CHARMED
"Epitaph For A Demon"
By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. NoAzMale) and Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. K+
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "Knight To Remember" and "Brain Drain".)
The Brotherhood of the Thorn hatches a plan to get Cole back and destroy the Charmed Ones in the process.
ONE
Teltrick watched as three other demons entered the chamber. He knew all of them intimately. Most of them he had served with for many decades. As members of the Brotherhood of the Thorn they trusted each other implicitly. More so than most other demons trusted anyone.
The three demons were the new hierarchy in the Brotherhood. With Raynor vanquished the entire Brotherhood had decided it was time for new leadership. Most had not agreed with Raynor's decision to use the soul of Belthazor's father against him. For most, it had violated the very core of what the Brotherhood stood for.
The first demon was Kempac. He had been one of the original members of the Brotherhood. Most of the original members had long ago been vanquished. But Kempac, with only a few others, had survived.
The second demon was Nelsar. Although not as old as either Kempac or Teltrick, he was one of the most senior in the Brotherhood. His specialty was tracking rouge demons. And he was very good at it.
The third and final demon was Baldasor. The youngest of the four demons he was one of the most powerful. He had belonged to the Brotherhood for only about two hundred years but in that time most of the Brotherhood had come to rely on his wisdom. In this instance his advice would be doubly necessary.
"It is decided," said Kempac. "None spoke against the selection. Congratulations, Teltrick. You are now leader of the Brotherhood of the Thorn."
"Good," said Teltrick. "Kempac, I choose you as my second-in-command. Baldasor, I choose you as the official advisor. Inform the others immediately. After the recent debacle it is important that we remove the stain which Raynor has placed on the Brotherhood."
"We are agreed," said Nelsar. "There was no honor in what Raynor did. We have discussed it and the entire Brotherhood is in agreement. Belthazor was justified in vanquishing Raynor. Raynor dishonored the name of the Brotherhood of the Thorn when he resorted to subterfuge and extortion. A brother should never be treated in such a manor by another brother."
"Agreed," said Teltrick. "The question is the best way to remove that dishonor. To restore the honor of the Brotherhood."
"I believe I have an idea," said Baldasor. "Raynor's disgrace was caused because he tried to bring Belthazor back into the fold. Only he chose to do so in a way that I could have told him would never work."
"Why not?" questioned Kempac. "Under other circumstances I might have agreed with Raynor. Using the soul of a human to force a specified course of action. It is a most ingenious way to control someone else."
"Not my brother," said Baldasor. "You don't understand him as I do. Although he suppressed his human half for more than a century, he is still half human. His kinship to his father is more pronounced than that of any demon. And his desire to protect his father, even his father's soul, is as pronounced as any human. Using the soul in that way Raynor was simply inviting disaster. In the end he could only loose. And you are all fully aware of how vengeful Belthazor can be. That has not changed even if he has become good."
"You implied there was a way to bring him back to the Brotherhood," said Teltrick. "Perhaps a way that does not risk enraging him against us further?"
"That would be hard to determine," said Baldasor. "Belthazor has always been extremely emotional. It is his human half. I think that no matter what we do we risk angering him further. That's because the only way to bring him back to us is to destroy the love between him and his witch."
"Raynor tried that," said Nelsar. "And he was vanquished for his trouble. If we try to do that we could risk the same fate. Belthazor is a most formidable opponent."
"That he is," said Baldasor. "But Raynor made one mistake. He tried to force my brother to destroy that love by forcing him to become evil again. That allowed Belthazor to focus his anger on someone else. That is why he vanquished Raynor. What we have to do is turn Belthazor evil without being directly involved."
"I don't understand," said Kempac. "How are we to turn Belthazor evil without being involved? Are you suggesting we use a go-between? Someone not connected to the Brotherhood to force the evil in your brother to resurface?"
"No," said Baldasor. "First, there is no demon who could be trusted fully to accomplish that goal for us. Second, there are few demons with the necessary strength to do so. Third, and most importantly, this is a matter for the Brotherhood alone. It would not be appropriate to involve demons outside the Brotherhood."
"Then what are you suggesting?" asked Teltrick. "You say we can't get help from other demons outside the Brotherhood and we all agree that it would be wrong for the Brotherhood to force him to go against his nature. What's left?"
"The only demon capable of doing it," said Baldasor. "I know my brother. Perhaps even better than he knows himself. And certainly better than any other demon knows him. If we are to bring his evil nature to the surface and restore him to the Brotherhood, there is only one demon who can do that. Belthazor himself. If I'm right – and we are successful – my brother will have no one to blame but himself. And that should be enough to bring him back to us."
"If we are successful at what?" asked Kempac.
"The death of his witch," said Baldasor. "Perhaps the death of all three Charmed Ones."