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==History==
Archangels are the stuff of primordial creation ([[Michael]], [[Lucifer]], [[Raphael]] and [[Gabriel]]) they are the first four powerful, angelic beings created by [[God]] before other [[angels]]. They possess immense power far surpassing that of [[demons]], lesser angels, and most other supernatural beings. [[Castiel]] describes them as "fierce and absolute." <ref name="four18" />
God and His archangels battled [[the Darkness]], where the Darkness was eventually defeated and trapped to maintain [[the Cosmic Balance]]. To serve as lock and key to the Darkness' cage, God created a [[Mark of Cain|Mark]]. It was given to Lucifer, His most trusted archangel. The Mark eventually began assert a will of its own, corrupting Lucifer, and becoming the first [[curse]]. The Mark enhanced Lucifer's anger and jealousy when God commanded the angels to bow before humanity. <ref name="ten23" />
Lucifer began arguing with his brothers, primarily Michael, who loyally followed their Father's word as law. Lucifer led an unsuccessful rebellion in [[Heaven]], which caused him to be cast out and to [[Fallen Angels|fall from grace]]. He was subsequently imprisoned in [[Lucifer's Cage|a Cage]] by Michael. Gabriel was in turn disgusted with his brother's behavior. He refrained from choosing sides by retreating to Earth and masquerading as the [[Trickster]], [[Loki]]. <ref name="five08 /> In God's absence, Michael took over the entire [[The Host of Heaven|Host of Heaven]] while Raphael continued his responsibilities as an archangel.
According to [[Metatron]], the archangels, in their despair decided to take over the universe themselves after God left Heaven. Metatron realized that he and the [[Tablets|Word of God]] were needed to do so, so he fled to Earth seeking refuge for the tablets and himself. The archangels were unable to locate Metatron due to his extreme isolation from Heaven, and their plans were delayed. Metatron was also cut off from Heaven making him unaware of the archangel's fates until contact with the Winchester brothers. <ref name="eight21 /> In the demon tablet, Metatron is falsely identified as an archangel.<ref name="eight07" />
At some point in the past, the archangels were believed to have killed all of the [[Knights of Hell]] with [[the First Blade]]. However, it is revealed that this task was actually undertaken by [[Cain]].<ref name="nine11" />
As the plan to release Lucifer and the [[Apocalypse]] starts to come to fruition, the archangels once more begin playing a role on Earth with Raphael taking on the role of a protector of the prophet [[Chuck Shurley]] <ref name="four18" /> and later smiting a group of [[demons]] at a gas station after the release of Lucifer. <ref name="five03 /> Once Lucifer is free, Michael begins working through his proxy [[Zachariah]] to force Dean to consent to possession so he can have his destined battle with Lucifer. <ref name="five01" /><ref name="five04" /><ref name="five16" /><ref name="five18" /> Gabriel, as the Trickster, attempts to convince the Winchesters to "play their roles" as well. <ref name="five08" /> During the Apocalypse, Gabriel is killed by Lucifer while helping the Winchesters and [[Kali]] escape, but not before giving them a way to lock Lucifer away once more. <ref name="five19" /> During the final confrontation between Michael and Lucifer at [[Stull Cemetery]], Sam Winchester is able to overpower Lucifer's control of his body and throw himself, Lucifer, Michael and [[Adam Milligan]] into Lucifer's Cage, leaving Raphael as the only active archangel.<ref name="five22" />
Following the imprisonment of Michael, Raphael takes command of Heaven with the intention to release Michael and Lucifer and once again begin the Apocalypse. This causes a divide in Heaven with Raphael and his loyalists against [[Castiel]] and angels loyal to him. In order to defeat Raphael, Castiel forms a deal with [[Crowley]] to gain access to all the souls of [[Purgatory]] to gain the power he needs. After betraying Crowley, Castiel takes all of the Purgatory souls for himself and uses their power to obliterate Raphael.