A Kind of Magic
part 15
"Why do I get the feeling that all of Cole's ideas are bad ideas?"
"Don't worry, Mom. We'll find her."
Piper sadly shook her head, her eyes roaming the walls around them. "Not at this rate. There must be a zillion different turns. Forget dungeons. This place is like a maze, for crying out loud."
"Mom, why is it that no one really likes Uncle Cole?"
Piper stopped a moment, hands on her hips. She glanced hard at her daughter, worry threatening to cloud her brow. She laughed softly, running a hand briefly through her hair. "Why would you say something like that?"
The petite girl shrugged. "Well, Alex used to say her- Aunt Phoebe and him fight a lot."
"Well, that's not really any of our-"
"And Aunt Paige in the attic," she said quietly.
"Melinda, it's not that any of us hate him- it's just...look, you know how we say something happens days...or- or even years from now?"
She nodded. "Like birthdays."
Piper paused a moment. "Right. Yeah. Birthdays. Good one. See, that's all in what we call the past. It's over and done with. But, um, some dem- people like your Uncle Cole....have had a not so great past. Kind of like events they should have done differently."
"So it wasn't good?"
She sighed. "You still have a lot to learn about magic yet. So I think it's best for now, if we just save that for later, okay?"
"But what-"
"Your Uncle Cole is a good man," she explained. "He chose a life that was the complete opposite of what he once was. And because of that-"
"Mom?"
"What?"
"What is that?"
Piper suddenly grew pensive, as she protectively placed her hands in front of her. She craned her neck around the corner, observing two warlocks in a rather heated discussion, horns protruding from this heads, their faces etched in complete darkness, as their speech rose. "Ew," she whispered. "Definitely upper level."
"What are they, Mom?"
"Very bad men," she returned. "And if we're going to pass them, we'll definitely be needing some assistance."
"What are they guarding?" Melinda brought forth. "What is it?"
"Honey, I don't-"
"It looks like a door," she sided, staring curiously.
"Alex," Piper added softly. "Maybe that's where-"
"Do you want me to do my astral protection?"
"Sweetie, you don't even know-"
"I'm sure I could," she insisted excitedly.
"Melinda, this isn't a game. It's real. People die. Good people. Innocents."
"I know."
"You could get hurt."
"Would you stop saying that?" she pleaded, offering a gaze at her mother. "I'm a witch too, right?"
"Yes, but-"
"Then I'm going to go," she countered stubbornly.
"Hey. Let me at least attempt to blow them up already, alright?" Piper adamently agreed, still somewhat skeptical. "These guys aren't easy to kill. Believe me, I should know." She paused. "Vaguely remember dating one."
"You were in love with a warlock?" Melinda returned, laughing.
"It was before I knew who I was," she shot back. "Now leave me alone, and let's go vanquish their sorry ass- butts," she finished, grinning at her daughter. "I think we actually just may be building on our relationship here, don't you think?"
**********
"Paige, hold him, dammit!"
"I'm trying!" came the annoyed reply. "In case you haven't noticed, he's like a foot and half taller than me!"
"Oh, for God's sake." With a single flick of his wrist, Cole freed the Grimlock from her grasp, expertly morphing him into a large rock. The object fell to Paige's feet, as she quickly backed away.
"Okay, what the hell was that?"
"Oh. Just...a power I've been meaning to exercise." He laughed. "Almost forgot I had it."
"Too bad it probably won't work on The Dark."
"No, too bad all of those demons ran away," he noted, sadly. "Guess my former reputation as The Source still precedes me." He paused a moment. "Do you think it was the yelling?"
"Ha. Lucky you."
"Well. Not so lucky. I don't know how long he's gonna stay that way, and we have to find Phoebe and Leo."
"Can you sense them?"
He shook his head. "Not yet. But they can't be far."
"They're not," a voice echoed quickly, as Leo Wyatt orbed into view before them, his face stained with pure concentration. "Are you guys okay?"
"Well, they never put up much of a fight," Paige responded, shrugging. "Not to mention the fact that the demon wouldn't spill jack."
Leo frowned, his eyes turning to Cole. "Phoebe needs you. She's found a little past competition of her own to deal with."
"But I can't sense-"
"Just go straight from here," he explained. "You can't miss it. I'll stay with Paige."
"What's going on?" Cole asked curiously.
"We think The Dark may be bringing-"
"Old demons back," he finished. "Yeah, we know."
"Well, this one runs a little deeper. And she's pretty miffed already."
"Oh, a pissed off demon. That's my kind of entertainment," he quipped, as he quickly shimmered away.
"But what about..." Paige started.
She never completed the sentence. The Grimlock took on his shape once again, looming before the two of them. With a rapid flash of his eyes, he aimed them right at her. Paige ducked just in time, reaching for Leo's hand. "C'mon!" she screamed. "Move!"
"What are you not telling me?!" Leo yelled back to her.
"See, Cole sorta left a little...unfinished business!" She smiled. "But we should have it under control soon!"
"I'm getting that." Hr frowned. "Look, we're going to need Piper!"
"Then let's orb!" she offered.
**********
"So what did it feel like?"
"Meaning?"
"When you died?"
"Oh, I really don't think it would be appropriate for our discussion."
Phoebe levitated, bringing a foot up in defense. Julie easily blocked her attempt, sending her opponent sprawling across the dirt floor. Phoebe angrily brushed her hair out of her eyes, easily stepping to her feet once again.
The demon snickered briefly. "I thought we agreed on not using our powers, Witch."
"Well, what can I say? I don't commit to contracts."
"What if I told you we were ultimately on the same side?"
"Then I'd probably say you should have your head examined."
"It's true, you know."
"Oh yeah? How?" Again, Phoebe came at her full force with a roundhouse kick. Julie grabbed hold of her foot, stopping her in place. Phoebe closed her eyes, fearing the worst was yet to come. But she was merely pushed back, her shoe once again finding solid ground.
"We both want The Dark removed from power in the Underworld. Your little girl's life is in her hands."
"The Dark is none-"
"Oh, she is. But to be honest, I'm growing tired of playing second in command all the time." She smiled. "All my life, I've been given orders to follow...execute. After awhile, patience wears thin."
"And so does your hair," Phoebe quipped, raising her eyebrows. "So...what? You want to become like the Elvira of reigning chaos?"
"I can't expect you to understand what it feels like. You were only evil for a minute. And even then, you had no concept of it. You never embraced it."
"Blah, blah....blah."
"Then try me," a deep voice stated calmly, appearing into view. Cole Turner merely crossed his arms over his chest, offering a smug smile in her direction. "Well, look what the cat dragged in," he mused thoughtfully.
"Actually, it was a spell," Julie clarified brightly. "So nice to see you too, Cole. How was life in the wasteland?"
"So great, I just had to get out," he sided, smiling. He rolled his eyes, his expression unwavering. "Whatever. The point is, you're now where you don't belong anymore."
"And who's to say I never loved you?" she brought forth.
"Oh, here we go," Phoebe murmured. "Time for the drama queen to show us even more of her little act. Look, we're over it, okay? Move on, get your own talk show, whatever. It's long past."
She simply threw a brief smile in Cole's direction. "Can't tell you how glad I am that you made it though."
"Technically, I was invited from what Leo told me, so I thought I'd make my guest appearance," he deadpanned.
"And you're just in time," Phoebe added sweetly.
"Regardless of who I was-" Julie began.
"Um...am," Cole corrected briskly. "Regardless of who you still are."
"Yeah, and I only did what the Seer told me to."
"Oh, so coming onto me was really all part of her plan? You had absolutely no input? You really expect me to believe it now?" he challenged. "You're quite the walking contradiction today. Though I'm still surprised you're walking at all."
"I can help you."
"Do you know where she is?" he asked, cutting her off.
"Either way, she'll be dead again before she talks," Phoebe insisted, shrugging.
"The Dark?" Julie questioned.
"My daughter," he emphasized.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"On whether or not you're willing to compromise with me."
"I'm not going to give you immortality, just so you can become some all powerful new evil. You're taking to the wrong man."
"Well. So there really is no possibility of you ever swaying, is there?"
"No. Okay? What is it with you women? Can't you just take no for an answer anymore?"
"Hey!" Phoebe objected.
"Not you, honey."
"That's alright. Carry on." Shooting him a grin, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Look, this is getting old. You're getting old. Where is Alex?"
"I suppose I could have you taken to her. But, to avoid the whole violence issue?" She laughed. "Still care to give my plan a shot?"
"In your dreams," Phoebe sided.
"In that case, you just made things more difficult on yourselves."
"Okay, and just what is that supposed to mean?" Phoebe suddenly questioned, her fear starting to show through. "What's going on? Are you threatening us?"
"She's bluffing," Cole countered.
"Not in the least." She snapped her fingers, watching as two large demons materialized into view.
Uh oh," Phoebe whispered.
"Well, I'll just take care of-" Cole frowned, as nothing came from his hand. He threw it out again, watching as a single whisp of air whistled through the stone walls, bringing back a slight echo. He glanced fearfully at Phoebe, shaking his head. "Nothing."
"And I now seem to be a little stuck," she then added softly.
"What?"
"My legs aren't- I can't even move them."
"Phoebe, this is not the time to be-"
"I'm not!" she hissed. "I really am stuck."
Cole tried to place a foot in front of him, but he never moved an inch. His shoes were plastered firmly to the ground, as he clenched his hands into tight fits. "Dammit."
"Talisman's work like a charm, don't they? No pun intended, of course. Mmm....take them to the lair," she instructed briefly.
"Over my dead body," Phoebe angrily replied, struggling to push herself forward.
"Well, that can certainly be put into perspective," Julie returned. "Can't it?"
"What if we-"
"It's too late for that now, Witch." She smiled, flipping a strand of blonde hair over one shoulder. "Besides, I'm more than sure I'm capable of handling it all on my own anyhow."
Cole closed his eyes, protruding deep in thought. He slowly tuned out the sourroundings about him, as the demon reached behind him to gain a solid grasp on his arms. He searched his mind, locating a place of pure blackness within it, attempting to force himself into the confined space.
"Um...wait a minute. Halt. What is he doing?" Julie inquired suspiciously, nervously tilting her head.
"Cole?" Phoebe asked hesitantly. "Cole, are you alright?"
"To the lair," she repeated, more loudly. "Before they-"
But the only response was a cry followed by a brief blaze of fire, as one of her opponents quickly vanished right in her view. Another lightning bolt came hurtling out of nowhere, cascading towards the other demon, a great flash of blue sparks.
"Get down!" Cole yelled.
Phoebe rapidly willed her weight to the floor, surprised that she was now able to fully free herself. Her captor followed the fate of his comrade, as he exploded into a nothingness beside her. Phoebe slowly regained her composure, falling right into her husband's grasp. Cole gave her small frame a quick squeeze, throwing a wink.
"So much for force," Julie stated, her arms going across her chest.
"Guess we've been keeping things from one another in our time apart," he noted carefully. "Which, getting back to the original question- where's the girl?"
"Turner, you are just a thorn in my side," she offered quietly, rolling her eyes. "For your sake, I hope she ends your life quick."
"She always did appear terribly stubborn," Phoebe observed, shrugging.
Cole held up his hand, allowing a bolt fairly large in size to take form within it. "Last chance."
"Oh, so you really think that'll work on me as well?"
"How about we try it out?" he asked, a smile crossing his handsome face. "You know- just to test the theory?"
"The Seer was right about you."
"Oh, was she?" He laughed. "Really. I'm dying to hear this one."
"You never had what it took. Loving her was the worst thing that ever happened to you."
"Such a low blow," Phoebe quipped.
"And it's always the same." He cleared his throat. "My daughter."
"Go back to Hell, Cole."
"Oh, after you. Ladies first." Without hesitation, he tossed the bolt, watching as it connected with flesh. Julie's screams drifted in and out of the dungeon, as she slowly became nothing more than a mere pile of ashes. Cole nonchalantly walked over them, shrugging. "Hope she likes the wasteland. I hear they've had a vacancy since I left."
Phoebe smiled. "With her attitude? Nah, I'm still thinking she's going straight to Hell."