The rush of power coursing through his veins was intoxicating. The song was blasting loudly inside his very brain, pulsing and writhing like a living thing. It was like an euphoric high, only so, so much better than the one caused by cocaine or other drugs.

The light trapped inside the sword burst out – this time inside of him, filling Lucifer with fire and heat, and wind, and the universe itself. It wasn't just the light – Lucifer knew, on the most basic level, that every element would obey his command now. Every molecule, every atom, every particle would connect and move the way he wished them to. There was nothingness contained within him now, the ability to create, to fashion, to maintain, to give the power shape, to make not only stars, but worlds themselves.

The sword was pulled out of his chest, empty and dark, and too normal for a divine weapon. It clattered to the floor when Lucifer dropped it casually. He had never wanted to kill himself with it, after all. He just had taken a risk that, yes, could have very well ended with him being dead, but also with him being…

"You wanted dear old Dad back," said the Devil as he rose from his knees, proud like on the day of his Fall, and nothing short of frightening. "But, like our hardworking and absolutely amazing in bed Andy Warhol said… new things are always better than old things. So say hello to your new god in Heaven."

XXX

The amount of times Crowley's brain short-circuited because of his utterly ridiculous, featherbrained brother was… un-fucking-countable. His heart was still stuck somewhere in his throat because of how Lucifer had stabbed himself with that blasted sword, and now— now—

Crowley looked around quickly, noticing the astounded expression on Gabriel's face that was quickly replaced by fear. Oh, that was…

…actually something worth taking advantage of. Especially before Gabriel got any other ideas.

"Kneel," the demon said quickly. Without wasting any more time, and focused on setting a good fucking example, he got to his own knees, broken leg be damned, then bowed forward so that his forehead touched the floor. "Don't be an idiot, kneel, kneel, kneel!"

Gabriel didn't even manage to do more than just turn to look at Crowley, alarmed and this close to panicking, when Lucifer snapped his fingers, amused. Suddenly, not only Crowley was kneeling.

The invisible force that held Gabriel on his hands and knees actually caused Crowley to glance up, feeling just a bit anxious. Encouraging the archangel to kneel was, after all, tad different from making him kneel. Sure, so the situation he was supposed to handle now was… err, situation was that Lucifer somehow absorbed the- the Almighty's essence from the cracked sword. At first - after Crowley's heart had stopped beating so fast, making him feel lightheaded simply because he'd thought Lucifer dead - he decided that it was a good thing. No, not Lucifer dying, of course not, but Lucifer taking the Throne. But, if his asshat of a brother, the same one who had thought that stabbing himself was an effective way to get God's essence inside himself, had snapped again… They were fucked.

Because… how was Crowley actually supposed to be the handler of a new god?

That… that was a somewhat terrifying thought, it was, okay? He wasn't Aziraphale's levels of naïve, but Crowley needed to have faith in Lucifer. He needed to, or he would end up just as tightly wound as Gabriel was with his clenched fists, and eyes focused on the ground. And, yeah, that wasn't too surprising – after all, the archangel had a lot of reasons to be scared right now. Change of heart or not, but Crowley remembered, quite vividly, the first failed trial, that little cruel procession and Lucifer paraded around, tied up and then hit in the face for talking, twice.

As for Lucifer… Lucifer was only half focused on his siblings at the moment, watching his own hands with utter fascination in the dark, starry eyes. The power radiated off him in waves - like a wave of heat, of hot fire, and yet like an arctic breeze at the same time. Lucifer was light and fire itself, sure, but this was new. He was everything and nothing now. He was Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

And with God imprisoned somewhere, there was no one powerful enough to stop him.

"He will ascend into Heaven, he will exalt his Throne above the stars of God, he will sit in the mountain of the covenant, in the sides of the north. He will ascend above the height of the clouds, he will be like the most High," recited Gabriel, voice accusatory. He still was kneeling, but his gaze wasn't fixed on the ground anymore, and he didn't seem as scared as before. "This is about you, isn't it? You finally did what humans always accused you of desiring."

Lucifer paused whatever he was doing just to stare at his brother with complete bewilderment on his face.

"Are you seriously quoting The Book of Isaiah at me?" The sheer exasperation the words were spoken with broke all delusions about any change in Lucifer's personality, and Crowley let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Then he got the urge to giggle like a maniac. "I've already been above the height of the clouds for the last couple of days now, brother, this is where the Silver City is. Why, do you want to dangle me below them?"

Although Gabriel wanted to say "I do, because who wouldn't?" so much, he didn't. He hadn't avoided wrath of one God only to get killed by another. Even if this other god was Lucifer, of all possible beings. He still cherished his life and wings too much for that.

But, yes, this other god was Lucifer.

"If I remember correctly, we had a deal, Lucifer, and you went directly against it," Gabriel said, curling his lip. It took a lot from him to continue speaking without— making it clear how afraid he was. But also… was he? He kept repeating to himself that it was Lucifer standing in front of him. Lucifer. "I won't kneel for false gods. Let me up."

"Oh, sorry. I've been so often on my knees lately that I simply wanted to share the experience with my family! Isn't sharing caring? I mean, it's just simply manners." Lucifer grinned at him, saccharine sweet, and bowed playfully. Sure, he was being petty with the kneeling, but it wasn't like Gabriel didn't deserve that. The moment Lucifer bowed, was also the moment the invisible force pressing Gabriel to the ground disappeared completely, allowing the archangel to stand up. Gabriel dusted himself off, trying to maintain at least a little dignity.

"The matter of our deal still remains—"

"Oh, come on. I didn't go against it! I just improvised!" Lucifer protested, irritated. Bloody hell, he was just trying to get used to the strange feeling of nothisalienhisfathersnothisnothistnothis force thrumming in him, and now he had to handle Gabriel on top of it. "I did exactly what you wanted me to. Brought Michael down a notch! You could at least say something like, bravo Lucifer, good Devil!"

The words made Gabriel pause, because— God had never talked like that. Sure, there had been a certain level of playfulness as well, but it always had the undertone of a hidden warning. It'd been whimsical. Laugh, and clap, and nod, and obey, or else. Lucifer had been the one to experience how unhidden could that get.

And speaking of Lucifer…

…speaking of him, Lucifer was waiting for Gabriel to answer, impatient.

"Any day now, brother dearest. I have all the time in the world," he let out a sigh before adding, "Not really, though, so chop, chop. As much as I'd love to stay here and talk, Sandy's with the Detective and other humans! I can't let him bore them for much too long."

"That's… Those are human matters. We are to discuss—"

"Ah, no. Mikey made those matters angelic by sending Mr. Sodom and Gomorrah to my humans' hiding place."

Crowley felt the need to hit his head against the floor. No idea why he still was kneeling, other than he got too busy with watching Lucifer and Gabriel bicker about random things. It actually gave him an idea. They all were siblings. Different goals, animosity, but, in the end, they were family. So maybe all of them just needed to have a conversation. Just that.

Waking up Amenadiel wasn't that difficult, since Crowley only needed to shake his shoulder to have the eldest angel shift and mutter something miserably upon getting back to consciousness. What was difficult, though, and another matter completely, was ignoring the power emanating from Lucifer. It was making Crowley want to stay on his knees, trembling, scared shitless for his life, all while praying that Lucifer wouldn't notice him.

It wasn't about Lucifer, though, and Crowley knew that. He also knew that if any angel were to have that kind of divine power and still stay themselves, it would be Lucifer, too. He had spent thousands of years in Hell, and remained uncorrupted. He'd been absorbing the worst humanity had to offer, day in and day out, and, while changed, of course, Lucifer still stayed good. Chaotic and insufferable, but good.

"Why is my head hurting?..."

"Big loud explosion, no time for that." Crowley was already moving on to Michael and— okay, maybe waking up the archangel Michael with a few hard slaps was actually very satisfying. "Why are you still unconscious? Get up."

And it was a good moment for Michael to finally blink himself awake, squinting against the bright light, because Lucifer was already looking around and then at them, frustrated from talking with Gabriel, and steeling himself for whatever that was to come. Maybe he had the same idea Crowley had. The only thing Lucifer knew for sure was that he didn't… That fighting was the last thing he wanted to do. And having a civil war in Heaven over both himself and the Apocalypse wasn't going to fix anything. Dad's power was only meant to make his brothers willing to hear him out.

"What happened— what is he now? Is he a…"

Crowley simply slapped a hand over Michael's mouth.

"Right. Just— just try and listen to me. I'm aware that you want me dead, that you want to bring dear old Dad back, that you want the Apocalypse to start. But this— this is bloodshed! Civil war, the Apocalypse, Dad's wrath… it's… it's not starting over, because there's not going to be some new world after your victory. There will be nothing left, only broken parts, and that's… that's going backwards! Back to my Rebellion, back to when Dad sent Mum to Hell, back to every time we were divided. And that's… not good for anyone. We need a way to move forward, to make it work without Father. Ending worlds is not the right way to go about it. We don't have to fight to see who's better. Humans have lives. They laugh and cry and share. They're not some pawns to be taken off the board because you wish to turn it upside down. Dad will end this world, too, if we let Him out." Lucifer said with urgency in his voice. "After that, there will be a war, here, as well. And in war, there are always casualties… Do you really want that blood on your hands? Can't we just— If you want to come to Earth, then come to Earth. Humans are absurd creatures, but they're fun to be around! If you want to rule Heaven, rule it! I have no interest in taking the Throne. Actually, go on, have Gabriel do it!"

Everyone looked at the aforementioned archangel who shifted a little, surprised, then straightened.

"Me?"

"Yes, brother, you. Isn't that your whole career ambition?" Lucifer asked incredulously, staring at the equally dumbfounded Gabriel. Crowley cleared his throat, because no. No, he wasn't going to have history repeat itself like with Hell and Beelzebub just because Lucifer wouldn't say the rules clearly.

"Ten Commandments, oh, Lord, my Lord?" Crowley reminded him pleasantly. "You shall not have strange gods before me, et cetera?"

"I'm already a strange god." Lucifer shrugged, not really interested in giving anyone any commandments, but yes, Crowley was right. They all needed rules, so there wouldn't be another situation with the world needing to be saved. One more, and Lucifer would jump out of the window. "You shall not kill. You shall not kidnap or hurt any humans, demons, or other angels. You shall not start any apocalypses. You shall not scream into anyone's head, no matter how bloody tempting that is," he drawled out, maybe the tiniest bit sarcastic, before actually thinking about it. Lucifer had given Gabriel the function he had always been after, so maybe it was also time to give Michael what he wanted. An apology. "And fine. Fine. I'm sorry about your tongue, brother. I shouldn't have done that, but, in my defense, I wasn't thinking clearly, and you certainly didn't make it easier for me, either."

Michael didn't say anything for a long, long moment before finally exhaling. He'd been trying to stay neutral the whole time right up to the point of Lucifer ripping out his tongue. It wasn't like he wanted his twin dead. If he did, then that would have been the verdict at Lucifer's trial, but… After Father had thrown Lucifer out of Heaven, Crowley following shortly after, then Mother… The whole family had been rocked. And maybe that was when it all had started. The blind obedience, the ambitions, the cruelty. Everything.

"So be it. I'm sorry as well."

Lucifer snorted, feeling relief course through his whole body as if that feeling wanted to chase the one of power. It was just as strong. "Lovely. Before I'll leave for Earth, and our favorite eldest action star will stay here for a bit to make sure everything runs smoothly…" Lucifer paused to scoff at the resigned look on Amenadiel's face, "What? You have experience! Anyway, Gabriel? Care to say something?"

"Yes. As the ruler of Heaven, I'll be hosting monthly meetings with you." Gabriel said formally, standing straight and proud, because if Lucifer hoped to hear him apologize, then maybe he would have to wait another eon for it. And not hope too hard. "You can invite Beelzebub to the first one, and we'll discuss all celestial matters now that there's no impending Apocalypse."

"That's not what I… Okay, fascinating." Lucifer snapped his fingers, healing Crowley's leg with a simple thought. "Just one question. Can I be late and does not coming at all still count as that?"

XXX

Dan shifted slightly in the spot he'd landed in, tied up as he was. The bonds were digging into his wrists, forcing them behind him. Chloe and Linda had it a little better, being tied up to each other, back to back, instead of just being trussed up like some shitty turkey and thrown in the corner of the room. All the guns had been confiscated from them and then simply dematerialized, turned to ash in that balding guy's hand. Another frickin' angel, seriously. Because this was exactly what Dan needed in his life. Another angel. Why the hell not.

The only good thing there was that Trixie was still in school.

"Chlo'?" Dan half whispered, half shouted at her, using the opportunity that the angel had his back to them and was simply looking out through a window, contemplating something. Speaking of angels, movements and the windows, Dan spotted something out of the other window. That white-haired guy, walking in circles and fretting. If Dan wasn't suddenly having problems with his eyes, and he was fairly sure he wasn't, Aziraphale was holding Linda's baby half hidden under his coat. "Chloe!"

Before Chloe could answer, though, Sandalphon turned around, tsking. In the tanned coat and pants, and with the – what even was that, spats? - he looked like a someone trying, but without any real effort, to blend in.

"Do you really think I'm deaf, you puny human? I want nothing but silence from all three of you, or I'll take your mouths away." The angel said with a bored expression on his round face. "Or turn you into a pillar of salt. Maybe you've read about it in the Bible." Now a proud smile appeared, making Dan feel sick. What was wrong with the guy? "Sodom and Gomorrah? Ah, those were the times. I rained fire on those two towns and humans there. I think the whole land is still a burning waste of salt and sulfur - nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. My greatest hit."

"Hit?" Linda stared at the angel in horror, unable to stay calm. Not when Charlie had been taken away from her, not when Amenadiel was gone, not when they didn't know if Lucifer was still alive. There were dried tearstains on her cheeks. "You killed children! Men and women that did nothing wrong. And for what?"

"Well, they laid with each other." Sandalphon shrugged, completely unbothered. Those had been God's orders, and who was he to question them? It wasn't like he actually cared about humans. Disgusting creatures. It was a real shame that Michael had decided to postpone the Apocalypse. "And I did save Lot. You're welcome."

"You saved a man who offered his daughters to be raped," Chloe said slowly. Honestly, even if she hadn't interacted with God Himself before, hadn't watched Him toy with Lucifer for His own entertainment, just to teach Lucifer a lesson about humility, then hearing this archangel speak like that, would be more than enough for her to understand why exactly Lucifer had rebelled. And maybe it was for the better. Maybe, if Lucifer had stayed in Heaven, he would have been like this, too. Cold. Cruel. Indifferent.

But Lucifer had rebelled, and now she could love this absolutely inappropriate Devil, always so damn energetic and enthusiastic, always so passionate about most ridiculous things, and always so protective over everyone he cared about.

Of course, Lucifer was also the most annoying, stubborn and self-absorbed celestial entity at times, and certainly a handful, but Chloe wasn't going to dwell on that now, not when he could very well be de— no. No, she refused to believe that. His siblings couldn't have killed him. They just couldn't have.

If they had— had— though, she wouldn't rest before getting every and each one of them. She didn't know how, but surely with Amenadiel and Crowley's help, they… they would be able to… to…

"No," Chloe whispered to herself, shaking her head. "No, Lucifer is alive."

"Oh, I wouldn't get your hopes up. If he still is, then not for long. Michael, the archangel, wanted to talk to him about obeying orders, and—" Sandalphon froze like a pillar of salt himself, not believing his eyes. Lucifer was leaning against the wall, completely casual, and with the brightest grin possible. There had been no rustle of feathers, no light breeze, no soft whoosh usually accompanying the folding of the wings that would have betrayed his presence earlier. And… he was wearing a suit again. Impossible! "But— What— You were imprisoned! This is scandalous! I demand that you return to your cell this instant!"

If Chloe were able to speak, she would have, but her throat closed up, making even swallowing difficult. Lucifer… Lucifer was alive. Her brilliant Devil, her partner, was here, playful and teasing as usual, with that coiled danger underneath. Of course he would pull through.

He always did, didn't he?

"Shit, man, did you frickin' teleport here?! How?!" It seemed that at least Dan didn't have any trouble speaking, though. And seriously, he never thought he'd ever feel so much relief at the sight of the Devil himself. Dan struggled awkwardly in his bonds, trying to pull himself up, to face Lucifer better, only to blink at the Devil's next words.

"I actually did, yes!" Lucifer announced, all cheerful and proud of his newest achievement. And maybe of solving the crisis in Heaven. But, he had to admit, this form of travelling was much, much easier than flying. He just had to imagine the place he wanted to be, and then he, well, was. So, yes, Lucifer could see why his dear old Dad did it so often. It also was fun to ignore Sandalphon in the middle of all this, and see how amusingly pale the angel had gotten at that. "And believe me, Daniel, you don't want to know how. You already had trouble understanding I'm the Devil, so we should try not to overstrain your mental capability. I mean, your head is empty, isn't it?"

"Wait, what?"

"Exactly that, thank you for providing me with yet another example," Lucifer said impatiently, but his smile turned softer when he looked at the Detective and Linda, making sure they weren't hurt. "Ohh, Detective! You've never mentioned anything about liking bondage! Hello, doctor."

Yes, Chloe thought to herself, rolling her eyes and sighing with relieved exasperation. Yes, Lucifer was one of the most annoying celestial entities, no doubt about that. The most loved ones, too.

"Hi, Lucifer. It's really good to see you in one piece."

"And what an irresistible, handsome piece it is, Detective." Lucifer didn't look away from the Detective, all smiles and mischievous eyes, but when Sandalphon tried to open his wings, he simply clenched his fist, and suddenly the other angel was yanked to his knees with a surprised grunt. "Anyway, I…"

"Where's my son, Lucifer?" Linda spoke up, interrupting him with a breaking voice. She could try and keep her composure earlier, but seeing Lucifer here without Amenadiel or Charlie was… "You go and get him back, right now. Lucifer, you go and—"

"Oh, the little Urchin is right outside the house." Lucifer pointed at the window, a little confused. Why didn't Linda know that already? Aziraphale had left a long time ago, after all. "I saw Aziraphale miracle up a rattle for him, so he wouldn't cry. The Spawn, not Aziraphale. Although, you know, now I'm not so sure for which one's benefit that was."

Dan nodded at Lucifer's words while still trying to wiggle out of the ropes.

"Yeah, I saw them, too," he confirmed. "I was actually trying to—"

"And neither one of you thought to tell me about it?!"

Both Lucifer and Dan cowered a little at Linda's righteous outburst. Well, yes, maybe they should have led with that.

"Anyway!…" Lucifer cleared his throat, trying to get back to the previous subject. So – to Sandalphon. The angel was grimacing and straining in his attempts to get up. Unfortunately, nothing worked for him. "Anyway, dear Sandy, my Sandy, I'm sure you're glad to see me again, all safe and sound."

"I'd rather see a rat safe and sound," Sandalphon spat, angry and red because of the humiliation. Well, Lucifer could be petty all year round, and he still didn't forget how Sandy had stepped on his bonds, bringing Lucifer to his knees. "If you think you can get away with it—"

"Get away with what, brother?" Lucifer asked when he crouched down, to be at Sandalphon's level. His voice was serious now, barely above a sharp whisper, and yet all the more intimidating because of that. "Can't you feel it? I didn't let Dad out, Sandalphon. It's not a sign of His presence. It's coming from me." Lucifer traced his fingertips along the angel's jaw, making his hair stand on end. "It's my turn now."

Lucifer could pinpoint the moment realization hit Sandalphon. His brother's eyes widened, and it seemed as if he stopped breathing for a moment, utterly terrified. That… that wasn't possible. Lucifer couldn't be… He couldn't… But there was no hiding the power that was rolling off the Lightbringer in waves. The power that could crush every angel there was, every human and every demon like it was nothing.

And Sandalphon had made Lucifer kneel.

He was beyond help. He— he was beyond help.

"My Lord…" Sandalphon caught Lucifer's hand in a sudden, jerky movement, pulling it towards himself just to press nervous kisses to it. "Oh Lord, forgive me, I— I didn't know what I was doing, I— I'll accept every punishment, just let me— let me—"

"Alright, alright, bloody hell, stop— for crying out loud, I don't have my hand sanitizer here— and great, now I have to not only wash my hands, but my ring as well. Lovely." Lucifer tried to get his hand back, already feeling more than just uncomfortable. He was traumatized for all eternity now, once more, thank you very much. If he never felt Sandalphon's lips on him again, it still would be too soon. "Dearie me, stop!"

Sandalphon let go of Lucifer's hand only to press his forehead to the floor, ignoring the stunned looks it got him from the humans witnessing the whole show.

"Forgive me, my Lord, if I only knew…"

"Yeah." Lucifer pulled Sandalphon up and closer to himself, just to start whispering something in his ear. The overwhelming fear on the angel's face was slowly replaced with confusion, and then with straight up bewilderment. "Alright! All good now?" Lucifer clapped his brother on the shoulder when he moved away at last. Sandalphon nodded, slow and unsure. "Great, well, I'm glad we had this talk. Time to go home now. I'll see you at the next family reunion, or whatever Gabriel wants to call it. I'll buy the first round."

"Lucifer…" Chloe started, shifting in her seat, not really understanding yet what was really happening. Since when an angel would call Lucifer his Lord? Had he fallen somehow? "Lucifer, what is going on?"

"Detective! I just—"

Whatever Lucifer was going to say, was interrupted by a loud bang on the roof, then even louder rattling that lasted a good minute, and then a thud outside followed by Aziraphale's worried shouts. Sandalphon used that opportunity to spread his own wings and disappear, obeying the new orders, and Lucifer simply… bit back a grin, got up and walked to the front door.

When he opened it, Crowley was dusting himself off, with Aziraphale standing next to him and rocking the baby. The Principality still seemed quite concerned about the state of the poor demon, if the glances he kept giving Crowley were anything to go by.

"Bumpy road? That house came out of nowhere? Oh, wait, no, I know! A bird was flying by?"

"Shut up, or the gag is making another appearance, and you're not taking it out until your jaw is fucking aching." Crowley warned him without any real heat behind it – just feeling smug about the threat and exasperated with the joke at the same time – before pushing past Lucifer and walking inside. "Why are they still tied up?" With a snap of his fingers the bonds fell down, and Dan sat up properly, rubbing at his wrists. Seriously. That was… He was going to need a beer.

Linda already was rushing to take Charlie from Aziraphale, pulling the boy out of the angel's arms and holding him close to herself. The Principality – while quite taken with the child – still handed off the boy to his mother with visible relief. Crowley rolled his eyes at the sight, deciding that it was a good thing that the two of them would never have to raise a kid together. Although, no, yeah, he could probably make a pretty good nanny, considering all his practice with babysitting Lucifer in Hell.

"Lucifer?" Chloe tapped the Devil's shoulder, and Lucifer turned around with a smile just to have his Detective's arms suddenly wrapped around him. He froze for the shortest of moments before slowly hugging Chloe as well, careful and worshiping. "Don't ever scare me like that again. No more getting kidnapped, Lucifer. Not where I can't follow. And— okay, this is all still fairly new to me, but why did that angel call you his Lord? Are we… done with the Apocalypse? Is Charlie safe again? Are you safe?"

"Yes, yes, and yes, for the three of your four questions, Detective." There was a movement out of the corner of Lucifer's eyes, causing him to notice Dan listening in on their conversation. He grinned before continuing: "As for the fourth one… Let's say that I'll be getting all of Miss Lopez's prayers now."

"What?" Chloe leaned back to stare at Lucifer, eyes wide, but with the beginning of a bewildered smile tugging on the corners of her lips. That couldn't be the truth, could it? How? But… once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, simply must be the truth. And if that was indeed the truth, then the world was in good hands. Kind of. Maybe those hands were also a little irresponsible and itching for drugs way too often, but, yeah. Still good. "Are you actually saying… what I think you're saying?"

"No," Dan said loudly, pointing a finger at Lucifer and shaking it. "No. Absolutely not. This is where I draw the line. You're literally the last person suited for— No. No, no, no. This is some bullshit, okay? You've been stealing and eating my fucking pudding, man! This is— This isn't right! These two things just don't go together! You own a nightclub! Another freakin' thing!"

"Keep going, my Douche, and see if you get a present under your Christmas tree," Lucifer murmured innocently, clearly enjoying the way all blood drained from Dan's face.

"You are not Santa, Morningstar. Get it out of your head."

There was a bit of silence, and:

"Wanna bet, Daniel?"