Furious Hell

by Bridget McKennitt

Summary: Prue feels guilty and actively hunts for demons. On one hunt, Piper gets smoked by a Furyand feels furious. Meanwhile Phoebe is still haunted by the Source. Also starring: Cole, Leo, Paige.

"Turn here, Phoebe." She did as Prue commanded and swerved the car towards the right.

"Slow down!" yelled Piper.

"Prue, do we really have to be doing this? I should be over at Paige's, teaching her how to be a witch. She's only come around and I'm afraid to leave her alone now that her powers are not dormant." Phoebe switched lanes and turned at the corner.

"Yes, we do, Phoebe. The Source was so close in converting you, and we nearly lost you," Prue replied.

"How are you feeling by the way, Phoebe?" Piper asked.

"You mean have I felt the urge to kill someone lately? Nope, I'm just peachy."

"Good. And the reason why we're doing this is for some live practice. Piper's powers are still wonky and this way we'll send a message to the Source that we won't be taken down so easily. Besides after three years, I think it's time to get a little proactive," Prue said. "Look, there it is."

Phoebe parked the car and the three quickly got out. Prue flung the demon away from the innocent with her power and Piper shot her hands out. The demon's head turned red and Phoebe screeched. "It's gonna blow!" They ducked into the car as the demon exploded green goo everywhere.

The sisters looked at each other with wonder in their eyes. "See what happens when we scry for random evil?" Phoebe said.

Prue couldn't help but grin though. "Next!"

The sisters returned home with Piper ranting at Prue. "I agree with Phoebe, Prue. We are just not ready to get proactive in demon vanquishing. I say we should lay low and gather our strength. Take some time off from the demon killing business."

Prue stopped in her tracks and stared at her. "How could you say that, Piper? The Source already threw the gauntlet down with Phoebe. He'll be back, I know it." She avoided Phoebe's sight and walked up the stairs to the attic.

"Well, that was interesting. I think I'll skip the next demonic chase, okay?" Phoebe grabbed her coat and keys.

"Where are you going?"

"To Paige's place. Someone needs to teach her how to be a witch. Tootles!" Phoebe closed the front door, leaving Piper alone.

She threw her hands in the air and sighed. Something was up between her sisters, she just knew it. Prue was on a demonic mission and Phoebe was on a mission to turn Paige into a superwitch. If only her sisters would sit down and talk about what was bothering them, especially Prue.

Cole shimmered in behind her and ran his fingers through his hair. "Piper, have you seen Phoebe?"

"Uh, she left a moment ago for Paige's. You just missed her," replied Piper.

"Damn it! I knew it, she's avoiding me." Cole sighed. "I think she still blames me for allowing the Source to turn her."

"That's not true. She's just really busy right now. It has nothing to do with you. But since you're not busy, you can help Prue and I hunt random evil. She's scrying upstairs right now." He looked ready to bolt but Piper grabbed his arm. "Oh no, you're not leaving me alone with her. Someone needs to watch our backs, and whatever issues you have with Prue can be put aside for now. Okay?"

"Okay." If there was any sister he wanted to avoid him, it was Prue. The bombshell she laid on him last week hadn't worn off yet and it made him uncomfortable to be around her.

Prue ran down the stairs with a map and crystal in hand. "I found something. Where's Phoebe?"

"At Paige's. I'm her replacement," Cole answered.

"Oh, well then I guess you're driving."

When they got there, Piper glanced around the empty alley. "Prue, are you sure this is the place? Because all I see is trash and, ugh, I don't even wanna know what that is."

"I'm positive, Piper. This is where the crystal pointed to. Keep looking."

Cole pointed to a wooden door. "Look, there's smoke coming from here." He tried to open it with no success.

"Piper, blow it up," Prue said.

"Okay, Cole move back." Piper shook her arms to relax and raised her hands, releasing her power. Unfortunately Cole froze.

"Try again, Piper." She rolled her eyes and motioned her hand like she was throwing a ball. The wooden door exploded into several pieces with the force throwing Cole against the wall and out of the freeze.

A man ran out of the doorway with three ragtag women chasing after him. Prue waved her arm and flung one of the women against the wall. They stopped and Prue grimaced. They had black markings all over their faces and claws on their hands. Piper tried to blow them up but nothing happened. "They're immune to my powers!"

"But not mine." Prue spun around and kicked the lead woman, using her power to enhance the attack.

Piper tried her power once more but the painted woman kept moving towards her. She grabbed a trash lid and shielded herself just in time as the woman clawed the lid with her talons. Piper shrieked as she fell to the ground.

"Piper!" Prue cried out. She flung her demon away and Cole threw an energy ball at that demon. However the demon leaning over Piper opened her mouth and blew smoke into Piper's. She smiled and disappeared into smoke with the other demon.

Prue helped Piper to her feet and stared at Cole. "Okay, so what kind of backward demons were those?"

"Furies," Cole saw Prue snicker but continued on. "A Fury is a demon who kills and enjoys killing evildoers, whether if it's a shoplifter or a murderer. And if they focus their thoughts on you, they make you hear the screams of all your past victims."

"Well, then I'm gonna take great pleasure in vanquishing those cancer girls." Piper coughed and shrugged off Prue's arm. "There has to be a spell or something in the Book. Let's go home, we can track them with the map and crystal." She coughed again and walked to the car.

"Come on, Paige. Use your power on that candle," Phoebe said. She rested her hand on her forehead, tired from the session.

She was not the only one. Paige plopped on her bed and groaned. "Phoebe, I get when you say I'm a witch but this is not working. We don't even know what my power is."

"Yes, but I know you have one. Just try it again. When I first got levitation, I could not control it in the beginning. Even my primary power of premonitions, I still can't call on command. Please try."

Paige rolled her eyes. "I hate it when you appeal to my conscious. Alright, I'll try one more time." She waved her arm but the candle remained perfectly fine. "Maybe I don't have a power, Phoebe, if nothing happened to that *candle.*" White orbs surrounded the candle and disappeared, only to reappear in Paige's hand. "Whoa, head rush." She gasped. "I did it!"

"Great, Paige. I knew you could!" Phoebe pondered for a moment. "It's not like a power I've ever seen before. Though it reminds me of Prue's telekinesis." In fact, she thought, it looked like Paige orbed the candle to her. "And it seems voice activated."

"Voice activated? So I have to call on something and it'll come to me?" Paige placed the candle on her desk and searched her room. "Uh, come here *clock.*" The clock disappeared in white swirls and reappeared once more in her hand.

"Keep practicing that, and I'll ask Leo about your power." Phoebe glanced at her watch. "It's getting late and I need to be home soon." She smiled at Paige. "Don't worry. Under my tutelage, you'll be a great witch."

"I guess so. But, Phoebe, what if I don't want to be a witch? I mean, after what you told me about demons and the Source, I'm not sure I could handle."

Phoebe grasped Paige's hand in reassurance. "I know you're overwhelmed and all, but trust me, you'll enjoy every moment of witchdom."

"Tell me the truth, what are the hazards?" She desperately needed something to grasp onto in this difficult situation.

"Well," Phoebe began. "You could die from a warlock or demon attack. A warlock could steal your power. Or you could be turned into a warlock or a demon and made to serve evil. And if you beat those hazards, there's always the loneliness. You have to keep your identity a secret from everyone except other witches. Dating is hard with such a big secret over your head and there are times when you have to break many dates to fight evil. And loved ones...loved ones either die or leave you."

"What! So what's so great about being a witch?"

"Our powers, not to be used in personal gain, but to protect innocents. The first time you save an innocent, Paige, let me tell you that it's a feeling you won't forget and it won't go away. To make the world a better place is a beautiful thing. Strive for it." Phoebe waved good-bye and left.

Paige closed the door behind her and sighed. This witch thing would take a lot of getting used to. It frightened her, no doubt about it. But Phoebe enjoyed being a witch and the hazards of the craft didn't scare her off. She saw her bag lying on a chair. "*Bag.*" The bag disappeared in white swirls and reappeared in her hands. "I guess I should go to work."

Paige typed something on the computer and glanced back at a file. She tried to do her work but she kept getting distracted. I'm a witch, she thought, and so is Phoebe. Imagine what I can do.

"Hey there, Pizza Face. Pick up the pace, I don't have all day to wait for my mail." The mail boy glared at Donny when his back was turned and gave Paige her mail.

She smiled to cheer him up. "Don't worry about it, Billy. Donny's a jerk to everyone."

"I know. That's why his mail frequently gets lost," he joked. Paige laughed and patted his hand. "I just wish though that my acne cleared up or something so he wouldn't have anything to tease me on."

That gave Paige an idea. "Keep wishing, Billy. It might just happen. It just might." She waved to him and turned back to the computer, clicking on the Internet icon. "There has to be something I can do. I'm a witch and witches do good," she muttered. She typed in the word 'witches' and clicked on the first link that popped up.

"Witches are in touch with nature, not Satan as many believe. Witches cast spells for good, and they usually rhyme...rhyme? I can do that." Paige stared at Billy thinking of what to chant.

Back at the manor, the Book of Shadows glowed and flipped open its pages to a spell. Suddenly words drifted into Paige's mind. "Let the object of objection become but a dream, as I cause the seen to be unseen," she whispered. She didn't know how she knew, but knew nonetheless that those were the right words.

Billy's face sparkled and Paige gasped as his acne disappeared from sight. "It worked!" She was pleased with herself. Doing good did feel good.

Phoebe opened the door to the manor carefully and snuck inside. She closed the door and gasped when she saw Cole standing right next to her. "Phoebe," he drawled out. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "We need to talk."

"Now? I wanted to talk to Leo about Paige. It's important." Phoebe smiled and tried to move past him but he blocked her way.

"This is important as well, Phoebe. Please, just sit down and talk to me."

"It's just hard," she said.

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled casually. "It's just me."

"Cole...we can talk later. Business before pleasure." She kissed him softly on the lips and headed upstairs.

Piper entered the living room followed by Prue. "Honey, there's something wrong with you. You've been coughing ever since we got home."

"I'm okay. I just need water. Why are you pestering me? It's nothing." Piper coughed into her fist and glared at Prue.

"Nothing? Oh, a Fury demon blew smoke into your mouth and you've been coughing nonstop. I wouldn't call that nothing," said Prue. "Let's go to the attic and check on the Book of Shadows."

Piper spun around with her hands on her hips. "You know what? I'm so sick and tired of you always bossing me around like I'm your servant. You are not the mighty superwitch, so get over yourself, Prue." She marched upstairs and slammed her bedroom door.

"Whoa, somebody needs a Midol," she muttered. She noticed Cole and smiled. "Hey there. Know what's wrong with Piper?"

"As much as I know why Phoebe is avoiding me. I should try again." He shimmered out.

Piper flopped on her bed and turned on the stereo. Leo and Phoebe were already there talking about Paige. "Her power reminds me of telekinesis, moving things with her mind, but objects sorta orb to her when she calls it by name."

"Orb?" Leo asked.

"Yeah, I don't know what else to call it. She says candle, and it orbs to her hand. Have you seen anything like it before?"

"Frankly, no. But the way you describe it, I could only call it telekinetic orbing. Though, a witch's power that resembles orbing, interesting."

Piper glanced at the two. "You two bore me. All this shop talk is getting on my nerves."

"Piper! That's not a nice thing to say. Phoebe needed to talk to me, charge to whitelighter," said Leo.

"Who cares? I'm so tired of all of this crap. I think I'll go hunt some demons." She moved to leave the room but Leo and Phoebe blocked her path.

"That's not like you, Piper. What's wrong?" Leo asked gently.

"Leave me alone!" She raised her hands and almost blew her husband up. Fortunately Leo orbed out in time. Piper glanced at Phoebe, almost daring her to make a move against her. Then she closed the door behind her.

"Leo? Leo!" He orbed in front of her and she hugged him with relief. "You're alright."

"I am, but Piper isn't. Something must have happened. I better go check with the Elders." He orbed out just as Cole shimmered in.

"Cole!" She embraced him and led him out of Piper's room. "We have to check the Book. Piper just tried to blow up Leo with her power."

"That's what I was afraid might happen." At Phoebe's confused look, he explained what happened on the latest demon run. "And then a Fury smoked her."

"Well, we have to find out what that smoke did to her." They headed towards the attic and Phoebe saw the Book open to a Vanishing Spell. "We don't need that." She began looking in the Book. "Oh my goodness."

"What?" asked Cole.

"Fury smoke in bad guys kills them. However Fury smoke in good people does the opposite. It looks for a portal of unexpressed fury, slowly devouring their humanity and the victim becomes a Fury." Phoebe closed the Book and rubbed her forehead. "We have to tell Prue."

A crash sounded downstairs followed by Prue yelling. "Son of a bitch!" she cried out. Cole and Phoebe looked at each other and Cole shimmered them to the living room.

"Let me go!" Piper wiggled out of Prue's hold and jabbed her in the stomach. She grabbed Prue's head and opened her mouth, smoke billowing out.

"Piper!" Phoebe gasped. Cole wrapped one arm around Phoebe and with the other, he formed a small voltage energy ball and threw it at Piper's backside.

Piper immediately released Prue and growled. "That wasn't very nice." She flexed her claws and smoked out.

Phoebe went over and helped Prue up. "You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. What was that all about?"

"That Fury you fought turned Piper into a Fury as well. We have to save her before she makes her first kill. Or else she'll be a Fury forever." Phoebe took in a ragged breath.

"We'll get her back before then. Check the Book of Shadows for a spell and I'll scry for her."

"But Prue, she's evil now. Scrying for her as a witch won't work," Phoebe said.

"Then I'll scry for evil."

"Do you realize how much evil is in San Francisco? I'm sorry, but I'm worried. First the Source turns me evil, then a Fury turns Piper into a demon? I don't think it's a coincidence." Cole wrapped his arms around his beloved, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder.

Prue smiled. "Here, I'll look in the Book for a spell." She touched Phoebe's shoulder before leaving the room.

"There there, Phoebe. Shhh, it's okay." He rocked them back and forth as he allowed Phoebe to cry. Strangely enough, he enjoyed the moment. This was the first time in days that they had time to themselves, that she wasn't running away from him. It felt good. "Phoebe, tell me what's really wrong?" Would she talk to him?

A hiccup escaped her mouth and she tried to wipe her tears away. "I'm so sorry. I've been so selfish lately and," she sniffed. "Piper becoming a Fury hits home, Cole. Really close. After what happened with the Source, I--I've been having these horrible nightmares. I'm being tortured and you were always there."

"Is that why you've been avoiding me?" he asked.

"Yes. No. Maybe. I can't help it, every time I see you, I'm reminded of those nightmares. The pain..." she trailed off.

"It's okay now, Phoebe. I'm glad you told me. I love you so much, I never want you to suffer. I'll keep your nightmares at bay." He kissed the top of her head and lowered his lips to hers.

She rose to receive his kiss. She clenched his shirt as if he was her life buoy. "Thank you," she whispered.

When Phoebe got her emotions under control, she and Cole went to the attic where Prue was still looking through the Book. "I can't find anything. Damn it!"

"I've got an idea. The night before Griffiths' funeral, I had cast a return to me spell. I--I think it brought Paige into our lives. Maybe if we revised the spell a little to suit our need, it would work." She turned the pages until she found the spell. "Here it is."

"I like it," said Prue.

"There's only one problem, though. I remember when I was a Banshee, the bloodlust to kill was so strong. If we used the spell, it might not be enough to call her here. We need something that would lure her."

"Hmm, if she's almost a Fury, then she would want to go after evildoers." Prue stared directly at Cole. "He could be our bait."

"No! Prue, we are not using the love of my life as bait."

"Phoebe, it makes sense. And if it's the only way we can get your sister back, I'll be willing to try." He placed his hand on Phoebe's face. "I'll do anything for you, but please don't make me a coward."

She sighed and kissed his hand. "We'll need your blood." Prue used her power and lifted a knife into Phoebe's hand.

With Cole's blood on the knife, they lifted it above a lit candle and read from the spell Phoebe revised. "Power of the sisters' cry. Send this out across the sky. Find our sister, Piper, who's far or near. Beckon her to travel here." They repeated the spell again...

The two remaining Furies chased after a robber in a back alley. The leader used her claws and slashed the man's chest. At that moment, they focused their thoughts on him and he crumpled to the ground, quivering against the pain. A Fury forced his mouth open and released smoke into it. He began to choke, bursting into flames.

Piper smoked in, causing the other Furies to glance at her. Piper glanced at the victim's ashes and smiled. "I've been looking for you."

"Power of the sisters' cry. Send this out across the sky. Find our sister, Piper, who's far or near. Beckon her to travel here." As Piper's face became lined with black markings and her clothes turned to shreds, the summoning grew stronger. It hit her all at once and she looked up.

"I know where evil lies," she told the other Furies.

Cole fell to his knees and covered his ears. He could hear wave upon wave of screams and cries of his past victims. Phoebe dropped the knife and glanced around. "She's close. Watch out, Prue. We have to keep them away from Cole."

"Gotcha." Prue moved away from Phoebe, looking for a Fury. One smoked in next to her and she flung her arm. The Fury slammed against the wall.

Another Fury smoked in near Cole and Phoebe levitated. She propelled herself forward and spun kick the demon away. The Furies stood back to back and a funny feeling reached Phoebe. What were these demons doing? And where was Piper? "Tricky, Piper." She turned around and saw their sister. "Prue, we have to get her to close her portal of unexpressed fury. Distract the other Furies."

Phoebe blocked Piper's path to Cole. "Piper, I think I know what's wrong. You're mad at me for going to the Underworld and not being there for you. You think I abandoned you. Admit it."

Fury Piper growled and knocked Phoebe to the ground. But Phoebe was determined. "Who are you mad at Piper? Who are you raging against if it's not me? Is it Cole for being a demon? Is it Leo? Evil?" She was getting desperate. "Are you mad at Prue?"

At that name, Piper screamed and went after Prue who was busy fighting off the other demons. "Cole!" He fought through the pain long enough to release two energy balls at the Furies, leaving Piper left.

But that didn't dissuade Piper from her prey. She grabbed Prue by the throat and squeezed. "Piper, let go of your fury! Tell Prue why you're so upset," Phoebe pleaded.

Piper stared into Prue's eyes and threw her to the side. "I hate you! I hate you, Prue!" Her chest heaved. "You and your stupid pride! We almost died because you wanted to vanquish Shax in the open. You risk your life everyday and not once did you think about me or Phoebe. When will you understand that you are not *invulnerable.* You can *die* Prue, just like everyone else."

"Piper," whispered Prue.

"And your stupid issues! Get over yourself because you're gonna get killed one day, and you'll leave us alone. All alone." Smoke rose from her body and the Fury markings faded away back into her normal self.

Prue opened her arms and Piper rushed to her, sobbing openly. "When will you learn that you are not superwitch. Think about the consequences, Prue. Let go of your pride."

Yawning, Phoebe exited the bathroom and entered her bedroom where Cole was sitting on her bed, waiting for her. She closed her door and joined him. "Rough day, huh?" she said, lightly.

"Not one of the best, that's for sure. Phoebe, I meant what I said about ke your nightmares at bay. I'll use all the power at my disposal to make sure of that."

She smiled and kissed him. "Thank you, Cole. That means a lot to me. I'm sure the nightmares will go away in time. The Source can't touch me."

Cole grinned and lifted Phoebe into his arms. "Then let me tuck you in."

Downstairs, Prue and Piper were in their pajamas in the kitchen. Piper poured them each a cup of coffee and took a sip of hers. "I'm sorry for the things I said while I was a Fury. I guess I just bottled everything up." She noticed the cut on Prue's neck. "Ouch, sorry about that too."

"It's okay, Piper. I'm just glad that you're not a demon anymore." Prue placed her hand over Piper's. "The things you said to me, it's all true. And I'm sorry for getting you so upset over it. I promise to do better in the future. And if we've learned anything from before, we won't keep secrets from each other. We did it before and Andras got to us."

"That's all anyone can ask of you. And yes, no more secrets. Prue, I'm worried about Phoebe. That situation with the Source scarred her emotionally. We need to do something about it," Piper said.

"We will, we will. I'm just thankful that all three of us are alive and healthy." Prue raised her mug. "To the Charmed Ones."

Piper raised her mug and clinked it against Prue's. "To us."

End of Episode 2, Furious Hell

Disclaimer: See Still Charmed

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