I don't own Teen Wolf.

Married to Darkness- Chapter 5

Theo rolled over in his cot as he felt a hand push on his shoulder and begin to shake him. His senses slowly came back to their normal range as he pried opened his eyes. The figure shook him again and a familiar voice said, "Wake up Theo. We have got a lot to do and little time to do it."

Theo recognized Stiles' voice and smell and pulled himself to sitting up as he looked at the man who stood over his cot. Stiles looked older, the lines on his face more pronounced. His hair was longer and slicked back which just lent to the G-man image with his navy blue suit. Theo mumbled, "What's going on Stiles? And why are you looking for me?"

Stiles groaned, "Because all hell just broke loose. The supernatural forces and the hunters are turning Beacon Hills into a wasteland. The peace talks that Scott was pushing fell through. It is carnage out there."

Theo jumped out of the cot, "What peace talks?"

Stiles shook his head, "How long have you been out? The loose collaboration of hunters joined under the forces that Monroe marshalled. They have maneuvered globally to wipe out all supernaturals following Gerrard's plan. One city at a time, one Nemeton at a time. Beacon Hills is their last battle ground. Scott gathered up what forces he could to protect this site. It is quite literally army versus army out there."

The sounds and smells of a battle flooded the den. Theo heard screams and gunshots off in the distance. The stench of charred flesh burned itself into the chimera's mind. The air appeared to thicken with the haze of smoke.

Theo took it all in but something bothered the chimera, a nagging feeling tore at him, "Then why are you here with me?"

Stiles laughed sarcastically, "To get your help."

Theo defiantly shook his head, "No, why are YOU here Stiles? I know you can't stand me and the idea of asking me for help, even if it were for such a cause, would make you sick to your stomach."

Stiles narrowed his eyes as it looked like he was attempting to read the chimera. "You know, you are right."

Theo smirked, "I'm dreaming again, aren't I?"

The sounds of battle and the smells disappeared as quickly as they began. Stiles grinned, "Yeah, I think you are."

Theo groaned, "Great. Why am I dreaming about you?"

Stiles shrugged and light-heartedly laughed, "I don't know. I'm a figment of your psyche, not the other way around. Still, you are stuck with me."

Theo laughed, "Alright, Stiles-figment-of-my-psyche, what is this whole end of the world scenario supposed to show me?"

Stiles looked around aimlessly for a moment and said, "I think this has something to do with how you are choosing to act as if you don't matter. You know, your actions, regardless of how little you think you are affecting things, have consequences and that this entire sitting on the sidelines is going to get people killed."

Theo rolled his eyes, "Great. Now that I have the cliff notes version, can I just wake myself up?"

Stiles grinned darkly, "Not so fast Theo. You used the serum last night. I don't think you'll be able to wake yourself up so I think it's time we looked at your problem from another angle."

Theo's eyes widened as fear crept into his voice, "Tara isn't going to rip my heart out for the next eternity is she?"

Stiles shook his head, "No, but the nagging thought that keeps flashing across your mind is how much better everyone would've been if you hadn't started down your path of evil."

Theo sighed and looked to the floor, "Well, you aren't wrong Stiles."

Stiles beamed proudly, "Let's take a look at how things would've been if you had never dealt with the dread doctors."

Theo shook his head and sighed again. When he looked back up he was standing in a graveyard. The air felt heavy and a dark shadow was cast over the tombstones. Stiles placed his arm on the chimera's shoulder and guided the man to the tombstone in question. Theo looked at it. He saw a picture of himself on the tombstone.

The chimera whispered, "I died."

Stiles nodded, "Yeah. Believe it or not, Tara's heart saved your life. Your method could've been less macabre but without it, you were going to die."

Theo smiled as he felt vindicated, "Maybe that's what should've happened. At least then my family could've moved on and found some happiness."

Stiles tilted his head slightly, "Oh, you think that your death would've saved some pain? This is only stop number one."

Theo glared at Stiles, "What do you mean?"

Stiles smiled and said, "Let's go visit your family."

The graveyard disappeared and Theo found himself standing in the living room of his childhood home. There were white sheets over the furniture and a thin layer of dust covered them and the shelves. One shelf with pictures showed, the sheet crumpled on the floor in front of it. Theo walked over to the pictures and looked at them. He saw the last family portrait they took before he would've passed away. He realized that he looked about ten or so. He glared at Stiles, "I wouldn't have lived much longer?"

Stiles shook his head, "No. But you knew that already."

Theo thought for a moment, "No, I didn't. How do I know this isn't just my mind messing with me?"

Stiles grinned darkly, "You remember the experiment. You know the Dread Doctors didn't just toss your old heart. Your heart seized up. It was the death of that attempted chimera but you do remember it happening." Theo sighed at remembering another person who died because of him.

He looked on the next lower shelf. The pictures were many years later but the family looked happy. His sister looked beautiful in her blue dress, as if she were going to a formal school dance, their parents smiling as they flanked her in the picture. Theo looked closer and realized his sister's eyes were yellow, werewolf yellow.

Theo smirked, "Alright, what gives Stiles? My sister wasn't a werewolf."

Stiles nodded, "No but she would've spent more time with Scott and myself. You knew Scotty had a bit of a crush on her. Not to mention she was intelligent, resourceful, a bit mischievous. Pretty much exactly what Peter would've wanted in a beta."

Theo looked at the picture next to his family and saw Scott, in a suit, paired with his sister. "Okay, but things would've worked out well then."

Stiles nodded at the Chimera, "You'd think. And they would've handled Gerrard and the original issues with the hunters well. Another member of the pack fighting with Derek's pack would've helped. The problem is the alpha pack."

Theo shook his head, "Why?"

Stiles grinned and they disappeared and reappeared in his parent's room. While a layer of dust covered the room it did nothing to hide the carnage. The walls were slashed with claws and blood streaks. The bedding was shredded and the stain of blood covered almost every inch of the torn apart mattress. The large mirror on the side dresser was smashed from multiple blunt hits.

Theo looked to Stiles, "Now you are just reaching."

Stiles tilted his head, "Am I? Deucalion wanted to separate Scott from the pack. His pack killed relentlessly and what better way to crush the young man's spirit than to slaughter his girlfriend and murder her parents."

Theo looked to the floor and the crushed glass, "But at least she lived longer and Scott did make it through."

Stiles nodded, "Yeah, but because of their tragic relationship, another didn't happen."

Theo looked to Stiles, "What now?"

The two disappeared and reappeared in the Stilinski household. The sheriff sat at the kitchen table, a large bottle of Jack in front of himself, a singular glass set aside. He poured the caramel colored liquid into the tumbler and tossed it back. Theo smirked at Stiles, "I don't know what my death means to your dad drinking."

Stiles nodded, "You wouldn't. But with Scott being with Tara, he didn't date Allison. While the Argents, with Chris and Allison, became our allies, they didn't become our friends or family."

Theo remarked, "And?"

Stiles grinned, "The good news, the Oni didn't kill Allison when I was possessed by the Nogitsune. The bad news, Chris viewed it as too dangerous to try and save me so he was the one that killed me and dealt with the Nogitsune."

Theo shook his head, "Now this is really far reaching."

Stiles smirked, "You know what happened. You knew from the Dread Doctors keeping an eye on things. You know that everything I am telling you makes perfect sense."

Theo remarked, "But then the deadpool, and Liam."

Stiles slightly tilted his head to nod as he closed his eyes. He opened them after he began to speak, "Liam survived the deadpool, and the pack did well, for the most part. The problem happened when the dread doctors return."

Theo remarked, "But without me, they never would've been able to use Mason as the host."

Stiles spoke coldly, "Do you think you were the only one who could've been corrupted into that experiment?"

Theo spat, "Who?"

Stiles grinned darkly, "Let me show you."

The Stilinski house faded and when they reappeared they were in the lair of the dread doctors. Liam and Corey stared each other down while Mason was hooked to the vat. Liam's eyes glowed yellow while Corey's glowed green.

Theo rolled his eyes, "Corey was my replacement?"

Stiles nodded, "An opportune choice if you ask me. While your approach failed because of my mistrust, Corey was placed in just a way to insinuate with the pack without them realizing. He joined using Mason."

Theo remarked, "But Scott and Lydia."

Stiles shook his head, "Lydia died in Eichen house. I wasn't there to save her and Malia left town after my death. Corey used Lydia to find out the vessel. He might've been more ruthless than you but keep in mind, he didn't want a pack so he let Hayden die and never attempted to resurrect anyone."

Theo whispered, "But Scott."

Stiles laughed, "Scott? Do you mean true alpha Scott or as he came to be known as the Dread Wolf."

Theo gasped, "Dread Wolf? Why?"

Stiles began to respond but the fight between the wolf and the chimera began. Corey grew claws and slashed at Liam as the young wolf dodged. They danced the dance of claws and fury before Liam was able to tear open Corey's stomach. As the chimera collapsed and died, Liam's eyes became blue and Mason, who just watched his best friend kill his boyfriend, relented to the Beast and shifted.

The background shifted again and the two reappeared in Scott's room. The walls were scratched and clumps of drywall were torn away. The bed looked destroyed and clothes littered the floor. The large mirror on his dresser was smashed but one area looked pristine. The far left edge of the mirror. A line of pictures were tucked down the side of it. Theo stepped to the mirror and looked at the faces. He saw the faces of Tara, Jackson, Erica, Boyd, Stiles, Deaton, Isaac, Melissa, Lydia and Kira.

Stiles began, "You see, Scott always tried to hold true to his ideals. He fought the best he could but the problems began to pile up and by problems I mean bodies. It's hard to hold your heart steady when everyone around you dies."

Theo looked to Stiles, "What killed his mom?"

Stiles nodded, "Josh. When he attacked the hospital. Sure he was feral and sure he didn't really mean to but he killed her. And to think, you justified killing him to me, or Stiles."

Theo whispered, "And without any of his pillars of strength"

Stiles finished, "He fell into darkness. Liam was his only anchor to humanity. Certainly not a position I would envy. He became the monster. Slowly but surely the side of the monster within Scott grew while his humanity faded. But when the monster grew, so did his strength. Enough for Liam, Scott and Parrish to stop the Beast. But by the time they finished it off, Mason willed himself out of existence. He loved Corey and his mind wouldn't let me exist in a world where his best friend killed the man he loved."

Theo mumbled, "So, by the time the Ghost Riders arrived."

Stiles finished the sentence, "There wasn't anything left resembling a town worth saving. For what it's worth, Mr. Douglas wasn't able to achieve much of anything before the Riders took him too. "

Theo glared at Stiles, "Is that what this is? Beacon Hills after?"

Stiles nodded, "Besides the flashback to Liam killing Corey, yes."

Theo replied, "But the Sheriff."

Stiles shrugged, "Perhaps a cruel joke or maybe a stand in for the lost banshee, but the Sheriff was left behind. To bring peace to an empty town full of death and destruction. Forever haunted by his dead wife and son."

Theo walked over to Scott's bed and sat down, his eyes firmly locked on the floor, "I don't understand."

Stiles stepped in front of the chimera, "For good or bad, your life matters Theo. You fell into darkness, there is no denying that but where you go from here, well that's for you to decide and figure out."

Theo grinned, "Then why show me this what-if?"

Stiles shook his head, "Maybe it's just a feverous dream of yours. Maybe just to torture you in a brand new way. Maybe to get you to realize that you aren't just a hollow shell of a person. Maybe this is tapping into some primal dimensional window and you just saw what happened in a parallel universe. Who knows, maybe when you wake up you can ask Stiles what I meant." Stiles laughed at his last joke.

Theo rubbed his eyes, "Well, tomorrow is another day."

Stiles smiled, "Yeah, now go wash your face and open the door, you're about to have a guest waiting."

Theo managed to speak a "What?" before he jolted up in his cot. He felt the familiar cold sweat, the room appeared darker and quieter. He couldn't smell anything beyond himself and his hearing felt muffled. He momentarily freaked but remembered he used the purple serum against the hunters. He slowly pulled his very sore body out of bed as a wave of nausea crashed through his system. He felt something on his cheek but before he could touch it, he heard a knock at the door. He walked to the door as he wiped the fluid off his cheek. He quickly opened the door and Corey stood in front of him.

The younger chimera wore a smile on his face which darkened into fear before the words of "Good Morning" could exit his lips.

Theo narrowed his eyes, "What Corey?"

Corey pushed Theo into the den and back to sitting on his cot. He began, "What happened Theo? Are you alright? Your eye."

Theo stumbled backwards as he was pushed and said, "What about my eye?"

The younger chimera looked at Theo's hand and grabbed it. He twisted it so the he could show Theo his own fingertips. Theo looked down at his fingertips and saw the silvery glisten of the mercury solution the dread doctors used. He muttered to himself, "Damn."

Corey narrowed his eyes as he released Theo's hand. He remarked, "You already knew?"

Theo nodded as he finished wiping the silver from his face.

Corey glared at the older chimera, "And you weren't going to tell us?"

Theo shook his head and replied with an empty huff, "No."

Corey shook his head as he stepped away from the chimera, "That's why you used the green solution. You are medicating what could be the experiment killing you."

Theo slowly nodded, "Yeah. That's why I have the books."

Corey clicked his tongue in his mouth before he responded, "Then we'll just have to fix what's wrong with you."

Theo stood up, his eyes flashed yellow as he yelled at his chimera counterpart, "Nothing is wrong that I can't handle. I am not a failure!"

Corey took a step back, his anger vanished as he said, "I'm sorry. Theo, I didn't mean it like that."

Theo muttered, as his eyes flickered before going back to normal, "Don't tell anyone."

Corey sighed and nodded, "How often does it happen?"

Theo slowly slid down to sitting on his cot, "Only when I push myself."

Corey rolled his eyes, "Like you did last night?"

Theo nodded, "Yeah."

The young chimera threw his hands up in defeat, "I don't understand you Theo. Why are you risking this? It could kill you."

Theo shrugged slightly as he half smirked, "There are worse things."

Corey's eyes widened in surprise, "That's a really bad joke Theo."

Theo pulled himself to standing and walked over to the desk. He pulled out a vial of the green liquid and loaded a syringe with half of it. He injected it and the waves of nausea and weakness that were grappling him faded away. After setting the syringe on the desk he looked to Corey, "Don't mistake this for a twisted death wish. I just know I need to find more information and probably equipment from the ruins of their lab. I will figure it out."

Corey glanced to the wall, away from Theo as he said, "We could convince Scott to give you the bite."

The rage and venom filled Theo as he spat, "Not a chance. I don't need Scott's help to save myself. Why are you even here Corey? Shouldn't you be in class?"

Corey sighed deeply as he brought his gaze back to the older chimera, "I wanted to check on you. I know you were shot more than once last night and I was worried about you. Okay. And I do have class shortly, I am just on my free period."

All the rage abandoned the orphan chimera as he looked away and softly said, "Thanks. I didn't mean."

Corey walked over to Theo and put his hand on the older boy's shoulder, "I know. Just keep in mind, you might not be in the pack, by your choice I might add, but that doesn't mean we don't care what happens to you."

Theo bit the inside of his cheek, partly to pull himself back to reality, partly to fight back his internal guilt as he whispered, "I know. Thank you."

Corey turned and walked towards the entrance, "I don't think you should keep this secret, but it isn't my place to tell anyone about it. We are having pizza at Liam's house after school. You should swing by before work. Maybe even call out of work."

Theo cleared his throat as he said, "Yeah. I might just swing by."

Corey turned and smiled before we walked out of the den and closed the door.

Theo grabbed a change of clothes and stepped into the bathroom and showered and cleaned up. He set his dirty clothes in a laundry bag outside of the bathroom and walked over to his laptop. He opened his biology assignment and finished it. With a sigh of relief he looked at the time and saw it was almost 4 pm. The chimera grabbed his bag for work and walked out of the den to his truck.

The drive to Liam's was uneventful as the chimera enjoyed the cool wind against his face and the music on the radio. When he pulled into the driveway he noticed Mason's car parked on the left side. Theo pulled into the right side of the driveway and stepped out of his truck. He pulled out his cell and confirmed with Jungle that he wouldn't need to be there until after 9.

Theo slowly walked to the front door and already heard the laughter and talking coming from inside. He nervously swallowed and took a deep breath before he raised his hand to knock on the door. Before he could, the front door swung open. Behind it Liam stood, wearing his goofy, innocent grin, "It's about time you showed up. I was beginning to think that Shadow wolf only shows up after dark."

Theo grinned as he pushed in and grabbed Liam, wrestling him into a headlock, "Very funny little wolf. Maybe I just like keeping you on your toes." Theo managed to mess with Liam's hair before the beta broke the hold and pushed him away, "Not funny Theo." The wolf chuckled as he fixed his hair and guided the chimera into the living room. Two pizza boxes were open on the dining room table which sat adjacent to the living room. A large flat screen TV hung over the fireplace which was paused on one of the marvel movies. Nolan sat in the middle of the large blue sectional with Mason and Corey on the end of the L of the couch. Liam plopped down next to Nolan, his paper plate of pizza sitting on the handle.

Corey and Mason smiled as Theo made it through the living room and Nolan spoke, a hint of annoyance in his voice, "Theo, grab some pizza and take a seat so we can continue the movie. It's bad enough we had to deal with Liam abruptly pausing the movie, practically flying to the door to open it before you could knock."

Liam glared at Nolan as Theo looked at the wolf, "I did not fly to the door."

Corey laughed as Mason commented, "You flew. At least three feet of clearance above us."

Liam's face reddened as he looked to Theo, "Can you help me out here? These guys are ganging up on me. I thought I was the alpha in training."

Theo laughed and shook his head as he walked to the dining room table and grabbed a slice of pizza, "Can't help you there Liam. Looks like you are just going to have to deal with the peanut gallery."

Nolan looked past Liam to Theo and joked, "Then what does that make you? Walnut, Cashew, Almond?"

Liam and Theo responded in unison, "Pistachio."

The two men looked at each other and laughed as Liam resumed the movie. Theo smiled a genuine smile as he walked back into the living room and stood as he held his plate and snacked on the pizza. He couldn't figure out which super hero movie this was but it didn't matter. Theo listened to the various side conversations between his friends. As the big fight scene was beginning to happen, a loud knock was heard at the door.

Theo looked to Liam and caught the scent. They both mouthed, "Parrish?"

Another loud knock was heard and Mason looked to Liam, "Dude, are you going to check to see who it is?"

Liam slowly stood up and walked over to the door. The movie continued to play in the background as he opened the door, "Deputy, What can I do for you?"

Parrish put on his serious face and asked, "Is Theo here?"

Liam nodded and stepped back from the door and looked into the living room. Parrish stepped through the threshold as Theo walked to the front door. The chimera said, "Yeah. What's up Parrish?"

Parrish narrowed his eyes slightly and straightened his uniform as he said, "Theo, I'm going to have to ask you to come down to the station. We need to ask you some questions about an ongoing investigation."

Theo took a step back as Nolan shouted from the living room, "Is Theo under arrest?"

Parrish shook his head, "No one is under arrest. I just need to take Theo down to the station."

Liam asked, "What happened?"

The hellhound looked to the beta, "I can't share that now."

Theo smirked and rolled his eyes, "Can I let my work know I might have to miss this shift?"

Parrish nodded. Theo began to text his work as Liam said, "Do you need to talk to anyone else? I mean I can answer some questions."

Parrish shook his head, "Not at the moment Liam. I appreciate your enthusiasm though."

When Theo finished he asked the hellhound, "Can I drive my truck or do you need me to ride in the cruiser?"

Parrish shook his head, "I've got to take you in the cruiser."

Theo rolled his eyes, "Great." He pulled out his key and handed them to Liam, "Pick me up when they are finished with me. Oh and save me some pizza."

Liam nodded, a smile on his face but concern in his voice as he said, "Okay Theo. Just text me when you are ready."

Parrish escorted the chimera out of the residence and into the backseat of the cruiser. Theo crossed his arms and huffed as Parrish began to drive them back to the station. Theo asked, "So what is this about anyway?"

Parrish relented, "Two separate events. Honestly, one I hope you know something and for the second, I hope you don't know anything."

Theo growled, "That's not vague or anything."

Parrish drove back to the station in silence. When they reached the station, Parrish took Theo into the back room for questioning. As they walked through the hallway Theo caught the glimpse of an older woman yelling about law enforcement doing their jobs to one of the deputies. He could've sworn she looked his way before she continued her rant.

Parrish set Theo in a metal chair next to a harsh metal table in a white empty room. There was a mirror behind him. Theo heard the movements and whispers of people behind him. He cursed his diminished senses from using the solution.

The deputy stepped back into the room shortly after get Theo seated. He carried two files with him as he stepped into the room. He opened the first and slid out two pictures. They appeared to be piles of bodies, one set in a home and clearly they looked to be a family and the other was a picture of the bodies from the abandon bank.

The chimera looked at both of them and said, "I can't say I've seen any of these people or recognize these places."

Parrish asked, "Are you aware of what happened?"

Theo picked up the first picture and said, "It looks like someone ripped their claws out after killing them. You know, like hunters do."

Parrish nodded, "Yeah. I know what you mean. Have you heard anything about this?"

Theo shook his head, "Nope. I don't question hunters. I leave them at your doorstep. Are we done?"

Parrish shook his head and looked into the mirror behind Theo. He put the pictures in the first file back in it and opened his second file, "Theo, do you recognize this man?" Parrish pulled out a picture and slid it on the table to Theo. He picked it up and instantly recognized the man as the hunter from the costume store. Theo took a deep breath and commented, "I am going to need an attorney, aren't I?"

Parrish sighed and said, "I am just asking you some questions. You are not under arrest."

Theo shook his head, "This is exactly what I thought was going to happen."

Parrish raised his voice, "Just answer the question Theo."

Theo glared at the deputy, "I do not recall, I need an attorney."

Just then, the door to the interrogation room flew open and the older woman stepped in. She had long grey hair, pulled into a loose bun. Her pale wrinkled skin was made up but her natural beauty, grace and fierce determination showed through her age. Her clear blue eyes burned with conviction. She wore a dark fitted black jacket over her dark Victorian styled dress. She leaned on an ornate cane which ended in a golden wolf's head. She clicked her dentures as she said, "I wouldn't answer another question young man."

Parrish stood and faced the woman, "You can't be back here Mrs. Mulcahy. You are interfering with a police investigation."

Mrs. Mulcahy spat back, "Have you even read him his rights?"

Theo commented almost under his breath, "I did ask for an attorney."

The older women clicked her dentures as a deputy came up behind her from the door. He said, "Ma'am you can't be back here."

She glared at the deputy before looking to Theo, "Ask and ye shall receive." Theo looked to the woman in confusion as she turned and faced Parrish, "I will be this young man's attorney. Mildred Mulcahy, Esquire."

Parrish's eyes widened, "Ma'am, you can't just walk in here and be Theo's lawyer."

She deepened her glare, "Young man, I am eighty seven years old and practiced law for over forty of those. If I want to represent this innocent young man, the only person who can say that I can't is him."

Parrish flinched and Theo smiled. He looked at the woman and said, "I think I found my attorney."

Mildred smiled and nodded to Theo before she looked at Parrish, "Now if you think you are going to hold my client here all night for your questions then you'd best be prepared to deal with me all night."

Parrish sighed and sent the other deputy away. He said, "Alright, I am going to talk to the sheriff, get comfortable Mrs. Mulcahy, Theo."

Mildred stepped away from the door and sat down at the table, opposite Theo, as Parrish stepped out of the room and closed the door. She leaned forward and whispered to Theo, "How many heartbeats do you hear behind you?"

Theo's eyes widened as he listened. He heard no one in the room behind the mirror. He said, "It's just us."

She leaned back, the same kind grandmotherly smile returned as she said, "It seems we have some things to discuss as they decide on how they will charge you. Don't worry though, I'll handle things."

As Theo looked at the woman, he couldn't make out if her smile was truly kind or just a different kind of predatory.