Chapter 9

Crowley shook his head and backed away from Tony. The King of Hell wanted no part of that. All his past run-ins with the fallen angel had been horrible.

"You don't'have to concern yourself with…." Crowley started.

"Oh," Tony interrupted him. "but, apparently, I do."

"I'll remember."

Tony shook his head. "You say that, but you never do."

Tony turned his head and looked to his left. "Castiel."

Castiel appeared. He awaited his orders.

"Tell Lucifer to get ready…he is going to have company." The arch angel stated.

Crowley shook his head and started to back away.

"Lucifer is…." Castiel started, very confused.

Tony smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not going to let Luci out. I can't. But, I will get Crowley into that cage!" He said with determination. "All I want you to do is to tell Lucifer to expect company. Don't tell him who. That will be our little surprise."

Castiel nodded and disappeared to deliver Tony's message.

Tony cleared his throat, just as Crowley was about to slip out the door. Crowley stopped. He knew that he was caught.

"That really is not necessary." Crowley said.

"Do you really, really think that you can get away from me? From Heaven?" Tony asked, not waiting for an answer. "I'm an arch angel. Part of my job is keeping tabs on low-life, dangerous vermin like you."

"Low-life, dangerous vermin?" Crowley contemplated the words. "Dangerous…I'll give you that one. But…low-life? Vermin?"

"There's a book you should read." Tony told him. "You and your…kind play a HUGE part in the story and how it plays out. But, I've got to tell you. I peeked at the ending…things don't go well for you."

"I'm familiar." Crowley said, careful to keep his temper in check, despite Tony's condescending and insulting attitude.

Tony smiled. "The author described you as a snake. And he would know. He created you."

"You have no right…!" Crowley snapped back letting his anger get the best of him. He was THE King of Hell, after all.

"Oh, I have every right. You keep…messing in things, with people, that just do not concern you."

Crowley retorted. "The Winchesters amuse me…and Maribelle is a miserable little mutt!"

Seconds later, with the sweep of Tony's arm, Crowley was thrown to the ground so hard that it knocked the wind out of him. He lay on the ground, gasping, for a few moments, before he even tried to get up.

Tony towered over Crowley as he lay on the ground. "Sam and Dean are not chess pieces. They are not pawns in whatever game you have going on in your head!" Tony paused and bent down. He grabbed Crowley by his neck and brought him to his feet. The arch angel continued to squeeze as he spoke. "You will remember that Maribelle and Constantine are MINE! AND, you will remember NOT to mess with the Winchesters." Tony stated, taking distinct pleasure in the fear displayed on Crowley's face.

Crowley clawed at Tony's hand, trying to get the angel to release his grip. But, his efforts were futile.

"We are huge believers in wrath, Crowley." Tony reminded him. "And, all that stuff about consequences, and reaping what you sow…" He hissed. "…really big in Heaven…huge, in fact…."

Tony grinned. "We mustn't keep my dear brother waiting." And with that Tony, Crowley and the hounds all vanished.

THE END

END NOTES: This was an awesome story. SO,SO much fun to imagine and write. My plot bunnies went wild with this one. And, I ended it this way so that you could use your own imagination to see how things went in the cage with Lucifer. And how Tony even got him INTO the cage to begin with. I hope you enjoyed this synaptic misfire. And thanks, so much for all your faithful support. JL