Chapter Forty-One

Plan Ark

Bobby's House: July 27, 2010 - Evening

Dinner proved to be the perfect chance to get everyone together, minus the lack of space that underlined Azrial's suggestion to move out of Bobby's house.

"So, you're the real deal?" Dean asked Marcus, his voice quivering in excitement. "Like, swords, shields, epic battles, and all that?"

Marcus raised an eyebrow and Sam laughed. "He lives for this stuff," Sam said. "Just tell him to shut up if he annoys you."

"Oh, bite me Samantha!" Dean huffed, handing a plate of food to Castiel. "It ain't exactly every day we meet a damn legionnaire!"

Sam rolled his eyes, shouldering past his brother. "You're such a fangirl, Dean."

Azrial laughed, but didn't try to rescue Marcus from Dean. She was still processing that he was even here, and all the messy emotions his presence brought. Mostly guilt...almost entirely guilt when she factored in her fall.

"You doin' okay?"

Azrial blinked, glancing at Bobby. He'd come to sit next to her and offered a beer. She happily took it, sipping on the alcohol and trying to pull her thoughts into some semblance of order.

"I never thought I'd get a chance to apologize for leaving him," she said softly. "And yet here he is. In fucking jeans no less."

Bobby swallowed back a laugh and leaned against his desk. Azrial scooted closer and leaned into his side when Bobby draped an arm around her. Considering all the seats were taken, they would probably be stuck sitting on the desk anyway.

"I can't imagine what I'd do in your situation," Bobby said. "Not that I haven't thought about it. Hell, I'd say I've agonized over what I'd say to Karen if given the chance."

Azrial hummed, watching everyone serve themselves in the kitchen. Crowley was bickering with Rowena about something, though it seemed more like teasing these days. Sam was sitting close to Gabriel, which was a new development. Castiel and Dean were joined at the hip as always, meaning her little brother was near Marcus as well. Rufus was chatting with Balthazar, and the two seemed to be enjoying their conversation.

Azrial turned and kissed Bobby's cheek. "When this is over, we'll make sure you have the chance."

Bobby shot her a surprised look. "Are you allowed to do that?"

"I can do what I want," she said. "Who's honestly going to stop me from borrowing a soul from Heaven for a few hours?"

Bobby shifted so he could look in her eyes. He seemed to be searching for something and seemed to find it. He took a deep breath and placed a shaky kiss on her forehead.

"Thanks," he whispered.

"I should be thanking you," she said as he pulled away. "I mean, great choice with the slim fit jeans."

Bobby chuckled, shooting Marcus an appraising look. "Can't take credit for that. Crowley took over his wardrobe the moment he realized we had to speak with you."

"I can die happy now," she teased. "I mean, that ass!"

She broke into laughter and Bobby soon joined her. Crowley walked over once they started to calm down, handing Bobby a plate of food.

"I'm afraid to ask what has you two cackling like hyenas," Crowley drawled.

"Just commenting on the view," Bobby said dismissively.

"Of course you are." Crowley rolled his eyes before glancing at her. "How are you handling this?"

She raised an eyebrow at the open, but quiet, concern in his voice. "In regards to?"

Crowley frowned. "The fact I have to specify is just sad. These past few years have been a nightmare."

Azrial hummed in agreement. "I've experienced more bullshit in the past decade than I have in a long time, that's for sure."

"Looks like everyone is eating," Bobby pointed out. "You gonna tackle Plan Ark now?"

"Give them a couple more minutes," she whispered. "I don't wanna ruin their food."

Bobby sighed, but nodded after a moment and began eating. Azrial sipped her beer as Crowley fell into the chair that normally sat across from Bobby's desk. Marcus was still a victim of Dean's game of 20 questions. It was funny to watch his facial expressions as he took in Dean's questions. His honey eyes met hers briefly when he looked away from Dean, and she smiled softly. It seemed to ease some of the tension on Marcus's face, and he went back to answering Dean.

"How is he speaking English so well?" Azrial asked, turning toward Crowley.

"Magic," Crowley said bluntly. "You don't want the long answer."

She snorted. "I'll take your word for it."

"Will you take him to bed?" Crowley asked.

Azrial stiffened, snorting the beer she'd been drinking back into the bottle. She ended up coughing for several moments, and Bobby patted her back gently. She took a deep breath and shot Crowley a dirty look.

"What the hell?" she hissed.

"What?" He smirked knowingly, shooting a hungry look at Marcus. "He's rather handsome."

"The last thing on my mind is bedding my late husband!" Her voice cracked a bit, but thankfully it didn't look like anyone heard her outburst.

Crowley chuckled. "Well, if you get around to it make sure I'm invited."

Azrial looked at Bobby. "Do you have anything to add?" she asked drily.

"Nothin' at the moment, princess. If ya wanna get with him while ya have the chance, I can't blame you. I'm old, not dead, remember?"

Azrial snorted and took a deep swig of beer. "The two of you will be the death of me," she muttered against the bottle.

Bobby swallowed a laugh and Azrial relaxed back into his side as he ate. She shut her eyes, enjoying the sound of everyone talking. It brought a sense of peace that she'd been missing recently. They'd been scattered across the world for months, and being back together was wonderful. She was about to stand up to get some food when a wave of fear washed over her.

She shot to her feet, barely registering Bobby's curse as he dropped his plate. Her beer met the same fate as another wave of fear slammed into her, making her head spin.

"Castiel," she snapped and pried her eyes open.

He was already heading toward her, dropping his blade into his palm as he went. "I heard," he said tightly.

"Good, get us there. Before I decide to blow my damn cover."

"What's going on?" Dean asked, rushing over.

"Claire is in trouble," Castiel said. "We have to go. Azrial and I will handle it."

Azrial shot a look at Bobby and Crowley. "Get the others up to speed. I have a feeling shit just hit the fan."

Bobby nodded and Azrial grabbed Castiel's arm. Dean still looked worried, but nodded firmly when Castiel shot him a questioning look.

"Go get 'em," Dean said. "I'll be here."

Castiel didn't wait for Dean to say more and they vanished from the house.

Line Break

"What was she talking about?" Dean asked as soon as the two angels vanished.

Bobby sighed, and leaned down to pick up the dropped food and beer. "The short story is that Azrial has been planning for doomsday. Not just the fight, but the worst case scenario."

"That being?" Sam asked. "I mean, the world's ending."

"If we all had to tuck our tails to fight another day," Bobby said softly as he stood up.

Dean frowned. He hated to admit it, but there was a high possibility they'd need to do just that. It wasn't in his nature to turn away from a fight, but he'd taken Rowen's words to heart after the shit show with Lucifer. There was no reason to fight needless battles, especially when all it would result in was his or his family's death.

"What's she thinking?" Dean asked.

Bobby raised an eyebrow. "You ain't gonna try and argue to stay here?"

"I learned my lesson last time," Dean flatly replied. "So lay it on me."

The flash of pride in Bobby's eyes hammered home that he'd made the right choice.

Crowley cleared his throat, making Dean glance at him. "She suggested we move to the Valerius Estate. After all, it housed an army before. It can do it again."

"That makes a lot of sense," Sam admitted. "It was getting pretty crowded here."

"We're also an easy target," Gabriel said. "The wards here are good, but they aren't old. Sometimes that can make a huge difference."

"Azrial keeps sayin' that, but I'm not sure I fully understand," Bobby said.

"Old wards are continuously fed," Balthazar explained from the kitchen table. "Every generation that lives and thrives under them feeds back into them when they die. Souls are power, and souls that feel indebted are even more powerful."

Rowena hummed in agreement. "Add in the spilled blood of enemies, and you have some of the strongest wards you could ask for."

"Okay, so we go...where is it?" Dean asked after a moment. "You only talked about it based on your experience in the past."

Marcus said something in his native tongue to Crowley, who nodded.

"Southern France," Crowley said. "And from what little I know of the property, it's massive."

"Wouldn't that make it harder to protect?" Sam asked.

"It depends on how creative Azrial got over the years." Gabriel shrugged and grinned. "I mean, you've seen some of the realities I've created."

Dean snorted, mulling over that information. He frowned and glanced at Bobby.

"Wait, why would we need all that space just for the group of us?"

Bobby smirked. "Cause it wouldn't just be us. Azrial's plan only works if we save a decent group of people, that's why it got dubbed Plan Ark."

Dean stared at Bobby. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. She's apparently had this plan for a while." Bobby tilted his head thoughtfully. "So the question is; whose in?"

Dean glanced at Sam. Castiel wasn't here, but he had a feeling the angel would sign onto this. Anything to keep them relatively safe and together. Sam nodded slowly and Dean turned back to Bobby.

"We're in if you're going, old man."

Bobby snorted. "Azrial would hog tie my ass if I tried to stay here."

"And I'd help her," Crowley muttered.

Dean chuckled. "Well, that was easy."

"Consider me packed," Rufus cut in. "We flying or getting air dropped like on the hunt?"

"I didn't think you'd come," Bobby said with a raised eyebrow. "Figured you'd wanna stay here."

"Does this look like a horror movie to you, Bobby?" Rufus demanded. "I ain't gonna be the first to fucking die!"

Bobby rolled his eyes so hard Dean was sure the man saw the back of his head. Balthazar leaned back in his chair and held up a glass.

"I'm following Azrial and Gabriel, so I'll be there."

"Azrial will need me," Gabriel said. "She's probably thinking of pulling the whole property into a pocket reality."

"You can do that?" Sam asked.

"It would take all the angels here, but yes." Gabriel paused, tilting his head. "Hell, I may need Rowena and Crowley's help too. Depends on how big the property is."

"It would take half a day to go from one end of the property to the other on foot," Marcus cut in. "At least a morning on horse."

Dean whistled. "Damn. That's...a lot."

"Well, it seems I'll be going," Rowena said primly.

Crowley huffed, but didn't object. Bobby nodded, and pulled out his phone book.

"Alright, then we get to work calling people. We should probably contact Orion as well, cause I don't wanna imagine the customs nightmare this is gonna cause."

"You ever mention we ran into Azrial's scary cousin?" Rufus asked Bobby.

"Cousin?" Dean asked, looking between the two men. "They're angels. They don't have cousins."

"Which death god did you run into?" Gabriel asked curiously, nonplussed.

"Uh, not god," Bobby said. "We met Alecto."

Gabriel squinted in thought. "What the hell was Alecto doing in a damn swamp?"

"Fleein' Hell," Rufus said. "Least that was his story."

"Wait, Alecto the Fury?" Sam asked. "I thought...well-"

"Same here!" Rufus laughed. "But nah. Just a damn good lookin' man."

"The Erinyes have fled Hell?" Crowley asked, surprise dripping off his voice.

"Yeah, said Lucifer was trying to make them fight." Bobby frowned, shooting Crowley a searching look. "You seem surprised."

"They rarely come above," Crowley said. "They're permanent denizens of Hell, and rather like it there."

"That tracks," Sam admited. "They were created purely to punish the worst of sinners."

"But they are no threat to a normal person," Marcus firmly cut in. Dean glanced at the man, surprised at the conviction in his voice.

"You've met them?" Dean asked.

"Only Megaera," Marcus said. "But I do not doubt her siblings are of the same temperament."

Rufus nodded in agreement with Marcus's assessment. "Alecto said the only issue was Tisiphone, and that's just cause Bobby and I were hunters. Apparently the bloodshed can set her off."

"He's right," Crowley said, tapping his foot impatiently. "Of the three, Tisiphone does the majority of work these days. I'm surprised Lucifer hasn't noticed them missing."

"Hell politics ain't important right now," Bobby said firmly. "Everyone get out a damn phone and take a number. We've got a shit ton of people to call. Marcus, do you think you can keep a list of answers?"

"I...should be able to," Marcus said after a moment. "My writing may be incorrect."

"Don't worry about it," Bobby reassured. "Anything will help right now, and you can always have us repeat what we said."

Dean caught the tossed burner phone with one hand. It was gonna be a long night.

Line Break

Claire stumbled back, holding her bleeding shoulder. The demon in front of her tracked her movements with a sharp eye, and Claire placed herself between Jo and the monster. Her friend was on the ground with a broken arm and ribcage, and Claire knew they had to get out of here.

"Fighting is pointless," the possessed women sang.

"Bite me," Claire snarled.

Azrial, please, Claire silently begged. We need you and Cas.

The woman lunged forward, and Claire shut her eyes. There wasn't much she could do, considering the demon had taken their guns. She opened her eyes at the sound of feathers, and found herself staring at Azrial's back. The archangel had caught the demon's hand in a vice grip. She glanced back when Jo groaned to see Castiel healing the woman's wounds.

"Sorry we're late," Azrial said softly. "War meeting ran a little long."

"I'm just glad you're here," Claire said tiredly.

Azrial hummed, and Claire could hear bones cracking as the demon struggled to get away from her.

"Why did you attack my charge?" Azrial hissed, reaching out to grab the demon's jaw. "You must have seen she was thrice marked by Heaven."

"Dagon ordered us to retrieve her!" Azrial raised an eyebrow at the quick confession, and the demon paled when it became clear she wasn't letting go. "I swear, I'm just obeying orders!"

"And why would sister Dagon want a blessed human?" Azrial asked sweetly.

Claire felt a slight jolt of pleasure at the fear on the demon's face. It wasn't like the bastard would have spared a thought to her or Jo if the situation was reversed. She turned away from Azrial and leaned down to help Jo sit up.

"Are you okay?" Claire asked.

"Fine," Jo said. "Can't believe she got the jump on us."

"It happens," Castiel reassured them. "You've been hunting alone for months, and this is the first time you've needed us."

Claire smiled weakly. "Thanks for coming, by the way. Azrial mentioned a war meeting?"

"We were discussing how best to proceed," Castiel explained. "I have a feeling she'll want you both to come back to Bobby's with us."

"This isn't the first demon we've run into," Jo admitted. "Just the first to get the jump on us."

Castiel frowned, and glanced at Azrial. She was talking quietly to the demon in her grip and Claire couldn't make out what was being said. It was clear Azrial was pissed though.

"Why did she say I was thrice marked?" Claire asked, turning back to Castiel.

"I'm not sure," he said. "You are under both our protection though, so it would still be foolish to attack you."

"Tell that to the demons," Jo huffed, struggling to her feet.

Claire helped the woman up, just as a loud thump echoed from behind them. The three of them turned to see the now empty body hit the ground. Azrial walked over, running her eyes over them.

"Are you both alright?" Azrial asked.

"Fine now," Claire said. "Thanks again for the save."

Azrial hummed, and gently held her face. She seemed to be looking her over for any possible injury, and Clarie tried to push down the warmth curling in her chest.

"Good, good," she said. "It seems the two of you are no longer safe to hunt alone."

"What?" Jo yelped. "Why not?"

"Claire has a hit out on her from Dagon," Azrial said as she let go of Claire's face. "That peon didn't know much, but confirmed they wanted her as a sacrifice for something."

"Why?" Castiel demanded.

"Her connection to you, apparently." Azrial paused, frowning thoughtfully. "I don't like that they need sacrifices."

"It can't be anything good," Castiel said. "Considering our plans, shall we take the girls back to Bobby's?"

"That's probably for the best." Azrial turned to Jo. "Bobby is probably calling your mother anyway."

Claire glanced at Azrial, surprised at the quiet distaste in her voice. If Jo noticed, she didn't say anything.

"Can I uh," Claire paused. "What did you mean when you said I was thrice marked?"

Azrial chuckled, pulling Claire into her side. "Well, you're blessed by myself and Castiel, but you also have another angel looking out for you. It's not overly important at the moment though."

"Oh." Claire really didn't know what else to say.

"Don't worry," Azrial said. "It's nothing bad, and you're gonna be fine."

"I believe you," Claire said. "Will I meet the other angel?"

Azrial laughed, her eyes glowing in the dimly lit room. "Oh yes. I'll introduce you myself, if only to see his reaction."

"So, what should we do with the bike?" Jo asked. "I don't feel comfortable leaving an arsenal in the middle of nowhere."

Azrial turned to Castiel. "If I lend my power do you think you can handle it?"

Castiel hummed, tilting his head in thought. "I should be able to. Let me drop the three of you back at the house first."

"Wait, why can't Azrial just fly?" Claire asked.

"Please ask that in front of Bobby," Azrial requested with a cheshire grin.

"Do I want to know?" Jo asked.

Castiel snorted. "It's an ongoing joke."

Author's Note:

I'm alive! I'm really sorry about the massive delay. A lot has been going on, along with a family member passing away and a lot of health issues. Things are finally calming down to where I feel I can post again without it taking more spoons than it brings. Thanks so much for being patient, and enjoy the new chapter.

Next Update: Saturday, April 8, 2023