CHAPTER 3: The Gathering Storm
Cole blurred into the Guardian realm feeling as though the weight of the world had been placed on his shoulders.
"What's wrong, Cole?" Katrina asked as she came to him.
Cole sighed. "I just declared war on the Elders."
Katrina paled, but her voice was strong. "It would have happened eventually, you having to face them. It was only a matter of time."
"I know," Cole replied. "We're safe enough here, at least for now, as long as the barriers keep holding. But I can't take on the Elders myself without serious consequences."
****
Michael yawned in exhaustion and turned to go upstairs. The events of the day had taken their toll on him as well as the rest of the family, and right now, he was looking forward to a good night's sleep. However, as he entered the bedroom, a sultry voice startled him. "It's about time," Phoebe said.
Michael flipped on the lights, and gasped at the sight of a naked Phoebe stretched out on her back. "Honey, what..."
"I forgive you, Michael," she said, smiling brightly at him. "Now, come here."
****
"AARGH!" Piper groaned. "They've been at it for three hours straight!" She buried her head under her pillow.
"Can you blame them?" said Leo. "They love each other Piper, and I think right now, they're just trying to reaffirm that. They both had a nasty scare with this Cole situation, and I think they want to put it behind them as soon as possible."
****
Despite his exhaustion from the day before, and the fact that he'd had sex all night long, Michael woke up at 6:00 am. Without making a sound, he crept downstairs and made some coffee. As he stirred some milk into the hot liquid, he thought back to the mental conversation he and Cole had the day before.
'Michael, listen to me,' Cole had said. 'The Elders are going to want you to involve yourself, and I'm going to take steps against such an action. No matter what, stay out of this fight.'
'Absolutely not!' Michael had yelled in response.
'Cousin, LISTEN TO ME! If the Elders think for one moment you're against them, they'll kill you and take your daughter. For her sake and the sake of the rest of the family, stay out of this. Don't make me force you.'
Michael had heard the power in Cole's voice. Reluctantly, he had given in. 'Alright, I'll stay out of it...for now.'
Michael sighed. Cole was going to be involved in probably the largest magical battle in history, and when the time came, Michael would make damn sure that he was there to support his cousin. Suddenly, Michael's ears pricked up at the sounds of the rest of the family coming down the stairs.
"Hi, honey," Phoebe said, wrapping her arms around Michael's waist. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I couldn't sleep," he said, turning in her arms so he could put his around her.
"Something on your mind?" asked Piper as she and Paige walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, actually," Michael said. "Cole wants me to stay out of this all together."
"Why?" Paige asked.
"Him and his arrogant pride," Phoebe growled. "He's going to get himself killed."
"Phoebe, it's not about pride," Michael said firmly. "If I get involved, you can be damn sure the Elders are going to want me dead, and once they get me, they'll come after our daughter."
Phoebe instinctively placed her hands protectively over her belly. "They'd really go that far?" she said softly.
"There really wouldn't be anything to stop them, would there?" he responded. "No matter what, I won't give them an excuse to come after us."
****
Cole and Katrina sat together in the Guardian realm, contemplating what was to come. Cole knew he COULD take on the Elders, an army of Whitelighters and witches by himself. Now he needed to find beings on the side of Good that would support his cause.
Sudden, Cole tensed as he felt someone blur in behind him. He whirled around, energy ball in hand. "Who are you, and how did you get in here?" he demanded.
"Peace, my friend," said the man, smiling slightly. "My name is Trakon, and I am one of the Guardians of the Lopnit realm. I am here to inform you that I and the other Guardians of my realm will support you in your endeavors."
Cole looked into Trakon's eyes, but there was no malice there, only concern and kindness. "What sort of help would you be willing to offer?"
"We would select a portion of our world's magical population, consisting of creatures like gryphons, to assist in combat against the Elders, as well as ourselves," Trakon explained. "News of your plight has spread to several other realms as well, and I am certain that their Guardians will also offer you assistance."
"Far from saying I'm not grateful, but why do you want to help me?" Cole asked.
"We have seen the injustice of the Elders' actions," Trakon said somberly. "They must not be allowed to continue their course. If they succeed, I have no doubt they will become as evil as the demons they fight."
****
"How many Whitelighters have been informed of the situation?" asked Darius.
"We've contacted almost all of them," said Julius, another of the Elders. "However, you know that even will almost all of our Whitelighters and witches poised to fight Cole, he is still all-powerful compared to us."
"Perhaps I can help," said a new voice. The Elders turned to see a man appear in a flash of light. "I am Tyrian, a Guardian of the Ubitoria realm."
"Ubitoria...that's the same realm where these new demons came from," said Darius.
"Yes," Tyrian said. "We feel that this unborn demon brat has committed a great injustice by infecting your realm with evil from ours. Therefore, we are willing to give you any assistance you may need in your future battles."
"I thank you for your offer," said Darius. "This is exactly what we need to defeat Cole."
****
"This is exactly what we need to defeat Good," said Gayneth, rubbing his hands together. The Underworld faction leaders were gathered in a meeting with Tabus and the Ubitoria Council of Evil.
"I agree," said Tabus. "With the side of Good dividing over the issue of Belthazor's unborn child, they are vulnerable to attack."
"We need to choose precisely the right moment," said Nevaros. "Wait until they are in the heat of battle. They will be so preoccupied with fighting each other that they'll never see us coming."
"And then we annihilate them," said Baranas.
"Yes," said Tabus, the other members of the Ubitoria Council nodding their assent. "Gather our troops together. It's time to erase Good once and for all."
****
"Michael, I don't understand," said Phoebe. "WHY do you have to go?"
"Phoebe, Cole is one of the last ties I have to my past besides my mom," said Michael. "And he's more than a cousin to me, he's a brother." Michael had reconsidered what Cole had told him, and had decided to assist him in any way possible.
"But it isn't your fight, Michael," Phoebe pleaded. She was nearly in tears over thinking about what could happen to him if he defied the Elders.
"Yes, it is," Michael said, cupping her cheeks with his hands. "I once promised Cole that I wouldn't let him face eternity alone. Well, I won't let him be alone for this, either. I can't sit on the sidelines and watch him die, if that's the result of my inaction. Damn the Elders and their consequences. I won't let Cole fight this war alone."
Phoebe wrapped her arms around him and held him as tightly as she could. "I'll be waiting here for you when you come back," she said, sniffling. "I love you so much."
Michael kissed her cheek in response. He knew there was a small chance he wouldn't come back alive, but if he was going to die, then it would be for doing the right thing.
****
Cole looked around the vast amphitheater in the Guardian realm with a pleased smile. Trakon had been true to his word. Vast numbers of creatures, including gryphons, sprites, and elves, were gathered with the Guardians of the various realms.
Cole stepped forward from where Katrina sat in a comfortable chair on the stage, and began to speak. "Up until a relatively recent point in my life, I was as bloodthirsty a killer as the demons that have entered my realm. When my human heart was restored, I vowed to atone for the crimes I had committed, even if it meant killing every last demon in the Underworld. However, I have learned that destroying the Underworld's population would not destroy Evil, for it would split off from within Good, and that would be catastrophic. Thus, there must always be a balance between the two, and it is my unborn son's destiny to maintain that balance, but without allowing Evil to come from Good.
"I did not start this war, and if I had the choice, I'd want it never to come. All I want is to live with my family in peace. But the Elders refused to give me that choice. They chose to attack my son without provocation, and now I must act. I did not start this war, but I will win it. Follow me, and let us END THIS!" The crowd in front of him joined in his call to arms, and everyone except Katrina vanished.
****
At the same time, Darius was addressing the entire assembly of Whitelighters and thousands of lower-level witches that had been brought above. Per Cole's warning, the Charmed Ones, Michael, and Leo were noticeably absent from the assembly. In addition, the Guardians of the Ubitoria realm were present as well.
"A grave injustice has befallen our realm," he began. "An unborn child that should have been a light of truth has committed a heinous act of evil and allowed demons from another realm to enter ours, strengthening the Underworld. Such an act must not be tolerated. The other Elders and I are prepared to destroy Cole Turner to insure that his son cannot ascend to his full powers and repeat such evil.
"My friends and my allies, the time to act is now. If we don't, everyone we care about and everything that we hold dear will be ripped from us. We must strike now, while we can. Follow me TO VICTORY!" The assembly echoed his shout, and all orbed out.
****
A red sky sporting frequent flashes of lightning stretched from horizon to horizon in the Crossroads, a dimension long since deserted. The two armies faced each other across a barren field.
Cole's breathing quickened. Although he now detested battle, his body reacted as it had during his days as Belthazor. He had seen many battles in his 120 years of life, and he felt confident that he would live to see another day.
Darius looked at Cole with disgust. He didn't deserve the mantle he had attained when he'd broken his power barrier. Suddenly, his face darkened with anger. Next to Cole he saw Kevin. Darius couldn't believe it. One of his own had switched sides. That was the last straw. Pointing at Cole's army, he screamed, "CHARGE!" The two armies rushed at each other, a barrage of energy balls, fireballs, and lightning bolts flying through the air.
****
Michael opened his eyes and stood up from his meditative crouch. He shook his head sadly and said, "It's started." He turned his gaze towards his wife. Phoebe simply nodded once, and that gesture said more than words. Michael placed her hand on his heart for a moment, and then flamed out.
****
Cole staggered back as Tyrian hit him with an energy ball. He may have been able to stand against the Elders with no problem, but the Ubitoria Guardians were on the same power level as he was. Cole formed another energy ball and was about to throw it when he was hit with another from behind. He sunk to his knees.
Tyrian stood over him, a triumphant look on his face. "Now you learn what happens when you betray your purpose," he said. Suddenly, Tyrian grimaced in pain as a white fireball slammed into his back. He whirled around to see a man with blazing brown eyes standing behind him. "That was a big mistake, whoever you are," he growled.
"I am the Life-bearer," Michael said calmly, "and ANYBODY who harms my cousin answers to ME." Michael threw two fireballs at Tyrian, and the Guardian collapsed to the ground, comatose.
Michael helped Cole get to his feet. "I thought I told you to stay out of this," Cole said.
"When have I abandoned you before?" Michael countered. "I know you had the best intentions, but I'm not one to sit on the sidelines Cole. You understand that just as well as I do, and so does Phoebe."
Cole shook his head and grinned. "I'm glad you're here," he said. "And...DUCK!" Cole pulled Michael down just in time to avoid a fireball hitting his head.
As Michael turned to see the source of the fireball, his eyes widened with horror, as did Cole's. An army of Ubitoria demons was now advancing onto the battlefield. Cole realized that the faction leaders had taken advantage of the internal conflict.
"This is NOT good," Michael said.
****
Katrina woke up in a cold sweat. "Oh my God," she breathed. The battle scene had been raging in her mind, and now, a legion of demons was taking the opportunity to kill as many on both sides of the battle.
'Mom, I have to go there,' said a voice inside her mind.
'Son?' she queried.
'Yes,' he said. 'I'm the only one that can stop this.'
****
Michael and Cole fought with grim determination as the demons encircled the two armies. "I'm sorry, Michael," said Cole. "I shouldn't have let you involve yourself in this."
"You couldn't have stopped me, Cole, not with every ounce of power you had," said Michael sadly. "If I'm going to die, then it might as well be with you."
"Well, at least we both know our bloodlines will continue, at least for another generation," said Cole.
"Who said you wouldn't be there to see them?"
Cole whirled around to see Katrina standing behind him. "How did you..." It was then he noticed that her eyes were glowing. "Son..."
"Hi, Dad," said Cole's son-within-Katrina. "I saw what was happening, and I figured you could use a hand."
"What exactly are you going to do?" Michael asked curiously.
The smile on Katrina's faced widened. "I'm going to show the Elders whose side I'm really on." With that, Katrina raised her arms, and Cole could feel the power rising all around. Suddenly, half the demons started screaming in pain, as though their insides were being ripped out, and those demons simultaneously exploded. The remaining demons suddenly vanished.
Darius looked around in shock, and his eyes rested on Katrina. "But...I don't understand," he spluttered.
"You misunderstood my purpose, Darius," said Cole's son. "Maintaining the balance means that neither Good nor Evil will gain the upper hand, and it also means making sure that Evil does not extend into the human world, which is what would have happened if I had not strengthened the Evil in the Underworld. Just because I'm not officially on the side of Good does not mean that I'm evil. I just exist. Maybe you will remember this the next time you encounter a being you do not understand." Katrina's eyes stopped glowing as her son relinquished control.
Darius stepped toward them, his face full of guilt. "Cole, I am utterly ashamed of what I have done, and I'd understand if you wanted to kill me. I just wish I'd had the vision and faith your son has. It might have served me well on this matter."
Cole smiled and clapped Darius on the back. "You're forgiven, Darius," he said. Then in a mockingly stern voice he said, "But I may not be so forgiving next time."
Darius chuckled and said, "Take care of your son, Cole." He orbed out.
"Well, I guess I'd better be getting back," said Michael. "I imagine that Phoebe is probably waiting for me with a bottle of wine. Most likely, naked as well," he added as he flamed out.
Cole and Katrina burst out laughing. Suddenly, Katrina pulled Cole to her, eyes full of passion. "I need you, Cole," she purred.
Without hesitating, Cole blurred them back to the Guardian realm. They kissed each other passionately, and Cole decided to take the easy way out, and blurred them right out of their clothing and into bed. "Cole!" Katrina shrieked in surprise.
Cole grinned at her, but then frowned as a sudden thought occurred to him. "You know, he's probably listening right now," he said, caressing her belly. "Do you think we should?"
Katrina pondered for a moment, and then, with a Cheshire grin, she said, "Oh, what the hell. If he's mature enough to understand the balance between Good and Evil, he's mature enough to understand his parents' having sex." She pulled Cole down on top of her, and they both knew their son was safe at last.
THE END
Cole blurred into the Guardian realm feeling as though the weight of the world had been placed on his shoulders.
"What's wrong, Cole?" Katrina asked as she came to him.
Cole sighed. "I just declared war on the Elders."
Katrina paled, but her voice was strong. "It would have happened eventually, you having to face them. It was only a matter of time."
"I know," Cole replied. "We're safe enough here, at least for now, as long as the barriers keep holding. But I can't take on the Elders myself without serious consequences."
****
Michael yawned in exhaustion and turned to go upstairs. The events of the day had taken their toll on him as well as the rest of the family, and right now, he was looking forward to a good night's sleep. However, as he entered the bedroom, a sultry voice startled him. "It's about time," Phoebe said.
Michael flipped on the lights, and gasped at the sight of a naked Phoebe stretched out on her back. "Honey, what..."
"I forgive you, Michael," she said, smiling brightly at him. "Now, come here."
****
"AARGH!" Piper groaned. "They've been at it for three hours straight!" She buried her head under her pillow.
"Can you blame them?" said Leo. "They love each other Piper, and I think right now, they're just trying to reaffirm that. They both had a nasty scare with this Cole situation, and I think they want to put it behind them as soon as possible."
****
Despite his exhaustion from the day before, and the fact that he'd had sex all night long, Michael woke up at 6:00 am. Without making a sound, he crept downstairs and made some coffee. As he stirred some milk into the hot liquid, he thought back to the mental conversation he and Cole had the day before.
'Michael, listen to me,' Cole had said. 'The Elders are going to want you to involve yourself, and I'm going to take steps against such an action. No matter what, stay out of this fight.'
'Absolutely not!' Michael had yelled in response.
'Cousin, LISTEN TO ME! If the Elders think for one moment you're against them, they'll kill you and take your daughter. For her sake and the sake of the rest of the family, stay out of this. Don't make me force you.'
Michael had heard the power in Cole's voice. Reluctantly, he had given in. 'Alright, I'll stay out of it...for now.'
Michael sighed. Cole was going to be involved in probably the largest magical battle in history, and when the time came, Michael would make damn sure that he was there to support his cousin. Suddenly, Michael's ears pricked up at the sounds of the rest of the family coming down the stairs.
"Hi, honey," Phoebe said, wrapping her arms around Michael's waist. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I couldn't sleep," he said, turning in her arms so he could put his around her.
"Something on your mind?" asked Piper as she and Paige walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, actually," Michael said. "Cole wants me to stay out of this all together."
"Why?" Paige asked.
"Him and his arrogant pride," Phoebe growled. "He's going to get himself killed."
"Phoebe, it's not about pride," Michael said firmly. "If I get involved, you can be damn sure the Elders are going to want me dead, and once they get me, they'll come after our daughter."
Phoebe instinctively placed her hands protectively over her belly. "They'd really go that far?" she said softly.
"There really wouldn't be anything to stop them, would there?" he responded. "No matter what, I won't give them an excuse to come after us."
****
Cole and Katrina sat together in the Guardian realm, contemplating what was to come. Cole knew he COULD take on the Elders, an army of Whitelighters and witches by himself. Now he needed to find beings on the side of Good that would support his cause.
Sudden, Cole tensed as he felt someone blur in behind him. He whirled around, energy ball in hand. "Who are you, and how did you get in here?" he demanded.
"Peace, my friend," said the man, smiling slightly. "My name is Trakon, and I am one of the Guardians of the Lopnit realm. I am here to inform you that I and the other Guardians of my realm will support you in your endeavors."
Cole looked into Trakon's eyes, but there was no malice there, only concern and kindness. "What sort of help would you be willing to offer?"
"We would select a portion of our world's magical population, consisting of creatures like gryphons, to assist in combat against the Elders, as well as ourselves," Trakon explained. "News of your plight has spread to several other realms as well, and I am certain that their Guardians will also offer you assistance."
"Far from saying I'm not grateful, but why do you want to help me?" Cole asked.
"We have seen the injustice of the Elders' actions," Trakon said somberly. "They must not be allowed to continue their course. If they succeed, I have no doubt they will become as evil as the demons they fight."
****
"How many Whitelighters have been informed of the situation?" asked Darius.
"We've contacted almost all of them," said Julius, another of the Elders. "However, you know that even will almost all of our Whitelighters and witches poised to fight Cole, he is still all-powerful compared to us."
"Perhaps I can help," said a new voice. The Elders turned to see a man appear in a flash of light. "I am Tyrian, a Guardian of the Ubitoria realm."
"Ubitoria...that's the same realm where these new demons came from," said Darius.
"Yes," Tyrian said. "We feel that this unborn demon brat has committed a great injustice by infecting your realm with evil from ours. Therefore, we are willing to give you any assistance you may need in your future battles."
"I thank you for your offer," said Darius. "This is exactly what we need to defeat Cole."
****
"This is exactly what we need to defeat Good," said Gayneth, rubbing his hands together. The Underworld faction leaders were gathered in a meeting with Tabus and the Ubitoria Council of Evil.
"I agree," said Tabus. "With the side of Good dividing over the issue of Belthazor's unborn child, they are vulnerable to attack."
"We need to choose precisely the right moment," said Nevaros. "Wait until they are in the heat of battle. They will be so preoccupied with fighting each other that they'll never see us coming."
"And then we annihilate them," said Baranas.
"Yes," said Tabus, the other members of the Ubitoria Council nodding their assent. "Gather our troops together. It's time to erase Good once and for all."
****
"Michael, I don't understand," said Phoebe. "WHY do you have to go?"
"Phoebe, Cole is one of the last ties I have to my past besides my mom," said Michael. "And he's more than a cousin to me, he's a brother." Michael had reconsidered what Cole had told him, and had decided to assist him in any way possible.
"But it isn't your fight, Michael," Phoebe pleaded. She was nearly in tears over thinking about what could happen to him if he defied the Elders.
"Yes, it is," Michael said, cupping her cheeks with his hands. "I once promised Cole that I wouldn't let him face eternity alone. Well, I won't let him be alone for this, either. I can't sit on the sidelines and watch him die, if that's the result of my inaction. Damn the Elders and their consequences. I won't let Cole fight this war alone."
Phoebe wrapped her arms around him and held him as tightly as she could. "I'll be waiting here for you when you come back," she said, sniffling. "I love you so much."
Michael kissed her cheek in response. He knew there was a small chance he wouldn't come back alive, but if he was going to die, then it would be for doing the right thing.
****
Cole looked around the vast amphitheater in the Guardian realm with a pleased smile. Trakon had been true to his word. Vast numbers of creatures, including gryphons, sprites, and elves, were gathered with the Guardians of the various realms.
Cole stepped forward from where Katrina sat in a comfortable chair on the stage, and began to speak. "Up until a relatively recent point in my life, I was as bloodthirsty a killer as the demons that have entered my realm. When my human heart was restored, I vowed to atone for the crimes I had committed, even if it meant killing every last demon in the Underworld. However, I have learned that destroying the Underworld's population would not destroy Evil, for it would split off from within Good, and that would be catastrophic. Thus, there must always be a balance between the two, and it is my unborn son's destiny to maintain that balance, but without allowing Evil to come from Good.
"I did not start this war, and if I had the choice, I'd want it never to come. All I want is to live with my family in peace. But the Elders refused to give me that choice. They chose to attack my son without provocation, and now I must act. I did not start this war, but I will win it. Follow me, and let us END THIS!" The crowd in front of him joined in his call to arms, and everyone except Katrina vanished.
****
At the same time, Darius was addressing the entire assembly of Whitelighters and thousands of lower-level witches that had been brought above. Per Cole's warning, the Charmed Ones, Michael, and Leo were noticeably absent from the assembly. In addition, the Guardians of the Ubitoria realm were present as well.
"A grave injustice has befallen our realm," he began. "An unborn child that should have been a light of truth has committed a heinous act of evil and allowed demons from another realm to enter ours, strengthening the Underworld. Such an act must not be tolerated. The other Elders and I are prepared to destroy Cole Turner to insure that his son cannot ascend to his full powers and repeat such evil.
"My friends and my allies, the time to act is now. If we don't, everyone we care about and everything that we hold dear will be ripped from us. We must strike now, while we can. Follow me TO VICTORY!" The assembly echoed his shout, and all orbed out.
****
A red sky sporting frequent flashes of lightning stretched from horizon to horizon in the Crossroads, a dimension long since deserted. The two armies faced each other across a barren field.
Cole's breathing quickened. Although he now detested battle, his body reacted as it had during his days as Belthazor. He had seen many battles in his 120 years of life, and he felt confident that he would live to see another day.
Darius looked at Cole with disgust. He didn't deserve the mantle he had attained when he'd broken his power barrier. Suddenly, his face darkened with anger. Next to Cole he saw Kevin. Darius couldn't believe it. One of his own had switched sides. That was the last straw. Pointing at Cole's army, he screamed, "CHARGE!" The two armies rushed at each other, a barrage of energy balls, fireballs, and lightning bolts flying through the air.
****
Michael opened his eyes and stood up from his meditative crouch. He shook his head sadly and said, "It's started." He turned his gaze towards his wife. Phoebe simply nodded once, and that gesture said more than words. Michael placed her hand on his heart for a moment, and then flamed out.
****
Cole staggered back as Tyrian hit him with an energy ball. He may have been able to stand against the Elders with no problem, but the Ubitoria Guardians were on the same power level as he was. Cole formed another energy ball and was about to throw it when he was hit with another from behind. He sunk to his knees.
Tyrian stood over him, a triumphant look on his face. "Now you learn what happens when you betray your purpose," he said. Suddenly, Tyrian grimaced in pain as a white fireball slammed into his back. He whirled around to see a man with blazing brown eyes standing behind him. "That was a big mistake, whoever you are," he growled.
"I am the Life-bearer," Michael said calmly, "and ANYBODY who harms my cousin answers to ME." Michael threw two fireballs at Tyrian, and the Guardian collapsed to the ground, comatose.
Michael helped Cole get to his feet. "I thought I told you to stay out of this," Cole said.
"When have I abandoned you before?" Michael countered. "I know you had the best intentions, but I'm not one to sit on the sidelines Cole. You understand that just as well as I do, and so does Phoebe."
Cole shook his head and grinned. "I'm glad you're here," he said. "And...DUCK!" Cole pulled Michael down just in time to avoid a fireball hitting his head.
As Michael turned to see the source of the fireball, his eyes widened with horror, as did Cole's. An army of Ubitoria demons was now advancing onto the battlefield. Cole realized that the faction leaders had taken advantage of the internal conflict.
"This is NOT good," Michael said.
****
Katrina woke up in a cold sweat. "Oh my God," she breathed. The battle scene had been raging in her mind, and now, a legion of demons was taking the opportunity to kill as many on both sides of the battle.
'Mom, I have to go there,' said a voice inside her mind.
'Son?' she queried.
'Yes,' he said. 'I'm the only one that can stop this.'
****
Michael and Cole fought with grim determination as the demons encircled the two armies. "I'm sorry, Michael," said Cole. "I shouldn't have let you involve yourself in this."
"You couldn't have stopped me, Cole, not with every ounce of power you had," said Michael sadly. "If I'm going to die, then it might as well be with you."
"Well, at least we both know our bloodlines will continue, at least for another generation," said Cole.
"Who said you wouldn't be there to see them?"
Cole whirled around to see Katrina standing behind him. "How did you..." It was then he noticed that her eyes were glowing. "Son..."
"Hi, Dad," said Cole's son-within-Katrina. "I saw what was happening, and I figured you could use a hand."
"What exactly are you going to do?" Michael asked curiously.
The smile on Katrina's faced widened. "I'm going to show the Elders whose side I'm really on." With that, Katrina raised her arms, and Cole could feel the power rising all around. Suddenly, half the demons started screaming in pain, as though their insides were being ripped out, and those demons simultaneously exploded. The remaining demons suddenly vanished.
Darius looked around in shock, and his eyes rested on Katrina. "But...I don't understand," he spluttered.
"You misunderstood my purpose, Darius," said Cole's son. "Maintaining the balance means that neither Good nor Evil will gain the upper hand, and it also means making sure that Evil does not extend into the human world, which is what would have happened if I had not strengthened the Evil in the Underworld. Just because I'm not officially on the side of Good does not mean that I'm evil. I just exist. Maybe you will remember this the next time you encounter a being you do not understand." Katrina's eyes stopped glowing as her son relinquished control.
Darius stepped toward them, his face full of guilt. "Cole, I am utterly ashamed of what I have done, and I'd understand if you wanted to kill me. I just wish I'd had the vision and faith your son has. It might have served me well on this matter."
Cole smiled and clapped Darius on the back. "You're forgiven, Darius," he said. Then in a mockingly stern voice he said, "But I may not be so forgiving next time."
Darius chuckled and said, "Take care of your son, Cole." He orbed out.
"Well, I guess I'd better be getting back," said Michael. "I imagine that Phoebe is probably waiting for me with a bottle of wine. Most likely, naked as well," he added as he flamed out.
Cole and Katrina burst out laughing. Suddenly, Katrina pulled Cole to her, eyes full of passion. "I need you, Cole," she purred.
Without hesitating, Cole blurred them back to the Guardian realm. They kissed each other passionately, and Cole decided to take the easy way out, and blurred them right out of their clothing and into bed. "Cole!" Katrina shrieked in surprise.
Cole grinned at her, but then frowned as a sudden thought occurred to him. "You know, he's probably listening right now," he said, caressing her belly. "Do you think we should?"
Katrina pondered for a moment, and then, with a Cheshire grin, she said, "Oh, what the hell. If he's mature enough to understand the balance between Good and Evil, he's mature enough to understand his parents' having sex." She pulled Cole down on top of her, and they both knew their son was safe at last.
THE END