A/N: Mentions of Violence.
Short Chapter, just some Filler with a little Angst.
Michael and Raphael dragged the unconscious Seraph backwards into their Safehouse. The shining metallic headpiece still crowned Castiel, blood snail-paced its way down the Angel's head and face from the screws and needles. Michael wasn't proud of himself of the fact he had pummelled Castiel into submission first, the confused and unwilling Angel strained against their methods of warping his mind into re-becoming back into a solider.
Raphael didn't bat an eye during the beating of his youngest sibling because Raphael was the one to tighten the screws when he felt like it, forced the needle further into Castiel's skull and silencing the Angel Fish when he made too much noise without hesitation.
Now Castiel was sitting slumped on a wooden chair, bloodied and bruised and stripped of his trench coat, blazer and shirt.
"Raphael, I believe you took his punishment too far" Michael blamed
"You have grown soft, Michael. You see far too much of Gabriel in him"
"Watch your tongue. You may be 490 years old but I am the eldest and the strongest out of all of Father's creations"
"You boast, Michael but you are still far too lenient on the Younglings. Naomi and I could run Heaven like a machine, no corruption, no rebellions, no need for surfacing. We have lost too many of our people, even two Archangels thanks to Land Dwellers. We are here to kill a Demon, why shouldn't we just smite him, drown his Vessel and return home. Naomi is running things but she needs a second in command, she needs to be second in command, she is our best"
"Our best at manipulation, Brother. She knows how to warp our younger's minds, they are vulnerable, naïve and don't know any better. We expose them to too much"
"You're losing your touch, Michael. Land and Humans are changing you for the worse"
Michael sucker punched Raphael sending the third youngest to the dirty floor, unconscious as he bounced off the floorboards.
He was sure Raphael would desire pay back later but at this second the sound of Castiel's screams of anguish echoed in the eldest's ears and mind. It would take centauries for that sounds to ever dial down in volume. Maybe Raphael was right, maybe being on Land with Castiel was turning him. He'd return Raphael and Castiel back home and search for Crowley himself, along with that nuisance of a Witch that attacked earlier that night. For all he knew the Witch had tapped into Castiel's mind along with those Humans. Michael would not lose his youngest Brother to Hunters, never.
Sighing he stepped over Raphael and unchained the head device from Castiel, snapping his fingers twice by Castiel's ear his wounds were healed and the blood wiped clean though he had blacked out from the torture his face was still contorted in pain.
"It was for your own good, Castiel. I- We need you to know that, remember that pain your felt today. Step out of line again and you will have to experience this again and more. I'm..." Michael forced himself to stop. He had to complete his mission, his deal and then he could go home and relish in his position in charge of the entire Angel Fish community, they needed guidance and structure, Naomi could only do so much but soon everything would collapse one way or another.
Castiel stirred ever so slightly in his chair "Michael..."
"Rest little Brother"
Castiel's head dropped forward, causing his body to slip forward on the wooden chair. Raphael was dragged to the bed and thrown down aggressively. Castiel was lifted a little steadier. Michael left his two sleeping Brothers to make a call outside. Crowley's number was not difficult to source
"Hello Darling"
"Crowley, I will you, you can't hide forever behind those Hunters skirts"
"Of course, I do love our little chats, love but I'm afraid you'll be following a wild goose chase at this rate"
"I can sense that Witch close to you, give him my regards. I'll be returning the favour of intervening. Oh and Gabriel, Castiel will Hunt you, remember the face your tried to save will be he last one you see as you and those pathetic Hunters lay dead at my feet.
Crowley before I obliterate you, you will release Lucifer from his Cage under my supervision. A life for a life seems fair doesn't it? Though Demons are the lowest scum of all creation, aren't they. Goodbye for now"
Michael hung up the phone, returning to the room the First Born's eyes widened in shock. Raphael was still there however Castiel was not. He was gone.
"Dammit!"
Extra Note: Michael does wish to complete his business with Crowley however seeing Castiel at his own Crossroads is sending the eldest down a path of confusion and second-guessing. He can't tell the difference between Gabriel and the 'Witch' that aided the Hunters / Crowley.
He doesn't wish to harm Castiel but will do what's necessary in order for Castiel's obedience. Raphael is more of the 'Actions Are Louder' type and that includes torture and beatings.
For Raphael's age to work in this Story's context hold the idea that God was depressed once Lucifer was banished and was created quickly in order to fill the void that was left by Lucifer. Michael is 550, Lucifer is 500, Raphael is 490 and Gabriel is 310.