Part Seven
Summary: The Avatars have turned down Cole's request to stop Richard Montana using his magic after he had a vision of him doing evil. Cole takes matters in to his own hands and returns to Earth, threatening Richard to stop using magic. He enlists the help of future white lighter Chris who agrees Richard needs to be stopped. The sisters and Richard discovered who they're dealing with and there's more shouting… In part seven Richard wants action and Cole is handed his punishment…
Montana Estate, same night
Richard, his knees shaking is getting increasingly restless. Paige is sitting next to him, holding his hand. He stands up and lets go of her hand, "I can't stand this waiting around. I need to be doing something." He tells the two remaining Halliwells.
"We will, when Phoebe and Chris come back with more information." Piper tells him. "In the meantime, you just need to stay calm."
"Piper's right, let's watch a video." Paige hesitantly says to her boyfriend.
"Calm? There's no need for any of you to be getting involved, I can handle this myself." He says rushing back over to his library of books.
Piper and Paige quickly follow and Paige gently grabs his waste. "You don't know him like we do, he's dangerous."
"Not anymore, the Avatars have dealt with him." The three turn to see Phoebe and Chris.
"Phoebe… What happened? Did you see that woman?" Piper asked her younger sister.
Meanwhile
In the same meeting room Cole originally discussed his concerns to the Avatars about Richard, the hero looks upon his new surroundings. Inside a narrow tube, Cole places his hands against the glass and tries breaking out.
"By combining our strengths Cole, we have temporarily returned you to mortal status." Avatar Alpha tells him. The room lights up and the three other Avatars were stood by Alpha's side.
Cole remained silent, opting to see how this would play out.
"You broke fundamental rules that you have been reminded of on plenty of other occasions." Avatar Future told him.
"It is forbidden for you to interfere with Mortal matters." Gamma explained to Cole. He was an extremely tall and thin, clean shaven and coloured man who looked around the 40s mark in human age.
"What do you have to say for yourself brother?" The final Avatar, Beta asked. Beta had jet black hair, which was styled slickly with long sideburns that were greying at the bottom joining on to his blackish grey bushy beard.
"I stand by what I did; Avatars are about the greater good. Stopping Richard is apart of that!" Cole explained.
The leader Alpha nodded to his colleagues. "Brother Cole, if you wish to continue this tedious feud you do it at the cost of your new life."
Future continued on behalf of his leader. "You have already been told that we need not concern ourselves with this witch, but your continued persistence has forced us to replace you."
"What does that mean? You're gonna kill me?" Cole queried.
Gamma stepped forward and gave him his final reckoning, "We will not allow you to kill a mortal whilst an Avatar, whether he be good or evil. You will return to earth the same creature you came on to it - Belthazor, a powerful yet vulnerable demon."
"You won't do it; you guys need me more than I need you."
The rest of the Avatars exchanged looks for a moment before turning back to Cole. "Not quite Cole, we've found someone with as much Avatar potential as you. No more talking." Alpha, the representative of the Avatars explained.
…"WAIT!" Cole quickly shouted before they turned him away, "Why Belthazor?"
"You lost yourself when Belthazor was vanquished; he is as much you as Cole Turner." Beta told him.
Cole closed his eyes and when he opened them again he found himself in a familiar place. "The Penthouse." He said thinking aloud.
As the toilet flushed and the tap stopped running in the bathroom, Lana came out of the bathroom and stood completely silent for a moment. "Oh my god…" She finally said. "Cole?"
Cole looked at Lana for a moment, not sure what to say.
"Are you evil?" She finally asked her old friend, slowly backing away…
TO BE CONTINUED!