"The renegade sister has regained much power." Sighed the Third Voice.
"I fear she is losing the tenuous link she had with good." Mused the Second Voice.
"The Charmed Ones must destroy the one known as Cole!" Admonished the First Voice.
"He is beyond even our power." Said the Second Voice.
"Beyond fate herself." Added the Third Voice.
"We will observe." Finished the Fourth Voice.
* * *
Cole pushed the door open and Phoebe their new home. "So what do you think? Not as grand as the penthouse but still… not to shabby."
She stepped into the hallway and looked around. It seemed so bare and empty after The Manor. Not wanting to disappoint Cole, she smiled and took his hand. "Its wonderful. I couldn't want a nicer place."
He led her through the hallway and into a large living room. She looked at the undressed windows and shivered. It seemed so cold. Cole led her on, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort. "This is the…"
"Bedroom," she finished, turning to catch his eye. "Its lovely. It'll be even nicer when we get a bed."
"I'm sure we'll make do without…" Said Cole, smirking slightly. He turned to show her the other rooms when four demons materialized.
"Just give us the girl and we'll not harm you Cole." Started the first, but was cut off when Cole threw a fireball at him. As he burst into flames the other demons started to attack.
Phoebe held up her hand and concentrated on a large demon that was starting towards her. He came within a metre before slowing down and then screamed in pain as his limbs stopped working. Within a few seconds he was lying on the floor, arms and legs shuddering. "Cole, give me a knife or something!"
Cole paused his fighting with the two other demons to bend down. He withdrew a knife from his boot and tossed it to Phoebe. She caught it and slashed it down, stabbing the demon in the chest. He burnt away as Cole finished off the other two with a couple of fireballs.
"That was close. How did they find out where we were so soon? And why did they want me?" Questioned Phoebe, as she looked imploringly at Cole.
He shrugged and bent to retrieve his knife from the ground. As he straightened up Phoebe took it from his hand. "I think I better keep this. My new power is good but there's only so much I can do with it."
"Of course. We can always… no never mind." He started but then trailed off.
"No tell me, what can we do?" Asked Phoebe, her interest piqued.
"We can always go and get you another power. Something with a little more… kick." He glanced at her, uncertainty in his eyes.
She idly turned the knife in her hands and considered. "Where would we get it from? Another power broker?"
"Maybe. Or we could steal it off a demon. Or a… witch." He paused, wondering at her reaction.
"A demon yes, but a witch? I can't kill a witch to get his, or her, power. It would be wrong, Cole." She stared disbelievingly at him.
"I never said we had to kill to get the power. Don't assume that I would kill, Phoebe." He sounded hurt.
"Why wouldn't I presume that you'd kill? You've done it before, lots and lots of times." She retorted curtly.
"Since when did you get morals? You had no problem with me killing to protect you, or your sisters, for that matter," He saw her tense at the mention of her sisters. "Listen, Phoebe. I just want to know you are safe and can look after yourself if anything happens to me." He tried to placate her.
Phoebe tilted her head and looked at him. "Ok. We'll go and get a power. But I don't want to kill anything that isn't a demon. Got it?" He nodded and smiled. She took his arm and they shimmered out.
* * *
Prue lay out on the couch and lazily flicked through the channels on television. Piper walked in and just stood there, watching her for a few moments.
Prue stretched and saw Piper looking at her. She smiled at her and put down the remote. "Whatcha looking at me like that for?" She asked.
"I still can't believe your back. I am scared that I'll wake up and find out this is all a big dream, and that you'll be gone again."
Prue got up and hugged Piper. "Don't even think that. I'm back and I certainly don't plan on leaving again so soon."
Paige walked in, carrying the book. "Oh sorry, shall I come back when you're finished?" She asked. Prue shook her head and beckoned Paige over.
"Why have you got the book Paige? Planning some kind of spell?" Questioned Piper.
Paige shook her head and set the book down on the table. "I've been thinking about Phoebe."
"Haven't we all." Interrupted Prue.
"Yeah. If she is with Cole there is every chance she'll turn completely evil… again. Like Queen of the Underworld evil." Continued Paige.
"Where's this going Paige?" Asked Piper, a wary look on her face.
"I think we should go and bind her powers. More accurately bind her from using magic altogether. It's the only way we can make sure she doesn't become too powerful." Finished Paige.
"And a threat to herself." Added Prue, the full realisation of Paige's words hitting her.
"And us." Said Paige.
"And most importantly innocents." Concluded Piper, as she opened the book.
"What kind of spell were you think of Paige?" Enquired Prue, as she peered over Piper's shoulder at the book.
"Um. I am not sure yet. I was thinking of using the basic power binding potion combined with some good ol' Power of Three for extra pep." She answered cautiously. She wanted to make a good impression on Prue, and show that she could handle magic as well as the rest of them.
"Sounds good. But can't we leave that as a last resort, if talking to her doesn't do any good?" Said Prue.
"Sure, I just wanted something for a backup. Something to use if all else fails." Agreed Paige as she looked at Piper for confirmation. Piper nodded her approval and shut the book.
"I might as well try and contact Phoebe now. No time like the present and all that." Said Prue.
"Need me to orb you to her?" Paige asked her.
"No thanks. I'll Astral Project to her. I won't be in any danger if she attacks me. You ok with that Piper? Hey, Piper!" Prue repeated when she got no response out of her sister.
Piper was grinning contentedly to herself. "What? Oh yeah, sure. Go for it." She finally said.
"Are you alright?" Prue asked, a concerned expression on her face.
Piper nodded and smiled again. "I was just happy you two are getting along so well."
They all laughed and then Prue stopped them. "Well I better get going. I should be able to Astral right to her if I concentrate on her. Wish me luck!"
Piper and Paige smiled encouragingly as Prue lay back on the couch. After taking a few deep breaths she shut her eyes and fell unconscious.
* * *
"Is that a demon or a witch?" Asked Phoebe, as she pointed to a mid height blonde woman walking ahead of them.
"Witch, I think. But remember that we don't have to kill her, so it's alright." Cole answered as he withdrew the athame from his belt. "Remember what I said; stun her with your power then hold the athame above her, so that it just touches her skin, then say the words."
Phoebe nodded as she took the athame and walked behind the woman. She held out her arm and focused on her.
The woman carried on walking as normal for a few more paces, and then she stopped turned around, facing Phoebe. "Don't try anything on me, demon. I'll vanquish you faster than you can say… ahhh!" She stopped talking to Phoebe and then screamed as her arms and legs began to spasm and stop working. She fell to the ground and lay shaking slightly.
Phoebe turned back to Cole, who was encouraging her to finish it. "Go on, Phoebe. Just say the words!"
She ran to the woman and knelt in front of her, holding the athame at the ready. "Just keep still and this will be over quickly." Phoebe told the woman, as she brought the athame closer.
The woman struggled futilely against the paralysis of Phoebe's power. Sensing it was doing no good she began to narrow her eyes. They had closed to a mere slit when two beams of orange light shot out. The beams hit the athame and sent it hissing from Phoebe's hand. Another set of beams hit Phoebe in the chest and sent her flying backwards. Cole ran forwards to help her.
Just to the left of the woman Prue Astral Projected in. She saw the woman lying on the ground and Cole running towards her. Without thinking Prue jumped forwards and landed in a protective crouch in front of the woman. "Are you ok?" She asked her.
"I… I can't move my arms and legs. That demon did something to me. She was about to kill me!" Screeched the woman.
Prue wordlessly looked at Phoebe, a stunned expression on her face. Her little sister had tried to kill a good witch. "Hello Phoebe. I see your still keeping company with… him."
Phoebe looked up at her from the ground and frantically scrabbled for the athame. "Prue… you… you're. You're back. I thought I felt something. So how's life in The Manor? Perfect as always?" She spoke with an air of false confidence.
Prue sighed and looked at the athame, and then to Cole. "I see you've definitely chosen your side. I came to try and convince you to come back to us. But I see there's no point."
"Just let me carry on and we'll be out of each others hair forever. Just forget this happened Prue." Pleaded Phoebe. There was a desperate expression on her face. Cole was looming behind her, ready to attack if needs be.
"I can't do that Phoebe. Not all of us can turn our backs on what matters. I won't let you have this woman. Now either back off or prepare to be beaten." Prue said stonily, her anger surpassing any sentimental feelings she had for her estranged sister.
Phoebe took the athame in one hand and sprang at the woman, trying to dodge Prue. Prue leapt to a crouch and kicked Phoebe to the side. Cole ran at her straight away, causing her to jump up and start exchanging blows with him.
"Do it Phoebe! While I keep her busy!" He shouted, as Phoebe got to her feet, looking slightly dazed. She ran at the woman. Prue kicked Cole hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. She quickly span and took a flying kick at Phoebe. It hit her in the ribs and sent her spinning away. Prue landed awkwardly on her side and grimaced slightly.
"Hey Prue!" Roared Cole. She looked up and saw him throw a large fireball at her. She threw up her hand as a reflex but as she was in her Astral form it did nothing. The fireball hit her and Astral Prue disappeared.
Phoebe was gasping heavily and holding her side. Anger streaked her face and she grabbed the athame determinedly in two hands. Cole's instructions and her previous qualms about killing a witch were gone, now replaced with a blazing anger. She wanted to hurt Prue; she wanted to make Prue suffer for making her feel so useless and such a waste of space. She reached the woman and plunged the athame into her chest, screaming with powerless rage as she did so. The woman screamed and writhed helplessly. Phoebe ignored her and dug the athame deeper and revelled in the woman's pain. The raw magic from her victim flowed directly up the athame and into her body. It fed her anger and energised her. She wrenched the athame out and threw it to the ground. She almost fell forwards, the euphoria of the power making her dizzy and disorientated.
Cole ran to catch her. "You did it. You actually did it." He said, a dangerous edge to his voice.
Phoebe leant against him and breathed deeply, inhaling his scent. "Take us away from here, I don't want to be here when the darling sisters return." She took a last look at the corpse of the woman before Cole shimmered them away.
"I fear she is losing the tenuous link she had with good." Mused the Second Voice.
"The Charmed Ones must destroy the one known as Cole!" Admonished the First Voice.
"He is beyond even our power." Said the Second Voice.
"Beyond fate herself." Added the Third Voice.
"We will observe." Finished the Fourth Voice.
* * *
Cole pushed the door open and Phoebe their new home. "So what do you think? Not as grand as the penthouse but still… not to shabby."
She stepped into the hallway and looked around. It seemed so bare and empty after The Manor. Not wanting to disappoint Cole, she smiled and took his hand. "Its wonderful. I couldn't want a nicer place."
He led her through the hallway and into a large living room. She looked at the undressed windows and shivered. It seemed so cold. Cole led her on, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort. "This is the…"
"Bedroom," she finished, turning to catch his eye. "Its lovely. It'll be even nicer when we get a bed."
"I'm sure we'll make do without…" Said Cole, smirking slightly. He turned to show her the other rooms when four demons materialized.
"Just give us the girl and we'll not harm you Cole." Started the first, but was cut off when Cole threw a fireball at him. As he burst into flames the other demons started to attack.
Phoebe held up her hand and concentrated on a large demon that was starting towards her. He came within a metre before slowing down and then screamed in pain as his limbs stopped working. Within a few seconds he was lying on the floor, arms and legs shuddering. "Cole, give me a knife or something!"
Cole paused his fighting with the two other demons to bend down. He withdrew a knife from his boot and tossed it to Phoebe. She caught it and slashed it down, stabbing the demon in the chest. He burnt away as Cole finished off the other two with a couple of fireballs.
"That was close. How did they find out where we were so soon? And why did they want me?" Questioned Phoebe, as she looked imploringly at Cole.
He shrugged and bent to retrieve his knife from the ground. As he straightened up Phoebe took it from his hand. "I think I better keep this. My new power is good but there's only so much I can do with it."
"Of course. We can always… no never mind." He started but then trailed off.
"No tell me, what can we do?" Asked Phoebe, her interest piqued.
"We can always go and get you another power. Something with a little more… kick." He glanced at her, uncertainty in his eyes.
She idly turned the knife in her hands and considered. "Where would we get it from? Another power broker?"
"Maybe. Or we could steal it off a demon. Or a… witch." He paused, wondering at her reaction.
"A demon yes, but a witch? I can't kill a witch to get his, or her, power. It would be wrong, Cole." She stared disbelievingly at him.
"I never said we had to kill to get the power. Don't assume that I would kill, Phoebe." He sounded hurt.
"Why wouldn't I presume that you'd kill? You've done it before, lots and lots of times." She retorted curtly.
"Since when did you get morals? You had no problem with me killing to protect you, or your sisters, for that matter," He saw her tense at the mention of her sisters. "Listen, Phoebe. I just want to know you are safe and can look after yourself if anything happens to me." He tried to placate her.
Phoebe tilted her head and looked at him. "Ok. We'll go and get a power. But I don't want to kill anything that isn't a demon. Got it?" He nodded and smiled. She took his arm and they shimmered out.
* * *
Prue lay out on the couch and lazily flicked through the channels on television. Piper walked in and just stood there, watching her for a few moments.
Prue stretched and saw Piper looking at her. She smiled at her and put down the remote. "Whatcha looking at me like that for?" She asked.
"I still can't believe your back. I am scared that I'll wake up and find out this is all a big dream, and that you'll be gone again."
Prue got up and hugged Piper. "Don't even think that. I'm back and I certainly don't plan on leaving again so soon."
Paige walked in, carrying the book. "Oh sorry, shall I come back when you're finished?" She asked. Prue shook her head and beckoned Paige over.
"Why have you got the book Paige? Planning some kind of spell?" Questioned Piper.
Paige shook her head and set the book down on the table. "I've been thinking about Phoebe."
"Haven't we all." Interrupted Prue.
"Yeah. If she is with Cole there is every chance she'll turn completely evil… again. Like Queen of the Underworld evil." Continued Paige.
"Where's this going Paige?" Asked Piper, a wary look on her face.
"I think we should go and bind her powers. More accurately bind her from using magic altogether. It's the only way we can make sure she doesn't become too powerful." Finished Paige.
"And a threat to herself." Added Prue, the full realisation of Paige's words hitting her.
"And us." Said Paige.
"And most importantly innocents." Concluded Piper, as she opened the book.
"What kind of spell were you think of Paige?" Enquired Prue, as she peered over Piper's shoulder at the book.
"Um. I am not sure yet. I was thinking of using the basic power binding potion combined with some good ol' Power of Three for extra pep." She answered cautiously. She wanted to make a good impression on Prue, and show that she could handle magic as well as the rest of them.
"Sounds good. But can't we leave that as a last resort, if talking to her doesn't do any good?" Said Prue.
"Sure, I just wanted something for a backup. Something to use if all else fails." Agreed Paige as she looked at Piper for confirmation. Piper nodded her approval and shut the book.
"I might as well try and contact Phoebe now. No time like the present and all that." Said Prue.
"Need me to orb you to her?" Paige asked her.
"No thanks. I'll Astral Project to her. I won't be in any danger if she attacks me. You ok with that Piper? Hey, Piper!" Prue repeated when she got no response out of her sister.
Piper was grinning contentedly to herself. "What? Oh yeah, sure. Go for it." She finally said.
"Are you alright?" Prue asked, a concerned expression on her face.
Piper nodded and smiled again. "I was just happy you two are getting along so well."
They all laughed and then Prue stopped them. "Well I better get going. I should be able to Astral right to her if I concentrate on her. Wish me luck!"
Piper and Paige smiled encouragingly as Prue lay back on the couch. After taking a few deep breaths she shut her eyes and fell unconscious.
* * *
"Is that a demon or a witch?" Asked Phoebe, as she pointed to a mid height blonde woman walking ahead of them.
"Witch, I think. But remember that we don't have to kill her, so it's alright." Cole answered as he withdrew the athame from his belt. "Remember what I said; stun her with your power then hold the athame above her, so that it just touches her skin, then say the words."
Phoebe nodded as she took the athame and walked behind the woman. She held out her arm and focused on her.
The woman carried on walking as normal for a few more paces, and then she stopped turned around, facing Phoebe. "Don't try anything on me, demon. I'll vanquish you faster than you can say… ahhh!" She stopped talking to Phoebe and then screamed as her arms and legs began to spasm and stop working. She fell to the ground and lay shaking slightly.
Phoebe turned back to Cole, who was encouraging her to finish it. "Go on, Phoebe. Just say the words!"
She ran to the woman and knelt in front of her, holding the athame at the ready. "Just keep still and this will be over quickly." Phoebe told the woman, as she brought the athame closer.
The woman struggled futilely against the paralysis of Phoebe's power. Sensing it was doing no good she began to narrow her eyes. They had closed to a mere slit when two beams of orange light shot out. The beams hit the athame and sent it hissing from Phoebe's hand. Another set of beams hit Phoebe in the chest and sent her flying backwards. Cole ran forwards to help her.
Just to the left of the woman Prue Astral Projected in. She saw the woman lying on the ground and Cole running towards her. Without thinking Prue jumped forwards and landed in a protective crouch in front of the woman. "Are you ok?" She asked her.
"I… I can't move my arms and legs. That demon did something to me. She was about to kill me!" Screeched the woman.
Prue wordlessly looked at Phoebe, a stunned expression on her face. Her little sister had tried to kill a good witch. "Hello Phoebe. I see your still keeping company with… him."
Phoebe looked up at her from the ground and frantically scrabbled for the athame. "Prue… you… you're. You're back. I thought I felt something. So how's life in The Manor? Perfect as always?" She spoke with an air of false confidence.
Prue sighed and looked at the athame, and then to Cole. "I see you've definitely chosen your side. I came to try and convince you to come back to us. But I see there's no point."
"Just let me carry on and we'll be out of each others hair forever. Just forget this happened Prue." Pleaded Phoebe. There was a desperate expression on her face. Cole was looming behind her, ready to attack if needs be.
"I can't do that Phoebe. Not all of us can turn our backs on what matters. I won't let you have this woman. Now either back off or prepare to be beaten." Prue said stonily, her anger surpassing any sentimental feelings she had for her estranged sister.
Phoebe took the athame in one hand and sprang at the woman, trying to dodge Prue. Prue leapt to a crouch and kicked Phoebe to the side. Cole ran at her straight away, causing her to jump up and start exchanging blows with him.
"Do it Phoebe! While I keep her busy!" He shouted, as Phoebe got to her feet, looking slightly dazed. She ran at the woman. Prue kicked Cole hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. She quickly span and took a flying kick at Phoebe. It hit her in the ribs and sent her spinning away. Prue landed awkwardly on her side and grimaced slightly.
"Hey Prue!" Roared Cole. She looked up and saw him throw a large fireball at her. She threw up her hand as a reflex but as she was in her Astral form it did nothing. The fireball hit her and Astral Prue disappeared.
Phoebe was gasping heavily and holding her side. Anger streaked her face and she grabbed the athame determinedly in two hands. Cole's instructions and her previous qualms about killing a witch were gone, now replaced with a blazing anger. She wanted to hurt Prue; she wanted to make Prue suffer for making her feel so useless and such a waste of space. She reached the woman and plunged the athame into her chest, screaming with powerless rage as she did so. The woman screamed and writhed helplessly. Phoebe ignored her and dug the athame deeper and revelled in the woman's pain. The raw magic from her victim flowed directly up the athame and into her body. It fed her anger and energised her. She wrenched the athame out and threw it to the ground. She almost fell forwards, the euphoria of the power making her dizzy and disorientated.
Cole ran to catch her. "You did it. You actually did it." He said, a dangerous edge to his voice.
Phoebe leant against him and breathed deeply, inhaling his scent. "Take us away from here, I don't want to be here when the darling sisters return." She took a last look at the corpse of the woman before Cole shimmered them away.
