Disbelief filled the mind of the young Seraph as his gaze landed upon the figure belonging to the Trickster Archangel. During the whole ordeal within the abandoned factory Castiel had told himself that it wasn't possible that the creature before him could be his long lost brother Gabriel. The individual that the Winchesters had run into was a sharp divergence of the angel Castiel remembered Gabriel to be. Growing up Castiel recalled that Gabriel's grace was exceptionally warm and welcoming. The youngest of the archangels didn't take himself too seriously and never held his superiority over the heads of the younger angels. Gabriel had always told them when they were alone that they should just treat him like any other angel. The fledglings truly loved their elder brothers but the affections they held for Gabriel were unlike any other. Unbearable pain struck Castiel when his gaze witnessed the angst and coldness within the once cheerful archangel's features. What could have happened to Gabriel since that time in heaven? What force had the ability to corrupt the purity of the archangel's grace? If the unthinkable was true how much of the old Gabriel still resided within the human vessel?
Silence enveloped the group as Gabriel's focus shifted from Sam to Castiel. With a simple glance he could understand everything that was going through the Seraph's mind. Gabriel could imagine all the hurt the young angel was feeling. Feeling such betrayal was to be expected considering the fact that Gabriel had fled in such great haste. As an older brother it was his responsiblity to look after the fledglings that came after him. Without a second thought he abandoned them and left them to the mercy of the other three archangels who had long since discarded their nurturing dispositions. A somewhat softer expression appeared on his features as a geniune comfort entered the archangel's being when he was able to see his kid brother again. "Hello Castiel. Miss me?"
Words couldn't capture the vastness of the emotional typhoon raging within Castiel. Many of the feelings were so alien to the seraph that he couldn't even identify them. The young angel irrationaly thought if he blinked the whole thing would turn out to be nothing but a bittersweet illusion. Castiel wanted to believe with all his being that his beloved brother had finally returned and that soon things would return to the way they use to be. If anyone could restore the sanity within the maddness it was Gabriel. Another wave of angst struck the seraph as he recalled how things had fallen apart when Gabriel had abandoned heaven and the fledgings under his care. The sanctuary that had hidden them from the chaos had been destroyed and for the first time the fledglings discovered the natural state of heaven. Michael had established a stricter environment which didn't energize the cultivation of individuality. An unshakeable chain of command was established and Michael made sure every angel knew his or her place. Every angel was simply a soldier who was created to obey the orders of their betters. The slightest hint of betrayal or instance of emotion often led angel's to Naomi's lab where no one came out as they entered save the archangels themselves. Oppressive as the enviroment was there was no denying that stablitity had been created within heaven.
Although Castiel found himself wanting to demand some kind of explaination from the archangel, he simply glanced back at his elder brother with a soft expression. His Gabriel or not didn't particularly matter at this point. Simply believing some part of him existed somewhere within that vessel was enough to comfort Castiel. "Hello Gabriel." The seraph replied with his usual gruff voice. Before either Castiel or Sam opened their mouths to continue their communications with the Trickster they innocently scanned the area to see if they were still where Michael had left them. As far as their senses could tell they hadn't entered another pocket dimension which was a start. That of course left the members of Team Free Will curious. If Gabriel hadn't come to mess with them why exactly did he choose now to appear before them? Was he going to once again try to persuade the Winchesters to follow their predetermined path? Castiel slightly narrowed his gaze when he broke the silence between them again. "Why have you come here, brother?"
Internally Gabriel frowned slightly when he heard the seriousness within Castiel's voice. Clearly Gabriel's little Castiel had grown up and no longer was that fledgling that chased him all over heaven. Instead of playfully and innocently calling out to his elder brother the seraph was all business and somewhat stuffy like Raphael had become. Gabriel easily could have replied with the same level of blandness but that just wasn't how he operated. A very Gabriel like shrug with facial expressions and all was Castiel's only reply. Needless to say that answer was far from helpful and left Castiel somewhat frustrated. Why did his elder brother's always have to be so secretive? Sam lightly rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest giving the archangel one of his signature really expressions. A sigh escaped Gabriel's throat when he finally gave in and spoke a half truth instead of revealing the true reason for his visit. "After our little adventure in that warehouse I found myself rather bored and wanted to see what my favorite knuckleheads were up to."
Before venturing out on this latest case Sam couldn't help but think that Gabriel had something to do with events in the isolated town. There were clear signs of his usual operating procedures sprinkled within the details. While that was a curious fact Sam figured that Gabriel wouldn't draw too much attention to himself now that his true identity was known. Surely the God Squad wouldn't ignore a sudden pop up of holy fire on the Earth. Lucifer being free created an all hands on deck situation and everyone was on high alert. Too big of a splash would bring the Winchesters running and that would also ruin the fun. "Honestly I was hoping you had changed your mind about assisting with pulling the plug on the apacalypse effort." Sam stated honestly.
Once again Gabriel let out a defeated sigh and lightly shook his head in disbelief. No matter how many times he tried to ram the truth into Sam's skull he never seemed to learn. He persisted through it all with this mentality that simply believing that the impossible was possible would somehow make it come true. A wonderful notion for the naive but it was completely foolhardy. "Sam...Sammy how many ways can I say this? No matter what you do or how hard you wish the apocalypse will happen. Believe me I hear ya."
The heaviness returned to Sam's being when he once again heard that defeatest attitude within Gabriel's tone. He had convinced himself that there was no other path and had subscribed to the YOLO philosophy. The Trickster would continue to party until there was no where else to have his fun. Clearly he was prepared to go out with a bang just like the universe began. The young hunter was about to argue with Gabriel over the notion again when the archangel rose an eyebrow and quickly scanned the area. "That dick brother of yours... where is he at? Off ganking some monster without his baby brother again?"
Hesitation flashed across Sam's features when he heard Gabriel's inquiry. Both Castiel and Sam wanted to avoid the whole Michael/Dean conversation if they could help it. The young hunter knew all too well what Gabriel thought about his eldest brother. While it was true that he once loved him dearly it was also true that Gabriel wasn't the biggest fan of his actions. He was the only angel who he had meet aside Cas who wasn't Team Michael. What would Gabriel do if he found out the truth? Sam worried that he would do something reckless and needlessly get himself hurt. Even though Michael had restrained himself thus far there was no telling what the mighty archangel would do either. Before Sam could provide a fabricated story for why Dean wasn't with them Castiel spilled the beans. "Dean is currently in heaven."
Sam quickly turned to Castiel and gave him a what gives look. Clearly the brothers had to work with Cas when it came to telling little white lies to achieve an end. Needless to say Castiel didn't completely understand Sam's reaction. In his experience honesty was the best policy even if it was something you didn't want to hear. A somewhat perplexed expression appeared on Gabriel's features for a moment as he thought about what Cas had stated. Given the stakes heaven wouldn't allow for Dean to die. A light blub instantly went off in the archangel's mind when he put two and two together. Another sarcastic whistle passed through his lip to indicate his disbelief. "The idiot actually consented, huh? Seems I misjudged you both. That certainly speeds up the time table a bit."
Even though Lucifer hadn't aquired his true vessel it would be considered a moot point. The ultimate forces of light and darkness were walking the Earth. Gabriel was sure Michael had maxed out his patience by now. The leader of the Holy Host wouldn't waste too much more time waiting for the final battle. If Lucifer wouldn't come to him, he would take the fight to the devil. Again Sam looked somewhat annoyed that Gabriel had jumped to the wrong conclusion. There was no way he'd know the whole thing was done because of him. Of course he wouldn't think any other way. He grinded his teeth slightly before he tried once more to get through to him. "No Gabriel it's not..." The young hunter began to say before he heard the echo of wings once again.
Angels seriously had a lousy sense of timing. Sam let out a small breath when he gazed over Gabriel's shoulder and caught sight of his brother's body. With one look at his eyes he could tell that Michael still had control over the vessel. The young hunter wasn't sure if that was good or bad news. The only thing he was sure of at this moment was that crap was finally going to hit the fan. The estranged siblings had once again come face to face with one another after countless years apart. "Gabriel..."
A rather serious expression appeared on Gabriel's features as he slowly turned to make eye contact with Michael. Tension quickly grew within the general vacinity of the guardians of heaven. Considering what he had experienced earlier Sam expected a slightly more emotional response from Michael. Gabriel on the other hand fell back to his snarky attitude when he replied, "Michael nice to see you."
The elder archangel narrowed his eyes slightly as he began to fold his arms demonstrating his annoyance. Standing before him was his baby brother who had been lead to believe for the longest time was dead. Michael couldn't help but feel betrayed again. "It was nice of you to inform me you weren't dead, Gabriel."
Unlike Sam Gabriel had expected this exact reaction. Michael was angry and with good reason. Gabriel had ditched heaven and had decieved them all this whole time. Given everything that transpired the holy messenger felt his actions were justified and didn't think he owed Michael an explaination. Instead he replied with his usual sharp tone. "Guess the memo got lost in the mail. Can't trust messengers these days, huh?"
The hunter innocently shifted his glance over toward Castiel and was surprised to see fear on his features for the first time since he had known him. No one could blame him considering two archangels were staring each other down with emotions running very high. The air seemed to be charged with grace as the two brothers continued their verbal assult on one another. A deeply disappointed expression appeared on Michael's features when he had tried to get some kind of explaination from his baby brother. "Do you have any idea how your stunt affected heaven?"
Gabriel let out a slightly amused laugh when he heard the hypocrisy laced within his voice. Once again Michael was shifting blame when most of this was clearly on his plate. "How my actions affected heaven?! Look whose talking! Do you have any idea how your actions affected everyone around you? DO YOU?!" Michael looked rather defensive after hearing the implication that he did more damage to heaven than good. How dare Gabriel suggest he hadn't done his best? Before he could argue his point further the younger archangel continued. "The battles you waged with Lucifer rattled the very fabric heaven was built on. Your voices boomed across our home and the air was filled with electrified grace. The fledglings were terrified. Thankfully I dabbled in trickery even then because that was the only thing protecting them. All the while I took the full brunt of your ceaseless war. Day in day out I was forced to sit back and watch as the brothers I loved tear at each others throat. I couldn't bare it!"
Of course Gabriel choose to make him the bad guy in all of this. In Michael's own mind he had done everything he had to in order to protect the rest of his siblings. There was no toning down the battles with Lucifer since he was as powerful as himself. Two forces like that crashing together was nearly impossible to mask. Hearing that his efforts caused such harm only struck Michael deeper but he stood by his actions. "Faking your death, Gabriel... was that neccessary? We all mourned you. If anything that..." Michael wanted to admit that the loss had affected him more than anything Lucifer had done but he couldn't. He had to maintain that strong exterior despite it being nothing but a farce.
"I did what I had to do!" Gabriel insisted before letting out another breath. "I'm not proud of it but I had no choice. If I hadn't you would have dragged me back to heaven. You would force me to bow and pledge allegiance to you or face an eternity locked in a prison cell." The elder archangel was floored to hear what his brother believed would be his course of action. Despite all of his defiance he would never subjugate his baby brother in such a matter. When had the depth of his affections for his siblings been lost to them? Gabriel's words cut Michael deeper than any blade and it became rather clear in his facial expressions.
Only Dean could truly comprehend the depth of Michael's emotions in that moment but even to Sam the arguement did seem unfair. Experience had told the young hunter that his brother would do whatever he had to in order to protect him even if it meant lying to him. Sure the situation with the angels was a bit more drastic but the principal remained the same. From what Sam had been able to interperate thus far Michael truly did have rightous intensions in mind when he responded to the threat to his home. In his opinion Gabriel was being slightly unfair with his allogations but Sam couldn't blame him either.
The holy messenger let out another breath and then shifted his glance away from Michael. "My existance on Earth wasn't perfect but at least I've found some resemblence of home with the Pagans. They bicker a good deal of the time but at the end of the day we all get drunk silly and move on. I've been happy here, truly happy..."
Both Michael and Castiel were slightly surprised to hear that confession but at the same time it was a relief. Gabriel had experienced so much heartache it was good to hear he had found some kind of warmth again. The positive mood quickly disappated again when the defeatest attitude returned to Gabriel's voice. "Just get it over with already. Unleash the damn apocalypse and finish it."
Again it was clear that Gabriel didn't understand Michael and his true feelings. Despite all his 'I'm a good son' talk Michael didn't want any of this. He didn't want to be at odds with Lucifer and he certainly didn't want to kill him. He simply couldn't. That would leave a hole that could never be filled and without question it would destroy him too. Michael had yet to confirm this but he suspected Lucifer felt similarly. Another sigh escaped the trickster's throat when he reached into his pocket and pulled out the parchment their Father had given him. "Regardless, my positon hasn't changed. I'm not on either side and that is how it's going to stay. Father told me to give this to you... don't know what it's about and honestly I don't care."
Without much warning Garbriel effortlessly flicked the message in his brother's direction before turning his attention back at Sam. All the frustration that had built up around him seemed to disappear as he playfully stated, "Sammy if you need to get away for a while to have a little fun or whatever...call me." Sam could feel his heart nearly pound right out of his chest. The angel he had fallen for had practically left him an open invitation for a date. A slight hint of color appeared on his cheeks which caused Gabriel to smirk proudly. Before leaving again he winked at his hunter and was off before Michael could even talk his brother down.
Once again the siblings were seperated by a complete misunderstanding and Michael wasn't sure he could repair the damage already done. Ultimately that left the mighty archangel with a massive moral issue. Should he press forward with the apocalypse or should he adhere to the promise he made to the Winchesters? Did the wellbeing of the one outway the needs of the many? Michael's green orbs landed on the parchment before him and he appeared to be in deep thought. This innocent looking item may hold the answers he was despirately looking for and would determine his course.
Sam let out another breath as he gazed over at Michael and wondered what was going through his head. His reality had been completely turned on its head and that made the whole situation more complicated. Family meant the world to the Winchesters and experience told them doing what's right for them may not be what's best for the world. After hearing more of Gabriel's perspective Sam wondered if he did the right thing. For the first time Sam understand how Dean felt when he believed the weight of the world was on his shoulders alone. The hunter closed his eyes and thought a silent prayer, 'We need a miracle...'
To be continued...
Hello again my fellow SPN fans. First I wanna welcome the new followers of this story. I do hope you continue to enjoy where this journey takes us. I don't know about you but I think things got pretty heated in this chapter. I really got into the exchange between Gabriel and Michael. I also couldn't help but include that little Sabriel moment. Honestly the two of them are so cute together. I may include more of that down the road but I don't know if it's going to be that kind of story. Let me know what you think. Again I thank you all for your continued support. Receiving all the follows/favorites really pushes me to write more. I'll see you all in the next chapter.
