AN: Literally everyday was busy until today, so I apologise for my delay. Rest assured, I do know exactly where this entire fic is headed, so don't be too worried. After next week show-choir competitions will be over. Bittersweet cuz freetime, but also the end of one of the most amazing groups of my life. Okay, now's not the time for sorrow, it's the time for torture and angst and blah blah blah. Enjoy chapter four!
"Easy!" Dean whispered through his teeth as the demon gave a too harsh shove with its grip on his jacket.
"Gotta make it convincing, don't I?" It asked with a hint of an amused smile. The demon had to admit, as stupid of a plan as it was, it had allowed for a bit of revenge. How many demons can say that they'd gotten to take a series of shots at Dean Winchester just to make it look like he'd been subdued and captured? Besides the fact that the demon was going to die afterwards , this plan was awesome!
They marched through Hell until they'd reached Lucifer's office, and were stopped at the door by the guards.
"Where do you think you're going?" One asked.
The crossroads demon holding Dean feigned astonishment. "You serious? Do you not see who I've got here?" The demon shook him for emphasis. "Pretty sure Lucifer would like to get him locked down before he starts messing with his plans."
"You really expect me to believe that you single-handedly took down a Winchester?" The other asked with a scoff.
"He doesn't have his brother, he's weak right now. It wasn't as hard as you think."
"Mind if I test that theory?" The demon asked, smirking.
Helping him or not, the demon wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to watch Dean Winchester hurt again. It stepped aside. "He's all yours."
Before Dean had the chance to protest, a demon swung its fist into his already bruised and partially swollen face. And he just had to sit there and take it. God, this sucked.
The demon's hand cracked against his jaw with a force that knocked him down to his hands and knees. He started to get back up again, but the other demon landed a swift kick to his chest. The air rushed out of his lungs, and he nearly face-planted at the agitation it caused his already sensitive chest after being battered around by Lucifer. But he knew his energies had to be saved for helping Crowley escape, so he kept still and let it happen.
Punch after punch, kick after kick, taunt after taunt, it seemed endless as Dean saw nothing but blurs of fists and feet as his body was yet again knocked back and forth like a tennis ball. One particular kick caught him right in the stomach, causing all the air to rush out of him in an empty huff. He put a hand to his chest as he struggled to catch his breath.
"C'mon, save some hurt for the King." The crossroads demon ordered once it figured Dean had had enough.
"Let me know when that is." One grinned. "I'd love to watch."
Nodding, the crossroads demon picked Dean up off the ground and tossed him into the room, waiting for the doors to close. At last, they were alone.
"Yeah, go ahead and step in any time you like." Dean said bitterly, flexing his now sore and abused muscles.
"Hey, I am still a demon. Not my fault I like watching a little pain. And besides, you did torture me for like two hours."
"Touché." Dean said. He fumbled his pockets for the handcuff key, and made quick work of unlocking himself. "So, there's Crowley?"
A muffled grunt came in response. Dean frowned and headed towards the sound. He saw a little lever by an odd gap in the wall, so he gave it a tug. Out came a cage with none other than Crowley chained inside. He was in fairly okay condition, a couple bruises and scrapes from constant abuse, a spiked collar around his neck, and a gag in his mouth, but there was one thing Dean just couldn't look past.
"What's with the shirt?"
Crowley glared and growled under the gag, clearly unamused. Dean gave a little smirk, and then undid the lock on the cage, and then Crowley's chains.
Free at last, Crowley gave a huff and pulled out his gag. "I take it you've figured out about dear Castiel by now?"
"Yeah. But on the bright side, the Darkness is finally dead. 'Cept now we got Lucifer playing Firestarter so- here I am."
"And them?" Crowley gestured to the crossroads demon.
"Helped me find you. Only took a little persuasion."
"Tell that to my medical bills." It scoffed.
"Well." Crowley said. "I'm free. Now what?"
"We stop Lucifer." Dean answered.
"Ah, brilliant. Care to tell me how? Wait, let me guess. You don't have a 'how,' yet, do you?"
"Cas is still in there somewhere. We get him to eject Lucifer and he'll have nowhere to go."
"Unless he comes across another vessel. Speaking of Lucifer's vessel, where's Moose?"
Dean's silence was answer enough.
"I see." Crowley said. "How long has Lucifer had him?"
"It's been about a day now."
"That's all he really needs."
The punch Dean threw wasn't entirely unjustified, so Crowley let it slide. "Suppose I deserved that."
Another punch.
Crowley wiped his now bleeding lip. "Well now you're just being rude."
"We're finding Sam and Cas." Dean insisted, harbouring a bite behind his words. They were dripping with a certainty that was border-lining naivety. "And we'll beat Lucifer, you'll get Hell back, and then I say we take a break from apocalypses for a few years."
"Your optimism is nearing stupidity, Squirrel."
"You want your chance to get back at Lucifer or not?" Dean snapped.
"Look at me." He gestured to his ridiculous ensemble. "Of course I do. I'll find my old clothes and meet you topside." He snapped his fingers, and he was gone.
"Well?" The crossroads demon asked.
Dean took out his knife. "A promise is a promise."
"Wait." It said. "I'll get you topside, and then you can stab me somewhere that'll leave me alive long enough to get back downstairs. That way everyone thinks you broke free and saved Crowley on your own. I don't need anyone thinking I let it happen, otherwise Lucifer might just bring me back to punish me."
"Suit yourself." Dean held still as the demon beamed him back to the crossroads. He clenched his hand around the hilt of the blade. "Ready?"
"Like you care." It scoffed.
"Hey." Dean said with sincerity. "Thank you." Keeping good on his word, Dean expertly thrusted the blade into the demon's side, a place that would give it enough time to get back and bleed out.
It managed a smile, laughing humourlessly. "I-I still think you're screwed. See you in hell, Winchester." And it was gone.
Dean waited for a moment longer, and his cell-phone began to ring. He answered, and heard Crowley's voice on the other end.
"Where are you?"
"Crossroads. Savers Way and Windmit Street."
Crowley appeared before Dean had finished his sentence. Besides the cuts, Crowley looked like his old self again, not a tacky-tourist shirt in sight. "So- where would you like to begin?"
"We're no good to Sam if we can't stop Lucifer. We gotta find a way to get Cas back."
"I believe I have an idea. Remember that tactic I used to get inside Sam's head when he was possessed by that angel, Gadreel?"
"Yeah. Remember when it didn't work?"
"It's all we have right now besides the power of positive thinking." Crowley pointed out. "Take it or leave it."
"Fine." Dean snapped. "Now all we've gotta do is find Sam and Cas."
"And I'm sure that will be the easiest thing ever." Crowley huffed. "Where do we start?"
Solitude had done Sam well. Sure, he was in agony as the chains continuously constricted around him like a snake, but without Lucifer right in front of him, taunting him, it had given him a chance to think. To breathe. To remember. Specifically, remember who would always come to save him. Whether they were dealing with angels or demons, monsters or gods, humans or Satan himself, Dean would always come for him.
So even as the tightness of the chains popped his vertebrae like bubble-wrap, Sam stayed strong, but he still flinched at the sound of wings flapping, marking Lucifer's return.
"I'm back, Sammy!" He announced in a demented sing-song. "How's it hanging?"
Wow. Original. Gathering up all the blood that had built up in his mouth, and there was plenty, Sam spat it out at Lucifer, wincing as the chains tightened even more, further constricting his overstretched muscles, organs and bones.
Slightly taken back by the outburst, Lucifer calmly wiped off the saliva and blood now dripping down his face, "You wanna explain what that was for?"
"I told you, Lucifer." Sam hissed through his bloodstained teeth. "I'm not gonna be your bitch."
Fuming on the inside, Lucifer favoured simply tilting his head. Exploding in anger wasn't exactly his style. No, he preferred to terrify his playthings by being as disturbingly friendly as possible. Right now, of course, Sam needed to pay for daring to defy him.
"Yknow, Sam." Lucifer said as he snapped his fingers, at last releasing Sam's broken body from his chains, allowing him to crash onto the floor. "I've been selfish. Keeping you all to myself. Haven't thought to share you at all. I'm sure you're lonely."
Well didn't that sound lovely? Sam only clenched his jaw in answer.
"I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. Sammy!" Lucifer patted his leg, smirking slightly as he noted San's obvious confusion. "Like the name? It's after my favourite bitch."
Frowning, Sam's head suddenly shot over as he heard the doors of the warehouse pound and pound. And then- Oh, God. Barking. Which meant-
Hellhound.
Despite the pain it caused him, Sam started crawling across the floor, but then felt his body slowly start to mend back together.
"What?" Lucifer asked. "You really thought I was just gonna let you lie there like a sitting duck? What good's a chew toy if it doesn't even fight back?"
Sam's legs still hadn't entirely healed by the time the door was kicked in by the unseen hound.
"Sammy." Lucifer said to the invisible dog. "Meet Sammy." He gestured to the trembling human. "I think you two are gonna get along real well. Now," He pointed at Sam. "Sic 'im."
Sam had barely had the time to roll over before he felt the claws and teeth begin to tear into him. Besides the squish and the rip of his flesh and muscles, and the harsh, grating scrapes of teeth on bone, all Sam could hear was Lucifer laughing. And if he was honest, that was definitely the worst sound of all.
AN: I know, a little short again, but hey, it was a fun one I hope! Have some parts of the next chapter written, but nothing too exciting yet so here's a semi-awkward-
Sneak Peek: "The demon that had appeared before them gave a bow of humility. 'My King.' A slight shift of the eyes to glare at Dean. 'Winchester.'"
Told you it was awkward. Haven't gotten around to the good stuff yet, but I'll get there eventually. Like I said, schedule opens up again soon, so I hope to get the next one up ASAP! Drop a review if you're enjoying, and I shall see y'all soon!