Chapter 35: Family Portrait.
By means of Crowley's powers of location, they join Rowena, in a neglected church. Having finally heard each other on an approach, Buffy and the Witch dash into the preparation of a spell of invocation. Meanwhile, Sam sets ready a crucifix, while Dean draws an angel trap « Where the hell is Crowley? We're essentially all set up. Since he's the one that boxed us into doing this, you'd think he'd have the decency to... »
« ... Show up? » Finishes Crowley « Without the bait... A trap isn't a trap, is it? » He reveals the Horn that he hid, until now. Then turning to Rowena « Tell us, Mother of mine, the fascinating tale of your resurrection... Where have you been? »
Rowena teases him « Same as you, Fergus: Hiding. »
Crowley underlines « The warding and the holy fire won't keep an archangel, but for a moment... If he shows up at all. »
Dean confirms « Oh, he'll show... He's too hungry to take Amara out, and we've got the blaster to do it. » Then begins the invocation « In Nomine Magni Dei Nostri Satanas, Introibo Ad Altare Domini Inferi... I summon you to make an offer: The weapon by which its bearer can crush the Darkness forever. »
Whereas a thunder scolds, Buffy notices that Rowena slides into a room in the back, to hide. Dean insures an additional protection by throwing a match in the blessed oil, creating a barrier of fire, around the trap.
Of a beating of a wing, Lucifer appears, in the center of the trap « Your prayer implied that I'd be joining the team… But I'm just not feeling the warmth here. » Seeing the Horn, he rubs his hands « Let's get to it... Douse the flames. » Then seeing that nobody moves « Or don't. »
Dean cuts in his hand and places it on an exorcizing sigil, developed on a wall. Lucifer convulses, allowing Castiel to reach the surface « What are you doing? »
Dean tries to explain « We don't have a whole lot of time. You have got to... »
Castiel twists, and Lucifer regains control « He's got to what? » Then laughs « You almost had me... But after all, he did invite me. » Then becoming serious again « If you don't hand over the weapon, I'll just wait for the warding to fail and I'll take it. »
Seeing that the protections weaken, Crowley tries a new approach: He leaves his host, that collapses dead; to possess Castiel.
Minutes are passing, and Sam worries « What do you think is going on? »
Buffy supposes « Maybe Castiel isn't willing to play ball. » Then turning to Crowley's host, she sees the words 'Help Me' appearing on his forehead.
Without hesitating, Sam seizes the crucifix « Exorcizamus Te, Omnis Immundus Spiritus, Omnis Satanica Potestas Omnis Incursio Infernalis Adversarii. Omnis Legio! Omnis Congregatio And Secta Diabolica! Ergo, Draco Maledicte And Omnis Legio Diabolica, Adiuramus Te! » As Buffy splashes Lucifer with holy water.
Suddenly some red smoke escapes from Lucifer and enters Crowley's host, whom regains life immediately « Useless! Lucifer holds him! »
But it's too late, Lucifer extracts himself from the trap « I could have been your warrior... » He seizes the Horn, and willing to attack Crowley, realizes that he's gone « It's so like Crowley, to leave, right when the party's getting started. » Of a gesture, he forces Sam, Buffy and Dean to sit down « I get a giggle out of you, but there comes a time where every runs its course... » Causing a severe pain in their insides.
But their agony quickly comes to an end, when the front door flies into pieces and Amara enters « Dear nephew, you've changed. » Pointing in the direction of the back room, where is hidden Rowena « I tracked her... When she left my side. »
Lucifer presumptuous « You're gonna wish you'd stayed safely sealed away. » And uses the power of the 'Hand of God' on her.
After this sterile attempt, Amara attracts Lucifer to her « We need to chat. » Then rising eyes on the Slayer and the Hunters, frees them. And in a veil of light, disappears taking Lucifer with her.
Recovering after this fiasco, they realize that Rowena fled, and take back the road towards the bunker, silently. They spend the next weeks, reading the translations of the books for mentions of the Darkness, and to look for Lucifer, in vain.
One morning, Sam comes to delicately wake her up « Hope Springs, Idaho, a guy named Wes Cooper killed himself after killing his wife... »
Buffy understanding « Soulless? » Sam nods « Give me a minute. » She gets ready diligently and joins the brothers in the Impala, who brief her on the road.
Arrived, they meet with the Sheriff « Appreciate the FBI taking an interest in this case. We don't see things like this around here. »
His Deputy who has just returned to the station « Do you mind if I knock off earlier, Sheriff? »
The Sheriff puts his condition « After you show Agents Greer and Krauss, the M.E. files. »
The Deputy grateful « Thank you, Sir. » She directs Sam and Buffy to her desk « I knew Wes's wife, we sang in choir together, she loved him. I don't understand how it happened. »
Sam goes through the autopsy report, when he claims « I've seen something like that before. » Sam takes one of the photos from the folder « Have you noticed any strange phenomena? Sulfur smells? Maybe an unexplained fog? »
The Deputy answers « It's always sunny in Hope Springs... At least, it used to be. »
They get to the motel and exchange their conclusions, which converge all on Amara, gaining ground.
The next day, the Sheriff calls them at dawn. When they reach the indicated address « Sorry, I woke you up. The Deputy Harris didn't show up for work this morning. We tried her CB, nothing… So, I swung by. » He tries to calm his breath before continuing « I found Art, her husband, on the kitchen floor, Harris' shotgun right next to his corpse. »
Sam asks him « When was the last time anyone heard from her? »
The Sheriff replies « Yesterday evening, she said something about a fog... »
Buffy requests « Would you asks your dispatch officer, to let us know if they get any more reports like that? »
Dean asks « Do you have any idea where Harris might be now? »
The Sheriff upset « We can track her vehicle, from our office. » They get back to the station. The Sheriff struggling with the computer « I can't make heads or tails… Harris is… Was our computer person. »
Sam offers « Can I give it a shot? » The Sheriff makes way for him.
When an agent ends a phone conversation « Sheriff? Matt and Emmy say that a fog rolls in by Jasper Hills... Towards town. »
Dean taking the situation in hand « Spread the word to everybody in town, that they get inside, seal their windows and doors, and that they stay away from that fog. I know it sounds crazy... »
The Sheriff reacts « No, it sounds like we should call the CDC. »
Sam having succeeded in finding the functioning of the software « Found Deputy Harris: She's on Main Street, heading this way. »
Buffy goes out to find the Deputy, in the middle of the Main Street. Then concentrated on the passers-by « We have to evacuate them. » Sam and Dean which caught up with her, show their badges for the pedestrians to leave and take shelters.
The Deputy gets out of her vehicle « I tried to kill myself, but she won't let me… Her words have been echoing in my head ever since I took a breath of that fog. »
Sam tries to relieve her « This is an infection... Let us help you… »
The Deputy contradicts him « This is a mirror, by which she's showing us all the truth. » She is ready to pull the trigger, but the Sheriff, arrived on the scene, shoots her down.
Dean squats near her, while Buffy and Sam call out to him, because the fog arrives towards them. They take refuge, at the Sheriff station, and seals it as much as possible. They stretch out an ear and hear shouts. Looking by the glass door, giving onto the outside, they only have time to see two contaminated men getting ready to break the entrance.
Quickly, they barricade an office, Sam sticks adhesive tape, on an air vent, which allows the fog in, but with this procedure gets infected. Buffy approaches him to help, but he makes a sign for her to stay away.
Unfortunately, the fog keeps infiltrate into the office, the Sheriff guides the survivors, in some premises in the back. Then turns to Dean and Buffy, for them to join, but they refuse, preferring to stay with Sam.
Weaken Sam tries to convince them « You've got to go, before you get infected. » But they refuse.
However, Buffy is surprised to note that in spite of their exposure, Dean and her seem immuned. While Dean roars « Stop this! »
Buffy notices that an object shines in Sam's pocket, the light passing through the fabric. She collects the object and discovers that it is the amulet that can detect God.
Suddenly, the fog seems to withdraw, the marks on Sam's skin disappear, and the Sheriff comes out, followed by the people who had taken refuge with him, safe and sound.
Buffy lets the amulet escorts her, discovering that the Deputy Harris returned to life and was joined by her husband, who also resuscitated. Buffy goes along the street, accompanied by the Winchesters, and finds herself face-to-face with Chuck.
Skeptical Dean asks « What the hell is going on? »
Chuck replies « I'll be happy to fill in the blanks, but maybe we should go somewhere where we could sit down? »
Dean refuses « We don't even know if you're really Chuck, and not just a manifest... » Chuck snaps his fingers and they find themselves back in the bunker « ... Ation. »
Buffy is surprised to see a familiar face, sticking the head over Chuck's shoulder « Kevin? »
The young man is radiant « It's cool, trust Chuck. »
Chuck in a hurry « I don't mean to interrupt, kind of a plateful here. Kevin, you've been in the veil long enough, It's time for a little upgrade. » Chuck makes a wave of the hand and Kevin is transformed into a ball of light, ascending through the ceiling.
Chuck settles down, while Sam tries to introduce the conversation « Chuck?... I guess we don't call you that? »
Chuck smiling « I prefer: Chuck. »
Sam stammers « I'm sorry, you're gonna have to give us a moment to start to process... We knew about Chuck, but we didn't know that Chuck... I was hoping you were around, I prayed but... I didn't know if they've got lost in the spam or... »
Buffy, who has chosen to observe the scene by far, intervenes « Sam? » He turns to her « You're babbling. » Sam lowers his eyes nervously.
Calling out to Dean who chooses to contain himself, Chuck discerns « I'm getting that not everyone's totally on board. »
Dean tries to justify himself « I'm guessing you came back to help us... And it's great, it's even fantastic. » Then pauses, before starting again « For thousands of years: Plagues, wars, slaughters... And you were, I don't know, writing books about our lives, going to fan conventions. Were you aware? Or did you just tune it out? Because people pray to you, build churches, they fight wars in your name. »
Chuck shows himself comprehensive « I was so sure, if I kept stepping in, teaching, punishing, that these beautiful creatures would grow up. But it only stayed the same, and I saw that I needed to step away... Being over-involved is not parenting: It's enabling. »
Dean, with tears in the eyes, doesn't hold this view « From where I sit, it feels like you left us and you're trying to justify it. »
Chuck informs him « I know you had a complicated upbringing, but don't confuse me with your dad. »
Buffy directing the conversation « The Darkness is relentless... Must have been great being her brother? »
Spontaneously, Chuck answers « It was the worst: Always telling me what to do, making me do what she wanted... But you know how that works. What have you come up with? »
Saddened, Sam admits « Zip! »
Chuck gets up « I could use a shower. »
Buffy gives him the indications « It's just down the hallway, the fourth door on the left. » Chuck thanks her of a sign of his head and goes to the door.
Dissatisfied, Dean throws « You know that she's got Lucifer, right? »
Chuck dugs his heels « Lucifer was my greatest hope, but he is also my most bitter disappointment. Do you think if I could have trusted him for a moment, I would have put him in the cage? After all this time in prison, he's probably worse... And could have formed an alliance with Amara. I'm not walking into that trap... Thus, spoke the Lord! »
Buffy takes advantage of Chuck's exit, to go to rest. When she returns to their meeting room, she only finds Chuck sitting at a table eating cereals « They went to Lewis, Oklahoma... Any news of Cassifer? »
Chuck finishes his bowl, then proposes « Would you like to accompany me to the park? »
Buffy is surprised by this invitation, but accepts it. They settle down on a bench, watching children playing in a sandbox. She can't remember the last time, she did this.
Chuck comments « I understand that my sister became your rival!? But is he the one of your choice? Or of your heart? »
Buffy is embarrassed, but doesn't have time to react. As Dean joins them, Chuck welcomes him « Look at them: Endlessly optimistic, the wind blows over the tower and they rebuild it. Always gets me. »
Dean irritates « You're throwing in the towel? »
Chuck shaking his head « Metatron: Loose lips. You think I'm a dick, so why do you care? »
Dean admits « Before you went M.I.A... You did a lot. »
Chuck touched « And what you call 'Throwing in the towel', I call it 'Strategy'. I'll trade myself for... Everything I've created... And it will go on. »
Dean clarifies « The Amara that I know is... A mountain of pissed off. She's gonna eliminate you, and then she's gonna destroy everything that you've created... We're not just some toys you throw away, you owe us more than that! »
Chuck suggests « If my plan doesn't work... Buffy, Sam, you and others chosen, will have to find a way. You're the world's firewall. »
But Buffy is not convinced « Look, give me a vampire and I'm good. But she's... Way above my pay grade! »
Chuck gently strokes Buffy's face « Don't be frightened my child. » And while he does that, they've returned in the bunker.
The prophet Donatella, confused is also there. They settle down around a table, where they are joined by Sam, accompanied by Metatron « Thanks for inviting me! » Then noticing the prophet « Donatello! Pleasure to meet you. Metatron, scribe of God... I was there when you were designed. »
Dean irritated « You said you wanted to help... Besides world-class douchery, what do you have to offer? »
Metatron bitter « I've just transcribed the Angel Tablet and know all the spells... I know what makes Amara tick... Shall I keep going? »
The sarcasms seem to be enough to convince Dean « The plan is to rescue Lucifer... He'll teleports us out of Amara's hideout, and we convince Chuck to use him in this fight. »
Metatron perplexed « Do you even know where Amara is? »
To what, Donatello speaks up « I think I might know where she is... I've been getting this vibe: It's like a ping in my cerebral cortex. »
They decide to take off, but Chuck makes a sign, by far, for Buffy to join him instead.
Sam having seen this « Go ahead! We will do our best... »
When they're all gone, Chuck proclaims « You have to prepare for the 'Grand Final'. All your essence will be needed... I'm going to show you how to do it. »
For hours, in a room of the basement, Buffy follows all of God's indications: Meditation, Yoga, memories of the sensations of Trials... In this last inspiration, Buffy opens her eyes and discovers that one of her arms is illuminated, but before being able to study this event, she is interrupted by the brutal appearance of the Impala, less than a meter from her. She pulls out Donatello, Sam and Lucifer.
Together, they go upstairs by a defer door, onto the kitchen, where Chuck welcomes them with beers « Occasionally, I do answer a prayer. » And in one move heals Lucifer.
Buffy worries « Where are Dean and Metatron? »
Chuck answers « Metatron sacrificed himself... Dean's calling a cab for Donatello. »
At these words, Donatello jumps on the opportunity « This is my cue to say goodbye, then. » And leaves, followed by Sam.
Buffy remains alone with Chuck, while Lucifer ferrets about and asks « Where were you? »
Chuck who keeps him in his sight « That's a long story... How do you feel? »
But Lucifer playing the spoilt child « One cosmic band-aid on my knee, and you think we're even? »
Chuck pursues his attempts of discussion « I know I've missed a few... million... birthdays. »
Lucifer bitter « And the second your apes send a distress flare... Daddy's home! »
To Buffy's surprise, who had not realized that the brothers had joined her, Dean reacts « Hey! These apes... Saved your ass! »
Annoyed, Lucifer snaps his fingers, ineffectively. Chuck reassures them « He can't hurt you. »
Buffy tired by this « Could we focus on something else? Such as... I don't know: The End of the World !? »
But Lucifer prefers to challenge his father « You're really not gonna say it? » Then seeing that he will not obtain what he wants « Screw you... » Then, in Castiel's voice « Screw all of you... » And goes lock himself in one of the rooms.
Chuck leaves as well « Kids, huh? »
Buffy raises her eyes to the ceiling, and declares « I need to get some fresh air. » She leaves for five minutes. When she passes the door back in, she arrives in the middle of an exchange between Lucifer and Chuck, installed on facing chairs « I'm sorry... You feel that I betrayed you... That you can't see that you gave me no choice. » He turns to the brothers « I'm good! »
She settles down on the small headland, where the brothers enjoy the show, as Sam tries to defuse the situation « We all know that you are God... But could you be a little less 'Lordly'? »
Chuck explains « I did what I had to do: In order to create the world. »
Lucifer rejecting this explanation « You betrayed me: You gave me the Mark. And when it did what it inevitably does: Change me... You threw me away. »
Chuck refutes « No, son. You always cast a jaundiced glance at humans... The Mark didn't change you, it just made you more of what you already were. »
Not able to take it any longer, Lucifer addresses the Slayer and the Hunters « Do you have any idea what it's like to argue with your father when he is God? » Then towards his father « Everything is a tautology: 'Because I told you so...'; 'It had to be done...' »
Dean mumbles « Pretty sure that's all fathers. »
Lucifer switching posture « Big picture: You did what you had to do. But little picture: You sucked at being a dad. »
Chuck admits « Maybe I didn't handle everything perfectly. But could I have kept humankind safe with you on the board? »
But Lucifer gets excited « That is not the point! »
Buffy decides to intervene « I can't believe I'm about to say this: Lucifer is right! » Chuck looks at her « All he wants is an apology, but you're too concerned about being right, that you can't give him one. »
Dean adds « The great thing about apologies is you don't even have to mean them. » Sam glares at him « Sorry. » Then seizes the moment as example « See? »
Chuck annoyed « Enough from the peanut gallery. » In a gesture, he teleports them out of sight, keeping Buffy as sole witness « What would you have done, son? »
Calmly, Lucifer replies « It doesn't matter. You are my father and you forsook me. »
Chuck confesses « I was supposed to love all creation equally. I wasn't supposed to have favorites... But you were mine. I gave you the Mark because I thought you were strong enough to bear it. When I've watched, my choice devouring you: I hated myself, and so I've punished you. I am so sorry. »
At these words, Buffy can see the satisfaction on Lucifer's face « I'll bring them the good news. » They agree.
A few minutes later, they draw up a plan. Chuck declares « We trap Amara, put her back in the box. » Then specifies « She has to be there: There's a balance, in the universe... If you blow one, then... »
Lucifer finishing his sentence « It wouldn't be a good thing. »
Sam motivated « The team must get back together. »
Chuck reflects aloud « Michael's in no condition to fight. » Creating a shudder of horror in Buffy, who can only imagine the condition in which Adam must be « And it's outside my power to bring Gabriel and Raphael back. What do we ring to the table to make up for archangel power? »
Sam suggests « We could find more 'Hands of God'? »
Chuck jokes shaking his hands « A little redundant... »
Dean offers « Crowley, a mighty demon and former King of the Hell. »
Lucifer proposes « The Angels. »
Buffy surprised « What if they don't want to listen to you? »
Lucifer smiles « I will let my Jiminy Cricket talk to them, from the bottom of his heart. »
Sam having an idea « Rowena! She's a snake but she's a powerful witch. »
Buffy says « I could ask Willow or the Council to help us? »
But Chuck refuses this last proposal « They're already at work, with another kind of Angel... Let them focus, they will be our last barrier of defense. »
Buffy points out « If we can get the others to walk together? »
Chuck teaches « I invented 'Free Will' for a reason. Plus, you can't make effective soldier by force... They have to choose this fight. »
Sam summarizes « We assemble our 'Band of Brothers', hit Amara with everything we've got, and when she's weak... »
Chuck concludes « ...We finish her off. »
Dean shakes his head « I still don't like it. » They look at him « She can always come back and we'll have to start all over again... »
Sam not understanding his reserve « Dean, what is this really about? »
But Buffy understands « It's about her! »
Lucifer seeing the same thing « Dean Winchester meets the biggest evil in the universe, and he takes a pass? Now, he wants Daddy to do what he couldn't... »
Dean confesses « I've tried to kill her, and it didn't work. »
Buffy bruised « Maybe it didn't work, because you didn't want it... »
Sam stops her « For once, we have God on our side... We can actually just do things his way. »
Seeing that there is no more objection, Buffy declares « Let's go then! »