Chapter 14
Sam opened his eyes to find himself in a place that looked familiar. He looked around the room and found that there was nothing special about it. It was nondescript and a bit run down like the cheap ass motels he and Dean stayed in. He could make out the bad taste in décor and crummy chairs that looked like it would collapse if he sat in them. On the table was his laptop flipped open and the duffles were in their usual places. There were only two things missing…
"Never seen a room look like this before."
Sam turned around to find that Natalia was standing there and he frowned, "What are you doing here?"
Natalia seriously wondered that herself since she had only started learning again but the old man said that a guide was needed. Right now she needed to keep Sam calm. She replied, "Um… I forgot to mention one part of this. When someone dream walks, they have someone to show them the way as a means of putting into focus what the dreamer sees."
"So you're a guide then?"
"More or less."
Sam raised his brows as if he were going to draw out the word 'okay' and put his hands on his hips. He turned back around and looked at the room. So the old man said that someone wanted to see him. Was he supposed work his way through a maze? This was one of those times that he wished Dean were here. Even if he didn't know what was going on, he gave that reassuring presence. The same could be said for Angela and she knew more about this dream walking business. Either one would have helped.
"I think I understand," Natalia interjected. At Sam's look, she explained, "We are in the right place but it manifested itself into something that you would be familiar with. I guess for you it is a crappy motel room."
"Looks like it," Sam replied as he looked around. While Natalia was explaining he finally recognized the motel room they were in. It was the one in Grant, right before the next one where it all started. It was strange since there was nothing about this room that would be foremost on his mind. "Why this one?"
"You made it. Must have some significance to you," Natalia replied as she looked around the place. It certainly reminded her of the one she found Sam in.
Looking around, Sam paced around. The room was empty and there was only one reason why it would be. He went to the door and opened it and stepped out of the room. The Impala was where it was supposed to be as he walked to the room next door. He opened it and there were her things. There was a flush in the bathroom and she came out. She gave a look and said, "Good, you made it."
Sam was puzzled. This wasn't how that night happened. He glanced at Natalia who was watching with interest. When he caught her eye, she urged him to interact. Sam looked back and ventured, "Made it for what?"
"For our meeting that's what," a second voice sounded.
"Dean? Did Angie help you?" Sam motioned to the first speaker.
The two that Sam had been talking to looked at each other with knowing looks. The second speaker grinned and said, "Wow, I never thought that someone would see you as a girl. Then again you always were one."
The first one replied, "Up yours."
"Nice retort."
Sam frowned in confusion. He wondered if he was going crazy watching the two people that he was trying to find argue over something stupid as if nothing happened. He said, "What are you talking about?"
The first one who spoke gave a glare at the second before looking back at Sam and replied, "We aren't who you think we are. My brother and I asked to speak with you."
"Brother?"
The second who looked like Dean spoke up, "To put it short, I'm Monster Slayer at least that's one of my names and the girl here is my younger brother. You can call him Child of the Water." He smirked as he said it and the grin got bigger when he saw his brother scowl at him. It always was fun to tease his brother and the look on Sam's face was priceless.
Natalia chose the moment to speak, "So you two are the warrior brothers. You're known for traveling the world and ridding the world of monsters. You're the ones that wanted to see the walker?"
The image shivered and the brothers replaced the persons that Sam had seen. At first he wasn't sure if he should be freaked out or go into hunting mode and gank them. He asked, "How is it that I could see you as…"
Child of the Water explained, "My brother and I were born to protect the world. We are two halves of a whole in terms of personalities and are often seen in sibling pairs."
"Right, Pup here is the steady one," Monster Slayer interjected using the nickname he knew his brother would hate.
"And you are impulsive," Child of the Water retorted. Looking back at Sam he added, "I'm sure this sounds familiar."
To Sam it did. It was like seeing him and Dean rib each other over things. The nicknames and insults along with the teasing. It occurred to him that it was also like when he watched Dean and Angela banter back and forth. Yet he could swear that Angela was more like Dean at times but then again she was a steady influence. He gave a slight shrug and replied, "It does. Now could you tell me why I was to come here?"
Monster Slayer started laughing. He looked at his brother and said, "Right down to business just like you Pup."
Child of the Water glared at his brother. There were times that he wished he could just kick his brother's ass for his smart comments. Even after eons that stupid nickname made him angry. He was calm though. Now was not the time for it. They had been asked by the queen to rescue her brother but they were limited. They spoke to Absolution and she was not in a position to help even if she wanted to. This was the way to go. He said, "We need your help."
Bobby sat feeling that he was at the moment a useless old man. He gazed down at Sam who appeared to be in a deep sleep. He looked over and saw the girl Natalia in the same state. He had been against this but as Sam put it, it was his decision. The best thing Bobby could do was watch out for Sam.
When the old man started waving that strange smelling herb that knocked Sam out, Bobby's first reaction was panic. He managed to catch the boy and lay him back down on the animal skin rugs while the old man did the same to Natalia and when she fell, he was able to catch her and lay her down. Now the longest part was going on: the waiting.
During the wait, the old man took the time to explain that he was to wave the stick of mugwort every fifteen minutes over Sam, particularly the head. Bobby was not completely up to date with herbs but he was aware that this particular herb was used to promote psychic awareness and dreams. It smelled strange dried but when burned…
Sam started to twitch slightly. Bobby quickly turned his attention to him to see if anything was wrong. Sam's movements were like the kind when someone was deep in a dream. To Bobby it looked like he might be having a nightmare. It wouldn't be uncommon especially if the surroundings Sam decided to conjure up consisted of bad memories. Bobby hoped that Natalia would at least be able to keep Sam's head in the game.
Sam twitched again and the old man grunted. That was the signal for Bobby to wave the smudge stick over him. Fifteen minutes had already passed and yet it felt like a life time. Bobby picked up the stick and watching the old man's movements, he imitated them wafting the smoke over Sam's body. When he got to the head, he watched as Sam's nose twitched and gradually he stopped twitching and fell into a deep slumber.
What are ya doing in there boy?
"So you're saying that the Greek god Morpheus has been captured and is now being used to torment my friend and you two can't do anything about it?" Sam narrowed his eyes to make sure that he heard right.
"It's an issue of the balance of energy."
Sam raised his brow in a skeptical glance. Generally most creatures and even demi gods were not concerned with such a thing. He was willing to listen but this did sound farfetched. He replied, "So you're saying that you two are powerful but you can't take out several demons much less one? I thought you two were slayers of monsters?"
"We are Sammy," Monster Slayer replied. "Thing is we patrol the gates between your realm and that place you people call hell. Heck Pup here and I have been down there in order to rescue our father. If you studied Mayan I would be called Hunaphpu and he would be Xbalanque and I tell ya it's not an easy job… something I'm sure you're familiar with."
Sam let the nickname slide. It would be like talking to Dean anyway. He couldn't understand why they couldn't do this themselves. He knew that at least that it could help Angela but what about Dean? Was there something else he could do?
As if his thoughts were being read, the older warrior brother said, "Freeing Morpheus will free your friend and then you both could take out the demons influencing your brother. From my understanding, the three of you do a nice job in taking down the fiends." Then he decided to drop the clincher but he didn't stop to consider the reaction. He added, "She said that we were to make sure you find Dean."
If Sam hadn't been convinced before, then he certainly was. Only Angela would say something like that and that meant she was somewhere in here. He asked, "You saw Angie then? Where is she?"
"You can't do anything about that now. Right now you need to help us free Morpheus and the only way to do it is from this realm," Monster Slayer replied, brushing it aside as if it were nothing. He wasn't cruel however and explained, "She can't help you and more likely she has already left this place. Whatever the demons plan to do, they want her awake for that though she is pissing them off by resisting."
Sam couldn't help but give a slight grin. She had a way of doing that and doing things her own way and in her own time. Since it seemed like the only way for this to end was to go through with the proposed plan. However Sam wasn't sure if he wanted to stick around longer in this place. He replied, "Alright so if we do help you, how do you propose we break this spell?"
"We? What we?" Monster Slayer narrowed his eyes suspiciously and stepped in front of his brother. Sometimes humans were tricky and this one was no exception if he was using the word 'we'. He and his brother would take him to where he had to travel but after that, he would be on his own. That was the plan.
Natalia had been listening to the whole conversation and watching the warrior brothers. It was true that they could kill the monsters. She could understand the whole balance of energy explanation since Nana had taught her that when she was a little girl. She was also aware that dream walkers had to go through such things alone as a test of their endurance and character. It was related to the rites of passage of her people and the Plains people in seeking out their spirit animals in order to determine what they would be as contributing members of the tribe. She saw that Sam may have inadvertently offended the elder brother and the elder brother might have misunderstood what Sam meant. Quickly she spoke up, "He means our companions. The ones he is trying to find have other friends and they wish to help."
The response mollified Monster Slayer as he gazed at the girl. Ever since this whole conversation had started, she hadn't said a word and it had been easy to forget her. Now that she had spoken, attention was brought to her. It didn't take for the older sibling to realize that the girl was just like Sam in terms of the whole demon thing. She also had her people's heritage going for her. That may be the reason why the chatter was full of bitching about losing one of them and finding it in this hell hole. He replied, "It is generally discouraged in allowing multiple people to walk through the journey. Guides are an exception."
"What if I did it and Sam and everyone else go to the place on the physical realm?" Natalia ventured. So far they had only asked Sam to do it. She could tell that Sam would rather be out there physically helping his brother. She could give him that and she suspected he would better know what to do out there than in here. "One needs to go through right? I could do it."
"Are you crazy Natalia?" Sam looked at Natalia with a raised brow. She had a kid. Why would she risk it?
Natalia began to reason, "Think about it Sam. You know about fighting demons I know more or less this place. You'll be in a position to find your brother and once this is taken care of, your friend." She saw that he was going to protest and she added, "This is important. If it isn't taken care of now, then worse could come."
Sam debated internally. Dad did have certain rules about involving 'civilians' but this was hardly the case. Natalia had been taken in and she knew that there were things out there that could kill you worse than what humans could do to each other. He just didn't like the fact that she had a kid and was taking a risk.
"If you're worried about Jerry, he'll be fine. He will be raised by my people."
Sam sighed. There really was no arguing given the way that Natalia had her jaw set. He wondered if it was the curse of Winchester luck to be stuck with women in particular who could say something and you obeyed. He replied, "Alright. Say if you do go through this, how will we know it is done?"
"That I could explain," Child of the Water piped up surprised that the girl was volunteering for this. It wasn't as expected but still it could work and he and his brother could give guidance. He started, "The spell aside from its purpose is kept here in the dream realm simply because there are not many who would know where to look. Fortunately we do and we can guide you there."
Sam turned to face the brothers. He said, "So you'll be guides?"
"Within our means Sammy," Monster Slayer replied.
Sam could buy that. Just as long as Natalia didn't pay for it in the end… well he was okay with it as long as maybe a short leash. It wasn't ideal and Bobby and Dean would have his ass for letting this happen but what the hell was he going to do when she was dead set on doing it and she had that no nonsense attitude like Missouri? He replied, "Alright. So what has to be done? That way we know when to go in since I am assuming this god can be made to go after us."
"Well…"
Bobby was getting impatient. Nearly an hour and a half passed since Sam went under. He didn't like it and a glance over at the calm nature of the old man didn't help none. At least the kid was still breathing and it looked like he was in a deep sleep. In fact that was the deepest sleep he had seen either of the brothers since they stayed with him after their father died. That could be a plus if his body felt that it was well rested.
A glance at his watch told Bobby that it was time for another dose of that stuff. He picked up the stick that was still undergoing the slow burn and thought that it was one of the smelliest things that he had ever smelled. He certainly wasn't going to think about using this stuff if he ever had to go dream walking himself. He might just stick with African dream root. He held his stick frowning and wondered why neither he nor the old man was under.
"Chant not said over you."
Bobby glanced over at the old man who had picked up his stick. So that was the reason though Bobby suspected that it had something to do with Sam's psychic abilities and since discovering that Natalia was just like him… well it made sense. His watch beeped at the fifteen minute mark and he started to wave the stick over Sam.
When he got to the face, he was thoroughly started when Sam's eyes shot wide open like something out of those cheap horror flicks. All that came out of Sam was a gasp of air.
Bobby stopped what he was doing and dropped the stick to help Sam sit up. The old man was doing the same for Natalia though she was much more calm about waking up. Bobby did a check on Sam asking questions until Sam said, "I'm fine Bobby."
"Don't sass me boy. You've been out for nearly an hour and a half so excuse me if I ask a few seemingly pointless questions," Bobby retorted back.
Sam frowned in confusion and asked, "We were out that long? It seemed longer than that."
"Time passes differently in other realms, Sam," Natalia said as she sat up and assumed a respectful sitting position as if nothing was wrong.
The old man added, "She is right. How do you feel?"
Sam took a moment to think about it. He rotated his limbs to make sure that they weren't stiff. He had been running on fumes and yet it felt like he had a full night's sleep, probably the longest he had since Dad died. "Feels like I had a good night's sleep even though I was wide awake in that place."
The old man muttered in approval. "That is good. A journey as such in the dream world allows the body to rest. Something I suspect you needed."
Sam gave a sheepish nod and tried to stand up but was hindered by Bobby and would have said something but let it pass. Instead he let the grizzled hunter haul him to his feet and led the way out to find Austin. Natalia was going to explain things to the old man and her grandmother and join them. He almost ignored Bobby as he followed him out to look for signs of the vampire.
He found Austin hanging around the stables petting the horse he had seen earlier and another that could be related to it due to the coloring. Focusing on Austin, Sam asked, "How good are you at scouting?"
Austin had gone to the stables to endure the wait after convincing Bobby that Sam would be okay. Of course Bobby would probably rather have a tea party with a demon than listen to anything he had to say but then again the elder hunter had healthy suspicion and Austin had made it clear that he liked that. Besides he needed something to do and while tempted to come up with a plan of attack and say that was the game plan, he would rather have Sam's input from his experience.
Petting the colts was a sure way to organize his thoughts as he focused on the layout of the abandoned property that he was sure the demons inhabited. He could recall the layout of the defenses and the patrols and that was after spending a couple of hours searching the hills for ideas. He had a plausible plan when Sam came into the stables asking his question. Austin had been looking down and when he looked up, the sudden change in the light had his eyes flicker. He was impressed that Sam didn't flinch as he replied, "Are you speaking of the honest scouting that say a soldier would do or are you referring to the kind about sneaking in, setting a couple of traps and providing a distraction so that the cavalry rushes in?"
Sam was sure that the vampire was doing this on purpose or he really wanted to know what he would be doing. Funny thing was that Angela did the same thing only she was funnier about it and he liked her version. He glanced at Bobby who was waiting by the door looking at the vampire with an annoyed look and then back. He decided to dish it back to the vamp and replied, "I'm talking about the kind that goes in and pretends to be one of them in order to set said traps and cause a disruption."
Austin couldn't help it and let out a laugh. Child of the Water gave a reproachful rumble while his brother gave a playful nudge. He rubbed their noses as he leaned against the wall tat separated their stalls. He replied, "Then I'm in. It's been a while since I've created subterfuge. So what do you have in mind?"
Sam replied, "Still got your map?"
Austin grinned and gave a short laugh. He was liking the younger Winchester every moment that they interacted. He replied, "Yeah," and pulled it out of his pocket. "I'm sure that the girl will want to be here for this?"
"That's why I came to find you," Sam replied.
"Then lead on."
Monster Slayer looked at his brother as they traveled to the meeting point. The meeting could be considered somewhat successful. It was true that they didn't exactly get Sam Winchester to be the one to free the queen's brother but he was going to be instrumental in the battle anyway and it was true that the girl did know more about the dream realm… but not as much as Absolution.
"You're comparing again."
Monster Slayer scowled. His brother could always tell when he was deep in thought about something and especially if he was comparing the dream walkers that came through. Then again he could always tell when his brother was hiding something. They really couldn't keep that many secrets from each other. He replied, "Well it's true that none of the dream walkers could compare to Absolution. She's probably banked more time here than anyone and that's not counting the times she was brought here on the whims of others."
"And you never miss a chance to flirt with her when she is summoned here by Morpheus."
"It's hard not to," Monster Slayer pouted as they continued to the meeting point. "Even the gods have said that she has a special beauty." He looked at his brother who was giving him a look. If it had been Sam and Dean, it would have been Sam's bitch face. He sighed and added, "Look I know she already is taken. They just don't know it yet."
"You know do you?"
"Of course I know. Come on Pup. It's obvious even to you and I sort of did a little small test while people weren't looking." At the look on his brother's face, he scowled, "Come on. We're a part of the same thing and I had to be sure about them."
"Perv."
"Bitch," Monster Slayer smirked at his brother. He was more knowledgeable in name calling and could go all day while they were waiting and then the plan would be on. He had to hand it to Sam and his idea and he hoped that it worked out in the end for all of them.
A/N: The showdown commences... well the planning stage. What does have Sam planned for rescuing Dean and Angie? Find out next time on Dark Secrets...