Lucifer was in his office looking over the cases of all the angels who had been imprisoned, trying to determine how many of the decisions were just and how many were Michael going overboard. He'd already handled Gadreel's case. He'd had him released hours earlier. But he was one of many.
Soon, Lucifer heard his door open loudly. He didn't even bother to look up to see who it was. He knew the answer already. "Hello, Michael."
"What do you think you're doing?!" Michael demanded to know.
"Currently? Cleaning up your mess," Lucifer said without missing a beat.
Michael slammed the door shut behind him and approached his brother's desk. "You released Gadreel from prison!"
"Like I said, I'm cleaning up your mess. Actually, I'm cleaning up a lot of them," Lucifer said. He still hadn't bothered to look at his brother.
"Look at me, you bastard!" Michael said angrily before slamming his hands down on his brother's desk.
Lucifer sighed and picked his head up to look at his brother. "Michael, I am extremely busy right now. I don't have time to cater to your tantrum."
"Gadreel earned his sentence," Michael said firmly.
"No, he didn't. Gadreel was tricked. I should know since I'm the one who did it. His biggest flaw was being gullible. That's not an offense deserving of eternity in prison," Lucifer said.
"I disagree," Michael said through gritted teeth.
"Well, you can disagree all you want. It doesn't matter. It's not your call. I am no longer in prison, so why should he be?" Lucifer asked.
"Neither of you deserve to be free."
"Yet, you helped set me free," Lucifer responded.
"How many of my decisions are you going to overrule," Michael asked.
"It depends on how many of them are wrong, but based on what I've seen so far, I'd say probably quite a few," Lucifer said.
"You're going to destroy all of us," Michael said.
Lucifer sighed. "You're becoming a broken record. All I ever hear from you is how evil I am or how I will destroy everyone. Find some new material. Oh, and try to remember that the only reason both Heaven and Earth wasn't destroyed is because of me."
"I was following Father's Will!" Michael argued.
"Oh, shut up about Father's Will! He's gone, Michael! And there's every reason to believe that he's not coming back! Live with that and start thinking for yourself!" Lucifer yelled. He was so tired of the 'Father's Will' crap. It was time to give up on the old man. He'd clearly given up on them. Michael needed to realize that he could do anything asked of him and it still wouldn't make a difference.
"That's what you're hoping, isn't it?" Michael asked.
Lucifer groaned. "No, it's not. I'd welcome him back, no matter how much I'd like to punch him. He could clean up your mess instead of me. But he's not coming back, Mike. It's been millennia." His voice had softened at the end, as he tried to ease his brother into the realization that their father was gone. He knew it was painful for him, but it was time to deal with the facts.
"If that's true, it's because of you," Michael said with contempt in his voice.
"No, it's because of him!" Lucifer said as he began to get frustrated again. "He's the one who chose not to be a father or a creator anymore. That's on him. Face it, Michael, not even he is perfect. He left us and we have to go on."
"And we should go on with you to lead us?"
"Well, you weren't working out. Your leadership nearly got everyone killed," Lucifer said.
"And it remains to be seen if yours will," Michael retorted before heading for the door.
"Michael, does it even bother you?" Lucifer asked.
Michael turned around to face him. "What?"
"The pain you've caused our family. Angels like Anael and Metatron fled Heaven out of fear. Gadreel and many others are terrified of you. Gabriel can't even say your name without contempt in his voice. I'm not sure he'll ever forgive you," Lucifer said. He wanted Michael to understand the pain he'd caused. He needed to see the damage. It was the only way he could fix it. Lucifer knew that better than anyone.
"That's not my fault. They're the ones who broke the rules," Michael protested.
"They're your siblings, Michael, not simply your soldiers who need to fall in line. Maybe it's time you remember that," Lucifer said.
Michael looked at his brother for a minute before walking out of the room.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Sam was sitting in the garden. He liked the garden. It was calming, something he needed when he was so angry all the time. He was holding a branch in the air with telekinesis, something he'd learned to do maybe a week ago. He couldn't control it well though. It took time for him to make it work most of the time.
"How long have you been able to do that?"
A startled Sam dropped the branch and turned to see Joshua. "Dude, a little warning."
Joshua chuckled. "I apologize, young nephew. You've learned telekinesis. When did you learn?"
"I wouldn't say I've learned. It's more like it just showed up. It was about a week ago," Sam said.
"Does your father know?" Joshua wondered.
"Not yet. I try not to talk to him much these days. When I talk to people, I get angry and usually lash out. It wouldn't end well with my dad," Sam said. He didn't really blame his father for getting pissed when that happened either. It wasn't fair of him to lash out at his father. He just couldn't help it. When he was mad, he took it out on everyone around him.
"You should tell him. He can help you learn it better," he said.
"And it would turn into another series of training sessions. I'd rather not right now," Sam said.
Soon, both Joshua and Sam heard footsteps. They turned to see a figure come out of the trees. "Michael. Can I do something for you?" Joshua asked respectfully.
Sam, meanwhile, glared daggers at the man he held responsible for ruining his life. If it weren't for him, he could be with his brother again. His family would be complete.
"Hello, Joshua. No, I don't need anything. I simply wished to take a walk through the garden. I didn't realize you had other company," Michael said as he eyed the Nephilim carefully.
"Yes, Sam frequents this place often. It does have the tendency to calm those who visit," Joshua said.
"Not always," Sam practically growled under his breath.
Michael looked at Sam and addressed him for the first time since he arrived. "Your anger radiates off of you. You should learn to control that. With the amount of power you have inside you, that you have no idea how to control, you could hurt someone."
"If only that would happen," Sam said while giving the archangel a murderous look.
"Is that a threat? You should be grateful. If I'd had it my way…"
"We all know what would've happened if you'd had it your way!" Sam interrupted loudly. "If you'd had it your way, the entire world would've been destroyed! But in a way, you still won, didn't you? You didn't get to kill me, but you certainly ruined my life!"
"Sam, you need to calm down. Michael is correct about your anger," Joshua said.
"Ruined your life? You are in Heaven. It is the best place in the world. Humans dream about coming here when they die. I suppose you're angry over the human you called your brother. He isn't, you know? He's not your brother. He never should've believed he was because you shouldn't have existed. And you probably would've eventually killed him."
Sam felt white hot rage as he listened to this bastard disregard the relationship he had with Dean and actually insinuate that he would hurt his brother. He hated Michael more than he ever hated anyone. He wanted to hurt him so badly.
Much to the surprise of all three of them, a small fire broke out just a hair away from Michael's foot.
Michael jumped back and waved his hand over the flames, instantly putting them out.
Sam stared in shock. Had he done that? He felt like he had to have because it was clear Michael hadn't and he was almost positive Joshua hadn't. He'd just started a fire without even trying. All he'd been thinking about was wanting to hurt Michael.
"Michael, that was an accident. He didn't mean to…"
"I can see that, Joshua," Michael cut off. He'd seen the boy's face. He was just as surprised as they were. "It's of no consequence anyway. He wouldn't be the first to nearly set me on fire. Gabriel once set my entire arm ablaze. But this does prove my point about your anger, Sam. I suggest you work on that. I also insist that you speak with your father about learning to control your fire power. You may have realized it, but your powers will develop faster here than they did on Earth, as you are now connected to Heaven's power. Make sure your father prepares you. The last thing we need is for you to hurt someone," Michael said before walking away.
Joshua took a hold of Sam's shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"I…I didn't do that on purpose. I didn't even know I could do it," Sam said in a shaky voice.
"I know. Michael is right, you need to mention this to your father. He can help you," Joshua said.
"I…I need to be alone right now," Sam said before turning and walking through the forest.