CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Alliances Form

The raw stench of rotting flesh and burning bodies flooded Crowley's nostrils as he made his way down Hell's dark hallway. He welcomed the smell, almost relishing in it while the blood-curdling screams of the damned souls penetrated his eardrums.

With a spring in his step, he carefully replaced the lit torch he had been carrying back into a holder along the wall. Cracking his knuckles, he gripped the scarlet stained door handle and let himself in.

"How are my two favorite pets doing?" Crowley asked, amusement lacing his tone as he made his way to stand in the middle between the two occupied racks in front of him.

The blonde spit left over blood from her mouth onto the floor, her dark eyes focusing on the King. "Fuck off, Crowley. It wasn't our fault. How were we suppose to know they'd-"

The King of Hell flicked his wrist, a sharp dagger that had been lying haphazardly on the floor stopping mere inches from Ruby's left eye. "They're the Winchesters darling. Always assume with them. The second you underestimate those two, it'll be the last thing you do. Am I the only one who sees that?" Crowley's last sentence was harsh, his deadly gaze settling on the incompetent demon. "Meg, do you share the opinion that it wasn't your fault?" He turned his attention to the brunette, his tone daring her to agree with her counterpart.

Meg shook her head pathetically, her eyes dropping to the floor as Ruby shot her a look.

"Splendid. Glad at least someone is on the same page as me. Now," The King paused, snapping his fingers to undo the pair's bindings. Both unknowingly, collapsed to the floor. "I have another job for you two."

….

"Alright, you good from here? We can't go in with you, too many questions. Now, what attacked you?" Haley met Dean's patient gaze as he helped hold her brother up.

"A grizzly." She said weakly, the blood loss effects finally taking a toll now that her adrenaline had worn off. The eldest demon smiled thin-lipped before easing himself out from under Tommy's heavy form. As Dean was about to turn away, Haley grabbed his shoulder with her free hand, pulling him close before planting a soft kiss on his cheek.

Sam rolled his eyes, irritated in the fact that he had been the one to find her yet where was his kiss?

The youngest demon had just returned with the Impala, a little winded seeming as though he teleported himself and the car but other than that, ready to go. As they all piled in, Sam scooted over to the passenger seat so Dean could drive, a calm silence taking over the vehicle as they all appreciated their victory.

All eyes turned to Sam as a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Man, is Ellen going to kick your ass."

Dean groaned, only just now remembering that he had still an upset mother to deal with.

…

"Ow!" The eldest demon mumbled, rubbing the back of his head where he had just received three hard slaps. "Was that really called for?" Instead of a word answer Dean was rewarded with yet another slap. "Okay! I get it, you're pissed. But," He paused, giving Jo a smug look before backing away from the fuming brunette. "Technically, your daughter drove us to Colorado. I was an unsuspecting passenger."

"Oh, you, Sam and Jo are all getting an ass-whoopin'. You just happened to be the closest." Ellen clarified, her dark gaze landing on her daughter now that her wounds had been addressed before settling on the tallest person in the room.

The youngest demon looked generally confused, taking a cautionary step behind the desk for safety. "What'd I do?"

The brunette hunter scoffed, throwing up her hands in aggravation. "The second you teleported to them you should've zapped her ass back here." She chastised, pointing a finger at her daughter who looked entertained at the moment. "And you," Jo's features instantly changed to those of fear as she ducked behind Sam. "If you ever think of goin' out on a hunt with two inexperienced dumbasses again," Collective 'heys!' came from both ends of the room as Sam and Dean took offense to the hunter's comment. "I'll lock you up in the panic room. Understand?"

Jo gave a quick nod, hoping this was the end of her mother's tirade.

"Good. Now," She paused, her features and tone softening as she took in the tired faces around her. "What happened?" Ellen questioned, instantly multiple people trying to explain things all at once bombarding her. "Sam! Explain."

As the youngest demon gave the run-down, they were all surprised at the fact that there were actually two Wendigos. Although Ellen still wasn't a happy camper, she eventually let it go.

Once Bobby was positive all the screaming was over, he made his way into his living room, plopping down on the couch. "I think the real question here is obvious." He stated, not bothered by all the confused looks he got. Turning his attention to the two demons, his lips tugged at the corners. "How'd you boys like huntin'?"

John, who had been sitting quietly in the corner of the room, suddenly looked interested in the conversation. He watched his kin intently, looking for any signs of a response.

Dean shrugged casually, a smirk plastered on his face. "It was alright. I guess I see the appeal to it." Jo shoved his shoulder playfully as she rolled her eyes, not believing for a second that he didn't enjoy every minute of it.

Sam genuinely smiled but John could still see some anxiety and doubt evident in his son's eyes. "It helps to be able to let some steam off."

Figuring they were all tired from the hunt, Bobby sent everyone upstairs to get some rest.

….

"Azazel, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Crowley asked, not trying to hide the distaste from his tone as he watched the demon stroll into his office uninvited.

Yellow eyes looked around with a judgmental glance, not surprised by the Good Home and Gardens feel of the King's office. Settling himself down into a worn leather chair, Azazel focused his smug gaze on Crowley. "I heard you have a team on the hunt for the Winchester's."

The King shrugged, trying to look powerful and threatening. "I may have something in the works. Surely you didn't come here just to ask about my plans." He trailed off, figuring the demon had a hidden agenda and wasn't just there to catch up.

Azazel smirked, not surprised the King had figured it out. "I was just hoping I could reserve the right to them. I have a lot invested in those boys. One… in particular." The demon's eyes shown with cruelty, whatever he had in store was not something Crowley wanted to get involved in.

The King looked thoughtful as he weighed his options. He knew Azazel was a better ally than foe, so he made a counter offer. "Well this all depends who you've apparently reserved. See, Dean happens to be on my To Do list."

Azazel's lips tugged up at the corners darkly, eagerness to get his plan in motion radiating off of him. "I never liked him anyhow."

….

"DEAN."

Dean ran faster, he could see her at the end of the ally, her back pressed up against the wall. He could feel the cold win lashing against his face, snow sticking to the bottom of his shoes. His boot-covered feet hit the ground hard as he tried to get there quicker, knowing what was going to happen next.

"Why didn't you save me?"

But every time Dean took a step, he seemed to get farther away. He felt like he had been running for hours, days even. But he could never make it in time.

"Why didn't you look for me sooner?"

He watched as a masked man took out the same knife he had under his pillow, running it across her cheek.

"Was I not that important?"

The demon anticipated the inevitable, wanting nothing more to wake up before he had to relive the awful memory.

"He's going to kill me! Is that what you wanted?"

He held out his hand, wishing he could just push the hunter away, to stop him.

"Didn't you love me?"

But it was too late.

"DEAN HELP ME."

Dean watched as his mother was stabbed right through the chest, her body falling limp as it crumbled to the ground.

The demon after finally reaching his mother, dove to the ground and latched on to Mary's already cooling form. Sam found him, huddled over his mom's corpse with tear-stained cheeks, two hours later.

Dean awoke in a cold sweat, sitting up in bed abruptly as he tried to shake the horrid nightmare off that he had been having for the past month. He could still hear his mother's voice shouting at him. Even though he knew she would never be so cruel, it all felt so real. Ever since John showed up in his life, memories of his mother flooded his everyday vision, memories he thought he had buried so deep they couldn't be dug up.

Yet, here they were.

" 'ean?" Sam said sleepily from the bed next to him, somehow noticing his brother's distress. The eldest demon was actually surprised his brother had gone to bed, but didn't blame him after the day they had.

"I'm fine Sammy. Go back to sleep."

…

TBC

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