"He would never have allowed it to get this bad." Titus shook his head as he rubbed at his shoulder, giving a slight grimace of pain, the muscle was tense and nothing he did aided it in the slightest. "There is no way he is in his right mind."

Abraxos nodded in agreement, looking up to his Captain, Nisroc met his eyes as he sought them out. "Even though it seems impossible, what's to say that there isn't at least a slight possibility that she got her claws into him, it would most certainly explain this sudden change in personality."

"That's a rather large charge to give someone without any proper evidence." Nisroc nodded in agreement though. "I will give you this, something has changed in him, but there is a number of things that could be cause for it."

Puriel hummed. "I agree with them, this change was not a natural one, even on his roughest day he was never as harsh a commander as he is now." He nodded at Titus and Abraxos. "There is one way to gather the evidence we would need, it's already suspected, we just need to prove the occurrence and fix it." He rubbed at his temple, a headache was still pounding deep in his head, he'd been hit rather harshly in training just hours before and it still throbbed as though it had just happened. "We need something that can wound an Archangel enough that their own healing factor would kick in."

He was always one to stand by his men, Nisroc nodded in kind, some part of him agreeing with their accusation. "But what could possibly be potent enough to incite it?"

"A poison." Haniel spoke up from his left, as tense as a board, his back ached from being thrown into the ground so harshly hours previously. "We could get a poison strong enough to bring him near death. It would incite his healing factor to restore him. If he goes back to normal then we have our evidence for our accusation."

"Where would we find such a poison, though?" Abraxos looked between them all. "I doubt the Healer would be inclined to make such a thing."

"No." Puriel shook his head carefully, grimacing at the knocking feeling that came with it. "He's not the same either. Semyaza was a skilled apothecary. He could make one potent enough."

"But who would get him to make it, he doesn't trust us anymore, not that I blame him." Titus gave up on trying to rub the tension away and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "We cast him out. He doesn't much care for our plight. And to poison him, even I'd be fearful of that outcome, he could refuse."

Nisroc sighed deeply, leaning back against the pillows, crossing an arm behind his head. "Me and Haniel will go. I believe he may be better in responding to us then anyone else. And if we were to all go, someone would notice, so we'll go and you all cover for our absence."

…

It hadn't been hard for them to track him, he had found a little hut in the middle of a deep forest and set up his home there, alone and quite.

"You want me to what?"

Semyaza stood before him, in his workshop, with his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Their was distrust in his eyes, and they were not so blind as to not see him eyeing the escape routes available, should he need them. He had been surprised to see them at his door, having gotten up to answer it after the knock that interrupted his silence, and stared at them in surprise as he stepped aside to allow them entrance into his home, away from home.

He looked at them as though they were insane. He already hated him, having ordered for him and his legion to be cast out and metaphysically chained to the earth itself. He couldn't believe that they would think they had the right to ask him this favor, knowing the severity of it, whether it worked or it did not, he would wake up and demand to know who had created such a concoction, and it would come back at him with a swift harshness.

Nisroc and Haniel exchanged looks.

Semyaza was the only one, other then the Healer, who could make what they needed and they couldn't afford the possibility of him saying 'no'.

The Power nodded his head slowly. "We need you to create a poison strong enough to bring an archangel as close to death as possible without actually killing him."

"No, I heard you." The Grigori rubbed at his head, then at his neck, the phantom feeling of the spiked collar there, and shook his head. "No. I'm not going to put myself in danger like that. I have enough self-preservation for that." He shook his head and gave them both an equal look. "No. I won't do that."

Semyaza turned away from them and returned to his workstation, putting away the herbs and liquids where they belonged in his crazy unorganized organization. Haniel and Nisroc were quick in following him, having come prepared in the event of his refusing, coming to stand on either side of the younger angel, they caught his wrists as he reached up to put jars on the shelf above him.

"Please 'Yaza!" he glared at the older Power. "You have no right to call me that." Nisroc nodded in agreement. "There are many things that I regret 'Yaza, casting you out is one of them, you were just following orders just as we were." The Grigori glared at him a moment, but knew that he couldn't argue that point, and turned back to set the jars on the shelf, despite their hold on him. " We fear that the Mindbreaker has gotten to him 'Yaza."

Semyaza immediately turned to look at him, Haniel nodded in affirmation to the words he'd just spoken, tugging on his arm slightly.

"You think she's gotten to him?" he shook his head as understanding dawned on him. "Bringing him near death would incite his healing and possibly mend anything else." He nodded. "Good plan. But my answers not changing."

They exchanged quick looks over the younger angel's head, they had come knowing there was the possibility that he would refuse their request of him, but also swore they wouldn't leave until they got his agreement to create what they needed. Nisroc had chosen Haniel to come with him because out of the five of them, Semyaza knew the two of them the best, they hadn't been raised together, but they had been as close as siblings could be.

Nisroc nodded, and Haniel nodded in response to it, they raised his arms and dug their free fingers into either side of his ribcage. The affect was immediate, the Grigori jolted as though electrified. He went as straight as a board, yelping at the suddenness, and his composure crumbled as though it were a building being demolished.

They didn't stop, just as they had vowed, until he finally nodded his head. Promising and agreeing so long as they stopped, 'stopstopstop! I'll do it! I'll do it! Just let go!', and they gave just one more dig for good measure and let him go. Backing away, they watched as the apothecary wrapped his arms around himself, rubbing at his ribs frantically, muttering under his shaky breaths about how much he hated older brothers.

He turned to them a moment later, glaring at them for their unconventional method, and waited until his breathing calmed down to speak to them again.

"You guys are assholes."

They smirked, wiggling their fingers at him menacingly again, and he backed away a step just in case.

"Okay, okay, we don't need to do that again!" he waved his hands quickly. "I'll do it. When do you need it?"

Nisroc smiled. "As soon as you can finish it."

Semyaza nodded, resting his hands on his worktable behind him as he leaned back against the edge of it, breathing a deep sigh in resignation. "I don't want my name to be brought up." He looked between them both with a deep seriousness. "Whether it works or not, I don't want you to say it was me, this is your doing and you take the fall either way it goes on your own."

"Okay." Haniel nodded in agreement. "That's understandable." He shared a nod with Nisroc. "We'll keep your name out of it."

"Then I better get to work."

…

It took him a week to complete his concoction, and it took them another couple days to find a way for one of them to sneak off to collect it, Semyaza had nodded quickly at their arrival and greeting. Shoving the bottle in their hands and shoving them away, telling them to leave him, and not to say his name should the matter of its maker be brought up.

They cornered him on a day of rest, converging on the Archangels room in the empty Villa, catching him by surprise when they all just suddenly appeared before him.

He yelled at them when they surged forward to restrain him; Titus and Abraxos taking both of his arms in hold and yanking him back towards his bed, Nisroc and Haniel taking hold of his legs and lifting him from his feet so that they could pin him to his bed.

He bucked harshly, spitting and cursing at them to release him immediately, and they struggled against his might. They may be strong, but he was the strongest, and they were barely able to get him into the position they needed him in, straining hard to keep him in place.

Puriel took his cue quickly, climbing up to straddle his stomach, forcing his mouth open to pour the poison down his throat. Michael choked on it as it went down, and he stroked down his throat to incite the reflex of swallowing, making sure that the bottle was emptied and he didn't get to spit any of it out, covering his mouth with his hand.

Slowly, the struggles came to a stop, and they all fell back in exhaustion, sighing in relief that the deed was done and now they only had to wait for the outcome. Titus and Abraxos sighed in relief as they fell back against the headrest of the Archangel's great bed, his arms laying over their legs limply, Titus rubbed at his shoulder again with a grimace. The struggling hadn't helped the tension in the slightest.

Haniel and Nisroc fell backwards onto the end of the bed, completely worn from the strain it took to hold the Archangel down, his legs laying limply over their fronts, feet hanging just by their ears, one of their own legs laying limply over his after uncurling from their straddled hold.

Puriel fell to the side in relief, his own leg limp over the archangels stomach, and he rubbed at his head lightly.

"Now we just wait."

And wait they did, well into the night, they stayed in their positions with the knowledge that they would not be missed if their archangel was away as well. The others had dozed off, still in their various precarious positions, waiting for their archangel to wake up again. Titus was the one who remained awake, rubbing at his shoulder still, grimacing in a vain attempt to work the tension out.

"Titus," he started at the voice. "Are you alright?"

He looked down to the source, into the bright blue eyes of his commander, the only one who could make the five toughest warriors in Heaven become fledglings once more. He stared at him in surprise, at the concern shining in his eyes, concern that had been missing for such a long time, and that same concern increasing at his lack of response.

"Is it your shoulder again?" he frowned when the Power nodded mutely. "It's always bothered you after a harsh training." He reached up for him. "Let me help you."

Titus said not a word as he scooted forward, into the Archangel's reach, sucking in a breath when fingers curled into the muscle. He groaned in relief as the fingers dug in just right, as they always did, and the tension started to dissipate away, his commander chuckled softly when he turned completely around, folding his arm around when the Power laid his head against his shoulder to give him better access to the stubborn muscle.

He groaned again when the fingers found a particularly hard knot and dug into it. "Does that feel better, Tus?"

Michael looked about him, to his bed littered with sleeping Powers, and his precarious position over top of them.

"Tus, what happened?"

"You were caught by the Mindbreaker."

There came a soft whine from the mighty Power when his fingers stilled in their rubbing into his shoulder. "That's a mighty accusation, Titus, have you any proof."

"This." He nudged his hand with his shoulder until he began again. "This is our proof."

"I don't understand."

"You weren't you." He pointed at Puriel from his position curled against the Archangel's shoulder. "You struck Puriel in the head with your flat of your sword." Michael wanted to challenge the accusation against him, but he could see the tension in the medic's brow as he slept, his head throbbing even still from such a blow. "Is he okay?"

"He's had a headache on and off for the last week."

"He has?" The archangel reached with his free hand, tugging softly on the leg that lay limply over his stomach until the younger angel's eyes opened, if only to see who was rousing him from his sleep. His eyes winded and he quickly turned himself around, pulling himself forward to sit on his legs, leaning over him in amazement.

"Puriel?"

"It worked!" His medic took hold of his face and turned his head from side to side. "Good Father, it worked!"

He raised an eyebrow lightly. "What worked?"

Puriel smiled at their accomplishment, ignoring the tone being used in his elation, and let go of his face.

"We poisoned you."

"You what?"

The medic nodded. "We needed something strong enough to kickstart your healing and Semyaza provided. Damn he's good."

Titus reached over his head to punch his brother in the shoulder. "You weren't supposed to say his name, dumbass."

His eyes went wide as he realized what he'd done. Michael hummed, "we'll come back to that at a later time, it will be investigated further." He rubbed his free hand over his medic's head, feeling for a bump of any sort, and Puriel gave him an odd look. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me." He rebuffed his Power lightly. "I may be your commander, but I am your older brother first and foremost, don't you dare try and lie to me." The medic nodded sheepishly, as though he were a fledgling, and flinched at the action. A hand curled over the top of his head. "Do you have a headache, Puri?"

Puriel nodded lightly, allowing the hand on the back of his head to guide him downwards, adjusting his position to curl on his side as his head was guided to lay on the archangels stomach. Fingers massaged into his temple and he sighed deeply, relief exuding from him at the feeling, sagging completely against his archangel.

Michael chuckled softly. "Does that feel good, Puri?" he got a soft hum in reply and he smiled. "We'll take care of you all first and then address the rest of this mess."

…

True to their word, Michael was appalled at the state of Heaven while he was not himself, appalled at the treatment of the different flocks, that fledglings were being mistreated, innocents were being sent to the Prisons. That there was unwarranted tortures and abuses going on under his nose.

"We will put a stop to this at once."

They had stopped first for the Guards at the Gate.

Andrew and Daniel looked up as a shadow fell over them, eyes going wide, they jumped to their feet. They received a warm chuckle for their hurry, and it brought them to a pause, staring at the Archangel with great scrutiny.

He waved them down gently. "Don't rush on my account." He eyed them with great scrutiny. "You both look like you could use a good rest." He nodded once to himself in self-assurance. "You two go get a good rest, to your rooms with you, return to your posts after. We will begin to work on this unhealthy habit you two have formed."

Michael took great care of his warriors, and his guards, one had to be in their best form to be able to defend to the best of their ability. He made sure all his warriors and guards slept as long as they should, trained hard but not to straining, and took in plenty of nutrients.

Both guards thanked him, and he nodded, waving them off with a smile. Shaking his head as the two brothers turned and ran for their rooms, for their beds, and he knew they would barely make it to drop their things to the floor before collapsing on the soft mattresses.

…

Next, they went after the Mindbreaker.

Michael's not sure how she had managed to capture him into her traps, how he had managed to be dragged there and put under the drill, and at the present moment he doesn't truly care to know. He is back to his true self and will begin rebuilding what had been broken under his illness, starting with freeing those she kept to herself.

He is at full power now, completely aware of himself and who he is, and will be damned if the Mindbreaker harmed another one of his brothers and sisters.

"Naomi."

An enraged Archangel is never an opponent anyone ever wants to face, even the four legions back away from their enraged fury, so it was no surprise the immediate terror that came over the angels features as the Viceroy stalked into her Laboratory. The guards at the doors balked under his intense rage and backed away from him, he stilled them with a mere look, Naomi tripped over herself as she backed away from him.

"Michael?"

"You brainwashed me."

"I—I—"

He stalked closer, eyes glowing brightly with the Power of an Archangel, barely concealing his burning grace from incinerating them all where they stood.

"Did you think I would not find out."

His fingers curled around her neck and squeezed, she choked, gagging as she clawed at his hand. He wasn't deterred by her attempts and lifted her from her feet in spite of her struggling, holding her up to look him directly in the eyes, she gagged and kicked for purchase under her.

"H—Ho—How?"

"My legion is as loyal as they come." His voice was harsh, unforgiving, her crimes called for no less. "They found a way to fix what should not have been broken."

She grappled at his hand, trying to pry his fingers from around her throat, and he tightened his grip slightly until her struggles ceased.

"I am charging you with the crimes of brainwashing, torture, abuse, and the attempt at usurping the throne that belongs to me." He took a calming breath. "Have you anything to say for yourself?"

"I—I—I….Me—Meta—Metatron too….Th—Theo and Th—Thaddeus…..Za—Zach—Zachariah….T—Them to—oo!"

"Thank you." He turned to the guards. "You three, answer quickly, did you play parts in this operation?" the three guards shook their heads frantically as to not direct the archangels wrath at them, they would not go where the Mindbreaker would go, they would go elsewhere, and no one wanted to go there. "Did I station you here will I was out of my mind?" they nodded to him quickly, and he returned their nod with one of his own, "You two." He pointed to the two closest to him. "Go free the prisoners in the back." They rushed off to do as they were told. "You." He beckoned him forward. "Take her to the prisons."

He watched as the guard took hold of Naomi firmly, and marched them out, she dared not put up a struggle with the knowledge that the archangel was enraged, and it was directed solely on her.

They waited patiently for them to come out, and slowly but surely, they were joined by the other prisoners, ambling out from the space before them with confusion and fear. Without prompting, his Powers stepped passed him to help them walk forward, and the wounded took the help with silent appreciation.

Michael took them in, bruised and bloody, temples riddled with holes, some adorned in crowns of spikes, and he shook his head sadly.

"Come, we will get you all to the Infirmary."

"Nis!"

A youngling had come out in the midst of the ambling bodies appearing from the hall, eyes going wide at the sight of his Captain, he turned to watch his Captain turn at the sound of his name. His own eyes widened at the sight of the youngling, and he quickly parted from the man's side he stood at, jogging forward for the boy. A smile spread over the youngling's face, and he ran forward, colliding against the Captain's chest as he knelt to scoop the boy up. Holding him as close as he could, ignoring the grime and such that covered him, Nisroc buried himself in the boy's shoulder. The little one wrapped his arms around the Power's neck as tight as he could, without choking him, and allowed his legs to be guided around the Power's waist with a large gentle hand.

He smiled at the sight of guardian and charge reunited once more.

Michael watched them for a minute more, as his Power lifted his head, pressing their foreheads together as he whispered to him, and the boy responded to whatever had been said to him, earning a kiss to his nose in turn.

He set a hand on his Captain's shoulder and Nisroc turned to look at him, Michael gave him a smile, and nodded at the boy. "Hello, little Paul." Paul smiled to him in greeting, ducking into his guardians shoulder lightly, and he couldn't blame him. "Let's get them all to the Infirmary."

…

"Raphael, you are about to have your hands full of new patients."

The Healer look up from the volume that he had been writing in at the sound of his older brothers voice. It was a tone that none of them had heard in quite some time. He stood quickly from his stool, crossing the way to come to a rest at his older brothers side, looking him over with great scrutiny.

"You're back?"

Michael frowned at yet another piece of evidence of what had been done to him, what he had turned into, and he reached up to pat his younger brother's cheek.

"My absence was not my own doing." He smiled in reassurance. "Things will be different now."

Raphael stared at him for a long moment and turned to look at the five behind him with suspicion, and they smiled in greeting. "What did you all do?"

"They poisoned me." Michael chuckled. "Can you believe that?"

"Who would make such a thing?"

"Can you not think of any who have the same knowledge of herbs that you do?" The older archangel sounded amused. "Will you take care of these individuals?"

Raphael nodded, stepping around him, to the ones that his Powers helped stand. He caressed a few cheeks and turned a few heads this way and that to examine the holes drilled into their heads, hummed at the ones that had the cruel crown of spikes screwed into their temples. He smiled at the youngling, shaking his foot lightly, and Paul gave a soft giggle at it.

"It's good to hear that some things haven't changed." He held his hands out for him and looked to his guardian for permission. "May I?" Nisroc seemed to hesitate, not wanting to give his charge to another after just getting him back, but Paul trusted the Healer and he answered for the both of them as he reached out to the Healer.

Raphael smiled and leaned forward to lift him from his guardians grip, settling him on his arm, brushing his hair aside to see if he had any of the same holes and breathed a sigh of relief when he couldn't spot any. "I will take care of this little one myself." He gestured for the healers that had gathered around them. "Tend to your patients. Use care and compassion, they have been abused greatly, mind the spikes as you pull them out." They nodded to his command and took their new patients with a gentle ease, guiding them across the threshold at a slow pace, as to not overwork them, towards the awaiting beds.

He jerked his head for them to follow him as he turned towards their own bed, leaning over to pull the blankets back and set the youngling down on the soft mattress, Paul giggled again when he wiggled a few fingers over the sole of his foot. The Healer knelt down and set both hands on his lap, tilting his hand from side to side once more just to ensure he hadn't missed the possibility of there being any holes.

The archangel brushed a finger down the bridge of his nose and tapped the tip lightly. "What ails you, little one?" he gave his thighs a light squeeze. "How can I help?"

Paul bit his lip lightly. "My wrist really hurts." He hummed at the admission and held one of his hands out. "My I see it?"

The youngling nodded after a moment of thought and set his hand in the archangels, long nimble fingers curled around the little hand gently, holding it straight as he pulled the sleeve back with his other hand. The skin had been rubbed raw, an angry red, at least one layer of skin rubbed away. He recognized the burns of a manacle when he saw one, anger filled him quickly, and he let it go just as swift, it would do no good for him to be taken over by anger, not when so many needed attentions.

"My, my," he nodded up to him. "I can imagine this might smart a bit." He squeezed his thighs once more. "Let me grab a couple things and we'll get you fixed right up, alright?"

Paul nodded and watched as the Healer stood, gesturing for Abraxos and Titus to part, and dug through jars and vials on the table behind them. He gave a slight sound of accomplishment upon finding what he was looking for, and grabbed a swath of bandages, before he turned and returned to his little patients bedside.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he held his hand out for the little wrist again, Paul watched with a mesmerized fascination as the archangel scooped out a large amount of goop from the jar and rubbed it all around his wrist. It was cool at first, and then it slowly warmed, and the sting of the raw skin slowly began to fade. He wrapped his wrist in the bandages he brought with him and split the end to tie it off. He smiled when Raphael lifted his wrist to press his lips to the bandages, giggling when he pressed a kiss to them, and set it back down in his lap. Let it not be said that the archangel didn't know how to take care of his youngest patients.

"We'll check on it later, okay?"

Paul nodded, and the archangel pet his hair back, leaning forward to peck the tip of his nose as well and Paul giggled again. "Let's get you some rest now." The youngling nodded at him, smiling still from the peck on his nose, he watched as the archangel pulled the blankets back and held them up. "Under the blankets you go." The young boy crawled under the blankets, laying back against the pillows, sighing in content when the Healer tucked the blankets up under his chin and he stretched his bandaged arm over top of the blankets to keep the pressure of them off the tingling wound. "Sleep now, if you need me for anything, you just call for me or tell another to get me. Alright?"

He stroked the hair out of the youngling's eyes and smiled when he nodded, stroking the back of his fingers over his cheek, he waited until the youngling's eyes closed peacefully.

Raphael stood carefully from the bed, as to not disturb the young one's light resting, it wouldn't be long until he fell off into the depths of slumber, he would ensure he did. Turning back to the others, gesturing to the Powers first. "Stay with your boy." They nodded and crowded silently at his side, if one of them took a charge, they all took a charge. He gestured for Michael to step away from him, and the older archangel followed dutifully, until they were far enough away for privacy, but still close enough for him to return if anything were to happen.

"Michael, what happened?"

The older archangel rubbed at his head lightly, it was still tingling, as his body disposed of the poison still. "I am not sure, little brother." He frowned lightly. "I cannot remember."

"How did someone like Naomi manage to subdue you?" Raphael wasn't sure how this could have happened. Michael was the strongest angel out of them all. He didn't understand how someone so much younger then him had managed to take him, even if they were fully grown, Michael was nearly as strong as Father was, nearly. "I can't imagine you would have gone willingly to her."

"I do not know, little brother, trust me, if anyone would want to know it would most certainly be me." He glanced at his legion over his shoulder, the ones who had not given up on him, so loyal that they would risk everything to try and fix something they weren't sure had even happened. He owed them greatly, they had stuck to his side, charged in front of him while he was vulnerable, and brought him back to himself. "From what I've been told, I started acting differently; lethargic and forgetful, which is unlike me. And then there was darkness, I don't remember beyond that point, I remember being at my desk and someone entering my office, and then darkness." Michael swallowed hard. "When I awoke, I was not myself, I could feel it, I was not in control of my faculties. I could see what I was doing, and despite my attempts, I could not stop myself." He looked to the Healer in sorrow.

"Raphael, I have done so much harm, have been so cruel to so many."

"They will forgive you, older brother." He reached out to squeeze his hand. "You were not yourself and they know that. We all suspected but dared not bring it up. They will be weary, but they will understand, it was not your fault in the things that came to pass."

"It was done by my hand." Michael squeezed his younger brothers fingers. "I witnessed everything I did to them."

"You are not a cruel person, Michael." Raphael assured him. "You are a gentle soul. Even in battle you do not strike to kill, not if you can help it, you hold life to a very high priority. We know the actions you took were not of your own will." He spared the Powers a look. "I daresay that Semyaza was not the only one to poison you." He turned back with a tilt of his head. "How on earth did they manage to convince him to make such a thing."

Michael chuckled and eyed his Captain and Haniel in amusement, they were unaware of their watching them, and turned back to his younger brother. "From what I gather, Haniel was quite loose lipped about it, he did refuse at first. Quite unorthodox measures were taken in gaining his support."

His eyebrows scrunched in concern. "They didn't harm him, did they?" His older brother chuckled and shook his head. "Far from it. They are older brothers. Just as you are. I'm sure you can think of a few methods to gain compliance from a younger." It took a moment for him to comprehend it and chuckled at the astonishment that shone in the younger archangels eyes, among the astonishment was amusement. "Oh, indeed, and from what I was told he had the same reaction he had eons before."

Raphael smiled in amusement and his older brother squeezed his fingers again. "From what I remember, as well, you used to take advantage of that weakness. Especially when you wanted him to make something for you and he'd refuse." The Healer nodded with a small chuckle. "He was particularly stubborn, even then, with putting his specialty to good use. I merely encouraged him."

They both remembered the common sight of the Healer looming over the small Grigori, holding his arms above his head with a grip on his wrists, rather cruelly digging into his ribs with his free hand. Only freeing him when he promised to do as was asked of him, and then perhaps he carried on for a bit longer, because it was in his opinion that the small Grigori Captain didn't laugh nearly enough.

"Is that what we're calling it now, little brother?" Raphael smacked the back of his free hand against his older brothers stomach. "You were just as bad as I was, and you know it to be true."

Michael held his hands up placatingly, taking the Healers with his when he didn't release their grip, eyes sparkling with amusement. "I concede to your point."

The younger archangel quirked the corner of his lips upwards in a smug expression for a moment before it cooled into something more passive once more. "Where do you go now?"

"My intention is for the Prisons." They let go of each other's hands and he ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. "Prepare yourself for them."

"We will be ready." He turned and waved his own legion to him. "Take my Virtues with you."

…

He knew that there would be a spreading of knowledge when the guards arrived with the Mindbreaker to the Prisons, and they expected a confrontation upon breaking through the doors to the Prison within, weapons drawn and ready for battle. Guards stood on the defense, spears and swords pointing at them in preparation of their assault, waiting for the order from their own Captain.

The Powers bent at the knee, getting into position, as both sides prepared to clash together. There was a wave of unease as the archangel walked in behind them, arms crossed tightly over his chest, looking them all over with a particular look, some even faltered in their stance at his expression. Michael took great care of those who served under his ultimate command, and that included the Guards of Heaven, he surpassed any Captain within his flock or another, he treated them first and foremost as an older brother would, and then as their Commander. He knew most of his flock rather well, most of them he had raised himself, and they knew just as well in return.

"If any of you so much as flick your weapons in my direction, there will be consequences, and they will be delivered swiftly in front of everyone as witnesses."

Meaning they also knew he did not make empty threats.

The guards nodded as one, not wanting to test the archangels weary patience, it was in short supply at the moment, and bowed to his will. Stepping away from him and clearing his path, Michael nodded once in affirmation and stepped forward, through the lines of guards, and came to stand in front of the two Wardens. They stood tall, but he was not so blind as to not see the fear in their eyes, they had seen the bruises around Naomi's neck when she arrived for her imprisonment at the Archangel's command, Michael was in a wrathful mood, in his right mind, and that was much worse then when he had been under the Mindbreakers spell.

"I would like to see the state of your prisoners, Thaddeus, Theo."

At his right shoulder stood the Captain of the Powers and behind him the rest of his legion, at his left shoulder stood the Captain of the Virtues and behind him the rest of his legion, both legions were a force to reckon with, and with the guards wilting under the Commanders words, they would stand no chance in standing against them.

The Archangel could wipe the floor with them and allow the two legions to have whatever was left.

They nodded with silent terror, there was a spark in their Commander's eyes, a spark of untold retribution at the smallest of pin drops.

"Yes sir."

The two Warden's saluted sharply and turned, leading them through the large cast iron doors that led to the cells within the Prison itself, leading them passed whimpering souls and silent body's. The only tell, for some, that they still lived with them was the minute rise and fall of their chest. Those sitting against the iron gates crawled away from them at the sight of the Warden's walking before them, eyes staring at the archangel has he passed behind them, and they met the eyes of the passing legions.

They went tense when the Archangel stopped. Coming to a stand still in the middle of the hall, and they weren't even half way through, he had seen enough. He had seen enough bloody bodies, heard enough whimpering, saw enough of the utter terror that filled their eyes as they passed.

He held a hand out. "Your keys." They flinched as they handed them over. He held them over his shoulders, for both Captains to take. "Release them all. The Prison is under my Command now. Cases will be reevaluated." He gestured to four guards aligning the wall, and they pointed at themselves in question, he nodded. "Take them to an empty cell and lock them in."

Michael stepped to the side at the sudden surge from beside him, Nisroc had passed the key back to Haniel, rushing forward to catch the Primary Warden by the front, fingers curling tightly in his tunic as he lifted him from his feet and threw him against the stone wall behind him. The guards that had come to take him jumped away at the Power's sudden appearance. "Where is he? Where is he, Thaddeus? I swear to Father, if you harmed a hair on his head, I will kill you where you stand!"

Thaddeus stared at his Captain in shock, Nisroc was not one for violence when it was not called for and was not one to make threats on another's life. His eyes shot to his Commanders, and Michael shrugged, gesturing to the Power that held him firmly against the wall.

"I would answer him, his patience seems to be in thin supply."

"I—I don't know!" The Power's eyes began to shine lightly, Nisroc's temper was not easy to incite, but it was possible. "I swear! I don't! He pulled that little brat free and they've been hiding since!" He stuttered slightly in the face of inciting the Captain's violent temper. "I've searched everywhere! I can't find him—I swear!—I don't know where he is!"

Michael set a hand on his Captain's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We will find your missing fledgling, my brother, let him be taken to where he belongs." Nisroc was reluctant when he nodded, dropping the Warden to his feet, letting the guards swoop in to take him captive, as they escorted both him and Theo down the hall for an empty cell.

Michael nodded at him, squeezing his shoulder again, and turned to the remaining guards around them.

"Who all has a key?"

A number of them raised their hands in acknowledgement to his question, and he nodded, gesturing for them to follow the two legions.

"You will aid in freeing them and escorting them to the Infirmary. Any who mistreat them will answer to me. Am I understand?"

They nodded, spreading out with the legions to unlock cell doors and ease the prisoner out, he shook his head as he walked through the masses. Smiling to prisoners as they walked passed him, limping or stumbling, some leaning heavily on the side of a guard or a member of the two legions, others needing to be carried out of their cells.

A poor soul, beaten and bloody, ambled down the path towards him, and he just barely managed to step forward enough to catch him when his legs gave out. "Easy, easy." He gently bent and lifted the broken angel from his feet, staring at the bloody foot prints he left as his trail, holding him close despite the injuries he may have when a sob broke through his heavy breathing. "It's alright, you're alright." Bloody fingers curled into his tunic. "Y—You—You're ba—back…You—You're b—ba—back!"

Michael nodded softly, kissing the side of his head gently, despite the blood and grime that covered it. "I'm back. We're going to get you taken care of, little one, it's going to be okay now." He nodded to the guard nearest to him and they stepped forward to take the incapacitated angel from his arms. "Go with him now, he's going to take you to the Infirmary, the Healer is waiting for you."

He was passed easily from one set of arms to the next, bloody fingers uncurling from his tunic to curl into the guards. "I—I li—like the He—Heal—Healer." The admission brought a smile to the archangels face. "He'll be glad to hear that." He turned to the guard. "Take him swiftly."

"Michael."

He turned at the call of his name, one of the Virtues beckoned him over, and he walked through the milling crowd carefully to meet at his side. "Yes, Zed?"

"In here."

There was a body curled in the back corner of the room, shivering under a thin blanket, his head hidden under the measly fabric. Blood painted the bottom of his cell and stained the thin blanket he covered himself with.

"A key, someone give me a key." A guard was at his side immediately, setting his key in the archangels waiting hand, and he softly unlocked the cell door and pushed it open. The shivering increased at the squeak it made as he pushed it open, stepping lightly in the cell, he knelt before the quivering angel.

"Little one, it's alright, can you come out?"

"You'll never get him to respond to you like that." They both turned at the sound of the new voice, an angel stood leaning against the cell door, arms folded through the iron squares in the pattern, his cell hadn't been reached yet to be released. He was dirty and had dried blood over his left temple, but still smiled at their turn of attention, waving a few fingers in greeting. "Hey."

Michael stared at him in amazement, knowing who the angel was with needing to be introduced, he's seen this angel plenty enough at this point in his life. "Zaveriel?"

"That's my name."

As if by simply hearing his voice, the Captain of the Power's appeared, "Zaves." Reaching through the bars, he curled his hand around the young messenger's cheek. "Nis?" one of his hands lifted to take a fist full of the Power's tunic. He nodded, smiling at his younger brother. "We're going to get you out of here." He waved for a guard and he opened the gate. Zaves laughed and fell forward into his chest, clutching at his tunic, the Power caught him easily and pulled him close, his eyes going wide at the foot prints trailing behind him. "Zaves, you're feet—" he was interrupted by the messenger. "Are completely numb. So, if you move, I'm going to face plant on the floor. Please don't move." The Captain laughed softly, sweeping him up from his feet. "Go with this guard. Behave yourself. I will be there shortly." Zaves laughed as he was passed to the guard that unlocked his cell. "I always behave."

The little messenger steered the guard around to the cell across from his. "'Reel, come on, we're breakin out of this joint!"

Michael turned in surprise, watching as eyes poked out from under the blanket, he continued to shiver but reached for the open cell. "Let's get you out of here, little one." Gadreel nodded in permission for him to lift him from the ground. He stepped out of the cell and passed him to a guard. "Get him to the Infirmary immediately. He may be in shock." He kissed the side of the prisoners head. "You're going to be alright now Gadreel." A shaking fist curled into the front of his tunic, and he takes hold of it, pressing his lips to the back of it. "It's going to be alright, baby brother, we'll get you taken care of, and then you'll come to stay with me."

"Can I come stay with you, big brother?"

He chuckled as he looked up to the messenger, his cheeky smile still present even after the abuse and torture he had lived through. "I think my Captain would fight me on that and the Healer might fight him on that."

"Aww, Nis, you'd let me stay with you?" the Captain smiled. "Always." He pat the guard's arm lightly. "Go."

"Guys!"

They both turned to the voice, both feeling a bit brighter after the encounter with the messenger, Haniel waved them over. He stood under a vent. "I think you'll want to see this." They both stepped forward, crossing down the emptying hall to stand under the vent with him, looking up to see what there was they needed to see.

"Haniel, there's nothing there."

"Nothin—Guys?" He called out. "It's just us. Everything's good again. You guys know us."

"Han—Sasha." Nisroc was on the verge of telling him off, for wasting his time when he had a fledgling to find, when a familiar face appeared above them. Another face appeared next to his, dirty curls framing her face, and Michael stared at her. "Akeelah."

Neither fledgling moved an inch.

"Are you better again, Micha?"

He nodded, "I'm better again." Raising his arms slightly he tried to reach the vent, but it was just out of reach. "Can you two come down?" both fledglings exchanged a look, and nodded, heaving to push the heavy vent cover away. Sasha let his friend go first, and Akeelah slowly lowered herself from the vent in the ceiling, Michael reached up, wrapping his fingers around her waist, he pulled her down to sit on his shoulder for him to adjust his grip and pull her down completely. He passed her to his Captain as the boy began lowering himself as well, reaching up to grip him about the waist, set him on shoulder in similar fashion, and pull him around. "Nisroc, I'll trade you fledglings." His Captain nodded, holding his fledgling out to him, and he passed his boy over as he took his girl.

Akeelah sat up straight in his arms, little hands pressing to his cheeks firmly, looking him straight in the eyes as though she was looking for trickery.

"You promise, you're good again?"

"I swear it."

"Good." She leaned forward, hugging herself close to him, and he curled his arms around her just as tight. "I missed you big brother."

"I'm back now." He kissed the side of her head. "Everything's going to be alright again." The archangel pulled her away slightly. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, looking over at her friend, Sasha was whispering up to his guardian as he pressed himself as close to his chest as he could. "Sasha got me into our hidey place when we first got here." As if from hearing his name, Sasha looked over at his friend, holding out a little first for her. "We hid." She reached out and bumped hers against it.

"Let's get back to the Infirmary anyway."

…

AN: Hope ya'll like it! More to come! :D