Chapter 11

The 'mountain the sun sets on fire' was basically a metaphor for the temple cavern that sort of lit up when the morning sun hit it. Dean gave a slight roll of his eyes at that since he knew that the people Angela used to hang with dealt in that crap. Funny thing was she liked it on occasion but for the most part, she would rather have it delivered straight and to the point. Of course once Jo gave him the bare bones of what the plan was, he was agreeable.

Sam, Dean noticed, was becoming remarkably his old bitchy self in a short time. Dean figured it was because of Angela's debut full possession of Jo and what she said to him. Dean knew that she wouldn't be angry with Sam. She had the sense to know when she messed up and at least this time the admittance was better. To him though that was still a long way from actually being completely okay with each other but it was a start.

Looking at the entrance, Dean could make out carvings that looked like something out of the Temple of Doom or something. The bad thing was that he couldn't read them and he doubted that Sam would be that quick in his brain if he had a book to translate them with. They looked like a kid's picture book to him and he was at a loss.

"In the temple of the sun lies within the source of life to reach in," Nick rattled off. Since he was needed on the job, he decided to come along. Cerebus would guard the body at the river and he seemed content doing that. After reading the first line, Nick realized that he was being looked at by three sets of eyes. He frowned, "What?"

Dean replied, "Jo I thought you said this place was guarded by those bitches."

"That's what Angie told me."

"Then why does Sparkle-fingers here know how to read this?" Dean indicated to the writing on the wall.

Nick made a slight face. Now everyone would be calling him that nickname and all because he showed off once. He replied, "That's because it is the language of the healers."

Sam frowned hearing that. He knew that Dean always called Angela a healer but she denied it. He thought that she was just very good at patch up jobs and she certainly had a better bedside manner. This was a whole new level. "Language of the healers? What's that?"

Nick made a slight face and replied, "It is what it is. It's a language recognizable only to healers." He then looked at Jo and added, "I am guessing that's why she suggested me?"

"She said you could be trusted. Me? You're a witch and most of the time I end up shooting their ass," Jo replied.

It was confusion with the references to her and in Sam's opinion it was done as a means of saying that she was there but not. They were really terrible at the whole avoidance thing on this. He wanted to know how it was that Nick could read it and why his help was needed. "Okay so Angie said that she needed a healer and she went with a friend. Why is a healer needed?"

"Well as you can tell I can read the glyphs and basically tell you which way to go," Nick replied. He knew that this was going to lead to more question about how could he be a warlock when he had healer abilities and the usual. It was something he would rather not talk about but since she dragged him into this, he'll cooperate. The things I do for you sister. "Also, if I'm not mistaken, the only way this works is that a healer has to do the job."

Nick didn't say anything more but studied the glyphs and with a tentative touch, he pushed a button and a door sprung open. He gave a slight hum, "Huh, imagine that." He then walked in.

Dean looked like he wanted to punch Nick but followed just the same after Jo went in. Sam brought up the rear while in thought. He was slowly learning that there was a reason and a method to Angela's madness. She knew what she needed and put the players together to make it happen. He really should have more faith in her when it came to something like what she intended to do with Dean's deal. He looked around as the group made their way through the passages.

It was a temple after all and was decorated in the manner of one… well at least one that was supposed to be a temple. Even Dean was impressed and he usually wasn't one to bother with aesthetics or anything. If anything it reminded him of the digs they had when they went to Texas for the tournament but even he knew that it wasn't Egyptian but there was Mediterranean influence (shut up Sam) something like Grecian. One thing he could say that was a bonus was the fact that the air didn't smell musty.

Dean decided to make polite conversation with Nick in an effort to make up for the fact that he teased the man with a nickname that was obviously as painful as him calling Sam 'Samantha' and asked, "What is so special about the flower that you need to be the one to do it?"

Nick recognized an apology and he wasn't going to hold it against Dean. He rather liked the elder Winchester who greeted him with suspicion and not mockery when they met. He was replied, "To be honest, I'm not sure."

Jo heard the question and replied, "Angie mentioned that the flower is called the phoenix and basically can restore life. She mentioned something along the lines of it being similar to ambrosia but the difference is that a healer would know how to 'activate' it." She shrugged her shoulders in confusion. "My guess Nick here will know."

"And I think she is assuming too much," Nick replied. He had heard of the order but he had never heard of anything special about the flower that was actually sort of like a fruit. Well it was a flower and the bulb attached to it was the fruit… something like that. No one really has seen it except those that made the journey but they had been barred from describing it fully but descriptions of what it could do filtered out. "I really don't know how I am supposed to know but…"

"That's Angie for ya. She liked sticking ya into a situation that she says you can get out of but she won't give you a hint or anything," Dean replied with a slight smile. "So I get that it will bring her back, what would it do to someone who is already alive?"

"Um… she implied that it would be going up against a god type of thing. Badass mojo powers and hence become the Phoenix and they will unleash holy hell," Jo replied as she looked around. She wished that Angela hadn't told her that part but she could understand why. At least that was why few people knew about it. What was it about hiding things like that here on earth that were that dangerous? An eternal mystery to her.

"Wait so it can make someone into a god?"

"Into the Phoenix… something about an old legend of the dragon and the phoenix," Jo replied frowning. "I didn't get the whole picture but I got the fact that it was bad for someone alive to eat the thing."

"It's bad only if the person consuming it has a lust for power," Nick said as he studied a set of glyphs. He noticed a rack of weapons and smirked at the battle axe. He hadn't seen that style in centuries. "It is a healer's ingredient but like many things it does have its uses for evil and blah, blah on that. That's why the order of the Phoenix was created. Too many witches trying to get their hands on it for selfish purposes."

"I thought you didn't know much about this," Dean countered.

"I don't know what to do when I have it. All I know is what I've heard in stories. It's not like they would allow people who have used it to tell everyone what it looks like," Nick defended as he pulled the axe off the wall. He tossed it at Sam to tease him since it was a bit heavy.

Sam scowled as he reacted to catch the battle axe. It was an odd shape but he managed to catch it without cutting himself. He held it like he would an iron crow bar in one hand. The weight was nothing to him but was annoyed that the warlock thought it was a good time to joke around. "And I'm sure you would have found out the minute Jo called you."

Nick turned to look at Sam and was met with a glare. He had to admit that he had his moments two. He was smart enough to realize that they both had feelings for a certain dark haired woman and he did a good job never mentioning it. Right now he was more annoyed at implied incompetence and he had enough of that from his dick ass brothers and fathers. He stared at Sam and narrowed his eyes in reply, "Hey it's not like I have a free hand to read and drive at the same time. Given the chance I would have found out more. Don't assume you know anything."

"Don't assume any of us are in the mood for playing around," Sam replied as he held up the axe for emphasis. "Let's just get the flower and get her back and you can go on your happy way." The last part came out in rather nasty sarcasm.

Nick retaliated, "And I'm sure that the three of you will enjoy the pitiful existence you have. How long will it be before you get another stick up your ass and fight?"

It was tempting to swing the axe at Nick's head but Sam resisted. He was guilty of being an ass and he was usually the understanding one with her. That was a low blow and a painful reminder to Sam that when they fought, her temper got the better of her and she was the one that ended up getting hurt and she still put the blame on herself. Instead of obeying the impulse, Sam just tightened his grip on the handle of the axe.

Dean knew that this would get them nowhere. He had enough sense to realize that the basis for this was that there were two guys who had feelings for the same girl. One was obviously well aware of them and the other was his clueless Sasquatch of a brother who was at a volatile state at the moment and looked ready to off their healer's head. He looked at Jo who looked like she was nursing a headache and wondered if Angela in her head had something to do with it. He had to stop the two though and said, "Hey, this isn't getting us anywhere. If you two want to go UFC on me then do it later after we get Angie back but not before. Got it?" Dean looked at both of them. He saw something flicker in Sam's expression and said, "Sam?"

Sam was grateful that Dean interfered. He knew that Nick harbored feelings for Angela and that just had his hackles raised in his 'silly watch dog' mode. He was willing to be nice but he couldn't make promises if Nick goaded him like that. Still Dean was right. She came first. He nodded, "I'm good Dean." He walked past the warlock still holding onto the axe like it was a stick.

Jo finished rubbing her head were she was having an internal dialogue with herself. She had noticed the reaction and her first thought was that her friend was in trouble considering that there were two guys vying for her affections. At least Dean was able to settle it for the moment.

Nothing more was said as Nick continued to decipher the glyphs and pointed the way. The last turn pointed them down a set of stairs that was covered in darkness. It was automatic to approach with extreme caution for the three hunters but Nick merely looked around and found something on the wall. With a quick mutter and a spark, the torch on the wall lit giving some much needed light. It was easy to get the rest of them lit to find that it was a short hallway.

They walked down it and paused at the doorway. Dean was going to take another step forward when Jo suddenly snapped out her hand and grabbed the back of his jacket. She ended up pulling hard and jerking him backwards just as some flames popped up and revealed the hidden danger. It was a short drop but full of the pointy stop since the ground was covered with spikes and you could see a couple of dead bodies. The nice thing was that there were some ropes that led upwards.

Dean was surprised at the suddenness of it and was glad that his ass was saved before he was skewered. "Thanks Jo."

"Wasn't me," Jo replied. She had been just as surprised when her hand shot out and grabbed Dean like that.

Dean got up and dusted himself off. "Still, thanks." He looked at the situation and wondered if it really was the forces of the world out to get them. A pit lined with spikes and up at the ceiling looked like a vault where probably the flower thing grew. The obvious indicators were the vines and ropes and that meant they had to climb up. He did happen to notice something in the wall near the opening. It was a shape carved into the rock but a specific one. He realized he had been watching way too many movies but his mind said that they needed a key and that it would fit that shape. The question was on what kind of key they were looking for.

"So looks like the way is up," Sam said as he surveyed the room.

"I think we need a key," Dean muttered and he motioned to the carving in the wall. "This is way too much like Hollywood."

Sam gave a slight shrug at that. Hollywood mimicking reality was a bit of don't go there topic since it was partially true and partially a load of bull shit. "So, how do we open it? Have Sparkle-fingers blast it?"

"How about we take you in outsider?"

All four of them turned to see Vera with her guard looking at them. She was giving a self-satisfied grin at having caught up with the outsiders at last. They didn't have the body but it looked like they had something better and she aimed to have it.

Dean was the first to speak, "How about we kick your ass, bitch?"

"I'd expect as much from uncivilized trash you are. Now the Champion there looks like he is itching for a fight but then again he knows the consequences of not playing along, does he?" Vera gave a smile to taunt Sam.

Sam gripped the weapon in his hand and his knuckles were turning white. He did notice that Nick had contorted his features into a controlled fury and it looked like he was ready to let loose some of his warlock mojo. It wasn't a good idea to get into a fight. No one gave that message to Jo as she charged forward. She looked shock when she was knocked back as if she had been hit with a realization.

Dean reacted first to help her up. He murmured, "You alright?"

Jo looked at Vera and felt that the odds were not in their favor this time. She felt shock at the sudden emptiness inside of her. She whispered, "She's gone Dean. I can't feel her."

Dean knew that she was referring to Angela. Something must have happened. He looked at the bitch Vera and would have said something but he was interrupted. Surprisingly it was from Sam who said, "We'll go with you. Just don't hurt anyone." He even tossed down the axe he had been carrying as a show of god faith.

"Nice ta see ya again idjits."

"Give us a break Bobby. At least we know Angie's been the one who told us where to go," Dean countered as he paced around, looking for a way out. As it were it was a pretty effective holding place. It reminded him too much of the mine caverns at Ellis; all the walls rock except for a window and a door with a window and they had bars and the door was thick.

Bobby grumbled as he looked around. He had been willing to trust the boys on their judgment when they took off with Jo and Angela's body even if it did look bad on their part. At least Grace the head gal explained why things were being done the way they were. Bobby for his part told her that as the leader she had to make judgment calls that might not even stick to the rules but it was right. He must have made a point because they were in this cell rather than out in the square and getting their heads chopped off or something.

It became disturbing though when some of the women were thrown in with him including Grace. It was then that he learned that the idjit Vera had taken over of the group and those that stood against her were going to be punished. It didn't take long for Bobby to figure out that the whole thing with Angela was a struggle for power of the group. He shook his head at the realization and actually was pissed that his girl was being used in someone else's fight.

Now the boys and the warlock and Jo were sharing the cell with him along with the girls that didn't like Vera's grab for power. He replied, "And the best laid plans are usually the first to go down the toilet."

Dean shrugged his shoulders as his gaze went to Sam. His brother was pacing thoughtfully while surveying their surroundings. He and Sam knew how to get out of situations and they had different approaches. Angela usually was the tiebreaker and said just go for it at times. "You thinking of something Sammy?"

Sam looked up and gave a side whisper, "They took my lock picks. Not seeing anything I can use."

"I'll look around. Maybe one of these girls has a hairpin or something," Dean replied.

"Don't go trying to get into their pants."

"Who do you think I am?"

"A sex addict sometimes."

Dean made a slight snort just as the door opened. Two of the warrior women came in holding fast to Jo who was itching to fight. They shoved her in and slammed the door. Dean was the first to help her up, "You alright Jo?"

Jo was spitting mad. She didn't tell the bitch Vera anything even when she tried to beat it out of her. Luckily for Jo, she knew a few maneuvers and protected her body from the worst of the blows. She still had a fat lip and a few cuts and bruises but it wasn't anything serious. Her mom might throw a fit but things were cool. In fact she gave Vera a few things to remember and that was before the seal fell out of her shirt.

Jo realized that they were screwed when Vera recognized it. To Jo the woman looked like she had received a gift from God when she saw the seal. She called it by name and muttered something about how clever it was. It was something about everything being related to healing and the sort. So without further ado, Vera ripped it from Jo's neck and told her guards to bring her here. Now she was spoiling for a fight. She did have the sense to realize that Dean was talking to her and replied, "Just peachy."

Dean noticed the cuts and took to inspecting them with care. It was the least he could do. He could claim that he was returning the favor from the patch up job she did on his shoulder when Sam had been possessed by Meg. "Looks like they interrogated you."

"That bitch tried to make me talk. She's never been through an interrogation by Angie." Jo looked around before looking at Dean with a slight smirk. "Besides, I gave her a nice shiner."

Dean chuckled at that since he could believe it. "Glad to see that."

"Dean, she has the Seal of Nameh. It's the key to opening the vault," Jo said as she looked at Dean with a sober expression. "If she gets to it, she could corrupt the power of the phoenix or whatever the big badass is."

"Wait, you mean that thing I told you to get was the key?" Bobby had been listening to the whole conversation. This was one crazy ass shindig and he was stuck in the middle of it and it stank of his girl all over with her planning.

"Angie's work," Dean replied. He turned his gaze back to Jo and said, "I get it. Thing is we have a problem. We're in here and the bitch is out there."

"Sam can't you pick the lock?" Jo looked over at Sam who appeared to be deep in thought.

"Why not ask the warlock to blow a hole?" One of the women asked. "I'm sure he could get us out."

"I would if it were possible." Nick pointed at a few symbols that had been missed by everyone. "Warding symbols are a major drain and a bitch." He lounged against the wall he had been leaning against. "So our best bet is to let the giant here pick the lock."

Sam gritted his teeth to let the anger pass before he replied, "I can but they have my pick set. I need something small and hard like a hairpin to pick it with."

"I have what you need," Augusta spoke up. She had been quiet the whole time, preferring that she listen to everything around her. It gave her time to think. Now that she heard Sam's request she was ready to help. She pulled out of her pocket the special cane the blind used to get around. She pulled something out of the handle and held it up to Sam. "Is this good?"

Sam peered at it. It would do. "Yes. Thanks… Gus."

Augusta smiled and said, "Phoebe have yours ready just in case."

It didn't take long for Sam to get the lock undone. The hard part was setting it up to knock out the guards and tie them up. The women who had been imprisoned took care of that and they relieved the guards of their weapons. Jo knew it was a big gamble but with Bobby around it would work out. She looked at Bobby and said, "Bobby, you and Grace get Angie. Her body is in the river. Look for the hell mutt and you'll find her."

Bobby nodded. As much as he wasn't too happy with the way things went with the order, the older woman Grace was willing to give a hand. "Alright. We'll git her and bring her to the temple place."

Jo handed over the map that she had kept hidden. "This will show you the way."

Grace looked at Jo and said, "Hurry and good luck." She then looked at Bobby and she called to the loyal members of the order and they headed towards the river. She would make this right and help them.

Jo smiled as she led the way out and was followed closely by Sam and Dean and bringing up the rear was Nick ready to throw a spell out for a diversion. They managed to make it to the temple but it was easy to see that Vera was already there. If they were lucky, she was being cautious about going through the place.

They picked up the pace and ran through the temple to where the chamber was. They caught up with Vera who was starting to climb one of the ropes. It was Jo who called out, "Vera!"

Vera looked and grinned. "You're too late. The fruit of the phoenix will be mine."

They started running to catch her. Sam proved to be faster but caught the kick full force in the chest. It sent him flying back and he hit the ground hard. Dean managed to avoid the kicking feet but got a backhand across the face. It allowed Vera to get free and to another rope closer to the wall where the lock was. She looked at them laughing.

Dean and Jo looked up. Nick shook his head indicating it was too risky to use his powers. Sam was on the ground and it didn't look too good. Dean gritted his teeth in frustration. He was going to have to do it he tentative reached out when he felt his brother's hand on his shoulder but the grip was not Sam's grip.

A/N: They find the temple and get captured and now Vera has the means of getting the fruit of the phoenix. Dean gets a surprise when Sam is up and ready to fight. Can anyone guess? Stay tuned for the conclusion of Phoenix Rises...