Chronicles of Absolution: Freaky Friday

Chapter 1

Then

… "I understand it perfectly Sam. When are you going to understand that things have a different meaning to me?"

"I don't know… maybe when you stop with the lies and secrets. It's as bad as…" He stopped himself from saying what threatened to come out.

"Go on and say it. I am as bad as the demons. Why? Because I'm from the same stock I admit it since I am a half breed freak. Besides you're asking me to get rid of four centuries worth of habits. That's not something that can be done overnight." She paused and looked at him for a moment. "Look, be pissed with me. Most people are… even ones who are somewhat friends."

… Just as she was about to put a leg out the window, a strange sensation overcame her. It felt like she wasn't in control of her body movements when she reached for her knife and then whirled to throw it at the wall. It lodged itself into a wooden mask that she thought was the ugliest thing and a cheap attempt at livening up the place. She felt glad to hit it with her knife since it was so damned ugly but now she needed to retrieve it…

… She went slow but once she was in front of the mirror, she tried hard not to scream. What came out was, "Holy shit! Angie?"

Instead of her reflection, Jo saw the image of Angela. It was freaky considering that Angela had her hair down and she had braid holding it back from her face. Even more creepy was that it talked back, "It is me Jo. Um… there is no easy way to say this but... I'm dead."

… Dean looked to see Sam standing there but the posture and the look was not an expression that he would get. It was the look of someone anticipating a challenge in the form of dishing out a good ass kicking. He knew who it was. "Angie?"

Sam's eyes looked at Dean but they had a different look to them. It was that look Angela gave when she was in the mood for a fight. It certainly was Angela when Sam's body took off and leapt onto one of the ropes and started climbing…

… "Good," Dean replied as he got out of the Impala and checked his gun and made sure that he had enough ammunition. "Let's gank this bitch."

Sam and Angela were slower getting out and they shared a look. Both knew Dean's dislike of witches especially since the one before Christmas narrowly missed him with a hex that would have probably killed him…

… Rose managed to get to her feet after shaking off what was probably a concussion. She saw that her former captor was battling Haley and they were duking it out with their powers. They were causing serious damage and collapse looked eminent. She had to take over. She reverted back to her true form and gave a sharp whinny before stampeding between the two witches and took a swipe at Genevieve…

… "But how?" Sam winced when the relief of pressure came. "Isabella knocked you out. I told her it should."

"Spell's only as strong as the person casting it and if they know what they are doing," Angela said with a shrug. "Plus there is such a thing as strong will. That and a plan for the plan." She gave a hand out to steady Sam while giving a whistle call…

… "Clumsy," the warlock said. "He did say that you would come if only to get revenge on the dirty little thing you travel with." He made a wave of his hand and grinned as Dean doubled over in pain. "Too bad you'll never get to."

Dean felt the most excruciating pain in his gut. It was like someone had reached in and twisted his stomach every which way and tearing it open…

… He felt those instincts rise the moment he opened the door to find a baby faced Angela holding onto two small boys fast asleep over her shoulders…

… Kesset looked at the mark with a firm gaze. "We have no quarrel. Please finish your game."

The politeness was funny since it was clearly used in situation that was anything but a good one. Dean watched as Kesset calmly sat there, clearly not seeing that he was in trouble because the guy was inclined to believe the woman rather than him. Or maybe the kid did see it and he was clueless about how to handle it. The guy clearly was agitated or rather taking orders from the woman who was asking him if he was going to let this baby faced kid disrespect her. Here we go again, Dean thought to himself as he moved to help Kesset out…

… "The amount of control for one so young," Nick commented. "It's like the descriptions I've read of the old time warlocks and witches and the control they had over their powers." He wasn't looking at the group that was watching her but watching her make the blocks dance in the air. "I just barely figured out the intricacies and I'm the older one."

… Sam gave a slight smile and then said, "You know when you were in me, I think I understood you a bit better. Having you in there was warm and…"

… "And that's you. Don't ever change," Sam replied. He handed Absolution back to Angela. "So what was it like inside my head?" He gave a slight smile.

Angela gave a teasing grin. She had been in his head and she wasn't surprised by it. She decided to have some fun. She needed some before she got back to her unfinished business with her special project and a certain demon that pissed her off without even trying. "Scary."

Now

Lisbon, North Dakota

It was a typical night in Lisbon and the usual was going on at the Veteran's Home. It was movie night and it was it was a classic. There was no way that Bob and Martin were going to miss it. So they were hustling from the unit they were staying in down to the recreation center in order to get good seats. It was a classic after all and well worth the hustling even with the limitations on mobility.

They were hustling faster than they normally would when a noise caused them to pause. Martin stopped and tugged on Bob's shirt sleeve. "You hear that?"

Bob stopped, annoyed that he was being forced to stop. "What?" He made a face at Martin.

Martin raised his hand, "Listen."

They both paused to listen to what was going on. They were passing by one of the buildings that was used by one of the clubs. It sounded like there was someone still around when they heard what sounded like someone moving probably supplies, more likely for the next meeting of one of the clubs. Bob gestured at the building, "It's just the staff getting ready for one of the clubs that meets in there. Nothing to worry about."

Martin looked at the building. There was another thumping sound. Whatever it was, it sounded heavy. "I don't know…"

"It's nothing," Bob insisted. He tugged on Martin's shirt sleeve. "Come on. The good seats will get taken if we don't hurry."

Martin cast one last look at the building before reluctantly following Bob. He didn't have a good feeling about it. He wondered if it was another incident like the ones that had happened the past week. People that were seemingly normal started freaking out. They had no history of mental illness and then all of a sudden… It was weird and it was a source of gossip around the home. He just hoped that it would resolve itself soon.

What Martin didn't know that there was something going on and it wasn't the staff getting ready for the next club meeting. If he had bothered to go and inspect, he would have entered just in time to see a heavy plastic tub fly across the room with precision followed by a man who landed on top of a counter and rolled off onto the other side. It was followed by another crash as a second man fell backwards into a bookcase, causing it to collapse and Dean rolled onto his back to take a couple of deep breaths.

It was a job that had come their way from Kesset of all people. The Avian had dropped in one evening after their stint of playing diplomacy and seeing the Dragonov twins. He looked a little uncomfortable at the time and Dean had thought that maybe it was because he was coming to ask them for help when he was used to coming in to help them.

They were at the motel choice for the week, waiting to pick up and job while heading back towards Sioux Falls to see if there was anything more on the Eve, Mother of All thing. Plus, Dean wanted to check in on Haley since she went home to recuperate from being shot in the shoulder with an arrow. No one was going to argue since it was one of their own and Sam understood how his brother felt.

They were just chilling in the room when there was a knock on the door. It had all three of them looking at each other and the door when it knocked again. It was Dean that opened the door to find Kesset standing there, looking like he was bringing a summons and looking very nervous about the whole thing. He also had his perpetual look of confusion on his face that had the ladies swoon over him when he walked around.

"I need your help."

Dean was the one to react saying, "Nice for easing us into it, Kess."

From there, Kesset explained that there was an issue with a powerful warlock. He actually called him a wizard and it had Dean almost laugh and tease him about Hogwarts even though that was completely lost on the Avian. It only made Dean laugh harder, causing Sam and Angela to roll their eyes at the elder Winchester to get him to calm down.

In the end, Kesset explained that the warlock was a powerful one, one they had been after for some time in Karnak. It was the first time that Sam and Dean ever heard that Kesset did something other than drop in when Angela was in serious trouble. It was also something serious if Kesset was coming to them for help.

"Just because I am the princess' personal guard doesn't mean that I don't have other obligations."

"Relax, Kess. We just never heard of you doing anything else," Dean countered, trying to calm the Avian down.

It worked enough to have Kesset explain that the warlock had escaped custody in Karnak and came to their area and started wreaking havoc. The Avian versed them in the fact that the warlock was known for driving people insane and killing each other. The jacket he presented to the Winchesters was thick with information on this warlock and enough for Dean to say that he was too dangerous to be wandering around.

Kesset asked for their help and while Angela would have said yes willingly, the Avian told them that there would be no hard feelings if they were unable. In the end, Sam and Dean were agreeable to helping him out. There were some hiccups though since Kesset didn't exactly know where their quarry was hiding and it wasn't like he was an expert in their territory and he admitted as much despite the fact that he had been seeing a human girl.

It took some research on Sam's end, with a little help from Dean to narrow down a pattern of attacks that were within the tendency of their quarry. They tracked the warlord to a veterans home I North Dakota. Kesset verified it by reading the results and actually went on the investigation phase with Dean. The whole thing caused Angela to laugh until she shed tears since Dean was the unfortunate one to accompany the Avian. Kesset was not ruffled and actually said that he was pleased to have amused her, eliciting more laughter and Sam joined in.

They managed to get in contact with one of the administrators, whom Kesset knew from Karnak, and poke around the facilities. It was more of getting free entertainment since there was a modicum of flirting and a few choice jokes that Angela took in a stride since she was familiar with military humor and filed a few choice ones away to tell her friend John later. It helped though as they were able to narrow down their suspects and it helped that Kesset was able to verify without letting the warlock on to them. The hard part was taking him down.

They managed to corner the warlock into one of the smaller buildings used for one of the club meetings. The warlock had set up his altar and was preparing for his next set of victims when they barged in. Sam and Dean would have gone in and taken care of it. Kesset though, being similar to Castiel, went in and it would have been funny if it hadn't been deadly serious.

The warlock was a powerful one just as the Avian said and wasted no time in showing the Winchesters exactly that. Angela and Kesset were harder to take down having had more experience in fighting beings that used magic and Angela knew a few spells. It was a pretty good distraction and an advantage when she shouted out a couple of spells that were designed to stun and distract. It did that and ended up pissing the warlock off.

The fight became more physical and it looked like they were going to tear the place apart. Sam ended up getting thrown over a counter and Dean was slammed into a bookcase. He winced as he tried to roll over to get to his feet just as Kesset grappled with the warlock. He thought it strange that Kesset couldn't take the warlock on since the kid had wings and Avians were considered the best warriors around.

Kesset did manage to hold his own until the warlock chanted a spell and pounding his hand on his shoulder. It was like all of his strength had been zapped and he couldn't feel his wings. Even if he moved them, he couldn't feel the pull of the muscles when they flexed. All he had was the strength he had and the ability to fight with his hands and feet. The old ways he had learned being in the Guard held up pretty well to the warlock that was just as proficient as he was. He ended up with a couple of bruises on his face and was flung into a wall.

Angela moved in, opting to leave her sword and chakram behind and going in for close quarters combat. Taking only her knife on her belt, she launched herself forward and tried to subdue the warlock. It was probably easier to kill the guy but there were still people that needed to have the spells reversed and it was easier when the one casting the spell was alive rather than trying to deciphering the grimoire that was lying at the base of the altar. It was much more difficult to subdue especially when your enemy combatant was a skilled fighter and trying to kill you.

"Please don't tell me that is all you can do."

Angela gritted her teeth as she struggled against the warlock's hold. It was hard ignoring Lucifer since he decided to make frequent appearances at all hours. It was worse when she was under stress, trying to figure out her next move. She spared a glance and saw the devil looking at her like he was bored and disappointed. She looked at the warlock as he was pressing harder to get the pair of scissors that he had managed to grab, closer to her neck.

"You really think that you can beat me? You a worthless half-breed?"

"Now are you really gonna let him insult you like that? I mean you are the Malachi of Absolution. My beautiful pretty."

The warlock was pressing down and thought he heard something. He asked, "What?"

"I… am not… your… pretty." Angela looked at the warlock as her eyes vamped out and her teeth elongated. With a roar, she shoved the warlock back and hard. She was on her feet quickly and had her hands drawn back into a basic fighting stance.

With controlled movements, she delivered punches and kicks toward the warlock. Some were blocked but she pushed him back. The final blow had her telekinetic and natural dhampir strength shoved into it. It made the warlock fly back and into the altar, causing it to collapse. The ingredients clattered onto the ground but Angela didn't care.

"Now that is what I'm talking about," Lucifer was saying.

"Shut up," Angela grunted as she looked in the direction of Lucifer. She looked back at the warlock as he struggled to get up. Her hand had gone to her belt and she pulled out the knife that was made to kill just about anything, even demons using Enochian and Egyptian metalworking. "Now, undo what you've done and this will be a lot less painful."

The warlock sat up and looked at Angela. She was vamped out but he wasn't afraid nor intimidated by her. He chuckled and countered, "You really think that I'm gonna do what you say you dirty half-breed? You think I'm gonna let that birdbrain of a Guard drag me back to Karnak." He shook his head, "There is no way in hell."

"Come on. Do it," Lucifer taunted in Angela's ear. His lips were close and his voice crooned. "You know that there is no other way. He's too dangerous. The kid said so himself."

Angela stood there looking at the warlock. The blade was in her hand and her fist was clenched. She just had to either lunge or throw it and be done with it. Deep down, she knew he had to die. She had the reports of what he had done, especially to the people of Karnak. It was like any other hunt. The problem was that she was hearing voices and it was wreaking havoc on her judgement. She took a couple of deep breaths.

"Come on," Lucifer crooned, "Get him first before he gets you. That is the way of survival. It's how you survived all these centuries."

"Angie?"

"Do it. You'll not only be saving the people of Karnak. You'll be saving him. Saving Sam."

Angela felt her mouth open slightly as she took a couple of deep breaths. The hand with her blade was shaking a bit violently. She could hear Lucifer and Sam and it was tearing her in two in her mind. She didn't move when Sam moved into her peripheral vision but continued to stare at the warlock who was grinning at her with a taunting and murderous look. Her teeth gritted together as the air hissed through her teeth. She said, "You are a murderer."

"No more than you, half breed," the warlock countered. "How many have you killed?"

"There's a difference. You do it for survival and yeah throw in that you are saving innocents. You care about people," Lucifer countered as he leaned in close. "But you and I know that the ones that dare cross the line need to be dealt with. You put them on your side or they against you and you gotta take them out."

"Angie, we need him to undo what he's already done," Sam's voice entered as his hand put on her shoulder.

"I would rather die than… help you!"

It was quick and the word that the warlock shouted sent them all flying back. Angela flew back and collided with what was left of one of those carts used by dining services. She winced as she tried to sit up and saw that the blast had knocked back Sam, Dean and Kesset. The place was a mess but her attention was focused on the warlock.

"I've had enough of you. I will not go back. You will be punished for what you have done!" The warlock stared at them and taunted, "Let's see how you'll like it when things are not the way they seem." He then began to chant.

Angela knew spellwork and she knew that the warlock was intending to do something. She had to stop it before he finished the spell. It was automatic reaction when she drew back her hand and threw her knife. It wasn't exactly accurate since she was aiming for the head. The knife did bury itself into the warlock's chest.

The warlock looked stunned when he got hit with the knife. He looked down at his chest with a stunned expression before looking back up at Angela. He saw her stand with the other three. They all looked in various states of being beaten up. He then couldn't help but grin a feral grin and finished his spell. He then said, "Enjoy."

It stunned Sam and Dean when Angela pulled up a handgun, aimed and fired a headshot. She looked at the warlock with a cold expression. The barrel smoked a little as she lowered it, "You enjoy hell."

"Now that is what I'm talking about. There is the angel that I love," Lucifer shouted with joy. "So cold and yet so beautiful and perfect!"

"Damn, Angie. Did you have to shoot him?" Dean looked at Angela as he wiped the blood that was coming out of his nose.

Angela lowered the gun and looked at Dean and then glanced at Sam, who was silent. She then looked at Kesset, who was looking at the downed body. He said, "It had to be done. He was a danger to everyone."

Angela took in a couple of breaths and looked at the Avian, "Don't try to make it sound better, Kess." She then turned and walked over to where the grimoire fell. Gingerly, she picked it up and looked at the cover. "With any luck, those affected will be returned to normal. Still, we better take this to Bobby. He can diffuse it."

Sam had been silent and watched her as she walked through the room, holding the grimoire, tucked into her arms. He knew that she had not been a hundred percent. She had seen Lucifer and it was bugging the hell out of her. It was making her more into a warrior that was void of emotions and that bothered her more than invisible people taunting her. Dean really didn't know the extent of it and while he probably should have said something, he didn't. Angela did tell him that she was having trouble with memories from hell and Dean accepted that but he suspected his brother knew more than what he let on. He looked at Dean and shrugged his shoulders.

Dean watched Angela and wished she would talk to him again. He knew that there was more going on with what happened. She wasn't talking, probably to spare him but it wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to be there for her. The upside was the fact that she was talking to Sam at least. It was better than nothing in his opinion. It was just alarming that she seemed colder when in a fight. Yeah, her mind was on the job and she did it but it was like she was shutting away everything that made her the woman he loved as a sister.

Wiping his nose, since it was still bleeding, he turned to Kesset and said, "Job's done?"

Kesset nodded, "Yes. I will inform Dara and she will take care of things." At Dean's look, he explained, "She knows how to keep things discrete. She did the same at Karnak."

Dean nodded in acceptable and walked through the room, wincing. He wished they had brought the dogs along but it had been decided that they could take care of the warlock and he was disinclined to put Zeppelin in a position to get hurt despite his lineage. It was okay. They took care of it and they could go back to the motel to get some rest.

The dogs were waiting for them and Dean couldn't help but grin and rassle with his dog in greeting. Zeppelin even solicited play from Kesset and the Avian was agreeable, calling the tracker a worthy opponent. All in all, Dean thought it went well and they could relax a little until the next job. Maybe have a little fun. His brother and Angela were certainly having fun next door as far as he could tell and he grinned as he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

A/N: The Winchesters and Co. are helping Kess out on a case but he's a tough one and it had to end with ganking the he-witch. Things seem normal right? Check out next time on Freaky Friday...