Aziraphale stood dumbfounded staring at the scorch marks on his floor, the smell of sulphur assaulting him. His demon was gone, popped out of existence. He felt panic gnaw at him as a shrill ring filled the air, it took him a moment to realise it was his phone ringing. He snatched up the handset.
"Crowley?!"
"Aziraphale?"
"Oh, Miss Device. This really isn't a good time."
"Something's taken Adam. Right from the middle of the woods," she pressed on.
The angel paused. "A fiery something?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"It just took Crowley."
"Well that can't be good."
"Indeed."
"I think something is happening. Something potentially big."
"You astound me," he muttered. "No predictions you haven't mentioned?"
There was a long pause. "Well. There might have been but… I don't have them anymore. I was hoping this was all over with."
"They still want their war…." Crowley had said it before.
"What?"
"They still want their war," Aziraphale said louder. "Crowley was right. Stopping them last time has just made it worse."
"Why take the boy and Crowley?"
"I imagine we'll find out before too long."
XxXxX
"In the name of all that's satanic, was that necessary?"
Crowley wheezed as he stumbled to his feet. The smell of sulphur made his throat burn and his stomach turn as he took in his surroundings. Dark, dank office. No windows, slimy walls, yup. He'd been summoned. Looking around he spotted a boy huddled in the corner of the room. "Oh come on now! He's just a kid!" he yelled. "You alright? It's Adam right?"
The boy nodded. "And you're Crowley."
"Yep."
"Where are we?"
Crowley sighed and crossed over to the boy, easing himself onto the floor beside him, his wing wrapping around the boy's shoulder. "Welcome to Hell, Adam."
"Why are you here?"
"I'm a demon. You don't think I belong here?"
"You're not a normal demon."
"Met many have you?"
"Aren't you all meant to be evil?"
"Yeassssss."
"You're not."
"Probably why I've been summoned to the headmasters office. Dereliction of duty."
"Not quite, brother," a cool voice called from a dark corner.
Crowley's feathers bristled. "Lucifer. Might have known it'd be you. All show and no substance." He slowly got to his feet, missing the cane Aziraphale had given him.
Lucifer chuckled, stepping into the light. "Still as sarcastic as ever I see, although a little more caustic these days. And you stink like Heaven."
"Eau du Holy Water, it lingers." The demon stepped towards him, keeping him away from the boy.
"Nothing to do with the angel you've been….involved with." A grin spread across the Prince's face and Crowley froze.
"Oh relax, I don't care how you get your kicks. I mean, tempting a Principality is almost commendation worthy. No, dear brother. What I want to know is; what did that blow hard Gabriel want?"
"How do you know about that?"
"You really think we wouldn't be keeping tabs on you after your little display?"
Crowley frowned and almost asked which one.
"Beelzebub's face is quite the mess. Not that you would notice the difference. I mean really… being down here doesn't mean you have to let things go. I mean look at us! Chic, well dressed with fabulous skin care. Loving the black wings by the way, very….emo."
"Last time I saw you you were rather red and enormous. Big horns, pointy teeth,". Crowley sneered.
"Well. You've got to put on a good show haven't you? Who's going to take Satan seriously when he's this good looking? So come on. Give me the gory details." He miracled a couple of chairs and took a seat, gesturing to the other.
Crowley eyed it suspiciously.
"Oh come on now, it won't bite. Sounds like you're stronger than any of us these days anyway. Did you really take a holy spear from Michael and burn it up in your bare hand?"
The redhead held up his hand to the light, showing the marks that had been left."
"Well. That is a turn up for the books." He eyed Crowley's state of disarray. "Did I interrupt something? In the middle of the day too! Get you, tiger."
The demon scowled and rolled his eyes, shifting to find a more comfortable position.
"Oh come on Crowley. Five minutes of your time then you can go back to your ethereal corruption."
Sighing he eased himself into the chair opposite Lucifer, sparing a look to check on Adam.
"He's fine. I'll send him back. He's no use anyway. Not enough power."
"I'll take him back. Your way is a little painful," Crowley ground out, the fire under his skin still burning.
"Well. You've had an eventful couple of weeks. Stopping Armageddon, walking through a blessed doorway, your true nature being summoned…. How did they reverse that anyway?"
"Something to do with a flaming celestial sword," he ground out.
"Ooo sounds painful."
"Can't say that I noticed."
"You're a terrible liar Crowley. Still painful?" He almost looked sympathetic. "Oh come on. We've always been friends. Not like I could use it against you anyway. Everyone is terrified of you down here now. You're probably the most powerful demon we have. They really messed up sending you to Eden. You could have been running this place by now."
"Seems to be a popular opinion."
Lucifer raised his eyebrows in question.
"Gabriel came to invite me 'back to the fold'. Apparently saving the world warrants re-entry."
"What?! Well obviously it's a trick."
"Obviously."
"They're worried when the next war comes we'll have our strongest King back."
Ice settled in Crowley's stomach.
"Oh, you didn't remember!" Lucifer was almost gleeful. "You really managed to block all of it out! Well let me enlighten you, brother."
"No."
"But this is who you are.."
"No. Haven't you figured it out yet. None of you know me, none of you know what I'm capable of. You should have left us alone after the trials. Play your own games and leave us out of it," Crowley snarled crossing back to Adam. "I've told you what you wanted to know. I don't owe you anything."
"Still sore about Falling?"
"I couldn't care less anymore. Night Lucifer." Taking the boy's hand Crowley stalked to the door and out into the hallway. "Don't meet their gaze, head down, stay close. Do not let go! Understand?"
Adam nodded mutely, aiming his gaze at the floor.
"Oh and try to think of being at a theme park, the screams won't bother you as much." He dragged the boy along, as fast as he could, snarling at any demons who strayed too near. Most recoiled when they realised it was him, fear plain on their faces. Any that were stupid enough to get within reaching distance were shot back with little bullets of fire that sparked from Crowley's spare hand. He didn't even want to get into where that ability had come from right now. He just had to get the boy home.
Making it to the escalator he pushed Adam ahead of him, keeping watch for any that might follow behind. Reaching the top he glanced at his watch and groaned. "Three days. Three sodding days we've been gone."
"My parents are going to flip," the boy said.
Sighing Crowley threw his hands up into the air and yelled out. He'd stopped time before, but this time he was going to have to reverse it. The energy it took from him was obscene and he knew he was going to feel it later.
Dropping his arms he checked his watch again. "That should do it. If they snatched you around the same time as me, you've been gone half an hour. And now for my next trick," he groaned. "Hold tight and close your eyes. You might feel a bit travel sick."
True to his word, Adam had only been missing half an hour and with a few memory adjustments, crisis was averted. There had been no flames or terror, just a case of very good hide and seek.
"You going to be alright?" he asked the lad.
"How do you stand it down there?"
"By coming back up here."
"Thanks."
The demon just nodded. "If you need to talk, find the witch. She'll point you in the right direction."
Clicking his fingers he was gone from sight, speeding his way back to the bookshop.
He appeared in the blink of an eye and fell in a heap on the floor. The last of his energy sapped away by too many large miracles in a short space of time.
"Crowley! Oh my dear. I was so worried." Taking in the trembling and the singed clothing, Azirapahle miracled the pair of them to the bedroom, laying Crowley on the bed.
"Is it over yet?" the demon breathed.
"Is what over, my love?"
"All of it. I'm done now."
Feeling helpless the angel lay down on the bed beside him and gathered him into his arms, feeling consciousness leave him. "Soon darling. It will be soon