By Elodie Kohler-Andrianos:
Late night,in the cemetery. The Winchester brothers had by their side Ellen Harvelle and Bobby Singer. Since the Devil's Gate was opened,they had to kill lots and lots of Demons. They had a hard time trying to kill as many as they could,they were attacked from every direction... As things were looking bad for them,the Demons had surrounded them,the Yellow-eyed Demon told them to spread out. He wanted to be the one to kill them.
-" Such a shame,Sam! You have potential. You'd have been a he'll of a Demon.". Azazel said,sounding sad.
Sam looked at him,defiantly and Dean said angrily:
-" He would never take your side,you evil son of a bitch!".
Azazel smirked evilly,and with a move of his hand,he sent Dean some pain. He had difficulties to breathe, and some blood trickled from his nose and mouth. Sam was about to scream to tell him to stop,when he saw... their father! He was standing right behind Azazel and he held him tight. The Yellow-eyed Demon was startled and he let Dean go but he couldn't escape. Dean grabbed the gun Sam threw him,and aimed at Azazel. John looked at them,smiling,mouthing 'I'm proud of you boys!'.
Dean shot the Demon in the head but as he was dying,his soul grabbed John's and they both fell into Hell.
Bobby managed to close the Devil's Gate with Ellen's help.
They heard everything and they turned around at the moment where Azazel's soul grabbed John's and they both fell to their damnations... They watched the whole scene,petrified,as the brothers screamed helplessly...
Sam,was on his knees,hands resting on his legs,head bent down,with tears rolling down on his cheeks. Dean,had his back resting against a large tomb,his hands holding his head,he was screaming: -" Daaad! Nnnnoooo,dad!".
An idea started to grow in their heads: they'd bring back his soul from Hell. They continued hunting things and saving people,they thought they could find something to help them in their quest... Something that wouldn't include making a deal with a Crossroad Demon...
Castiel,up in Heaven,was following the (mis) adventures that were raining on the Winchesters... God wasn't around so he was taking his orders (same as all the other Angels), from Michael. He was told to go help them.
He had come down on Earth some years ago,as a beautiful woman,to help the brothers and Bobby. Of course,they were young kids at that time,and he had to delete their memories. This beautiful woman had a son,now he was 18 years old. A few years had passed since he had last possessed him... He had used a couple times this boy,nothing dangerous. Routine visits mostly.
This young boy was named Tyler. He was tall,athletic. Hazel eyes and dark blond hair. He was very handsome. He found him very easily and he spoke to him. Castiel
explained the young man the situation and he accepted. Cas came into his vessel and he left for the next State.
He knows someone who can help him help the Winchesters. He flew to Nebraska's Capital and he left the "rich" part of the town. His friend,Thanatiforos was a Reaper and he was very close to Tessa, another Reaper. He was guarding a portal to Hell,in an abandoned bar. Inside,everything was broken: windows were barred with planks,the mirror was broken in thousands of pieces, furnitures were broken or seemed to have been thrown across the room...
Not even the drug addicts didn't dare to come inside...
Lots of rumors,but none of them were true. It had never been haunted and it had never served as a satanic rituals place... Castiel entered the bar and he quickly found the door leading to the backroom. This backroom was used as a small and illegal casino. He knocked on the door:
- "Thanatiforos,it's me,Castiel. I came to ask a favor.".
The door opened and he saw a man in his early 30's. Black hair, dark eyes. He was a little shorter than Tyler. He was wearing a suit and he smiled widely when he saw his friend. Tyler was dressed more casual,with a t-shirt,blue jeans and sneakers.
- "Cas! Long time no see. Sure,I'll be glad to help you.".
Cas,once again,explained the whole situation. Thanatiforos listened to his friend,and when he stopped,he agreed to help them.
- "Sure,I'll help you! Bring them here and I'll get you through the portal.".
Both friends shook hands and Cas left,he had to find the brothers and offer them his help. He closed his eyes and focused on the Winchesters. He spoke to them in their heads and told them he could help them.
He told them the address of the motel and that he would meet them there. He told them to tell the receptionist that they came to meet Tyler.
Both brothers were startled -to say the least- when they heard the voice in their head simultaneously. They were on the road when Cas called out to them. Dean was driving and Sam was looking for some clues on his laptop.
- "Son of a...!" screamed Dean,surprised,as he stopped the car.
- "Jesus!" Sam said,while trying not to let go of his laptop.
They listened to him silently and they accepted his offer. Dean started again the car and turned left for shortcut. Sam turned around,looked at his brother: - "You know that it can be a trap...!".
- "I know Sammy,I know. But right now,it's all we've got.".
He drove faster,to get answers as soon as possible... They traveled silently,not even Dean didn't want to listen to his favorite bands...
After what felt like a neverending trip,they finally arrived. From Wyoming to Nebraska,near the Iowa borders. They reached their destination: a crappy motel! Dean parked the Impala and they got out. From the outside,the motel seemed like abandoned and ready to fall apart with the next strong wind;the inside was very nice,freshly painted and everything was in order. They were tired by this long trip,after a few days' drive,they finally arrived. It was late night,passed midnight.
As they opened the door,a bell (that was located above the door),rang. The receptionist was a young teen,red shoulder lenght hair and freckles. He was asleep and he woke up as he heard the bell.
- "Welcome! Hope you had a nice trip. Single or double?" he asked,ready to write it down.
Dean exchanged a smile with Sam: - "Thanks. Yup,'t was quiet. We're here to see Tyler. We're Dean and Sam.".
The young teen didn't have the time to answer,another voice was heard.
- "Tyler? Then you must be the ones that we were warned about their arrival.".
Through the opening of the half opened door,another teen appeared. He looked just like his brother,with shorter hair. Both of them were 16 or 18.
- "You'll find him room 23,last door on the left.".
They were identical twins,Tim and Marc Turner. Tim was the long-haired teen and Mike was the short-haired one.
As the hunters turned around to leave,Mike softly elbowed Tim:
- "Next time pay more attention,you ass!" he said,with a smile.
Tim pushed him playfully: - "I ain't no ass,you are." and he stuck his tongue at Mike.
Sam and Dean smiled as they watched the whole scene. It reminded them their own antics.
They pushed the door and left. They walked in silence until they reached room 23.
When they reached their destination,Sam knocked on the door and Dean said: - "Tyler? We are Dean and Sam Winchester. You told us that you could help us...with our father.".
Sam was ready to leave and told Dean: - "This is stupid... Let's just leave,okay?".
Dean opened his mouth,bit before he could say a word,the door opened...
The door opened and the Winchesters were facing a smiling young man. He moved over to let them get inside.
- "My name is Castiel. I'm your Guardian Angel. I observed you all this time..." Castiel started.
Dean cut him: - "Some Angel you are! Why didn't you do anything to save us? No offense.".
Cas let him speak and then he explained that he couldn't intervene if he wasn't summoned or if he wasn't ordered to get involved...
- "So,let me get this straight. God wanted this to happen? Why didn't he tell you help? How could we know that anyone would listen to us?" Sam asked.
- "God? Oh no,he has locked himself in his room or he has left... I take my orders from Micheal. We always listen,and God or Michael decide if it is worth to do anything.".
Sam was about to say something but Dean stepped on his foot and Sam shut his mouth. Castiel told them about his Reaper friend, Thanatiforos.
- "He owns me a few favors,I helped him whenever he needed. He is a very good friend of mine.".
Both brothers exchanged a look,it'll be much more safe than to make a deal with a Crossroad Demon. Now,the Red-eyed Demons were ordered to never accept again a deal with a Winchester. Their boss was passed off,to say the least...
- "When is your friend expecting us?" Sam asked,still feeling a little skeptical.
- "We can go see him whenever you are ready.".
Dean asked him where the Reaper was. The portal he was guarding was located in an abandoned bar,in Nebraska's Capital. One hour drive from where they were now.
- "Let's take the car. I can drive.".
- "No need to. I can teleport and we'll get there in a matter of seconds." the Angel offered.
Dean continued: "Thank you but I feel more secure in my car.".
Cas didn't object,so they traveled by car and followed Cas' directions,for shortcuts. They arrived in half the time normally needed. Dean was driving,Cas was sitting shotgun and Sam was on the backseat. As they got out of the car,after Dean had parked the Impala,Cas explained that they shouldn't be afraid of his friend or himself. He knew that they went through a lot and he tried to ease them as he could.
- "There it is!" Cas said,showing the abandoned building.
They needn't be afraid of being seen,nobody ever dared to come around. Fake rumors and urban legends were a real success.
Cas noticed that Dean had his EMF counter. He smiled softly and told him it wouldn't be of no use,since the place wasn't haunted. Dean blushed a little and said: - "Sorry,force of habits.".
They followed Cas inside. Sam and Dean looked at the ruins of what seemed an elite bar... The Angel told them about some dark history: this bar had played a major role during the Prohibition years and that Bonny and Clyde liked to drink and have some fun there,before they began their life of crimes...
This said,they reached the backdoor,where Thanatiforos the Reaper was waiting for them. Cas knocked on the door and told his friend he brought the brothers. He opened the door and he introduced them to the Reaper.
He was very friendly,which surprised a bit the Winchesters. Castiel introduced them and they shook hands.
- "I heard lots of things about you. You go through real tough times..." Thanatiforos said,in a compassionate tone.
Dean shook his head affirmatively but didn't say anything.
- "We try our best. Very hard and unfair...for us... But if... if people can live,then I...I guess it's worth it." Sam said.
They needed to act now,the sooner the better. Dean asked the Reaper how were they going to Hell,and Thanatiforos showed them the wall behind him.
- "You go through there." he said,with a big smile.
Before they had a chance to object,Thanatiforos rose his hand and as he was chanting a spell,he 'drew' strange symbols on the wall. The wall looked as if it was trembling and an opening appeared. Stairs going downwards and torches were hanging on both sides.
The brothers exchanged a look and Cas told them that he would be coming with them. Once there,they would need help for fighting lots of Demons. The three friends entered the torch-lit corridor and Cas turned to face Thanatiforos: - "Close the door behind us. I'll send you a telepathic message to open it back for us.".
- "Best of luck! With my long-time friend Castiel,you won't have to worry!".
As they were walking down the stairs,Thanatiforos closed the door and had nothing to do but wait.
Back to the 'stairway to Hell',Castiel was leading the way. The brothers were together and were careful,in case of Demon attack. Dean was about to ask something to their Angel friend,but as he opened his mouth,they heard terrible screams.
- "Dad!!" the brothers said in unison
They were about to start running,to try to find where their father was,and Cas held them back.
- "You can't just run! This place I'd full of Demons! I can feel where he is. Follow me.".
They followed him,all three of them were ready to attack. Dean and Sam had their Demon Knives,while Cas had his Angel Blade. When they heard voices,they hid quickly in a dark corner and held their breaths...
Dean almost gave them away when they heard a Demon gloating to a small group of Demons about the torture of a certain John Winchester! Sam and Cas put their hands over Dean's mouth and held him back. It was hard as hell for Sam but for Dean it was even more painful... The Demon who spoke was dressed in a cheap but classy suit and he had dark short hair and dark brown eyes. They couldn't see his little group,they were too far and they were in a dark spot. The Demon who talked was called Aaron. He stopped talking,as if he had heard something and was trying to locate the sound. Since he couldn't hear no sound,he continued.
- "I enjoyed every second I tortured this bastard! That will teach him.".
He stopped,looked at his watch and: "I better get going. That soul won't torture itself. Ha!".
The little group laughed at the last sentence,and they all separated. They all had a soul to torture... Sounds of opening and closing doors,followed by ear-piercing screams of pain.
Cas checked the corridor,to make sure that no Demons would bust them...
- "The coast is clear,as you Humans would say." Cas said,in a rather amusing way,and that made the brothers chuckle (they couldn't resist). They followed him until the right cell/torture chamber. Cas raised his arm,his hand a few inches above the handle,his eyes turned electric blue and the door opened violently,startling the Demon. Aaron stopped skining John and looked at the visitors with a heinous look,but he was smiling evilly.
Cas,using his grace,immobilized Aaron;while the brothers freed their father. His nails were missing (from both hands and feet) and most of the skin was missing. On some parts of the body,you could almost see the bones. Everyday John had to suffer and to be tortured the same way... They 'gave' him a body,created by magic,and each day John went through the same ordeal.
Sam helped his father sit down,he had his arm around his waist and helped him. Tears were rolling down his cheeks,silently. Dean was crying as well,but from anger. He angrily wiped his tears and walked towards the Demon.
- "I'm gonna kill you,you bastard!".
The Demon laughed and looked at him defiantly.
- "I'd like to see you try,you're just a miserable Human! I'm Azazel's nephew. I'm much more powerful and important than any other Demon!".
Dean looked at the Demon and smiled evilly: - "Oh,so you are his nephew,huh? Well,I have some news for you,bitch! I'm gonna gank you,just like I ganked your uncle!".
He shoved his Demon Knife into Aaron's chest. A reddish-orange light trembled in his head and chest,and he fell on the floor.
Castiel looked at Dean,lowered his hand,and nodded in approval. They had to hurry before the alarm was given.
Cas turned towards the Winchesters: - "We don't have lots of time. I have to take his soul and bring him to Heaven.".
Dean looked at Cas,hesitating. Sam and John were ready to accept. It seemed to be the only solution.
- "Dean,your father's soul couldn't cross either Hell's borders nor teleport. I have to take the soul inside of me." Cas explained calmly to Dean,confirming what Sam was thinking.
Dean looked at Sam and their father. They both nodded,and John said,in a soft,tired voice: - "It's the only way,son. We have to try.".
John's soul jumped out of his mouth and Cas breathed him in. John's body fell on the floor with a strange noise,as if a pile of clothes was thrown on the floor... The three friends rushed out of the room and into the corridor,to climb up the stairs that had led them there. They were so close to reach them,when a bunch of Demons suddenly appeared and called out to them. The Winchester and the Angel turned around to face them, their weapons ready. Cas and Sam were fighting with two Demons each. Dean was as well,but he took them one at a time. He moved his fingers,as if to say 'come,come. I'm waiting.'.
The first Demon ran towards Dean and after some time,he stabbed him. Now,the second Demon attacked more viciously.
Dean,who was still pissed off at the Demons,pushed him with a strong kick of his right foot. The Demon hit the wall hard. Dean smiled and stabbed the Demon on his left side at least twenty times. Sam,Cas and the remaining two Demons stopped fighting and looked at the outburst. Sam and Cas shrugged their shoulders and resumed the fight.
Even though they were fighting,it was as graceful as a ballet. When they finally killed them,the three friends ran up the stairs. Cas sent a telepathic message to Thanatiforos,to open the door. They ran as fast as they could,the door was opened, and they were greeted by their Reaper friend.
- "Welcome back! The mission was a success I presume.".
The brothers nodded affirmatively,they were panting heavily, but Cas didn't sweat once. Thanatiforos listened to their summary of the events.
- "Now I guess you'll have to go to the nearest Heaven Gate... You'll have to pass by Jophiel,if I'm not mistaken.".
- "Yes,but I'll find a way. Besides,he was always by my side in most missions I was sent to accomplish.".
Cas turned around to face the brothers:
- "I'll teleport us in Oregon. In a big public park,the sandbox is the Gate/portal to Heaven. We'll meet with Jophiel there. Sam,hol your brother's hand. We'll leave right away.".
Sam did as he was told,Cas put his hand on Dean's shoulder and after thanking Thanatiforos,they left.
In a blink of an eye,they appeared out of nowhere. Fortunately,the park was deserted. It was late afternoon and the weather was acting up:skies filled with gray clouds,the atmosphere was heavy,as if ready to rain anytime soon...
The sandbox was on front of them,close to it was a wooden slide. It looked like no kids has played there for a a very long time... Castiel was standing in front of the sandbox,looked at the small house on top of the slide and called Jophiel in Enochian. A soft voice was heard from the small house,and soon after he popped his head out:a middle-aged man,short blonde hair,light grey eyes and glasses.
He got down by using the slide. He was wearing a sporty costume,without a tie. He had an undone bow around his neck.
Dean couldn't help but smile widely,Sam elbowed him and he quickly acted natural. The two Angels didn't seem to have noticed it. Cas was explaining the whole situation in Enochian. Then they turned around and Cas introduced the Winchesters to his long-time second-hand in misson.
- "I know I look like a need,Dean. My vessel is a banker." Jophiel said,with a mischievous smile.
Cas hid his smile by covering his mouth with his hand. Dean blushed and Sam smirked.
- "I have inside me the soul of a very brave man. He sacrificed his life for the greater good. He has the right to rest in peace." Cas said.
Jophiel acquiesced and added: - "You've bent the rules sometimes but you've always had good reasons and instincts.". He opened the portal. "Go! Free him to his Personal Heaven,room 222. Scarlet District.".
Cas thanked him and told the brothers to follow him. They appeared in Heaven,in a big hall,all white. A big reception desk,no one was behind it. On the wall behind the desk,was a big black board with a map of Heaven. All in Enochian,Castiel translated it to them. The Scarlet District was located on the second floor. They teleported there. Sam was grabbing Dean's arm,while Cas had his hand resting on Dean's shoulder and he snapped his fingers. They had no troubles finding the door and releasing John's soul. Both brothers were very thankful and happy that they saved their father's soul. Cas teleported them out of Heaven and back to the old abandoned bar,where they had met Thanatiforos.
- "Thank you for helping us so much Cas!" Dean said.
- "Yeah,we really appreciated it." Sam added.
Cas smiled softly and told them he had to erase from their memories their meeting. They would only remember their father's soul was saved,but they wouldn't remember either him nor Thanatiforos. With two fingers,he touched softly their forehead. They shook their heads,as if to clear their thoughts. Cas was nowhere to be seen.
- "What are we doing here?".
- "Don't know Sammy! All I know is that our father's soul is not in Hell anymore.". He looked at his brother,stopped him by raising a defensive hand. "Don't ask me,okay? I can feel he's at peace now.".
Sam smirked: - "Yeah,I know Dean. I mean... how did this happen?".
Dean started the car,Sam reached out his hand to turn on the radio.
Dean playfully slapped his little brother's hand and said, smiling: - "Driver picks the music. Shotgun shuts his piehole.".
- "Jerk!" Sam said,playfully.
- "Bitch!" Dean answered,as he put a cassette in the slot.
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