Dean watched the bats fly overhead, blacking out what was left of the twilight. He knew that Austin was famous for this yearly bat migration, but to see it in person gave him a different appreciation for the beauty of it. He glanced over to see a trio of girls dressed in short cutoffs and halter tops dancing around each other in drunken happiness of the whole event. They wore daisies in their hair and the normal 20 year old part of him wanted nothing more than to walk over there and see which one he could take home. The hunter in him just shook his head knowing that this wasn't a normal bat migration for his family. He glanced over again at the group of girls and noticed one looking at him. He smiled at her and winked. She giggled as she looked away from him. "Dean, what are you doing?" Dean just shook his head as he heard his father's voice.
"Nothing, Dad. Just watching the bats."
"Looks like you were looking at the local cats." Dean gave his dad a look of contempt as John pulled his pack up a little higher on his shoulder. "Don't look at me like that, boy. We're here to do a job and we don't have time for THAT kind of fun. This Camazotz should be able to give us some answers to how to find the demon in charge." Dean rolled his eyes as Sam ran up holding a bag of tacos and his pack. "What did you find out, boy, other than the price of tacos?"
Sam just shook his head as he handed Dean the tacos. "So the locals who are still practicing the old Mayan religions say that the Camazotz is under the bridge, although most of them have never seen him. He has a small cave that he has cut for himself. They have been bringing him sacrifices of dead chickens but he isn't happy with the chickens any longer they believe."
Dean took a bite of the street taco and savored it. He wished for one day to be able to just cruise around this funky little town and eat his weight in the fabulous Mexican foods. The mere thought of that made him smile. "So what're we thinking would appease the monster?" He took another bite and wondered. "Or is it a god? Now I'm confused but this taco is just amazing."
Sam smiled as he added a little more salsa to his. "Al pastor with extra pineapples and red onions." He took a bite as John reached into Sam's bag and pulled out one of the tacos left in there. "Jose said this is the best tacos on the street." He took another bite as he shook his head. "And he's not lying." They stood in silence as they finished off their tacos. "Ok, we need to decide if chickens aren't the ticket this god wants, what are we sacrificing for information?"
Dean smirked as he winked at Sam. "How about we just bring him some of these tacos? I mean I would pretty much sing like a bird for these." Sam laughed as John's face got stern with his boys. "Ok so seriously if chickens aren't cutting it any longer with him, do you think he wants a bigger animal? Goat? Cow?"
Sam took out the last taco and handed it to Dean who smiled at his little brother. "Jose said that if we're wanting to get in the Camazotz's good graces, we probably need to bring a goat and a soccer ball." Dean looked at Sam as he took a bite of the taco, spilling some of the juices on his jacket. "And we have to be ready to play soccer with him. I think we should let him win because lore says he used to take the heads of the sacrifices and play soccer with them."
Dean's face turned into a look of disgust as he handed John the rest of the taco in his hands. "Well that went south really fast. This god would play soccer with who? The people who brought the poor bastard as the sacrifice? Was this guy someone no one liked? I mean, was he like a real dick so it was ok to kick his head around during a fun game of soccer?"
John laughed as he finished the taco Dean handed him. "Different times, Dean. It wasn't weird to kick around a dead man's head who willingly sacrificed himself for the betterment of the ones around him."
"Still fucked up in my book but whatever."
Sam smiled as watched his brother and father actually enjoying themselves for a moment. "Anyway Jose says he knows where we can get an old corn fed goat for sacrifice. His father in law has a herd and one is a real asshole to the other goats and he was wanting to get rid of him. I told him to go ahead and call him. He'll call me when we can pick up the little sacrifice." He glanced up as the bats continued to black out the sky. "The bats in Austin are a real sight. I'm glad we were here to experience this." John smiled as his sons just stood there as the bats flew overhead.
"Dad, can we drive any faster? This damn goat is trying to eat the leather on the backseat." Dean was wrestling with this fat goat, trying to keep him from destroying the Impala. "You better not be getting ready to leave me any surprises back here, George." He shook his head as Sam laughed. "I mean who names a goat GEORGE?"
"A guy whose wife cheated on him with a ranch hand named George." Sam continued to cackle as John started laughing at what was just said.
"Seriously? She cheated on him? Damn, he seemed like such a nice guy." Dean grabbed the goat by the horns again, pulling his head away from the leather seat. "Now I understand why he was just so happy to have you sacrificed to the god of the underworld." Both John and Sam continued to laugh as Dean swore at the goat. "How much longer until we're there? I'm not sure how much longer I can wrestle with this animal."
Sam smirked. "Bet that's the first time that statement has ever come out of your mouth in the backseat of the car." John stifled a laugh as Dean just stared at Sam over the front seat.
"If I wasn't trying to save the backseat of this car, I would jump over this seat and wrestle you, Bitch."
Sam continued to laugh as he watched the goat get the best of Dean. "Whatever, Jerk!" John pulled the car off the road and started to slow towards the closest place that would still be safe to park the Impala. "Looks like your prayers have been answered, Dean. We're here."
John shook his head. "Oh we still have about a five mile hike but we get to take George out of the backseat."
Dean jerked on the rope attached to George's collar. "Come on, you dumbass. Let's get walking." The goat jumped out of the backseat and started munching on the grass. "Your last meal sucks, dude." He shook his head as John and Sam pulled out the machete and soccer ball. "I can't believe we're going to play soccer with this god."
Sam bounced the ball on his knee as they started down the trial. "At least it's just a ball and not the head of your enemy." Dean nodded as he jerked on George's lease leading him to his demise.
Dean looked at George's face as he wrestled him up on the flat stone in front of the god's cave. "Look, we aren't friends so stop giving me that look. You know what's about to happen and there's nothing I can do about it. This god isn't like the Christian god who no longer wants sacrifices for information. Hell, at least this one will give answers when asked." Dean glanced over at his dad getting the machete ready to finish George off. Dean reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his flask. "Here, drink some of this and you won't feel a thing." He watched John's back as he made sure that George got enough to make him sleepy. He petted George's head as he started to close his eyes.
John turned around as Dean swiftly pocketed his flask. "You got that goat ready?" Dean nodded as he removed the leash from the animal. "Sam, bring that spell I need to say. Do you have all of the other ingredients needed to pour on him before I do the ceremony?"
Sam walked up with gold dust and cinnamon mixture. "We could save some and sprinkle it on your coffee in the morning, Dad."
Dean snorted. "And what? Make his shit sparkle?" John shot them both a look as they started to stifle their laughter. "Ok…ok back to work. George is sleeping so," Dean backed up as Sam sprinkled the mixture on the goat's body and head. "Sam, we know the drill. Clear minds. Only Dad needs to have the question in his mind. I'm just going to be humming Metallica in my head." Sam rolled his eyes as Dean smirked at him.
John grabbed the machete as Dean held up the words he needed to chant. Dean glanced down at the sleeping goat, watching him take slow calm breaths not knowing what was coming next for him.
"Con este sacrificio hay una pregunta que arde por dentro,
la respuesta que busco mi corazón anhela,
Envíame una señal para tranquilizar mi mente,
Trae conocimiento futuro para que yo lo encuentre."
With one swing, he decapitated George and they waited to see if the god would appear to them with the answers.
All at once a colony of bats flew out of the cave, circling the Winchesters who just stood tall waiting for the god to make his appearance. The bats gathered together as Camazotz formed from their bodies joining in a black mass. They watched as the god blinked, letting his bright yellow eyes adjust to the darkness around them. "Your question has an answer, John Winchester, but I don't truly think you want to know the answer."
John held the machete next to his leg, tightening his grip on the handle. "Yes, I do want to know who killed my wife. I want to avenge her death. I've been on this mission for sixteen years now."
"And what has it gotten you? Your sons, who are now men, haven't had a decent childhood. They learned how to kill but never learned how to be kids." The god walked towards John and smirked. "They have no friends other than themselves. You have done them a disservice."
"I raised them to be fighters."
"You raised them to be dumb YES men." The god just stared at John who was trying to keep his emotions in check. "They do what you say, when you say it. There will come a time where they won't do as you say any longer. They will learn that they are men and don't need a broken man to lead them any longer." He got as close to John's face as possible. John could smell smoke and spices coming off of his body. "One isn't always a YES man, is he?" He glanced over his shoulder to Sam. "The boy who will be King of the Underworld."
"What do you mean?" John just stared at a shocked Sam who stood taller as the god smirked at him.
"The Winchester Legacy has been written for eons, and you fell into the mix faster than they even could hope for." He glanced over his other shoulder at Dean. "And the righteous man, the oldest son, the one who will ultimately be the death of his father." Camazotz shook his head as Dean stood there, glancing between the god and his father. "Did you tell your father how you calmed down the sacrifice?" Dean shook his head as the god smiled at him. "It's fine, mijo. I still accept the sacrifice. Thank you for taking care of his nerves. George wasn't happy that he was chosen but he'll be honored in the Underworld." He turned back to John. "Your answer Mr. Winchester is that your wife was killed so that your sons could save the world."
Camazotz turned to the makeshift altar to remove the goat's body. "But WHO did it? I want to have a name so I know who I need to kill."
"I can't give you a name because it's not time for that demon to die." He lifted George's body, setting the headless goat down, letting him run into the cave. Dean just stared at Sam with a disgusted look on his face. Camazotz laughed. "Yeah the first time you see the headless sacrifice walk off can be a little stomach twisting but he'll be whole later. I promise."
John lifted his shotgun and held it to the god's chest. "MY ANSWER…NOW!"
The god just snapped his fingers and the gun disappeared. "The only answer you'll get from me is that your wife fulfilled what was prophesied about her centuries before her birth. Her death set all this in motion." He smiled as he shook his head. "Don't worry. This demon will die at the hands of a Winchester, just not right now." He grabbed the soccer ball from Sam, bouncing it on his knee as he started to walk back to his cave. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go take care of my realm."
"That's all you're going to give me?"
He turned quickly on his heel, obviously annoyed by John's persistence. "Yes, that's all you're going to get from me, Mr. Winchester. This demon you ask about did what he was supposed to. He did his job which was to make sure your wife died. He did what he was told to do to ensure that your two sons would be the ultimate sibling rivalry, the ultimate dysfunctional family dynamic. That bridge has been burned to the ground and nothing can stop it now. But just know that a Winchester will end the demon you are searching for, just not now."
Dean decided to speak up. "What did you mean when you called me 'the righteous man?'"
Camazotz turned to face the boys. "Your destiny is one that legends and myths have been written about for centuries, mijo. The loyal oldest son versus the rebellious youngest son. I hope your fight ends differently than all the ones in the past." With that, he disappeared into a cloud of bats without saying another word.
John collapsed into a heap on the ground. Dean could see he was furious. "All of this for nothing!" He threw his pack on the ground and kicked it in anger. "I still have NO ANSWER!"
Sam glanced at Dean. "Dad, at least you know one of us will kill the demon who killed Mom."
"That's not what I wanted to hear, Sam. I wanted a name so I could end all of this, so we could settle down somewhere and you two could…" He glanced up at his two sons who as the god had said earlier were now almost grown men. "Shit! I did screw up, didn't I? You two aren't little boys anymore." Sam glanced over at Dean who was just trying to be as small as possible while their father stared at them both, realizing in that moment that he was so consumed with revenge that he had missed raising his boys. "Did I truly just mess up everything?"
Dean took a breath before saying anything. "You did the best you could, Dad. You were left with two kids and a horribly broken heart. You weren't prepared to take care of us so I took care of Sammy while you tried to take care of yourself." He saw John's eyes start to water up. "It's ok, Dad. We're fine."
He glanced over at Sam, hoping he would help him out. "Come on, Dad. Let's go back into town and get some more of those tacos. We got some information and maybe we can build on it. We do know that one of us will kill the bastard that killed Mom." John looked at him as Sam mustered up a small grin. "That's more than we had when we got here." Sam nodded over at Dean to give John his flask.
Dean rolled his eyes as he took the flask out of his jacket pocket. "Here, Dad. Take a little sip and let's get back to the car. Everything is going to be just fine. We'll find this demon and end him. This god said one of us will pull the trigger on this son of a bitch." He handed John the flask and watched him finish off what was inside.
John gave Dean a look as Dean smirked. "The next time you decide to steal my good whiskey and give it to a goat to calm him down, I'll kick your ass, boy."
"Yes, sir." Sam laughed as Dean just looked down at his feet. He stuck his hand out to help his father get his stuff off the ground. "Let's go back into town and see if that taco truck is still open. Maybe take in a couple of the local sights while we have a little free time."
As they turned to walk back to the Impala, Sam continued to giggle. "You know they have goat tacos on that truck."
Dean just shot him a look. "And that is why I don't let you cook…like at all." Dean just shook his head as the other Winchesters laughed. "Goat tacos…he's got jokes tonight and I'm out of whiskey. I can't deal with you tonight, Sammy." The laughter rang through the trees as they got closer to the Impala.
Camazota watched as the men became smaller on the trail. "I didn't give him your name but they do know that one of them will end you."
"I should end you."
"See, the problem for you is that you can't do that." The god stared at the yellow-eyed demon and smirked as he continued to bounce the soccer ball on his knees. "You're just a lowly demon while I'm still a god who got a blood sacrifice tonight. I still have followers who offer me everything from chickens to their first born as sacrifices. You can try to end me but you'll fail. The power from the goat's blood is already pulsing through my being but destiny says that a Winchester will kill you, not me. Now go before I call them back and help them end you." He turned as he shook his head in disgust. "I still can't believe that all of this was done so that your god can watch another two brothers fight." He shook his head again as he picked up the headless George. "I thought he had his fill of that fight when it was between his own sons."
This time the yellow-eyed demon shook his head. "He didn't get the ending he wanted." Camazota looked back at him. "I think he hopes that Sam and Dean will give him the ending he wants."
"He wants the end of the world?" Camazota grabbed the soccer ball in midair as he stared at the demon who was nodding his head.
The demon shrugged. "Rumor is that's the only way he can start this whole thing over again. His angels don't want that and us in Hell don't want it…only Him." The demon just sighed. "Stupidest thing I've ever heard but I'm just a YES man in this plan." He looked at the god as he just shook his head. "I just do as I'm told and hope that when the smoke clears, I have a place in the grand scheme of things. I'm not even sure that Michael and Lucifer are on board for it all."
Camazota just rolled his eyes as he sighed. "I have to agree with you, demon. That is the stupidest idea I've ever heard and I came from a time when the most powerful god was in charge of growing the maize for the community." He heard the Impala rumble as it started. He shook his head as they turned towards each other. "See you in Hell." The demon laughed as the god dissolved into a black colony of bats.
"See you in Hell, Camazota." He let out a quiet laugh as he walked away from the bridge, pulling a cigarette out of his coat pocket. He decided tonight would be a good night to roam Sixth Street and see if there were any desperate people willing to make a deal. He hummed a Metallica song as he lit his cigarette, walking back towards town.
