High Noon – chpt 2
A/N – Just a quick note before we get started, I'm sorry for the confusion I caused in the second half of chapter 1 with my marauder using the form of the little girl.
The little girl in question was NERGAL's (the Marauders) first meat-suit. S/He was brought out in Pitch Black; Pursued the boys using Henrickson, then went to ground in Twilight; and Re-merged into his natural form in Dawn. But the child's form is still accessible to him.
Thank You all so very very much for sticking with this little story and all of the selfless and constant encouragement you offer! Thank You! More than you know!
sifi.
OOooOO
High Noon – chpt 2.
by: sifi.
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"What kind of headway are we making with the translation?" Dean asked clamping the wood frame together so Bobby could pour the bronze into the mold.
Ellen shook her head, "We're starting to get a rough idea... it looks like some kind of incantation but there are some fine points we're not too sure on..."
A strange series of sounds that might have been words came pouring out of Sam's mouth drawing an open mouthed gaze from Bobby, Ellen, and Shep.
Dean nodded meeting his brother's eyes, "Yeah, you're probably right."
"…but without knowing exactly what it means..." Sam continued in English both of them seemingly completely unaware of what had just happened.
Just off to the left the four gray igigi that were trapped inside the ward zipped and dove at the boys. Dean ducked and sneered back at them as they circled the other hunters seemingly confused.
"Guess the pendants are working," Sam nodded.
"Yep," Dean agreed then turned to face one of them, "Get!" he ordered.
And they did. In unison all four of them turned their ugly little heads toward the front of the yard and zipped off through the air.
"That can't be good," Dean looked at Sam who nodded.
Slowly, though feeling better than either of them had in what seemed like ages, the two men took off at an easy lope.
"Dean!" Mercy jogged up to him, stopping both Winchesters in their tracks.
"What the hell happened today? What the hell's going on?" she asked then turned her attention to the younger brother, "Do you mind Sam? This is private."
Sam turned his eyes to his brother but noting the older man's scowl didn't move, "You don't get to talk to him like that," Dean reprimanded with a shake of his head, "Now excuse us..."
"No Dean," she looked at Sam, "Sorry," then turned her attention back to her objective, "You were dead! You DIED... and then you... what kind of a dark deal did you guys make huh?" she asked breathlessly.
"There is no dark deal Mercy," Sam tried to explain.
"I didn't ask you!" she barked before turning her eyes back to Dean's.
"There is no dark deal Mercy," Dean repeated then added, "As much as I hate to admit it, what's happening here is a little thing called destiny, and apparently destiny isn't done with any of us just yet, maybe when it is I'll drop dead, would that make everything right again in your little world?" he asked tightly, his frustration with her growing more evident.
Before any of them knew it, her palm print lay red on his cheek. "You bastard. I cried for you... You're the only man I've ever loved Dean and I don't even know who you are anymore, or what you are, either of you... and you won't tell me? You won't let me in?" she breathed angry and confused.
Dean huffed an emotionless smile, "To be able to understand what's gone on over the last few years you'd have to have faith in things that aren't quantifiable... that's not one of your strong points and you know it."
Pursing her lips and blazing anger from her eyes Bobby's niece nodded her head, "Ok, you're right... I'm a little in the here and now, I admit that... but at least I'm not a suicidal whore to an obsolete deity!" she snarled.
"Ooh," Sam winced, ducking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose, seriously NOT wanting to see the look he could feel on his brothers' face.
Dean felt sucker-punched, as if the air had been vacuumed right out of his body, maybe that's why you and me never would have worked.
Though her eyes pushed angrily against Dean's, she couldn't miss the sight of his jaw muscle jump as he clenched his teeth; and the longer she waited for a response, the more she began to understand that she might just have made a huge mistake. His normally crystalline eyes that betrayed every emotion, almost every thought now told her nothing; the man inside had closed the blinds and would no longer let her see him. Oh hell.
"Excuse us," Dean nodded stepping around her. With his little brother at his side, they continued to jog through the yard following its perimeter to the front drive leaving the woman standing alone.
Oh God... I can feel them... Sam's belly twitched as they drew alongside the house, clinging to the shadows. At the wall furthest from the driveway they halted with Dean leading the way, Sam on his left. Their backs to the building, Dean peered around the corner while Sam remained still.
No, oh God no... please... I can't, I can't do this. Please... what the hell ever made me think I could do this? he wondered feeling his chest tighten under the pressure of the powers gathered here.
Air squeaked into and out of him and his blood fell to his feet. His body slid down the aluminum siding, his head rocking back and forth, his eyes squeezed shut, his breath tight and pained and short.
"I think it's your..." Dean started with a whisper to empty air, "Sam?"
He looked down and frowned. Against the wall, his baby brother crouched, hunkered down, his arms crossed over his chest, his gun pressed against his forehead, his lungs working like a steam engine to bring air inside.
He crouched beside his brother and caught his eye.
"It's okay," was all he could say.
Sam's head rocked back and forth loosely, and something deep inside Dean was able to feel the younger man's heart beat pick up the pace. He could feel Sam's fear as if it were his own.
"Yes," he said softly, turning those blue-greens to him, "YES. Sam..." there was something, a note, a plea, in his big brothers' voice that he didn't want to understand.
Sam shook his head back and forth, his lips tight together though his chin quivered. His eyes were red and blue for his unshed tears, "No..." he mouthed, then begged, "... please..."
"Listen to me," Dean sniffed, holding him by the jaw as he looked him deep in the eyes, "I'm right here with you, I'm not going anywhere Sam. You CAN do this," he breathed, "If this is what all that destiny bullshit points to... " he sniffed a cockeyed smile, "Isn't it better this way?"
Sam's head rocked side to side again as slender shimmers slid down his cheeks, "Dean... you don't know..." what I've seen, what I've dreamed, "you don't... Please... don't... make... me..." Don't make me pick up this gauntlet, don't make me... I never wanted this! I DON"T WANT THIS! "don't... ask me..." his breath hitched, he squeezed his eyes closed and bit his lips tight together from the inside while he fought against the tremors his body wanted to unleash.
"Alright," Dean nodded clapping him on his good shoulder as he stood up straight and checked his gun, making sure there was a bullet in the chamber just in case any of them decided to try and cause trouble.
"What're you doing?" Sam asked shaking himself to his senses.
"I'm gonna send 'em away... if any of 'em gives me a hard time it'll be like shooting fish in a barrel," Dean glanced around the building for a quick count, "Course I'd rather not kill a dozen people..." he checked again, "eleven people if I don't have to but..."
Sam shook his head with a pained smile and laid his hand over Dean's gun. He flicked the safety back on.
"You sure?" the elder hunter asked, "Cause I could just..."
"No." Sam shook his head and turned his pleading eyes to his brothers, "Just... don't..."
"I won't," Dean assured him then tucked his gun away.
Together, they each took a deep breath then rounded the corner.
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At the rear corner of the house, just before its shadow went long, Ellen and Shep stumbled upon John's sons like children walking in on an intimacy. They heard the words the brothers spoke, and somehow felt themselves filled with eons-thick emotion and devotion that filled the air between the two young men.
A meeting of the eyes between the independent hunters, and they both knew what parts they were to play in this saga.
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Together Sam and Dean strode to the edge of the barrier where 11 men and women stood watching and cringing as the igigi lasciviously licked their warty little non-lips in hopes of a feast.
The male they'd let go stepped forward through the crowd, "You got lucky Sam..."
"We'll see," the hunter nodded fully aware of Dean's position just a step behind and to his right. So... here we go. Don't let me fall Dean...
The demon host smirked, "Do you care who's willing to do your bidding?" he asked.
Feeling rather than seeing Dean's expression, Sam stood fast, "I didn't know I had to ask for introductions," he said coolly.
The host bobbed his head to the side, "One of the names you might know me by is Marax."
Christian... he quickly thought, Responsible for assigning familiars. An astronomical educator ... doesn't he command a few legions? Sam half smiled and gave a faint nod, "A teacher," he said for Dean's benefit then motioned to the others, "Are these some of your students?" he asked.
Behind Marax, some of the others snickered, some shifted uneasily and a few looked downright proud.
A voice from the back of the group spoke up, "I was the first to be called legion," he stepped forward, dry heat parting the group before him, "All these came behind, in the wake of my desiccations," its eyes peered into Sam's, a burnt orange glow at their heart and again the human mouth opened, though this time what came out was meant only for the Winchesters, and surprisingly, only they understood the ancient language.
"I am wind that strips life from the flesh of the world, I am Imdugud," Its host flashed a grin as recognition of his name and knowledge of his birthplace shone in both of their faces.
All eyes, except Ellen and Shep's, who by now had joined the boys, turned to the igigi that swarmed and tried to charge the host that dared to speak the language of the Gods.
What happened next stunned them all, demons included, as the Sumerian creatures' human body stood ramrod straight, and in a way none of them had ever seen before, a column snapped up and out. The demon himself, unfurled in the blink of an eye and a hideous visage roared at the four igigi sending them scurrying with their ethereal tails curled behind them. Twelve humans total; 10 hosts, Ellen and Shep cringed at the horrific sound.
Dean and Sam winced, shared a look and before anyone knew it, that snub canine face with its glistening fangs and orange-ruby eyes returned to its host, drawn back into the body which appeared whole and unharmed as it was once again animated by its re-possession.
I saw wings... I know I saw wings... almost identical to Nergal's... it scared them away... Dean watched the igigi retreat, terrified, He may be the one... Dean thought.
Did...? Sam wondered, meeting his big brothers' eyes. Between them, the energy of an idea passed.
"Impressive," Sam nodded as Dean leaned forward.
"There's a djinn back there," he motioned to a shadow in the back.
"You okay?" Sam asked.
"He could be useful," Dean nodded.
"Is this everyone?" Sam asked Marax.
"In forty-eight hours, yeah. More Time, more troops," he smiled and stepped closer so that the toes of his hosts' shoes bent back just a bit at the edge of the barrier, "But oooh the things we can accomplish for you..." he grinned.
Another stepped forward, this one male with long blonde hair and an air that reminded Sam of Tommy even as he bowed his head with unfeigned respect, "I am Gader'el, it is my honor to serve."
"A weapons-smith," Sam nodded, more for Dean's benefit than anyone else's as he met eyes with the host, "Your services will be appreciated."
"For those of you who wish to stay on premises, we're prepared to open a way through the wards for you that will keep the igigi contained, but it will mean sheltering in a trap," Sam tossed the idea out there.
Various grumbles and rumbles sounded through the 11 beings present.
Marax faced the others, "Are we here to fight for what's rightfully ours!? Or have you come to take back a glimpse of what might have been while you await your deaths?"
Imdugud stepped forward, pressing his hosts' face against the barrier grinning sinisterly as smoke rose into the air from the extended contact, "I am here to kill those who breeched exile..."
The demons seemed divided some wanting to stay on premises, and others wanting to tend to their own sleeping arrangements.
A moment later the brothers shared a look, "Shep?" Sam waved him and Ellen closer, "Would you guys trace a path to the far corner of the yard, the large open spot by the shed? Have a trap drawn, leave it open with a path outlined to the edge of the barrier. Have Jo and Tamara and Jack raise a few tents and get Gary to see if that old pop up trailer can still pop-up," he directed before they jogged off, more than willing to make sure the job was done right.
A male, with a freshly shaved head and eyes adorned with thick traces of black liner stepped forward and stood beside the Sumerian. The energy between the two was palpable though no one but them could be sure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Ammit," he introduced himself with a nod to the Winchesters.
Dean's head popped up, his eyes scanning the group, his brows furrowed and his mouth turned down as he breathed the air deep into his lungs moving hastily around Sam.
"Are you two going to be able to..." Sam started to ask watching his brother.
"Kitsune?" Dean called.
"…play nice together?" Sam finished distractedly as a slim Japanese woman came forward to the edge of the barrier, her eyes downcast as she came toe to toe with the eldest brother.
"There will be plenty to keep us both fed," Ammit nodded as did Imdugud.
"Good, we don't need to be killing each other off before we even start," he nodded.
A woman moved forward her gaze glaring at the Japanese woman Dean was talking with. Before Sam her image seemed to shift then snap back, and suddenly he was looking into Jessica's eyes. An instant and another shift later, Madison's, a third shift Sarah's; and with the final shift, Laura's, "I can be for you… I am Yokai," she introduced herself smiling coyly.
Feeling his heart beating hard in his chest Sam swallowed, doing everything he could to hold back a resurgence of nervousness, What if she… it…she…No, I just have to remember, he watched the shape-shifting Oni return again to Madison's form.
"Keep your hosts' image," he asked with a faint smile and a nod. The Yokai bent her head, smirking with Laura's face before she did as instructed, a part of her delighted with the effect her choice in visages had on the young human.
To his left Sam could barely hide his incredulity as his big brother stepped through the barrier, his hands cupping the face of the Kitsune before drawing her in for a kiss that lingered uncomfortably long.
What the hell is he doing? What's she doing to him? He glanced at the others, each awaiting their moment to meet the Chosen. They watched him stride to his elder brother as the kiss broke apart.
His finger traced her cheek and before Sam could reach their position, she flicked her eyes to the young one, and with a single turn assumed her vixen form then dashed out of sight.
"Dean?" Sam drew his brother back across the barrier, if he wasn't so unnerved, he might have been downright amused at the goofy dazed look on his face.
"Time is running out Winchester! Are you or are you NOT the chosen of Azazel!" one of them called from the rear of the group.
"And you are?" Sam asked in spite of his reeling head.
Who else is here? My God… how am I supposed to… no doubt, no fear Sam c'mon. They came to help…No, whatever their reasons for being here, it's not to help, I just have to remember that. Heaviness dropped into his low belly and he wanted nothing more than to run as fast as his legs could carry him with Dean at his side.
"Aeshma," she announced coming forward, everything about her from carriage to complexion speaking fury.
"I thought we already killed wrath," Sam smiled coldly.
"There's plenty for everyone," she sneered.
"No one's keeping you here, if you have a more pressing engagement, you're welcome to leave," he smiled nodding gently before his gaze swept the group. In Marak's smile, and the glint in Imdugud's eyes the young leader sensed approval.
"Sam?" Tom jogged up to the boys drawing them close to whisper bad news.
"No…" Sam breathed, his expression belying his distress. With a glance at the assembled group and a curt nod the three of them took off at a lope around to the rear of the house.
"You think we should just leave 'em there?" Tom asked softly as they rounded the corner out of sight.
"Let the faithless leave, we don't need them," Sam nodded, he was weak with curiosity about what went on between Dean and the Kitsune but the news Tom had brought made him sick to his stomach.
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It's my fault, if I hadn't called her, if I hadn't asked for her help... she might not have been... "... Shep just got off the phone with Vic... there was a break in a the Museum, your friend Miss Tilter..."
"No..." Sam shook his head.
"Yeah... She's in a burn unit right now... it's the only place equipped to deal with injuries of that extent..."
Sam's lanky form was unmistakable as was the tension of his movements as he stalked out of the back door, ripped the corner off a 50 lb bag of rock salt, and hefted it into his arms to continue the line from its current end, toward the front of the yard. Skinned alive, how... Should I wish for her to survive? Would that be wrong?
It's not my fault, the Fire Marshall, the Ranger, The museum guard, Esther, it's not my fault. Maybe not but it's my responsibility.
"If she survives and they try grafting, it'll mean hundreds of agonizing procedures Sam... better to wish her a speedy death and make sure she's properly taken care of than to wish her life," Mercy assured them looking up from the notebook.
"I don't know if I can believe that," Sam had muttered before storming from the house.
He took the cylinders... we're on the right track, we just need to get to Tiamat before he does. Which one of them will be best suited to that? Marax or Pinem'e? They're both educators... Can I trust any of them to help us with the translation? No, not with that.
His body worked furiously, keeping time with his guilt ridden and frantic thoughts, and at the inner edge of the trap where she'd just braced the pop-up trailer's wheels with cinder blocks, Ellen paused, watching the youngest Winchester participate in the work he'd directed others to carry out.
He's the leader they'll follow, because he won't ask them to do what he's not willing to do himself. I know you're angry Sam, I know you're upset about your friend, but please... please don't rush into doing what you may have to ask of them just to prove you will. She pleaded inside before returning her focus to the task at hand.
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"Sam?" Dean called stepping out into the rear yard, "Sammy!" he scanned the area then moved out front where many of the demons it seemed had settled in a bit, waiting for the Chosen to return. Well I suppose they're nothing if not patient...I mean they've waited how long for Sam to take the reins? he frowned and jogged off to the enormous trap Jo, Mercy and Jack had poured onto the ground with lime and salt.
"Have you seen Sam?" he asked grabbing Jo's arm.
She looked around frowning, "He was here earlier pouring the line," she shook her head, "Sorry I don't know where he went."
He nodded and patted her on the back then moved on to Gary who was clamping down the last brace of the scaffolding.
"Gary? You seen Sam?" he asked.
"Huh uh..." the hunter shook his head giving a tug to the framework then turning to face one of the men he'd come here to bring pain to, "Last I saw he was working on the line..." he confirmed, "Dean..." he frowned, "I'm sorry man... I didn't know. And I'm sorry about your girlfriend."
Dean nodded clapping the man on the shoulder wordlessly as he moved out toward the center of the yard, toward the stacks of cars, "Sam!" he called stretching out his heart and head, feeling for his little brother, knowing that wherever he was, he was hurting.
"C'mon Sammy..." he breathed just before the yellow plastic of an empty bag of rock salt pointed the way.
A sharp yip from the right kept him on the right path, Kitsune... he lurched through the maze of car bodies until he stood at the end of a row. The ochre colored fox sat at the right front fender of what was at one time a GTO, and inside the body, in the passenger seat was a silhouette he'd know anywhere.
As he moved down the row toward the young man, the Kitsune dashed back into the shadows, content with the duties it had been assigned.
Dean moved gently forward, part of him longing to slide into the driver's seat beside his brother, the way it was supposed to be for them in this life. But this moment was different, his brother was in pain and needed something he wouldn't be able to ask for if Dean was in the driver's seat.
As he approached the passenger door, he noticed a tire leaning against the car behind this one. He rolled it up beside the defunct vehicle and laid it on its side, sliding most of it under the body so it and the front fender formed a chair. He lowered himself onto the tire and leaned back willing to wait.
When he's ready...
Sam was as always, wholly aware of his brother's presence. He expected Dean to join him inside the car and was surprised when he didn't. He was even more surprised when the older man simply sat quietly.
Dean... how do I do this? How can I be responsible for what's to come? I never wanted this, his chest shook with quiet shudders, "If I ask you..." Kill me, "...could you? I'm not strong enough," to do this and not be changed, not be turned, I can FEEL it... "Dean... what if I fail? What if I ..." fall? he nearly whispered, You don't know who these demons are, it's only eleven of them but you don't know... they RANK Dean. These are no lesser demons, no simple black eyed ground pounders, these are ancient, powerful, leaders and teachers of the citizens of the underworld! WHO AM I to presume to lead them?
"I don't know how to..." come through this and still be just me... please... he choked wiping his face dry and flicking his eyes to his brother, fearful of what he might see.
Sam couldn't have said why the idea of seeing pain in his brother's face was suddenly something he was afraid of, but he thought it might be because that pain could be for him, rather than for Dean himself.
Sam slid out of the car crouching in front of his brother, his fingers twined around the edges of Dean's blue jacket.
"Don't let me become something else Dean... please..." Don't you see what I'll become? What I'll turn into? Don't you... "It's the Pierpont all over again except I'm not drunk this time, swear it... swear you won't let me..." Swear you'll kill me before I turn on you, before I kill you and everyone we love...he choked ducking his head, unable to face the desperation he knew he'd see in his big brothers' eyes like he had that night.
The elder hunter grabbed a companionable fist full of his brother's hair, I swear Sam. If we fail here we won't have anything to worry about. Have faith in who you are Sammy. Believe in you like I do. But now, unlike the last time Sam had asked this of him, Dean knew he could make the promise because he knew he'd never HAVE to carry it through. He knew Sam's nature and his faith in it was unwavering.
"I promise you Sam," he smiled tilting his little brother's head up so their eyes met.
Sam's brows furrowed at the crystalline clarity in those jade green eyes. The faith in them and the certainty behind their glow brought the young hunter and leader to his knees and his head forward against Dean's chest, aware and secure in the strength of the one who'd come before, the strength of the one who faced it all without doubt.
"I promise you Sammy, and I promise you it'll never be necessary..." he smiled easily embracing the younger man as hard as he could though he could barely feel it. It wasn't enough, it could never be enough, and no one else on earth would ever know the depth of his devotion or what he was willing to give.
He held his little brother away from him, his eyes tracing the lines he'd watched change through the flow of years, "Sam..."
In that single word, in the sound of his name the youngest Winchester nodded. He knew it was one thing to embrace a past that could not be changed, but something entirely different to claim ownership of a future that had yet to be made.
Dean closed his arms around the man he'd raised from infancy, the love in his heart unconditional and infinite, I know exactly what you're afraid of Sammy, the same thing that scared the crap outta me. I won't let you burn away. I won't let it happen. I promise.
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tbc.
please R&R.
Thanks.
sifi.