Harvelle Supernatural

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural

Chapter 31: Appointment in Samarra


I walked down the streets of Columbus heading over to my place after working a photoshoot. It was nice to have the rest of the day off. Although, spare time leads me to thinking of my boys, especially Sam. There's got to be a way to free his soul and get him back. It seems the Juedeo-Christianity has failed to make loopholes and backup plans to save a soul from hell. Heck, the angels manage to save Dean and yet they can't save Sam, because of a stupid civil war on selfish reason. I thought angels were supposed to be our guardians…not a bunch of selfish jerks.

I took a deep breath; I wonder how the gods would do it. If I recall from my mythology course, the gods know how to keep a promise and a deal. Though Dean would have my hide if I dare make a contract with a demon or god. He was slightly pissed when I told him Crowley made a deal of creating my gallery. One that held no soul price, only profit money. Which I find it strange, but it was a reminder not to trust anybody.

Still, I would like some guidance. I thought. Hell, wisdom!

I made a turn on a curb when a woman crossed paths with me.

"Looks like today was a good day to be thinking about me, Skylar." A rich elegant voice spoke from the woman.

"Athena," I said surprised.

"MM-Hmm." Athena said. "Come with me."

"Where?" I asked.

"Soul reproduction," she answered. "Crash course."

As she grabbed my hand leading the way, I was confused. "What?"

"I'm sorry; did you not say how desperate you were for my help in saving Sam's life?" Athena asked.

"I didn't say it like that," I muttered.

"Either way, I owe you so let's talk somewhere private." Athena said.

We headed back to my place. Once there I made some tea, though Athena went through my alcohol and pulled out some Greek wine. Being considerate, I pulled out some goat cheese, olives, crackers and grapes. This should satisfy her, since she doesn't eat humans like most of the immortal gods in the world. After setting the tray on the table, Athena plucked an olive and placed it in her mouth.

"I got to say, the Italian do know how to conserve there labor." She said, playing on the lounge like the renaissance paintings. "But Greeks do make them better."

"Sorry, there are not a lot of Greek stores in the area." I said sitting on the single person chair.

"Not to worry, I did come uninvited. But your efforts are much appreciated. "She said taking the wine and sipping it.

"So, you said there is a way to reproduce a soul?" I asked.

Athena nodded, "Indeed."

"How, in the biblical sense once a soul is taken then it's forever lost." I question.

Athena sipped her wine, "The vessel cannot be alive without a source of energy. That being the soul. So in your biblical sense it is the spirit that is taken. So a piece of the soul remains to keep the vessel alive."

"So, you're saying there's a part of him that still lingers?" I asked to confirm.

"Yes, this Soulless Sam, has the knowledge and the memory." She said. "The only thing he lacks is his emotions. Long ago, warriors would sell their souls to Ares and Hades in exchange for courage and the ability to fight without fear. If the warrior succeeds his mission, it makes life as a farmer or any occupation difficult. Until one priest found a way. If you inflict enough pain, the emotion that makes one human can trigger the essence of the soul. A copy, but still the same person."

"So Sam soul would remain in hell, while the other…this clone in the vessel?" I asked.

Athena nodded taking another sip of wine.

"Can't you just go to hell and bring Sam's soul back?" I asked.

"I wish I could, but only two gods I know can do that: Hermès and Mercury. Sadly Hermès is on a tight leash with my father while Mercury….as we both know is dead. Hades could help, but he is not one you don't want to mess with." Athena said.

I don't know what to say about this. There would be two Sam's as one is forever torture while the other is here with us. Can I truly allow myself to consider the option of this type of cloning? I asked Athena if I could call Dean and Bobby for their opinion. She nodded, enjoying herself of the food platter and turn the TV to watch the history channel. A documentary about her and her siblings.

I headed to my room and called Bobby. The phone rang which Bobby answer along with Dean on the other line. I explained to them the situation, which Bobby liked better than their first plan.

"First plan?" I asked.

"Death said he can bring Sam soul back and put up a wall." Dean sighed.

"A wall, why does Sam need a wall?" I asked.

"Because if anybody manages to bring the soul back, it can kill Sam." Bobby said. "All the torture memories and hell in general."

"Yes, yes, a wall -that - that, basically, Sam wouldn't remember hell." Dean clarified.

"Would it work?" I asked. "How long would it last?"

"Tell her Dean," Bobby muttered.

"Death said it could last a lifetime." Dean muttered.

"What does Sam say about this?" I asked.

"He's not liking it, rather be soulless." Dean answered. His voice consumed by negative emotion.

"And the price?" I asked. "Death is somebody who considers charity unless it's for a poor unfortunate soul who is dying."

Dean took a deep breath, "I have to wear the ring for a day."

"What?" I gasped.

The Winchesters collected the four horsemen rings two years ago. I was there for two, War and Pestilence. But why in god's name would Dean ever take the consideration of putting on Death's ring. Wasn't he supposed to return the cursed ring after sealing the door of Lucifer's cage and toss the other three rings in the ocean or volcano?

Let alone being Death is not an easy job. I may not know what it is like on the other side of the veil. But to choose who lives and who dies by their sands running out is no easy task. Dean may not look the part, but he has a heart of gold when it comes to innocent lives whose time runs out. Like, what if he comes to a situation a child's life is on the list. Dean could barely tolerate a child's death. Hell, if there is case that involves a child's death by the supernatural, he'll go in guns blazing to get that monster or demon.

"Why the hell would Death want you to do that?" I asked.

"Get his rocks off. I don't know. But I'm doing it." Dean said.

I sat down on my bed trying to comprehend this, "What if you're wrong?"

"I won't let it go wrong." Dean assured.

"But if the plan doesn't work, then we'll take Athena's offer." Bobby said.

I accepted the deal and Dean as well. We love Sam and would do anything for him as he did for us. So after a few more exchange of words we hanged up and I went to explain the situation to Athena. She somehow accepted the deal.

"Yet, I feel like staying here for a bit." Athena said.

"Why?" I asked.

"To teach you how to control your clairvoyant ability and take it to the next level." Athena said.

"Do I have a choice?" I asked.

Athena stood up and grabbed my hand, "No."

In a second we teleported who knows where.

.o0o.

What was a day was a month when Athena dropped me off back in my apartment. I collapsed on the couch hating teleportation. It was like a whiplash meets hangover. Athena smirked amused as she picked up an olive from the food platter.

In that…that severe would through time Athena taken me to a place that only gods, demigods, and gifted go to for pleasure and training. There Athena personally taught me how to be a warrior. How to infuse my clairvoyant ability with hunting the supernatural. Apparently the Greek gods hated anything that was from the biblical. So I learn how to fight, think fast, and get resources easily from a situation. But most importantly…how to control my emotions.

If not how to do the ritual.

"Was that really necessary?" I grumbled.

"You'll live," Athena said.

I grumbled taking a sip of the wine and then chugged it down. M y body changed slightly since Athena's slight kidnapping. I was more toned and muscular, but not enough for people to actually notice along with a few scars on my midsection. Also an owl tattoo on my other shoulder that represented Athena. If not my hair grown and dyed it blond for kicks.

Athena sat down next to me, "Skylar, I taught you ways as a warrior. Now it is your duty to put an end to all this?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You can no longer deny your destiny." She said. "You are a hunter. A researcher. You cannot ignore your heritage."

"That's what Soulless Sam said," I grumbled.

"You can still be a photographer and a hunter. But are you truly going to put all that training to waste?" She asked.

I sighed, "Even if I did go back to hunting…I want a future. I want to live in peace with a husband and children."

Athena nodded, "The time will come. But for now, I advise you to consider being a hunter until the situation is resolve?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Something evil is coming. Something far worse than Lilith." She warned.

Before I could ask, my instincts kicked in as I grabbed my phone and had it ready. A second later I get a call from Bobby saying Sam has turned into Jack Torrance. I told Bobby I'll try to get there as fast as I can. Not a moment later Athena placed a hand on my shoulder and teleported us to the junkyard. She said she'll get the preparation for the ritual ready while I go find Bobby. I run around trying to find them using my clairvoyant ability.

It lead me to a shed where Bobby was tied to a chair, underneath him was a painted symbol. Sam holding some sort of ritual knife. It looked ancient, yet not from a culture. As the table held candles and herbs. I scowled as I evaluated the situation.

"Listen to me. You don't want to do this." Bobby panted. "Sam. I've been like a father to you, boy. Somewhere inside you got to know that. "

Sam turned around and approached Bobby with the knife. "Well, that's just it. Sorry."

He grabbed Bobby's head and forced it back to expose his throat. Instantly I came out from behind grabbing his wrist and using my new strength to keep it there. Sam stopped turning his head to face me. His eyes widen from surprised as he lowered the knife.

"Skylar." Sam said surprised.

"Hi," I greeted.

"You've changed." Sam noted.

"Well, technically, so have you." I commented.

"Then how the hell can you be-"

"Be here, that would be Athena," I interrupted. "But that doesn't matter, so let's get right to the point. You're off the rails. Big time."

As my anger can be noted in my voice and posture.

"Look, I don't know how you're here, but you need to leave me alone, ok." Sam said, sensing the intimidation.

He was about to leave with the knife, but I laughed grabbing his arm in a vice grip and kept him there. "Now what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you out of this mess you're in?"

"I don't want your help." He said, trying to walk off.

However I stopped him, "You know, you say that every time. 'I don't want your help, I don't want to get better, leave me alone.'"

"Well, maybe you should listen this time." Sam sneered.

I made an expression with a shrug then said, "Or maybe I should do this."

As my hand made contact to his head and shoved it against the exposed support beam knocking him unconscious. Sam's body instantly dropped just liked that. "Also no one kills my surrogate dad." I added. Bobby looked at me surprised. I gave him my signature smile assuring him it was me. I grabbed the knife and started cutting rope.

"How'd you done that?" Bobby asked.

"Training with the goddess of strength." I said then pointed at my owl pendant. "And this, as long as I wear this, I have the strength. But now, let's get him in the panic room."

Bobby nodded as we tied Sam up and carried him to the panic room. In the cast iron cell, Athena stood there with the bed set up and a ritual station on the table. Bobby was surprise to see the goddess but we had no time for conversation. Once Sam was secured we left him there and talked.

"This is your chance to do it?" Athena said.

"Should wait for Dean?" I asked.

Bobby sighed, "I know Dean is still working as Death, but I doubt he would succeed. . ."

"The let's begin," Athena said.

Bobby stayed behind while Athena and I went inside the panic room. Sam started waking up. Athena approached him with determination.

"Whoever brought him back from hell did a number on him, huh?" Athena said.

"He doesn't have his soul.' I reminded.

Athena crossed her arms, "Well, we're just going to have to restart him to turn whatever is left back on. I have to warn you, it's not going to be pretty."

"I can handle it." I said.

Athena nodded as she handed me the stone knife "I taught you all that I know about the ritual. It's up to you to waken what is left of his soul."

I looked at her if she was crazy. She smiled, "I'll be with you mentally, but only a love one can do that."

I nodded taking a deep breath. Athena tucked a strand of hair out of my face before disappearing. The moment she was gone, the door burst open with Dean coming in out of breath. I truly didn't want to hurt Sam, so I gave Dean the look pleading if he succeeds in getting Death to retrieve his soul. Dean however shook his head.

"It's best if you leave," I advise.

Dean shook his head, "I'm not letting you do this alone."

"I won't be myself in this." I warned.

Dean only nodded as he stood there.

I took a deep breath and approached Sam, kicking his legs "Wake up, Sammy." Sam now officially awake stared at me confused. "How're ya feelin'?"

Sam tried to sit up, except the handcuffs prevented him that. He chuckled, "What is this? Let me out of here!"

"Shh. Inside voices, please." I said calmly, as if talking to a child. "I'm trying to get inside your head."

Sam chuckled and looked at Dean, "Dean. Get rid of her."

"No." Dean said with a serious tone.

"First step, drying him out." I explained to Dean, keeping eye contact with Sam. "Starve away the blood lust. Deprive him from the adrenaline. And strip away the temptation."

Sam laughed, "This isn't going to work, Skylar. My soul is locked in a box with the devil."

I rolled her eyes, "You got the pretty part?"

Dean nodded keeping things serious. "I've heard."

I sat on the edge of the cot, leaning forward till our faces were mere inches from each other. I grasped the owl pendant conjuring Athena's ability as I go into Sam's mind. I tried to bring back the memories of hell or any source of dire pain Sam went through physically. Sam asked what I was doing. I did not answer, as I took a deep breath and kept eye contact without blinking. The spell brought back the closes pain he ever felt of the demon blood detox. The event that made him physically, mentally, and emotionally vulnerable. The spelled seemed to be working, since Sam was gasping and groaning. He stared at his hand, as if something was happening to it.

"What are you doing!?" Sam demanded in pain. "What are you doing, Skylar?"

"Doing what I do best, Sammy." Athena murmured. "I'm saving your life. "

I sat there watching Sam turned into some sort of animal. His facial expressions of pain and anger coursing through his veins. Athena told me the ritual requires the soulless warrior must be stripped of what he desires. For Sam in this case, it was to kill and complete another mission.

Sam's eyes were wide, dilated as his body shakes from the pain. This continues onwards for another hour to a point him starting to have visions of hunting. Monsters and demons killing people, except he is unable to save them. This was a test to see if this was the soulless Sam want to eliminate the threat or Soulful Sam who wanted to save those people.

"I need to kill." Sam growled. "Let me out."

I walked around him rubbing the owl pendant.

"What's happening?" Dean asked.

"He's hallucinating." I answered. "On a crossroad between killing a vampire and saving a damsel." I continue to rub the pendant more, intensifying the hallucination. "That's five months without a hunt." I rubbed harder on the golden owl which made Sam growled. "Now he's at a year. " Sam groaned glaring at us. "Two years….five."

"Did I ever tell you how glad I am that you're not with us?" Sam hissed.

"Oh, I love you too, honey." I taunted.

This was so wrong on so many levels…but I have to keep to the charade and torture Sam some more in order to wake whatever is left of his soul. I used their father's death to trigger something, Ellen and Jo's death as well. But that hardly faze him, only insult to Dean and I. Dean stood there strong, yet his eyes deceived him in how much he was hurting. Dean was leaning against the wall staring at the ground. I was going to use one of Sam's worse memories that was going to be low…Jessica's death.

"Skylar, Dean…" Sam panted. "I'm hurting. Please help me."

Dean hesitated but I intervene, "Don't listen. Shut him out."

"We are helping you, Sam." Dean said.

"I'll do anything. I'll change. I promise." Sam begged.

Sam was convincing till Athena's voice spoke in my head. It's a lie. He'll say anything right now.

I told that to Dean as well.

"Skylar, I'm sorry." Sam pleaded. "I'm sorry. Just make it stop."

You have to separate yourself from your emotions, Athena reminded. Don't let him play with them.

"Hey, look at me. Look at me." Sam begged. "Skylar, I love you, okay? I love you. I love you so much."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, Sam, I just don't believe you."

Sam faced changed in a second, one I've never seen before. "You know what? I don't want your help, anyway. I wished I'd never met you. Every single moment that I've spent with you has been a complete and total waste."

"Sam!" Dean barked.

"No Dean that is the reaction we're looking for." I said ignoring the hurt I felt from his words. "Once he's weak enough, we cause him pain. Make him feel this: anger, rage, anything. We have to make him see past the killing. "

I raised the knife and stabbed him in the shoulder. Sam screamed out in pain. Dean snapped as he grabbed my hand and forced me back.

"Have you gone crazy?" Dean yelled.

"No, I'm doing what the ritual requires." I snapped. "The more we wait the lesser chance in what left in Sam's soul dies."

"I can't make you do this." Dean said taking the knife. "I won't let you go through-"

"What you went through in hell?" I finished. "Look where we are, Dean? We've been in hell for almost a decade. You did your part, now let me do mine."

"Skylar," Dean said.

"If you're not gonna tolerate this then go. But I'm not gonna lose Sam or let this monster stay here." I warned.

Dean pulled back handing me the knife then left. I turned and faced Sam who was glaring at me.

You continue this until he's ready to be saved. Athena said.

I raised the knife ready to stab him but Sam yelled making me stopped, "I will kill you, Skylar!"

I smirked, "You can't, I have the knife."

The continued the torture. I continue to do this for hours from cutting, slicing, and stabbing. After each round, I would pour special water on his wounds that would heal him. A token from Athena. Yet nothing seems to be working. From all the memories I put from his past, the emotions I shared, and the truth…things seems to work.

I took a deep breath and chanted the spell while holding the pendant.

Maybe the ritual wasn't working because Sam soul was in the devil arms? Lucifer must have every single piece of him and whoever brought Sam's body left enough for the vessel to know their history. And once more, the spell didn't work. Soulless Sam remained. I took a deep breath and dropped the knife on the table. Not looking at him as I yanked Athena's pendant off. Athena took advantage of my situation to make me stronger. Yet I am no hunter. I'm only human.

"Given up, Sky?" Sam asked. "You look like you've given up. Shame there is nothing left of me to save."

My pride took the best of me, as I turned to face him. "No, I'm going to take a shower, get some sleep, then help Dean and Bobby. And everything else I have to do."

I was walking to the door when Sam said, "That's good for you. You know, I was wondering when you're ever going to give up."

I stopped facing him, "Athena gave you a glimpse of your future."

"I haven't given up, Sam." I said watching him. "But there's nothing I can do until you get your soul back. You said you felt something for me a few weeks back. Hopefully those feelin's can wake you up. But you have to fight for it. You need to feel. The world doesn't evolve around hunting and killing. It can't be saving from everything."

"And if I don't?" Sam asked.

"If you don't, then you're gonna lose everyone that care about you. " I said. "Dean, Bobby, Castiel, and I…we won't wait for a ghost. "

Sam didn't say anything. He only stared in my direction. I sighed, turning around to leave when I sensed a very dark presence. Not one of evil, but for death. I turned to see a man so frail and skinny in his late age wearing a black suit and coat. He held leather bound briefcase.

"Charming speech, Miss Harvelle," He said then picked up the dagger. "Although, your method of torture doesn't succumb to Wars."

"Death," I whispered.

"Death's the name and guiding souls is my forte." Death said.

I stood there paled. This was the fourth horsemen. One touch from him and you drop dead. He set the dagger down, "You seem a bit pale. I recommend you eat something after this. Now if you will excuse me, I have business to attend to."

"Get away from me!" Sam yelled.

Death glided over to Sam, who was panicking as he tried to get away from the horseman, except the handcuffs refrained him. Dean and Bobby stormed into the room out of breath. Death took a seat and stared at Sam, opening his brief case where a bright light engulfed the room.

"…I'm gonna put a barrier inside your mind." Death said.

"No, don't touch me." Sam said.

This was the first time have I ever seen Soulless Sam be afraid. He never expressed this much fear and to see Death in person with his soul…terrified him.

"It might feel a little itchy." Death informed. "Do me a favor. Don't scratch the wall. Because, trust me, you're not gonna like what happens."

"Please. Don't do this." Sam begged to Dean.

Death carefully picked up the glowing orb and brought to Sam's chest.

"No. No. You don't know. You don't know what'll happen to me." Sam pleaded. "Dean, please."

Dean, Bobby, and I stood there watching the horseman put the soul back into the vessel. Sam cried out in pain until the soul was back in its place. Afterwards Sam fell unconscious while Death closed the brief case and stood up with his cane.

"Pleasure doing business with you," Death said. "And Dean, don't expect any more favors."

With that said Death vanished.

Dean went to check on Sam while Bobby led me upstairs. I sat down on the couch watching my hands shake. They were covered in blood…Sam's blood. Bobby came over handing me a glass of whiskey.

"This'll calm the nerves." Bobby said.

With shaky hands I took a swig of whiskey and by some miracle it calmed my nerves. "I'd tortured him."

"You did what you thought was right." Bobby said.

"Why didn't you stop me?" I asked. "Why didn't either of you say enough?"

Bobby didn't know what to say when Dean enters the room, "Because I thought it would work and you were brave enough."

I choked on a sobbed, but I wasn't brave. I was desperate and cruel. Although Athena's training held back the emotion to hurt Sam…it never taught me about the aftermath. Dean sat down next to me and rubbed my back. "I'm sorry."

"He's gonna hate me." I whispered.

"After we explained everything….he'll come to understand." Dean said trying to reassure me.

I shook my head. I got up and headed upstairs to wash up and go to bed. And I pray for redemption after what just happened and hoped Sam could forgive me. If he doesn't…then it would be an end of everything and starting over.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''';;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

So what did you guys think? Since I announced Arielle Kebbel is the face claim for Skylar I thought I mix a scene of Vampire Diaries into this. Don't worry there won't be much of the mixes. Unless you guys like that?

Thanks for reading and please leave a review!

I love reviews.