A/N: I want to thank everybody that's been reading and reviewing, you guys rock! This chapter's a bit shorter than the last and a little rushed, but I wanted to get it out for you guys. I won't be able to update this next week, due to a big exam that I have to study for. But I promise I will get the next one out as soon as I can!
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Azazel sat in a chair, waiting. He was eager to give the good news to Lucifer. Turning the box in his hand, he gazed at it with a grin. He would surely be promoted for this success.
"You're late," a fellow Demon commented, crossing her arms over her chest. She had blonde hair that fell past her shoulders and dark eyes.
"Such a pleasure to see you again, Lilith," Azazel said as he stood. Lilith scoffed and walked away. He chuckled as he followed her through the casino. Employees were scattered throughout, dancing seductively while Angels watched, in a daze. Other workers dealt cards, where the Angels won every round they played. All of the Angels were barefoot and glued to the spot, and once a certain emotion was reached, their Grace was pulled through the floor.
The Grace flowed through tubes, down several floors and into the basement of the casino, leading into a laboratory where it was collected in different bins, each of them with a label. There was Passion, Lust, Excitement, and countless more. A man maneuvered around the bins, a Demon following his every move.
"We need to move on," he mumbled, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "To see how joy and awe and lust can all be turned to pills. It's the latest trend, I've heard. No one wants liquid anymore."
He stopped at a testing station, where a bright orange liquid dripped into a beaker, labeled Passion. Reaching for the beaker, the man grabbed a pipette and filled it with a drop before tasting the liquid. "Mmm, this will work nicely."
At that moment, another Demon entered the lab, stopping to stand in front of the scientist and his assistant. "Lucifer wants to see you, Chuck."
Chuck found Lucifer in the meeting room, leaning over a table and pouring through papers. Several other Demons sat along the table, watching with interest. "The Dragon just brought in the last shipment of Angels," he said, standing straight. He was a taller man, with blond hair and blue eyes, a bit of stubble on his chin.
"How many?" Chuck asked meekly, wringing his hands.
"Twenty. Make the most of them," Lucifer commanded in a firm tone. "We won't be getting any more until we find that amulet and restart the Gate. There was just enough just enough juice left in it for the last trip." He paced the room before pausing and turning to face the scientist, "Oh, and I want you to harvest more of the unusual emotions."
Chuck blanched. "It-It's difficult enough to get simple emotions, my lord. You know it takes a hundred thrills to make just the tiniest drop," Chuck tried but Lucifer ignored his comments.
"People want to experience the more exotic wonders. Surprise, adoration, ecstasy, calm. Keeping the masses happy is a very great responsibility, Chuck," Lucifer informed calmly. He sighed as he continued, "It is one that weighs heavy on my shoulders. If our people don't feel what they want, when they want to feel it, well the whole system breaks down." Lucifer sighed again, moving around the room and gazing into the eyes of every Demon in the room.
"Instant gratification is a very complex business. That's why we have to keep moving forward, Chuck."
Before Lucifer could continue, the doors swung open, revealing Lilith, closely followed by Azazel. Lucifer grinned and moved towards the tall man. "There you are! How magnificent!" he exclaimed when Azazel presented the box that held the amulet.
Lucifer took the box and released the latch on the side, popping the lid open. However, it was empty inside. With a frown, he commented, "Why am I not surprised?" He asked Azazel, who looked at the empty box with horror.
"The boy," he gasped, yellow eyes widening.
"What boy?" Lucifer demanded and Azazel shrank back in fear.
"I took the box from a boy, an Angel. He must have the amulet."
Eyes narrowing, Lucifer demanded, "Where is he now?"
"He escaped," Azazel whispered, voice cracking.
Lucifer's patience was waning. "What exactly do you mean, escaped?"
"Some of the containers are getting old…"
The Lord cut him off, angrily. "So an Angel is running around Purgatory with my amulet?"
"We'll find him," Azazel assured.
"Oh, we'll find him all right. But you, Azazel, will take no further part." Lucifer motioned for a pair of guards, who escorted Azazel out of the meeting room. His screams could still be heard as he was carried away, begging for his life.
Lilith stepped forward, "I'll alert all of the guards."
"No, that will only alert the resistance and that is the last thing we need, their encouragement. We need someone who can work quietly behind the scenes. Someone cold-blooded, ruthless, criminally insane. Send for Alistair," Lucifer said with a grin.
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Dean dropped the last few steps off of the ladder, landing with a soft thud on the ground below. Castiel followed closely behind, standing beside the taller man. He looked down and felt a wave of vertigo hit and he swayed. Strong arms steadied him and Castiel glanced into green eyes, before looking down again.
Dean frowned, "What's the matter?"
"I don't like heights," Castiel relented, almost breathlessly, clutching the man's arms in a tight grip. "Why couldn't you build a city on the ground?"
The depths seemed endless, dark. As though if he fell, he would fall forever. His stomach knotted almost painfully and he gripped at Dean's arms tighter.
"Look at me, Cas," Dean said, his voice soft. When those blue eyes found his, Dean smiled. "Try not to look down." He led the shorter man away from the narrow path. He tried to stay on the wider paths for the Angel's sake, keeping him far from the edge as possible, as they made it across the city. That sudden terror that he had seen in Castiel's eyes, it unsettled him, more than Dean liked to admit.
Hell, he just met the guy. He shouldn't be having feelings like that, for Christ's sake. If Sammy were still there, he would rip Dean a new one at the girly emotions. At the sudden turn of his thoughts, Dean forced them away, trying not to think of his little brother's disappearance.
When he found the building he was looking for, Dean stopped, knocking on the door.
A small slit opened and Dean spoke, "I'm returning a library book. It's a work of J.K. Rowling."
The man on the other side commented, "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies."
"But a great deal more to stand up to your friends," Dean replied smoothly and the slit closed, leaving the two standing outside. The sound of locks clanking could be heard. Dean could feel the intent stare that Castiel was giving him and he turned to face the shorter man, frowning slightly, "What?" He demanded in a gruff voice.
"You know Harry Potter?"
"Sue me," Dean turned away, but not missing the small smile that Castiel had. He felt himself returning the gesture as the door opened finally.
"C'mon, be quick," the man ordered, leading them inside.
"Hello, Rufus," Dean said cheerfully as they stepped onto the bus. Rufus moved some switches by the steering wheel and suddenly the bus was sinking into the ground. Castiel stumbled, falling against Dean, who steadied the Angel.
"It's alright," Dean mumbled and just as suddenly as it started, the bus stopped moving. He motioned for Castiel to step off first and followed behind the shorter man. When they stood inside another hallway, the sound of a gun cocking had Dean spinning around quickly.
He stared at the older man, who was holding a gun threateningly at the pair. "Oh, come on Rufus, just put that away. You know me well enough," Dean tried to reason as he stood in front of Castiel, shielding the younger man.
"I have my orders. And keep those hands where I can see them," Rufus insisted, raising the gun a bit. Dean laughed but Rufus didn't look amused. "I've seen what you can do, Dean."
"Did you like the box of samples I sent you last week? Sausage, ham?"
"It's all gone," Rufus relented, frowning.
"Well, if you don't treat me and my friend here with a bit of respect, you won't be getting another crumb," Dean said in a harsh voice.
At that, Rufus lowered the gun. "Sorry, Dean. It's just that everyone's a bit jumpy."
"Everyone's always jumpy," Dean replied, the anger still in his voice. He pushed Castiel forward and they followed Rufus down the hallway. Over the railing, Castiel could see a sort of library below. There were probably thousands of books, stacked high in piles throughout the large, open room. But there were countless people inside; some were sleeping on the floor, others chatting quietly in small groups. "Where are we?" He asked softly.
Dean glanced at the Angel, noiting the interest in those blue eyes. "The Great Library. There's over five-thousand years worth of history hidden down here. Any and every subject you can think of. Art, literature, law," Dean informed. "Don't tell me, you're a nerd, aren't you?"
"I enjoy reading," Castiel confessed.
"You'd get along with my brother," Dean nodded and continued, "This was rescued when Lucifer seized power. He'd like nothing more than to see this place burn to the ground."
Castiel turned his gaze from the library to catch Dean's eyes. "Who's Lucifer?"
"He don't know Lucifer?" Rufus demanded, turning around pointing the gun at them again. "Who the hell is he, Dean?"
Dean grumbled, "Would you just calm the hell down, Rufus? The kid's led a sheltered life, doesn't get out much. That's all."
"Back to the bus," Rufus growled, not listening to Dean's words any longer. Dean sighed and reached into his coat pocket. Rufus growled, "Hands where I can see them!"
"Have you not learned to trust me yet?" Dean asked as he pulled out a wrapped wedge of cheese. "Now, can we get on with this show or do you want to send us back? It's so hard to make a decision on an empty stomach."
Rufus cursed but took the cheese, lowering his weapon. He shoved the cheese into his own coat pocket before directing Dean and Castiel down the hall.
Castiel grimaced, "He's supposed to help me find Balthazar?"
Dean could hear the disbelief in the Angel's voice. "Don't worry, their boss is a little more savvy."
They came to a stop, Rufus motioning them to wait while he moved ahead. Castiel moved to look over the railing, watching the people mill about. Dean stood next to him, "Anyway, those that don't want to be a part of Lucifer's world of instant gratification, they come here. It's the only safe place to hide, and even still, it's dangerous. They wouldn't stand a chance if Lucifer found out."
"Why?" Castiel asked studying the groups. "Why does Lucifer want to destroy all of this?"
The concern on Castiel's face almost surprised Dean. Maybe he was the Angel of Legend, after all. But he wasn't about to get his hopes up. He had learned his lesson with Sammy, who had fled the first chance he got. "Wisdom's his biggest threat. He controls people with a quick fix."
Neither spoke as they watched a mother tend to her child. Before any more words could be exchanged, Rufus returned. "Right then, get a move on, will ya?"
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A/N: I planned out the rest of the story, though, and it looks like it'll be around ten chapters. So hopefully you all will stick with me for the rest of the journey! :D
Questions, comments, and concerns are most welcome! Feel free to drop a line.