Seraphiel watched as her impromptu sightseeing trip worked exactly as she hoped it would. She saw the resolve that had grown in each of the angels as they took in what Juggernaut had destroyed. Currently Gabriel was kneeling surrounded by children who were tasting a wondrous substance called chocolate for the first and only time.
Metronome had disappeared into the Library an hour ago and finally reappeared speaking of the many tomes of philosophy and science that would soon be lost. Ophaniel and Cherubiel had spent their time watching the soldiers training on the field. Although the people had a standing army, war was non existent among them. They trained to defend their world from outside attack. The angel's watched saddened that soldier's defeat was already a fact.
Jehoel had gone to the healing center and watched as the healers of this world treated the sick and injured. Each angel saw this world though different eyes and each angel mourned the loss that Juggernaut would cause in his own way.
"Come it is time we move on to our primary purpose here." Seraphiel said erasing the time bubble and bringing them all back to the barren wasteland this world would become.
Gabriel snapped his fingers creating another video camera and filming the barren vista. "I simply want them to see what Earth will become." Gabriel said quietly.
"Gabriel, mark the spot you stand on." Metronome said. "This is where I will create the gate."
Gabriel nodded closing his eyes and quickly memorizing the coordinates for the planet and the spot he stood upon. "We will need to connect the gate her to an existing gate on Earth. I'd suggest the one on Lake Mead since it is closest to where we believe Juggernaut is."
Juggernaut licked his lips as he looked at the souls trapped before him. Among them was the Senator's wife.
"She's in there?" Rudy asked. Although he had agreed to let Juggernaut have her for a sacrifice he now felt some small measure of remorse. After all, their marriage had spanned 23 years. Although if truth be told he regretted the loss of so many votes he could have gathered.
"Yes she is in here along with many others." Juggernaut answered. "They will nourish me and make me strong enough to face the one who comes to destroy me. They are powerful, rich. They are the souls of innocents. A delicacy that I rarely taste."
"Innocents?" Rudy asked feeling a bit ill.
"The souls of humanity are the most strongest source of power in the universe. Why do you think angels and demons battle over them." Juggernaut explained. "The more innocent the soul, the more powerful it is. These souls were gathered to worship a weak little archangel named Gabriel. Archangels are weak, when I have consumed enough souls I will be able to consume the Archangels themselves.
"Why are we here?" Death asked God as they stood outside of a forge near Tokyo, Japan.
"Because I want you to understand why I have not interfered in things." God replied.
"You could just explain it to me." Death said adjusting the cuffs of his shirt.
"Showing is much better than telling." God said taking Death by the arm. He lead him over to a pile of rocks.
"Ore trapped inside is metallic elements. The ore must be smelted to remove the metal from the rock. The different piles of rock contain different metallic elements." God gestured around at the piles. "Eventually these piles of rocks will be transformed into a sword of great beauty and functionality, but there is a process that must be followed. And it has taken much trial and error to arrive at this process."
God reached out and picked up a piece of ore. "Many times before I have tried to create a masterpiece and failed. I too have had to use the method of trial and error. And do you know what I have discovered? My creations like swords need tempering. They must be thrust into the flame and heated and then allowed to cool in order to be strengthened."
"So that's what all this is, tempering your creation?" Death asked.
"Yes." God answered.
Death regarded God for a few moments and then uncharacteristically said, "Well it sucks."
"Sit down Luce." Michael said not even raising his head from the paper he was writing on. "As much as those self righteous fundamentalist 'Christians' deserve smiting we will leave it to Seraphiel to decide."
"Humph, now you insult the Christians by comparing them to those dickweeds!" Lucifer grumbled. "They don't deserve another moment of existence."
"Look at the bright side, Luci. They will all die soon anyway and I think we all know they will be on the express elevator to the sub basement." Balthazar siad sitting a bottle of Jack Daniel's on the table. "Ellen's selection of spirits leave's something to be desired." Balthazar poured three shot glasses of whiskey.
"Oh shut up Sam, your liver will be just fine." Lucifer mumbled in response to Sam's concern about the amount of liquor Lucifer had consumed in the hour since Michael had dragged them back to the roadhouse.
"I had no idea that you were gifted with such eloquence, brother." Raphael said as he appeared next to Lucifer. "It's about time someone told these creatures the truth of things. No offense meant to those who are gathered her of course."
He added after receiving a glare from Ellen. "If it's any consolation, Those members of the congregation found a sudden need to confess to the authorities and other than Pastor Assbutt's immediate family, the members of his congregation have decided to renounce their membership in his church. You toppled an entire religious cult with one speech."
"Whoa sounds like I missed out on some fun?" Gabriel said as he and the rest of the angel's who had gone with Seraphiel to the dead world materialized in the roadhouse. "Luci have you been making trouble again?"
"No, I have been setting the record straight but jackass over there wouldn't let me teach the bastards a lesson." Lucifer said shooting a glare Michael's way..
"Sounds like somebody pissed in your cornflakes." Gabriel said. "How about some details?"
"A group of right wing religious psychos decided that opening fire on a Bible study group was God's work." Balthazar said. "I guess the idea of 'one love' went right over their heads."
The newly arrived angel's looked at Balthazar in confusion.
"The bible study group would probably be better described as Bible/Torah/ Quran study group. Muslims, Jewish, Christians of several different sects all studying our father's word together." Uriel explained. "32 people are dead and another 17 wounded."
"Senator Black's wife is among the dead." Michael added.
"And her soul is missing along with several others that were snatched from the reapers by Juggernaut." Death said appearing in the midst of the group. "Need I remind anyone here of what can be done with human souls?"
Sweet D had no idea why he felt the urge to gather up two of his best girls and head toward LA. He was even less clear as to why he was at a charity function at all. But something had drawn him here. He was at the cash bar ordering another rum and coke when he glanced across the room and it clicked.
Governor Robert Greene of Washington State. The odds on favorite to secure the Presidential Nomination from his party for the upcoming Election. Governor Greene had a lot of support behind him a solid track record for his Governorship and he was so squeaky clean he made Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm look like a two bit whore. Yes that was exactly why Sweet D was here. He made his way over to where his two girls were waiting.
See that guy over there shaking hands with the big name guitarist?" He asked and pointed. "I want you to get him out that monkey suit and between your legs before the party is over."
