"Sam?"
Sam moans and brings his hands to his face.
"Sam!"
Sam cracks open an eye and runs his hands down his face with a dramatic sigh. He looks up and sees Cas staring at him.
"Cas?"
"You're safe now." Cas answered with a small smile.
"Safe?" Sam's eyes widen when all the memories come flooding back to him. "Jessica!"
"She's fine." Cas assured him. "She's over there."
They look and see Jessica on the ground. A woman dressed in a military uniform hovers the huntress.
"She's fine." The woman nods to Cas. "I healed all the wounds how is Sam?"
"All good." Cas nods back.
"No more blood?"
"No more blood."
"Cas." Sam sits up so he can get a better look at the woman. "Is that..."
"I'm Hannah." She answered with a smile. "You are the Sword's brother. Castiel speaks highly of you."
"Hannah?"
"She's with us." Cas says. "You can trust her."
"Get off me!"
Jessica is up and in a defensive position. Hannah raises her hands.
"I'm not going to hurt you." '
The angel steps forward. Jessica backs away and gives Hannah a warning look.
"You take another step I will kill you."
Hannah looked more annoyed than scared by the threat.
"I saved your life." The angel said. "I can easily change my mind."
"Oh yeah well you will have to go through me first." Sam growled.
"Everyone stop." Cas sighs. "Please we can't fight now Jack, Michael they need us. Dean."
That made Sam snap out of it.
"Cas? Where's Michael?"
"I can take you to them." Hannah answered.
"Them?" Sam frowned.
"The prisoner. Michael is with the prisoner."
"Who's the prisoner?"
Hannah glances at Cas. Cas folds his arms wanting answers as well. Hannah sighs.
"I believe you know him. He is the Archangel Gabriel."
"I thought Gabriel was dead in this world." Cas frowned.
Hannah shakes her head.
"Not this world."
She looks at Sam.
"Your world."
"Here's the ingredients." Raphael gestures to the items on the table. "Oh and I almost forgot."
He pulls out a vial of grace. Kevin looks at it and swallows.
"Is that..."
"Michael's? No it's the prisoner's." Raphael nods. "I took it a while ago I knew one of the ingredients was grace. I wish it was Michael's though. His grace being our key to paradise it would have been ironic." Kevin didn't laugh or smile at that. Raphael rolls his eyes. "You're worried about him."
"You cut his wings."
"Oh come on its not like you saw me do it."
"You did do it." Kevin spoke with anger. "Yes I couldn't see you do it because I'm human I can't see the wings but I did see his face. After you did what you did Michael looked so...broken I have never him like that before. Honestly it scared me."
"Why did it scared you?"
"BECAUSE HE IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE BROKEN!" Kevin screamed. "HE'S AN ARCHANGEL HE IS SUPPOSE TO BE INVINCIBLE, UNBREAKABLE WHAT YOU DID..." He shakes his head. "...you destroyed him."
"Good." Raphael nods. "I'm glad and do you know why I'm glad? Michael is a destroyer he destroys everything in his path. If taking his wings away destroyed him well now he will know how we feel."
"It's not the same."
"Not the same." Raphael throws his hands up in the air. "Of course it's the same. I lost two brothers because of that bastard. His ego and self-righteous behavior is the reason we are living in this Hell-hole. We have all suffered because of him. Now it's his turn to suffer." He points his finger at the Prophet. "Do not even think about defending him you should be lucky you are standing here without a scratch I could have punished you for what you did."
"It's not like you care. I'm only here because you need me you want me to open the rift." Raphael is about to argue. The archangel closes his mouth and sighs heavily. "I thought so."
"Just get on with the spell."
"What about the angels?"
"They are not coming."
"Why?"
"They don't trust me. I saw their faces when I told them about Michael they didn't take the news well. That shows part of them still worships Michael. Hannah. The abomination Castiel has corrupted her. Such a shame she was a good soldier."
"You are basically doing what Michael did. You are leaving the angels behind."
"They are not loyal to me. They don't get a pass."
"What about me? Am I going to get left behind?"
"If you behave yourself and open this rift you can come."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
Kevin finally gave in.
"Okay I'll do it."
Raphael blinks.
That was easy.
It made Raphael laugh. The mention of paradise brought Kevin back to his side again. Smirking Raphael looks at the spot where the rift will open. His eyes gleam with anticipation as he waited for the Prophet to do the spell. Then he heard the kid let out a frustrated sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing is happening."
Raphael looks at the Prophet.
"What do you mean nothing is happening?"
"I put all the ingredients in and nothing happened." Kevin looks at the bowl with a puzzled expression. "Are you sure these are the right ingredients?"
"Yes I am sure."
Raphael storms up to the table and bends down to have a look.
"Caecus."
Raphael looks up. Kevin suddenly tosses the bowl. Red powder flies out. Raphael screams when the substance goes in his eyes. He collapses on the ground with his hands on his eyes.
"MY EYES!" He shakes his head. "I CAN'T SEE!"
Kevin shoves the ingredients into a bag and slings it over himself. He clutched the strap of the bag as he walks round the table towards the archangel.
"Those hours of studying has finally paid off." Kevin smirked. "Temporary blind spell. I made some adjustments to it. This new and improved spell can make celestial beings like you lose your sight. As I said it's only temporary. How long? I'm not sure. I don't want to stay and find out so I'm just gonna...go."
"YOU." Raphael growled. "I AM GOING TO KILL YOU."
"If you told me that a few days ago I would have welcomed it. Now...now I wanna live. You are not taking that away from me. Screw you Raphael."
The archangel howls with rage. Kevin opens the door and runs out of the room.
The Prophet quickly formed a plan in his head as he ran. He knew the spell wouldn't last Raphael will soon regain his vision Kevin didn't want to be here when that happens. He could open the rift himself and get out of here but Raphael knew the ingredients he can open a rift and follow the Prophet. Kevin would never be able to get away from him. The only way they can stop Raphael is to kill him.
That is not going to be easy. Michael is in no condition to take on his brother, the prisoner will be weak, the angels and humans can't kill Raphael only an archangel can use the archangel blade. The list names are starting to get smaller by the second. This made Kevin panic.
The nephilim.
Kevin's eyes widen and a smile spreads across his face.
Why didn't I think of him in the first place.
The Prophet heard about the incident back at the camp. The nephilim unleashed a huge amount of power and managed to take Michael down. If the nephilim can do that.
He could kill Raphael.
Kevin runs down the steps into the dungeon. He walks to the special cells. He frowns at how quiet it is. He then trips but manages to maintain his balance. He looks down and places his hand over his mouth. An angel is splayed out on the ground. Kevin taps the body with his foot. There was no response. Kevin goes down and picks up the blade and keys.
"Sorry."
He closes the body's eyes and gives it an awkward pat before moving on. He looks in every cell as he passed. So far there is no sign of the nephilim.
"Hello."
Kevin froze. He turns and looks through the slit. The Prophet jumps back when an eye appears. The eye narrows and Kevin hears a "Huh?" through the door.
"I know you, you're the one that set that bomb off and killed..." His voice trailed off and there was pain and guilt in his voice.
"Yes it is I." Kevin clears his throat. "As you can see I survived. I didn't survive the bomb! I umm...it's a long story and I really don't want to talk about it because when I do it makes me want to rant and I can't rant because we don't have enough time and I really need to let you out like right now. Tell me. Can you kill Raphael?"
Kevin held his breath as he waited for an answer.
"I think I can." The nephilim answered.
"You think?" Kevin shakes his head. "That's not good enough. I need a yes or a no."
"Yes." The kid answered sounding more confident this time. "I can."
"Thank you that's all I wanted to know."
Kevin didn't mean to snap but he was really freaking out here. He should be excited and proud that he stood up to Raphael instead he felt more scared than ever. Kevin unlocks the door and opens it. The nephilim steps out with his fists clenched. The fury in his eyes made Kevin step back.
I really need a break from these celestials.
"Where's Michael?" Jack demanded. "Where is he?"
"Huh?"
"He's working with Raphael I need to stop him!"
"You're wrong. Michael is not working with Raphael."
"He is. Back at the camp he betrayed us."
"Ah." Kevin clicks his tongue. "That. Umm well you see that was all an act."
Jack frowns.
"What?"
"Yeah I only just found out Michael is part of the resistance. He wants to get all the humans out of here."
"How do I know you are not lying? You worked with Michael in the past this could be a trap."
"Look in my head." Kevin spreads out his arms. "See for yourself."
Jack hesitated. He didn't want to waste precious power he needed his soul for the big fight against Raphael.
"You're good." Jack says.
"Really? Every being I come across they want to look into my head."
"I don't want to. I want to save my strength."
Kevin nods.
"Fair enough."
"That doesn't mean I still believe you."
Kevin groans.
"I have no reason to lie." The Prophet then sighs. "I can show you. I can prove to you Michael is on our side. I will warn you it's not a pleasant sight."
"What does that mean?"
Kevin hesitated. He then reaches out with his hand.
"Let me show you."
Jack thought about Sam, Castiel and the hunters. Part of him felt he should go and save them first. Another part of him wanted to face Raphael. If Sam and Cas are with Jack they would stop him from doing what needs to be done. Jack hated being the useless one of the team he hated having to rely on others to save him. This his chance to prove he can still fight this is his chance to be a hero.
I'm sorry guys. I have to do this.
"Change of plans." Jack says. "Take me to Raphael."
"What about Michael?"
Jack's face darkens.
"I said take me to Raphael."
Kevin slowly nods.
"Fine. You better kill him."
Jack gives him a determined look.
"I will."
"I can't believe it." Sam says. "Gabriel is alive?"
"Sam." Cas smiles. "This is Gabriel we are talking about."
"True." Sam laughed.
The smile fades and is replaced with guilt.
"All this time." Cas shakes his head. "He was here and I didn't know."
"Hey hey don't blame yourself. None of us knew he was alive we all thought he died that day."
"That's the problem." Cas sighed. "He makes his death looks so convincing."
"He managed to trick Michael." Sam smiled.
"He did. I am surprised."
"Hopefully we can get him out of here." Sam nods. "He deserves it after everything he has been through." Cas agreed with him on that. Sam looks over his shoulder. "Everyone okay?"
Jess gave him a thumbs up.
"We're good."
Jessica and the remaining hunters followed Sam and Cas and took out every angel in their path. Hannah raises her hand ordering everyone to stop.
"We got a problem." She turns to the crowd. "The nephilim is not here."
"What?" Cas looks in the cell. He looks round with a wide-eyed expression. "Where did he go?"
"I don't know." Hannah answers. "Maybe he escaped or..."
"Raphael." Sam answered with worry.
Hannah couldn't disagree. She wouldn't be surprised if Raphael got his hands on Jack.
"We should split up." Jess suggests.
"No that's a bad idea." Sam says.
"We can cover more ground." Jess answers. "Search for anymore survivors. Kill the angels." She looks at Hannah. "No offense."
"I understand." Hannah nods.
"B...But" Sam stuttered.
"We'll be fine." Jessica assured him. "Sam you need to find your brother."
Sam raises his eyebrow.
"You said earlier..."
"I was angry." She gives him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry I should have not said that." She sighs. "I will never forgive Michael for what he did. If you really believe Michael has changed and your brother is alive, then I say go for it don't give up."
"Be careful okay?"
Jessica cups his cheek and smiles.
"Same to you."
Sam leans into her touch. His smile warmed her heart. Jessica tried to stay mad at him but she couldn't. She wanted to blame him for Caleb's death she wanted to see him as a traitor but she couldn't because she knew deep down Sam is a good man.
Jessica wishes them luck and leaves with the hunters. Hannah leads Castiel and Sam through the fortress. Eventually they reach the room where the archangels are locked up. Hannah froze at the entrance. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.
"Why did you stop?" Sam asks.
"There is something I need to tell you." Hannah turns to them. "About Michael."
"What? Is he okay? Is Dean okay?"
"Your brother is fine. Michael, Raphael he..."
Hannah stops and decides showing them would be better. She opens the door and steps to the side to them let through. Sam went in first.
"Sam." Gabriel smiles. "I was wondering when you would show up."
"Gabriel." Sam nods to him. "You're alive."
"You can't get rid of me that easily." Gabriel smirked.
"Where's Michael?" Sam asks.
The smile fades from Gabriel's face. Cas walks in and gasps. The angel stares at the bloodied wings. His eyes are wide with shock and horror. Hannah winced at the scene.
"What is it?" Sam frowned.
The angels forgot that Sam wouldn't be able to see the wings.
"Sam." Castiel's voice trails off when he hears a sob.
They all look and see Michael in the cage. Sam rushes over to him.
"Help me open this!"
Hannah joins him and helps him open the cage. The cage opens and Michael falls out. Sam catches him before he hits the ground.
"Hey hey hey you're okay you're okay you're out now."
Sam props Michael up against the wall. As soon as Michael's back made contact with the wall he screamed.
"Whoa! Okay okay I'm sorry I'm sorry." Sam places his hand on the archangel's back. Michael cries out and sends the younger hunter flying across the room. Sam lands on the ground and groans. He rubs his head and sits up. "What's wrong with him?"
"It's his wings." Cas answers. "He doesn't have his wings Sam."
Before Sam could ask Hannah speaks up.
"Raphael removed his wings." She says. "He cut them off."
Sam looks at the archangel. Michael is huddled in the corner with his head buried in his chest.
"He did some other things to." Gabriel answered. "He tortured Michael. I seen a lot of messed up things in my life this definitely makes the top three."
"Michael." Sam crawls over to him. "I'm so sorry I didn't know."
He places his hand on Michael's leg. Michael looks up. His green eyes shine with tears. Hannah goes behind the archangel.
"Sir I'm going to try to heal the damage." She says.
Michael nods and closes his eyes.
Hannah's eyes glow. She places her hands on Michael's back. The archangel grits his teeth. Sam squeezes his leg and assures him he is right here by his side. Hannah's eyes return to normal.
"The bleeding has stopped. It's left a scar. The pain..." She shakes her head. "I couldn't do much about that I'm afraid."
"That will never go away." Michael spoke for the first time since they all arrived. "The pain is permanent Raphael made sure of that."
Michael rolls his shoulders and bites back a scream when a wave of pain comes crashing down on him.
"What about Dean?" Sam asks.
"Raphael hurt me and only me, Dean is fine."
Castiel opens the cage and helps Gabriel out. Gabriel steps out and glances at his alternative brother. The younger archangel wanted to say something but what could he say? Michael lost his wings nothing could be said to make the situation any better.
"Where's Jack." Michael asks noticing there is one missing from the group.
"We believe he might be with Raphael." Hannah answered.
Michael's eyes snap in her direction.
"What?"
"We don't know for sure we saw his cell was empty so we assumed..."
"This is not good."
Michael goes to stand up. His face turned pale and his body shook.
"Stay down." Cas ordered.
"NO!" Michael shakes his head. "No I can't. Jack is in danger."
"Kid is powered up right I'm sure he will be fine." Gabriel says. Cas frowns. Gabriel raises his eyebrow. "What did I miss?" Cas' eyes shift on to the older archangel. "Wait." Gabriel points at his alternative brother. "Is that why Deano said yes? Has something happened to Jack? Now thinking about it since when did you give a damm about Jack." Gabriel frowns at Michael. " You are like the big bad in this world."
Michael rolls his eyes.
"We'll talk about it later. Right now Jack needs us."
"Sir you are in no condition to be fighting right now." Hannah says.
"This is not up for debate I am going and that's final!"
Michael straightened up. The angels cringed when they heard a loud crack. Michael again rolls his shoulders and pushes the image of Raphael cutting into his back out of his head. He blinks the tears away and puts on a smile.
"I'm fine." He said his voice strained. Everyone stared at him with disbelief. "Can you stop looking at me like that. I said I'm fine! Now let's go!"
Elsewhere Kevin led Jack towards the room where he last saw Raphael. The Prophet paused.
"What's wrong?" Jack asks.
"You got to go straight up and turn left." Kevin nods. "You will find him."
"Where are you going?"
"Far from here as possible."
Jack saw the fear in the kid's eyes. Kevin was scared he didn't want to be in the middle of a fight where he could be at risk of getting seriously hurt.
"I understand." Jack says. "Can you do me a favor?"
Kevin didn't look keen. After a few moments the Prophet sighs and folds his arms.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Find my friends. See if they are okay."
"I can find them but I can't promise the second part. After what happened to Michael I am not getting my hopes up."
"What happened to Michael? You wouldn't tell me."
"I offered to show you. You turned it down."
"Just tell me."
"Raphael cut his wings."
"W...What?"
"Raphael cut Michael's wings." Kevin winced at that memory.
"Why?"
"I told you Michael chose us. He chose humanity over his brother. For once in his life he is not being selfish he got hurt because of that."
Jack replayed the Prophet's words in his head.
That's not the first time Michael has done that. Jack thought.
What was the other time when Michael wasn't selfish?
Jack's eyes widen.
The bad people.
Jack remembered the moment when they were all held at gun point. Michael had the choice to shoot the man so he can escape however Michael chose to surrender so Jack, Castiel and Sam would live.
Jack remembered how afraid he was. He didn't call out to Sam or Castiel he called out to Michael.
"M...Michael."
Michael looks at Jack and gives him a reassuring smile.
Jack...everything is going to be okay."
Jack believed him. He did the right thing to believe him because they did get out. Michael defeated the bad guys. Before they arrived in this world Jack did believe the archangel has changed he was going to give Michael another chance. Being back in this world made Jack forget all the good Michael has done. Jack wanted to kick himself. The kid was consumed with rage and anger he didn't realize he was hurting the one person who truly cared about him.
Michael is suffering alone. He probably thinks I don't care about him.
Jack clenched his fists.
How can I be so stupid?
Jack knew what he had to do. He has to kill Raphael. He has to do this for the people of this world. He has to do this for Michael.
The former nephilim growls and charges ahead with one goal on his mind.
To make Raphael suffer.