Stronger Than Ever Δ SPN [3]

077. SHOW TIME

The four Winchesters, Nathan, Jack, and Amara are in the bunker library. Libby is tucked into Nathan's side, the blonde's arm around her shoulders as silent comfort.

Libby hasn't talked to Jack since the hunters got back and she's basically been ignoring him.

"My brother has returned. That means it's time." Amara states.

"Did he contact you?" Sam asks.

"He's made himself known." Amara says. "How do you intend to cage him? When God caged me, he had four archangels. Do you have four archangels?"

"Nope. We got one Jack." Dean says.

"I wish we'd gotten to know one another. That's my fault. Maybe when all of this is over, we can?" Amara questions her nephew. Jack hesitates, knowing they're both going to die, but he nods.

"He's been juicing himself up, getting stronger." Dean says.

"But I need to complete a final ritual." Jack says.

"What do you need me to do?" Amara asks.

Dean and Amara go to the war room and he informs her of what needs to happen. Libby quickly leaves the room before Jack can get a word out, Ophelia hot on her heels and dragging Nathan with her so there's no risk of him attacking Jack.

Ophelia soon returns to the library just in time to hear her father yell, "Jack's not family!" Ophelia freezes when she spots Jack in the entrance.

"I know how you feel about the kid, okay? I care for him, too. I do. But he's not like you. He's not like Ophi. He's not like Libby. He's not like Cas or Nate. He's just not." Dean continues.

"I'm... I'm ready." Jack says, the brothers turning to find him there and Ophelia is a few steps behind.

"Well, then, let's hit the road." Dean says, him and Jack leaving.

~ ~ ~

The four remaining are in the library and researching.

"Sam." They all turn to find Cas walk in. "Stayed behind to find another way, huh? I would've done the same."

+++

Sam wants to talk to Death and got an idea, the group searching for the Key to Death that Sergei had mentioned.

"Guys." Cas calls, the other four walking over.

"Cas, this has to be it." Sam says.

"There's an inscription." Cas says, handing Sam the box that has the key.

"It's in Latin." Sam recites the inscription and the key glows in Sam's hand, an illuminated outline of a door appearing on the wall with a glowing keyhole in it.

"Sam, one of us should go with you." Cas says.

"No, Cas... look, I don't know if this is crazy or-- or what, but if Dean beats me back here... buy me some time?" Sam asks.

"What about one of us?" Libby asks.

"No. No, it's-- I don't know what could go wrong. You three stay here. I'm not putting you in any more danger than you're probably already in." Sam says.

"Sam, for what it's worth, I don't think you're crazy. I think your internal compass is functioning perfectly." Cas says.

Sam opens the door and goes in, it shutting behind him.

~ ~ ~

Sam comes back through the door with a book in hand.

"Hey." Sam says. Libby immediately wraps her arms around him, tightly hugging him.