Chapter Ten
"Samuel Winchester."
Sam didn't turn at the deep baritone that spoke his name, already knowing just who was behind him. It was kinda obvious seeing as to how most angels were avoiding him like a plague because he'd released Lucifer. The only angels he saw on a normal basis were Gabriel and Castiel, neither of whom possessed the nearly overwhelming power the angel behind him did.
"Michael." He greeted, staring out his motel window at the beautiful sunset. Everything was set and he knew that soon Lucifer would be showing his face and asking the question...and he was ready to face him. More than ready really. The arch angel behind him wouldn't change that.
Soft footsteps sounded behind him and he felt Michael come to a stop right behind him.
"You plan to jump." He stated in monotone and the young hunter turned to him with a raised eyebrow. He noted with a flare of shock that the archangel was wearing the form of his baby brother, someone he'd only met a few times.
He must've realized that Dean and Dad would never say yes. Still he couldn't help but wonder why the archangel sounded so disapproving of his plan.
"You don't approve?"
Michael seemed offended. "I am not Zachariah nor do I agree with what he has done to you. I would rather not fight my brother, especially not at the expense of someone's life."
Sam smiled sardonically. "Yeah, well your siblings don't seem to agree with you and neither does Hell for that matter. We were given free will for a reason yet you angels don't seem to realize that you possess the same free will we do."
The arch angel frowned at the human, noting the depression edging his aura with guilt. "Angels do not possess free will. I am a warrior of my Father's army."
"And I was a marine, a warrior for my country for nearly six years. Being a warrior does not mean possessing no free will. Castiel has gone against Heaven for months now, and the only punishment he suffered was the loss of his grace. But he gained something so much more beautiful. He learned to love, and he and Dean are happy despite all of the things both Heaven and Hell keep sending their way."
Michael nodded, reluctantly able to see the human's point. However, he knew he was still no closer to convincing the man that jumping into Lucifer's cage was a bad idea.
"Jumping into the Cage will break him." He replied and Sam flinched, knowing they were no longer talking about Dean.
He'd been able to convince everyone but himself that Damien would get over his death, that the vampire would find another mate but he wasn't able to convince himself. He knew Damien would be heartbroken over his death, but he also knew that the vampire was too strong to try to join him. He'd break, but Sam was hoping that Lenore and her coven would once more be able to piece him back together.
"It's a necessary sacrifice. What is my life at the risk of billions?"
"He won't see it that way."
Sam glared at him the comfortable numbness he'd fallen into since leaving with Ruby that night so long ago falling so that the pain he was feeling was bared for all to see.
"Why are you here, exactly?" He snarled and the arch angel sighed.
"Because I promised I wouldn't let you fall."
He frowned in confusion.
"Promised who?"
Michael looked him directly in the eye, his voice low and sincere.
"Your Daughter. Marilyn Eileen Winchester, Angel of Childhood Innocence."
The hunter's eyes went wide, seeing no deceit in the other's jade green eyes, and he faltered back tears welling in his eyes.
"My- my baby's an angel?"
Michael nodded, cupping the man's cheek in his hands.
"She watches over you and Damien. It is she that told me of your plan and asked me to stop you. She doesn't want to see you suffer the horrors of Lucifer's punishment."
Sam stared at him, soft, almost inaudible sobs leaving his lips before he slowly shook his head.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, shifting slightly and Michael's brow furrowed.
"Sorry?"
"I can't let you keep that promise."
The arch angel's eyes widened as Gabriel appeared behind the hunter, honey eyes sad as they gazed at him.
"Gabriel?"
The younger arch angel shook his head. "Sorry, Michael. But this feud has to stop."
Sam steeled himself, his hazel eyes full of determination and sadness.
"Tell her...I'm sorry." He murmured and then...they were gone and Michael was alone.
He closed his eyes as he were in pain and disappeared to report his failure to the little girl that had warmed his heart.
He'd recognized her the second she'd appeared with Castiel.
She was older than she had been when he'd last seen her, almost seven years old, with his dark red hair and her mother's eyes. Her smile was all Sam's, right down to the sweet dimples in her cheeks.
His baby girl.
His Marilyn.
She smiled upon seeing him and ran to him and he wrapped his arms around her, heart breaking and singing all at once.
"Daddy." She breathed, as if she couldn't believe it was him and his arms tightened around her.
"Marilyn." He replied, voice thick with tears. "Baby girl."
She pulled away, and looked at the Winchesters, who he'd joined about a month ago in their search for Sam.
"Mommy plans to jump into Luci's cage."
Damien froze, his heart stilling in his chest. That was a once way trip. There was no coming back from something like that. Why would Sam do something like that?
Why?
He was so focused on his thoughts he almost missed the rest of her sentence.
"Michael's going to try to stop him."
Dean scowled at her, his thick arms wrapped loosely around Castiel's waist. Him and the angel had finally gotten together much to everyone's immense amusement. He wondered how Sam woul- His frozen heart felt as it would shrivel up and die in his chest.
Sam was going to die.
He was gonna be alone.
So alone.
He felt like he was suffocating...and he didn't even need to breath.
"Sam." He whispered faintly, feeling light headed. He could barely hear his daughter introducing herself to Sam's family. Not over the roaring of...something in his mind. He didn't even hear the fluttering of wings signaling Michael's arrival or the arch angel's subsequent report that he'd failed to talk Sam out of his plan.
All he could hear was the rush of waves in his mind telling him that soon he would be alone in this world...and his heart's scream of Sam's name.
As darkness took over his vision he found himself wishing just once that Sam would respond.
He was ready.
He swallowed almost six gallons of demon blood over the course of the past few hours and he knew his powers were at their peak. Now all he had to do was call Lucifer and say yes.
He glanced at Gabriel who nodded once in encouragement, honey brown eyes sad and full of grim determination.
Taking a deep breath, he summoned Lucifer.
The fallen arch angel appeared in front of him wearing a vessel with short blond hair and pale blue eyes, an arrogant smirk dancing on his thin lips.
"Samuel. Gabriel." He greeted and Sam smiled grimly.
"Lucifer." He responded, while Gabriel looked away, pained.
"Luc." He greeted softly.
The Fallen's smirk grew and gained a smug tint.
"What do you have to say to me Samuel?"
Sam took another steadying breath and steeled his nerves before he straightened and looked the devil straight in the eyes.
"Yes."
Lucifer smiled.
Lucifer's vessel had surrendered.
Everyone, demon, witch, angel, vampire, everyone felt it the moment it happened. The Fallen Angel's grace swept over the globe, colder than an arctic tundra and burning like dry ice. It sent chills down the spines of even the strongest men and made dread build in their hearts.
The Winchesters all looked at each other, mourning the loss of their youngest, hearts breaking as they realized that Sam had accomplished the first part of his final plan.
Now, how long would Lucifer control his body before he completed it?
Damien stared ahead blankly and prayed that his lover made it out alive.
As soon it appeared...it vanished taking with it its heavy presence and dry arctic chill.
What did that mean?
Was it over?
****
"He jumped."
Michael closed his eyes painfully and at his side Marilyn gave a soft sniffle. He looked up at Gabriel, who stared up at him with an unreadable expression on his face, mourning in his eyes.
"Lucifer is back in the Cage?"
His brother nodded and placed something in his hands before vanishing.
Michael opened his hand and felt his heart clench painfully in his chest.
In his hands...were the rings of the four horsemen.
Sam Winchester was dead.
The apocalypse was over.
He felt no relief.
TBC...
EDITED:12/25/15