World of Winchester-Craft (continued)
Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
A/N: All right, before you kill me for not updating this fic in so long, know this: I come to you with a super long chapter! Hopefully this should make everything square—or parallelogram, at the very least.
Chapter Six is for Nyx Wings, who prompted me for an underwater adventure. Oh and by the way: there's a line in here where Dean says "Careful is my middle name." Just want to point out that I wrote that WEEKS before he said it in episode 6.1, okay? This chapter just gave me a lot of trouble. Speaking of, big thanks to superfire and peacejojo for helping me put my ideas in order! Oh, and since it's been a while, I'll put in a quick reminder of where we left off. Ahem.
THEN:
Sam had just been cured of his fairy!sniffles by another fairy, and he fell into a deep sleep while Dean and the mini!dragon!Impala went in search of a nice pic-a-nic spot. We join them just after said pic-a-nic…
NOW:
Chapter Six: Prophecy, Shmophecy
Sam wakes up smiling from the best power nap EVER. He's refreshed, alert, motivated—and cozy. He opens his eyes and finds the Impala, still small, curled up around him, using her new wings as a blanket for them both. She blinks her eyes and yawns as Sam sits up.
"Hey girl," Sam whispers, and when the Impala sees that Sam is awake and all right, she chirrups and jumps up, covering him with dragon kisses. Sam laughs and tries to hold her back, but she's so happy and adorable that he gives in and hugs her back. Then he holds her head, now about the size of a horse's head to him, and looks into those pale, yellow eyes.
"I owe you an apology," he tells her. She tilts her head, looking confused. "I…well…I'm sorry I freaked out on you when I first saw you as a dragon. You were so…I mean, EVERYthing was SO…!" He holds his arms out to either side and waves them around. "Y'know?" She nods, and he rubs her snout. "But I'm more used to it now. I'm just sorry I ever thought you'd hurt me. Can you forgive me?"
She winks and licks his nose. Sam smiles. "Thanks. So where's Dean?" The dragon lifts her head up and looks to her right, and Sam follows her gaze. Dean's head is in the near distance, eyes shut as he naps. Sam realizes they're in the middle of his brother's broad, barbarian chest just about the same time as said chest lifts gently and lowers again with his breaths. Both the sight and the movement make Sam jump and flutter. So much for being used to it, he thinks as he lands again. The living hillside beneath him is already lifting up again, slow and steady, and Sam wonders why he didn't notice right away.
The Impala nudges his shoulder, and when Sam looks, she nods at Dean. Sam shakes his head and replies, "No, let him sleep. You know all the nightmares he still gets. Look at him now." A look of affection creeps onto Sam's face as he watches his brother enjoy some peace. It's a welcome change from the restless nights of pillowed screams.
Whoosh!
Sam whips his head around, looking toward Dean's furry boots as he tries to spot what just ran past them. Fairy and dragon crouch down as one…and wait. Nothing happens. Sam keeps watch a few seconds more to be sure. Still nothing. The Impala chirps at him, and though Sam doesn't understand her like Dean can, he gets the gist.
"Sorry. Thought I saw…heh. I don't know. Nevermind…" Sam stands and stretches his arms up, and his wings unfurl and stretch with him. The Impala extends her wings as well and gives them a good shake as she stretches her body out like a cat. Then she flaps her wings and does a quick loop-di-loop, making Sam laugh. "You like those, huh?" She chirrups happily as she lands. "Dean's not going to like 'em at all. You know how he hates flying." The yellow eyes widen, and her head droops. "Hey," Sam approaches her and pats her head between her chrome horns, "that doesn't mean you have to get rid of them! Tell you what—when we get you back to normal, I'll argue on your behalf. Dean won't be able to say no to both of us." She rests her chin on his shoulder and purrs into his neck, and he rubs her snout again. "Speaking of which…" Sam lifts into the air. "No time like the present, right? Let's go!"
Sam flutters away from Dean, and the mini-dragon follows. They land a short distance away. "Okay, uh…stand back. Still not a hundred percent on my magic, so…just in case." She moves backward, and Sam blows out a breath. "Here goes." He flaps his wings hard and concentrates on making her big again. There's a tiny poof! of sparkles, but nothing else happens. The Impala blinks at him. "That was a warm-up," Sam covers. "Hang on." He tries again, and an even weaker poof! appears and poops out. Sam bends over, out of breath, and the Impala whines in concern. "I'm all right," Sam assures her. "Must still be weak from the fairy sniffles."
Whoosh!
The two pairs of wings blow sideways as something runs past. Sam stands in front of the little dragon to protect her, but then the dragon jumps over the fairy to protect him instead. They look at each other and then stand back to tail, moving in a slow circle as they try and spot the
Whoosh!
but it's too
Whoosh!
and they're all
Whoosh!
and it sucks, y'know? The Impala nudges Sam's arm, and when he looks, she lifts her head and neck back in the direction of the sleeping barbarian. Sam nods, and they rise into the air. Unfortunately,
Whoosh!
they fly right into a heavy sack. The creature holding it shuts it tight and wraps its long fingers over the bindings. One final Whoosh! and it's off with its captives.
"DEAN!" Sam calls at the top of lungs. The Impala screeches too, but it's no use: they're too small and too far away for Dean to hear them. Luckily, Sam remembers his wooden cell phone. He takes it out of his pocket and wishes to speak to Dean.
"You are out of magic minutes," the automated voice responds.
"But this is an emergency! I HAVE to speak to my brother!"
The phone lets out a series of taps as the screen turns bright orange. "Emergency Mode activated," a different voice tells Sam. The call goes through, and Sam waits for his brother to pick up…
Dean swears a bird has mistaken his hip for birdseed. He ignores it, too comfy in his not-quite-awake state, but the tapping persists. He grumbles and feels around for the source of his annoyance. It's coming from within his leather pouch, which is lying against his upper left leg. Dean reaches in and pulls out the nuisance. It doesn't feel like a bird, but square and wooden.
Like my new wooden cell phone… Dean's eyes open at once and he sits up and answers. "Sam?"
"Dean! Something's got us!"
Dean looks around and discovers that neither Sam nor the Impala are in immediate sight. "What? When?"
"Just a minute ago! Do you see us?"
"No, I'm all alone out here! What happened? What's got you?"
"I didn't get a good look at it—it's FAST, Dean. It's got us in a bag and we can't see where we're going."
"Okay, okay…just hang on. I'll find you, I promise." Dean hangs up as he stands. As he grabs his sword and bag, he hears a sharp whistle and looks straight ahead. At the other end of the clearing stands a tall, thin form; Dean can't make out any specific details. It holds up a pouch, beckons Dean with one of its long arms, and Dean learns all he needs to know.
"Big mistake, little man." He thuds into a run, his powerful, muscular legs speeding him across the distance in just a few strides. The creature takes off running, much to Dean's complete lack of surprise, so he picks up the pace. His prey stops every now and then, shaking the bag, and Dean just hopes that Sam and his baby aren't getting nauseas. All the more reason to catch up to that bastard and make him sorry for kidnapping my family. Dean grunts into his fastest run, which combines with his incredible barbarian strength to turn him into a juggernaut. Trees splinter as he runs through them, rocks shatter, and the ground breaks with each footfall.
The creature stops running just as a lake appears, and Dean slows down before he plows right into it. It's a pretty big lake—not Great Lakes big, but still very large, filled with murky, midnight blue water and surrounded by high, chalk-colored bluffs on all sides. The creature beckons one last time and takes off for a nearby village, built right into the rocks. As Dean approaches, he spies graceful vaults and bridges that connect tier to tier, building to building, to about halfway up the bluffs. It's beautiful, but lifeless. Empty. Even the numerous piers are abandoned: behind them, Dean makes out long river boats that sit in dry docks, their countless paddles sticking out like spines from their rowing slots. And there is no greenery, anywhere. No flowers, no trees—only dead and twisted vines that scale the walls like earthen scratches.
As Dean makes his way up the stone walkway, people begin to emerge from inside the dwellings. Just as the creature Dean followed here, they are tall but very lean: all long arms and legs jutting out of too-small torsos. Their chests and thighs are covered in armor plates of…well, Dean isn't sure, but they remind him of what the Elves wore in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Their noses are slits, like those on a frog. Their hair, all fiery red, is cut short on men and women alike, and their eyes are big and crimson. And yet, Dean notes, they don't look menacing. If anything, they seem sad, like they've been crying for so long that their eyes are permanently dry and irritated. But Dean keeps his guard up: the only eyes he's interested in right now are colored hazel and pale yellow, respectively.
And they'd better be okay… Dean walks through the growing crowd, searching for the creature with the bag, and as he passes by, one word is whispered over and over again: "Prophecy." A few of the kids run along behind the adults, so fast that Dean is only able to see them when they reappear a bit further ahead for another look at the stranger. When Dean reaches the top of the walkway, a man comes out to greet him. He's wearing a big, flashy belt straight out of the WWE, and he bows in front of Dean.
"Welcome, Great Warrior."
Dean frowns. "Cut the crap, Batista. Where are my brother and my car-errr, dragon?"
The village leader snaps his long fingers, and another man Whoosh!-es up from the back and joins them. He holds up a small, barred cage. Sam and the Impala are inside.
"Dean!" Sam smiles and the dragon chirps. Dean leans down so he's eyelevel with them, and the Impala licks his fingers and rubs her head against what little skin she can reach between the bars.
"Are you okay?" Dean asks them both.
Sam nods. "Yeah, we're fine, but—"
The man that brought the little captives forward disappears with them again in a flash. Dean brandishes his sword at once, the runes glowing red with their combined power. "Let them go. NOW."
"Please, we mean no harm," the leader says. "We are in desperate need of your help."
"Help?" Dean scoffs. "If you need help, you ASK for it. You don't kidnap people!"
"We were afraid you'd say no," a woman next to Dean admits. Dean's eyes and sword remain fixed on the leader, who wisely keeps his long arms in the air.
"Call it…insurance, Great One." The leader gulps as Dean flexes his muscles and the sword burns with dark light. "Please, hear us out. Once you learn of our plight, perhaps you will understand our desperation."
Dean frowns again, not liking this at all, but he stands down and puts his sword back in its frog holder. "Fine. But I want my brother and dragon out here where I can see them."
The leader nods, and the speedy kidnapper reappears, still holding the cage. The leader holds out his hand. "I am Glur, of the Rikki People."
Dean gives a half-assed handshake. "Dean. Hi."
An excited murmur rushes through the crowd, and Glur steps forward, just as thrilled. "Not…Dean the Destroyer?"
All eyes on Dean, he nods, "Uh, yeah. That's me."
Glur embraces him with those long arms of his as the entire village cheers. Dean just peers down at Sam, both of them trading WTF-looks. Then Glur releases Dean and looks upon him with great admiration.
"At long last, our prayers have been answered. A hero has come to fulfill the prophecy and rid us of our misery!" Everyone cheers again, and Glur extends his arm out toward the building next to him. "Come. I will explain all while we feast in your honor."
Dean grins at the word 'feast,' but quickly drops it before any of the Rikkis see it. It's just a business lunch, he tells himself. For all you know, they've got guns hidden in the bathroom. He ducks through the narrow opening and steps down into a huge room hewn out of the rock and sunk deep into the ground. Lanterns glow atop pillars that resemble twisted tree roots, and the walls and ceiling are covered in frescoes of aquatic scenery. Dean is escorted to the far end of a long table and placed next to the seat of honor, no doubt reserved for Glur. Sam and the Impala are set down across from Dean, just out of arm's reach, and the kidnapper takes his seat just behind the cage. Other villagers sit down in the remaining chairs, while still others fill the table with food—glorious food! Meat, fruits, rolls, a bowl of what Dean sincerely hopes is mashed potatoes, desserts, roasts, gravies—Dean swallows down the drool as he waits for the okay to chow down. Glur seems to be on Dean's wavelength, because he hands the barbarian a gilded chalice.
"Let this be our gift to you, mighty warrior." Glur nods at Dean to take a drink, and he does, expecting some really cool Fantasia version of wine. But there is no zing, no zip—zilcho. It's just water. Dean notices that everyone at the table is looking at him like he's supposed to say something, so he clears his throat.
"Thanks. Good water. Nice and…clean."
That must be what they wanted to hear, because they all smile at him with gratitude. "Our gift is accepted!" Glur proclaims. "Let the feast begin!"
Everyone tears into their food. The kidnapper slides morsels into the cage as well, and Sam readily digs in, but the Impala won't eat. Instead she makes a low, clunking sound—the kind Dean instantly recognizes My Baby Is Hurting, and his eyes go right to the dragon. She is darting around her cage, wings up at a funny angle and long neck rigid. Sam is trying to calm her down, but she won't settle. Dean reaches for her, and the kidnapper slides the cage back.
"Is there a problem, Great One?" Glur asks.
"I don't think she likes being cooped up," Dean replies absently, watching his sweet little baby lie down. "She needs to be free."
"She'll be released soon, I promise. But for now, please eat." He motions to the food on the barbarian's plate, but Dean only has eyes for the cage; Glur's answer is NOT the one he wanted to hear. So he watches from a distance as Sam offers the dragon a big (to him) piece of meat. She won't take it.
"Aww, Baby…" Dean soothes. He wants so badly to pick up his girl and comfort her, but he knows the damn kidnapper is too fast, so Dean settles for sweet talk. "Please eat something, Baby," he pleads. "It's really good!" She doesn't move, so he waves until her eyes look over at him. "Please? One bite? For me?" She whines but opens her mouth and takes the meat from Sam. "That's my girl," Dean smiles, and he takes a big leg of…something…turkey or ostrich or who knows what...and tears off a bite.
For a few minutes, the only conversation is between appetite and food. Dean's taste buds keep declaring the next bite to be the best, making his stomach growl from his mouth's constant teasing.
"Hey Dean," Sam says at length, "mind if I have a sip of your water?"
"Sure, one sec." Dean takes the shell of a walnut-like nut he just ate, dips it in his chalice, and gives it to Sam. Both the fairy and the dragon quickly drink up. It's only then that Dean realizes he is the sole person at the table with water—no one else has anything to drink. He looks at Glur, whose sullen face stares back.
"Now you see our plight."
Dean glances back at his chalice and what remains of his water. "Is this…" Dean's heart lodges in his throat and he rasps, "Did I just drink all the water you have?"
"No," Glur assures him. "We have a little more in reserve—though, admittedly, it isn't much. And it's a three-day trek over the mountains to the freshwater spring."
"What about the water in the lake?" Sam asks. Every villager at the table grows unsettled at his words.
"The lake," Glur sighs, "is off limits. The Bottom Dwellers have locked us out."
"Bottom Dwellers?" Dean repeats.
"The people that live at the bottom of the lake," Glur explains. "They have been our sworn enemies for generations. It all began long ago, when the Rikki people were led here from the banks of the Great Misty Sea by my ancestor, Galou…"
"Yeah, yeah, cut to the chase, Red," Dean grumps. "I don't need your life story. Just tell me what you want me to do so I can get it done and my brother and my baby can go free." Glur looks annoyed at Dean's rudeness, so Dean throws him a glare to intimidate him just enough to get to the point.
"We need you to bring back the other half of our Stone of Power." Glur gets up and walks to a small altar behind him. There is a golden cistern resting on top, and inside the waters is a triangular wedge. It looks like half of a square-bottomed pyramid—one long side covered in weird carvings, and the front and back torn in half, missing part of the middle and the other half of the pyramid. A fresco above it depicts the stone in its entirety, glowing bright green and surrounded by worshippers.
"So what, you worship the Tri-force?" Dean asks.
Glur is naturally confused. "We do not have a name for it, Great One. But we know it wields great power. My ancestor discovered it soon after our people settled here, but when he tried to claim it for our people, a female Bottom Dweller came out of the water and grabbed it from him. She dropped it in her haste, and the stone broke in two. They took one half and we took the other."
"And it's been Hatfields and McCoys ever since," Dean finishes. The villagers don't understand the reference. "You've been feuding with each other since that day," Dean elaborates, and all at the table nod.
"Exactly," Glur answers. "Sometimes they strike out, sometimes we do, but it always results in ruin. But this time, they've gone too far." Glur looks to the chalice of water in front of Dean. "My people are dying of thirst. We are amphibious people and now, we are not allowed to swim, much less drink. Somehow, the Bottom Dwellers have cast a spell on the lake."
The woman next to Dean elaborates. "It appeared slowly, starting at the far end of the lake, where the few remaining fish still thrived. The water's surface would suddenly freeze, trapping our boats until we got out of them and ran for shore. Then the boats would break apart with the ice and sink. That was several months ago. Now it's everywhere. We can't even dip a cup into the water before it freezes." She gives him a look of sheer despair and states, "We will all die if we do not find a way back into our lake."
Dean reels from this information, feeling awful for these people. "Now you understand our desperation for your help," Glur says quietly. "We couldn't take any risk of you saying no, so we kidnapped your companions to force your hand. I am truly sorry for it."
"If you help us, we will release them, completely unharmed," the kidnapper promises.
Dean nods, ready to help. But there's one thing that's still bothering him. "Why are you so sure I'm the one that can help you? What if I can't get in the lake either?"
Glur stands up and takes the stone. "There is a prophecy." He turns the object to its one intact side and shows Dean the strange letters. "It tells of a barbarian hero who will recombine the stone and bring peace to the valley." He smiles at Dean with great hope. "We believe that you are that hero, Dean."
"Please help us," a woman begs.
"My children cry out with thirst, and I cannot help them," a man calls.
Everyone starts pleading for Dean's help until their cries fill the banquet hall. Dean looks at Sam, who has his hands over his tiny, sensitive ears, and they have one of their Eye Conversations, talking to each other only with looks:
Raised eyebrow. What do you think, Sammy?
Tight lips. I think there's something they're not telling us.
Small nod and full eyes. No shit. Ten bucks it has to do with how dangerous this really is. Can't wait to find out…
Lifted brows. You're not really gonna go for it?
Rested brows. What choice do I have? They need help, and besides, they won't let you go if I don't even try. And I'm guessing that cage is stronger than it looks.
Small frown and shaded eyes. Bars are fairy and fire proof.
Eye roll. Naturally. Front teeth on lips. Well, here goes nothing.
Mile-high brows and wide, soulful pupils. Dean…please be careful.
Smirk. Careful is my middle name.
Smirk. I thought it was "Feed Me"?
Bigger smirk. Whatever, Farty McFly.
Dean claps his hands together, stands up, and turns to Glur. "So? Where's my scuba gear?" No one answers him, so Dean looks at the kidnapper. "You know…to help me breathe? Cos there's no way I'm holding my breath long enough to get all the way down to the bottom of the lake…"
Now the people at the table all look at each other instead of him, save for Glur, who looks upset. "Are you saying that you can't breathe underwater?"
"No, actually, I can't. I'm not half frog, like you guys."
Glur frowns. "Well this won't do at all. How can you be our hero if you can't even breathe underwater?" The other Rikkis are whispering much of the same, throwing Dean looks of mistrust. Dean rolls his eyes.
"Fine! You don't want my help, I'll be happy to leave." He grabs the cage from the kidnapper and turns away. "Why the hell didn't I do that right away?" he asks himself, but he only gets a few steps before several Rikkis whoosh around him and block his way with sharp spears. The kidnapper snatches the cage back in half a blink, and Dean pulls his sword out again. The hall rumbles with his power and anger. "You really want to do this?" he warns, eyes flashing with the red runes on his sword. The Rikki roadblock remains, so Dean lifts his sword…and stops. His ears are filled with someone's cries for help.
Please…help me! It's a small voice, sounding to Dean like a scared boy. You're the only one who can end this. His eyes follow the voice…and widen. It's the stone. He doesn't know how or why, just that it's the truth. The stone starts to glow yellow, and all in the room gasp. Glur nearly drops it in surprise.
"Dean!" Sam shouts. "What's going on?"
"I'm fine, Sammy," Dean replies absently. His eyes reflect the stone's glow.
I will help you if you help me, the voice promises Dean. Come closer. The glow increases, and Dean reaches his hand out.
"What are you doing?" Glur shouts in outrage. "You're not worthy to touch the stone!"
"But it wants me to." Dean steps closer, and Glur places the stone back in its cistern. When Dean tries to move around him, the Rikki leader puts his hands against Dean's chest to stop him, but the barbarian easily pushes him out of the way. The stone's glow becomes painfully bright, and all look away, save for Dean. He touches the stone—
—and the glow goes out. Everyone looks around to see what happened, but nothing seems out of the ordinary.
"AAAAH!"
Except for the big gills on either side of Dean's big torso. Everyone stares at them as Dean lifts a finger to one of the gills…hesitates…then touches it. He hisses at the sensation.
"What, does it hurt?" Sam asks, worried out of his mind.
"No, just…feels weird. Feels like it's part of me…" Dean trails off as he takes a breath in. The gills breathe in with him and then flare out as he releases the breath. He takes a few more, marveling at how easy it is, and how strange! Dean glances back at Sam and finds his fairy brother staring at something above him, and Dean grimaces. "Oh shit, what? Do I have a fin on my head?" He feels around on his head but, thankfully, only finds hair. Sam shakes his head.
"You have a mark on your forehead." Sam points, and Dean feels for it but finds nothing, so he looks down at his reflection in the cistern. Sam was right: a rune of some sort has appeared on the skin between his eyes.
"This shit better not be permanent," he mutters as he tries to rub it off with some water. It doesn't even smear. Then a hand closes over his shoulder, and Dean whirls around. "WHAT?" he drops on a stunned Glur. The leader clears his throat and smiles at the barbarian again.
"The mark is that of the stone. We were right: you ARE our hero! Just as the stone foretold! You're here to rid us—"
"Yeah, yeah, heard it the first time." Dean sighs through his nose, and shudders as part of the breath is filtered through his gills. "All right, I'll take a stab at your prophecy thingy." Then he takes a look at Sam and his baby, who are still in the cage, and he claps a big arm around Glur's ridiculously narrow shoulders. "But if you hurt so much as a hair on his head or a scale on her back, I will rip you all long limb from skinny body. Got that?"
Glur nods and Dean lets him go with a playful, but rough, shove. He turns and ducks through the narrow entrance and everyone in the hall follows him outside. Other Rikkis gather round as Dean heads to the shore and removes his boots.
"You will have to leave your weapons behind as well," the kidnapper informs Dean. "The lake will not permit them."
Dean doesn't quite believe this, so he takes his broadsword and dips the tip into the water. Sure enough, the surface solidifies at once, ice spreading away from the shore and covering the entire lake in milliseconds. Dean takes the sword back, and the water returns to normal. The kidnapper is looking at him with "Told you so" written across his face, so Dean turns away and removes his sword and leather pouch. He kicks his boots off as a final measure, and then Glur steps up beside him and points across the lake.
"The Bottom Dwellers live straight down from the opposite shore. It will take you 20 minutes of hard swimming to reach their underwater lair." He turns Dean by the shoulder to face him. "Be careful, Great One. The Bottom Dwellers live on lies. Do not believe a word they say, or you may never get out."
"I'll ignore them like I ignore doctor's orders," Dean nods, already in full hunting mode and raring to go. Though I wish I could take a weapon along, he thinks. Stupid curses and their fine print. Then he takes a look at Sam and his baby, who are still in the cage. They reflect worry back at him, so Dean gives them his most confident smile. "Piece of cake," he tells them, hoping they'll buy the lie. "Just like any other hunt, right? Go in, do the job, get out. I'm ready for anything."
Without warning, a large bubble bursts out of the lake and engulfs the small cage…and dissolves it. Sam and the Impala remain inside their new, spherical cage as it lifts them out of the kidnapper's hands and zooms back below the water in the blink of an eye.
"…except that," Dean admits.
"It's the Bottom Dwellers!" Glur shouts. "They're after—!"
Dean doesn't wait for the long-winded details: he dives in and swims hard, chasing after the bubble burglar. It isn't long before the sphere is cloaked from view; the lake is murky and filled with dead, tangled plants. But he can hear them—how or why, he doesn't know and doesn't care, but Sammy is calling his name and his Baby is screeching for help. It pushes him on, harder and harder until his gills burn with the need to cough. And if THAT isn't a strange feeling! Air coming through his sides instead of his nose or mouth, and yet the tickle from the grit in the water is building in his throat like normal. Dean attempts a cough, and though his throat tickle goes away, his gills flare out at a wide angle and hurt his ribs, like he just pulled a muscle. Dean places this ordeal at Number One on his Weirdest Experiences list.
Funny, he smirks, never thought the suicidal teddy bear could be topped. He can't help but wonder what it will take to push this fishy adventure to Number Two. He also knows it's only a matter of time before he finds out.
Dean's eyes narrow as he tries to find something to guide him, but the waters are so dark that everything looks the same: watery and dark. Save for a pinprick of light that he very nearly misses: it's far in front of him and slightly down, so he uses that as his target and swims on, hoping it's the right way to go.
Ten minutes pass by, and Dean calls bullshit on two facts Glur had told him: one, it only took him nine minutes to get to his destination, not 20 (Probably because they didn't count on me being so awesome, he thinks proudly), and two, the Bottom Dwellers don't live in an evil lair at all. In fact, their buildings are almost exact replicas of what the Rikkis live in, though the underwater village rests inside a huge, glass dome, lit up with warm white lights on every rooftop. Etchings of reeds and plants adorn the glass and blend the city in with its marine surroundings. It's beautiful.
As Dean swims closer, he is joined by creatures that swim as fast as the Rikkis run. They also resemble the surface people, sharing the same slit noses and overly-long limbs, but the newcomers sport long blue hair and are equipped with graceful fins behind each calf and down their backs. They stare at Dean with big blue eyes, looking just as curious and hopeful as the folks topside. Soon they are swimming with him, and a few beckon him to follow. They lead Dean past the huge dome, which Dean can now see is actually a gigantic bubble, not glass at all. He swims on and soon happens on a submerged cave. After a few feet, the walls start tipping up, and Dean can see light above him. With a final push, he breaks the surface of a small pool inside the domed city. The swimmers help him out and wrap him in warm towels, though they don't towel themselves off at all. They all ooh and aah at his gills, and a few of the towel bearers risk a touch. Dean giggles, and they jump back. Then a woman in a long, white skirt and bearing a crown of blue and green gems approaches him with a smile.
"At long last, our prayers have been answered. A hero has come to fulfill the prophecy and rid us of our misery!" She embraces Dean as the swimmers cheer all around them, but Dean rolls his eyes.
Not this prophecy shit again… He gently eases her away and gives her a half smile. "I'm Dean," he says, and no sooner is his name out than hears "Dean the Destroyer!" whispered around the growing crowd. The Queen, or whatever she is, bows before him.
"I am Geeya, of the Lucii People."
"Lucii?" Dean repeats with a big smirk. "You're kidding, right?" She looks confused. They all do. "Look, they're the Rikkis," Dean says as he points up, "and you're the Luciis! That's awesome! Where are the Freds and Ethels?"
"There are no people of that name…" Now appearing concerned, Geeya caresses Dean's hair with her long fingers. "Are you sure you are well, Hero Dean?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. But you've got some s'plaining to do, Luciis!" He says it in his best Desi Arnaz impression and even waggles his pointy finger at Geeya, but no one gets it, so he sighs. "I'm being funny," he pouts. Then he rolls his broad shoulders and stands tall. "All right, Improv hour's over. Where's your half of the stone?"
"Safe," she answers carefully. "Why do you ask?"
"Because the Rikkis are holding my brother and my sweetheart prisoner..." He trails off as he remembers that this is no longer true. "Okay, WERE holding them. Then a big bubble grabbed them and—"
"Brought them down here, where it's safe," she finishes, nodding to her right. Dean looks over and sees Sam and the little dragon, free of any kind of cage and now resting on a lush pillow that another Lucii woman is carrying. Dean smiles in relief, and he sees Sam do the same. Then the Impala lifts off and flies over to Dean.
"Cheep!" The Impala lands on his right shoulder and nuzzles and purrs into his neck. Dean puts his hand over her little body and rubs her right back. "You okay sweetheart?"
"She's fine," Sam promises, hovering in front of Dean's face. "What about you?"
Dean shrugs. "Other than feeling like a fish with an asthma problem…" He coughs, but the grit in his throat and lungs remains.
"The lake is cursed," Geeya cuts in. "My people are amphibious, and even we can only stand the dirtied waters for a few minutes before it chokes us."
"Then why did you curse the lake?" Sam asks. Geeya gives the fairy a big frown.
"We didn't. The Rikkis did."
"That's not what we heard," Dean replies.
"The Rikkis told you it was us?" Geeya surmises. Dean nods, and she sighs. "And you believed them. Typical Land Dweller. I suppose they also told you that we broke the stone of power?" Dean and Sam give each other long looks, and Geeya's blue eyes drill into both sets of greens. "The Rikkis are liars," she declares.
"Funny," Dean sneers, "they said the same thing about you."
The Queen glares. "They are wrong. WHY would we curse our own lake?"
"A necessary evil to keep the Rikkis out?" Sam offers.
"Absolutely NOT!" Geeya shouts. "THEY put a spell on the lake to keep us IN! If we didn't have our dome, we all would have drowned long ago! And now they leave us here to starve to death instead…" She shakes her head, folds her long arms, and shuts her eyes until she calms down. Then she looks at them as kindness returns to her face. "Come. We will enlighten you with the truth over refreshments." She extends her arm to a nearby entryway that is covered in hanging scarves and beads, but Dean remains where he is, while Sam and the dragon rest on his shoulders.
"Uh-huh. How do we know this isn't all some trick?"
"You don't," she admits. "But the least you can do while you're here is listen to our side of the story. Then, if you are still convinced that WE are the evil ones, you may attempt to take our stone."
"Attempt?"
Geeya smiles slyly. "It has a bad habit of killing those unworthy to touch it." Her gaze lingers on his forehead rune. "But then again…perhaps you will be different." She disappears through the entryway and calls out, "Won't you join me?"
The Luciis escort the barbarian, fairy, and miniature dragon into the dwelling, and it's déjà vu all over again for Dean. The Lucii hall is exactly the same as the Rikkis, and that includes the altar, the cistern, and the other half of the Triforce resting near the banquet table. But the walls and ceiling bear different frescoes: they depict the Rikkis as savages, setting fire to the lake itself and killing all manner of aquatic creatures with their spears. A Lucii taps Dean on the shoulder and then motions for him to take a seat next to Geeya. Other Luciis sit down, while still others bring out every kind of drink imaginable, hot and cold, frozen and blended, shaken or stirred, you name it. A large mug of a golden-colored elixir is placed before Dean. Steam rises from the top, and when Dean takes a sniff, his nostrils are filled with cinnamon and vanilla. Dean's body feels warmer already, and he hasn't even taken a sip yet.
"It's called Home Brew," Geeya smiles. "It's a tea that revitalizes mind, body, and spirit by making you feel at home. It smells and tastes different to everyone in Fantasia. And to prove it isn't poisoned…" She takes his mug, drinks, and swallows. Nothing happens. Smiling again, she hands it back. "There. Satisfied?"
Dean nods and takes a sip. Instant comfort spreads over him as a liquid blanket. He feels rested, cozy…even loved. And the taste is marvelous—it's apple pie at the beginning, birthday cake in the middle, and hot chocolate at the end. He slides it over to Sam, who has to lift up and flutter to take his own drink, but it has the same calming effect on the fairy: he licks his lips and smiles at Dean as he floats back to the table.
"Tastes just like strawberries and cream," Sam says dreamily.
"Your dragon is welcome to try as well," Geeya offers, but the Impala shakes her head and chirrups at Dean.
"She says she's sweet enough already, and I have to agree." Dean gives the Queen a smile and adds, "Thank you for letting them go."
"You are most welcome. We don't believe in prisoners, much less holding fellow living creatures ransom to ensure help."
Dean's eyebrows furrow into his forehead. "How did you know about that?"
"This is not the first time the Rikkis have tried to force their false Prophesy into being," Geeya tells them grimly.
"False prophecy?" Sam repeats. Geeya nods.
"They have twisted the inscription on the stone to fit their own needs. It is not the Rikkis that the barbarian hero needs to save," she turns to Dean, "but the Rikkis that need to be STOPPED."
Geeya sets her hands on the table and begins. "I'm sure Glur told you the Rikki version of events surrounding the discovery of the stone." Dean nods. "I'm sure he didn't bother mentioning that my people were here first. The Luciis have lived in and along this lake since the dawn of time. And when the Rikkis first came to our shores, we befriended them. We showed them the best places to catch fish and even helped them build a village similar to our own."
"Until you found the stone," Dean says, hoping to speed story time up. Geeya nods.
"They wanted the stone and its power for themselves. But we felt that it should stay where it was—that it was there for a reason and should be left alone. So my ancestor, Glion, took the stone from the Rikki leader's greedy hands. But the Rikki hit Glion and she dropped it. The stone broke in two. Glion grabbed the half that fell in the water and swam away as quickly as she could, scared that the Rikkis would try and spear her to get to the stone." Geeya sighs. "We've been fighting each other ever since, and our valley, once peaceful and lush with life, withered and died from their vile presence."
A man sitting next to Dean takes over. "When the lake barrier came into being, we knew they'd gone too far. We don't know what magic they used, but now whenever we try to surface, a covering of thick ice spreads across the entire lake. We are trapped down here with no food. So many have died of hunger…" He glares at Dean and remarks, "And they call US the evil ones."
"But the dark days are finally over," Geeya proclaims, "for our hero has arrived and will finally drive the Rikkis away. Just as the true prophecy foretold!"
"Geeya, do you mind showing us the inscription on your stone?" Sam asks. "I just want to see how it differs from the Rikki's half."
She nods and gets up. "You will notice the difference at once." Gathering the stone in her arms, she turns the intact pyramid side to Dean and Sam, who both look it over…and frown. She frowns in turn. "What is the matter?"
"It looks exactly the same," Sam answers.
"Yup," Dean nods, "right down to the mark that looks like a sideways 'B.'" He points to it and the stone begins to glow bright blue. At the same time, the mark on his forehead burns, and Dean winces from the sting.
You're here, another small voice—this one like a little girl—speaks up in his ears. You're finally here! Take me back to my brother, please!
The glow reaches out to Dean's fingers and moves up his arm, then his shoulder, and finally over his face. It flashes to a bright blue and then disappears. Dean is hit with dizziness and falls back on his chair, slamming into the floor. Geeya and other Luciis crowd around him, and a male helps Dean sit back up while a female gives Dean his mug of Home Brew. He takes a long sip and groans.
"Dean?" Sam asks, hovering above his brother's forehead. "You all right?"
Dean nods and lets out another groan. "Ungh…let me guess. Another target got drawn on my face." Someone hands Dean a mirror, and sure enough, a second rune has been added above the one already there. The two are intertwined with each other. The Luciis are all staring at him like he's got two heads instead of two runes, and he frowns at them all. "I'm not a billboard. Stop staring and tell me what they say!"
"We…don't know," Geeya admits. "Your new rune is on our half of the stone, and it isn't a word—it's a symbol of some kind. Did you see the other rune on the Rikki stone?"
"I don't remember to be honest." Dean rests heavily on the male Lucii as he stands up, and the man nearly crumbles from the barbarian's mass. "Maybe. Probably."
"Definitely," Sam answers, reaching out to touch the rune on Dean's forehead. His tiny finger burns at the touch, and Sam pulls his hand back from the sting. Dean is hissing as well.
"Don't touch it! Hurts like a mother as it is…" He sees the Impala drop back to his other shoulder, having just been about to dragon kiss it. He gives her a pet, and she licks his fingers. The runes on his forehead are burning again, and he winces from their annoying pain. How many more times to I gotta get branded before I figure out what the hell is going on? His eyes fall back on the Lucii's stone, and the voice hits him again:
Take me to my brother! Help us bring peace! Only together can we end the suffering!
The blue glow grows, and Dean's mind is flooded with images, feelings, and history all on fast forward. Dean's eyes glow blue as he bears witness to 3,000 years of truth in just a few seconds.
"Dean?" Sam asks—his brother has that same scary, faraway look as he did back in the Rikki's great hall.
"They're all to blame," Dean answers distantly. Sam and the Impala look at each other, puzzled and worried. Dean's eyes blink slowly, and he turns to look at the fairy. "She wants me to take her to her brother."
"Who does?"
"The girl in the stone. Her brother is in the other stone. They must be reunited." Dean reaches for it, but Geeya holds it away.
"I'm not letting you take our stone."
"But it wants me to."
The Luciis laugh at that, save for Geeya, who stands very still and serious. "I cannot allow you to take our stone to the Rikkis. They will destroy everything!" The stone starts to glow again, red hot this time, and Geeya cries out as it burns her arm. She drops it, and Dean catches it easily. The glow cools to its former blue, and brightens for a moment before fading out. The blue glow drops from Dean's eyes as well, and as the green irises reappear, his face hardens with purpose.
"Come on, Sammy. We're late for a family reunion. Baby, you too, let's go." Dean turns to leave, and the hum of electricity fills the air. Dean is now surrounded by Luciis, each holding an electric eel-like whip. Geeya strikes hers against the floor, and it cracks as lightning. She holds her other hand out.
"The stone, please. I will not ask twice."
Dean rolls his eyes. "Get out of my way, Queenie. I'm not asking YOU twice, either." The Luciis press in, sparks from the electric whip scarring the floor, and Dean stands tall, flexing his pecs and giving them all his best 'bring it on' smirk. The Impala whines from his shoulder, and Sam flies up to his ear.
"What're you doing?" Sam whispers.
"Getting this stone out of here," Dean answers.
"Why? Are the Rikkis right after all?"
Dean looks at him and replies, "Nope. Neither are the Luciis. I've seen the truth, Sam, and it ain't what either Ricardo's been spewing at us."
One of the whips cracks through a pillar of stone, and the rubble piles at Dean's bare feet.
He presses the stone close to his chest, holding it like a football.
If you help me and my family escape, I'll get you back to your big bro, Dean thinks to the stone.
I promise! the girl voice replies. Dean nods.
"You can't honestly believe you'll escape," Geeya mocks him. "We swim faster than thought itself. We'll have you surrounded and drowned before your first kick to the surface."
Dean gives her a dangerous grin. "Then I'll just take a U-turn, baby." Dean's shoulders whip around, and the Impala grabs Sam by his pink jacket and flies him after the barbarian as he plows through the back wall and out into the open courtyard.
"You have a codeword with your car?" Sam shouts from behind, and Dean laughs.
"Course we have code words! She's my girl!" Dean sees Sam fly up on the right side of his face, and he grins at the fairy. "Don't be jealous, Sam—I have love enough for two." Sam throws him the bitchface, and Dean ignores it. "Just keep flying!" The Impala chirps to Dean's left, letting him know she's there, and Dean looks down at the stone. "Can you make me something to carry them in? They'll need their own air."
And you'll need your hands. Open your mouth!
"Huh?"
A leather strap forms over his tongue, and it attaches to two bubbles that form around Sam and the Impala on either side of Dean's face. Not what I was thinking, but hey, this works too, Dean thinks in thanks.
How do you know? Sam's voice yells in Dean's mind. What if the bubbles pop?
They won't pop, I swear! the girl replies.
Who was that? Sam asks.
The girl in the stone! Dean yells. How are you hearing this, Sammy?
How are any of us DOING this? Sam yells back.
Chirpy-cheep?
You too, baby?
Why can't I understand her?
I don't know—can I get back to focusing on escaping, please?
Yes, get me back to my brother!
You really have a brother?
Chirrrup?
SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!
Dean grits his teeth, and the strap they're holding, as he runs toward the pool, Luciis closing in from every side. He fakes at the last moment and barrels toward the edge of the bubble dome. Oh shit this is gonna hurt… Bending over, he head-crashes through the barrier, which breaks as glass but seals back up behind him, giving Dean a head start. A blue glow surrounds him and his bubble carrier.
I'll make you fast, like them, the stone promises. Now head left, into the caves!
Dean speeds through the murky depths, able to see around him much better now thanks to his healthy blue glow, and in no time he's plunged down into a system of caves. He knows he's being followed, and not just due to hunter instincts: the crackle of eel whips pelts through the water as deep static, like someone has submerged a giant television set. Dean swims down, and a Lucii zooms up alongside and whips him in the back.
FUUUUCK!
Sam and the Impala both cringe from the mental yell. The Lucii tries again, but Dean recovers and grabs the whip, pulling it away and ignoring the burns forming in his palms. He ties the Lucii up in the whip and pulls him into the next cave tunnel. There, he presses himself and his captive to the ceiling—and waits. Three more Luciis come, and Dean holds off his attack until they're all in. Then he hurls the tied-up Lucii at them as an electrified torpedo. They all smack into the wall, shocking each other, and cave dust spews into the water.
Sunk YOUR battleship, Dean grins in victory.
Do not linger! the stone warns. The Queen is sending in more forces!
On cue, a spear sails through the water and hits Dean in his left set of gills—and jolts him with an electric shock. Sam and the Impala shout his name as he rides out the pain, arms flailing and useless. He kicks his feet against a stone and pushes into the wall. The spear shifts on impact, and Dean pulls the terrible weapon out. Milky blood seeps from the wound. Dammit, now I'll leave a trail…
If you don't drown first! Sam says, sounding scared. Please, Dean, get out of here!
We're close to the exit, the stone tells them. There's a fork up ahead. Hurry!
Dean swims on at a slower clip due to his injuries. It hurts to breathe: his injured gills are wafting like wet clothes instead of fish lungs, so his right side has to work twice as hard to keep him going—and that hurts in its own right. But Dean soldiers on until they come to a larger cavern. There are two tunnels ahead of them: one open, one barely so due to a partial cave-in. Dean heads to the caved-in one without a second thought. The Impala screeches with worry, and the stone echoes in words with her own:
Don't go in there! It's suicide!
Exactly, Dean thinks back. They'd be crazy to follow. He heads inside just as his pursuers enter the cavern. It's a tight fit—Dean has to kick through rocks to fight for more room as he goes, and that causes mini cave-ins that threaten to trap him. Behind him, Luciis are zapping their own barriers away with their electric weapons, and the narrow tunnel fissures and gets narrower. Dean sees the exit up ahead, and he swims on as best he can.
HURRY! all the voices in his head are shouting. And don't stop to be a smartass, Sam yells additionally. Just go!
Dean wriggles around a huge boulder and slides out and into the home stretch. But something reaches out and grabs Dean's foot from behind the boulder, keeping him just an arm's reach shy of the exit. He squirms and kicks, fighting to break free before he gets shocked again, but the Lucii on the other side of the rock hangs on tight.
You like it rough, bitch? Fine! How's THIS for rough? Dean clasps his hands together and strikes the cave wall with all of his barbarian strength. The cave buckles and collapses, and the Lucii lets go as it no doubt tries to swim for its life. Dean shoots through the exit and into open waters.
…and is at once surrounded by ever last Lucii in the lake. Some of them are swimming in place, spears and whips at the ready, while others are riding on mechanical alligators, complete with snapping jaws and razor-sharp teeth. The Queen appears on the back of a large, steam punk seahorse, which, Dean has to admit, is pretty damn cool looking.
"You have two choices, Dean," she informs him. "Release the stone back into our protection, or die. What is your choice?"
Dean smirks as an idea comes to him, and his blue glow brightens. "I'll take the express elevator, thanks." He holds the stone over his head, and he rockets straight up, Sam and the Impala speeding right along with them. The Luciis give chase, but even their unnatural speed is no match for the stone.
I love one-upping the bad guys, Dean grins at Sam, who grins back. It never, ever gets old, y'know?
Uh-oh, the stone says, and Dean frowns.
Uh-oh? No way, no uh-ohs allowed!
Sorry, but look! The barrier!
Dean sees dark ice overhead instead of watery sunlight. What's worse, he can make out hundreds of shadows. Sons of bitches are waiting to ambush me! Dean realizes. To his surprise, they speed up even more. Are you nuts? What if you break up when we hit the ice?
We won't! At this speed, we'll shoot through, completely unharmed! I-I think.
You THINK? Dean and Sam say in unison.
I…hope? Just keep your body straight!
Dean gulps, Sam shuts his eyes, and the Impala curls in on herself.
3…
Spears shoot up at him from below and stick to the bottom of the ice.
2…
The shadows above gather into black splotches.
1!
Dean shoots through the barrier and launches into the air. Beneath him, the Luciis crash through the same opening and their combined force makes the ice crack and break into huge flows. Rikkis on the ice wobble from the motion, and Luciis crawl up and out of the water to join them on the newly-formed bergs. Dean sees it all as he arcs high above…and plummets.
"Oh shit," Dean coughs, and his injured gills shoot pain through his body. He wraps his arms around his midsection and, in the process, fumbles the stone. It drops…well, like a stone. "Oh SHIT!"
The ice is coming up fast, and damn if it doesn't look hard and cold and really, really hurty. "A nice, soft landing would be really great, Sammy," Dean asks/hopes/prays. The little fairy beats his wings inside his bubble, but a weak poof of sparkles is all that happens.
"Sam?"
"I'm trying, Dean!"
"Try harder!"
POOF! Nothing. POOF! Nothing! POOF—
"SAMMY!"
CRASH!
Sam's bubble breaks upon impact, as does the Impala's, and the slide away from each other on the ice. Soon they're ducking and running for their lives, as the giant feet of fighting Luciis and Rikkis threaten to squash them flat. Sam manages to jump up and fly just before a Rikki drops on top of him.
Help him! Sam hears the little girl in the stone cry. He's hurt and I can't get to him! PLEASE, brother, help!
Sam searches for the stone and his brother, but finds the Impala first. She's on the ice and desperately scratching at the surface, her claws growing bloody from her aggression. Sam lands next to her and sees a pair of big, green eyes beneath the ice: Dean is trapped. One arm is pounding—and failing—to break through, while the other hangs limp with the rest of his body.
Sam knows it's now or never. You have to work, he informs his fairy magic. For Dean. For DEAN! He flaps his wings and focuses on the dragon. A shower of bright light bursts into the air and falls upon the creature. Seconds later, a great roar thunders across the lake. The Impala, full grown and fierce, takes wing and screeches into the sky. Then she circles and dives straight down, plunging through the ice. Seconds later she emerges with Dean in her jaws.
"YES!" Sam shouts, and an honest-to-God rainbow shoots out behind him as he flies toward shore. The Impala lands and gently lies Dean down on his back. Sam flutters onto Dean's chest as his brother coughs up water and blood.
"Dean! You all right? Speak to me!"
The barbarian coughs hard, but nods. His watery eyes behold Sam and the Impala, and Dean smiles in relief. Then the Impala chirrups Sam's attention to Dean's wrecked, bleeding gills.
"You're bleeding out!" Sam yells. "How is that all right?"
"I'll...live," Dean wheezes. He's shivering badly, so the Impala opens her dragon mouth and warms him with her breath. He relaxes and takes her offered claw, using it to pull himself up. "Where's…stone?"
Sam smacks himself—he'd forgotten all about it! Unfortunately, it doesn't take him long to find it. Geeya is standing on the ice, holding her stone. Glur is on the shore, standing with his. Their armies crowd behind their leaders, all of them daring the other to make the first move.
"Glur," Geeya says at length, giving the most subtle of nods. Glur responds in kind.
"Geeya. Trying to prevent our prophecy, eh? I can't say I'm surprised."
"Neither am I with your attempt to ruin ours."
Standing now on shaky legs, Dean rolls his eyes for the umpteenth time since they arrived in this valley. "Sure like to talk, don't they," he grumps. Then he looks to Sam. "I have a promise to keep. Think you could get those two stones over here?"
Sam flaps his wings, and the stones fly out of Glur and Geeya's grips and into Dean's waiting hands. Dean waits until every last Rikki and Lucii are looking at him before he leers at the two rulers. "This isn't about prophecies, or power, or your damn he says, she says bickering," Dean announces. "It's about setting things right. Now shut your traps and try listening for once!"
Dean presses the two stone halves together, and the Triforce glues itself into one piece and shines bright green. Then it hovers above Dean's hands, and a light projects out over the lake. Two enormous forms appear: a young teenage boy, and a tween girl, holding hands.
"I am Goro," the boy says. "This is my sister, Geetha."
"What's with the G-names around here?" Dean mutters at Sam, who shrugs.
"We are Elementals," Geetha explains. "And like you, we used to argue—needlessly—about everything. Father punished us by locking us in the stone, where we would remain until we worked together to get out."
"But we were too busy blaming each other," Goro sighs. "Centuries upon centuries went by, both of us too stubborn to admit we were wrong. Then your ancestors came upon us."
"We hoped they'd help us escape, so we jumped as a brother and sister pair approached u. Unfortunately, they both wanted the stone as a source of power for themselves, and in their quarrelling, they dropped us. We broke, and our combined power was released into this valley—and into all of YOU."
"All that were above water took on my traits," Goro explains. "I am Air, and you gained the swiftness of the wind."
Geetha nods. "All in the water took after me. I am Water, and you gained the ability to swim as if the water were a part of you."
"Are you saying that we were once the same?" Glur blasts. Geeya looks just as disgusted.
"We are NOTHING like them! They are greedy!
Glur points at her. "They are liars!"
"THEY ruined the lake!"
"No, THEY did!"
"You BOTH did!" Goro scolds, his voice rumbling through the air and crashing against the bluffs. "You were gifted with our power, and instead of using it to protect this place, your hatred poisoned it! IT is YOUR fault the plants withered and the animals died."
"The lake boundary was the physical form of your animosity," Geetha adds. "You kept each other from thriving by keeping each other apart. You did all of it, every single bad thing, to yourselves. And all my brother and I could do was watch." She smiles up at her big brother. "We understand now what father wanted us to learn: that true harmony must come from mutual respect, both sides giving equally."
"The question is, have you?" Goro looks down at Glur and Geeya in turn. "We are willing to stay and help if you are willing to work together."
"We will leave it to Dean to decide," Geetha smiles. "He is selfless and pure of heart. I know he'll make the right choice." She turns her smile to the barbarian. "Thank you for reuniting us." She blows him a big kiss, and as the wind hits Dean's body, his gills disappear and his wounds heel. The two forms disappear back into the stone, and the pyramid drops back into Dean's hands.
Glur and Geeya approach Dean, who gives them both a stern look. "Well?" he asks. "You two willing to play ball?"
"If that means work with the Luciis," Glur begins, glancing at Geeya, "then yes. I believe we're both ready for peace between our people."
One of Dean's eyebrows quirks up. "Just like that, huh?"
The Queen nods. "If the Rikkis are willing, the Luciis are, too. Here," she holds out her hands, "I will take the stone and give it to Glur as a gesture of good will."
Glur chuckles, "I believe we have caused more grief over the years. Allow me to give the stone to YOU."
"Nonsense—WE are more at fault! I should hand the stone to you. It's the very least I can do to begin the peace process."
"But my people would respond better if I take the initiative!"
"And mine would—"
"Ugh, shut up," Dean groans. "You haven't learned a damn thing! You won't learn to work together until you're completely on your own." He puts a big hand on opposite sides of the Triforce. "And that means no favors, no bribes, no threats, no fights, and especially no backsies." Dean crushes the stone like it's made of Papier-mâché. Glur and Geeya scream and drop to the ground, picking through the pebbles. Above, Goro and Geetha reappear.
"You deserve freedom," Dean smiles, "because you've learned your lesson. These guys have a LONG way to go. All I ask is that you restore the lake. Let these tribes have a fresh start—on their own."
"Thank you, Dean!" both brother and sister spirits call. As they vanish, the ice boundary melts and the lake turns a beautiful crystal blue, its waters so clear that the Lucii city can be seen from the shore. Dean grins at Sam.
"I could get used to this judging stuff. Though I hope the next time involves a wet t-shirt contest."
The Impala growls, and Dean and Sam look over. Rikkis and Luciis are advancing on them, spears and whips out and ready.
"I don't think they like your decision, Dean," Sam mutters, already flying backward. A spear shoots past Dean's ear, and Dean grabs Sam and runs to the dragon. She flips him onto her neck and takes off as the Rikkis and Luciis do their best to bring her down.
"At least they're working together!" Dean tries, but even he isn't comforted by the fact. The Impala banks to the right, leathery black wings stretching twenty feet on either side of her, and Dean clings to his baby's chrome horns. "Wait. We're flying!"
"Yeah, the Impala likes her wings, so I told her she could keep them."
"How come I didn't get a vote?"
"Fine, we'll vote again! All in favor of flying?" Sam raises his hand, and the Impala lifts her right paw. "All opposed?" Dean lifts a shaking hand up for a second before it grabs the chrome horn again. Sam shrugs. "Two to one, Dean. The wings stay."
The Impala chirps with glee and does a tumble roll through the air. Dean shuts his eyes tight and hangs on. He really hates democracy sometimes.
A/N Additional: That was a long one! 26 pages, baby! Hope you enjoyed, and if so, I hope you review, because reviews are love :) Next up: Evil Mother Goose, plus we find out what Fantasia's version of Castiel is like! It's gonna be cracktastic. Won't you join us?