Chapter 3

A few days later Dean entered the bunker kitchen and made himself a coffee. He headed into the war room and found Sam surrounded by books. He was focused on his laptop screen. Dean asked "How long have you been awake?"

Sam replied "A while." He then sighed and pointed out "I can not find a damn thing on the bug man."

Dean replied "We know how to kill it. That's the important part. Don't go losing sleep over the details, it's been days since we've heard anything about it anyway."

Sam sighed and said "I have to worry about the details Dean. I mean, why? Why now?"

Dean almost looked confused as he asked "What do you mean?"

Sam explained "How is it that there is no sign of a creature like this existing before now? If it's only just come into existence, how? Why now?"

Dean asked "Why can't this just be a new thing to hunt? Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, bug men. Who says there's gotta be a bigger picture?"

Sam just looked at him and asked "You really think this is that simple?"

Dean sighed and said "Probably not"

Sam pointed out "Well, either way, I don't know what the deal is with the bug man."

At that moment Sam's laptop made a noise and he looked at it. He pushed several buttons and he said "Wait... I think I found it."

Dean asked "Really?"

Sam nodded and explained "Yeah, about three hours from here. Locals are avoiding a once popular nature trail after several women reported seeing a giant insect like human."

Dean gave a thoughtful nod and commented "Sounds like our guy."

Sam stated "I think we should go check it out"

Dean nodded and said "Yeah, we should. I'll meet you at the car in twenty," before they headed off to get ready.

{~~~}

Lotus pulled her car in at the manor before she turned and looked at Michael. She stated "Listen, thanks for having my back on that hunt. You might not be completely useless after all."

"Thank you?" Michael said as they got out of the car.

Lotus chuckled and gave a shrug before she pointed out "I don't trust you fully yet, but you're earning points"

Michael couldn't help but roll his eyes before he said "I suppose that's all-" Lotus watched as he froze and tensed with a serious look on his face.

Just as she was about to ask what was wrong he disappeared. She frowned and went about unpacking the car. However she got as far as carrying the bags inside when Michael reappeared in front of her, carrying an unconscious and obviously injured Jack.

Before she could say anything Michael blurted out. "I'm sorry I was too late. I healed Jack as best I could and he'll be ok but... Krissy's gone."

{~~~}

Sam and Dean were walking through another forested area at dusk. Sam had the demon blade while Dean had an angel blade.

Dean quietly asked "So this is where those women saw it?"

Sam replied "Yeah, they were out for their weekly hike when it jumped in front of them. It appeared to smell them before screeching and flying away."

Dean questioned "So the bug man just likes guys?"

Sam replied "I have no idea what it's game is"

At that moment they heard a screech nearby and saw movement in front of them. They moved forward cautiously when one of the scorpion creatures suddenly jumped out in front of them. Another landed behind them and there was still clearly movement around them.

Dean commented "Alpha bug man's been busy," before they began to fight.

They spent several minutes struggling to defeat the creatures before they managed to kill them. Dean commented "Well, an angel blade through the heart works too"

Sam nodded and commented "That isn't going to help if other hunters meet one though"

Two more creatures scuttled into the small clearing. Dean mumbled "Crap"

Sam said "I'm going to try something." He pulled out his phone. He managed to start playing a recording of an exorcism, clutching his phone tightly in his left hand as he continued to fight with the blade in his right hand.

The creatures seemed furious and began fighting harder. One of them managed to overpower Dean and knock him to the ground. He narrowly avoided getting hit in the face with the scorpion stinger of one of the creatures.

The creature was about to swing it's tail again as another shoved Sam backwards where he collided with a tree. Then the creatures suddenly stopped fighting.

They appeared to be in pain and were screeching wildly as they all stumbled backwards. The creatures covered their ears and shook as the exorcism finished playing. Then they all turned into black clouds of smoke and disappeared downwards through the earth.

"Dean" Sam stated as he moved over and helped him to his feet.

Dean stood with groan and questioned "What the hell kind of monster gets sent to hell with an exorcism?"

Sam replied "No idea but I'm glad that worked. We still have a problem though."

Dean nodded and said "Yeah, alpha bug is still out there somewhere."

Sam said "Come on let's keep looking"

{~~~}

Jack sat up with a gasp. He looked around and Lotus stated "Easy Jack. You're back home. What happened?"

Jack thought for a moment and replied "We had just killed three ghouls when we were attacked by demons." Then his eyes went wide and he worriedly said "They took Krissy. We have to find her"

Michael stated "I didn't see anything, they were gone by the time I got there"

Lotus questioned "You're sure they were demons?"

Jack nodded and said "I could smell the sulfur."

Michael added "I did notice the smell. It was stronger than usual when demons are involved"

Jack asked "How will we find her?"

Lotus replied "I don't know. Maybe we should see if Haniel can contact Crowley" She looked at Michael and asked "What do you think?"

"I think if I had my powers I could sort this out quickly" Michael commented

Jack shook his head "No, I don't trust you enough yet to risk that." He looked at Lotus and said "Can we trust Crowley?"

Lotus shook her head and said "I trust Mike here a hell of a lot more than I trust Crowley. He might be our only chance at getting answers though"

{~~~}

Sam and Dean emerged from the forested area as the sun was beginning to rise. Dean grumbled "Finally, man remind me never to go hiking again"

Sam rolled his eyes and pointed out "We could have been done hours ago if you didn't get us lost."

Dean replied "I didn't get us lost, I was being thorough. I knew where we were the whole time."

"Sure you did" Sam mumbled before he added "I'm starving. Let's go get breakfast and a few hours of sleep. We can try again tonight."

They got in the impala and Dean said "Look, we covered a lot of ground last night and couldn't find any sign of the alpha. What if it reproduced and left the area like last time?"

He started the car and began driving as Sam replied "That's definitely possible."

Dean stated "Yeah well, like you said, let's just eat and sleep a bit and go from there."

{~~~}

In Virgil's throne room in the palace deep in hell, a pair of demons are dragging a struggling Krissy towards Virgil. The demons have blood red eyes and are dressed in black cloaks. Unlike most meatsuits, they have have claws and don't have any sort of mouth.

Krissy growled "Let me go!" as she struggled to get free.

The demons threw her to the ground in front of Virgil and Virgil let off a sinister chuckle before he pointed out "I have waited a long time for this"

Krissy pulled herself to her feet and demanded "Who the hell are you? What do you want?"

Virgil smirked as he stated "My name is Virgil and I want the power." He then suddenly thrust one of his hands into Krissy's chest, just like an angel would when touching a human soul. However instead of a white glow, there is a black glow around his wrist.

Krissy screamed in pain and eventually Virgil pulled his hand back and let off a growl. He angrily demanded "How are you hiding it from me?"

"Hiding what?" Krissy asked as she caught her breath.

Virgil angrily growled "Don't play dumb with me" before he backhanded Krissy hard.

Krissy wiped her now bleeding lip and stated "Listen asshole, I don't know what you're talking about."

Virgil looked furious and punched Krissy so hard she was knocked out. He looked at the demons who brought her to him and said "Secure her in the dungeon."

{~~~}

Meanwhile, two states away, a pair of teenagers were approaching an abandoned farmhouse. Lara, a blonde girl, looked at her boyfriend and said "Jake, I don't know about this, we shouldn't be out here."

Jake, a boy with long dark hair, replied "Come on Lara, live a little. Danny's never going to let us hear the end of it if we turn back now."

Lara pointed out "Danny's an idiot and he's not even here. What if something happens? They make horror movies that start like this."

Jake chuckled before he said "Nothing's going to happen. We're just checking out an abandoned, possibly haunted, house."

Lara commented "Yeah, that makes me feel much better."

Jake then said "Come on, you said it yourself. The creepy stuff only comes out at night, right?"

They continued walking towards the house unaware that a section of ground, not far from where they were walking had begun to glow. The faint red glow subsided and the dirt shifted as a woman like creature pulled herself from the earth.

She had dog like ears on top of her head and the legs of a dog, complete with paws. Her eyes were black and her arms and torso appeared human She was dressed in a tattered, blood red dress.

The creature heard Lara let out a short scream from inside the abandoned house and it looked towards the building. It smiled, baring its sharp teeth as it flexed it's claws and moved towards the building.

{~~~}

Several hours later the strange wolf woman sat in the abandoned house. The teen Jake laid dead and bloody on the floor. The girl, Lara, woke up and now appeared to be a wolf creature as well. She had the same appearance as the alpha; the legs of a dog, black eyes, sharp teeth and claws on her hands. The only difference was her ears. While shaped like a dog's, hers were on the side of her head, instead of on top like the alpha's.

The alpha looked at her with a wicked grin and said "Rise my child. Eat. We have work to do."

Lara looked over at Jake's body and bared her teeth as she moved towards him.

{~~~}

Sam and Dean were sitting in the bunker when Sam's phone began to ring. "It's Lily" He stated. He answered the phone and said "Hey Lily. Wait Donna? I'll put you on speaker." Once the phone was on speaker he held the phone between himself and Dean and asked "Everything OK Donna? What's going on?"

Donna said "Well I've had better days; got a little roughed up and stabbed in the knee. Long story short, I was captured by pixies. These new Australian friends of yours are trying to help but we're surrounded. There are pixies everywhere Sam and they're biters. Please tell me you boys know how to get rid of them."

Sam replied "There's a spell on my laptop, just hang on." He handed the phone to Dean and reached for his laptop.

In the back ground, on the phone, they heard Lily as she yelled "Friggin pixie scum! Hold still you little fu-"

Before she finished, Donna asked "Where the hell did you boys find these two? They're characters"

Dean replied "They found us Donna. They haven't been around long but they seem OK"

Clover could be heard in the back ground as he yelled "Get back here you filthy little sh-"

Donna butt in again and said "Well one things for sure, I have never heard anyone swear as much or as creatively as these two do."

Clover could then be heard when he yelled "Ah! Son of a taint sack!"

Then Donna asked "Do these damn things have a weakness? There's got to be something I can do."

Sam questioned "Have you got any salt shells?"

Donna replied "Your buddies have a bag of weapons here; hang on, I'll check."

Lily could be heard as she yelled "How about a game of cricket? You pain in the ass piece of-"

"I'm guessing that's not how you play cricket. Oo pain pills" Donna mumbled. After another moment she added "Bingo. I've found some salt shells, how's that going to help?"

Sam replied "Get their attention and spill the salt."

There is silence for a moment before Donna can be heard giving a loud whistle. "Well that's some serious OCD" Donna stated "Thanks Sam that's keeping them busy"

Sam pointed out "Donna, someone must have summoned them. The spell I'm going to text through will banish them."

Donna replied "Oh yeah, the pixies killed the chick who summoned them. That's how I met your friends"

Dean asked "You gonna be OK Donna?"

"You betcha" Donna replied. "Thanks for the help. Don't you boys be strangers, you're due for a visit"

Sam said "We'll stop by as soon as we can. I'll text through the spell just let us know when it's done, so we know you're all OK"

They said their goodbyes and Sam hung up before quickly texting through the spell. "That was unexpected" Sam commented

Dean stated "I can't believe the clarions now know Donna too."

Sam chuckled and said "I can't believe they brought a cricket bat with them"

Dean chuckled and said "Yeah it's not even a real sport. Kind of glad they had that case though. I hate fairies."

Sam pointed out "Donna said they were pixies."

"Is there a difference?" Dean asked.

Sam replied with a chuckle, "They're biters apparently."

Dean visibly shuddered

{~~~}

At the warehouse, Clover finished the spell while the pixies were still occupied and they all disappeared. Lily and Clover walked over to Donna and Donna said "Hope ya don't mind but I pinched a couple of pain pills from your bag there. It's a nice bag and my knee hurts"

Lily chuckled and said "Seems like they're kicking in. We can help with the injuries"

Donna watched as they each knelt and touched one of her hands. Donna's minor injuries disappeared. "Well now that's a neat trick" She tried to get up but winced in pain "Gonna need some help. My knee still hurts a bit"

Clover commented "If the pain pills are kicking in it probably still hurts a lot. You got an address? I'll drive you home and Lily can follow us"

Donna replied "Oh yeah, you can take me to Jody's. I'm supposed to go there for dinner in about, twenty minutes" She said as she looked at her watch.

Clover chuckled and said "OK. Come on." He picked her up bridal style and Lily grabbed their weapons.

As they walked to the car Donna commented "You sure are strong ain't ya?"

Lily chuckled and Clover replied "You're not exactly heavy"

Donna smiled goofily and said "Say that again"

Clover replied "You're not heavy?"

Donna happily sighed and said "Oh I like you"

Clover helped Donna into the passenger seat of her car and began driving to Jody's house. Lily followed them there and they parked behind a sheriff car.

Lily handed Clover his badge as a just in case and he slipped it into his pocket. He was about to open the door and wake Donna when they heard what sounded like a window breaking.

Lily grabbed an angel blade and the two clarions moved towards the front door quickly and heard another crash from inside.

They let themselves in and found Jody fighting Lara, the newly turned wolf creature, while the alpha stood in the corner and watched. Lara threw Jody to the ground and Lily fought the creature.

Lily fought with precision and after a few moments she managed to stab Lara through the heart with the angel blade. Lara died, making the same noise as a dying demon. The alpha wolf creature growled and yelled "No!"

Lily moved towards her with a firm grip on the angel blade. The alpha looked furious but fled out a nearby window.

Clover watched out the window and said "She's long gone"

Jody asked "What the hell were those things? That's not like any werewolf I've ever seen"

Lily replied "I've got no idea, it behaved like a demon, it had black eyes"

"Smelled like sulfur too" Clover commented before he said a quick spell to fix the window.

Lily pulled out her phone and took a few pictures. Jody commented "Well thanks for the help guys, that could have ended very differently. I'm Jody"

"Yeah. I'm Clover, this is Lily" Clover pointed out "We can get rid of the body for you if you like"

"Much appreciated" Jody said. "How'd you know it was here?"

Lily said "Crap, Donna"

Clover moved out quickly and grabbed Donna from the car. He carried her in and over to the couch. Luckily she was safe and still asleep.

When Donna woke a few hours later, she saw a glass of water on the coffee table, next to a note. She picked it up and couldn't help but smile when she saw what it said. There was a phone number and the words, You're not heavy - C

{~~~}

Sam and Dean were in the bunker eating dinner. They were each surrounded by books and researching as they ate when Sam's phone received a message. Sam checked the phone and said "Whoah. Dean, look at this."

Sam showed him the picture of the wolf woman and Dean asked "What the hell is that?"

"I don't know," Sam replied before he added "Lily and Clover took Donna to Jody's and found that thing attacking Jody"

Dean grumbled "Fantastic, things just keep getting weirder. Is everyone OK?"

Sam's phone received another message and he checked it before he replied "Everyone is OK. Whatever that thing was it had black eyes and stunk like sulfur. They killed it with an angel blade"

Dean asked "What? So it's another demon monster?"

Sam replied "It looks like it."

Dean sighed and said "OK, we are going to need help." He then looked up and said "Cas if you're not too busy we could use your help. We're in the bunker."

They looked around for a moment before Castiel appeared and looked around. "Dean, Sam, what's wrong?" He asked

Dean asked "Do you have any idea what's making demon monsters?"

Castiel looked confused, tilting his head as he asked "What do you mean?"

Sam showed Castiel the picture and explained "Whatever this is just attacked Jody. Luckily Lily and Clover had just saved Donna from some pixies and saved Jody. We just got back from hunting a giant bug that was half human."

Dean added "Both of them had demon black eyes and stunk like sulfur. Some of the half bug things were sent to hell with an exorcism."

Castiel looked surprised and commented "That shouldn't be possible"

Dean pointed out "Do these two new monsters have something to do with the end of worlds everyone is so worried about?"

Castiel gave a nod before he replied "I believe so, yes. However, what their involvement is I do not know"

Sam then asked "So there's still no word on what the end of worlds is?"

Castiel stated "That is correct. There are so many different versions, both written and verbal, that no one knows which is correct. If any of the stories at all are even accurate"

Dean then asked "So what are we supposed to do?"

Castiel looked at him and replied "I don't know. I will see what I can find out though so far I have had no luck. Haniel is finding it difficult to adapt to being in charge."

"She's in charge now?" Dean asked

Castiel nodded and replied "While her rank is lower than an archangel, she outranks any other living angel"

Sam gave a nod and said "Well I suppose that's a win at least"

"Indeed" Castiel stated. "I suggest you two get a good nights sleep, while you still can."

Sam said "Yeah, let us know if you find anything or need any help"

Castiel gave a nod and said "You two just stay out trouble and don't do anything stupid"

Dean replied "Come on Cas, how much trouble do you think we could get in?"

Castiel looked at him for a moment and with a small smirk said "Dean, I do not believe you actually want me to answer that" He then disappeared.

Dean looked at Sam and said "Now he's got jokes"

Sam just laughed and said "Well, he's not wrong"

{~~~}

Lotus, Michael and Jack were standing in a hotel room when Lotus summoned Crowley. For a moment it didn't seem to have worked until they heard a knock at the door.

Lotus answered the door and before she could say anything, Crowley stated "I'm not just going to appear in a demon trap. What do you want? You're lucky I showed up at all"

"Get in here" Lotus said before dragging him in. "This ain't a trap, we need answers and possibly help" She added as she shut the door behind him.

Jack demanded "Where is she?"

Crowley was obviously surprised. He asked "Where's who?"

Jack looked angry and Michael placed a hand on his shoulder. Michael seriously said "Two demons kidnapped a friend of ours. Krissy Chambers. We want to know why and we want her back"

Crowley looked at Jack and stated "It had nothing to do with me, so wipe that look of your face Scrappy. If it was demons she could be bloody anywhere. If she's still alive"

"She's alive" Jack stated. "They nearly killed me but they were careful not to damage Krissy"

Michael pointed out "I can not sense her soul on earth and the demons stank more of sulfur than even you do"

"Charming" Crowley said with a role of his eyes. "Do you have anymore information to go on? What they looked like? What they said perhaps?"

Jack explained "They didn't even have mouths. They had red eyes, claws and they tied Krissy up in these ropes that had strange hooks on the end of them."

Crowley went wide eyed at this. He clicked his fingers and a grappling hook appeared in his hands. He questioned "Like this?" Jack nodded and Crowley added "Bollocks"

Lotus questioned "You know what they are?"

"Not exactly" Crowley replied. "I've heard rumours, whispers. Various versions of hell's urban legends. There is a corner in hell which the warriors might have taken her but I'd advise against a rescue mission"

Jack stated "I have to try"

Michael added "I'll go with you. I can not let you go to hell on your own"

Crowley said "I can get you into hell and cast a spell to take you to her but that is as much as I'm willing to do. I'm a busy demon; hell hounds to feed, souls to maim" He paused for a moment and added "That's presuming I even decide to help. What's in it for me?"

"Not dying" Lotus stated

Crowley smirked "You think a half breed like you has any power over me?"

Lotus smirked and said "Perhaps not. However, the hex bags I placed in your pockets activated some rather nasty curses that only I can break."

Crowley pulled the bags out of his pockets and looked angry. "Fine, what are your terms?"

Lotus stated "You get them to hell and do the spell to get them to Krissy. Then I'll break the first curse. I'll break the second when they return"

Crowley barked "How do I know you're not just going to kill me anyway?"

Michael stated "Because you still have me bound for a start"

"You're an ass Crowley" Lotus pointed out "A complete and total assbut. Someone's gotta rule hell though and even given the fact you're an ass, you're the preferred demon for the job"

Crowley pinched the bridge of his nose and mumbled "Bloody hunters" He sighed before adding "Fine, deal. I'll need something with her DNA on it"

Lotus replied "She should have a brush at the manor"

Michael disappeared and returned a few moments later with a brush.

Jack stated "There, let's go"

Lotus stated "You two be careful and don't die. Crowley, behave yourself or your death will be very painful"

Crowley stuck two fingers up at her before clicking his fingers. The three men disappeared leaving Lotus alone in the hotel room.

{~~~}

Sam and Dean were in the impala in their FBI suits. Dean parked the car and looked at Sam and asked "You sure this wasn't an animal?"

Sam replied "I doubt it. Two vics; both were attacked in their homes and a woman has gone missing from each of those homes. Neither home contains any sign of an animal getting in."

Dean gave a nod and said "OK, let's head in there and-" Dean stopped talking when there was a knock on his window. It was Lotus.

Dean wound down his window and Lotus stated "We've literally just looked at the bodies. It'll look suspicious as hell if you boys go in there now. There's a diner two blocks down; we'll meet you there"

Dean gave a nod and started the car back up.

{~~~}

Half an hour later, Dean, Sam, Lotus, Lily and Clover were sitting in a diner, each with a cup of coffee. Lily explained "The vic's houses are only a few blocks apart and they're both right next to the reserve."

Sam asked "You think this is one of the wolf hybrids?"

Clover nodded and replied "We think so. It definitely wasn't a werewolf. Much more than the heart was missing and there were teeth marks everywhere. It was messy."

Dean questioned "You guys ever seen anything like this before?"

Lily replied "Not like this, no."

Sam sighed and said "First bug man and now wolf lady."

Lotus asked "What bug man?"

Sam explained "Half scorpion, half man and the alpha had wings. Just like these wolf things, it died like a demon. We actually exorcised a couple of them"

Lotus let out a growl of frustration and said "What the hell is this all building up to?"

Dean stated "The end of worlds apparently. Something that no one knows anything about"

Clover was about to speak when suddenly Crowley appeared, standing next to the table. He looked at Lotus and said "Right it's done. Get this thing off me"

"Crowley!" Sam and Dean state at the same time.

Crowley was scratching at his arms and legs as though he was itchy. He looked at the Winchesters and stated "Yes, yes. Hello forest animals. Surprise"

Lotus asked "How did it go?"

Crowley was obviously annoyed and still scratching as he replied "I took them to hell just as I said I would. Michael could sense her, though distantly, and the spell sent them to her location. They would have landed within fifty feet of her"

Lotus then asked "How will they get back?"

Crowley replied "They're on their own till they pop back up on my radar. If they survive, Michael will be able to lead the way"

Lotus stated "They die, you die Crowley. Don't forget that" She then said a few words to break one of the curses she placed on Crowley.

Crowley noticeably relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief before disappearing again.

Dean demanded "What the hell was that about?"

"That's the million dollar question" Lotus said before she sighed. She explained "Jack and Krissy were finishing a hunt when Krissy was kidnapped by demons. Michael and Jack have gone to rescue her."

"What?" Sam asked "You didn't think to mention that sooner?"

Dean looked angry as he asked "You let that feathered douchebag take Jack into hell?"

Lotus gave a nod and said "Yes. I let the dude who has been around longer than hell itself, help Jack."

Sam said "We could have gone. You could have gone"

Dean added "We could have sent Cas. Why the hell would you trust Michael?"

Lotus replied "I might have mild angel powers but I can't smite demons. Yes we could have sent someone else but Krissy's life was on the line. We were in a hurry."

Sam questioned "How do you know you can even trust this Crowley?"

"I can't" Lotus replied "I cursed him so he'd help. These weren't exactly normal demons guys. Michael is their best chance at surviving"

"What do you mean?" Dean asked

Lotus explained "They had claws and red eyes. They also didn't have mouths"

Sam and Dean shared a look, each confused over the description. Dean shrugged and Sam sighed before he said "Well, it's done now. Let's just focus on the hunt. If anything happens to Jack or Krissy there will be hell to pay"

"Obviously" Lotus stated with a nod.

Dean gave a nod sighed as he looked at the map on the table. He asked "Right, so what's with the circles?"

Lily explained "In the reserve by the vic's homes, there's two abandoned cabins and a ranger station. We think it might be hiding in one of the cabins."

Clover added "We haven't had a chance to check if the station is manned or not"

Sam gave a nod and said "Might as well gear up and head out there"

Dean added "We don't know if demon traps work but if these wolf things are like the bug men then an exorcism will work"

Clover gave a nod and said "We've all got angel blades so we can at least kill them"

Dean said "Let's go then. We'll see you out there"

The five of them headed out of the diner to get ready to hunt the wolf creatures.

{~~~}

Krissy was tied to a chair in the dungeon when she regained consciousness. She struggled and eventually managed to free herself. As she stood she heard someone whisper "She's in here"

The door was unlocked as it opened Krissy readied herself for a fight. Her eyes went wide when Jack walked in "Jack?"

"Are you OK?" Jack asked quietly "We came to take you home"

Krissy launched forward and hugged Jack tightly. "Thank you" She whispered as Jack returned the hug.

Michael stated "We need to get moving. Something about this part of hell is making it impossible for me to fly. We're going to be traveling on foot for a while"

Krissy and Jack moved to follow him and Krissy paused and said "Thanks Mike"

Michael gave a nod and commented "We're not safe yet."

In the corridor outside the dungeon they heard some noise and realised something was headed towards their current location.

Michael said "This way, quickly and quietly"

Both Jack and Krissy nodded as they began moving away from the sound.

{~~~}

Later that day, Sam and Dean walked cautiously through the reserve. They approached one of the cabins in the woods when Sam asked "Can you hear that?"

Dean stilled for a moment and replied "Yeah, fighting"

They began to move faster towards the cabin and were a short distance away when suddenly Lotus was thrown through the window. She landed with a thud before she let off an annoyed growl. She pulled herself to her feet as three of the wolf women leapt out after her.

Dean yelled "Hey!" He and Sam ran forward to help as a further two emerged from the cabin followed by Clover.

The four of them each began to fight the wolf hybrids. Clover commented "This thing is turning people faster than we thought"

Sam fought hard as he asked "Is one of these the alpha?"

Lotus called out "No but she's been busy. There's two more inside with Lily"

Sam killed the hybrid he was fighting and headed inside the cabin. He found Lily in a large empty room bouncing between two of the wolf women as she tried to fend them off.

She was clearly struggling to hold them off and was scratched on the stomach before one of the hybrids knocked her into a wall. Sam moved quickly and killed the one closest to him as Lily pulled herself to her feet.

The remaining creature growled and looked between the two hunters. It let out another growl before it jumped out of the nearby window and fled. Sam moved over to the window but the creature was nowhere in sight.

He turned back to Lily and asked "You OK?"

Lily replied "Been better. Thanks" She then pointed to her shoulder as she asked "You done this before?" Her shoulder was obviously dislocated.

Sam nodded as he replied "Yeah, turn around." He placed his hands on her shoulder and said "OK, deep breath and on the count of three."

Lily nodded, took a deep breath and exhaled before Sam forcefully pushed her shoulder back in to place. She cried out in pain before she took another deep breath. "Thanks," she stated as she stretched her shoulder slowly.

At that moment Dean, Lotus and Clover ran in and each breathed a sigh of relief. Dean asked "You OK Sam? Did we get them all?"

Sam replied "Yeah, I'm fine. One got away though"

Lily said "Everyone else OK? We need to go check out the other cabins"

They all exit the cabin as Lotus replied "Yeah, long as you're OK" She turned to the Winchesters and asked "Which one do you guys want?"

Sam looked at Lily and said "I just popped your shoulder back into place, you're not fine. Why don't you let the rest of us handle this"

Lily smiled and commented "Healing powers, remember? Really, I'm fine"

Dean stated "Me and Sam will head this way. Let us know how you go"

{~~~}

Michael, Jack and Krissy were sneaking through Virgil's palace. Michael questioned "Krissy, was anything said? Do you know what they wanted?"

Krissy shook her head and explained "I don't know exactly. A pair of red eyed demons brought me here and some white eyed demon named Virgil stuck his hand inside me."

Jack asked "How did you survive?"

Krissy explained "It was weird. There was a black glow and there wasn't a wound. It was like he was touching my soul or something"

Michael asked "Did he say anything?"

Krissy replied "Said he wanted the power. After the hand thing he tried to get me to tell him where I was hiding it. Then he knocked me out and I woke up in the dungeon."

Jack stated "That doesn't make any sense"

Michael sighed as they rounded a corner and then he gasped. There was a tablet at the end of the hallway. It was on a pedestal and was a little smaller than the angel and demon tablets. He stated "That shouldn't be here"

They moved over and Michael picked up the tablet. Jack commented "It looks like a small demon tablet"

Michael nodded and replied "The word of God. We'll take this with us. Come on, let's keep moving"

Krissy commented "I get the feeling something big is going to go down"

Michael replied "It is. For now let's just worry about getting you two home"

{~~~}

Sam and Dean were walking through the reserve when Dean commented "So, that cabin was empty. If there's nothing at this next one I want to double back to the station and make sure we got them all"

Sam nodded and said "Good idea"

They continued on and heard a savage growl not far from their current location. They moved forward cautiously until footsteps could be heard approaching quickly. Sam and Dean each ducked behind a tree as they looked towards the sound.

Lily was chasing a wolf creature and nearly caught it close to Sam and Dean's hiding spot. The wolf creature kicked off a nearby tree and flipped itself backwards over Lily. Lily dropped and slid under the creature.

She twisted and kicked the wolf as it landed before she kicked the creature's legs out from under it. Lily quickly swung her angel blade through its heart and killed it.

Sam and Dean were about to make their presence known as she pulled herself to her feet. However another creature dropped out of the trees behind her and swiped its claws along her back. She screamed out in pain and Sam and Dean moved forward. Dean killed it as Sam asked "You OK Lily?"

Lily nodded and said "Thanks."

Dean commented "You got some skills. Can you do your healing thing on your back because that looks nasty"

Lily nodded again and said "Thanks. Yeah mostly" The wound on her back healed from gashes to small scratches and she added "Come on, Lotus and Clover are experimenting, there's more of them"

She quickly headed back the way she came with Sam and Dean following closely. The three of them approached the cabin and saw several more wolf women trying to get inside.

Lily commented "Looks like the salt is keeping them out." Lily let out a loud whistle and creatures all turned and snarled before they charged forward.

Sam, Dean and Lily each fought one of the wolf creatures and managed to kill them. After they checked their surroundings they moved towards the cabin.

Lily called out "Clover, Lotus!" as she banged on the door.

Clover opened the door and asked "How'd ya go?"

Lily replied "Still no alpha," as they all headed into the cabin.

Sam and Dean looked around and saw salt by all the entrances and a demon trap on the floor. There was a wolf woman tied to a chair and she had a few visible injuries.

Lotus explained "These things are also just like demons. Silver doesn't do much but iron, salt and holy water seem to burn them."

"So what next?" Dean asked.

Lotus replied "You guys mentioned that those bug things were taken care of with an exorcism. Was going to try that"

She pulled out her phone and played an exorcism. It finished and everyone took a step back as the creature turned into a black mist and disappeared into the ground.

Clover stated "That's weird."

Sam pointed out "Bug man did the same thing. What the hell is going on?"

Lotus replied "Absolutely no idea"

{~~~}

Krissy, Jack and Michael were ascending a large cliff face in hell, via a narrow path up it's side. Krissy commented "How big is this cliff? It feels like we've been walking for a week"

Michael replied "About five days so far. We've passed the halfway mark"

Jack questioned "Is hell keeping us like this? I mean, we haven't needed to eat or sleep"

Michael nodded and explained "Yes that's something to do with hell. You could probably get away with not breathing as well but it's best to keep up with the instinct"

Krissy curiously asked "Do you think we'll make it back in time to help with whatever is going on?"

Michael replied "I honestly don't know. Time moves differently throughout hell. Back on earth, anything from a few hours to five days could have passed"

"Weird" Krissy mumbled before she asked "How are you holding up? You didn't get a lot of freedom after being locked up for being a douchebag. Now you're in hell again."

Michael was surprised by the question. He sighed before he replied "You know, at the beginning, father and I were the only two beings in existence. He was everything. Then he continued creating things and I was given orders that grew fewer and further between. It was not a pleasant feeling."

Jack thoughtfully commented "At first you just wanted to make him happy but in time, following orders was all you knew"

Michael gave a thoughtful nod and replied "In a way, yes. At first I'd hoped he would finish with his creations and I would get him back. Instead he left, eventually leaving me alone to rot in the cage. I was in there for so long."

Jack commented "That's awfully human of you"

Michael looked at him and asked "How so?"

Jack explained "You wanted your family. A home. You were so focused on what you thought would achieve it, you didn't realise you were only succeeding in making things worse. Now you are realising your mistakes"

"For one so young, you can be quite wise Jack" Michael stated.

Jack shrugged and said "My real father is an ultimate evil. I just know that family isn't simply a blood relation."

Krissy added "Family is the people in your life who love you and trust you. The ones who care about you and worry about you. That's how you feel about family"

Jack commented "Like Krissy and I with the Winchesters and the Clarions. The Clarions are as close as Sam and Dean but none of the Clarions are related"

Michael commented "You are all lucky to have each other"

Krissy commented "Dude you do realise you're part of the family now too, right? I mean the Winchesters might take some convincing but you can't blame them for that"

Michael stopped and looked at her with a confused expression. Jack nodded and said "She's right uncle Mike"

Michael stated "You'll have to forgive me finding that hard to believe"

Jack stated "Lotus wouldn't have let you come here to help me if she didn't trust you and have faith in you. She could have come with me and left you with Crowley"

Krissy teased "And she already knows you hate pants and eat all the bacon so that's saying something"

Jack laughed and Michael couldn't help but smile. They continued walking until a short while later when a grappling hook landed a few feet in front of them.

Michael attempted to kick the grappling hook but it didn't budge. He looked over the edge and saw one of Virgil's warriors ascending quickly.

Michael handed the word of god to Krissy and said "Run."

The three of them began to run but didn't get far before the mouthless demon landed behind them. Michael turned and fought but struggled. Before long his archangel blade was knocked out of his hand.

Jack moved forward and grabbed the blade as Michael was knocked backwards. He nearly fell off the cliff but Krissy grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the edge.

Jack was punched before he managed to stab the demon through the heart. Krissy asked "What the hell are those things?"

"Bad news" Michael replied as Jack handed him his blade. Michael then healed Jack's split lip before he added "Come on, we need to get off this cliff before more of them catch up."

{~~~}

The following day, the Winchesters, Clover, Lily and Lotus were walking through another part of the reserve. Dean questioned "You're sure this bitch hasn't left town?"

Lily replied "I thought she might have but I overheard a local while I was on the morning coffee run. She was spotted somewhere around here"

Sam commented "We should split up and cover more ground"

Lotus stated "There's a hiking trail up this way or further down that way are train tracks."

Dean said "There's a bigger chance of finding her along the hiking trail but the train tracks could be an escape route"

Clover stated "There's three of us so we should take the hiking trail. You guys OK to head for the train tracks?"

Dean nodded "We'll meet somewhere in the middle, hopefully with a dead alpha"

Lotus gave a nod and said "Stay safe guys, we'll see you soon"

Dean and Sam nodded before the group split up.

As Sam and Dean walked, Sam commented "This kind of reminds me of the old days"

"What do you mean?" Dean asked

Sam explained "The two of us wandering through the woods with only half a clue of what we're up against"

Dean smiled and replied "Back when you were the short one? I miss those days"

Sam chuckled and asked "Back then, did you ever imagine our lives could have turned out anything like they did?"

Dean shook his head and said "Back then, man back then I always thought you would have a wife and a white picket fence by now"

"Really?" Sam asked disbelievingly "You didn't think I'd still be hunting?"

Dean gave a shake of his head "Up until you left for Stanford my job was to take care of you. Just because I wasn't ready to quit that then, doesn't mean I didn't want better for you"

Sam smiled and questioned "So, back then, where did you imagine you'd be by now?"

Dean chuckled and said "Back then, I imagined that by now I'd be married to a playboy bunny who can cook the world's best pie. I imagined that by now I'd be like Bobby; telling hunters like Krissy and Claire what's what before calling them names. Oh, and that I'd have a bunch of dogs so you'd still want to visit"

Sam thought about it for a moment and laughed. "Dude, dogs or not I'd always want to visit. Always. I mean ideally we'll end up sharing a room in the same old folks home. Whacking each other with walking sticks while we argue over what we killed when"

This time Dean burst out laughing. "OK, that's funny" Dean said before he went quiet. He then added "We'd need to learn how to hustle bingo"

They shared a laugh until Dean grabbed his arm and said "Sshh. Look." He pointed through the trees where there are two of the wolf creatures, waiting by the train tracks.

They shared a look before they crept closer and began to fight the creatures. After a minute or two of fighting they managed to kill the creatures.

They caught their breath before Sam looked at Dean and said "Hey uh, for the record, about what you said before. I'm glad you didn't quit."

Dean said "Yeah, yeah. I still want to give you a haircut." He then hugged Sam tightly. "Now stop being a bitch" he added.

Sam chuckled and said "Yeah, love you too Jerk." They were still standing by the bodies of the dead wolf creatures when he added "I'll find a way to hustle bingo"

Dean chuckled and said "Good"

Sam commented "Anyway, neither of these is the alpha"

Dean replied "Yeah, we should head towards the hiking trail." They heard a train approaching and Dean added "Come on, let's get out of sight while we still have a chance to."

They began to move away from the tracks before Sam spotted the alpha. "Dean" Sam stated. The alpha was running towards them yet stopped nearby when it spotted them.

Sam and Dean readied themselves for a fight but the alpha laughed evilly at them before it said "You fools. You can't kill me that way, especially not when I'm alone. Your efforts are useless; you'll never stop the end of worlds."

Dean stated "Empty threats bitch. We will kill you."

The alpha snarled as both Winchesters moved forward to attack. The alpha fought them both and clearly had skills the other wolf creatures lacked. The alpha suffered a few minor cuts before it kicked each of the Winchesters over before it ran off.

Sam and Dean followed quickly but were too late. They watched the alpha jump and land on the train as it sped past them.

Dean angrily said "Son of a bitch!"

Sam questioned "What do you think she meant when she said she can't be killed alone?"

Dean replied "How the hell should I know? Whatever's going on gets weirder by the second."

Sam stated "You're not wrong. Come on, let's keep moving, there might be more of them."

They began moving back through the forest and soon met up with the clarions. Lily asked "I don't suppose you got her?"

Dean replied "Nope, she hopped on the train that was going past. She's long gone."

Lotus mumbled "Well fuck"

Clover stated "Well, it's beer o'clock somewhere. I say we head to the pub"

{~~~}

Several hours drive from the Winchesters current location there is a large lake surrounded by trees. The lake itself is quiet and with the exception of the occasional hiker, the area is quite isolated.

There is a deep green glow close to the centre of the lake. After a few seconds a small wooden rowing boat manifested in the light and began to move on it's own towards the shore.

There was a woman who stood in the middle of the boat with red eyes and short, messy hair. She was wearing a dark green tattered and burned dress and carried a large staff. The boat came to a stop on the shore and the strange woman calmly stepped off the boat before she tapped it with the base of her staff.

The boat disappeared and the woman appeared to smell the air, inhaling deeply. She walked away from the water with a sinister smile on her face.

{~~~}

The next day Dean and Sam were in their hotel room. Sam was waking Dean up so they could get ready to check out. Sam commented "Come on Dean, I want to go home"

Dean mumbled "Yeah, yeah. I'm up. Coffee?"

"It's on the table" Sam replied

Dean got up and moved over to the table when Castiel appeared. "Hello Dean, Sam."

Dean grunted a greeting and Sam said "Hey Cas. Are you OK?"

Castiel gave a nod and said "I am fine. Has anything important happened since I saw you last?"

Sam commented "Not much aside from us trying and failing to wipe out the weird new demon creatures. I don't suppose you've managed to find anything."

Castiel gave a shake of his head and said "No, there are too many conflicting stories."

Dean then stated "A pair of demons who don't even have mouths kidnapped Krissy and took her to hell. Jack and Michael went to rescue her"

"What?!" Castiel growled. "Why didn't you mention this sooner?"

Dean said "Sorry Cas, we should have. Apparently Crowley helped them get there."

Castiel was obviously annoyed as he stated "I need to go and see if there is anything I can do to help them. I need you two to look into a case for me"

{~~~}