Paige said goodbye to Charles. Charles was going to Hong Kong for a business trip. He and Paige had a long discussion about their relationship and decided to take a break since neither knew when Charles would be back. He knew Paige's secret, she told him the night of his heart attack.
Phoebe also was taking a break. She didn't want to break up with Coop, but both were worried they were moving too quickly. As for Prue, she never dated. She was too worried about everything. Piper was doing alright, she missed her husband like crazy, but before they could move in together, Sam had to finish his Trails. He didn't want Adam to finish it, he feared for Adam's life.
"What about me? What if this kills you?" Piper felt awful saying it. But Sam was her husband.
"Adam isn't a hunter. He has a chance to have a normal life. I don't want him dying. I died several times already. I know how to avoid it."
Piper shook her head. She herself "died" too. But always came back. Her and Sam, the world needed them. As for Adam, easily replaceable. She sighed.
"Better come back. I not coming home a widow."
Paige watched as Sam kissed Piper goodbye. Sam and Dean were headed to that Indian Casino in Colorado. She already called Jo in Sacred Meadows. That guy "Marve" was already gone. Him and his wife checked out a few days ago. She recognized Metatron, even if he wore a disguise, Paige can see his grace. They had their own thing at the moment. Help this weirdo wizard.
Prue wasn't home, she had to interview that Finley Beck. He was supposed to work with Prue, but he kept canceling due to his job. All the sisters heard this week is how important this interview was. They were pleased for Prue, but knew she was going to be moving across the country. New York was far. It was bad enough Piper was leaving, even with that traveling spell, it wouldn't be the same.
"Hey! Pay attention! Those guards are ruthless! They won't hesitate to kill you. Now.'' He clicks his staff on the floor. A cave appeared with demons inside. "There's the Book."
The Book was sitting on the altar. There were at least eight demons, including the dark priests.
"Looks easy enough." Paige says walking over to the Book. The wizard promptly whisks it away using her powers.
"If it was that easy, would I have come to you?" Amateurs. Hopefully he could fool the sisters long enough.
Prue was at 415 waiting for Finley Beck. She was shaking with nervousness. Hopefully she doesn't screw it up. When she heard voices coming, she stood up. Hopefully her outfit was okay.
Her boss Gil walked in with Mr Beck.
"Yeah, things can get crazy." Gil says chuckling. Seeing Prue, he nods to her. Prue had her portfolio in her hand. "Prue, meet Finley Beck." He gives her 'Don't embarrass me' look.
Prue sticks out her hand.
"Hi. I'm Prue Halliwell."
Finley Beck gives Prue a look of disdain.
"Let's see your work."
An hour later Prue wanted to punch him. No wonder everyone says 'Don't meet your idols.' Finley Beck was a arrogant prick. He barely looked at Prue's pictures. He gave them a quick glance over, telling her she should have done this, or done that differently. Then ordered her to fetch him tea. Not tea from the break room, but from a specialized cafe. Prue had to order a food service to pick it up.
She was working with him taking pictures at some political rally. He already seen her dark room at her apartment and just mentioned she could do better. Prue wanted to strangle him. But the job in New York was too tempting to turn down. She knew Finley was rarely around, he worked all around the world. She didn't have to be best friends with Finley, but just tolerate him long enough to get that transfer.
"Miss Halliwell! Stop dawdling and hand me my lens! No! That one!"
Prue takes a deep breath. This will be a long afternoon.
The wizard ended up transporting them to Nevada.
"Nevada? The Underworld has many entrances." Piper already was suspicious. But an innocent was an innocent.
"I could have teleported you anytime. I traveled here many times." Paige and her sisters fought down here plenty times.
"Now what." Phoebe had that feeling. Something bad was going to happen. It was the same feeling before Andy died. Before that it was their Grams.
"This entrance is right where the entrance to the ceremony is. It's the closest we ever been in. Let's go."
The wizard went first. He used his illusions to distract some demons. Piper went second, blowing up enemies and causing chaos. Phoebe was helping Paige steal the Grimoire.
The site was full of chaos. They were good, but these demons were clearly anticipating them. They fought hard, even with all their powers combined it was a tough fight.
The wizard defeated two guard demons. He was waiting for one of the Princes of Hell, Asmodeus, but he wasn't here. The Knight of Hell was gone too. That was unusual, both ruled this place. The wizard knew who the new King and Queen were, but he didn't care about them. He knew both would be assassinated eventually, especially the would be King. The Queen was another story, but for now grab that Book. With it, he can revive his people. Become the new King and rule the Underworld.
He ran straight into a Knight.
He just smirked at the wizard.
"I don't care about you. I'll deny I ever saw you."
The wizard breathed a sigh of relief. He knew about the Order. Especially this particular Knight. He was so ruthless, and unpredictable he surpassed Cain himself. He was thrown out centuries ago. No doubt he would have killed all four. But the wizard had no time to worry about him. He needed to get back.
Phoebe was staring at her hand. A wall of fire just came out of it. If that wasn't weird enough, Piper was staring at the dark priest. He was frozen in a block of ice.
The wizard comes running in. He points to Paige.
"Hurry! Grab that Grimoire!"
"Grimoire!" The Book appears in her arms.
"Time to get of here." The wizard orders.
The Knight just watches as they disappear. He saw that two of the Charmed Ones were changing. Their hearts were getting dark. The crowning of the new King and Queen was about to begin. By midnight three of the sisters will become evil. Paige was immune, she was a whitelighter as well as a half sister.
He kicked the dark priest in many pieces. He always hated him.
Sam and Dean pull up to the Two Rivers Casino on Route 34. Sam felt even sicker than before. Dean wanted Sam to stay home with his wife, but Sam refused. They were so close. They only had a few days left.
"I'm going to check in. Sam. Sam!" Sam was laying his head on the passenger window with his eyes closed.
"Huh? Where are we?" Sam felt nauseous. That ringing. It was getting louder. Those pills he took didn't do squat for his migraine.
"Just follow me. Forget the bags. I need to call Jenna and Bobby. I need to tell them we're here. I suggest you call yours."
Who? Oh right.
Sam was laying in his room trying to drown out that ringing. It was even louder here than outside. He already called Piper, she told him she was currently busy. But wished him luck. As for Dean, he was glad to see Jenna was okay. She was filming her new series of playing popular videogames on her channel. She already had a large viewer ship on her first video. Bobby was doing alright, he and Rufus were keeping an eye on Krissy and her friends. Rufus disliked kids, but felt morally obligated to train them on the right side of things. Bobby said if they need help, don't be afraid to call.
Dean walked in with pamphlets from the casino.
"Some tourist trap. We are the only guests in this place. Last guests checked in was in '06. Sam? Are you alright?" Sam looked even worse than ever. His face was pale and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Remember when we were kids? When dad took us to the Grand Canyon?" Sam started giggling. "We rode donkeys. Your donkey kept farting. Like a gale force. Whooh!" He sniggers.
"Dude you were four. I barely remember that." Sam, he was getting delirious.
"You had a farting donkey!" His arm was over his eyes. Maybe if he covers his eyes, the ringing will stop.
No way was Sam walking around.
"I'm going to check out the gift shop. You lay down." Dean orders. Sam mentioned he was going to follow that weird manager who checked them in.
"I can do that!" Sam collapsed on his bed with his eyes closed.
Prue threw down her bag. That's it. She had enough.
"That's it. Mr Beck. I been following your work since college. I became a photographer because of you. I always admired your eye for detail. You deserved to win those awards. But your arrogance is the worst I seen. I worked side by side by celebrities, law enforcement, celestial beings..."
"Oh yes. Manny. I saw him from afar. Shame about his girlfriend."
"Shut up." Finley Beck eyebrows raised.
"Maybe of you stopped being a prick! More photographers would be working instead of you! Go back to New York. If the people there are anything like you, I refuse to work in such a toxic environment." Prue was startled when he started clapping.
"Well done Miss Halliwell. Well done. You passed your interview."
Huh?
"This is how I weed out the weak. In my line of work, competition is brutal. I had to see if you were worthy enough to take this job. I wouldn't have pushed you so hard if I didn't like your work. Miss Halliwell. Expect a call from New York. I will be looking forward to working with you. Come, let's pack up. Develop these pictures and report back to your boss. Say goodbye to your coworkers, you will be working in New York."
That was her interview? She passed? Prue wanted to scream. She didn't even care that Finley Beck was bossing her around. She got her transfer!
Too bad this was the last time she ever worked at 415.
"What do we do with this Book?" Paige asks. She remembered Rowena and Sam talking about it.
"Maybe destroy it?" Piper suggested. She would have absolutely have destroyed the Book of the Damned. That Book filled her with dread.
"Are you crazy? This Book has endless magic! We could become gods!" The wizard said with excitement.
"Been there, done that, returned the T-shirt." Phoebe remembered becoming gods. It wasn't a fun as the legends. But she did like her hair.
"Hmmph. Throwing away your futures. You're making a mistake. No wonder Merlin burned at the stake. He refused to use his powers fearing exposure."
Hearing the door slam, the sisters greet Prue. Seeing her excited face, they ask if she got the job.
"Yes! New York, here I come!"
They got distracted when a group of demons came in. They immediately started attacking the room.
Castiel could only wonder about the Trails. There was nothing he could do. He knew who killed Jane. But as terrible as it sounded, he was glad it was her and not Jack. He knew of that half breed in New Zealand, but he wouldn't be eligible. He was half demon. He just hoped Alex and her baby disappeared. That whitelighter would be killed for her grace. Good thing he sent his friends to take her away. Adina and Rebecca were neutral.
Dean was listening to the native American. He was asking how they managed to stay open for many years. Dean didn't usually lay attention to economics, but this place would've been bankrupt a long time ago.
"Our tribe settled here a long time ago. This land was harsh and stony. The Two River Tribe stayed here on our Great Leader's orders. He claimed that this is the spot on Earth where the Great Spirit sent his sacred messenger. That if they made offerings, their blessings would be many."
Dean was half listening, but he thought about asking what those blessings were.
"What did the messenger ask for?" Dean asked.
"What?" The shopkeeper asked.
"Oh, I mean what did the Great Spirit's Sacred Messenger ask for?" Dean looked around the shop looking for clues.
"Stories. He asked for people to tell him their stories. He gave them blessings as a gift."
Dean was sorta listening, but when he stopped in front of a historic picture, someone in the photograph caught his eyes. The Chief of the Tribe in the picture. He was the same guy that checked him in.
"I bet I know what those blessings were."
Sam woke up feeling worse than he ever felt. He felt like he was going to die. The ringing. It won't stop. Sam looked really sickly. He was even more pale than ever. His eyes were bloodshot red, the bags under his eyes were intense. He felt like his blood was boiling. He didn't tell Dean. He heard Metatron's call. He had to talk to him, find out what exactly he needed to do.
When Dean walked back to their shared room, he saw Sam passed out on the floor.
"Are you kidding me?" Piper said in exasperation. While they were fighting, the wizard took off with the Book.
"He tricked us. I can't believe it." Paige felt foolish.
Phoebe wanted to say something, but something stopped her. Prue was quiet. She felt the call.
"I know where the Book is. Come."
Kip was wearing his black robes. He already made his blood sacrifice, the body of Finley Beck was laying dead on the altar. A human sacrifice was needed before he took the throne. In order for Prue to take hers, she needed to perform an act of evil.
The wizard was ready. He waited centuries for this. No more parlor tricks, no more illusions, no more groveling at demon's feet. Most people didn't understand this particular spell, it can only be performed by powerful mages or witches. He'll bring his people back from the dead. Once they return, he'll be King. He'll destroy the Princes, than shut the Gates. Good thing he wasn't doing the Trails. He cut his arm and started chanting.
Paige had no idea why Prue teleported them here. Where were they anyways. Judging by the lights, they must be in Nevada. What happened next changed their whole lives forever.
Sam woke up in a bathtub full of ice cubes. He gasped for air as he chilled himself from the ice cold water.
Dean stood back as Sam woke up.
"Your temperature was over a hundred and seven. I had to cool you down." Dean panicked finding Sam. He wasn't sure what Sam's body temperature really was, but he filled the bathtub with cold water and ice. Then he threw Sam inside, clothing and all.
Sam was shivering. He still felt like shit, but he didn't feel like his body was roasting. Unfortunately the ringing was still there.
"He's here! Dean. Metatron. He's here in this hotel."
Naomi was shaking as she saw what the angel was showing her. All that death and destruction. God. He was almost here. Their time was running out. She agreed to work with him. She didn't care about the rules anymore. She had to warn Adam and Sam.
Kevin was staring at the Angel Tablet. He saw the tiny clue. It took him months to see it. He had to compare notes with the other two prophets.
"What are you talking about Sam? If I hadn't come back, you would be toast."
"Dean. Follow me."
The wizard was screaming as Prue destroyed him with her dark powers. He was getting blown up from the inside. Usually Paige couldn't care less about destroying their enemies, but these powers, they were wrong.
"Piper! Phoebe! Do something!" Paige begged.
Before any of them could react, Prue took the Book and disappeared in a ball of fire.
Piper could only blink. Phoebe was standing with a blank expression.
"Guys? Where did Prue go?" Paige asks.
"Let's go home. Phoebe?"
"Yeah. I want to watch television."
Paige closed her eyes. She was overwhelmed with her sisters attitudes. Prue vanished with the Book. Plus, she disappeared in a ball of fire.
"Okay. Hang on. I'll transport us home." Huh? When Paige opened up her eyes, her two sisters were gone.
"This way. He's waiting." Sam led Dean to an elevator. "I know where Metatron is."
"The hell are you talking about Sam?"
"I heard him. He's calling for me. There!" Sam points to a door. "See those books? He's inside."
Jade opens the door just when Sam and Dean approached Metatron's room.
"Welcome. My husband. He is expecting you."
Castiel got the phone call from Kevin. Tony Alvarez was dead. He was found by his roommate, his eyes were burned out of his pockets. Clearly an angel kill. Luckily he sent Kevin and Donatello his translations before he died. He said both Kevin and Donatello needed to get together to solve the hidden clue. He gave Kevin his translations. It made no sense. Jump. That's it. That's all it said. Tony died protecting it.
Castiel prayed to Anna. She was the only one with her ear to the ground.
"Aren't you afraid for Prue! She disappeared in a ball of fire!" Her sisters. They acted like they didn't care.
"She's fine. We been fighting evil for years. I know Prue. She is okay." Phoebe picked up the remote. "Who wants to watch Netfilm?"
"I'm going to take a hot bubble bath. If you guys are taking showers, I suggest you do it now." Piper said in bored voice.
Paige wanted to stamp her foot. Something was really wrong.
The Book of Shadows glowed dark as it transformed.
"Sam. Dean. I been waiting."
Those noises. They were now screaming in Sam's head.
"What?" Was that Metatron? Sam couldn't see or hear. It was too loud.
"Your resonating. You are close. Look." He snapped his fingers. The ringing in Sam's ears thankfully subsided. "I'll cut to the chase. The final Trail? Cure a demon. Your brother already has it. I don't know where. You better hurry. He can't do it alone."
Paige was getting frustrated. Neither sister cared about Prue's whereabouts. Piper was upstairs relaxing. Phoebe was making microwave popcorn for her movie. What exactly was going on? When she saw Prue, she demanded a explanation. Prue looked at Paige with a blank expression.
"What?"
The clock struck midnight. Prue looked up.
"Is Piper home?"
"Uh, yeah. She is taking a bath."
"What about Phoebe?"
"Here. I made popcorn. Extra butter. Want some?"
Paige felt the darkness. Prue was standing here. But there was something off about her. Phoebe as well. She had a sinking feeling Piper was in the same boat. She had to call Sam and Dean. Before she could do that, her cell rang.
"Now what." Ten minutes later she was on the road. Scared Meadows. It was under attack.
Jo and Claire were crouching behind a desk. They were caught off guard, not by demons or monsters. But by armed gunmen. They saw their security guard bleeding on the floor. He was dead, his head was blown off by a assassin. The ones outside were dead as well. They were killed by gunfire.
"Thank goodness Dex is on vacation." Jo was worried about her boyfriend.
"If only Charlie was here." Claire was capable enough, but she knew why Charlie was in charge. Without her, they were caught off guard.
"Worry about that later! The patients locked up?" Jo asked.
"Everyone is behind locked steel doors. No one gets in." The emergency alarms were blaring. When the first security guard was shot and killed, the one inside called Claire. Claire called Jo, who ordered everyone who was either staff or patients to lock themselves in their rooms. They were expecting an attack on demons. Not humans.
"Did you make the call?" Jo asked.
"No answer from the Winchesters, but Paige is on her way. I called other hunters for help."
They screamed when they saw a gas container.
"This way." Jo knew where the escape hatch was. Neither was leaving, but they were sitting ducks in here. "We go to the escape hatch, then we get our weapons. No way are they taking hostages." She heard of Forrest Hills in Scotland. It wasn't happening here.
"Sir, what now?" The soldier asked his commander.
"We wait. Don't kill any innocents. Eliminate any threats, we take over and wait for instructions."
The commander didn't want to do this, he knew what this place was about. But he had his orders. Attacking here would draw them out.
"Cure a demon. What the hell does that mean?" Dean asked in irritation. They were driving home. Piper said she is going to stay in San Francisco in the meantime.
Sam was wondering about it. But Piper's voice. It sounded weird. He talked to her this morning, she sounded fine. But now, she was like a different person. When he asked what's wrong, she laughed and said everything's okay.
"I was thinking. Remember Uncle Daniel?"
"What about him. He's dead."
"That stuff in his locker. He had folders and weird memorabilia. The clue may be inside."
"We have a few hours. Sam. You are in no condition to drive. Sleep."
Sam was already snoring away.
"Sleep peacefully Sammy."
Paige was orbed outside. She couldn't orb in, there was anti angel/whitelighter symbols inside. She could sense them. She knew she could easily walk in, but her whitelighter powers would be useless. She texted Jo, she said her and Claire are hiding. Paige had no idea what exactly was going on. But she couldn't do this alone, she needed her sisters.
She was puzzled when she saw her text. It was from Jo.
'Paige. Everyone is fine. The murdered guards were clones. You can come in the morning with your sisters.'
"What the hell?"
It was early morning when Sam and Dean were looking in Daniel's locker.
"What are we looking for exactly?" Sam asked. "Achoo! Remind me to dust in here." Ugh. How long ago was this place cleaned up?
"The hell am I supposed to know? Ah ha! Folders, and a movie." Dean pulls out a VHS tape. "Sammy. Do you have a VHS at the house?"
Sam polished off the chili Dean made him. Good thing he kept his cupboards stocked. He still kept Daniel's VHS collection. There were countless movies that were never released on DVD or digital. Him and Dean watched many horror movies before they met their wives. He was looking forward to having Piper home. He was planning on having a housewarming party to celebrate his new marriage.
"Okay. I checked the folders that had the word 'demon' on it. I read Dan's notes. He said he transferred the original film from the Men of Letters to VHS. Back then computers never existed to digital. Here." Dean hands him a beer. "I gotta see my wife, I have to make sure she isn't out hunting. I'll be back in an hour."
Sam hears the door slam. He knew why Dean went home, Sam couldn't help but be jealous. His own wife was in San Francisco. He wanted to wait till Dean came back before he watched the tape. But for now, check out these folders.
"So Sacred Meadows isn't under attack." Paige was watching as Piper was talking to Jo and Claire. "Then explain the dead soldiers."
Phoebe was looking at the bodies.
"Fake. They are good copies, but none are real." Prue went to check out the grounds.
"Yeah. I didn't understand either. When we went in the escape hatch, we were greeted by a hunter. He said those armed gunmen were trying to prevent a coupe from happening." Jo made a good point, but. Paige didn't need to be a psychic to see something off. It was Jo and Claire alright, however the way they talked. What is exactly happening?
Jenna giggled as she and Dean were laying in bed.
"Feels good to be home with my hubby. I can't believe I'm married."
"I'm here baby. Mrs Winchester."
They were spending some time together before Dean took off again. Jenna wasn't hunting, she decided to take a break. After what happened in Nevada, she knew how foolish she's been. Hunting wasn't as glamorous as it sounded. More often than not, she had to lie, cheat, steal, and do more research than hunt monsters. She heard of the average life span of a hunter. She wanted to grow old with Dean, not die young.
"Promise me you'll be careful." Jenna didn't want to lose Dean.
"I will." Dean will protect everyone. Especially Sam and his wife. "All of my family is coming home."
Jenna, Sam and Dean were sitting on Sam's couch watching the black and white movie. The tape was old, but what was on the screen fascinated everyone.
"There's Abbadon." Dean remarked. He knew Abbadon, she was such a headache. Her counterpart in the dark universe was no different.
"Shh." Sam had to know exactly what was going on.
A young priest was shown smoking a cigarette. He looked visibly shaken. The camera cut to Abbadon's vessel, who was filming herself in the mirror, this must have been before she was possessed.
"Simon! We're filming!"
The young priest known as Simon was looking up. He looked shaken.
"Hello."
"So this exorcism. How does it work?"
"Simon! It's time!" A voice said nearby.
"I don't know. It's my first time." The priest known as Simon put out his cigarette. Even on a tape, everyone could see how scared he looked.
What they saw afterwards spooked them all.
A possessed demon was growling and writhing in demonic chains. Both Sam and Dean recognized the demonic chains, they had some stored in the Impala. But they wondered where that dungeon was.
"I recognize that place! It's your counterpart's dungeon!" Jenna saw it when she was in the alternative universe.
"Our what?" Dean asked.
"Shh!"
"Its time." A older priest was standing with the demon. This demon was possessing a old lady. Her eyes were black, it was taunting the people in the room.
"Your dead! Nothing you do will save you!"
"Demon on a leash. Cool."
"Shush." This time Jenna asked Dean to be quiet. Sam silently thanked her.
The demon screamed as she was splashed by holy water. Jenna felt bad for the woman inside. She hated demons, but always wondered if they could be saved. She heard of Phoebe's ex, Drake. Last she heard he went to Heaven. He was very kind according to Piper. He loved Phoebe till the end.
The older priest started chanting the exorcism, however he changed the words. The younger priest was terrified, he was shaken. His rosary was trembling as he repeated what the older priest said. Then what happened, no knew could believe it.
The older priest cut his hand and chanted something in Latin. He then threw his hand onto the demon's mouth. The demon glowed, then a few seconds later, the dead vessel was laying on the floor with her chest ripped open.
"Stop recording!" Father Thompson ordered.
"What happened?" The woman recording asked.
"I said stop!" The tape stopped right there. There was more, but according to Daniel's note, he said to see a priest named Father Simon first. He said it would make sense once they watched the tape again.
"Those words. They mean washed or cleanse. What?" Jenna saw Dean and Sam looking at her. "I took Latin in college. I was studying psychology, Latin sounded interesting, it was either that, or advanced trigonometry. I got a B in that class, it helped whenever I hunted."
"We gotta take a road trip. Babe..."
"I know. I'll stay out of hunting." Jenna rolled her eyes. "Maybe you should use that traveling spell instead. Save your gas for your hunts. Buy you some time."
"Why not. It's not personal gain. We are running out of time. Dean let's go. We can take the Impala when we got everything we need."
"Whoa." Dean felt dizzy. Sam managed to travel them to St. Louis Missouri. "Was that it?"
"Yeah." Sam felt ill. Usually magic didn't bother him, but he felt sick. He needed a much needed nap.
"I admit, better than angel flying." That much celestial magic, Dean couldn't poop for a week. However, Sam's spell, it felt like he was dizzy. But it was tolerable. He looked over at Sam. "Maybe you should lie down when we get home."
"I'll be fine. Dean, where is this Father Simon?"
"I checked out St Louis' churches before we left. There is a church in the downtown area. Father Simon, he's there. Sam, how do you feel like attending Sunday service?"
Sam had to admit he felt better. He knew everything about Heaven, Hell and even God. But it was the peaceful feeling he got being in that church. Maybe God was just some Guy. But it was the people's faith that relaxed Sam. The priest talked about Job. How he was being tested. Sam wondered about it.
Dean was quietly snoring away. Sam shook him awake. He apologized for Dean sleeping, he explained Dean worked overtime this week.
"Dean! Get up!'' Sam said in a loud whisper. "Church is over."
"Huh?" Dean snorted as he got up. Poor Sam was embarrassed, especially with Father Simon who was looking at their direction.
"We got to talk to the priest."
Father Simon picked this particular church, what he saw back then. It frightened him. He thought his mentor, Father Max Thompson was mad. Curing a demon?
He was just a young priest. He just became one, when he was approached by a young couple.
"Simon? How did it go?"
"Henry!" Simon shook his friend's hand. He and Henry Winchester were good friends.
"Josie. You are looking lovely as usual." He shook her hand.
"How were your vows?" Henry asked.
"Went well. I been worried I wouldn't remember anything. But here I am. Doing the Lord's work." He dreamed about joining the priesthood his whole life. But that wasn't the only reason. It was the Men of Letters that were also interested him. His father, his uncles, his grandfather that were all members. He was expected to join the order as well. But becoming a priest is what he wanted. His parents weren't happy about it, but his father said he could be an insider for them, the Men of Letters often worked side by side with different faiths. Simon agreed. He got some juicy info no one else saw.
"I see you are happy, good for you. We need good men such as yourself. My boy John will be attending services when he gets older."
"How old is he anyways?"
"He is almost four." Henry Winchester said proudly. "I cannot wait for him to get older when I take him to his vows when he is old enough."
"He is so adorable. I babysit for him occasionally. Millie is such as lucky woman." Josie said in a slightly envious tone. She was a woman, society expected her to be a typical proper woman. Get married, have some babies, be a typical housewife. But being an only child made her widowed mom drop her off in a Catholic School. She hated that school, the nuns and priests were cruel to the children. Especially minority children. She vowed to never have kids, she was afraid to subject them to the same abuse she endured.
She met Henry in college. She was studying to be a nurse when her sorority sisters threw a party for the other Greeks during freshman year. She was best friends with Millie, who was dating dreamy Henry Winchester.
It was Henry that told her about the Men of Letters. He was a man ahead of his time, he was sick of the sexism in the sect. He wanted to include women to be members. He thought bringing Josie in the sect would convince them for fresh blood. He read the stories about Dorothy Baum, how even with her legacy as a daughter, (her father was L. Frank Baum, author of the famous children's Oz stories). He was a Men of Letters member.
She went to Oz with her father and got lost in Oz. She was killed and her father was stricken in grief. He wrote books in his time in Oz, hoping one day she could return. He died not ever seeing Dorothy again. Henry discovered she was resurrected a short time later and returned to the Men Letters Bunker as a now grown up woman.
She expressed interest in joining the order. She was knowledgeable in magic and fighting and thought she would make a fine candidate. She got laughed out. Henry was disgusted on her behalf, especially since she defeated the Wicked Witch when she escaped Oz. What happened to Dorothy, no one knew. Henry vowed to change the rules and include women. He already knew the British sect was recruiting women, he just needed to convince everyone his girlfriend's college roommate was a fine candidate.
Josie was in disbelief when Henry asked her if he was interested in joining the order after she graduated. He was getting recruited, but not until he returned from the war, he was getting sent to fight overseas. He pulled Josie away and asked her to help pick out a ring to propose to Millie.
That night started their friendship. Josie ended up falling in love with Henry and confided in Simon about her feelings. Simon sympathized with Josie, but expressed it could never be, especially when Millie got pregnant with their son.
She, Henry and Simon were infringed in the order, not full members, but able to see and do what the other members did. Henry and Josie were about to become members till the American Sect was destroyed by Abbadon in 1958 when she possessed Josie Sands.
But it was meeting Max Thompson that Simon learned about the cure for demons. What no one knew is Max Thompson was a former demon. He came to Earth sometime in the late nineteenth century. He was a crossroads demon that possessed a catholic priest. He was summoned by a a woman named Lily. Instead of a deal, Lily told the demon he didn't have to be Hell's bitch anymore. The crossroads demon agreed, he hated Hell.
She managed to capture the demon, and used her demonic handcuffs to subdue the creature. She then told the demon she can free his memories from Hell, but only if she expelled the angel that was inside her friend's body. Then once he was finished expelling Ishim out, she cured the demon. She cast a spell on it, to put it in a restless sleep, she didn't want the demon to know how her spell worked.
She told the demon inside the body of Maxwell Thompson he was going to be cured. She found out how by her then angelic friend. This was before Ishim's obsession with Lily. She then used a secret spell to purify the demon's soul.
Of course the demon screamed. It took hours. The demon had no idea what was going on, he was awake and asleep at the same time. But whatever was happening, it became purified. He became one with Maxwell. When it awoke, he cried. He stayed with Leonard for a few years, then when he felt Max was ready, he took Max and dropped him off at the nearest monastery where the now human became a priest. The spirit of Maxwell Thompson was gone, the soul moved on by then.
"Max" the demon long forgotten his name during his time in Hell, took on his new identity as Father Max Thompson. That particular monastery knew about Leonard and agreed to keep Max. Max lived in that monastery for a few years, trying to learn how to duplicate Lily's spell. He prayed to God for forgiveness everyday, he worked tiredly with the weak and poor to get into Heaven. He wanted to save the other demons from Hell, there were things down there he didn't want to remember. Many people that made bad decisions didn't deserve to be in the Pit.
He told Simon about a cure for demons. At first Simon laughed. It was impossible. No one at the time knew how to kill a demon, never mind curing one. Max told Simon he was on the cusp of discovery. He preached about forgiveness and that anyone could be saved, even those that were already damned. His sermons attracted the Men of Letters and once they heard of this so called cure, they allowed him in their bunker in Lebanon.
Sam and Dean were listening in fascination at Father Simon's story.
"Max Thompson's methods were...unorthodox. He truly believed demons could be saved. His ideas attracted the Men of Letters."
The brothers looked at each other. They remembered Drake, he was a demon, yet was one of the good guys. There was also Jessie Turner, he refused to have anything to do with Hell. Then there was little Mattie. They heard of the Halliwell's demonic friend, that psychic girl, what was her name? She was back on Earth, but was deep in hiding. She refused to kill anyone or perform evil. There was also Jack, but he didn't really count. He was part archangel.
"Saved how?" Sam asked. Ugh, he tried to ignore his nausea. After he and Dean went home, he was going to lay in bed. He hated to admit it, he wanted Dean and Jenna to stay with him. Just in case.
Father Simon looked down. He hated remembering the memories.
"A demon is a human soul, twisted and corrupted by their time in Hell. Father Thompson believed you can wash that taint away. Restore their humanity."
Dean knew about the so called Soul Trader. An angel or even a reaper that can save souls from deep in Hell. Send them upstairs. It wasn't easy or cheap. Those soul's human bodies were recreated. But only by the Trader. Heaven and Hell were interested on who that Trader was. But Heaven took those souls. God never said a word, and Michael allowed it. Hell's rulers weren't happy, especially Crowley. Losing a damned soul made him look weak. But he never got a chance to get his revenge. He disappeared without a trace.
"So, these demons. They possess some smuck and they get their ticket upstairs?"
"I wish I knew."
"So this 'cure,' can it work on a demon?" Sam asked. Father Simon noticed how sick he looked.
"I suppose. If it worked. That night. Something went terribly wrong. That poor old woman. The demon escaped into the world. But Father Thompson kept trying." Why he was so obsessed, Simon had no clue. When he asked, Max dodged his questions. "He kept trying though. More possessions, more exorcisms, I couldn't face that. Not again. Then a few months later, he was dead."
"How did that happen?" Dean asked. His curiosity was rising.
Father Simon closed his eyes.
"Something or someone tore him apart. But that wasn't the only thing. He was found with several knife wounds on his body. Whoever done this, it was personal." Father Simon had a strong suspicion it was demons. Even the worst serial killers didn't go out of their way to do this.
"Did he keep any records..." Sam held up his finger, in a pardon me way. He started coughing. He felt like he wanted to cough up a lung. He coughed some more. He looked down on his hand. He saw blood. Oh oh. ''Is there a bathroom I can use?" He needed to splash his face. Father Simon pointed to their right.
"Thank you." Sam felt dizzy. He coughed as he got up. He pretended not to see Dean's worried face. He went to vomit.
Father Thompson looked in Sam's direction.
"Is he alright?"
"No padre. He's pretty damn far from alright." Dean said truthfully. He got up. He was taking Sam home. Hopefully he can teleport them home, if not, Dean could steal a car and drive. "That's why we're here." Sam was getting some rest. The Trails could wait a day.
"I don't understand." What were these boys up to?
"Short story is, Sammy is going to take your friend's killer and every black eye bitch and shutting the door for good."
"He is?" Father Simon was in disbelief.
Dean nodded in a cocky way.
"In his condition?" He saw a dying man when he saw one. Sam. He was going to die. Maybe a few weeks or even days.
"Father, he done things in worse condition than I ever seen. These last few months, even when he was miserable and hurting, these last few months I have no doubt he'll cross that finish line. Not one." He tried not to think about Sam's wife. How worried she was. But they both knew it had to be done. That way, they can have a peaceful life. Hopefully for good. Prove to the Man upstairs they were trying. "So will you help us?"
"I'll get Father Thompson's things for you."
"Thank you."
Paige was wondering what the hell was going on with her sisters. They were acting so weird. At the moment were throwing a huge party. Prue was laughing and having a good time. Phoebe was making out with some guy she picked up from the bus station, and Piper, she was watching the national news - laughing. What the hell?
Paige needed to return to Sacred Meadows. She had a feeling Jo and Claire needed help.
Jo hated lying. But her and Claire had no choice. They were allowed to run their facility, but only if they kept their mouths shut. The gunman. They were holding everyone hostage. They said they won't hurt anyone, just as long as they did what they asked.
Claire hated being helpless. Her friends, they were dead. Claire was forced to say those guards were human clones. She hoped they were, as ridiculous as it sounded. But she was a professional. She can lie. Hopefully the Charmed Ones or even the Winchesters came through.
Dean was in disbelief reading Max Thompson's journal.
I been alive for the last few decades. But everyday is a blessing. You see, I am no longer a demon. I am human. I have a second chance. I love everything, hot showers, a baby's laughter, music, even badly cooked food. So many things I took for granted the last time I was on Earth. I can't remember when, all I remember was my last few moments, I burned at the stake. The agony didn't stop there, Hell's fires were worse than any fire on Earth. Heck even the sun wouldn't be as hot. Everyday I am grateful for that Lily woman. I don't know how she knew how to cure demons, but I want to save others. I truly believe everyone deserves a second chance. No matter what.
The journal talked about "Max Thompson's" life, his friendships with the other members of their church, his charity work, the endless praying, the gifts he gave to others, refusing to be thanked. He also talked how reluctant he was exorcising demons, he knew where they were going. But he talked about how frightened he felt. He said he was being watched. Not by man, but by evil. His final entries talked about his experiments. He tried tracking down that Lily woman, but she was gone. Father Thompson believed she died of old age. He said he wanted to duplicate her spell. To save those that no one said was possible. His experiments were failures, except one. A man named Peter Kent.
Dean waited till the next day to see Daniel's tape. Sam needed a much needed rest. Jenna stayed in Sam's house with Dean, she was worried about Sam's health. When Dean called Piper, there was no answer. Dean figured she was busy with their own case. Once Sam woke up and ate, they listened to Father Thompson's final experiment.
There was no video this time, there was just a black screen. All there was some text Daniel wrote on the screen.
"To Cure a Demon."
The audio started playing.
"The date is August 3rd. 1958. Trail 19, hour one. My subject is Peter Kent. Mr Kent is the father of two young sons, and three weeks ago, he was possessed." (There was a sound of something metal being lifted. A growl was heard.) There were other noises, like something heavy being put down, something light and small being lifted. Everyone was wondering what was going on.
No one spoke, they were too busy listening.
"I'm going to ask you a question now. When you crawled into Mr Kent, and ate his children, how did it feel?"
The demon snarled. Even without video, they could tell the demon was smiling.
"Orgasmic!" Then they heard something being injected into the demon's neck.
"ARRRGGHHH!" The demon's scream was deafening. It sounded demonic, but also human.
"The first dose has been administered."
"That was his own purified blood." Dean read the entire journal. "He went to confession. No one believed him when he said he was healed from Hell. But he confessed every Sunday. Before he injected his own blood, he made his final confession to his boss."
"The head priest?" Jenna asked.
"I assume God." Dean read that the booth was empty, but Father Thompson always believed God was listening.
Some God. He never answered Dean's prayers. Then the truth about Him. Sam still had faith, that it was all a test. Dean didn't have hope.
"This is trail nineteen, hour two. When you ate his children, how did it feel?"
"Gravy!" Then the same noise from the needle, then the demon screaming.
''The second dose has been administered."
The fourth injection was administered. Then after the sixth injection, they could hear the demon's humanity coming back. The demon begged the priest to stop. Everyone in the room sat up.
"Turn it up." Sam asked Dean.
The demon was crying. The screams were no longer demonic, but human. What exactly went on in there?
The man known as Peter Kent was breathing hard. Even without a video, they can tell the experiment was working.
"Hour eight. The subject is prepped." The sounds of water was splashed on the demon's face. There was a scream from the demon, then they heard scuffling.
"Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus. Hanc animam redintegra. Lustra! Lustra!" (All unclean spirits, we exorcise you. (May) this soul be whole again. Cleanse it! Cleanse it!)
The sounds of flesh being opened, then the sound of a hand being slapped on the demon's mouth. Muffled screams were heard. Then silence.
"When you ate his children, how did it feel?"
"They were screaming. And I laughed. Why did I laugh? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. God. I was a monster." The voice was no longer demonic, but human.
"Now you are a man again. You have been saved.''
The tape ended there. Dean shut off the TV and VCR. Sam and Jenna were in disbelief. Dean read the journal, Father Thompson's final entry.
Peter Kent, or whatever that demon was, he went into hiding. I was afraid whoever was after me would kill him. Luckily I prayed. There is an angel watching over him. I know I'm gonna die. Hopefully I make it into Heaven. That Knight Abbadon she will sent after me. Hopefully it isn't her fellow Knight. He came into my nightmares, saying I won't have a soul anymore. I will die with no regrets. I been unable to save those eighteen people, but if I can save a soul from Hell, then I can rest peacefully. Goodbye.
"Poor bastard. He tried." Dean said ruefully.
"So that's how it works." Sam knew what to do.
Paige had no choice but to glamour. There was anti angel symbols, but no anti magic ones. She had a bag full of portions, plus holy water. She was going to pretend to be one of the guards. She knocked one out, luckily he was just pulling in. She then sent him to Bermuda. Hoped he liked beaches. She then went in.
"You're late." The guard said watching the front desk.
"Heavy traffic."
"Report to the back."
"Yes sir." Paige wasn't sure if she should salute, but decided not to. These were terrorists.
As she walked to the back, she watched the guards walking around. Most were disguised as staff or patients. She knew they were human, but she didn't know why they were here. Men of Letters? She doubted it. Everyone was American. She then went outside. Luckily, she could use her magic outside. She ducked inside a shed when she heard talking.
"Is everyone in place?"
"Yes."
"Good. Remember. If any hunter, Winchester, Halliwell or even that Matthew girl shows up, kill everyone. Start with those two hunters. Make a example out of them."
"How do we do that without alerting the authorities? It would look suspicious with gun shots and throat slashes."
"We have hex bags everywhere. Luckily those witches in Massachusetts will do as we asked. Dumb broads think that book will bring them luck."
"But Astoroth is dead. Zankou killed her."
"But she isn't only player in town. Call the Winchesters. Tell them if they don't stop the Trails, we will start killing."
Paige gasped.
"What was that?"
Before they could check in the shed where Paige was hiding, they heard a screech. Paige had to cover her ears. There was an angel coming. Thank goodness.
The guards were screaming. Same with everyone else. Paige tried not to, but she couldn't help but scream as well. Whoever this angel was, it wasn't just an ordinary angel.
Adam and Bela were sitting together in a abandoned church somewhere in Colorado. Their demon hostage was sitting on their Devils Trap, it refused to call for help. There were a few dead demons on the floor, every one was killed by Adam or Bela on the demon's orders.
"This is it. Adam are you sure?" Bela asked in her English accent. She was wondering why they were waiting. The demon was right there.
"He said to wait. When my brothers come is when I can begin." Adam texted them their location.
The demon sitting in the Devils Trap was silent. It didn't care about Its own life, t wanted to be free from Hell.
Prue was smiling at her new husband. She was sitting on her Throne, newly minted as the Queen of Hell. She had no intention of sharing the Throne, but for now was enjoying the demonic subjects who were bowing in her presence.
Both Prue and Phoebe were laughing at their pranks. Phoebe had one of her party goers crawling on all fours. It was a pig. Piper had her neighbour frozen in a block of ice. One of the policemen that came to break up the party was a literal stick in the mud. Everyone else was tiny dolls, their faces frozen in terror. They were displayed in their china cabinet.
"How do you feel about ham?" Phoebe asked holding a cleaver.
"Nah. I suggest we order a pizza. You know what, send these two home. They weren't invited to our party anyways."
The two warlocks laughed as they returned the ice woman and the pig back to normal. They then flew out the door.
"What do we do about him?" Piper asked about the cop who was still a stick.
"I have plans. He is cute though. Maybe I can add him to our doll collection. Before I do anything. What about Sam? You know the Trails?"
"Without demons, we are free to wreck havoc. They doors will be closed, we don't have to see Hell. Ever. We can have some much fun." Piper said in a dark voice.
Should we start killing innocents?"
"Not right away. We can still hunt. I have a group of witches I want dead. Good thing we can blink." Piper disappeared in a blink.
"Piper wait."
"What?" Piper said blinking back.
"Let's wait for our sister Paige."
Sigh. ''Fine."
Castiel so glad Jack was off world. Him and Hannah, they were holding hands. They had a feeling, their family was going to be torn apart.