Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed, but the WB does.

AN: A review would be nice! I know the writing's choppy, but it gets better. I wrote the beginning chapters a few months ago, but the new chapters will be better.

Chapter 5: Unveiling

The members of the Elder Council were seated around a circle table; ready for the meeting one of their own had called. One seat remained unoccupied, while the Elders clicked and clacked in idle chat with their neighbors. A few minutes passed before the meeting got started. "Leo," An Elder with his tan hood up began. "Do you, or the sisters, know anything about this new…Source?"

Leo glanced towards the chair that was open. "Shouldn't we wait for Gideon before we start?"

A female Elder to Leo's right answered in a soothing voice. "Gideon has decided to stay on the Earthly plane from now on. He will be staying at the school."

Leo nodded in understanding. "Well, we asked someone who's well informed in the Underworld, and he has no idea of who it could be."

"Is this person trustworthy, Leo?" Odin inquired, worrying if this fellow told them something to throw them off the truth.

"Yes, Odin. He has no reason to lie. He did mention something about the ancient ones, though." Leo replied, adding the last part as an after thought.

"You said he stood up to the spell that vanquished the former Source?" An Elder, Zola, asked from his seat across from Leo. His voice was neither condescending like Odin's, nor too sweet like Sandra's; it was right in the middle.

Leo shrugged, not really know the answer. "I don't know if it was his power, or the spell he was chanting, that withstood the power of three, but something saved him."

"Perhaps," A young voice began. "It would be best for you to stay with the sisters, Leo. After all, if they should perish, I don't know what force would be able to save the world."

"I agree with Kevin. You must protect the sisters at all costs, Leo." The female from before, Sandra, said.

"If that's what the Council wishes, Sandra." Leo approved, smiling internally. He would be able to stay with his family, rather than be forced to stay up in the heavens, a fact that made him extremely happy.

Silence loomed through the room for a few moments. "Odin," A voice said, breaking the silence. "Do you think they have released Zankou?"

The Elder who called the meeting into order quickly looked at his comrade, eyes wide with worry. "I hope not, Roland."

"Who is Zankou?" Kevin asked, showing his age for the first time all meeting. It was true; Kevin was young for an Elder; inexperienced, as well. He had just learned to master his powers when he was made an Elder not too long ago, almost a year ago, and was quite young, too.

"Zankou is a great demon. Incarcerated over four hundreds years ago by the Source, his power was so great that even the Source was afraid. His powers go beyond physical, however. He has the mental ability to be anywhere he chooses; like a spiritual presence that allows him to sense things no one else can." Zola stated wisely, showing his wisdom. He was, in Leo's opinion, the wisest and caring of them all.

"If the Council allows it, I will go ask my informant what he knows about Zankou." Leo announced standing up from his chair. With a nod from Zola, the former white lighter of the Charmed ones orbed out.

The Source flamed into the manor with out a sound. Following voices, he walked into the living room like a guest who was invited. He smirked from under his hood as the sisters came into view. "Well, look at this. Having a party without inviting me? How rude!" The demon said, conjuring a fireball in his right hand.

Piper, wheeling around quickly, flicked her hands towards the ball. Like she thought would happen, the ball exploded right in the demon's face. She flicked her hands towards the man, but it had no affect.

Throwing a fireball at the group, the Sourced grunted as Paige orbed it right back towards him. Flaming out, the demon flamed right back in a few steps to the right. Grabbing Piper with his telekinesis, he proceeded to strangle her, but was thrown out of concentration when Paige orbed a vase at his head, saving her sister. In retaliation, he used his telekinesis and threw the youngest sister into the wall. He fired a couple of beams from his eyes at the table Cole was hiding behind, just to give the mortal some freight. Preparing another fireball, it was knocked out of his hands when an energy ball hit his back.

Stumbling over, the Source looked back in anger at his attacker. The demon king threw a fireball at Wyatt, but it was easily deflected with a swish of his hand. Retaliating, Wyatt threw an energy ball that was med in midair by a beam of energy from the Source's eyes. "I see you are quite powerful. Well, you won't be alive for long." The demon sneered, begrudgingly giving Wyatt his dues.

Gathering energy into his hands, the Source summoned a purple ball of swirling flames. Cole and Phoebe watched the fight progress as they took care of the other two Charmed ones. "What is that?" Phoebe whispered to Cole.

Cole looked scared for a few seconds, but regained his wits. "It's a Thermal Ball. It's extremely powerful and rare. Not many people have that kind of power."

Wyatt smirked as he summoned a thermal ball, as well. Throwing them both at the same time, the thermal balls collided in midair, creating a shock wave that rattled the whole house. Wyatt and the Source, however, stood their ground. A low growl came from the Source as he realized what he was up against. Moving his arm up, the demon turned his palm so it was facing Wyatt. Releasing a blue stream of energy, the Source smirked as he watched it soar towards his enemy. Acting quickly, Wyatt released a beam of red, semi transparent energy. As the beams collided in midair, the pair put more energy into their respective attacks.

Leo orbed in behind the battle. Seeing his son in danger, he swiftly entered the fray by throwing lighting. The Source, spying the lightning headed towards him, raised his left hand and released some flames to stop it. The plan worked, but not in the long run. His energy began to drain at a rapid pace. The blue beam started to die, while the flames began to run dry. Giving one last push, the Source put all his energy into holding off not only the lightning, but the energy Wyatt was using. Piper, by this time, had awoken, and seeing not only her son, but also her husband in danger, the witch began to try and blow up the Source. It only took two attempts to force the demon up into the air, where he landed on the stairs with a thud.

Levitating to his feet knocked his hood down, and gave a clear view of his face. His skin was a royal blue color, while his face was laced with black demonic tattoos. Upon hearing a gasp coming from Cole, the demon tilted his head towards the man. "Belthazor…" A shocked Cole stuttered out.

The others looked at the Source curiously, different thoughts ran in each of their minds. Paige, and Piper scampered over to where Phoebe was, while Leo and Wyatt stood next to each other. The Source gave one last look at the group before he flamed out. "Cole, who was that?" Phoebe asked for the group.

"I don't know, but…" Cole muttered, clearly in shock of what just happened. A thousand thoughts ran through the ex-demon's mind—none of them making any sense.

"But what?" Piper asked in wariness. That demon sure did look like Belthazor that was for sure. Was Belthazor back and wearing a different color of face paint?

Cole shook his head, trying to get the cobwebs out. "But, he had the markings of my mother. Our colors might be different, but those markings where the same as Belthazor's."

"What does that mean?" Phoebe whispered, inching closer to Cole. She herself had to admit that the Source looked strangely like Belthazor did.

Cole sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I don't actually know."

The Source flamed into his lair. That human had called him Belthazor. Was that his real name? After all, it's not like he remembered who he was, or what his name was. He needed to get to the bottom of this. "Vassago." He called out. Vassago shimmered in right next to the throne. Looking up, he noticed the agitation that was on the Source's face. "Who is Belthazor?" The Source barked, wanting an answer right away.

Vassago gave the Source a curious glance. "Belthazor, my lord?" At his nod he continued. "He was a powerful demon who was a traitor to all of our kind. He destroyed the previous Triad because he fell in love with a witch. He was vanquished two or three years ago."

"Why would someone mistaken me for this Belthazor, then?" The Source sneered, anger coming off him in waves. He had to get to the bottom of this, no matter the cost.

Vassago gulped in fear, not liking the fact that he didn't know the answer. "I don't, I don't know, my lord." A fireball appeared in the Source's hand. "Please, my lord, I really don't know." Vassago begged, fearing for his life.

"But I do." Xaphan said appearing out of thin air in a shimmer.

The Source extinguished the ball of flames that was in his hand, and turned towards the demon. "Explain."

"He is your father." Xaphan said nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

The Source reared back in shock, not expecting that answer. "My…my father?" He stuttered, trying to come to grips with what Xaphan just said.

Xaphan nodded, walking over to the throne. "Yes, your father. And he was not vanquished as Vassago said, but his powers were stripped, that is all. He was forced to live in his human appearance because he hadn't the magic to transform to his natural state anymore. But now I suppose he is dead."

"Why did Belthazor—my father, I mean—why did he betray the Triad?" The Source inquired, not knowing if he should hate his father or not. On one hand, he was infamous for killing the Triad, something thought not possible. On the other, however, he betrayed evil, pushing them back generations.

"Because the Triad forced him to kill the witch he fell for." Xaphan sneered. "How a demon could succumb to such human emotions I don't know."

The Source gave a start, cocking an eyebrow. "He killed them for love? That was why he was branded a traitor?" He asked, getting to his feet.

"Yes, my lord." Xaphan replied, bowing his head slightly. The Source flamed out, leaving the two demons alone; who, in response to what just happened, looked at each other, each thinking the same thing. "We have a problem, Vassago." Xaphan said, as Vassago agreed. "Get Melchom here right away!" An agitated Xaphan barked.

"Cole, are you sure you didn't recognize him?" Piper asked for the millionth time. She had been investigating the issue for at least a half an hour, and frankly, it was getting on Cole's nerves.

"No," Cole replied, rolling his eyes. "My mother never had any children other then me. I have no idea who that was."

Leo pondered on what Cole said, thinking up a solution. "Could it be one of your ancestors, perhaps?"

Cole shook his head in the negative. "No, my mother's demon line was formed not more than five hundred years ago. The founder of my family was a human who lost his soul and became a demon. From what I know, my mother's line died out when Belthazor was vanquished."

"Are you sure he had Belthazor's markings? I mean couldn't someone just look like they have those markings?" Phoebe prodded gently, unlike Piper who just nagged and nagged.

"No, he had my markings alright. He also had the colors of my mother's father…the demon that was my maternal grandfather that is." Cole answered, trying to figure it out as well.

The Source flamed in behind the group, intent on finding out his answers any way possible. This time his hood was down, clearly showing his demonic features. In an instant the girls were prepared to attack, but paused when the demon held up his hands in defense. "Well, speak of the devil." Phoebe said, laughing nervously. "I mean that literally, of course." She added as an after thought.

"Please, I come in peace. I'm not here to start a fight with you. I need information." The Source said, almost pleadingly.

Piper sneered, but knowing this would be a good opportunity to find out who he was. "Information from who?"

The Source pointed at Cole. "You. Perhaps we could go into another room alone?"

Wyatt moved behind Cole, as if to protect him, but he knew the Source wouldn't attack; he was too honorable to. "I go with you. Is this agreeable?"

Phoebe also spoke up, moving to Cole's side. "I do, too."

"If you must." The Source nodded, not even fazed by the request. In fact, to be honest, he would have been worried about the family if they didn't give that request.

The group of four walked into the living room. Cole, and Phoebe sat down on the couch; the Source opted to stand behind the chairs, while Wyatt leaned nonchalantly against the wall. "So what do you need to know?" Cole began the conversation.

The Source stared down at the ex-demon, studying his features. "How do you know the name Belthazor?" He questioned, hoping to find his answers from the one who started it all.

Cole sighed, he thought the Source had heard him, but he didn't know for sure. "I know the name Belthazor because, well, I guess you could say we used to be close." Cole said with a laugh.

"What do you mean, human?" The Source growled out aggressively. He had no time to play games with this human.

Cole began to laugh even harder. "I am a human now, yes that is correct, haven't always been, though. I was once the demon whom you're asking about. I know the name Belthazor, because I am Belthazor."

A startled look came on the Source's face. He looked back and forth between Cole and Phoebe. "You're Belthazor? And you're his witch lover?" At the couples nod he began to back away out of fear, and confusion. "No, no impossible. That means you're…you're my parents." He quickly turned and flamed out of the manor, leaving two very confused people, and one man smiling at their confusion.