In Darkness We Dwell

Author's Note: This is the sequel of Our Solemn Hour, so please make sure you read that first!

Then:

"There was nothing that could prepare him for the sight of his brother willingly walking into the cage; it was truly the most difficult thing Sam has ever witnessed.

"Goodbye Sam," Dean spoke as he glanced over his shoulder, "I promise to always watch over you." With those words spoken, Dean vanished into his prison.

"Bye Dean," Sam whispered when the door to the cage closed.

"He's gone," Sam cried.

"Shhhh," Sarah rubbed his back, "it's alright. Everything is going to be alright."

Eventually, Sam allowed her to lead back to their bedroom, and he stayed in her arms as his heart broke.

Now:

After all the pain and heartbreak over the past year, things finally began to settle down. For everyone, there will always be a giant Dean-size hole in their lives, but they managed to keep moving forward. For that was the only direction to move, forward. No way should anyone go backwards in life.

Ellen and Jo continued to hunt. It took a while for Jo to move on from her feelings from Dean, but she eventually met someone new and fell in love. This time both of them were on the same page, and it was not unrequited. Ellen was happy for her daughter, and she took it upon herself to keep an eye out on her family that was beyond blood; the people who she adopted into her life and her heart, especially Bobby.

Bobby and Ellen grew close as time went on. It was a shock to everyone when Ellen moved into Singer Salvage Yard when Jo chose to hunt with her new beau instead of her mother. Still, Ellen and Bobby were happy.

For Bobby, Ellen was the best thing is his life. After Dean was locked into the cage, the experienced hunter turned more and more into his dear friend Rufus. Bobby hardly spoke to anyone and focused solely on the hunt. It was like he had a death wish. Not even Sam could pull him out of the darkness, but Ellen managed to do the impossible. She brought Bobby back, and she gave him more of a purpose. Without her, Bobby would never have reconnected with Sam, and never been given the greatest gift of all.

Sam had the hardest time readjusting to life without Dean. With how many times it happened, one would think Sam would be used to it. But he would never be ready for a world without Dean by his side. Sarah and their life together kept the Winchester grounded. Sarah kept the heartbreaking pain at bay, which allowed him to function. With the life they live, the Winchesters should have known they were never going to get the simple life of growing old and passing from old age.

So Sam focused on his life with Sarah, and the child they created. Eight months after Dean's imprisonment, Sarah gave birth to a healthy and beautiful baby boy. Both parents agreed to name their son Dean. To honor how much of an impact the hunter had on the Winchester's lives, Sam named Bobby baby Dean's godfather;. Bobby was so touched and honored, and he doted on his godson constantly.

After giving birth, Sam proposed to Sarah, and the two got married when baby Dean was six months old. The new Mr and Mrs Winchester built a lovely life for themselves. Sarah took over her father's auction house, and Sam went back into law. They raised their son out of the life, and full of love.

It was not just the humans who had to adjust to life without Dean Winchester. In Heaven, Gabriel chose to honor Dean's sacrifice by being the best leader he could be. No more mistakes upstairs like before. Castiel was having the tougher time. Dean was his best friend. Without Dean on Earth, Castiel chose to stay in Heaven at Gabriel's side. It was easier to focus on the tasks of rebuilding Heaven. But still, the angel of Thursday watched over Sam Winchester and his family. Castiel owed it to Dean to do that.

But Castiel was not the only one watching over Sam and his family. Even in the deepest, darkest pits of Hell, Dean still watched out for his little brother. The eldest Winchester son may have been trapped in the cage, but still he was bound to look after Sam. Who knows, maybe soon he could be released from his cage and reunited with his brother. He could feel all his demonic minions anxiously awaiting for the time he would be freed.

It was hard to be locked away, completely alone in his prison. It changed Dean even more than he ever thought possible. He longed for the time when he would be set free from the cage; he could not be imprisoned forever. As he looked on at Sam's happy life, was when Dean felt it. There was this other presence with him. Perhaps Dean would not be alone after all...

A/N:

It is so great to be back! I hope you guys like last chapter of this part. I hope I still have some interest in this story that people will want to read another sequel?

Who visited Dean in the cage? Is this truly the end for Team Free Will?

I really want to know if you guys want a third part! I have some ideas jotted down. If I do this, then we focus a little more on Dean, and how he has changed since the first part, and a new antagonist will surely be introduced.

PLEASE REVIEW!