Sam groaned as he woke up and sat up slowly. He was on the ground in the middle of a deserted street. Azazel had been kind enough to drop him on a board, so he wasn't completely covered in mud, but he was already pretty dirty. Actually, Azazel probably hadn't even noticed the board, but Sam appreciated it anyway.
Sam looked around curiously as he stood up. Cold Oak was still in relatively good shape, but the decades of abandonment were clearly visible.
Sam didn't know if anyone was watching him, but he had to assume that he was always being watched.
He pulled out his phone as he began to walk down the street.
There was no signal, not that he expected one. Sam slid his phone back in his pocket with a small sound of feigned disgust. He knew Dean would be coming after him.
Sam began to search the town. He knew there were others here; he just had to find them.
As he peaked into one building, he heard a noise just along the side.
He picked up a broken board and held it ready as he crept toward the side.
Just as he reached the edge and turned toward the sound, a man ducked out of the alleyway.
"Ahh!" the smaller man yelped.
Sam barely arrested his swing.
"Who are you?" he barked.
"Who are you?" the other man replied. "Where are we? How did we get here?"
Sam put the wood down and sighed. "I don't know how we got here, and I don't know where we are," he lied. "My name is Sam," he added.
"I'm Andy," the other man replied.
Sam nodded. "Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one here. Alright, what's going on? What's the last thing you remember? I was arguing with my brother about his car."
Andy sighed. "Honestly? I was about to start my second bong load."
Sam smiled slightly, but didn't react beyond that. "Alright, I don't think that's going to help us at all," he muttered.
Andy sighed and opened his mouth to say something else. He was cut off by a scream.
Sam took off running toward the sound. Andy followed him after a second. They followed that scream and the ones that followed to a locked shed. A woman was shouting and sobbing, trying to get out.
"Hello?" Sam called.
"Help me, help me, get me out of here, please!"
"Alright, just give me a moment," Sam called. "We'll get you out."
The woman continued to sob and cry for help.
Sam found a rock on the ground and smashed the lock.
After a moment in which he fumbled to open the door, he got it open. A frightened woman stared at him. She had tear tracks down her cheeks, and she was trembling with fear.
It was all feigned fear, of course. Sam could tell she wasn't afraid in the least, but she was an excellent actress. She must be the current reigning champion, Ava.
She burst into tears and clung to him. As he awkwardly calmed her down, he had to give her points for technique. If he hadn't been who he was, and if he hadn't been warned, he would have bought her act.
Eventually, he got her to stop crying and let him go.
"So, ah..." Sam smiled sheepishly. "I take it you're just as freaked as I am?"
She nodded quickly. "I don't even understand. I was just on a date with my boyfriend. Now I'm here! I don't even know where here is. Or who you even are!"
Sam frowned and shrugged. "I'm Sam," he said.
"And I'm Andy," Andy said. "Also, freaked out."
"I'm Ava," she managed. She tried to smile, but the expression wavered.
"There's got to be something the three of us have in common," Sam said. "I just don't know what."
"Hello! Is anyone else here?" A male voice called out.
Sam turned. "Maybe not just the three of us," he said quietly. The three of them looked at each other before they headed for the sound of the shout.
They turned the corner. On the porch of yet another building, a man and a woman, looking just as spooked as Andy was, waited.
"Hey, you alright?" Sam asked.
"I think so," the man said. "Where the hell are we?"
"I don't know," Sam lied. "I don't think any of us know." He glanced around. "Um, I'm Sam," he said.
"I'm Jake."
"I'm Lily," the girl said.
The rest of Sam's group introduced themselves.
"How did we even get here? A minute ago, I was in San Diego," Lily complained.
Jake sighed. "If it makes you feel better, I was on a plane to Afghanistan."
"Great," Sam muttered. "So… where are we, and how did we get here, and what can we do to get out of here? Should we even try to get out? I mean, someone wants us here, and who knows what they'll do if we try to leave."
The other four exchanged glances. "Never even thought of that," Jake muttered.
"And what do we all have in common?" Sam asked.
"Well… alright, I was born in '83. You all look about the same age," Jake said.
Sam nodded. "So was I," he admitted.
"Me too.
"Yeah, me too."
"Yep."
Sam glanced around. "Hmm…" he said. "Well, that's one thing." He hesitated and looked behind him. "Maybe we should see if one of the buildings is stable? It'll get dark soon, and we need a place out of the weather for the night. And we can check the others, see if there's anything we can use there." He glanced at Jake.
The other man was nodding. "We need to stick together," he said. "Safety in numbers and all that. If some psycho brought us here, we don't have to make it easy on them."
"Or at least in sight of everyone else," Sam agreed.
Jake nodded.
Sam took a deep breath. "Alright," he said. "We should spend the night here, and then head out in the morning. We'll figure out which way to go once we have a better idea of where we are."
He looked at the buildings lining the street they all stood in. "There's got to be something else we all have in common," he muttered.
Jake shrugged. "It's not family," he joked.
Sam smiled ruefully. Actually, it was, but he wasn't going to say anything.
"Alright," he said. "We've got the five of us, and…" he glanced up. "Maybe three hours until it gets dark. Let's get to planning."
Sam watched as Jake entered one of the buildings carefully. He was staying in Sam's line of sight as he glanced around.
Jake looked back at Sam. "Schoolroom," he said.
Sam nodded. "Where ever this is probably had a bunch of kids. Is it just me or does this place look vaguely like those towns from the gold rush era."
"Yeah," Jake said. He turned and froze, staring at something out of Sam's line of sight. "Hey, you alright?" he asked.
Sam headed up the stairs. He knew there couldn't be anyone else there, so it had to be either a ghost or a demon.
Jake backed away, and another being came into view. It was shaped like a little girl, and Sam watched as her nails lengthened.
Sam rushed up the stairs and into the room.
The rest of the group was alerted to the events and they followed him. He grabbed an iron fire poker that was leaning against the wall just inside the door and swung it at the demon.
The demon dissolved into the black smoke he was so familiar with, and flew out the door. Andy, Ava, and Lily all ducked down as it escaped.
"What the Hell?" Jake asked.
Sam pulled himself upright. "Damn," he muttered.
"What, do you know what's going on?" Jake asked.
"I… I know what that was," Sam said.
"Well, what was it?" Ava asked.
"I just… it was just stories, you know?" Sam lied. "I never believed them."
"Sam," Jake said. "We need to know. If we're going to survive, we need Intel. You know what that was."
"A demon," Sam said after he took a deep breath. "I'm not sure what type. My uncle and aunt were always telling me stories about demons when I was a kid. That thing acted just like the ones in their stories."
"Demons," Jake said flatly.
Sam shrugged. "That's the stories," he said.
Jake sighed. "Alright."
"If it really is a demon, I know how to deal with them," Sam said. "How to protect ourselves."
"So, how do we do it?" Jake asked. The other three clustered close to them, all of them looking up at Sam.
And somehow, just like that, Sam became the leader of the group.
Sam turned and led them all out of the classroom. It was a shame. He actually was coming to like Jake. And the others were interesting as well.
"Alright," he said. "According to my aunt and uncle, demons hate iron, so if we can find more iron, we can use that. Just like when I hit the demon in there. Not that I knew that was going to happen, mind, but still. We need weapons. And, we need salt, lots of it."
"Salt is a weapon?" Lily asked, skeptical.
Sam sighed. "More like a defense," he said. "Demons don't like salt. If we line the windows and doors of wherever we decide to spend the night, demons can't get it. Andy, will you stay with me and help me search that building right there? Ava, Lily, Jake, the three of you search the one next to it."
"Hang on," Andy said. "I'm still stuck on "demons are real,"" he admitted.
Sam smiled. "It's a brave new world," he said. The small group started walking. In front of one of the buildings was a large bell. Sam glanced at it, and at the engraving of a large tree on the bell. "Huh," Sam said. "I've seen that bell before," he muttered.
Everyone looked at him. "What?" Jake asked.
"I… I think I know where we are," Sam said. All of a sudden, he had everyone's full attention. He smiled weakly. "If I'm right, we're in Cold Oak, South Dakota. It's an old town, a town so haunted, every single resident fled. The ghosts chased them out."
"More stories from your uncle?" Jake asked.
Sam shrugged. "Actually, a report in school," he shrugged. "My aunt did suggest it, admittedly."
Everyone was still looking at him. "I have a weird family, alright?" he finally said.
Ava shook her head. "Well, it's nice to know we're someplace so historical," she said. "Lovely."
Lily glanced around. "Why in the world would that whoever it was put us here?"
Sam sighed. "I've been wondering the same thing," he admitted.
Lily snorted "You know what? It doesn't matter. Clearly, the only sane thing to do here is get the hell out of Dodge."
Sam shook his head. "Wait, hold on. Lily, the only way out is through miles of woods."
"Well, that sure beats hanging out with demons and ghosts."
Sam shook his head. "We don't even know what's going on, why we're here. And we don't know how many demons or ghosts are actually out there." He stared at her. "Plus, it'll be dark in just a few hours. We need to wait until morning.
Jake nodded. "Yeah, he's right. We should…"
Lily interrupted them. "No, there is no we!" she exclaimed. "We have nothing in common; I am not a part of this group!"
Sam sighed. "Look, I know…"
"No, you don't know anything!" Lily exclaimed. "Listen, I have to get back."
"We all do," Sam said. "But the only way that's going to happen is if we stick together."
"Fine," Lily snapped. "But the moment we're away, I'm going to make my own way home."
Sam nodded. He took a deep breath. "Alright, we know where we are. Now we just need to wait until morning, then we can get out of here. Let's search the buildings."
"I hope we can find something to eat," Andy grumbled. "I'm frickin' starving."
Sam didn't say anything, but he saw as Lily lagged behind the group, and then slipped away.
He wasn't the only one who noticed. He noticed Ava watching her go.
They'd split up as they searched the town. Sam was in one building, a two room house of some type, searching through the trunk he'd found. He felt a flare of triumph as he found a small knife, which he tucked away under his shirt.
He turned around, and Ava was just walking in from the other small room in the house. She was rubbing her forehead.
Sam knew what that meant. Still, he had appearances to keep up. "Hey, you all right?"
Ava nodded. "Yeah, I'm just…I don't know, a little dizzy."
Sam nodded. "I know the feeling. I'd kill for a sandwich right now."
"Oh, tell me about it," Ava said. "But don't worry, I'm fine. Except for every single thing that's happening."
"I hear you," Sam muttered.
Andy called something out. "You guys! I found something!"
Sam and Ava joined Jake and Andy. Andy was holding up two bags. "Salt!" Andy exclaimed.
"Great!" Sam said. "Now we just… where's Lily?"
"Lily?" Ava asked.
Sam froze as he heard the sound of a little girl giggling. After a moment, he rushed out and toward the center of town. He heard everyone else following him. "Lily!" he called out.
Then he saw her. She was hanging from the top of the water tower, dead.
Sam swallowed. That wasn't nearly as brutal as some of the deaths he'd seen other demons perform, but he was well aware he was being watched.
Sam closed his eyes and winced. After a moment, he opened them again. Ava had grabbed on to Jake and was holding tight. If Sam hadn't known better, he'd have said that she was completely freaked out. She was babbling something about getting out of here.
"Stop," Sam said. "Lily was trying to leave," he pointed out. "Whoever's out there isn't going to let us go. And…" he looked up at the sun, which was approaching the horizon. "I don't know about you, but I don't want to be out there in the woods, after dark, with ghosts and demons and God knows what else after me."
Jake nodded. "Sam's right," he said.
"Come on," Sam said. "Jake's been attacked, Lily's dead. We have to gear up for the next attack. Whatever's out there is going to want us all dead. Or… I don't know what's going on. But we have to be ready."
Ava snorted. "Gear up? Be ready?"
"Yeah," Sam said.
"I can't do that. I'm not some soldier!"
"If you want to stay alive, you're going to have to," Sam said. "Let's get inside. But first… Jake?"
"I'll get Lily down," Jake said.
Sam nodded and led Ava and Andy back inside.
It was going to be a long night.
Bobby frowned as he hung up his phone. His houseguest looked at him. "That didn't sound good," he said.
Bobby nodded. "That was from Ash, over at Harvelle's Roadhouse," he said. "It's a gathering place for Hunters. I think we need to get there, something's wrong."
Jimmy nodded. "One car or two?" he asked.
Bobby smiled. The new Hunter may hate it, but he was learning fast. "One," he said. "Since you don't know how to get there."
Jimmy nodded. "What should I bring?" he asked.
"I've got a kit packed for the road. You been at this long enough to get some personalized weapons?"
Jimmy looked away. "No. I picked out a pistol that fits in my hand, but that's it."
Bobby nodded. "Get it and let's go," he said.
Jimmy nodded.
Bobby was pleasantly surprised to see Jimmy waiting by the door when he got back from his room with a duffle full of extra supplies. Who knows what they might need.
Jimmy shifted, and Bobby caught the flash of the gun tucked into his waistband. "Let's go," Bobby said.
"My car or your truck?" Jimmy asked.
"My truck," Bobby growled.
They headed out.
It was a couple of hours to the Roadhouse, just over the border in Nebraska, but Bobby made good time. Jimmy was silent in the passenger seat the entire time.
Almost as soon as Bobby saw the smoke on the horizon, he knew that something had gone wrong.
He was proven right when he pulled in, only to find the Roadhouse a burnt out wreak.
"That's not good," Jimmy said quietly. "What happened here?"
"I don't know," Bobby said. "Come on; let's see if we can't find some survivors."
Jimmy was already heading for the building. The smell of the smoke or the burning flesh didn't seem to bother him as he searched. "We aren't going to find any survivors," Jimmy said.
"I know," Bobby said. "But we have to look."
They continued to search through the rubble. Jimmy was right, there were no survivors. "There's no sign of the Harvelles," Bobby said. "That's a good thing. Maybe they weren't here when it happened."
Jimmy didn't say anything.
"Let's get back to my house and try to figure out what's going on," Bobby said.
"It's going to be war, isn't it?" Jimmy asked. "Hunters against demons."
"It looks like it," Bobby admitted. "It's not going to be pretty, I know that."
Jimmy swallowed. "It's going to be bad," he said flatly. "Really bad."
Bobby couldn't really argue with that.
Sam didn't want to sleep, but he could feel his head dropping every few minutes.
He looked up at one point, and Azazel was standing right behind Jake. Sam scrambled to his feet, but Jake didn't even notice.
"I'm asleep?" Sam asked.
Azazel smiled. "Bingo, Sammy," he said. "So, how's it going?"
Sam shrugged. "One of us is dead, Ava is a really good actress, and I'm somehow the leader here."
Azazel chuckled. "Nice, kiddo. Yeah, I certainly didn't expect little Lily to last long. What about the others?"
"I'm going to let Ava pick off the others, unless something happens," Sam said. "She's doing such a good job of it."
Azazel nodded. "I'm glad to hear that you've taken my lectures on letting others do the work to heart."
Sam shrugged. "Well, you gave me enough of them," he pointed out. "So, why contact me?"
Azazel smiled. "Oh, this is the point in which I normally tell all the kids just why they're here, give them a pep talk, tell them what they need to do to survive, tell them about the ritual I used when they were infants, you know the drill. I figured I might as well visit you as well."
Sam smiled. "I see. Got any advice?"
"Andy was horrified, Jake didn't like it either, and Ava is ready and raring to go. She also asked if she could spare you, and take you as a… hmmm… well, she didn't say pet, but I think that was implied. She seemed rather impressed with your body."
Sam flushed. "I'm already taken," he muttered.
Azazel laughed. "Yes, but she didn't know that."
Sam smiled. "Well, it's not like she's going to last more then a few more hours," he said.
"Don't get overconfident Sam," Azazel warned.
"Hey, if she does manage to kill me, Dean will kill her," Sam said.
"True," Azazel said. "Alright, time for you to wake up," he said. "I'll see you when it's all over."
"Yeah, one way or another," Sam agreed.
Azazel snapped his fingers and Sam jolted awake.
"Sam!" Jake said. "Ava's missing."
Sam scrambled up and he and Jake went outside. "Andy, stay here," Sam snapped as he left the room.
"I'll search the barn and the hotel, you check the houses," Jake said.
Sam nodded. "Alright. Meet back here in ten minutes?"
Sam ducked into the first house and waited a moment. He fingered the knife at his waist. Ava was about to take out either Andy or Jake. He'd give her the time to do just that.
He heard her screaming after a moment, and contemplated heading back, but he heard Jake rushing toward the building they had chosen, and decided to wait.
After a moment, he glanced out the door, and saw a black cloud coalescing just outside the window of the building. He didn't want anyone who could control demons going after him, so he headed over there.
The demon- and Sam was sure that it was an Acheri demon- was about to kill Jake. Sam reached out and snapped Ava's neck.
"You alright?" Sam asked after the Acheri disappeared.
Jake nodded.
Andy was dead, a bloody mess on the ground. Ava was dead, too, and Sam couldn't be sorry about that.
He and Jake stared at each other for a moment. "Now what?" Jake asked.
Sam lifted his head. "Now we end this," he said. He dropped the mask of the scared man, he dropped the mask of the good man, he showed Jake just who he was. "Azazel only needs one of us. And that's not going to be you."
Jake backed away. "What the… how do you know who's doing this?"
Sam smiled coldly. "I bet you had an interesting dream," he said. "That was Azazel. You know the uncle I was talking about? That's him. He's a demon. And he only needs one of us, a general, to lead his army."
Jake backed away. "You were faking, just like her."
Sam's smile widened. "Yep," he said. "Come on, how do you think I managed to stay so calm?"
Sam stepped forward. "It's a shame," he said quietly. "I actually liked you."
Jake's expression hardened. "I won't just let you kill me," he snapped.
Sam's smile morphed into a smirk. "You won't be able to stop me," he said. "You don't even know what I can do. But come on, then. I'd be happy to see you try."
Jake charged.
Sam let him get within a couple of feet before gesturing and sending Jake flying to the side.
Jake hit the wall, and then Sam let him crumple to the floor. Sam pinned him to the ground, because while he was sure Jake wasn't going anywhere, he didn't want the other man to get any ideas about attacking. For a moment, Sam was grateful for the grueling training Azazel had put him through once his powers began to grow.
Jake looked up at him, dazed, as he approached. "Well, Jake, I guess this is it," Sam said. "The end of this little contest and it's down to me and you. I bet Azazel never expected that. I'll have to ask him. You aren't that great a fighter or even very powerful. I was expecting Ava to be the last. I guess she just didn't pay any attention to me."
Sam crouched down next to the other man and considered him for a moment before pulling out the knife. "Ava had an interesting idea, controlling demons that way. Of course, I bet that Acheri demon is torturing her now, getting a bit of revenge. So I'll do this the old fashioned way."
Jake blinked. "Please," Jake managed. "You don't have to do this."
"Oh, I do," Sam replied. "Goodbye, Jake."
He traced the line of Jake's jugular, contemplating doing it that way.
Jake stopped fighting his hold, his eyes huge. Sam drew the knife back and held it up for a second. He'd never actually killed a human in cold blood before. Ava, at least, could be called self defense. If he did this…
He slammed the knife down into Jake's heart.
Dean leaned against the Impala, waiting. The trail to Cold Oak was just ahead of him. He knew the contest had to be over by now.
He wasn't nervous, exactly, or worried. He knew Sam was going to win.
Still, as the night wore on, he got a little… concerned.
Eventually, he heard rustling and footsteps. He straightened, and his hand went behind his back, to the gun he kept there.
If this wasn't Sam, he'd shoot them. But the next second, Sam ducked forward and climbed around the fallen branches in his way.
Dean smiled. He'd been feeling different since he'd told his father that he'd be picking Sam up in Cold Oak.
Looking at Sam now, the feelings made sense. "So, Sammy, have any trouble?" Dean asked.
Sam grinned and Dean couldn't help but return the smile. "Not a bit," he said. "Oh, Dean, I wish you could have seen the look on the last one's face, when I showed him who I really was."
Dean nodded. Everything seemed to click into place. Sam was becoming who he'd been born to be, and Dean would be right by his side. They were ready.
Sam rolled his head on his neck. "So, I suppose we should head for Wyoming next," he said.
"Azazel gave us directions," Dean said. "And Wyoming it is."
"Great," Sam chirped, like a little kid excited about a field trip. "Let's go open the door to Hell!"
Dean started laughing. After a second, Sam joined in.
Bobby pulled back up to the salvage yard and stopped the car. There was someone waiting for them on the porch. It was probably a civilian customer who needed some sort of machine part.
Jimmy groaned as soon as he looked out the windshield.
Bobby frowned. Rumsfeld wasn't trying to chase the man away, so he was probably alright.
Jimmy slid out of the truck and slammed the passenger door closed. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his question almost covered by the sound of the door closing.
Bobby frowned. The man waiting for them, however, simply tilted his head. "You were supposed to be here, Jimmy, learning."
"We had to go out," Jimmy said. "An emergency."
The man didn't say anything. He just stared at Jimmy, unblinking.
Bobby stiffened. This man was not human. He'd gotten through the protections on the yard, Rumsfeld wasn't reacting, and he had to have crossed a salt line to stand where he was, but he just wasn't human.
"So, who's this?" Bobby asked.
Jimmy deflated. He looked wary, unhappy.
"I am Castiel," the man declared, as if that meant something to Bobby.
Bobby frowned. He wanted to reach back and grab his gun, but he head no idea what he was dealing with. "What are you?"
Castiel frowned minutely. "You did not tell him about me?" he asked Jimmy.
Jimmy just stared back. Jimmy was blinking, however.
Castiel turned to Bobby. "I am an Angel of the Lord."
Bobby snorted. "No such thing, so why don't you tell me who and what you really are."
Castiel frowned. "I am an Angel of the Lord," he repeated.
Bobby reached back into the cab of the truck, but before he could pull out his shotgun, something flickered in the corner of his eye.
Bobby turned back to face Castiel. Slowly, shadows formed behind Castiel, spreading into great wings. Bobby stared at him.
Jimmy squeaked. "Where did those come from?" he finally asked.
"They are the shadow of my wings. Most humans cannot see my true form, so I confined myself to showing you simply a shadow."
Bobby closed his eyes and shook his head. "What…" he shook his head again. "Fine. So what's an angel doin' here?"
"We must keep the Devil's Gate from opening," the angel said. "My superiors have just told me that Azazel is trying to open the Gate."
"Azazel?" Bobby asked. That name was somewhat familiar. His eyes widened. "The demon of the goat?"
"That is one of his titles," Castiel acknowledged. "We do not have much time. We must go now." He reached out to Bobby, apparently ready to do something to him.
"Hold on," Bobby objected. He dodged the angel's grab. "If we're going to face off against a demon like Azazel, then I want to be ready. Besides, we don't even know where this devil's gate is. There's been a dozen rumored gates just in the US."
"This one is in Wyoming," Castiel said. "Nevertheless, you are correct; we will need to be prepared."
Jimmy glanced at Bobby. "What's a Devil's Gate?"
"It's a door right to Hell," Bobby said. "If the demons open it, then any demon can get out."
Jimmy paled and swayed. "Any of them?" he asked hoarsely.
Castiel nodded. "Any of them. My superiors believe that Azazel is trying to release a specific demon, though I don't know which one."
Jimmy sat down. "Alastair?" he asked.
"Unlikely," Castiel said stoically.
Jimmy shuddered and took a deep breath. "Alright," he said. "Let me get my stuff, and we'll go, Castiel," he said.
"I'm going with you," Bobby said. "There's no way I'm lettin' a demon open a door to Hell if I can help it."
Jimmy smiled wanly. "Thanks," he said.
Bobby stared at him, worried. "Everyone in the truck," he said. "I think I got everything we need to deal with if its demons."
"It will be faster if I take you," Castiel said.
"No," Jimmy said. "We're going up against something powerful. We need all the firepower we can get. And if something happens to you, Bobby and I won't be able to get away. Where is this Devil's Gate, anyway?"
"It is in Wyoming, like I told you. There is an old cemetery surrounded by a devil's trap made of railways. Azazel cannot get to the cemetery."
"Well, if he can't get to the cemetery, then we don't have anything to worry about," Bobby said.
"Humans can, and he has humans who are willing to work with him," Castiel said.
"How long do we have?" Bobby asked.
Castiel looked away for a moment. "Some hours," he said. "I believe it's enough time to drive there."
Bobby nodded. "Let's go. You can direct us."
The angel actually blinked. "I don't…" he looked slightly lost for a moment.
"Get in the truck," Bobby ordered. "You're navigating."
Castiel continued to stand there until Jimmy pulled him into the truck.
Dean pulled the car over as they reached the tracks. He had to shake Sam awake, since the younger man had been the driver last night.
He couldn't see anyone, but there was a feeling in the air that some part of him insisted meant that Azazel was near. He didn't question it, but he glanced at Sam. Sam nodded. It was likely that he felt the same thing.
They stepped out of the car. "You're both right," Azazel said as he walked around from behind the car. "Good. You've finally come into your powers."
Sam smiled briefly. "Yes sir," he said.
"Well done, Sammy," Azazel said. "I knew you'd win."
Dean glanced at his brother. "Of course," he said.
The demon pulled out the Colt. "Alright, then. Let's get this over with. There's an old cemetery at the center of this Trap, with a large crypt in the center of the cemetery. That's the gate. You know what to do, Sammy."
Sam took the Colt and smiled. "Of course," he said. He tucked the gun away for the moment.
"Once you open the gate, get away," Azazel said. "Powerful or not, the demonic energy will overwhelm you. Once it's freed, the trap will break. I'll be able to join you then."
"And Lilith will get out?" Sam asked.
"She'll be one of the first out," Azazel promised. "Oh, before you go, I saw a truck parked out of sight, back in the trees. It's a Hunter's vehicle." Azazel sighed. "They're probably already waiting for you, or for someone," he said. "You know how dangerous Hunters are, so I don't need to warn you about that."
Sam nodded. "Yes sir," he said.
Azazel smiled. "Whatever you do, don't let them stop you," he ordered.
Sam nodded. He twitched his head, and Dean fell into step right behind him as he started back to the car. "Let's go," he said.
"Good luck, boys," Azazel said. "I'll be waiting right here."
They closed their doors at the same time. Sam grinned at Azazel before Dean started the car and they headed out.
Sam and Dean were both silent as they drove. "You know, this means we're going to Hell for sure, if we do this," Dean said as he parked the car about a mile from the cemetery.
"Yeah, I know," Sam said. "But I wouldn't want to be on the side of angels, since they're the ones who let the Hunters attack us and kill Mom."
"True. I'm not looking forward to torture, though."
"Who would?" Sam asked. "But I bet they wouldn't torture us for long," he said. "We'll be human souls in Hell, yes, but we'll also be the ones who helped open the Gate and everything else. Plus… well, you know who I am."
Dean nodded. "As long as you're sure, Sammy," he said.
"I am," Sam said. "Besides, this means that, whatever happens, you and Dad and Jess will be treated like royalty. Even if something happens to me, you'll still be treated well."
Dean was silent. After a moment, he smiled. "I can understand that," he said.
Bobby waited. He didn't dare look up to see the poor fool the demon had recruited to help open the gate. He needed to stay hidden until the person- people; he could hear two sets of footsteps- were within the loose circle he, Jimmy, and Castiel had set up.
The footsteps paused, just outside the perimeter. He heard two people whispering, though he couldn't make out the words. Then they passed him and headed toward the crypt.
"So, why don't you just stop now," Bobby said as he stood up. The two- men, he saw- froze for an instant with their backs to him.
Then the shorter one turned around. "Bobby Singer," he said.
"Dean Winchester?" Bobby gasped. "What…"
"We're doing what Azazel wanted us to do," Sam Winchester said as he turned around as well. "We're opening the Devil's Gate."
"We're not going to let you do that," Jimmy said as he appeared from the shadows.
"You can't stop us, Novak," Dean said. "After all, you couldn't stop Alastair, could you? Or, rather… he didn't stop you." He was smiling, a cold, cold smile.
Jimmy took a step back. "How did you…"
"We know a lot of things, Righteous Man," Sam interjected. "We know a lot more then you think." He looked to the side. "So, why don't you show yourself, angel?"
Castiel stepped out, his face impassive. "I won't let you do this."
Sam smiled. "You think you can stop us, little angel?" he asked mockingly. He glanced at Castiel. "So, why are you in that vessel? He's not your true vessel."
"My true vessel has a greater purpose now, and his successor is too young. This vessel is fine for me."
Sam snorted. "So, they only sent one angel to stop us? I wonder why? Don't they know that it would take more then one angel, a Hunter, and a broken man to stop us?"
"I'm not broken," Jimmy snapped.
Dean laughed. "That's not what we've heard. You broke, Novak. And we know it. I bet Hunters would be after you too, if they knew. Too bad you're siding with the angels."
Jimmy glared and, before anyone could react, fired his gun at Dean.
Still, Dean had enough time to fling up his hand. The bullet stopped in mid air less then a foot from his face. "Not going to work, Novak," he said. He pushed his hand out and Bobby and Jimmy both flew back. "Go, Sam!"
Bobby watched as Sam turned and ran for the crypt, as Castiel leapt forward, and Dean swung around to face the angel.
Bobby struggled to his feet and staggered over to where Jimmy was crumpled on the ground. "Damn it, Jimmy, get up," he said.
Jimmy blinked at him and sat up slowly. "My head," he groaned.
"No time, we have to stop Sam Winchester, now."
Jimmy got up, just as Castiel threw Dean back. Dean nearly hit a tombstone before coming to a halt. It was too late, however. Sam had reached the crypt and was shoving a gun into a hole in the engraving.
"Shit," Bobby said.
He and Jimmy leaned against each other as the engravings spun around. As soon as they stopped, Sam grabbed the gun and turned and sprinted toward his brother.
"Oh no," Bobby said.
"It's unlocked," Castiel said. "We must…"
"Take cover, now!" Bobby yelled, pushing Jimmy behind a large tombstone and joining him. He just saw Sam drag his brother behind another tombstone.
The doors to the crypt burst open and masses of black smoke billowed out. "What…?"
"Demons," Bobby said. "Lots of them."
Castiel was sheltering behind a nearby tombstone. "The gate is open, but if we're lucky…" his shout trailed off. "We have to leave, now!" he finally said.
"What?"
"The trap has been broken, Azazel is coming."
"We have to shut the Gate!" Bobby yelled. "We can't let any more demons get out."
Castiel nodded. "On my word, run for the gate. You can push it closed."
Jimmy swallowed but nodded. Bobby nodded.
Castiel jumped up. "Go!" he shouted, just before vanishing and reappearing in front of another of the Winchesters. "I will deal with you two later," he said as he placed a hand on each of their foreheads. They both sagged down.
Bobby surged up and dragged Jimmy with him. "Come on!" he yelled.
He and Jimmy ran for the door. They had to get it closed.
"Now, why did you do that?" an unfamiliar voice asked from behind Castiel. Bobby turned slightly, took in the fact that it was a demon, and returned his attention to reaching the crypt.
Jimmy got there before Bobby did, and despite the terrified look the other man gave the area beyond the gate, he still rallied enough to start pushing on one of the gates.
Bobby took the other gate and started to heave the door closed, even as he heard the fight between the demon, presumably Azazel, and Castiel begin.
Even through the effort to close the gate, he could hear the crashing sounds as they threw each other around the old graveyard.
The door wasn't budging. Bobby turned around and heaved. Jimmy followed his lead. Slowly, the doors began to shut. "Damn, this isn't good," Bobby said.
"You think?" Jimmy panted.
Bobby pushed harder, and finally, finally, the doors closed. The wind and otherworldly forces that had been buffeting them stopped. The lock spun closed once more, and that was it. "We have to get that gun," Bobby said. "We can't let them open the door again."
"The taller one… Sam… he had it last."
Jimmy glanced at the angel and demon. "Castiel's not doing so well," he muttered.
"Worry about that later," Bobby ordered. "If this is the gun I think it is, we'll be able to use it to help."
He headed for where the Winchesters lay on the ground. Sam was just starting to stir as Bobby knelt down next to him and pulled the gun out from his waistband. Sam's eyes opened slowly. "I should just shoot you now, boy," Bobby said as he tucked the gun away and pulled out his own.
Sam snorted. "Yeah, old man? I did what I had to do," he said. "It worked. You're too late."
"The other Hunters were right about you."
Sam smiled slowly. "That's the beauty of it," he said. "They weren't. Not at first. But where else were we going to go when they kept attacking us? It's your people's fault, Singer. We've released an army, and it's entirely the Hunters' fault."
Jimmy reached them and covered the slowly waking Dean with his gun.
Dean smirked up at the other man. "Really?" he asked. "And after everything you've done, you'd really shoot me?"
Jimmy's gaze hardened. "You know nothing about what I've done," he said.
Dean chuckled. "Oh, you'd be surprised. Besides which, I'm sure Alastair would like to see you again. Azazel said he said you had such promise."
Jimmy shuddered and tightened his grip on his gun.
"Oh, I can't allow this," the demon said from behind them. Bobby flew into Jimmy and they went down in a tangle of limbs.
Azazel knelt down next to the Winchesters. "Nice job fighting off the angel's influence, boys," he said. "Now then, I see these two have managed to close the Gate, but we're in luck. We've done what we need to do."
Bobby slowly untangled himself from Jimmy and stood up. He stood in front of Jimmy protectively. Clearly, the demon and the Winchesters knew something about Jimmy's past that they were using to hurt him. He wouldn't let them do that any more.
Azazel glanced at him. "So you're the Hunter who wouldn't kill the boys here."
"That was a mistake," Bobby said. "But not one I regret."
"Ah, an honorable man," Azazel said. "Then, Mr. Singer, I have an offer for you. I could use men like you."
"Don't bother," Bobby spat. "I won't help demons, ever."
Azazel sighed. "I had to offer," he said. "You did treat the boys with respect, something no other Hunter has managed to do."
Bobby glared at the demon. His hand inched toward his waistband and the gun there. Azazel glanced down at his hand, and smirked. Bobby was suddenly unable to move.
Jimmy stood up behind Bobby.
Azazel shifted his gaze to Jimmy. "Hello again, Jimmy," he said.
Jimmy stared at him blankly. "Who…?"
"Aw, don't you recognize me?" Azazel asked. He looked down at himself. "Well, I suppose I look a bit different now. Last time I saw you, it was just after a certain car accident. I'm sure you remember the one."
Bobby felt Jimmy shudder. "I remember it," he acknowledged.
Azazel smiled. "I thought you might. Now, then, the angels got you out of that, but that's just not fair, don't you think. I'm sure you'd love to see Alastair again."
"No, he won't," Castiel said as he appeared right in front of Bobby. He spun around and touched both Bobby and Jimmy on the foreheads. A second later, they were in Bobby's kitchen. The angel slumped down. Bobby and Jimmy caught him just in time.
"Castiel?" Jimmy asked.
"Tired. Azazel is strong. I barely survived," Castiel said. "It… hurts."
Bobby took the lead and jerked his head. "Jimmy's been using my spare bedroom. You can rest there, if you need to." He and Jimmy started carrying the angel toward the bedroom.
"Only… only for a bit. Azazel disrupted my connection to Heaven, but I will be fine soon. We need to prepare. They will start…"
"Tell us later," Bobby said. "We have enough time for you to get your strength back."
"I… watch Jimmy," Castiel said. "Jimmy is my charge, and I need to keep him safe. Watch him."
Jimmy snorted. "I can…"
"Please," Castiel said.
"I'll watch him," Bobby said. "You rest." He and Jimmy placed him down on the bed. Jimmy went down and pulled the angel's shoes off.
"This is… it's the apocalypse," Castiel managed. "I have to warn my brothers that they will start on the rest of the seals soon."
With that, he closed his eyes and seemed to fall asleep.
Bobby and Jimmy stared at each other. "You know what he's talking about?"
Jimmy shook his head. "I just know… he rescued me, and he said that I was needed."
Sam groaned as he got up. Azazel was staring at the spot where their opponents had just been. "Well, that angel was a little more tenacious then I gave him credit for," Azazel mused.
"Who was he?" Sam asked.
"His name is Castiel," Azazel said. "He's a minor angel, a foot soldier. But he's also the one who managed to get to Jimmy in Hell and pull him out."
"And you're surprised that he didn't give up?" Dean asked.
"Hmmm, I suppose not," Azazel said. "You two are unhurt?"
"Just sore," Sam said. "Castiel threw us around a bit."
Azazel chuckled. "Yes, he would," he said. "Well then, I suppose we should get going. Lilith will find a suitable host, and then meet us at the mansion."
He reached out and touched both of them. In an instant, they were back at the mansion.
Sam glanced around. "Can I…?"
"Go," Azazel said. "Find your father as well. I want everyone in the main library in an hour."
"We'll need to go back for the Impala," Dean said.
Azazel shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Yes, we'll do that later," he promised.
Dean smiled.
Sam turned and headed toward his room. He knew Jess was waiting there. His father was in his own room, just across the hall from Sam's room, and next to Dean's.
He stopped at his dad's room first. "Dad?" he called out as he knocked on the open door.
John abandoned whatever book he was reading and jumped up. "Sammy!" he exclaimed as he pulled Sam into a tight hug.
Sam went stiff, confused. "Dad?" he finally asked.
John pulled away from the hug, but kept his hands on Sam's shoulders. He looked Sam over slowly. "I'm just… I was worried, kiddo," he said.
Sam smiled softly. "I'm fine, Dad," he said. "Dean and I got knocked about a bit when we opened the Gate, but we're fine."
"I know, but… you and Dean are my boys," John said. "I worry about you two."
Sam nodded. "Azazel wants us to meet down in the library in an hour," he said. "I'm going to find Jess."
"I think she's in your room," John said.
"I know she is," Sam replied with a smile.
He turned around and started toward his own room. As he did so, he noticed John watching him. He looked back and smiled. "I'll tell you about it later," Sam promised.
John nodded. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked. This time, Sam knew that he wasn't just talking about the events of the past day and a half.
"I'm great, Dad," Sam said. "I finally figured it all out."
John nodded, and Sam turned around again and headed for his room. Unsurprisingly, the lights were off. It was rather late, and Jess was trying to sleep.
She wasn't doing that good a job of it, though. She looked up as soon as he opened the door.
"Sam!" she exclaimed.
"Hey, Jess," Sam said. "I'm back."
Bobby sat at his desk in his library, flipping through a King James Version of the Bible. Jimmy was studiously ignoring him, refusing to explain what the angel had rescued him from. Whatever it was, it had been bad. Bobby didn't want to ask, but he suspected that it explained Jimmy's nightmares.
"So, apocalypse now," Bobby finally said.
Jimmy flinched. "I guess so," he said.
"You didn't know about this?"
Jimmy shook his head. "No," he said. "I'm just the errand boy," he said. "Castiel tells me to go somewhere, and I do."
"Why?"
"Because he rescued me," Jimmy said. "And… I'm legally dead. I can't go back to my family. They'd never believe it was me. I might as well do this. Maybe I'll be lucky enough that it will kill me, and it'll be over."
Bobby sighed. "That's not an attitude a Hunter should have, Jimmy."
"I'm not a Hunter," Jimmy spat. "I will never be a Hunter. It's Hunters that caused this. Hunters that made those two turn to demons for protection. Why would I want to be someone who'd attack a 7 week old baby?"
Bobby blinked. "I get it," he said. "Believe me, I do. But what you're doing… you're a Hunter, Jimmy. You're one of the ones who wouldn't attack an innocent baby."
Jimmy snorted.
"He's right," Castiel said. They both looked up. The angel was standing in the doorway, watching them both. He still looked a little haggard. "But that doesn't matter. We have a serious problem."
Bobby nodded. "You mentioned the apocalypse," he said.
"I did. A short time ago, my superiors found out what Azazel was planning. When the Gate opened, Lilith, the first demon Lucifer corrupted, was released. She and Azazel are going to work together to free Lucifer."
"That doesn't sound good," Bobby said.
"It isn't," Castiel said. "But we- and my siblings, for more angels will be joining the fight- can fight them, perhaps even stop them."
Bobby smiled. "Well, then, I guess that just means one thing," he said.
The angel and the man looked at him and his smile widened. "We've got work to do."
Dean entered the library. He knew Sam wasn't in the room, but he was surprised to see that he wasn't the first one in the room.
"Hi Dad," Dean said.
John looked up and smiled. "Dean. What happened out there?"
"We opened the Gate," Dean said.
"I know," John said. "Your brother already told me. What about everything else?"
Dean sighed and explained everything Sam had told him, everything he knew that had gone on in the past few days.
When he was done, John sat back. Dean smiled and sat next to him. "It's been a long couple of days," he admitted.
"That it has," Azazel said. He, Sam, and Jess had come in partway through Dean's story.
Azazel took a deep breath and nodded. "She's here," he said, just as a little girl walked in the room.
Dean blinked at her, at the power he could feel coming off of her. "Lilith?" he asked.
The girl smiled. "Yes," she said. "So, you are the humans who are helping us. And Sam…" she walked over and stared at him. "My Father is going to love you, Sam," she said.
Sam smiled. "I hope so," he said.
Azazel smiled. "So, we have sixty-four seals to break, in whatever order we like. That means we've got work to do."
Just the epilogue to go, folks! It'll be up tomorrow.