BASED ON ERIC KRIPKE'S "SUPERNATURAL". ALL COPYRIGHTED CHARACTERS AND STORYLINES BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS.
This is the second part of the special edition concerning archangel Michael's return to heaven.
Now I know there are many chapters but, for those of you barely starting this story, there will be a hiatus until February 2011. Hopefully until then, you'll have enough time to ctach up to the first to seasons. Thank you for reading my story and showing it a lot of patience. Your reviews would make a half-year's work worthy and would please me so much.
2 MORE CHAPTERS LEFT. PLEASE REVIEW. THANK YOU!
S02E18: THE RETURN (PART II)
Castiel didn't change anything, leaving the office the way it was. After looking through all his favorite books and volumes, Michael sits down at the desk and watches the entirety of the room. So many memories. His fortress of solitude, his escape from reality, from stress, from all the problems and weights on his shoulders. The place where he thought and rethought every strategy, every decision, the place where he prayed to his father, the place where he could cry without no one seeing him, letting all the pain and anger out. Even now he imagines himself doing all those things as he scrutinizes every little corner available. So many memories…
He is brought back to the present by Adriel's appearance. "I'm sorry" the board member apologizes "I didn't know anyone was here."
"That's all right; I was only looking to see if anything is different. If I'm not supposed to be here, I'll leave."
"No it's all right. I'm just here to pick up some papers for Castiel" the former dominion adds while moving oddly fast to the filing cabinets. Taking advantage of Adriel's inability to find what he is looking for, Michael starts a small talk: "You must be Adriel right?"
"Yes" he answers as he looks through the files faster. Michael recognizes the same fear in him like that of the angels down at the reception. There's nothing he can do except prove that he isn't the same dictator as he was in the past. He continues: "I remember you were quite a dominion back then. Intelligent, clever, devoted … loyal…"
After Michael says the last word, Adriel's actions become more erratic. After such a long time and after such a big change, he doesn't know what to say or what to do around his former leader. If something comes out wrong, he could end up a piece of charcoal. The only thing he can think of is to find the papers and get out of the office as soon as possible. Michael sees right through him though and tries to make him feel more at ease: "I heard you were promoted to board member. You know, I can't think of anyone better for the job than you. Castiel made a wise decision."
Adriel finds the document but his attention is focused on the archangel. His vessel's voice is calming, tranquil and soft. And in a strange way, it relieves some of the tension. "Thank you" he says. Michael replies with a smile. "Wow" Adriel wonders. He had never seen Michael smile or express any kind of happy feeling before. Encouraged by it, the board member adds a personal touch to their conversation: "I'm really glad that you're back. It's good to know you're alive and well!"
"Thank you Adriel" the archangel tells in a gracious tone. "You're very considerate."
Sensing that there is nothing to be afraid of and that Michael has changed a lot, Adriel starts acting like his usual self as he sits on the desk: "I must admit seeing you back … never thought that would happen. And the fact that…"
"Don't you have something to do right now?" Michael interrupts.
"Oh yeah … right" the board member says while rushing out of the room. For the first time since he returned, Michael is glad that he's managed to show someone that he has changed for the better. Suddenly, he remembers that he must get back to the reception. Before though, he decides he must talk to another angel, one that he shares with a larger history than anyone else.
The one Michael is looking for is at the 194th floor, Power Intelligence Department. Walking through the halls, he notices how much they've been changed since he last saw them. Everything is more colored, more bright, very different than the dark grey he wanted when he was general. Each office, each cubicle, even the kitchen, has its own style of decoration. Maybe it's best this way, allowing the angels to feel more comfortable when working. After all, this is their home.
Upon passing a corner he hears a voice he had hoped to never hear again, Percival's. Carrying a tone of paperwork, the principality shouts in an attempt to stop the archangel, who ignores him. Percival gains on Michael and forces him to stop.
"Yes, Percival."
"This is everything I could think of" the angel says while dropping the papers in Michael's arms. "Although I suspect I did not cover all issues."
"You suspect?" Michael asks ironically while laying eyes on Raphael, the angel he was searching for. "Look, Percival" Michael interrupts his talking frenzy "I know you have a lot of suggestions and I'm sure they're all perfect but what are you doing showing them to me instead of Castiel? He's your general and I'm sure he would gladly listen."
"Would he?" the principality snaps, surprising Michael. "I appreciate everything he has done recently but an audience with him, ha … it's like asking for the impossible. He's always busy, always in a meeting, always out. It is useless to try and reach him as he doesn't have time for some of us. Not the mention his…"
The archangel violently throws the papers in the other one's arms. "You listen to me you winey brat. Do you have any idea how demanding it is to be a general? Do you think Castiel has time for petty requests like yours? No! He has much more important matters to attend to like saving lives, ensuring peace and order. How dare you accuse him of ignorance, you ungrateful fool! After everything he's done…"
Michael stops, realizing that his brother had assisted his fit. Percival leaves, every part of his body shaking of fear and panic. This is not what he wants. He would hate for some of the old ways to spring back to life just because of his return. He must never let his anger out again. It leads only to darkness.
Michael and Raphael enter an office to talk in private. The younger one has his head dropped, a habit resulted after many lectures he got from his older brother about his failures. Michael too remembers the same scene: him yelling and shouting and Raphael, quietly listening and obeying. So many times that happened … too many. However, Michael remembers that Raphael was the only angel whom he treated as close to well as possible. He was his second in command for such a long time that they developed a tight relationship. Beyond that, when times took a turn for the worse, Michael would pull a hard 180 on him, showing no sign of care or compassion. "Tough bromance" as Dean Winchester, his former vessel, would put it.
"It's good that you're back" Raphael breaks the ice and speaks first.
"How is heaven?" Michael knows everything that went on with the Host but he feels like he has to hear it from his brother as well. He always valued his opinions, even if he didn't show it.
"I can't say it has been perfect … but I have optimistic views towards the future."
"You were always the buzz killer. If you say that than there is a 100% chance to be true."
Raphael treats him with the same coldness as Selaphiel did, probably even bigger. Unable to stand it any longer, Michael starts confessing: "I'm sorry!" The other archangel stares at him without even blinking, as if terrified of his brother's words.
"I'm sorry for everything! I was wrong in so many ways even I didn't see it. I was selfish, vain, arrogant and blind. All I could think about was getting revenge on Lucifer, on following orders I'm not sure that ever existed. I did so many horrible things and they hurt so much right now. Every time I look in your eyes, or Selaphiel's or any other angel, I feel like I'm being stabbed a hundred times by my own family. I know it's not right but please … I'm asking for forgiveness. Will you grant it?"
"Forgiveness?" Raphael repeats irritated. "You want forgiveness?"
"Little brother, please…"
"Don't call me that. Don't you dare call me that! Is that why you've returned? To take advantage of our new ways? For what? You want angels to worship again the ground you walk on? You want to feel in control and powerful again?"
"No, it's not that …"
Again, Raphael interrupts him: "You are such a manipulative angel! You know what, for the first time, heaven is at peace and it stands a great deal of a chance to prosper in a manner never thought before. But now that you've showed up, all the filth and corruption from your time starts scratching to the surface. Already I hear talks of fear of civil war. Civil war, Michael. Doesn't that scare you at all? Do you really want to ruin everything Castiel did, to tear the Host apart just for the sake of feeling good again?"
Raphael's words outrages Michael. He would lash at his brother in a second and punish him for speaking like that. But that is not him anymore, and even if he'd try to explain it, he couldn't. Raphael's speech inflicts great pain to his soul. All he can do is struggle to retain his tears, not having the strength to perform anything else.
"So don't you dare call me that way! The only brother you had was Lucifer … the rest of us were invisible to you. Even after his banishment and father's departure, all you could think about was them. What about us? What about Gabriel, Selaphiel? What about me? You treated us like nothing! And now, after everything, you want forgiveness? Well you won't get it from me!"
Raphael storms out. Closing the door of the office, he looks at his shaking hands and tries to calm down. Talking like that to Michael took a great deal of daring. However, he spoke from the heart. A thing learned from Castiel. Not even his fear of his older brother stopped him from doing it. Inside, Michael smiles. He is glad that Raphael finally managed to find the spirit to talk back to him and for that, he admires him. The tides have changed. He was the one who listened while Raphael lectured him. Nevertheless, the younger archangel was right. He can't just simply ask for forgiveness. He has to earn it. And what better way to start than to prevent a possible civil war.
Michael requests another transmitted statement, hoping to speak to all the angels. Although massively, occupied, Castiel grants his wish and organizes one. The same scenery is established as before: balcony, camera, crowd and every garrison on Earth turning their sets on. As the archangel appears at the balustrade, every celestial pays close attention to him.
"Brothers, sisters, I am so glad to be back, home, among you. I missed heaven … very much. Nothing makes me feel more proud or more at ease than to stand here, in front of you again. Yet earlier I found myself unable to tell you how happy I was to return. The truth is I was scared, terrified even, of what might happen next."
Faces from the crowd display surprise and shock, but above all curiosity. What is Michael's point? Even Selaphiel and Raphael, who are standing further away, are left wondering.
The archangel continues: "I know some of you may have gotten the idea that now that I'm back, I'm ready to take my former position. Well, you couldn't be more wrong. I'm not. Why? Because I'm an emotional wreck. I've made so many mistakes in the past that all I can think about is how to suppress their memory and try to change. Since I returned you all look at me with the same fear and intimidation as in my time in command. I'm not that angel anymore. I can't lead you anymore … I'm not ready … I don't think I'll ever be."
His message creates disappointments in everyone's heart. They all felt heaven will be much more at order, much more secure now that Michael has returned. Expectations were raised pretty high. But now, his confession lets a vast majority of angels down. Despite that, his younger brothers are amazed, observing the difference between past Michael and present Michael, fact proved by his desire to refuse command.
"You already have a general … a great one who managed to do what I couldn't: turn you into a family. You are united now, stronger and together, there isn't anything you can't do. Therefore" he grabs Cas's sleeve and pulls him in everyone's sight "I will stand by Castiel and do whatever he asks of me. And trust me, you should do the same because … well, he's the one who will save us all from darkness and doom!"
Michael lifts Cas's hand as the crowd starts cheering and chanting the latter's name. A subtle smile bends the general's lips, thrown at the archangel. He is proud of his courage to admit the truth. So is Raphael. He had looked up to his older brother many times but this is the first when he actually feels overwhelmed by it. Perhaps he deserves a second chance at forgiveness after all. As for Michael, letting all out delivered a huge weight off of his shoulders. He is free now that everyone knows the truth about him. He didn't return to rule; he returned home, he returned to be a part of the family again … to be the brother he never was.
So that was it. Michael's back and he's ready to serve under Cas's command. 2 more chapters left. Will Cas save the world again? Stay tuned for the finale of season 2.