Chapter 15 Chips and Dip
A/N: Hello my readers. I have chapter 15 for you guys ready to go and as always I hope you enjoy it.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You're all alone sitting in the corner,
You've got a killer stare.
Who's messing round with you in the corner?
He better say his prayers.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I wish you would try and look
a little more excited,
Let me stay, let me cause I'm coming anyway
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
Last Man Standing by People in Plane
Angel sat out on the back porch of the mansion and today was a rather pleasant day. The sun was out, the sky was blue with a few clouds here and there. He thought about the last few days and weeks and feels like he hasn't seen the sun in a while. Angel sat on the swinging couch letting it swing ever so slightly. He could hear the small creak it makes as it swung. In fact he can remember back towards the end of his Senior year of high school that he, Xander, Willow, Cordelia and Oz sat on this couch swing while Buffy took a picture of the graduates and Giles and Doyle stood off to the side smiling. That was four years ago.
Angel kept the slight swing going as there was also a soft breeze in the air which made the wind chimes sing a little. As Angel sat there he heard footsteps and looked up seeing Giles stepping out of the mansion and onto the porch. The slayer and the Watcher then made eye contact.
"You sure you're going to be alright?" Giles asked and Angel nodded. "I really don't want to leave you right now,"
"It'll be for three days at the most," Angel reminded his Watcher. "I've managed longer." Meaning Giles shouldn't worry. And Giles wasn't worried about leaving it was something else. So the Watcher sat down next to his slayer.
"I've never had to worry about you it's just…" Giles then took off his glasses to clean them meaning he was nervous or worried. "I left you all summer and part of the year and now I'm leaving again." What Giles meant was he felt guilty. Angel smiled a little and looked to Giles.
"They need to understand where their source of power comes from. I had to." Angel explained why this was ok. "You always have to know where you come from to know where you're going." Angel paused for a moment looking to his one true father figure. "A wise man told me that once." Giles nodded a little. All the potentials were leaving except two of them, Dawn and Buffy. They know who the primitive was and have encounter her before. "It'll be good to get them out of town for a bit."
"Well they are grateful for this, a little scared but grateful." Giles was now helping Angel to get the swing going a little bit more. "Although one did say this trip consisted of me driving them to the desert, doing the Hokey Pokey," Angel started to grow a big smile. "Until a spooky rasta mama slayer appears to them and speaks in riddles." Giles then stared at Angel and he shrugged.
"It was probably Buffy that said that." Angel added and Giles wasn't sure if he was going to buy it but then again Buffy does say things like that. Just then Dawn came out to the porch.
"They're ready to go." Dawn stated as Giles and Angel still sat in the swinging couch.
"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Angel asked. He knows both his sister and Buffy have seen the primitive and they've talked about her but they are both potential slayers.
"No, I want to be here." Dawn was honest. She had nothing against the girls, she was always the one to stay near her big brother. "But bring back some S'Mores," Dawn added as she headed back inside.
"Ah yes, S'Mores," Giles stood up followed by Angel. "I'll end up singing campfire songs."
"Oh yeah," Angel was poking fun at his Watcher as they went back inside. The mansion was nice today as Buffy had all the windows opened for once and the sun could shine in. When the curtains and windows are open its like the place is even bigger. They'll boarded everything back up later if they need to. Just then though Xander came in walking at a fast pace.
"You better get out there Giles." Xander sounded frustrated. And behind Xander was Doyle.
"Oh god what," Giles sounded more annoyed than worried.
"Yeah, Molly and Rona are fighting over who gets to the drive the first leg." Doyle continued to walk towards the kitchen to find a mid morning snack.
"Bet you wished you renewed that California license now huh?" Angel added as Giles turned around slowly looking to his slayer. He glared at Angel knowing this was going to be a long trip. Angel was glad he wasn't going because now the mansion was going to quiet.
"Rona won," Buffy came inside stating the disagreement was settled. Giles was dreading this one and he wished Dawn or Buffy or both would come but they didn't want to. Dawn knows how to fight and Buffy is a vampire so they didn't feel the need to go. Also they wanted to stay to enjoy the peace and quiet that was about to happen. Also, Giles doesn't know this, but once the potentials leave the A-Team was heading out to the beach because it was a beautiful day and they needed sometime together. If Giles does find out though he'll be furious. The end of time is approaching and the group will be out at the beach. But it's better than the desert.
"Well, better hurry," Angel patted Giles' shoulder and the Watcher still glared at his slayer. "Just turn on The Wall and you'll be fine."
"Whatever," Giles grabbed his bag and headed out as Angel and Buffy walked with him to the front door to see him off. They saw Rona in the front seat of Oz's old van ready to go.
"Have fun in the desert." Buffy added to insult but this time Giles kept walking ignoring it. "Oh I'd pay big money to see how this all turns out." Buffy was smiling.
"Me too," Angel knew Giles was regretting this. "Come on let's go pack." And the two retreated back inside. It was like just as Giles left the cooler with drinks and snacks appeared, the bags with towels and sunblock were sitting on the ground and the bags that carried the folding chairs were propped up against the wall. The group just needed their personal bags and they were already gathering those.
But before they leave there was one thing Angel had to attend to and he headed towards the basement. He walked down the steps and headed towards the back wall seeing Spike sitting on a make shift cot and was chained to the wall.
"Giles is gone," Angel started.
"Good, give us a breather," Spike added.
"From Giles?" The slayer asked.
"No, from the constant pitter patter of those teen girls." Spike answered and just like the rest of the group Spike needed the peace and quiet too. "So, off to surf the waves?" Angel nodded. "Good, it'll be even quieter and god I can sleep."
"Yeah," Angel agreed a hundred percent on that one. But leaving the mansion meant leaving Spike here alone…with Andrew so yes he was alone. "You sure you're going to be ok?" Spike nodded.
"Yeah, I can sleep during the day like a normal vampire. Hell, me and the boy might watch some Fright Night or Ghostbusters." Spike was assuring Angel that he'll be fine. So far Spike hasn't shown any signs of going dark and Angel hoped it stayed that way. "Better get going Peaches, make sure one of you has an extra drink for me." Angel nodded and left the basement.
As he headed up the stairs and to the kitchen he heard Buffy's voice talking and it was towards Andrew.
"Just microwave them, that's why I bought it." Buffy showed Andrew a microwave dinner box. "Also," Buffy put the box back in the freezer and then opened the fridge door and pulled out a carton of blood. "For Spike, it cooks better on the stove in the saucer." She put the carton away and then pointed the handing pots over the island of the kitchen. "Use that silver saucer over there," Buffy pointed and Andrew looked at it nodding. "Ok, don't burn my mansion down and I won't have to kill you." She added in a peppy voice and left the kitchen. Andrew looked a little timed.
The cars were packed and the Mustang led the caravan out of the town and onto the highway going towards LA to the beach. It was the middle of the week so there won't be much traffic or people at the beach. Buffy and Angel were in the Mustang along with Dawn. The windows were open to let the air in. Buffy looked in the rearview mirror seeing Dawn was asleep in the back. She was awake and giddy leaving and literally five minutes into the drive she fell asleep.
"This is so needed." Buffy sat back in her seat getting comfortable. "But doesn't feel like we're playing hooky?" She asked looking towards Angel. He then looked at her and her big sunglasses she had on. "I mean the world is about to end and here we are going to the beach."
"We need a break." Angel stated because they did. His team was tired and they needed something normal for once.
"And mojitos." Buffy added and Angel smiled as he continued to look at the road ahead of him. Buffy reached for the volume nob and turned it up to get some music going and Angel smiled knowing the song.
"You use to not know what rock and roll was." Angel stated and Buffy nodded.
"I grew up in classical but I guess I like a new set of classic." Buffy smiled and he smiled back. "So if you want me off your back, well come on an' let me know." Buffy sung with the music. "Should I stay or should I go?" Angel smiled bigger. "Should I stay or should I go now?" Angel and Buffy started together. "Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble. An' if I stay it will be double. So come on and let me know." And while they continue to sing Dawn was still passed out in the back seat.
The group had returned from the beach tired and yet restful. When it's just them they can joke, they can laugh and reminisce about the past. They can forget about what was happening and what might happen. They can be just friends not soldiers. They can be happy and normal even if it's just for a few hours.
Angel pulled up to the mansion and Buffy was half asleep and Dawn was stretched out in the backseat completely out. No one was going to eat dinner just snack. Xander and Doyle might be a little hung over in the morning though. Angel and Buffy got out of the car as Buffy went to grab their stuff and Angel was able to get Dawn out of the backseat and cradle her and all the while she didn't stir. Angel was just going to put her to bed and he might just pass out himself.
Angel stirred awake and he felt as if he had been drugged but the knock on the door was waking him. Angel slowly sat up in the dark hearing the knocking and he reached over to the nightstand and opened the drawer and took out a knife. Buffy was still asleep and sometimes he thinks she could sleep through a truck going through a nitroglycerine plant. Angel got up and opened the door only to find Andrew there. The slayer let out an annoyed yet relieved sigh.
"What the hell?" Angel asked and he quickly glanced to the clock across his room by the bed and it was two in the morning. "It's way too early what?" Angel was groggy and being at the beach all day made him extra tired.
"It's Spike," Andrew answered. "He's acting funny like," The boy couldn't think of the word. "It's like he's having a seizure." That was enough for Angel to shut the door behind him and follow Andrew to the basement. "It happened while you guys were away and I thought it was just you know a fluke."
"And you didn't think to mention it to anyone?" Angel snapped at Andrew and the young man didn't say anything as Angel walked ahead of him and made it to the basement. Spike was laying on the cot holding his head like he had a massive headache. Also Angel saw a little bit of blood on the pillow.
"Bloody hell," Spike sounded frustrated more than anything.
"What's wrong?" Angel asked as he reached for a lonely chair and sat down. Spike managed to slowly prop himself up.
"I don't know," Spike was confused. "I…it feels like I can't control my movements."
"The First?" Angel thought quickly but Spike shook his head no.
"This is different…it's…" Spike then thought about it further. "It's the chip…I think it's failing." Angel thought about it as well and it might be true.
"Why would it fail?" Andrew asked as he continued to stand there.
"It's a piece of technology, it's not supposed to last this long kind of like you Peaches." Spike added in and Angel couldn't argue that. "Might want to start hitting the books."
"What good is that going to do?" Angel asked and Spike looked up to him. "It's hardware, books aren't going to have it at least not the books we read." Spike nodded understanding what he meant.
"Who you gonna call?" Spike asked but then there was a moment of silence. "God, that phrase is never going to be useable again."
"Just sit tight." Angel wanted to help Spike because he can see that Spike is trying to be good, he can feel something in him. It's not easy and Spike might fail but right now Angel needed to help another soul from damnation.
No one likes to wake up early especially two thirty in the morning early but this was important. Yes, Spike has a soul and as of now he is slowly proving that he might defeat his own demons. But there is still that chance he can turn and without the chip there's no telling what can happen. So it was a late night or a very early morning A-Team meeting depending on how one sees it.
"So, what happens if the chip finally does crap out?" Xander asked.
"I don't know because we've never had this happen." Angel answered in a slight frustrated tone. He was tired and awake way too early.
"Well, the only people who know how to fix this are dead or…not but they're not around though." Willow added in meaning the Initiative and no one wanted to see them or mention Riley. But then Buffy smiled and rose her hand up. When she's tired she turns slightly giddy.
"That's not true," Buffy then put her hand down. "There's one person I've kept in contact with. Remember Agent Smith?" Everyone looked around at each other. "Yeah, so he agreed to testify against the Initiative and well…I can make a call."
"That's a start." Doyle was trying to see the good in this.
"What about the Initiative itself?" Dawn asked. "Like the place? It could have some old files and what not."
"We blew the place." Angel reminded his little sister. That was one massive raid she was not a part of. "I don't think there would be much there."
"Couldn't hurt to try." Anya jumped in and the group looked to one another.
Angel, Xander and Doyle were out in the dark walking with Spike. Buffy was making the call to former Agent Smith about the chip while the four guys were going to see what they could find on the chip if anything in the ruins of the Initiative.
Angel dug up a chain that has been buried for a while now. He never wanted to return to this place and he dread what might be still down there. Not everything was set free and got out and demons can live a long time. Angel pulled on the chain as it made an awful noise as the metal board slid on the railing.
"Ever stop to think why we do these things at night?" Doyle asked as Angel turned on his flashlight and pointed the light into the black hole.
"Now, why on earth would we want to do this in the day where's there more light?" Xander asked.
"Shut up," Angel ordered as he continued to look in. "Alright," Angel straightened himself up looking to the others. "We have no idea what kind of shape this place is in, it could go at any second. And we have know idea what's down there so check your corners. And don't touch anything." He added that last part in. He was trying to remember the layout of this place but it's been three years and after they pretty much leveled the place the original layout wasn't kept. To make sure they could get out the small group brought some glow sticks with them to use like breadcrumbs to find their way back.
Angel jumped down first and looked around to make sure it was safe well, safe as it could be. Angel took out a glow stick and cracked it allowing the chemicals to mix causing it to light up. It was also the signal for the others to come down. Once they made down into the hole they looked around. Pipes were coming out of the walls and there was a foul smell hitting them from all directions. Angel started to lead the small team into what was left of the lab. It was creepy back then and it's even creepier now with the place destroyed. Just then they found their first dead body.
"They just left them like that?" Xander asked seeing a dead soldier's corpse.
"They just sealed the place off." Spike answered and to Angel it made him believe even more so that Walsh and Riley were just heartless. Then Doyle jumped and the men shined the light where Doyle jumped from. There was another corpse but not of a soldier but of a demon. Angel looked to the dead demon as it was part of an experiment. He didn't feel sorry for the demon though. Angel continued to press on as the others followed.
Angel and Spike agreed they needed to get to the med lab, that's where it all took place. The four of them continued onwards in the dark and Xander dropped a glow stick.
"This will be just a short visit." Doyle stated.
"Yeah," Spike agreed and looked around the place that made him into an experiment and nearly killed him. They continued to walk together hearing small noises as it was just the structure.
"It's creepy as hell down here." Xander continued to check his surroundings.
"It's like a dry heat too." Doyle commented and Xander smiled at the comment.
"Shut up." Angel turned to them and they were quiet. Just then the four them came to a wall with a door and on the door was a sign barely hanging on saying 'Medical Laboratory, Authorized Personal Only Beyond This Point.'
"Yahtzee," Spike knew this place and Angel went to open the door carefully. It opened and they all stepped inside looking around. They remember this place, it's where a lot of the battle went down. They had to get to either Riley's or Walsh's old office because that's where any information that could help Spike would be stored. As they walked and got through the lab they were heading back into the holding chambers. And just before they got there they all stopped. What was in those chambers? What could still be alive, waiting to break free?
Spike then let out a sigh of pain. The chip was firing again and it meant they needed answers right away. Angel went first as Doyle dropped another glow stick. Just then a noise was heard and it wasn't just the air moving and the structure. Angel held up his crossbow with it's flashlight attached to it. Something was moving around and hunting them. Spike, Doyle and Xander took out their weapons and the four of them went back to back. Maybe this was a bad idea.
Just then Angel looked up seeing something and fired. A body came crashing to the ground and it was a demon, a misshapen demon that was experimented on.
"This is how you create crap?" Doyle asked seeing the dead demon as Angel took an arrow out from it.
"No," Angel answered as he loaded his crossbow. "This is how you play god, we're leaving." Angel didn't want to be down here anymore. He has no idea how many demons survived and not only that some of the bodies of the dead soldiers looked gnawed on. The four of them started to leave hoping nothing was awoken but they were hoping for too much. As the four them started to pick up their pace Angel grabbed Xander by his jacket and yanked him back while he kicked away a deformed demon.
Spike ran up to the demon and stabbed it and Angel looked around. They had to run and get out now. They started to run and followed the glow sticks they left behind and it didn't take long for them to find the spot where they came in from. The rope was still there and Angel grabbed Xander pushing him to the rope.
"Come on, climb," Angel was rushing him. Xander started and Doyle went next followed by Spike. Angel slung his crossbow over his shoulder and started up the rope and they reached the surface and Spike cut the rope as Angel went to seal the place off again. The place had to stay sealed for good.
Angel pulled up to the mansion and instead of just breaking like a normal person Angel slammed on the breaks as he saw cars around the mansion. Angel got out of the Mustang running towards the mansion and ran inside to a living room of people.
"Angel, it's ok," Buffy came though the people. "Told you Smith could help." Doyle, Spike and Xander then came in seeing some of the men.
"Smith couldn't be here personally but he explained the situation and we are here to provide you with anything that you need to help with…assface," A man said looking at Spike. Smith said Spike looked like a Billy Idol wannabe and Spike fit the profile. Of course everyone was confused with the word 'assface' and the older gentleman looked around. "Those were Smith's words." He added.
The group sat in the living room waiting for the diagnoses of Spike. It was now pushing around eight in the morning as the team waited. Just then the leader of the group came in and everyone stood up.
"So, twins or triplets?" Xander asked but he only got punched in the arm by Willow.
"The chip is failing, you guys are right." The leader stated.
"What's next?" Angel asked.
"We can either repair it or remove it." The man answered. Repairing it would buy time but it soon fail again. But what happens when it's gone? "Smith said it's your call Angel." Angel hated being the one to make those tough calls but it wasn't his to make. So Angel walked passed the man and into the basement where Spike was.
"So, am I going to pull through?" Spike asked as Angel stood there.
"The chip is failing and we have two options. One, they fix it, two they remove it. Smith says it's up to me on what I want to do." Angel explained and Spike nodded in agreement. "But I say it's up to you." Then Spike's eyes widen as he looked to the slayer. "What do you want?" He asked and Spike didn't have an answer.
"What if…what if they take it out and I can't control anything?" Spike asked the question everyone was asking. "I have a soul but it's like this chip keeps me in check. But it's breaking down and fixing it only solves the problem for a little while." Spike seemed to be talking out loud and trying to figure this out. He then looked up at Angel. "I want it out but…what if I kill again?"
"You want me to take care of it then?" Angel asked and Spike nodded knowing what Angel meant. It wasn't a happy idea but it needed to be done.
Spike woke up to a blur for a moment and looked around. He was still in the basement and then he felt something. He reached for his head feeling a bandaged on it. As his visions cleared there was someone sitting next to him. It was someone he did not expect at all.
"Buffy?" Spike asked. Buffy just looked to him.
"You're completely free now. You have a soul and a mind." Buffy started as Spike looked to her. "You got this soul for me but I don't want it, so what's plan B?" She asked and Spike never really had a plan B. "Spike…for the last seven years I've realized something." She continued to look at him. "If there's no great glorious end to all this, if nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. Because that's all there is. What we do now, today."
Spike let all that sink in while he had a headache. "I fought for so long for redemption for some reward and maybe just to be something important." Buffy paused again. Spike could see she was fighting not to let her emotions win. "Up until now I never got it."
"So you have it now?" Spike asked her and she nodded.
"I have friends, I have a family now and more importantly I have some one who loves me for me." She answered. "That's a reward I never thought I could get."
"And how does this help me?" Spike asked.
"Because I fought for my soul too. I've fought temptations and I think I've won. I was there where you're at now Spike. And…if I could do it…so can you. You can define who you are and it doesn't have to be a monster." Buffy then stood up. "All I want to do is help because I don't think people should suffer as they do, like I did. Because if there's no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world." Buffy then was quiet. "This won't be easy Spike, it's going to hurt, it's painful and there's no easy way out." Spike continued to listen. "But someone believed that I could come back from it, that I could do this, that I mattered. And I believe in you Spike, I believe you can do this."
Spike couldn't take his eyes off of her as she stood there. "When this all ends because it will end but keeping our humanity that's our choice. And when all this ends it's about how you lived and how you died and don't let finally be too late." Those were the words to think about as she turned away letting Spike think about it. He has someone who believes in him. The chip was gone and he was undergoing his final test. Was he worthy enough for the soul? She believes he is.
"Buffy," Spike called out to her and she looked back at him. "Think we'll make it?" He asked and Buffy gave him a very faint soft smile and left the basement.
Yes a very short chapter but a rather sweet one. The end is my favorite though with Spike and Buffy. Everyone needs at least one person who believes in them. Buffy has Angel and now Spike has Buffy. All in all I hope you enjoyed the chapter even though it was a quick one. The next chapter is the big one and I ain't spoiling nothing yet. Yes there will be two sneak peeks of it but no hints of what's really to come. No chapter review in the forum but the second sneak peek will be there plus another little reveal of the backstory of Elizabeth/Buffy. So until the next post, thanks for reading, commenting, following and liking the story. You guys are the best.
Chapter 16 Fallen From Grace
Have you got colour in your cheeks?
Do you ever get that fear that you can't shift
The type that sticks around like something in your teeth?
Are there some aces up your sleeve?
Have you no idea that you're in deep?
I dreamt about you nearly every night this week
How many secrets can you keep?
'Cause there's this tune I found that makes me think of you somehow and I play it on repeat
Until I fall asleep
Spilling drinks on my settee
(Do I wanna know)
If this feeling flows both ways?
(Sad to see you go)
Was sort of hoping that you'd stay
(Baby we both know)
That the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day
Crawling back to you
Ever thought of calling when you've had a few?
'Cause I always do
Maybe I'm too busy being yours to fall for somebody new
Now I've thought it through
Crawling back to you
So have you got the guts?
Been wondering if your heart's still open and if so I wanna know what time it shuts
Simmer down and pucker up
I'm sorry to interrupt. It's just I'm constantly on the cusp of trying to kiss you
I don't know if you feel the same as I do
But we could be together if you wanted to
(Do I wanna know?)
If this feeling flows both ways?
(Sad to see you go)
Was sort of hoping that you'd stay
(Baby we both know)
That the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day
Crawling back to you (crawling back to you)
Ever thought of calling when you've had a few? (you've had a few)
'Cause I always do ('cause I always do)
Maybe I'm too (maybe I'm too busy) busy being yours to fall for somebody new
Now I've thought it through
Crawling back to you
(Do I wanna know?)
If this feeling flows both ways?
(Sad to see you go)
Was sort of hoping that you'd stay
(Baby we both know)
That the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day
(Do I wanna know?)
Too busy being yours to fall
(Sad to see you go)
Ever thought of calling darling?
(Do I wanna know?)
Do you want me crawling back to you?
Do I Wanna Know by The Artic Monkeys
While night was coming to a close and the town of Sunnydale was going to bed a few people were in the church lighting some small tea candles in front various holy statues of saints and the most predominate one that so many people pray to Mary. Some people come to pray for forgiveness, some for wealth, safety, for someone who was in pain or in sickness. Some want answers while some just want peace. As some people knelt before the newly lit candle and in front of the statues one man sat in the shadows in the far back corner pew.
He tries to stay out of sight these days from the slayer and from unseen forces. As he sat there he could have sworn he heard a flutter of some kind. Then he felt something behind him, it walked to the pew, genuflected to the Alter and then sat next to him, he did the sign of the cross and then pulled down a kneeler and started to pray. Michael sat there while the man prayed. Although Michael could see this wasn't a man.
"Rafael, what are you doing?" Michael asked.
"I'm praying," Rafael answered which was true it just wasn't the answer Michael was looking for. Michael sat there in some frustration as he could faintly hear Rafael whispering prayers in Latin.
"I can see that." Michael's voice told Rafael to stop and the young man did. He sat up a little more up right as he was still on the kneeler and his hands clasps together. Michael looked at the surroundings of the temple. Shadows danced because of the low candle light. The dark shadows formed strange figures around the holy statues. He crossed his arms as Raphael stood up straightening himself.
"You know," Raphael started. "I just heard a story."
Michael looked at the other being while he got up and started to walk the aisle towards the Altar. "It is said that when people pray to the heavens for help," Raphael said looking at the crucifix on top of the Altar. "It is like angels are taking correspondence to the heavens. They get to heaven and start processing every prayer in accordance to what is ´Best of interest.' After that, down come back the angels with answer to the prayers. Sometimes cancers are healed. Sometimes a child that has been kidnapped is found. But there is always an answer. Up in the heavens all angels are busy making sure the gifts go to the rightful owner. There is only one sad angel in the darkest corner with nothing to do. Do you know why he is sad?"
Michael just kept looking at his brother and refused to respond the rhetorical question.
"The angel that does nothing in the heavens is the one that handles all the appreciation prayers. The prayers offered so to give thanks for the gifts that have been received. Alone and sad with nothing to do while he sees his brothers and sisters so busy."
"What's your point?" Michael asked getting tired of Raphael's power game.
"The human race is an ungrateful race." Raphael said turning for the first time to face Michael. "Why bother saving them?"
"Because they deserve it." Michael said. His words did not echo in his heart. Did the human race deserve saving? Raphael smiled.
"You leave your heart exposed brother." He said. "You doubt it too… don't you?"
"The human race has a right to free will." Michael said. "That is the original design." Raphael nodded.
"Do not quote me on the original design." The dark haired being said. "I was there when all was created."
"Then why do we stand still while The First brings forth devastation?" Asked Michael and Raphael walked towards the main altar.
"The First is nothing but a pawn drunk with power. It thinks it has a right to do this. Restore balance. And through it's actions it brings hell. Rules are not being broken. They are just being bent to the very limit." Was the answer Rafael gave.
"And with that leniency many people will die." Michael said.
"True," Raphael agreed. "But we are not to interfere. That is why the role of champions was created. It is their battle."
"The First is a much greater foe," Michael pleaded. "They don't stand a chance."
Raphael looked at Michael intensively.
"Your interference causes much disturbance in the heavens." said Raphael. "Do you question the hand dealt to humanity?"
"I question unnecessary loss of human life." Michael retorted. "I question are idleness when a powerful demon goes drunk with power."
"The ´Powers That Be´ are in charge of this plain." Raphael said. "Should your free will interfere with their functions, be prepared to face the consequences." Michael nodded sadly as Raphael walked towards the front entrance of the temple. As he opened the doors large wings spurted from his back. In a flash, he was gone.
Any guesses what's happening?