns, walks in. PATTY gently lifts the pink bundle towards VICTOR, who cautiously accepts it. Looking down at the bundle, he sees a head of black hair, and then two bright blue eyes open up at him - BABY PRUE. Suddenly, footsteps pound into the room as PENNY rushes in.)

PENNY: Patty!

[Cut to the present. PIPER is still seated in the rocking chair while VICTOR seems to be gazing wistfully at her. PHOEBE HALLIWELL is now also there.]

PHOEBE: I’ve been looking all over for you!

(PIPER looks up, startled. Suddenly, MELINDA starts to cry. PHOEBE covers her mouth as PIPER slumps her shoulders forward.)

PIPER: Oh, Phoebe… (She stands up.) I just got her to- Dad!

(VICTOR snaps out of his daze and smiles.)

VICTOR: Sweetheart! (He walks over to PIPER and kisses her forehead.) I wanted to see how you were doing.

(PIPER nods.)

PIPER: I’m good. (She rocks MELINDA in her arms, who’s crying is starting to die down. PIPER eyes PHOEBE.) Where’s Chris?

(PHOEBE points.)

PHOEBE: Upstairs with Paige, but he’s asleep. (She clasps her hands together excitedly.) Guess what, I’ve got a surprise for you!

(PIPER lifts an eyebrow.)

PIPER: Oh?

(PHOEBE steps aside and waves her hands dramatically.)

PHOEBE: Abracadabra!

(PENNY walks in.)

PENNY: Piper, darling! (She opens up her arms to hug PIPER when she notices VICTOR and her smile disappears.) Victor…

(PIPER blinks in surprise.)

PIPER: Grams? What are you doing here?

(PENNY frowns.)

PENNY: Is that any way to greet your dear old grandmother? (She notices the bundle in PIPER’s arms and her eyes light up.) Is that my great-granddaughter?!

PIPER: Ye-

(PENNY scoops MELINDA out of PIPER’s arms and cuddles the child.)

PENNY: Oh, Piper! She’s beautiful! (She waves her hand at PIPER.) She’s got eyes just like my mother’s!

PIPER: Uhm, Grams, no offense, but why are you here?

VICTOR: Yes, why are you here, Penny? Aren’t there spirits in the afterlife that you could be torturing?

(PENNY glares.)

PENNY: I’m here for the Wiccaning, of course!

PIPER: (confusedly) Wiccaning? What’s a Wiccaning?

PENNY: You mean you haven’t been preparing? (PIPER shakes her head.) Oh no, I knew I should’ve come down earlier! (She lightly bounces MELINDA in her arms.) Come along, we’ve got a lot of work to do-

(PRUE HALLIWELL and PAIGE walk in, the latter with a blue bundle, CHRIS HALLIWELL, in her arms.)

PRUE: Grams! (She gives PENNY a hug.) I didn’t know you were here.

PENNY: I just got here… (She eyes the blue bundle in PAIGE’s arms.)

PAIGE: Oh! (She holds the baby out to PENNY.) Meet your great-grandson, Christopher.

(PENNY stares.)

PENNY: What?

(The sisters exchanged a mixture of surprised and confused expressions.)

PIPER: My son, Grams. (She maneuvers around PENNY and scoops CHRIS up from PAIGE. PENNY starts to shake her head.)

PENNY: I don’t get the punch line.

PIPER: (offended) Punch line?

PHOEBE: Didn’t you get the celestial memo? Piper had twins!

(PENNY stares.)

PENNY: But a boy! (She shakes her head.) Impossible!

VICTOR: What’s the matter, Penny? A boy in the family too much for you?

(PENNY’s face hardens.)

PENNY: I don’t have time for this, I only came down to perform Melinda’s Wiccaning, and time’s ticking away. (She stalks off, leaving PIPER with an open mouth.)

PHOEBE: I’ll go talk to her-

PIPER: No! (She hands CHRIS to PHOEBE.) I, will go talk to her. (She curls her fist.) She can’t just dismiss my son and then expect me to be okay with it. (PIPER walks out angrily. PRUE gazes at CHRIS.)

PRUE: I can’t believe she actually did that!

(VICTOR folds his arms.)

VICTOR: Well congratulations, you just met the real Penny Halliwell.

[Cut to the attic. PIPER stomps through the door.]

[Flashback: October 31, 1970. PATTY folds her arms as she stares at PENNY, who’s rocking BABY PRUE in one arm as she uses her powers to turn the pages of The Book of Shadows with the other.]

PATTY: We need to talk. Now!

(PENNY looks up.)

PENNY: I’m a little busy, dear, can’t it wait-

PATTY: No! (She waves her hand.) Why are you acting this way towards Victor?

(PENNY stares down at The Book, ignoring PATTY.)

PENNY: What way?

PATTY: You know exactly what way! (She raises her hand and the pages of The Book freeze, standing straight up. PENNY snorts as she looks up.) You haven’t even given him a chance!

PENNY: Men are all the same, Patricia.

(PATTY folds her arms.)

PATTY: Including Dad?

(A lamp falls off a shelf and shatters.)

PENNY: He left, didn’t he?

PATTY: He died, Mother.

PENNY: It’s the same thing. If men were anything more than tools-

PATTY: They’d live longer, I know, you’ve told me that all my life. (She glares.) Victor isn’t like that.

PENNY: He doesn’t even accept your magic!

PATTY: He just found out!

PENNY: Your father accepted my magic-

PATTY: Victor isn’t Dad!

(PENNY scoops The Book of Shadows under her arm and stomps towards the door.)

PENNY: Patty, please, once the Wiccaning’s over, then we an discuss this.

[Cut to the present. PIPER raises her finger as PENNY starts to walk out.]

PIPER: Don’t you dare walk out that door, Grams!

PENNY: Piper-

(PIPER places her hands on her hips.)

PIPER: Listen up, because I’m only going to say this once! If you walk out that door, there will be no Wiccaning!

PENNY: Piper!

PIPER: No! (She stabs her finger at PENNY.) If you’re going to perform a Wiccaning for Melinda, then you’re going to perform one for Chris, too.

PENNY: But Wiccanings are only for witches! Boys don’t inherit Warren powers-

PIPER: I don’t care. Melinda and Chris are both my children and they will be treated equally. (She folds her arms.)

PENNY: But tradition-

PIPER: It’s time for a new tradition. (She glares.) So, what’s it going to be?

(PENNY stares at PIPER for a long moment, then eyes MELINDA who’s tucked in the crook of her arm. She sighs gruffly.)

PENNY: (lowly) Fine. (She turns on her heel and leaves.)

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Two

[Scene: Chinatown. Shop. Backroom. Two white faced demons with matching hair and bright red eyes, PARASITES, are standing over a young Chinese woman. A pink glow is draining off of her and flowing into the PARASITES’ hands.]

PARASITE DEMON #1: I’m so tired of this… (He looks to his cohort.) Don’t you want more than this? Don’t you want more than to pick off useless witches for survival?

PARASITE DEMON #2: We’ve been through this already! We can’t go after more powerful witches, they’ll vanquish us first!

PARASITE DEMON #1: And you believe that two infants will have enough power to kill us?

PARASITE DEMON #2: Not just any infants, the niece and nephew of the Charmed Ones! You’re insane for even thinking we could get close to those children and make it out to tell the tale. How many demons have gone before us? The Source himself was killed going after those witches!

PARASITE DEMON #1: But if we could get our hands on the power of the Twice Blessed, it would surely be enough power to break the curse on us and return us to our former glory!

PARASITE DEMON #2: Not at the risk of our lives.

PARASITE DEMON #1: They don’t even live with the Charmed Ones! They live with their whitelighter father and their witch mother who hasn’t even an active power.

PARASITE DEMON #2: And you think that they haven’t taken precautions to ensure the safety of their offspring because of that? Even if we could get to the infants, we wouldn’t have enough time to absorb all of their magic before the Charmed Ones would be on us. (He shakes his head and pulls his hands back, causing the streaming pink glow to vanish.) I’m tired of your fantasies, some of us have real things to focus on. (He disappears. PARASITES DEMON #1 puts down his hands, also ceasing the flow of magic from the dead witch. He stares venomously at the witch.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: I will have revenge on your kind. (He also vanishes.)

[Scene: Manor. Sunroom. PRUE and PHOEBE, who is holding CHRIS, are seated in the white whicker chairs. A white bassinet is sitting near PRUE, with MELINDA sleeping inside. PHOEBE is gently rocking her sleepy nephew. She keeps glancing between PRUE and CHRIS.]

PHOEBE: I don’t understand it. How could Grams have not known about him? I mean, (she gazes at her nephew) that’s a pretty big thing to just not know about, don’t you think?

PRUE: Well, Grams has always been blind to what she doesn’t want to see, Phoebe.

PHOEBE: But it’s been a month, Prue. Given how excited she was about Melinda, you’d think that she’d have been checking in every day. I just don’t understand… (VICTOR walks in and the sisters look up. PHOEBE motions to a whicker chair next to her and VICTOR sits down, but winces as he does so. PRUE and PHOEBE both notice.)

PRUE: (to VICTOR) How’re you healing?

(VICTOR places a hand to his abdomen, where he was stabbed by LILLITH.)

VICTOR: The doctor says it’s healing alright, but that doesn’t stop the pain. (He sighs.) I guess I’m gonna have a pretty nice battle wound, huh?

PHOEBE: Leo could always heal it-

VICTOR: Nonsense! (He waves his hand vigorously.) I want to be able to show it to the grandkids one day. (He laughs.) I think it just makes the story of how they came to be a little more interesting, don’t you? (He gazes at CHRIS.) Can I see my grandson? (PHOEBE hands CHRIS over to VICTOR, who winces a little as he settles CHRIS in his arms. PHOEBE and PRUE smile a little.) He’s a handsome one, isn’t he?

PHOEBE: I think he’s got your nose, Dad.

(VICTOR studies CHRIS.)

VICTOR: You think so?

(PRUE nods.)

PRUE: Yeah, I think Pheebs is right.

(VICTOR grins.)

VICOTR: He does, doesn’t he?

[Cut to the kitchen. PIPER is pacing as LEO WYATT orbs in.]

LEO: (concerned) Piper, what’s wrong? Are the-

PIPER: (ranting) Can you believe her?!

(LEO looks confused.)

LEO: I don’t think I’m foll-

PIPER: The nerve of that woman! How could she act that way towards her own flesh and blood? It’s her great-grandson, for crying out loud!

LEO: Piper! (PIPER finally looks at him.) What happened?

(PIPER closes her eyes and LEO wraps his arms around her waist.)

PIPER: It’s Grams.

LEO: Grams? (His face changes in realization.) Oh. Oh! Chris-

PIPER: Yes! (She throws her arms in the air.) I can’t even believe it. I know she hates men, I grew up knowing she hates men, but I never in a million years would’ve thought that she’d actually treat Chris like one of her ex-husbands!

LEO: She hexed him?!

PIPER: What? (PIPER turns around with wide eyes.)

LEO: Uh… (He bites his lip.) Penny used to hex her exes. (He shrugs.) When you said-

PIPER: No! (She lets her shoulders fall.) No, she’s treating him like a non-person. She actually acted offended that she even has a great-grandson! She wasn’t even going to throw him a Wiccaning until I told her that unless Chris was Wiccaned too, she couldn’t perform one at all.

LEO: (surprised) And she agreed?

PIPER: Well, yeah…I knew she would, she had that look in her eye. (She frowns.) Leo?

LEO: Hmm?

PIPER: What is a Wiccaning, anyway?

[Cut to the attic. PAIGE walks in to find PENNY standing in the middle of the room, waving her arms as various boxes open, the contents floats out, and then floats back in as another box opens. PAIGE frowns.]

PAIGE: Isn’t this considered personal gain?

(PENNY snorts.)

PENNY: Personal gain! (She rolls her eyes.) I’m dead, Dear, I don’t need to worry about personal gain anymore.

(PAIGE folds her arms, unconvinced.)

PAIGE: What, exactly, are you trying to find?

PENNY: The Wiccaning gown, of course. It’s part of the tradition; every Warren witch since Melinda Warren has been Wiccaned, or Paganed as it was called in her time, wearing it. (She throws PAIGE a sideways glance.) Well, almost every witch.

(PAIGE turns her head away.)

PAIGE: Except me?

(PENNY puts one arm down.)

PENNY: If we could have Wiccaned you, we would have, but considering the situation-

PAIGE: (cutting in) I understand. (pause) So, what exactly is a Wiccaning, anyway?

(PENNY grins.)

PENNY: It’s the formal introduction of a child to her ancestors, and her official naming, of course. The High Priestess, (she motions her hand) me, summons down the spirits of our ancestors and by welcoming the child into the family, it acts as a magical blessing. A spiritual bond, if you will.

PAIGE: So…why aren’t boys allowed?

(PENNY glowers.)

PENNY: It’s supposed to be for Warren witches, only. Warren boys don’t inherit Warren powers.

(PAIGE creases her brow.)

PAIGE: But there are male witches, so why couldn’t there be a male Warren witch?

(PENNY shrugs.)

PENNY: It’s just not how the Warren line works, Paige. If I knew, I’d tell you, but I’m afraid I don’t. It’s just the cosmic order of things, I suppose. It’s one of the things that makes the Warren line unique.

PAIGE: Just how many boys have there been in the Warren line? I mean, how can you be so sure?

PENNY: Only one, my (she frowns) brother-

PAIGE: (surprised) You have a brother?

PENNY: Had. He’s dead now, and his spirit sent off for reincarnation. His name was Gordon, after my father, but he was completely powerless. In the end, that’s what got him killed.

(PAIGE makes a face.)

PAIGE: Well, just because Gordon was powerless doesn’t mean you have to be cruel to Chris. He’s still your great-grandson, and he deserves just as much love as Melinda. (pause) And just for the record, I don’t believe he’s as powerless as you think, because otherwise, why would there be a prophecy about him and Melinda.

PENNY: (puzzled) A prophecy?

PAIGE: You…don’t know about that, either? (She shakes her head.) How can you not know about that? Or Chris, for that matter?

PENNY: (defensively) Well, I couldn’t watch the birth because the magic on your plane was down! How could I have known?

PAIGE: Don’t you guys like, peek in or something?

PENNY: Well, yes, I did, of course, but I only focused on Melinda. (She snorts.) And it’s not like A- (She coughs and PAIGE furrows a brow.)

PAIGE: And it’s not like what?

PENNY: Anybody, it’s not like anybody told me there was another child. (She shakes her head in annoyance.) Tell me about this prophecy. What did it say?

PAIGE: Cole found out about it. (She lightly taps her foot on the floor.) It really just said how magic was suppose to rest on a powerful day to welcome the Twice Blessed into the world. Melinda and Chris being said Twice Blessed, and magic of course resting on the Sabbat.

(PENNY nods.)

PENNY: Well, that would explain why magic went down. (She shakes her head, seemingly distracted.) I was wondering why- (A long, shiny satin white gown trimmed in frilly lace floats out of a box. PENNY’s eyes lock onto it.) Ahah! (She holds out her hand and the gown, also with a bonnet, floats into her hands.) The Wiccaning gown!

(PAIGE blinks.)

PAIGE: That looks brand new! I thought you said Melinda Warren was Wiccaned in it?

PENNY: It’s charmed, Paige. (PAIGE raises an amused brow.) No pun intended. (She holds up the gown.) It wouldn’t exactly hold up three-hundred-thirty-three years if it didn’t have some magic protecting it, now would it?

(PAIGE nods in agreement.)

PAIGE: You know, I think you should probably go smooth things over with Piper before you perform the ceremony, she’s pretty ticked off at you right now.

PENNY: (dismissively) Piper’s always been a sensitive one, like Patty.

PAIGE: Penny-

PENNY: Don’t you mean Grams?

PAIGE: For one, I had a Grams, two in fact, and I don’t really know you. And two, Piper is sensitive. She’s the heart of the family, and you, who she admires dearly, just dismissed her son, so I think she has a right to be pissed off.

(PENNY sighs.)

PENNY: Fine, I will go talk to her.

PAIGE: (satisfied) Thank you.

(PENNY leaves and after a beat, PAIGE follows. Several seconds tick away and then, from behind an antique dresser, steps PARASITES DEMON #1. A sick smile spreads across his face as he disappears.)

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Three

[Scene: Underworld. PARASITE DEMON #1 appears to find PARASITE DEMON #2 absorbing magic from a fairy stuck in a jar.]

PARASITE DEMON #2: (angrily) Where have you been? I had to catch this little useless little thing because you weren’t around to help me fight another witch.

PARASITE DEMON #1: I’ve got it!

PARASITE DEMON #2: Please don’t tell me you’re on about those Charmed brats again. (The fairy vanishes as she’s finally completely absorbed into the PARASITE DEMON.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: They’re having a Wiccaning!

(PARASITE DEMON #2 looks up, almost intrigued.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: What?

PARASITE DEMON #1: That’s right, a Wiccaning! An entire lineage of Warren spirits will be gathered in that house! Just imagine what we could do by absorbing the whole of Warren magic! It would most certainly break the curse!

PARASITE DEMON #2: When?

PARASITE DEMON #1: The Warren High Priestess is on the mortal plane right now. She’s preparing as we speak! All we have to do is wait until she’s summoned them.

PARASITE DEMON #2: How did you find out about this?

PARASITE DEMON #1: I infiltrated their home. Apparently they haven’t done anything to protect it during the Wiccaning. If we go back now, we can hide in their attic until it’s time to attack.

(PARASITE DEMON #2 drops the jar that the fairy was in and it smashes on the brick colored ground.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: What are we waiting for then? (He vanishes and so does PARASITE DEMON #1.)

[Scene: Manor. Hallway. PENNY is walking down the hallway as PIPER appears.]

PENNY: (cheerfully) Piper! Just the granddaughter I was looking for-

PIPER: (angrily) Cut the crap, Grams. Leo told me about the Wiccaning, and how important it is. (She shakes her head in disgust.) I can’t believe you would let yourself be so blind with hate that you’d actually refuse Chris that kind of gift.

PENNY: Piper-

PIPER: You know, if it wasn’t of spiritual importance for my children, I wouldn’t even let you go through with it. (PENNY opens her mouth, but PIPER raises her hand, cutting her off.) How much more time do you need to prepare?

(PENNY glares.)

PENNY: Where’s Melinda? (She holds up the Wiccaning gown.) She needs to be wearing this.

(PIPER narrows her eyes at the gown.)

PIPER: What about Chris?

PENNY: You’ll have to find something for him. (She shrugs.) We’ve never Wiccaned a boy before, so I don’t have anything to give him.

PIPER: (coldly) Fine, I’ll get him something of his own, then. (She snatches the gown and bonnet from her grandmother.) I’ll bring the Twins up to the attic when they’re ready. (pause) Just be sure you’re ready, because I want to get this over with as quickly as possible. (She walks away.)

[Time lapse. PENNY, PRUE, PHOEBE, and PAIGE are gathered in the attic. PIPER and LEO walk in, with VICTOR right behind them. PENNY’s eyes widen.]

PENNY: What are-

PIPER: Zip it, Grams! (She narrows her eyes dangerously.) Dad and Leo are here because they are family and deserve to be, and if you want this Wiccaning, then you’d better not say a word.

(VICTOR takes a position next to PHOEBE, while PIPER and LEO take positions to the side of PENNY; PIPER holding CHRIS, who is dressed in a white one piece velour baby suit with a white cap, and LEO holding MELINDA, dressed in the long draping Wiccaning gown and matching bonnet. PENNY takes her position in front of The Book of Shadows, which has been placed in the center of the room, and faces away from PIPER, towards the windows instead.)

PENNY: “I call forth through space and time,
Matriarchs from the Warren line,
Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends…”

(Flashes and swirls of white and pink light begin to appear, some bursting down from the ceiling, some through the stained glass windows, and others simply right out of thin air. The swirls of light begin to coalesce into one massive group in the free space near the window. One of the first beams of light starts to take full shape and has long, pale red hair and a pointed chin -CHARLOTTE WARREN. PHOEBE elbows PRUE excitedly, and CHARLOTTE smiles and waves towards them. Next to CHARLOTTE, EVA, the woman from CHARLOTTE’s coven who helped the sisters in 1670, appears. EVA nods towards PRUE, PIPER, and PHOEBE.)

PENNY: “Our family’s spirit without end,
To gather now, in this sacred place,
And help us bring these (pause) children to grace.”

(The spiritual beams of light gradually take shape into women from all different time periods, filling up the whole of the empty space with their transparent forms, each one of them glowing. Finally, in the front and center, a very bright pink light appears and transforms into the glowing spirit of PATTY. VICTOR’s eyes widen as PATTY smiles warmly at her living family. Next to PATTY, a very bright gold light appears and begins to spin, transforming into MELINDA WARREN. MELINDA WARREN eyes PIPER and gives her a knowing nod.)

PENNY: The next generation has been born…

(PENNY turns to face LEO. She holds out her arms, beckoning for MELINDA. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, the PARASITE DEMONS rise from their position behind the dresser. PARASITE DEMON #2 eyes CHARLOTTE WARREN, whose eyes are on PENNY. He holds out his hands and suddenly her face contorts as her spirit is sucked into his hands. He shakes with exhilaration as PARASITE DEMON #1 absorbs EVA’s spirit. Together, they begin silently absorbing more and more of the spirits and their eyes start glowing fiercely. While everyone else is focused on LEO handing MELINDA to PENNY, MELINDA WARREN suddenly turns around and sees her legacy vanishing. She gasps.)

MELINDA WARREN: Demons! (She throws up her hands as the PARASITE DEMONS rise to their full height.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: Too late, witch! (He holds out his hand and the power of MELINDA WARREN’s freeze is absorbed into his hand. Suddenly, MELINDA WARREN's spirit glows pink and is pulled towards him.)

PRUE: No!

(PRUE waves her arm, but PARASITE DEMON #1 blocks his partner with his hand, absorbing PRUE’s magic as PARASITE DEMON #2 completely absorbs MELINDA WARREN. Some of the spirits start to begin to flee, but the PARASITE DEMONS hold out their hands, quickly absorbing the fleeing spirits. PARASITE DEMON #1 throws out his hand and begins to take in PENNY’s spirit, who turns from corporal to a ghost, and from a ghost, into a stream of magic that he consumes.)

PHOEBE: (yelling to LEO) Get the Twins out of here!

(PHOEBE starts to run at the PARASITE DEMONS as LEO begins to orb out with MELINDA. PARASITE DEMON #2 quickly turns his attention to LEO and MELINDA and attempts to absorb the orbs, but is thrown to the ground as the dresser he and his partner were hiding behind slides across the floor and knocks him to the ground. LEO orbs out and as PAIGE moves to grab PIPER, PIPER and CHRIS also orb out. PARASITE DEMON #1 eyes PATTY as her spirit is vanishing and sucks her up.)

VICTOR: Patty!

(PHOEBE reaches the demons as PARASITE DEMON #2 is getting to his knees and spin kicks each of them, sending them sprawling onto their backs. She attempts to kick PARASITE DEMON #2 again, when he starts to collect magic from her being. PHOEBE immediately drops to the ground as VICTOR begins running towards them. PAIGE orbs in behind PARASITE DEMON #2 with a large box in her hands and brings it down over his head, breaking his hold on PHOEBE. PARASITE DEMON #1 recovers from PAIGE’s attack and wraps his bony hand around her ankle. PAIGE gasps and falls to the ground as she quickly succumbs to the magical drain. VICTOR throws himself at PARASITE DEMON #1 and tackles him, and they roll away from PAIGE, who is left on the floor with her eyes closed. Meanwhile, PRUE produces ceremonial athames from their large ritual chest and advances on the PARASITE DEMONS. She stabs PARASITE DEMON #2, who howls in pain and yanks the athame from his chest. The wound begins to heal itself, but not completely. He backhands PRUE across the face, a pink glow escaping her cheek on contact, and then hits VICTOR off of PARASITE DEMON #1 and grabs his partner’s shirt causing both of them to disappear. VICTOR rolls over onto his back, blood seeping through his shirt. PRUE moves to each of her sisters, checking their pulses, then to VICTOR’s side, gently pulling at the bloody cloth on his shirt.)

VICTOR: I-I think I p-pulled the stit-ches. (He winces.)

(PRUE starts to apply pressure to the wound.)

PRUE: Leo!

(LEO orbs in, without Melinda.)

PRUE: Where’s Melinda?

LEO: With Piper and Chris. (He kneels down to VICTOR as PRUE pulls her hands away, revealing the wound. He shakes his head.) I can’t heal this.

PRUE: Why not?

LEO: The doctors will wonder how it was healed.

PRUE: Then partially heal it.

LEO: What?

PRUE: Just stop the bleeding!

(LEO hesitates, then places his hand over the wound and the blood reverses back into the wound and the broken stitches repair themselves, then he pulls his hand back. VICTOR nervously touches his stomach.)

VICTOR: Thanks. (PRUE helps VICTOR to sit up. He sees PAIGE and PHOEBE.) Are they-

PRUE: Unconscious.

(LEO moves to PHOEBE and PAIGE and tries to heal them, but shakes his head.)

LEO: They were magically drained, not physically wounded, so I can’t heal them.

PRUE: Then we need to get them to some place they can lay down comfortably, until they wake up.

[Scene: Underworld. PARASITE DEMON #1 has his hand above PARASITE DEMON #2’s wound. A pink glow of magic is flowing into the wound and closing it up. It finally closes and PARASITE DEMON #1 steps back.]

PARASITE DEMON #1: It feels amazing, doesn’t it? The power of the Warren line!

PARASITE DEMON #2: It’s not enough. (He curls his fist.) If my body can’t even self heal, then the curse isn’t broken yet!

PARASITE DEMON #1: What’re you saying?

PARASITE DEMON #2: I’m saying that in order to break the curse, not only do we have to have the Twice Blessed, but I want the Charmed Ones themselves!

(PARASITE DEMON #1’s eyes bulge.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: But you’re the one who didn’t even want to go after the offspring in the first place!

PARASITE DEMON #2: Yeah, but that was before I knew we stood a chance. (He walks around the cave with a manic look in his glowing red eyes.) Did you see how much power we had over those witches? And now we have their ancestors feeding us their magic!

PARASITE DEMON #1: They’ll be on full alert, you know.

PARASITE DEMON #2: Doesn’t matter. (He breaths heavily.) I want to be invincible again!

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Four

[Scene: Manor. Phoebe’s bedroom. PHOEBE is lying in bed with PRUE seated next to her, stroking her hair. PHOEBE starts to stir and PRUE grabs a glass of water on the nightstand next to her and places it to PHOEBE’s lips.]

PRUE: Here, take a drink.

(PHOEBE wearily opens her eyes as she sips the water, slowly sitting up in bed.)

PHOEBE: Ugh…what happened? (She shivers.) I feel so listless.

PRUE: The Parasites drained your power.

PHOEBE: Parasites?

(COLE TURNER emerges from the doorway.)

COLE: The demons that attacked you. (He walks over and sits down next to PHOEBE.) When Prue couldn’t find them in The Book of Shadows, she called me at the firm. (He touches PHOEBE’s hand.) They used to be very powerful, invincible demons, but after killing a family of witches, the only living member that they hadn’t gotten to decided to curse them. She used herself as a human sacrifice in a ritual which took away their powers and left them dependent on regular doses of magic to survive.

PRUE: Leo thinks that they probably attacked at the Wiccaning in the hopes that the Warren spirits would be enough magic to break the curse.

(PHOEBE eyes flutter as she has another drink.)

PHOEBE: Are the Twins okay? They didn’t get to them, did they?

PRUE: They’re fine.

PHOEBE: I sense a “but” coming.

PRUE: But Paige isn’t. One of them actually got into physical contact with her while draining her, and I think it may have affected her more than you.

(LEO walks in.)

LEO: Paige is awake…but I think we’ve got a problem.

[Cut to Paige’s room. PAIGE is lying on her bright blue floral comforter with a cold cloth on her head. PIPER is seated next to PAIGE, with a white bassinet right next to her, containing both MELINDA and CHRIS. LEO walks in, followed by PRUE, and then COLE, who is supporting a weak PHOEBE.]

PHOEBE: (to PAIGE) Looks like you got it worse than me.

PAIGE: (weakly) I don’t have my powers, either.

PRUE: Leo told us.

PAIGE: (to PHOEBE) Do you have yours?

PHOEBE: Barely. (She looks down at the floor and then levitates about a foot in the air before falling back down and wobbling, only for COLE to stabilize her.)

PRUE: It must have been the skin to skin contact that made the difference.

PIPER: So what do we do? We can’t fight these guys with magic, because they’ll only absorb it.

PHOEBE: But we can’t even think of vanquishing them before we get Grams and Mom and Melinda and the other spirits back! (PIPER and PRUE share looks. PHOEBE immediately picks up on the exchange and looks horrified.) You can’t be serious! You would actually give them up-

PRUE: One sibling for five strangers, Phoebe? (She sighs.) Those demons don’t just pose a threat to us, and the Twins, (she motions to the bassinet) they also pose a threat to good magic in general. You heard why that witch sacrificed herself to curse them. Just imagine what they could do if they use the power that the Warren line gives them and are able to break the curse?

(PIPER merely nods her head.)

PIPER: Prue’s right, Pheebs.

(PAIGE weakly shakes her head.)

PAIGE: I agree with Phoebe, there’s got to be a way to do both. (She forces herself to sit up.) I refuse to accept that we’re unable to save them.

[Scene: Underworld. PARASITE DEMON #2 is pacing in deep thought, while PARASITE DEMON #1 is talking.]

PARASITE DEMON #1: I say we go after the kids first. They’ll be easier targets, and then we’ll have more power by the time we attack the witches themselves.

(PARASITE DEMON #2 stops pacing.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: No. (He looks up.) We need to go after the witches first.

PARASITE DEMON #1: Why?

PARASITE DEMON #2: Because they’re already weak from our last attack. We need to hit them while they’re down to ensure that they won’t be getting back up. If we were to go after their offspring first, their lust for vengeance would only be fueled, and we both know not to underestimate the power that vengeance provides.

(PARASITE DEMON #1 nods in agreement.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: So, when do we strike?

PARASITE DEMON #2: Right after we take another witch. We need to replenish the magic they took from us when the oldest attacked me with the athame.

(PARASITE DEMON #1 nods and they vanish.)

[Scene: Manor. Attic. The sisters, LEO, and the twins in their bassinet are also there.]

PHOEBE: I think we should get the Twins out of here before we try anything.

(PIPER nods in agreement.)

PIPER: Leo, take them Up There until we’ve vanquished this Parasites. I don’t want them anywhere near our children.

(LEO nods and proceeds to pick up the twins from their bassinet. MELINDA starts to whimper as LEO walks over to PIPER.)

LEO: (softly) It’s alright, we won’t be away from Mommy for too long.

(PIPER kisses both CHRIS and MELINDA on their heads.)

PIPER: Be good for Daddy, alright? (She kisses LEO.)

LEO: Be careful.

PIPER: I promise.

(LEO orbs out.)

PAIGE: So, what’s our game plan?

PRUE: Well, I’ve been thinking over several scenarios, but they all seem to hit a road block when I realize that we can’t vanquish these guys because they’ll only absorb the magic of the vanquishing spell.

PHOEBE: And that helps us how?

PRUE: Well, then I thought back on our little stint as the Power of Four.

(PAIGE waves her hand impatiently.)

PAIGE: Cut to the chase, sis, we’re all dying here.

(PIPER raises her finger.)

PIPER: Not funny!

PAIGE: Expression!

PIPER: Still not funny.

PRUE: Hey! (She snaps her fingers.) I was thinking, what if we overload them?

(PHOEBE frowns.)

PHOEBE: But do you really think that would work? I mean, we burnt out because it messed with the cosmic order of things. Do you really think we could give them enough power to burn out without them destroying us first?

PAIGE: It does seem pretty risky.

PRUE: Well, do any of you have any better ideas? (PIPER, PHOEBE, and PAIGE share looks.) That’s what I thought.

PIPER: So, what were you thinking? We summon the bastards (PHOEBE and PAIGE look at each other amusedly) and start hitting them with everything we’ve got?

PRUE: I was thinking about rewording the spell to summon the Matriarchs, because technically they should still be inside the Parasites, which would then summon the Parasites to us. Then I might write a spell similar to the one we cast on Shadow-

PHOEBE: But instead of pain, we’ll use it on their power?

PRUE: Exactly.

PAIGE: And then we just pray it works?

PRUE: Pretty much.

(PIPER sighs.)

PIPER: Okay, you three get to work and I’ll go downstairs to let Dad and Cole know. (She bites her lip.) In fact, I’ll just send Dad home until we get this sorted out. (She leaves.)

[Time lapse. PHOEBE and PRUE are seated together on the beat up sofa, each scribbling down possible spells while PAIGE is searching The Book of Shadows and PIPER is using the round wooden table to make a potion. COLE is hovering next to PIPER. PIPER picks up a pinch of black poppy and moves to toss it into the potion when COLE forcefully grabs her wrist. PIPER looks at him, confused.]

PIPER: Mind if I have my hand back?

(COLE shakes his head.)

COLE: I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

(PIPER makes a face.)

PIPER: And why not?

(COLE pushes PIPER back and then grabs a pinch of black poppy and also steps back. He throws it into the bowl and upon impact, a huge explosion bursts from the pot, blowing up the bowl and causing a thick wave of smoke to fill the air. He waves his arm, shooing it away.)

COLE: That’s why. (pause) Never mix black poppy with wraith essence.

(PIPER blinks.)

PIPER: Thanks.

COLE: Don’t mention it.

(PIPER walks over to bowl, which is now in pieces.)

PIPER: Just out of curiosity, how did you know that was going to happen?

COLE: Abby blew herself up with that mixture once.

(PHOEBE looks up from her spell, but COLE doesn’t notice. LEO orbs in with the twins.)

PAIGE: Leo!

PRUE: What are you doing back here with them?

(PIPER spins around.)

PIPER: They can’t be here right now!

(LEO shakes his head.)

LEO: The Elders won’t let me keep them Up There.

PHOEBE: Why the hell not?

PAIGE: So, now They’ve got something against half whitelighters going Up There too?

LEO: They said They won’t accept us using them as a scapegoat.

(PHOEBE snorts angrily.)

PHOEBE: Hypocrites.

LEO: We wanted to have magical children, so They said we have to deal with the consequences.

PIPER: But-

COLE: They’re right.

PHOEBE: (angrily to COLE) Excuse me?

COLE: Look, I don’t like Them any more than you do, but this time, They are right. (The sisters glare daggers at him, but COLE just shrugs.) Think of it this way, if they weren’t half whitelighter, you wouldn’t be asking Leo to take them Up There anyway.

(LEO nods.)

PRUE: So, what do we do now?

PAIGE: (to LEO) Why don’t you go pick up the demonic alarm system I set up in the Twins’ room at your house and bring it here? At least that way we’ll know if we get any unexpected visitors while we’re preparing.

LEO: Don’t you have crystals here we could use?

(PAIGE shakes her head.)

PAIGE: I don’t have the time to bless new crystals, the whole process takes three days.

(LEO exhales disappointedly.)

LEO: Fine. I’ll be back shortly. (He orbs out.)

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Five

[Scene: Manor. Attic. A shrieking noise begins to go off in time with a flashing white crystal near the window. PHOEBE spins around with two vials in her hands to find the PARASITE DEMONS there.]

PHOEBE: Looks like we’ve got company! (She hurls a vial at PARASITE DEMON #2 and as it crashes and explodes, he holds out his hands, absorbing the magical flames into his hands.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: You’re making this easier than I thought!

[Cut to the living room. The same shrieking alarm is going off in time with the flashing lights of the chandelier. LEO, who’s on the couch with a book, throws the book to the side as he jumps from his seat, grabbing the bassinet next to him. He lays his hand on the edge and orbs it out.]

[Cut back to the attic. PARASITE DEMON #2 holds out his hand as if strangling someone invisible and PHOEBE falls to her knees, causing the other bottle to fall from her hands and break. COLE summons an energy sphere above his hand and casts it at PARASITE DEMON #2. PARASITE DEMON #2 swerves to the side and the energy ball grazes his arm, creating a bloody gash.]

PIPER: (to COLE) Your powers work on them!

(PARASITE DEMON #1 immediately takes in the magic of PHOEBE's fallen potion.)

COLE: Prue, now!

(PIPER hurls another vial at the PARASITE DEMONS, only for it to be absorbed like PHOEBE’s.)

PRUE: “Once powerful demons born with the power to defeat death,
Now cursed to absorb magic to keep their very breath…”

(PARASITE DEMON #2 thrusts his hands towards PRUE, but instead of glowing, it fades into an astral flash. The door bursts open and the real PRUE walks in.)

PRUE: “These Parasites standing in our midst,
Give them back tenfold what they have missed!”

(The PARASITE DEMONS begin to glow neon pink. PRUE waves her arm at PARASITE DEMON #2 and her invisible telekinetic energy is absorbed into his body and he explodes with a resounding cry. The Warren spirits that he’d collected begin to flee from the explosion, flying up through the roof. PRUE turns towards PARASITE DEMON #1 and throws out her hand.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: No!

(PARASITE DEMON #1 throws up his hands defensively and all of the sudden, the spirits begin to slow to a stop, the sisters stop moving, and everything becomes so silent that it would be possible to hear a pin drop. PARASITE DEMON #1 looks shocked as everything begins to move in reverse starting with PRUE walking backwards, then the spirits coming back through the roof, the explosion from PARASITE DEMON #2’s vanquish flies back together forming into PARASITE DEMON #2, PRUE’s mouth moves and then she gets up and walks backwards out the door which slams shut, PRUE's astral self reappears and her mouth begins moving, the magic of PIPER’s vial flies back into her hand, the energy ball wound vanishes from PARASITE DEMON #2’s arm, PHOEBE’s vial flies out of the PARASITE DEMONS, PHOEBE rises to her feet and turns away from the demons. Everything resumes normal motion, with the magical alarm blaring. PHOEBE spins around.)

PHOEBE: Looks like we’ve got company! (She hurls a vial at PARASITE DEMON #2 and as it crashes and explodes, he holds out his hands, absorbing the magical flames into his hands.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: You’re making this easier than I thought!

(PARASITE DEMON #2 holds out his hand to take her powers, but PARASITE DEMON #1 grabs his arm.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: You can’t! (They disappear.)

[Cut to the living room. As LEO grabs the edge of the bassinet, the alarm stops. He looks over his shoulder and the pounding of footsteps is heard from the top floor. Moments later, the sisters and COLE appear at the top of the stairs, with PIPER at the head. PIPER bounds down the stairs and over to LEO and the bassinet with the sobbing twins.]

PIPER: (breathlessly) Are you okay? (She leans into the basket.)

LEO: Yeah. We all are. (He looks down as PIPER scoops Chris out of the bassinet and he then picks up MELINDA. PIPER begins to nervously rock her son as her sisters approach.) What happened? Why did the alarm go off?

(PHOEBE, PRUE, and PAIGE look at each other.)

PHOEBE: It was weird, the Parasites attacked and then all of the sudden…they left.

LEO: They left? Just...like that? (PRUE nods.) Do you think it was a trick?

PRUE: I don’t know, but I want to get to the bottom of it. (She turns on her heel and leaves.)

[Scene: Underworld. The PARASITE DEMONS appear. PARASITE DEMON #2 jerks away from PARASITE DEMON #1.]

PARASITE DEMON #2: What do you think you’re doing?!

PARASITE DEMON #1: They were going to kill you!

PARASITE DEMON #2: We were winning! (He throws up his arms angrily.) Or hadn’t you noticed?

PARASITE DEMON #1: You don’t understand! I saw them vanquish you!

PARASITE DEMON #2: What?

(PARASITE DEMON #1 nods vigorously.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: I think…I think I have the witch’s powers.

PARASITE DEMON #2: How?

(PARASITE DEMON #1 shakes his head.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: I don’t know…maybe when I grabbed her ankle during the first battle…

PARASITE DEMON #2: How do you know you have them?

PARASITE DEMON #1: I…turned back time. They vanquished you and were about to vanquish me, but I reversed time and you were alive again.

PARASITE DEMON #2: Well, this changes everything…

PARASITE DEMON #1: What’re you thinking?

(PARASITE DEMON #2 begins to rub his hands together as he paces. A dark smile seems to play on his face, then he turns sharply.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: Tell me, how did you activate the witch’s power?

(PARASITE DEMON #1 shrugs.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: I don’t know. (PARASITE DEMON #2 looks angry.) Honest! I don’t, I just threw up my hands to shield myself from the blast and then everything stopped and reversed.

(PARASITE DEMON #2 narrows his eyes.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: (curiously) Really? (He eyes PARASITE DEMON #1 and then touches his chin.) Perhaps I’ll be able to use this new turn of events.

PARASITE DEMON #1: How do you mean?

PARASITE DEMON #2: We’ve got to go back.

PARASITE DEMON #1: But they’ll vanquish us there! As soon as we get in, those alarms will go off again.

PARASITE DEMON #2: But this will be different. (He grins wickedly.) We have time on our side!

[Scene: Manor. Living room. PIPER is walking back and forth, bouncing CHRIS in her arms. LEO is feeding MELINDA a bottle. As the bottle empties, LEO lays MELINDA back into the bassinet.]

PIPER: (muttering) We were so close… (She turns the other way.) If we could’ve just said the spell, it probably would’ve worked.

LEO: Piper. (He lays a hand on her shoulder.) I know you’re upset, but I don’t think all of this negative-

(A shriek sounds through the house at the same time LEO’s face contorts in pain and his grip around PIPER’s shoulder loosens as his back arches. A pink glow washes over his face and he falls to the ground. PIPER’s eyes bulge as she sees the PARASITE DEMONS standing ahead of her with their arms outstretched. Instinctively, PIPER spins away, shielding CHRIS with her own body. She cries out in pain as the PARASITE DEMONS near her, sucking on her magic. Her arms loosen around CHRIS and he falls towards the floor. He suddenly orbs out and a second later, appears in the bassinet with MELINDA. Their tiny fists touch as they begin to wail and a glowing force field rears up around the bassinet. Greedily, PARASITE DEMON #2 places his hands onto the pulsing shield and PARASITE DEMON #1 follows suit.)

PARASITE DEMON #1: How do we get them out?

LEO’s VOICE: You…don’t!

(LEO grabs a lamp from the table and forces himself to his feet, slamming it down over the head of PARASITE DEMON #1, forcing the demon to the ground just as PRUE, PHOEBE, PAIGE, and COLE come running down the stairs. COLE aims an energy ball at PARASITE DEMON #2, but he dives to the ground and it only grazes his leg, creating a small but bloody wound. Enraged, PIPER also makes it to her feet, pouncing on PARASITE DEMON #2. She begins a vicious physical assault, but each time her fists hit him and they turn pink, she continues to hit him again anyway, ignoring the searing pain.)

PIPER: You stay away from my children, you bastard!

PHOEBE: “Once powerful demons born with the power to defeat death,
Now cursed to absorb magic to keep their very breath,
These Parasites standing in our midst-”

(PIPER forms a fist and attempts to slam it down in PARASITE DEMON #2’s face, but he vanishes from beneath her, causing her to fall forward onto the floor.)

PHOEBE: “Give them back tenfold what they have missed!”

(PARASITE DEMON #1 shines neon pink and this time, LEO pounces on him, choking PARASITE DEMON #1 ’s neck. As LEO’s magic is absorbed into the PARASITE DEMON, he howls and explodes. At the same moment, PARASITE DEMON #2 appears behind LEO and holds out his arms, absorbing the magic from his fallen brethren and then vanishes. The Charmed Ones race down to their sister and LEO, helping them up. The force field fades around the bassinet. PRUE looks over at the spot where PARASITE DEMON #2 had just been.)

PRUE: What the hell was that?

[Time lapse. An energy ball flies passed the head of PARASITE DEMON #2. A group of three BAAL DEMONS with human bodies, cat-like ears, and bulging frog-like eyes are surrounding a corpse. Two of the BAAL DEMONS are digging their claws into it as the first is turned threatening towards the PARASITE.]

BAAL DEMON #1: Get out of here, Parasite! This is our turf!

PARASITE DEMON #2: Or you’ll do what? (cockily) Vanquish me?

(BAAL DEMON #3 emits a primal growl and conjures another energy ball above his bloody hand.)

BAAL DEMON #3: That’s exactly what I’ll do!

(The PARASITE DEMON laughs.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: That’s what the last three said too. (He spreads out his arms.) C’mon, try me!

BAAL DEMON#1: You on some kind of suicide mission. Parasite? You know your magic has no effect on demons!

(PARASITE DEMON #2 makes a long, mocking face.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: No… (He pulls an athame from his white trench coat and hurls it into the hairy arm of BAAL DEMON #1, who elicits a throaty howl while BAAL DEMON #3 throws his energy ball at PARASITE DEMON #2. As the energy ball nears him, he throws up his hands and the energy ball slows to a stop and then reverses, flying back into the hand of its creator.) But a witch’s powers do!

(PARASITE DEMON #2 orbs in front of BAAL DEMON #1 and rips the athame from his arm. The athame glows, transferring the demonic powers of the BAAL DEMON into PARASITE DEMON #2. He then stabs BAAL DEMON #3 in the abdomen.)

BAAL DEMON#3: Aaah!

(BAAL DEMON #3 vibrates and then blows up while PARASITE DEMON #2 pelts BAAL DEMON #1 with energy balls until he also explodes in fiery vanquish. He conjures an energy ball and points it at BAAL DEMON #2.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: Care to help me master the witch’s powers, too?

(Frightfully, BAAL DEMON #2 shimmers out. Sweat glistens on the forehead of PARASITE DEMON #2. He leans up against the wall painfully, swiping away the slickness from his white head. He exhales shakily and then disappears.)

BREAK

[The Virtual Series]

Act Six

[Scene: Manor. Attic. PRUE is stabbing her finger angrily in COLE’s direction.]

PRUE: How could you not tell us that Parasites aren’t immune to demonic magic?

COLE: It didn’t remember it at the time!

PRUE: That’s a mighty big thing to forget!

COLE: Well, it’s not like I’ve had a lot of contact with them, you know. They were cursed long before I rose to power, and considering their Underworld reputation, it’s not like I would’ve actively sought them out anyway.

PRUE: Still-

(PHOEBE steps quickly between them and holds up her hands.)

PHOEBE: Hey, hi, can we cool things down? (She glares at PRUE who folds her arms.) Okay, so we know that they’re susceptible to Cole’s powers. So, if we can find the Parasite again, all Cole has to do is vanquish him.

COLE: Actually, (he shakes his head) I’m not entirely sure if that would work.

PIPER: Why not?

COLE: I’m only half demon-

PRUE: And that affects your powers, how?

COLE: It just requires more power. If I can hit him enough, then I think I could vanquish him, but it’s a matter actually getting the mark. (He motions his hand.) He evaded both my attack and your spell just an hour ago, obviously he’s better at this than he seems. (pause) I think you have a better chance of vanquishing him with the spell, provided you can find him again.

PAIGE: And since the Matriarch Spell didn’t work, the age old question remains, how?

LEO: I might have an idea. (The sisters and COLE look curiously at LEO. He hands CHRIS to PIPER, who is already holding MELINDA.) I’ll be right back. (He walks out the door. PAIGE strums her nails on her knee.)

PAIGE: By the way, (she pulls out a folded piece of paper from her pocket) I wrote this.

(PRUE takes the paper from PAIGE.)

PRUE: What is it?

PAIGE: A spell to free Penny and the other spirits before we vanquish the Parasite.

(PRUE drops her hand to her side.)

PRUE: Paige-

PHOEBE: Uh, guys… (She points; PRUE and PAIGE turn to see PIPER and the twins orb out. LEO walks in, holding a picture of PENNY. He looks around, confused.)

LEO: Where did Piper go?

COLE: That’s a good question.

[Scene: Underworld. PIPER, MELINDA, and CHRIS orb in. PIPER’s eyes quickly flick back and forth, then she looks down at CHRIS and smiles nervously.]

PIPER: Honey, why did you bring Mommy to the Underworld?

(An energy ball flies above PIPER’s head. PIPER instinctively pulls the twins closer together and then a bubble force field rises up around them as PARASITE DEMON #2 comes into view.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: Come to vanquish me, have you? (He casts an energy ball at the force field, but the field deflects it, causing a scorch mark. He frowns, then holds out his hand and begins to absorb the magic of the field from afar, which begins to ripple and flash shades of lavender.) Bad move, witch!

PIPER: “Once powerful demons born with the power to defeat death-”

PARASITE DEMON #2: Save your breath; you won’t have it for long!

(PARASITE DEMON #2 waves his hands and PIPER’s lips slow to a stop, then the magic from the force field begins to flow back into it, the scorch mark vanishes and the PARASITE’s energy ball emerges from it and flies back into his hand, PARASITE DEMON #2walks out of view, the twins’ force field goes down, and the energy ball above PIPER’s head flies backwards and disappears. Time resumes its natural course and another energy ball flies out from the shadows, this time aimed at the twins, instead of at PIPER’s head. However, just inches from her face, the energy ball freezes. The force shield rises again as PARASITE DEMON #2 emerges from the shadows. This time, his red eyes are pale and glassy, his breathing quick and shallow, and he’s staggering. He sees the frozen energy ball.)

PIPER: “Once powerful demons born with the power to defeat death,
Now cursed to absorb magic to keep their very breath-”

PARASITE DEMON #2: (angrily) How many rounds do we have to go?! (He leans against the cave wall as he holds up his hands, once again bringing PIPER’s speech to a halt and then sending time into reverse.)

[Scene: Manor. Attic. PRUE, PHOEBE, and PAIGE are gathered around a copper pot, holding hands. A jeweled athame with blood on the blade is sitting next to the pot.]

PRUE, PHOEBE, & PAIGE: “Blood to blood,
Command we three,
Blood to blood,
Take us to thee!”

[Cut to the Underworld. Time resumes its regular pace and PIPER looks back and forth.]

PIPER: Honey, why did you bring Mommy to the Underworld?

(A loud scream is heard from the shadows and then PARASITE DEMON #2 crawls out on his knees, shaking violently. A swathe of magical lights deposits the Charmed Ones next to PIPER. Sweat pours down the PARASITE’s face.)

PARASITE DEMON #2: Aaaaah!

(PARASITE DEMON #2 falls onto his back and convulsions take him over and then a pink flare takes him over and bursts from his body, blinding the four sisters. Two pink beams connect with PAIGE and PHOEBE as swirls escape the remainder of the pink flare and escape through the rock walls of the Underworld. One of the bursts of lights transforms into PENNY and a pink beam locks onto her, gradually giving her back her corporeal status. Then PARASITE DEMON #2 explodes with a horrific cry and the pink glow vanishes. PRUE looks at PENNY.)

PRUE: Now that’s what I call a magical version of “Little Red Riding Hood!”

(PHOEBE pats PIPER on the shoulder.)

PHOEBE: Nice work, sis.

(PIPER shakes her head.)

PIPER: I didn’t do anything!

PAIGE: You didn’t say the spell?

(PIPER shakes her head again.)

PHOEBE: Maybe he rewound time?

PAIGE: You think he used my powers?

(PRUE slowly nods.)

PRUE: Well, it would make sense…they were completely gone, and they had to go somewhere…

PHOEBE: Not to mention, I'm getting this weird confounding psychic echo in here, similar to how I felt when Tempus rewound time.

PAIGE: So, that would mean that he destroyed himself? (She throws up her hands.) Well, I know that Leo said there are consequences to reversing time, but I hadn’t quite imagined it could do that to me.

(PHOEBE scoops CHRIS from PIPER’s arms.)

PHOEBE: I’m more concerned with how my little nephew got the three of you down here.

PENNY: (surprised) He orbed you to the Underworld?

PIPER: That’s right, Grams.

PAIGE: Looks like he isn’t as powerless as you thought.

PRUE: He saved you.

PHOEBE: I guess you owe someone a big thank you now.

(PENNY places her hand to her lips regretfully. She shakes her head.)

PENNY: I’m so sorry. (She moves to CHRIS and scoops him from PHOEBE’s arms.) After the way I acted… (She looks down at CHRIS.) If I could do it over… (She looks up at PIPER and MELINDA. PIPER smiles.)

PIPER: Well, you’ve still got time.

[Time lapse. PIPER, PAIGE, LEO, and COLE are gathered in the sunroom. LEO has CHRIS in his arms.]

LEO: He sensed and he orbed?

PIPER: Pretty amazing, huh? (She looks down and MELINDA.) And Mel froze.

LEO: This is incredible! Not even the most powerful of whitelighters can sense in the Underworld.

COLE: Well, he is Twice Blessed. I’d wager that their powers are advanced because of it.

(PHOEBE and PRUE walk in.)

PRUE: Okay, we just surrounded the house with laurel apples in case any other demons get any wise ideas today. (They sit down. PAIGE rolls her eyes.)

PAIGE: Well, I’m just excited he’s taking after his favorite aunt.

PHOEBE: Excuse me? (She places her hands on her hips.)

PAIGE: His orbing! Clearly, he was imitating me.

PHOEBE: (sarcastically) Please! (She rolls her eyes.) That just means he’s got Leo’s genes.

PAIGE: Well, you don’t see him having premonitions, do you? (She sticks out her tongue at PHOEBE and then makes a face at CHRIS.) Us half whitelighters gotta stick together, don’t we little buddy?

(The doorbell rings.)

PIPER: Oh, that’s probably Dad. I invited him over for the Wiccaning. (She starts to get up, but PRUE does instead.)

PRUE: I’ll get it.

PIPER: Thanks.

(PRUE gets up and walks out.)

PHOEBE: Speaking of, Grams said she’d be done with the preparation any minute.

(COLE starts to get up.)

COLE: I should probably get going then-

(PHOEBE slaps her hand down on his chest.)

PHOEBE: And why would you do that?

COLE: Well-

PIPER: She’s right, Cole. We’d like you to stay.

(LEO nods. PRUE and VICTOR walk in. PIPER’s smile brightens.)

PIPER: Daddy!

(VICTOR takes a seat next to PIPER.)

VICTOR: Hey, I uh, brought a little something for Chris… (PIPER creases her brow as VICTOR pulls out a small package from under his arm. He hands it to PIPER, who in turn hands MELINDA to VICTOR. PIPER opens it to reveal a small, white satin baby suit.) It was my Christening uniform. (He motions to his grandson.) I know Melinda already has one, so when I went home today, I started digging through a few boxes. (He shrugs.) I know it’s not really for a Wiccaning, but-

(PIPER throws her arms around VICTOR.)

PIPER: Dad, it’s perfect! Thank you!

(PENNY walks in and clears her throat. Everyone looks at her.)

PENNY: It’s time.

[Cut to the attic. It’s cleared out and The Book of Shadows, opened to the Wiccaning Spell, is sitting on the podium in the center of the room. Colorful rays of light are reflecting on the hardwood floor from the stained glass windows. The sound of footsteps is heard, followed by PENNY, the sisters, COLE, and VICTOR. PENNY takes her place at The Book of Shadows, while the Charmed Ones cluster to one side of the room, with VICTOR and COLE behind PRUE and PHOEBE. PIPER and LEO, with CHRIS and MELINDA, walk in. MELINDA is in the Warren Wiccaning gown, while CHRIS is dressed in VICTOR’s white satin Christening suit. PIPER and LEO come to stand by PENNY who smiles down at her great-grandchildren, then starts to turn towards the open expense of attic near the windows, when she glances back at PRUE and VICTOR and pauses.]

PENNY: Prudence, Victor, (VICTOR shoots PENNY a look but she instead waves her hand and ignores it) could you please stand over there. (She motions towards the center of the room. PRUE frowns, shares a look with her sisters who shrugs.) Anytime today would be good… (VICTOR and PRUE exchange expressions, then walk over towards the destination PENNY is motioning to.) Now, uh, move apart just a little… (She motions her hands prompting VICTOR and PRUE to step roughly three feet away from each other.) Perfect!

PHOEBE: Do you need us to move too, Grams?

(PENNY shakes her head.)

PENNY: You’re fine, dear. (to PIPER and LEO) Are you ready?

PIPER: Absolutely.

(PENNY turns back towards PRUE and VICTOR and inhales.)

PENNY: “I call forth through space and time,
Matriarchs from the Warren line,
Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends…”

(Just as before, flashes and swirls of white and pink light appear bursting down from the ceiling, windows, and thin air. They begin to coalesce into one massive group in the free space near the window. One of the first beams of light takes shape into CHARLOTTE WARREN, and next to her, EVA.)

PENNY: “Our family’s spirit without end,
To gather now, in this sacred place,
And help us bring these children to grace.”

(Warren women from all different time periods start filling up the whole of the empty space with their transparent forms, each one of them glowing with a gold sheen. Next to VICTOR, a particularly bright pink sphere transforms into PATTY. Her body suddenly glows, becoming solid, and she lays a comforting hand on her ex-husband’s shoulder. VICTOR jumps and turns his head to meet PATTY's eyes.)

PATTY: (whispering) Glad you could make it, Victor.

(PRUE cracks a tiny smile as she sees her parents together, and unbeknownst to her, a beam of snow white light begins to pulse behind her, gradually taking shape into ANDREW TRUDEAU. His body quickly turns from transparent into corporeal and he places his hand on PRUE. PRUE jumps and cranes her neck back, coming face to face with her former lover. PRUE gasps.)

PRUE: (whispering) Andy! (PENNY grins.) Wh-what are you doing here?

ANDY: (whispering) Same thing as you, I think. (He looks up, eyeing PIPER and LEO with the twins, then looks back at PRUE.) You’re here for a Wiccaning, right?

PRUE: (whispering) But… (She looks up at the living members of her family, all of whom are smiling in her and ANDY’s direction.) How?

ANDY: (whispering) I think it was the spell. It did call for “friends,” you know.

PRUE: (whispering) Yeah, but last I checked, you weren’t a Matriarch. (She raises her brow.) Unless you’ve been doing things in the afterlife that I’m unaware of…

(ANDY looks up at Penny.)

ANDY: (whispering) I guess Grams had a change of heart.

(PRUE eyes PENNY and blinks back a tear. PENNY nods.)

PENNY: Sorry to interrupt, but we do (she motions to the twins) have a Wiccaning to finish.

(PRUE slips her hand into ANDY’s and holds it tight.)

MELINDA WARREN: I think we’re ready.

PENNY: The next generation has been born into our family; our legacy. (She turns to PIPER and LEO and holds out her arms. PENNY accepts MELINDA into the crook of one arm and CHRIS into the other.) We pledge to be with these children, this beautiful girl (she looks down at MELINDA) and this handsome boy, (she shifts her eyes to CHRIS) always. (pause) Apart, but never separate, free, but never alone. They are part of us, and because of that, we will bless them with all the goodness that we are. (The spirits smile and nod at the twins.) Welcome to the family, Melinda (MELINDA WARREN bows her head) Patricia (Patty smiles proudly) Halliwell and Christopher Victor (VICTOR grins proudly) Halliwell! (She kisses both MELINDA and CHRIS on their foreheads.) Blessed be!

WARREN SPIRITS: Blessed be.

PATTY & ANDY: Blessed be.

(PHOEBE and PAIGE grin excitedly.)

PRUE, PHOEBE, & PAIGE: Blessed be!

(PIPER and LEO look at each other, both beaming.)

PIPER & LEO: Blessed be.

(PENNY turns back to LEO and PIPER, each of whom take one of their children.)

PENNY: Take good care of my great-grandchildren. (She takes three steps back, until she’s standing with MELINDA WARREN. She turns transparent. PATTY also turns transparent.)

ANDY: (whispering to PRUE) I’m afraid that’s my cue.

(PRUE squeezes ANDY hand and then he turns transparent. The Warren spirits with the exceptions of PENNY, PATTY, and MELINDA WARREN turn into a bright white flash and disappear through the ceiling. PENNY nods and then she, PATTY, and ANDY also disappear, leaving only MELINDA WARREN in her spirit form.)

MELINDA WARREN: Blessed be, my daughters. (Her eyes fall on CHRIS.) And, my son.

(A swirl of golden lights surrounds MELINDA WARREN and she disappears the way she came. PHOEBE and PAIGE walk over to PIPER, LEO, and the twins and begin talking with them and cooing over the babies. PRUE wipes a tear from the corner of her eye and then makes her way over to the commotion. COLE, instead, walks over to VICTOR and leans in.)

COLE: (quietly) They tend to go all out, don’t they?

(VICTOR nods. After a moment, COLE shrugs.)

COLE: Well…blessed be.

(COLE walks over to PHOEBE and the group. VICTOR absently looks at his shoulder, the one PATTY had placed her hand on, and then lightly touches it himself. He inhales sharply.)

VICTOR: (whispering) Blessed be… (He, too, walks over to the family gathering.)

[The Virtual Series]

End Credits

Special Appearances
T.W. King --- Andy Trudeau
Tyler Layton --- Melinda Warren

Co-Starring
Brody Jo Hamilton --- Melinda Halliwell
Jackson Phillip Deveraux Kaufman --- Chris Halliwell
Piper Addison Dalton --- Baby Prue Halliwell

Featuring
Sadie Stratton --- Charlotte Warren
Clare Carey --- Eva
Timothy Heinrich --- Baal Demon #1
Thomas A. Miller --- Baal Demon #2
Russell Edge --- Baal Demon #3

Production & Design
Daniel (Astral Echo) - Co-Casting Director
Camille (Fourever Charmed) - Co-Casting Director
Alex (Criminally Vulgar) - Video Editor (Credits)
Alex (Criminally Vulgar) - Set Designer