Ch. 18

Dean and Sam Winchester sat in their motel room silently. Their cell phones sat on the coffee table in front of them as they waited for the call. They were in Red Cloud, Nebraska; a town of just barely 1,000 people. They were there after three deaths were reported, all sharing the distinct trait of the victims' hearts being missing. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what was going on. After Castiel had told them holding up at Bobby's was not their best bet for avoiding Michael and Lucifer, the two Winchesters had gone back to what they did best, hunting down and killing as many monsters as they could find.

They had a pretty good idea who the werewolf was and now they just waited. Bobby was perched outside the local college professor's residence as they waited for word he was on the move. So far they had yet to see any kind of sign of either demonic or angelic presences on their trail but they remained on edge. Percy said it was only a matter of time and Dean didn't really doubt it. They weren't exactly the most inconspicuous mortals in the world.

Before he could think any more on the subject, Dean's cellphone began to vibrate on the table in front of him. He looked at it to see a text message from Bobby. The message was short and simple.

Confirmed and on the move heading west from home.

Dean stood up, "We got to move." He said as he let the clip fall from his gun, double checking the silver ammunition as his brother did the same.

The two Winchesters jumped in the Impala and headed for the west part of town, the spot where all three victims had disappeared from. It only took fifteen minutes to reach their destination as they saw Bobby's car pulled onto the curb down a side street. Dean parked the Impala behind Bobby's ride and waiting as Bobby's driver's side door swung open.

He approached the Impala as Dean lowered his window.

"He took off into the park a few minutes ago, let's move."

Dean climbed out of the Impala as Sam did the same, both with their pistols in their hands as they followed Bobby into the park. The trio walked for several minutes before Bobby froze.

"Do you hear that?"

The screams of a woman could be heard in the distance before they took off at a sprint in the direction they were coming from. The ran for a few minutes before a woman burst through the tree line, running straight into Bobby making them both crash roughly to the ground.

Before either Sam or Dean could react, a second figure came barreling out of the woods, running straight through the two Winchester brothers and knocking them both to the ground.

Dean looked up to seeing a wolfish looking man stopped over Bobby and the woman before he looked around at both Dean and Sam before letting loose a roar of outrage.

Dean jumped to his feet only to be backhanded hard, sending him flying into a nearby tree where his gun dropped from his hand.

Sam managed to get a shot off, grazing the werewolf in the shoulder as it yelped in pain. Before he could get another shot off, the monster smacked his weapon free and pinned him to the ground. The creature barred its fangs as it prepared to feast on the younger Winchester's flesh.

Before it could bite, the wolf was pulled backwards. The woman who had been running from it had grabbed the creature by the head before she snapped its neck in one fluid motion, ripping its head clean off its body.

Sam, Dean and Bobby slowly climbed to their feet looking at the woman in shock. She turned towards them with a smirk on her face.

"Hello boys. I thought you might show up to save the day." She said as her eyes flashed black.

Before any of the three could reach for a weapon, the demon flicked her wrist sending the guns flying far from their grasps.

"Don't worry, I brought friends." She grinned.

Demons began climbing out of the woods by the dozen until over thirty stood in a wide circle around the three hunters, all wearing the same smug satisfied smiles.

"This was too easy," the female demon laughed. "You idiots hear a damsel in distress and come running to be the heroes, both predictable and pathetic. I'm afraid the running is over boys, time for you both to fulfill your destinies."

Dean narrowed his eyes, "We're not doing anything you little bitch, the only way we're going anywhere is if you're dragging our dead bodies."

The demon laughed, "Don't worry Dean that can be arranged. You'll just be brought back to life when needed. Please, make it that easy for us."

A small little blonde haired girl made her way through the crowd of demons and stood beside the three cornered hunters.

"Leave them alone. They are off limits." The little girl said frowning as she stomped her foot childishly.

The demons starting laughing hard, hardly even glancing at the child.

"Looks like we've even found a little snack to enjoy along with our prizes." One of the demons laughed and a couple others stepped towards the girl.

The little girl lifted her head and smiled sadistically, "A snack sounds lovely but none of you are worthy to be my meals. It's a shame they sent such pathetic little demons after these three."

The demons looked at the little girl confused before her eyes shifted to a milky white making a number of demons pale.

"Impossible." The female demon gasped, "You're dead."

The little girl smiled, "I was but I'm back to play! Who wants to be my friend?" She said excitedly.

Dean, Sam and Bobby were looking at the child in shock.

"Zoë?" Dean asked unsure.

The child pouted, "Come on Dean, it's me, Lilith. How did you forget about me so quickly?"

One of the demons charged forward and Lilith turned and thrust out her hand, stopping it in its tracks.

"No, no little one. I brought friends too!" Lilith grinned before two demons cried out in pain as their eyes flashed with light before they dropped to the ground.

A brunette with a dagger in hand and an auburn haired woman dressed in armor stood over their bodies. Before the demons could react, several more cried out in pain, arrows sticking out of various parts of their bodies before the scene descended into chaos.

More and more arrows flew in from both sides as demons dropped to the ground, desperately pulling at the arrows as the iron burned their flesh.

A demon ran at Sam trying to grab him before it froze as a white light glowed brightly from behind him before the demon's body dropped to the ground dead. Lilith looked at Sam and winked making him just gape at her and wonder what the hell was exactly going on. Sam, Dean and Bobby were in the middle of the chaos without weapons, forced to just watch everything that was happening around them.

Within a few minutes, dozens of dead bodies lay on the ground; only few demons were able escape the massacre before Lilith turned to the three hunters grinning.

"Did you guys miss me?"

Dean fired a shot straight at her head but to his disbelief the bullet stopped in midair before dropping harmlessly to the ground.

Two more figures appeared in front of Lilith as Dean, Sam and Bobby looked at them in shock.

"Perhaps not the best way to say thank you for saving your life." Percy said sarcastically.

"What the hell is this man, she's dead." Dean growled looking at Lilith in disbelief.

Percy shook his head disapprovingly, "Allies Dean, we need allies. Lilith has always been a dear friend and even if her loyalties were once misplaced, I would not miss the chance to bring her back. She is a powerful ally to have fighting for our side."

Dean gaped at Percy for a second before Sam started to yell.

"She's the whole reason we're in this mess! She freed Lucifer and now you bring her back and expect us to trust her?"

Percy narrowed his eyes at the youngest Winchester he raised her hand as Sam clutched his throat struggling to breathe.

"You were just as responsible for freeing Lucifer boy. I suggest you watch your tone." He said before dropping his hand and allowing Sam to breathe again.

Sam paled slightly remembering the beating Percy laid on him the last time he was crossed. He nodded quickly having no wish to experience something like that again.

Dean just stared at Percy before he turned to Castiel hoping for some backup.

"Please tell me you're not on board with this."

Castiel tilted his head to side, thinking of how to best respond.

"Perseus is our only hope for survival against what we face. He says she can be trusted and I will not doubt him." Castiel replied, "She is a powerful ally to have fighting for our side." He added looking at Dean hoping he would see the logic.

Dean shook his head but stopped when he heard Bobby gasp.

"Bela?"

The brunette smiled, "Hello Bobby, Dean, Sam. It's been a while." She said in her British accent.

"How are you here?" Bobby asked in disbelief.

Bela smirked, "I was recruited by our mutual archangel friend over there. When my choices are Hell or this, it was an easy decision." She said before her eyes flashed black making all three hunters look at her warily.

"You're a demon now?" Sam asked in disbelief.

Bela shrugged, "It's really not so bad. I get my body back and have a few nifty new powers that make things a lot easier. I was in Hell anyway; it was bound to happen eventually, this way I got to skip the torture for centuries before making the change."

A dozen young teenage girls in silver parkas and combat boots stepped out of the woods from both sides as Dean looked around confused. A young auburn haired girl with silver eyes looked at Percy who nodded.

"Thank you Artemis, your aide is greatly appreciated." Percy said before he closed his eyes for a second. A minute later, another girl in a silver parka appeared out of nowhere. "For your help, I will return another hunter back from the dead." He said looking at the goddess.

Artemis' eyes widened as the girl approached her warily. Artemis wrapped the young girl in a tight embrace before sending her off to join her sisters.

"Where were you camped before I called?" Percy asked.

"In northern Vermont, just outside of the town of Quechee." Artemis answered quickly.

Percy nodded and snapped his fingers as the goddess and the thirteen hunters vanished from their spots, reappearing inside their camp halfway across the country.

"And who in the hell where those girls?" Bobby asked shaking his head in disbelief.

"The goddess Artemis and her immortal handmaidens," Percy said chuckling at his look of shock. "I had originally killed them when I first returned to the world but later remembered they could be of use to me in a situation like this."

"Percy!" Dean yelled still glancing at Lilith warily. "What the hell is this? Why would you bring her back, and who's the other one? I don't know if I can get on board with this."

Percy nodded, "My apologies Dean, that was very rude of me; this is Abaddon, formerly a Knight of Hell who was killed by Raphael centuries ago. I brought her back shortly after my rise and she serves me now instead of Lucifer." He explained before smirking mischievously, "As for what I'm doing, think of it like the avengers, I'm Director Fury and this is my team, a mix of the best of Heaven and Hell to save this little planet when no one else can or will." He said in a mock serious voice.

Dean looked at him incredulously, "What?"

Percy rolled his eyes, "What are my options? Fight Heaven and Hell myself, thanks but no thanks. I had plans, plans that had nothing to do with watching over you two like the lost little puppies you are but things have changed. If Lucifer and Michael fight, then this planet goes bye-bye. My plan involves not being killed along with everyone else. Sure I could simply join them, make it a triple threat battle royale but I am smart enough to know those two would simply team up and waste me before they go after each other. Instead of bitching about things from the past, how about you get a little grateful I happen to have so many powerful friends who are willing to help watch over you two."

Dean was a little taken aback. He looked at Sam who was mirroring his expression before he turned to Bobby.

Bobby simply shrugged, "Don't look at me, I've got no love for demons but given the circumstances I'm not looking to push away any help at this point either."

Dean looked back at Percy before his eyes widened. Percy raised an eyebrow but Dean just cursed, "Shit."

Percy turned around and laid eyes on a half-dozen men in suits, a balder, mid to late forties looking man in the front.

"Zachariah," Castiel growled.

Zachariah smiled, "Yes I believe you boys have something that belongs to us. Why don't we make this easy and you just give us Dean so we can all walk away winners."

"And I believe we'll be taking dearest Sammy with us." A female voice said from the other side of Percy's group.

"Meg," Dean spat with narrowed eyes as a dozen demons stood behind her waiting.

"Well isn't this just awesome, like a little family reunion right here on earth." Percy said casually. "We've got Lucifer's little pets on one end and Michael's squad of dickless fairies on the other. Is this co-existence I'm sensing?"

Zachariah looked over at the demons distastefully before his faced turned uncaring, "When the shoes fits I suppose. Both our goals are the same so why not work together to achieve it before we let the bosses decide who's going to run this planet?"

Percy raised an eyebrow, "Why don't we skip the games, I think we all know you didn't show up here with six angels. Not even you are arrogant enough to think six of you would be enough to stop me even if you had fifty demons helping you out."

Zachariah smirked and held up his hands in surrender, "Alright, you caught me." He chuckled as another dozen angels appeared behind him, all with blades out ready to fight.

Percy nodded, "Still not enough and you know it."

Zachariah scratched his bald head, "You know, I thought there was something else but what was it again? It's right there on the tip of my tongue but I can't seem to put my finger on it."

"Hello brother," a new voice said as it walked out of the tree line.

"Lucifer," Percy muttered. "Nice of you to join the party, no Michael? Did he send his little brother to do the dirty work?"

Lucifer shook his head slowly, "Michael is not of concern at the moment. His vessel isn't stable enough for long term use, so it's just a little bonding for you and I."

Percy narrowed his eyes as he watched Lucifer slowly approach him. His walked slowly, eyeing Percy with every step he took.

"It doesn't have to be this way Perseus. I've come to realize that while you were once one of those cockroaches my father expected us to bow to, you are now one of us, one of my brothers. Just give us the Winchesters and let Michael and I do our thing; stand aside and let destiny play out as it should. No matter who wins you'll be free to live your little life however you wish." Lucifer said casually stopping a few feet away from Percy.

Percy tilted his head to the left, "You know, I had a thought you might stop by tonight Lucy. I must say you make a very generous offer. Now, let me give you my counter offer." He said as two figures appeared on each side of Lucifer.

Anna and Balthazar both dropped matches on the ground as holy oil caught fire and blazed quickly all around the two archangels as several other circles appeared including ones around Percy, Balthazar, Anna and Lucifer.

"What is this?" Lucifer growled.

Percy smirked, "Like I said, I thought you might show up, so I took necessary precautions. Since I wasn't sure exactly where you'd stand, I covered all my bases."

Lilith stepped forward and raised her hand as the fire around Percy shrank before going out completely.

"Lilith," Lucifer growled. "You would betray your own father, your creator?"

The demon inside the small child's body narrowed her eyes, "I died. I died to free you from your prison. When I was resurrected, I thought it was you, showing your gratitude for my sacrifice. But no, it wasn't. You left me dead, probably didn't even think about me once since I gave my existence to free you. Perhaps you were once my father but not anymore. I serve Perseus now and I shall continue to do so for however long I'm alive again."

"I'm going to filet you alive you worthless little insect." Lucifer spat.

"Actually you probably won't." Percy said casually as he turned to the two fires surrounding Anna and Balthazar making them shrink before going out. "Lilith is a dear friend and I believe she has earned this second existence. But, on a good note, you can watch as we rip apart Michael's little bitch squad over there."

Percy turned towards Zachariah grinning mischievously, "Don't try to leave, I've covered an entire five block radius with Enochian sigils to prevent you from escaping. You could run but I think we both know how that'd turn out for you. You really thought you could pull one over on me? An archangel? You," he said pointing directly at Zachariah, "I'm going to rip apart slowly for your arrogance you pathetic little weasel and Lucifer is going to watch me do it."

Percy turned towards Meg and the group of demons behind her who were now looking nervously at Percy.

"Goodbye." Percy grinned as he snapped his fingers and Meg's body exploded into a shower of blood and body parts. The remaining demons vanished before they shared her fate leaving Percy and his group with the small group of angels led by Zachariah.

Castiel looked at Percy almost pleadingly making him sigh. He turned to the angels shook his head.

"Remember the generosity and kindness Castiel is granting you this day as I promise you will never receive it again."

Percy flicked his wrist as the angels behind Zachariah vanished leaving the one remaining angel trembling slightly at the predicament he was in.

Percy smiled and looked up into the sky, "Hmm, I see you may have misplaced your loyalties as I don't see Michael descending from Heaven to save you."

"Now let's not be rash," Zachariah said holding up his hands. "There is no reason this needs to turn violent."

Percy reappeared behind Zachariah kicking him the back and sending him crashing headfirst into the ground. Percy slowly walked up as Zachariah tried to rise but kicked him hard in the ribs sending him rolling as he grunted in pain.

"Now what was it you called me?" Percy asked casually strolling up to Zachariah and kicking him in the face as he gasped for breath.

"Oh yes, a freak, that's what you called me. You know, I put on this tough guy façade but the truth is I'm very sensitive." Percy said in mock sadness. "You have no idea how much ice cream I had to eat to drown out my self-hatred."

"Please, forgive me." Zachariah pleaded. "I'll do whatever you want."

Percy rolled his eyes as he pinned him down with a foot to the back as Anaklusmos appeared in his hand. He raised it up before he paused.

"No. Where are my manners? I believe you were one of the ones responsible for Anna's special treatment in Heaven, were you not?"

Zachariah's eyes widened, "I was under orders. I could not defy the wishes of Michael."

Percy shook his head, "You could but you're nothing but a spineless coward." He said before turning to Anna, "Would you like the honors?"

Anna narrowed her eyes as she looked at Zachariah, "Nothing would give me greater satisfaction." She said stalking towards where Zachariah was pinned down. Her angel blade appeared into her hand as she wasted no time in driving through the top of his skull as his body emitted a blinding light before an explosion of light sent a flash through the area. When it was gone, Zachariah's dead body lay on the ground with the blackened outline of angel wings illustrating the place of his demise.

Percy smiled, "You go girl."

Anna smiled before looking at Percy seriously. They stared at each other for a second as they communicated telepathically before she nodded.

"Time to go boys." She said turning to where Sam, Dean and Bobby were watching the scene unfold. Before they could argue, they three hunters, Anna, Castiel and Balthazar all vanished from the park.

Percy turned to Lilith, Abbadon and Bela, "Thanks for the help ladies, go have yourselves some fun."

Lilith smiled evilly before she and the other two vanished as well leaving only Percy standing with a still trapped Lucifer.

"So, this is the part where you are going to try and kill me? Doesn't seem fair with me being trapped and unable to defend myself." Lucifer said eyeing Percy closely.

Percy raised his hand before lowering it as the fire surrounding the archangel shrank and went out.

"Well that wasn't what I was expecting." Lucifer said with an eyebrow raised.

"You know you aren't as powerful as I am at the moment. You are far too intelligent to try to move against me. I may be a lot of things but one thing I am not is a coward. I am sure we will have our day when we go toe-to-toe but I will not do it like this."

Lucifer nodded, "That could and will most likely be a fatal mistake on your part. Not a very good strategy but I have to respect your confidence."

Percy smirked, "Let's not pretend you know anything about me Lucifer. When you broke out of your cage the last thing you expected to find was a third player on the chess board. We both know this story is far from over. I have foreseen parts of what is to come and I think my current strategy is just fine."

Lucifer shook his head, "It doesn't have to be like this..." He started before Percy cut him off.

"Actually I'm afraid it does. Until we meet again big brother." Percy said before vanishing from his spot leaving Lucifer standing there in the middle of a conversation for the second time.