Lucifer was walking towards his quarters after searching all of the Silver City for Michael. Michael's absence had been pleasing at first, but after a few days, it began to make him nervous. Who knew what the little bastard was up to? All he did know was that his twin had been much too quiet.

Lucifer ran into Gabriel on his way. "Ah, so you're back from your secret mission, are you?"

Gabriel could sense the bitterness in his brother's voice. "Come on, Sam, you can't fault me for following Dad's orders. I may answer to you now, but we both know we all answer to him first."

Lucifer just rolled his eyes and decided to change the subject. "Have you seen Michael?"

"No, my day hasn't been ruined yet. I'm kind of surprised you'd want to ruin yours by looking for him," Gabriel said.

"My day was ruined when I woke up this morning and realized I was still here," Lucifer retorted. "The bloody idiot has been MIA since he learned I was Dad's new second."

"So he's sulking. Look, humans have this saying. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I think it means something along the lines of don't question a good thing," Gabriel said.

"Yeah, well, they have another saying. If something is too good to be true, it usually bloody is," Lucifer said. He would love to be happy that Michael was out of his hair, but he also knew his brother enough to worry about what he was up to.

"You think Michael's gonna start a rebellion. He's not that stupid," Gabriel said. Granted, Michael was pretty stupid, but he had to no better than that.

Lucifer glared at his brother in response.

"Sorry, no offense. I'm just saying we all know the consequences now. No one would dare, not even Michael. Hell, I don't even think you would again," Gabriel said.

Lucifer couldn't deny that, but it wasn't really because of the consequences to him personally. He just wasn't that person anymore. He wasn't willing to start a war for his own desires. "Yes, well, I can admit that the rebellion wasn't my best moment, but it wasn't anyone else's either."

"Agreed," Gabriel said. Mistakes were made from all of them during that time, even their father. He just hoped those mistakes could all be repaired. There was certainly a better chance now that Samael was home.

"As for Michael's stupidity, it shouldn't be underestimated," Lucifer said.

"Probably not, but the idiot's probably just sulking like a teenager because Dad put him in place in front of everyone," Gabriel said with a grin. That had been one of his favorite memories as of later. He hated Michael, so he took a lot of enjoyment in those moments.

"Yes, that was lovely, wasn't it. Dad is good for something," Lucifer said before walking away.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Azrael was walking through the Silvery City. She'd gotten one of her siblings to cover her duties while she took a much needed break. She was headed for the Garden. It always made her feel peaceful to stroll through the Garden and gather her thoughts.

As Azrael walked, she felt a body knock into her, stopping her in her tracks. She looked up to see Michael in front of her.

"Watch where you're going, Azrael," Michael snapped.

Azrael sighed. "Michael, how about for one you don't act like yourself and try not to be such a dick? Where have you been anyway? Samael has been looking for you."

"I don't care if the bastard is looking for me. I don't answer to him," Michael sneered. He didn't care if his father had made his twin his second. He refused to answer to him. He was much better than Samael could ever be.

"Uh, yeah, you do. Have you already forgotten what happened when you tried to challenge his authority with Dad?" Azrael asked.

"I will not answer to that monster just because Father has lost his mind. I will show him reason soon enough," Michael said.

"Careful, Michael. Don't forget what happened the last time someone tried to force Dad's hand. And Samael was his favorite. Most days, I think he can barely stand you," Azrael said.

Michael grabbed her roughly by the arms. "How dare you?! You will never compare me to that monster! You will not disrespect me! I am better…"

"Release her!"

"Michael looked up to see his twin approaching. "This does not concern you! Leave!"

"You will release her at once, Michael," Lucifer said in a steel voice.

"It's okay, Sam, I'm good," Azrael said before kneeing her brother in the stomach, forcing him to let her go.

"Ah! You little bitch!" Michael yelled.

"Next time you'll keep your hands to yourself. Be glad I didn't aim lower," Azrael said with a smirk.

Lucifer smiled at his sister and approached his brother. "Where have you been. I know you haven't been in the Silver City."

"None of your concern," Michael said with a glare.

"Unfortunately for both of us, it is my concern. Tell me what you were doing," Lucifer ordered.

"I will not answer your demands. I don't care what Father says. He will see his mistakes soon enough and send you back to Hell where you belong!" Michael snarled.

Lucifer laughed. "I believe you said the same when you told me he wished to see me. It didn't exactly work out for you, did it. Of course, it didn't work out for me either."

"You are not worthy of even being here, let alone being Father's second in command. It should be mine!"

"Dad disagrees, and for once I agree with him. You can't be trusted to make the important decisions. You would use the position as nothing more than a way to lord it over everyone else," Lucifer said.

"Yeah, and we all know your ego doesn't need that boost. You already think you're more important than you are," Azrael added.

"I am more worthy than any of you! Mother has always seen that," Michael said.

Lucifer chuckled. "Yes, because she knew she could easily mold you into what she wanted with her praise. She did you no favors. She ruined any chances you ever had of being a decent person. Don't leave the Silver City again without telling me," he said before walking away. Normally, it wouldn't really bother him if one of his siblings decided to take a vacation elsewhere, but Michael couldn't be trusted. Lucifer didn't know what Michael was up to, but he was sure there was something.

Azrael, meanwhile, continued on to her original destination.

Michael smirked when they were gone and pulled an object from his pocket he'd managed to grab from Azrael and stow away when he'd bumped into her. Her blade.