Back to the headquarters Castiel broke the heavy silence installed since they departed Cain's property.
"I can't ask the other angels Sam or at least not now... They will ask too many questions and I already left them more than once for Dean, I don't what will happen if I do it again ..."
"Don't worry Cas, we'll find a way ..." Sam didn't know what to say, he was wondering what his brother would do if it was the other way around. Actually he knew, his brother would be doing everything he needed to bring him back, he was sure of that. "But are you sure we can't ask to one of the angels ? I don't know, Gadreel maybe ?"
"I can't Sam, Gadreel is ..." the angel didn't really of what happened in Heaven, once Metatron was in jail they had to start a new Heaven and he didn't find the time, or maybe he didn't want, to think about it. "... He is dead."
"What ?" Shock, this was what you could see on Sam's face. "How could he die ?"
"Remember the angels that exploded ? He drew the same spell on his chest and then proceeded to stab himself so I could get out of jail and stop Metatron."
"Are you telling me that the only ally we could actually have in Heaven is dead ? No ! We can't afford that !"
"Sam calm down, we'll find an other way."
"And HOW ? Last time we had to break 66 seals !" Sam was upset, more than upset he was angry towards himself, how did he let that happen ? But he wasn't the only to wonder how did it happen, Castiel also was angry. He didn't have an answer to Sam's question and he was scared of what the could find out, without even answering, he moved towards Dean's room, he needed to be alone, to sit on the oldest Winchester's bed and think. Only think.
Sam saw Castiel going to Dean's room, he wanted to understand what the angel could feel, they were both angry, desperate and determined to help Dean, but the relationship between the angel and his brother was different than the one they had.
Sam was tired, his brain needed rest maybe after a few hours of sleep, well more of lying down truly, he will be able to find something that could help them.
"Sam !" Castiel was calling the second Winchester.
"I am in my room !" He replied.
"I think I know how we can open the gate !" said Castiel while entering Sam's room.
"Dude, we can't create 66 seals."
"No no, listen to me. Do you still have the Horsemen's rings ?"
"I think we do, why ... Oh I see ! You're right ! We can open the gate with the rings !"
Castiel had a smile on his face, they had found a way to open Lucifer's cage. Sam ran out of his room and came back after a little while with four little wooden boxes.
"Come with me." he said to the angel while heading to the main room. "Now we need to find a way to summon Dean, if what Crowley told me is true, if he really is a demon, he can be summoned."
"I don't like that idea Sam, what if he has the First Blade ?"
"He will probably have it with him but we have to take that risk."
Castiel and Sam were staring at each other, they didn't speak but this situation didn't need discussion, Dean was to be summoned.
Sam broke the silence by asking a simple but important question "where should we try to summon him ?"
"What do you mean ?"
"We can summon Crowley here because we know how to deal with him but Dean ... It's a first."
"You're right but how do we bring back after getting him here ?"
"Yes ... that's an issue."
In the end, they decided to summon Dean in the same room as Crowley, it will be easier to keep an eye on him if they succeed. The other problem was to summon Lucifer, what would they do if he didn't want to help them ? It was time to find out.
Sam prepared the summoning spell while Cas was standing next to him, waiting to see Dean, hoping to see Dean.
"So you two are bonding huh ?" a deep voice with a hint of sarcasm arose in front of them.
"DEAN !" the angel felt relieved "you're alive !" he took a step toward Dean but then remembered and he could clearly see his face, he is a demon.
"What's up Cas ? Did Metadouche bite the dust or you escaped from Heaven and you're never going back so you can live with my little giant brother over there ?"
"Metadouche, as you say, is in Heaven's jail and he will never get out. I am NOT living with your brother Dean, you should know that by now."
"And Sammy, how's the not saving me going ? Oh let me guess : great, you summoned me so you could end my pain ? Here's a news for you, I'm great !"
"Dean, listen to me, we know how to get rid of the Mark."
"Oh yeah, and how ? Killing me ? I'm already on the highway to Hell." They could see Dean's eyes, demon eyes. Black. "You know Sammy, I don't think the Mark is going to let go, I don't know how to explain but you should just get over with it and exorcise me."
"No Dean. We're not going to exorcise you." Sam didn't want to loose his brother again. "I know I said I would never look for you if something happened but I can't."
Dean took a step back, for just a second it looked like he was surprised. His baby brother was actually trying to bring him back ? Even as a demon, Dean was still Dean, his brother and his angel were all he had left.
"So you're telling me that ... "
"I'm telling you that we are going to get rid of the Mark, like it or not. Give me the Blade Dean."
"Why ?" his tone was questioning and frightened. "You don't need it, I can't get out of this Devil's trap."
"Dean give it to Sam." It almost seemed like Castiel was giving Dean an order and it worked. It worked maybe too well and too quickly, Sam took the First Blade with him and got out of the room leaving Castiel and Dean alone.
"So what now ? I'm gonna stay here until you two big boys find a way to make me human again ?"
"Actually yes."
"How and why ? I don't remember asking you."
"And we don't need your permission." Castiel turned around and left the dark room they were in leaving Dean trapped.
When Castiel arrived in the main room, he could see Sam seated, the First Blade on the table and little boxes in front of him. The Angel knew that they had to do it quickly, they saw Dean and they sadly had to admit it to themselves : they couldn't wait for too long or it would be too late.
"Sam ..." The youngest Winchester wasn't expecting the sound of Castiel's voice behind him.
"You startled me Cas ..."
"Sorry. Are you alright ?"
"No I am not but do I have a choice ? Dean is a demon, the only way to save him is to free Lucifer from his Cage and even if you say you're fine, dude, you look terrible." Sam looked worried and he had a good reason. Castiel's grace was burning out and he probably didn't want to bother Sam.
"I am fine, do not worry about me, I told you already."
"But ..."
"Dammit Sam, we're here to save Dean, now is not the time." The angel's voice was firm. "Then now, we have a to speak about all the details, remember, we have Dean but the gate of Hell is in St Mary's Convent."
"You think we should drive there ?" Sam didn't think of that, when it came down to his brother's condition, the young Winchester didn't know what to do. "I mean it's a 20 hours ride ..."
"Now Sam. Let me ask two of the other angels to stay here."
In the meantime, Sam prepared all they needed : the Rings, something to eat and drink and the First Blade, they just couldn't leave it with Dean.
Once on the road Castiel was the first to speak.
"Do you think it was a good idea to leave him there ?"
"Do you think he would have come willingly ?"
"No ..."
And it was again the only conversation during the drive. After 20 hours, they arrived, it was strange being back here after so long and not for the good reasons. They finally entered and headed to where Lilith died. A table was there, Cas brought the boxes that held the rings.
"We have to do it now Sam."
As he was speaking he grabbed one of the boxes and opened it, War's ring was in it. "Open the other ones Sam."
The other Winchester grabbed an other box which contained Pestilence's ring while his friend opened the box in which Famine's ring was locked in.
"So, Death's ring is the last one huh ? The irony." said Sam while opening the last box.
Castiel was staring at the last ring wondering what to do. Obviously they had to save Dean but was it a good idea to release Lucifer ? No it was not but it was the only way to save the only human he gave up everything for. Sam wasn't thinking about Lucifer at all, he already accepted the fact that he will probably be his vessel in order to save Dean but he would do anything, he was convinced that his brother would do the same in his situation and he didn't want to think about the consequences.
In fact, Sam was thinking about the only one that could have a cold head but wasn't here anymore : Bobby. Bobby was the only one that either Sam or Dean would ask for help, beside Castiel but the angel was already with them. Sam was wondering what Bobby would think of this crisis, yes it was a crisis and a tremendous one, he would more likely call them idjits and then proceed to find a way to help without having to free and summon the outcast of Heaven and he wasn't here.
"Sam ..." Castiel broke the silence, "Shall we start ?"
Sam hesitated but he had to do it for Dean. He joined the four rings together, a very clear light emanated from the floor and they ultimately heard what they came here for.
"Oh hello Sammy ! Did you miss me ?"