Deep within Heaven Raphael jerked upright from where he was bent over an injured angel as a whimper of pain came down the archangel's private mindlink with Gabriel. "Sir." One of his helpers asked.
"Take over. I have to see to something." Raphael stated turning and heading toward his office. Once inside the archangel slummed against his office door as not a whimper this time but a scream that ripped through the archangel's private mindlinks. ("Gabriel. Little brother. What is wrong? What is happening?") Raphael sent back down the link to Gabriel. But Gabriel didn't answer back all Raphael heard from him was another wordless scream of agony.
("Raphael. Get the cage open Gabriel is in Hell. Lucifer brought him here to heal.) Michael called down his link.
(Did it work did Raphael hear you?) Lucifer questioned through in open channel with both Michael and Raphael.
(Shut up the both of you.) Raphael snapped as another wordless scream of pain came down Gabriel's mindlinks with his elder brothers. (Gabriel...) All Raphael heard was another scream then suddenly the mindlink flickered once twice then it just went dark. (Something is very wrong. Did your link with Gabriel go dark as well?) Raphael asked his elder brothers.
(Yes.) Michael replied.
(Why? Why would it go dark like that? What is happening? Michael! Raphael! Please.) Lucifer cried.
(Our links with angels who have died are black, Lucifer.) Raphael explained softly.
(Died... No... No... He can't.) Lucifer shrieked.
(The link is dark Lucifer not black. He isn't dead but...) Michael cautioned.
(So your saying he is dying.) Lucifer snapped.
(He could be or he could be so low on grace that the link doesn't have the power to show up.) Raphael stated his voice catching.
(We need to get to Gabriel and find out what happened.) Michael said.
(Go to Sam, Raphael he has the keys to the cage. Get it open and I can find Gabriel faster than anyone else if he is still in Hell.) Lucifer said as he paced around the cage.
(Alright. Hold on. I'll go to Sam and get the cage open.) Raphael said as he flew out of Heaven.
... ... ...
The lightning streaked across the sky as the thunder roared on the wind that screamed through the cars on Bobby's salvage yard. Dean and Castiel were sitting in the impala. "Whoa. Where'd the storm come from?"
"This is no ordinary storm." Castiel said as he got out of the impala. Dean quickly got out as well both heading back to the house. A sharp ringing echoed over the thunder. Sam, Bobby, and Adam came out of the house. "Raphael."
"Castiel. Where is Sam Winchester?" Raphael asked as he came walking up form within the cars.
"I'm right here. What do you want?" Sam called out stepping down off the porch.
"The keys to the cage. I need to let my brothers out. Something is going on." Raphael stated his voice catching as he heard Gabriel screaming down the barely there mindlink.
"No. No way are we letting them out. After everything we had to do to get them in." Dean yelled.
"Dean. They're not going to fight anymore. The apocalypse is over." Sam said reaching into his coat pocket for the keys.
"Your actually going to let them out." Dean hissed glaring at his little brother.
"Yeah. I am. Michael is Adam's mate, Dean." Sam snapped.
"What about Lucifer?" Dean questioned.
"Lucifer is no longer the devil as you know him to be. The Morningstar has returned." Raphael said. "Now the keys please."
Sam handed the archangel the keys. "We opened it at Skull Cemetery."
"I know. I will be back with my brothers after we have dealt with this problem that has arisen." Raphael said as he turned and disappeared.
... ... ...
Michael and Lucifer sat side by side against one wall of the cage. "Lucifer what is going to happen?"
"When the cage resets?" Lucifer questioned.
"Yes." Michael said looking at his little brother.
Lucifer looked back at Michael and slowly painfully unfurled his wings. They were burnt. "I'm light and music and my grace runs cold so... it took away the light and sound and turned up the heat. It was so dark and silent and hot. Mikey your fire and strength. It will weaken you and freeze you."
"Lucifer. How could Dad do this?" Michael said his voice rough eyes wide in shock. His little brother's wings were covered in burns and most of the pure white feather were scorched a jet black.
"I... I don't think he knows. That it hurt me. I don't think he meant for it to be this strong. It's been feeding on my grace.. and it will feed on yours. It was supposed to constrict our grace not get strength from it."
"Have you tried telling Dad."
"It blocks links. By the time I realized it was growing stronger I couldn't call out and every time I sent a demon to tell anyone in Heaven what was happening they were killed before they could."
"Oh.. little brother I'm so sorry."
"We don't have long before it's done setting. I just hope the keys will work again or we will be trapped here." Lucifer said as he shuddered in fear. A low grinding noise echoed through the cage. "No.." Lucifer whined pulling his wings in and curling up into a ball sobbing and shaking.
"Luci?" Michael asked turning to fully face his brother when suddenly something grabbed him and pulled him backward away from Lucifer. Michael heard Lucifer scream in fear and pain. "Lucifer!" Michael yelled as he tried to get back to where Lucifer was curled up. The things holding him started getting cold. Freezing cold. Michael shuddered his teeth chattering as he felt the things reach into him and pull his wings out.
... ... ...
Raphael landed within Skull Cemetery. Dropping the keys he quickly said the incantation to open the cage. Within moments the cage was open but neither of his brothers appeared. Raphael was about to jump in and fly down part way throwing caution to the wind when the sound of wingbeats reached him. Lucifer came flying out of the open cage carrying Michael. The oldest archangel was whimpering between chattering teeth. "Raphael. We need to warm him up quickly." The Morningstar called as he landed. Raphael nodded sharply even as he took in the sight of Lucifer's smoking wings. "Raphael. I am fine for now. Help Michael." The Healer shook himself and turned his attention to his eldest brother. Michael was pale. Deathly pale and his wings were covered in ice.
(Castiel. Can you please have the humans start a fire? As hot as they can make it. And do not use holy oil.) Raphael called to his little brother.
(We will get one raging. What is going on?) Castiel questioned.
(Later.) Raphael stated. "Can you fly?" The Healer asked Lucifer.
"Yes. It is just painful. Why?" Lucifer asked.
"Neither one of us are going to be able to warm him up. Now follow me." Raphael said flying back to Singer Salvage.
The two archangels landed beside the raging fire in Bobby's backyard. Lucifer just stepped forward and laid Michael within the flames. The oldest archangel curled up within them with a whine. "Brothers what is... Lucifer your wings?" Castiel said as he rounded the edge of the fire.
"We need to warm Michael up his grace is freezing. Sit down Lucifer and let me take a look at your wings. Castiel can you keep the human away from here." Raphael stated his voice rough with concern for his brothers.
"Of course brothers." Castiel said turning and getting the humans to go back into the house.
... ... ...
Gabriel groaned blinking slowly as he came back to consciousness. What had happened? He remembered Asmodeus doing something. Then pain. Pain like when Lucifer first stabbed him. He remembered screaming as much as he could with his mouth sewn shut. He'd screamed down the mindlinks he had with his big brothers. Raphael. Raphael had tried asking what was happening but he couldn't answer he hurt to much. Gabriel groaned again reaching for his mindlinks he had to tell Raphael that Asmodeus had him. Shock rippled through him. His links were dark. What? Why? How? Gabriel reached for his grace to find not the wildfire it normally was but a sputtering flickering dying candle instead. "I see you've finally woke up." Asmodeus said. Looking toward the voice Gabriel found the Prince of Hell kneeing down beside him and realized he was sitting up strapped into what could have been an old metal electrocution chair. A five gallon glass jar in the prince's hands. The jar's contents were a low glowing gold liquid. Asmodeus stood carrying the jar over to the low table that ran along one wall of the room. Setting it down he threw a thick dark cover over it before twisting the spout at the bottom and filling a glass with the liquid. The demon downed the glass like a shot licking his lips. "Delicious."
A sharp knock sounded from the door. "Asmodeus. I need to speak to you. Now." Lucifer's voice echoed form behind the oak door. Gabriel's eyes widened. Lucifer. Lucifer was right there. Asmodeus watched as the bound weakened archangel whimpers and jerked in his binds trying to make any kind of noise to get his elder brother's attention. Laughing the demon turned setting down his glass and walking over to the door and stepping through.
"Yes my Lord." Asmodeus replied.
"Where is Gabriel?" Lucifer questioned sharply.
"Gabriel. He left about an hour or so ago." Asmodeus answered. No. No. I'm right here. Damn it Luci. Come on hear me. Gabriel thought as he tries to call out to his brother. The stitches pulling painfully.
"What was that?" Lucifer asked. Yes. Yes. Luci come on. Bust in here. Brake the door down..
"Oh just the stupid pagan I caught. He thought it was a good idea to try and prank me. Tricksters they never learn without a beating." Asmodeus laughed.
"Hmmm." Lucifer hummed. No. No. It's me. Luci. I'm right here. I may be Loki sometimes but I'm Gabriel...
"Do you know where Gabriel went?" Michael asked.
"No. Sorry. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get back to my fun." Asmodeus replied. As the Prince of Hell walked back into the room he watched as Gabriel closed his eyes with a whine of pure despair as Lucifer and Michael walked away. "Your mine and they will never find you."
