Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. A. N. Today's prompt is "Best fight against a big villain (in a big arc story line)", and well, this episode gets me every time.

Glorious Dee

He'd wanted to believe that Lucifer was gone. That Michael had taken him out in that other dimension. It wasn't a lie, really. He'd been trying to convince himself more than anything else. He'd never stop having nightmares about the bastard, but...not having to worry about him anymore. About what he'd try next, about how it'd be his fault (always, always his fault, since the start). Really, he should have known better.

Of course Lucifer managed to talk Michael into splitting their universe - both see everything as loot they're entitled to. People are there to be used, played with, or killed, according to mood. With such a similar mindset to begin with, and the fallen angel's talent for sweet-talking, when he wants to, this really is the natural result. You have to know him to know you should never, ever trust him.

It's no wonder the devil had almost snared Jack too - the kid was barely one, for God's sake, despite his appearance and all his powers. Really, it's a miracle that Jack is on his side, enough to demand the truth...and for some reason, compelling enough to get it.

Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut, though. Jack on Lucifer's side would possibly be safe...ish. So long as he kept him happy, at least. It's his fault that Lucifer opens the boy's throat to suck his grace. Sam rushes forward, because of course he does, but it's not like he can actually help.

Lucifer takes him, along with Jack, to...well, he's not sure, not like he knows every church, or that he doesn't have bigger troubles to worry about. The bastard could crush them both, and it's not like they could do anything about it. Their luck is that, as much as he likes some good ol' torture, Lucifer is creative. He does love mind games - it wouldn't be the first time that toying with people ended up being his downfall. If he'd just killed Dean quickly, back then, Sam would have never come through enough to slam the both of them in the cage. And now...well, maybe it's an empty hope. Something he flaunts at them only to rip it away later, He might be lying, even. But even if it's just a few days' reprieve... One of them can walk away.

The choice shouldn't even take a blink, right? Jack might be graceless now, but grace can be gained back. Sam is... truth is, Sam is nothing more than a chew toy Lucifer's grown bored with, after ripping it apart beyond recognition. He's been pieced back together, sure, stitched back by Dean with love and stubbornness until he's somehow functioning, most days. But actually dying? If it can help, well. That's more than okay. He can't handle Lucifer again. Certainly not and win. Jack might have a chance.

Jack is also young, stupid like all kids, and like all kids,he has way too much faith on his parents, and he's picked his own set since before he was born, Sam included, if only because Jack's set has four. Sam tries to talk him out of it, but he would have to watch the baby agonize, if they weren't interrupted.

It's Dean. Correction, it's Dean with Michael, and as worrying as that development is... His brother spreading his wings, like the noblest bird of prey... the word that comes to mind is glorious. When he kicks Lucifer, sending him flying, for a second Sam is back to the kid who absolutely worshipped his big brother, who was every hero ever packed together. The kid who knew that nothing would happen to him, because Dean would rip the lungs out of anything and anyone who tried to hurt him, and wasn't necessarily joking about it.

Of course, things aren't that easy. They never are. With Jack's extra mojo running through him, and Dean's weapon lost in the scuffle, it looks like Lucifer might actually have the upper hand again. They're flying, high above, so it's not like Sam could enter the fray, even if he wanted to, maybe just as a distraction, or a meat shield.

But the archangel blade is glinting on the floor. So... No, he's not going to have to watch his brother be smited. Not exactly something they'd trained for, especially not in this direction, but he can get the blade back to Dean. A single stab, and it's done. Lucifer's wings burned out on the floor. It's finished. They won't have to worry about his next ploy anymore. Lucifer's not going to be able to hurt anyone else, ever again. "You did it," Sam breathes, with all the awe he feels. His big brother making things right. Making sure Sammy won't have to keep choking on terror, besides the occasional memory. Dean - his saviour, his everything. Sam can't help if he grins like a kid.

"No, no we did it," his brother replies, sounding just as elated. And then, of course, things go to shit again.

Because Michael's intent on keeping him, and no, no. Dean doesn't agree, so by angel rules - well, other universes play by other rules. It makes sense, but it doesn't gut Sam any less when his brother is taken away. They have a mad archangel on the run, and as ever, he's helpless to stop it. And it's his fault. Dean wouldn't have taken Michael in if he didn't have to save Sammy. Why is he always the one who ruins everything?