Lucifer's Cage
Without me, you got zero shot at killing Lucifer. Sorry. But... you can trap him. The cage you sprung Lucifer from, it's still down there, and maybe, just maybe, you can shove his ass back in. Not that it'll be easy. You got to get the cage open, trick my bro back into it, and oh yeah, avoid Michael and the God Squad. But hey - details, right? And here's the big secret, Lucifer himself doesn't even know. But the key to the cage, it's out there. Actually it's keys, plural, four keys. Well, four rings from the Horsemen. You get 'em all, you got the cage.
After being banished from Heaven for defying God, Lucifer decided to anger God by twisting a Human soul into the first demon. After this, God sent Michael to imprison Lucifer. This prison or cage, was locked with 600 Seals. Only 66 seals of the 600 had to be broken in order for Lucifer to be released. As implied on several occasions by several characters and even by Sera Gamble herself, Lucifer's Cage is implied to be located in the deepest and worst part of Hell, with Dean comparing the rest of Hell as "Graceland" in comparison to the Cage.
In 1972, Azazel possessed a priest at St. Mary's Convent, and killed eight nuns in the chapel. This enabled him to speak to the imprisoned Lucifer. Lucifer tells Azazel that Lilith is needed to break The 66 Seals that hold him captive in the Cage and that he needs to find a very special child.4.22 Lucifer Rising
This leads to the plan be Azazel to recruit select children, including Sam and the events that subsequently lead to the breaking of The 66 Seals. See Mythological Arc Timeline for details.
- The first Seal to the cage is broken by Dean while in Hell:
And it is written that the first seal shall be broken when a righteous man sheds blood in Hell. As he breaks, so shall it break.
Dean: Why break the seal anyway?
Castiel: You think of the seals as locks on a door.
Castiel: Lucifer walks free.
Dean: Okay, last one opens, and?
– Dean, Castiel, 4.02 Are You There, God? It's Me, Dean Winchester
In 2009, Sam unknowingly releases Lucifer from his cage by killing Lilith. Lilith is revealed to have been the last of the 66 Seals:
And it is written that the first demon shall be the last seal.
Lilith’s blood forms a spiral circle in the middle of the chapel at St. Mary's Convent and the gates of Lucifer’s prison open. 4.22 Lucifer Rising The doors to the chapel slam shut and Sam and Dean are unable to escape. However before Lucifer appears, Sam and Dean find themselves transported to an airplane flying over the area. Joshua reveals to Dean and Sam that it was in fact God who saved them from Lucifer.5.16 Dark Side Of The Moon
Lucifer's mere angelic essence can cause catastrophic catastrophes by creating weather disruptions5.01 Sympathy For The Devil Following Lucifer's release, Sam is revealed to be Lucifer's Vessel, and Dean Michael's. Possession is likely to lead to a conflict that will devastate the Earth. Michael and Lucifer were destined to meet one another at Stull Cemetery.
Contents
5.19 Hammer Of The Gods
Sam and Dean try to kill Lucifer with the Colt but fail, and are desperate for a solution. 5.10 Abandon All Hope In a hidden message recorded on a Casa Erotica DVD, Gabriel reveals posthumously how Sam and Dean can trap Lucifer back in his cage. The keys to the cage are the rings worn by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
5.20 The Devil You Know
Crowley reveals he is aware of Sam and Dean's plan to get the Horsemen's Rings to trap Lucifer back in his cage thanks to his Magical Coin. He also tells them he wants to help them do it.
Sam comes up with a plan - he will let Lucifer possess him, and then jump into the cage. Bobby and Dean are both against the idea.
5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight
Sam and Dean get the final two rings after Castiel cuts off Pestilence's finger using Ruby's knife and Death gives his ring to Dean in exchange for his promise to do whatever it took to free him from Lucifer's control, ensuring that Sam would jump into the cage as soon as he consented to possession by Lucifer. Death also instructs Dean on how the rings work to open the cage, although the explanation is not shown in this episode. Dean is later shown working with all four rings on a table. They join together to form a triangular shape with War's ring in the center and the other three rings surrounding it. When Bobby asks him about Death teaching him how the rings work, Dean responds "Yeah, it's nuts."
5.22 Swan Song
Dean finally agrees to support Sam's plan. Sam primes himself by drinking Demon Blood and then they confront Lucifer. Lucifer knows of their plan, but Sam says "yes" anyway. As Lucifer takes him over, Dean uses the ring and an incantation to open the "door" to the cage. However Lucifer is in control, and he easily closes it.
Later, in Stull Cemetery, Lucifer faces Michael who appears using Adam as a vessel. Lucifer tries to dissuade Michael from the fight, blaming their conflict on God, and suggesting they walk away. Michael counters that he must carry out God's orders, and that it's his destiny to kill Lucifer, who is evil. Just then Dean arrives in the Impala, Def Leppard's Rock of Ages blaring.
Dean tries to talk to Sam, inside Lucifer, but Michael tells him it's not his fight anymore. Castiel arrives and throws a Molotov cocktail made with Holy Oil at Michael, causing him to vanish temporarily. Lucifer turns and disintegrates Castiel, and then as Bobby shoots him, he snaps his neck.
Lucifer starts to beat Dean, taunting him, saying he will kill him slowly and make Sam feel it. Dean doesn't resist, just telling Sam he won't leave him. As he goes to land another blow, he glances at the Impala, and suddenly all Sam's memories of life with Dean rush at him, allowing Sam to take control over Lucifer. He tosses the Horsemen's Rings to the ground, recites the incantation to open the Cage. He and Dean look at each other one last time, but as Sam goes to throw himself in, Michael reappears. Michael tries to stop him, but Sam drags him into the chasm too, and it shuts.
6.01 Exile On Main St.
Sam got out of the cage, but has no idea how. He remembers his time there, but when Dean asks, he doesn't want to talk about it.
6.03 The Third Man
Raphael intends to release Lucifer and Michael from the cage through unspecified means to complete the apocalyptic showdown.
