Ramiel
Lock 3: Wise, Virginia
By: Wolfa Moon
Disclaimer: Sorry took so long. I cooked Turkey day. And things just kept coming up. But I am back. And waiting for Season 5 to continue.
L3
Dean and Cass walked a distance away but Dean kept his eyes on Ramiel. Ram was sitting on the hood of the car with Sam learning how to blow a bubble with bubble gum. Dean turned to Cass.
"How can an angel be so…"
"Innocent?" Cass finished as they watched their compatriots blow bubbles.
"Yeah, she is an archangel."
"But she is not a human."
"Right which brings up another issue. I know Sam's demon blood bothers you why not her?" Cass froze.
"She is a higher power and could smite him if she wanted but she sees beyound that. See's the soul. The innocence of her sees the beyond."
"And why her? Why not another?"
"What is the problem?" Castiel stop walking to stare at Dean. Dean ran a hand through his hair.
"I don't know. She's supposedly Michael's right hand, correct." Cass nodded. "So why doesn't she know things."
"I don't know." Dean huffed.
"Could she be hiding something from us?" Castiel switching his view from Dean to Ram then back.
"Why do you have no faith in her?"
"Cause she is an archangel. And the last one smited your ass. I saw the way you stare at her. She scares you and fascinates you at the same time. Yet you stand beside her." Cass turned his eyes to the other two members of their party. Ram had a bubble growing and Sam was encouraging her to go bigger. Tilting his head Cass realized that now each Winchester had an angel by their side. The bubble popped and landed back on her face. Sam began laughing like crazy. His hands coming up to help get it off her face. She was smiling. Dean straightened his back at the scene.
"I don't trust her." Then walked over to the other members.
Sam was still smiling while Ramiel tried to blow a bubble again.
"Hey Dean." Sam said with a smile still on his face. Dean turned to Ram with stern intensions.
"This next lock. You keep saying we're needed but every time we go to one it's angel blood and angel fighting skills. What do you need us for?
"You will be needed." Dean took offense to this and stood rim rod.
"For what?" he wanted answers.
"To help." Dean was agitated. His angel was being cryptic an now another one. He wanted to hit her. But knew better.
"Stop being cryptic and tell me what the hell our part is in all this."
"You are a part of this without even being asked. I asked to be polite."
"To hell with this." he gets into the car slamming the door. The remaining three look from one another. Sam looks to the angels. Ramiel lowered her head. Dean's anger had radiated. Sitting with her Sam had learned that she was learning and taking everything in. Every emotion that radiated. She felt it as if her own. Castiel laid a hand on her. She nodded in the silent communication. Sam watched as he picked up the gum that had contained enjoyment a forgotten moment ago. Dean blared the horn.
"Guess it's time to go." Sam collected the store bag. Tossing the gum to Ram.
"Keep practicing." She looked down and the small item of joy.
"He does not trust me," she stated to Castiel. Castiel could only nod.
"Dean does not have much trust in our kind."
"He has faith in you." Cass hung his head low. He did not want to be considered better then his disconnected status.
"It took time."
"I am afraid that we do not have that." the horn blared again. Holding herself tall she walked to the car. Castiel looked down to where she once stood. The remainder of the gum pack lay where she was. A moment is just a moment.
"Come on Cass hurry up." Dean bellowed from the car. Cass didn't care for walking he flew into the car.
L3
The ride was quite. Dean just drove out of Canada. His eyes looking in the mirror occasionally. Cass was watching Ramiel with solider like procession. Guarding his charge. Ramiel had her head tilted down, eyes closed and hands in her lap. After passing the border she had told them of their destination, Wise, Va. and has been in that state since. Sam constantly kept turning around to look at the extra pair.
"Is she okay?" Sam finally asked breaking the silence as they passed through Pennsylvania. Castiel turned to Sam's inquiry.
"She is fine." the silence grew again. Stopping Mid Way through West Virginia Dean pulled into a small diner. Sam looked back at the angels.
"You guys need anything?" Castiel had taken the same position as Ramiel. "Guess not." Sam walked into the dinner and found his brother staring out the dinner window toward his car.
"They not coming in?"
"No they are just meditating." Dean huffed. He didn't feel that great. Knowing he had hurt the Arch but not really caring. What got him was the silent treatment from Cass. True Cass was normally silent in conversations but he just clamed up. The waitress came over and began to take their order when her eyes transfixed out the window.
"Damn McArthur's" Dean and Sam both followed their gaze to outside where a group of 7 boys surrounded Dean's Impala. Dean jumped up running toward his car. Sam closely on his tail.
"What the hell are you doing?" the boys stopped their taunting toward the silent figures.
"What's it to you?"
"That's my car."
"And the freaks inside."
"Yeah. Now get."
"Make us." Dean approached and the boys began to brawl. Sam had been thrown and was sliding toward the ground when 3 boys tackled on him. Dean was being held and used as a punching bag. The boys raised his hand to punch when it was caught by Castiel.
"That would be unadvisable." The boy's arm he held looked shocked but the silence there was none as the other puncher challenged him
"What's it to you freak?" His question finished when another boy was thrown into him. One of the ones who was wailing on Sam. Cass looked to Ram as she helped Sam up. The others were stepping back. Cas threw the one in his hands on top of the other two thrown boys. The other's who held Dean let go. Dean though had been released from his bounds and the tiger was let loose he wailed one boy and was about to hit the other when a gentle hand grabbed it. The would be victim staggered back. Dean looked at his captor. Ramiel lowered his arm and let it go.
"That is enough." Dean stepped back from her. The punks had gotten up and stood together. The four had stood side by side watching the boys.
"You are freaks." one of the boys tried to be brave. Ramiel stepped forward and tilted her head.
"Why are we freaks when you are the one who dresses up like a female and go work the streets?" She tilted her head back seeing the boy's rage boil at his secret fact revealed. The boy took a step forward. Dean so wished that he would take another. But his friends around him backed away from the freak in their mist. One who they thought went against their way of thinking and living. Ram laid a hand on Dean's shoulder. "We should go. There are other places to get a bacon cheeseburger." Dean looked over his shoulder at her. In her eyes he saw that this was a waste and not worth the effort. And that he was the better man and walk away. She let go and proceeded to get in the car. Cass helped Sam into the front seat then went to his seat. Dean looked at the boy who now stood alone.
"What you looking at freak!?!" Dean shuck his head.
"Nothing." he proceeded to get in the car. Ram was leaning forward between the seats. Her hands slightly glowed as she healed Sam. "You can heal?"
"Only minor injuries at the moment."
"So you guys are cut off to hide what you're doing down here?"
"Yes, but we are still powerful."
"Cass seems to be losing some of that." Castiel seemed to sink further into the seat at the voiced fact. He was losing some of his mojo but he was still a loyal angel to god. For that it was worth the lost but frightening. Then also to hear that this archangel would fade down to where he is at scared him in his battle. Could they win? Castiel watched as she sat back next to him. She looked to him then to Dean.
"He has also been away for a while and I am also higher on the celestial command." she sighed. "But we aren't any less then what we are." Castiel felt pride at being reminded of what he had hope that he was not losing his inner battle as well as his outer. Dean turned back around and they continued. Castiel leaned over toward Ramiel
"Thank you." Smiling she looked at him.
"It is all true."
L3
The ride continues in silence. Dean stopped at a burger shack on the way then kept driving. Sam slept most of the way as Castiel and Ramiel sat taking in the passing scenery.
Wise, Virginia. "The safest place on the planet."
Dean huffed at the sign.
"Where to?"
"Head west of the town." She had become indifferently silent and Castiel glancing at her every so often. Watching his eyes as if asking what was wrong and she would just shake her off. Sam had had enough of his book and turned to the angels.
"So can you tell us anything of this lock?" Her eyes remained straight ahead.
"It will be very difficult." She closed her eyes. "Follow the creek road. When it forks follow it till it ends."
"What you have your own personal GPS?" She opened her eyes and tilted her head to Dean's question.
"GPS?"
"Yeah," looking back realizing who he was talking to. "Never mind." Her eyes focused foward again. Castiel rested a hand on her shoulder. Dean watched the action. She shuddered under his touch. Something was wrong. The sensation filling the car. Driving faster he reached the dead end. Whatever this lock was the Archangel didn't like this one. Or something about it bothered her beyond what was.
Reaching the end of the road they all vacated the car.
"So is every lock going to be in the middle of nowhere?" Dean asked as he retrieved items from the trunk. He still didn't trust her. She had moved to in front of the car. Castiel standing beside her. Something was wrong. Something that ruffled both the angel's wings. Handing Sam a gun he looked to where his brother was staring.
"Dude focus." Sam looked to Dean.
"What do you think their problem is?"
"Don't know. Just want this to get done."
"Why don't you like her?"
"Cause every angel we met is a dick."
"Except Cast right."
"Yeah."
"You're a dick." Sam grabbed one of the survival bags and headed over to the angels. Dean just shacked his head as he grabbed a bag and closed the trunk. He watched as Sam went over to the other duo. Cast responded to whatever Sam had asked. Then Ramiel began heading off into the woods. The two followed with Dean hurrying after. He didn't trust her, so what. She can take care of herself. Dean followed up on the tail end of them.
She kept moving. Sam turned to Castiel.
"Is she okay?"
"She doesn't like the smell."
"What smell?" Tilting his head he looked at the younger brother.
"Hell fire." Dean came up with them and winced when he heard the word hell. Cast moved quickly to keep up with her. Sam looked to Dean.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Let's go." Moving through the thicket of trees to where the angels stood over a giant hole in the earth. "Ok, how do we get down that?"
"There are tunnels that lead to the bottom. But they are rather small." Sam's heart skipped at that. He wasn't a fan of small places. Dean placed a hand on his shoulder knowing his brother's fear.
"Can't we just take Angel express?" Ramiel looked to Dean as if to speak to him but saw his face and felt his regard for her. She looked to Castiel to explain it to him. She moved off to the tunnel entrances.
"We can't because we don't know where to land precisely and hellfire is tricky on our wings."
"How tricky?" Cast tilted his head.
"Very." He turned and followed his superior. Dean patted Sam's shoulder.
"Come on." Sam huffed. He can do this.
"I can do this. "
The tunnels were low making all duck. Lanterns lighting the way. The tunnels stopped to become a fork in the road. Both forming two circular holes in the earth one left on right.
"Ok now what?" Ramiel moved closer raising her hand to each entrance.
"They both lead to our destination but I do not know about the path it leads."
"So we split up and see who get's there first?" Dean began pulling wrist lights from his backpack. "Cas and I'll take left. Sam you and Ram take right."
"Are you sure it's wise to split up?" Sam fidgeted as he adjusted and turned on his wrist light.
"Yeah. She say's they both meet up at the same local so what's the problem?"
"I hate tight spaces." Ram laid a hand on him.
"You will be fine." She let her hand drop. Moving over to Castiel she stared at him. The brothers watched their silent communication.
"They're doing their Jedi talk again." Dean hated it when they did this. Hated being out of the loop. True he could exchange glares with his brother and understood the other. But them. Ram got down on her knees and began to crawl into the right hole. Castiel looked at the brothers and nodded. He knelt and began to crawl into the left tunnel.
"See yah soon." Dean got down and followed Cast. Sam watched as his brother disappeared into the dark. Taking deep quick breaths he tried to calm himself down. Closing his eyes he tried to focus on the task at hand. A hand rested on him making him jump.
"God dammit." there in front of him stood Ramiel. She was covered in dirt but she was there.
"It will be alright Sam." Looking right into her eyes he calmed down. The dark tight space didn't matter. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah." he smiled it off. Smiled off the fear. The dark. She smiled then began to crawl down the hole again. Sam smiled as he watched her rear go. Sam could just smack himself up the head for thinking like Dean. Let's get this over with.
L3
Dean kept his eyes focused on the form in front of him.
"Do you have any clue about this lock?" No response came. Asking again he was met with silence. Getting fed up he grabbed Cas' leg. "Answer me." the angel tried to move forward again. But Dean kept his hold firm.
"Dean, release me."
"What's going on?" Cas sighed or huffed in annoyance.
"The smell is thick. It is hard to breath with the stench." Dean smelled the air. He couldn't smell it. Or was he to use to it he didn't recognize the smell.
"Ok. How do you think Ram and Sam are doing?" Silence fell again. Then in a gruff voice.
"They are fine. Let us please continue."
"Ok." Castiel continued. Dean followed.
L3
The light went out on Sam.
"Shit, damn, hell." his breathing became hitched. "Dean," he called quietly. Trying to dampen his fear. "Oh, God. " he breathed. The dark was closing in. Come on, he told himself. I fight demons and I'm scared of the dark.
"Sam. Sam. Samuel." the voice was firm penetrating in the dark. He opened his eyes to find dark
"Oh god, dear god."
"Sam, grab my leg." something hit his hand and he skirted back. The voice called to him again. "Samuel take a hold of my leg." the object hit him again and he grabbed it. "Good. Now hold on. We are almost there." Sam gripped tight. Especially when it moved. "I am here." Sam took comfort in the voice. The journey continued.
L3
Red harsh light, heat hotter than a summer day welcomed then as the tunnel opened up into a huge area. She moved into the light. Sam came following right behind her.
"Where have you been?" Sam looked up to see Dean coming to help him up.
"Light went out." once up to full height he looked to the angels. They both stood before a wall that looks like fire. "What the hell is that?"
"Don't know. We just got here and he just walked up to It." the brothers moved up to the angel's. "Now what." Ramiel raised her hands to the wall. It parted like a curtain for her. Whatever was Behind the curtain made the brothers jumped back.
"What the hell?" there in front of them were these huge creatures practically made of fire but had shape. Did you ever see the pictures depictured the devil and what he should really look like? (AN) That was what was before them. Horns heaven's high. The creature snarled at them. It tried to lunge at them but a chain held it from getting them. The brother's approached slowly toward the angels.
"What is that? Is that the devil's vessel when in hell?"
"No." Cas spoke.
"Then what is it?" Sam stepped closer curious at the huge creatures.
"They are guardians. Sentinels if you will." Ram spoke as she examined the creature as well.
"To keep demons in hell." Sam tried to confirm.
"And to keep people from getting in." Ram continued on with the lesson.
"What?" Dean stepped forward. The lesson went on.
"These creatures are sentinels put in place to watch over hell. They make sure the evil stays in and the good stays out."
"But I was there." Dean tried to make it sound that her lesson was wrong. She looked to him with stern eyes.
"You made a deal." Cas took over the next part of the lesson.
"When I went to save you they help part the way so I could reach you."
"So they're on our side?" Sam asked staring at the creature in disbelief.
"Yes. His brethren are locked up at the other identical locks. When they are released they should be able to help keep all the evil from escaping." Ram tried to follow the chain to where it was tethered too.
"So you unchain it and the lock is sealed?"
"Yes." the voice was stern.
"So what is the problem?" Cas didn't respond but stepped closer to the archangel. The brothers stepped back unsure of what they were up to.
"Ramiel?" She looked into his eyes. The hellfire reflecting in their eyes.
"It is not safe for you." he nodded. He knew he was losing more of his connection with heaven. She looked deep into his eyes. "I am frightened of this."
"I know." she looked back down into the pit. She was a messenger and a warrior of god. But she was one kept mostly out of the battle to plan. To make sure all was well. To spread the word of god. The innocent. Castiel laid a hand on her. "Whenever you are ready." Castiel stepped back with the brothers.
"What's wrong with her?" Dean asked as he approached.
"It is a difficult task."
"Which is?"
"She needs to release the bonds but in order to do that she needs to jump willingly into hells fire."
"What can happen to her?" Sam asked as he looked at Ramiel. She hadn't moved from her spot of staring down the pit. The creature that was thrashing earlier seemed calm now. It watched the archangel as she stared down the pit.
"The fire hurts." Cas closed his eyes at that. "It is a difficult task to do willingly."
"But you did it." Dean said with full strength. His side of not trusting her coming out. Cas opened his eyes and bore them into Dean. Dean stepped back involuntary. Cas stepped closer into his space.
"I had brothers helping me then. We are on our own. And with my powers not as they were I can't back her up like she needs. It will hurt her true form."
"Was yours injured then?" Sam asked. Castiel nodded.
"But I was given an order. It was asked of me. As she told me that was proclaimed."
"Wait she gave you the order to retrieve Dean from hell."
"Yes." Castiel looked to the archangel again. Dean looked stunned. Taking in all he had just learned. Knew that he was being an idjit. That he never had a reason to place doubt in her. Learning she had a part in his rescue. Had part in bringing Castiel into their lives. He just learned so much. Dean walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn't look up at him. She kept her eyes focused on the fire.
"We'll be here when you get back." she looked to him. Her face lightened as the warmth of the doubt faded and she learned that she was accepted.
"Thank you." she turned and jumped into the pit. Dean moved back with the others. Castiel kneeled and began to pray. Sam sat against the wall. Dean sat next to Sam. They both prayed as well.
L3
Time passed. The creature shifted every once in a while. Especially when Dean stepped close to it. Castiel remained where he was.
The creature roared all of a sudden. It's arms raising into the air. Tugging hard on the chains. Thrashing about like a wild thing it appeared to be. Castiel stood up. The brothers joining him.
"What is going on?" Dean asked. The creature flared with force again. The chains rattling.
"Is that a good thing?" Sam asked as he stepped closer to Castiel. Cas seemed to stare deep into the fire pit. The chain broke on the left hand of the creature. The left hand began to pull at the right tethered hand. That one became free. The neck was last. The creature thrashed and thrashed. Fire shot up from the fire depth. Dean had pushed Sam back and grabbed Cas before he became fried angel.
"What the…" Dean never finished as the neck chain snapped. It stepped forward and snarled at them. Castiel stood up in front of the boys. The creature tilted it's head as did Cast. It nodded and began to lower itself away from them.
"What's going on? What happened?" The fire curtain faded.
"Ramiel succeeded. The sentinels is going back to their duties."
"Where is she?" Castiel closed his eyes trying to reach her through the angel grapevine. But he received no reply. Worry filled him. Stepping to the edge he had to quickly step back. The creature roared up at them again. It's hand coming out over the ledge. All backed up at the heat that radiated off it. Shielding themselves that they didn't see the creature depart but felt the heat lessen. Opening their shields they looked at what was left. There stood Ramiel. Her form had rays of smoke coming form her. She looked hagred. Worn, beaten. She looked like she had been to hell and back. Looking about ready to drop. Castiel approached her. She looked up into his eyes.
"It's locked and now more know what we are doing. We need to depart." Her breath was ragged ad tired. Castiel laid a hand on her. Dean and Sam came over.
"You okay?" Sam asked.
"I will be." She looked at them all. "We need to go." Dean came up before her.
"How are you're wigs?"
"Singed but still capable." Dean looked to Castiel for confirmation on things he could not see.
"We can do this but," he turned to her. "You will need to rest." She nodded.
"Fine let's go." Dean said. And with a touch they were off.
L3 …End
TBC
Author note: The sentinel I tried to picture as the one from Doctor Who: The Satan Pit. Season 2 episode 9. Just in case you wanted to see it.