"So, anything new in the Empty?"

Michael jumped a little as Dean fell into step with him, the archangel bristling slightly for just a second before he managed to recover. Truthfully, he'd gotten kind of used to the scares by now; It had been five days since Rowena and Crowley had showed up at Chuck's, and since they'd all started working together - minus Adam, of course - to work on the Cage. In that time, Dean had taken to popping out of nowhere in their head, giving Michael no real time to be startled before the archangel had to react. So, yes, he was a little used to the jumpscares by now, and so his answer came quickly as he continued along through the darkness, searching for a particular memory as he frowned. "No, not really. We're just trying to work out whether the sigils are working well enough to de-power him. He hasn't made any real attempt to escape yet, so I don't know if it's sapping his strength or not."

"What're you looking for now?" Dean questioned, flicking his gaze around as they walked. Michael frowned slightly to himself, shaking his head and pushing past each of the memories, drowning out the words being spoken. He had to focus here.

"When Father sealed Amara away, he locked her in something of a room filled with Enochian symbols created solely to hold her," the archangel explained, mildly frustrated. "I was able to catch a glimpse of it when we were taking her down, but I can't remember exactly what they looked like, or even how to re-create them. Amara's not much help, either," he added when Dean opened his mouth, already knowing what the hunter was about to suggest. "Father consumed the room in eternal darkness the moment she was inside, simply so that she couldn't mess with the symbols and free herself. So she doesn't have a clue what they look like."

"Damn," Dean muttered, looking a little irked now, himself. "So basically, we've got next to nothing on the Cage until you can find these symbols."

"Basically," Michael echoed with a sigh, rubbing a hand down his face. "Lucifer has something in mind he's testing out now, with the chains, but he doesn't know if it's strong enough for what we need. Billie thinks she has something," he added, frowning, "some notes the old Death left behind, she's going through them. Amara thinks it's a waste of time, but…"

"The old Death told me he'd reap God one day," Dean commented, an odd look crossing his face for a moment. Michael glanced over at him, blinking. "Hell, he might have known a little something-something. Just hope he actually did leave notes of it, 'cause if not, we're screwed." He grimaced, looking back over at the archangel. "So that ring that Adam said Bela was searching for- Sam and I were talking, and we figured it might be a Hand of God."

Michael blinked, trying to recount his earlier conversations with Adam. They had been able to reconnect multiple times through dreams - and were currently working on thoughts - in which Adam had described the ring Bela was searching for, one apparently holding the power of God. Honestly, Michael was surprised he hadn't put it together sooner. "Plausible…"

"And concerning, considering it's Bela who's looking for it."

"If it exists," Michael said knowingly, offering Dean an uncertain look, and the hunter grimaced slightly and nodded his agreement. "I wouldn't know, though, I never kept track back then. It's definitely possible that it's real, but why Bela would be looking for it is definitely a mystery." He looked up, fighting past another surge of memories as he continued on his way. "Adam believes it could be useful against my Father, considering it holds a fraction of his power. It's not much, but we're considering the fact that we could turn it into something of a lock and key - such as the Mark of Cain was in Amara's case, but with less… disastrous side effects."

"That's not too bad, actually," Dean commented. "The power of God to hold God."

"In theory, he should remain in a comatose state when we get him into the Empty," Michael commented, frowning. "But on the chance that he does wake up, it'd be nice to have some reassurance that he wouldn't be able to escape. He's not supposed to have any authority there, anyway, so for the most part I'm not too concerned, but regardless…"

"It'd be good to have as much leverage as we can," Dean agreed, shoving his hands into his pockets and nodding along slightly. "It's a good idea. How's Adam doing with Bela, anyway?"

"He insists he's got her occupied for the time being," Michael replied, pursing his lips. "I've still been unable to get any information out of my Father as to whether or not he sent her. I want to believe that it's just a coincidence she appeared, but I'm not too hopeful." He shook his head a little, a somewhat exhausted expression crossing his face. "Anyway, I'll keep pressing the matter regardless. And Adam's fine. He seems to miss us quite a bit, but he's handling everything rather well. I'm not surprised," he added, fondly, "he's very determined."

"You both are," Dean told him wryly, and Michael couldn't help a small smile despite himself. "Really, man, you're both handling this a lot better than I expected, considering, y'know?"

"It has to be done," Michael dismissed easily enough, though he was smiling now as he diverted his gaze downwards. "There's always time to catch up eventually, and the separation isn't going to last forever, and we know this. We're confident in the fact that we'll, at least, reunite in one way or the next one last time - whether it be in a dream or whether we can finally, physically connect again, but for now we're just focusing on the bigger picture."

Dean nodded along in understanding, pausing for a moment. "Rowena thinks she might have something in the Book. It's not much, some kind of angel power-dampening spell. She thinks she can amp it up a little to God level with the right ingredients."

"For the Cage or Chuck?"

"The Cage. Well, the chains, at least. Like the warding that sapped your archangel mojo," Dean further clarified, and Michael nodded faintly in understanding, looking thoughtful for a moment before he spoke up again, pushing past yet another stretch of memories as he struggled to dredge up the one he was searching for. It was so close, he could feel it, he just needed to find it… "If it works, we might not need the sigils right away," the hunter pressed, and Michael stopped walking for a moment, glancing over at him. "She's gotta run a few tests, though, and Chuck's not exactly a reliable test subject." He narrowed his eyes.

"Amara should be able to feel the effects, if it's strong enough," Michael offered. "I could see if she's willing to come down and be a, uh… guinea pig, as you humans often way. Lab rat?" He frowned for a moment, trying to think of the right word, while Dean just snickered.

"Both work. And that'd be great."

"Great. I'll go get her, then." Michael rolled his shoulders back slightly. He was used to the in-and-out visits of the Empty now, and Lucifer had, somewhat begrudgingly, shown him how to get himself there without dying, so he could come and go freely and carry messages for the Winchesters when the others were already busy. He didn't go often - he didn't like to - but he went when it was necessary, and right then it was.

"Tell Jack I said hi," Dean told him. "And tell Cas and Lucifer to hurry their asses up. I don't know how much more of Gabe and Crowley I can take, and I'm about ready to beat Chuck into the ground myself," he added, looking irritated. "And we need another archangel out there, 'cause Gabe's about to do a supply run to get what Rowena needs for the spell. Actually, that's what I came in here to get you for, but…"

"I'll pass it on," Michael couldn't help a small laugh despite himself. "Tell Gabriel not to leave yet, though. I don't like the idea of leaving you all practically defenseless with my Father."

"Yeah, I'll see how long I can keep him. Just hurry up, would you?" Dean rolled his eyes.

"I'll be as fast as I can," Michael promised, earning a satisfied nod from Dean in response, and then the hunter was gone. Taking a deep breath and holding it for a moment, and shutting his eyes tightly, the archangel retracted his Grace slightly from where it was wrapped around the hunter's soul - not quite entangled, the way he was with Adam's, but no longer keeping his distance. He and Dean had somewhat of a system now. It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't anything close to what he and Adam shared, but it was something they could both function with and without, so it was good.

He found himself face to face with the Cage when he opened his eyes. Jesse was sitting on top of it, beside Jack, who was leaning against him, his face buried into the Cambion's neck. Castiel and Lucifer were circling around the Cage; It looked somewhat bare without the chains covering it, revealing each and every symbol on the bars, which his brothers were burning off to make room for other sigils. The chains lay in a heap just a few feet away, where Amara and the Shadow stood.

"Uncle Michael!" Jack called out, pulling away from Jesse and beaming down at the archangel as he approached. Michael managed a small, somewhat hesitant smile in response to the Nephilim, but it was warm all the same. "Is everything okay?"

"More or less," Michael responded carefully, as he wouldn't quite call their current situation 'okay', considering everything, but it hadn't gotten any worse. "Dean wanted me to tell you hi, by the way," he added, and Jack's smile seemed to widen ever so slightly, if not a bit wistful, while Jesse wrapped an arm around him and smirked down at the archangel slightly. Lucifer paused his pacing and left Castiel's side to head over to his oldest brother, looking intrigued; Michael greeted him with a smaller smile, equally warm and genuine. "Hey, Luci."

Lucifer's lips twitched slightly, nudging his shoulder lightly against Michael's. "I know you didn't come all the way here just to say hello." He arched an eyebrow questioningly at his brother.

"No, not quite," Michael admitted with a sheepish grin. "I wanted to talk to Amara…" He paused, a little hesitant, but he took a deep breath and continued anyway. He had to get over his discomfort of his aunt sooner or later. "Rowena believes she has something that could render him weak enough to trap him completely, and she was wondering if Amara would be willing to test it out before we proceed. They'd use Father, but…"

"Unreliable," Lucifer snorted. "We can't tell if his powers are actually fading ourselves and he'd probably say they were just so it would backfire on us later." He shook his head a little, nodding toward Amara and the Shadow. "Well, Auntie Dearest is over there. Good luck."

Michael sighed a little, shaking his head. That last comment just put him on edge even more, but he wasn't going to say that. "Dean also wanted me to tell you and Castiel that you're needed back at the house. Gabriel's leaving on a supply run, I'm nowhere near strong enough on my own to handle Father should he escape, and Crowley seems to be getting on his nerves."

"Crowley gets on everyone's nerves," Lucifer huffed a little, rolling his eyes. He glanced back toward Castiel for a moment; The angel had paused beside the Cage, saying something to Jack, who was grinning ear to ear as he responded. After a moment, the Devil turned back to Michael, shaking his head a little bit with a reluctant frown. "I'll come on down. Give Cassie a little longer with the kid, and I guess it's my turn to babysit anyway."

Michael blinked at him, but he didn't say anything as the Devil turned away, heading back over to the others to call a quick goodbye to Jack and explain everything to Castiel. It was odd, but lately, Castiel seemed to be most of Lucifer's focus. At least, he seemed to be sacrificing more and more for the younger angel for the past few days. Letting him take his shifts in the Empty, spend more time with Jack. And spending more and more time with Castiel daily.

The archangel wasn't sure what to think of it.

After a moment, frowning, Michael shook himself from his thoughts and headed on over to where Amara and the Shadow stood, still busy burning the sigils off of the chains. The Shadow didn't look up - at least, the archangel didn't think so - but Amara's gaze snapped up to Michael so fast that he almost flinched back, an apology already rising to his tongue; He swallowed it back and took a deep breath, forcing his chin up just a little bit and managing a very faint, very hesitant and very shaky smile toward his aunt. "Hello, Amara… can I talk to you?"

"Nephew," Amara greeted, tilting her head and studying the archangel with an intrigued expression. After a few seconds, she put the chains down and stepped around, gesturing for the Shadow to continue on without her - which it did, without a word. Michael tensed up a bit as Amara approached him, but he didn't move away. "What do you need?"

"I don't mean to bother…" Michael started, then grimaced and took another breath. No apologies, no hesitating. He just had to be outright with it. "Rowena's found a spell she thinks she can use in order to weaken my Father a bit more. A power-dampener, as Dean called it. The only issue is they're not sure if it works, and they can't test it on my Father since he's not the most… reliable source. And we thought…" This is where he faltered, but again, he forced himself to continue on, building up the confidence. "We need you to see if it would work or not, since in terms of power, you're the closest being to my Father that we could get."

Amara raised an eyebrow at him - and then, much to Michael's surprise and relief, she just laughed and responded, "of course. It took you less time than I thought it would to spit that out, by the way. I'll be there in a moment- any idea how long this will take, or…"

"Um…" Michael shook his head a little, still dizzy with relief. "No, I don't know. All I know is that it's a spell - for the chains, actually." He glanced toward the pile, and Amara glanced back over her shoulder, nodding slightly with a thoughtful expression. "So we might need some of those, as well," he added, regaining some confidence now that she had already agreed.

"Oh, by all means, take them," the Shadow finally cut in - and Michael flinched, visibly - as it dropped the chains it was holding, taking on a slightly disgusted tone. "Please."

Amara rolled her eyes, then offered Michael a smile, much kinder than the archangel had expected, but welcome all the same. "Well, that's settled. Let's go, then, and get this over with. The sooner I can get back here, the better. And I'm definitely not looking forward to seeing my brother again…" She sighed, turning away and reaching down to pick up some of the chains. Michael watched for a moment, then turned his head to look around. Lucifer was nowhere in sight, so Michael figured it was safe to assume that he had already gone. He flicked his gaze over Jack and Jesse, who were snuggled up together on top of the Cage once again, while Castiel continued what he was doing with the sigils. "Ready to go?"

"Hm?" Michael looked up, eyes widening slightly. "Oh- sorry-" He paused, mentally kicking himself for the apology. "... sorry- I mean- yes," he mumbled, slightly exasperated with himself now. Amara only offered an amused, yet understanding, chuckle in response, and then she was gone, taking the chains she was holding with her. Michael stared at the empty space for a moment, then took a deep breath, let it out slowly, closed his eyes, and followed her lead.

He wrapped his Grace around Dean's soul carefully, simply filling in the spots where the hunter couldn't reach and wrapping around him like something of a blanket, protective and secure. Once he was settled, he rose up to control along with the hunter, taking a moment to adjust to the scene in front of him. Gabriel had two candy canes in his mouth and was pacing back and forth across the floor, singing - "We are outgunned, outmanned…" - while Sam was securing the chains binding Chuck to the chair, much to his Father's chagrin. Lucifer was there, as well, simply watching and instructing the hunter to make sure his hands were secure, so he couldn't 'snap' himself out of the chains. Dean was simply leaning back against the wall, watching Rowena flip through the Book while Crowley was writing something down.

Dean paused and straightened up the moment Michael took control along with him. "Welcome back. Where's-" He didn't get to finish his sentence before Amara appeared before them, fumbling slightly with the chains and looking mildly frustrated, as she seemed to have tangled herself up quite a bit. Michael blinked, mildly concerned, but before he could move to help her, Lucifer was already there and pulling the chains away himself. "Nevermind," Dean muttered.

"Hello, Dean," Amara addressed the hunter, in particular, with a smile on her face, earning a very slight, very unnerved smile from Dean in response, and Michael drew them back a few steps on instinct, watching Amara warily now.

"Amara," Chuck greeted, looking a little disappointed.

Amara mirrored his expression with ease the second her eyes flicked over to him. "Brother," she muttered, clearly displeased, and Chuck's mouth twisted into a slight frown as he sank back into the chair, looking a little nervous now. Michael, honestly, took some pleasure in that.

"Don't suppose you're here to have a cup of coffee and talk about Game of Thrones," Chuck noted reluctantly, and Amara rolled her eyes slightly. "So- ow!" He arched up a little bit, struggling slightly against the chains now and twisting his head a little to glare at Sam, who straightened up and quirked an eyebrow questioningly in response. "That kinda hurt, y'know!" He hissed, looking more unnerved than angry.

"Yeah. That was the point. Sit tight." Sam clasped a hand over his right shoulder and veered sharply around the chair, heading over to where Lucifer and Amara were. "He's secure."

"Good," Lucifer said smugly, looking back toward their Father. Chuck glared back at him, silent.

"'Sit tight'," Dean muttered, an amused smile tugging at his lips now as he glanced over at Sam, and even Michael couldn't help a small laugh. "Nice one, Sammy." The hunter straightened up and turned his head slightly, pausing. "Okay, so, we still need the ingredients for the spell-"

"Does that mean I can go now?" Gabriel groaned, pacing over to them now. Crowley plucked up the paper he was writing on and handed it over to the archangel, looking somewhat amused.

"Yeah. Just hurry up," Dean insisted, glancing over at Chuck, who simply quirked an eyebrow back at him, an innocent smile appearing on his face. Michael narrowed his eyes a little, but he didn't say anything. Surprisingly enough, there was no anger left for his Father, no hatred or anything; Just complete and utter indifference. He felt nothing when it came to him - nothing but contempt, and, to some extent, maybe a little bit of pity. Other than that, he found that his feelings for his Father - or whatever was left - were fading day by day.

"Don't rush me, Winchester," Gabriel warned, but he sounded more amused than anything.

"Oh, but do hurry back, Gabriel," Rowena cut in, and the archangel looked over at her at once, his smile growing slightly. The witch just grinned up at him, while Crowley and Lucifer both made half-disgusted sounds in the backs of their throats and reached out for the same bottle of alcohol on the desk - which Lucifer snatched up the second he saw Crowley was reaching for, sticking his tongue out at the demon, who just narrowed his eyes.

Sam gave Lucifer a look, and the Devil merely shrugged.

"Yeah, fine, whatever," Gabriel sighed, and with a whoosh, he was gone. Michael stared at where he had been for a moment, while Amara simply retreated over to the couch, glancing down at where Castiel was still currently curled up and unconscious, still in the Empty. The archangel frowned a little, thinking back to his younger brother. He'd been spending more and more time there - which was actually starting to concern Dean, due to the deal Castiel had made with the Shadow - something Michael was still a little miffed about, but it was definitely starting to concern him, too. The archangel frowned, leaning back a little.

"So, now we just wait, huh?" Chuck spoke up idly, looking down and twisting his legs slightly against the chains with a frown. Almost immediately, Dean strode over to stop him, fists clenched to punch him - luckily though, Chuck had the sense to stop before the hunter had reached him. He scowled, sinking down slightly into the chair, and just glared up at him.

"Do everyone a favor." Dean leaned forward a little, gripping the back of the chair. "And shut your you-damned mouth, got it?" At this, Michael actually laughed a little, internally, while Chuck's mouth twisted into a smirk in response, seeming slightly amused.

"I have a question, though." Chuck leaned forward. "How's Adam doing, Mikey?"

At this, Michael visibly paused. Yes, he wasn't angry at his Father, but when it came to Adam, the archangel could go from zero to one-hundred in a heartbeat. He also didn't like the fact that Chuck had been bringing up Adam more and more with each day. At first, he'd thought it had something to do with the fact that Chuck knew he could get to Michael that way, through Adam - but as both the archangel and Dean began to think about it more and more, the unease grew just a little bit stronger. They thought back to how Chuck would dodge Michael's questions about Bela, but to how the conversation would usually always end with Chuck asking how Adam was doing. It honestly just confirmed the fact that he had a little more up his sleeve.

"Why would you care?" Dean asked, suddenly, and Michael blinked. It was the first time anyone had even bothered to ask Chuck why he was asking about Adam, because they'd always assumed they already knew why. In response, his Father's grin only widened, sinking back just a little more with a smug smile on his face and his eyes sparkling with pure malice.

"No reason."

"You-" Michael started, honestly getting pissed. "Why can't you just tell the truth?" He shoved himself away from his Father, turning away and running his fingers through his hair. Lucifer frowned a little bit, looking slightly curious now, then suddenly visibly paused, eyes going wide.

"The truth…" The Devil mumbled. "The truth- of course…" At this, almost everybody turned to face him, though Sam was the one who spoke.

"What?" The hunter's eyebrows furrowed, uncomprehending.

"Jack," Lucifer insisted, looking up. "Jack has that truth mojo, right? It could work on Chuckles over there, since he's weak enough. I mean, he should be ready, but I don't know…" The Devil shook his head a little bit, ready to step back. "I'll go check-"

"No!" Chuck yelled out, and Michael visibly flinched, every muscle in his body going tense with surprise. Even Lucifer seemed a little startled, but Dean had seemed to realize it before they'd even turned around. Chuck looked… well, he looked terrified. At first, Michael didn't understand - but it dawned on him quickly enough. He was scared of Jack. And, of course he was - Jack was a Nephilim, and, at full power, he could very well overpower Chuck himself… "No," Chuck continued to insist, clenching his teeth. "That's not- that's not necessary, is it? I mean…"

Michael blinked, and glanced over at Lucifer, who seemed to be thinking the same thing he was. This apparent fear of Jack could be used as leverage. "Well…" The archangel started, bringing his Father's attention back to him. "Perhaps it won't be necessary, if you tell us willingly."

Chuck stared at him, a mixture of disbelief and fury crossing his face. "I can't do that," his Father huffed out, "it's not- it's not ready yet. Telling you now would screw it up-"

"Well, fine, I'll go get Jack then and you'll tell us anyway," Lucifer hummed, and Chuck froze for a second, wide eyes flicking back and forth between his two sons. Michael narrowed his eyes in response, bringing a rush of amusement and slight pride up from Dean's end, while Lucifer just quirked an eyebrow at their Father. After a good few seconds, Chuck seemed to deduce that neither of them were bluffing, because he sank back into the chair, looking frustrated.

"Blackmail," Chuck spat, shooting a glare at Michael. "I think they're a bad influence on you."

"Better than you," Michael retorted evenly, and Dean laughed a little, bringing a faint smile to Michael's lips despite himself. Lucifer grinned, but the amusement faded again rather quickly, and Chuck continued to glance back and forth between them for a good few seconds more before he finally, and very reluctantly, gave in, a snarl curling at his lips.

"Fine, if you're asking for the spoilers, here," Chuck hissed, "there's a new villain in the making. Or at least, there was," he added, somewhat begrudgingly, and it took Michael a few seconds to put the pieces together. Dean visibly stiffened at the realization, though Lucifer only frowned.

"... you mean Bela, right?" Michael finally spit out, anxiety rising up in his chest, curling in his stomach, taking his breath away. "The- the villain, it's Bela?"

"Would you believe me if I said yes?" Chuck questioned, though he reacted quickly when Lucifer narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to the couch. "Fine- fine! No, the villain isn't Bela. She is helping move things along, though." He grimaced, meeting Michael's gaze with a scowl. "I mean, come on, Michael. You can't tell me Adam hasn't mentioned his training in your little talks, right? I mean, unless he doesn't tell you everything."

Michael just blinked, and frowned. Of course, the demon had told him Bela was trying to teach him how to use his powers, but Michael hadn't thought anything of it. And neither had Dean, as the hunter had taken to checking over the memories of his encounters with Adam, just to see anything the archangel might have missed. The archangel took a deep breath, leaning back. "You can't… Adam would never…"

"Well, maybe not now," Chuck snapped. "But the way he was heading, the direction Bela's taking him - he's a demon, Michael. Even with all that angel Grace squirming around in his soul, even if that Grace is protecting the last of his humanity - once Bela teaches him how to burn that part of him away completely, he'll be something nobody's ever seen before. Because he's not just a demon, you know, or even just human," his Father emphasized, "he's part archangel, too."

"You can't do that," Michael snarled, hands curling into fists. "You can't turn him into a villain for your own stupid, twisted enjoyment, you can't-" It was like Lucifer all over again, all over again…

Chuck only laughed, sitting back. "I can do whatever I want," he told him simply. "I'm a writer."