Barbas thought about Cole's offer. Imagine the former source of all evil in the palm of his hand. To do his bidding, like his puppet. The thought of taking down the charmed ones was one opportunity Barbas couldn't pass up. He had tried so many times before and failed.
He turned up at the Manor to give Cole his verdict. He scoped the living room making sure no one would hear or see him.
"You had me worrying for a minute there." He heard Cole's smug voice.
"I will help you but you will also help me. Remember, I can just as easily take your life as I can give you one... We will need a source of power to steal for you. Otherwise this wont work." Barbas had a devilish look on his face.
"The innocent. You'll take his power." Barbas sniggered at his fiendish plans, and disappeared leaving Cole dreading his decision to ask for his help.
Just as he left the Pheobe and Piper walked into the living room. Cole looked lovingly at Pheobe. She was the love of his life. All he wanted was to be with her. They continued discussing their plans whilst Cole listened in for information. They were questioning why Barbas would want Ryan, a new witch. It could have been a trap for them. Paige came downstairs after scrying for Ryan.
"I found him, I'm gonna go get him and orb him back here."
"Paige, it could be a trap. At least he's still alive we all need to go face this if Barbas is there. He's one of the most powerful demons we've ever came across. We need a plan." Piper said wisely.
All three charmed ones turned up at the scene where Ryan was lying unconscious in the street. Paige checked his pulse to make sure he was breathing and nodded to the sisters. They didn't have time to think of a plan to fight Barbas. The aim was to get Ryan, and get home, where their strongest.
"Where is he?" questioned Pheobe.
"Who cares lets get out of here." Paige said whilst taking their hands and orbing them back to the manor.
"That was easy!" Paige beamed. She had got her charge back – that was her main priority.
"Too easy, Paige. Almost like Barbas wanted us to take him back. I don't know about this." Piper had a frown upon her face showing her worry at this situation.
They'd battled with Barbas so many times before and all they could do was contain him. They'd been waiting for his attack ever since the Tribunal let him go free. He was very powerful and also sneaky. She knew this wouldn't be the end of the struggles.
Ryan awoke and was so disorientated. Last thing he remembered was sitting in the living room with Paige, then his mind was a blank. This worked out in Barbas' favour. He needed to control Ryan's mind to make him scared of himself, of his power.
"Your a danger to yourself, your family. A danger to those trying to save you. This power wasn't meant for you. It was a mistake. You need to make them see that. They can save you from yourself. They can save your brother" Barbas played on Ryan's fears.
Ryan was questioning himself from the start, this push from Barbas, this controlling of his mind was child's play where Barbas was concerned. He loved toying with peoples minds and emotions without anyone realising it. Before its too late anyway.
"I can't handle this power Paige I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want to go back to my life. I'm all my little brother has. I cant be a danger to him, I'm the only one he has to protect him." Ryan pleaded with Paige
"You've got to help me Paige, please."
"Listen, I've been through what your going through, you'll learn to control it. You wont be a risk to him, I promise." Paige attempted to reassure him but he still looked unsettled.
Barbas knew Paige wouldn't go for the idea willingly without any back up, she needed encouragement. He decided to pray on Piper. She was the one who wanted the normal life. She would understand Ryan's pleas more than anyone, and it wouldn't seem suspicious.
"Maybe Ryan's right. You had no choice with your powers and now all you want is a normal life. Maybe its best he doesn't have his powers. No one would go after him any more. Strip his powers with the potion Pheobe used on Cole. It'll free him."
"Maybe he's right. Maybe he's just not meant to have powers. He seems really sure Paige. Maybe he was brought to you for you to free him from his powers and give him peace."Piper suggested to Paige, unknown to her that her mind is being controlled.
"I don't think -" Paige was interrupted by a demanding Piper.
"I don't think its your place to dictate what a person wants in their life. I think we should help him. Strip him of his powers."
Pheobe looked down, she wasn't really good at this middle sister gig. She didn't want to be the buffer that Piper once was between her and Prue. No matter who she agreed with.
"I'll get started on the potion. No use in wasting time. If he has no powers Barbas can't track him and he wont come after us." Piper left the room in a rush.
"Not yet maybe." A concerned Paige muttered under her breath.
"Are you sure this is what you want Ryan?"
Ryan paused, you could see he was deep in thought. He looked down at his hands, a sudden fear hit him and washed all over his face. He was certain. Pheobe stayed quiet while Paige tried to bring Ryan round to her way of thinking. She didn't need to be involved. Piper had finished the potion. It was the moment of truth. They had been called up to the attic. Ryan was petrified. They all stood looking at him. Panic was all over Paige's face as Piper threw the potion. Barbas came in at that very moment the potion flew out her hand. The power came out of the innocent and straight into Cole, bringing him back from the cosmic void. Pheobe fell to the ground in disbelief and started to sob.
"C-C-Cole...?"
