Supernatural Fan Fiction ❯ Angels and Demons: A Supernatural Fanfic ❯ Waging War ( Chapter 7 )

7. Waging War

Bobby's Place 12:47 p.m.

“I know how to defeat Lucifer.” Castiel said, sitting at the kitchen table with Grace, Dean, Bobby, Sam, and Rachel three days after the encounter with Zachariah.

“Oh really?” Dean questioned, one eyebrow raised. “How do you plan on doing that?”

“It's simple really. I just need to find my father: God.”

Dean, Bobby, and Sam looked at him like he'd gone nuts. Grace didn't look enthusiastic. “That's a good idea Cas!” Rachel said happily.

“But how are you going to find him?” Bobby questioned. Castiel looked at Dean. “Dean, hand me your necklace for a moment please.” He held his hand out. Dean looked a little shocked but complied. “Be careful with that Cas, Sam gave it to me for Christmas one year. It's a memento I'd like to keep. Take good care of it. I feel naked without it.”

Castiel nodded. “Thank you Dean. It's going to sound odd, but your necklace is kind of like a Holy EMF Detector, don't ask me why, but I sensed it the moment I met you. This should help me find God.”

“Do you really think it will work?” Dean asked. Rachel looked at him and sighed, sounding a little sad and tired as she murmured quietly, “We have to have faith Dean. Besides the hope that you and Sam can defeat Lucifer, that's all we have left.” She got up and left the table. Sam looked at Castiel and Grace. “Is something wrong with Rachel?”

Castiel spoke. “She just feels a little depressed. You have to understand how difficult this is for her, as well as me. We haven't been able to sense our father, God, for a long time now. You remember and still feel the pain of losing your own father I know. We feel exposed and vulnerable, not to mention we've been cast out of Heaven and have to fend for ourselves. Helping you stop Lucifer isn't going to be easy either. We're just under a lot of stress right now. God has never been this distant with us and it's frightening. Neither she nor I know what tomorrow will bring.”

Sam and even Dean looked a little guilty. “Sorry we've been so much trouble.” Sam murmured. Castiel shrugged. “Just pray that this goes well. If we can't locate God I don't know what we'll do. I'm going to get Rachel and then we'll be off. Try not to get into any serious trouble while we're gone.” He walked out of the room. Once he was gone Bobby spoke up. “I got a call from a friend mine in Colorado. He's fighting off a town full of demons. You boys interested in helping?”

Sam and Dean nodded. They packed their bags and, along with Grace, they went to Colorado.

Langston, Colorado 5:56 p.m.

Dean parked his car in a hotel parking lot and they all got out of the car. Dean and Sam had salt, their guns, holy water, and their Latin book of spells with them while Grace had her dagger. Bobby had given them the address of his friend, who lived only about a block away. Walking down the unusually quiet streets however, everyone, even Grace, got an eerie feeling that something wasn't right. There were no people out on the sidewalks, no one in the various shops that lined the streets. Cars were left vacant, their doors hanging open. A chill wind blew across the land and the sky started darkening with grey ominous clouds. They all hurried to Rufus's address. They were just about to go inside when the front door opened, revealing a woman standing there with a gun.

“Would it kill you boys to pick up a damn phone? I haven't heard anything from you in months!” she groused. She had light brown hair and looked to be in her late 40's. She slapped Dean across the face hard. Grace took a step toward her, slipping her hand in her pocket, ready to pull out her blade.

Dean's eyes widened. “It's okay Grace. I guess I deserve that” He said, rubbing his cheek and putting a reassuring hand on her arm. “This is Ellen. She's a fellow hunter that Sam and I met awhile back. Ellen, this is my girlfriend Grace Mathews. Grace is also a hunter.” The two women looked warily at each other for a few seconds. They smiled, coming to a silent understanding, and shook hands. “I guess I should thank you for keeping a watch on these two boys.” Ellen said.

Grace shrugged. “It's been my pleasure.” She murmured, winking at Dean. He smiled.

“Hey mom, where's the-…..Sam, Dean, is that you?” Ellen's daughter, Jo, walked towards them. “It took you guys long enough to get here.” She mumbled, splaying her hands on her hips and glaring. Sam looked away nervously but Dean met her gaze. “Hey Jo. It's been awhile. You remember me and Sam. You haven't met my girlfriend though. Jo, this is Grace Mathews.” Jo looked from Dean to Grace. Her angry gaze lingered on Grace for a few seconds longer than Dean, a spark of jealousy lighting the girl's eyes. Grace couldn't help but smile. So this girl had a thing for Dean it seems. Well, too bad for her that he's mine now. Poor little mortal, you lost your chance.

“I didn't know that you guys hunted with strippers. Did you pick her up on a street corner or something?” Jo said snidely. Ellen looked at her sharply, silencing the next thing she was opening her mouth to say. Grace counted to ten, using all of her willpower to resist cutting Jo's head off for the remark. “There's no need to resort to childish things like provocation. It won't work. When we go out hunting the demons today, I think you should sit out. You're clearly not mature enough to handle being in our hunting party.”

“Did you just call me a child? I'm freaking 21 you sorry-..”

“Enough Jo. I think Grace is right. If you can't give her the respect she deserves then I don't think you need to come with us.” Ellen murmured, giving her a stern look. Jo rolled her eyes and stomped back into the house. Ellen sighed, apologizing to Grace for her daughter's behavior. Dean looked amused but said nothing. Sam stood in silence. Ellen took a shaky breath and explained the current situation.

“Look, this town is infested with demons. Rufus went out before you three got here to get salt and guns and he hasn't been back since. Inside the house there are only a handful of people who haven't been possessed. We used up all the salt we had to cover the doors and windows. We ran out before we could cover everything though. Do you boys have any salt on you?” Dean and Sam handed them their containers. Ellen looked a little relieved. Hollering to Jo to douse the doorways and windows, she explained that they needed more salt. They also needed guns. It was decided that she would stay at the house while Sam, Dean, and Grace got more guns and salt.

“Grace, you and I are going to get more weapons. Sam, you get more salt. Don't do anything stupid out there.” Dean warned, walking with Grace to the gun store. Sam sighed and headed the opposite way, looking for a place that would have salt.

“Do you think it's wise to let him go out on his own?” Grace murmured as they opened the store door.

“Not really, but I'm not going to babysit him the whole time. If he gets hyped up on demon blood we knock him out, after we beat the hell out of him. I don't trust him Grace, but what can I do? He won't listen to me.” Dean muttered sourly, looking at the various guns behind the glass counter. They picked the ones that would hold the ammunition, about 12 rifles, and walked out of the store, back to the house.

Sam found a convenience store a couple of blocks away from the house and walked inside. He grabbed a plastic bag and began filling it with as many salt canisters as he could. He froze, hearing two distinct sets of footsteps coming towards him. Looking up, he saw two men with black eyes snarl and lunge toward him. Pulling out his knife, he stabbed one in the gut. He falls on the floor, howling in agony, and Sam sliced the other man's throat. He looked down at the other man and stabbed him in the chest a couple of times. There were definitely perks to having Ruby's demon knife, which was now saturated in blood. The thoughts of Ruby and demon blood almost proved to be too much for Sam, but somehow he was able to resist licking it even though the metallic smell tantalized him and the very thought of the thick liquid sliding down his throat made his mouth water. He went to the bathroom and cleaned off his knife, feeling regret as the diluted blood washed down the drain. Shoving it back in his pocket, he grabbed the salt and walked out, the memories of Ruby and demon blood haunting him as he walked down the vacant road of the ghost town.

“I have no idea where Jo could have gone or why. She knows that protecting the civilians is important.” Ellen said, speaking to Sam and Dean as they stood in the living room. Grace came from the basement. “The civilians are gone too.”

Ellen swore. “They're probably all possessed now. Dean tells me that you can send demons back to hell with those psychic powers of yours Sam. Is it true?” she asked, sounding a little hopeful.

Sam nodded. “Yeah Ellen, its true. Freaky, but true.”

“Well then, I guess we have to find Rufus and Jo. Suit up everyone.” They all grabbed guns and salt, with the exception of Grace of course. Ellen looked at her oddly but said nothing. They all walked around the town, searching various shops and stores, finding nothing. It was unnatural, the way everyone could just seemingly vanish into thin air. Sam and Grace knew the demons where there, they could sense it, but they didn't know exactly where. Walking a few blocks from the house, they found a small trail of blood drops that went on for another block before they stopped. The sky was heavy with dark clouds and the chill wind picked up a nippiness that it hadn't had before. Off to their right they suddenly heard three gun shots.

“That can't be good.” Grace murmured.

“We should probably check it out.” Ellen said. They walked in the direction of the gunshots and found themselves by an old, uninhabited, dilapidated building. As they were looking around for signs of life, the gun and its owner included, they were ambushed by demons.

Unfortunately, Jo and Rufus were among the group possessed. They go after Sam and manage to get him on the ground. Jo looked at her mom and smiled wickedly. “Aren't you going to help us you black eyed-bitch?” and then Sam saw Ellen's eyes turn black. Up until this point Grace and Dean had been fighting some other demons. They attempted to rescue Sam, but the three demons holding him hostage had holy water. Grace had no desire to get burned, and Dean stayed quiet because they had a couple of guns loaded with just more than rock salt. Sam, Dean, and Grace were taken hostage by the three demons and led back to the house. They tied Sam to a chair while keeping a close eye on Grace and Dean. Once Sam was secure they doused him with holy water and poured salt down his throat.

“I'm not a demon!” he yelled incredulously, in between mouthfuls of salt and holy water. A man in a black trench coat entered the room. He had jet black hair and was covered in piercings and tattoos. Before he could speak, Dean managed to throw some holy water on Ellen. After some cursing and shrieking, the demon possessing her left. The mystery man murmured for them to let Sam go and they complied, though warily. Neither Sam nor Dean quite understood what was going on, but Grace did.

She pulled out her dagger and held it demurely behind her back. The stranger smiled at them. Grace shuddered as she saw the thick metallic ring on his finger. She knew exactly who he was.

“You're War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, aren't you?” she murmured. He looked at her, seeming a bit surprised and amused. “My reputation must proceed me.” He said.

He looked at Sam and Dean. “I guess I have you two to thank for being set free. As your friend mentioned, I am War, and I enjoy strife, arguing, fighting, just all out combat, among the mortals. You can't kill me, so don't try anything stupid. Contrary to your beliefs, not everyone here is possessed. I'm just making you think that so you'll fight amongst yourselves. I have to say, as far as entertainment value, you Winchesters don't disappoint.”

“I'm no horseman's bitch you bastard.” Dean mumbled. War just looked at him and laughed. “Have fun stopping everyone from killing one another.” He disappeared.

“What do we do now?” Sam asked. Dean pulled out holy water and salt. “Find out who's really possessed and who isn't. They managed to exorcise the demons of Rufus and Jo, and after making sure that they and Ellen were safe, ordered them to find the townspeople and do likewise. While those three tended to the townspeople, Grace, Dean, and Sam went to find War.

“Is there really no way we can kill him?” Dean asked skeptically. Grace shook her head. “You can't kill the horsemen; we see war everyday you know, without seeing him actually possess a vessel. People and countries fight all the time. The only thing we can do is try to save other people and towns from this fate and get that ring. Rachel has a plan as far as the rings go.”

“Oh? And what's the plan?” Dean murmured. “Well, Rachel thinks that the four rings form a key that can open up a trap door that we can toss Lucifer into.”

“Wow, it would be cool if it worked.” Sam said. Grace nodded. “Yeah, it would solve some of your problems. It's just a working theory though; she doesn't have a real proof to back it up.”

“Well, it's looking better than any of the other plans we've got.” Dean murmured. They found War in a convenience store, having originally stopped because Dean wanted some pie. War smiled at them “Hello again boys.”

Sam lunged at him. War grabbed him and threw him against the counter. Dean managed to grab War, keeping him in a headlock, and Grace used her dagger to cut his finger off. War screamed in protest but once the ring was gone, he disappeared. Grace looked more than a little grossed out, holding a stub of a finger with a ring on it, so Dean took it out of her hand and pulled the ring off. Dropping the severed finger on the ground, he slipped the ring in his pocket. They walked out of the store and back to the house. Jo, Ellen, and Rufus had managed to exorcize all of the remaining demons and all of the surviving townspeople where back to normal.

“You take care now, and drop me a line this time around.” Ellen said warmly, hugging the boys before they left. She smiled at Grace, shaking her hand. Jo was nowhere to be found. Rufus thanked them for their help, and after promising to give his regards to Bobby, they left.

On the drive back to Bobby's place, Sam and Dean talked, figuring that the time had come for a real heart to heart.

“Dean” Sam began, “I know you're still angry with me.”

“That's an understatement.” Dean mumbled.

“Well, I just wanted to tell you that once we get back, I'm packing up and leaving.”

Dean looked a little surprised. “You are?” he said in disbelief, his eyes widening.

Sam nodded. “Yeah, I am. I still have the urge to drink demon blood and that puts all of you in danger. You're still mad at me and I think we need some time apart. You're right to want me to leave, after everything I've done, I wouldn't trust me either. You were right Dean, about everything. I won't hunt anymore, not with you, not with anyone. After all the trouble I've caused the world, I'm done.”

“Oh? You're done huh? What are you going to do now? Where will you go?” Dean asked. Sam shrugged. “I don't know. I left college before I started Law school, so I don't have any idea of what I'm going to do. I'll think of something though. I don't know where I want to go yet, but I'll think of something.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Dean murmured. Once they got back, Sam stayed true to his word, packing up all of his things and taking one of Bobby's cars that he had fixed up, hitting the road. Grace, Bobby, and Dean watched from the front porch as he drove away, dust and dirt trailing behind him.

“Good luck Sam, wherever you go.” Bobby murmured quietly. “This is for the best.” Dean said softly, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself. Grace just stood there silently, holding Dean's hand, trying to offer him some semblance of comfort.

Walking back inside the house, Grace and Dean grabbed a couple of beers out of the fridge and went in the living room to sit. They tried to watch the news for a few minutes, but it just depressed them. All the news was about where the natural disasters and catastrophes around the world, floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, droughts. It didn't help either one of their melancholy moods, so they tried finding something else but where unsuccessful. Turning the TV off, they sat in silence for a few minutes. Bobby had gone to his office, intent on doing more research. No one had heard from Castiel or Rachel all day. Grace debated on calling her but decided against it. The two angels would reappear when their mission was done.

Both Dean and Grace felt very tired, having had a busy day of demon hunting which hadn't been made any easier by Sam's leaving. Curling up on the couch, they both fell asleep.

It seemed to Grace that she had just closed her eyes when she heard the soft rustle of wings. Looking up she saw that Castiel and Rachel had returned. They both looked tired and a little worried. Grace got up, unintentionally waking a slumbering Dean in the process, and followed the two angels into the kitchen. Once everyone had sat down, they spoke.

“So, um, where you able to find your father?” Grace asked curiously. Castiel and Rachel exchanged somnolent glances. “No, we tried everywhere we could think of. Rachel and I even spoke to a witness who saw the archangel, Raphael, in the physical form, possessing a vessel. He wasn't able to help us though, he couldn't remember anything.” Both the angels looked despairing and dejected.

“Did you try New Mexico? I hear he's on a tortilla.” Dean said smiling, trying to lighten the solemn mood that seemed to have permeated the walls of the house.

Castiel looked a Dean, a little perplexed. “God isn't on a piece of flatbread.” Grace giggled and Rachel managed a grim smile. The joke had obviously gone over Castiel's head. “Where is Sam?” he asked a second later. This time it was Dean who looked depressed. He explained that Sam had left, wanting to go off on his own. The angels looked at Dean sympathetically but said nothing. “Does time really heal all wounds?” he asked them.

“I don't know.” Castiel murmured quietly.

“Time lessens the pain, makes the wound easier to bear. Depending on what's been done and who the wound is from, I think some of them never heal.” Rachel whispered.

After a few seconds of silence in which Grace and Dean where sipping their beers, he asked quietly, “How often do you think of your sister Rachel? Would you go back and change things if you could? Have you forgiven her?”

Rachel looked at Dean, taken aback at being asked such personal questions. She sighed, giving him a brittle smile. “Well, I think about her every day. I forgave her for the mistakes she made a long time ago, but that doesn't mean I can change what she's done or reverse the consequences of her actions. If I had to do everything all over again however, I wouldn't change a thing.”

Dean looked a little dumbfounded. “You wouldn't change anything? Why not? If I was given the choice, I would.”

“Well, for one, if I changed things, I wouldn't have met Grace. Another reason I wouldn't tamper with the past is that I might not have met Castiel.” She gave him a warm smile, which he returned in a heartbeat. “And I wouldn't have gotten the chance to know you or Sam. You and your brother are special people Dean. With you two, I never know how things will turn out. You're surprisingly capricious.”

She gave Dean a minute to absorb the information. Castiel spoke next. “I can't imagine what it must be like for you with Sam being gone. It must be difficult, considering how close you both had become. I don't mean to offend you, but Rachel and I would be more than willing to check on him every few days for you if you want.”

“You would do that for me?” Dean sounded astounded.

Castiel looked at Rachel and they both nodded. “We worry about him too you know.” Castiel murmured.

“Even if there is a darkness in him, he's still full of goodness. The light far outweighs the dark in Sam.”

“So there's hope for him.” Dean said.

“I believe so.” Rachel responded.

Dean smiled. “I guess we're back to the whole lack of faith thing again. Maybe if I had believed in him more we wouldn't be where we are now.”

“It's not too late. There is still time yet Dean.” Castiel said. Dean yawned and Grace, Rachel, and Castiel all exchanged bemused glances. It was obviously time for the mortal to sleep. Dean walked into the living room, sat on the couch, and turned the TV on to an old Deaf Leopard concert that was being aired on MTV. He was asleep, dozing soundly before the first commercial had appeared. Grace turned the TV off and crawled on top of him as had become her habit over the last few weeks. Kissing him lightly on the lips, she snuggled up against his chest and fell asleep.

Castiel and Rachel went outside, sitting on the porch, watching the moon and stars come out. Sitting in the silence, listening to the night sounds of the crickets chirping and hearing coyotes howling in the distance, Rachel rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and content to hear Castiel's breathing, his heartbeat, feel the warmth from his skin. He slipped an arm around her, his head leaning against hers, listening intently to the long ago memories that she had forgotten, hearing her thoughts and seeing her dreams as they swirled in a cataclysm of serene rhythm in her mind. Sitting there, holding Rachel whom he loved more than life itself, he prayed to anyone who was listening for everything to turn out right in the end, regardless of where the journey to get there would take them.