Phoebe and Piper grabbed hold of Paige as the Charmed Ones were lifted up and thrown apart by the onrushing tidal wave of incomming souls. Piper saw faces that she recognised from P3, Phoebe’s empathic powers had her feel the confusion and pain of Luna’s victims and Paige had to suffer the worst fate of all. For it was her orbing power that allowed Luna to capture the souls and harvest them at a distance. And with such a momentus drain on the whitelighter’s power Paige felt every soul surging through her own body. Once or twice her sisters were forced to grab hold of each other to prevent Paige’s essence from dimming into the shadows with the forgotten souls.
When Billie came to the blue and white polypropylene prison was gone and she was once again in her cot at the manor. Her diapers felt grimy and used, much to Billie’s chagrin, and Billie could feel the egg sized lump on the side of her head pushing through her hair. Shrugging off her discomfort the young witch pulled herself onto her diapered rear and began to work on a healing spell. There was no use in being half cocked today she decided it was better to be ready to go than not.
As the healing spell drew to its conclusion Billie heard excited little voices from outside her door. Obviously Billie knew that inside the mansion she was a good as a baby because this was the Charmed Ones power base which meant that Luna’s stolen powers would also be at their maximum here. The door was flung open and Billie watched as the Tormentors, back in their little girl forms, rushed in followed by Luna who was smiling her wicked smile.
Billie then found the cot spun upside down and she was dumped onto the floor. The Tormentors then grabbed her by the sleeper’s neck and dragged her off to the bathroom all the while followed by a supreme looking Luna. Billie was stripped of the sleeper and made to stand in the bathtub in nothing but her diapers. The shower nossle hissed to life beside Billie and as the Tormentors grabbed and pulled at the young witch in the pretense to be washing her all the water that hit Billie’s torso began to drip down her body and into the young witch’s diapers. As the initial blast of icey water turned to a more pleasant heat Billie could feel her inner diapers beginning to leak into the outer ones. Of course this was invisible to the watching demons as Billie was never held in one position long enough for her leaking diapers to be noted although the taunts from the Tormentors showed that they at least knew that her diapers were swelling with the water. With soap in her eyes, her hair pulled into tangles and reddening skin from where she had been pushed and pulled Billie was in no fit shape to fight off the Tormentors but suddenly they stopped leaving Billie to stand upright again and find herself face to face with Luna.
“Not bad girls but babies need to be cleaned everywhere.” Luna commented. As if on cue the sodden mass of diapers around Billie’s waist finally gave up and the plastic mess fell. Hitting the tub with a wet thud Billie stood helplessly naked in front of the demons. “Now do you see where you missed?” Luna asked. Billie found herself frozen as Luna clicked her fingers for a rag. One of the Tormentors, Billie didn’t see which as she had closed her eyes by this point, handed Luna the rag and the demon began to wash Billie’s most private areas. Not daring to open her eyes until Luna was finished Billie just chewed her lip to prevent the tears from coming. “Now I’ll need your help to get our little baby ready. I need someone to get breakfast, someone to look out Junior’s clothes for today and somebody else to pack her diaper bag. Do you think you can manage that?” Luna asked. Billie heard three postive replies and was suddenly alone with the Luna.
“Why are you doing this to me?” Billie dared to ask. She need the information but had been afraid up-till-now of the consequences of asking.
“It may surprise you to know that not all of my powers come from the Charmed Ones.” Luna stated flatly. “And unlike you witches who have a fixed power base some demons require outside influences for power. For example my Tormentors, as their name suggests, are fuelled by negative emotions. Other powers come from different sources so to me you are just a great big well of power.” Luna cooed the last few words of the sentence as she orbed Billie back into the nursery.
Lying on her back and once again strapped to the changing mat Billie watched as Luna passed her wand over her drying her instantly. Without touching the young witch Luna began to orb diapers onto Billie who could only struggle as diaper after diaper adorned her waist. However as the forth and final diaper appeared over Billie’s swollen midsection she realised that these weren’t the overgrown Convertables she had been forced to accept as the norm. Instead of the usual white cloth-like covering these diapers where plastic backed and crinkly. The cartoon designs weren’t those of trains and jack-in-the-boxes but they were all witch based with wands, black cats and pointy hats. The diapers were also fastened by three sets of tapes each one a different colour, a bright pink, yellow and orange respectively, and they weren’t resealable. Apparently Billie was in these diapers until she really had to come out of them. Unbeknownst to the young witch each diaper proudly displayed Billie’s name in an upwards arch across her backside.
As the Tormentor in the soccer shirt entered the room Luna orbed Billie into a standing postion as she inspected the outfit that the Tormentor had selected. Nodding and clucking her approval Luna began to orb the clothing around Billie. The white Telletubbies T-Shirt around Billie pressed her chest down and didn’t cover the top of her navel fully exposing the witch patterned waistband of Billie’s diapers. However both garments where covered by the pink cordory shortalls. Althought Billie guessed that the widely spaced snaps would reveal a lot of her diapers if they were ever to be used.
Finding herself being dragged downstairs Billie tried not to fuss about her lack of shoes or the fact that her hair had once again been left to hang in ragtails. As she stumbled downstairs the young witch could really aprreciate the difference between these diapers and the ones she had been forced to get used to. The deep wide crotch signalled that these diapers could hold a lot and instead of the quiet rustling of the other diapers Billie’s movements where accompanied by a loud plastic crinkle, like that of a plastic bag, with every waddling step she took. She really shouldn’t have worried about her lack of shoes though because as she found herself dumped in the overgrown highchair and strapped in Billie watched as two Tormentors approached her brandishing white strappy sandals and some blue ribbon for her hair. As Billie’s toes were pointed into the sandals and her hair was combed into childish pigtails the young witch could only watch in horror as an overful bowl of Cheerios placed on the tray in front of her. With no spoon forthcoming Billie sat patiently as Luna approached with the racing car shaped one that Piper had used on the boys.
“Now come on Junior open up the garage for the racing car.” Luna taunted. Billie didn’t need to be warned. One way or another she would have been forced to eat the meal so she did it with quiet dedication making sure not to spill any of the ceral as Luna hadn’t provided her with a bib. “Such a big girl now aren’t we?” Luna cooed. “You didn’t even need a bib anymore. Maybe you’ll grow out of diapers soon.” Luna laughed. Billie found her stomach cramping and she was sure she was about to mess herself. “Maybe not.” Luna smiled. As the demon turned away she picked up the diaper bag. “We’re good to go? Excellent. Let’s get in the car then.”
As she was orbed into the car seat Billie felt her stomach twist again. Luna had given her no clues as to where the demon was taking her. ‘At the very least she’ll be away from the manor.’ Thought Billie as the engine started and Billie’s seat began to gently vibrate with the engine revs. Of course any chance Billie had of having a quiet trip was taken away from her by the three Tormentors sitting in the back of the car and as the pacifier was forced between Billie’s lips the Tormentors began to try and tickle their captive with their claws.
Piper and Paige had been deep in thought as to how they could help Billie since the last onslaught of souls had entered the space. Strangely sleep and eating held no meaning in this place but that was of little consolation at the moment. Phoebe however had gained a large insight into how Luna’s, and especially her wand’s, powers worked. It was because of this insight that she had been interrogating Grondas for the last five hours straight.
“You still have answered my question.” Phoebe stated.
“I thought I did.” Grondas countered.
“Honestly.” Phoebe frowned.
“Oh what the hell its not like you can vanquish me here.” Grondas stated. “So my powers come from the Tormentors. As their name suggests they feed off negative emotions. They can take any form they choose or whoever they listen to tells them to. They’re really quite smart and they have the ability to heal each other by merging. When they do this they also become more powerful.”
“They sound pretty lethal. How come you haven’t tried to take over the world.” Phoebe questioned.
“Because they are really bad.” Grondas moped. “If they become too powerful then you can’t control them. They’re smart enough to work by themselves or in packs and once they’re out you either have to have enough power to call them back or you destroy them.”
“And?”
“Well say I was to go and try and take over a big city. The Tormentors get more powerful. Lot’s of people lot’s of power. They get stronger. Too strong for me to call them back. Now I’m the only one who knows how to stop them or could theoretically do. So they turn on me. What powers do I have to get rid of them? Make more Tormentors. Now they will compete against each other for power but in that situation I’m willing to bet their smart enough to merge with each other. Meaning I can’t do a damn thing to stop them.”
“So effectively you couldn’t stop your powers.”
“No. No I couldn’t you happy now.” Grondas sulked. “This is why I don’t try and take over and everybody knows it. I’m a laughing stock, even amongst vanquished demons.”
Phoebe looked at Grondas for a while. The silience between them making the fat demon uncomfortable.
“What you thinking?” Grondas asked nervously.
“How would you like to become a legend in the pit?” Phoebe asked.
“Yeah sure. The Charmed Ones helping a demon.” Grondas snorted.
“Think about it.” Phoebe said before floating away to confer with her sisters.
Billie watched the city roll by. When the car finally stopped at its destination Billie recognized it as one of the parks way across town. Billie wondered why she had been taken here but as she was orbed beside the car, Luna preferring this to actually trying to lift the young witch out of the car seat. As the Tormentors piled out of the car Billie found her hand tightly grasped by Luna. Looking up at the demon Billie received a warning glance and with a sigh allowed herself to be dragged into the park.
Clearly when Luna had been absorbing souls she had also be gleaning information as when Billie rounded the hedge row into the park she saw a brand new play structure waiting for her. In fact it wasn’t just one play structure there were three. Each one was designed for different ages and had a large sandpit surrounding it to prevent any trips or falls from skinning knees. The play structures themselves where made of bright plastics and clear plexiglass allowing for excellent visibility for the watching parents who could sit on the large benches or even the grass in front of the sandpits. Billie watched as she saw a couple of volunteers who were clearly responsible for ensuring that the sugar-fuelled overexcited children remained on the correct play structure remove shoes and help children find they’re feet. Ironically Billie felt comforted by this. There was no way the Luna could claim that Billie was of the right age even for the oldest play structure as she was just too big.
The world seamed to draw to an eerie quiet as Billie approached the play structure for the children 3 and under. As Billie looked around at the people who were now frozen in place she stared back at Luna and her Tormentors.
“And I bet you thought you were too big to play with the other babies.” Luna smiled as she slapped a daisy sticker on the front pocket of Billie’s pink shortalls.
As soon as the sticker hit Billie’s shortalls the young witch found her shoulders being squeezed by the straps of her shortalls. The straps began to apply constant pressure across her shoulder blades and as Billie lifted her arms to try and pull the straps away from her the young witch felt like her chest was being squeezed in a vice. The whole outfit was slowly compressing on itself and for once Billie was glad of her thick diapers provided her with some protection from the crushing pressure. As the ridiculous outfit began to compress on Billie’s lungs and other vital organs in her chest Billie found it difficult to breathe. Dropping onto all fours Billie squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated on breathing. Feeling the oxygen burning in her throat Billie spat out the pacifier and began to wail. With the lack of oxygen her vision swam as the world around her began to feel bigger. Clearly the lack of oxygen was affecting her brain because it appeared that Luna’s legs where getting bigger and thicker.
Shutting her eyes again Billie concentrated on keeping her heart nournished with oxygen. There was no chance of conjuring a countering spell the pain was too intense. Eventually it subsided and Billie dared to open her eyes and look up at Luna. Only now she had a long way to look up. As the world around her became unfrozen Billie found out what it was like to be to the size of a small infant. Running her hands along her body Billie realised that she hadn’t actually been transformed into a baby. Instead she had just been “scaled down” in the reverse process than what happened to the diapers she was put in.
Billie then found herself scooped up by Luna who smiled at the blinking girl who was clearly trying to accept the difference between what she had been looking at before she was frozen and now what she was being presented with. As Luna approached the girl shook her head and her smile returned. Taking the frozen Billie from Luna’s arms she quickly removed the shrunken witch’s sandals and set her down on her feet. Billie took a couple of waddling steps away from Luna, then spying a gap in the plastic structure began to charge towards it. Even if she was shrunk Billie hoped that she might be out of range enough to escape the demon.
The gap, Billie realised was a gate and as her tiny legs powered her towards it her escape route was shut off as another one of the supervising girls re-entered the play area. Finding herself stranded in the middle of the sandpit Billie suddenly felt very alone and very small. It was then she heard footsteps on the warm sand behind her. Turning around Billie realised that whilst she might be the oldest girl in the play area she certainly wasn’t the biggest. Towering head and shoulders above her was round three year old girl in a white summer dress with yellow trim, dirty yellow hair and a malicious smile on her face.
“Look at the little baby.” The girl boomed. Even her voice was bigger than Billie. “Aren’t you cute?” She smiled leaning forward so she could stare at Billie with her piggy little eyes.
Her silver eyes. ‘She’s a Tormentor.’ Billie thought.
“I’m Bertha.” The girl boomed again. “I want you to be my friend.”
Gritting her teeth around the pacifier BIllie sensed she really had no choice. This girl was huge. “Ok.” She gurgled around her pacifier.
“You talk silly.” Bertha giggled placing her massive hand on Billie’s back and pushing her onwards.
Taking Billie to an abandoned corner of the sandpit Bertha presented the young witch with a bucket and spade. Seeing that she had no real choice Billie took the bucket and began diligently filling it with sand.
“No, no, no.” Bertha began. “Your doing it all wrong.” She finished picking up the bucket. Placing one of her massive hands on Billie’s back she pushed the young witch’s face into the sand. Flipping Billie over, who found herself pinned by the tight shortalls and the larger girl’s size, Bertha reached for the snaps on Billie’s crotch. Squirming to no avail Billie found her diapers revealed to the larger girl who’s sausage-like fingers deftly flicked the shrunked witch back onto her front. Feeling the rear of her diapers move away from the small of her back Billie continued to try and struggle without any success. As the sand began to flow down on over her exposed skin like a fluid Billie just lay still and accepted it. Once the bucket was empty Billie offered no resistance as Bertha picked her up and refastened the snaps of Billie’s shortalls.
“Do it properly.” Bertha ordered.
Billie stared at the Tormentor with hate filled eyes. Picking up her shovel once again she began to dig into the sand again. Bertha sighed and moved back towards Billie. Not to be caught by the same trick twice Billie took the spade and hurled it at Bertha’s face blinding her with sand. Dropping the spade Billie then turned and sprinted towards the play structure.
The sand shifted quickly in the back of Billie’s diapers working its way around her skin irritating it. The plastic of the diapers made them uncomfortable and clammy but the young witch simply ignored this and powered on to the play structure. Skidding onto the first level of the structure Billie immiediately headed up the nearest ladder, her diapers swaying as she climbed up to a vantage position from where she could watch for Bertha and any other Tormentors.