Prue's been kind of a wallflower of a character up until season two. She's been sweet, quiet, dedicated, optimistic, and she puts the needs of others over her own. Come her parents' divorce in season two, though, Prue's life is turned upside-down. Everything she knew--her security, her family, her identity--it all feels like it's pulled out from under her. She's lost and vulnerable, but she tries to keep it close to the vest, determined to preserve her independence and protect what little is left of her sense of self.
She doesn't dress in bright colours anymore. She doesn't carry herself well. She chopped her hair. She stopped doing well in school. But no one notices. Her parents are split off to their own thing. Her siblings are split up, too, the elder to take care of her father, the younger to be with her mother. And Prue? She's in the void. She ends up staying with friends a lot. She starts crashing with a lousy crowd. She takes up with a school bum named Mutt. Prue can't see it eating away at what's left of her--not that she feels especially deserving of better--and she can't let her friends in to help.
It's only during a trip to the astralverse--a parallel, zodiac-themed magical realm accessible through the light of a full moon--that it comes to a head. Again, her friends try to broach the issue, try to break through her shell one more time. Again, Prue is defensive, but now it starts boiling up. They press, she defends. They care, she doesn't feel worth caring for. Her emotions spike. All of her anger and hurt start spilling over. As she yells, group leader Zody notices a crackling from the moon portal. The velvet, shimmery light starts sparking and spitting. It's like it's been…electrified?
Tears start coming--something Prue hasn't let come in a long time. Something she refuses to bear. She tries to hold them back, deciding to rage instead. Rage is easier. Her emotions surge, and a deafening crack comes from the moon portal. Bolts of lightning erupt and empty into the sky with a bright flash and a blast that knocks the teens off their feet.
…and then, all is black.
The dark stillness is cut only by soft cries. When the shadows lift and the portal glows slightly, we see Prue crumpled over, her friends at her side, tears finally falling to the ground.
