A/N This next episode is an important one for Cole's character development. In this episode he succeeds in doing what no demon prior to this has ever succeeded in doing, breaking the Charmed Ones and the Power of Three. Not only that, he literally had Phoebe at his mercy and was inches from killing her. And he stopped himself. Or, you could look at this way, Cole fought Balthazor and won, from this day on Cole imprisoned Balthazor and he was able to do it because he'd fallen in love with Phoebe. And in the end, he helps the Charmed Ones rebuild the Power of Three and it was ultimately stronger than ever. Granted Leo does the heavy lifting by counseling them, but Cole provides the catalyst by urging Phoebe to reconnect with her sisters.

Because of the ripple effects introduced in this story with the involvement of techno vamps, Xander and Cordelia, it has to happen differently, but the end goal is still the same, Cole realizing his love for Phoebe.

Also, the existence of techno vamps can't remain unknown to demonkind forever, that's just not feasible. So far, Xander has been able to, in some way, deal with every demon that's learned he personally exists, but how long can he do that?

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"You have an interesting resume, Andras." Cole commented to the Demon of Rage.

"Interesting? I pit nations against each other. I've incited wars that have lasted decades, long after the original participants have died, the rage I inspire lasts."

"Even when they don't remember the original reason for their rage or find new reasons to continue fighting. And as angry as you, as a demon are, you're also quite careful in your approach and rarely incite large scale wars."

"Although WWI and WWII can be traced to other, smaller wars that I incited." Andras pointed out.

"That's one of the reasons I'm interested in seeing if you'd like to help me with a project, the potential long terms effects could be devastating for our opposition. Tell me, Andras, have you ever pitted family against family?"

"Only if they're part of different nations. What exactly is it that you'd like me to do, Balthazor?"

"It's twofold, gain information on the Charmed Ones and find a way to incite them to anger and violence."

"Interesting indeed. The Charmed Ones. And why do you think I'm the best demon for this job?"

"There are rumors circulating that they've found a way to alarm their home to warn of demons, even invisible ones, entering their home. I know this to be fact actually, Troxa was sent by the Triad to kill them. His plan was to use the element of surprise and attack while invisible after they'd gone to sleep. That very night an alarm went off in the Manor and Troxa hasn't been seen since. But you don't need to get into the Manor to gain information, you can get into their heads, so to speak, to find an avenue of anger to exploit."

"Anything I should know before I attempt this?" Andras asked.

"The oldest sister has married and moved out, she's married to a police officer. The second oldest sister's boyfriend lives in the Manor with her and the youngest. And my attempt to destroy their family line before it began failed but it did net the information that they've acquired allies, powerful ones. You've heard of the Circle of Stone in Virginia? I was there when it was created. One of their allies, I'm unsure which one, tapped into the All and made the rock grow. I then saw them literally fly away and one of them rode a tornado."

"Stone and wind suggest an elemental witch. Rare. An interesting ally indeed." Andras said thoughtfully. "But beyond that, have you witnessed the sisters fighting? Some idea of where an avenue of anger to exploit would help me get started."

"Sorry, no I haven't, but while you're figuring that out, maybe you'll figure out a few other things. Any information could be of use, don't ignore it just because it's not related to anger."

"I know how to do my job, Balthazor, I'm not the Demon of Rage just because I'm angry." Andras retorted. "Or because anger is the easiest way for me to destroy humans."

"Despite the title, Andras, you aren't yet an upper level demon. I am." Cole reminded him. "Don't test me, better than you have and have regretted. For the two seconds it took for them to die."

Andras reined in his temper, he knew Balthazor's reputation and he knew that wasn't an idle boast, it was fact and one of the reasons Balthazor was so feared, he could and would back that threat up with action. Painful action. With a sneer, Andras shimmered away to begin his task, pitting the Charmed Ones against each other..

Easier said than done, at least for any other demon, but Andras had always been an exception to many rules, a being who was filled with rage and incited rage in others, but with the patience to find tiny cracks of anger in his victims and feed them until they grew into towering mountains of rage.

Just how much rage could he incite in the sisters and if he could identify the allies, in them as well?

It's a question he'd come to regret. For much longer then two seconds.