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Why Aziraphale?
He has never been an Archangel.
He didn't even behave like an Angel. At all.
He was a human with a halo.
They were supposed to take Gabriel's place, or at least Michael thought so. They couldn't think of someone better than themselves, not even Gabriel, not anymore.
They found themselves questioning God's will.
Why did her plan have to be so cruel?
Michael couldn't find comfort in Heaven. That's why they decided to visit Earth for one night, only one night, with the hope of emptying their mind and maybe finding a new ally. They fighted for God for eternity, they never dared to suggest she might be doing a mistake, but now it was different. The Archangel was deeply ashamed of the feeling of jealousy that was eating them alive.
Michael has killed for God an uncountable amount of times, right now they would have been genuinely happy to snap Aziraphale's neck for good. This request has never been made, so the Archangel found themselves in the most busy street they could find in London. This was typical human behavior, or at least they liked to think so.
“Why did you decide to meet here? There are so many humans…” Shax appeared as a well dressed man, she was wearing a red velvet suit with black brocade decorations. It somehow looked like the loud version of Michael's typical gray suit, but it had less buttons. Shax was arm in arm with Michael, she was looking around with a disgusted expression at the large quantity of people around them. It was like in Hell, the difference was they were outdoors.
Michael was taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of the demon, they instinctively pushed her away. They recognised her even with the disguise.
"I figured I had to find out why people seem happier in places like this rather than in churches." Now that the personal space was restored, the Archangel answered the question.
"Because here they're free. Nobody watches them from above, we could say here they can make friends with their demons." She adjusted her cravat after the rough greeting she received.
"Yeah, that's how stupid they are." It was a quiet murmur, they didn't actually dislike humans. They were just mad at the Universe.
"Wow, Micky, no need to be so rude…"
"Don't call me that ever again." Michael raised an eyebrow, being disrespected by a demon was something she wasn't looking forward to even if they knew they usually did that behind their back.
"Anyway, you can just show your usual face, Up they are too busy to check what I’m doing."
"What's wrong? Are you losing your faith?" Shax was mocking them, an Archangel drowning in despair is not something you see everyday. At that moment she didn't actually want to be mean, she was just enjoying her own game.
She went back to her usual appearance, 50's hairstyle, elegant red dress and all. She didn't mind shapeshifting but she preferred her classic feminine form, it made her feel more powerful and confident.
"We're at war and I don't know why I can't destroy you yet, that's the problem."
"I knew you were never going to accept him as your boss. That's kind of funny if I'm honest."
"What?"
"That you, the strongest warrior of God, the one who banished Lucifer from Heaven, the leader of the heavenly hosts, are overtaken by a nobody." Shax tried her best to not laugh, she couldn't believe that her existence was less miserable than the angel's.
Michael sighed. The demon knew how to be annoying. "You're trying my patience, tell me what you're offering me. The meeting was your idea after all."
Now Shax touched Michael's elbow, a less invasive form of physical contact, and teleported them both to a random Pub in the area. They were sitting at the same side of the table, their backs were facing the wall.
This time the Archangel didn't say anything, they just shook their head at the unnecessary use of teleportation.
"Yes, but first you tell me why you immediately accepted to meet a demon. You know you shouldn't trust me."
"God made me her strongest warrior, She gave me a thirst for demon's blood, I feel the hunger hiding under my skin waiting for the Judgment day. I suppose that's why I can't stay away from your kind." Michael sounded threatening and dangerous, something they were known for. Shax, of course, liked that.
"I see we're on the same page here, I can't wait to see you creatures of the sky as a miserable pile of corpses under the ground. I'm here to help you, all you need to do is ask…"
"We have a common goal but it's not enough for me to rely on you."
It was so easy with Ligur. They weren't even that close but they did understand each other, but that's another story.
Michael erased that thought from their head.
Maybe Shax had something positive to give behind her annoying facade. The need for power was what they shared.
"I want to see Aziraphale, that bastard of an Angel, burning to death and I want you to take his place. Then, I want to see you at my mercy, begging for me to spare you. I'd kill you in front of your soldiers' eyes, they'll be crying in fear when-" Shax was basically daydreaming out loud at this point, her voice became more dreamy as she continued with the description. Michael interrupted her, they had no intention to listen to that madness
"You're completely out of your mind!" They weren't actually shooked. They were not sadist, but the sight of the dead body of Hell's Lord was rather amusing. Michael kept the thought to themselves out of decency. "Luckily, I like your ambition."
"I have no intention to stop."
"Neither have I."
"We have a deal then, bring him to me and I'll do the dirty job." She couldn't wait.
"Of course I have no idea of what your plans are, just like this meeting never happened." Michael seemed oddly calm, they were already tasting the feeling of power that the new position was going to bring them, she was going to get things done for good.
Shax grinned, she was going to achieve so much more than Beelzebub could have even imagined. Both Heaven and Hell were going to fear her.
"How about a little celebration, you know, during my time on earth I've learned human love to drink." The urge of tempting Michael was too much, they were quite an appealing prey. She had never tempted an Archangel.
And well, Shax had never spent much time away from her secretary desk… She had a plan in order to fulfill her curiosity.
A couple of glasses of whisky appeared on their table.
"Here Micheal, take a sip… " Shax's voice was mellow, almost comforting. Michael knew what was coming.
"Tempt me? Really?"
"You’re the one who chooses what to do, I'm only offering you a drink, you know, I've learnt it's fundamental to blend in on Earth."
"And what if I'm rejecting the offer?" Now the Archangel wanted to see how far Shax could go, playing with demons had never scared them. Their idea of fun is a little bit messed up, that’s undeniable.
"Then you'd miss one the best liquid you could ever have in your entire life." Shax did not remember the name of the beverage, she only knew it was intoxicating because she figured it out on her own when she first arrived on Earth.
Micheal grabbed the glass with one hand, they looked at It as if they were examining the gold-like whisky inside it. They were hiding a little sly smile as they were listening to the demon's words, they had no intention to give her the satisfaction.
"This one burns down your throat just right”
"Actually, I think it might even be too much for you…" Shax leaned in, she whispered to the angel's earlobe. She had the impression that Michael, by nature, couldn't refuse a challenge.
"This is nothing I couldn't handle"
"Is this a challenge, dear Archangel?"
"It would be, but I don't think you're worthy"
"Too bad I'm your only ally"
"Don’t make me change my mind."
Shax didn't answer, instead she slowly took a sip from the glass and made a low sound of approval. An easy attempt to convince the angel.
"As sweet as a flame.”
"You dirty demon, stop tempting me!" Michael stood up, they made a step toward the door. “You had your moment of glory and now you think you can mess with me.”
“It’s not like I can make you do anything you don’t want to do, am I right, warrior?”
Shax disappeared and immediately appeared standing behind Michael, now whispering to their right ear.
“Oh wait. Maybe I can... after all I’m more important than you. In Hell I’m the Lord, while you’re still far from being the Prince.” Shax showed her real sharp teeth, from that position Michael couldn't see that but the demon made sure to bite the air next to the angel’s head.
Was it self-sabotage? Was it masochism? Michael couldn’t understand why the demon was doing anything possible to destroy their fresh agreement.
They turned to face Shax, they raised their hand and it was like space and time froze, everything felt blurry and muffled. Shapes were now just sketchy outlines, the only visible color being white and gray. A blinding light flooded the whole room. The demon felt shivers.
It felt cold as ice, Shax wondered if this Is what humans experienced when an angel appeared to them. She thought this must be the form they show to the enemies, it was one of the scariest things she had ever witnessed, a human could have had a heart attack on the spot. It was like nothing even existed at that moment, so it was very unlikely that the other people in the pub could perceive what was happening.
Michael caressed the demon’s face with the tips of their finger, it was angelic. There couldn’t be any words to describe it. Maybe that’s what Saint Lawrence felt. No, no, it was not possible. Shax came to that conclusion because she quickly realized that the gesture was not gentle.
Actually, she now feared her face was going to melt. The Archangel’s hand had the same effect of a drop of holy water.
The feeling lasted for a second, if not less, but Shax could still feel the phantom of a stinging pain on her cheek.
Everything went back to the dark and noisy pub from the moment before.
“What game are you playing?” Michael was violent, that’s it. After a certain line, their answers were physical reactions. No other angel was like this, sure, sometimes they had some tendencies, but Michael was the first in the line. It only made sense that God made one angel with the purpose of guiding the others where war and aggression were necessary.
Shax’s fingers became bird-like claws, her hand looked like the horror version of a stork’s paw. The surroundings went fully dark, again they were in the middle of nowhere, in a space that did not exist. The demon pushed the angel so hard they fell on the floor.
“You hit me first.”
"Because you're so damn lunatic!"
Michael understood they shouldn't fear for their life when Shax offered them a hand to get up. The Archangel knew demons liked to have this kind of interaction, just like when felifelines played with each other by fighting. The Archangel had never seen them as something more than that and the feeling was mutual, but still they did not walk away.
“I’m not!”
“Then what is wrong with you?” Michael was this close to yelling, but they did not. They were more confused than angry. Also, they could barely see the demon behind that thick layer of darkness. It was almost like they could touch the obscurity. Michael somehow managed to adjust the collar of their shirt.
“I’ve seen a few places on Earth. I’ve seen Mont Saint Michel, it was so glorious. In battle I've always seen you only from afar, now I want to see the most mystical side of you.”
It sounded like and orders but Shax was genuinely curious, she could have never guessed how many questions Earth could make her ask. Everything was so interesting. Sure, she was ready to burn it all down but she wanted to live it first. She found herself in France almost by mistake, but what she remembers is she couldn’t believe her own eyes in front of such a landscape. The sweet chaos of the rising water and the soft shine of Michael statue. It made her feel sick, but it made her want to reach the Archangel. A need as sweet as Belladonna and as twisted as the colors of a candy cane.
The archangel did not expect this answer, they were not really surprised because the lack of experience Shax had outside Hell was evident, but still it was a rather unusual revelation. She couldn’t have made that up. And of course, just like any other angel, Michael loved and lived to be adored.
Shax needed someone at her level, some annoying low grande demons weren't enough. Michael, on the other hand, was powerful, beautiful and interesting. Yes, they most definitely had a dark side the demon wanted to see.
“Hope you’ll never be close enough.” Michael replied with a chuckle, maybe they had more influence on Shax than they could hope for. What an absurd evening. “Now, go away and wait until I contact you. Stick to the plan and don’t try to bother me again.” Was it because Michael might like it a little bit too much?
After a dark cloud of smoke, everything went back to normal without Shax feeling the need to say anything else. The atmosphere felt weird.
“Demon, you know what?” Michael walked back to their table, they took the glass and drank it all in one gulp. “I've already had one before you came.”
Shax walked away with a satisfied smile on her face, Michael wasn’t boring and buttoned up as they always showed. She definitely was going to bother them again.