Author's Note:

*Is hiding behind computer to avoid flying objects*

Okay, so I know I said I this would be the end of the fic, but it turns out I wasn't quite as ready to part with it as I thought I was. There's still so much left that hasn't been resolved, but if any of you are tired of it and want to stop reading, then I totally understand. Normally I try not to draw stuff out for too long, but I just couldn't cram everything I wanted into this one chapter. The small little Sam/Cas moment is dedicated to Suzy because she loves the little brothers bonding and the big brothers bonding! It's a teeny tiny moment, but still there. Lyrics are from Marchin' On by OneRepublic.

Thanks for sticking with me!

"There's so many wars we've fought

There's so many things we're not

But with what we have, I promise you that

We're marchin' on, we're marchin' on."

Castiel's P.O.V.

"Crowley," I said.

"Well if it isn't my favorite little angel pal that hasn't got shagged yet. Long time no see, mate."

I resisted the urge to snap at him about mocking my virginity. It seemed like everyone liked mocking my virginity. Even a sarcastic British demon that had randomly appeared how of nowhere. Well not quite nowhere; Sam had told me that SnarkyandDemonic was undoubtedly Crowley. Still, that didn't make his company any more welcomed.

Dean came forward with his demon killing blade raised, but with a simple flick of his fingers, Crowley had both Winchester brothers pinned to the wall, immobile. I placed my hand on Crowley's forehead, knowing I was still very much strong enough to kill demons, but he gave me a meaningful look that practically verbally said Hold that thought, this is important.

"Walk with me talk with me, Cas," the demon said. I winced at his use of the nickname Dean had given me. I didn't like that nickname in any way related to a demon.

"I am not going anywhere with you," I growled, dropping my hand but still ready to kill him.

With a sigh, he released Sam and Dean. "They can take care of Gabriel, but we need to discuss something."

"Whatever you have to say to me, it can be said in front of them too."

"Such a loyal sap you are. Okay, let me rephrase. We have an issue called the Mother of All is not even ten minutes from here, and I'm rather partial to staying alive and I assume you are as well, so why don't we stop bickering and start bloody figuring out what the hell to do!" he yelled, looking more frenzied and panicked than I'd ever seen a demon get.

"Not without my brothers."

"Are all of you angels so sodding sentimental? Good grief, you're like Hallmark cards with wings," he said exasperatedly.

"Why are you even running from the Mother of All? You're one of her precious little children, she wouldn't lay a finger on you," Sam said bitterly.

"That's where you're wrong, Moose. I am Lucifer's creation. She cares for her children and her children alone. She's going to wipe out the demons right along with the humans."

"First you were running from Luci, now the Mother of All…you really can't win for losing with the parental figure thing, can ya?" Gabriel piped up, the words slightly cracked with pain.

"Tell me about it," Crowley sighed, ignoring the sarcasm.

"Fine. We'll talk. Sam, Dean, stay with Gabriel," I said flatly, fingering the blade tucked into my slacks.

"But Cas-"

I cut Dean off. "I can handle this."

We shared a look, and he saw must have seen the determination in my eyes. He shot me a look that said Be careful. I gave him the smallest of reassuring smiles in return. Knowing this would be a conversation that needed to be held in private, I put a hand on the demon's arm and transported us to a desolate area of a nearby park. I withdrew my hand as soon as we were there, not wanting to be in contact with him for any longer than necessary.

"What do you want, Crowley?" I asked as we walked.

"To make a deal."

I smiled bitterly. "A crossroads demon making a deal…I believe that humans would call that irony in its finest."

"Mock me all you please, but we're all in danger. And that enchanted blade of yours isn't going to do anything but piss her off."

"Not only did Michael relay the information, but Sam also did research and it lined up with what Michael told us," I replied confidently.

"Well he's wrong."

"Give me one good reason to trust you, an Abomination, over my own brethren."

"Because I've interrogated a number of Alphas, and it just so happens that one of them knew how to kill her. They also gave me the location of Purgatory."

He paused, and I motioned for him to continue. He complied. "After I cut out their internal organs and stacked them in a nice, neat little pile, they gave me a spell. The certain Skinwalker was French, but I translated," he explained. He recited the spell, his accent thickening with the foreign language. "La mère doit être abattu par un guerrier de l'enfer et un serviteur de Dieu."

I murmured the translated version under my breath, the pieces slowly falling into place. "The Mother shall be felled by a warrior of Hell and a servant of Heaven."

"Now do you understand why I'm here?" he asked, glancing over at me.

"You came to us because you cannot kill her alone. You need our help."

"And you need mine. You help me, I help you, we go our seperate ways. Simple as that."

"So the Mother can only be killed by an angel and a demon…" I muttered to myself, perplexed. Why would Michael lie about how to kill her? I wouldn't be trusting Crowley so easily if it wasn't for the fact I knew that he genuinely wanted her dead.

"Exactly. And that's not all. After I cut off the Skinwalker's arms and legs, iy proceeded to tell me what to kill her with. Et elle doit mourir de la main de l'arme forgée dans les cendres du purgatoire."

"And so she shall die at the hand of the weapon forged in the ashes of Purgatory," I translated aloud. "So this means…"

He smiled as if the prospect pleasured him, or at the very least excited him. "This means we have to enter Purgatory."

Sam's P.O.V.

"Why is it taking so much longer for you than it did with Cas?" Dean asked Gabriel.

"I'm an archangel," he said, wincing. The pain had been going from a dull ache to excruciating, and then back again. Right now it was somewhere in the middle.

"Hello again, boys," Crowley greeted as he and Cas appeared in the room.

"Sam, come with me, I believe I will be needing your research expertise," Cas said, and I blushed a little at the compliment. It's not everyday an Angel of the Lord comments you on your researching skills.

"Dean, keep an eye on the snarky abomination," he added, deadpan.

"Sweet talk me some more, darling," Crowley said sarcastically.

Cas ignored the demon, and while I was reluctant to leave Gabriel, I still followed Cas out into the hallway. He looked tired and haggard, the end result leaving him to look like an average worn out human. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and he accepted the small gesture gratefully.

"Michael lied to Gabriel. While I do not trust Crowley as far as I can metaphorically throw him, he very much wants the Mother of All dead, and he has the information we need."

I blinked, astonished. I hadn't been expecting any of that. "So how do we kill her?"

"The information given to him by a Skinwalker was fairly ominous, but it seems to be factual. 'The Mother shall be felled by a warrior of Hell and a servant of Heaven, and so she shall die at the hand of the weapon forged in the ashes of Purgatory.'"

"So the blessing of that blade was for nothing?"

"Seemingly."

"Great," I sighed, raking my fingers through my hair. "But what weapon? And how can she be killed by an angel and a demon?"

"That's where you come in. We need to know what kind of weapon needs to be forged, how to safely access Purgatory without becoming trapped, and how Crowley and I can kill her. Ask Robert for assistance if need be."

"What are you going to be doing?"

"If there's anyone that knows about weapons, it is an angel I once fought with. I feel his grace nearby, apparently he's been hiding here on Earth. Heaven thought him to be dead."

"Who is he?"

"His name is Balthazar."

"For all of the times we've stopped, for all of the things I'm not

Oh, we put one foot in front of the other

We move like we ain't got no other

We go where we go

We're marchin' on, marchin' on."