AN: Thanks for all the favs/reviews! Here is the next part! Enjoy!
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Lilith was pleased to present the amulet to Lucifer, only a couple hours later. Lucifer held the necklace in his hands with a grin on his face. He placed it around his neck, where the gold pendant shone brightly in the light.
"Now, why do you have the Angel chained so?" He asked nodding towards Castiel, who was kneeling on the ground, his arms chained behind his back.
Alistair spoke then, softly, "He is a contaminate. The resistance was trying to use him against you. It turns out that he is the son of Chuck. They hoped to turn him against you."
Lucifer nodded, "So that's why Balthazar wanted you."
Castiel tried to call out to his father, who stood on the other side of the room, but found his voice gone. His eyes widened in fright. "If I'm to sort this mess out, I need him to be able to speak," Lucifer frowned.
"But sir, Chuck would be able to hear as well," Alistair said in a quiet voice and Lucifer groaned.
"You are too paranoid," Lucifer motioned for Chuck to approach. The scientist nervously did as he was told. "Recognize this boy, Chuck?"
"He's just some kid that Balthazar brought here with a story about being my son," Chuck mumbled.
"And, do you have a son?"
Chuck shook his head, refusing to look at Castiel, "No, of course not. The resistance will try anything."
"Take a good look at him Chuck. Why do you think Balthazar picked him?" Lucifer asked.
Balthazar groaned, "Because he is his son!"
"Quiet, ungrateful child," Lucifer raised his voice. Turning back to Chuck, Lucifer pressed, "Well?"
"Oh, I have no idea," Chuck shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe because he's a good actor?"
"I'm going to have him executed, you know. Does that bother you, even a little?"
Chuck looked at Castiel, blue eyes pleading for him to remember. Chuck glanced away, "Why should it?"
Lucifer smiled gleefully, "Excellent. You may go."
Castiel hung his head in defeat. His mind was blank as people moved about the room, tears falling from his eyes. His father didn't recognize him and wouldn't even care when he saw his son killed. He thought of Gabriel, then. He wouldn't know what happened to Castiel. He would think that he had abandoned him, just like he believed of their father.
"Balthazar, I raised you and sheltered you and this is how you repay me?" Lucifer's brows furrowed as he stared at his son.
Balthazar kept his head held high, "Send Castiel home. He doesn't deserve this. Chuck may seem well now, but if he sees his son executed, he'll wake up for sure."
"Nonsense," Lucifer responded.
"He can't hurt you if he's back in his world. Besides, you've crushed the resistance. Their leader is gone, and the amulet is back around your neck. What more do you want? Are you really willing to risk it?"
Lucifer treaded around the room, thoughtfully. He came to a stop at the center of the room and spoke in a firm voice, "I believe banishment will be a fair judgment. Escort him to the Gate and be rid of him as quickly as possible. And as for you, son of mine, I sentence you to the executioner's axe."
There was a hush that settled over the crowd at Lucifer's words. Bela gazed at Balthazar, shock lighting her features.
Castiel was lifted to his feet and the spell removed from his, though he said nothing as he was led to a Dragon and shoved inside. He went willingly, like an obedient dog following its master. At least he would be returned home.
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Dean groaned in pain, body lifting from the table against his restraints. Alistair laughed as he slid a blade down the man's arm, watching the blood spill. "Tell me where the Great Library is," he demanded for the hundredth time. When Dean shot him a defiant look, Alistair smiled widely. "I didn't think you'd crack. Which means there's no reason to keep you alive."
He pulled a new blade out, this one looking sharper, gleaming in the dim light. But he failed to notice that Dean had worked his arm loose and when Alistair moved in for the finishing blow, Dean knocked the knife from the crazy man. While Alistair cursed and retrieved the knife, Dean worked quickly to untie his other arm.
They struggled for a long moment before Dean gained the upper hand, turning the blade on Alistair.
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Bobby paced back and forth, in the safety of the ancient throne room. "There were too many of them," he mumbled, trying to convince himself that running away had been the best course of action. "Never gotten away with it. Suicide."
He paused, staring at the empty throne as though he could still see Michael, in all his glory. "I know what you're thinking. Of all the Hunters to survive, it had to be me. The gutless one. I'm not even a Hunter, I'm just a fraud. While Castiel and Dean are tortured to death in the casino, I just sit around here, dreaming of the good old days."
He kicked a stone angrily, "Well, it's about time I stopped fantasizing and do something for real. Something useful, something brave!" As he stared at the throne, an idea formed. "Something like…"
He ran around the camp, trying to find certain items. A bowl, some candles, herbs, and salt. Yes, he would need salt.
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A Demon approached Lucifer, looking terrified. "Well, what is it?" The King snapped angrily. He had no patience for gutless creatures.
"Sir, we're under attack!"
Intrigued, Lucifer moved to the window, gazing at the field below the casino. There were hundreds of figures standing, all dressed in armor, and carrying weapons. "Hunters." Lucifer gasped. "That's impossible."
Bobby finished reciting the spell for the last batch of Hunters. He had nearly a thousand ghosts, all ready to take revenge on Lucifer. "Come and get us, you Demons!" He called out, raising a fist.
"What'll we do?" The Demon asked Lucifer.
There was a fear in Lucifer's eyes that hadn't been there in years. "We fight back." And with that, Demons began scurrying about the casino, ready to defend their castle.
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Castiel followed Lilith into a small room, where a man stood in front of a large gate. "This one's got to go back, right away," she told the man, who nodded.
"As soon as the raiding party comes through, I'll send him."
The Angel watched, unable to move with a Demon standing guard, as several people were brought through the gate. They were all drugged and appeared to be in a daze.
Another Demon approached the gatekeeper. "Lucifer wants the amulet back."
The gatekeeper sighed, pulling the amulet from its resting place in the gate, like a key being pulled out. "The Gate will only work for a short time without it. We'll need it back," the gatekeeper informed as several more people were led from the gate. This time it was children.
Castiel shook his head, "No!" he found the pressure points at the back of the Demon's neck, sending him to the ground in a heap. He ran before the others realized what was happening, Lilith giving chase.
The Angel ran out of the building and into the light, almost falling off the edge of the pathway. He took a deep breath and continued on, and it must have been his lucky day because he found a Dragon about to take flight. He snuck aboard, thankful that no one had seen him.
When the Dragon finally landed, Castiel waited until he was certain that everyone else had exited before climbing out of the blimp. Glancing around, he spotted no one and quickly darted inside. He moved into a doorway when several Demons came running, but they passed him, seeming after something else.
"All Demons report immediately to Central," a voice sounded over an intercom. Castiel kept moving. He froze when he came to a window, looking out at the hundreds of ghosts on the field.
"Where did you get the army, Bobby?" Castiel said in wonder, a smile on his face. Because in the middle of it all, he could see the older Hunter leading the ghost army.
"There!" A Demon said and Castiel took off again. He could hear explosions outside as the Demons fought the ghosts.
He ran, down a flight of stairs and through another hallway before he came to a door. The Demons were hot on his tail and he entered the room, locking the door behind him. The room turned out to be the main casino and Castiel found himself on stage, where several women were dancing.
A gun was pointed in his face and a knot of fear settled in his stomach. He held his hands up in defeat. Someone whistled, distracting the Demon and Castiel took that opportunity to knock the gun away, pinching his pressure spot at the back of his neck.
"You've got to teach me that," Dean breathed as he approached.
"Dean," Castiel gasped, "You're okay."
"More or less, just a few cuts—"
Castiel hugged him tightly, "I thought you were dead." He felt Dean wrap his arms around him, returning the hug.
"We should save this for when we're safe," Dean murmured, pulling away.
"I'm sorry I didn't trust you before," Castiel said, guilt etched on his face.
"You trust me now?" Dean said in awe, staring into the blue eyes that were trained on him with something akin to adoration in them.
"Completely."
"Good," Dean smiled, nodded. "Follow me, I'm getting us out of here."
"No, I have an idea," Castiel said, looking around the casino. "Do you see any Demons in here?" He asked and Dean followed his gaze. There were none, just the employees and dazed Angels. "Let's seal the other exit.
"Where's security?" one dancer asked, angrily.
"They've been called to defend the perimeter," another answered.
They locked the door and Castiel gazed around the room, an idea forming in his mind. "What are you thinking?" Dean asked.
"Something that Gardener said, about mixing the wrong emotions together and causing a breakdown. And Bobby said that Lucifer only wanted to feel the good, right? So, let's stir up some emotions." Running to the stage, Castiel stood in front of the dazed Angels. Dean grabbed a gun from the fallen Demon and began shooting at the ceiling.
"You so much as think about dealing another hand, it'll be your last," Dean said threateningly, standing beside Castiel.
"Sir, we have a problem," one of the lab techs said, watching the surveillance cameras. Chuck stepped beside the employee, watching with interest.
"What's going on? Where is security?" Chuck asked as he stared at the dark haired Angel.
"Hunters are attacking," the employee said, "Everyone's been called for defense."
"Everyone, hey, wake up," Castiel spoke. "This isn't a dream, this is really happening!" He tried encouraging the people to wake up, could see the dazed look slowly fading. "That's it, think. Where're your families? Your kids? You were taken, brought here. Try to think. What's your name?"
"Jane," a woman said then frowned. "No, that's my daughter's name… My daughter," the woman sounded terrified when she remembered her daughter.
Castiel smiled when he found that almost everyone had woken. "Try to move, everyone," he said and people began fighting to move. Their feet were stuck to the ground and panic began rising.
"I can't move!" one man called out. "My feet are stuck!"
"Sir, we're getting some negative emotions coming through," the tech said.
"What is he doing?" Chuck questioned, watching Castiel on the screen. He felt a headache coming on and he brought a hand to his forehead. Then suddenly, it was gone. He stared up at the screen. His eyes widened as he remembered. "Cassy!" He looked around the lab in shock, "Oh, dear God. What have I done?" Chuck left the lab in a hurry, leaving the few techs confused and stunned. He had to get to Castiel.
Castiel jumped off the stage when a group of Demons finally burst through the doors. They began shooting and Dean shot back, darting behind a roulette table.
"Stop!" Chuck yelled as he entered the casino. "You're frightening the Angels," he scolded the Demons. A hush followed and Castiel peeked over the table, Dean beside him. He stood, grabbing a discarded gun and held it up, aiming at Chuck. His father motioned for the Demons to stay back, "I'll deal with this."
"What do you want?" Castiel shouted.
"Put the gun down," Chuck said, taking a cautious step forward.
"Stay right there!"
"It's me, Castiel. Your father," Chuck murmured.
Castiel shook his head, he could feel his eyes burning with unshed tears. He blinked to clear them, "You don't remember me. You don't remember anything."
"I do. Thanks to you, I remember everything."
"I don't believe you. This is just another trick." Castiel turned his gaze away and spoke in a louder voice, "You see this guy? He's the one who brought you here. He hooked you up. And when he's done with you, he'll get rid of you. Isn't that right, Dad?"
They stared at one another, Castiel hurt and angry, Chuck sad and guilty. The room around them trembled for a moment. Chuck knew the negative emotions were causing the laboratory to crumble. But he had to make his son understand.
"It was a Sunday, and we had just gotten back from the movies. When our neighbor told us that Fenrir had been hit by a car. And you ran and hid, but me and Gabe, we found you," he told and Castiel lowered the gun in surprise. "And I held both of you for hours while you cried. I should have known you the moment I saw you. I've been a blind fool, missed so much time. Please forgive me," Chuck cried as he drew Castiel into his arms. "I'm so sorry."
Chuck looked over Castiel's shoulder. He saw one of the Demons holding a gun towards them. "No!" He yelled and spun, shielding his son. Castiel stood in shock as his father fell to the floor. He gazed at the man who had killed him, and the Demon was ready to fire a bullet at the Angel.
Three consecutive shots rang out and Castiel flinched each time. Dean stood beside him, smoke pouring from his gun. The floor began shaking again and the Angels could suddenly move. They fled, pushing past the Demons in a panic. Their panic and fear bled into the floor, pooling in the pipes that led to the containers in the laboratory.
Mixing together, the lab equipment shook and smoked as it tried to cleanse the negative emotions. But there were too many. Warning signals and alarms went off as the building began shaking with the effort to contain the emotions.
Castiel kneeled beside his father, "I'll go find help."
"No, stay, please," Chuck gasped weakly, reaching for Castiel's hand. Castiel scooted closer, leaned forward. The stressed building was the last thing on his mind.
"It's all my fault," Castiel whispered, "I'm sorry, Dad…"
"You did good. You've made me proud. I kinda messed things up, though, didn't I?" Chuck smiled weakly as he looked up at his son. His son that was an adult now. God, he had missed so much.
"We'll make it right, though, won't we? Wait 'til Gabriel sees you, he'll be happy to see you."
"I'm sorry, Cassy. You're on your own," Chuck said as the breath left his body.
Castiel cried, barely felt Dean pulling at him, telling him they needed to leave. The casino was shaking as though there were an earthquake and people, Demons and Angels alike, fled the building. Dean tugged Castiel along, hurrying to get out before the entire building collapsed.
Survival instincts kicked in and the pair rushed down the corridors, trying to find the exit. There were a few people that followed along, just as determined to make it out as they were. "Over here," Dean spotted the exit and led the small group out. They barely made it out as the walls crumbled down behind them.
They stopped only when they were far enough away from the casino that the rumbling didn't shake the ground so much. There were nearly a hundred people, Demons and Angels alike, that stood in the field where the ghostly Hunters had been. Everyone seemed completely lost.
"Don't suppose I could get that hug, now?" Dean asked but before Castiel could respond, a voice broke out over the crowd.
"There, get him!" Lucifer shouted, and a couple Demons surged forward. Several Angels leaped in to shield Castiel.
"You'll have to go through us!" One said and a murmur of agreement ran through the crowd.
"Don't just stand there," Lucifer shouted. "Arrest him!"
Castiel stepped aside, standing tall, "Take a good look at your lord, first. Is he really worth fighting for?" He asked the Demons, who turned to look at Lucifer critically.
"Don't listen to him! He's just an insolent fool!" Lucifer spewed angrily.
"No one is frightened of you anymore," Castiel continued, daring to step in front of Lucifer. "You're just one of us now."
"This is my kingdom! I still rule here!"
"Look around. No one is listening. Your power's gone."
"Balthazar, I'm glad you're here. Get everyone to fall in line," Lucifer demanded but Balthazar scoffed.
"Me? Didn't you sentence me to death?"
"Don't be so sensitive, I was just doing my job," Lucifer sneered.
Balthazar shook his head in apology. "I'm sorry, Father. It's over."
Castiel held out his palm. "The amulet."
"Are you mad? I'd sooner lop off my own hand."
"That can be arranged, I've a knife," Dean commented, holding up the blade he stole from Alistair. He approached Lucifer with a grin on his face.
Grumbling, Lucifer slid the amulet from his neck, handing it to Castiel. He glared at the Angel, who held the amulet towards the sky. Everyone cheered at Lucifer's downfall and Castiel had a smile on his face as he looked over the crowd. They still had a lot of work to do before he could go home.
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AN: Only one more chapter to go! I hope no one is too confused, but please let me know if you are. I can try to explain it. I'll try to get the last chapter out in a couple days :D
And (SPOILERS) what did you think of the finale? I honestly have to say that I liked it! Cas, naked and covered in bees? Why couldn't we have seen that? And even though I knew it was coming, I about bawled my eyes out when they burned Bobby's flask. And I reeeeally hope that Cas had a good reason for leaving Dean, because seriously, there's already enough abandonment issues. Maybe he was just scouting the area? We can only hope.