Author's notes: Firstly apologies for my rather long absence! Unfortunately things have managed to get on top of me lately. However I am now back and writing again ^_^. A huge thanks to saichick, xPercyx, 80icrazy80, Kermitty and xMikiferx for taking the time to review and also thank you to all of you that have added this story to your updates/favourites list.
Disclaimer:I do not own any of the characters from legion nor do I claim any, I do however own the characters I create also I am not implying that anything in this story is true so please do not take offence at anything that comes up.
Michael turned on the soft bed made of his lover's feathers. No matter what comfort the warm bed provided, Michael could find the calm mind he needed in order to sleep. Months of constant searching for his brother had taken its toll on his body which cried out for rest. He turned once again to face the tall, muscular Adonis lying beside him, burying his head into the golden tanned chest he faced.
Inferno was nothing he had expected it to be and the visions he had seen of the burning lakes swirled through his mind. A tornado uprooting all safety and security he had possessed filled with the ton of information dropped upon him by Saolan. He was still finding it difficult to comprehend the fact that the father had lied to them all. He didn't understand what the reasons could be for the father hiding all of this information from them.
Michael looked up at Gabriel as he wrinkled his nose before encasing Michael tightly in his arms. He didn't seem to be having any trouble sleeping, especially after the events of the previous night. A wolfish grin crept across Michael's face as the memories danced through his mind. He leaned himself up on his arm placing a kiss on his new lover's soft, perfectly formed lips.
"It is hard to believe it took us almost a million years to get here." He whispered against Gabriel's lips. At first Gabriel's new appearance had unnerved Michael but he was beginning to grow accustomed to the new more roguish appearance his lover had embraced. The most unnerving thing that had stuck Michael however was the rapid change Gabriel's personality had undertaken. At first glance the Gabriel Michael had known and loved seemed to be gone but Michael now knew that Gabriel was still lurking under the surface somewhere.
Michael felt a soft pang of guilt run through his heart at the happiness he felt when the thought of the father's reaction to their union invaded his mind. He felt shame at the freedom and bliss he felt with no need to ask the father to give his blessing or permission. He sighed heavily. He loved the father greatly but he knew that he would never give up his new found love. Not for anything in the Universe. The love he and Gabriel shared was the one thing that truly made him feel free.
"It was always you that tried to pull me back in line when I tried to defy him." Michael chuckled lightly running his fingers through Gabriel's now silky soft wings.
"Not that you ever listened" Gabriel smiled kissing Michael firmly on the lips.
"Don't act like you didn't like it." Michael flirted seductively darting his tongue into Gabriel's mouth. The soft moist taste of his lover causing his manhood to tense, twitching and throbbing as another flash of their bodies entangled sprang into his mind.
"It drove me insane and that's what I adored." Gabriel replied between kisses with a cheeky grin. Michael stopped looking disbelievingly at the man lying beside him. It was hard to see Gabriel smile without being enveloped in awe. It had been so many years since anyone had seen Gabriel wear anything other than his 'grump' face. Michael had almost forgotten the true beauty of it.
"What?" Gabriel asked self-consciously, his brow furrowing slightly. Michael simply grinned and dove into a deep kiss pulling his lovers body as close as he could. Gabriel wrapped his arms tightly around Michael holding him firmly in place. Michael's breath caught in his throat as he felt Gabriel's hand gliding down along his body before engulfing Michael's throbbing erection in his huge grasp.
Both lovers groaned as their sweet lovemaking was rudely interrupted by the sound of their chamber door being unlatched. Gabriel moved instinctively to cover both of their dignity.
"Shit!" Belathor cried out as his eyes fell on the scene before him falling backwards in his rush to leave the room.
"Do you not know how to knock?" Gabriel snapped at the young angel that had now been dubbed a demon before them.
"Apologies, they told me you were alone." Belathor explained pulling himself up and rubbing his rear.
"Who sent you?" Gabriel enquired scowling at Belathor standing before them, his eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
"Azazel, He said to tell you that Saolan is calling for the presence of both of you." Belathor muttered as his wings dropped, hitting the floor as he began to sulk.
"We'll be right there." Michael smiled at the young angel before standing to pull on his clothing. Belathor practically ran from the room in embarrassment, pulling the door shut behind him.
"You know I remember you being the one they all played their pranks on at one time." Michael chastised playfully with a grin.
"He falls for it every time though and even manages to fall for the same pranks twice." Gabriel returned in exasperation.
"Well I remember you falling for a fair few twice, sometimes even a third time." Michael teased sitting back on the bed. He moved to kiss Gabriel lightly as he lay outstretched in all his glory.
"I suppose they do take it a little far sometimes." Gabriel admitted.
"Please somebody record this," Michael cried out sitting bolt upright on the bed "is THEE Gabriel actually admitting he may be wrong." Michael grinned as he ran a hand over the hair covering Gabriel's chest.
"Don't get used to it." Gabriel huffed jumping from the bed to pull on his clothing.
"You know you're very cute when you sulk." Michael soothed lovingly as he wrapped his arms around Gabriel's waist from behind nuzzling the crook of his neck gently.
"Cute, really?" Gabriel asked turning to look at Michael in annoyance. Michael was ecstatic to finally see Gabriel's usual self making an appearance. He supposed it was Gabriel's stubbornness that had made him fall in love, not that he would admit the fact to his lover. Once Gabriel had that little golden nugget of information Michael knew he would play on it no end.
"You know I think I like the new you." Michael giggled before swatting Gabriel's ass gently as he stood. It was nice to be able to be playful with the usually austere angel.
"Come on." Gabriel returned before turning and kissing Michael, leading him out the door towards the throne room. Michael followed his lover obediently along the corridors of Inferno. It still struck Michael how closely the palace of Inferno mimicked that of the heavens. Michael was still unsure of just how trust worthy the father's brother may be. He was certain that if he had been tricked into ruling a place such as Inferno, he would still be grieved over it, even if it had occurred eons ago. He watched as Gabriel confidently pushed his way through the door, his perfectly sculpted biceps bulging slightly under the weight.
Michael got the sudden urge to grip his lover's ass in his hands and have his way with him there and then. It would have probably enraged the surprisingly easy going Saolan to find the two of them in the most sacred of embraces. They both entered side by side and it occurred to Michael how good it felt to finally get to stand beside his brother once again without any animosity.
Saolan greeted them both along with Lucifer who was already perched on the steps leading up to his lord's throne. Lucifer jumped to a stand as Saolan climbed the steps and flung himself haphazardly across his seat.
"It is nice to see you smile." Saolan smirked from ear to ear, knowingly, at his newest subject. Lucifer tried his best to stifle a laugh at the comment earning him a glare from the god sitting above him.
"You called us here for a reason my Lord?" Gabriel enquired adopting once again his usually sombre expression.
"It was Michael I wanted to speak to more, his part in this is most vital." Saolan answered nodding towards Michael, "I need you to go see what the current situation is within the heavens. Speak to my brother tell him I wish to have a convocation, see what he has to say for himself." Saolan finished with a huff.
"I will not betray my father." Michael warned gripping Gabriel's hand in order to feed his sudden rush of courage.
"And I would not wish you to." Saolan spoke bowing his head towards Michael.
"I fear I will be ill received by my brother's." Michael confessed looking at his feet uncomfortably as he shifted slightly.
"I doubt that is something you will be unable to handle." Saolan smiled gesturing to Michael that he was expected to now be on his way.
"You'll be fine." Gabriel reassured him squeezing his hand firmly, "find Raphael he will help you." He finished kissing Michael passionately.
"I would take you with me if I could." Michael soothed, stroking Gabriel's cheek lovingly before he moved to cast the portal he would need to travel back to the heavens once more. Gabriel shone his lover a small grateful but saddening, longful smile as he walked towards the portal.
"Extend invitation to any that wish to return with you." Michael heard Saolan call just as he stepped into the portal, exiting into the training ring of the heavens in the hopes of finding Raphael.
Michael found himself face to face with an infuriated Uriel rather than the brother he hoped for.
"What do you want heretic!" Uriel boomed as he drew his sword on Michael.
"I want nothing more than to converse with the father." Michael said lifting his hands to show he did not reciprocate the hate his brother was showing.
"After all that you have done you have the audacity to return?" Uriel spat twitching the sword in his hand towards his brother.
"It was me that Gabriel killed and I have forgiven him for that!" Michael cried feeling his recently faltering calm breaking once more.
"You found him then?" Uriel enquired in surprise. Michael nodded his answer to his brother not wishing to speak unless it was needed.
"What rock was the snake hiding under this time?" Uriel threw at Michael grinning as he saw his brothers features darken with anger.
"He is in Inferno now." Michael spoke quietly hoping not to anger his brother further. Uriel roared with laughter moving to return his sword to its sheath.
"Oh what a surprise the false protector of all that is good would end up with that lot!" He exclaimed puffing out his chest to show that he was ready to fight, "I assume you have joined them also?"
"I have joined no one!" Michael shot back quickly at his brother, "I merely wish for this madness to be ended." He finished.
"You both match so well brother, both snakes among snakes down there in that place. How could you ever sacrifice the glory of the heavens for utter chaos? Actually no I am not surprised it was only a matter of time until your disobedience was to reach the next step!" Uriel cried out shoving Michael and punching him squarely in the jaw. Michael felt the hit shoot through his body like a jolt of electricity. He fell to the floor dazed for a moment before leaping to his feet. Taking a deep breath Michael hurled himself at his brother. He could hold his temper no longer. Michael rugby tackled Uriel to the ground and both began to wrestle in the dirt like schoolboys.
"Hey, Hey stop it!" Michael barely registered Raphael calling across the training field as he dropped everything and raced to break up the fight.
"Brothers, Brothers!" He boomed trying to subdue the pair unable to decide which it would be best to restrain. He eventually settled on Michael who was flailing like a wild animal at Uriel who was pinned underneath him. Michael managed to overpower Raphael a few times until the cloud of rage began to disband from his mind. Michael rose suddenly allowing Uriel to rise also as the sheer horror of the situation struck him. Two of heavens highest, supposedly purest of the fathers holy beings had been rolling in the dirt like a pair of disgruntled teenagers. Uriel stood for a moment looking at Raphael in disgust before storming from the arena, as Raphael stood firmly between him and Michael.
"I'm sorry." Michael spoke in little more than a whisper. He was suddenly engulfed in shame for his actions as he looked down at his feet to hide the bright red glow in his cheeks.
"You seem to be making a habit of that." Raphael spoke seriously, "Although I know that Uriel has been filled with anger towards you since what happened with Jophiel." He rested a hand on Michael's shoulder wincing at Michael as he lifted his head to reveal a reddening welt beneath his eye.
"I need to speak with the father." Michael stated more as a plea than a request.
"You found Gabriel?" Raphael asked hope filling his glistening, emerald green eyes.
"Yes, he has changed a lot but he is well." Michael smiled. Raphael had always been one of the most compassionate of all the angels, always striving to see both sides to any disagreement. He was constantly trying to empathise with all creatures of the universe.
"Good." Raphael spoke before gesturing for Michael to follow him towards the throne room of the heavens. Michael always hated the reaction the other angels had towards him after he had disobeyed the father but this was even worse. As he and his brother walked along the corridors every angel they passed refused to look at either of them. Usually it was either an awestruck or shameful look but at least then they acknowledge his presence.
As his brother pushed the door to the throne room open, the discordous hum struck Michael instantly, like spears being jammed into his ears. It seemed louder and more off key than it had been the last time he was here. Both angels entered apprehensively as they saw the father slumped in the gleaming golden throne.
"Father?" Michael called out quietly waiting for the father to move.
"Michael my boy, where have you been?" The Father cried jumping from the throne and rushing down the pearl white steps, "I was so worried." He sighed pulling Michael into a tight embrace.
"Inferno." Michael said dropping his wings and letting his head hang low, "I met your brother Saolan. He told me everything." He confessed flicking his eyes up to see the horror settle on his father's face.
"Michael you must leave." The father boomed sternly at him looking around in fear as the humming grew louder.
"Father why?" Michael asked sounding more like a whining child than the protective son he was trying to be.
"Now!" The father cried his eyes growing wide with fear. Michael suddenly found himself being blinded by a piercing white light and brought his arm up to shield his eyes. He felt his heart beginning to hammer in his chest as it dawned on him that perhaps his father was un-creating him.
Slowly the blinding light began to fade away to reveal to Michael and his brother five tall, slender, strange looking beings. Michael instantly recognised them as the Superioris Saolan had mentioned. He had forgotten that Raphael was unaware of anything to do with the being. Michael watched in dismay as his brother's face contorted in terror as Raphael fell to his knees.
"Why do you come back you insolate worm. " one of them roared as all five beings looked down upon him. Michael estimated them to be at least ten feet tall with huge coal black eyes that pierced his soul. Their deep grey skin, alien to anything he had seen before. They wore long obsidian robes that glistened and twinkled like the stars in the darkest night sky. Michael felt a chill run down his spine as the group surrounded him awaiting his answer.
"I wish only for peace." Michael replied solemnly, bowing his head in an attempt to show he was no threat. The group was silent for a while and appeared to be contemplating their next question.
"Please, please let him go. He means no harm." The father pleaded running to stand at his son's side.
"He is the rebeller is he not?" one of them enquired, turning towards the father. Michael was in a state of terror when he realised they dwarfed even the father who did not answer, refusing to give them a reason to harm his sons.
"Who, what are you?" Raphael enquired in awe at the huge creatures before him.
"We are the Superiouris." One of them affirmed.
"Do you have names my lords?" Raphael enquired further distracting the great beings once more and flicking his wrist. Michael took note of the gesture and began to move around to leave the throne room in order to return to Inferno and bring back help.
"We have no need for names. We are one. We are Legion!" They spoke in unison as one of them moved to block Michael's path, "We know all!" They boomed as Michael was seized by the throat. He felt his feet leave the floor and flapped his wings, beating the body of the towering being as he felt his throat constricting under the pressure. Michael longed for the first time for his old sharp metal coated feathers as a hot fire flushed through his body. Everything began to darken. He could hear the father calling out. Distant. Echoing. Fading.
The creature finally released its grip and Michael fell to the floor coughing spluttering and wheezing. He felt himself being dragged backwards along the floor as the father and Raphael cried out for what he now realised was his fragile life.
Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please please if you have a spare 5 minutes leave a little review. Thanks so much for reading! The next chapter should be uploaded in 2 weeks at the most :-)