I feel so far from where I've been 3/3
Part Three
Castiel was shocked. Surely Raphael wouldn't do the same mistake he did. Had Crowley really gone and offered the same deal to Raphael? Had the archangel gone completely mad? They were supposed to protect humanity, not use it as mere playthings. Grimly, Castiel pressed his hand against Balthazar's wound but the other angel twisted his wrist away. “Save your strength. You'll need it for the upcoming battle.”
“Balthazar...”
“I'll be fine Castiel, Ariel fights like a human girl.” Balthazar patted Castiel's shoulder. “Just give me a minute and I'll be right as rain.”
Meanwhile, the hunters had moved away from the angels, giving them some privacy. John scratched his head. “This doesn’t look good. Angels and demons are bad enough by themselves. If they start teaming up, this brings a whole new level of difficulty.”
“Yeah... tell me about it.” Dean grumbled.
“Couldn't we send them back?” Sam asked. “After all, they are spirits possessing humans. Maybe it'll work.”
“I'm not so sure. They might come back just as easily.” John said. “Our priority is to stop the portal from opening. We need to find Eleanor first. Then, we concentrate on Raphael and Crowley.”
“I'll take care of Raphael.” Castiel said. “This is my fight; it has gone on long enough.”
John turned to Sam. “Can you take care of the portal? We'll take care of Crowley.”
“W-why? I can help!” Sam said, surprised.
“You're the most versed in mythology and theology. I need you to do this, son.” John said. Sam looked at him while Dean braced himself for the inevitable argument. Surprisingly, Sam nodded. “Alright, but if things turn ugly, I'm coming to helping you guys.” he said.
John smiled. “Now, we just need to find out where they're hiding.”
“I may be able to help you with that.” Balthazar stood up and dusted himself. “I slipped the woman one of my feathers. I can easily track it.”
Castiel looked at him, puzzled. “Balthazar, how exactly did you 'slip' one of your feathers to Eleanor?”
“Well, you know how it goes, right. No, of course you don't. Let's just say I was curious, she was curious, one thing led to another and voilà!”
“I don't believe it! You two… Made out?” Dean said.
“I don't really see what the fuss is about. She’s an exquisite specimen.”
“God, I think I’ll need a gallon of battery acid to wipe the images from my brain!”
“I'll have you know that near-death situations can act as very powerful aphrodisiacs.”
“Yes! To humans!”
“Oh, don't be such a prude.”
“Enough you two. We‘re wasting time.” John said.
“John is right. We should get going.” Castiel said.
***
John looked up from the duffel bag Castiel had brought along with the hunters. Sam stood in front of him. So far, he and his sons had been careful to avoid any meaningful discussions. They all prepared for the battle to come. So he waited in silence while Sam shuffled slightly. His youngest son had one hell of a poker face but John knew all the minute little tell-tales signs that showed Sam's emotions. Sam suddenly produced a revolver from behind his back. “Here, you might need it.” he said. John took it wordlessly and looked it over. “The Colt?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
Sam nodded. “Yeah. Cas managed to get it back when he came to free us.” John turned it over and offered it back to Sam. “Thanks, but I'll be fine.” He put his hand on his knife strapped to his thigh. Sam's lips twitched briefly “Always be prepared, right?” John nodded, his eyes twinkling. He stood up and patted his son on the shoulder. “Let's go.”
“At the very least, you could have brought my baby here too.” Dean said to Castiel while he checked the gun his father gave him. A flask of holy water hung from his shoulder. The angel stood aside and watched him silently. Castiel could feel his recent actions affected the way Dean used to see him, not only as a soldier, but also as a brother. “I'm sorry Dean.” the angel said, wanting to say a million things yet none felt exactly appropriate.
Dean looked at him. Emotions seemed to fight each other in his mind. Yet, the best he could manage was to put his hand on Castiel's shoulder and squeezed it gently. “Thanks man.” he said. Castiel visibly relaxed. “You're welcome, Dean.”
“Oh thank God, they've worked it out! I was afraid I might have to buy Castiel a kitten or something.” Balthazar said as John and Sam approached him. “Any sign of trouble?” John asked.
“Well, it depends what you mean by trouble but I did spot a few of Raphael's minions.”
“Any sign of Crowley?” Sam asked.
“I can’t say from this distance and Raphael's grace blocks everything.”
“Let's just assume they're there.” Dean said as he walked toward the group, Castiel behind him.
“Can you see where Eleanor is?”
Balthazar nodded “She's locked on the first floor. I'm guessing Crowley won’t be very far.”
“Won't the other angels know you've given her one of your feathers?” Sam wondered.
“Not a chance in Hell if I can say so myself.”
“Balthazar can attune his energy wavelengths to any level. It makes him undetectable.” Castiel explained.
“How did you think I managed to pass for dead all these years?” Balthazar said.
“That reminds me.” Dean said suddenly. “Cas, are the symbols you've carved into us still effective?”
“They were carved in your very bones, Dean. Have you broken any lately?”
“I'll take that as a yes. Think you can carve Dad some?”
The group snuck its way in the building and split in two. Sam and Balthazar went looking for Ellie while John, Dean and Castiel headed toward what they expected to be Crowley's torture room. Before they went in, John gave Castiel a small pendant, hanging from a leather cord. “A gift from Ash.” he said. Recognizing the mark carved into the pendant, Castiel tied the strange necklace around his neck and hid it under his clothes. This would be an effective protection against Raphael's attacks.
Castiel stopped the Winchesters before they turned around a corner. “I can sense Crowley up ahead.” John and Sam took out their demon knives while Dean drew his angelic sword. “Castiel, you go up ahead.” John said. “We'll back you up.” Castiel nodded and flew off to reappear right behind the demons. Before any of them could react, the angel smote the demon on his left as John jumped, grabbed the remaining demon and cut its throat. Dean blinked, surprised to see how well his father worked with the angel. Castiel pushed open the double doors and froze when he saw the scene in front of him.
Crowley was standing in front of a wall covered with Enochian glyphs. The symbols glowed and pulsated in rhythm. Raphael, in a new female vessel, stood beside the demon. “Raphael. Stop!” Castiel's voice carried through the room and over Crowley's incantations.
The demon and the archangel turned around slowly. “Castiel.” Raphael said, her voice tinted with malice.
“Hello Darling. So glad you could drop by. Did you really had to go and collect the whole set?” Crowley asked as he saw John and Dean fanning out behind the angel.
“I won't let you open Purgatory, our original agreement stands no longer” Castiel said, his attention focused on Raphael.
“Tsk. Tsk. Castiel, what makes you think you can stop me?” Raphael asked, mocking. “If anyone should take God’s place, it should be me.” She snapped her fingers expecting the other angel to be blown away, as was usually the case. Surprisingly, the attack bounced off Castiel as if he had a shield. Raphael frowned when she saw the leather thong around Castiel's neck. She used her telekinetic power to open Castiel’s shirt, “Galahad's shield?” she asked in wonder. She suddenly understood what protected Castiel. Her powers were nullified by that faith-based shield. Raphael had no other choice but to fight this battle physically. Castiel smiled faintly, “That was a gift from a man named Ash. Draw your sword, brother.” He faced Raphael, his own sword ready.
***
Sam and Balthazar ran down the corridor. The angel had reverted to mortal ways in order to save energy. “She's near.” he told the young hunter. Sam nodded and held his gun, the famous Colt, steadily in front of him. They had yet to meet a demon or angel. This started to make them a bit nervous. They stopped in front of a heavily locked door.
“Here?” Sam asked and the angel nodded. Sam turned and, seeing a fire axe in a glass case, broke the glass, took the weapon and smashed the lock. The door opened slowly with a grinding noise, nothing else happened. Cautiously, they stepped inside the room. Balthazar was the first to notice Ellie, lying on her side in the far corner of the room. He rushed to her and gently took her in his arms. “Eleanor?”
She opened her eyes. “Balthazar? H-How did you find me?”
“I slipped you a feather and put a tracer on you.”
“It's too late... They know everything.” Ellie moved her arm, revealing a bleeding wound on her side. A large quantity of blood had pooled under her. Sam stared at the pool and looked at the angel. Balthazar shook his head, biting his lips. “She's not human. There's nothing I can do.” A line of fire suddenly erupted outside the door, blocking their way out. “Shit! It's burning holy oil!” Balthazar said. Outside, they heard demonic laughter.
***
Castiel blocked Raphael's attack with his sword and pushed the archangel back. For a moment, the two celestials faced each other, unmoving. Galahad's shield protected Castiel from Raphael's most destructive attacks. He had bet that archangel’s rare use of her sword would make things more even. He had been right so far but that did not make Raphael any less dangerous. Beside him, the Winchesters fought Crowley. Their attack was well coordinated. It prevented Crowley from using his magic but the humans weren't strong enough to land any real blow, things seemed to have reached a certain stalemate. Castiel couldn't help them as long as he kept fighting Raphael. The archangel lunged suddenly and Castiel fought back, praying for some sort of miracle.
Carrying Ellie, Sam followed Balthazar to the room where Crowley and Raphael were fighting. They had escaped the room rather easily. When the demon came across the entrance to gloat, Sam shot him dead with the Colt. They used the dead demon as a bridge to cross over the holy fire. Balthazar stopped just long enough to retrieve the bottle containing the rest of the holy oil. “Might be useful.” he said.
When they turned around the corner, sounds of a raging battle reached them. “You think it’s Crowley and Raphael?” Sam asked, using that pause to catch his breath.
Balthazar nodded. “It seems Castiel is fighting Raphael while your father and brother are facing Crowley.”
“Damn!”
***
Raphael let out a scream of rage. All the windows shattered and everyone but Crowley and the two celestials fell on their knees, clutching their ears. Taking advantage of his greater wing span, Raphael slammed Castiel into the wall. Castiel tried to get away from the wall, but Raphael's wing kept him pinned. Castiel turned his head and stared right at the tip of Raphael's sword. “Goodbye, brother.” she spat, grinning viciously. Behind her, the symbols on the wall flared into a malevolent violet light.
Castiel faced his imminent death bravely as Raphael went for the killing stroke. However, she was prevented from finishing her action as she was body-slammed into Crowley, causing the demon to release Dean. Balthazar stood up by Castiel's side, all smiles. “Sorry I'm late.”
Behind him, Sam was standing in the doorway with Eleanor. “Go help your family.” she said. “I'll be fine.”Sam looked down at her. She leaned against the wall for support but her face was set. “We have to close that portal.” he said, not wanting to leave her.
“Let me worry about it. Go!” she shoved him and slowly made her way toward the glowing portal.
***
Crowley was growing weary of this. The humans facing him were like pests, always turning around him. Nipping him here and there each time he whirled around to try and knock one of them for good. This was getting ridiculous and Crowley had no tolerance for ridiculous. It was time to bring out the cavalry.
John and Dean stopped when they saw Crowley's eyes glowing blood red. Suddenly, the ground shook and a huge cloud of black smoke entered the warehouse from the shattered windows. “Never, ever take the King of Hell for a fool kids.” Crowley said to the now stunned humans.
Shouting, John rushed him, knife aimed high. Crowley was ready for this. Humans always gave in to their emotions when fear embraced them. He easily batted the hunter away as if he was a mere fly. John crashed against the wall near the portal and slid to the floor, groaning. “Sit tight, darling. I'll deal with you later.” Crowley said.
“DAD!” Sam and Dean shouted.
Galvanized, Sam and Dean threw themselves at the demon but Raphael sent them back flying, “I don't think so.” she said. Dean tried to get up but Crowley made a slight twisting gesture and the young man collapsed on the floor, coughing blood. “I am so going to enjoy this.” the demon purred.
***
Discreetly, Balthazar handed Castiel the bottle containing the holy oil. “You can move faster than me. I'll draw Raphael's attention to me.” And with that, he threw himself into the battle and faced the archangel.
***
Eleanor helped John sit up. “Are you alright?” she asked. John coughed and nodded. He tried to stand up but he winced suddenly. Looking down at himself, he noticed his knife had buried itself in his thigh.. Talk about irony. Eleanor noticed the wound. She took her vest off and wrapped it in a tourniquet around John's thigh. “I know how to shut the portal down but I’ll need your help”
“Great, what's your idea?” John asked.
“Kill me. I'll close it from the inside.” she said.
“What?! Are you mad?”
“Look, it's the only way.”
“DEAN!” Sam's voice echoed inside the room. John looked at his sons.
While Crowley had Dean lying and coughing blood, Sam was pinned on the opposite wall by the demon's telekinetic powers. He was struggling against the bonds without much success. Meanwhile, Balthazar was kneeling in front of Raphael and appeared to be cradling a broken arm. “You lose.” the archangel said, her face alight with the battlerage. Castiel lied behind her, struggling for breath.
Suddenly, lightning flashed outside the building and soon, the shouts and cries of the demons upstairs could be heard. “What is the meaning of this?” Crowley asked angrily but Raphael seemed as confused as him. Taking advantage of the confusion, John looked at Eleanor, then at his sons. The woman laid a hand on his arm. “Do it.” she said simply. John turned back to her, obvious guilt and hesitation etched on his hard features. He drew a painful breath and drove his knife past her floating rib and deep in her lung.
He held her tightly as she died in his arms. Her blood pooled around them and John's eyes widened when he saw it running toward the portal, as if possessed of a will of its own. A shape was moving along with the blood. When it reached the wall, one bloody tendril climbed up the wall, into the lowest symbols. Soon, more tendrils extended from the blood pool to the remaining symbols, until there was no blood left. The portal closed suddenly in a blinding flash of light.
“Now Castiel!” Balthazar shouted, grabbing Dean and moving away. When her sight recovered, Raphael found herself trap in a ring of holy fire. “No. NO!” she shouted, enraged.
Crowley shook his head to clear it and, seeing his ally trapped, said. “Damn. There goes my weekend again.” And he vanished.
***
Balthazar helped Dean back on his feet, healing the human in the process. On the other side of the ring of fire, Sam was released from his bonds and could breathe again. John limped slowly toward the angels. Castiel and Raphael faced each other, over the line of fire. “It is over Raphael. You have lost.” Castiel said.
“Then kill me already!” she snarled.
“Ah. So glad to see you haven't lost your love of theatrics.” a new voice cut in smoothly. Castiel turned around and his eyes widened when he saw the angel standing beside Balthazar. “Metatron.” he whispered, awed.
“Castiel, Balthazar, it is always good to see you.” Metatron nodded to each angel in turn. Both bowed. Even Raphael stood a little straighter.
“This is all your doing, isn't it?” she asked. Metatron nodded.
Dean looked at the new angel. He appeared as a man in his mid-forties, smartly dressed in dark gray trousers, a burgundy shirt and a leather jacket. Like Castiel, his dark brown hair sticking in every direction. Judging from Castiel and Balthazar's reactions, the guy must be a hotshot in Heaven, even if Dean had never heard his name before.
“Metatron? The Metatron?” Sam asked from Balthazar's side, “The voice of God?”
The new guy nodded.
“Nerd.” Dean muttered.
“Castiel is right, Raphael. This madness has to stop.” Metatron said, his silver eyes stern as he watched the archangel.
“You have heard from Father?” Raphael asked, her eyes shining with hope.
Metatron shook his head. “No. But you follow Lucifer’s step too closely.”
Raphael started at that. “No. That's not true! I am only trying to achieve paradise for all of us!”
“Paradise for the Heavenkind will result in Hell on Earth, Raphael. You are aware of that.” Metatron took a step closer. “What was God's last command?”
“To serve and protect.” Raphael answered after a time.
“Glad to see you've remembered.” Metatron said, crossing his arms. “Now, you and Michael pushed the Apocalypse forward and humanity thwarted it. Twice, if I judge by what happened here tonight. And you have allied with the King of Hell to do it?.”
Raphael bowed down her head and stared at her feet. All the fight and anger had deserted her. Castiel also took a step forward, mindful of the fire. “We have already lost three of our eldest brothers and we don't know where God is. Must we lose you too, Raphael?”
Raphael looked at each angels and humans before nodding. “I concede defeat.” she said softly. “Humanity has proven itself worthy, for the time being.”
At those words, Metatron extinguished the fire surrounding the archangel.
“Wait! Are you saying the war is over?” Dean asked.
“The Apocalypse will occur at its true appointed time.” Raphael said. “Nothing lasts forever, Dean. Not humanity. Not even us.” she continued, answering Dean's unspoken question.
Metatron glanced at John. “Balance must be preserved John.” the angel said.
“I understand.” John said.
“Castiel, Balthazar. You are both welcome back into Heaven.” Raphael said. The two angels bowed.
“Thank you.” Castiel said sincerely.
Raphael and Metatron disappeared, along with the angelic army.
Dean looked at his father. “What did he mean by 'preserving the balance'?”
John sighed softly. “Dean, I died five years ago.”
“No.” Dean said. He walked toward his father but stopped when he noticed his wound. Blood was now running freely down the older man's leg. “Cas can heal you. Right Cas?” he asked, turning toward the angel, his eyes a little wild with hope.
“Dean...” Castiel said.
“Don't you say no, Cas. Don't you DARE say no!”
“Dean, I shouldn't be alive. This was only temporary.” John cut in gently.
Dean continued to shake his head. Silently, John pulled him into a tight hug. “I love you son.” he whispered in Dean's ear, before letting go of him. Dean stepped back, openly crying. John stroked his cheek and turned to Sam who stepped forward.
“I-I never knew what I would say to you...” Sam said, also crying. John smiled and put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Neither did I, Sammy... Neither did I.” he said before pulling Sam into a hug.
“We... Erm... We'll see you when we'll get there.” Sam said when his father released him.
John put his hand on Sam's cheek. “No need to rush. You boys take your time, you hear me?”
Dean and Sam nodded, sniffling.
Meanwhile, Balthazar and Castiel had slowly rejoined the group. Seeing them, John nodded to Balthazar, who nodded back. Sensing a new energy, Castiel looked across the room to see Death himself waiting to collect John's soul. “John. It's time.” Castiel said.
John nodded, patted Sam's arm and stroked Dean's cheek one last time.
Castiel looked at John. “Thank you, John.”
The hunter smiled, sensing Death beside him. “You watch over my boys, Feathers. Or I'll kick your ass when you get back to Heaven.”
Death gently touched John's hand and the hunter died.
For a while, no one said anything. “He really had to have the last word, didn't he?” Sam said, brushing away his tears. Dean burst out laughing, feeling light for the first time in a long time. “Let's give them a proper burial.” he said.
***
It was a private affair as hunters' funerals often were. Balthazar had gone and healed Bobby, saying it was his last contribution before going back home. Castiel flew everyone back to Bobby's house. They laid John and Eleanor's bodies on funeral pyres and lit them up in the backyard. Castiel and Balthazar stayed until the ashes cooled down. “I want to make sure Raphael hadn't lied, even if Metatron was watching.” Castiel explained before the two of them left.
For a while, the brothers stayed at Bobby's. They refused to take on any jobs. Dean busied himself with fixing the cars that littered around Bobby's scrap yard. Sam, not the mechanical type his brother was, studied every book of lore Bobby owned. They were healing in their own ways.
Then one day, Bobby came and told them about a job in some town in the nearest state. There was no one else he could send. They accepted. Dean had been hearing the call of the road for some time, and so had Sam. They missed the thrill of the hunt. Hunters they were, hunting they did.
Dean finished checking the weapons in the Impala's trunk. Sam packed his bag inside the house. Dean teased him a little, as he always did. This was going to be a good day. Suddenly, the sounds of wings filled the air. “Hello Dean.” he heard from behind him.
Dean smiled, not bothering to turn around. “Hey Cas. Wanna come and hunt some wendigo?”
Dean could feel Castiel’s own smile. “Sure.” Yes, it was going to be a good day.
THE END
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Castiel was shocked. Surely Raphael wouldn't do the same mistake he did. Had Crowley really gone and offered the same deal to Raphael? Had the archangel gone completely mad? They were supposed to protect humanity, not use it as mere playthings. Grimly, Castiel pressed his hand against Balthazar's wound but the other angel twisted his wrist away. “Save your strength. You'll need it for the upcoming battle.”
“Balthazar...”
“I'll be fine Castiel, Ariel fights like a human girl.” Balthazar patted Castiel's shoulder. “Just give me a minute and I'll be right as rain.”
Meanwhile, the hunters had moved away from the angels, giving them some privacy. John scratched his head. “This doesn’t look good. Angels and demons are bad enough by themselves. If they start teaming up, this brings a whole new level of difficulty.”
“Yeah... tell me about it.” Dean grumbled.
“Couldn't we send them back?” Sam asked. “After all, they are spirits possessing humans. Maybe it'll work.”
“I'm not so sure. They might come back just as easily.” John said. “Our priority is to stop the portal from opening. We need to find Eleanor first. Then, we concentrate on Raphael and Crowley.”
“I'll take care of Raphael.” Castiel said. “This is my fight; it has gone on long enough.”
John turned to Sam. “Can you take care of the portal? We'll take care of Crowley.”
“W-why? I can help!” Sam said, surprised.
“You're the most versed in mythology and theology. I need you to do this, son.” John said. Sam looked at him while Dean braced himself for the inevitable argument. Surprisingly, Sam nodded. “Alright, but if things turn ugly, I'm coming to helping you guys.” he said.
John smiled. “Now, we just need to find out where they're hiding.”
“I may be able to help you with that.” Balthazar stood up and dusted himself. “I slipped the woman one of my feathers. I can easily track it.”
Castiel looked at him, puzzled. “Balthazar, how exactly did you 'slip' one of your feathers to Eleanor?”
“Well, you know how it goes, right. No, of course you don't. Let's just say I was curious, she was curious, one thing led to another and voilà!”
“I don't believe it! You two… Made out?” Dean said.
“I don't really see what the fuss is about. She’s an exquisite specimen.”
“God, I think I’ll need a gallon of battery acid to wipe the images from my brain!”
“I'll have you know that near-death situations can act as very powerful aphrodisiacs.”
“Yes! To humans!”
“Oh, don't be such a prude.”
“Enough you two. We‘re wasting time.” John said.
“John is right. We should get going.” Castiel said.
***
John looked up from the duffel bag Castiel had brought along with the hunters. Sam stood in front of him. So far, he and his sons had been careful to avoid any meaningful discussions. They all prepared for the battle to come. So he waited in silence while Sam shuffled slightly. His youngest son had one hell of a poker face but John knew all the minute little tell-tales signs that showed Sam's emotions. Sam suddenly produced a revolver from behind his back. “Here, you might need it.” he said. John took it wordlessly and looked it over. “The Colt?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
Sam nodded. “Yeah. Cas managed to get it back when he came to free us.” John turned it over and offered it back to Sam. “Thanks, but I'll be fine.” He put his hand on his knife strapped to his thigh. Sam's lips twitched briefly “Always be prepared, right?” John nodded, his eyes twinkling. He stood up and patted his son on the shoulder. “Let's go.”
“At the very least, you could have brought my baby here too.” Dean said to Castiel while he checked the gun his father gave him. A flask of holy water hung from his shoulder. The angel stood aside and watched him silently. Castiel could feel his recent actions affected the way Dean used to see him, not only as a soldier, but also as a brother. “I'm sorry Dean.” the angel said, wanting to say a million things yet none felt exactly appropriate.
Dean looked at him. Emotions seemed to fight each other in his mind. Yet, the best he could manage was to put his hand on Castiel's shoulder and squeezed it gently. “Thanks man.” he said. Castiel visibly relaxed. “You're welcome, Dean.”
“Oh thank God, they've worked it out! I was afraid I might have to buy Castiel a kitten or something.” Balthazar said as John and Sam approached him. “Any sign of trouble?” John asked.
“Well, it depends what you mean by trouble but I did spot a few of Raphael's minions.”
“Any sign of Crowley?” Sam asked.
“I can’t say from this distance and Raphael's grace blocks everything.”
“Let's just assume they're there.” Dean said as he walked toward the group, Castiel behind him.
“Can you see where Eleanor is?”
Balthazar nodded “She's locked on the first floor. I'm guessing Crowley won’t be very far.”
“Won't the other angels know you've given her one of your feathers?” Sam wondered.
“Not a chance in Hell if I can say so myself.”
“Balthazar can attune his energy wavelengths to any level. It makes him undetectable.” Castiel explained.
“How did you think I managed to pass for dead all these years?” Balthazar said.
“That reminds me.” Dean said suddenly. “Cas, are the symbols you've carved into us still effective?”
“They were carved in your very bones, Dean. Have you broken any lately?”
“I'll take that as a yes. Think you can carve Dad some?”
The group snuck its way in the building and split in two. Sam and Balthazar went looking for Ellie while John, Dean and Castiel headed toward what they expected to be Crowley's torture room. Before they went in, John gave Castiel a small pendant, hanging from a leather cord. “A gift from Ash.” he said. Recognizing the mark carved into the pendant, Castiel tied the strange necklace around his neck and hid it under his clothes. This would be an effective protection against Raphael's attacks.
Castiel stopped the Winchesters before they turned around a corner. “I can sense Crowley up ahead.” John and Sam took out their demon knives while Dean drew his angelic sword. “Castiel, you go up ahead.” John said. “We'll back you up.” Castiel nodded and flew off to reappear right behind the demons. Before any of them could react, the angel smote the demon on his left as John jumped, grabbed the remaining demon and cut its throat. Dean blinked, surprised to see how well his father worked with the angel. Castiel pushed open the double doors and froze when he saw the scene in front of him.
Crowley was standing in front of a wall covered with Enochian glyphs. The symbols glowed and pulsated in rhythm. Raphael, in a new female vessel, stood beside the demon. “Raphael. Stop!” Castiel's voice carried through the room and over Crowley's incantations.
The demon and the archangel turned around slowly. “Castiel.” Raphael said, her voice tinted with malice.
“Hello Darling. So glad you could drop by. Did you really had to go and collect the whole set?” Crowley asked as he saw John and Dean fanning out behind the angel.
“I won't let you open Purgatory, our original agreement stands no longer” Castiel said, his attention focused on Raphael.
“Tsk. Tsk. Castiel, what makes you think you can stop me?” Raphael asked, mocking. “If anyone should take God’s place, it should be me.” She snapped her fingers expecting the other angel to be blown away, as was usually the case. Surprisingly, the attack bounced off Castiel as if he had a shield. Raphael frowned when she saw the leather thong around Castiel's neck. She used her telekinetic power to open Castiel’s shirt, “Galahad's shield?” she asked in wonder. She suddenly understood what protected Castiel. Her powers were nullified by that faith-based shield. Raphael had no other choice but to fight this battle physically. Castiel smiled faintly, “That was a gift from a man named Ash. Draw your sword, brother.” He faced Raphael, his own sword ready.
***
Sam and Balthazar ran down the corridor. The angel had reverted to mortal ways in order to save energy. “She's near.” he told the young hunter. Sam nodded and held his gun, the famous Colt, steadily in front of him. They had yet to meet a demon or angel. This started to make them a bit nervous. They stopped in front of a heavily locked door.
“Here?” Sam asked and the angel nodded. Sam turned and, seeing a fire axe in a glass case, broke the glass, took the weapon and smashed the lock. The door opened slowly with a grinding noise, nothing else happened. Cautiously, they stepped inside the room. Balthazar was the first to notice Ellie, lying on her side in the far corner of the room. He rushed to her and gently took her in his arms. “Eleanor?”
She opened her eyes. “Balthazar? H-How did you find me?”
“I slipped you a feather and put a tracer on you.”
“It's too late... They know everything.” Ellie moved her arm, revealing a bleeding wound on her side. A large quantity of blood had pooled under her. Sam stared at the pool and looked at the angel. Balthazar shook his head, biting his lips. “She's not human. There's nothing I can do.” A line of fire suddenly erupted outside the door, blocking their way out. “Shit! It's burning holy oil!” Balthazar said. Outside, they heard demonic laughter.
***
Castiel blocked Raphael's attack with his sword and pushed the archangel back. For a moment, the two celestials faced each other, unmoving. Galahad's shield protected Castiel from Raphael's most destructive attacks. He had bet that archangel’s rare use of her sword would make things more even. He had been right so far but that did not make Raphael any less dangerous. Beside him, the Winchesters fought Crowley. Their attack was well coordinated. It prevented Crowley from using his magic but the humans weren't strong enough to land any real blow, things seemed to have reached a certain stalemate. Castiel couldn't help them as long as he kept fighting Raphael. The archangel lunged suddenly and Castiel fought back, praying for some sort of miracle.
Carrying Ellie, Sam followed Balthazar to the room where Crowley and Raphael were fighting. They had escaped the room rather easily. When the demon came across the entrance to gloat, Sam shot him dead with the Colt. They used the dead demon as a bridge to cross over the holy fire. Balthazar stopped just long enough to retrieve the bottle containing the rest of the holy oil. “Might be useful.” he said.
When they turned around the corner, sounds of a raging battle reached them. “You think it’s Crowley and Raphael?” Sam asked, using that pause to catch his breath.
Balthazar nodded. “It seems Castiel is fighting Raphael while your father and brother are facing Crowley.”
“Damn!”
***
Raphael let out a scream of rage. All the windows shattered and everyone but Crowley and the two celestials fell on their knees, clutching their ears. Taking advantage of his greater wing span, Raphael slammed Castiel into the wall. Castiel tried to get away from the wall, but Raphael's wing kept him pinned. Castiel turned his head and stared right at the tip of Raphael's sword. “Goodbye, brother.” she spat, grinning viciously. Behind her, the symbols on the wall flared into a malevolent violet light.
Castiel faced his imminent death bravely as Raphael went for the killing stroke. However, she was prevented from finishing her action as she was body-slammed into Crowley, causing the demon to release Dean. Balthazar stood up by Castiel's side, all smiles. “Sorry I'm late.”
Behind him, Sam was standing in the doorway with Eleanor. “Go help your family.” she said. “I'll be fine.”Sam looked down at her. She leaned against the wall for support but her face was set. “We have to close that portal.” he said, not wanting to leave her.
“Let me worry about it. Go!” she shoved him and slowly made her way toward the glowing portal.
***
Crowley was growing weary of this. The humans facing him were like pests, always turning around him. Nipping him here and there each time he whirled around to try and knock one of them for good. This was getting ridiculous and Crowley had no tolerance for ridiculous. It was time to bring out the cavalry.
John and Dean stopped when they saw Crowley's eyes glowing blood red. Suddenly, the ground shook and a huge cloud of black smoke entered the warehouse from the shattered windows. “Never, ever take the King of Hell for a fool kids.” Crowley said to the now stunned humans.
Shouting, John rushed him, knife aimed high. Crowley was ready for this. Humans always gave in to their emotions when fear embraced them. He easily batted the hunter away as if he was a mere fly. John crashed against the wall near the portal and slid to the floor, groaning. “Sit tight, darling. I'll deal with you later.” Crowley said.
“DAD!” Sam and Dean shouted.
Galvanized, Sam and Dean threw themselves at the demon but Raphael sent them back flying, “I don't think so.” she said. Dean tried to get up but Crowley made a slight twisting gesture and the young man collapsed on the floor, coughing blood. “I am so going to enjoy this.” the demon purred.
***
Discreetly, Balthazar handed Castiel the bottle containing the holy oil. “You can move faster than me. I'll draw Raphael's attention to me.” And with that, he threw himself into the battle and faced the archangel.
***
Eleanor helped John sit up. “Are you alright?” she asked. John coughed and nodded. He tried to stand up but he winced suddenly. Looking down at himself, he noticed his knife had buried itself in his thigh.. Talk about irony. Eleanor noticed the wound. She took her vest off and wrapped it in a tourniquet around John's thigh. “I know how to shut the portal down but I’ll need your help”
“Great, what's your idea?” John asked.
“Kill me. I'll close it from the inside.” she said.
“What?! Are you mad?”
“Look, it's the only way.”
“DEAN!” Sam's voice echoed inside the room. John looked at his sons.
While Crowley had Dean lying and coughing blood, Sam was pinned on the opposite wall by the demon's telekinetic powers. He was struggling against the bonds without much success. Meanwhile, Balthazar was kneeling in front of Raphael and appeared to be cradling a broken arm. “You lose.” the archangel said, her face alight with the battlerage. Castiel lied behind her, struggling for breath.
Suddenly, lightning flashed outside the building and soon, the shouts and cries of the demons upstairs could be heard. “What is the meaning of this?” Crowley asked angrily but Raphael seemed as confused as him. Taking advantage of the confusion, John looked at Eleanor, then at his sons. The woman laid a hand on his arm. “Do it.” she said simply. John turned back to her, obvious guilt and hesitation etched on his hard features. He drew a painful breath and drove his knife past her floating rib and deep in her lung.
He held her tightly as she died in his arms. Her blood pooled around them and John's eyes widened when he saw it running toward the portal, as if possessed of a will of its own. A shape was moving along with the blood. When it reached the wall, one bloody tendril climbed up the wall, into the lowest symbols. Soon, more tendrils extended from the blood pool to the remaining symbols, until there was no blood left. The portal closed suddenly in a blinding flash of light.
“Now Castiel!” Balthazar shouted, grabbing Dean and moving away. When her sight recovered, Raphael found herself trap in a ring of holy fire. “No. NO!” she shouted, enraged.
Crowley shook his head to clear it and, seeing his ally trapped, said. “Damn. There goes my weekend again.” And he vanished.
***
Balthazar helped Dean back on his feet, healing the human in the process. On the other side of the ring of fire, Sam was released from his bonds and could breathe again. John limped slowly toward the angels. Castiel and Raphael faced each other, over the line of fire. “It is over Raphael. You have lost.” Castiel said.
“Then kill me already!” she snarled.
“Ah. So glad to see you haven't lost your love of theatrics.” a new voice cut in smoothly. Castiel turned around and his eyes widened when he saw the angel standing beside Balthazar. “Metatron.” he whispered, awed.
“Castiel, Balthazar, it is always good to see you.” Metatron nodded to each angel in turn. Both bowed. Even Raphael stood a little straighter.
“This is all your doing, isn't it?” she asked. Metatron nodded.
Dean looked at the new angel. He appeared as a man in his mid-forties, smartly dressed in dark gray trousers, a burgundy shirt and a leather jacket. Like Castiel, his dark brown hair sticking in every direction. Judging from Castiel and Balthazar's reactions, the guy must be a hotshot in Heaven, even if Dean had never heard his name before.
“Metatron? The Metatron?” Sam asked from Balthazar's side, “The voice of God?”
The new guy nodded.
“Nerd.” Dean muttered.
“Castiel is right, Raphael. This madness has to stop.” Metatron said, his silver eyes stern as he watched the archangel.
“You have heard from Father?” Raphael asked, her eyes shining with hope.
Metatron shook his head. “No. But you follow Lucifer’s step too closely.”
Raphael started at that. “No. That's not true! I am only trying to achieve paradise for all of us!”
“Paradise for the Heavenkind will result in Hell on Earth, Raphael. You are aware of that.” Metatron took a step closer. “What was God's last command?”
“To serve and protect.” Raphael answered after a time.
“Glad to see you've remembered.” Metatron said, crossing his arms. “Now, you and Michael pushed the Apocalypse forward and humanity thwarted it. Twice, if I judge by what happened here tonight. And you have allied with the King of Hell to do it?.”
Raphael bowed down her head and stared at her feet. All the fight and anger had deserted her. Castiel also took a step forward, mindful of the fire. “We have already lost three of our eldest brothers and we don't know where God is. Must we lose you too, Raphael?”
Raphael looked at each angels and humans before nodding. “I concede defeat.” she said softly. “Humanity has proven itself worthy, for the time being.”
At those words, Metatron extinguished the fire surrounding the archangel.
“Wait! Are you saying the war is over?” Dean asked.
“The Apocalypse will occur at its true appointed time.” Raphael said. “Nothing lasts forever, Dean. Not humanity. Not even us.” she continued, answering Dean's unspoken question.
Metatron glanced at John. “Balance must be preserved John.” the angel said.
“I understand.” John said.
“Castiel, Balthazar. You are both welcome back into Heaven.” Raphael said. The two angels bowed.
“Thank you.” Castiel said sincerely.
Raphael and Metatron disappeared, along with the angelic army.
Dean looked at his father. “What did he mean by 'preserving the balance'?”
John sighed softly. “Dean, I died five years ago.”
“No.” Dean said. He walked toward his father but stopped when he noticed his wound. Blood was now running freely down the older man's leg. “Cas can heal you. Right Cas?” he asked, turning toward the angel, his eyes a little wild with hope.
“Dean...” Castiel said.
“Don't you say no, Cas. Don't you DARE say no!”
“Dean, I shouldn't be alive. This was only temporary.” John cut in gently.
Dean continued to shake his head. Silently, John pulled him into a tight hug. “I love you son.” he whispered in Dean's ear, before letting go of him. Dean stepped back, openly crying. John stroked his cheek and turned to Sam who stepped forward.
“I-I never knew what I would say to you...” Sam said, also crying. John smiled and put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Neither did I, Sammy... Neither did I.” he said before pulling Sam into a hug.
“We... Erm... We'll see you when we'll get there.” Sam said when his father released him.
John put his hand on Sam's cheek. “No need to rush. You boys take your time, you hear me?”
Dean and Sam nodded, sniffling.
Meanwhile, Balthazar and Castiel had slowly rejoined the group. Seeing them, John nodded to Balthazar, who nodded back. Sensing a new energy, Castiel looked across the room to see Death himself waiting to collect John's soul. “John. It's time.” Castiel said.
John nodded, patted Sam's arm and stroked Dean's cheek one last time.
Castiel looked at John. “Thank you, John.”
The hunter smiled, sensing Death beside him. “You watch over my boys, Feathers. Or I'll kick your ass when you get back to Heaven.”
Death gently touched John's hand and the hunter died.
For a while, no one said anything. “He really had to have the last word, didn't he?” Sam said, brushing away his tears. Dean burst out laughing, feeling light for the first time in a long time. “Let's give them a proper burial.” he said.
***
It was a private affair as hunters' funerals often were. Balthazar had gone and healed Bobby, saying it was his last contribution before going back home. Castiel flew everyone back to Bobby's house. They laid John and Eleanor's bodies on funeral pyres and lit them up in the backyard. Castiel and Balthazar stayed until the ashes cooled down. “I want to make sure Raphael hadn't lied, even if Metatron was watching.” Castiel explained before the two of them left.
For a while, the brothers stayed at Bobby's. They refused to take on any jobs. Dean busied himself with fixing the cars that littered around Bobby's scrap yard. Sam, not the mechanical type his brother was, studied every book of lore Bobby owned. They were healing in their own ways.
Then one day, Bobby came and told them about a job in some town in the nearest state. There was no one else he could send. They accepted. Dean had been hearing the call of the road for some time, and so had Sam. They missed the thrill of the hunt. Hunters they were, hunting they did.
Dean finished checking the weapons in the Impala's trunk. Sam packed his bag inside the house. Dean teased him a little, as he always did. This was going to be a good day. Suddenly, the sounds of wings filled the air. “Hello Dean.” he heard from behind him.
Dean smiled, not bothering to turn around. “Hey Cas. Wanna come and hunt some wendigo?”
Dean could feel Castiel’s own smile. “Sure.” Yes, it was going to be a good day.
THE END
AUTHOR'S NOTES
- It is unclear whether or not Metatron is an archangel. Since Supernatural stated there only were 4 archangels, I went with the second role of Metatron which is being The Voice of God. He is also considered to be the most Holy Angel of Heaven. Which is why even Raphael listens to him. (In my head-cannon anyhow.)
- Galahad was the only knight in King Arthur's court who was allowed to find and touch the Holy Grail.
- If you notice, some of the dialogs are taken from 6X22. I used them because I wanted to stay as close as possible to the original story.