Chapter 11: The Anti-Climax and the Anti-Villain
The same sensations as before overwhelmed Sam's senses as blackness surrounded him. It had been a literal leap of faith to follow the creature over the cliffs in the Impala. The way back to fairyland felt the same and once again the brother's woke up to the sweet smell and bright colors. John and Sherlock had more amusingly shocked reactions.
When Sam gained complete awareness he saw a huge shadow pluck the creature from the grass and hoist the tiny form skyward. A Cuthulu, Sam thought. He was mostly correct minus the octopus-like features and association with dark gods. If it wasn't for the supreme overwhelming awesome of the master's presence, Sam would have been less likely to associate the creature's master with Lovecraft's creations. What they had on their hands was a very pissed off bureaucrat. OSHA rules didn't apply as he shook his unruly student like a Spanish musical instrument.
"I see you succeeded in your mission." King O'Brian appeared and the ground shook a little bit as the combatants struggled. He watched the struggle with mild interest. "I knew you lot had it in you."
"What are we supposed to do?" John asked in concern. His soldier's calm had taken over. Likewise Sherlock was studying the situation looking for an advantage of some sort. Something appeared to be puzzling the detective.
"What would you normally do in this kind of situation?" King O'Brian asked and examined his nails casually.
"Demon traps, angelic seals," Sam listed their usual go-to methods. "There's always something."
The Doctor shook his head. "Not always, but we can still try."
Sherlock clapped his hands, "Oh! Oh, clever girl!"
The king tilted his head looking somewhat offended. "Excuse me?"
"Us," Sherlock reasoned. "It's not what we can do, but us. Souls or whatever. That's their power right?"
The king nodded, "Yes, but you lot won't be enough. Noble souls you may be, but he…" The king jerked his head in the direction of the master. "He has consumed whole worlds. What power could you lot possibly have?"
"We're the last piece." Sherlock's eyes grew hard. "We're the ones that make the choice. As you like to put it, we're the first domino. I imagine everything else has already been arranged."
The Doctor paled. "We're the ones that close the loop. It's too late."
"It's never too late," the king replied. "I only asked you to retrieve the little one. Our bargain still stands. You may still take your processions and go now if you want."
It was a lie and Sam knew it. The king was hiding something.
"What do we need to do?" Dean asked cautiously. "Why does this feel like some sort of angel deal where we say 'yes' to being strapped to a comet?"
O'Brian chuckled. "Honey, I ain't no angel." The king gave the Doctor a wink. "Merely a formality, Doctor, but I still have to ask."
The Doctor sighed in defeat. "Ask away."
"I'm not offering up my soul," Sam said firmly.
"Nobody's asking you to." The king snorted. "If you agree to help the creature reality stay exactly as it is. Nothing will change."
"What?"
The King pointed to each of the men in turn, "You still get shot. You're still autistic. You still play grand thief auto with a box. You're mom still dies. Nothing changes."The king explained. "The price has already been paid. By agreeing the creature lives and you don't lose or gain anything, but if you refuse and the loop is broken then things start changing."
"Change how?" Dean inquired hopefully.
The fairy shrugged. "I don't know. The word 'soul' doesn't mean 'life', it means pride. It's that little extra oomph that makes miracles happen especially at the very beginning. I'm not asking for the whole package, just the itty bitty drop of potential that could have given you an A on a second grade spelling test for all I know. Miracles come in all shapes and sizes. So you grew up missing a few. It's not too late to get them back."
The boys had to stop and process that for a minute.
"Why do you want to help the creature?" Sam asked. "What's in it for you?"
"Trust me," the king's eyes narrowed. He glanced up to make sure the two combatants were still preoccupied before saying, "The little one's survival is of great interest to me and like with you, my price is already paid."
"Okay." Sam agreed. "Nothing changes?"
"Well, we get to kill a giant dick." The king grinned. "When is that never a good day? I need your verbal confirmation."
"Yes," they all agreed.
"Excellent." The king rubbed his little hands together and an electric storm began forming around them.
The creature continued to struggle against its master, but the sudden energy surge caught her attention. The master wasn't paying attention. There was nothing in existence powerful enough to do him harm and at long, long last he had his unruly student, his greatest failure, in his grasp. He wasn't about the let this chance for closure get away.
The creature cringed and tried to metaphorically gasp for enough air, enough power, to convey the immediate danger. Despite everything he was still her teacher and mentor and the last thing resembling family she had left. The barest shred of loyalty made her cry, "Master, look out!" just a hair's breath too late.
The king's weapon was cleaner than an atomic bomb and far more effective by sharpening to a single point in a sword-like shape. The master turned just in time to watch the blade stab him in the back. His form rippled and collapsed. All parties fell to the ground and in the king's hand rested a black orb of pure energy. It was all that remained of the master.
A stunned hush ensued.
Staring up at the king warily from where she had fallen the creature asked, "What do you intend to do with that?"
The king cocked his head, "Why? Because it's too much energy for one person? Because this power corrupts everything it touches? Hmm you do have a point, but I must assure my victory at all costs. You would do well to remember that." With that said the king shoved the orb into the creature's chest. She screamed out as the energy fused and became a part of her.
"You," the creature growled when the ordeal was over. "You killed him…your own teacher…"
"It took millions of years for me to gather the energy needed." The king shrugged. "Not only to end him but to disguise my trap. It fooled even you, but then again I knew it would."
"Because that," Sherlock interrupted excitedly and pointed to the creature. "That's you. That's a younger you."
"Ding, ding." The king drawled. "Give the man a medal."
"And you're not a fairy king. O'Brian was a ruse." Sam snorted. "Wow. I should have…"
"I go by Kaygo, usually." The former fairy held out a hand and shifted to a taller and familiar form. The two creatures looked exactly alike. "Kaygo Lore."
She looked so tiny, but the boys weren't fooled. It was like looking at a single drop of the ocean. She was there, but most of her was spread across the worlds causing havoc. The initial threat was over, but balance had yet to be restored.
"That's great. Now give me back my-" The Doctor started before Kaygo snapped her fingers and the blue box appeared.
"TARDIS!" The Doctor said gleefully.
Kaygo patted the box affectionately. "We had a nice little chat, this old girl and I… well, technically I'm older, but you know what I mean. She gave me some excellent advice in running away. I just had to make sure to take good care of her funny little man."
"I still can't believe it." Sam muttered. "That's it? We just go home like nothing happened?"
"The knowledge of multiple universes does jack squat 365.4 days out of the year." Kaygo said. "Right Castiel?"
The angel stepped out behind the Doctor's blue box and appeared to be sulking. When he saw the brothers he instantly perked up. "Dean? Sam? Are you two all right?"
"No." Dean growled. He moved to stand next to Cas.
Sam stared at his brother in confusion. "Dean, what?"
Sherlock also moved into a defensive position. "Do you think so as well, Doctor?"
"I would be the logical expert in this case." The Doctor agreed.
Kaygo grinned. "I knew I liked you boys. I'm just borrowing one of your tricks, Doctor. I should think you'd be flattered."
The Doctor asked, "How much time has passed?"
"For me? 1.5 billion years since I jumped off that cliff."
Cas moved his arm to restrain Dean from doing something stupid.
"It's too dangerous," Cas warned. Sam looked over and realized the angel was stiff, standing too rigidly to be normal even for Cas.
"She's a monster, Cas. We have to stop her." Dean told him. "These deals with no price sound like bullshit to me."
"Direct confrontation will not work." Cas insisted. "We can't change the past."
What was fairy world began to turn dark and sour like rotting fruit. The disguise was no longer needed. Likewise Kaygo's demeanor also began to look more sinister.
"Now, now there's no need to throw a fuss." Kaygo turned to her younger self who was snarling and straining against the energy surging inside. It would take time for the power to be absorbed completely. In the meantime the mortals were sitting ducks.
"I know that power. I can smell it on you." The creature circled what she would become with tears streaming down her face. "You animal! How could you just take it? Those are people's souls!"
"Don't be immature." Kaygo scolded. "I only borrowed a drop here and there. It's not like I devoured the whole thing." She then corrected. "Well one or two, maybe. Believe it or not a little travesty now and again makes people stronger."
"You stole pieces of their happiness." The younger creature accused.
"Shhhhh, shhhhhh, borrowed." Kaygo soothed. "I merely borrowed. Will the full intent of giving back."
"Cas, what's going on?" Dean whispered.
"Using souls as an energy source isn't a new concept."
"Thanks Morpheus, care to elaborate?" Dean growled.
"Élan vital," The Doctor said. "If you'll excuse my French. It's like your concept of a soul. You could think of it as pure power. It's a push for progress. It brings people together. Makes people change and evolve. It's a drive to learn and grow. Borrowing someone's Élan vital, even for a few moments-"
"Would cause unimaginable suffering," the creature finished. "It's not just a cock block, you could have prevent lovers from ever meeting. Children are never born." The creature peers into the cosmos and rippled with the pain she saw.
Kaygo grins. "You'll get over it. You're welcome, by the way, for not being dead."
"And that makes it worth it?" The creature demanded. "I don't want to become you!"
"And yet you don't have a choice." Kaygo sneered at her younger self. "A perfectly stable time loop. You should take notes, Doctor." Kaygo spun around and poked Cas in the chest. "Let's talk shop for a moment, angel. Sam and Dean, why do their lives have to suck?"
"Must have something to do with the craftsmanship." Cas growled.
"Dude, think about it from the old man's perspective for a minute." Kaygo chastised. "His kids are all grown up and still living at home. That's enough to drive any parent batshit crazy so on an astounding leap of faith he leaves you guys the keys to heaven and goes on a little R&R retreat. Then what happens? You guys flip the freak out. Kick start the apocalypse?" Kaygo groaned and rubbed her face. "Do you even know how many permits that requires? Red tape mean anything to you guys? Did you even think about consulting the- oh, wait. I forgot, that's so far above your pay grade, Castiel, that you might as well be shining shoes!"
"You're the ones who let the fox back into the hen house." Kaygo accused and looked pointedly at the Doctor. "You can't expect me not to break a few eggs. I wanted to stay. I was willing to die. But no, to save you all I needed the energy to defeat my master. It wasn't anything big. Sort of what I'm doing right now. I little magic here, a natural gift there…I asked permission, of course. You'd be surprise what people will give at a name drop."
"What sort of deal could you possibly offer?" The Doctor asked.
"Tisk, Tisk, Doctor. Trade secrets. I can't just give out customer info like that." Kaygo countered. "I'm not here to offer you anything because the truth is you've already accepted my help."
Kaygo turned to Dean, "I don't even know why I'm trying to explain this to you. It's clearly going right over your head."
"I'm not stupid." Dean snapped. "I prioritize and you're a jackass. You can't do this to us."
"I'm not here to offer you a deal Dean." Kaygo put her hands on her hips. "Not a bad guy. Don't be like my friends. Please, you have to believe me."
"I have no idea what you're-"
"Nothing will change. People will always choose to stick with what they know." Kaygo said. "It all works out."
"And what happens if I go back on our so called deal." Dean taunted.
"Haven't a bloody clue." Kaygo responded. "If you're expecting the world to magically fix itself and everybody gets a happy ending then you are deeper in denial then I thought. I guess you really wanted that A in the second grade."
"Try something a little more significant." The younger creature snarled and then looked sympathetically at Cas. "You have no idea what you could be missing."
"Once again your language capacity is underwhelming." Kaygo explained. "I like using the term Amrit. You might know it better as ambrosia. The ancients called it nectar. Poetic if inaccurate, it's not exactly the kind of recipe you can write down. …It's power in its rawest form. I told you that I can't alter a world without messing it up, but I can sneak in a take a sip. Just a drop from one person, but if you times that by billions then I have enough energy to rival even my master."
"So you've already taken it from us," Sam reasoned. "We're living in a world where you took our…"
"Amrit." Kaygo supplied helpfully. "Think the butterfly effect. Someone will lose that baseball game that would have set them on a path to the major leagues. Someone's patient dies on the operating table. In worse cases…" Kaygo looked genuinely sad. "It's raw energy, Sam. I don't know how their soul was going to use it. The last person I borrowed if from lost the chance to be a ground breaking artist, but it wasn't just that. He, excuse me- she ended up being born transgendered because of my intervention. Just by being there I changed their history."
The younger creature added, "Think of all those itty bitty instances where just a slight push would have made all the difference. A hair of divine aid to turn the scales in your favor. I am so sorry."
"What happened to it?"
Kaygo coughed uncomfortably. "I used it all to kill my master. It's gone now. I'm sorry."
"What about us?" Sam asked.
"It's time to go home." The younger creature appeared behind Sherlock and John the two vanished. In her hands were two marble sized lights. "But their memories of this I'll keep. They need not be burdened by those truths."
"Don't even think about it." The Doctor held up his hands and scooted closer to his ship.
"Live long and prosper, Doctor." The creature seemed to have accepted her fate. "I've not doubt I'll be cleaning up your messes sometime soon. How many times have you blown up your universe now? If you keep wearing it out with cheap timey whimy tricks I'm worried the thing will implode upon itself… again."
"You're going to do it then. Reap the worlds." The Doctor scorned. "Do you know the secret to knowing which ones?"
"For guardians it's instinctual." Kaygo supplied. "The ones we save are the one's we want to kill and we harvest the worlds that, when immersed, make us want to kill ourselves. It is a fitting curse for I am indeed my master's student."
The younger creature turned to the brothers. "You have to leave now."
"You don't have to do it!" Sam protested. "You can change the future! You don't have to become like her."
The younger creature sobbed and shook her head. "I can't kill him as I am, he was all I had left. I really… my teacher…" The creature collapsed in mourning. Kaygo walked forward with a dagger in her hand.
"There is still one more lose thread." Kaygo said. "This is your first domino, killing me. I'm not evil. I did what I had to. I saved entire worlds. I will not take my master's place. I will not make his same mistakes."
"No!" Sam moved to intervene.
Castiel felt a surge of power and his grace throb. "Dean! Sam!"
"We can't just-!" Dean pointed to the two creatures.
"This isn't our fight." Cas soothed. "We need to go back. This isn't our fight."
Epilogue:
The three of them landed in the forest where the incident began. They stood in silence for a while until Dean pulled out his keys.
"So that's it." He declared and looked at both his brother and the angel in all seriousness. "It was just some weird alien abduction thing. We treat it like it never happened."
"Dean," Sam began.
"No Sammy," his brother interrupted. "Just drop it. I'm getting a head ache just thinking about it."
"You're not worried about that a piece of our existence, our souls, that everything could have been different?" Sam demanded. "Nothing at all."
Dean opened the driver side of the impala. "Nothing changes Sam. Besides I got everything I need."
The rest of the car ride was spent in silence. A few miles later the whole thing did start to feel like a bad dream. Sam couldn't just rest easy though. They pulled into a small town for gas and the younger Winchester stood up to stretch his legs.
Something caught his eye.
"Dean," he hissed.
"What?"
Sam pointed across the way to a familiar face. Familiar to him anyway. Her closed weren't the best, but clear as day he saw the woman from the café. No, he reasoned that this couldn't have been the creature but the image the creature had borrowed. Sam clenched his fists.
"Sam?" Dean asked as his brother marched off.
Sam put on his puppy looks and put a hand on the woman's shoulder. She jumped and turned, but her expression was unmistakable and Sam knew what he had to do.
"Excuse me, miss." He said carefully trying not to appear as a threat. "Uh, do you need some help? Are you in trouble."
The woman looked at him shocked and Sam knew he was right. This time he wouldn't fail. He would prove the creature wrong and that the future wasn't set in stone.
The woman looked up at him with pleading eyes and asked, "How...did you know?"
A/N: Well, that was a challenge. Thanks to everyone who stuck it out this long. I hope the plot twists kept you interested enough. Considering I started out with a blank MS word doc. and this is my first ever cross over fic, not bad. Not great, but you get what you pay for :p
I would have liked to have included Sherlock and John more, but the fic took on a life of it's own.