I do not own any of this.
Chapter 2 Return home
When Daiel opened her eyes, she was no longer in a classroom, she was in Heaven. A small smile crossed the archangel's lips as she looked around, it looked just as beautiful as it had the day she decided to leave. It had been a long time since she had been home. She ran her hands down the long white robe that she was wearing, she forgot how comfortable they were.
"Come on Daiel. Come on, come on, come on, come on." Anael said
"I'm coming Ana, just taking in the view. It's been a long time since I was here." Daiel said smiling
Anael looked a little guilty.
"I forgot, sorry." Anael said
"Forgiven." Daiel said smiling before groaning and muttering "Oh boy here we go."
Just as she spoke those words, a yell from several cherubim was heard:
"Archangel Daiel has returned!"
That was the only warning she had before she was tackled to the ground by six extremely eager cherubs. Daiel let out an undignified "Oomf" as she fell. Anael took one look at the scene and burst out laughing. Daiel glared at her sister and grinned maliciously. Anael recognized that look. "Oh no." She thought
"No! No! Don't you dare!" Anael shouted desperately knowing what her sister was thinking
"Hey everyone look, it's Anael." Daiel said still grinning
"ANAEL!" the cherubs shouted before tackling the young seraph
Daiel started laughing herself as poor Anael was smothered by cherubs.
"Daiel, shut up!" Anael said glaring at her sister as the cherubs got off her
"All's fair in love and war little sister. Now, you said dad called a meeting?" Daiel said
"Yeah, everyone who isn't a cherubim or fledgling are in the throne room, the meeting wasn't supposed to start until you arrived though." Anael said
The duo made their way to the throne room and walked in. Surprisingly, it was empty, much to their surprise.
"Huh, it's empty, I was not expecting this." Daiel said raising an eyebrow
"I swear, Father was supposed to be here with the others..." Anael said before she was interrupted
"Anael, I need to talk with your sister alone for a moment, you may join the others in the garden though." The voice said
The two girls turned and saw their father standing there
"Daddy." Daiel said throwing her arms around him
"Hello Daiel my dear." God said hugging her back
"Where have you been Father? We needed you." Daiel asked
"I was on vacation as the humans call it. I uh... realize that uh... maybe taking off when my sons were at each others throats wasn't the best of ideas." God said looking mildly sheepish
"What brought you back?" Daiel asked
"I ran into Virgil, he was able to sens I was God, I uh... left the barrier down that kept me from being sensed by Angels. He informed me of everything that happened in my absence. I was not to happy about it. Yeah, so I summoned everyone here for a meeting." God explained "Shall we?"
Daiel nodded and walked alongside her father as they headed towards the garden.
"I will admit I was upset to find out that you had left. You and Gabriel." God said as he looked at his youngest of the archangels
"I apologize for leaving father... Just, it was to much, one of my brothers was banished, a second gone, a third and fourth to devastated to realize that they were ignoring their duties and me, trying not to fall apart under the strain. I guess, after a while, I decided I needed a vacation. It eventually turned into a extended one because... well, I guess I was pretty fascinated with humans." Daiel said
"I can understand the fascination. Where did you go anyway?" God asked
"I stuck around on earth for a few years then I went off and found the magic dimension. I liked it there and decided to stick around. This is my newest vessel, the miracle baby of the king and queen of Domino. The girl had died after she was born, so just before she headed up to Heaven, I caught her soul and asked to use her body as a vessel. She said yes and well, I'm in her body. Good thing my grace and her dragon fire work well together or only you and heaven know what the consequences might be." Daiel said
"Yeah, good thing my dear. Daiel, can you forgive me for leaving you alone, for leaving you all alone when I was needed the most?" God asked
"Oh Father, of course I forgive you. You made me archangel of forgiveness and redemption for a reason." Daiel said a joking tone in her voice
God laughed happily and Daiel joined in. They arrived at the garden and were face with a brawl. Daiel and God exchanged looks and Daiel sighed in annoyance. She rose to her full height and extended her wings.
"SHUT UP! I am not in the mood for pointless fighting and I do believe that Father is with me on this one!" Daiel roared
God just nodded, Daiel had quite the temper.
"What she said. Now, let's get down to business shall we. Everyone sit!" God said
Everyone sat down. Anael gave a tight lipped smile to Daiel.
"First of all, I have an apology to make, I realize that going on vacation when I was needed most wasn't the best of ideas. I hope you can all forgive me." He said
"Of course Father." Came the simultaneous voices of the assembled angels
"I called this meeting because, well... I made a couple of mistakes in the past. And as the humans say, I should own up to them. So... I'm sorry for taking off when I was needed most. Uh... I realize that maybe taking a vacation while my sons were at each others throats was a bad idea." God said "Daiel has already forgiven me, I hope you guys can too."
"We forgive you father."
Daiel frowned slightly, there were three angels missing, more precisely three archangels.
"Father, where are my brothers? You know, Raphael and Michael." Daiel pointed out "And I forgot Gabriel, you probably summoned him back. Where are they? I would have thought they would be here to."
"Yeah, that brings me to the next point. I hate to break it to you Daiel but Gabriel and Raphael are dead while Michael is in the cage with Lucifer." God said
"GOOD! I hope that some time with Luci in the cage will straiten out Michael." Daiel snapped "Now, unless I don't want to know, how on earth did Gabriel and Raphael get themselves killed?" Daiel asked
"I can answer that. Gabriel was killed defending the Winchesters from Lucifer and I killed Raphael." Castiel said
"Really Castiel? I mean, I know rather well, since when do you kill someone, your own brother no less, without good reason?" Daiel asked confused
"I had a good reason though, he started a civil war in Heaven and was trying to get the Apocalypse going again." Castiel explained
Daiel face-palmed with a groan.
"Good. Because I would have killed him myself if he was here." Daiel snapped
God suddenly developed a sheepish look on his face. Daiel raised an eyebrow.
"Dad?" She asked slowly "What are you planning?"
"Don't get to upset Daiel, I am planning on punishing them for their transgressions. But uh..." God said before Daiel interrupted him
"Don't tell me let me guess, you're going to be leaving them with me?"
"Yeah, that was my plan. Unless that's too much trouble?"
"Not really, a bit of my vessel's magic et voila, they're in invisible or girls." Daiel said grinning
"I'll also be giving you their grace so they can't use it. You are allowed to decide when to give it back." God said
'Of course Father. Am I allowed to give them their welcome when they get up here?" Daiel asked
"Don't hurt them to badly my dear, I need them in one piece." God said
"I won't." Daiel said
"This should be good." Anael whispered to Balthazar and Castiel
Castiel and Balthazar nodded, the show part of the meeting was about to begin. Gad snapped his fingers and after a few seconds later, Gabriel appeared, looking a little unsteady on his feet. He shook his head in what seemed to be an attempt to clear the cobwebs from his brain.
"Hello Gabriel." God said
"Father, long time no see." Gabriel said
"It has been a while Gabriel." God said
"I could have sworn I was dead." Gabriel said scratching his head
"Yes you were, I have brought you back for your punishment." God said
"My punishment?" Gabriel asked
"For toying with the Winchesters." God said seriously
"In my defence, I died for them in the end." Gabriel said
"I did take that into consideration, that's why your punishment will not be as harsh as Raphael, Michael and Lucifer's. You will still be able to use your grace but you will still be supervised by Daiel and one wrong move, like killing someone who doesn't deserve it and you will loose your grace and have to wait for Daiel to give it back. God explained "Is that okay with you Daiel?"
"Works for me, he, like the others will still be invisible though. Griselda would throw a fit if she found out I was harbouring my brothers." Daiel said cracking a wry smile
"Who?" God asked
"Deputy head. She's also known as the Queen of Detention on campus." Daiel said "Ana met her."
"And I really didn't like her!" Anael shouted
Daiel snorted at her sister's shout before walking over to Gabriel. Gabriel pulled her into a warm hug. After Daiel gave him the ultimate Donna Noble slap.
"Hey." He said
"Hey." Daiel said
"Missed you."
"Missed you too Gabe."
"I deserved that."
"Yes. Yes you did deserve that."
They released each other when they heard God snap his fingers again. A few seconds later and Raphael appeared looking unsteady on his feet. Daiel then smiled her "I am going to kill you now" smile. Raphael couldn't help but gulp, when his sister got that look, it spelled certain doom for whom ever it was directed at. Daiel made her way over to him, still smiling.
"Oh Raphael, I used to think you were the smart one but nope... you have made me rethink that." She said
Daiel was right up in his face still smiling. Then she punched him. Hard. Raphael staggered back and fell a little shocked.
"That's for starting a civil war." Daiel growled before pulling him to his feet and punching him again "That's for trying to start the Apocalypse. AGAIN according to Castiel."
Daiel let up and rubbed her fist lightly.
"Proceed father." She said stepping back
"Raphael, for starting a civil war in heaven and for trying to get the Apocalypse, as the humans say, up and running again, you are going be punished for that transgression." God said
"What's the punishment Father?" Raphael asked carefully, not wanting to invoke his father's wrath or worse, his sister's wrath again.
"I am leaving you and your brothers with Daiel. You will also have your grace locked down and given to her until she sees it fit that it is returned to you." God said
"Alright I wi-wi-will I'm sorry WHAT?" Raphael yelled
"You heard him bro, you're going to be stuck with me and Daiel unable to access your grace. I unlike you can still use but I've still got the threat of loosing it if I ain't careful." Gabriel said
"NEXT!" Daiel shouted
God snapped his fingers and Michael appeared smoking slightly. Daiel made her way in front of her oldest brother.
"Dai..." Michael started before being interrupted by a slap worthy of Donna Noble
"Ow! Daiel! What was that for?"Michael demanded
"Because you're a jerk that's why. I hope some time with Lucifer down in the cage has given you some time to think and realize I was right!" Daiel snapped her eyes blazing
"How did you..." Michael started
"Father told me." Daiel said "Speaking of Father, proceed."
"Michael, for manipulating the Winchesters into starting the Apocalypse, you are being punished. You will be left with Daiel, grace locked down and given to your sister until she sees it fit that it is returned to you." God said
Michael inclined his head.
"I accept my punishment Father." he said
"Good." God said "And now for the last of the archangels."
"You mean, you're bringing..." Daiel trailed off as God snapped his fingers
Lucifer appeared smoking like Michael had. He barely knew what was happening before Daiel barrelled into him, smashing her fist into his nose.
"You son of a bitch!" She roared angrily
"Daiel?" Lucifer said
"You bastard! I warned you! I told you the way you were going wasn't the right way but you refused to listen and now, look what happened. You. Bastard." Daiel punctuated her last sentence with a punch
"I'm sorry." Lucifer said making a halfhearted attempt to defend himself. Deep down, he knew his sister was right.
"Sorry won't fix this. You hurt me. You hurt everyone with what you've done." Daiel snarled as she continued hitting her brother
Michael was about to intervene when Gabriel grabbed his wrist.
"Don't, you get involved, you will end up getting a couple of punches yourself. You and me, we got off light. Riff-Raff got punched in the face twice, she was that upset." Gabriel explained
"I can't just let her kill him." Michael said
"She won't kill him, she'll give him a good beating thought." Gabriel said
Daiel was refusing to let up. All that pent up hurt and anger she had been feeling since the fight that led to Lucifer's banishment came pouring out. But soon, she was beginning to tire.
"I'm sorry, Dai, I really am." Lucifer said catching her wrist
"No, you're not!" Daiel snapped but there was less anger in her voice, it was giving way to pain
"Yes I am Daiel."Lucifer said as he caught her other wrist
"I don't believe you." Daiel snapped
"Well believe it. I am sorry." Lucifer said looking his sister dead in the eye, sincerity in his voice
"You bastard." Daiel said before wrapping her arms around her brother, Lucifer doing the same "You bastard."
"I am so sorry Daiel. I didn't mean to cause you this amount of pain." Lucifer whisper
Daiel pulled back and slapped his chest.
"You better be sorry. Because if you pull this stunt again, I won't be as forgiving." Daiel snapped
"I won't. Cross my heart and swear to..." Lucifer paused a minute "impale myself on an archangel's blade."
"GOOD!" Daiel snapped "Proceed Father."
"Ahem, Lucifer, for starting a war in Heaven and manipulating the Winchesters into starting the Apocalypse, you are being punished by having your grace locked down and given to your sister who will decide when it is to be returned to you." God said
Lucifer inclined his head.
"Yes Father. I understand. And I am sorry. Please forgive me." He said
No one had noticed that while God was delivering Lucifer's punishment, Daiel had snuck out of the garden. Well, almost everyone. Anael slipped out and followed her. She found Daiel sitting on the edge of Heaven looking down on the Earth. Daiel plopped down beside her extended a wing around her shoulder in a comforting gesture. Daiel leaned into the touch with a sigh, she had missed that form of comfort.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You know Dai, I have never seen you that upset before."
"I'm just having a rough day that's all Ana. First the lying cheater and now Lucifer coming back. All that anger that I had pent up just came out."
"Yeah, I could tell. Will you be able to forgive Lucifer? Just curious."
"Yeah, I'll forgive him Ana. Eventually."
"Yeah. Good luck handling your brothers when you go back to school."
"Ugh, don't remind me. I have a feeling that my vessel will have more grey hairs than a normal sixteen year old girl should have. I am really going to need help with that."
Daiel suddenly had a thought.
"I have an idea, I'll ask Father if you can come with me. I'll need an assistant to keep an eye on them while I'm in class. Who knows how much chaos they'll cause unsupervised. I think I'll go ask him now."
Daiel took off heading back to the garden. No one aside Anael had noticed her absence. She waited for God to finish what he was saying before speaking.
"Father, I have a problem." she said
"And what problem would that be?" God asked
Raphael was thinking "Have a problem with taking us in."
"I am still in school. So, they will be unsupervised while I'm in class and I don't think I want to know the amount of chaos or damages they'll cause while unsupervised. So, I was wondering if I could have an assistant." Daiel said
"Who would you like?" God said
"Balthazar. Balthazar. Balthazar." Gabriel, Michael, Lucifer and Raphael thought all together
"I was thinking that Anael is up to the job."
"Alright." God said
"Thanks Daddy." Daiel said grinning
The remaining archangels felt their hearts sink.
"Damn it." Michael snapped before realizing he said it out loud.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Counting Shadows out.