Thanks to everyone who's decided to check this out. This is part 7 of a 9-part AU I've been writing since the spring of 2012. It started with Strange New World, which is currently only partially uploaded for editing purposes but will be fully finished soon. The main portion of this story will be taking place in the year 2020. I made the AU actually take place over time so as to actually grow the characters and introduce new ones, like the main character in this story over time. For instance, Nightwing in this story is 23. Artemis and Wally are 24.

This story is also a crossover with the TV show, Supernatural. While the main characters from that show make a cameo in chapter 2, they are not featured much in the story. The point of this crossover is more focused on the lore of Supernatural and trying to make it fit in the YJ universe as well. I hope I did a good job of it, but feel free to let me know otherwise. I'm only one guy, so I can only think of so many ideas before I'm tapped out. Also, the look of the character and his organization are heavily stylized after the Assassin's Creed video game series.

Without further ado, enjoy!

1998
Rome

Father Leo Rossi was out for an evening stroll after a day of listening to confessions within his small cathedral on the outskirts of the city. While he was assuredly a man of God, it was tiresome and frustrating to hear the common sins of man on a daily basis; today alone he had attempted to help several men who had cheated on their wives. He was all but certain that his advice would go unheeded and the men would fall back into their adulterous ways. Needless to say, he sometimes questioned the usefulness of his work in the church. Despite all that, the 55-year old preacher knew that he had been called to do this and would continue to do it until the day he died.

Nearing his church Leo slowed his pace to stare into the night sky. He had always marveled at the beauty of God's creation, but tonight something peculiar caught his eye. Staring at Polaris, the Northern Star, he noted a bright light just to its south. It was far too bright to be a star and Leo's eyes widened as he realized that the light was not only getting brighter, it was getting closer!

The aging Father watched in rapt fascination as the light descended toward the Earth. The light suddenly split into two pieces, with one part flying off to the west while the main part continued on its path toward the Vatican. Too late, Leo came to the conclusion that the light would soon reach the city. What could it be?His mind raced through the possibilities? A missile? In today's world it was a likely conclusion given the actions of terrorists. Yet his mind refused to accept that scenario as there was something otherworldly about the light.

Before he could form a solid idea about its origins, the light was now on top of the city and it showed no signs of slowing down. With a blinding flash the object crashed down directly in front of Leo's church, much to his surprise. Running over to the small crater Leo was shocked at what he found at its center.

A small male infant, stark naked, was in the center. Leo quickly climbed into the crater and approached the boy only to be taken aback as the boy's skin glowed and shining letters, written in Latin, shown through. Being able to read Latin Leo deciphered most of the text before it vanished. Upon understanding the meaning he stood above the boy unsure of how to act. After a moment of reflection Leo slowly bent down to pick up the child. Seeing that no one was around, Leo quickly made for his church.

While he was sure the building was deserted when he left for his walk he now found that he was not alone. Entering the main hall he came across five men, dressed in white hooded robes. When Leo came close the men simultaneously raised their heads and their eyes all settled on the child.

"Who are you?" Leo held the boy tight against his body.

The man in the middle of the group stepped forward, throwing back his hood to reveal a face full of cryptic tattoos.

"That will be explained later. You must keep the boy safe. We will watch over him, train him when he is old enough. But it is you who must raise him."

Leo looked down at the boy. "Why me?"

"Because it has been prophesized. We are the stewards of the Word of God. That boy is important, more important than you can know. Will you fulfill your duty as a servant of God?"

Despite his long history as a Father and strong belief in the Lord, Leo felt a flicker of doubt – he was used to aiding people, yes, but not taking care of a child – but he quickly forced it away as he looked at the infant, and innocent who had no choice in his circumstances. He couldn't be left alone.

"Yes." Leo looked at the boy nestled in his arms, but by the time he looked up to speak with the man again, he found the church empty save for himself and the baby.

Please review!