Chapter 22

Dean and Sam began to wake to find themselves lying on the ground in a forest. They sat up and looked around hoping this time they landed where Jack and hopefully their Mom were.

"Ya ok'y over th're S'my?" Dean slurred as he tried to shake the disorientation from jumping worlds.

"I think so," Sam replied wiping a hand down his face and trying to focus on their surroundings. "Think we found the right world?"

"Don't know, guess we need to try and find out where we are," Dean told him as he worked on getting up off the ground.

"Where do we start?" Sam asked getting up and steadying himself with his hands on his knees before finally straightening up.

"You good?" Dean asked taking a couple of deep breaths as his vision cleared. He looked around the area trying to decide which way to go. "Let's head that way."

Sam fell in behind his brother as he headed through the trees in the direction that seemed the easiest to hike through. It was maybe mid morning, Sam thought trying to see the sun through the branches and from where it was in the sky. The sky was hazy making the day seem dreary and depressing.

They had been walking for over an hour when Dean broke through the edge of the trees and looked at the barren wasteland that stretched off in the distance. He looked both ways as Sam stepped out beside him.

"I think we're in the right place," Sam commented looking at the bleak land that stretched out in front of them.

"You think," Dean said sarcastically. "Let's head back into the trees, at least its cooler in there."

"Maybe we can find this world's Bobby again and see if he knows anything about Mom and Jack," Sam suggested. He followed Dean back into the trees, relieved when the scorching hot from the wasteland was replaced by a milder, humid hot in the trees. Dean turned them south heading a little deeper before walking parallel with the border of the wasteland.

Dean moved quietly as he listened to every sound around them trying to hear trouble before they walked up on it. He tried to keep Sam behind him for protection, but his brother knew him too well and when he could would walk beside him. Neither had to speak to communicate with each other. Dean knew the look Sam gave him when he saw what he was trying to do, but couldn't stop himself from trying. It was ingrained in him to protect his little brother, no matter what.

Darkness fell quickly and the brothers found a sheltered area near a stream to spend the night, knowing it wouldn't be safe to try and continue in the darkness. They settled down using their packs as pillows and tried to catch a few hours of sleep before moving on. The sounds of the night were different here than their world and it took Dean awhile to settle down. Much of the wildlife sounds were gone and only insects seemed to have survived. Sam was snoring softly beside him when he finally let himself doze lightly, not feeling comfortable allowing himself to fully relax.

spn

"Hey, wake up," Dean whispered to Sam as he clamped a hand over his mouth so he wouldn't speak.

Sam was instantly awake and looked around to see what had spooked his brother. He drew an angel blade from his pack since Dean had one already in his hand. He was glad they had at least brought them along since nothing else was going to work on angels if they ran into any. He heard the noise that had woken Dean and they both froze waiting to see what it was. It wasn't long before a deer moved through the brush and continued on its way deeper into the forest. Dean waited another fifteen minutes before speaking.

"Guess we should head out," Dean said getting up when nothing else disturbed the surrounding area.

"Probably a good idea," Sam agreed getting up and shouldering his small pack. He moved to the spring and washed his face before sipping some water.

"At least the water's not polluted, I hope," Dean said as he joined him by the edge of the stream. He drank his fill hoping to relieve some of the hunger he was feeling.

"Here," Sam offered holding out half a power bar to him. "It's not much, but it'll help."

"Thanks Sammy," Dean nodded accepting the bar and munching on it.

They quickly ate their sparse meal and drank some more water before starting their hike again. Dean took the lead again and picked the easiest route through the trees for them. The air was still cool since the sun had just come up and had not warmed the air yet. Sam zipped his jacket to hold in the warmth until he warmed up with the hike. They didn't talk as they moved through the trees not wanting to attract any unwanted attention.

It was almost noon when the brothers came to a mesa and started to cross it. They were half way across when they came. Dean and Sam stood back to back with angel blades in their hands as two angels landed in front of them and two behind them blocking off any escape.

"Well, well, what have we here?" one of them sneered looking at Dean and Sam like they were ants to be stepped on.

"Sir," another angel spoke up. "These two don't seem like the other humans we've encountered."

"They are no different than the weak humans we have been destroying since Michael killed Lucifer and decided these measly, insignificant ants needed stomping out."

"Whatever happens promise me you won't say yes," Dean growled at Sam as he eyed the two angels he was facing.

"Same goes for you," Sam mumbled back watching the other two angels pretty sure they were not getting out of this alive. "No matter what."

Before either brother could react, the angels attacked. They were thrown backwards landing hard on the ground. The air was knocked from both of them and before they could get a breath, angels grabbed them throwing punching.

"I say let's have a little fun," one angel laughed as he punched Dean in the face and was surprised when Dean rammed into him throwing an elbow and catching the angel in the face.

Sam was trying to fight back and landed a couple of blows before being pounded to the ground and kicked.

"Dean!" Sam cried out as he saw his brother go down.

"Stop, stop!" an angel said when suddenly a loud voice vibrated in their heads. "We have two humans...No I think not...We haven't started questioning them yet...One is named Dean...Yes Michael...Immediately..."

"Let's go, Michael wants to see these two," an angel stated grabbing a fist full of Dean's jacket and shirt while another pulled Sam from ground and they disappeared.

spn

Mary, Jack and Charlie were sitting around a fire talking to Bobby and some of the others as they ate the food given to them. All stopped talking and stared at Jack when he suddenly got up and took a few steps away from them as he cocked his head slightly like he was listening to something.

"We need to go!" Jack yelled loudly turning to look at Mary.

"What is it Jack?" Mary asked getting to her feet.

"Dean and Sam are here and they're in trouble," he told her, fear in his voice.

"Michael has them and that means Lucifer does too," he rushed. "We have to hurry."

"Do you know where they are at?" Bobby asked seeing the terror in Mary's eyes.

"It's a church that has a broken steeple, graveyard behind it, I don't think it's far away," Jack told him.

"Alright, the best fighters get on the bus; we need to head out now!" Bobby ordered. "Everyone gear up for battle. I know where that place is and you're right, it's not far from here. Everyone else break camp and move to the emergency camp. The angels are way too close for comfort."

"I should go there now," Jack started but was stopped by Mary.

"You can't face them alone Jack. You don't know how many angels Michael and Lucifer might have with them. You can't take all of them on alone."

"We need to hurry then," Jack insisted trying to hurry them.

Fighters quickly grabbed their weapons and got on the bus with Mary, Charlie, Jack and Bobby. The bus moved out as fast as it would go and Bobby gave the driver directions on how to find the abandoned church.

Jack was tense and sat on the edge of his seat as he tried to sense the brothers. Something inside of him was building and just waiting to be released. He clenched and unclenched his hands as his eyes suddenly glowed until Mary laid a hand on his arm. He looked to her and saw the concern in her eyes. She smiled at him for a moment, not wanting him to see her anxiety and worry.

"It'll be okay Jack. We'll get to them in time."

"We have to..." he said staring out the windshield wanting the bus to go faster. He couldn't lose his fathers to the angels.

spn

Dean and Sam staggered when they landed in a dirt parking lot and saw the partially destroyed church in front of them. The angels had tied their hands behind their backs so they had to work hard on staying balanced. They both stiffened when Michael stepped from the front door and Dean heard Sam suck in a hard breath when Lucifer came out behind him. They walked side by side toward the brothers.

"No matter what, do not give in," Dean whispered as he tilted his head back boldly glaring at the two archangels as they approached.

"Same," Sam hissed between clenched teeth. His stomach twisted into knots and he fought the terror that was building in his mind. He couldn't dare let Lucifer see it or he'd gloat at him and tear him apart.

"I can't believe it, the Winchester brothers," Lucifer preened. "What a surprise to see you here, no wait, you came to find Mommy dearest didn't you?"

"Go to hell," Dean spat at him standing tall and defiant.

"You know brother; don't you think these pesky humans should be bowing to us?" Lucifer asked Michael.

"I think you are right," Michael said clenching his fist and making Dean fall to his knees in pain.

"It's good to see you again Sammy, have you missed our one on one in the Cage?" Lucifer asked Sam as he stepped to him to run a finger down his cheek, only to have Sam jerked away like he was burned. "Why don't you join your brother?" he snapped his finger and Sam bit back the groan of pain as he fell hard to his knees beside Dean.

Dean didn't give them the pleasure of making a sound as he spit blood on Michael's boots to be rewarded by escalating pain that radiated through his body.

"You know, Dean is Michael's true vessel in my world like Sam is mine," Lucifer told him patting Sam on the head.

"Is that true? Are you a vessel for Michael?" Michael asked Dean.

Dean glared at him but didn't answer his question.

"Why don't we play a game brother? You take Sam and I will play with older brother here. Did Sammy tell you how close we became when he was with me? Oh the cuddle times we had," he crowed with delight when Dean glared at his with death in his eyes.

"Don't listen to..." Sam started but his voice was cut off when Michael grabbed him around the throat and raised him to his feet watching as Sam choked.

"No! Stop!" Dean demanded trying to get to Sam but was stopped by Lucifer as he waved his hand sending him stumbling backwards in pain. He watched as Lucifer took an angel blade and towered over him before driving it into his shoulder and twisting the blade.

Dean couldn't stop the cry of pain coming from his mouth as Lucifer grinned down at him. "You know, we don't really want your bodies as vessels. What we want is the spell to open a rift. I'm tired of this broken world and want to go home."

"Walls Dean..." Sam gasped out when Michael finally released him so he could breathe. "Build walls..." he said hoarsely before Michael clamped down on his head trying to search his memories for the knowledge.

"Let's see who can find it first," Lucifer challenged as he grabbed Dean and pressed a hand to his forehead so he could search his memories. He frowned angrily went he hit walls and couldn't see past a few childhood memories. He pushed harder making Dean groan in pain as he pressed his lips into a tight line.

"What is this? I've never had a human this strong that could resist me," Michael fussed when he found nothing of use in Sam's mind. He backhanded Sam, sending him stumbling to the side to fall to the ground hard.

With his hands tied behind him, Sam couldn't catch himself and felt something break in his arm. He rolled off it panting hard and looked for his brother. He saw Lucifer was still trying to break Dean and started to call out to him but his voice was suddenly cut off as he struggled to breath. His vision blurred and black spots suddenly clouded his sight. As quickly as it happened, Sam was suddenly released and choked and sucked in the air his lungs needed. He was lying where he couldn't see his brother and tried to move to find him.

"D..." he tried to force out but his voice was hoarse and weak.

"We may have to press harder," Lucifer suggested. "Doesn't matter if we injure them, we have no need for them where we are going. You're going to like my world," he told Michael as he increased the power coming from his hand to try and break the walls Dean had built.

Dean could feel Lucifer rooting around in his head and fought hard to keep him from seeing what he wanted. He could feel the pain radiating through his body and fought with every cell in his body. He lost sight of Sam and couldn't stop the cry of pain when Lucifer threw him backwards onto the gravel parking lot. He knew even if it cost them their lives, they could not allow this Michael and Lucifer to get the spell and go to their world.

"Fight S'my..." Dean gritted out as Lucifer pressed his foot into his chest making it hard for him to breath.

The brothers continued to resist the archangel's attempts to make them break no matter the pain they endured.

A/N: The brothers are in a tight spot, will the others get to them in time? Thank you for coming on this journey that is almost over. I do like reviews. NC