The next morning, Gabriel made his way to the kitchen. He found Lucifer there with Lucifer, Jack, Castiel, and Dean, who looked like he most likely spent the night in a bottle. Gabriel glared momentarily at Dean before going over to his brothers and nephew.
"Morning, brother. I take it you didn't sleep well. You look like Hell," Lucifer said before pouring a cup of coffee and handing it to his younger brother. His brother's power had increased, but he was still low on Grace, which meant he still needed things such as food and sleep.
"Thanks. No, I didn't. I spent the night with Sam," Gabriel said. He'd spent the night trying to comfort Sam, and thinking of new ways to torture Dean Winchester. He hadn't slept much, and what little sleep he was able to get was plagued with dreams about Hell.
Lucifer raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Really? You two moved much faster than I anticipated.
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant, dumbass. And what do you mean it was faster than you anticipated?"
"I believe my words were simple enough to understand," Lucifer said.
"Is Sam alright? I saw him last night as I went to my room. He looked upset?" Jack said.
"What is wrong with Sam?" Castiel wondered. He thought things would be better for Sam once he and Dean talked things out.
"Ask your bestie over there," Gabriel said with another glare in Dean's direction.
Dean clenched his hands into fists. He knew he was to blame for Sam's pain, but he didn't need to be judged by an asshole archangel. Plus, he was hungover, so that added to his temper.
"Dean, I thought you and Sam were going to talk," Castiel said.
"We did. It didn't go well," Dean said.
"Yeah, most people don't take it well when they find out they're still being judged for something that happened nearly a decade earlier," Gabriel sneered.
Lucifer shook his head. "Unfortunately, I can't say that surprises me. We're talking about a miniature Michael."
Dean looked up and glared at the Devil. "Hey! This is none of your business, so keep your damn comments to yourself!"
"Perhaps not, but I've been where Sam is. I've been judged for mistakes that weren't all mine. I find it unfortunate that he has to suffer because his brother is a sanctimonious dick. But no matter. He's better off knowing now and getting away from you. You're the one who will suffer in the long run," Lucifer said.
Sam soon made his way into the room. "Morning, Everyone."
"Good morning, Sam," Castiel said.
"Hey, Sam, maybe we should try to talk some more," Dean said. He really wanted to make things right, though he didn't know how. He couldn't lie to Sam, but he didn't want him to hate him.
"I don't think there's much else to say," Sam said shortly before turning his attention to the others. "Has there been any consensus come to on letting Michael out of the cage."
"Yes. Unfortunately, I must admit that you were all right. We need the bastard," Lucifer grudgingly admitted.
"He's not staying here," Dean snapped. It was bad enough that he had to put up with Lucifer, Gabriel, and sometimes even a demon there. He wasn't putting up with the leader of the angel douches.
"Dean…" Castiel started.
"No, I agree with him for once. I would rather have as little contact with him as possible, and I don't want him around Jack," Lucifer said.
"You think he'd try to hurt me?" Jack asked.
"I won't risk it. You're my son, and he considers me a monster. Plus, Nephilim in general are forbidden. I will be speaking to Amenadiel about conditions before we leave," Lucifer said.
As if on cue, Amenadiel appeared at that moment. "Hey."
"Excellent timing, brother," Lucifer said. "We were just discussing the situation regarding our unfortunate brother."
"So, then you've decided to do what needs to be done?" Amenadiel asked.
Lucifer sighed. "Provided that my terms are met. I will not simply release him without some assurances. The main one is that you are responsible for the ponce. I want little to nothing to do with him."
"I second that," Gabriel piped up.
"I assumed as much. The plan was to take him back to Heaven immediately. Heaven can use all the angels it can get right now, and if he's in a bad way, it's the best place for him anyway," Amenadiel said.
"Good. He wasn't going to be allowed to stay here. I don't want him around my son. I have one more condition, which you won't like. You will take over Heaven until Father deems it necessary to return. We can't have another possible apocalypse on our hands if the idiot is allowed control," Lucifer said. Normally, he wouldn't care who had control of Heaven, but if Michael was let loose, there was the possibility that he'd have to clean up whatever mess was made.
Amenadiel sighed. "I'd already resigned myself to that. Letting Michael take the reigns was a mistake. I will correct it."
"Good. I suppose that's all," Lucifer said.
"Wait," Sam said, getting the attention of both archangels. "Our brother, Adam, is trapped in there with Michael. You'll release him too, right?"
Dean froze. He couldn't believe it, but he'd forgotten about Adam. This was there chance. They could bring him home again and try to fix things.
"Bloody hell. Of course. No human soul should ever be trapped in there," Lucifer said.
"Thank you," Sam said.
"Are we ready?" Amenadiel asked.
"Yes. We should go before I change my mind," Lucifer said before grabbing onto his brother's shoulder. Within seconds, they disappeared.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Lucifer led the way into the Cage. It was big as far as cages went. It was the size of a small mansion.
Amenadiel was behind him admiring the craftsmanship. Wow, Luci, this looks pretty flawless. You did well with this thing."
"It was meant to be, but everything, even this, has flaws," Lucifer said as he walked around looking for Michael. He finally found him a few minutes later on the floor by one of the walls. He was staring off into space with a dreamy smile on his face. "Well, it certainly seems like he's insane."
Hearing Lucifer's voice, Michael turned to see his brothers. He stood up and launched himself at him and hugged him. "Samael! It's so good to see you!"
Lucifer stiffened and gaped in shock. "Now I'm certain of it. Amenadiel, remove him from my person before I kill him."
Amenadiel firmly pulled his twin off their little brother. "Michael, are you okay?"
"I'm great! Amenadiel, is that you? Are we going home now?" Michael asked.
"Uh, yeah," Amenadiel said. He didn't know what else to say. He knew it was likely Michael had lost touch with reality, but he wasn't expecting this. Michael had actually hugged Lucifer and called him by the name he used to have. Had his brother lost or suppressed his memories or something? Perhaps his mind chose to remember a happier time.
"Not yet. I want to speak to your human host," Lucifer told Michael.
"Why, Samael?" Michael asked.
"Do not call me that! Just let me talk to the boy. We will not leave until I speak with him," Lucifer warned.
Suddenly, Michael's cheerful features disappeared, and confusion and fear took its place. "What's going on? Where am I?"
"You're Adam, yes?" Lucifer asked.
"Who are you?" Adam asked.
"I am Lucifer. Do not fear. I am not the one you've met, if you ever met it. I mean you no harm. Quite the opposite actually. I am here to release you, but I need to know where to do it. I can allow you to return to Earth, or my brother can send you to Heaven. I understand that you may not wish to remain living after spending so much time trapped in your own body, and in this place as well," Lucifer said.
"He should be sent to Heaven. He's already died once. Michael ripped him out of his Heaven," Amenadiel said sadly.
"He deserves to decide after all of this," Lucifer said.
"I can really leave here. I can go back and be with my mom? That's what I want. I want to go back and be with her again. Send me to Heaven, please," Adam begged.
"Very well," Lucifer said.
"Michael, I know you can hear me. Do not fight," Amenadiel said before placing a hand to the young man's head. A light left him and traveled upward.
Michael soon returned and smiled. "Now can we go home?"
"Let's go," Lucifer said.
Amenadiel took ahold of both of them and flew them away.