"So, how's it comin' Cassy?" Gabriel asks, following Sam into the library.

"Not good," he says, glaring at the computer.

"What's wrong?" Sam asks.

"Your laptop. It is thwarting me with its pop-up ads and . . ." Castiel pauses, a look of distaste coming over his face, "clickbait."

Sam looks away, trying to hide the smile on his face while Gabriel laughs.

"This is not funny."

Sam nods, clearing his throat and holding a hand over his mouth. "Yeah, Cas. It—it's not. You need some help?"

"That would be nice. Your human technology continues to baffle me."

Gabriel shakes his head. "Damn, Cassy. And here I thought you'd adapted better."

"Nowhere near as good as yourself, but I do well enough."

Sam gives them an odd look. "How about you just let me do the searching."

"I think that is a good idea," Castiel says, getting up. "In the meanwhile, I think I will see what Rowena is up to."

"That sounds like a good idea," Gabriel says. "Me 'nd Sam'll look for Luci."

Castiel nods and walks out of the room.

Sam and Gabriel sit down at the table.

"So, what're we looking for?" Sam asks.

Gabriel shrugs. "Dunno. Eyes burned out, anything biblical, stuff like that."

Sam nods and starts typing.

. . .

Rowena and Castiel walk in a few hours or so later, which makes Sam and Gabriel stop what they were doing and stare at the two of them. This is for the simple reason of the expression on Castiel's face. He was smiling.

Gabriel was upset by this for one reason. He couldn't make Castiel smile. Which, honestly, wasn't very surprising given how Angels utilized their Vessels, but that was a whole other thing that he tried not to consider.

Sam, on the other hand, was surprised because Castiel didn't smile that much. Well, he and Dean didn't either, but Castiel did it less.

Rowena notices their looks and gets a small, pleased smile on her face.

Gabriel half-heartedly glares at her and subtly makes a rude gesture.

She gets a vaguely appalled look on her face before looking away proudly and delicately sitting down across from him, Castiel next to her.

Sam glances at the two of them, a suspicious look on his face.

Castiel, smile still intact and oblivious to his brother and Rowena's exchange, looks at Sam. "How's the search going?"

Sam sighs. "Not well. I've been looking, but—"

"Why are you smiling?" Gabriel interrupts, scrutinizing Castiel.

The Angel pauses, a confused look on his face. "I . . . what?"

"Why were you smiling?"

Sam shoots a glare at Gabriel, annoyed.

Rowena's grin widens and Castiel tilts his head, still confused. "I don't understand, why is that important?"

Gabriel freezes, realizing he was trapped. After all, he couldn't just admit that it peeved him he couldn't make Cassy smile. Especially in front of Sam and Rowena. "Uh . . ." he trails off, trying to find an excuse.

Sam, either in realization of his boyfriend's plight, or still feeling slighted because of the interruption earlier, clears his throat loudly. "Anyways," he says, obviously annoyed. "I haven't been able to find anything. Most of the weird stuff I find is unrelated, or just plain crazy."

"What have you found so far?" Castiel asks.

"Well, from what I can tell, there's been an increase of natural disasters. Most of them are explainable, but there's a few outliers that I can't make sense of."

"Like what?" Rowena asks.

Gabriel grins. "Well, that's a dangerous question. Where do we begin?" he asks considerably, but in a way that makes it seem he already knows the answer. "There was the huge sandstorm in Florida, far from their sandy beaches. Then there's the inland hurricane that continues to baffle scientists of all merits. Not to mention the earthquake that took Arizona by surprise, and the tornado that ravaged the east coast."

Castiel blinks and Rowena has the decency to look surprised. "Oh," they say.

"Yeah," Sam says. "It's, uh . . . weird."

"I'll say," Rowena admits.

"The bad thing is, none of the events are concentrated. They're spread out so much, we can't tell where Lucifer is. Plus, these all happened days and weeks ago."

Castiel nods. "Then, I hate to say this, but we're going to have to wait until he does something else."

Sam sighs. "Yeah. We don't really have another choice."

Rowena glances between the three of them. "Well, that may be so, but we also need a way to defeat him. Unless, of course, you all managed to dig up one of those ever-elusive Archangel Blades."

They glance away, almost sheepishly.

She blinks, her eyes widening. "You're not serious, are you?"

Gabriel shrugs.

"That is so unfair!" Rowena exclaims. "I've been searching for one for decades, and you lot can just stumble on one by pure luck?"

Gabriel grins. "Sorry, Ro. Guess you witches just can't match the almighty power of an Angel."

She glares at him. "It would seem not," she says coldly. "Anyways, if there's nothing else to discuss here, I've better things to do with my time." She gets up and starts walking away, but pauses. "When you find him, do let me know. I'd like to accompany you on your little . . . foray into the outside world."

Sam pauses considerably as she walks away. "Y'know, she's kinda right. We haven't been out consistently since . . . well, a while."

Castiel nods. "We don't really have to. Besides, there's people out there."

Sam and Gabriel nod in agreement.

. . .

Lucifer glances around the ruins that now surrounded him. Ash and salt was everywhere, choking the air and coating the ground. If he'd been human, he'd be dead. But he wasn't. He was an Archangel. Practically a god compared to everything else.

Lucifer smiles. He didn't need Jack. He didn't need anyone but himself.

. . .

Early the next morning, Castiel and Gabriel wake violently. They glance at each other, twin looks of horror on their face.

Gabriel glances at Sam. 'Library, now,' he signs.

Castiel nods and they carefully extract themselves from the bed before hurrying to the library.

When they get there, they see Rowena lounging on one of the chairs. She glances up at them, an uneasy look in her eyes. "You felt it too?"

"Yeah," Gabriel says.

"Well, what now?"

Castiel sighs. "We should wake Sam. And check to make sure we're right."

Gabriel nods. "I'll go get him."

As he walks away, Castiel sits across from Rowena.

There's silence for a few seconds, before she asks, "Why would he do this? I mean, I've no love for humans, but there is a line."

Castiel shrugs. "He's always been unpredictable. Even before . . . well, everything."

Rowena shakes her head and sighs. "I just can't wait for it to be over."

Castiel nods. "Yes. But it's never truly over."

"I know. But, I'll have a weight gone."

"True."

Gabriel and Sam walk in a minute later.

Sam yawns and sits down in one of the chairs, eyes drooping. "So, what's goin' on?"

Castiel, Gabriel, and Rowena glance at each other uneasily.

"It's Lucifer," Gabriel says.

Sam pauses before sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "What about him?"

"He's done something," Castiel says. "We're not sure exactly what yet, but it's bad. There were . . . many deaths."

Sam closes his eyes and sighs. "Where?" he asks quietly.

"Lincoln, Nebraska," Gabriel says. "If we leave soon, I think we'll be able to catch him." He glances at Rowena. "You still wanna come?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Gabriel nods. "I'll be right back, then we can get going."

Sam sighs as he walks away, placing his head in his hands.

Rowena gives him a sympathetic look and places a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be over soon. Don't worry."

"Not soon enough," Sam mutters. He lifts his head. "I'm gonna go get dressed," he says, standing and walking away.

. . .

Gabriel comes out a few minutes later, Archangel Blade in hand. Sam follows seconds later.

"Everyone ready?" Gabriel asks.

They all nod, and Castiel and Gabriel touch two fingers to Sam and Rowena's heads, disappearing with the sound of wings unfurling.

The place they reappear is utterly unrecognizable from any sort of human civilization. There was ash and salt on every surface, and the sky was a grey brown color. Sam and Rowena start coughing because of the debris in the air. Gabriel touches two fingers to their foreheads, clearing their lungs and the ambient air.

Sam nods his thanks and glances around. "Do you know where he is?"

"We got as close as we could, but it's still a bit hard to locate him. Just give us a few seconds."

Castiel and Gabriel close their eyes, carefully reaching out with their Grace. After a few seconds, they open their eyes and draw back.

Castiel glances at Gabriel. "Me and Sam will approach and distract him, so you and Rowena can sneak up to catch him."

Gabriel nods and Castiel touches two fingers to Sam's head, disappearing with the sound of wings unfurling.

When they reappear, Lucifer's a few yards away. He grins. "Well, if it isn't the three musketeers." He pauses. "Speaking of which, where's your third part? Dean-o just couldn't be bothered?"

Castiel glares at him. "I'm sure he'd be here if he could."

"Oh, is ickle Deanie-kins to afraid to show? Pity, I could've used a laugh while I killed you."

"You won't be killing anyone else," Sam says. "Not on our watch."

"Oh, yeah? Big words for a lowly human and his Seraph sidekick."

"I'm nobody's sidekick," Castiel growls.

Lucifer gives him a knowing look. "Sure, whatever helps keep you going. So, how'd you find me?" He grins. "It was the town-smiting, wasn't it? I wondered if it was a bit too much like what Daddy did to Sodom and Gomorrah, but he did such a nice job with the turning people who saw it to salt, that I couldn't resist. And honestly, I don't care anymore. You guys can't stop me."

"Don't underestimate us," Sam says.

"Oh, I will. Because you can't stop me." He pauses. "Y'know, a month ago, I'd probably have let you catch me. It was a brief depressive episode where I wallowed that I couldn't find Jack so we could rule together. But then it occurred to me, why would I want to rule this place? This . . . ball of rock, water, and tissue. I don't need it, and I don't need him. I can go anywhere. I don't need to keep playing with Daddy's broken toys."

"They are not broken," Castiel says. "They just have the freedom to choose."

Lucifer rolls his eyes. "Yeah, I know. Free will, Dad's 'gift' to mankind. Something you and me had to earn. Wasn't worth it though, was it?"

Castiel pauses. "I think, the good outweighs the bad. Even if it doesn't always seem like it."

Lucifer scoffs. "I'm getting bored with your sentimental nonsense. If you're here to capture me, just get on with it."

Sam gives a small smile. "We're not here to catch you. We're here to kill you."

Lucifer chuckles. "Unless Daddy's given Castiel another powerup, I'd say you're out of luck. And last I heard, Purgatory's still intact."

"Thankfully, we have something better."

Lucifer gives them a skeptical look. "And what, pray tell, could that be?"

He suddenly seizes, his hands moving behind his back.

"One pissed off witch and an Archangel with a grudge," Rowena says, sauntering in front of him with Gabriel at her heels.

Lucifer regards them with an incredulous look. "You should be dead."

Gabriel rolls his eyes. "Next time bro, try a little harder."

Lucifer chuckles. "Am I supposed to be scared of you? You're too cowardly to do anything."

Gabriel glances away. "Maybe I was. But you underestimate us. You've hurt too many people . . . hurt all of us. We can't let you keep living."

Fear flashes in Lucifer's eyes and he starts struggling against his bonds. "You won't do it. You can't, I'm your brother!"

"That didn't stop you."

Lucifer pauses, glancing at Sam. "Come on, you can't let him do this," he says almost desperately. "We're one in the same, two halves made whole."

"I am not a part of you," Sam says maliciously. "I'm my own person."

Rowena pushes him to his knees, a look of triumph on her face. "Let's see how you like being belittled."

Lucifer glares at them. "Well, get on with it then," he spits.

Gabriel takes out his Archangel Blade and holds an Angel Blade out to Sam. At his confused look, he says, "You need this. We all need this."

Castiel takes out his own blade and hands a different one to Rowena.

Lucifer scoffs. "Et tu, Brute," he says mockingly.

Gabriel grins. "I hope you like it in the Empty. I hear it's a wonderful place," he says before they stab him with their blades.

Lucifer's eyes and mouth start pouring out light, his Grace burning itself out. After a few seconds, his Vessel falls back, the ashy outlines of his wings barely visible against the grey-black ground.

Sam lets out a breath, stepping back.

Gabriel and Castiel look at Lucifer's body, something bordering on remorse in their eyes.

Rowena grins. "Well, now that that's over, I'd like to get out of this place. It's very depressing, isn't it?"

Gabriel nods, pressing two fingers against Sam and Rowena's heads. They reappear in the Bunker library. A few seconds pass with them all glancing awkwardly at each other.

Eventually, Gabriel says, "So . . . pizza party?"

Sam huffs a laugh. "Y'know what, why not."

Gabriel grins. "Great, 'cause I know this place with the best pizza."

"Of course you do," Castiel mutters.

"Hey, at least I know how to have fun. Besides, this gives us an excuse to get into the liquor cabinet."

Rowena perks up. "Oh, I do like the sound of that."

"Then I'll be right back," Gabriel says before disappearing with the sound of wings unfurling.

Sam chuckles. "Okay. Cas, do you know what liquor cabinet he's talkin' about?"

. . .

A few hours later found them all drunk of their asses. Even Castiel, who'd grudgingly tried whatever it was Gabriel made for him.

There was a mix of songs playing in the background, courtesy if Gabriel. None of them really complained, but mostly because they were too drunk to care.

"So, 'bout that date you m'ntioned y'strday," Gabriel slurs, slinging an arm overs Sam's shoulder. "When's that g'nna happ'n?"

"D'nno, ask Row'na," Sam says, gesturing at her and Castiel's general direction.

Gabriel gets a confused look on his face. "Why R'wena?"

"She's plann'ng it."

"Oh. When'd that happ'n?"

"D'nno, few nights 'go."

Gabriel immediately thinks back to the conversation he had with Castiel around the same time. He didn't remember hearing anything going on during that, but he also wasn't paying attention. It didn't really matter anyways, but he was still confused enough to stumble over to where Rowena and Castiel were.

They glance up at him, and Rowena says, "Loki, what d' you want?"

"Sam said you w're planning our date. I w'nna know what's gonna happ'n."

"Don't w'rry 'bout it," Castiel slurs. "We got it 'll planned."

Gabriel furrows his eyebrows in confusion. "When'd you get 'n on th's?"

Castiel waves his hand dismissively. "Y'sterday. R'wena m'ntioned it, so I 'sked if I could h'lp."

" 'nd you can't tell me 'nything?"

Rowena and Castiel shake their heads.

Gabriel groans. "But I w'nna know," he whines.

"Yer not gettin' nothin'," Rowena slurs.

Gabriel looks over at Sam. "C'me on Sam, back me up h're."

Sam shrugs. "They kn'w wh't they're doin'."

Gabriel pouts. "But I w'nna know."

"Tr'st us, brother," Castiel says, drunkenly putting a hand on his shoulder.

Gabriel gives him a look. "You're th' last being I tr'st to plan a date. You can't even g't Dean-o t' go out w'th you."

Castiel glares at him.

Rowena laughs. "You've got a good point th're. But I'm th' one doing most 'f the plannin'."

"I st'll wanna know what's g'nna happ'n."

"No," Castiel says petulantly.

Rowena nods. " 'nd if you keep asking, 'll bind you."

"No you won't."

"Don't test me, Loki."

"J'st tell me," Gabriel whines.

"Adligetur Fera," Rowena says, waving her hand at him.

A red light wraps around Gabriel's wrists and ankles, tightening as he lets out a yelp.

Sam starts laughing and Gabriel glares at him. He opens his mouth to say something, but only lets out a strangled sound. He gives Rowena a panicked look, and she grins.

"D'd you really th'nk I'd let you keep runnin' yer mouth? Ha! Unlikely!"

Gabriel glares at her and Castiel starts laughing along with Sam.

Oh, I am so glad this chapter is done. Honestly, I've been thinking about how this was going to play out for the past few weeks and I've finally finished it. I just really wanted Lucifer dead at the hands of Sam, Castiel, Gabriel, and Rowena.