"You know once this is done you will no longer have your active powers."
"I don't care. It was these powers that attracted evil to me in the first place and sent me to Hell."
"It's rare that a demon is cured, but you are eligible. The Soul Trader brought you back but it is your gift that will destroy you."
"Just get this over with."
The woman just watches the now human sleeping. She was now human, but is now powerless. Her being alive was different from Drake who only had a year to live. This woman will have a normal life. However, she had to remain in hiding. That is why she sent her to Scotland. The Academy there will train her how to defend herself, plus she can become the new Director there, since the old Director ran off with the School's funds.
The Missionary takes out her locket and kisses her daughter's picture. She knew her soul was almost completely gone, but she had to get her revenge before the Planet's cycle ends.
Luckily it wasn't going to happen for awhile. But she got ready. Her daughter and her husband will be avenged.
Present Day
Paige was dead tired from her day. Phew. So many interviews. She wasn't dumb, she screened out candidates who was unfamiliar with magic, extremists who were too into the occult, religious zealots who were hoping to meet angels and become whitelighters, (good luck with that, Michael mentioned none were ever chosen, not since the Roman Empire), the nutjobs, or anyone she did a background check on. Once she picked and chose who she thought was eligible she scheduled interviews.
Her first priority was hiring a assistant. Jo was good, but since she was on a vacation, Paige needed a temporary assistant. Luckily the temp agency sent over a young woman named Billie Jenkins.
"So it says here you are attending San Francisco State. What year?" Paige asked.
She met Billie last week at a run down movie theatre. They met before in a alley, it was her whitelighter side that was calling to her. Right after she left Sacred Meadows, overwhelmed with the countless paperwork, she went to see what was calling to Paige.
She orbed herself just as she saw the leather clad young woman injure a demon. But before Paige could go to her, the woman in black disappeared in a puff of smoke. Paige tried and failed to find her, so she had no choice but to return to the manor to vanquish the demon that was fighting the young woman.
"Really? You are chasing some random demon that attacked a random chick in black." Phoebe scoffed as she watched Paige scrying with a crystal.
"Paige, we don't save innocents anymore. We're retired now."
"Just because you three are, doesn't mean I am." She looks over at Piper. "Shouldn't you be in Kansas with your new hubby?"
"Sam is with Bobby helping him with a case. I didn't feel like sitting around waiting for him, so I came here to see what's up."
"Whatever. I have to do this. Sooner I'm done, sooner than I can return to work." Paige gave up on the scrying, it wasn't working. She assumed it was her sisters presence that that was blocking her innocent. At the moment she didn't care about that, she heard the ringing again. This time she welcomed it.
She managed to orb to the theatre and witnessed the last few minutes of the young woman fighting the demon. Luckily most of the audience watching thought it was part of the horror movie playing on the screen and applauded all three when the demon shimmered out.
"Ah, this was a special one time performance for the anniversary of the movie being made." Paige bluffs. She then took off running after the young woman.
She managed to find her in that same alley with that same demon. He wasn't alone he brought another. Paige was forced to call for her sisters to help vanquish the demons. Piper and Phoebe showed up and all three combined their powers to destroy one demon. The other one seeing Piper and Phoebe looked frightened.
"Tell her majesty I didn't mean to screw up."
"Too late." Piper said coldly. All three threw potions.
"Wow. Are you guys, like the Charmed Ones?" The girl asked in awe.
Paige orbed her back to her dorm room and had the girl, who introduced herself as Billie tell her how she got her powers. She asked for training, since she was still new, but without a whitelighter, she was vulnerable to evil. Paige reluctantly said she couldn't since she had too much on her plate. When Billie's resume appeared in her inbox a week later, Paige immediately called her for an interview. Hopefully being here will teach Billie not to to be so reckless with her magic and go blind alone. Plus get to know her better.
"It is my freshman year. I am attending here on a scholarship, but I am hoping to get into Knox School."
"Knox, you mean Forrest Hills?" Paige heard of that school, it was similar to Sacred Meadows, but here they rehabilitated patients and help them readjust to normal lives, and occasion trained them to be hunters if they so desired. There they trained magical students to fight against evil. They also helped victims who were caught in the good vs evil, however, their children were encouraged to be students at the nearby Knox Academy. Most who graduated went on to Knox University, who trained them to be very powerful witches, whitelighters and hunters. Unlike Men of Letters, who brainwashed and murdered innocents, and the Elders who ran Magic School, who strong armed young witches to attend, it was all voluntary. Many obtained degrees and lived normal lives. It was different from Magic School, Knox was very selective. It wasn't listed on the Internet, it was private for a reason and got only by word of mouth. The last time Paige heard they were suffering from severe financial troubles. Her predecessor Charlie Bradbury was on her way there to help fix things, until her and Knox's future students were all killed by a train 'accident'. So far who was responsible was a mystery. Miss Hellfire's employer, Bane Jessop was just a hired manager.
"You heard of it?" Billie was surprised. It was a sort of magical school, but most magical beings, including most hunters never heard of it. She only found out of it from reading her grandma's diary. Her grandmother, Wilma Niven was a professor at Knox. She was a very powerful witch. Billie was determined to attend that school to learn how to control her powers, plus to avenge her older sister's Christy's death. She was kidnapped as a child, but was found dead five years later, her remains discovered by a group of kids in Connecticut.
"I only just found out about it when I started this job." Jo and Claire told her about Knox. She heard of Forrest Hills, but Knox was new to her. She did her research, the new Director and Headmaster was trying to put things back in order. Things were chugging along slowly, all three places was forced to greatly reduce their staff and due to massive budget cuts. The schools and the rehab place was forced to turn away new students and patients to save money. So far, whoever the new director was, she was slowly trying to turn things around. Knox University was doing slightly better, they were forced to partner with Magic School to keep the university open. Many graduates of Magic School attended Knox. Paige was very curious about that school, she added that to her bucket list to visit someday. Maybe work there training young witches as a substitute teacher on occasion.
"Miss Matthews..."
"Paige."
"Paige, what exactly do I have to do if I get this job? I have school, and I'm afraid I cannot skip any classes or not study. I mean, I need the money, tuition is expensive in here, but Knox is more expensive to attend. Please, before you dismiss me, please hear me out. I am currently majoring in biochem. As a witch, I'm trying to balance my magical life as my normal life. This job will help me, plus keep me from getting targeted for evil. Besides if you look at my resume, I also worked summers at a ice cream shop. I was a manager who assisted the owner on occasion doing the books, including scheduling and ordering."
Paige looks her resume over. She was planning on hiring Billie anyways, she needed a part timer, and Billie would be perfect for it. She still had more interviews for the various other positions, but she needed to fill this assistant job ASAP. She smiled at Billie.
"Can you work some weekends and holidays?".
"Does it mean I'm hired?".
Billie was working the next day. She had no classes today and wasn't planning on fighting demons. Paige told her that she needed her here. She told Billie that if she was going to work here, she can't go out looking for trouble. Billie agreed. She needed money and training. Hopefully Knox accepted her transfer. That way she can be ready when the time comes.
The angel known as Benjamin or Bonnie as he liked to call himself in his female vessel, was playing ''Rampage." A old arcade game he and his female vessel both enjoyed.
'What a long shift.' Nash Marson thinks as he cleans. All he wanted to do is go home. Unfortunately his regular, "Bonnie" as usual was glued to that stupid game, again.
"Yo. I'm closing up."
"I know. I'm almost done." Humans, they have no patience. What's his hurry anyways? He'll go home, get stoned and watches female streamers while he does things to himself while donating most of his paycheck. Then he'll sleep and go work at his daytime job to pay the bills, then come here and work at this bar to supplement his meager income to buy weed and toss money at the women online hoping one will become the next Mrs. Good luck with that.
"I'm taking this garbage out. When I get back, WE'RE CLOSED." When Bonnie didn't say anything, Nash rolls his eyes. 'Why do I keep this job? I hate booze, and I hate videogames.' He knew why. He blew his check again. That is why he picked up this extra shift. Man's gotta eat.
Another building down. This game never stops to amuse him. Reminds him of Sicily in 1693. That earthquake devastated an entire town. No angel was responsible, however Benjamin was there to look for a rare treasure. Unfortunately the earthquake hindered his progress and he was forced to flee. Just as well, he was heading to the New Land with the human sailors. He had wings, hated being wet, but strangely enough loved the ocean. Hopefully Cain wasn't on the boat.
Lily Sunder was waiting for this. She waited over a hundred years for her revenge. She already killed most of Ishim's "men." Mirabel was her latest kill, she died with little fuss. There was only three left, luckily she knew Benjamin's habits well. Good thing Leon told her where Benjamin lived.
"Aren't you too old for games?"
Nash puts out his joint. Hopefully Bonnie was gone. When he saw her dead body he took out his phone to call 911.
Castiel was sleeping when he heard Benjamin's cry for help. He and Hannah woke up. Even as humans, both heard the SOS cries.
Ishim looked up. He ignored what was happening in Heaven, he had to stay on Earth. He was sure Lily was alive, he refused to return Home. As he heard Benjamin's cries, he flew to Maine. Unfortunately he got there too late to save his friend.
A Week Later
Jenna was looking online for any new cases. There wasn't anything unusual, however there was a murder in Maine. Could be a just a regular run of a mill murder, however no blood stains were present. Hmm. An angel kill? She went to talk to Castiel.
Dean was yawning as he worked on his car. He and Sam talked recently, Bobby said Rufus was getting irritated hanging out with the three teenagers. He said he was looking forward to one of them turning eighteen so he can hit the road in a few months. Bobby had a case back home, and needed Sam to help him out since his and his new wife were in the area on a case hunting a vicious Wyvern. It was highly skilled in magic and was invisible to most hunters.
Bobby said it was a tough fight. Even with Piper's magic the creature was immune. All three had to create a special weapon created with their blood to kill it. When Dean asked, Sam said it needed blood from a witch, a hunter and a father.
"A father? I thought Bobby had no kids."
"He helped raise us. He was there more than Dad ever was. I guess it counted."
He was talking when Castiel walked out of his house. He wasn't alone, Jenna was with him. Dean didn't much of it till Jenna started checking the trunk.
"Gotta go Sammy."
Castiel was really worried. He hasn't heard anything from Ishim, not for awhile. But last night. He heard a call. Castiel, not one to ignore a cry for help told Hannah and Jenna he had to head to Maine. Hannah couldn't come, she had to wait for Anael. It was just as well, Dean's contact in Kansas said it was safe to come home, their homes were no longer being watched over.
"So you are just taking off to Maine without any instructions to answer a call? Cells exist."
"This call, I have to answer it. Last time I ignored it my fellow angel died." Castiel felt guilty since that day. First it was two angels, believed to have died from a demon attack. Then Benjamin's cry, then Mirabel's. Other than Ishim and himself, they were the last of their garrison.
It was during after the great War. Since Heaven, Hell and Earth was in disarray, there was smaller wars between all factions. Castiel was put in a team with Ishim and a few others, since Ezekiel and (at the time) Balthazar was killed. They remained in contact throughout the centuries, especially with Ishim's human vessel. Castiel was surprised at his choice.
"This human. Ishim, he isn't from this world."
At the time, no one believed in other dimensions. But when an angel sensed a "rip" somewhere in Italy, Heaven sent Ishim and Mirabel to check it out.
Leonard just managed to escape from the soldiers. He was desperate and scared to be burned like so many of his fellow knights and ran into a cave to escape. His entire order was wiped out in less than a week. Luckily he ran when he heard the shouts. As bad as he felt about his friends, he had to escape. Coming to France was a huge mistake.
"They're here!" Leonard shouted to his fellow knights. They heard rumors that King Philip IV was planning a mass execution to the Order and ordered every member to be executed as heretics and Satanic devil worshipers. Most of it was carried in secret, only a few believed in the rumors.
Leonard wanted to stay and fight. As a Knight, he was prepared to die for his cause, however as a human, he realized he wanted to live. He ran. A few of his knights followed suit, many had families and didn't want them to be left behind. Most scattered in different directions, and when Leonard fell and twisted his ankle he slowly and painfully walked to a cave. Sitting there he knew he would be a sitting duck. He was preparing to die when he saw a light at the end of the cave.
A deeply religious man he didn't know what to think. The light, it appeared in front of him. At first he thought he was hallucinating from exhaustion. When he heard the shouts of the soldiers coming closer, he realized he was going to die. He gave a quick prayer for his friends, and prayed to God for forgiveness. Picking up his sword he was ready to fight to the death. Then he swore he heard whispers. He turned around to the light.
"Here!" Funny he was in France and the soldiers that came spoke in English. Probably to intimate his fellow soldiers. He had to make a choice. Stay and fight, which he knew he'll lose, or go to the light.
"If that is the entrance to Heaven, might as well." He walks towards it.
He looked up and saw two beings just staring at him in disbelief. Leonard took out his sword.
"What are you?"
"A human? Why aren't your eyes not burning out?"
That was when Leonard found out where he was, another dimension. Ishim and Mirabel couldn't believe it. Especially Ishim. As an angel he had no true vessel. But when he saw Leonard, he thought he found his. It didn't matter, since Leonard wasn't from this world. The rules of Heaven didn't apply to him. Once him, Ishim and Mirabel talked he agreed to be a vessel for one of them. But only if they protected him from the Catholic Church. They agreed. Since then Leonard and Ishim became friends.
They stayed friends throughout the centuries, Ishim, not wanting to lose Leonard as a vessel made him immortal with Leonard's permission. Leonard whenever he wasn't one with Ishim, became a mercenary. Then later on became a jack of all trades. He worked many jobs, lived in almost every country in Europe, and when his fellow friend Barbara approached him and asked if he liked to come over to the new world, Leonard agreed.
"A new world? You mean a new land." Leonard traveled everywhere on Earth with Ishim. But only as a vessel. He barely remembered anything during those times since Ishim refused to share anything with anyone, not even to Leonard.
"Your world was what is like?" Barbara, or Bonnie as she liked to call herself asked.
"Dark, depressing, empty." Leonard, he realized how different this world was. It actually had angels. Of course it also had monsters, demons, Heaven and Hell, but he'll gladly take them all instead of that world he left behind.
"Fascinating. Leonard, Benjamin is coming with us."
"He doesn't want you hurt I see."
"No he doesn't. He and I are close like this." She said crossing her fingers. "Besides he loves the ocean."
"Can't blame him. Look, I know you used to be a priest, but don't expect the men to be kind." He worked and traveled with many sailors. He worked on a boat always offering to protect the women that were on bored. He was strong, the women were grateful for his protection. They didn't want to be hurt, especially on long voyages.
"That is why Benjamin is coming along."
"I'm glad." Hearing the shouts of the captain, both go in the boat.
Since the day Leonard crossed over, Ishim and him became close. Ishim taught Leonard many spells from Heaven, including healing, teleporting and how to access Enochian magic. But warned him Enochian magic was used exclusively by angels. Enochian magic was powerful, but it came with a price. It burned away at a human soul if a human used it. Curing a demon was one of them, but warned Leonard not to use it. It was too dangerous to be used.
Leonard settled in the new world, even taking part of the California Gold Rush. He settled down in Orono, Maine in the late 1880s and that is how he met Lily.
He lived quietly in the small town, Ishim used his angelic grace to hide Leonard from everyone. He enrolled in the local college and met Lily Sunders in her history class.
"Pardon me madam, may I borrow that book when you are done? Madam? Hello?"
Lily was pouring over the book she was reading. She was studying for her upcoming exam, to prove to her father and the school that women can "have it all." In her time women were expected to stay home and raise babies and be a housewife. Women did work, however it was very rare. While studying for her exam, she found a unusual footnote about how angels supposedly lived among humans.
It was a art history book about Leonardo DaVinci. It would be a century before the DaVinci Code hype, but what caught Lily's eyes was how in the olden days before Christ is how angels freely walked among humans. According to the book it was around during the Egyptian Dynasty.
Scholars all around the world wondered about the ancient pyramids, and how they were created. Scientists and historians have several theories about that. When Lily dug further, it said angels were the ones that placed the bricks. It also said that they all spoke the same language, Enochian.
The angels were then forgotten over the centuries, the Enochian language went extinct after the angels left. That started Lily's obsession with angels.
She was startled out of her reverie with clicking fingers.
"Excuse me." Lily said in a irritated tone. Annoyed that her thought was interrupted.
"That book. May I? I have to study."
"Oh yes. Here. Pardon me." Lily walked out. She went home to think.
Months after her graduation and after she became a schoolhouse teacher, her fascination with angels became a obsession. She had to know if they were real. Her proof came when she was walking home from the schoolhouse when she witnessed Leonard getting robbed and stabbed in the chest by a group of thieves.
Too frightened to approach the men, she waited till they ran away. Once they left, she ran to see if he was okay. That is before she met Ishim.
Leonard was walking home from the bank. He just got paid, and was walking home to pay the workers to repair his roof. That is when he was robbed.
"Your money now!" The thug commended.
Leonard saw the young school teacher walking home, and didn't want her hurt. Usually he can easily take them, but he didn't want to expose himself. What he didn't expect was to be stabbed.
Lily came running just as soon as she witnessed Leonard standing up with no injuries. However his shirt...
Leonard seeing Lily's expression just tells her he was wearing a very thick undershirt. Lily was far, but she heard his cry of pain. She accepted his answer, but was suspicious. He insisted on walking her home, just in case those guys were still around. Lily agreed. They lived close by to one another anyways. That started their friendship.
It was weeks later when Leonard was repairing Lily's broken window is when he told her his secret.
"Thank you for fixing my window. Winter is coming, plus my husband won't be back from work for a few more weeks."
"I will not let a lady freeze. Especially one who is expecting." Leonard says looking at her swollen belly. Noticing the books about angels he had to ask. "Lily, what is your fascination with religion?"
Lily chuckled.
"Angels. Not religion. Ever since college, I been obsessed with angels. I know they exist. I been researching for years. That angels walk among us." Seeing Leonard's expression, she looked embarrassed. "I know. It's sounds like a fantasy. I go to church every Sunday and never once met an angel. Obviously there is no such thing. Otherwise I would have met one by now."
For years Leonard and Ishim were one. Very few knew Leonard's secret, the only ones that knew was Bonnie and his best friend Nichol who immediately went and told everyone about Leonard's secret. Leonard was forced to flee Germany fearing to be burned as a heretic. He kept to himself over the years, only staying in a region for a short time, but only leaving when his neighbours started aging and he did not. It was centuries later when he moved to Orono. Here built his own house down the road from the Sunders, and that is when he met Lily and her husband, even going to college together. He was lonely, and ended up falling in love with Lily, but kept his distance from her emotionally, especially since she was married. But hearing about her fascination with angels, is when Leonard decided to tell her his secret.
"Lily. The thing about angels. They are real." He then told her about his assignment, finding the wayward angel Metatron. He was embarrassed when Lily laughed.
"Yeah right. The stories are just fairy tales."
Leonard was going to tell her fairies were real too, but decided against it. He trusted Lily, but one thing at a time.
"Lily. Angels are real. An angel named Ishim made me immortal. I'm been alive for over five hundred years, give or take a decade."
Lily just stared at him in disbelief. Leonard saw her expression. She thought he was insane. Might as well prove it.
"Look. If I can prove it, will you believe me?"
"How? Are you going to grow wings and fly away? What about your halo?"
"The angel's true forms are too much for humans. You'll go blind. Watch." He then took a shard from her broken window and slashed his neck. The last thing he heard was Lily's screams.
Lily was horrified. She was willing to humor Leonard. But when he slashed his neck is when she panicked. Then what she saw next changed her life forever.
Ishim was deep inside Leonard, only waking when he felt his vessel getting hurt. When he saw a human woman staring at him in disbelief is when he overheard Lily's prayers.
Lily was horrified and terrified seeing Leonard's neck healing. Then when he opened his eyes, and saw his eyes glowing blue is when she started questioning her sanity. Then when he showed off his wings, is when Lily fainted.
It took Lily weeks to face Leonard again. She was terrified of him, thought he was a monster. Leonard, to his credit stayed far away, refusing to leave his home. But when Lily met Ishim in her dreams made her realize angels, were in fact real. She became obsessed. That is when Ishim spilled the angel's secrets.
He thought her everything he knew. Enochian, magic, spells, everything about Heaven. Lily, fascinated about everything wrote everything down, including the Enochian language. Even after the birth of her child and Leonard returning, is when Lily thanked Leonard for telling her his secret and letting her meet Ishim. Hearing that Leonard was stunned. He was pleased Lily knew his secret, however was scared on Lily's behalf. Especially when she talked to Ishim face to face. He warned Lily to keep her distance from Ishim. He knew Ishim well, he tended to hate humans. Why he stayed on Earth for so long, Leonard had no idea. He told Lily to stay away, angels were dangerous.
At first Lily laughed. Angels are dangerous? How? The church described them as protectors, guardians.
"No. Read the bible. They are warriors of God. They won't hesitate to kill anyone with no mercy. Lily. Stay away. Especially from Ishim." He knew Ishim was getting obsessed with Lily, especially when he mistook Leonard's feelings for Lily for his own, believing it to be love. Unfortunately Lily didn't heed his warnings and kept praying to Ishim. That is when her tragic life started.
First her husband died in a tragic fishing accident when her daughter was only three. Then when Lily realized how obsessed Ishim was with her is when she remembered Leonard's warnings. She prayed silently, keeping it a secret from Ishim. Luckily another angel answered, an angel named Akobel. He was possessing the body of her fellow teacher at the schoolhouse. He knew about Ishim, how ruthless he was and agreed to protect Lily. He and Lily were married two years later. Their marriage was mostly platonic, they were afraid to create a nephilim. Their feelings were genuine for one another and Akobel even raised little May as his own. Leonard, afraid for Lily moved far away. Unfortunately that didn't help Lily. Ishim wanting revenge, believing Lily broke his heart and betrayed him, brought a team of angels to slaughter Lily's family. Lily's heart broke when Akobel died, but she was destroyed when May was murdered. After she buried her daughter, she ran from Orono and swore revenge.
She hated Ishim and angels with all of her being. However, she did care about Leonard. She swore to free him from Ishim forever. It took her ten years to see Leonard again. By then she was fluent in the Enochian magic and summoned a crossroads demon that agreed to help. It was tricky to capture Ishim. It was very dangerous, since Ishim could destroy both of them. Lily had to force herself to prepare herself to see Ishim again, but she kept telling herself it was Leonard she was seeing. Not Ishim. Luckily she knew how to capture Ishim. She had tons of holy oil and a angel interrogating trap thanks to the demon. Once Ishim appeared after she prayed, she pretended to beg for his forgiveness.
"I'm surprised Lily. I thought you hated me." Ishim said with a smirk. Lily was filled with rage seeing Ishim again. But her friend needed to be freed. She went on her knees and begged.
"Ishim. I been walking alone for years. I need help. I can't do things alone anymore. Please. Help me." She lied. She had to be careful. But to make sure to gain Ishim's trust, she dressed up in a fashionable way to entice him. Luckily it worked.
"I knew you'll miss me. I wasn't lying when I said I loved you. Come. Let us wed. I promise you I can give you the world."
'May was my world.' She thought angrily. She then threw down the match. She smirked at Ishim's expression.
"Now who's my bitch now!" Lily believed she coined the praise. She then chanted a spell to put angels to sleep.
She and the crossroads demon than tied Ishim's vessel Leonard to the chair. Ishim told Lily he can easily destroy Leonard, even as a immortal he can easily die.
"Leonard wouldn't like what you done. Murdering innocents. He was a Knight. He had honor. Now!" She ordered the demon to smoke himself inside Leonard's body.
Ishim was strong. She teared up hearing Leonard's moans. It took hours, and she knew Leonard and Ishim were fighting. Once Ishim was freed, she and the crossroads demon took Leonard and went into hiding. There she and Leonard cured the demon, fulfilling her deal to make him human. Once the demon became human, they erased his memories, fearing Heaven and Hell finding them. There Leonard and Lily parted. Leonard apologized for his role in her family's death. Lily was understandably angry, but it wasn't all of Leonard's fault. They agreed to meet sporadically, since Lily told Leonard about her desire for revenge. They parted ways, always writing to one another over the years under different alias.
The former demon stayed with Leonard for a few years. He long forgotten his name in Hell, and took on "Max Thompson" as his name. He agreed to be a priest. He did forget about his time in Hell, but got his memories back with him waking up screaming. Leonard assured him he can be forgiven, as long as he did selfless deeds and helped others. Max, wanting to save other's from the Pit, tried to remember how to do duplicate Lily's spell.
Both Lily and Leonard were saddened to hear about Max's death. They liked Max, despite being a former demon, he was actually one of the few demons that they found to be selfless. Even as a demon. Lily found out during that time some demons and damned souls were reincarnated or given a second chance to start over. They prayed for his soul. Leonard and Lily met again in 1962, they ran into each other at a cafe in Alabama.
"Lily! Wow. You haven't aged." Leonard says pulling her in a hug. Lily gave Leonard a passcode only he knew, instructing Leonard to hide it behind a wall in his mind, away from Ishim. Once he told her the secret code, she hugged him back.
"Leonard! It's so good to see you again old friend. Coffee?"
"Four sugars." He loved his sweets, sugar was rare in the thirteenth century. He also ordered a pie.
They talked and catched up what they been up to throughout the years. Lily told Leonard about her desire for revenge, but was worried about her mortality. Leonard, worried about Lily warned her that the magic she was using will burn away her soul and recommended she drink out of the immortal spring instead. Lily declined. She only wanted to stay alive to see her revenge play through. She whispered that she only had four angels left on her list. Benjamin, Mirabel, Castiel and Ishim. Leonard warned her to be careful. Ishim was seen on Earth on occasion. Lily told him she hunted and was always careful. They said their goodbyes and never saw each other for another fifty years.
They wrote to one another and Lily was pleased when Leonard wrote that he met a young lady who he fell deeply in love with. He said she knew him as a immortal, but loved him anyways. He said they recently wed when she discovered she was pregnant with a girl. Lily wrote back that she was happy for Leonard, but asked if him being a former angel vessel will affect the fetus. Leonard assured her that he took out the remaining grace decades ago, and his child would be completely human. After his daughter was born, he and his wife named her Krissy Chambers. He took his wife's last name as his own. Lily congratulated him and they met again a some time later before she started her new job as a "party girl" at a brothel in Nevada. Leonard, now going by Leon or Lee burst out laughing. Especially when she explained why.
"Ishim will never approve. He always was a prude."
"A prostitute is something that he'll never like."
"Ironic. Reminds me of Jerusalem in 1301. Many of the brothels there had many priests that were regulars there back home." He never told anyone, the Templars were there as well as regular customers, with himself as a customer.
"No history book ever said there ever were brothels in the Holy City." Lily argued.
"You weren't there."
"Good point." They talked and laughed and when Leon invited Lily to dinner, Lily declined. They said their goodbyes, they only saw each other occasionally over the years, with Leon heading to Nevada to see Lily at her job whenever he hunted in the area. They never had sex, but Leon paid her for her company, just to make sure she was financially taken care of.
It was years later when Lee's wife died. She was killed by a monster and Lee became a full time hunter to protect Krissy and seek revenge. He was acquainted with Bobby Singer who worked with Lee on each other's hunts. Leonard was a former Templar, and used that knowledge to hunt. However he was always careful not to attract attention. It was a lot harder to hide these days in modern times. When Lee saw that vampire coming, he knew he was no match. He sent Krissy away to a friend's house and prayed hard to Ishim to take his vessel again. Luckily Ishim, knowing his garrison was being wiped out by a unknown force, agreed. He went inside Lee's body who then tricked the vampire into thinking Lee was killed. Lee then went into a deep sleep. It was the only way to make sure Ishim would stay in his vessel without Leonard throwing him out.
Jenna was double checking to make sure there was enough weapons. She told Cas she was coming along, she had this feeling Castiel would be in danger if he went alone. When she looked up she saw Dean walking towards them.
"There is a case."
Soon they were on the road with Dean driving. Cas was strangely quiet, worrying Jenna. Dean then demanded why Cas was so quiet.
"You tell my wife what's going on, but not me?!" Dean said in a insulted tone. His knuckles were clenched on the wheel while driving.
Jenna felt uncomfortable with the heavy silence. She simply told Dean that Cas was heading out to hunt, and came along to keep him company. Dean seeing them checking the trunk asked what was going on. Castiel, not wanting to worry Dean said there was a hunt and asked Jenna for help. He didn't want to involve his friends on this particular hunt, but he was human now. He needed assistance. Dean then asked what the hunt was. All Castiel said it was personal. Dean seeing Jenna's red face, demanded what Cas was hiding. Jenna hated to lie to her husband, but it was Castiel's secret to tell. She just said she was just a assistant.
Castiel was silent. Jenna closed her eyes. This was going to be a long ride. Especially when Dean and Cas started arguing.
They arrived in Maine a few days later. They went to check in a cheap motel. Jenna told Dean they could stay somewhere better, but Dean declined. He refused to take his wife's money. Plus they couldn't leave any paper traces. Jenna usually used her credit cards. Jenna then assured Dean whenever they hunted, or if him and Sam hunted together, they can use prepaid credit cards instead of stealing. Dean said fine. Jenna was starting to regret coming along. She then told Dean to check out any old reports of anything unusual. She was going for a walk.
A while later Dean and Castiel were at the bar where Benjamin died. Dean was interviewing the guy who found Benjamin's body a few days ago. Jenna went to the police station to check out any evidence. She used her actress background and heavy makeup to disguise herself.
Dean was writing down what the guy was saying. Cas was making a phone call to Ishim.
"It was just a few days ago, but I remember it. How? I was gone for a few minutes. The doors were locked. She was stabbed, however the police are saying the blood spilled was not Bonnie's. It was animal's blood. Bonnie didn't bleed. Plus there is burn marks on the wall over there. No way was there time to make those without the fire alarms going off." Dean nodded along. An angel kill all right. But who killed Benjamin? Cas said he was a very skilled soldier.
"Thanks for your time." Dean shuts his notebook shut. He walked up to Cas who hung up his phone.
"Well Cas?" Dean asked impatiently.
"I just off the phone with my friend. Every murder was exactly the same. Before I ran my own battalion, I was working under Ishim. Everyone who worked under Ishim is dead. Except for me and him."
Lily was whispering in Enochian. She was listening to angel radio to see if she can catch Castiel and Ishim. She was willing to kill any angel who interfered. When the angels exposed themselves a few years ago, it was easy to track down Benjamin, especially when Leon texted her his address and hobbies. Since Castiel was most likely here as well, she needed to kill him before killing Ishim. She just hoped he wasn't in Leonard's body.
Castiel was talking to Dean when he heard Enochian whispers.
Lily sat up.
"Castiel." She kisses her daughter's picture before she left.
"Here you go. The evidence from the murder scene from the Fox Bar." The woman cop says handing the box to Jenna.
"Thank you." She opens her box. The murder scene shows the body of Benjamin. Castiel said Benjamin was very overprotective of his vessel and wouldn't have sent her in danger. Seeing the picture there was tons of blood. However, after reading the coroner's report, the guy said the blood found on the scene wasn't human. The body did not bleed. Whoever killed Benjamin knew exactly what he was. The crime scene photos on the wall showed burnt wings. When Jenna saw the angel blade, she knew it was angel against angel violence. She took the angel blade and hid it inside her jacket. No way can something this valuable be left behind in a evidence locker. She then moved the stuff around to hide the fact she stole something. Once she returned the box, she left to meet up with Dean and Cas.
Back in the Impala all three met up again to compare notes. Castiel was looking at the blade Jenna handed him.
"This isn't Benjamin's blade." He was human, but instantly recognized it as one of the angels that was found dead eighty years ago. Every angel had their own angel blade with their own unique etching. It was invisible to most humans, but Castiel was a angel longer than a human. He told all three he needed to meet up with his friend.
"Whoa. You are gonna take off again. What are you hiding from us Cas?" Dean demanded.
"Like I said. It's personal. Excuse me."
Jenna didn't feel like telling Dean to mind his own business, however she knew him well. He would demand to know what Castiel was hiding. She was trying to entice Dean to spend the night in their room, they hadn't been alone in weeks. Thankfully Dean agreed.
Lily was waiting outside the coffee shop for Castiel. When she saw him, she was ready to kill him. But when she saw his aura, she realized he had no wings. Cas was completely human. What was going on?
"Ishim. You have the same vessel I see." That human. What world did he come from? When he asked Ishim, Ishim said it was a place that had no magic, no angels, no demons. It was a harsh world. He overheard Michael calling it the Hard World.
"This vessel is strong. It would be a shame to waste it."
They talked for awhile before Ishim said he needed to go. Lily was waiting outside for Castiel when her heart sank. Ishim was back inside Leonard's body. Dammit. She knew Leonard only said yes to protect Krissy. She wanted to kill Ishim, but she also couldn't commit murder. Her friend was human, although immortal, she knew the angel blade would be fatal. She drove away to her hotel room to think.
Ishim saw Lily driving away. He heard her whispers, that is why he chosen this town. Orono changed a lot since 1901.
Castiel returned to his motel room to sleep. He didn't bother his friends, it was late.
Lily, was laying down to rest. She had anti angel symbols everywhere and had a tattoo to hide herself from all angels. She dreamt about revenge for over a century. However seeing Castiel as a human and Ishim back in in Leonard's body gave her pause. She made a long distance call to Scotland. Hopefully the demon she cured had some of her old psychic powers left. She needed advice.
"Hello you have reached Forrest Hills. Please leave a message." The voice said.
Lily smiled. That's a voice she hasn't heard for years.
The next day all three hunters went to regroup. Dean already called Sam to check in. Sam said he was already home. The house was spotless when he came home, but to be sure, he and his wife doubled checked for any cameras or hex bags. They already checked out Dean's, they gave him the all clear. Dean was already looking forward to taking a break and having a normal life for awhile.
Castiel went to see Ishim again to see what he was supposed to do next. Cas was no longer committed to serve Heaven, especially since he heard the new leader was ruthless and much stronger than the old leaders. He and Hannah were afraid. Both Dean and Jenna were in their room watching TV when they heard a knock. Dean took out his gun, can't be too careful.
Lily after she hung up was shaken. Armageddon was coming. She didn't care about herself, but May. She was in Heaven, however, her friend warned her that Creation Itself would cease to exist. Lily would get her revenge, but it would be short lived. She needed to help the Winchesters instead. She told Lily she needed save Leon. Leon had info that could help them all.
Dean and Jenna were startled to see a total stranger.
"May I come in?"
Seeing Lily's eye, Jenna told Dean to invite her in. After the story Lily told them, Jenna teared up. Dean understood, but he also didn't want Castiel hurt.
"Cas is human. That means he'll die. For years all I dreamt about is revenge. However, my daughter, she will die again. My friend, he is being held hostage inside his own body. I want Ishim dead, however I don't want to kill Leon."
"So this Leon, he is from another world? Which one?" Both Dean and Jenna went to different worlds. Neither were sure how how many worlds were left.
"I don't know. We need Leon. My friend, she told me only Leon knows a secret that can help you on your mission."
"What secret?" Dean asked.
"I don't know. We need to talk to Ishim." Lily wasn't sure what to do.
Ishim was waiting impatiently for Lily. Castiel was being held hostage, Ishim wanted to keep him as leverage, just in case Lily brought those two hunters. He heard Leonard inside of him waking up. He was a lot stronger now, no way can he get kicked out. When he saw who walked in he smiled.
"One more step, your friend dies." Ishim says holding up an angel blade while holding Castiel by the neck.
Dean stops in his tracks. He hoped Lily's plan worked. Jenna was going to stay on standby, waiting for her signal.
"I thought Cas was your friend. He hasn't betrayed you. Ever. Why try to kill him?" Dean demanded. He looked helplessly at Cas. He was tempted to draw a blood sigil to send Ishim away, but Lily said Leonard was needed.
"Why? Because he became one of you. A filthy monkey. A fallen angel is nothing." He looks down at Cas. "Was that nephilim worth it? Is that filthy human worth it?" Looking at Dean. "Personally I plan to leave. This vessel is strong enough to withstand anything. Enjoy the fires when they come."
"Ishim!" Lily calls out. Ishim smiles seeing Lily.
"Hello my love. The years have been kind to you."
Lily rips off her eyepatch, revealing a white eyeball.
"I been waiting for this." Lily hoped that this worked. They needed to talk to Leonard face to face. She then used her powers to hold back Ishim.
"You can't hold me forever." Ishim said, unable to move. "I learned a few tricks."
While they were both distracted, Dean ran to Cas.
"You okay buddy? I got you." Castiel was bruised and bleeding from Ishim's beatings.
"Ishim, he's a monster." Castiel found out that Ishim lied. May Sunder was a human girl. Akobel was just trying to protect Lily and May. Ishim was bragging how he got revenge by breaking Lily's heart, like she broke his.
"Never mind about that. We gotta move. You're hurt." Dean picks up Cas. When Lily gave Dean her nod, he yells for his wife. "Jenna! Now!"
Jenna runs out of the shadows and holds up her phone. Immediately a voice shouts over the phone speaker.
"Excitare ad dormienti spiritus, et dicere ei!" (Wake the sleeping spirit, let him speak!)
Ishim looked enraged. His eyes glowed blue, then dimmed. When he looked up Leon was looking at Lily. Everyone in the room was on guard. Lily was holding up her angel blade, she didn't want to hurt Leon, but Ishim was too dangerous to let go.
"Lily. I always despised artificial sweeteners. Especially AlmostSweet."
Lily smiled.
"Honey is always a good substitute."
"I rather drink my coffee black."
"Leonard." She hugs Leon. Leon hugs her back. That was their go to passcode.
"I can't hold him for very long. I know what you are looking for. The Lost Piece."
Dean's and Castiel's eyes widen.
"You know about it?" Dean asks in disbelief.
"My battalion. When I joined the Order in 1287, my Company found a Treasure. That Rock. The Lost Piece. It's hidden in my world. The One without magic. We been guarding that Treasure for years."
"Where is it?" Dean demanded.
"I don't know. Most of us were killed on orders by the King. He wanted our Treasure. That Treasure. It is Divine. Truly divine. You must find it. My men, we took that Treasure and ran. We gave It to a man named Walter Shields. You must protect It. Especially from the Creator. He wants It destroyed."
"That was centuries ago. Immortality doesn't exist in your world."
"No. But his descendants should have It. Find It." He looks at Lily. "I feel him waking. Hurry. Kill me. End this nightmare."
Lily shook her head.
"I know a spell to cast Ishim out. You are a good man."
Leon looks at Lily with regret.
"My time is over. It was over a long time ago. Hurry. Tell Krissy I will always be watching over her. Goodbye old friend."
Lily tears up. To Leon's shock, Lily kisses him.
"I should have done that a long time ago."
Leon smiles with a sad smile. He nods at Lily. Once his eyes glowed blue, Lily stabs him with the blade. Everyone closed their eyes as Ishim died, his grace lighting the room. Lily stares at Leonard's dead body, Ishim's burnt wings on the ground.
"It's finally over." She looks over at Castiel who looked remorseful.
"I no longer have my wings. No amount of apologies can bring your family back. If you want to kill me, I won't fight."
Lily shakes her head.
"There is something bigger than revenge. If you want to fix things, save the world. Go. I have to bury Leon."
The director in Forrest Hills in Scotland knew this was it. Magic was about to disappear. How long, she had no idea.
Sam, Dean. How do you feel to be normal? Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Paige. You won't have your angelic guardians to protect you. Or have any magic. Hope you guys can adjust.