hi guys... as what the summary says... this story was written by my friend from shannen's board ...MARISSA... im so inlove with this story and i thought that it's too good not to be publish here... and im glad she agreed with me!!

you guys have a lot to read with this story... keep reading and reviewing and you'll never regret you opened this story..smiles

so let the story begins..

THE POWER OF FOUR BY MARISSA

Leo Wyatt orbed into the Halliwell manor and immediately began searching for Piper and Prue. I know they're not dead. They can't be. The house was in shambles, but even worse, it was silent. Leo called out to the girls, but he got no reply. No call for help. No evidence of life.

After what seemed like hours of searching and sifting through debris, Leo came across two bodies lying side by side. He quickly knelt down between the two girls and checked their pulses. Both were still alive, but for how much longer, he wasn't sure. All he knew was that neither of them had much time. His healing touch could save them, but only if he acted quickly.

He looked over at Piper. His loving wife, that he couldn't imagine living without. Then his glance shifted to Prue. She was like a sister to him, and he didn't want to lose her either. Leo knew he didn't have enough power to heal both of them at the same time, so he had to make a split-second decision. Both girls were badly injured, but which one was worse? Leo noticed that there was a growing pool of blood next to Prue's head. She was in bad shape. Leo wrestled with his thoughts. Since both girls were approaching death, they would take a long time to heal. Prue looks pretty bad, but if I heal her first, will Piper die? I can't let Piper die…I don't know what I'd do. But if I heal her first, Prue will die for sure. Leo knew that he needed to heal Prue first, and all he could do was hope that Piper would hang on for as long as it would take to heal Prue.

His mind made up, he turned toward Prue. He placed one hand over her head, and one over her heart. His hands glowed yellow as the healing began. Slowly but surely, the color began to return to Prue's face. The gouge in her head began to close, until finally she stirred. She opened her eyes as she let out a groan.

"Piper," she said weakly, as she lifted her head, attempting to sit up.

"No, stay down Prue. You're weak, just rest." Leo quickly moved over next to Piper. He placed his hands over Piper's heart and waited for the healing to start. As he was healing her, he heard Prue moving behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see her crawling towards him.

"Piper," she said feebly. "Is she okay?"

"I'm still healing her." Prue pulled herself next to Leo and grasped Piper's hand.

"Why's it taking so long?" she said impatiently.

"It took this long for you too. We almost lost you…" Leo said solemly. Prue looked down at her sister.

"Well, I made it. And Piper will too," said Prue, trying to convince herself. Come on Piper, I can't lose you. After what seemed like an eternity, Piper finally came to.

"Piper!" Prue shouted, as she threw herself onto her sister. "Thank God you're alive." She kissed Piper on the forehead.

"Get off me!" Piper said, half joking. Prue just looked at her and smiled, before wrapping her arms around her again.

Piper looked at Leo, who was waiting patiently for his turn to hold her. She smiled and said, "You must be gettin' sick of saving our lives."

"Never," Leo said with a grin. "I'm just glad I got here in time. I don't know what I'd have done if I'd lost either of you." He pulled Piper into his arms and kissed her softly.

"Where's Phoebe?" said Prue, concern in her voice.

"She must still be in the underworld", said Leo. "I can't sense her."

"Alright, well then let's go get her," Prue said, standing up

.
"Woah, I don't think so. You both nearly died, you're not strong enough."

"Leo, she's our sister, and she's in trouble," said Prue. "We're coming with you." Leo looked over at Piper, hoping she would take his side.

"We'll be okay Leo," said Piper reassuringly. "Just let us come and help you find her."

Leo knew there was no changing their minds. He sighed, and held out his hands.
"Well, let's go then."

Down in the underworld, Phoebe and Cole crouched behind a rock, holding each other closely. "Do you think he saw where we hid?" Phoebe asked Cole breathlessly.

"I don't think so. But we can't stay put for long," Cole said. "We have to keep moving or Shax will find us for sure."

"Tell me again why we can't just shimmer out of here?" Phoebe asked impatiently.

"Shax would track my shimmer, and find us in an instant."

"Ok, well we need a plan then," Phoebe said.

"I think I have an idea," said Cole.

"Alright," said Phoebe. "But I hope it's better than your last idea, 'cause being thrown against the wall isn't exactly my idea of kicking some demon ass."

"Here's what we need to," said Cole, ignoring Phoebe's insult. "I'm gonna go out by myself and convince Shax that I have turned back to evil. I'll tell him that I lost you, and that I want to help him find you so I can kill you myself. Then I'll lead him in the wrong direction."

"Do you really think he's gonna buy that?" asked Phoebe skeptically.

"He might if I change into Belthazor. I know it's a long shot, but at least it gives you time to get away. Leo might still be down here, so if you can find him, he can get you out."

"Cole, I don't know…"

"Phoebe, we don't have another choice," Cole stated. Just then, Shax came around the corner. "He's coming," Cole whispered. "Stay here until we're gone, and then make a run for it." He leaned down and gave Phoebe a quick kiss on the lips. "No matter what happens, I'll always love you." Tears began forming in Phoebe's eyes.
"I love you too, Cole," said Phoebe through the tears. Then Cole morphed

"Why can't you sense her, Leo?" asked Piper as the group trudged through the caverns of the underworld. "Shouldn't you be able to track her now since you're both in the underworld?"

"I don't know," said Leo in frustration. "The source must have cloaked her or something."

"Great," said Piper. "So she's all alone, probably being hunted by Shax, and we have no way of finding her."

"She's not alone. Cole should be with her," said Leo.

"Oh, is that supposed to make us feel better?" said Piper angrily. "So she's with a guy who can't decide if he loves her or if he wants to kill her?"

"Piper calm down," said Prue as she placed a hand on Piper's back. "Fighting is not going to help us find Phoebe. Just take a deep breath."

Piper sighed. "I know Prue, you're right," said Piper, her nerves calming. "I just feel so helpless. Phoebe needs us, and we can't get to her."

"I know sweetie," said Prue, understandingly. "Don't worry, we'll find her."

"Look!" said Leo. Shax stood in the distance, his attention focused on another demon. "Quick, behind here!" said Leo as he motioned Prue and Piper behind a wall. Prue stuck her head out from behind the wall.

"There's Phoebe!" said Prue excitedly. "Crouched behind that rock."

"Who's the other demon?" asked Piper.

"I think it's Cole," said Prue.

"Shax," said Cole, as Belthazor. "Before you do anything, just hear me out. I know I've strayed, but I'm back now, and I'm badder than ever. Let's go get that witch!"

"It's too late, Belthazor," said Shax, as he hurled an energy ball at Cole. Cole flew against the wall of the cave, and then crashed down hard to the ground. As he laid there motionless, he changed back into his human form.

"Cole!" screamed Phoebe as she ran out from her hiding place. She ran to Cole's side, and lifted his head onto her lap. "Cole, please wake up!" said Phoebe through her sobs.

"You stupid little witch," said Shax with a laugh. "He's dead. Just like your sisters. And now it's your turn." Just as he raised his arm to throw, Prue and Piper came out of nowhere.

"Miss us?" said Prue.

"What?!" growled Shax. "That's not possible!"

"You really can't mess with sisters," said Piper with a smirk. Realizing that he was no match for all three of the Charmed Ones, Shax vanished.

"That's not the last we'll see of him," said Leo. Prue and Piper rushed over to Phoebe.

"Phoebs, are you okay?" said Prue.

"I'm okay," Phoebe said quietly. "But Cole's not." Tears continued to stream down her face. Prue and Piper looked at Phoebe sympathetically and pulled her into a hug. She rested her head on their shoulders, and they held her as she cried.

--

Since it was the middle of the night, and everyone was tired, Leo and the girls decided that they should get some rest and they would talk things over in the morning. Piper and Leo headed up first to their bedroom. As Phoebe made her way towards the stairs, Prue stopped her."Phoebe wait," called Prue. Phoebe stopped, and turned around to face her sister.

"Yeah?" Phoebe asked. Prue could tell that she was trying not to let her inner pain be heard in her voice. She was not succeeding.

"I know that I wasn't exactly Cole's biggest fan," said Prue. "But I want you to know that I really am sorry. I know how much you loved him. And how much he loved you. And no one deserves to have that taken away from them. Especially not my little sister." Prue reached out and grabbed Phoebe's hand. "When I lost Andy, I thought my world was coming to an end. I didn't think I could make it through another day. But Andy died nobly. By dying, he saved my life. Just like Cole died to save yours. Knowing that is what got me through. It'll get easier, sis. I promise." Prue gave Phoebe a sad smile.

Phoebe eyes were filled with tears. "Thanks Prue," said Phoebe as the tears began to stream down her face.

Prue reached her hand out and wiped away Phoebe's tears. Then the two hugged each other tight. "Prue, I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you or Piper," said Phoebe, still locked in Prue's grasp. "Thank God for Leo."

The next morning the manor was quiet. Everyone's emotions were still reeling from the events of the previous night, but they tried not to dwell on what could have happened. Prue was the first one up, as always, and she sat down at the kitchen table drinking coffee and just thinking. She was glad that she and Piper had decided to stay home from work today. All she wanted to do was stay home and spend some time with her sisters. It was strange to think that they had almost died last night. There had been some pretty close calls before, but none as close as this. At least we're all still alive.

Piper and Leo walked into the kitchen, with Phoebe not far behind. Some idle chit chat was exchanged, but no one mentioned anything about the previous night. When all were seated, eating breakfast, Leo was the first to address the matter.
"I know no one really wants to talk about this," said Leo, "but I think we need to.

Prue and Piper almost didn't make it last night. And who knows what could have happened to Phoebe if Shax hadn't been scared off."

"Leo, we know," said Piper, looking down.

"I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put it so bluntly…but we have to realize that Shax will be back."

"Yeah, but this time I'll be here with my sisters," said Phoebe, feeling guilty that she wasn't there last time.

"Yeah, we're stronger together," Prue stated.

"I know," said Leo. "But Shax knows that too. He'll do whatever he can to split you up. That's what he did yesterday, and it almost worked."

"Well this time, we'll be ready for him," said Prue. "We'll show him what a big mistake it was for him to mess with us."

"You failed, didn't you," said the Source coldly. Shax hesistated, then sighed.

"Yes, my lord, but I will not fail again. I'll get those witches if it's the last thing I do."

"Yes, you will," said the Source. "But there's one thing you have to do first."

"My lord?" questioned Shax. "What is it?"

"I have recently come to discover that there is another sister. Another Charmed One," the Source growled in anger.

"There's no way I can go up against four of them," whined Shax.

"Don't interrupt me!" yelled the Source. "Fool, don't you think I know that? It would be pure suicide. But lucky for you, this fourth sister doesn't know she's a Charmed One. And as far as I know, the other three don't know of her existence. That is why you need to take her out first. We can't risk them finding her, and her joining them. Then they truly would be unstoppable. Get her first, and then we'll concentrate on taking out her sisters."

"Yes, Master," said Shax.

"She should be easy prey for you," said the Source. "She doesn't know of her magical abilities."

"Consider it done," said Shax with a wry smile.