p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"(Longest chapter yet. Mostly because it pretty closely follows changing channels, right up till the end.)/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, were chasing another case while they waited for more information on the apocalypse. In Wellington, Ohio a "bear" had killed someone in an unusual manner, it sounded too odd to be an actual bear though. When the siblings got there, they were able to talk to the witness – the victim's wife, and she claimed the incredible hulk had killed her husband./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"More digging turned up that the victim had a temper, including domestic abuse. And a plethora of candy wrappers at the crime scene. All of the evidence pointed to a trickster, and given the victimology, possibly their trickster./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Sam had the idea of asking the trickster to help, he was incredibly powerful and could potentially be useful. Dean was more resistant to the idea, but was eventually convinced. The two manned a police radio, and eventually an unusual call came in, leading them to an abandoned warehouse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Noting the lack of any police, or any people for that matter, the pair grabbed their weapons and cautiously stepped through the door. Almost immediately they found themselves in the halls of a hospital, dressed in scrubs. Dean opened the door they came through, only to find a cleaning closet and a couple making out. It didn't take Dean long to recognize the setting from his show, Dr. Sexy MD./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The pair wandered around, attempting to figure out what they hell happened. All while Dean explained the characters, which Sam found both amusing and a little cringey. Soon Dean geeked out over Dr. Sexy himself coming down. As a fan, Dean noticed the discrepancy in the footwear of the fake doctor and slammed the character against the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"When Dean didn't back down, time froze and the doctor morphed into the typical form of their trickster – a shorter man with light brown hair and amber eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You guys are getting better!" the trickster complimented./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Get us the hell out of here," threatened Dean./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Or what?" the trickster pushed Dean's arm down with surprising force. "Don't see your wooden stakes big guy."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""That was you on the police scanner, right?" asked Sam. "This is a trick."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Helllloooo," the trickster gestured to himself, "trickster."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The trickster proudly showed off his creation./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""How do we get out?" Dean growled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""That my friend is the 64 dollar question."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Whatever, we, we just need to talk to you," Sam stated./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The trickster hummed, "Let me guess. You two mutton heads broke the world, and you want me to sweep up the mess."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Please," Sam pleaded. "Just five minutes. Hear us out."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Sure," the trickster shrugged. "Tell you what, survive the next 24 hours, we'll talk."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Survive what?!" Dean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""The game!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What game?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You're in it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""How do we play?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You're playing it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What are the rules?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The trickster just grinned and wiggled his eyebrows before disappearing. Everything returned to normal, and the brothers continued wandering, trying to figure out how to win. When Dean was shot though, that felt real, and Sam was forced to perform the surgery. All he could do was a junkyard patch-job./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"As Dean stared at the blue floor, lights began flashing and suddenly the scene changed. Now both brothers were in their normal clothes again, but their feet were locked into place in a weird podium across from each other. What appeared to be a gameshow host was speaking rapidly in what sounded like Japanese./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"When Sam was unable to answer the question, a ball on a stick sprung up to smack him in a very sensitive area. Dean was quick to notice his own set-up was the same, and getting worried, he couldn't help but to idly pray to Castiel, not even really trying to./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The door behind them started lighting up again and the brothers could not help but be worried for what was next. Fortunately it was Castiel, coming to the rescue having located the pair using Dean's accidental prayer./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Is this another trick?" asked Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Uh, it's me. What are you guys doing here?" the angel sounded confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What are you doing here?" Dean questioned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Looking for you, you've been missing for days."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""So get us the hell out of here!" Sam snapped./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Let's go," the angel stepped forward to snap the siblings back to reality, but disappeared with a flash of static./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""No, no, no," the show host came over waving his finger. "Mr. Trickster does not like pretty boy angels."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"He began the show again, questioning Dean this time. Dean began freaking out, not knowing what to do. The answer hit Sam quickly, they had to play along, play the role the trickster assigned them in whatever show he dropped them in. He was quick to share this information with his brother, and Dean played the role./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The scene changed again, and again. Finally the pair ended up in a sitcom motel room. It did not take long for Castiel to return, looking a little bit up with a cut on his nose and forehead./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I don't have much time," the angel stated./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You okay?" Dean queried./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I got out."br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /!- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /!-[endif]-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""From where?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Listen to me, something is not right. This thing is much more powerful than it should be."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What thing? The trickster?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""If it is a trickster."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What do you mean?" asked Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Before their angel could answer he was flung back against the wall. As he stood up, a piece of duct-tape suddenly covering his mouth, the trickster pranced in./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Hi Castiel!" greeted the trickster, before waving his hand and the angel disappeared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Where did you just send him?" asked Dean, upset./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Relax," the trickster hummed. "He'll live. Maybe."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""All right, I'm done with the monkey dance. We get it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Oh, yeah? Get what, hot shot?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Playing our roles! That's the game."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""That's emhalf /emthe game," corrected the creature./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What's the other half?" Sam countered, maintaining his cool better than his brother./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Play your roles, out there," replied the trickster./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What's that supposed to mean?" Dean wanted to know./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You know, Sam starring as Lucifer. Dean starring as Michael. Your celebrity death match. Play your roles."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You want us to say yes to those sons of bitches?" Sam asked, angry and confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Hells yeah," the creature replied. "Let's light this candle!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""We do that, the world will end!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Yeah? And, who's fault is that? Who popped Lucifer out of the box? Look, it's started. You started it. It can't be stopped, so let's get it over with!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Heaven or hell? Which side you on?" Dean asked flatly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I'm not on either side," the trickster claimed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Yeah, right. You're grabbing ankle for Michael or Lucifer. Which one is it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Despite still smiling, the tricksters' eyes changed and he suddenly looked a lot more dangerous. "You listen to me you arrogant dick. I don't work for either of those s.o.b's, believe me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Oh, you're somebody's bitch," Dean didn't believe the statement./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"All traces of humor gone, the creature roughly grabbed Dean and slammed him against the now closed door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Don't you ever, emever,/em presume to know what I am," he stared the brothers down for a few long seconds. "Now listen closely, here's what's going to happen. You're going to suck it up, accept your responsibilities and play the roles that destiny has chosen for you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""And if we don't?" asked Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Then you'll stay here in T.V land. Forever. 300 channels, and nothings on," he snapped his fingers and the scene changed yet again./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"This time the pair were detectives in a crime drama. The brothers were quick to come up with a plan to defeat the trickster. Dean touches a sharp stick at the victims stab wound, coating it in blood, as he and Sam keep coming up with cheesy one-liners. When the opportunity presents itself, Dean stabs the forensics man, causing the trickster to reveal himself. Sam appears behind the creature, driving a larger stake trough it. The trickster drops to the ground and it seems that the show dissipates around them as the brothers are now in the warehouse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The next morning though, as Dean is getting ready he notices Sam is not in the room, nor is he answering his phone. Getting ready to search for him, Dean slides into the impala, only for the Car to start talking in Sam's voice. The pair realize they hadn't yet killed this trickster./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"As Dean drives the pair talk, trying to figure out what had happened. Soon Dean figures it out and they set up their trap. Dean calls the trickster down and he appears, eventually turning Sam back to normal./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Tell me one thing, why didn't the stake kill you?" Dean wants to know./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I am The Trickster," the creature replies./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Well, maybe you're not," Dean states, as his brother starts a lighter and ignites the holy oil. "Maybe you've always been an angel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""A what?" the trickster laughs. "Somebody slip a mickey in your power-shake kid?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Tell you what, you just jump out of the holy fire and we'll call it our mistake."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The creature laughs without humor, and the setting disappears around them back into the warehouse. He claps sardonically, "Well played boys, well played. Where'd I screw up?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You didn't," answered Sam. "But nobody gets the jump on Cass like you did."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Mostly it was the way you talked about armageddon," Dean continued./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Meaning?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Well, call it personal experience, but nobody gets that angry unless they're talking about their own family."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""So which one are you?" Sam snarks. "Grumpy, sneezy, or douchey?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Gabriel, okay," admits the now revealed angel quietly. "They call me Gabriel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""The archangel?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Guilty."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Okay, Gabriel," Dean demands. "How does an archangel become a trickster?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""My own private witness protection. Skipped out of heaven. Had a little face transplant. Carved out my own little corner of the world. Till you two screwed it all up."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""And what did daddy say when you ran off and joined the pagans?" Dean attempts to needle./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Daddy doesn't say anything, about anything," the archangel states flatly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Then what happened?" Sam wants to know. "Why'd you ditch?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Can you blame him? I mean his brothers are heavenly douche-nozzles," Dean answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Shut your cakehole," Gabriel threatens. "You don't know anything about my family. I loved my father, my brothers. Loved them. But watching them turn on each other? Tear at each other's throats? I couldn't bare it, okay! So I left. And now it's happening all over again."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Then help us stop it," Sam pleaded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""It can't be stopped," scoffed the archangel./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You want to see the end of the world?" Dean queries angrily./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I want it to be over! I have to sit back and watch my own brothers kill each other! Thanks to you two! Heaven, Hell, I don't care who wins! I just want it to be over."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""It doesn't have to be like that," Sam argues. "There has to be some way to pull the plug."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Gabriel laughs without humor, "You do not know my family. What you guys call the apocalypse, I used to call Sunday dinner. That's why there's no stopping this. Because this isn't about a war, it's about two brothers that loved each other, and betrayed each other. You think you'd be able to relate!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What are you talking about?" Sam asks, confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You sorry sons of bitches. Why do you think you two are the vessels? Think about it. Michael, the big brother, loyal to an absent father. And Lucifer, the little brother, rebellious of daddy's plan. You were born to this boys. It's your destiny! It was always you! As it is in heaven, so it must be on earth. One brother has to kill the other."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What the hell are you saying?" Dean snaps./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Why do you think I've always taken such an interest in you Because from the moment dad flipped on the lights around here, we knew it was all going to end with you. Always."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""No, that's not going to happen," Dean states./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I'm sorry, but it is. Guys, I wish this were a tv show. Easy answers, ending wrapped up in a bow. But this is real. And it's going to end bloody for all of us. That's just how it's gotta be."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Everyone is quiet for several long minutes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Gabriel breaks the silence, "So boys. Now what? Stare at each other for the rest of eternity?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Well, first of all, you're going to bring Cass back from wherever you stashed him," Dean demands./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Oh am I?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Yeah, or we're going to dunk you in holy oil and deep fry ourselves an archangel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Finally Gabriel capitulates and returns the younger angel with a snap of fingers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Cass? You okay?" Dean asks, concerned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I'm fine. Hello Gabriel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Hey Cassie," sates the archangel. "How's the search for daddy going? Let me guess, awful."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Castiel starts a little at the use of that nickname. Only his mother had ever called him Cassie, and it had been millennia since he's last heard that nickname./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Okay, we're out of here," Dean says quietly. "C'mon Sam."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Uh, ok. Guys? So what? You're gonna leave me here forever?" Gabriel complains./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""No," says Dean, "We're not. Because we don't screw with people the way you do. And for the record, this isn't about some prize fight between your brothers, or some destiny that can't be stopped. This is about you being too afraid to stand up to your family."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"He activates the fire system, "Don't say I never did anything for you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The three leave the archangel in the dying flames and quickly move on./p
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/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Once the flames are gone, the rogue archangel is quick to evacuate the area and flee to one of his many safe houses. He has much to think about after this encounter with the human brothers. He remains there, almost in a meditative state as he replays everything. What happened during the civil war when Lucifer was first locked up, and the following events as Michael hunted down any remaining followers – even one's who had fought on his side, if their bond-mate had fought on Lucifer's side, they weren't spared the eldest archangels wrath. The long years of waiting, knowing this moment would come and dreading it. The surety and hope of the Winchester's that things could be changed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"When he emerges, Gabriel finds that several months have passed. Gabriel still didn't know what he was going to do, in his mind nothing could stop Lucifer and Michael. Lucifer was too stubborn and too hurt to change his path, and Michael too convinced this would bring dad back, too vicious in his certainty of being right. One thing he did know was that he had to set things right by Castiel, the youngest angel deserved answers to questions that had been taken from him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, were chasing another case while they waited for more information on the apocalypse. In Wellington, Ohio a "bear" had killed someone in an unusual manner, it sounded too odd to be an actual bear though. When the siblings got there, they were able to talk to the witness – the victim's wife, and she claimed the incredible hulk had killed her husband./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"More digging turned up that the victim had a temper, including domestic abuse. And a plethora of candy wrappers at the crime scene. All of the evidence pointed to a trickster, and given the victimology, possibly their trickster./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Sam had the idea of asking the trickster to help, he was incredibly powerful and could potentially be useful. Dean was more resistant to the idea, but was eventually convinced. The two manned a police radio, and eventually an unusual call came in, leading them to an abandoned warehouse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Noting the lack of any police, or any people for that matter, the pair grabbed their weapons and cautiously stepped through the door. Almost immediately they found themselves in the halls of a hospital, dressed in scrubs. Dean opened the door they came through, only to find a cleaning closet and a couple making out. It didn't take Dean long to recognize the setting from his show, Dr. Sexy MD./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The pair wandered around, attempting to figure out what they hell happened. All while Dean explained the characters, which Sam found both amusing and a little cringey. Soon Dean geeked out over Dr. Sexy himself coming down. As a fan, Dean noticed the discrepancy in the footwear of the fake doctor and slammed the character against the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"When Dean didn't back down, time froze and the doctor morphed into the typical form of their trickster – a shorter man with light brown hair and amber eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You guys are getting better!" the trickster complimented./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Get us the hell out of here," threatened Dean./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Or what?" the trickster pushed Dean's arm down with surprising force. "Don't see your wooden stakes big guy."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""That was you on the police scanner, right?" asked Sam. "This is a trick."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Helllloooo," the trickster gestured to himself, "trickster."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The trickster proudly showed off his creation./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""How do we get out?" Dean growled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""That my friend is the 64 dollar question."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Whatever, we, we just need to talk to you," Sam stated./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The trickster hummed, "Let me guess. You two mutton heads broke the world, and you want me to sweep up the mess."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Please," Sam pleaded. "Just five minutes. Hear us out."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Sure," the trickster shrugged. "Tell you what, survive the next 24 hours, we'll talk."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Survive what?!" Dean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""The game!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What game?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You're in it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""How do we play?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You're playing it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What are the rules?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The trickster just grinned and wiggled his eyebrows before disappearing. Everything returned to normal, and the brothers continued wandering, trying to figure out how to win. When Dean was shot though, that felt real, and Sam was forced to perform the surgery. All he could do was a junkyard patch-job./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"As Dean stared at the blue floor, lights began flashing and suddenly the scene changed. Now both brothers were in their normal clothes again, but their feet were locked into place in a weird podium across from each other. What appeared to be a gameshow host was speaking rapidly in what sounded like Japanese./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"When Sam was unable to answer the question, a ball on a stick sprung up to smack him in a very sensitive area. Dean was quick to notice his own set-up was the same, and getting worried, he couldn't help but to idly pray to Castiel, not even really trying to./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The door behind them started lighting up again and the brothers could not help but be worried for what was next. Fortunately it was Castiel, coming to the rescue having located the pair using Dean's accidental prayer./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Is this another trick?" asked Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Uh, it's me. What are you guys doing here?" the angel sounded confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What are you doing here?" Dean questioned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Looking for you, you've been missing for days."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""So get us the hell out of here!" Sam snapped./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Let's go," the angel stepped forward to snap the siblings back to reality, but disappeared with a flash of static./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""No, no, no," the show host came over waving his finger. "Mr. Trickster does not like pretty boy angels."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"He began the show again, questioning Dean this time. Dean began freaking out, not knowing what to do. The answer hit Sam quickly, they had to play along, play the role the trickster assigned them in whatever show he dropped them in. He was quick to share this information with his brother, and Dean played the role./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The scene changed again, and again. Finally the pair ended up in a sitcom motel room. It did not take long for Castiel to return, looking a little bit up with a cut on his nose and forehead./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I don't have much time," the angel stated./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You okay?" Dean queried./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I got out."br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /!- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /!-[endif]-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""From where?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Listen to me, something is not right. This thing is much more powerful than it should be."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What thing? The trickster?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""If it is a trickster."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What do you mean?" asked Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Before their angel could answer he was flung back against the wall. As he stood up, a piece of duct-tape suddenly covering his mouth, the trickster pranced in./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Hi Castiel!" greeted the trickster, before waving his hand and the angel disappeared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Where did you just send him?" asked Dean, upset./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Relax," the trickster hummed. "He'll live. Maybe."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""All right, I'm done with the monkey dance. We get it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Oh, yeah? Get what, hot shot?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Playing our roles! That's the game."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""That's emhalf /emthe game," corrected the creature./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What's the other half?" Sam countered, maintaining his cool better than his brother./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Play your roles, out there," replied the trickster./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What's that supposed to mean?" Dean wanted to know./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You know, Sam starring as Lucifer. Dean starring as Michael. Your celebrity death match. Play your roles."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You want us to say yes to those sons of bitches?" Sam asked, angry and confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Hells yeah," the creature replied. "Let's light this candle!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""We do that, the world will end!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Yeah? And, who's fault is that? Who popped Lucifer out of the box? Look, it's started. You started it. It can't be stopped, so let's get it over with!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Heaven or hell? Which side you on?" Dean asked flatly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I'm not on either side," the trickster claimed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Yeah, right. You're grabbing ankle for Michael or Lucifer. Which one is it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Despite still smiling, the tricksters' eyes changed and he suddenly looked a lot more dangerous. "You listen to me you arrogant dick. I don't work for either of those s.o.b's, believe me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Oh, you're somebody's bitch," Dean didn't believe the statement./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"All traces of humor gone, the creature roughly grabbed Dean and slammed him against the now closed door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Don't you ever, emever,/em presume to know what I am," he stared the brothers down for a few long seconds. "Now listen closely, here's what's going to happen. You're going to suck it up, accept your responsibilities and play the roles that destiny has chosen for you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""And if we don't?" asked Sam./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Then you'll stay here in T.V land. Forever. 300 channels, and nothings on," he snapped his fingers and the scene changed yet again./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"This time the pair were detectives in a crime drama. The brothers were quick to come up with a plan to defeat the trickster. Dean touches a sharp stick at the victims stab wound, coating it in blood, as he and Sam keep coming up with cheesy one-liners. When the opportunity presents itself, Dean stabs the forensics man, causing the trickster to reveal himself. Sam appears behind the creature, driving a larger stake trough it. The trickster drops to the ground and it seems that the show dissipates around them as the brothers are now in the warehouse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The next morning though, as Dean is getting ready he notices Sam is not in the room, nor is he answering his phone. Getting ready to search for him, Dean slides into the impala, only for the Car to start talking in Sam's voice. The pair realize they hadn't yet killed this trickster./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"As Dean drives the pair talk, trying to figure out what had happened. Soon Dean figures it out and they set up their trap. Dean calls the trickster down and he appears, eventually turning Sam back to normal./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Tell me one thing, why didn't the stake kill you?" Dean wants to know./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I am The Trickster," the creature replies./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Well, maybe you're not," Dean states, as his brother starts a lighter and ignites the holy oil. "Maybe you've always been an angel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""A what?" the trickster laughs. "Somebody slip a mickey in your power-shake kid?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Tell you what, you just jump out of the holy fire and we'll call it our mistake."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The creature laughs without humor, and the setting disappears around them back into the warehouse. He claps sardonically, "Well played boys, well played. Where'd I screw up?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You didn't," answered Sam. "But nobody gets the jump on Cass like you did."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Mostly it was the way you talked about armageddon," Dean continued./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Meaning?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Well, call it personal experience, but nobody gets that angry unless they're talking about their own family."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""So which one are you?" Sam snarks. "Grumpy, sneezy, or douchey?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Gabriel, okay," admits the now revealed angel quietly. "They call me Gabriel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""The archangel?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Guilty."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Okay, Gabriel," Dean demands. "How does an archangel become a trickster?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""My own private witness protection. Skipped out of heaven. Had a little face transplant. Carved out my own little corner of the world. Till you two screwed it all up."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""And what did daddy say when you ran off and joined the pagans?" Dean attempts to needle./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Daddy doesn't say anything, about anything," the archangel states flatly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Then what happened?" Sam wants to know. "Why'd you ditch?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Can you blame him? I mean his brothers are heavenly douche-nozzles," Dean answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Shut your cakehole," Gabriel threatens. "You don't know anything about my family. I loved my father, my brothers. Loved them. But watching them turn on each other? Tear at each other's throats? I couldn't bare it, okay! So I left. And now it's happening all over again."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Then help us stop it," Sam pleaded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""It can't be stopped," scoffed the archangel./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You want to see the end of the world?" Dean queries angrily./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I want it to be over! I have to sit back and watch my own brothers kill each other! Thanks to you two! Heaven, Hell, I don't care who wins! I just want it to be over."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""It doesn't have to be like that," Sam argues. "There has to be some way to pull the plug."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Gabriel laughs without humor, "You do not know my family. What you guys call the apocalypse, I used to call Sunday dinner. That's why there's no stopping this. Because this isn't about a war, it's about two brothers that loved each other, and betrayed each other. You think you'd be able to relate!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What are you talking about?" Sam asks, confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""You sorry sons of bitches. Why do you think you two are the vessels? Think about it. Michael, the big brother, loyal to an absent father. And Lucifer, the little brother, rebellious of daddy's plan. You were born to this boys. It's your destiny! It was always you! As it is in heaven, so it must be on earth. One brother has to kill the other."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""What the hell are you saying?" Dean snaps./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Why do you think I've always taken such an interest in you Because from the moment dad flipped on the lights around here, we knew it was all going to end with you. Always."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""No, that's not going to happen," Dean states./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I'm sorry, but it is. Guys, I wish this were a tv show. Easy answers, ending wrapped up in a bow. But this is real. And it's going to end bloody for all of us. That's just how it's gotta be."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Everyone is quiet for several long minutes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Gabriel breaks the silence, "So boys. Now what? Stare at each other for the rest of eternity?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Well, first of all, you're going to bring Cass back from wherever you stashed him," Dean demands./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Oh am I?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Yeah, or we're going to dunk you in holy oil and deep fry ourselves an archangel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Finally Gabriel capitulates and returns the younger angel with a snap of fingers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Cass? You okay?" Dean asks, concerned./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""I'm fine. Hello Gabriel."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Hey Cassie," sates the archangel. "How's the search for daddy going? Let me guess, awful."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Castiel starts a little at the use of that nickname. Only his mother had ever called him Cassie, and it had been millennia since he's last heard that nickname./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Okay, we're out of here," Dean says quietly. "C'mon Sam."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""Uh, ok. Guys? So what? You're gonna leave me here forever?" Gabriel complains./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;""No," says Dean, "We're not. Because we don't screw with people the way you do. And for the record, this isn't about some prize fight between your brothers, or some destiny that can't be stopped. This is about you being too afraid to stand up to your family."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"He activates the fire system, "Don't say I never did anything for you."/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"The three leave the archangel in the dying flames and quickly move on./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"Once the flames are gone, the rogue archangel is quick to evacuate the area and flee to one of his many safe houses. He has much to think about after this encounter with the human brothers. He remains there, almost in a meditative state as he replays everything. What happened during the civil war when Lucifer was first locked up, and the following events as Michael hunted down any remaining followers – even one's who had fought on his side, if their bond-mate had fought on Lucifer's side, they weren't spared the eldest archangels wrath. The long years of waiting, knowing this moment would come and dreading it. The surety and hope of the Winchester's that things could be changed./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"When he emerges, Gabriel finds that several months have passed. Gabriel still didn't know what he was going to do, in his mind nothing could stop Lucifer and Michael. Lucifer was too stubborn and too hurt to change his path, and Michael too convinced this would bring dad back, too vicious in his certainty of being right. One thing he did know was that he had to set things right by Castiel, the youngest angel deserved answers to questions that had been taken from him./p