Evil Times Five
I Do Not Own Charmed
Special Thanks to NotAlwaysaDemon for without her I may never have finished this story.
Chapter 4: The Battle, The Truth, The Hope.
Saurus gazed in amazement at his work taking shape. He was in ecstasy, he had finally achieved his goal, and he would be made legend for it. As the winds subsided five figures stood in the midst. The five, greatest Sources of all Evil were alive once more, and bound to need some explanation for what had been going on lately, except one. Saurus recognized him almost immediately. It was the latest Source, the one who the Charmed Ones had actually had to vanquish three times before he stayed dead, Saurus was ashamed for not realizing sooner that he was perhaps the greatest of all Sources.
"Welcome Sources," Saurus said, "We have much to discuss, please follow me into my inner sanctum, I feel that you all could possibly use some nutrients after being dead, some of you have been dead for centuries."
"Who are you demon? And why have you brought us here?" one asked.
"Yes Source, that will all be explained, but to prevent confusion, maybe we should disclose the names you had had before your individual coronations?"
"An excellent idea Saurus," the latest Source said through his disfigured face, "I will go last."
After a long silence, none of the Sources truly wanting to give up their anonymity, one spoke, "I was the Source of all Evil in the early 1600s. I brought great evil to this plane, until I was vanquished, I used to be known as Varex."
"I believe I was Source for 300 years before Varex killed me," another said, "I was known as Kotor"
After two had shown their willingness to disclose their identities, the other two came forward revealing themselves as Sulthor and Roque.
The four former Sources, and Saurus turned to the last Source. He gazed upon them as they awaited his words. As he removed his hood, exposing his hideous face, his twisted mouth opened.
"Now, that you inferior, poor excuses for demons have revealed your names, you shall address me as Source. I was the last, I was the greatest, I survived the Charmed Ones, the most powerful good magic to ever be known three times, and I have been revived once more. So, to you I am Source, together, we are the death of the Charmed Ones, and the possibly the last hope for evil. Saurus, what's been going on?"
***
The sisters three, sat with the demons two waiting. They were still thinking about what had happened. They knew the spell had been cast. They knew that there were five Sources of all Evil walking the Earth. The only thing they didn't know is, why the battle hadn't begun yet. It was frustrating for them, it was like the calm before the storm, all of the waiting in anticipation was awful, it made the five warriors cringe at the very thought.
"Cole! What the hell is taking so long," Jack yelled, pacing.
Since he had unleashed Bantor, he had noticed a lack of control over himself. He was more emotional, easily angered, less patient. He wasn't worried, he did have a presence of pure evil dwelling within him.
"Jack relax, it seems we have time. I don't think that they're coming for us right away, so I think we should just go back to the manor to wait."
"No," Jack said, "You go back to the manor, I've got to go see someone, its important."
"Fine, but be listening," Cole said, almost protectively.
As they got ready to leave Phoebe grabbed Jack's shoulder.
"You ok Cuss?" she asked.
"No."
Phoebe puts her hands on Jack's cheeks, holding his face two inches from hers to help eye contact.
"We're gonna be fine, we will win, and in the end, through the battle, you have your cousins, we've known each other for a matter of days, but I'm your big cousin, and I love you like a little brother, and," Phoebe laughed, "even though your far more powerful than me, I'm gonna do everything it takes to keep you safe."
Jack stared for a moment into her brown eyes with he blue ones. He knew it was true, and for the first time in his life, he felt safe, like nothing could hurt him. There had only been two other times in his life when he had felt this, once with his mother, and the other, with Caitlin, who he really needed to see before this went down.
"Thank you Phoebe, that means a lot, but I really need to see someone before this starts, so go grab Cole, and I'll see you in a bit."
He hugged Phoebe, stepped back, and flickered out.
***
It was late, when Jack materialized outside her house. He had told him mother everything, and surprisingly, she accepted it, and was happy for him, knowing that this was what he wanted. His mother would explain it to his father, and his father to his brother, but that's not what he was thinking about. He was thinking about her. He didn't flicker in, he just stood there, in the rain, pondering his relationship with her. She was the girl he loved, he had never felt like this before, they had gotten together just three months before he had left, and he had been a total idiot and forgotten to call. He was afraid of what she might say when she wakes up to his face.
He began to nod his head from side to side in shame, and flickered in. The room was dark, she was asleep.
"God she's beautiful," he thought.
Even when she was asleep she took his breath away. He walk over to her bed and knelt down beside her. His long black coat made him almost invisible. He leaned over to her sleeping face, and kissed her cheek softly. He didn't want to wake her, but he had to speak to her. It was selfish, but it had to be done. As he leaned back, away from her she began to stir. He took off his gloves, and stroked her face. In the three months they were together, if there was one thing Jack knew, it was this: she love the way he touched her face. She always said, that it was incredible that someone who was powerful as Jack was, and such a soft touch. He knew she'd recognize his touch, and she did.
As Caitlin awoke, she saw Jack's face, and said questioningly,
"Jack, is that you?"
"Yeah, its me girlie, is that you?" he said teasingly.
"Oh my God! Jack, it is you!"
She sprung up, and grab Jack's soldiers, trapping him in a hug, he never was to be released from. After a few moments, she pulled back, grabbed his face, and kissed him passionately.
"Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?" she asked quietly, so as not to wake her parents."
Jack's smile faded from his face, when he began,
"Caitlin, there are some things I need to tell you, but first I want you to know, that I love you. No matter what your reaction from what I'm about to tell you, I love you more than anything, you make me feel whole, and I am so very sorry for leaving and not telling you."
"Jack." she said trailing off, "What's wrong?"
So Jack told her. He told her about Cole, about his heritage, about his powers, about his adventures. He told her about his cousins, and their powers. And finally he told her about the evil he had to soon face.
After a few moments she spoke. She wasn't nervous, more like overwhelmed, and a bit disbelieving.
"So your telling me, that your part demon, witch, and warlock, but you call yourself more of a demon than a witch."
"Well technically, I'm more witch than demon, but the demonic part overwhelms the fact that I'm a witch also."
"Jack, sweetheart, did you hit your head?" she asked.
"No," he said innocently, not fully comprehending her disbelief. "Here let me show you,"
Jack stood up from her bed and held his hand out. He hope he was doing the right thing, and in an instant, he formed an energy ball.
"Oh my God," Caitlin yelped, but she wasn't scared, or intimidate by Jack, in fact she was intrigued, and a little turned on. "Jack, its true, you do have powers."
"That I do, so look, Cate, I've got to get back to my cousins, but are we alright?"
"Jack we are more than alright. You're like a super hero, your saving the world, and you're my boyfriend, and I love you. I'm a little scared for you, but I know you'll be ok."
Jack gleamed. He was ecstatic, he was actually going to be able to keep a little normality in his life in the form of Caitlin. He finally felt better. He had the love of his life back, and he was going to be able to go into battle, with everything fine in his head. He walked over to Caitlin who had stood up, and embraced her. He whispered in her ear,
"Caitlin, I've got to go and see my cousins, but I want you to know I love you, and I'll see you when the battle is over. Oh, and don't worry about when I disappear, its one of my powers. I love you." He kissed her cheek, and flickered out.
***
"Where do you think he is?" Piper asked, pacing around the conservatory.
Cole was leaning against the wall of the doorway with his eyes closed in deep meditation, "I'm sure he's fine, Piper, Jack's a big demon, he can take care of himself."
"Hey Cole, don't forget, Jack's not just a demon, he's part witch," Piper snapped waving her finger with a smirk."
"Of course he is, and that's exactly why you don't need to worry about him."
Phoebe and Paige were just sitting on the conservatory sofa when Chris orbed in.
"So how you doing," Chris asked.
"Oh were doing just fine," Paige said nodding sarcastically, "were only just about to go into battle, and the only guidance we've gotten is from a "reformed demon" which is in my opinion a little disconcerting."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, I've been up there," Chris said pointing, "The elders are none to happy about you three going into the Demonic Wastelands."
"Hey, you tell them it was my idea!" Cole snapped, removing his weight from the wall. "I took the sisters to the Wastelands to train, uninterrupted, and if the old farts have a problem with it, maybe they can invite me up there and I can."
Cole's rant was cut short as Leo orbed in, and said with a smirk "Easy Cole, watch your blood pressure."
"Leo!" Piper exclaimed hopping the couch she had recently sat down in. The two embraced and shared a kiss.
"So" Leo said with a sigh, "You all ready?"
"They're ready," Cole said.
"Did I ask you, Cole" Leo said smirking.
"I didn't ask you to my friend," Cole said shifting his weight.
"Ok ok enough bonding," Phoebe said, "Leo what do you know?"
"Not much, all we know is that the "Sources" are being informed about what's been going on here, the battle will start soon."
"Good," a voice said.
Just then Jack flickered in.
"I'm ready."
"Sure you are," Chris said.
"Watch your mouth Whitelighter, I bet that I've got just enough power to kill your already dead butt, and erase your sorry soul from existence. So just remember I'M NOT YOUR CHARGE, so you can keep your opinions to yourself."
Chris' head fell in discouragement.
"Jack you ok?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm fine Phoebe," Jack exclaimed, "I'm not nervous, I was perfectly happy on the flicker over, I just don't appreciate being told how ready I am for combat, by a pacifist, it irritates me."
The others laughed, Leo looked at them and was happy. He wasn't so sure about Jack at first, but the effect he's been having on the family was a good one. There wasn't anything the family could now but wait for evil to make the first move.
***
"So, as you can see," Saurus said, "evil has had a tremendous decline."
"Obviously." Kotor said.
"Now," Sulthor began, "What are we up against."
"Three witches, the Charmed Ones, one half demon, and one demon/witch/warlock. The third is a mystery, those are the only magical lineage's we know of at this point. He is very powerful, but young, if we were to, wound him emotionally, he would possibly be motivated to join us," Saurus stated.
"What are you suggesting?" Roque asked.
"His family, a mother and a father, and a brother." None of these people have magical powers, they are easy prey."
***
They merely sat, the greatest magical warriors of all time sat in the conservatory of the Halliwell Manor waiting. They had been doing a lot of this lately, and frankly, they were all fed up with it. Tempers were rising high, especially within the demons. Cole had stated it before, waiting is one thing he was never good at. The sisters stared at the conservatory floor from the sofa, Leo and Cole stood in the corner playing Rock-paper-scissors, Chris was meditating in cloud of blue and white orbs, and Jack, Jack kept creating energy balls, and extinguishing them. Just then, as if he had snapped out of a coma, Jack snapped to attention, and said,
"Something's wrong.Oh my god.no" and then he flickered out.
"Cole, what was that?" Piper asked.
"Nothing good," Cole said, obviously knowing more than he let on.
"Cole, you need to tell us, if you know, what just happened with Jack," Phoebe said.
"Jack has a link, a.psychic link, to his family, his brother especially, I think something has happened to them."
"Then why are we standing here, we have to help them! Why aren't you worried, Cole?" Phoebe exclaimed.
"Because Phoebe," Cole snapped, "They are already gone, and Jack needs to be alone for a few minutes, so that he can process what has happened to him, he just lost his entire past."
"Cole, you will take us to him right NOW." Phoebe said.
Their eyes locked, and Cole thought for a moment, he analyzed how serious she was, and made his decision.
"Follow me," he said as he blurred out.
***
When they appeared, they wished they hadn't. Jack was in his home's living room, kneeling in his parent ashes. They were gone, the only family he had known until recently, the man and the woman who raised him to be strong and decent, they were gone, they had died needless deaths, and it was because of Jack, or so he thought.
He kneeled their silently, and then a tear rolled down his cheek, and he said,
"I can't find Matthew."
"Jack," Leo asked, "What do you mean?"
"MY BROTHER LEO! I can't find his pile of ashes, but I can't feel him any more either, they probably killed him some where else."
"Jack," Paige started,
"Save it Paige, my mom and my dad are gone. Oh my God they're gone, no they can't be, good lord no."
They looked at Jack, this powerhouse of a man, on his knees, bawling, and no one could blame him, no one deserves this kind of pain.
Cole stepped toward him, "Jack." he said as he reached towards him,
"Get away from me Cole! This is your fault! You brought me into this world, you unlocked my powers, it was all you, on you goddamn quest for redemption, and now my parents are dead, and I cant find my brother, he is my baby brother, and I can't find him I've always been able to find him! Do you realize that? Do you? I can't feel his presence, Matty's gone too, I have no one."
"Jack, that's not true, your not alone, you have us, we're your cousins, you have Cole, we're not gonna let anything happen to you," Phoebe said, stepping towards Jack.
Jack stood up, and stared at his new family, he felt awful, and Bantor was banging against his mind trying to be released, it was so painful for him, because he wanted to let the demon out, but he knew that the consequences would be unimaginable if he did. Phoebe moved closer to him, and opened her arms, and the two embraced. Jack held onto his cousin as if he would be pulled into hell itself if he let go. And with his head on her shoulder, he cried, and as he cried Paige and Piper moved over to him and held onto him, trying however they could to cushion their cousins loss.
Cole stared at the four of them and blurred out, Leo followed.
***
They appeared on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
"Cole what Jack said, he didn't mean it," Leo said.
"He may not have meant it Leo, but that doesn't make him wrong, I got those people killed."
"Cole, you can't think of it that way, you gave Jack purpose, and you gave the sisters a cousin, and more family."
"You're. wait a minute, why you doing this, you have no obligation to help me, you may actually get kicked out of the elders for it."
"Cole I don't have friends, you know that, you and I are totally different, but you are my friend, you are my only friend, no matter how many times you screw up, I will always be your friend."
"Thanks Leo."
The two blurred and orbed back to Jack's home.
***
Now that everyone had reassembled back at the O'Brien house, there was a pressing matter at hand: What happens to Jack? His parents and brother were dead, and he was a minor, he couldn't live at his house by himself, the government wouldn't permit it. He could live with his godparents, but that was something Jack never wanted to do, especially now that he had powers. The ideal would be for him to be able to live with Cole and be able to see his cousins in San Francisco, but if he did that, he'd have to leave his school, and all of his friends, not to mention Caitlin, of course he could always flicker back to Maryland in an instant.but that's just no the same. On the other hand, he was feeling better about not being alone, but he just didn't want to go back to his regular life, he had been changed forever, and there was no going back to the way he was before. So after a good think, and analysis of the situation he knew what he had to do.
Jack waved his hand, and three corpses appeared, one his mother's, one his father's, and the third was his brother's. Each body had a bullet hole in it. Jack then waved his hand once more, and made some of his parent's things disappear.
"Uh.Jack? What're you up to?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm staging my family's deaths, making it look like a robbery."
"Ok, so the police will show up later on, and see that your parents and brother were killed in a burglary gone bad, and you'll have been in San Francisco, but are you really ready to do this?" Paige asked.
"Paige, I've got to, I mean the way I figure it, is that, I have to leave here, there are too many memories. I'll inherit all of my family's things, all their money and all of their properties. I don't really want to do this but if you'll do it, I'd like for you three to say you'll take me, as my next of kin. Don't worry," Jack laughed as he looked at the sisters, "I've seen how crowded the manor is, I need to get away, as soon as we vanquish the Sources, I'm gonna build a little house near my parents graves, on holy ground. Hopefully I'll gain enough influence in the underworld to make it understood that no blood shall be shed on any holy place, and if its done, they'll have to answer to me."
"Jack, I know your hurting, but you have to finish school," Piper said.
"But." Jack started.
"Jack, this doesn't happen often, but Piper's right. I cannot allow you to do this, as your mentor and as your friend, your part human, you need to establish yourself, with an education, and a career," Cole said.
"Cole I've got a question for you, how long do you think I'll live, if I'm right, I'm gonna stop aging in my late twenties mid thirties, and then unless a demon gets me, I'm not going to die. If I establish myself as a businessman or a lawyer, people are gonna notice that I'm not aging, and they're really gonna wonder when I'm ninety years old and I'm still looking like a young man, and besides that, I don't want to waste my time in school, I'm gonna be a warrior for the rest of my life, there is no point in my continuing a regular education. Anyway any knowledge I'll need I can always assimilate and falsify the necessary degrees."
"Look, I hate to interrupt this little discussion, but they're calling for you five," Leo said.
"Huh, the elders," Phoebe asked.
"No, I'm afraid not, Phoebe, it's the Sources."
"Lets get this thing started then," Jack said.
Everyone flickered, blurred, and orbed to the chosen battlegrounds: The Underworld.
***
As Cole, Jack, and the sisters appeared, the Sources flamed in, looking quite pleased with themselves.
They the match was five on five, but despite the sisters advance in power, they were still best with the Power of Three.
They stood staring at one another, the differences between good and evil were not only in morals and values, and right and wrong, but it was obvious, good was much more attractive than evil!
Then Jack broke the silence, he stepped forward and said, "So which one of you tough guys, killed three unarmed, powerless people?"
"I don't know about three," Kotor said, "But I burnt your mother and father to a crisp."
These words his Jack like a ton of bricks. There weren't three bodies. His brother was still alive? Why couldn't he sense him?
"Where is my brother scum bag?" Jack yelled.
"You'll never know half breed."
"TELL ME!" Jack roared, unable to hold his emotion is check.
"He is nothing, he is ours, you've lost him, and its your fault," Kotor laughed.
"BASTARD!" Jack yelled transforming into Bantor, he hurled energy ball after energy ball at Kotor until he was down. Jack/Bantor flickered over to him and conjured a sword. Kotor turned and tried to stab Jack/Bantor with an athame, but he flickered to the other side and decapitated him. Kotor burst into flames.
Jack/Bantor transformed back, and flickered back to his family, who were all filled with mixed emotions of his actions.
Jack spoke, "You've seen my power, now if you tell me what you've done with my brother, I will let me family kill you, and I won't make you perish painfully."
"Jack relax, stay cool," Phoebe said.
"I'm fine Pheebs," Jack whispered.
Saurus, who was standing on the side was impressed by Jack's power, but he was still confident in the remaining four Sources powers. He stepped forward and spoke,
"Sisters three, and traitor demons, your powers are great, but so our ours, I suggest certain terms. I suggest that since you are units of three, you each take on a single Source, I suggest, the Charmed Ones Versus Varex, the Former Belthazor against Sulthor, and Jack or Bantor, what ever you want to be called, may battle Roque."
"What the hell!" Piper said. "Do you think this is a game? Is that it? Were here to kill you sorry butts, and any, there are four of you punks left, and Jack obviously can take you down on his own, so how about we sick him on your sorry butts."
"Madame, I suggest you comply with our.idea. The final Source wishes the opportunity to do battle with Bantor on his own, one on one. Now unfortunately he's a bit nervous, so he wants Bantor a tad bit tired before he fights him. This will help us to rank Bantor in the demonic hierarchy." Saurus said.
"I don't think so mister," Piper said.
"I beg you to reconsider, if you don't, we have three hundred demons ready to attack 5 major cities if you don't comply, I know its very crude but we are evil and we want our choice to pull through."
"Piper, its fine, I'll do it," Jack said.
"Fine you will all be transported to three separate locations for your battles."
"Hold on a second," Cole yelled, "Phoebe can I talk to you, alone?"
"Cole now's not the time."
"Phoebe this may be the only time."
"Fine."
The two walked away from the others, and Cole began to speak,
"Phoebe, I want you to know, that I know that you will never be with me again, and I accept that, but I will always love you, no matter what, and if I die today, I'll make sure that even if I come back again, I will stay away from you forever, but I will always be in love with you."
"Cole, don't do that. I don't care that you're a demon anymore. My cousin is a demon, and I'm beginning to love him to death. I can love you, and I know I'll fall for you again, but not yet, and its gonna take awhile, but I do love you too."
The two embraced and then approached their family.
"This is it," Paige said.
"Yeah, it looks that way," Piper said.
"Good luck every one," Jack said, his face as cold as stone.
"Let us begin," Saurus said wickedly.
Both parties disappeared to different places of the underworld.
***
The Sisters appeared facing Varex, and the battle was on. The sisters had a plan. Phoebe could control her cryokinesis with her eyes, so she was in the middle, the other sisters grabbed hands, Piper holding her left and Paige holding her right, this way Paige could orb them out of harms way if need be. Varex hurled an energy ball at the sisters, Paige called for it and sent it back at the demon, but missed, Piper blew up one of the demon's arms while Phoebe projected ice bolts at Varex. They had the former Source on the run, he was missing an arm, and therefore missing a weapon. He flamed in behind the sisters, and smacked them with his remaining arm. Paige blasted him with an orb blast, as the sisters regrouped, and joined hands, Varex began to use his power of pyrokinesis, the sister caught on fire, and began to burn, with a single look from Piper, Paige and Phoebe knew what to do. The witches began to chant,
"The power of three with set us free"
The flames lowered.
"The power of three with set us free"
The pain ceased.
"The power of three with set us free"
The Fire disappeared.
"The power of three with set us free"
Varex caught on fire.
"The power of three with set us free"
Varex became engulfed in the flames as the sisters stepped back.
"The power of three with set us free"
Varex screamed in agony.
"The power of three with set us free"
The ancient evil exploded, in a glorious array of orange and red spark. The sisters had won. Now they only needed to worry about Cole and Jack.
***
The battle had been waging for an our. It was constant guerilla tactics. One would appear behind the other and attack, the other would dodge. Both demons were exhausted. Cole had his back up against a pillar, he was breathing heavily. His shirt was torn, he'd lost his jacket about forty five minutes ago. The battle was taking a turn in Cole's favor. He couldn't see him, but Sulthor was wounded badly, and since he couldn't self heal, he was in trouble. Cole moved slightly off the wall, gritted his teeth, and glimpsed around the pillar, to see if he could spot his opponent. Just as he turned Sulthor appeared behind him, shoving an energy ball into Cole's back. Cole flew into a wall, and as he got up, the enormous burn on his back healed over, and the cuts on his hands and face sealed up also. As he stood up straight, he ripped the rest of his tattered shirt off, took a deep breath, and let out a cry that could have risen the dead. He conjured an athame and hurled an energy ball at Sulthor as he charged at him like the bull to the matador. The former Source took the energy ball square in the chest, and as he was bent over Cole stabbed him through the throat. Sulthor was gushing black blood, it was every where, covering his black cloaks, and his hands, pouring all over the floor. Sulthor looked up, and the battle's first words were spoken or rather coughed,
"This isn't over, Belthazor."
"Whatever Sulthor, you were never that good, I've heard stories."
Cole then whipped back and landed a strong right cross to the former Source's already dislocated jaw. Cole walked over to Sulthor's limp body as it stirred searching for any remote trace of life still within his beaten carcass. Cole raised his hands and began to concentrate, he stared at his broken enemy, he smiled and said,
"Trust me, I'm doing you a favor, if I didn't do it, Jack would, and trust me, he's in no mood to be gentle, especially to the people that killed his family."
As Cole finished his final words, Sulthor began to burn, his entire body was soon consumed in flames from Cole's pyrokinesis. Sulthor threw an athame, at Cole just before he exploded, and pierced Cole's chest through the heart. Cole fell to his knees, the pain was excruciating, but he knew he'd live, self healing is a miraculous this, definitely not for evil doers, it would make the good guy's jobs too damn hard.
***
"This is getting ridiculous," Roque thought. "Come on, Bantor, are you just going to stand their all day?" Roque yelled.
Roque had attempted several attacks on Jack, but nothing worked. Jack was deep in thought and wasn't responding to anything. During his training, Jack's deflection extended itself, he didn't need to wave his hand, all he needed to do was be alive. It was a little like baby Wyatt's force field, but different. You couldn't see Jack's until it was hit, it's more like a protective aura, but that wasn't something Jack was thinking about. Was Matthew alive? Could his brother have survived the carnage? If he did where was he? Did the Source's abduct him? Matt was magical too, just like Jack was, what were they doing with him if they did have him? Jack was puzzled, worried, and relieved all at the same time.
Jack's mind was racing with all of the possibilities, and while it was racing, Roque was hurling fireball after fireball at the young warrior. Jack, who had been looking down the entire time looked up, his blue eyes pierced Roque through the heart, he had never, at anytime seen so much hate, so much anger, and Roque knew that he was going to catch the brunt of it, just be cause he was in range, and of course because he had been trying to kill Jack for the past couple of hours. Jack stared at the former Source, how he loathed him, for threatening innocents, for killing his mother and father, and most of all for stealing his brother. The hate consumed Jack, and Bantor emerged. Jack/Bantor said nothing, he just stood there, waiting. Suddenly Roque launched another fireball at the boy, Jack/Bantor raised his hand and caught it. He brought the ball of flames closer to his face and watched as it spun on its axis, in a way it was quite beautiful. Jack/Bantor crushed it with his hand. Just then the tribal markings covering Bantor's body began to glow. Jack/Bantor raised his and, and as his hand rose, so did Roque's body. The former Source was terrified, he couldn't move, his limbs were numb. He began to glance around, as if expecting someone to come and save him, the was no one. Anyway, everyone knows only heroes get last minute rescues. Roque stopped moving, he glanced over at Jack/Bantor, his arm had stopped moving. Roque watched as Jack/Bantor opened his hand so that all of his fingers were spread apart, then as Jack/Bantor began to slowly close his hand, Roque felt an intense pain from within, a crushing pain, and just as Jack's hand closed Roque exploded, giving gave the victory, and date with the final Source of All Evil.
***
The sisters appeared in a new room facing Saurus and The Source. The girls looked around for Cole and Jack, but they didn't see them.
"Don't worry witches, your family will be here in a minute."
The sisters just stared at the two spawn of evil and waited. "Your family will be here in a minute." That means they won. Cole and Jack were still alive. Not that it would really matter. Death is anything but permanent for Cole, and it looks like Jack's well on his way to that level, if he's not already there.
Cole appeared a minute later, followed by Jack who was still in his demonic form, when he finished materializing he shifted back.
"So, as you can see, you've all managed to beat our best. You would be commended if you hadn't kill our soldiers. Now, we have a deal, Jack won. Now he must battle the true Source of all Evil," Saurus said.
"You'll have your battle, but," Jack waved his hand, and a guillotine appeared, he gestured again, and Saurus appeared laying down on the guillotine, and as Saurus struggle to release himself, Jack continued, "Don't struggle you fool, I've taken all of your powers, erased them actually. You will call upon your minions, right now, and tell them that they may return to the underworld, and leave the innocents alone. If you don't I'll be using your head as a paperweight."
"You wouldn't," Saurus said, "You're too good."
"Saurus what the hell are you talking about. I'm a demon you idiot. I've killed plenty of your brother demons, and never even flinched. You are EVIL, I have no pity for you whatsoever, killing a demon in cold blood doesn't exactly go against my moral code," Jack growled.
"Fine I'll do it," Saurus said.
The demonic armies of the underworld returned to their lairs. The immediate threat was over. Now for the final Source.
***
They faced off. There was a good distance between them as they sized one another up. Jack was exhausted, and The Source knew it. All of his wounds had healed, but the constant roller coaster about his brother was tearing apart his emotions, The Source planned to use this to his advantage.
Jack had no idea what he was going to do. The Source of all Evil had his hood on, and from this distance simply looked like black hole. He was ready, but he didn't think that this would be an easy fight.
"Are you ready, boy?" The Source asked.
"Don't call me boy, prick," Jack snapped, "Let's get on with it."
Jack opened with a distraction barrage of energy balls. He promply flickered behind his opponent, stabbing him with a conjured athame. The Source screamed in pain and flamed away from Jack.
When at a safe distance, The Source drilled Jack with fireball after fireball, burning Jacks flesh, and keeping the burn fresh so the he couldn't self heal.
Jack cringed in pain, "This is getting ridiculous," he thought, "I'm twice as strong as this jerk, and I'm getting beat."
Jack stopped. He got off of his knees, and turned to the breathless Source, still firing fire balls, and raised his hand. He should have thought of this sooner, "Deflection". The Fireballs bounced back at the Source one after another, pounding evil's king into a wall. The fight was over. Jack walked closer to the broken and bloodied Source of all Evil and said through clenched teeth,
"Where is my brother."
"In Hell."
"BASTARD!!" Jack yelled, grabbing the Source, snapping his neck, and igniting his carcass with pyrokinesis. The Source of All evil was finished and so was this battle. Jack turned to Saurus and glared at him. The demon shimmered off.
Jack turned to Cole and his cousins and with tears in his eyes said,
"I guess its over, and I really have lost my brother."
Piper moved forward, embracing Jack and said, "Don't worry about it kiddo, you've got us, and we're not going anywhere anytime soon."
***
6 weeks later.At the manor.The sisters, Cole, and Jack decide gather all together for the first time since the battle. Leo is "Up there" and Chris is else where also.
"So its done Jack? Your with us? " Paige asked.
"Looks that way. The judge was happy that I actually had people to live with, another kid that didn't have to be put into the system."
"Yeah, so what are you gonna do now." Phoebe asked.
"Well, I don't know, I mean I've been placed into your custody, and I have to leave home, which won't be so bad, I mean I can get back in a flicker so that doesn't bug me too much. But I guess I could stay with Cole, cause you all definitely don't have enough room at the Manor."
"Oh don't you even think about it. You're our cousin, and apperently Cole's back in our lives on good terms now," Piper said glaring at Cole and Phoebe's embrace. "Anyway, we need a man of the house, now that Leo is an Elder."
"Ok, but what are we gonna do about school, and where am I gonna sleep, I really don't want to go to school, I could home school myself, my mind powers will be very useful in that area."
"I'm sure they will be, any way I like that idea," Piper said.
"You do?" the other four exclaimed.
"Yes, Jack is old enough now, and if he's home most of the time, he can take care of Wyatt, leaving me some time to be Piper Halliwell: Woman, not just Mom."
***
The guardians of good had earned themselves a reprieve. Jack set up a temporary room of sorts in the basement. Leo and Piper decided to "take a break", allowing Piper to evaluate her feelings on Leo's Elder situation. Phoebe and Cole returned to square one, friends. Phoebe figured that if they were truly going to fall in love this time, they would have to be truly friends. The Charmed Ones and family were truly happy for the first time in a while, little did they know that more trouble was brewing.
***
A demon shimmers into an underworld throne room. Approaches the demon on the throne, and informs about the current situation of Jack O'Brien and the Charmed Ones. The demon looks at the man sitting in the throne. A handsome guy by human standards. Blond hair, blue eyes, thin, but not frail. The boy looked at the demon and flared his eyes, the sign of the Source. The demon bowed and shimmered away. The new Source stands up and says out loud,
"Brother, I'm coming for you."
***
Don't worry, I'm not done yet, the sequel will be out soon, but not too soon, this one was hard enough.
I Do Not Own Charmed
Special Thanks to NotAlwaysaDemon for without her I may never have finished this story.
Chapter 4: The Battle, The Truth, The Hope.
Saurus gazed in amazement at his work taking shape. He was in ecstasy, he had finally achieved his goal, and he would be made legend for it. As the winds subsided five figures stood in the midst. The five, greatest Sources of all Evil were alive once more, and bound to need some explanation for what had been going on lately, except one. Saurus recognized him almost immediately. It was the latest Source, the one who the Charmed Ones had actually had to vanquish three times before he stayed dead, Saurus was ashamed for not realizing sooner that he was perhaps the greatest of all Sources.
"Welcome Sources," Saurus said, "We have much to discuss, please follow me into my inner sanctum, I feel that you all could possibly use some nutrients after being dead, some of you have been dead for centuries."
"Who are you demon? And why have you brought us here?" one asked.
"Yes Source, that will all be explained, but to prevent confusion, maybe we should disclose the names you had had before your individual coronations?"
"An excellent idea Saurus," the latest Source said through his disfigured face, "I will go last."
After a long silence, none of the Sources truly wanting to give up their anonymity, one spoke, "I was the Source of all Evil in the early 1600s. I brought great evil to this plane, until I was vanquished, I used to be known as Varex."
"I believe I was Source for 300 years before Varex killed me," another said, "I was known as Kotor"
After two had shown their willingness to disclose their identities, the other two came forward revealing themselves as Sulthor and Roque.
The four former Sources, and Saurus turned to the last Source. He gazed upon them as they awaited his words. As he removed his hood, exposing his hideous face, his twisted mouth opened.
"Now, that you inferior, poor excuses for demons have revealed your names, you shall address me as Source. I was the last, I was the greatest, I survived the Charmed Ones, the most powerful good magic to ever be known three times, and I have been revived once more. So, to you I am Source, together, we are the death of the Charmed Ones, and the possibly the last hope for evil. Saurus, what's been going on?"
***
The sisters three, sat with the demons two waiting. They were still thinking about what had happened. They knew the spell had been cast. They knew that there were five Sources of all Evil walking the Earth. The only thing they didn't know is, why the battle hadn't begun yet. It was frustrating for them, it was like the calm before the storm, all of the waiting in anticipation was awful, it made the five warriors cringe at the very thought.
"Cole! What the hell is taking so long," Jack yelled, pacing.
Since he had unleashed Bantor, he had noticed a lack of control over himself. He was more emotional, easily angered, less patient. He wasn't worried, he did have a presence of pure evil dwelling within him.
"Jack relax, it seems we have time. I don't think that they're coming for us right away, so I think we should just go back to the manor to wait."
"No," Jack said, "You go back to the manor, I've got to go see someone, its important."
"Fine, but be listening," Cole said, almost protectively.
As they got ready to leave Phoebe grabbed Jack's shoulder.
"You ok Cuss?" she asked.
"No."
Phoebe puts her hands on Jack's cheeks, holding his face two inches from hers to help eye contact.
"We're gonna be fine, we will win, and in the end, through the battle, you have your cousins, we've known each other for a matter of days, but I'm your big cousin, and I love you like a little brother, and," Phoebe laughed, "even though your far more powerful than me, I'm gonna do everything it takes to keep you safe."
Jack stared for a moment into her brown eyes with he blue ones. He knew it was true, and for the first time in his life, he felt safe, like nothing could hurt him. There had only been two other times in his life when he had felt this, once with his mother, and the other, with Caitlin, who he really needed to see before this went down.
"Thank you Phoebe, that means a lot, but I really need to see someone before this starts, so go grab Cole, and I'll see you in a bit."
He hugged Phoebe, stepped back, and flickered out.
***
It was late, when Jack materialized outside her house. He had told him mother everything, and surprisingly, she accepted it, and was happy for him, knowing that this was what he wanted. His mother would explain it to his father, and his father to his brother, but that's not what he was thinking about. He was thinking about her. He didn't flicker in, he just stood there, in the rain, pondering his relationship with her. She was the girl he loved, he had never felt like this before, they had gotten together just three months before he had left, and he had been a total idiot and forgotten to call. He was afraid of what she might say when she wakes up to his face.
He began to nod his head from side to side in shame, and flickered in. The room was dark, she was asleep.
"God she's beautiful," he thought.
Even when she was asleep she took his breath away. He walk over to her bed and knelt down beside her. His long black coat made him almost invisible. He leaned over to her sleeping face, and kissed her cheek softly. He didn't want to wake her, but he had to speak to her. It was selfish, but it had to be done. As he leaned back, away from her she began to stir. He took off his gloves, and stroked her face. In the three months they were together, if there was one thing Jack knew, it was this: she love the way he touched her face. She always said, that it was incredible that someone who was powerful as Jack was, and such a soft touch. He knew she'd recognize his touch, and she did.
As Caitlin awoke, she saw Jack's face, and said questioningly,
"Jack, is that you?"
"Yeah, its me girlie, is that you?" he said teasingly.
"Oh my God! Jack, it is you!"
She sprung up, and grab Jack's soldiers, trapping him in a hug, he never was to be released from. After a few moments, she pulled back, grabbed his face, and kissed him passionately.
"Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?" she asked quietly, so as not to wake her parents."
Jack's smile faded from his face, when he began,
"Caitlin, there are some things I need to tell you, but first I want you to know, that I love you. No matter what your reaction from what I'm about to tell you, I love you more than anything, you make me feel whole, and I am so very sorry for leaving and not telling you."
"Jack." she said trailing off, "What's wrong?"
So Jack told her. He told her about Cole, about his heritage, about his powers, about his adventures. He told her about his cousins, and their powers. And finally he told her about the evil he had to soon face.
After a few moments she spoke. She wasn't nervous, more like overwhelmed, and a bit disbelieving.
"So your telling me, that your part demon, witch, and warlock, but you call yourself more of a demon than a witch."
"Well technically, I'm more witch than demon, but the demonic part overwhelms the fact that I'm a witch also."
"Jack, sweetheart, did you hit your head?" she asked.
"No," he said innocently, not fully comprehending her disbelief. "Here let me show you,"
Jack stood up from her bed and held his hand out. He hope he was doing the right thing, and in an instant, he formed an energy ball.
"Oh my God," Caitlin yelped, but she wasn't scared, or intimidate by Jack, in fact she was intrigued, and a little turned on. "Jack, its true, you do have powers."
"That I do, so look, Cate, I've got to get back to my cousins, but are we alright?"
"Jack we are more than alright. You're like a super hero, your saving the world, and you're my boyfriend, and I love you. I'm a little scared for you, but I know you'll be ok."
Jack gleamed. He was ecstatic, he was actually going to be able to keep a little normality in his life in the form of Caitlin. He finally felt better. He had the love of his life back, and he was going to be able to go into battle, with everything fine in his head. He walked over to Caitlin who had stood up, and embraced her. He whispered in her ear,
"Caitlin, I've got to go and see my cousins, but I want you to know I love you, and I'll see you when the battle is over. Oh, and don't worry about when I disappear, its one of my powers. I love you." He kissed her cheek, and flickered out.
***
"Where do you think he is?" Piper asked, pacing around the conservatory.
Cole was leaning against the wall of the doorway with his eyes closed in deep meditation, "I'm sure he's fine, Piper, Jack's a big demon, he can take care of himself."
"Hey Cole, don't forget, Jack's not just a demon, he's part witch," Piper snapped waving her finger with a smirk."
"Of course he is, and that's exactly why you don't need to worry about him."
Phoebe and Paige were just sitting on the conservatory sofa when Chris orbed in.
"So how you doing," Chris asked.
"Oh were doing just fine," Paige said nodding sarcastically, "were only just about to go into battle, and the only guidance we've gotten is from a "reformed demon" which is in my opinion a little disconcerting."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, I've been up there," Chris said pointing, "The elders are none to happy about you three going into the Demonic Wastelands."
"Hey, you tell them it was my idea!" Cole snapped, removing his weight from the wall. "I took the sisters to the Wastelands to train, uninterrupted, and if the old farts have a problem with it, maybe they can invite me up there and I can."
Cole's rant was cut short as Leo orbed in, and said with a smirk "Easy Cole, watch your blood pressure."
"Leo!" Piper exclaimed hopping the couch she had recently sat down in. The two embraced and shared a kiss.
"So" Leo said with a sigh, "You all ready?"
"They're ready," Cole said.
"Did I ask you, Cole" Leo said smirking.
"I didn't ask you to my friend," Cole said shifting his weight.
"Ok ok enough bonding," Phoebe said, "Leo what do you know?"
"Not much, all we know is that the "Sources" are being informed about what's been going on here, the battle will start soon."
"Good," a voice said.
Just then Jack flickered in.
"I'm ready."
"Sure you are," Chris said.
"Watch your mouth Whitelighter, I bet that I've got just enough power to kill your already dead butt, and erase your sorry soul from existence. So just remember I'M NOT YOUR CHARGE, so you can keep your opinions to yourself."
Chris' head fell in discouragement.
"Jack you ok?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm fine Phoebe," Jack exclaimed, "I'm not nervous, I was perfectly happy on the flicker over, I just don't appreciate being told how ready I am for combat, by a pacifist, it irritates me."
The others laughed, Leo looked at them and was happy. He wasn't so sure about Jack at first, but the effect he's been having on the family was a good one. There wasn't anything the family could now but wait for evil to make the first move.
***
"So, as you can see," Saurus said, "evil has had a tremendous decline."
"Obviously." Kotor said.
"Now," Sulthor began, "What are we up against."
"Three witches, the Charmed Ones, one half demon, and one demon/witch/warlock. The third is a mystery, those are the only magical lineage's we know of at this point. He is very powerful, but young, if we were to, wound him emotionally, he would possibly be motivated to join us," Saurus stated.
"What are you suggesting?" Roque asked.
"His family, a mother and a father, and a brother." None of these people have magical powers, they are easy prey."
***
They merely sat, the greatest magical warriors of all time sat in the conservatory of the Halliwell Manor waiting. They had been doing a lot of this lately, and frankly, they were all fed up with it. Tempers were rising high, especially within the demons. Cole had stated it before, waiting is one thing he was never good at. The sisters stared at the conservatory floor from the sofa, Leo and Cole stood in the corner playing Rock-paper-scissors, Chris was meditating in cloud of blue and white orbs, and Jack, Jack kept creating energy balls, and extinguishing them. Just then, as if he had snapped out of a coma, Jack snapped to attention, and said,
"Something's wrong.Oh my god.no" and then he flickered out.
"Cole, what was that?" Piper asked.
"Nothing good," Cole said, obviously knowing more than he let on.
"Cole, you need to tell us, if you know, what just happened with Jack," Phoebe said.
"Jack has a link, a.psychic link, to his family, his brother especially, I think something has happened to them."
"Then why are we standing here, we have to help them! Why aren't you worried, Cole?" Phoebe exclaimed.
"Because Phoebe," Cole snapped, "They are already gone, and Jack needs to be alone for a few minutes, so that he can process what has happened to him, he just lost his entire past."
"Cole, you will take us to him right NOW." Phoebe said.
Their eyes locked, and Cole thought for a moment, he analyzed how serious she was, and made his decision.
"Follow me," he said as he blurred out.
***
When they appeared, they wished they hadn't. Jack was in his home's living room, kneeling in his parent ashes. They were gone, the only family he had known until recently, the man and the woman who raised him to be strong and decent, they were gone, they had died needless deaths, and it was because of Jack, or so he thought.
He kneeled their silently, and then a tear rolled down his cheek, and he said,
"I can't find Matthew."
"Jack," Leo asked, "What do you mean?"
"MY BROTHER LEO! I can't find his pile of ashes, but I can't feel him any more either, they probably killed him some where else."
"Jack," Paige started,
"Save it Paige, my mom and my dad are gone. Oh my God they're gone, no they can't be, good lord no."
They looked at Jack, this powerhouse of a man, on his knees, bawling, and no one could blame him, no one deserves this kind of pain.
Cole stepped toward him, "Jack." he said as he reached towards him,
"Get away from me Cole! This is your fault! You brought me into this world, you unlocked my powers, it was all you, on you goddamn quest for redemption, and now my parents are dead, and I cant find my brother, he is my baby brother, and I can't find him I've always been able to find him! Do you realize that? Do you? I can't feel his presence, Matty's gone too, I have no one."
"Jack, that's not true, your not alone, you have us, we're your cousins, you have Cole, we're not gonna let anything happen to you," Phoebe said, stepping towards Jack.
Jack stood up, and stared at his new family, he felt awful, and Bantor was banging against his mind trying to be released, it was so painful for him, because he wanted to let the demon out, but he knew that the consequences would be unimaginable if he did. Phoebe moved closer to him, and opened her arms, and the two embraced. Jack held onto his cousin as if he would be pulled into hell itself if he let go. And with his head on her shoulder, he cried, and as he cried Paige and Piper moved over to him and held onto him, trying however they could to cushion their cousins loss.
Cole stared at the four of them and blurred out, Leo followed.
***
They appeared on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
"Cole what Jack said, he didn't mean it," Leo said.
"He may not have meant it Leo, but that doesn't make him wrong, I got those people killed."
"Cole, you can't think of it that way, you gave Jack purpose, and you gave the sisters a cousin, and more family."
"You're. wait a minute, why you doing this, you have no obligation to help me, you may actually get kicked out of the elders for it."
"Cole I don't have friends, you know that, you and I are totally different, but you are my friend, you are my only friend, no matter how many times you screw up, I will always be your friend."
"Thanks Leo."
The two blurred and orbed back to Jack's home.
***
Now that everyone had reassembled back at the O'Brien house, there was a pressing matter at hand: What happens to Jack? His parents and brother were dead, and he was a minor, he couldn't live at his house by himself, the government wouldn't permit it. He could live with his godparents, but that was something Jack never wanted to do, especially now that he had powers. The ideal would be for him to be able to live with Cole and be able to see his cousins in San Francisco, but if he did that, he'd have to leave his school, and all of his friends, not to mention Caitlin, of course he could always flicker back to Maryland in an instant.but that's just no the same. On the other hand, he was feeling better about not being alone, but he just didn't want to go back to his regular life, he had been changed forever, and there was no going back to the way he was before. So after a good think, and analysis of the situation he knew what he had to do.
Jack waved his hand, and three corpses appeared, one his mother's, one his father's, and the third was his brother's. Each body had a bullet hole in it. Jack then waved his hand once more, and made some of his parent's things disappear.
"Uh.Jack? What're you up to?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm staging my family's deaths, making it look like a robbery."
"Ok, so the police will show up later on, and see that your parents and brother were killed in a burglary gone bad, and you'll have been in San Francisco, but are you really ready to do this?" Paige asked.
"Paige, I've got to, I mean the way I figure it, is that, I have to leave here, there are too many memories. I'll inherit all of my family's things, all their money and all of their properties. I don't really want to do this but if you'll do it, I'd like for you three to say you'll take me, as my next of kin. Don't worry," Jack laughed as he looked at the sisters, "I've seen how crowded the manor is, I need to get away, as soon as we vanquish the Sources, I'm gonna build a little house near my parents graves, on holy ground. Hopefully I'll gain enough influence in the underworld to make it understood that no blood shall be shed on any holy place, and if its done, they'll have to answer to me."
"Jack, I know your hurting, but you have to finish school," Piper said.
"But." Jack started.
"Jack, this doesn't happen often, but Piper's right. I cannot allow you to do this, as your mentor and as your friend, your part human, you need to establish yourself, with an education, and a career," Cole said.
"Cole I've got a question for you, how long do you think I'll live, if I'm right, I'm gonna stop aging in my late twenties mid thirties, and then unless a demon gets me, I'm not going to die. If I establish myself as a businessman or a lawyer, people are gonna notice that I'm not aging, and they're really gonna wonder when I'm ninety years old and I'm still looking like a young man, and besides that, I don't want to waste my time in school, I'm gonna be a warrior for the rest of my life, there is no point in my continuing a regular education. Anyway any knowledge I'll need I can always assimilate and falsify the necessary degrees."
"Look, I hate to interrupt this little discussion, but they're calling for you five," Leo said.
"Huh, the elders," Phoebe asked.
"No, I'm afraid not, Phoebe, it's the Sources."
"Lets get this thing started then," Jack said.
Everyone flickered, blurred, and orbed to the chosen battlegrounds: The Underworld.
***
As Cole, Jack, and the sisters appeared, the Sources flamed in, looking quite pleased with themselves.
They the match was five on five, but despite the sisters advance in power, they were still best with the Power of Three.
They stood staring at one another, the differences between good and evil were not only in morals and values, and right and wrong, but it was obvious, good was much more attractive than evil!
Then Jack broke the silence, he stepped forward and said, "So which one of you tough guys, killed three unarmed, powerless people?"
"I don't know about three," Kotor said, "But I burnt your mother and father to a crisp."
These words his Jack like a ton of bricks. There weren't three bodies. His brother was still alive? Why couldn't he sense him?
"Where is my brother scum bag?" Jack yelled.
"You'll never know half breed."
"TELL ME!" Jack roared, unable to hold his emotion is check.
"He is nothing, he is ours, you've lost him, and its your fault," Kotor laughed.
"BASTARD!" Jack yelled transforming into Bantor, he hurled energy ball after energy ball at Kotor until he was down. Jack/Bantor flickered over to him and conjured a sword. Kotor turned and tried to stab Jack/Bantor with an athame, but he flickered to the other side and decapitated him. Kotor burst into flames.
Jack/Bantor transformed back, and flickered back to his family, who were all filled with mixed emotions of his actions.
Jack spoke, "You've seen my power, now if you tell me what you've done with my brother, I will let me family kill you, and I won't make you perish painfully."
"Jack relax, stay cool," Phoebe said.
"I'm fine Pheebs," Jack whispered.
Saurus, who was standing on the side was impressed by Jack's power, but he was still confident in the remaining four Sources powers. He stepped forward and spoke,
"Sisters three, and traitor demons, your powers are great, but so our ours, I suggest certain terms. I suggest that since you are units of three, you each take on a single Source, I suggest, the Charmed Ones Versus Varex, the Former Belthazor against Sulthor, and Jack or Bantor, what ever you want to be called, may battle Roque."
"What the hell!" Piper said. "Do you think this is a game? Is that it? Were here to kill you sorry butts, and any, there are four of you punks left, and Jack obviously can take you down on his own, so how about we sick him on your sorry butts."
"Madame, I suggest you comply with our.idea. The final Source wishes the opportunity to do battle with Bantor on his own, one on one. Now unfortunately he's a bit nervous, so he wants Bantor a tad bit tired before he fights him. This will help us to rank Bantor in the demonic hierarchy." Saurus said.
"I don't think so mister," Piper said.
"I beg you to reconsider, if you don't, we have three hundred demons ready to attack 5 major cities if you don't comply, I know its very crude but we are evil and we want our choice to pull through."
"Piper, its fine, I'll do it," Jack said.
"Fine you will all be transported to three separate locations for your battles."
"Hold on a second," Cole yelled, "Phoebe can I talk to you, alone?"
"Cole now's not the time."
"Phoebe this may be the only time."
"Fine."
The two walked away from the others, and Cole began to speak,
"Phoebe, I want you to know, that I know that you will never be with me again, and I accept that, but I will always love you, no matter what, and if I die today, I'll make sure that even if I come back again, I will stay away from you forever, but I will always be in love with you."
"Cole, don't do that. I don't care that you're a demon anymore. My cousin is a demon, and I'm beginning to love him to death. I can love you, and I know I'll fall for you again, but not yet, and its gonna take awhile, but I do love you too."
The two embraced and then approached their family.
"This is it," Paige said.
"Yeah, it looks that way," Piper said.
"Good luck every one," Jack said, his face as cold as stone.
"Let us begin," Saurus said wickedly.
Both parties disappeared to different places of the underworld.
***
The Sisters appeared facing Varex, and the battle was on. The sisters had a plan. Phoebe could control her cryokinesis with her eyes, so she was in the middle, the other sisters grabbed hands, Piper holding her left and Paige holding her right, this way Paige could orb them out of harms way if need be. Varex hurled an energy ball at the sisters, Paige called for it and sent it back at the demon, but missed, Piper blew up one of the demon's arms while Phoebe projected ice bolts at Varex. They had the former Source on the run, he was missing an arm, and therefore missing a weapon. He flamed in behind the sisters, and smacked them with his remaining arm. Paige blasted him with an orb blast, as the sisters regrouped, and joined hands, Varex began to use his power of pyrokinesis, the sister caught on fire, and began to burn, with a single look from Piper, Paige and Phoebe knew what to do. The witches began to chant,
"The power of three with set us free"
The flames lowered.
"The power of three with set us free"
The pain ceased.
"The power of three with set us free"
The Fire disappeared.
"The power of three with set us free"
Varex caught on fire.
"The power of three with set us free"
Varex became engulfed in the flames as the sisters stepped back.
"The power of three with set us free"
Varex screamed in agony.
"The power of three with set us free"
The ancient evil exploded, in a glorious array of orange and red spark. The sisters had won. Now they only needed to worry about Cole and Jack.
***
The battle had been waging for an our. It was constant guerilla tactics. One would appear behind the other and attack, the other would dodge. Both demons were exhausted. Cole had his back up against a pillar, he was breathing heavily. His shirt was torn, he'd lost his jacket about forty five minutes ago. The battle was taking a turn in Cole's favor. He couldn't see him, but Sulthor was wounded badly, and since he couldn't self heal, he was in trouble. Cole moved slightly off the wall, gritted his teeth, and glimpsed around the pillar, to see if he could spot his opponent. Just as he turned Sulthor appeared behind him, shoving an energy ball into Cole's back. Cole flew into a wall, and as he got up, the enormous burn on his back healed over, and the cuts on his hands and face sealed up also. As he stood up straight, he ripped the rest of his tattered shirt off, took a deep breath, and let out a cry that could have risen the dead. He conjured an athame and hurled an energy ball at Sulthor as he charged at him like the bull to the matador. The former Source took the energy ball square in the chest, and as he was bent over Cole stabbed him through the throat. Sulthor was gushing black blood, it was every where, covering his black cloaks, and his hands, pouring all over the floor. Sulthor looked up, and the battle's first words were spoken or rather coughed,
"This isn't over, Belthazor."
"Whatever Sulthor, you were never that good, I've heard stories."
Cole then whipped back and landed a strong right cross to the former Source's already dislocated jaw. Cole walked over to Sulthor's limp body as it stirred searching for any remote trace of life still within his beaten carcass. Cole raised his hands and began to concentrate, he stared at his broken enemy, he smiled and said,
"Trust me, I'm doing you a favor, if I didn't do it, Jack would, and trust me, he's in no mood to be gentle, especially to the people that killed his family."
As Cole finished his final words, Sulthor began to burn, his entire body was soon consumed in flames from Cole's pyrokinesis. Sulthor threw an athame, at Cole just before he exploded, and pierced Cole's chest through the heart. Cole fell to his knees, the pain was excruciating, but he knew he'd live, self healing is a miraculous this, definitely not for evil doers, it would make the good guy's jobs too damn hard.
***
"This is getting ridiculous," Roque thought. "Come on, Bantor, are you just going to stand their all day?" Roque yelled.
Roque had attempted several attacks on Jack, but nothing worked. Jack was deep in thought and wasn't responding to anything. During his training, Jack's deflection extended itself, he didn't need to wave his hand, all he needed to do was be alive. It was a little like baby Wyatt's force field, but different. You couldn't see Jack's until it was hit, it's more like a protective aura, but that wasn't something Jack was thinking about. Was Matthew alive? Could his brother have survived the carnage? If he did where was he? Did the Source's abduct him? Matt was magical too, just like Jack was, what were they doing with him if they did have him? Jack was puzzled, worried, and relieved all at the same time.
Jack's mind was racing with all of the possibilities, and while it was racing, Roque was hurling fireball after fireball at the young warrior. Jack, who had been looking down the entire time looked up, his blue eyes pierced Roque through the heart, he had never, at anytime seen so much hate, so much anger, and Roque knew that he was going to catch the brunt of it, just be cause he was in range, and of course because he had been trying to kill Jack for the past couple of hours. Jack stared at the former Source, how he loathed him, for threatening innocents, for killing his mother and father, and most of all for stealing his brother. The hate consumed Jack, and Bantor emerged. Jack/Bantor said nothing, he just stood there, waiting. Suddenly Roque launched another fireball at the boy, Jack/Bantor raised his hand and caught it. He brought the ball of flames closer to his face and watched as it spun on its axis, in a way it was quite beautiful. Jack/Bantor crushed it with his hand. Just then the tribal markings covering Bantor's body began to glow. Jack/Bantor raised his and, and as his hand rose, so did Roque's body. The former Source was terrified, he couldn't move, his limbs were numb. He began to glance around, as if expecting someone to come and save him, the was no one. Anyway, everyone knows only heroes get last minute rescues. Roque stopped moving, he glanced over at Jack/Bantor, his arm had stopped moving. Roque watched as Jack/Bantor opened his hand so that all of his fingers were spread apart, then as Jack/Bantor began to slowly close his hand, Roque felt an intense pain from within, a crushing pain, and just as Jack's hand closed Roque exploded, giving gave the victory, and date with the final Source of All Evil.
***
The sisters appeared in a new room facing Saurus and The Source. The girls looked around for Cole and Jack, but they didn't see them.
"Don't worry witches, your family will be here in a minute."
The sisters just stared at the two spawn of evil and waited. "Your family will be here in a minute." That means they won. Cole and Jack were still alive. Not that it would really matter. Death is anything but permanent for Cole, and it looks like Jack's well on his way to that level, if he's not already there.
Cole appeared a minute later, followed by Jack who was still in his demonic form, when he finished materializing he shifted back.
"So, as you can see, you've all managed to beat our best. You would be commended if you hadn't kill our soldiers. Now, we have a deal, Jack won. Now he must battle the true Source of all Evil," Saurus said.
"You'll have your battle, but," Jack waved his hand, and a guillotine appeared, he gestured again, and Saurus appeared laying down on the guillotine, and as Saurus struggle to release himself, Jack continued, "Don't struggle you fool, I've taken all of your powers, erased them actually. You will call upon your minions, right now, and tell them that they may return to the underworld, and leave the innocents alone. If you don't I'll be using your head as a paperweight."
"You wouldn't," Saurus said, "You're too good."
"Saurus what the hell are you talking about. I'm a demon you idiot. I've killed plenty of your brother demons, and never even flinched. You are EVIL, I have no pity for you whatsoever, killing a demon in cold blood doesn't exactly go against my moral code," Jack growled.
"Fine I'll do it," Saurus said.
The demonic armies of the underworld returned to their lairs. The immediate threat was over. Now for the final Source.
***
They faced off. There was a good distance between them as they sized one another up. Jack was exhausted, and The Source knew it. All of his wounds had healed, but the constant roller coaster about his brother was tearing apart his emotions, The Source planned to use this to his advantage.
Jack had no idea what he was going to do. The Source of all Evil had his hood on, and from this distance simply looked like black hole. He was ready, but he didn't think that this would be an easy fight.
"Are you ready, boy?" The Source asked.
"Don't call me boy, prick," Jack snapped, "Let's get on with it."
Jack opened with a distraction barrage of energy balls. He promply flickered behind his opponent, stabbing him with a conjured athame. The Source screamed in pain and flamed away from Jack.
When at a safe distance, The Source drilled Jack with fireball after fireball, burning Jacks flesh, and keeping the burn fresh so the he couldn't self heal.
Jack cringed in pain, "This is getting ridiculous," he thought, "I'm twice as strong as this jerk, and I'm getting beat."
Jack stopped. He got off of his knees, and turned to the breathless Source, still firing fire balls, and raised his hand. He should have thought of this sooner, "Deflection". The Fireballs bounced back at the Source one after another, pounding evil's king into a wall. The fight was over. Jack walked closer to the broken and bloodied Source of all Evil and said through clenched teeth,
"Where is my brother."
"In Hell."
"BASTARD!!" Jack yelled, grabbing the Source, snapping his neck, and igniting his carcass with pyrokinesis. The Source of All evil was finished and so was this battle. Jack turned to Saurus and glared at him. The demon shimmered off.
Jack turned to Cole and his cousins and with tears in his eyes said,
"I guess its over, and I really have lost my brother."
Piper moved forward, embracing Jack and said, "Don't worry about it kiddo, you've got us, and we're not going anywhere anytime soon."
***
6 weeks later.At the manor.The sisters, Cole, and Jack decide gather all together for the first time since the battle. Leo is "Up there" and Chris is else where also.
"So its done Jack? Your with us? " Paige asked.
"Looks that way. The judge was happy that I actually had people to live with, another kid that didn't have to be put into the system."
"Yeah, so what are you gonna do now." Phoebe asked.
"Well, I don't know, I mean I've been placed into your custody, and I have to leave home, which won't be so bad, I mean I can get back in a flicker so that doesn't bug me too much. But I guess I could stay with Cole, cause you all definitely don't have enough room at the Manor."
"Oh don't you even think about it. You're our cousin, and apperently Cole's back in our lives on good terms now," Piper said glaring at Cole and Phoebe's embrace. "Anyway, we need a man of the house, now that Leo is an Elder."
"Ok, but what are we gonna do about school, and where am I gonna sleep, I really don't want to go to school, I could home school myself, my mind powers will be very useful in that area."
"I'm sure they will be, any way I like that idea," Piper said.
"You do?" the other four exclaimed.
"Yes, Jack is old enough now, and if he's home most of the time, he can take care of Wyatt, leaving me some time to be Piper Halliwell: Woman, not just Mom."
***
The guardians of good had earned themselves a reprieve. Jack set up a temporary room of sorts in the basement. Leo and Piper decided to "take a break", allowing Piper to evaluate her feelings on Leo's Elder situation. Phoebe and Cole returned to square one, friends. Phoebe figured that if they were truly going to fall in love this time, they would have to be truly friends. The Charmed Ones and family were truly happy for the first time in a while, little did they know that more trouble was brewing.
***
A demon shimmers into an underworld throne room. Approaches the demon on the throne, and informs about the current situation of Jack O'Brien and the Charmed Ones. The demon looks at the man sitting in the throne. A handsome guy by human standards. Blond hair, blue eyes, thin, but not frail. The boy looked at the demon and flared his eyes, the sign of the Source. The demon bowed and shimmered away. The new Source stands up and says out loud,
"Brother, I'm coming for you."
***
Don't worry, I'm not done yet, the sequel will be out soon, but not too soon, this one was hard enough.