Chronicles of Absolution: Let the Games Get Bloody

Chapter 1

Then

… She wanted revenge at one point but she had a severe wake up call to get her on the path she was on now. It was why she preferred to 'run' when confronted with anyone related to Alistair and his usual cohort. She wouldn't hesitate to fight but the tight reins were kept on the beast known as revenge.

Now she was faced with a chance to live that fantasy but that would mean she would have to become what Dean only got a taste of…

… He didn't want to but every second would buy them time and at least his Cat wasn't here to hear this. She wasn't ready for it. "Only because I didn't understand at the time. I know it and you know it."

"And just causing the tears was the turning point."

"A mistake and one that I have been paying for."

Lucifer looked at Gabriel and sneered, "And I'm sure that worked out well." He gestured at the door more to mock Gabriel and asked, "Does she even know about you? About us?"

"No," Gabriel shook his head firmly as he spoke, "And it's gonna stay that way."

"She's gonna find out sooner or later," Lucifer pointed out. He spread his arms as if to take the job, "Might as well be now and from someone who will never lie to her. I mean, I haven't lied to her yet." He grinned more to piss off the younger angel.

"Leave her alone, Lucifer," Gabriel warned. He held his blade up in warning. "She is here for a purpose so get over yourself. It's time to grow up."

… And she is better because she cares. She gives and without any thought of the risks to herself or reward. She is a flawed abortion and she is doing what she was born to do… She is perfect no matter what she is and what she does and you wanna know why? It's because she does what these flawed abortions do. She tries and does forgive…

… He stared at the body and saw the ash outline of his brother's wings, the sign that the angel was dead. All of a sudden there was a flash of lightning and a pulse ran through that was enough to send a sharp chill down his spine…

… "You are one of us. Not heaven made but earth bound."

… "The Malachi shall come bearing the blade that shall bring Absolution to the world."

… "The Malachi will be born of the light and the darkness."

… "The Malachi bears compassion for all including enemies."

… "The Malachi shall rise from the dead bearing the power of compassion and empathy; the powers that run deep within the blood."

… "You are the Malachi of Absolution."

… "I believe you can," Angela repeated. She gave a slight smile before adding, "Different strengths, Sam. And… I don't doubt us but the things that could make life more difficult than it already is." She gave a slight shrug. "But I'm with you."

… "He's right. I have changed and maybe not for the better." Angela drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on her knees…

… "That girl… thinks the world of you and I don't think I need to tell you how that translates to her feelings. Just…" Dean paused trying to think about what to say that didn't come off like he was picking on Sam. "Just… know that you're the first she cares about in that fashion and it… it scares her. Scares her so much that she's willing to let you believe what a demon says is true to think the worst."

… Choices have to be made. Some lead to perdition and some lead to end of old and alone. The question comes down to whether or not one believes that they can hold on till the end and finally not be afraid to open that door…

… Isis smiled in return. "She is special on many levels. To me it is like that of a mother and daughter. Her abilities while special are nothing compared to her nature."

… He took a good look at her face and noted that the shadows gave her a more predatory appearance, like a bird of prey and the effect was added to it with her eyes vamped out, the glittering orbs producing a very intimidating sight…

… The lightning flashed again and Dean noticed that Angela had moved closer. The bird of prey look was still on her and when she moved, the lightning flashed and it was then that he saw a pair of wings coming from his girl. They didn't look like Castiel's but the effect was the same…

… Angela looked up and stared at Lucifer. She had one card left to play. She took a breath and channeled her power creating a slight breeze. She pushed herself to a kneeling position and stared at Lucifer long and hard as he raised his fist. She stood up and he backed away as she held up her hand and looked at the angel. She looked at him and said, "Sam, remember, no matter what happens… I forgive you. Always and forever."

Dean watched as his possessed brother stepped back the moment Angela stood up. He saw the glowing outlines of her tattoos and felt the breeze. It was calm, gentle but there was power behind it. Lucifer had to feel it since he was moving backwards…

… She watched in horror as Lucifer grabbed him by the neck and held him up. She watched as Sam struggled as she looked at Lucifer first wearing Sam and then the meat suit before Sam. It was like he was taunting her that he could do anything and she was powerless to stop it.

Angie… you promised…

She looked at Sam as he tried to ease the hand on his throat. She looked at him and said, "I did promise and I am keeping it."

"Oh really?"

… grabbed and the blade wrenched away.

Lucifer looked at her with an impassive and yet cruel gaze. He stared at her grimacing and said, "I know he got a piece of your ass and I was willing to overlook it and go easy on you. But now you leave me with no choice…"

"There is always a choice," she spluttered back, feeling the grip tighten on her arm.

"You're right," Lucifer replied with a little thought. He then deftly broke her arm, his lip twitching from the snap of bone and watched her drop to her knees, holding the injured limb. He looked down at her and added, "You are lucky that this is all in your head."

Angela didn't think so then. It felt very real as she cradled her arm. She glanced at Sam when he uttered a low moan of pain and then looked up at Lucifer. "I… will… find you."

"I'm sure you will." Lucifer then kneeled to make himself eye level. He hooked a finger under her chin and held it. "Cause this is only the beginning."

… "You know that she knows that the gauntlet has been thrown brother. She will fight us both."

"It's not like you haven't been waiting for that." Michael gave a sharp look at Lucifer who was looking satisfied, like he just had really good sex. He really didn't like what he had been doing but it seemed to have the effect that they both wanted.

"True, but unlike you brother," Lucifer paused from rubbing his chin in a satisfied manner, "I know what makes her tick."

"And you're implying that I don't?"

Lucifer looked around at nothing before replying in a mocking tone, "Yes."

Michael glared at Lucifer and retorted, "And what makes you so sure that you do know?"

… There are three great things in life my little bambina. You are capable of all three but the greatest comes from your heart and soul.

It's your greatest weapon Cat.

Nothing means anything if you can't forgive yourself…

… "Promised what?"

Angela felt the tear fall down her cheek but resisted rubbing it away. She replied, "Promised that… that Sam would never be alone."

… Sam looked at her with a look of surprise and hurt after he nearly choked and spat out the vial of blood that she had given him. Some of it had dribbled onto his lip but most of it was in his mouth and he ended up swallowing it. She knew that look and why.

"Trust me," she said…

… Sam looked up and saw the lifeless body of Angela lying not too far away. He felt the choking feeling return in his lungs seeing her like that. Her little eyes were wide open and she was looking at him. He was certain that she was looking at him like how Jess used to look at him when he had his nightmares of her burning on the ceiling after she died. The question was so clear in her eyes.

Why Sam?

… So I make this promise to you, brother. Sam will never be alone while in the cage. I will stay by him and maybe find some way to come back to you without setting the devil free. I know that it may seem selfish and that would be right but… I am doing this because it is right. I choose you, Sam, my family and in the end… maybe that is all that matters.

So don't worry about it. It's going to be okay. That I promise with all my heart to you, Big Brother.

Love from your Sister…

Now

Dean watched as his brother fell in but it was Angela that caught his attention. He watched as she walked towards the edge of the hole with her hand outstretched. She looked determined. "Angie," he called out.

Angela paused and turned to look at Dean. She took in his broken appearance but that didn't matter. Looking at the man that was her big brother she gave a full genuine smile before turning back and with a spring, she leapt into the hole with her arms spread wide like she was going to fly, eyes closed. She fell with a smile on her face.

She fell into the hole like she was flying. She looked like the graceful birds of prey that she had a great respect for. Dean reached out for her but a bright light blinded him. He shielded his eyes to protect them. When he opened them, he was stuck in a dark alley and it was raining.

He looked around to see where he was. He looked down and found a bloodied knife in his hand. He was hunting something and… there was blood on the ground. It led the way down the alley. The fugly was still alive. He started chasing it. He followed it to an empty room in an abandoned building. He walked into it to find…

"Sam?"

"I really don't give a damn about you."

Dean saw his brother but it wasn't the Sam he knew. He saw the darkness in his brother and that was because he had no soul. He was standing there with a bloody knife and at his feet was… Dean felt his eyes widen.

No. It couldn't be. He looked at his brother and asked, "What did you do Sam?"

There was no answer but his soulless brother was looking at him with a don't care attitude. On the ground were Angela and Haley. Their eyes were wide open and lifeless and staring at him. All of a sudden Haley turned towards him and looked at him with that blank dead look and asked, "How could you?"

Dean's eyes shot open and he gasped for air. He looked up and found himself looking at the ceiling of a familiar sight as he recalled where he was. He started to move but found something was lying on top of him. He paused to take a look and realized that it was Haley asleep where she had made herself comfortable. He swallowed at the sight and marveled that she was still with him despite everything that had happened the past year and a half.

He had done as Sam asked and made the suggestion that they live together. He didn't think that she would accept but she did. She was there when he went to talk to Sam even though Lucifer was wearing him to the prom and was there when it hit that he lost not only his brother but his… his sister. She followed his brother and…

She had smiled at him. The image was ingrained in Dean's mind and was pretty much present whenever he had a nightmare. It haunted him because when she looked at him with that smile, she was at peace. It was like she was saying that it was going to be okay no matter what. That was what she tried to say when he read the letter she left for him in the Impala.

Don't be stupid Angie. It's not the same without you and Sam.

Dean rubbed his forehead as he leaned forward and took a couple of breaths. It hadn't been the same. But he had been happy. He was happy with Haley and they made a go of their lives together in a semi normal way. She wasn't inclined to give up her magic or studies but she never pushed for him to continue hunting. She told him to find something that he could see himself doing that had nothing to do with hunting or monsters. She even teased him about getting back into being the sorcerer's apprentice and learning how to put a few herbs together.

Dean couldn't ask for a better partner. And she deserved better than him. A small smile formed as he stared down at the sheets that covered his body. They had a good year together and he had that glimpse of normalcy. Well as close as he could get to it. But then he found out that Sam was alive and well and had spent the year hanging with Samuel Campbell.

Dean's teeth grit in anger thinking about the man. The man had sold them out to Crowley. It made him wish that Angela was there. She would have given a piece of her mind and probably in a scary way. That he was certain of. But she wasn't there. She hadn't been there for a long time and a year and a half was a long time. Sighing, he flung the sheets aside and got up and walked to the dresser. He picked up the photo that he had kept with him and carried with him when he went out on a job.

He found it when he decided to go snooping in her room at Bobby's more out of a need to have something of hers to help him while he dealt with the fact that his brother Sam wasn't completely there. Sam was missing his soul. He was missing his soul and said under no uncertain terms that he didn't give a crap about his brother. What wounded Dean the most was the fact that Sam took a look at Angela's photo and called her a hot piece of ass.

Sam was always the first to defend her virtue, damn near killing the guy for looking at her in that fashion. Dean was a close second since he always got a kick out of how possessive Sam could be. The wounds lessened a little when he found Sam staring at her picture and some douche commented on her good looks. Even with a soul, his brother could be damn scary when someone pushed his buttons the wrong way to the extreme but the look that Dean saw… It was pure scary like Angela getting pissed and you die scary.

Dean didn't know what to think about that since soulless Sam had no emotions. He was damn good faking them. He did know that when Sam turned to look at it, it was with a look that dared him to say something before going back to looking at her picture. It had Dean get a chill down his spine like his brother would kill him if he looked at her the wrong way. It had him on edge and Haley… she acted like things were sort of normal in treating it as conversation but also making it clear to Sam to back off. She was the disciplinarian and even though Sam was soulless, he actually looked afraid of what she could do. Dean knew that it was best not to fuck with a juju queen the same as you didn't fuck with Romani magic, which she taught him.

Dean leaned on the dresser and looked at the picture of Angela. It was one that was pretty well dated. Bobby hinted that it was taken in the 1930s. Upon more investigation, Dean found out that it was taken at Hearst Castle. It surprised him but didn't quite since he figured that she would find her way to meet various famous people. He figured this was taken as a fit of whimsy as she called it since she didn't have a whole lot of pictures save for paintings that existed. She was dressed in white with a floppy hat of the style and she was looking not at the camera but off in the distance with an expression that was… It was what caught his attention and why he kept it.

"Had the nightmare again?"

Dean straightened up and almost jumped when he felt Haley's arms wrap around his waist. He relaxed and replied, "Yeah."

Haley made a slight humming sound as she rested the side of her head against his back. "Who was it this time?"

"Sam. Always Sam." Dean looked down at the picture before putting it back on the dresser where his wallet was. He turned to look at Haley and said, "He killed her and you Hale and he didn't have a care in the world."

Haley looked at the pained expression that was on Dean's face. Six months ago the rollercoaster of the life came back when Dean had been infected by the djinn and then Sam walked right back into their lives. She was surprised and relieved as Dean but she was wary at the time. Angela had not come back with him and the answers he had given were vague. It made her suspicious and she paid attention to the dogs that were now a year old, two for Xander.

Moira was her first clue. The pup was happy to see her hunter but she whined a high pitched whine that was like she was in pain or agitated. Sometimes she growled when Sam got too close and she never went to sleep at his feet. Xander and Zeppelin would curl their lips at Sam and growl low in their throats. They knew that Sam had no soul. She also used her juju to find out too since it was noninvasive.

She joined them on the road occasionally but most of the time she stayed at the home that she and Dean bought to keep up appearances and to reach out to learn more on how to help Sam and also bring back Angela. She also trained harder in juju with the more advanced techniques and spells. She didn't want it to get too far but she wasn't going to walk in blindly either and she conveyed her concerns to Dean even though he didn't like hearing it and he listened.

It worked out with the hunting and Sam learned that she wasn't going to be intimidated by him since his hunter instincts were saying that she was a witch and he should kill her. It was Dean that kept that from happening but it looked like a face off would be inevitable if they didn't do something. The something ended up being Crowley's bitches for a time bagging creatures to find the alphas and in exchange he would get Sam's soul back.

She didn't like the plan but it was something and it kept Sam occupied while she learned more about the cage and what she could do. She believed that if Angela were freed, she would be able to help Sam. There was something between Sam and Angela that was different from the puppy love she had seen when she lived with her mother's people. It was still there since she would catch Sam looking at Angela's picture with an expression that was a cross between trying to remember and actually wishing for her to be back. It was probably the only thing that kept things from getting worse. Until Samuel Campbell betrayed them.

They found Crowley and with Meg the demon, they went to have a little chat. Things didn't go so well and Sam ended up walking away. And she knew why. Looking at Dean she said, "It is said our fears can manifest in our dreams, making them very real even when they seem ridiculous."

Dean looked down at Haley. "Not funny, Hale."

"Never said it to be funny," she replied, "Just pointing out something that is a possibility."

"Yeah like Sam not wanting his soul back and what could happen."

"I know."

Dean looked at Haley as she stared at him with a solemn expression. He said, "We have to get it back Hale. This…"

Haley gave a gentle smile as she reached up and put a hand on his shoulder. Her fingertips brushed his shoulder. She patted his shoulder and said, "This sucks."

Dean made a slight face at that, "Short but… yeah." He shifted and turned to look away. He sighed as he looked out the window. "I don't know what to do Hale. I mean… I don't know how I'm gonna get Sam's soul back and the problems that will come with that."

"Bring Angie back."

"Huh?"

Dean turned to look at Haley. She was standing there like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "What do you mean Hale?"

Haley knew that her thoughts might not make much sense but they did to her. She wasn't even sure if it was the thing they needed but it did explain why Sam was there and Angela was gone. It was only a theory and one that she would have to explore later but for now, she could give what she had in mind. She replied, "If we bring back Angie… it might be what we need to get Sam back."

Dean frowned a little at that, "You know something Hale?"

"Just a thought. I mean, Sam is here but his soul is in hell… with Angie," Haley pointed out, not sure how to keep going. The look Dean was giving her was encouraging so she kept going. "If we were to get Angie out… then maybe we'll be able to get his soul back."

"I'm not seeing it."

Haley shrugged, "I'm not sure myself but… given that Angie is a healer and the source of their power comes from the soul…" She shook her head. Even now it sounded ridiculous in her head. "Just a thought but the truth of the matter is that to get Sam's soul back would require something or someone more powerful than Crowley to break in and not let Lucifer out."

Dean listened to what Haley said and didn't like that she brushed off an idea she had. He had been wondering where Angela was and from what she was hinting at… it made sense. Then again she promised. She promised that Sam would never be alone. He turned away to think a little since there was little chance of getting back to sleep.

"What are you thinking?"

Dean glanced at the dresser and the picture. There was another one there. It was one that Bobby had taken on the sly and gave one to each of them. An idea came to mind and was probably the dumbest ever. But crazy worked right?

A/N: And here we are. Looks like Lucifer has Angie and Sam right where he wants them and it's going to get exciting. Stay tuned for next time on Let the Games Get Bloody...