Chapter 13: Revenge Doesn't Make It Better
Crowley smiled as he entered the area of the Cage with Gabriel following close behind. The angel's wrists were bound with Sigil Cuffs in front of him, and a black leather collar was around his neck with a short black leather leash attached to it. Crowley gave the leash in his hands a small tug, making Gabriel stumble a bit over the rocky terrain. Reaching the edge of the Cage Gabriel looked around, his eyes going wide as he realized where he was. He stopped and pulled frantically against the collar making Crowley yank on it sending the archangel to the ground.
A loud growl filled the area and Crowley looked up to see Lucifer standing by the edge of the Cage, watching with with a furious expression. Crowley pulled on the leash again and the archangel struggled to get to his feet. Lucifer's eyes were fixed on his brother and Gabriel dug his knees into the ground refusing to move. With a grin Crowley backhanded the bound angel, sending him to the ground again drawing another growl from the Cage.
Crowley turned to Lucifer. "Just give me a moment. He's being stubborn." He reached down and grabbed a fistful of those blonde locks forcing Gabriel to look at him. "Do you me to bring out my whip again Pet?"
Gabriel's eyes went wide and he frantically shook his head.
"Then get up before I string you up and give you fifty instead of ten." Crowley said releasing the hair in his grasp and watching as the archangel got to his feet with a bit of effort.
Once he was up Crowley turned and began walking towards the Cage again. Once he reached the chair he left down there he sat and gave the leash in his hands a hard tug bringing Gabriel to his knees and drawing a wince from him. Knowing that it would enrage the devil even more he shoved Gabriel forward until he was on his hands and knees and in front of him and then put his feet up on the angel's back turning him into a piece of furniture. Happy he was comfortable he turned his attention back to the archangel in the Cage.
"Morning. Did you watch the other videos on the phone?" Crowley asked as he spotted what was left of the phone by the Devil's feet. "Or not."
"Oh I watched them." Lucifer growled out. "You're making your death by my hands into a slow and painful one Demon."
Gabriel squirmed and Crowley gave him a sharp kick to the side, making the angel's arms nearly give out. "Stop squirming. You're up to two strikes already. Make it three and I'll do more then just bring out the whip."
"Stop it!"
Crowley turned to look at Lucifer. "Do you mind? I'm trying to discipline my slave."
"What do you want?" Satan asked. "Other then to torment me?"
"I'm not here to torment you. I promised you that I'd let you see Gabriel." The Hell King said, giving the mentioned angel a quick kick to his side, drawing a wince. "I'm a demon of my word. I've brought him to see you. I'm a good Master. Right Gabriel?"
The youngest archangel nodded frantically and Lucifer could see that Gabriel was struggling to hold back his tears.
"A good Master treats his slaves with respect." Lucifer spat. "Not like furniture, a pet, or a punching bag."
Crowley stood, making sure to kick Gabriel hard enough to send the angel tumbling to towards the Cage. "He's mine to treat how I want. If I wanted to I could have him strip and show you exactly how he's learned to please me. Would you like that?"
Lucifer looked down at his brother only to find that Gabriel was staring at him with fear filled gold eyes. The Devil startled a bit at that. Gabriel had never looked at him with fear before. Pain, yes, confusion, yes, even hatred, but never fear. The youngest archangel had never been afraid of anything, even when Lucifer was torturing him. He opened his mouth to say something to Gabriel when the sound of footsteps stopped him. The smaller blonde took the time to scramble away, going to hesitantly sit by the King of Hell's chair again only to stop.
Six more demons were coming into the area around the Cage. Lucifer had to admit that he was shocked by who the demons had brought. First was their younger brother Castiel, who was gagged and bound in a pair of Sigil Cuffs like Gabriel was. The second was Michael's vessel, Dean, who was cuffed and gagged as well, followed by his own vessel, who was the same way. The demons brought each one of them over to the large stakes that had been driven into the ground the night before by Crowley's men and chained them there.
Crowley grinned at Gabriel's horrified expression. "Looks like all my guests have arrived. I think it's time to being the party."
Castiel seemed to be fighting the effects of the cuffs because the seraph was kneeling and swaying unsteadily before his stake. Dean took in everything with practiced eyes before his attention turned to the dark haired angel. Sam's eyes, however, were drawn to Gabriel and he struggled to get free in a bid to get to the angel. Crowley watched, laughing at the sight that was playing out before him.
"I couldn't have planned this any better." Crowley said, seemingly overjoyed.
{You promised!} Gabriel signed to the demon. {You promised they wouldn't know!}
"I lied. Now...Gabriel, I want you to put on a good show for me." Crowley said. "Starting with you going over and giving Castiel a kiss. He looks like he needs it."
Gabriel shook his head, looking like he was going to be ill and Lucifer growled, flinging himself against the Cage and startling everyone.
"Enough games Demon. Tell me what you want and I'll grant it to you along with making sure you live." Lucifer growled.
"I have what I want. I have an angel at my mercy." Crowley said. "An archangel, the last one. All thanks to you."
Lucifer looked down at Gabriel and felt his heart soften at the tears. His brother was suffering. There was nothing he could do. Taking a moment he managed to steel himself to try to be strong for Gabriel. He turned away determined not to look at what was happening.
"Come now Lucifer. We both know that you've done far worse to the brat." Crowley said, causing the Fallen's head to snap around to glare at him. "That's right. I know what you did to him. I had him tell me everything. It's become my goal to try and top you. I'm the ultimate nightmare that will forever haunt him."
Lucifer let out another snarl and his wings appeared and his Grace exploded once more even as the blonde reached through the bars despite the fact he knew he couldn't reach. "I will kill you Crowley. Make no mistake you will pay."
"Actually the only one here who will be paying for anything is you." Crowley said softly.
Lucifer opened his mouth to speak only to let out a scream as Gabriel was suddenly on his feet in front of him. The burning pain that caused the scream was now shining around his outstretched wrist; a Sigil Cuff. With a glare Gabriel reached through the bars of the Cage and quickly clamped the other one around his wrist. The youngest archangel acted quickly and pulled Lucifer's other arm forwards and brought the Devils wrists together around one of the bars, effectively pinning him in place. Pulling away Gabriel watched him struggle to get free, his white wings flapping in vain, before Satan graced him with a glare of his own.
"Gabriel!"
^Lucifer.^
The taller blonde froze at hearing his brother's voice in his head. "You have your Grace back."
Gabriel's expression didn't change as he removed his own Sigil Cuffs, revealing them to be fakes, along with the collar and leash, dropping them to the ground. ^Yes. I've had it back for a while now. Took longer then I thought it would but I am back to being the archangel I really am, even if I don't feel like it because of you.^
"I don't remember teaching you this trick." Lucifer said with a grin. "You're learning."
^No, this trick is mine but I lesson I pulled it from was yours. Show your hand but never show the enemy your real power.^ Gabriel said as Sam came over and wrapped his arms around the angel.
Lucifer stared hard at them, titling his head in confusion. "You mated with my vessel? Wasn't I good enough for you?"
^Once you were. Once I was willing to give you everything I was. Now?^ Gabriel paused and reached up and pulled his feather from under Sam's shirt, watching his brother's face fall. ^Now the only thing you are good enough for is going to be your screams.^
"My screams?" Lucifer asked with a chuckle. "And who is going to make me scream? Michael's pour little tortured vessel? Our baby brother? The Hell King? None of you have the strength or skill to do anything to me!"
^Not them, Brother Mine.^ Gabriel said as Castiel and Dean brought over a brown bag. ^Dean, Castiel. Thank you for your help. If you want you can leave. The same thing goes for you Crowley and again thank you for the help.^
Lucifer let out a growl as he realized that he had been played. Everything that the King of Hell had shown him was nothing more then a trick to get a rise out of him. It seemed that Gabriel had learned. He pulled on the cuffs again knowing that it was useless. His Grace was now bound and with it his strength. His wings twitched nervously and he wished he could dismiss them.
Dean and Castiel looked at each other nodded and instead of leaving they moved back to where Crowley was, the demon having summoned more chairs for them to sit in. Gabriel reached into the bag that he had been given and pulled out a small piece of rolled brown leather that was tied with silver string. Lucifer stilled, knowing exactly what his brother had. Next out of the bag came a length of chain that was inscribed with runes. The smaller blonde held it up and Lucifer read the runes, shocked to see that it was for immobilizing. The last was a vial of something dark.
"If you want your voice back Gabriel I might be willing to give it back if you beg." Lucifer said, trying not to think about what his brother might have planned.
^I'm not the same naive fledgling that was in love with you Luci. I've grown up since then. I like to think that I've learned from my mistakes. I know better then to trust you. I also know, just from looking at you that I'll never get my voice back.^ Gabriel said and he hung the chain over the back of his neck before walking over to the Cage. ^My mate and I have decided that we can live without it. However I was granted a gift by our Father after what you did to me.^
"Are you still mad about that?" Lucifer asked with a grin.
The Trickster let out a soundless snarl. ^You tortured me! You raped me! You ripped my wings off! You killed me not once but twice! You Bound me! Then you steal my power! What you've done is punishable by death Lucifer. Instead of granting it to you I've decided to get revenge.^
Gabriel reached into the Cage and grabbed his older brother by the throat and slammed him hard into the bars, watching as the action dazed him. Using the distraction he separated the cuffs and turned the fallen around so his back was to the bars. He spread the taller blonde's straight out and attached the cuffs to the bars. That done he took the chain and wrapped around Lucifer's neck several times before taking it and pad locking it against one of the bars. Now the Morninstar's back and wings were completely exposed, those white wings coming through the bars to fill the area.
Reaching up Gabriel channeled his Grace and healed his older brother, bringing him back to full consciousness. ^Wake up, Brother Mine. I want you awake for this.^
Lucifer tried to move but found himself unable to due to the chain and took a moment to assess his new position. "Planning on raping me in front of your mate? Shame on you Gabriel. I thought better of you. What would our Father say?"
^Don't think so much of yourself Luci.^ Gabriel said untying the leather and opening revealing a very old set of surgeons tool. ^I didn't really want to do this but you've driven me to this. You took my voice, the one thing from our Father that was my pride and joy. I was His Messenger! Now I am nothing. You are his Morningstar. Now I am going to take from you the one thing that you are proud off.^
"You can't-! Gabby...Gabby please. Think about what you're doing!" Lucifer said, his voice sounding close to panic.
Gabriel pulled out a scalpel and held for a moment staring at the shinning metal. Sam leaned down and kissed the archangel's cheek softly and carefully pressed the angel blade in his sleeve against his mate's arm. It wasn't a threat; just a reminder to try not to lose himself in what he was doing. That done Sam moved away to be closer to his brother. As soon as he was gone Gabriel uncorked the vial of tea and hemlock and dipped the blade in it; it would slow down an angel's accelerated healing.
Gabriel turned back to Lucifer. ^Are you ready to enjoy your eternal grounding Big Brother?^
"Gabby please! I'll do anything! You want your voice back fine! I'll give it to you! Just Unbind me! You can't take my wings!" Lucifer yelled, is voice cracking in his panic.
The smaller blonde didn't seem to register the taller's words as he tightly gripped one of those white wings near the base. ^Now hold still. I'd hate to scar up that lovely skin of yours before I'm ready to.^ Gabriel said, throwing the Devil's words back at him.
Lucifer would have flinched if he could. "Gabriel! Please!"
^Just remember this; You drove me to this.^
Lucifer screamed as the sharp blade began to bite into the overly sensitive skin where his wing met his back. The Fallen wished he could move. He wanted nothing more then to twist away from that tight grip and cutting blade. What hurt the most was the fact that Gabriel was being so gentle despite the fact he was permanently maiming his older brother. Lucifer felt the smaller blonde pull away and he used that time to catch his breath.
"Gabriel please...I'm begging you..."
^I begged too Lucifer. I begged you not to do any of this. To stay with me. To not start your war. I begged you not to hurt me.^ Gabriel said pulling back to dab at the cut with a gauze to see better and reapply the tea mixture. ^You never listened to me either. Now it's my turn.^
Gripping the scalpel tighter he began cutting again. He tuned out Lucifer's screams and kept cutting through the wing in his hand. He went deeper until he was able to see the main artery running in the wing; with every frantic beat of Lucifer's heart he could see the flesh move as blood was pumped through it. Gabriel paused as he noticed he was shaking. There wasn't much more to go. Just sever the artery, cut through the muscle, and finally removing the bone. Glancing up the youngest archangel was startled to find their oldest brother Michael watching from the shadows with a look of horror but was making no move to intervene.
Pulling back Gabriel glanced behind him to see both Sam and Dean on their knees next to Castiel. The younger angel had both hands clamped over his ears, his eyes shut tight, and a bucket had been placed in front of him. It seemed that Michael wasn't the only angel being affected by what was happening. Taking a moment Gabriel thought about what he was doing and what his Father would say about what he was doing. Sure he had been given a free pass for this but even so did that make him any better then his brother?
Reaching down into his surgeons kit he replaced the scalpel and pulled out the needle and thread. The Trickster quickly stitched the wound closed even as Lucifer whimpered in confusion. Making sure the wound was shut tight he rubbed some antiseptic around the incision before he pulled out some bandages. It didn't take long for him to have the Fallen's chest and wing wrapped tightly in the white clothe. He poured as much Grace as he dared into the wound knowing it wouldn't do much good but hoping that it might help speed up the healing process.
^I've cleaned and stitched the wound. I would suggest leaving the bandages on until tomorrow. Don't dismiss your wings until the day after that if you want to be able to use them again. If there are any problems send one of your minions to fetch me.^ Gabriel said as he removed the chain from the Morningstar's neck before removing the Sigil Cuffs. ^I don't see any problems happening though unless you ignore what I said.^
Lucifer fell to his knees and turned to look at his younger brother with both pain and confusion reaching up to clutch at his wounded wing. "I don't understand."
^I can't bring myself to hurt you anymore. You've been hurt enough and I won't add to it. Despite everything that you've done to me Lucifer...I just want you to know that you are still my brother and I do still love you.^ Gabriel said softly. ^Just let your wing rest. It'll heal completely in two days if you'll let it.^
Lucifer nodded and stood before fleeing further into the Cage. Gabriel took his time to clean up his tools, not surprised at all by the footsteps that approached him. He didn't spare a glance to his oldest brother even though he could feel those blue eyes on him. He was also dimly aware of the Winchester's attention being drawn and remembered being vaguely aware that Michael's current vessel was their younger half brother. Adam if he remembered right. Putting away his kit, the chain, and the Sigil Cuffs, Gabriel began closing his bag and turned to leave.
"That was a brave thing you did Gabriel. I'm very proud of you." Michael said softly causing him to pause and turn to face the First Born.
^Revenge wasn't going to make it better Michael. Nothing will.^ Gabriel replied. ^He could do everything to me all over again and I still wouldn't be able to bring myself to do it.^
"Thank you." Michael replied. "Stay safe Little Brother."
Frowning Gabriel turned and walked back to the Cage and held out his hand. Confused but happy, Michael reached through the bars and took his hand, smiling at having the chance to connect with the youngest archangel once more. His smile turned to a frown as the blonde began to tug him closer to the bars and then with a sudden sharp pull Michael found himself on the other side, standing next to Gabriel. His shocked blue eyes took in the Cage behind him then his younger brother.
^There. Don't say I never gave you anything Michael. Now go. Heaven needs a leader with our Father gone, Lucifer here, and Raphael dead. I'm going home to where I belong. To my mate and my family. May our Father watch over you Brother.^ Gabriel said as he turned away from his brother to join his mate and family, who were watching and waiting for him with a smile.