To my loyal readers; I have a deleted scene that I could not post due to 's guidelines. It contains blood and a non-con scene that takes place between the last chapter and this one. Should you wish to read that part then send me a message and I will deliver it to you. Lots of love!
~Noxy
Chapter 9: The Archangel's Battle
"So this is it then? This was the best place you could find Cas?" Dean asked looking around the rundown empty warehouse. "Not exactly a five star hotel."
Castiel looked up at his mate. "This place has everything Bobby asked for. It is secluded and there isn't any chance that any innocent people will stray in. The Devil's Trap is set and everything is ready. All thats left is to summon Crowley and hope that he brings Gabriel with him. It is the best we can do at this point."
"Good job Cas." Bobby said setting up everything needed to summon the demon. "Are we ready for this? Everyone know their roles?"
"Yes. I will distract Gabriel." Castiel said. "I will keep him away from Crowley for as long as I possibly can for you."
"Sam and I will try and get Gabriel's feather away from the douche bag and try to destroy it." Dean said. "And then we give Crowley an ass whooping that he'll never forget. Right Sammy?"
Sam nodded and gripped the silver spiraled blade in his hand a bit tighter. "Crowley dies today. He'll pay for what he's done."
Bobby nodded and prepared the spell. Throwing the match down, the plate of herbs caught fire and let out the normal puff of blue smoke. There was a sudden curse that filled the area and Bobby looked up to see Crowley standing a few feet away. There was a rustling and Gabriel appeared as well. Growls filled the warehouse from the hunters and the angel as they caught sight of the huge bruise and cut decorating the archangel's face along with the dark bite mark on his neck.
Crowley glared at the hunters. "Really? Are you serious?"
"Damn right we're serious." Dean said. "We want our archangel back."
The demon let out a laugh. "Are you brain dead? Do you not remember the beating I had him deliver to you yesterday? Are you so ready to get another one?"
Castiel's blade slid down into his hand. "Last time you caught us off guard. This time we are ready for you."
Crowley gave them a smile. "You sure it's me you should be ready for?"
Castiel shifted and his overcoat slid off his shoulders and disappeared before it reappeared on the chair next to Bobby. "I do not fear fighting Gabriel."
"You should. Gabriel, I want you to bring me his wings. Rip them off if you have too. I want to have Castiel on his knees weeping before me. Then I want you to bring me Dean. I want to watch you rip his mate's still beating heart out right in front of him." Crowley said with a smile. "That's an order."
Gabriel was tense, his whole body trembling and blood began to trickle from his nose once more.
The King of Hell turned to glare at the archangel. "Now Gabriel. Do it now."
Casting a glare at the demon, Gabriel's angel blade appeared in his hand and he slowly began to make his way towards Castiel. The younger angel held his own blade up defensively, slowly making his way backwards, trying to put as much space as he possibly could between the archangel and his enslaver. He had to give Dean and Sam enough time to go after the demon and hopefully free Gabriel.
Dean waited until Castiel had drawn Gabriel towards the far end of the warehouse before going after Crowley. He charged at the demon only to to find himself being flung backwards and into Sam, the both of them hitting the ground hard. Dean was suddenly yanked to his feet and found himself staring at Gabriel, the angel's gold eyes flashing red for a brief moment. The angel was holding him in place by the front of his shirt and his blade was poised to kill.
"Dean!"
Castiel swiped his blade across the archangel's arm, making him drop his mate. Gabriel let out a hiss and pulled back, Grace shining from the wound. Instead of looking pissed the archangel looked grateful for the wound. He turned, however, and went after Castiel once more their blades locking. Sam, who had frozen when Gabriel had been injured, was watching, horrified, as the two brothers battled. He didn't want either of them to get hurt. This was turning into his own personal nightmare.
Castiel leaned into his blade as he and Gabriel locked them once more. He was trying to keep a steady force against the sheer power the archangel was putting out. Castiel knew he had to at least hold Gabriel off but as with his battle against Raphael, there was only so much he could do as a seraph. The worst part was the Castiel knew his brother wasn't even really trying.
"Gabriel please. We just need to give Dean and Sam time to get closer to Crowley. If we can get your feather we can destroy it and free you from Crowley." Castiel said softly. "I just need you to fight it long enough to let us help Gabriel!"
"Don't you think I'm trying?!" Gabriel snapped, his eyes turning red for a brief moment. "I've been fighting. I am trying so damn hard Cassie. I'm just..I'm getting tired. I don't have enough strength left in me to keep fighting it. This spell is too strong. Get...Get my blade from Sam before I end up hurting you or worse. Please."
"No! I refuse to give up on you Gabriel! You are the only brother I have that still cares for me! I will not abandon you the way I was!" Castiel said, his wings appearing behind him as he threw everything he had against the archangel.
Gabriel's expression turned sad, his eyes red once more. "Castiel you fool. You shouldn't have done that."
"CAS! Put your wings up!" Dean yelled.
Castiel barely had time to register his mate's words when Gabriel spun, dislodging their blades. He barely registered anything else as his brother's blade bit into one of his wings, pulling a scream from him and sending him to his knees in agony. Castiel managed to get his bearings just in time to lean back as Gabriel's blade passed by his chest. The blade left a shallow wound that immediately began leaking Grace, but the shining blade also caught the necklace that he had been given by Lucifer. One of the glass balls was knocked from the chain and it hit the ground, the fragile thing shattering as it hit the concrete.
Gabriel stepped back as eggshell white smoke began pouring from the remains of the glass. It didn't seem to stop either and soon their was a rather large cloud of it. Gabriel appeared back next to Crowley, the demon having used the spell to summon the archangel to his side. A moment later Gabriel was quite glad the demon had. A pair of huge eggshell white wings emerged from the smoke and with a single flap the smoke cleared enough to reveal Michael, still in the body of Adam, standing proud, his own archangel blade held tight in his hand.
"Michael..." Gabriel whispered, his eyes turning red once more; his eldest brother had come to try and help save him.
"Hello Gabriel. I told you that you'd be seeing me again soon didn't I?" Michael asked with a smile, even as he reached down to help pull Castiel to his feet. "Castiel go stay with the Winchesters and Robert Singer. You've done enough Little Brother. Leave this fight to me. Be ready to smash the other crystal when I tell you to. Understand?"
Castiel nodded, grateful for the First Born's help in standing, as he had a hand pressed tight to the wound on his chest and his injured wing was nearly dragging along. "Michael, Gabriel is getting tired. He's having trouble fighting the spell off. His eyes keep changing colors."
"I figured as much." Michael said, keeping himself between Castiel and Gabriel and Crowley, even as Dean rushed over to them to help his mate. "Seems like the cockroach took more then one feather from my Baby Brother. That's why Gabriel is having such a hard time and why his eyes are turning red. He's succumbing to the demon's spell."
"What can we do to help?" Sam asked, helping pull Castiel to safety, even as Bobby began trying to patch the dark haired angel's injuries.
"The best thing you can do is to stay back. As much as I hate to say it, you're only human. You could get hurt trying to help. Just stay put and be ready to smash the second crystal on Castiel's necklace." Michael said softly, his eyes fixed on Gabriel, watching his eyes flash from gold to red and back again. "I'm hoping that it won't come to that but I have a feeling that it might be the only thing that will help."
"You can't expect us to-"
"Dean I am saying this not only for your safety but Gabriel's. Stay here and don't interfere. Is that understood?" Michael asked.
Dean nodded, agreeing to the archangel's orders even if he didn't like the situation on bit. "Yeah. Just...Kill that douche bag demon for us?"
Michael nodded. "With pleasure."
"And make sure Gabe gets back to us in one piece." Sam whispered.
"That's why I'm here." The First Born said.
Crowley, who had been watching the exchange with fascination, now eyed the young blonde with his huge wings. "Looks like there's an uninvited guest. Don't you know that this party is invite only?"
Michael twirled his blade. "I have an invitation. It was given to me by Gabriel when you began sticking your nose into his relationship with Sam Winchester. Being a demon means that you probably don't understand the concept of family."
"I understand it alright." Crowley said. "My mother was a witch who taught me well. Family means power."
Michael shook his head. "Family means that you love each other and stand by each other through thick and thin no matter what. It was something that I had forgotten. Something that Gabriel never forgot. Even after we turned on him and told him never to come back. I abandoned my Baby Brother when he needed me the most. It's something I regret doing."
"Oh please. What is this? Family therapy time? Is this the part where we hug?" Crowley asked. "If so then count me out. I don't do hugs."
"No. This is the part where I say that I was wrong." Michael said. "I was wrong about everything and you were right Gabriel. I know that I was an ass but now that I know the truth I can finally start to set things right. The first step, is freeing you from this cockroach and getting you back to Sam, Gabriel. Then I am going to take my time ripping the King of Hell apart."
Gabriel's eyes were filling with tears even as they began to stay red for longer and longer moments of time. The Fourth Born's shaking had begun to lessen and his nose bleed was almost non existent now. It wouldn't be long until the youngest archangel's mind would go blank and he would jump to carry out the demon's orders no matter what they were. Gabriel was slowly losing himself to the will of a demon.
Michael's blue eyes took the marks on his brother's body with a careful eye. The spell was effecting Gabriel far faster then he would have liked. Even with having more then one feather it shouldn't have been working this fast. Michael's eyes narrowed as he took in the smug smile on the demon's face and realization set it. The spell was working far faster because Crowley was a lot stronger that the average demon. He was the King of Hell. Add in the fact that it was apparent that Gabriel had been fighting the spell for a while and it made more sense.
Gabriel was growing tired while still fighting the spell. The injuries he could see were adding to how quickly the Fourth Born was wearing down. Then there was the fight with Castiel. Even though the dark haired angel was only a seraph it was clear that Castiel had enough power in him to make sure that he could at least hold his own for a while. Being hit with the holy oil by the younger angel had proven that Castiel had some spunk. Not to mention from what he heard about him standing up to Raphael.
Readying his blade Michael stood tall as he faced down his younger brother, something he never would have dreamed would ever happen as Gabriel tried to avoid confrontation at all costs. Gabriel was still, watching him carefully, his eyes now stuck between the gold that Michael was used to, and the red that he wanted to banish. Michael knew that this was going to be very dangerous; he and Lucifer had trained Gabriel together and as such, the youngest archangel knew all of the moves his eldest brother favored in battle. Gabriel was a tactician, one of heaven's very best, and the First Born could already see the gears turning as they prepared themselves.
Crowley let out a huff. "Gabriel kill him. And make sure it's painful. Then once you dispose of him I want to follow that first orders I gave you. Namely ripping off Castiel's wings and pulling Dean's still beating heart from his chest." Crowely's brown eyes suddenly flicked over to where the hunter's were, his brown eyes locking with Sam's green. "After that I might get you to help me have a little fun with the moose. I like breaking in virgins."
Gabriel let out a harsh noise and his nose bleed came back full force as he struggled to face the demon, his blade pointed at the Scotsman. "Don't...Threaten...My...Mate..."
Crowley took a small step back, fear flashing in his eyes. "Moose is off the table then. Now do as you're told before I make sure he's hell hound food!"
Michael barely had time bring his blade up as Gabriel was suddenly on him. The First Born pulled back putting some space between himself and Gabriel before throwing his full power behind his blade. Gabriel twirled his angel blade around his hand as he carefully tracked the First Born's moves. He darted in, using his speed to land a quick blow just above Michael's knee before pulling back.
Michael glanced down at the area, surprised to see the his brother hadn't cut him. Judging by the look on Gabriel's face it seemed that he wasn't the only one surprised by that fact. Eyes that were more red now then gold darted up to lock with blue.
"Looks like you got lucky Michael. Be grateful I'm injured. It's probably the only thing that saved you." Gabriel said, his voice taking on a dark tone.
"Then I shall be sure to thank our Father during my next prayers." Michael said, watching the flinch come from him. "After all, I am His First Born. Just as you are His Fourth Born!"
"Shut up!" Gabriel snapped, charging sloppily, allowing Michael to easily block his attack.
"You are no one's pawn Gabriel!" Michael stated. "You are The Messenger of the Lord! You speak for Him!"
"I serve my master!" Gabriel screamed, his eyes burning red. "I do not bow to your Father!"
Michael frowned as Gabriel came at him once more. The spell was getting stronger. Michael ducked under the next blow and swiped at Gabriel's stomach only to have the Fourth Born use his speed and dance away from the blow. All he had to do was land a solid strike and take Gabriel down, take him out of the picture without injuring him too badly so he could deal with the demon.
"The Gabriel I knew served our Father! He took joy in spreading his word." Michael said, hoping to keep distracting the younger angel into making a mistake and knowing the best way to go about it was by trying to give Gabriel exactly what his heart desired; their family whole once more.
"The Gabriel you knew loved his family. His family who turned on each other at the drop of the hat and started trying to kill each other!" Gabriel said, his next blow going after the eldest angel's leg again and this time finding it's mark despite Michael's attempts to block it. "That Gabriel died when he choose to run away. He ran so he wouldn't have to see the people he loved murder each other in cold blood. What kind of family does that?"
Michael winced and grabbed his brother's wrist locking their blades once more to keep that faster angel still. "Families fight Gabriel! That's what they do! It's how they grow stronger! By being able to move past that. I've forgiven both Raphael and Lucifer and made my peace with what happened. We're ready to be a family again. No more fighting. No more trying to kill each other. I promise."
The fight seemed to drain from the Fourth Born for a moment, his eyes fading from red and back into gold. "Michael...I..."
"He's lying to you!" Crowley snapped. "Don't let him trick you! Kill him!"
The gold faded from Gabriel's eyes and the red returned. Michael only had a moment to react as Gabriel twisted, spinning around and breaking the hold he had on the younger's wrist. Gabriel came at him using his speed to land strike after strike, and Michael was soon baring several wounds along both his arms and legs. Pulling back he lead the younger angel into a lunge and when Gabriel reacted Michael struck, his angel blade biting deep into the Fourth Born's leg. The shorter blonde let out a hiss and jumped back looking down at his leg, his face turning into a mask of rage.
"Really Michael? Is that how you want to play this? What are you hoping to accomplish by holding back?" Gabriel asked. "Don't forget you trained me, Big Brother. I know when you are fighting for real and when you are playing. I'd tell you to stop playing around but we both know the truth don't we? You couldn't kill Lucifer and you can't kill me."
Michael glared before turning to glance at Castiel. "Castiel now! Break the other one! We need to get-"
Michael felt the breath rush from his vessel's lungs as Gabriel was suddenly in front on him, landing a well placed kick to his stomach. He went flying back and felt himself hit one of the steel beams supporting the building they were in. His blade fell from his hands and slid across the floor as a burning pain ripped through his shoulder. Looking over he realized that Gabriel had thrown his angel blade at him and it was now embedded in his shoulder and pinning him to the metal behind him. He was stuck.
Gabriel slowly walked forward and bent down and picked up the spiraled blade he had dropped. The youngest angel turned the archangel blade over in his hands, seemingly fascinated by it's mirrored surface. He continued looking it over as he came closer to the trapped First Born. Michael felt a tingle of fear run up his spine, knowing that Gabriel would follow the demon's orders and end his life.
"You know Michael... I always hated you for not believing me." Gabriel said, his red eyes locking on him. "Looks like I win. Who would have thought that God's First Born would have his life taken by the youngest? Talk about embarrassing. I bet Daddy is so ashamed of you."
"Gabriel please. Listen to me." Michael pleaded. "There's still time to fix this. Just give me my blade and this will all be over."
Gabriel's face turned into an evil smirk and Michael felt his vessel's heart stutter in his chest. "Sure thing Mike. I'll give you your blade."
Gabriel pulled back with a snarl, Michael's blade held tight in his hand. Michael steeled himself, as his younger brother swung the blade. Gabriel's eyes went wide and the youngest archangel was thrown back with a well placed kick to his chest. The archangel blade fell from his hand as he was thrown, hitting one of the roofing struts, his body letting out a horrible snapping sound as it connected with the metal before falling the forty feet the the ground to land next to Crowley, the demon staring in shock at Michael's savior.
Huge, blinding white wings spread to their fullest before they were folded up behind their owner. There was a soft noise and they vanished leaving the six foot three blonde to stare at his younger brother. Gabriel got his barings and looked up at the only angel who was strong enough to interfere.
"Lucifer!" Gabriel snapped.
The Devil smiled as he looked down at his brother. "I'd stay down if I were you, Gabriel. I don't want to have to kill you again."
