The Man Who Set Things Right


Dean and Bobby snuck into the abandoned lab. Crowley was already reading the spell to crack open Purgatory, but that's not what surprised Dean. No, what surprised him was the fact that Cas wasn't there with Crowley. It was Raphael. A cold bead of sweat dripped down his back. His hand reached for the angel blade in his pocket. He gripped his fingers around the hilt and brought it up and out into the cool air.

At least I'm not using it on Cas.

Dean raised the sword and threw it at Raphael; he waited to hear the sound of metal hitting flash. It never came. Raphael caught the sword in midair and turned to stare at the two humans. He flicked his wrist and Dean felt himself moving forward over the railing and onto a table below. He saw Bobby tumble down the stairs and fall out onto the floor.

"Be with you shortly darling." Crowley called from beside the angel. Dean stared with wide eyes at the fact that Purgatory was about to be opened. Crowley was nearing the end of the spell; there seemed to be no chance of stopping this.

That is until Dean heard the flutter of wings. He felt something grip his shoulder and was surprised to see Cas.

"Cas?" The angel shook his head and firmly gripped Dean's shoulder. Dean searched his friend's face for clues as to what he was about to do. Cas gave Dean a grim smile and removed his hand.

"I'm sorry Dean. I pray you will forgive me someday." Before Dean could say anything Cas stood and turned away from him.

"Raphael!" Growled Castiel's deep, commanding voice. He held the hilt of the angel sword in his hand.

"Castiel, are you really that foolish to come back here? You were given the chance to flee." Raphael smirked and turned the sword in his hands and faced Castiel. "You are signing your death warrant by coming here Castiel. You know you have no chance against me, even with the weapons." The Archangel turned his head and stared at Dean and Bobby. "I'm going to smite your favorite humans Castiel…and you aren't going to be able to do anything about it.

"We end this now Raphael, just you against me." Cas glanced over at Dean, who swallowed out of fear for his friend. He remembered all too vividly what happened the last time those two faced off against each other. Bobby slowly pushed himself up off the floor and went to stand beside Dean.

"Very well." Raphael said. "We will continue this momentarily demon."

Raphael stood facing Castiel, the Archangel took a menacing step forward. Cas gulped, a fear shinning in his eyes. "You think you can kill me brother? As I recall, the last time you tried to "hold me off" didn't end in your favor." He chuckled. Dean growled; his hands clenched into fist. He and Cas may have had their ups and downs this past year, all of the lies and arguing and mistrust; but Cas was still his best friend...his family. No one messed with Dean Winchester's family, especially not some dick angel.

Raphael launched himself at Castiel, his sword raised for a killing blow. Cas deflected the blow and landed a punch on Raphael. They fought vigorously; neither backing down. But it took a turn for the worst when Raphael slammed Cas against the wall, who yelled out in pain. He slowly fell to the floor.

"Cas!" Dean called out in alarm, moving forward. Bobby grabbed his shoulders and held him back. "There's nothing you can do son."

"I don't give a fuck! I'm not going to sit here and-"

"Dean." Came the grunt. "You need to go, now." Cas gripped the wall and stood up.

"Like hell I'm leaving you here."

Castiel shook his head and locked eyes with Bobby. The unspoken question asked. Get him out of here. Bobby started to pull Dean towards the outside. "No!"

"Dammit boy he's trying to save your life. If Raphael does kill him he's coming after us next."

"He's not going to lose." Dean gritted his teeth together.

"You overestimate his abilities human. I'm much older and powerful than him. I possess knowledge he couldn't even begin to comprehend let alone use to his advantage." Dean blanched as Cas yelled out again, grabbing his abdomen, while blood poured out of his mouth.

"Stop it!" Dean shook Bobby off and tried to attack the Archangel. Crowley stepped out from the shadows and forced the two humans against the wall. Threats poured out of Dean's mouth like carbon dioxide. "Sorry can't have you interfering; it's against the league rules.

Raphael raised the sword above Castiel. He was going to end this war and end the puny foot-soldier that had been a pain in his ass for over four years. "Let's see if father will bring you disobedient wretch back to life a third time."