"Cole," said Prue as the sisters took up defensive positions in front of Leo and Percy, "they're after Percy. Damonculous doesn't want us. Get him out of here."
Persius raised his hand and threw an athame at Cole. Cole had to duck to avoid the weapon. Unfortunately he had turned and moved even farther away from Percy. As he did, the six warlocks began to descend on him.
Damonculous was ignoring everyone but Percy. He moved immediately toward the Elder intent on taking his prey.
"No you don't," said Piper, throwing one of the potion vials at Damonculous.
Before the vial could strike, Damonculous simply raised his hand and the vial evaporated. As he was occupied with Pipers' potion vial, Prue threw one of her own at Damonculous. The vial shattered against the Gray Council member and Damonculous froze for an instant. Just as quickly he broke through the freeze and continued his advance on Percy.
Cole was in no position to offer any assistance to the Elder. The six warlocks were attacking him in earnest. Cole had been able to vanquish two of the warlocks with fireballs but the remaining four still moved toward him. Although not as powerful as the half demon, their attacks were having an affect on him.
Leo turned toward the fireplace and pulled the poker from its resting place. He swung the poker at the nearest warlock striking him along the side of the head. The warlock backed away, blood seeping from the wound. He turned toward Leo anger flashing in his eyes.
Phoebe moved up and attacked one of the warlocks with her martial arts. Taken by surprise, the warlock had to turn his attention from Cole to Phoebe. As he turned and raised his hand to bring his power to bear on her, she threw a potion vial at him. The vial shattered and the warlock exploded into a thousand shards that evaporated instantly.
Prue and Piper continued their assaults on Damonculous. After being struck by the potion that Piper had used on him, he had turned on her. He swung out with one of his mighty hands, striking along the side of the head. Piper went flying back and landed in the middle of the living room unconscious.
As Damonculous turned back to Prue she threw another potion vial. This one shattered against him immediately erupting into flames that covered him. Damonculous howled in pain as the flames threatened to consume him. Suddenly the flames went out leaving Damonculous apparently unharmed. He raised his hand toward Prue but nothing happened.
"Looks like you've had our powers stripped from you," said Prue smiling. "How does it feel to be as helpless as the rest of us?"
"Impossible," screamed Damonculous. "This cannot be. I am immortal. Your puny potions cannot harm me."
As Damonculous stood facing Prue, Cole still continued his defense against the two warlocks facing him. He was tiring quickly. Persius and Pollock, the two most powerful of the warlocks, pressed their advantage. Although both had been injured by Cole's attacks, they were able to force Cole to split his attention between them. He would defend against one and the other would attack him. When Cole turned to defend against that attack, the first would attack again. While neither was able to vanquish Cole, together they were wearing him down. And keep him from shimmering Percy out of the manor.
Leo was still facing the warlock he had attacked. The warlock kept shaking his head. Blood continued to seep from the wound in his head and he could do nothing but defend against the attacks of the Whitelighter wielding the fireplace poker as if it were a sword. The warlock backed away trying to bring his magic to bear with little success.
Phoebe turned to go to Piper's aid. Her sister lay on the floor of the living unconscious. Phoebe feared the worst. That the attack by Damonculous had killed Piper. As Phoebe reached to turn her sister over, an electrical shock shot from Pipers' body. Phoebe recoiled in pain and confusion. She didn't know how or why something like that would happen. Suddenly lightning shot out from Damonculous' fingertips narrowly missing Prue. She dived away from the attack, coming up on her feet nearly instantly.
"Stupid witch," said Damonculous. "Did you think your mere potions would affect me for long. I will have what I came for. I will have the power of the Elder."
Ignoring Prue and everyone else, Damonculous turned again for Percy. Cole was still occupied with the two warlocks facing him. He could do little more than defend against their attacks. Leo was occupied with the warlock he was attacking. He knew if he gave up for even an instant, the warlock would bring his magic to bear.
Leo wasn't concerned for his own safety. He knew whatever attack the warlock made wouldn't hurt him permanently. But it would take him at least several seconds to recuperate from those attacks. Seconds that would allow the warlock to turn on Cole. And without Coles' magic, Percy was as good as dead.
Percy backed away from Damonculous, fear in his eyes. Without his powers he was as helpless as any mortal. He knew that in moments he would be dead. With his death, the rest of the Elders would soon follow. And there was no one who could prevent it.