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The Supernatural characters belong to Kripke Enterprises and the CW, not me. No money is being made from this story. It is for entertainment only.
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Winchesters in Hell
Chapter 25
Tale of the Triumvirate
From Chapter 24
"Interesting," Raphael muttered. "You know, Castiel, now that Michael is missing you are Heaven's most renowned General. How would you feel about leading an army against Hell?"
"Raphael, if I may speak freely, I would say it is a terrible idea." Castiel replied. "Our numbers are not unlimited. What I see outside tells me that they are about to become even less. You may seriously want to consider trying to salvage some of those who you seem bound to condemn."
Raphael leaned back on his throne like chair. "I will consider your advice, Castiel. Perhaps I will graciously accept the repentance of the younger ones who may have been misled. In the meantime I know that it is an imposition but I would appreciate it if you would return to Hell. Try to find out if they have Naomi and scout out their weaknesses. I am still of a mind to try and rescue Michael but I will await your report."
Chapter 25
Samuel sat on Hell's Throne; a statue gilded by the rays of Hell's never setting sun. The window casements had always been sealed and locked during Crowley's reign creating a sense of ever present night. Samuel had the windows thrown open and stripped of their iron shutters, allowing the lemon yellow light to enter. Corners that had not seen light since the Castle of Bones had been built were suddenly exposed. Entire species of spiders were shocked into movement. Packing their possessions the eight legged beasties headed for the still shadowed ceiling, there to create fragile lace-like webs for the King to admire.
The former King of Hell had used the shadowed corners of the room to conceal his favorite things. His courtiers had only been allowed to guess at the hidden treasures, gleaming in the dark lit only by weak torch light. The demon King had enjoyed the sense of secrets lurking in the dark. Occasionally he would pull out a choice item and display it; the desecrated thigh bone of a minor saint stolen from the tomb, the golden hair of a child dead before its time, a ghost of a weeping woman who acted as a music box for the King. Her sweet voice had been a blessing in life; in death it made her one of Crowley's toys.
Samuel's head hung down and his fully extended wings hovered just above the floor. He appeared to be sleeping. Each breath caused the heavy dark wings to ripple, iridescent color arcs chasing over the feathers, pinions just touching the floor on an exhale.
The other thrones were empty; Dean and Castiel were off on their own missions. Samuel however, was not asleep. He was deep in his own mind, listening to Lucifer and Santanael's ideas about the proposed conquest of both Earth and Heaven.
Lucifer wanted his revenge on Heaven; he swore a reign of terror on his brothers, a lake of fire, a hail of fiery embers. Samuel suggested a more compassionate approach. He wanted the Angels to be allowed to repent. He wanted to remind the Heavenly Host of God's commands; to wash those Angels clean of both sin and pride to enable them to return to their proper place creating the music of the spheres.
As always, Santanael acted as balance between the two spirits. Sam espoused the fertile beginning, Lucifer gloried in the ultimate peace of Death and Santanael walked the path from beginning to end, shaping destinies, aiding Samuel's fertilized seeds to bloom and bear fruit; teaching the acceptance and inevitability of Death.
They were considering the advisability of sending the Winged Man along with Satan to appear to Earth's witches. Perhaps it could be time to gather the troops. It would, of course, be up to Dean as the Master of the Human Plain as to what use could be made of Satan's witches and wizards.
There was the soft sound of beating wings in the air of the Throne room. Samuel raised his head, opened his eyes and spread his wings in greeting. Castiel had returned from Heaven.
The Seraph fluttered his way on to the dais and settled on his throne, flipping his heavy, now white, Angelic wings over the back of his chair.
"Do you have any news from the Heavenly plain, Cas?" Sam asked, a soft smile playing over his lips. After all, he may not have been the aspect in control under the waterfall but he had been there, silent, watchful and aware.
"Much worse than I feared," Cas responded solemnly. "Raphael has lost all virtue. He is playing at being God. With all his brothers gone he feels free to do anything he pleases. What he wants is for the apocalypse to begin and eventually bring Paradise. Heaven is stained with his greed and thrust for power. He sees the damage he has done but believes it a small price to pay for the promise of Paradise."
There was the sound of voices from the hallway to the right of the Thrones. Moments later Dean appeared with Crowley trailing. They were bickering, their normal method of communication.
"You know you like these trips topside, Squirrel. I promise it will only take you a couple of hours at the most." Crowley was saying.
"Get lost, Boris," Dean snapped. "I finished the job for you. Be grateful for what you already have."
"Dean," Sam called out. "Welcome back, Good trip?"
"Hi Sam," Dean called back. "I'll be right there as soon as get this toilet paper off my boot.
Dean turned back to Crowley. "Go away. Leave."
"But the pack misses you." Crowley smirked. "Daddy big dog should come home to the kids. What kind of father are you? Oh,, sorry. Sore point, isn't it, absent fathers?"
"Alright scum bag, now you've stepped in it." Dean growled.
"Oh my," Crowley laughed. "See, you sound just like one of your pups."
"Alright you two," Sam rumbled. "Enough. Crowley get lost. Dean get up here and sit down. Castiel has a report on the state of Heaven."
"But, Moose," Crowley whined. "This is a lot more fun than hanging out with that idiot Raguel. It is just so easy to wind your brother up. He has no control over his famous temper at all."
Sam rested his head on his hand. "We are not here to entertain you, Fergus. I would remind you that Dean's temper is famous for a reason. Unless you are very interested in a taste of my brother's fists I suggest you haul your ass out of here. We, evidently unlike you, have work to do. Get lost, Crowley."
Crowley huffed, sniffed and poofed away, leaving behind a hint of sulfur in the air.
"Thanks, Sam," Dean started up the stairs. "I thought I was going to have to listen to him all night."
Dean settled into his chair. "What's up? Hi, Cas. You're looking pretty perky. Something happen while I was gone? Nice wings. What are those? Going visiting Heaven wings?"
Castiel smiled and brightened up. Dean always knew how to put the Angel at ease. Heaven's problems receded and for just a moment the world seemed a little more hopeful. This was Dean's great gift; the ability to take on other people's problems, no matter how large, and make them seem more manageable. Great difficulties seemed to shrink in the face of Dean's confidence. Hope bloomed again like crocus flowers pushing their way up through the snow. As Dean always said, "We make a mess; we clean it up. That's what we do." No hesitation, no doubt.
Castiel twisted around to look at his snowy white wings. "Exactly, Dean" he answered. "That's exactly what they are. Raphael and the members of the Host expect me to be the obedient Captain of a garrison; unwavering; faithful and somewhat unimaginative. They would be not only shocked but also suspicious if I appeared dressed in these." Castiel spread his wings to their full extent and color flowed from the elbow and wrist bones down the feathers to the outer tips. A wash of deep royal blue chased bands of sky blue and emerald. Castiel's wings became a riot of barbaric color highlighted with flashes of gold.
"Whoa, Cas," Dan laughed out laud. "Flashy."
The sound of laughter rolling through Hell's halls disturbed the assembled demons. Hell's new Kings were changing things and the demons had never been designed to accept change. Laughter and love were equally forbidden in Hell's Halls.
Sam put out his hand to his brother. "Dean," he said quietly, "You're upsetting the natives. Look at them."
Dean shrugged. "It's good for them; keeps them on their toes." He glanced to the right "Isn't that right, Gilfoy?"
Gilfoy appeared instantly, "My Lord, how may I serve you?" The stuffy overdressed demon bowed low.
"Tell me, Gilfoy," Dean rubbed his hands on the arms of his wooden chair. "What do you think of laughter in Hell?"
"Very unseemly, Lord. Laughter has no place in these Halls. When Mr. Crowley was King only he was allowed to laugh and some of the things he laughed at were not very funny. I often believed that was why he left Hell so often for Earth. No one here got his jokes."
"We didn't get them all that often on Earth either, Gilfoy." Dean responded. "I think it was because the jokes weren't all that funny."
"Dean," Sam cut into his brother's conversation with Gilfoy. "Please, can we discuss Castiel's report before we all begin to forget why we are here? Either that or we get so old that even an Angel's memory fails?"
"Damn, Sammy," Dean shook his head. "I thought this whole Boy King thing would have removed that stick from your ass."
"Dean!" Sam yelled. "Enough. Now stop screwing around and pay attention."
Dean crossed his arms, sat up straight and glared at his brother. "Fine. Talk, stick boy."
Castiel ran over the same remarks he had made before but now addressed them to Dean. "I believe we should move on Heaven as soon as possible. I did talk Raphael out of casting out some of the younger Angels but I'm afraid that a lot of my brothers are going to fall. Raphael will strip them of their wings and drop them helpless out of Heaven. What should we do?"
"I'll tell you what to do," Dean answered. "Take some of Sam's Knights, say Belial and Verrine and use the Axis Mundi to rescue them. If they will follow you and you can talk Joshua into letting you use the other end of the road, bring your brothers here. We'll find work for them to do. Perhaps not here in Hell, which might make them a little uncomfortable but surely on Earth if they are willing to take on vessels. Earth is in dire need of good people and an Angel here and there can do a lot of good."
Dean looked up at Sam. "What do you think of that, Sammy?"
Sam smiled at his brother. "You are the Master of Earth, Dean. I would say you will serve it well." Sam looked at Castiel. "If Castiel agrees to this plan we can call my Knights in from the Garden and put the plan in action right now. It sounds to me like those brothers of Castiel's are in imminent danger and we should move as quickly as possible."
Castiel nodded. "Thank you both. It is a good plan. I will rescue as many as will listen to me."
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In a very short time Castiel stood with two New Knights of Hell, Belial and Verrine, at the foot of Hell's end of the Axis Mundi. Sam had explained the plan to the Knights and the odd trio of two blue crystal Knights and a white winged Angel, began to climb the stair to Heaven, swords in their hands just in case. Castiel went in front to hopefully intercept and enlist Joshua in their rescue effort. Castiel felt sure that God's Gardener would be pleased to help rescue so many brave and ancient Angels from possible death and disgrace.
Back in the throne room the discussion went on. Sam now broached the idea of appearing as The Wing Man to many of Satan's witches and wizards.
"Do you think I should go with you, Sam?" Dean worried.
Sam reached out for his brother's hand. "Come with me, Dean." Sam rose from his throne and led his brother away to the private apartments behind the throne. Once in his rooms away from the ever present eyes of the demon courtiers Sam folded Dean up in his arms and wrapped his wings around the man to meld them even closer together.
"I'll be fine, Dean." Sam murmured. "Never forget, I am now one of the most powerful creatures ever seen. Nothing can touch me except God. Not the colt, not poison not even an assembly of Hunters. I will be safe." Sam kissed the side of Dean's face and nuzzled into his hair. "Don't worry about me brother. I'll come back to you."
Dean turned in Samuel's arms. "When are you going?"
Samuel laughed and bent down to capture Dean's lips. "As soon as I summon Satan I will know. We want a good size meeting to attend. If I am going to appear then I'd like to get the most attention immediately. Also I think that a meeting of witches that large will attract Hunters. We need to discuss that. Perhaps you will be needed after all. Hunters are not going to want to discuss the finer points of political philosophy with a Winged Devil and a Knight of Hell. We shall see."
There was a sudden rapping at the door. Still embracing Dean Samuel opened the door with a thought. Gilfoy appeared.
"I am very sorry to interrupt but the strangest thing has appeared in the throne room. It appears to be an angel, a stranger angel. It most definitely is not your partner Castiel. Bela and Rowena stand behind the throne but it might be better if one of you came."
"Very good, Gilfoy," Sam responded. "We will be there immediately. Offer the Angel a seat near Castiel's throne and ask him if he perhaps wants, I don't know, whatever. Dean, any ideas?"
"Offer the guy a beer, Gilfoy," Dean grinned. "It generally works on unexpected visitors."
Gilfoy disappeared in a blink.
Sam snickered. "Dean, really? Gilfoy said it was an Angel."
Dean laughed again. The walls in Hell were beginning to peel each time laughter touched them. A little trail of dust fell from the ceiling. Sam glanced up.
"We are going to have to have that seen to," he said, "especially if there's going to be more laughter around here."
"Let's go, Sam." Dean pulled at Sam's arm. "Let's go take a look at our visitor so that we can come back here later and continue what you began."
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A small, ragged Angel sat near Castiel's Throne. Gilfoy had supplied the seraph with a spindle legged chair. The mustached demon stood nearby holding a foam-headed glass of golden beer which the Angel was eyeing in astonishment.
"Why would I want that?"
Gilfoy bowed obsequiously, as was his habit. "I was told that it was customary to offer guests refreshments."
"Go on, take it." A new voice called out. "Try to show some manners or do Angels think they are excused from that also?"
"Let him be, Dean."
The Angel turned to the side and saw Dean Winchester and the winged Boy King of Hell approaching.
The duo climbed the dais and took their Thrones.
Hell's King leaned forward to take a good look at the little Angel. "Just who are you and why are you here?"
"My name is Samandrael." The Angel tried to shake out his wings, exhibiting several raw looking patches of missing feathers. "I am a coward. When they came to strip my wings I ran away and then voluntarily fell from Heaven."
"I fell for days. I was so afraid. When I finally stopped I found that I had missed the Earthly Plain completely and somehow landed on the top of this building. I think I'm in Hell. I have fallen from Heaven straight into Hell. This is Lucifer's domain. I am forsaken by God and the Angels. Where do I belong now?" The young Angel shivered, covered his face with his hands and wept.
Dean actually laughed. "Well, look at that; our first volunteer. I didn't know that my plan to rescue Angels would work so fast."
As usual, Sam rolled his eyes at Dean's smart remarks. "Dean, you jerk. Don't pick on the kid."
Samuel brought Lucifer forth to comfort his little brother. "Samandrael, don't be afraid. No one wants to hurt you here. I am happy to see the youngest of my brothers. Please look at me. I'm not the monster they told you about. I will protect you."
The Angel lifted his face to look bravely into Lucifer's eyes. "They call you the Father of Lies. Why should I believe you? I know I am doomed. I fell and now I will be punished in Hell for my treachery."
"Hush, Samandrael,' Lucifer murmured low. "Let me walk with you in Hell's gardens. You will be safe among the flowers and the trees as long as you don't disturb those things that live in the dark."
Lucifer stood and extended his hand to his little brother. They walked together from the Throne room, through the open fretwork gate out into the dappled Gardens of Hell. Lucifer laid his long fingered hand delicately on the little Angel's shoulder. "Do you like waterfalls, little one?" Lucifer asked.
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On the night of the full moon on a high bluff overlooking Yankton South Dakota along the Missouri River a conclave of witches assembled. The word had been spread for weeks of the auspicious alignment of a number of signs that indicated Satan, the cloven hoof God, would appear on the cliffs to celebrate with his children.
The witches gathered under the moon. Wizards also joined the crowd. Bonfires were lit on the high bluff, casting a glow into the sky. Dancing had not yet begun. Further back on the bluff a fragment of the old forest still stood, the tree tops tossed by the wind. Under the oldest of the trees stood a boulder, carved by wind, rain and time into the rough semblance of a throne.
These people were lawfully assembled. There is a religion called Atheistic Satanism, most commonly referred to as LaVeyan Satanism, which holds that Satan does not exist as a literal anthropomorphic entity, but rather a symbol of pride, carnality, liberty, enlightenment, undefiled wisdom, and of a cosmos which Satanists perceive to be permeated and motivated by a force that has been given many names by humans over the course of time. To adherents, he also serves as a conceptual framework and an external metaphorical projection of their highest personal potential
A current high priest of the religion has written that Satan is a symbol of Man living as his prideful, carnal nature dictates. The reality behind Satan is simply the dark evolutionary force of entropy that permeates all of nature and provides the drive for survival and propagation inherent in all living things. Satan is not a conscious entity to be worshiped, rather a reservoir of power inside each human to be tapped at will.
Some will dispute the description and believe in a physical being; Satan, the dark man, a fount of knowledge and power. Some in the crowd followed the teachings of LaVeyan Satanism and only believe in the thought, not the man. Others fully expected Satan to appear and demand unquestioning obedience.
Just as in any other religion there were multiple schools of thought however the religion did not currently contain enough members to split into schisms so everyone was still welcome.
Hidden in the woods were Hunters, who also had their opinions. The always popular "The only good witch is a dead witch" was the Hunter's mantra. Of course the same mantra had been used for many other unpopular groups throughout history such as the Indians, the Jews, and even in Roman times, the Christians.
As the moon rode high in the Eastern sky with Venus trailing faithfully many voices were raised; in discussion, in prayer and even in song. The Hunters drew closer to the crowd, looking to separate lonely individuals for sacrifice. Blood on the witxhes' alter was not their intension but it could happen. Everyone on the bluff believed they were right; witches, wizards and Hunters clung to their beliefs.
It was coming on to 3 AM before someone noticed that there was a figure materializing on the throne. Satan appeared in all his new glory. He was still discernably the Dark Man but now his figure glittered in the night. His form was a slice of the night sky itself, decorated with stars.
The witches drew close to their Lord. Satan stepped forward and joined the front of the crowd. The humans either drew back in fear or reached out their hands to slide careful fingers on the smooth glass like surface pf Samuel's new Knight of Hell.
Satan turned and faced the throne as a new body materialized. Here was the Boy King, human in form and beautiful. His massive dark wings extended upwards, covering the face of the moon.
The trio of Hunters who had hidden in the trees charged out. This was prey they could not deny. Samuel stopped them with a simple glance. Their guns, knives and potions were scattered on the ground as helplessly they joined the crowd.
Sam grinned.
"Welcome to my garden on Earth."
One of the Hunters raised his voice. "Who the Hell are you, you Supernatural scum?"
Samuel leaned forward in the dark to get a better look at his challenger. "Why I don't believe it; Ron Applegate. How you dong Ron? Still trying to kill everything you don't understand?"
Sam looked at the Hunters at Ron's back. "Are these your boys, Pauly and Richard? I'm hurt you don't recognize me. You tried to hunt me down years ago."
"Sam Winchester." Ron hissed. "I knew there was something not right about you. Dean too, he was a son of a bitch and way too lucky for a normal man. I see I was right."
"Here you are, showing your real colors; standing in front of a crowd of witches, Satan by your side. You are damned."
"I'm more than just damned, Ron. I am now the King of Hell and you're right, Dean is with me." Samuel stood up and his shadow fell on the crowd.
"I bring to you all news of the damage done to the structure of existence. God has fled the building and the Angels have turned on us all. They were commanded to protect and guard all of humanity. They have decided that they deserve Earth, even though it was not made for them. Raphael the Archangel has decided that bringing the apocalypse and destroying all of humanity will allow Paradise to appear. The Angels want Paradise on earth but they want it for themselves. Humanity's only protection now is Hell.
Ron Applegate burst out in laughter. "So you're trying to tell us that up is down and down is now up. Angels will not watch over us but Hell's Demons will take over the job. We might just be humans but I don't think that all of us are so stupid as to believe you, Sam Winchester. I don't believe in you or that murderous brother of yours. As soon as you let us go we'll slaughter these witches and then come after you."
Sam raised his hands to the crowd. "What do you all say? Will you follow me or sacrifice yourselves to Ron? Make a choice."
Sam turned to Ron's sons. "What do you think Pauly; or how about you Richard? Do either of you think for yourself or do you follow your father blindly? I can tell you from personal experience that's a dead end road. I need Hunters to spread the word. I can give you weapons to project yourselves from the Angels."
" Join me."