Chapter 23 – Showdown
Crowley and Aziraphale walked into the room to see the Metatron (in human form) and Jesus facing each other down in front of the portal. Muriel was standing in front of Mary, trying to protect her.
"This is not the PLAN" the Metatron said. "You are to dole out judgement to the living and the dead, only allowing the Righteous into heaven".
Jesus scowled, "We have different definitions of Righteous. YOU wouldn't be here (pointing at the Metatron), HE would – (pointing at Crowley). Putting others ahead of yourself- respecting, supporting, helping. Most of you that are from the old times don't believe in that – you're all about wrath and tests to prove devotion. I'd rather see what they do on their own and through their acts- a more revealing result in my opinion."
The Metatron raised his chin a little higher, "God has a sterner measurement and I speak for God."
"Tell God She has had 2000 years to discuss this and change my mind – She missed Her chance. We're out of here", Jesus took Mary's hand, "let's go Madge." They stepped towards the portal, which looked like giant tent door. As they got closer, it recognized their intent, and with a flash of light the door zipped open.
Aziraphale stopped them. "Wait! You have to discorporate properly first."
The Metatron pointed at Mary, "If you're gone, he'll return to the plan." The Metatron raised a hand and a ball of energy flew towards Mary.
Mary screamed and Muriel dropped the mug which shattered. Aziraphale startled at the two sounds at once and looked up to see-
"NO!" Crowley cried and drew his arms up to stop time, but it was too late. He had stepped in front of Mary and the energy ball hit him instead. Crowley crumpled, face down. His lanky limbs were piled like a dropped load of firewood. He didn't move.
"Crowley!" – Aziraphale shouted and dove to the dark figure on the ground. He rolled him over; Crowley's eyes were closed, and his mouth was open as if in mid-word. The snake below his ear had straightened out in rigor.
"He knew the risk- sticking his nose in when he should have left things alone. Finally got what he deserved." The Metatron turned to Jesus and Mary – "now, back to the plan".
The portal suddenly closed. "STOP!" a voice rang out with a force that vibrated through everything and everyone – rippling through the celestial high rise.
Mary went to Jesus' side, who wrapped His arms around her. Aziraphale looked up from Crowley's lifeless form and noticed that the Metatron was coweringunder a shimmering light.
Muriel looked at each of the tableau's presented, pulled out her cell phone, and tried to record the event. (Muriel was a keen student of human behavior and had picked up several of their bad habits quickly.)
The Light began to speak, "This is blasphemy – the Metatron is not acting in My name".
"But the Plan-"the Metatron argued.
"Does not include this destruction. The Metatron does not speak for Me; not anymore".
"She is the obstacle. He won't go back because of her…"
"He IS going back. Her destruction would not achieve your desired result. Mary, your devotion to my Son shall be rewarded."
Jesus spoke to the Light, "My God, I cannot destroy humanity, not even the fallen. You gave them free will and their choices should have consequences, not complete annihilation. I will not take a human life. Do what you like to me, but please do not take Madge away."
The Light shone on Jesus. "My son, We have much to discuss, and I apologize that we haven't done this earlier. But I need to give You, both of you, time to heal. Go on your Alpine adventure and let me know when You are ready to talk. I give You your powers and the ability to use them in human form. I shouldn't have waited and may have to do a proper apology when I come visit."
"My powers?"
"Yes Jesu, you had some portion of them on Earth, now you have full powers. Try them out before you go."
Jesu dropped Mary's hand as a rapid succession of colored energies flowed through him, turning his body Red/Purple/Blue/Green/Yellow/Orange/White before the flows stopped and Jesus relaxed. He turned to the Light and asked, "How?"
"Look around, there's an obvious problem in need of a miracle." A soft light shone where the angel and former demon were on the floor.
Although he was in the presence of the Almighty, Aziraphale had not responded, perhaps not even noticing. His full attention was on the body on the ground. He had straightened out Crowley's body, and was leaning over him, holding one of Crowley's hands in both of his, alternately patting and rubbing it, while softly pleading, "Crowley…. wake up...you can't go…the paperwork…. I need you…. please try…not him….oh God …take me"
Jesus stood by Aziraphale. "Fell, let me try." He took Crowley's hands and set them by his side. He stood and bowed over Crowley's feet, touching the toes of the silver trainers. Then he knelt at Crowley's other side, opposite Aziraphale and traced a circle on the former demon's forehead, bent down to his ear and whispered "Veni Sancte Spiritus" and kissed Crowley's cheek. The rigid snake that usually was coiled below his ear slowly began to coil and writhe and eventually returned to its normal position.
Jesus stood and put a hand on Aziraphale's shoulder. "Fell, stay near. He'll want you." The angel knelt and took one of Crowley's hands.
Crowley gasped and opened his eyes – the serpent slits were gone, but Aziraphale didn't notice. Crowley blinked, took a breath and exhaled one word – "Aziraphale."
"Angel," and with that reply, Aziraphale leaned down and kissed Crowley.
All that was asked in the first kiss was answered in the second. An echoing "Yes" radiated through them, melting away the leaden knot inside Crowley. Rays of love shone through darkness.
Crowley put a hand to Aziraphale's face. The angel put his hand on Crowley's and released his kiss. They looked into each other's eyes. Crowley smiled and said "no paperwork"; they both laughed.
Jesus kissed Mary's hand, Muriel giggled and put away the phone; it had recorded nothing anyway.
When Crowley sat up, everyone was surprised; not by the change in his eyes, but the smile on his face.
"But I was…" Crowley put his glasses on; the light seemed brighter, "smitten".
The Light spoke to Crowley "Yes, the Metatron tried to smite Mary, but smote you instead. He did not use enough power to destroy you, but pulled you from your body. My Son brought you back."
Jesus smiled. "easy, peasy".
The Metatronscowled and turned away, then implored the Almighty, "Why did You restore the demon?! Together, they are too powerful! Why are You even here?"
The Almighty spoke, "Crowley's sacrifice got my attention. He tried to save my Son and His wife. Sometimes, a fallen angel is still an angel. And then Aziraphale called for Me."
The Acting Supreme Archangel looked puzzled. "I did?"
God answered, "A true prayer for help. No personal agenda"
"It was personal. I wanted Crowley to live."
The Light shone on Aziraphale "and offered yourself. Another sacrifice."
Crowley stood up and turned to him, "Did you, Angel?"
Aziraphale shook his head, still confused, "I honestly don't know."
The Almighty said, "He was speaking with his heart."
The Light filled the room, "Besides, you have all forgotten one basic part of the miracle. Aziraphale and Crowley- were you two alone when you performed this extraordinary miracle?"
Aziraphale answered, "No, Gabriel was there."
Crowley added, "You took his right hand, I took his left."
God explained. "Gabriel left Heaven before they could strip him of his power. He amplified your powers, which combined are 10 Lazarii at best. (Crowley looked relieved; Aziraphale, a little disappointed).
The Metatron saw an opportunity to deflect God's anger. "But they were doing it to thwart you, My Lord God, and it wasn't the first time!"
Crowley countered. "Almighty God, we have evidence that whenever things went sideways, You were not present, but the Metatron was – the garden, Gethsemane, the 21st century thus far."
Aziraphale added, "In the absence of God, Man loses hope."
The Metatron defended himself, "I was staying the course. I knew what God wanted."
Crowley shook his head, "How? God's plan is…" looking at his Angel, who finished-
"Ineffable."
Jesus turned to the Metatron, "Every time I tried to talk to God, since my ascension – YOU showed. Did you even tell Her I was reaching out? Were the messages you gave me genuine?"
The Metatron faltered, "I…just did what was needed to achieve the Second Coming. Judgement Day is near!"
The Light turned to the Metatron. "Indeed, judgement is coming." The Light got brighter and began to flash. "Metatron, I condemn you to LIMBO. You no longer speak for me." Heaven rumbled at the words.
The Metatron tried to beg, but not a sound came out. The last thing they saw was his silent scream as he vanished. Then all was still and quiet. The angels, the fallen angel, the Christ, and the human; all stood awestruck.
The Light turned to Jesus, and the Almighty spoke, "My son, "I am all-knowing, but sometimes forget to look. The universe is vast and filled with beings who clamor for attention."
"The Great Plan was written before humans evolved. There is both good and bad that I did not anticipate. Nuclear weapons – bad. Music and Art- good. All of these are human creations – not mine. How could I anticipate and balance that? I create opposable thumbs- Humans create violin bows, paint brushes and video games, but also weapons and texting. The Great Plan was designed before Humanity was self-aware. Perhaps an edit is needed."
The Light softened, as did the volume of the Voice. It now felt like a conversation instead of a declaration. "I am all-powerful, not all-understanding. Empathy is a human trait, maybe exclusive to Earth. Yes, I knew you were in pain and knew we could not have a productive conversation until those scars toughened up a bit. I should have been seeking your input since your return. Your human experiences will have me reconsidering many things. But for now, you need to live a bit more, together. I need to reacquaint myself with Heaven and Earth; I look forward to our future talks together."
"Praise be to God." Jesus and Mary bowed to the Light.
The next statement of the Almighty confused everyone in the room, "You two may go with my blessing."
Jesus was confused, thinking the matter settled, "We're going either way, my Lord."
God clarified, "Not you two- You Two." The light shown on Aziraphale and Crowley, who looked shocked.
Aziraphale stammered "I don't know what you mean," at the same time, Crowley asked, "Whotwo?"
"Crowley and Aziraphale- you are the Balance of Good and Evil that allows Humanity to survive. Your love of them has saved them. Your love of them has brought you together. I see your partnership and
It Is Good."
Crowley shook his head as if trying to regain his hearing. Aziraphale reached out to Crowley to see if this was real but stopped short of touching him in the presence of God. They both looked at Jesus. He nodded in the affirmative and squeezed Mary to him. Muriel clapped enthusiastically.
Aziraphale took Crowley's hand and dared to ask, "will You make Crowley an angel again?" Crowley looked stunned and afraid of the Almighty's response.
God answered, "No. I don't think Crowley wants that and it would tilt the Balance you create. He is still fallen, but a fallen angel is still an angel. Crowley, you are the first Inter-Realm Ambassador. You will speak for Heaven in Hell and for Hell in Heaven. Aziraphale, you are my link to humanity- their true Guardian Angel. They are not perfect (the light of God flickers with images of people around the world, some in joyful moments, others in distress) but perfection can be boring.
I am now sending you back to your homes on Earth to contemplate. If you call, I will answer. I will have Michael and Uriel catch me up on what is happening in Heaven, and soon, I will be in touch with each of you to discuss our New Plan." And with that, God sent each to their home on Earth.