Hello! I've written a new short story, about what happened to Castiel before he saved Dean! I've tried to stick as close to the storyline as possible, and there are a few OCs... I hope you enjoy, please review and I promise to update!

1. Meeting

Castiel had always been the best recruit of garrison G6. The best fighter, the best tracker, the best at deciphering ancient codes and the best at answering prayers.

This had always been such a certainty to Cas, that he had never realised that it all could change in an instant.

And he never could've imagined that the instant had a name.

"Good day everyone," said Aziraphale, their mentor, "This is Muriel."

The small girl with even smaller reddish wings smiled at the group.

"Muriel is a new addition to the garrison, originally in G5, but she's surpassed everyone in her rank."

He pushed Muriel forward and she joined Castiel and the group.

"Hello," he said, smiling friendly. "My name's Castiel. I'm an Angel of Thursday."

"Muriel," She extended her hand. "Angel of Cancer."

To make sure every human was heard during prayer, every Angel was given a target group, Castiel had been assigned to human's born on a Thursday, and Muriel was assigned to human's born under the Zodiac sign 'Cancer'. That way, everyone got a share of work and they could rest once in a while.

Aziraphale scraped his throat, the blond Angel didn't like waiting, "Today's topic is blade-to-hand combat. So if you'd be nice enough to form pairs and have one of you collect a blade, that'd be tremendous."

Muriel looked at Castiel to pair up, but Cas wasn't quite sure. Muriel must be very good if she could skip a rank, but surely she wouldn't be able to break through Castiel's defence?

But after he was done pondering, he was already too late. Castiel shrugged and decided to go soft on her.

But he wouldn't let her win.

"Shall I get the blade?" Muriel proposed.

Castiel nodded. Balthazar, on the other side of the room, wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. But then again, Balthazar was a cock.

"Remember what you've all learned in tactics, try to disarm you peer. Everyone with the blade, try to kill your partner and be as dirty as you can. Your future enemy is not going to play fair either." Aziraphale stepped back.

"Go ahead," Muriel said, assuming fighting position. "Your reputation precedes you, Castiel. Don't go easy on me, I will notice."

Castiel flexed his raven black wings and frowned. They stood still for a few seconds, waiting for the other one to attack first.

Suddenly, Castiel spread his wings, all the feathers pointing out, pretending to go for Muriel's belly, but he changed course halfway through and reached for her wrist.

But it was as if Muriel could read his mind, and while she moved her arm out of reach, she went to punch Castiel in the jaw.

Castiel flapped his black wings once so he could quickly get out of her reach. He landed softly and looked her way puzzled.

"What?" She smiled boldly. She jumped up in the air to deliver a killing blow, but Castiel had big wings. He rolled away and with one majestic flap, he rose above the little Angel with the blade.

Muriel flew backwards to face Castiel, and Cas ducked down to kick her in the elbow.

He managed to, but even though Muriel had to lessen her grip on the blade, she didn't drop it. Castiel grabbed her wrist and there was a scuffle in the air.

Muriel turned the blade in her hand, while Castiel used the extra strength in his wings to force Muriel to the ground.

Castiel's knees touched the ground, and he seized her other wrist too, trying to wrestle for the blade.

Without any warning, Muriel started blowing in Castiel's face.

Castiel was distracted for a mere second and frowned. "Why...?"

Muriel smiled, used this confusion in her advance and 'stabbed' him in the neck. "I win."

Castiel rolled off her and got back on his feet, face flushing.

He felt every eye in the room peeled on him. Castiel swallowed his pride and extended his hand to Muriel. "Good fighting," he smiled.

"Thanks." Muriel got back up and handed him the blade. "Your turn."

"What are you all gazing at?" Aziraphale barked. "Back to sparring! And Castiel- Muriel, stay on the ground you two."

"Yes sir." Everyone said in unison, and they turned back to their fighting partners.

Now that Castiel had the advantage of the blade, he beat Muriel in mere minutes. But when they changed back, Muriel beat him.

When they both tried with or without the blade, the fight went on and on until one of them lost focus and the other took the upper hand.

"So basically, you got beaten by a little girl." Balthazar said, when they were having a break between combat and codes. "A little girl from one rank below you."

"Shut up Bal," Cas sighed annoyed. He punched him in the arm.

"Don't be so hard on me Cassie, you know you love me."

"You know I do," Castiel smiled.

Balthazar got up. "Let's go. Aziraphale will have our asses if we get there late."