(Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the following story)

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Return of the Dragon Slayer.

Chapter Seventeen.

Jonas smiled as he watched the bodies swing from the ropes; he was a little sorry that their deaths had been instantaneous, he would have preferred them to suffer but the result was all that mattered. Gideon and Sam were dead and the people now saw his power.

He turned to one of his guards "Leave them swinging for an hour, then remove the bodies and hang them where the boy was found. They'll find them...eventually" he smiled nastily "And find the two who gave voice during the execution, I want them dead within the hour"

"Sir" the guard saluted.

Jonas waved him off and walked pompously down the stairs, a guard forming around him as he strode back to his palace.

The guard hid his disgust as he watched Jonas leave. He was one of the few original Royal Guards that had remained after Gideon was deposed, believing his calling was to protect the city no matter who ruled his home, but his ideals, his beliefs had been slowly chipped away as he watched Jonas take control of his home and its people. The Slayers brother had been right, this was not the way of the Ancients. He gave the order to his captain and called his second in command over.

"Wil, I want those loyal to the Guard, you know who I'm talking about, you bring them to my quarters, quietly, make sure the others are occupied and as far away from us as possible" he looked at Gideon and Sam "And you put six of our guards around these men. No-one goes near them and no-one disrespects them"

Wil smiled, saluted and walked down the stairs, barking orders at the other guards as the people slowly dispersed.

Xavier watched the people closely, he felt their unease, the fear that was slowly taking a stranglehold on his home; it wasn't a fear of the dragons or the upcoming battle, it was a fear that they were going to lose all they held dear; that their home was going to be totally and utterly destroyed…by their new Supreme Royal. Distrust, they had that and he would work with it. He took a final look at the two men as the guards took their positions around the gallows; he trotted down the stairs and headed to his quarters; he had work to do.

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Dean woke as he felt lips brush softly against his and he opened his eyes and smiled "Morning" he pulled Finn against him and kissed her.

"Mmmm, morning…" she smiled "Again" and he kissed her again, his hands moving slowly down her back as their kiss deepened.

"Morning!"

"Jesus Christ!" they turned, Caleb was sitting cross-legged on the mattress opposite theirs, grinning at them.

Dean pulled the blanket up over them "Aaah, morning Caleb. You…ummm…sleep okay?"

He nodded "Good. You sleep okay?"

He grinned and then cleared his throat "Yeah, I slept okay…ow!" he looked at Finn and laughed "Alright, best sleep I've had in a looong time"

Finn turned to Caleb "Honey, go and get changed and we'll…"

"This is my tent…my clothes are here" he pointed "Your clothes there"

"Yeah, okay. Umm, do me a favour and go check on Peluda" said Finn.

"I check him already, he's much better" said Caleb as he sat smiling at them.

"Did you check Raja…" started Finn.

"I check everyone" he said, his face split into a wide grin "Peluda, Raja, 'Casso, Bull…everyone good" he smiled "You good?"

Dean sat up, trying not to laugh "Alright, little dude, stop your smiling and go outside for a minute while we get dressed okay?"

He grinned "Okay" got up and wandered out of the tent, pulling up the back of his pyjamas as he went.

"Smart ass" said Dean with a grin. He turned and pushed the blanket down and looked at Finn's leg, the griffin tattoo turned and looked at him, he grinned "Okay, that is hot" the griffin opened its beak and screamed "Easy, big fella" said Dean with a laugh.

Finn laughed "You're an idiot"

Dean raised an eyebrow and grinned "I believe you were calling me …oh God… last night"

Finn rolled her eyes, smiled and stood, pulling Dean up with her "Come on, stud, we…"

The tent flap opened and Seth walked in "Jesus…sorry" he turned his back "Get dressed"

Finn laughed "Are you smiling, Seth" she grabbed her leathers and put them on quickly.

"No"

"Bullshit"

He laughed "Okay, maybe a little. You decent?"

"She's never decent" said Dean as he pulled his jeans on "What's up?"

Seth turned "You need to come with me" he walked out.

"Just like that" said Dean, he turned to Finn "What's his problem?"

"It's just his way, Dean. He's a good guy and he's the best soldier we have" she slipped her boots on and walked out, Dean following her.

Seth was sitting on his horse, Picasso and Bull being held by two Ancients. He looked at Dean "You'll need to wear more than that"

"What's wrong Seth?" asked Finn.

"I've had …" he looked at Dean "You need to get changed. We need to move now"

Finn turned to Dean "Put your leathers on, get your swords"

Dean glared at Seth, kissed Finn and went to his tent. He didn't like the man but he could see he was good at what he did…he was still an asshole though. He came out moments later, leathers on and swords across his back; Finn had her swords and was already on Picasso, and as he walked towards Bull, Caleb came over with Jude and Gabe.

"Daddy?"

Dean stopped "Yes, Caleb?"

"Daddy, you remember Uncle Sam is strong. He strong okay? Stronger than you think"

Dean crouched in front of his son "What is it, Caleb?"

"You go now. You not be angry, everything's gonna be alright. I promise" he kissed Dean's cheek.

"Come on, Dean" said Finn "Caleb, we'll be back soon. Do not go anywhere and you stay with Jude and…"

"Uncle Gabe" finished Caleb.

"Yeah" she looked at her brother "Uncle Gabe"

"I'll watch him, Finn. Be careful" said Gabe and he put his hand on Caleb's shoulder "Go"

Slayer…

Dean looked over at Peluda "Peluda?"

Proceed with caution. We will be in the skies, you have our protection but the decisions you make from here on in…step wisely Slayer. He looked at Finn Listen to her, she will know what to do.

"Okay then" said Finn, confusion touching her features.

Griffin, not all is as it seems. What you think is lost…is not always so.

Finn shook her head "Peluda, when I get back, you and I are gonna have a serious chat about this enigmatic crap you got going on" she said with a smile.

I'm looking forward to it….I think.

Dean laughed and swung up on Bull "Watch my son, Peldua" and the dragon nodded.

They kicked at their horses and took off, racing out of the camp and into Loch Forest.

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Seth pulled them to a walk fifteen minutes later and turned to them "Alright, I had word come through from another camp that Jonas wants to talk, its bullshit of course, that prick has only one thing on his fucked-up mind and talking isn't it"

"So why are we going?" asked Dean.

"Because it involves Gideon and Sam and he won't deliver his message unless you two are there. He's said he guarantees our safety…" and Seth laughed "which is a crock, but …we need to hear what he has to say"

"The dragons will be watching, we're more protected than you think"

"That's what Caleb told me, which is the only reason I agreed to it. We'll ride out of the forest from the east, get to the meeting place without them knowing which way we came. Keep your swords at the ready, we kill anyone that gets in our way" he kicked at his horse and they took off again.

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Sam opened his eyes as he felt heat surround him. He sat up and looked around; he was in small cave, a fire burning all around him; the red and green flames licking at the ceiling in places, golden sparks floating through a small hole in the roof of the cave. He stood and put his hands gingerly to his neck, there was no pain, but seeing as he was dead, he guessed there probably wouldn't be.

"Gideon!" he yelled and turned in circles, trying to spot the man.

The one you seek is not here, Phoenix.

Sam turned to the voice, then stopped and laughed. The voice was in his head.

To your left

Sam turned and smiled when he saw a large phoenix perched on a ledge to his left. It was easily fifteen feet from the top of its head to the tip of its tail; its chest was broad and powerful; and its red and gold feathers shone in the firelight, its bright blue eyes boring into him.

"I'm dead aren't I?" asked Sam.

What is death exactly?

"That's rhetorical right?" asked Sam and the bird dipped its head "Okay then" he looked around a little more, trying to find a way through the flames.

You are the Phoenix…

Sam nodded and stepped into the flame, it didn't burn him, it wrapped itself around him, inspecting him, before allowing him to pass through unscathed. He went and stood in front of the bird "Do you have a name?"

I am called Ankou

Sam nodded "Ankou, where am I?"

You are where you're supposed to be until the time comes for you to rise again

"There has to be more to it than that. This can't be just a waiting game" said Sam "I have to get back to my brother"

Sit. I will tell you a story.

"Where's Gideon?" the bird said nothing "Aaah, the Lion?" asked Sam.

He is with his guardian. Sit.

Sam sighed and sat on the ground in front of the phoenix and looked up, trying not to feel like he was back in kindergarten and trying to ignore the feeling that he was on borrowed time.

Long ago, we numbered many, Phoenix. We were free to go where we pleased without fear of being hunted. Our kind were treated with respect and honour and we repaid that by helping those who were taken before their time; those who had not fulfilled their purpose; a purpose that served mankind, not themselves.

But there were those that sought to use our power for their own ends and we were hunted, captured, turned into the slaves of men and our magic was used to bring about much wrong. We struggled hard against the darkness that took hold in the realms and we suffered for it. For the survival of our species, we left the realms, took refuge with those that understood our ways and who were also being hunted for their magic.

"The dragons" said Sam.

No, the ones called griffins. Our land is beyond that of the dragons. The griffins were hunted almost to extinction and an alliance was born between our species. Our survival depended on the griffins, theirs on ours. But our anger at those that misused our magic has never been forgotten. The first of our kind foretold of one that would come, one that would bring about the return of our kind to the land we called home.

"Me?" asked Sam. The phoenix dipped his head "So I'm supposed to…" he put up his hands "hang on just a minute, surely the Ancients that are about now aren't the ones that did that to you"

There are ones that are the keepers of our magic; until they are destroyed, until our magic they hold is destroyed, we cannot take our rightful place here. We wish to come home, Phoenix and we are charged with destroying the evil that has taken over this land. It was our magic that was used to steal the 'golden dragon' from its home and our magic can not be used by those who do not bear our mark. Our place in this battle has been foretold, been sealed, we must atone for our part in the wrong-doing and we will not sit idly by and allow the destruction of our home by those whose only purpose is to conquer all the realms for their own glory.

"Jonas and the Elders" said Sam.

Yes. You bear the mark, Phoenix…our mark. It is your destiny to make amends to the dragons and to help bring down the evil that reigns here. You have those whose destinies will ride alongside yours; each charged with their own task to bring this to an end.

"Dean…" said Sam.

The Dragon Slayer, The Griffin, The Lion and The Wolf. North, south, east and west. But in the middle, there is one that guides you all, your compass. He is unlike any that has come before him. A new guardian…borne of the dragon and the griffin.

"Caleb?" Sam shook his head "He's just a little boy"

He is much more than that. Go to the entrance and look. You will see the one that guards him.

Sam stood and walked warily to the cave entrance, he stepped out into a field of blue and purple so bright, it hurt to look at, but the beauty of this place took his breath away. He turned as he heard the sound of a roar and his mouth fell open, standing on a large outcropping was something he had never seen before, something he was sure no-one had ever seen before. A new creature…it had the head and neck of a dragon, the front claws of an eagle, the hindquarters of a lion and a dragons tail swishing out behind it, it's leathery wings held aloft. It was part dragon, part griffin.

His species has no name, he is the first of his kind. He is called Iksar and he is the guardian of the boy. He will make his presence known when the time is right.

Sam turned and went back into the cave "How on earth is this possible?"

We live in a realm of possibilities, Phoenix. Every creature must begin its existence sometime. Iksar's is now. Return to the fire, Phoenix, your time draws near.

"I'm still not exactly sure what it is I'm supposed to do" said Sam "And earlier, you said the four points of the compass…but you mentioned five of us"

Understanding will come, Phoenix. Your journey is just beginning but you will not be alone. You bear our mark, we are your guardian but you are also ours.

Sam nodded and walked through the flame, standing in the centre as he waited. He felt a tingling begin in his fingertips and it travelled slowly at first before racing through him, burning through him and he threw back his head and screamed as he was engulfed in flame.

The Rise of the Phoenix had begun.

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Dean, Finn and Seth galloped out of the forest and turned, heading back towards the Citadel. The horses hoofs like thunder underneath as they raced forward, their tails and manes flying out behind them as their riders urged them on.

The three Ancients looked up as the roars of dragons sounded and saw a fleet of them circling the skies, watching their every move, ensuring their safety. They kicked at the horses again and raced past the outlying parts of Loch Forest. The horses necks and flanks were white with sweat but the kicked again, snorting as they sped towards their destination, the urgency of their riders transferring to them.

Dean felt the fear slowly start in his gut, it held tight, strangling him and kicked at Bull again, something wasn't right and he needed to get to the meeting now. The raced around a large bend in the track and he screamed as Finn did, kicking at Bull again.

He galloped to the tree "No, no, no, no, no, no…" he muttered as he grabbed at Sam's body, holding it tight to him and lifting it. He saw Seth cut the rope from which Sam had been hung and his brother fell against him "SAM! SAMMY!" he shook him and screamed again as his brothers head fell at an angle it should not have been allowed to. "SAMMY!"

He looked over at Finn, she was crying into Gideon's body that was now laid over Picasso in front of her., Seth circling the both of him, his swords drawn, his jaw set and fury in his eyes.

Seth looked at Dean "We need to get them back to camp" Dean just stared at him, cradling his brothers body in his arms "Dean" he said softly "We need get back" he trotted over to Finn "Finn…" he placed a hand on her back "Finn…"

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face "DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!"

They looked up as a dragon roared, coming to rest just in front of them, her orange and yellow scales, glinting in the mid-morning sun.

You must return to your refuge. It is not safe for you to remain here. We will prevent those that wish you harm from following, from finding your whereabouts but you must leave now. Take the Phoenix and the Lion with you, they have only just begun their journey.

"MY BROTHER IS DEAD!" yelled Dean.

Your brother is on the path for which he was always destined the dragon looked at Finn You know what it is that must be done

"I DON'T KNOW SHIT!" she yelled at the dragon.

That is not true. Look within yourself Griffin, the answer is there. Now go, there are riders on the wind. We will slow their progress but you must leave now and she took to the skies.

"Come on" said Seth and he turned Picasso then Bull around and slapped them on their rumps, the horses heading off gently, all too aware of what they were now carrying.

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They walked slowly through the forest, Dean and Finn saying nothing the whole journey. Seth had left them to their grief, there was nothing he could say that would ease it and he was dealing with his own. Gideon had been his best friend and he ached at his loss.

They entered the camp to the stares of the Ancients and the roar and the scream of the dragon and the griffin. Jude and Gabe came running over.

"NO!" yelled Gabe as he pulled Gideon's body off the horse, out of Finn's grasp and lowered it to the ground, holding him in his arms "Gideon, no, no, no, no, no…" he rocked his brother in his arms. Finn slipped off Picasso and fell to her knees next to them, burying her head in Gideon's chest as she cried.

Dean held tight to Sam as he slipped off Bull and he carried his brother through the mass of silent Ancients, Finn's sobs echoing in his ears. He took Sam to his tent and laid him down gently, brushing his unruly hair out of his face. "Sammy…" he felt the tears come but shook his head vigorously "No…NO!" he stood up and walked purposefully out of the tent.

Jude went to Seth "What the fuck happened?" he whispered.

Seth shook his head "We…found them hanging from a tree…" he looked up as he saw Dean storming over.

Dean grabbed Finn and pulled her up, turning her round to face him "Tell me how to fix Sam!" he yelled.

"Leave me alone!" she went to go back to Gideon and he pulled her back roughly.

"TELL ME!" he shook her "TELL ME HOW TO SAVE MY BROTHER!"

"I DON'T KNOW HOW!" she yelled back.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" yelled Seth, pushing at Dean.

Dean turned and punched Seth in the jaw, rocking his head sideways "Don't EVER touch me again" said Dean menacingly.

"I'll give you that one for free, Dean. But you…"

Dean hit him again "But what?"

"Daddy, no!" yelled Caleb and he stood between the two men "No, Daddy" he took Dean's hand and led him over to Finn "Mamma…Mamma…" he put his hand on her shoulder and she turned to him "Mamma, you know what to do" he said.

"I don't, Caleb"

"You do, Mamma" he looked at her "You fix Uncle Sam and Uncle Sam fix Uncle Gideon" he looked at Gabe "You take Uncle Gideon to my tent, he rest there. Mamma you come sit with Uncle Sam" he let go of Dean's hand "You stay here, Daddy…Mamma think better if it just her and Uncle Sam"

"Go, Finn" said Gabe "Save Gideon, please"

She nodded, kissed Gideon's forehead and went into the tent to sit with Sam.

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Finn walked out of the tent a few hours later, Dean was sitting on the ground in front of the tent and rose as she came out.

"Finn…" he started. She looked over at her tent, tears welling in her eyes "Finn, I'm sorry" he held her to him "I'm sorry" and she nodded.

She pushed gently back from him "I know what to do"

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Darkness had fallen and Dean walked slowly, Sam held in his arms; he placed his brother gently on the wooden trestle; fixed Sam's hands over his stomach, brushed his hair from his eyes again and kissed him softly on his forehead. He turned and went and stood with Finn and Caleb, both of them taking his hands.

Dean turned to Peluda and nodded and the dragon leaned down and shot of burst of flame to the wood piled beneath the trestle. He closed his eyes, he couldn't watch his brother burn; he felt Finn's hand squeeze his and he held it tight, hoping that she knew what she was doing.

"Dean…" he heard her whisper "Look…"

He opened his eyes slowly, the flames weren't the red/orange he'd expected but a red/green, with golden sparks floating delicately into the night sky. Sam wasn't burning, the flames surrounded him, licked at him, entered him and he watched as his brother gasped, his back arching as he gave voice to a scream that ripped through them all; a scream that was joined by a distant other. Dean watched as the flames were drawn away from his brother, joining together, building behind Sam, taking form. And as the scream sounded again, the flames intensified, burning brightly, making them shield their eyes.

As the fire slowly dimmed, they removed their hands and stared at the large phoenix that was perched on the trestle, its wings spread wide…Sam standing in front of it, his shoulders back his head held high and a cheeky grin on his face.

The Phoenix had risen.

To be continued…