Destiny • Supernatural

• Chapter Twenty-Two •

"Let's play Nutcracker!" A Japanese man exclaimed as he came out from behind two doors and stood between Sam and Dean, which earned cheers from the audience.

As part of the Trickster's twisted little game, the brothers had found themselves standing in shoes that had been glued to a platform that had a slot for a pole which had a large ball at the end.

They were now on a game show.

The Japanese man, the host of the game show, mentioned something in Japanese before he pulled some cards out from his pocket.

"Sam Winchester." He said and proceeded to speak in Japanese. "What was the name of the demon you chose over your brother and girlfriend? Countdown."

"What?" Sam asked as the clock had begun its countdown from twenty, and he turned to his brother with confusion clearly evident on his face. "Uh, what am I supposed to say?"

"You think I know?" Dean screeched, just as confused.

"Uh, I, I don't, I don't understand Japanese." The taller hunter stated to the host, who simply repeated the question once more in his native tongue. "Is he screwing with me? I, I, I can't speak Japanese."

The countdown had reached zero, which sounded a buzzer that Sam was now out of time.

"The answer is.. Ruby!" The host said, revealing the answer before he lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Sam Winchester."

"Sorry?" Sam repeated, even more confused than before. "Sir? For what? Dean?"

But the host merely mimed, hiding laughter when all of a sudden, the ball attached to Sam's platform rushed up and hit him in the crotch.

Dean's enclosed fist flew up to his mouth in horror as he watched his little brother double over in pain - or as far as he could - as he held the abused area all while the audience cheered.

"Nutcracker!" The host exclaimed almost gleefully as he fist-bumped the air.

"Sam?" Dean quizzed, lowering his hand slowly as he peered down at his crouched over brother - Sam making an inarticulate noise in response. "You okay?"

Sam merely stared at his brother in silence, forcing the eldest Winchester to look at his platform before turning towards his own with a cringe.

Suddenly, the lights on the door had begun flashing, which meant that something or someone was coming through.

"Oh, what now?" Dean groaned.

The doors opened to reveal a familiar face to the brothers as the audience cheered at the newcomer's entrance.

"Cas?" The eldest hunter gasped as he stared at his girlfriend's father.

"Is this another trick?" The youngest asked, finally managing to speak coherently.

"It's me." Castiel confirmed. "Uh, what are you doing here?"

"Us?" Dean repeated. "What are you doing here?"

"The girls and I are looking for you." The Angel in the trench coat replied. "You've been missing for days."

"So get us the hell out of here, then!" Sam exclaimed, not wishing to be hit in the jewels again.

"Let's go." Castiel said and raised his arms to touch the brothers on the forehead, but before he could make contact with either of them, he had suddenly vanished in a burst of static.

"Cas?" Dean called.

"No, no, no, no." The host tsk'd as he came back to center stage and reached into his pocket for more cards. "Mr. Trickster does not like pretty-boy angels. Dean Winchester."