CHAPTER 2: Dark Side of the Soul
By the time the first day of practice sessions was over, the girls were exhausted. Both Phoebe and Paige had to expend a lot of energy to access their new powers, but Leo assured them that in time that would fade. In addition, the training was physically exhausting for all of them. A lot of rolling, dodging, and kicking had also come out. In fact, Michael and Cole were the only ones who weren't tired.
'Damn their demonic invincibility,' thought Phoebe. 'At least when I was the Source's Queen, I didn't tire myself out from using my powers.'
Despite this, the training had done them all some good. Reflexes were quicker and strength was increasing. The girls had dramatically increased their accuracy with their active powers to the point where Phoebe could light a candle with a thin stream of flame from twenty feet away. Paige could do the same with her energy bolts. As for Piper, her control over freezing and blowing up objects had increased to the point where, if she wanted to, she could do both simultaneously.
After they all said goodnight, Michael found Phoebe in their room sweating profusely. "Well, I guess that workout really wiped you out, didn't it?" he asked.
"Yeah, but it's more than that," said Phoebe. "I feel really hot right now..." As she looked at Michael, a wicked grin came to her face. "...and I don't just mean my body temperature."
'Oh, boy,' thought Michael. "It's probably a side effect of the new power," said Michael quickly as Phoebe got up and walked to him, grinning like the Cheshire cat. "I mean, making fireballs generates a lot of heat, so I guess this makes some sense."
"Does it bother you?" she asked seductively, reaching behind him to shut the door.
"No, not really," he said as she pinned him against the wall. "This just seems strangely similar to what you told me about the time you were linked to the Succubus."
"Well, I hope you don't think you'd be taking advantage of me in this state," Phoebe purred. "It's not like I'm drunk. I'm just really, really HOT."
'God, if I ever piss her off, strike me dead,' thought Michael as he prepared himself for a very long night with his wife.
****
Anton sat back in his throne as the Dark Priests gathered for the meeting. "I'm sorry for the abrupt nature in which this meeting was called, but I felt in light of recent discoveries it was necessary." He turned to Lindor, his personal advisor, to begin the meeting.
"The soldiers' training is progressing smoothly," said Lindor. "Their battle skills have already increased tremendously. It should only be another week or so before they will be ready to battle the Charmed Ones."
"Good," said Damien. "Once they are ready, the Charmed Ones will no longer be of any concern to me. Now, moving forward, I have finished researching the Ancient Prophecies, and I have discovered how to free the Dark Lord's spirit."
A ripple of astonishment went through the crowd.
"The real trick was discovering what his prison actually was. When I discovered the truth, it all made sense. As you know, whenever we coronate a new Source, the greatest powers and evil essence are bestowed." He paused to let this sink in. "The new Source must place his hand on the Grimoire and recite the oath spell. However, has anyone considered where this powerful evil comes from?"
At first the Priests were confused. Suddenly, the answer registered will shock on all their faces as they realized the truth.
"Yes," continued Damien. "The Dark Lord's prison IS the Grimoire. It did not exist before the end of his reign. This was done so his power could be shared by future leaders of evil, yet the Dark Lord himself could not directly influence the events afterward. That is, until a being powerful enough to destroy the Grimoire came into existence. That time has now arrived."
"But I thought the Grimoire is immune to white magic," stated one Priest.
"That is a misconception," said Anton with an evil grin. "It is immune to witches' and their magic. However, those with demon blood or demonic powers can affect and use the Grimoire. And I know of two beings on the side of good with demonic powers that are powerful enough to destroy the Grimoire." He paused as the Priests now understood. "Has it become clear to you gentlemen? If our armies should fail, I guarantee you that either Michael Smith or the former Belthazor will try to destroy the Grimoire.
"And when they do, they will be bringing about their own deaths."
****
Two weeks passed.
The Charmed Ones felt more powerful than ever. Their powers were practically maxed out as far as development went, and their battle skills were near perfect. All that remained was for a plan to be put into action. And the Elders had just the thing.
"They want us to do WHAT!" exclaimed Piper.
"The Elders think that you guys should go down there now and hit the army before they get up here," said Leo. "If this is an all out war as they fear, they may start using magic out in the open on innocents."
"We can't let that happen, Leo," said Paige.
"Right, which is why there's something we can do about it," said Leo. He turned to Michael and Cole. "You two are practically invincible, right?"
"Pretty much," said Michael. "The only way to kill either one of us would require stripping our powers first."
"So you two could probably penetrate deep into the Underworld if you had to," continued Leo.
"Yeah, I think so," agreed Cole. "Why do you ask?"
"The Elders want you to go down with the girls," said Leo. "If you can make it past the army, they want you two to destroy the Grimoire."
"Destroy the..." Michael started. "Leo, do you have any idea how well guarded that thing is? Not to mention the fact that we can't touch it or do anything to it."
"Maybe the girls can't," Leo said, "but you can."
"Why would we..." Cole trailed off.
"It's because we have demonic powers, isn't it?" said Michael. "The Grimoire is immune to witches' magic, not demonic magic. That's why you guys couldn't destroy it when you vanquished the Seer."
"Exactly," said Leo. "And if you destroy the Grimoire..."
"Then there could never be another Source," said Michael. "The Underworld would be in chaos for years."
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Leo?" asked Cole. "There's just something about this that worries me, but I can't figure out what."
"Not that I can think of," Leo replied. "The Elders say this will probably be your last chance to take them by surprise."
"Well, I'm in," said Phoebe. Piper and Paige nodded their replies. Phoebe turned to Michael. "Baby?" she queried.
"Why not," he said, smiling. "Are you in, Cole?"
"Yeah," Cole said indistinctly. He had a very bad feeling about this, but he pushed it aside. "You guys should follow Michael and me. We know the way down better." That said, Cole blurred out and Michael shimmered with Phoebe. Paige orbed out with Piper and Leo orbed out last.
****
The group reappeared in the Main Chamber of the Underworld. Fifty demons and warlocks stood at attention, and on the Source's throne sat...
"Anton," Phoebe said with disgust.
"Surprised to see me?" he asked with an evil laugh. "You should be. I hadn't been expecting our late Source Damien to find a reason for bringing me back. But your deaths should suit me just fine." Then he yelled, "ATTACK!"
The warlocks and demons began hurtling all sorts of weaponry at them, including athames, energy balls, and fireballs. However, the Charmed Ones were well prepared for the attacks. Phoebe threw fireballs and Paige shot energy bolts while Piper blew up offending soldiers while sustaining minimal injuries themselves. Michael and Cole, of course, absorbed most of the magical attacks and self-healed from any stab wounds.
Within minutes, every last warlock and demon had been vanquished, and only Anton was left.
"Looks like you lose," said Phoebe coldly.
"Not yet, not as long as I have this," said Anton. The Grimoire appeared in his hands. "You see, all I have to do is become the Source, and then the only way to stop me is with your crystal cage, which, I see you didn't bring with you." He grinned wickedly at them. "So, what are you going to do instead?"
"I was thinking about this," said Michael. He gestured and the Grimoire flew out of Anton's hands and into his own. "Game over, Anton," he said. Michael through the Grimoire up into the air and summoned Excalibur. With one sweeping move, Michael smashed the Grimoire to pieces. At that moment, Cole realized why he had been so apprehensive.
And then Cole saw the dark cloud appear where Michael had smashed the Grimoire. "Oh, shit," he said.
"What the hell is that?" Michael said. As they watched, the dark cloud flowed into Anton. Anton gasped and began to scream for several seconds. When it was over, he stood straight and opened his eyes. They now glowed bright red.
"We've got to get out of here," said Cole.
"What happened?" asked Phoebe, clinging to Michael.
"The Dark Lord," Cole said. "He's back."
"Yes," said Anton, "I am." He looked at Michael, and he was suddenly flung out of Phoebe's grasp and landed at Anton's feet. Phoebe moved to go after him, but Cole held her back.
Anton forced Michael to look at him. "You are mine," he intoned.
"What the..." Suddenly, Michael began to scream. He felt as though his insides were being ripped apart and put back together.
"MICHAEL!" yelled Phoebe. She tried to run to her husband, but Cole held her firmly. "Let me go!"
"You can't help him now," Cole said sadly. "It's too late."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Phoebe snarled. Suddenly, Michael stopped screaming. He rose to his feet and looked at the others. He took a deep breath and smiled. Yet something was wrong, and Cole could sense it.
"Baby, are you alright?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes, Phoebe," said Michael coolly. "I'm perfectly fine now." Suddenly, Michael's eyes flamed and turned black briefly, and then returned to their normal color - the mark of the Source.
Phoebe felt sick. "Oh, God, no, no, no, no, not again..." She twisted out of Cole's grasp and threw up violently.
"You are next," said Anton to Cole, locking his red eyes onto Cole's blue ones. Cole flew across the room and began to scream. Anton turned his attention back to Michael. "Destroy the Charmed Ones, Michael," he commanded.
"As you wish, Master," said Michael. A Source-style fireball appeared in his hand.
"No, Michael!" yelled Piper. "You can't do this!"
"Oh, but I can," he said in an evil voice. However, just as he was about to throw it, Cole reached up and grabbed his arm.
"NO!" yelled Anton. "You cannot resist my will!"
"Wrong answer," said Cole, struggling with Michael. He yelled to Paige and Leo, "GO!" They grabbed Phoebe and Piper and orbed out.
Michael threw Cole off of him and snarled angrily. Before he had a chance to attack, Cole blurred out.
Anton grinned. "Belthazor would have been a nice bonus, but you will do fine at my right hand, Michael."
Michael bowed low before the Dark Lord. "As you will, Master," he said.
****
Cole materialized in a very somber Halliwell Manor. Phoebe was crying hysterically, and Piper and Paige were trying to calm her down. Leo was pacing in an attempt to come up with a solution.
Piper stood up as she noticed Cole, but her hopeful expression drooped as she saw that Cole was alone. Cole lifted tear filled eyes and looked at her. Piper walked over and hugged Cole tightly. Cole allowed her to hold him for a minute before disengaging himself from her embrace. Cole took Leo aside to speak in private. "How's Phoebe?" he asked.
Leo sighed. "She's taking it pretty hard," he answered.
"I don't know what to do, Leo," said Cole. "He's my cousin. I should have been looking out for him."
"Cole, this isn't your fault," said Leo.
"I knew something wasn't right about this," Cole replied in frustration. "I should have trusted my instincts and said no."
"You couldn't have known what was going to happen."
"I should have, Leo," Cole snapped. "And now my cousin is evil because of it."
"I guess the more appropriate question is where we go from here," said Leo.
"I know one thing for certain," said Cole firmly. "I won't rest until I bring Michael back."
****
"Michael, come forward," said Anton.
"What is thy bidding, Master?" asked Michael.
"As you know, the Power of Three is strong," continued Anton. "I need you to kill the Charmed Ones. Once they are dead, the threat shall be over."
"As you wish, Master," said Michael with a low bow. Then he flamed out.
Anton smiled. All was going according to plan. Soon evil would conquer all.
****
"Cole, what are you doing?" asked Piper.
"Making a potion," he said. Cole had spent the last half hour in the kitchen mixing herbs.
"What for?" she asked.
"Trust me, it is better you don't know," he said in a tone that did not allow for argument. Piper stormed back into the living room.
Cole added a little bit of ginger and the potion flamed. It was ready. Cole ladled a bit of red-colored liquid into a potion bottle and capped it. He walked back into the living room
"Cole, what is the potion for?" asked Phoebe in a tired voice. She barely had any strength left.
"Insurance," he said. Phoebe blanched at his cold tone. Suddenly, Michael flamed into the room.
"Don't fight me," he said. "It will make your deaths much more painless."
"Michael, please don't do this," begged Phoebe. "I love you."
Michael looked at her, and for a brief moment, Phoebe saw the real Michael in his eyes. "I'm sorry, but I have no choice." He summoned a fireball. Then Cole stepped forward and grabbed him.
"You may not, but I do," Cole said. He and Michael blurred out.
****
Cole and Michael reappeared at the penthouse. Cole shoved Michael away from him. Michael sneered at his cousin. "What did you think you'd accomplish, Cole?" he said, chuckling evilly. "You've just stalled me. After I finish you off, I'll go back and kill them."
"Then I'm afraid I have no choice," said Cole gravely. He took the potion from his pocket and shattered it at Michael's feet.
"What is...?" Michael started, but then he felt his strength draining from him. As it did, he could feel the evil dissipating from his soul. Just before he lost consciousness, he turned a look of gratitude at his cousin. Then he passed out.
****
"Where the hell did Cole take him?" yelled Phoebe. After Cole had vanished with Michael, Leo and Paige had attempted to follow but Cole had erased his trail.
"I think the more important question is what that potion he made is for," said Piper.
"I swear if Cole hurt him, I'll..." Phoebe never finished that sentence, for at that moment, Cole blurred into the room with Michael in his arms. Michael was pale and breathing shallowly. "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!" she screamed.
"I freed him," said Cole simply.
Michael groaned in Cole's arms. "Oh, shit, my head hurts." Cole put Michael down on the couch. Michael's eyes fluttered and opened. "Cole?" he questioned. His cousin nodded. Then Michael's eyes fell on his wife, and a warm smile came to his face. "Phoebe..."
"Oh, baby," she sobbed as she rushed over to the couch. She threw her arms around his neck and rained kisses over his face. "I was so scared," she said. "I thought I'd lost you again."
"I told you I'm not going anywhere, remember?" he said, holding her against his chest.
"Well, as long as I'm holding you, you are NOT leaving this house," Phoebe said firmly. She smiled at Michael and kissed him again.
"So, Cole, what was that potion for?" asked Piper.
"It was a binding potion," he explained. "I used it to bind Michael's powers, and in the process I severed the connection between the Dark Lord and Michael."
"Clever idea," Piper remarked. "Why didn't you want us to know?"
"To be honest, I didn't think you'd let me," said Cole. "It was pretty risky. There was the chance that Michael could have died from this, but it was calculated. Better that then have him be evil."
"It was the right thing, Cole," said Leo. "I would have done the same."
"So, how do we stop the Dark Lord?" asked Paige. "Somehow, I don't think the Power of Three is going to cut it on this one."
"You're right, Paige," said Cole, getting to his feet. "But I think I know what to do." Cole blurred out without another word.
****
Anton was seething with rage. Only minutes after Michael had gone to kill the Charmed Ones, his control link to Michael was abruptly severed. He couldn't believe that they had been strong enough to stop him.
No matter. Soon, with the Dark Lord inside of him, Anton could raise evil to a level where it would decimate the side of good forever.
Anton was suddenly startled to see Cole blur into the Chamber. Anton grinned evilly. "Come to die, have you?"
"I wasn't planning on it," said Cole. At that moment, eight white robed figures appeared in the Chamber.
Anton's eyes widened in shock and he said, "No..."
"We cannot allow a force of evil as powerful as you to run free," said Azar. The Guardians all gestured at Anton, who then fell to the floor and began to scream. A dark cloud of energy flowed out of him. The Guardians gestured again, and the broken pieces of the Grimoire flew through the air and reformed around the dark energy. The Grimoire fell to the ground. Cole gestured and the Grimoire flew into his hands.
"I don't think you'll need this where you're going," said Cole. Cole threw an energy ball at Anton and vanquished him. Then Cole turned to the Guardians. "Thanks for the help."
"Think nothing of it," said Azar. "We were merely maintaining the balance between good and evil." The Guardians bowed and vanished.
Cole looked down at the Grimoire. "I wonder what I should do with this," he said. A grin came to Cole's face as the idea struck him. Cole blurred to the Wasteland.
****
By nightfall, the group was definitely in a much better mood and decided to celebrate at P3. After Cole had returned, he made up the potion to unbind Michael's powers and gave to him. The next hour was spent mostly in laughter because the rush Michael got from getting his powers back made him seem like he was high, but it wore off after that.
Michael leaned back in his chair and sighed. Phoebe was snuggling comfortably with him. "I guess this was bound to happen at some point," she said.
"Being possessed by evil?" Michael asked. Phoebe nodded. "It's already happened to all of you, so I guess it was inevitable." Michael paused. "I tried so hard to resist him, but I couldn't. I would have killed you if Cole hadn't stopped me."
"I don't necessarily believe that," said Phoebe. "I could see the struggle in your eyes. I think that you could have stopped yourself if you had to. Either way, the important thing is that you're alright." She snuggled closer to Michael.
At that moment, the others came and sat down. Michael said to Cole, "Thanks for saving me."
"No problem," said Cole. "I figured the Guardians would help because they wouldn't actually be interfering in the mortal world."
"Cole," said Phoebe, "I was wondering. Why were you able to resist turning evil under Anton's control?"
"Because the Dark Lord can only bend demons to his will," answered Cole.
"But you're a demon, too," said Paige. "Aren't you?"
"No," said Cole. "I haven't been one since I came back from the Wasteland. I may have demonic powers, but I have a human soul. Michael, on the other hand, has a soul that is half human and half demon, much like mine used to be."
"I guess that makes sense," said Piper.
"What did you do with the Grimoire?" asked Michael.
"I took it to the Wasteland," said Cole. "You see, I realized that we're the only two beings powerful enough to physically enter the Wasteland, so evil will never be able to reclaim it. It's just as safe as destroying it, except without the Dark Lord factor."
"Now I see where the intelligence in our family comes from," said Michael, grinning. "It's definitely from our mothers." They all laughed warmly, relaxing in each others' company.
"Well, I would like to propose a small toast," said Leo, raising his beer, "to Michael and Cole, for collectively defeating the greatest evil in the Underworld."
"Hear, hear," they all said.
THE END
By the time the first day of practice sessions was over, the girls were exhausted. Both Phoebe and Paige had to expend a lot of energy to access their new powers, but Leo assured them that in time that would fade. In addition, the training was physically exhausting for all of them. A lot of rolling, dodging, and kicking had also come out. In fact, Michael and Cole were the only ones who weren't tired.
'Damn their demonic invincibility,' thought Phoebe. 'At least when I was the Source's Queen, I didn't tire myself out from using my powers.'
Despite this, the training had done them all some good. Reflexes were quicker and strength was increasing. The girls had dramatically increased their accuracy with their active powers to the point where Phoebe could light a candle with a thin stream of flame from twenty feet away. Paige could do the same with her energy bolts. As for Piper, her control over freezing and blowing up objects had increased to the point where, if she wanted to, she could do both simultaneously.
After they all said goodnight, Michael found Phoebe in their room sweating profusely. "Well, I guess that workout really wiped you out, didn't it?" he asked.
"Yeah, but it's more than that," said Phoebe. "I feel really hot right now..." As she looked at Michael, a wicked grin came to her face. "...and I don't just mean my body temperature."
'Oh, boy,' thought Michael. "It's probably a side effect of the new power," said Michael quickly as Phoebe got up and walked to him, grinning like the Cheshire cat. "I mean, making fireballs generates a lot of heat, so I guess this makes some sense."
"Does it bother you?" she asked seductively, reaching behind him to shut the door.
"No, not really," he said as she pinned him against the wall. "This just seems strangely similar to what you told me about the time you were linked to the Succubus."
"Well, I hope you don't think you'd be taking advantage of me in this state," Phoebe purred. "It's not like I'm drunk. I'm just really, really HOT."
'God, if I ever piss her off, strike me dead,' thought Michael as he prepared himself for a very long night with his wife.
****
Anton sat back in his throne as the Dark Priests gathered for the meeting. "I'm sorry for the abrupt nature in which this meeting was called, but I felt in light of recent discoveries it was necessary." He turned to Lindor, his personal advisor, to begin the meeting.
"The soldiers' training is progressing smoothly," said Lindor. "Their battle skills have already increased tremendously. It should only be another week or so before they will be ready to battle the Charmed Ones."
"Good," said Damien. "Once they are ready, the Charmed Ones will no longer be of any concern to me. Now, moving forward, I have finished researching the Ancient Prophecies, and I have discovered how to free the Dark Lord's spirit."
A ripple of astonishment went through the crowd.
"The real trick was discovering what his prison actually was. When I discovered the truth, it all made sense. As you know, whenever we coronate a new Source, the greatest powers and evil essence are bestowed." He paused to let this sink in. "The new Source must place his hand on the Grimoire and recite the oath spell. However, has anyone considered where this powerful evil comes from?"
At first the Priests were confused. Suddenly, the answer registered will shock on all their faces as they realized the truth.
"Yes," continued Damien. "The Dark Lord's prison IS the Grimoire. It did not exist before the end of his reign. This was done so his power could be shared by future leaders of evil, yet the Dark Lord himself could not directly influence the events afterward. That is, until a being powerful enough to destroy the Grimoire came into existence. That time has now arrived."
"But I thought the Grimoire is immune to white magic," stated one Priest.
"That is a misconception," said Anton with an evil grin. "It is immune to witches' and their magic. However, those with demon blood or demonic powers can affect and use the Grimoire. And I know of two beings on the side of good with demonic powers that are powerful enough to destroy the Grimoire." He paused as the Priests now understood. "Has it become clear to you gentlemen? If our armies should fail, I guarantee you that either Michael Smith or the former Belthazor will try to destroy the Grimoire.
"And when they do, they will be bringing about their own deaths."
****
Two weeks passed.
The Charmed Ones felt more powerful than ever. Their powers were practically maxed out as far as development went, and their battle skills were near perfect. All that remained was for a plan to be put into action. And the Elders had just the thing.
"They want us to do WHAT!" exclaimed Piper.
"The Elders think that you guys should go down there now and hit the army before they get up here," said Leo. "If this is an all out war as they fear, they may start using magic out in the open on innocents."
"We can't let that happen, Leo," said Paige.
"Right, which is why there's something we can do about it," said Leo. He turned to Michael and Cole. "You two are practically invincible, right?"
"Pretty much," said Michael. "The only way to kill either one of us would require stripping our powers first."
"So you two could probably penetrate deep into the Underworld if you had to," continued Leo.
"Yeah, I think so," agreed Cole. "Why do you ask?"
"The Elders want you to go down with the girls," said Leo. "If you can make it past the army, they want you two to destroy the Grimoire."
"Destroy the..." Michael started. "Leo, do you have any idea how well guarded that thing is? Not to mention the fact that we can't touch it or do anything to it."
"Maybe the girls can't," Leo said, "but you can."
"Why would we..." Cole trailed off.
"It's because we have demonic powers, isn't it?" said Michael. "The Grimoire is immune to witches' magic, not demonic magic. That's why you guys couldn't destroy it when you vanquished the Seer."
"Exactly," said Leo. "And if you destroy the Grimoire..."
"Then there could never be another Source," said Michael. "The Underworld would be in chaos for years."
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Leo?" asked Cole. "There's just something about this that worries me, but I can't figure out what."
"Not that I can think of," Leo replied. "The Elders say this will probably be your last chance to take them by surprise."
"Well, I'm in," said Phoebe. Piper and Paige nodded their replies. Phoebe turned to Michael. "Baby?" she queried.
"Why not," he said, smiling. "Are you in, Cole?"
"Yeah," Cole said indistinctly. He had a very bad feeling about this, but he pushed it aside. "You guys should follow Michael and me. We know the way down better." That said, Cole blurred out and Michael shimmered with Phoebe. Paige orbed out with Piper and Leo orbed out last.
****
The group reappeared in the Main Chamber of the Underworld. Fifty demons and warlocks stood at attention, and on the Source's throne sat...
"Anton," Phoebe said with disgust.
"Surprised to see me?" he asked with an evil laugh. "You should be. I hadn't been expecting our late Source Damien to find a reason for bringing me back. But your deaths should suit me just fine." Then he yelled, "ATTACK!"
The warlocks and demons began hurtling all sorts of weaponry at them, including athames, energy balls, and fireballs. However, the Charmed Ones were well prepared for the attacks. Phoebe threw fireballs and Paige shot energy bolts while Piper blew up offending soldiers while sustaining minimal injuries themselves. Michael and Cole, of course, absorbed most of the magical attacks and self-healed from any stab wounds.
Within minutes, every last warlock and demon had been vanquished, and only Anton was left.
"Looks like you lose," said Phoebe coldly.
"Not yet, not as long as I have this," said Anton. The Grimoire appeared in his hands. "You see, all I have to do is become the Source, and then the only way to stop me is with your crystal cage, which, I see you didn't bring with you." He grinned wickedly at them. "So, what are you going to do instead?"
"I was thinking about this," said Michael. He gestured and the Grimoire flew out of Anton's hands and into his own. "Game over, Anton," he said. Michael through the Grimoire up into the air and summoned Excalibur. With one sweeping move, Michael smashed the Grimoire to pieces. At that moment, Cole realized why he had been so apprehensive.
And then Cole saw the dark cloud appear where Michael had smashed the Grimoire. "Oh, shit," he said.
"What the hell is that?" Michael said. As they watched, the dark cloud flowed into Anton. Anton gasped and began to scream for several seconds. When it was over, he stood straight and opened his eyes. They now glowed bright red.
"We've got to get out of here," said Cole.
"What happened?" asked Phoebe, clinging to Michael.
"The Dark Lord," Cole said. "He's back."
"Yes," said Anton, "I am." He looked at Michael, and he was suddenly flung out of Phoebe's grasp and landed at Anton's feet. Phoebe moved to go after him, but Cole held her back.
Anton forced Michael to look at him. "You are mine," he intoned.
"What the..." Suddenly, Michael began to scream. He felt as though his insides were being ripped apart and put back together.
"MICHAEL!" yelled Phoebe. She tried to run to her husband, but Cole held her firmly. "Let me go!"
"You can't help him now," Cole said sadly. "It's too late."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Phoebe snarled. Suddenly, Michael stopped screaming. He rose to his feet and looked at the others. He took a deep breath and smiled. Yet something was wrong, and Cole could sense it.
"Baby, are you alright?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes, Phoebe," said Michael coolly. "I'm perfectly fine now." Suddenly, Michael's eyes flamed and turned black briefly, and then returned to their normal color - the mark of the Source.
Phoebe felt sick. "Oh, God, no, no, no, no, not again..." She twisted out of Cole's grasp and threw up violently.
"You are next," said Anton to Cole, locking his red eyes onto Cole's blue ones. Cole flew across the room and began to scream. Anton turned his attention back to Michael. "Destroy the Charmed Ones, Michael," he commanded.
"As you wish, Master," said Michael. A Source-style fireball appeared in his hand.
"No, Michael!" yelled Piper. "You can't do this!"
"Oh, but I can," he said in an evil voice. However, just as he was about to throw it, Cole reached up and grabbed his arm.
"NO!" yelled Anton. "You cannot resist my will!"
"Wrong answer," said Cole, struggling with Michael. He yelled to Paige and Leo, "GO!" They grabbed Phoebe and Piper and orbed out.
Michael threw Cole off of him and snarled angrily. Before he had a chance to attack, Cole blurred out.
Anton grinned. "Belthazor would have been a nice bonus, but you will do fine at my right hand, Michael."
Michael bowed low before the Dark Lord. "As you will, Master," he said.
****
Cole materialized in a very somber Halliwell Manor. Phoebe was crying hysterically, and Piper and Paige were trying to calm her down. Leo was pacing in an attempt to come up with a solution.
Piper stood up as she noticed Cole, but her hopeful expression drooped as she saw that Cole was alone. Cole lifted tear filled eyes and looked at her. Piper walked over and hugged Cole tightly. Cole allowed her to hold him for a minute before disengaging himself from her embrace. Cole took Leo aside to speak in private. "How's Phoebe?" he asked.
Leo sighed. "She's taking it pretty hard," he answered.
"I don't know what to do, Leo," said Cole. "He's my cousin. I should have been looking out for him."
"Cole, this isn't your fault," said Leo.
"I knew something wasn't right about this," Cole replied in frustration. "I should have trusted my instincts and said no."
"You couldn't have known what was going to happen."
"I should have, Leo," Cole snapped. "And now my cousin is evil because of it."
"I guess the more appropriate question is where we go from here," said Leo.
"I know one thing for certain," said Cole firmly. "I won't rest until I bring Michael back."
****
"Michael, come forward," said Anton.
"What is thy bidding, Master?" asked Michael.
"As you know, the Power of Three is strong," continued Anton. "I need you to kill the Charmed Ones. Once they are dead, the threat shall be over."
"As you wish, Master," said Michael with a low bow. Then he flamed out.
Anton smiled. All was going according to plan. Soon evil would conquer all.
****
"Cole, what are you doing?" asked Piper.
"Making a potion," he said. Cole had spent the last half hour in the kitchen mixing herbs.
"What for?" she asked.
"Trust me, it is better you don't know," he said in a tone that did not allow for argument. Piper stormed back into the living room.
Cole added a little bit of ginger and the potion flamed. It was ready. Cole ladled a bit of red-colored liquid into a potion bottle and capped it. He walked back into the living room
"Cole, what is the potion for?" asked Phoebe in a tired voice. She barely had any strength left.
"Insurance," he said. Phoebe blanched at his cold tone. Suddenly, Michael flamed into the room.
"Don't fight me," he said. "It will make your deaths much more painless."
"Michael, please don't do this," begged Phoebe. "I love you."
Michael looked at her, and for a brief moment, Phoebe saw the real Michael in his eyes. "I'm sorry, but I have no choice." He summoned a fireball. Then Cole stepped forward and grabbed him.
"You may not, but I do," Cole said. He and Michael blurred out.
****
Cole and Michael reappeared at the penthouse. Cole shoved Michael away from him. Michael sneered at his cousin. "What did you think you'd accomplish, Cole?" he said, chuckling evilly. "You've just stalled me. After I finish you off, I'll go back and kill them."
"Then I'm afraid I have no choice," said Cole gravely. He took the potion from his pocket and shattered it at Michael's feet.
"What is...?" Michael started, but then he felt his strength draining from him. As it did, he could feel the evil dissipating from his soul. Just before he lost consciousness, he turned a look of gratitude at his cousin. Then he passed out.
****
"Where the hell did Cole take him?" yelled Phoebe. After Cole had vanished with Michael, Leo and Paige had attempted to follow but Cole had erased his trail.
"I think the more important question is what that potion he made is for," said Piper.
"I swear if Cole hurt him, I'll..." Phoebe never finished that sentence, for at that moment, Cole blurred into the room with Michael in his arms. Michael was pale and breathing shallowly. "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!" she screamed.
"I freed him," said Cole simply.
Michael groaned in Cole's arms. "Oh, shit, my head hurts." Cole put Michael down on the couch. Michael's eyes fluttered and opened. "Cole?" he questioned. His cousin nodded. Then Michael's eyes fell on his wife, and a warm smile came to his face. "Phoebe..."
"Oh, baby," she sobbed as she rushed over to the couch. She threw her arms around his neck and rained kisses over his face. "I was so scared," she said. "I thought I'd lost you again."
"I told you I'm not going anywhere, remember?" he said, holding her against his chest.
"Well, as long as I'm holding you, you are NOT leaving this house," Phoebe said firmly. She smiled at Michael and kissed him again.
"So, Cole, what was that potion for?" asked Piper.
"It was a binding potion," he explained. "I used it to bind Michael's powers, and in the process I severed the connection between the Dark Lord and Michael."
"Clever idea," Piper remarked. "Why didn't you want us to know?"
"To be honest, I didn't think you'd let me," said Cole. "It was pretty risky. There was the chance that Michael could have died from this, but it was calculated. Better that then have him be evil."
"It was the right thing, Cole," said Leo. "I would have done the same."
"So, how do we stop the Dark Lord?" asked Paige. "Somehow, I don't think the Power of Three is going to cut it on this one."
"You're right, Paige," said Cole, getting to his feet. "But I think I know what to do." Cole blurred out without another word.
****
Anton was seething with rage. Only minutes after Michael had gone to kill the Charmed Ones, his control link to Michael was abruptly severed. He couldn't believe that they had been strong enough to stop him.
No matter. Soon, with the Dark Lord inside of him, Anton could raise evil to a level where it would decimate the side of good forever.
Anton was suddenly startled to see Cole blur into the Chamber. Anton grinned evilly. "Come to die, have you?"
"I wasn't planning on it," said Cole. At that moment, eight white robed figures appeared in the Chamber.
Anton's eyes widened in shock and he said, "No..."
"We cannot allow a force of evil as powerful as you to run free," said Azar. The Guardians all gestured at Anton, who then fell to the floor and began to scream. A dark cloud of energy flowed out of him. The Guardians gestured again, and the broken pieces of the Grimoire flew through the air and reformed around the dark energy. The Grimoire fell to the ground. Cole gestured and the Grimoire flew into his hands.
"I don't think you'll need this where you're going," said Cole. Cole threw an energy ball at Anton and vanquished him. Then Cole turned to the Guardians. "Thanks for the help."
"Think nothing of it," said Azar. "We were merely maintaining the balance between good and evil." The Guardians bowed and vanished.
Cole looked down at the Grimoire. "I wonder what I should do with this," he said. A grin came to Cole's face as the idea struck him. Cole blurred to the Wasteland.
****
By nightfall, the group was definitely in a much better mood and decided to celebrate at P3. After Cole had returned, he made up the potion to unbind Michael's powers and gave to him. The next hour was spent mostly in laughter because the rush Michael got from getting his powers back made him seem like he was high, but it wore off after that.
Michael leaned back in his chair and sighed. Phoebe was snuggling comfortably with him. "I guess this was bound to happen at some point," she said.
"Being possessed by evil?" Michael asked. Phoebe nodded. "It's already happened to all of you, so I guess it was inevitable." Michael paused. "I tried so hard to resist him, but I couldn't. I would have killed you if Cole hadn't stopped me."
"I don't necessarily believe that," said Phoebe. "I could see the struggle in your eyes. I think that you could have stopped yourself if you had to. Either way, the important thing is that you're alright." She snuggled closer to Michael.
At that moment, the others came and sat down. Michael said to Cole, "Thanks for saving me."
"No problem," said Cole. "I figured the Guardians would help because they wouldn't actually be interfering in the mortal world."
"Cole," said Phoebe, "I was wondering. Why were you able to resist turning evil under Anton's control?"
"Because the Dark Lord can only bend demons to his will," answered Cole.
"But you're a demon, too," said Paige. "Aren't you?"
"No," said Cole. "I haven't been one since I came back from the Wasteland. I may have demonic powers, but I have a human soul. Michael, on the other hand, has a soul that is half human and half demon, much like mine used to be."
"I guess that makes sense," said Piper.
"What did you do with the Grimoire?" asked Michael.
"I took it to the Wasteland," said Cole. "You see, I realized that we're the only two beings powerful enough to physically enter the Wasteland, so evil will never be able to reclaim it. It's just as safe as destroying it, except without the Dark Lord factor."
"Now I see where the intelligence in our family comes from," said Michael, grinning. "It's definitely from our mothers." They all laughed warmly, relaxing in each others' company.
"Well, I would like to propose a small toast," said Leo, raising his beer, "to Michael and Cole, for collectively defeating the greatest evil in the Underworld."
"Hear, hear," they all said.
THE END