The Mighty Belthazor

Piper hesitated. She knew if she threw the potion, there was a good chance Bel would end up vanquished. But she pushed that thought out of her mind and did what she had to. She threw the potion as Bel had instructed her to do.

From:

notstakedyet.livejournal.com

Angel couldn't read Piper's mind, but he could see the same problem. Bel had already told him that the potion would vanquish him too.

No way was Angel going to let that happen.

A quick burst of vamp speed, a grab, and Angel shoved Bel out of the way.

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elishevara.livejournal.com

The potion struck Elishevara in the chest. She howled in pain and rage as flames consumed her, then vanished, leaving nothing but a scorch mark behind.

Further back down the tunnel, behind Veronica, Faithful, and Nadia, another rat shifted into human form, took note of what appeared to be both Elishevara and Belthazor being vanquished, and shimmered away.

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Phoebe didn't see where Angel had saved Cole, so she screamed as she watched what she thought was Cole being vanquished as well as his mother. She screamed again as she saw the scorch marks where she had seen him standing, holding his mother.

"COLE!!"

She dropped her head back onto the floor and started sobbing in deep anguish.

He... he was gone.

Cole was gone.

His mother had won in the end.

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Bel picked himself up off the ground, looking at Angel with gratitude and near-disbelief that he was still alive. Then he heard Phoebe call his name and moved quickly to her side. "It's okay, love," he said. "I'm okay. I'm right here."

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Phoebe wasn't sure she heard his voice so it took her a moment to look up.

"C-Cole?" She would have hugged him... except tied up and in pain. "I thought you were vanquished..."

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Cole quickly untied Phoebe and drew her into his arms. "I'm okay," he said again. "She's gone now. Forever."

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"She... she was horrible," she said holding him close to her. "She had a knife and she was the one that attacked Allie and she threatened to cut a finger off and send it to you... so much hatred it hurt."

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"Shhhh," Cole said, stroking her hair. "She'll never hurt you again, or anyone else."

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"Please... take me home? It hurts here." Phoebe does not tell him about the kicks or the hitting the wall. She was clinging to him.

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Piper managed a smile. She was relieved Phoebe was safe now and that Bel wasn't vanquished.

But, ow, she hurt and probably needed to be taken to the clinic.

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Phoebe pulled away to look for her sister.

"Piper?"

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Piper glanced at her sister, but didn't move. "I'm here, Pheebs."

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Phoebe pulled away and crawled over to her sister. She hugged her gently.

"Please be okay?"

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"I'll be okay. Just need pain killers or something." Piper grinned at her sister.

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"We need to get you to the clinic."

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marsheadtilt.livejournal.com

Veronica watched Piper and Phoebe with a sad smile.

"You should probably both go to the clinic," she suggested softly, wondering how Phoebe will react to her presence.

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Phoebe looked at Veronica for a long moment. She was still upset that Veronica hadn't come forward, but she may understand. Biting her lip, she extended a hand to Veronica.

She was still upset, but the fact that Veronica had come to help get her back said a great deal to her.

From:

marsheadtilt.livejournal.com

Veronica took Phoebe's hand and gently squeezed it.

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Phoebe managed a faint smile even though her head was starting to kill her. She was starting to pick up more and more emotions.

She looked over at Angel. "Thank you for saving him... and for coming to help me."

From:

notstakedyet.livejournal.com

Angel gave a smile in Bel's direction. "That's what friends are for."

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Phoebe looked at Cole. "I want to go home."

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"You need to go to the clinic first, sweetheart," Cole said.

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