Copyright: I don't own anything having to do with Charmed.
Summary: Cole comes back once again after the baby is born, but can the Charmed Ones deal with him now that they have a child to look after? More to the point, does Cole really need dealing with this time? May include the return of another character who was sent to an early grave.
Prologue
Billowing white robes frame the figures of beings walking on a silver path. They enter a domed area, the pillars looking as though they are made of clouds. The rest of the scenery is also framed in white, with a sort of mist drifting around that makes it difficult to see clearly. Six of the hooded figures sit around a stone table. Only the lower halves of their faces are visible, and their jaws are set in grave expressions.
One of them cleared his throat and began to speak in a voice that carries age and power that no mortal soul could comprehend.
"I have asked all of you to come because there is an issue concerning the Charmed Ones that can no longer be ignored." A low murmur went through the seated individuals, and the one who spoke waited for it to quiet before he continued. "You all know of the trouble that the demon caused the Charmed Ones before. He surpassed even the Source in the amount of danger he represented to them, and he has made many attempts on their lives in the past. However, he has also saved them when we all believed that he would let them die. My colleagues and I believe that he should be given another chance." At these words, several of the white figures stood, their voices angrily clashing together, protesting what the speaker had proposed.
"You cannot be suggesting that we send the demon back to Earth? The Avatars who offered him power nearly ruined all we have worked for! His 'love' for the witch would have brought about the Apocalypse! And now, now that he is finally out of the way, you want to bring him back?!? It's preposterous!"
There were noises of agreement with the man who spoke against the first figure, and a few others stood up to argue. Before the exchange became too heated, the first speaker raised his hand, calling for silence. The group obliged him, and he began to speak once more. None of those gathered noticed the young woman who stood beside one of the pillars, her brow furrowed as she listened to them.
"I am no fool, Abraham, and you well know that. I would not hold with sending the demon back as he was, not with all of his powers. But if we were to bring him back as a mortal, to strip him entirely of any Dark energies he might use to fight the Charmed Ones, then we would be left with a man who truly does love the witch. You all can feel his grief in the Underworld, even in death.
You were all against the marriage of the Charmed One to one of our own Whitelighters, but because you had sense enough to let true love prevail, we now have a child who will ensure the future of Earth. I am asking you to place your trust in love once more, because we may lose the girl if we don't act. She's hiding it well from her siblings, but the way she shuts out emotion concerning the demon will eat at her until there is nothing left. We must bring him back." Voices began to speak once more, arguing, debating, bickering. The young woman who had watched silently coughed, and the group turned to look at her in surprise. The man who had spoken smiled warmly at her, beckoning her closer. "Ah, Prudence. How long have you been listening to our arguments?"
The woman did not return his smile, brushing the folds of her white clothing back before she spoke. "Long enough."
The figure's smile did not fade as he spoke softly. "Then you know the importance of what we are discussing. I do not know if we will be able to reach a decision; you are a Charmed One as well, their sister, and with the Council's permission I would like to let you decide. After all, you have dealt first-hand with this demon, both in his worst and best times."
The other Elders nodded their agreement, and Prudence Halliwell, was silent for some time. Memories flashed before her eyes, memories of her sisters, and of him. In one, he held an athame, in his demonic form. In another, he held Phoebe, love practically glowing around him. It was a hard choice to make, but she had felt Phoebe's pain, though she claimed to feel nothing. The truth was, Phoebe felt nothing because she was shutting everything out. Her love for the demon certainly had lessened, diminished, but it was still there. She would never be rid of it, and Prue could tell that it would rip her sister apart if she could not accept that. And if he was sent back as mortal, without powers to harm the Charmed Ones.
"Send him back, as a mortal." Her words were quiet, but firm. One by one, the Council members nodded, and the leader figure smiled once more.
"Very well," Walking over to a glass sphere that seemed clouded with mists and shadows, he spoke in a commanding voice. "We are taking possession of Cole Turner; he is no longer your charge. Bring him to us."
-End Prologue
Summary: Cole comes back once again after the baby is born, but can the Charmed Ones deal with him now that they have a child to look after? More to the point, does Cole really need dealing with this time? May include the return of another character who was sent to an early grave.
Prologue
Billowing white robes frame the figures of beings walking on a silver path. They enter a domed area, the pillars looking as though they are made of clouds. The rest of the scenery is also framed in white, with a sort of mist drifting around that makes it difficult to see clearly. Six of the hooded figures sit around a stone table. Only the lower halves of their faces are visible, and their jaws are set in grave expressions.
One of them cleared his throat and began to speak in a voice that carries age and power that no mortal soul could comprehend.
"I have asked all of you to come because there is an issue concerning the Charmed Ones that can no longer be ignored." A low murmur went through the seated individuals, and the one who spoke waited for it to quiet before he continued. "You all know of the trouble that the demon caused the Charmed Ones before. He surpassed even the Source in the amount of danger he represented to them, and he has made many attempts on their lives in the past. However, he has also saved them when we all believed that he would let them die. My colleagues and I believe that he should be given another chance." At these words, several of the white figures stood, their voices angrily clashing together, protesting what the speaker had proposed.
"You cannot be suggesting that we send the demon back to Earth? The Avatars who offered him power nearly ruined all we have worked for! His 'love' for the witch would have brought about the Apocalypse! And now, now that he is finally out of the way, you want to bring him back?!? It's preposterous!"
There were noises of agreement with the man who spoke against the first figure, and a few others stood up to argue. Before the exchange became too heated, the first speaker raised his hand, calling for silence. The group obliged him, and he began to speak once more. None of those gathered noticed the young woman who stood beside one of the pillars, her brow furrowed as she listened to them.
"I am no fool, Abraham, and you well know that. I would not hold with sending the demon back as he was, not with all of his powers. But if we were to bring him back as a mortal, to strip him entirely of any Dark energies he might use to fight the Charmed Ones, then we would be left with a man who truly does love the witch. You all can feel his grief in the Underworld, even in death.
You were all against the marriage of the Charmed One to one of our own Whitelighters, but because you had sense enough to let true love prevail, we now have a child who will ensure the future of Earth. I am asking you to place your trust in love once more, because we may lose the girl if we don't act. She's hiding it well from her siblings, but the way she shuts out emotion concerning the demon will eat at her until there is nothing left. We must bring him back." Voices began to speak once more, arguing, debating, bickering. The young woman who had watched silently coughed, and the group turned to look at her in surprise. The man who had spoken smiled warmly at her, beckoning her closer. "Ah, Prudence. How long have you been listening to our arguments?"
The woman did not return his smile, brushing the folds of her white clothing back before she spoke. "Long enough."
The figure's smile did not fade as he spoke softly. "Then you know the importance of what we are discussing. I do not know if we will be able to reach a decision; you are a Charmed One as well, their sister, and with the Council's permission I would like to let you decide. After all, you have dealt first-hand with this demon, both in his worst and best times."
The other Elders nodded their agreement, and Prudence Halliwell, was silent for some time. Memories flashed before her eyes, memories of her sisters, and of him. In one, he held an athame, in his demonic form. In another, he held Phoebe, love practically glowing around him. It was a hard choice to make, but she had felt Phoebe's pain, though she claimed to feel nothing. The truth was, Phoebe felt nothing because she was shutting everything out. Her love for the demon certainly had lessened, diminished, but it was still there. She would never be rid of it, and Prue could tell that it would rip her sister apart if she could not accept that. And if he was sent back as mortal, without powers to harm the Charmed Ones.
"Send him back, as a mortal." Her words were quiet, but firm. One by one, the Council members nodded, and the leader figure smiled once more.
"Very well," Walking over to a glass sphere that seemed clouded with mists and shadows, he spoke in a commanding voice. "We are taking possession of Cole Turner; he is no longer your charge. Bring him to us."
-End Prologue