"You're a worm," the boy was saying. "You think you're so tough. Picking on a little kid. I ought to show you just how much of a pathetic pig you are. You're nothing to me. Less than nothing. Just some low life who thinks he's more important than he is."
"You must be Carson Spenser," said Piper stepping around the dumpster.
"Who are you?" demanded the boy.
Just then the two men lying in the alley began to regain consciousness.
"My name is Piper," said Piper. "We've been looking for you." She looked at the man cowering on the ground. "Get out of here. And take your friends with you. I don't think you want to be here right now."
The man looked at Piper and then glanced at Spenser. Cautiously he stood up and began to back away from the boy. When Spenser didn't move to stop him, the man collected his two friends and the three men began running up the alley away from the group.
"Cartrack," said the boy. "I'm surprised to see you. Who are you friends?"
"They're the Charmed Ones," said Cartrack. "And they're here to stop you."
"Not likely," said the boy. "You never told me how much fun my powers would be. People respect me. You never said how much they'd respect me."
"More like they're afraid of you," said Leo. "There's a big difference."
"Who are you?" demanded the boy. "You aren't a Charmed Ones. Cartrack says the Charmed Ones are three sisters."
"I'm their White Lighter," said Leo. "I'm sure Cartrack has told you about White Lighters."
"Sure he has," said Spenser. "Pacifists who spend their time giving advice and guidance to witches. Not much of a threat to me."
"No, but we are," said Piper. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. And trust me, kid. We've had a lot of experience doing it the hard way. You're new at this."
"Yeah, but I have my powers," said Spenser. "Cartrack never told me how powerful I'd be when I got my powers. Not even you three can stand up to my power."
"You'd be surprised," said Cole.
"And just who are you?" Spenser demanded.
"My name is Cole Turner," said Cole.
"Belthazor?" Spenser questioned, a gleam in his eye. "You're Belthazor? But I was told you were dead?"
"Not by a long shot," said Cole. "I'm very much alive."
"This is fantastic," said the boy. "Cartrack told me you were the best student he ever had. He said if I were half the student you were I'd be a great demon."
'Half demon," Cole corrected. "Remember, you're also half human."
"The weaker half," said Spenser. "Cartrack said that humans are weak. So our human half has to be the weaker half."
"That's a matter of opinion," said Cole. "I happen to think my human half is what gives me my true strength."
"But you're the great Belthazor," said Spenser, his eyes twinkling again. "Hand picked by the Source. You're feared and respected by all the demons of the underworld. There's no one greater than you."
"Sounds like there's some hero worship going on here," said Phoebe.
"What of it, witch?" Spenser questioned.
"Mind your manners," Cole chided Spenser. "I know Cartrack taught you better than that. Show some respect for your elders."
"Why?" Spenser questioned. "She's a witch. Cartrack says they are the enemy. Why should I show her any respect?"
"Because that's how it works on the mortal plane, Carson," Cole said. "You won't get very far with an attitude like that, trust me."
"Do you know how many of her kind you've killed?" Spenser asked. "Someday I'm going to be just like you. And stop calling me Carson. My name is Biltok. One day they'll fear and respect me as much as they fear and respect Belthazor."
"Not today," said Piper. "In case you hadn't noticed, there are three of us. And only one of you. Not very good odds especially for someone with no experience with his powers."
"I'm not afraid," said Spenser. "You saw what I did to those three humans. I'll do the same to you. You may be witches but you're still humans. I'm half demon. And a very powerful demon. Someday I'll be as powerful as Belthazor."
"Look, kid," said Paige, "whether you know it or not you don't stand a chance against us. If Cartrack has told you about us then he must have told you that we're the most powerful witches in history. We even vanquished the Source. You really want to go up against us? That wouldn't be a smart move. We'd have to vanquish you. And I really don't want to vanquish a kid, even if he is half demon. I'm sure my sisters don't want to either."
"Go ahead and try," said Spenser, turning to face them. "I'm not afraid of you. I have power. And no one, least of all three human witches are going to stand in my way. You think you're so powerful? Come on. Let's see what you have."
"Biltok, please," Cartrack said. "There are still many things I have not taught you yet. Things you do not understand. This is foolishness."
"Don't worry about it, old man," Spenser said. "I've learned all I need to know. Now it's time I proved I'm just as good as Belthazor. And the best way I can do that is by doing something no one else has ever been able to do. Stop the Charmed Ones."
They all stood facing Spenser who still held the energy ball he had formed in his hand. There was contempt in his eyes. He had gotten a small taste of power and like many who experienced power for the first time it had gone straight to his head. The sisters glanced at each other knowing they had very little choice. In order to protect themselves and the rest of humanity, they would be forced to destroy this small boy.