The Power of Four
Story justification.
Like a lot of Charmed fans, I have always wondered what would happened if Paige had joined the other three sisters to make a Power of Four. Rather than bring Prue back to life, I used a very old Science Fiction trick of alternative timelines i.e. see Star Trek (all of them!), Babylon 5 and many others.
I chose this to happen at the end of 'Power Outage' as this provides a good excuse (make Cole fail to kill the Triad this time) which means I can use the Angel of Destiny to provide the new plot line at the start of 'Sleuthing with the Enemy'.
Cole and the Triad
Previous in "Power Outage"
Phoebe, in answer to Prue's comment about Cole said "I still can't figure that guy out but I will".
Summoned by the Triad, a wounded and weak Cole, appeared in a burst of flame and fell into the mist covered circle. Only to find himself surrounded by the three red robed, black eyed demons that made up the Triad. Holding his side and trying to stand up straight, Cole found himself barely able to stand. The wound in his side continued to drain his strength, and the pain made it more difficult to concentrate.
Mentally cursing the Charmed Ones and Piper in particular, Cole tried to concentrate. The Triad had summoned him for one reason and one reason only, to kill him for his failure. Any weakness shown now, would result in his instant destruction and he had only one chance left to him.
"I warned you Belthazar, I warned you what would happen if you failed us" came from the Triad member on his left. "He's done more than fail us, he's betrayed us, you have betrayed the Source" intoned the Triad member behind Cole. From the first "You have shown sympathy for the witches". "and wasted a golden opportunity" the third triad demon finished.
After a short pause the third Triad member generated a large fire ball and with a satisfied menace in his voice said "You are allowed one final statement" in a clipped, almost mechanical voice. Concentrating with all his might, Cole said "I've got nothing to say" and then after a short pause to gather his strength "Except this", he pulled the athame from where he had hid it and threw it at the Triad member holding the fireball. Twisting with unexpected speed the demon dodged the knife but fell sideways out of the circle, dropping the fireball and giving Cole one more chance.
In his weakened condition, killing the Triad was no longer an option, only the knife could have killed the demon and weakened the other two. Which would have given Cole his only chance to kill them with his powers. Since he missed and the Triad's power of three was still intact, Cole now had only one choice and he took it.
Shimmering out, Cole disappeared in a burst of flame.
As the third demon returned to the circle and linked with the others, he said "Belthazar must die before he can contact his witch. If the Charmed Ones join forces with him, the combination of his knowledge and their power will make them far too dangerous to us all."
"Yes intoned" another, "but he is hurt and while they trust the mortal Cole, they will kill Belthazar on sight. We must make sure this happens".
The Making of a Potion
Its early morning and on a table covered with potion ingredients, a very powerful potion is being brewed. Unaware that Belthazar and Cole are one and the same, Prue and Piper are preparing a potion to vanquish Belthazar. Piper jumped as the Mandrake root she has just added, results in a burst of flame from the simmering purple concoction.
"Ok, even if this works we still have to find Belthazar" Piper said as Prue carefully read from the Book of Shadows. "Well I have an idea on how to do that but first things first, Cockles" Prue replied. "Cockles" Piper questioned. "There over by the Crickets" said Prue.
"And what exactly are they" Piper asked. With a quiet grin Prue replied "Small leaping insects that chirp". "Thats funny, I meant the Cockle shells, not the crickets" Piper replied as she throws one of the shells into the potion. This time there is no reaction.
"I'am not really sure, but so long as they vanquish Belthazar, thats all I really care about" said Prue. Piper agreed "It would be nice to get back to our lives, such as they were."
"Pigs feet" Prue added. As Piper looked at the next ingredient "Yuk". Prue "Yuk" ?. "Yuk" Piper agreed with a bad taste look on her face. "So you can slice off a chunk of Demon flesh but you can't touch a pigs foot?" Prue queried. Piper replied "I'am a vegetarian ".
"Since when" from Prue. "Since now" Piper replied holding the tongs and staring straight at Prue.
In reply Prue picked up another set of tongs "Now is not the time to get queasy, OK, this recipe is very important, we have to follow it to a T" as she picked up a pigs foot and dropped it into the potion. A large burst of flame made them both pull back.
"Ooh" said Piper "poor piggy". "Every thing is in there, we only have to get the slice of Belthazar flesh and we are good to go, lets test it" finished Prue. "Phoebes" she called out.
Piper quietly said to Prue "something tells me she's not in the vanquishing mood". "Why not" Prue said as she poked the potion ingredients with a large spoon. Piper replied "she's worried about Cole, she hasn't heard from Cole in over a week".
"And thats a bad thing ?" Prue added. "Prue" queried Piper. Prue straightened "You know, I don't like him and I don't trust him and it has nothing to do with him being a greasy lawyer".
"Greasy what" queried Phoebe as she entered the kitchen. Piper hastily added "Aah greasy layer, there's a greasy layer on this potion". Phoebe quietly looked at Piper with a sad unfocussed look. "Too much mandrake" Prue quickly added as she continued to stir the potion. With a sudden movement, Piper added, "Ok, what do you say we do this incantation"
Looking somewhat more determined, Phoebe said "Anything to get rid of Belthazar before Cole gets back" as the three sisters came together side by side at one end of the table. "and he is coming back" Phoebe continued. With a quiet concerned look exchanged between Prue and Piper. Piper said "OK" and then all three started the incantation.
"Spirits of Air"
"Forest and Sea;"
"set of us this"
"demon free;"
"beasts of hoof"
"and beasts of shell,"
"drive this demon"
"back to hell."
Nothing happened and the potion continues to slowly boil.
"Oh it didn't work" Phoebe added with a concerned look. With quick turn of her head Prue added "No, you forgot the Belthazar flesh". "Oh yes" replied Piper as she turned and headed towards the fridge. "how could we forget the Belthazar flesh" Phoebe added.
"She's such a slacker" Prue joked. "Give me a second lady" replied Piper. Removing the lid and reaching for some tongs, she reached in to grab a piece. "Alright, ready?" said Piper as she dropped the slice into the potion.
The effect was instant, as an explosion of steam and flame burst from the pot, throwing Piper across the kitchen onto her back as she landed on the floor. Alarmed both Prue and Phoebe called out her name as they ran over to help her back on her feet.
"Are you alright". Looking shocked and stunned Piper replied "Aarh, killer pigs feet, remind me to stand back next time. "Imm" muttered Prue in agreement.
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