Alright, I have done it… I stepped over to the dark side...my first Supernatural fic...
Going to be AU as soon as the next episode airs, as I am neither clairvoyant nor a writer on the show (sadly…)
Not beta'd.
AN: Ok, so this is what happens when I spend too much time on tumblr after the watching the latest episode. The way Crowley said "And now he's ready." sounded way too foreboding and calculative to match the recovering addict that we have seen in the last episodes. I fear this will not end well. Obviously, my silly brain went off tangent with the idea and this is the result. Let me know what you think, the good, the bad, the ugly…
The alley was dimly lit and the rain from earlier was collecting in dark puddles over the broken asphalt. Dean did not give any thoughts about the scenery around him; all he cared about was the body at his feet. A body he had put here, yet he did not feel any regret or remorse. Quite the opposite. He'd finally done it, fulfilled his task that had over shadowed his life for far too long. Abaddon was dead, stabbed through the heart by the one weapon that had the power to kill her permanently.
Dean slowly turned around and stared at Crowley, the power of the Blade pulsing through his veins, fueling his anger. Killing Abaddon had heightened his reaction to the weapon, he felt like his whole being became truly one with the Blade, finally achieving its full potential. The feeling was exhilarating and Dean's skin was abuzz with the energy flowing though him. His hands gripped the Blade tightly, showing no trace of the hesitance or tremors of his earlier encounters with the weapon.
Crowley faced him calmly, hands stretched out in front of him, slowly clapping in approval.
"You have outdone yourself with this one. Excellent technique. Flawless. Cain has chosen his successor wisely."
If Dean had heard him, he did not show it. He was still in his fighting stance, slowly advancing towards the demon, eyes shining dark and murderous.
"Now, I know you feel pretty amped up right know, but you won't kill me."
"Give me one reason why not." The reply was more a growl than actual words, but Crowley understood it.
"Because you are loyal. To a fault. You see, we have grown quite close over the past months, even became friends, and if I have learned anything at all about you, then it is that you protect your friends."
"We are no friends." Again spoken in a low snarl.
"Yes, we are. And you'd better accept that, it's going to make all this sooo much easier."
"I kill you. Easy enough."
Crowley smirked and took a step towards Dean, slowly spreading his arms to his side in a gesture of surrender. "Go ahead, give it your best shot!"
Dean didn't need to be told twice. With one swift motion he swung the Blade in a perfect angle to take off Crowley's head. But the Blade refused to follow his order, instead of hitting the demon, it passed harmlessly through the air, throwing Dean completely off balance. He stumbled sideways, trying to regain his footing.
"Yeah, I thought so. You see, the power of the Blade does not only come from its bearer, it also comes from its master, Lucifer. Due to his unfortunate absence, the master of the Blade is the current ruler of Hell. Moi. And the Blade will never strike against its master." Dean struggled to understand what Crowley was talking about, partially because he couldn't believe it, but also because the annoying buzz that was pulsing in his ears, distorting all sounds.
"With Abaddon dead, there are no more disputes. I have retaken what has been mine all along. You really should have paid more attention to the fine print here. Hell must have at least one Knight at any given time. As you have just slaughtered the last Knight of Hell, the job now falls to you. And now bow before your King, my Knight."
Eyes wide with unadulterated fear, Dean fought the sudden urge that was spreading through him. His arms and legs were shaking, trying to obey the order issued by the King and at the same time held upright by the sheer willpower of a stubborn hunter. But Dean was weakened and he knew it. The fighting with Sam, the doubts, the overwhelming yearning after the Blade had worn his defenses thin over the past weeks. But a Winchester did not simply give up.
"I will not bow before you like one of your lowly demons. I am still human, and I will fight, and I will kill you."
Crowley sighted. "I really hoped you wouldn't force me to say this. Listen to me carefully Dean, the bearer of the first Blade is a Knight of Hell. And Knights of Hell are demons. That power surge you felt when you killed the bitch? That was your body shifting to its new state. Killing Abaddon turned you into what you most despised. Isn't that poetic?"
Dean's heart stopped. No, it couldn't be. Crowley was lying, he's a demon, and that's what they do, right? But he couldn't deny that he felt different, more powerful. Was this how Demons felt? He wished for the first time that Sam was here, after all, his brother had been possessed numerous times and would be able to help him.
"I – I don't believe you! You're lying." He gasped, barely able to speak coherently over the increased shivering of his body.
"Am I now? You are barely upright. Let go Dean, submit to the power inside of you and all the pain, all the struggle will be over."
Dean fell to his knees, shaking madly, but his right fist still clenched onto the boney Blade. Deciding to deliver the final push, Crowley bent down and put his hand onto Dean's head, intensifying the demonic forces cursing through the hunters mind.
"You are strong, but ever since you took on that Mark this was your destiny. Give in. Let all the anger and hatred out. Sam doesn't care about you. Castiel will soon return to heaven. They don't need you, they are even scared of you. But I value you for all your talents, take you the way you are. Be my Knight!"
"N- argh, never!" Dean collapsed on the floor in pain. He'd fought this with everything he had, but he came to realize that this might be the one fight he could not win. With one final and violent shudder Dean stilled.
Crowley smiled sadly at the motionless body in front of him. Dean Winchester was strong, but even the strongest can be taken down with the right incentive and manipulation. And Crowley prided himself to be a master in the latter. He was finally ready to return to his rightful post in hell, and his brand new Knight would play a key role in ensuring that this time, his reign would remain undisputed.
He briefly contemplated to take Dean with him right away, but ultimately decided against it. It would be so much more meaningful if his Knight would come to him on his own accord. And he would come, of that he was certain. He grabbed the first Blade out of Dean's hand and disappeared.
xxx
Sam returned from his own quest to eliminate Metatron only minutes later. Cas had given him a lift, before returning to heaven. He saw the lifeless body of Abaddon lying on the ground and rejoiced. Spotting his brother standing hunched over a few steps further down the alley, he called out.
"Dean, we did it! Metatron is dead and heaven is open for business again… Dean?" Walking closer, Sam suddenly realized that something about his brother was off. The way he held himself, the stiffness in his movements, made Sam approach more cautiously. Just as he slowed to a halt, his brother turned around and leveled his eyes with him. His shiny, large and utterly black eyes.
Sam gasped. "No! Oh no no… Dean?" He felt something cold creep up over his back, and it took him a moment to realize that it was fear.
"Hey Sammy." Dean's voice sounded mechanical, completely void of any emotion, mocking the use of the old nickname. "Guess I should have read the fine print, turns out if you kill the last Knight of Hell, you are the first in line to be the next."
"Who are you?" Sam asked in an icy voice.
"Me? Sammy, I am disappointed. You should know better."
"Get out of my brother!" Sam snapped, still concerned, but slowly calming himself. Possession he could deal with.
"Oh now that would be impossible! One hundred percent Dean Winchester, just with a dramatically increased life expectancy."
Sam blanched. The reply from his brother had just smashed any hope that he still held.
"Crowley. I'm gonna kill the bastard." Sam was livid. How dare he turn his brother into a monster? His hands automatically went for his knife and the next thing he knew was that he felt himself shoved into the wall, and held in place by an invisible force.
"Not if I can help it. Ah, please don't insult me with that poker. You know that your knife is useless against a Knight of Hell." And with a flick of his hand the knife fell out of Sam's hand. "There, that's better. You just don't understand. This is what I truly am. A killer. And Crowley takes me the way I am. With all my faults. Figured it would be a relief for you to get finally rid of me."
"Dean, no, I never meant-" Sam struggled against the demons hold on him.
"Doesn't matter anymore. Bye Sam, you are finally free to live your life the way you want to. The next time we meet, don't expect any sympathies."
"No, wait!" Sam cried out in desperation. "Just hear me out. If you are still Dean, still my brother, then please listen to me."
"Now we are brothers again? Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't it you that said you can't trust me anymore? Fine. But be quick about it."
Sam felt the pressure that pushed him against the wall ease up slightly, not enough so he could move, but enough to allow him the breath more easily.
"I said these things because I needed you to understand that we can't keep going like this. This codependency, it needs to end. We both need to find a healthier way to live. But Dean, you are still my brother, the only family that I have left and I need you." He thought he saw the tiniest flinch in his brothers emotionless face, and that little motion gave him the courage to continue.
"I know the Mark has pulled you under for quite some time now, and I failed to do anything about it because I was too stubborn, but I am here now. Let me help you. You carried me through my addiction, the whole Lucifer disaster, saved my ass in that church and you never lost your faith in me. Now it's my turn to return the favor. Fight this, Dean, this is not you." He paused briefly, giving Dean time to process the words, and they did not fail to make an impact. So he went all in.
"You are not a killer, you are the kindest, most emphatic person I know, but you always think that you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You don't. You are the most amazing big brother I could ever have wished for, the finest hunter out there and a darn great guy. This isn't your fault. This isn't your weight to bear alone. Let me in. Let me help you. Please, brother."
During the last few sentences Dean had closed his eyes, head hanging low. Sam felt the force holding him falter, but it did not let go completely. When Dean raised his head, Sam let go of the breath that he had been holding since he finished his speech. The eyes that met his were a familiar green and they were swimming in unshed tears.
"Sammy… not your fault. I screwed up… I'm sorry. I'm not str-…strong enough to fight this." Dean visibly struggled to speak. Sam could see all the pain and the hardship of a life lived in constant struggle to survive, to protect in those troubled eyes. His heart went out for his brother. He had been under so much pressure, pretty much his entire life. It was no wonder that he finally cracked under it. He just wished that it hadn't been him that gave his brother the final push.
"NO! Dean, you are! If anyone is strong enough, then it's you." Sam could feel how close he was to reaching his brother, and he meant every word he said. It had been necessary for him to distance himself and find out who Sam Winchester really was, but he never meant to drive his brother into this!
"The Blade, it- it pulls me in. Can't fight the power in me. Crowley… as long as he holds the Blade, he has me, I can hear it calling…" Dean trailed off, his voice a hoarse whisper.
"Let me go and I will help you fight this. We can do this. Together!" Damn, Dean, please, please don't give in. Please don't give up hope.
Dean simply shook his head, a lonely tear sliding down his cheek. His whole frame shook from effort and raw emotion. After what seemed like ages to Sam, Dean slowly stilled, arms hanging limb next to his lean body. When he looked up his eyes had turned back into black and his face was void of any emotion. "You can't help me. This is what I am now. It's too late." And with that he disappeared.
Left alone in the alley, Sam was in shock. Released from the hold, the tall hunter slowly slid down the wall, all strength drained out of him.
"Oh god, Dean." He choked out. "What have I done?"
AN2: I now this makes Dean look quite a bit weaker than he usually is. But he has been through so much this season, he lost the trust and support of Sam, has distanced himself from Cas and is pretty much convinced that he doesn't deserve anything good anyway. The Mark is adding an addiction that he can't fully control. In one word, he is vulnerable, and Crowley would totally use that.
Thanks for reading, reviews are loved!