"Foro dega la moray!", Rowena shouted with her arms raised in the air. The sigils on the outside of the cage began to glow white hot. A grin crossed her face as she continued the spell. "Mah ho tah!" A ring of fire sprang up, surrounding the cage. Her smile widened. "Now, let's have a go at that Cage. Foh Reh Say-Lah" The anxiety on Sam's face was evident and he was breathing heavily.
"It begins", Crowley whispered. Sam, Rowena and Crowley stood motionless in front of the cell as the storm continued to rage overhead. Sam knew that the fear in his eyes would make him appear weak so he moved away from Crowley and into the shadows. In the cage, the outline of a person appeared in the darkness. He was in shadow and his eyes glowed red. As he walked out of the dark, his red eyes faded. Lucifer leaned nonchalantly against the bars of the holding cell. His expression was bored like he had better things to do with his time.
"What do you want of me?" Sam suddenly walked out of the shadows and Lucifer grinned like the Cheshire Cat. Sam stood in front of the cage, determined not to show fear. " Sam Winchester. My old roomie", Lucifer whispered. "Hug it out?" Lucifer held his arms out like he expected Sam to run up and give him a great big bear hug. "How's that little sister of yours? Amanda, wasn't it?" Lucifer shoved his face up against the bars and beckoned Sam closer with his finger. "I think she was sweet on me, Sam", Lucifer whispered. "She couldn't take her eyes off me!" His baiting words and his childish giggle made Sam see red.
"Don't you ever mention her name again, angel!", Sam spat under his breath as he shook with rage. Lucifer rolled his eyes at Sam and stood up straight with a sigh. "She has nothing to do with this." Lucifer's eyebrows rose up and he nodded noncommittally. He wasn't buying that for a second, but he let it go. For now. He decided to change the subject, but he was definitely going to revisit the issue of delectable little Amanda. If only to torment Sam.
"I gotta say, I'm a little in the dark about this meeting. Am I up for parole? Time off for bad behavior?" He laughed at Sam mockingly. Sam's strong jaw muscles twitched. He was losing patience with Lucifer and his jokes. "I don't really get visitors"
"If it weren't for the crisis top-side, you wouldn't be getting one now", Sam growled.
"Crisis?", Lucifer fanned concern, pressing a finger to his lips.
"You're aware of the Darkness?" Sam walked closer to the cage, but stayed clear of the flames. Lucifer inhaled sharply.
"Yikes, that doesn't sound good. Um, I'm aware of what she was, but that was eons ago."
"She's been released. So now she's somewhere or everywhere on earth", Sam said quietly. Lucifer lowered his head to hide the smirk on his face. He was liking where this was going. Any opportunity to take a jab at the Winchesters was to be taken advantage of.
"How ever did that happen, Sam?", Lucifer asked sarcastically. "Were you three kids pissing in somebody else's pool again?" Sam continued, trying to ignore the ribbing.
"The point is... she poses a threat to all that exists, including you."
"Why isn't dear old dad taking care of my naughty auntie?", Lucifer pouted. He knew full well what the answer would be. He just wanted to hear Sam say it. Sam so did NOT want to answer that question, but what choice did he have now? He needed Lucifer's help. So he answered the question without really answering the question.
"All current indications of his presence are that there are no current indications of his presence."
"What? Caught the fun bus out of town? Figures", Lucifer muttered, shacking his head.
"But, recently, he has reached out to an interested party", Sam said with a smirk. "Me." Lucifer's eyebrows shot up and he pointed at Sam with a questioning look. "He answered my prayers."
"Did he now? And, what was Dad's suggestion?", Lucifer whispered softly. He was trying hard to hold back the giggles so as not to give anything away. "Wait! Let me guess. Dad needs my help putting the cat back in the bag! Am I right?"
"So to speak, yes", Sam grumbled.
"I completely get why you came to me. You can't ignore God, right? God says jump, everybody says how high?", Lucifer quipped.
"So, does this mean you are on board?", Sam asked hopefully. Lucifer set the hook, now he just had to reel in his catch.
"I'm on board, Sam. But there's just one little problem." The fish was almost in the boat now.
"And what problem is that, Lucifer", Sam breathed a frustrated sigh.
"I need a ride out of here. I mean, I look swell in here and everything, but I'd be so much smoke top-side", Lucifer said, pouting again.
"You want a vessel", Sam groaned. His prize was nearly his. He just had to keep the line from snapping.
"One who is strong enough to hold me, handy, and available now." Lucifer stared at Sam and Sam stared right back. "Catch my drift?" Sam knew full well what Lucifer was getting at and he shot the Archangel a dirty look.
"So, what, I just disappear while you take my body and get set loose on the world again?", Sam snarled. The line was dangerously taunt. If Lucifer didn't do something quick, he'd lose the biggest catch of his life. So he let out some line and let his fish run a bit.
"Sam, why do you think God sent you to me? To get my help, which I only now just offered. Sam, your visions were the Word of God. You can't say no to that." Sam thought about what Lucifer said. Sam looked defeated and alone. Lucifer could tell that his fish was beginning to tire and he slowly began to reel him in again with a gentle smile.
" So, have you thought about it, Sam? Do I have an invitation to look forward to?", Lucifer purred. Sam looked back at the others. They can all see the uncertainty in his eyes. 'Almost got 'em', Lucifer thought to himself. 'He'll be on my wall soon enough.'
"No. I won't do it. There has to be another way", Sam croaked, his throat closing up on him. It seemed his trophy still had some fight left in him. But Lucifer almost had him in his net. He's not gonna let his pretty fishy get away. Not this time. Lucifer looked down as the warding on the cage began to fade. Sam turned around and watched as the flames surrounding the cell started to die out.
"What the hell is going on?", Crowley snarled, just as the fire around the cage is completely extinguished. Crowley turned to Rowena in a panic. "Why did the warding fail? What's happening"
"Follow me Fergus", Rowena said calmly. She strode into the darkness and out of sight with Crowley following close behind. Lucifer motioned with his finger for Sam to come closer and he was suddenly inside the cage with his worst nightmare.
"Together again, Sammy!", Lucifer crowed, walking toward him. Sam stumbled back into the corner against the bars in terror. He threw his hands out in a defensive posture.
"Hey, Sam Winchester. Did you miss me? I bet you did." Lucifer's eyes glowed red as he loomed over the terrified hunter.
"I certainly missed you!"