"You must be joking?" said a large, boisterous demon in the large chamber of the underworld. "You expect us to accept this half breed as the new Source? Just on your say so?"
Cole, the Seer, and Malevant stood on a small raised dais in the back of the room. Half a dozen Brotherhood demons stood around the room at the far walls. In the center of the room the twelve most powerful demons in the underworld stood facing Cole as the Seer announced that the Source had returned.
"I can assure you," said the Seer, "he is the Source. When the Charmed Ones vanquished the Source he possessed Belthazor. Now, he lives again in Belthazor."
"I expected this from you, Kralor," said Cole. "You always did disbelieve things more than anyone else. When I established the Triad you were the first to express your disbelief that it would do any good."
"She could have coached you on that," said Kralor, indicating the Seer. "That proves nothing. And you expect me to take the word of a female? That is never going to happen."
"Then take my word," said Malevant. "I can assure you that Turner is indeed the Source. He has proven that to my satisfaction. Unless you wish to call me a liar as well."
"I am calling no one a liar," said Kralor, some fear evident in his voice. "You said he proved to you he was the Source. I simply ask for the same thing. Proof of his claim. We all do. If we are to follow this half breed we must be sure that he is who he claims to be."
"Besides," said another demon, "his consort is a witch. One of the very witches that vanquished the Source in the first place. Are we to accept that they would vanquish the Source only to accept him back in a new form?"
"My relationship with Phoebe is no one's concern but mine," said Cole. "She has no idea who I really am. By the time she learns of my true identity, it will be too late."
"Kralor is right," said the second demon. "If we are to follow you we must be convinced beyond any doubt who you really are."
"You vex me, Kralor," said Malevant. "My word should be enough for you. My loyalty to the Source is beyond question. You should know I would never lend my support to anyone unless I was absolutely convinced of their identity."
"No, Malevant, Kralor is right," said Cole. "When I came to power the first time he sided with me. I proved then that I was the right choice to be the Source by defeating those who opposed me. I proved I was the strongest demon in the underworld.
"Clearly I have to prove it again. Demons lead by fear and intimidation. The stronger ruling the weaker. It has always been this way. But those who rule must show they are truly the more powerful. This is the only way they can hope to keep their positions."
"My Lord," said the Seer, pulling Cole to one side, "do you think it's wise to negotiate with them? They may see this as a sign of weakness."
"Trust me," said Cole. "I know what I'm doing."
Cole turned back to the twelve demons gathered before him.
"Now," he continued, "if I am to prove my worth, I shall need a test. Something that proves I am who I claim. What will convince you that I am truly the Source?"
Kralor looked around at the other demons. It was clear what they were all thinking. There really was only one test that would prove to them this was the same Source who had ruled for five hundred years.
"The Charmed Ones," said Kralor. "They have been a thorn in our side for far too long. If you are truly the Source, that means they even vanquished you. If you wish to prove your claim, kill the Charmed Ones. Then all demons will gladly follow you without question."
"Is that all?" Cole asked. "Simply kill three witches and that will prove I am the Source?"
"Yes," said Kralor. "It's the only way to prove your claim."
"I see," said Cole. "In that case I can see only one course of action."
Suddenly Cole formed a fireball and cast it directly at Kralor. It struck the demon engulfing him in flames. In rapid succession Cole cast two more fireballs at Kralor as the other demons moved away from the attack. Within moments Kralor had been vanquished and only a charred spot on the floor remained where he had stood.
"I will not negotiate with you," said Cole, his eyes flashing. "The Seer has told you who I am. Malevant had vouched for my identity. And still you demand proof. There is you proof. And the fate that awaits any who would dare challenge me. Make your choice now. You will either follow me as your leader or I will vanquish all of you."
Cole looked down at the charred spot where Kralor had stood.
"Call me a half breed," he spat out.
The remaining eleven demons looked at each other and at the anger that flashed in Cole's eyes. He returned their gazes with undisguised defiance. He showed no fear, no mercy. They all could tell from the look in his eyes that he stood ready to kill any that doubted him.
"Choose," Cole demanded. "Choose now."
The second demon that had spoken looked at the others and then took a step forward.
"I accept the claim of the Seer and Malevant," said the demon. "You are the Source. You are the rightful ruler of the underworld. I will follow you."
One by one the remaining demons stepped forward and pledged their loyalty to their new master. Cole smiled as each of them stepped forward and accepted him as their undisputed ruler.
"Good," said Cole. "It would have been a shame to have placed lower level demons in your places. Now, as for the Charmed Ones, I do plan to deal with them. But killing them is too easy. Plus, I plan to make Phoebe my queen. I cannot simply kill her sisters if that is going to happen. But rest assured in a very short time they will no longer be a threat to us."
"How, my Lord?" questioned one of the demons. "They have the Power of Three. No demon can stand against that. Even you fell victim to it. As long as that power exists none of us are safe. And it exists as long as all three live."
"Not if they have no powers," said Cole. "Killing them would only postpone the danger that the line of Melinda Warren represents to us. Some future generation of Halliwells' would eventually appear and we would again be faced with that magic."
"Not if all three die," said another demon. "If they die before they can have offspring their line dies with them."
"And if there is another sister that we don't know of?" questioned Cole. "No one knew of Paige. Yet she appeared as soon as Prue had died. Do you really want to risk an unknown Halliwell surviving to carry on the line?"
"Then what do we do?" asked another demon.
"We strip them of their powers," said Cole, pulling out one of the pages of the Tome of the Ancients. "Of their heritage."
"It's been tried," said the first demon. "They always manage to regain their powers and vanquish the demons who have gone after them."
"Not like this," said Cole, holding up the page. "This is a page from the Tome of the Ancients. It is a spell of incredible power. It will strip the Charmed One of their powers permanently. And no power on Earth or in the underworld will be able to restore those powers.
"But it does more than that. The magic of this spell will radiate through all who carry Melinda Warren's blood in their veins. It will strip all Halliwells' of their powers forever. And it will be passed down to any descendents they may have. The power of Melinda Warren, and the Halliwell witches, will be ended forever. And the spell is irreversible. No power is great enough to undo it's magic. I only have to cast it on one of them to accomplish its purpose."
"And you will use this spell on the witches?" asked one demon. "Even the one you plan to make our queen?"
"Yes," said Cole. "The witches will no longer have their powers or the Power of Three. But my heir will have my power. His power will come from me. The Power of Three will no longer be a threat to any demon. They will be rendered as powerless as any mortal."
A murmur ran through the crowd of demons. Many were shaking their heads in agreement with Cole's plan. Cole just smiled. None of them would oppose him now. Phoebe and her sisters wouldn't be physically harmed, he would rule the underworld without a fight, with Phoebe at his side, and he would prove once and for all that he was the most powerful demon in the underworld. Once Turner's personality was completely overwhelmed he wouldn't have to worry about him any longer either. Very soon the Source would accomplish the goal he had set out for all those years ago.