Degrees of Evil Part 1:
It is morning in the Halliwell manor, two weeks after they vanquished the Seer and most of the High Council. Piper is in the kitchen baking up a storm. As she finishes putting the last touches on a pile of pancakes, Leo orbs in.
"Honey, that smells delicious, let's eat!"
Piper bats his hand as he reaches for the food. "Not yet, honey. This is going to be a family breakfast. We are celebrating my pregnancy, Phoebe's new job, and the end of evil's leaders."
Leo looks unhappy. "I know those are great things to celebrate. But can't we eat now and celebrate later?"
Just then, Phoebe and Paige orb in from upstairs. Phoebe stumbles a bit when they land, and Paige grabs her. "Phoebe, are you okay?"
"Yeah Paige, I'm fine. I just got a little disoriented is all. So, Piper, what's with the spread?"
"We are celebrating life in general, both the new life in me and our lives, free of evil for the moment." Piper remarked.
Phoebe smiled, and said, "As much as I would love to celebrate with you, I'm late for work." As she gets up to leave, Leo's head tilts up. He stands up, and says, "Honey, they're calling."
Piper retorts, "Can't they wait four minutes so we can celebrate?"
"I'm sorry honey, but it sounds important. I have to go." As soon as he has said that, he disappeared in a flash of orbs. Turning, Piper realized that Phoebe was already out the door. "That's the last time I try and be happy," Piper grumbled as she turned to Paige. "And I suppose you have somewhere you have to be?"
Paige smiles, and says, "Nope, I took a vacation day so I could practice my witchcraft. Want to help me?"
Piper smiles, "Sure, I'd love to." *** As Phoebe walked into the office at the Bay Mirror, she found things as hectic as usual. The only difference was, Inspector Morris was waiting for her.
"Darryl, what are you doing here?" Phoebe asked curiously.
Darryl looked around anxiously, and then said, "Phoebe, can we talk somewhere?"
Catching his anxiety, Phoebe walked into her office and said, "Sure, come on in." As soon as Darryl was inside, Phoebe closed the door and turned to him. "It's about my divorce, isn't it? Cole's come back and he's managed to stop it, hasn't he?" Phoebe asked slightly hysterically.
Darryl held up his arms, and said, "Phoebe, relax. I spoke with a judge tomorrow, your divorce papers will be ready for your signature tomorrow."
Phoebe visibly relaxed, and then said, "Then what's wrong?"
Darryl pulled a set of files out of his jacket and said, "This."
Phoebe opened the files and took a look. And then paled. "What's wrong with them?"
Darryl said, "The doctors don't know. They were found like that, comatose and with a pentagram burned into their forehead. No one can figure out what's wrong with them, and we've found almost two dozen."
Phoebe fell into her seat, and said, "My god.do you have any suspects?"
Darryl's face took on a serious note as he said, "None, and we can't even figure out how they were chosen. They didn't know each other, or have any similiarities. The only thing we've found is that half of them were scum of the earth, and the other half were the closest things to saints you'll ever find. That's why we need your help. We are clueless Phoebe, but this has to stop."
Phoebe looked at Darryl and said, "Don't worry, my sisters and I will look into this, and we'll stop this evil." *** Piper and Paige are in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of potions. Piper turns to Paige and says, "So, what do you add to this potion to make a witch-slaying spell?"
Paige thinks about it, and then says, "Pig's feet?" Piper smiles, and says, "Right."
As the two continue to work, Piper remarks to Paige "you know Paige, you've become much more focused on witchcraft lately. What's going on?"
Paige looks at Piper and says, "I just felt that I should take advantage of this break in demon fighting to become stronger. I don't want to waste the time it'll take for the underworld to sort itself out. When they come back, I want to be ready for them." Suddenly, Leo orbs in with a very worried expression on his face.
Piper takes one look at him and says, "Honey, what's wrong?"
Leo looked at her and said, "Three witches have been attacked recently by an unknown demon?"
Paige asked, "Are they dead? What happened?"
"The Elders aren't sure. And no, they're not technically dead."
Piper asked quizzically, "What do you mean 'technically'."
Leo sighed, and said, "They were found in a coma, with a pentagram burned into their foreheads. No one can raise them, and none of our whitelighters can heal it."
"Should we be scared that there is a demonic attack that whitelighters can't heal?" Paige asked with a very worried look on her face.
"Very," Leo replied. "That's why the Elders want you on full alert. They need you to figure out who is doing it, and then destroy him?"
"Don't bother," Phoebe said from the kitchen hallway.
Piper and Paige looked over in surprise at Phoebe. "I thought you had a lot of work to get done?" Piper asked.
"I did, but Darryl stopped by," Phoebe continued, "He told me over two dozen victims have been found, all with marks on their heads and all in comas. I told him we will deal with it, and we will." With that statement, Phoebe headed to the attic.
Piper, Paige and Leo looked at each other, and then they started after her. "Where are you going Phoebe?" Piper called up to her.
"I'm going to cast the spell to bring me to Cole so I can do what I should have done and vanquished him."
"As much as I hate to side with him, what makes you think it is Cole?" Paige shouted as Pheobe reached the attack.
"What other demon could possibly be strong enough to do this? And we know Cole has gained a lot of powers in the Wasteland, who knows what he has to do."
"Phoebe I really think you're jumping the gun here." Piper began.
"Look, I'm going down there whether you help me or not, "Phoebe interrupted. "You can either help me or stay out of my way."
"Alright, we'll help you." Piper said.
"Good, so set up the candles while I find the spell in the Book of Shadows."
With practiced movements, the girls formed the circle of candles, and then Phoebe moved inside of it and began to chant.
Whither My Love Wherever you Be Through time and space Take my heart nearer to Thee.
As Phoebe fell to the ground, already on her way to the Wateland, Paige turned to Piper. "Do you think she's right about Cole?"
"I don't know Paige," Piper responded. "But I think we should take a look in the Book of Shadows, just in case."
"But if Phoebe is wrong," Paige continued insistently, "Wouldn't we be killing the wrong demon?"
"Probably," Piper said gravely, and pointed to Phoebe. "But, I don't think it matters to her anymore. Our evil or not, Phoebe has had enough of Cole."
*** As Phoebe appeared in the demonic wasteland, she staggered slightly, more disoriented than when Paige orbed her downstairs. Fleetingly, Phoebe wondered if she was sick. Teleportation never did this to her before recently. She made a mental note to check with Leo when she got back.
Suddenly remembering where she was, Phoebe tensed, preparing to run from the creature when it appeared. But, there was no movement, or any indication that the creature had been through here recently.
"Cole!" Phoebe shouted, looking around. "Cole, where are you?" Seeing nothing, Pheobe moved up on top of a ledge and looked out into the horizon. As her gaze wandered, seeking Cole among the vast graveyard of bones, Phoebe asked herself if she was really ready to vanquish Cole. Despite everything she had done, Cole was still the love of her life. Death had not changed that. Could she really kill him forever?
"You rang?"
Phoebe spun around, and there he was. He looked much better than the last time she was here. He had shaved, and he had changed into new clothes. He looked more rugged and handsome than she remembered, which was impressive since normally death makes people look worse. Well, it was time to take the offensive.
"I know what you're up to Cole, and my sisters and I won't let you get away with it." Phoebe stated.
Cole's expression didn't change, except for one raised eyebrow. ".I see. And what exactly is it that I have done?"
Phoebe felt anger rising inside her. She knew he was toying with her, like he always did. Lying and manipulating her to get what he wanted. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. What did you do to all those people?"
Cole's expression grew slightly more perplexed as he said, "Phoebe, I don't have a clue what you're talking about. For your information, I have committed no acts, evil or otherwise, on your plane of existence. I haven't been able to leave here long enough to do anything?"
"Why should I believe you?" Phoebe demanded.
"Damn it Phoebe," Cole shouted. "Do you really think I would be down here in this scenic part of Hell if I really could escape from here?"
"I don't know Cole, I never wanted to know how evil thinks."
Cole's face took on a hurt expression for one second, and then a mask was slammed down. His voice took on a chill overtone as he said, "While I didn't exactly expect a warm welcome from you, I had hoped we could at least be civil."
Phoebe face became equally cold as she said, "Cole, give it up. I don't want you to come back, and I don't want to see you ever again. If you really loved me, you'd stay down here and just give up."
Cole face remained impassive as he said, "I will always love you Phoebe. And if it was just you and me, I would avoid you forever if that is what you really want. But, " and Phoebe caught a momentary hesitation as if Cole knew something she didn't, "There are other factors to consider."
Phoebe looked at Cole sadly, "Cole, please, MOVE ON! You would spend an eternity trapped here rather than move on to the afterlife."
Cole smiled as he said, "I won't be down here forever. Even if I can't escape from here on my own, I can find someone to read from the Grimoire and bring me back. I will return to your realm, no matter how long I have to wait."
Phoebe could feel a dark and bitter smile creep on her face as she said, "I'm sorry Cole. That isn't an option."
Cole's face took on a puzzled look as he said, "What do you mean?"
Phoebe could feel her smile widening as she said, "Leo got rid of the Grimoire for us?"
"You mean he hid it somewhere?" Cole asked in desperation.
"Nope, he threw it into a volcano. It is gone forever." Phoebe almost shouted triumphantly. Phoebe stared intently at Cole's face, realizing that a part of her was taking pleasure in forcing Cole to move on. She expected to see many emotions appear on his face, emotions like sadness or anger, or even bitterness. But she was totally unprepared for what happened next.
Cole's wait went deathly pale, and his eyes widened. Suddenly, he reached forward and grabbed her arms. Phoebe tried to shake free, but his grip was too strong.
"Phoebe, if you ever loved or trusted me at all then please, do what I tell you now. Have Leo take you and your sisters as far away from San Francisco as he can. Don't look back, and find somewhere to hide. Please!" And then Cole was gone.
Phoebe looked around in desperation, but he was gone. Just as she felt herself leaving the Wasteland, Phoebe realized what emotion had played across Cole's face.
It was fear.
To Be Continued.
It is morning in the Halliwell manor, two weeks after they vanquished the Seer and most of the High Council. Piper is in the kitchen baking up a storm. As she finishes putting the last touches on a pile of pancakes, Leo orbs in.
"Honey, that smells delicious, let's eat!"
Piper bats his hand as he reaches for the food. "Not yet, honey. This is going to be a family breakfast. We are celebrating my pregnancy, Phoebe's new job, and the end of evil's leaders."
Leo looks unhappy. "I know those are great things to celebrate. But can't we eat now and celebrate later?"
Just then, Phoebe and Paige orb in from upstairs. Phoebe stumbles a bit when they land, and Paige grabs her. "Phoebe, are you okay?"
"Yeah Paige, I'm fine. I just got a little disoriented is all. So, Piper, what's with the spread?"
"We are celebrating life in general, both the new life in me and our lives, free of evil for the moment." Piper remarked.
Phoebe smiled, and said, "As much as I would love to celebrate with you, I'm late for work." As she gets up to leave, Leo's head tilts up. He stands up, and says, "Honey, they're calling."
Piper retorts, "Can't they wait four minutes so we can celebrate?"
"I'm sorry honey, but it sounds important. I have to go." As soon as he has said that, he disappeared in a flash of orbs. Turning, Piper realized that Phoebe was already out the door. "That's the last time I try and be happy," Piper grumbled as she turned to Paige. "And I suppose you have somewhere you have to be?"
Paige smiles, and says, "Nope, I took a vacation day so I could practice my witchcraft. Want to help me?"
Piper smiles, "Sure, I'd love to." *** As Phoebe walked into the office at the Bay Mirror, she found things as hectic as usual. The only difference was, Inspector Morris was waiting for her.
"Darryl, what are you doing here?" Phoebe asked curiously.
Darryl looked around anxiously, and then said, "Phoebe, can we talk somewhere?"
Catching his anxiety, Phoebe walked into her office and said, "Sure, come on in." As soon as Darryl was inside, Phoebe closed the door and turned to him. "It's about my divorce, isn't it? Cole's come back and he's managed to stop it, hasn't he?" Phoebe asked slightly hysterically.
Darryl held up his arms, and said, "Phoebe, relax. I spoke with a judge tomorrow, your divorce papers will be ready for your signature tomorrow."
Phoebe visibly relaxed, and then said, "Then what's wrong?"
Darryl pulled a set of files out of his jacket and said, "This."
Phoebe opened the files and took a look. And then paled. "What's wrong with them?"
Darryl said, "The doctors don't know. They were found like that, comatose and with a pentagram burned into their forehead. No one can figure out what's wrong with them, and we've found almost two dozen."
Phoebe fell into her seat, and said, "My god.do you have any suspects?"
Darryl's face took on a serious note as he said, "None, and we can't even figure out how they were chosen. They didn't know each other, or have any similiarities. The only thing we've found is that half of them were scum of the earth, and the other half were the closest things to saints you'll ever find. That's why we need your help. We are clueless Phoebe, but this has to stop."
Phoebe looked at Darryl and said, "Don't worry, my sisters and I will look into this, and we'll stop this evil." *** Piper and Paige are in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of potions. Piper turns to Paige and says, "So, what do you add to this potion to make a witch-slaying spell?"
Paige thinks about it, and then says, "Pig's feet?" Piper smiles, and says, "Right."
As the two continue to work, Piper remarks to Paige "you know Paige, you've become much more focused on witchcraft lately. What's going on?"
Paige looks at Piper and says, "I just felt that I should take advantage of this break in demon fighting to become stronger. I don't want to waste the time it'll take for the underworld to sort itself out. When they come back, I want to be ready for them." Suddenly, Leo orbs in with a very worried expression on his face.
Piper takes one look at him and says, "Honey, what's wrong?"
Leo looked at her and said, "Three witches have been attacked recently by an unknown demon?"
Paige asked, "Are they dead? What happened?"
"The Elders aren't sure. And no, they're not technically dead."
Piper asked quizzically, "What do you mean 'technically'."
Leo sighed, and said, "They were found in a coma, with a pentagram burned into their foreheads. No one can raise them, and none of our whitelighters can heal it."
"Should we be scared that there is a demonic attack that whitelighters can't heal?" Paige asked with a very worried look on her face.
"Very," Leo replied. "That's why the Elders want you on full alert. They need you to figure out who is doing it, and then destroy him?"
"Don't bother," Phoebe said from the kitchen hallway.
Piper and Paige looked over in surprise at Phoebe. "I thought you had a lot of work to get done?" Piper asked.
"I did, but Darryl stopped by," Phoebe continued, "He told me over two dozen victims have been found, all with marks on their heads and all in comas. I told him we will deal with it, and we will." With that statement, Phoebe headed to the attic.
Piper, Paige and Leo looked at each other, and then they started after her. "Where are you going Phoebe?" Piper called up to her.
"I'm going to cast the spell to bring me to Cole so I can do what I should have done and vanquished him."
"As much as I hate to side with him, what makes you think it is Cole?" Paige shouted as Pheobe reached the attack.
"What other demon could possibly be strong enough to do this? And we know Cole has gained a lot of powers in the Wasteland, who knows what he has to do."
"Phoebe I really think you're jumping the gun here." Piper began.
"Look, I'm going down there whether you help me or not, "Phoebe interrupted. "You can either help me or stay out of my way."
"Alright, we'll help you." Piper said.
"Good, so set up the candles while I find the spell in the Book of Shadows."
With practiced movements, the girls formed the circle of candles, and then Phoebe moved inside of it and began to chant.
Whither My Love Wherever you Be Through time and space Take my heart nearer to Thee.
As Phoebe fell to the ground, already on her way to the Wateland, Paige turned to Piper. "Do you think she's right about Cole?"
"I don't know Paige," Piper responded. "But I think we should take a look in the Book of Shadows, just in case."
"But if Phoebe is wrong," Paige continued insistently, "Wouldn't we be killing the wrong demon?"
"Probably," Piper said gravely, and pointed to Phoebe. "But, I don't think it matters to her anymore. Our evil or not, Phoebe has had enough of Cole."
*** As Phoebe appeared in the demonic wasteland, she staggered slightly, more disoriented than when Paige orbed her downstairs. Fleetingly, Phoebe wondered if she was sick. Teleportation never did this to her before recently. She made a mental note to check with Leo when she got back.
Suddenly remembering where she was, Phoebe tensed, preparing to run from the creature when it appeared. But, there was no movement, or any indication that the creature had been through here recently.
"Cole!" Phoebe shouted, looking around. "Cole, where are you?" Seeing nothing, Pheobe moved up on top of a ledge and looked out into the horizon. As her gaze wandered, seeking Cole among the vast graveyard of bones, Phoebe asked herself if she was really ready to vanquish Cole. Despite everything she had done, Cole was still the love of her life. Death had not changed that. Could she really kill him forever?
"You rang?"
Phoebe spun around, and there he was. He looked much better than the last time she was here. He had shaved, and he had changed into new clothes. He looked more rugged and handsome than she remembered, which was impressive since normally death makes people look worse. Well, it was time to take the offensive.
"I know what you're up to Cole, and my sisters and I won't let you get away with it." Phoebe stated.
Cole's expression didn't change, except for one raised eyebrow. ".I see. And what exactly is it that I have done?"
Phoebe felt anger rising inside her. She knew he was toying with her, like he always did. Lying and manipulating her to get what he wanted. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. What did you do to all those people?"
Cole's expression grew slightly more perplexed as he said, "Phoebe, I don't have a clue what you're talking about. For your information, I have committed no acts, evil or otherwise, on your plane of existence. I haven't been able to leave here long enough to do anything?"
"Why should I believe you?" Phoebe demanded.
"Damn it Phoebe," Cole shouted. "Do you really think I would be down here in this scenic part of Hell if I really could escape from here?"
"I don't know Cole, I never wanted to know how evil thinks."
Cole's face took on a hurt expression for one second, and then a mask was slammed down. His voice took on a chill overtone as he said, "While I didn't exactly expect a warm welcome from you, I had hoped we could at least be civil."
Phoebe face became equally cold as she said, "Cole, give it up. I don't want you to come back, and I don't want to see you ever again. If you really loved me, you'd stay down here and just give up."
Cole face remained impassive as he said, "I will always love you Phoebe. And if it was just you and me, I would avoid you forever if that is what you really want. But, " and Phoebe caught a momentary hesitation as if Cole knew something she didn't, "There are other factors to consider."
Phoebe looked at Cole sadly, "Cole, please, MOVE ON! You would spend an eternity trapped here rather than move on to the afterlife."
Cole smiled as he said, "I won't be down here forever. Even if I can't escape from here on my own, I can find someone to read from the Grimoire and bring me back. I will return to your realm, no matter how long I have to wait."
Phoebe could feel a dark and bitter smile creep on her face as she said, "I'm sorry Cole. That isn't an option."
Cole's face took on a puzzled look as he said, "What do you mean?"
Phoebe could feel her smile widening as she said, "Leo got rid of the Grimoire for us?"
"You mean he hid it somewhere?" Cole asked in desperation.
"Nope, he threw it into a volcano. It is gone forever." Phoebe almost shouted triumphantly. Phoebe stared intently at Cole's face, realizing that a part of her was taking pleasure in forcing Cole to move on. She expected to see many emotions appear on his face, emotions like sadness or anger, or even bitterness. But she was totally unprepared for what happened next.
Cole's wait went deathly pale, and his eyes widened. Suddenly, he reached forward and grabbed her arms. Phoebe tried to shake free, but his grip was too strong.
"Phoebe, if you ever loved or trusted me at all then please, do what I tell you now. Have Leo take you and your sisters as far away from San Francisco as he can. Don't look back, and find somewhere to hide. Please!" And then Cole was gone.
Phoebe looked around in desperation, but he was gone. Just as she felt herself leaving the Wasteland, Phoebe realized what emotion had played across Cole's face.
It was fear.
To Be Continued.