Notes: The basic summary of the Pandora's Box legend. Most people think they know it, but few people actually know the true tale, with Prometheus and Epimetheus. So here it is. Also, the beginning of the Destiel.
"Pandora's Box... that's Greek mythology, isn't it?" Sam asked, not liking the sound of it.
"Geek." Dean inserted.
"Yes." Castiel said. "Unfortunately the legend is true."
"So what's this legend? I didn't ever study Greek mythol-whatever." Dean said.
"There was a god who, a long, long time ago gave fire to the humans. He showed them it's power. His name was Prometheus. Zeus - and other gods who were never mentioned in the legend – was furious with him because they hadn't been planning on giving the humans fire for a long time." Castiel started.
"Why not?" Dean interrupted.
"Why not? Dean, look what you have done to the planet." Castiel raised his hands, gesturing to the drab grey buildings surrounding them. "Everything you have destroyed requires fuel. Fuel you would not have if you never had fire."
"Oh right. Blame the humans. You know, you angels and gods could have DONE something, but you never even lifted a finger!"
"Dean, not helping." Sam said. "Continue Cas."
"After dealing with Prometheus, tying him to a rock and getting an Avenger – sort of a demon-like bird - to tear out his liver and eat it every day, he wanted retribution on the humans. So he gave to Prometheus's brother, Epimetheus, a human woman, Pandora. He had her created to be beautiful and intelligent... and above all curious. He then gave Epimetheus a box, and told him that it must never be opened, that he must guard it. So he stored it away, and that was that for him. However Pandora was so curious. She wanted to know what was in the box. So one day, defying her husband, she opened it. And out flew every type of trouble. Sorrow, Illness, Hardship, Toil... and last of all, added by the goddess Athena to be less cruel, Hope."
"Okay. So? That happened long, long ago." Dean said, shrugging.
"The legend states that those were the first hardships on the Earth. That... was not the case. See, these things are created by life, they aren't entities, they aren't alive. However, what the Box does is greatly intensify these things when it's been opened. It never leaves a town 'on the map' when it's been opened there, even if it's closed again."
"So... this town is doomed?"
"Unless we find and destroy Pandora's Box. If we don't... then yes. It's doomed and everyone here will die. It's terrible that we lost it during the war in Heaven. It isn't even really an angelic artifact, but we kept it safe anyways." Castiel said.
"Okay. Find the Box before the town is destroyed. How do we do that?" Sam asked.
"The box must always be owned, be looked after by someone. Epimetheus was killed a long time ago, however his spirit was bound to the box and inhabits whoever touches it, making them the next guardian. They will act like Epimetheus, slow-witted and easily fooled."
"That's... not much to go on." Sam said, worried.
"No." Castiel agreed, offering no more help.
"How much time do we have?" Asked Dean, hoping and dreading.
"Probably only a number of hours." Castiel answered. "But even if we fail, none of us will die."
"And why is that?" Dean demanded.
"Because I would teleport us all out before we would." He said matter-of-factly, and gave Dean one of those looks which always made Dean squirm, because it was too personal... more so then he wanted to think about.
After a few awkward moments, Sam cleared his throat and said "Uh, town being destroyed here? We should.. get to work."
