Sorry this took so long to post I was hoping alerts would be back up -but alas they are not. Plus the real world got in the way - heavy sigh.
Hugs, to all who are reading this, I hope this chapter meets with your approval. Only a few more left to go. Please R & R, let me know what you think.
ST11Gateway for Evil
The hunters woke bright and early the next morning. After a day of rest they were ready - more than ready to get back on the trail of grizzly mutts origins.
Heading west they aimed the Impala toward the Lake. Dean drove up the service road as far as the washed out rutted road would allow. Stepping out of the car the hunters rummaged through the trunk for weapons and ammo. Standing beside the car, Dean flexed his now healed leg carefully. Buttercup had done a good job, but the newly healed skin was tight and uncomfortable. He was just happy the tearing pain was gone.
They still had a few miles to hike before they got close to what they hoped was the origination point of the creatures. With shotguns close at hand the hunters trekked across the hilly terrain. Ten minutes later they reached the edge of the lake. Going north they kept close to the shoreline, searching for anything unusual.
The lake was only a few hundred yards to the left and he could hear the sound of lapping waves against the shoreline. Leaving the tree line they stopped on the edge of a little clearing. It was quiet, in Sam's mind too quiet. This was the place he could feel it. The air was filled with the smell of sulphur and something else. The smell was familiar but he couldn't place it.
Belton Lake was fairly large and traversed it ways through several counties in Central Texas. In the distance they could hear the sounds of a motor boat as it cruised the waterway.
Sam lifted his head into the air, "Smell that," he asked his brother.
"Hard to miss," Dean answered wrinkling his nose. Sulphur, a smell he had come to hate over the years. It usually meant trouble of the supernatural kind, and this time would be no different.
A sharp jangle of bells whispered on the breeze. Tiny pixies wrinkled their noses at the smell. "I don't like it here," Periwinkle muttered.
Sam's brows furrowed in concern. For a moment he'd forgotten about the Pixie's.
Buttercup hovered near Dean, but Periwinkle rolled her eyes. "Come on Butter, let's go play hopscotch."
Looking from Periwinkle to Sam to Dean, Buttercup was undecided.
Dean whispered, "Go play Buttercup, hopscotch sounds like fun."
Periwinkle giggled and grabbed her sisters by the arm draggin her away to play.
Sam reached up and rubbed the back of his neck.
Dean caught the gesture, "What's wrong with you," he asked quickly.
"Just a headache," Sam informed him.
Dean sucked in a breath wondering if the headache was a prelude to one of Sam's visions. He shrugged it off when Sam didn't keel over clutching at his head in pain.
oooOOOooo
The hunters cautiously left the shadows of the tree line and headed across the clearing, arms length apart they held their shotguns at the ready. Hunting, searching – they did not know what.
The smell grew more intense as the neared the water. Kneeling down Dean picked up a yellow crystalline rock. "Sam," he whispered.
"I seem them," Sam answered as he glanced around the clearing. Hundreds of the little sulphur rocks were strewn about the ground, but they were all tinged with a reddish glow.
"I didn't think sulphur was native to this area," Dean stated, though it was more of a question.
"Its not," his brother answered. "This whole region sits on limestone, there's very little sulphur around here. This other stuff Dean, its copper."
"Copper," he replied in confusion. Where the hell did this stuff come from," Dean growled.
"Its possible there was a small pocket below the surface. Some type of eruption or shift in the earth may have pushed it to the surface. I just don't know enough," Sam told him.
Pushing back to his feet Dean wrapped his hand around the rock. An electrical current zapped through his hand. Shocked Dean swore and dropped the rock. Blue white light crackled through the yellow rock seconds before it disintegrated. The yellow sulfur slipped through his fingers back to the grass. Some of the powder landed near the copper and pooled into a yellow viscous fluid. A blue white flash of electrical skittered across the surface.
A small beetle tumbled from its resting place on a rock into the liquid. It turned green and melded with a blade of grass before splitting in two. "Holy crap," Dean whispered as he skittered away from the liquid.
"Jeez," Sam whispered, "This is the source."
Pulling a lighter from his pocket Dean leaned down to burn the liquid. The fire spluttered but didn't take hold. "Dammit," he growled.
"What the hell," Sam asked quickly wondering why the sulfurous liquid wasn't burning.
A loud cry from a short distance away caught the hunter's attention. Bringing their weapons up, they quickly slid into the trees and moved cautiously toward the sound.
Dean eyes caught movement, his voice low and urgent as he spotted something ahead of them. "Down," he whispered.
Both men dropped into a crouching position and waited. Using hand signals Dean sent his brother to the right while he went left.
Sam knew the drill, silently he moved through the underbrush toward the sounds of chittering, frightened creatures. Sam's jaw dropped as he saw the cages lined up beneath the trees. Animals of all sizes and shaped were held captive in cages or tied to the trees. Fury welled up inside the hunter as he caught the significance of the empty cages. Someone was experimenting with the animals.
One cage sat alone under a huge oak tree. A woman bound and gagged lay on the wooden floor. Her face was dirty and tears streaked her cheeks. At the moment she lay unmoving her eyes closed.
Dean mumbled beneath his breath, fury filled his heart as he stared at the cages. Several of the animals mewled pitifully. The thought of what someone was doing to the innocent, frightened animals burned in his gut. "I'm going to find this bastard Sam, and I'm going to tear him apart. Send him to hell where he belongs. I'm going to stand over his rotting corpse and …"
"Dean," Sam called sharply cutting off his brothers' tirade. "Quit talking about it and let's find this bastard before he has the chance to do it again."
Still mumbling beneath his breath Dean reigned in his anger. Hearing movement to the right he shifted angles and raised the shotgun as the Sheriff and a deputy stepped into the clearing.
Dean swung the shotgun high and thumbed toward the cage.
Melisandra growled angrily.
Hearing the commotion the woman tied up in the cage woke up. Her eyes went wide and she tried to scream thinking her captor had come back.
Take it easy," the Sheriff murmured, "We're here to help."
At the sight of the Sheriff, she sobbed in relief. "We've got to get out of here before he comes back. He's insane," she cried frantically. "Please get me out of here, please," she pleaded.
"Do you know where he keeps the key," Melisandra asked quickly.
"In his pocket, it's in his pocket. Can't you break it or shoot it or something," the woman cried frantically as she rattled the bars of her cage.
"You need to stay calm; we'll get you out of here."
"What now Sheriff," the deputy asked?
"I was never any good at picking locks Nelson, how about you?"
The deputy shrugged and shook his head in denial.
"Take a look around Nelson, see what you can find."
"Yes Ma'am," he answered.
Dean stepped past the Deputy and knelt down beside the cage studying the lock. It wouldn't be hard to pick. From the lapel of his coat he pulled a thin piece of wire and went to work. It took less than thirty seconds for the lock to spring open."
Grinning wickedly, the Sheriff snorted saying, "I don't even want to know."
Taking the woman's hand Melisandra helped her from the cage, "Do you know where this man went," Melisandra cajoled the woman?
"Not really, but he always goes toward the lake. I can hear the animals crying but I don't know what he does to them. His name is Charles Nylan, he's a scientist or was," she cried. "We worked for the same research company but he lost his license a few years ago for unethical practices. He was experimenting with stem cell research, several of his patients died."
Deputy Nelson came back a few minutes later. "I found something Sheriff," he broke in holding out a small box.
"Oh my god," the captive woman whispered. "That's a growth hormone, what would he be using a growth hormone for"
Sam and Dean shared a glance and growled, thinking about the huge creatures they had encountered.
Ignoring the question the Sheriff whispered, "Thank you. If you'll go with Nelson he'll take you back to town.
Pulling the deputy aside she whispered. "Get her back to town Nelson and send Richards and Baylor out here." Melisandra turned toward the river a grim expression on her face. "Call animal control and get them out here to pick up these animals."
"Time to rock and roll," Dean murmured.
Dropping low the hunters heard the mumbling voice as they neared the clearing. Two small cages stood open at the edge of small pool in the center of the field. The surface of the pool was a murky yellow with veins of red and black running through it.
A short squat balding man kneeled at the edge of the pool talking to himself. "It's not what it should be, why, why, why," he kept mumbling to himself. "I have to find the key. Those bastards will have to listen once I find the key."
Dean wanted to leap across the short distance and wrap his hands around the guy's neck and throttle the life out of him. Growling low in his throat he stepped forward. A hand on his sleeve stopped him.
"Let me handle this Dean," the Sheriff whispered cautiously.
With Sam on her left and Dean on her right the sheriff spoke his name. "Dr. Nylan," she called softly trying not to startle him.
The short balding man lifted his head but didn't look at them.. "What are you doing here," he shouted. "Go away."
"I just want to talk to you," the Sheriff told him calmly.
"There's nothing to talk about. You know who I am," he retorted, "Then you know what I do. I'm a scientist, this is a new discovery can't you see that. I'm only trying to understand it. Now go away," he shouted, "So I can go back to work."
"I can't do that, Dr. Nylan." Melisandra remained calm doing her best not to provoke him, but it didn't seem to be working.
The man was working himself into a fury. An angry blush rose up his neck and into his cheeks. "I won't let you steal this from me. You don't belong here," he screamed at them. "You don't belong here," he screamed again. "This is mine, my discovery and I won't let you steal it," he yelled.
"No one is going to steal anything," she told him quickly. "But you have to stop, people are getting hurt, innocent people," she warned him.
Reaching down the man picked up a handful of rocks and threw them at the sheriff. "Leave me alone," he shouted. "I'm not hurting anybody. This is for the good of the people, sometimes it requires sacrifices," he shouted back.
"Not in my town it doesn't," she warned him.
With a nod from the Sheriff Dean stepped forward.
"I'm not wrong," the guy screamed. "This is research. Some sacrifices have to be made for research."
"You just need to calm down so we can discuss this."
"No," he screamed. "Go away and leave me alone."
"I can't do that," she told him quietly. "People have gotten hurt and it has to stop now."
The ground shook as the pool rippled beneath the surface coming alive. One of the humans standing before him was the key. For the first time he looked at them. Lifting his head they saw his eyes. Black as coal the demon spawn let his true nature show through. He would use that key to open the gate.
Sam swayed dangerously as ripples of agony stabbed at his mind. "Dean," he cried.
The demon caught movement behind them snarling viciously at the approaching creature. He needed them alive.
Dean swore softly knowing the demon had a purpose and would not be swayed from his task. He saw the demon lift his eyes staring at something behind them. Hearing Sam's cry he turned and caught sight of the huge black creature sweeping toward them.
The creature was huge, it was a mangled mixture of half raven and half bat. Thick leathery batwings extended close to ten feet on either side of the body. The body and legs were covered with sleek blue-black feathers its razor sharp talons preparing to strike.
He didn't have time to think he only had time to react. Jumping forward he slammed into the Sheriff pushing her straight into Sam. The two hapless victims fell sideways landing in a tangled heap narrowly avoiding the deadly claws aimed at their heads. Dean twisted right barely avoiding the talons coming at him. Sharp tips ripped at the sleeve of his shirt tearing through the material and scraping the skin beneath.
The monster screamed its fury at being robbed of its prey. Ebony wings snapped outward catching the wind and slowing its progress. Quick and agile the creature screeched it hatred and turned on a wing tip finding a new target. Burning hunger filled the creature's soul. Torment by the agony searing through its veins it attacked.
Scrambling backwards the hunter twisted left then right barely avoiding the creatures strike.
Again and again the dark creature struck. Long sharp claws ripped at the dirt and grass, tearing great chunks from the ground as it screamed in fury. Dropping low the creature struck hard and fast screeching in triumph, its razor sharp talons bit deep into Dean's left shoulder.
Searing pain tore through the hunter as the creature jerked him off the ground and into the air. Darkness closed in as wave after wave of bone jarring agony coursed through his body. The hunter fought to stay conscious as the creature struggled to rise into the air. Numb fingers reached for the Glock stashed at his waist Dean flailed wildly but could not reach the weapon.
The creature screamed again and tilted right to catch the wind its burden heavier than anticipated. Pumping its massive wings, it rose slowly into the air.
Across the clearing at the edge of the tree line two pixies played hopscotch, laughing and skipping from one tiny flower to another. Dew still clung to the bright petals drenching the pixies in a cool shower with each jump.
An agonized cry shattered the tranquillity of the little glade. Buttercup turned sharply her eyes wide with fear. That had been Dean. She no longer thought of him as her "human", he had become Dean and he needed her. The little yellow pixie sprang into the air heading straight for Dean and the Bat winged creature.
Periwinkle skidded to a halt and watched her sister streak off across the clearing. "Buttercup NO," she screeched. Groaning in horror the little blue pixie leaped from the flower into the air following her sister.
The creature was moving slowly through the air. Off balance, its prey dangled precariously from one leg, the other deadly set of talons scraped and gouged at Dean's body but it could not latch on.
Through slitted pain filled eyes he saw the tiny yellow body streak past him. Fear for the little pixie tore at him. "No Buttercup, go back," Dean cried hoarsely. "Go back," he whispered praying she could hear him.
The little pixie heard the words but choose to ignore them. All she could see was his pain. Furious at the creature for hurting him, Buttercup reached into her little pouch and grabbed a pinch of pixie dust. Throwing the dust at the creature's leg she whispered her wish. "Let him go."
She waited scowling at the creature when nothing happened.
The bat winged creature shuddered, but its talons remained imbedded in Dean's shoulder.
Buttercup growled and grabbed a second handful of the pixie dust. Launching it at the Bat's head she screamed the words again, "Let him go!"
Pixie Magic wasn't working; at least that's how it seemed.
The creatures mangled DNA was unable to adjust to the pixie dust's magic properties. It spread through the creatures system like a deadly virus. Pressure built inside it, cutting off the flow of blood to its brain and heart. Screeching in pain its body jerked and convulsed as it dragged Dean through the air.
Knowing she wasn't going to be able to stop Buttercup, Periwinkle joined her sister. Blue Pixie dust flew at the creatures face but like Buttercup's the blue pixie dust failed to gain Dean his freedom.
Angry now, Buttercup gained speed as she circled the creature. Hands outstretched she balled her hands into tiny fists and aimed herself at the creature's head. The pixie punch was filled with all the fury she could muster. Pixie dust flew from her wings. This wish was for her. Fists now hard as stone she pounded at the creatures head. It took four of the massive blows to cause the creature to loosen its grip on Dean.
The pixie dust slithering through the creatures system sending the huge creature into convulsions, bone and sinew snapped releasing their hold on the hunter. Dean plummeted to the ground landing heavily. Air flew from his lungs and the blackness of unconsciousness moved in. He lay on his back gasping for air, but his lungs were slow to respond. Willing himself to relax the wounded hunter took short shallow breaths. It seemed like an eternity before he could once again draw breath. Opening his eyes he searched for the creature hoping the little pixies had broken free of the madness. He bit back a cry of pain as he struggled to sit up. His left arm hung useless at his side. It didn't matter his only thoughts were for the pixies.
The huge black body convulsed. Caught up in the maelstrom the two pixies were slammed hard against the creature's body as it tumbled sideways.
The crack of a rifle split the eerie silence of the glade. A second, then a third shot rang out. The huge body jerked backward, freeing the pixies. They fell away from the dying creature and tumbled downward.
"No," Dean screamed as he reached up, hoping, praying that they would fall within his grasp, but they were too far away. Struggling to climb to his feet he stumbled and fell, unwilling to give in to the agony in his shoulder he tried again but fell back to his knees a sob catching in his throat. Unable to aide them he could only watch. Sorrow tore through him as they tumbled from the sky.
Entwined together the two pixies tumbled toward the ground. Barely conscious the little blue pixie knew she had to do something. Buttercup lay limp in her arms. Tiny blue wings fluttered lightly slowing their descent. They were falling too fast, Periwinkle knew it. Numb and exhausted the little pixie twisted her body around cushioning her sisters' fall as they hit the ground. Pain flared bright and blinding through her little body, dragging her into unconsciousness.
Melisandra was slow to get up. Dean's push had sent her stumbling sideways. Her left foot slipped into a small hole and twisted sending her crashing into Sam taking them both to the ground and saving their lives.
As Sam struggled to untangle himself, horror filled the young hunter's heart when he saw the creature lift into the air and drag his brother away.
Scrambling to her feet Melisandra winced when her foot hit the ground. The rifle slung across her shoulder had been flung a few feet away. Ignoring the pain she reached for the rifle and stood. Bringing it up she tucked the weapon into her shoulder and took aim.
Headache forgotten he reached for the weapon beneath his jacket Sam jumped to his feet and scrambled after the huge creature. Racing across the clearing never taking his eyes off the creature Sam screamed his brother's name over and over again. He raised the Sigsaur but the creature was too far away and he feared hitting Dean. The crack of a rifle sounded from behind him. He saw the creature twist and jerk in mid air thankfully releasing Dean. Sam pushed himself harder as he closed the distance between them.
oooOOOooo
The dark abyss of unconsciousness beckoned, but Dean knew he couldn't give in. Two thoughts lay heavy on his mind, the Pixies and the creature had a twin. The other half was close he could feel it. He closed his eyes gathering what strength remained. The Glock had fallen from his belt and lay only a few inches from his hand. He reached for it, wrapping his fingers around the grip and pulling it close
Sam skidded to halt and fell to the ground protectively beside his brother, waiting for the explosion that never came. Peeking over his shoulder he saw the creature – its body slowly melting back into the soil. "What the hell," he swore softly.
Waiting only a few seconds longer Sam pushed to his knees and sucked in a horrified breath. There was too much blood. It was everywhere covering the front of his brother's shirt. Ripping the shirt aside he took a quick look before pressing the palm of his left hand over the wound. He didn't stop there and slid his right hand beneath his brother and clamped them together doing his best to staunch the flow of blood.
Dean clenched his teeth against the pain and opened his eyes. "Sam," he whispered hoarsely, "You ok?"
"Dammit Dean, you're the one who got dragged halfway across Texas by a crazed bat, now shut up and let me take care of this," he whispered more sharply than he intended.
"Bitch," Dean snarled.
"Jerk," Sam growled back.
When he could catch his breath Dean's eyes searched the area where he knew the Pixie's had fallen. "Find them Sammy, you have to find them," he choked.
"Find who," Sam
"Buttercup and Periwinkle," the hunter murmured.
"I have to get you to a hospital; you've lost too much blood already."
Dropping the Glock he reached up with his good hand and wrapped his fingers in his brother's shirt pulling him close, pleading with him. "Sammy please, you have to find them, take care of them."
"You come first," Sam nearly shouted.
"No," Dean shouted back.
Melisandra had crossed the clearing on hearing Dean's words she told them both, "I'll find them," knowing Dean would not give in until the Buttercup and Periwinkle were found. "Did you see them fall," she whispered carefully?'
Dean nodded, "Ten feet out, slightly left," he hissed. Dropping his arm back to his side his fingers once again curled around the Glock.
On hands and knees Melisandra searched the grass. They were tiny so very tiny, she only hoped she could find them in the tall grass. A tiny cry escaped her when she found them less than a minute later. The two pixies lay side by side, entwined in each other's arms. She called their names but the little pixies didn't answer. Ever so gently she picked them up as tears filled her eyes. Both of them were scratched and dirty but it was the plight of the little yellow pixie that tore at her heart. She knew the lore, pull a fairy or pixie's wings off and they would die. Buttercup's left wing was broken and nearly torn from her body, held on by a tiny flap of skin. She sighed hopefully when she saw their little chests rise and fall. They were alive. Holding them close she crawled back to where Dean lay. Her voice cracking as she whispered, "I found them."
"Are they…" Dean started, afraid to finish the thought?
"Alive, yes," she whispered, "But they are hurt," she told him softly.
The words tore through the hunter; they were hurt because of him!
Breaking in Sam whispered urgently, "We have to get him to a hospital Sheriff, at the rate he's loosing blood he's going to bleed out before we can get him there."
"Hold on tight, I'm going for the truck," she told him. Jumping to her feet she held the tiny Pixies gently in her hand. Her ankle protested but Melisandra ignored the pain as she sprinted across the clearing. The truck was less than a half mile away. She could get there and back in a few minutes – she hoped. She prayed it would be enough.
A few hundred yards away high up in a tree it lay in wait, its black beady eyes searching and finding new prey. Its sharp beak snapped shut in anticipation. Black saliva dropped from its maw, the acid sizzling through the leaves as it fell to the ground. Stretching wide the raven winged creature leaped from its perch. The Black wings beat silently lifting it into the air above the trees. Skimming the treetop the creature snapped its wings shut and dove for its prey.
Sam's focus was on slowing the flow of blood from his brother's shoulder totally unaware of the creature plummeting from the sky toward his back.
Dean fought through the gut wrenching pain in his shoulder and tried to focus. Swiping the back of his hand across his eyes he blinked owlishly trying to clear away the fog. "Shit," he growled when he could finally see the black shadow streaking toward them. "Sammy we've got incoming." Rolling right he swung his left leg up pushing Sam to the ground.
Only then did Sam remember the second creature. The Sigsauer appeared in his hand. Together the hunters fired not stopping until the magazines were empty.
With each squeeze of the trigger the creature screamed its anger and jerked back spreading its wings to slow its descent. After ten rounds the creature was finished and spiralled out of control toward the ground. The black monster crashed through the tall grass and skidded to a halt a few feet away from the hunters.
Sam didn't hesitate. This time he knew the creature was going to explode. In one swift smooth movement Dean was up and over his shoulder. Sprinting across the grass he spied a pile of rocks knowing it was their only chance. Turning the corner he dropped Dean and curled his body around him.
Seconds later the Raven winged creature shattered sending thousands of little glass shards rocketing through the clearing.
The big truck broke through the tree line. Melisandra ducked and swore loudly as the black glass pinged against the windshield. Seconds later the truck screeched to a halt. She didn't waste time, but hurried around the truck and opened the door before helping Sam lift his injured brother into the truck.
The ground was rough as the truck sped back toward town. Sam did his best to cradle his brother from the rough ride. They all sighed in relief when the truck gained the road and picked up speed.
The Sheriff had called Stephen alerting him to Dean's condition. She prayed he wouldn't bleed out before they got there.
Fear shot through the young hunter when he felt his brother's body relax in his arms. "Stay with me Dean," he whispered urgently.
Dean's eyes fluttered open, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke. "Where would I go," he joked. Dean went silent as he watched his brother's face. Worry, frustration, fear, they were all there and Dean hated to see it. "Sammy," he called quietly.
Sam looked down his brow furrowed with concern, "Yeah," he whispered?
"Sam you have to destroy that pool," he whispered hoarsely.
"How," he whispered in frustration, "the shit won't burn we tried that," Sam said.
Dean's voice tapered off, "Sulphur, neutralize the sulphur."
"Damn, your right," Sam whispered hopefully. "Benzene will neutralize the sulphur, then we can burn it. Dean you're a genius," he nearly shouted.
"Take care of them Sam. I need you to take care of them."
He knew Dean was talking about the Pixies but he didn't know what to say or how to take care of a thimble size little pixie. "I…"
Closing his eyes, his voice shook as he spoke. "Promise me you'll take care of them," Dean whispered urgently.
The pleading in his brother's voice near broke Sam's heart. "I promise," his breath caught in his throat. Dean had lost consciousness.