Author's Note: Wow, we're almost to the end, guys! I don't even know what to do with myself, I'm just so excited and terrified and happy and even a little sad 'cause it's almost over. Also, most of this chapter was written in the aftermath of last night's episode, Meta Fiction. Just putting it out there. *deep sigh of so many fucking feels*

Soul Men
by Judanim

Chapter Ten: "Like Bonnie & Clyde"

Despite being the center of Lucifer's domain, Detroit managed to be in better shape than New Orleans. Buildings were in various states of disrepair, and it seemed like someone had a vendetta against each and every window, but the roads were clear and even marked in both Latin and Enochian, the latter scribbled on top of the former in a sign of angelic territory-marking.

"So, where to?" Crowley asked, as they barreled along into the inner city.

Gabriel shrugged, limbs heavy with dread and exhaustion. "No idea. Detroit was never part of the original plan. If I know my brothers, they've probably chosen someplace morbid like a cemetery."

"Because the end of the world isn't morbid at all." Crowley chuckled. "Guess we'll have to do this the hard way then."

The trickster felt Crowley send out a bit of his demon mojo, casting it out from the car like a net. The magic argued with the Grace in the air, recoiled from it, and perhaps that was the point. They followed the path laid out by that divergence, which lead them to roads not graffitied in Enochian. Along this route there were wards of every kind, not all of them tainted with demonic power. It should've been enough to keep them out, but their own warding on the Impala kept them cloaked enough to allow them to pass.

"I believe we've found the way to San Jose," Crowley said. "There's a cemetery nearby, probably the center of these wards. In which case—" He reached into his jacket. "You might want to take these."

In Gabriel's palm Crowley laid the Horsemen's rings. "Why me?" the trickster asked. "I mean, hell, they'll expect me to have them."

Crowley's hand lingered near his longer than necessary, fingertips just brushing his palm. "You're the one who knows the incantation, darling. Besides, Michael might expect you to be carrying them, but Lucifer knows you're smarter than that."

"Of course. The old double double-cross." Gabriel hooked his fingers around the heel of the demon's hand, squishing their palms together, the rings digging into their skin. "Softie."

To his surprise, Crowley didn't pull his hand back, didn't argue. He only smirked and returned the gesture before turning his attention back to the road.

The center of all the warding led them to Woodlawn Cemetery. Gabriel shook his head as they pulled up to the entrance. "Those predictable bastards."

"Well they have been planning this for millennia," Crowley said. "You ready for this?"

Gabriel scoffed. "Hell no, but we're here, so."

"Right."

They drove through the cemetery. Only a few short years ago it must have been a beautiful place, but the Apocalypse had its way with it too, the once proud and impressive tombs now cracked and crumbling to pieces. Crowley clicked his tongue at the sight of an obelisk-shaped gravestone covered in fractures, threatening to fall apart, though worse was the sight standing in its shadow.

Two archangels circled each other at the edge of a lake, both wearing their true vessels, just like Gabriel had called it over four years ago. Sam Winchester starring as Lucifer, Dean starring as Michael, a celebrity death match for the ages.

Taking in a deep breath, Gabriel got out of the Impala, forcing a spring into his step. "Well looks like you two finally got what you wanted."

His brothers stopped and turned. Lucifer, in an expression that could almost pass for the younger Winchester brother, raised an eyebrow. "So the rumors were true, little brother. I'm glad you've finally decided to show some spine, but it's too little, too late."

Michael looked at Crowley, who was just now stepping out of the Impala, and narrowed his eyes, though otherwise his face remained blank. "Don't make us do this, Gabriel."

"No one makes us do anything," Gabriel said. He blinked, trying to see past the brightness of the archangels and see the souls within their vessels, a task that would be so much easier if he had his Grace. "Something I think Sam and Dean would agree with."

The devil let out a little laugh. "Oh Gabriel, you should know better." He and Michael exchanged a look, and Lucifer sighed. "I'm sorry, brother."

Gabriel opened his mouth to start in on his appeal to the Winchesters, when he found himself being thrown across the battlefield. A glance upwards told him it was Michael's doing, the leader of Heaven advancing on him, one hand shot out to keep the trickster pinned against the obelisk.

"You know, when I kill a demon, I expect it to stay dead," he heard Lucifer say, words punctuated by the sickening crunch of breaking bone.

Between blows Crowley managed to gurgle out, "Fight him, Moose! C'mon you—"

Michael stepped aside just enough for Gabriel to see Crowley on his knees in the grass, face purpled and blood running thick and bright red from his mouth, far too much. Gabriel fought against the power holding him, trying to escape, the mission momentarily forgotten and all his will bent on getting over to his demon.

His older brother's lips spread into a thin line. "You're willing to sacrifice returning to Heaven for this planet? For humans? For a demon? You always were the foolish one, Gabriel."

The words brought Gabriel back round, though he couldn't ignore the hopelessness starting to spread through his chest. He bit his lip and let his head fall back against the stone, praying to Dad or whoever was listening at this point that he wouldn't have to watch Crowley die twice. "Nothing like risking the end of the world for what you love, right Dean?"

Michael shook his head, tightening his hold on Gabriel, forcing the breath out of him. "Just stop it. You've lost, and we're all tired. Let this end the way it's supposed to. It's already been delayed long enough."

A deep voice cut through Crowley's groans and Michael's pontificating. "Then why not delay it forever?"

The archangels looked up, still keeping Crowley and Gabriel held firmly in place. "Castiel," Michael said with a frown.

And it was Cas, leaning against the front of the Impala, like this was the most casual thing in the fucking world.

Lucifer released Crowley, the demon slumping to the ground and just managing to catch himself with his arms, and faced the fallen angel. "You all have had years to try and stop this, and you wait until now to take action? Michael, stab me now just to spare us all the useless heroics."

Cas crossed his arms, eyes flicking between Lucifer and Michael. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, I just…"

The devil laughed again and started towards Cas. "Not you too, little angel."

Blue eyes flashed with steely resolve, and for the first time Gabriel felt that maybe this would turn out all right, that they could win. "You two are the strongest beings I've ever met, stronger than even archangels. I know you can fight this. Please. For me."

"All you had to do was ask, Cas."

Gabriel fell the two feet back down to the ground, stumbling forward because that wasn't Michael's voice, the tone far too human to be his brother.

Suddenly Lucifer was nodding, shoulders drooping to make that tall body somehow seem smaller. "That's all you ever had to do."

And then Sam and Dean Winchester were walking towards Castiel, the fallen angel meeting them halfway and pulling them into a three-way hug.

Meanwhile Gabriel made his way over to Crowley, and it was then the trickster decided that his Father had to be paying attention, at least a little, because by some grace the demon was still alive. Gabriel ran his hand through Crowley's hair, sending out every ounce of magic he had left to bring him back from the brink.

It wasn't perfect healing, but it allowed Crowley to speak again. He leaned into Gabriel's arms, surely out of exhaustion, and let out a choked laugh. "That arse couldn't have shown up five minutes sooner?"

"Where's your sense of theatrics, cupcake?" Gabriel clung to his demon for a moment longer, quietly reveling in the fact that he was alive and mostly whole, before helping him up to stand. "We haven't got much time," the trickster said, loud enough for Team Free Will to hear.

Dean tore himself away from Sam and Cas. "Time for what?"

Castiel clutched at their shirts and somehow looked them both in the eye at once. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course," Sam said.

The fallen angel dragged them in close again, and Gabriel took that as his cue. He pulled the Horsemen's rings from his pocket and tossed them into the lake.

"Bvtmon tabges babalon."

The water churned and swirled to form a maw in the center of the lake, a gaping pit that led straight to Hell. Words and touches were exchanged between Sam, Dean, and Castiel, but over the rush of the water Gabriel couldn't hear, wasn't sure he wanted to.

As one the three of them jumped into the vortex, clinging to each other even as the Cage swallowed them.

"It's done," Crowley said, voice flooded with relief.

Gabriel nodded. "Finally."