Chapter Text
The scene around them changed and swirled once more, settling on Luciel in what seemed to be their room. The ‘room’ was much more like an open space, the floor being made of clouds, and what seemed like a large fluffy nest rested in the center. Off to the side, a desk covered in an assortment of blueprints and sketches sat. Luciel stood in front of the desk, golden magic swirling in their gasp. It changed shapes a few times before settling on the shape of a horse with large feathered wings and a horn that pulsed with magic adorning its head.
The miniature alicorn whinnied, beginning to trot around on the desk and explore. Luciel smiled as brightly as the very sun, scooping his creation up into his arms and flying out of his space towards the Chamber of Elders. This would be the first time he was deemed old enough to show off a creation to get approved for Earth. He was so excited!
Despite the happiness emanating from the memory, Charlie couldn't help the feeling of unease pooling in her gut. She’d heard how Heaven had reacted to her Father's ideas. She did not want to see that face, so full of innocent joy, crumbling into defeat .
Luciel zipped into the dark sphere that held the Elders, landing in the center of the room. Seraphiel stood at the center, smiling down at him. “Right on time, Luciel. Are you ready to present your idea?”
“Yes Sera!”
“Elder Seraphiel, Prince Luciel.” Ophiel admonished, their eyes piercing Luciel with a disapproving look. Luciel bowed their head, quickly correcting himself. Sera gave Ophiel a look, but did not speak up further.
“Then let the presentation begin.”
Luciel brightened up once more, releasing their creation and letting it fly around the room. The small creature's wings carried it around the room, showing off and flying by each of the elders. “This is an Alicorn! A magnificent stead capable of traversing anything and everything! This is a miniature variant I made for the presentation and-”
The pained cry of the small Alicorn sounded out and Luciel stopped, staring in horror as the poor life burst into Holy flames in Elder Muriel's unforgiving grip. “Prince Luciel, it is unfair to bring an animated creature to the presentation when others cannot do the same.”
The Elders voice was cold, Their head- which was made up of little more than 12 wings curled into a ball with eyes staring down, bore into Luciel. “Do you believe yourself above others, because of your ability to animate?”
“How dare this ASSHOLE-!” Charlie began, ready to go on a tirade as she saw years well up in her Father's eyes. A hand on her shoulder stopped her, Vaggie giving her a strained look of understanding.
“I know. It's not fair, but this is all in the past. Getting worked up isn't going to help, babe.” Charlie deflated, anger leaving her as quickly as it came.
“You're right.”
Luciel's hands and shoulder shook as he fought back the tears, wings curling closer to make himself appear smaller. “No! Never! I had just thought that it would help-”
A scoff sounded out, a nebulous looking Angel speaking up. “This is not a place for you to show off, young Morningstar. Besides, that creature has far too much power for something on Earth.”
“I agree with Elder Jophiel. Motion to deny submission?” Phanuel spoke up, bronze plumage fluffed up in righteous frustration. The Elders raised their hands one by one, all staring down at Luciel with contempt.
All but Seraphiel, who could only watch in horror as her siblings all shattered Luciel's work. She pursed her lips, she would need to speak with them after this. This was no way to behave. “... Motion passed. I am sorry, my Prince.”
Seraphiel sounded genuinely remorseful, but Luciel was too heartbroken to hear it. Tears sliding down his cheeks, he took flight and left the chamber. He could not bare to stand there any longer.
“What abhorrent manners! That is no way to treat a child, let alone one that is Royalty!” Alastor scowled, glaring at where the Elders had been. The radio filter on his voice was more pronounced, making his dislike much more obvious.
Angel Dust nodded, arms crossed. “Now that ain't right. Baby king was so excited to show them what he made and they just destroyed his work and belittled him!”
Charlie felt her anger flare again, watching as her Father flew to his space and collapsed onto his nest with heartbreaking sobs. He was still very much just a child here, an older one but a child none the less. Those Elders had completely spit on his work. “I'm glad we never met them when we went to Heaven. Those guys are such- assholes! They're worse than Adam!”
Drawn in by the distress they could feel through the bond, Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel all made their way over to Luciel's space, approaching carefully and settling on the edges. “Luci? What's wrong?”
Michael reached out, placing a comforting hand on his twin's shoulder. The Morningstar flinched at the touch. “T-The elders they… they burned my creation in Holy fire… accused me of believing myself better than the others by bringing something living… they called it animated! Like the Alicorn was not a living creature!”
Luciel sat up, eyes red rimmed. The trio shared a look before settling around their distraught brother, wings and arms wrapping around each other in comfort.
“That's horrible… why would they do that?” Raphael wondered, looking ill at the very thought of them murdering such an innocent creature. As if summoned, the larger version of the Alicorn flew over, nuzzling into Luciel's back.
Luciel curled into himself further; “I-I don't know… They… They all looked at me with such contempt…”
Charlie wanted to jump in excitement at the sight of the full sized Alicorn, but held herself back. Now was not the time.
“Even Elder Seraphiel?” Gabriel asked, voice small. The messenger adored Seraphiel, and could not imagine her ever doing such a thing.
Luciel shook his head, wiping at his eyes to get rid of the tears. Though it was hard when even the eye in his Halo was weeping. “N-No I don't think so… a-at least she didn't say anything mean like the others…”
Michael let out a cooing sound, small comforting chirruping sounds as he poured comfort into the bond. “That was wrong. They shouldn't have done that. How about, when you next go to present something, I come with you?”
Michael knew the elders would not dare speak ill in front of him. Despite being young, he had already proven to be stronger than most of them; and his powers grew each passing day. He would not let them hurt his brother in such a way again.
Luciel looked up at Michael, gaze painfully hopeful that it made those watching feel their hearts clench (though Alastor would never admit it.)
“You will…?”
“Of course. As the older brother, that's my job!” Michael teased, knowing that would get a rise out of the smaller.
Luciel, Raphael, and Gabriel all shared a look before rolling their eyes and giggling. “We hatched at the same time, dummy!”
Michael only patted Luciel's head in response. “But I'm the Crown Prince, so I must be older~!”
The quadruplets broke down into playful wrestling and banter, laughter echoing out like chiming bells. Distress and sadness changed into laughter and joy as the scene faded out.
Charlie smiled happily, the scene of her Uncles comforting her Father giving her a fuzzy feeling. “I'm glad they cheered him up.”
Even Husk had a fond smile on his grumpy face. “Yeah okay, that shit was sweet.”
Angel Dust bumped Husks hip, a teasing grin on his face. “Sweet enough I can feel the cavities forming~!”
“Oh don't start with that shit Legs, less you want Cherri and I to drag you to the dentist?” Husk grinned, chuckling as Angel reeled back in over exaggerated hurt, a hand placed over his chest.
“You wouldn't! Everyone knows Dentists are evil little sadists!”
As the group bantered and laughed together, Alastor stood off to the side, still looking at the scene of the Princes all laughing together. Despite the happy atmosphere, something had to have gone wrong at some point. The King had never mentioned his brothers, not even to Charlie, which meant they weren't in contact anymore. It didn't make sense to him, with how
close they clearly all were here.
What had happened, when Lucifer fell from Heaven?