Chapter 7

They were on a cemetery, at least that was quite obvious, and they were alone. Their surrounding look old and abandoned, which was not what Sam had expected the place for the final battle between Michael and Lucifer to be like.

This place serves as well as any other. I even think it's kinda fitting. Gabriel said unconcernedly.

Where is Michael? Sam asked, unsure whether to be happy or concerned about the fact that the archangel hadn't arrived yet.

Be patient, he'll arrive soon enough.

Gabriel looked around, shifting a bit uncomfortably. You should keep quiet while I talk to him. This will already be difficult enough without any distraction.

Can you actually make him believe that you are Lucifer? Sam wondered aloud. Pretending to be dead was one think, but pretending to be someone else had to be a lot more difficult. Maybe Michael could see that it was a trick.

We'll see. Gabriel answered honestly.

Good luck, then.

Thanks.

Gabriel waited patiently for his brother to arrive, but Sam could feel that the angel was getting nervous. From time to time he looked around to make sure they were still alone, while he tried to make his grace look even more like Lucifer's.

Then there was the sound of moving wings and suddenly Michael stood only a few meters away from Gabriel. It hurt Sam to see the archangel wearing his half-brother like a cheap suit. Hopefully Crowley had figured something out to safe the boy.

Gabriel turned towards his brother and took a breath to calm himself down, readying himself for what was going to happen next. While neither of them spoke, the blowing wind was the only sound to be heard.

„It's good to see you, Michael," Gabriel finally said, breaking the silence. Sam could tell, that he actually meant it.

„You too," Michael answered, his expression completely neutral. For a moment both Sam and Gabriel wondered whether the other angel could see through the trickster's trick.

„It's been too long," Michael went on.

„Can you believe it's finally here?" Gabriel asked, not only playing his part, but feeling it too.

„No, not really," Michael replied, taking a few steps towards his brother. He as well took a deep breath and a sad smile ghosted over his face. „You ready?"

Sam knew he shouldn't say anything, but couldn't stop himself. Are you?

Gabriel hesitated, readying himself for the answer that would certainly end the small talk between the brothers.

„As I'll ever be," he answered, not only to Michael, but also to Sam.

Silence followed again, as the angels got ready for the fight. As if an imaginary signal was given, they slowly began to circle each other, all the while keeping their eyes on their opponent.

Can you stand a chance in a fight against Michael? Sam asked concerned, once again ignoring Gabriel's order to keep quiet.

No, but I'm not planing on playing fair. The angel answered, his voice thick with tension.

They had only taken a few steps around each other, as the sound of an engine starting, violently broke the silence.

Both angels turned their heads to see what had dared to interrupt them. A short pause followed, until the music started. Oh, that music! That was just what Dean would do.

The Impala came rolling down the hill, stopping directly in front of the angels. The door on the driver's side opened and Dean got out of the car.

„Hello there, boys." Sam's brother said. „Sorry, am I interrupting something?"

Neither Michael nor Gabriel seemed very happy to see the older Winchester brother.

Dean closed the door and walked towards the angels.

„Hey, we need to talk," he said nonchalantly, as if the people in front of him were not two powerful, pissed archangels.

Gabriel shook his head slightly, both impressed and annoyed by the humans insolence.

„Dean. Even for you, this is a whole new mountain of stupid," the trickster said and meant it. Sam could tell how annoyed the angel was.

Your brother really doesn't know when to stop, right?

You're not going to hurt him! Sam ordered, but was aware, that there was little he could do at the moment to stop the trickster.

No, but I might just send him to the Antarctic. Gabriel growled.

„I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to Sam," Dean said, obviously not giving a damn about the angel inside of his brother.

„You're no longer the vessel, Dean," Michael interfered, seeming as pissed as Gabriel was, or maybe even more so. „You've got no right to be here."

Dean turned towards Michael, telling him to shut up, because he wanted to talk to... well, either Sam or Lucifer. Michael obviously didn't like it very much to be treated like he was unimportant and the fact that Dean had interrupted his legendary last battle with his evil brother didn't help to make him any less angry.

„... You are no longer a part of this story!..." he exclaimed, approaching Dean with a dangerous look on his face.

Sam struggled to take over his own body again, wanting to do something to stop Michael from hurting his brother. Gabriel pushed Sam back down again and was about to send Dean away with a snap of his fingers...

„Hey, assbutt!" That was Castiel's voice!

Everybody turned to look at the newcomer, who instantly threw a Molotov cocktail at Michael, before anyone could react.

What is this place? The meeting point of the self-help group for outcasts? Gabriel asked, while Michael disappeared in a cloud of flames.

Sam could see Bobby standing right behind Castiel. Why had they all come here? They certainly knew that they were risking their lives by interrupting the two archangels.

„Assbutt?" Dean asked, giving Castiel a confused look.

„He'll be back," Castiel said, instead of answering. The angel was breathing heavily. „and upset, but you've got your five minutes."

Damn it! Sam could hear Gabriel think. The younger Winchester brother knew that the archangel was in trouble now, because he had to keep pretending to be Lucifer, in case Michael returned.

„Castiel," Gabriel said and Sam couldn't tell whether he faked to be angry or really was. Castiel certainly believed it to be real, because the angel seemed very uncomfortable in his own skin at the moment. „Did you just molotov my brother? With holy oil?"

Gabriel had to admit, it was a smart and brave, but yet incredibly stupid move. Had he really been Lucifer, the angel of Thursday would be dead by now.

Castiel took a few steps backwards, lifting his hands and making an expression, as if he was going to deny, but Gabriel was faster. The archangel snapped his fingers and the angel was gone.

What was that?! Did you kill him?! Sam yelled, completely taken aback.

Of course not! I send him away, so that he doesn't come up with other stupid ideas, like throwing such a thing at us, for example. Gabriel answered, like it was the dumbest question he had ever heard. And before you ask, I'm going to make Bobby fall asleep. Your brother and mine are already too much to handle at once, I'm not going to let somebody add themselves up.

And he did. Bobby dropped to the ground as Gabriel snapped his fingers, like he was dead. Dean certainly thought so, because he yelled „No!" and took several angry steps towards Gabriel. The angel crossed the remaining distance and grabbed Dean's jacket, pulling him closer.

Sam wanted to speak to Gabriel, but knew that the angel wasn't listening.

„Listen, Dean-o, Michael will be back soon enough and you'll keep your head down, do you understand?" Gabriel ordered, pushing the older Winchester away. "Don't say a word!"

Dean's brows had furrowed, as he heard the nickname. Ignoring the angel's orders he stammered: „Hold on, you're Gab..."

„Alright, that's it," The trickster snapped his fingers again and Dean fell backwards onto the Impala's hood.

He's asleep, no big deal. Gabriel said hurriedly, before Sam could voice any of his suspicions. Now, back to the good point.

The trickster pulled out the horsemen's rings from Sam's pocket and threw them on the ground. Just as he began to recite the spell, Michael reappeared.

„Sam, no!" the archangel yelled, obviously thinking that Sam had somehow managed to regain control over his own body. Gabriel ignored his brother, though.

„I have to fight my brother!" Michael insisted, almost pleading. His expression displayed horror at the thought of not being able to fight his brother. The archangel reminded Sam of a little boy with an empty cookie jar in his hands, who knew that he had not taken them, but would get blamed for it anyway.

Gabriel waited until the void was open. Then something happened and suddenly Sam could see himself stand in front of the void, from somewhere several meters behind Michael. The trickster must have created one of his famous illusions!

You think that's going to work? Sam asked.

Let's hope for the best. Or do you have a better idea? Gabriel asked back, not in the mood to discuss his plan. It was too late for that anyway.

The fake Sam took a deep breath and spread his arms, attempting to let himself fall into the void.

„No!" Michael made a desperate leap to catch Sam's body, before it fell into the chasm. Suddenly the fake turned and grabbed Michael's arm, pulling him with it into the void.

They fell into the darkness, slowly spinning around each other, as the void started to close itself.

Sam could feel his body moving and only seconds later he stood directly in front of the chasm, yelling after the archangel: „Now the two of you can have your little fight, brother! Tell Lucifer, Gabriel send you!"

The trickster snapped his fingers again and the fake Sam disappeared, leaving behind a falling Michael. The last thing they saw of the archangel was the expression of confusion, anger and betrayal on his face.

Then the void closed and where just seconds ago a gaping dark hole had been, the normal graveyard ground reappeared.

Silence followed, during which Gabriel tried to catch his breath. Both the angel and the human had yet to grasp what had just happened. They had waited for this day for so long – for different reasons of course – and now it was there. The apocalypse was over.

It was Sam who regained the ability to voice his thoughts first. We did it! he said amazed. We actually did it!

Gabriel only grinned, suddenly seeming very exhausted.

But why did you tell him that it was you who tricked him? Aren't you bringing yourself in trouble by doing so?

If I hadn't told him, they would think it was you. I think I can handle this much better than you with your precious soul ever could. Gabriel answered, once again nudging Sam's soul, halfheartedly this time. He had a point there, Sam had to admit. Being human also meant that he would be in the hands of either heaven or hell one day, which was a bad thing, if both were angry at you.

Let's go home, I miss my vessel. The trickster said tiredly.

Just as Gabriel turned away from the now closed void, Castiel reappeared next to the Impala. The angel seemed prepared for a fight, but as he took in his surrounding his grim expression changed to a confused one. Sam could tell, that Gabriel had stopped pretending to be Lucifer, but he wasn't sure whether Castiel had noticed that too.

The trickster only smiled. „Hey there, brother."

Then the trickster disappeared, leaving a confused Castiel behind, to take care of Dean and Bobby.


Author's Note:

To FireChildSlytherin5:

I consider it kinda cruel that they never even tried to get Adam out of the cage. When having the choice Dean was like: Sam of course! And Adam was not mentioned anymore. That's sad. He's one of the pitiable guys in the whole series, so I thought hey, at least in this story he can get lucky. ;-)