Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, don't sue me.
A/N: This being one of the last chapters of this story, I just wanted to thank all of you that have reviewed. There's no point in writing unless you know someone is reading, and you guys have given me plenty of incentive.
I also apologise if the spacing on this one is a bit dodgy. I've been trying to figure out how to use the new system, and I'm computer illiterate. So bear with me.
Cole felt his heart grind to a stop. As he watched Phoebe slump unconscious in Ronan's hold, he felt a surge of defiance more than any he had ever experienced. His next movements occurred to him in slow motion, and he willed himself to move faster. Unable to determine how he had done it, Ronan's hold was broken. Before Cole had even reached the ground, an energy ball had left his hand.
Ronan, clutching the athame that was mere centimetres from Phoebe's throat, was thrown off his feet, caught off guard. He crashed into the wooden wall, the athame falling to the floor.
Cole had closed the distance between them in a second. Moving fast and purposefully, he retrieved the athame from the ground. He dragged Ronan to his feet, pinning him against the wall, allowing no room for movement. He pressed the athame against Ronan's torso threateningly. His breathing was coarse, the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
Cole tried to read the look in Ronan's eyes, and Ronan merely smirked. "You would kill your own brother?" He questioned.
Cole didn't hesitate. "You're not my brother." He said firmly. "You haven't been for a long time."
Ronan's smirk vanished. "This won't end with me." He jeered.
"I know." Cole said, pulling back slightly. "But it didn't start with you either. They've survived threats worse than you. That's not going to stop here."
"Cole. . ." The word escaped Phoebe's lips unconsciously. Piper was by her side, caressing her head. Paige was moving towards them slowly, on hands and knees. Cole turned his head in response, immediately recognising his mistake.
The athame was pulled from his hand, and he was flung to the floor, Ronan gripping his arm. Before he could react, the athame was coming towards him at alarming speed. His reflexes only got him so far, the thin blade lodging itself in his left arm. He screamed out in pain as Ronan wrenched the athame out of his arm, and then released him, letting him fall to the floor. Ronan tossed the athame aside and formed an energy ball above his hand. He pulled his arm back, ready to release it.
Before it could leave his hand, he gasped. The energy ball dissipated in mid air as Ronan fell to his knees. Cole crawled backwards, confused, his arm throbbing dully. Piper stood behind Ronan, her arm outstretched. The athame she had just thrown had hit its mark. Ronan remained stationary for a moment, before gravity took hold. He fell forward, and as he did so, his robes caught fire. He didn't cry out as they engulfed him. Cole couldn't even tell if he felt the flames around him. Within a second he was gone, scorched floorboards the only indication that he had been there at all.
Piper glanced at Cole, but a moment later she was crouching by Phoebe's side again. Cole tore his eyes from where Ronan had been. He got to his feet and stumbled towards Phoebe.
"Phoebe. . ." He whispered. She was pale. He took her hand in his. "She's cold." He said out loud. "Can you heal her?" He asked Paige desperately.
"I'm not. . ." Paige stuttered. "I can't. . ."
Cole swallowed. He met Piper's gaze. "Leo." She whispered.
"I know." He replied, releasing Phoebe's hand. He stood up. "I'll be back soon." He said, stepping back, not taking his eyes off Phoebe. He finally glanced at Paige. "Do what you can." He said softly, before fading out of the room.
Leo grimaced with the effort of pulling his neck away from the arrowhead. His back against the wall, he couldn't inch away further. The darklighter cocked his head, his smile taunting.
"They should be dead by now. . ." He said, his voice low and husky. He brought the bow closer. "Maybe I should just kill you now."
"It doesn't matter if you do." Cole's voice rang out. "You're not going to get whatever Ronan promised you."
The darklighter shoved Leo in front of him, the arrow still drawn. "What are you talking about?"
"Ronan's dead." Cole said simply, walking across the magic school atrium. He had been there only a couple of times, and was grateful Leo wasn't locked up anywhere else.
"You're bluffing." The darklighter snarled.
Cole formed an energy ball above his hand, his patience waning. Phoebe was dying while they bickered. "Let him go, and I won't kill you." He warned, his voice lowered.
"Right." The darklighter said disbelievingly. "You'll just let me walk away."
"I have more pressing things to deal with." Cole said, meeting Leo's gaze. Leo didn't need any more clues to know that time was waning.
"Listen to him. . ." Leo let out. "We won't even try to find you."
The darklighter looked troubled for a moment, contemplating his options. To reassure him, Cole let the energy ball dissipate, dropping his hand. With one last sneer, the darklighter pushed Leo away from him, shimmering from the room. Leo stumbled forwards.
"The girls. . ." He started worriedly.
"Are Chris and Wyatt safe here?" Cole interjected hurriedly.
Leo nodded. "They're fine." He said. "What's going on?"
"Phoebe needs you." Cole gazed at him desperately. "Hurry."
Phoebe's eyes fluttered open. She automatically gasped for air. Leo pulled back his hands and stood up, allowing Piper and Paige to get closer.
"Thank God." Piper muttered. "How do you feel, Pheebs?"
"Fine." Phoebe replied, her breathing slowly returning to normal. She glanced around the room, her eyes falling on Cole, metres away, sitting on the couch. He hand one hand covering his mouth, and Phoebe could see his pale skin beneath it. "What happened?"
"Ronan's gone." Cole said, standing up abruptly. "He's dead. It's all over."
Phoebe gazed at him, trying to discern his thoughts. But he was blocking her out, and she couldn't understand why. "I'll go get you some water. And then you need to rest." Cole said, before she could question him.
"I'm fine." Phoebe said, shaking her head.
"I agree with Cole." Piper said, helping Phoebe to her feet. "You may feel fine, but you've been through a hell of a lot. We all have."
"I think you all need to take some time off." Leo said. "We've all been sitting around with our nerves at breaking point, just waiting for the attack to happen, we haven't had a proper nights sleep."
Cole nodded. "I won't be long." He said softly, heading out the attic door. Phoebe stared at his retreating form.
"I need to talk to him." Phoebe said decisively. "I'll be back soon." They didn't attempt to stop her.
Cole opened the door silently, slipping out into the early evening air. He took in a deep, shaky breath. Rolling his shoulders and ignoring the piercing pain of his still-raw wound, he stuck his hands in his coat pockets, and descended the stairs. He needed to get out of the manor. Too much had happened. His head was overflowing with all the vivid memories, and he tried helplessly to push them from his mind.
"Cole!" Phoebe called, running after him. He hesitated before turning around. She stopped before him, trying to read the look in his eyes. "Where're you going?"
He glanced downwards. "Just walking." He stated simply.
"I'm sorry about Ronan." Phoebe blurted out. He frowned slightly. Phoebe cursed herself for not preparing her speech prior to this.
"Phoebe. . ." He stopped abruptly. "I was hoping to have some time to myself. . .just to think."
Phoebe hesitated before nodding. "Okay." She said finally. "I just. . .I wanted you to know that you're not alone. I'm always. . .here. . .if you want to talk."
Cole paused, then smiled slightly. Forced, Phoebe noted. "Thanks." He said. "I'll be back later." He stepped away from her, before turning around and walking away. Phoebe stayed stationary for a moment, before breathing in deeply.
"He'll talk to you when he's ready." She muttered to herself, forcing herself to believe it, and making her way slowly back to the manor.
A couple more, I think. Once again, any reviews would be much appreciated.