DISCLAIMER: DO NOT OWN SUPERNATURAL!
TITLE: Passing the Torch
SUMMARY: When Lucifer kills Gabriel, one angel will finally emerge from the shadows to enter the playfield.
TIMELINE: Set at the end of "Hammer of Gods" after Gabriel dies and Lucifer leaves the hotel.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks again for those who reviewed!! Now we learn who Elijah is! Once again if there are flashbacks, they will be in italics and please keep on reviewing!
CHAPTER TWO: Elijah's Tale
Dean Winchester didn't trust any angel as far as he can throw them, which, let's be honest, wouldn't be very far if by any indication of his last confrontation with Cas. He could count on one hand the number of angels he trusted, Cas being the one he trusted the most, and probably followed by Gabriel. But then again, it's not like anyone can blame him after his numerous disastrous and often life-threatening encounters with the so called Angels of the Lord. Uriel and Raphael wanted to smite them where they stood, Anna ended up trying to kill the Winchester parents, Zachariah went after Sam and Dean like a bloodhound, and let's not even forget Michael and Lucifer's mission to make the brothers into their meat-suits.
Is it any wonder that he was staring at this blue eyed child standing across from him with suspicion. The kid was obviously an angel, after all, he called Lucifer a brother. But just who's side he's really on, that was questionable, for all Dean knew, the boy was another angel who wants him to say yes to Michael.
"If you're here for Michael, you can tell him to shove it up his ass." Dean declared loud and clear with a hint of anger.
Dean saw the kid, or rather the angel Elijah's eyes darkened just for a brief moment at the mention of Michael's name before hearing him speak, voice rather strained, almost as if holding something back, "I'm not here for Michael. I'm here for Gabriel. He told me to find you."
To say Dean was speechless would be an understatement. He thought Gabriel dying to save them and sending them after the Horsemen would be the extent of his contribution to their little Team Free-Will campaign. He never thought that Gabriel would even get the chance to send another angel to come to their aid, obviously he had underestimated the archangel. Really he shouldn't, Gabriel was the Trickster after all, of course he would have more than a few back-up plans up his sleeves. \
Speaking of Team Free-Will, Cas chose at that moment to make a noise. Dean and Sam immediately rushed to his side hoping he would wake up, but no luck. Cas mumbled something incoherently before falling silent and still again.
"What the hell happened to you, Cas…" Dean whispered to no one in particular.
"It's the banishing sigil…"
Dean nearly jumped out of his skin hearing the suddenly close voice, clearly Cas isn't the only angel to have personal space issues.
"A normal sigil would banish away any surrounding angels…" Elijah continued on calmly, not effected by Dean's slight movement, "but because Castiel used himself as the sigil, he could not escape the symbol carved onto his own chest, therefore he was constantly being teleported to random locations across the world. That's why you couldn't find him all this time. This is the first time any angel has ever done something like that."
That does it, when Cas wakes up, Dean really needed to have a talk with their favorite angel about dangerous experimentations and self-sacrificing tendencies. Although truth be told, Dean knew he was the reason Cas had turned to such a dire plan. It wasn't like Dean had given the angel much hope or choice. Dean had messed up, and he really needed to get this straight with Cas before all this end of the world crap is done with. Cas is a good friend, Cas had come through for them time and time again, if anything, Dean at the very least owed the rebellious angel a good explanation for his actions.
"He's okay you know…" Dean hears Elijah's voice speak again, "He just needs rest, right now he's very weak."
Maybe it was the face of a child or those soulful blue eyes, but Dean found himself believing in Elijah's words even though he has every reason to distrust the angel. Although the whole time he had not try to kill or threaten them yet, which was always a very good thing in Dean's book, or maybe he was just very patient.
"Elijah…Elijah…" Bobby spoke up for the first time that night, his gruff voice sound like he was trying figure something out, "I got it. Angel of Innocence, guardian for young children and those who die young. That's you right, kid?"
The boy nodded his head before answering back, "Yes, and creating the Tree of Life in Heaven."
"Woah wait, Tree of Life?" Sam looked up suprised, "Seriously? Actual life force as in bringing back the dead and healing?"
"Yes…" Elijah seemed reluctant to talk all of the sudden, "But before you ask, I can't use my powers. If I do, Lucifer will find me. I promised Gabriel I would stay out of sight until the time is right. Interfering with Castiel may have already gotten Lucifer's attention. I must be careful or else we would all be in danger."
Bobby, Dean, and Sam exchanged glances before Sam plopped down on a nearby couch and Dean sat at the foot of Castiel's bed.
"So spill…" Dean gave the kid a look, "What's your life story?"
Blue eyes looked up at his words, and Dean watched as the young boy suddenly looking uneasy and uncomfortable.
"Dad left…"
Words spoken with a touch of sadness wasn't what surprised the Winchesters and Bobby, but rather the use of the word Dad, it was strange as most angels did not adopt the human way of speaking. But none of them said anything as Elijah continued on his story.
"Heaven was in chaos, I couldn't stand it so I came down here. I was hoping to find Dad but I found Gabriel instead, or rather he found me."
Elijah looked around at the strange setting of the hospital that looked suspiciously like one of those TV shows that humans would watch. He walked around the empty hallways for a while before he was sure that this was a trick, after all, hospital were definitely a lot more crowded than this.
"Bravo little brother, bravo."
That voice, he knew it by heart. Elijah turned around and recognized Gabriel immediately. No matter what form his older brother takes, Elijah would always know. They were family after all.
"Hello Gabriel."
Gabriel chuckled lightly before speaking, "I gotta say, I'm surprised Squirt, shouldn't you be upstairs in Happy La La Land?"
Elijah gave his brother a rather unamused look, "It's not so happy up there, but you know that already didn't you? Dad's gone, and Michael's got this idea in his head that he should take charge and end everything."
"You sound a bit bitter there, little bro." Gabriel remarked with a smirk, "Don't tell me you're angry at Michael."
"I'm not mad." Elijah answered back in a sad tone, "I just don't think he's doing this the right way."
"Oh you mean the humans and using them as meat-suits for the grand finale?" A glare was sent Gabriel's way with that comment, "Oh come on Eli, you knew things were going to come down this way. It's destiny."
"Is that why you're messing with the Winchesters?" Elijah threw a questioning gaze, "So that they would follow destiny? I would have thought you knew humanity better than that. They don't take well to people telling them what to do."
"No spoiling my fun, Eli." Gabriel said as he walked past the younger angel and ruffled his hair on the way, "Don't worry little brother, it'll all work out."
And with that Gabriel disappeared, leaving Elijah in the empty hallway once again. He knew he could get out, but what was the point of wasting the effort when he knew it would end soon. Out of all the angels, he knew humans the best, after all, that's what Dad created him for, to be like humans, to understand humans. He knew the Winchester would figure it out eventually, and he doubt they would say yes to anything. It was plain human stubborness, something that humanity possess in spades.
And lo and behold, less than a hour later, the fake reality gave way as Elijah found himself in an abandoned warehouse. He kept out of sight as he saw Gabriel standing in a ring of fire as the two Winchester brothers and Castiel turned to leave, but not before one of them, Dean, turn on the sprinkler system to put out the holy oil fire.
Once they were gone, Elijah appeared next to Gabriel, who didn't look one bit too happy.
"Don't say it." Gabriel warned, clearly he was in a bad mood.
"I wasn't going to." Elijah answered back as he stood next to the archangel in silence
Elijah knew why Gabriel ran away, the fighting that had shook Heaven was something that all angels remembered. He didn't blame his brother for wanting to find peace and quiet, and he knew that was why Gabriel wanted the Winchesters to say yes, so that it would finally end. But he also knew humanity, they were the kind that would fight until the bitter end, no matter what kind of odds were stacked up against them.
"Maybe you should help." Elijah finally spoke up, eliciting a look from Gabriel, "You know there are other ways to stop Lucifer, maybe it's time you give humanity a chance?"
Gabriel said nothing as he disappeared and Elijah followed in his wake. For the next few months Elijah knew something was changing in Gabriel, he could tell. He no longer put as much effort into his Trickster's tricks as he used to. And he would spend time out on a cliff just watching everyday human life. Elijah had hoped maybe, just maybe his older brother was coming around. He knew that out of all the archangels, Gabriel had the biggest heart. Lucifer always had too much pride and arrogance, Michael was always too loyal to their Dad, and Raphael was too much of a follower, just doing what others told him to do. But Gabriel, he was the one who followed his heart, he was the one who cared the most, and if any angel would side with humanity, it would be Gabriel.
Zachariah's death caught their attention, Gabriel had muttered it was clearly the Winchester's doing and became even more moody after that. Although Elijah doubt it was because he felt any sadness about Zachariah. Truth be told, Elijah was never a fan either, he always thought Zachariah was too much like Lucifer. It was clear that things were coming down, Elijah knew it, Gabriel knew it. And Elijah had no doubt that was why Gabriel was in a bad mood. His older brother knew time would come when he would have to pick sides, and if there was anything that Gabriel hated more, Elijah knew it was having to choose.
When words came to them of the gathering of the Pagan Gods, Gabriel immediately appeared on the scene, not before telling Elijah to stay hidden, after all, no one even knew the littlest angel had said bye bye to Heaven. So Elijah stayed in the shadows, observing the situation going down, the Winchesters arriving, Gabriel's fake death, and once again Gabriel and Dean Winchester having a little chat.
Gabriel reappeared to Elijah in his small apartment afterwards even more agitated than before, pacing back and forth before stopping and sighing. Elijah knew it then, he knew Gabriel had chosen his side.
"Okay Squirt…" Gabriel had taken to put his hands on Elijah's shoulder as their eyes locked gazes, "Now I'm going to do something very very stupid, but I gotta do this. So I need you to be a good boy and do what I'm asking you okay?"
Elijah nodded despite already not liking what Gabriel was saying.
"Lucifer and I are gonna have a little showdown…"
"No!"
Elijah suddenly wretched out of Gabriel's hold, "You can't! You'll die!"
"Elijah…" Gabriel took hold of Elijah again, his voice clear and commanding, the way only an archangel can be, "I have to, it's our only way. I'm sending the Winchesters after the Horsemen, you know the game, you know how it's done. You will help them. You hear me? Elijah, promise me you won't try to stop the fight between me and Lucifer, promise me you will stay safe and help the Winchesters. Promise me that. Elijah, I need you to promise me."
Elijah gazed into his brother's determined eyes, he couldn't say no, not the command of an archangel, the command of his big brother whom for as long as he could remembered, he had loved more than any other brother.
"I promise." Elijah spoke in a soft voice filled with emotion.
Ruffling Elijah's hair, Gabriel smiled down at his little brother, "Don't worry kiddo. It'll be okay."
Elijah looked up at his older brother, eyes shining bright with unshed tears as he embraced his brother in a hug. Gabriel had seemed almost surprised by the physical contact but returned it nonetheless. It had been eons since the two angels had embraced, and that had been when Elijah was a young angel, just learning how to fly. He remembered Gabriel's embrace as his older brother took him flying through the sky, how he felt safe and loved.
"I love you." Elijah's small voice could be heard, though a bit muffled as he had buried his face in Gabriel's chest.
The elder angel smiled as he placed a kiss on Elijah's head, "Me too, pal. I love you too."
So they stayed there for a while, Gabriel contend on holding his baby brother in his arms, and Elijah having the chance to feel his brother's embrace one more time before it all ends.
Gently letting go, Gabriel smiled sadly at Elijah, giving a wave goodbye before saying, "Let the games began…oh and don't forget to find little Castiel."
The last thing Elijah saw before Gabriel vanished was his trademark smirk.
And then he stood there in silence, he knew what was coming, he could see it clearly in his mind's eye. He closed his eyes and concentrated, he could hear Gabriel's voice, he could feel Lucifer's evil. And before he knew it, a wave of energy sent him flying against the wall in the small apartment that Gabriel had taken residence in. He knew it then, lying against the wall he knew what had happened. Gabriel, his big brother, was dead. He saw Lucifer's face, he felt the pain of the archangel blade, he felt his brother's life leaving, and he sat there silently cursing God for leaving them all behind, Lucifer for killing Gabriel, and Michael for letting happen and not standing up for them.
Once he felt Lucifer's presence leaving, Elijah appeared inside the hotel, his eyes locked onto Gabriel's motionless form. Anger and hatred, feelings that should be unaccustomed to an angel of innocence, swirled inside him. Holding the archangel blade in his hand, his brother's blade, Elijah used part of his energy to give his brother a proper burial, as he allowed his grace to take in his brother's human form and turn it into light. With that done, Elijah said his goodbyes and left the building full of bad memories.
He had a duty now. Castiel still needs to be saved, his location was ever changing even Elijah would have difficulty in severing the power of the sigil. Michael still needs to be convinced, his oldest brother needs to know there are other ways to end the fight without risking their Dad's most beloved creations. Not to mention Michael had made promises, promises that his brother was doing a lousy job of keeping. Gabriel needs to be avenged, no one can take away his beloved brother and simply walk away, which led to stopping Lucifer. There was a point when Elijah had loved Lucifer, when Lucifer had cared to love him, but killing Gabriel had destroyed that. And it was something Elijah could not forget nor forgive.
When Dean had asked the kid to spill his life story, this wasn't exactly what he had in mind. Once Elijah had finished, the room fell in silence. No one said anything. Bobby was in the corner, eyes staring at his bookshelf, trying to look like he was not effected, although Dean knew it wasn't working. Sam's eyes were focused on his hands, as if his hands had suddenly become so much more interesting. And Dean, he settled for looking at the young angel whose unnatural blue eyes were pensive and staring at the ground. Dean really didn't know what to say, sorry didn't seem to be appropriate. Sometimes Dean forgot that what humanity saw as the end of the world was really a family fight like Gabriel had once told them. Maybe he really didn't understand the sacrifices that angels like Elijah, Castiel, and Gabriel were making. After all, Dean could not even raise a hand to harm Sam simply because Sam was his brother, his family, yet he seemed to be asking the angels to do the same. One could argue that the angels didn't care, that they have no feelings. But looking at Cas, at Gabriel, and now at the young boy before him, Dean knew obviously that wasn't true for all of them. Clearly there were those who cared too much.
Before he could say anything though, slight movement on the bed caught his attention, he turned his head, shocked to find Cas's blue eyes slightly opened and gazing at him with what he could only describe as pain and grief before a hoarse and weak voice that tugged at Dean's heart strings filled the room with a simple yet heart-breaking question.
"Gabriel is dead?"
So now we know how Elijah got here, but there is more about the young angel that you will find out soon enough! And Cas is now awake! Just how will he react to finding out about Gabriel? How will our Team Free-Will reunion go? And what danger could lurking in the corner?
All will be revealed as the story continues so please please review!!!