A Once Twisted Heart

By bluebutterfly2006

** Chapter 6 **

In a gray smoke, Kaychi appeared before them, furious.

"How dare you nothing humans intervene. Now, experience the wrath of the Queen." Kaychi said, as she gathered her inner power.

Abruptly, Cas zapped her unconsciousness , which made her body go limp and fall brutally onto the ground.

"Enough, already! She was getting on my nerves!" Cas replied, annoyed.

"Where am I?" Layala responded, groggy.

"You're safe now!" Sam said, calmly.

Cas went ahead and healed her injuries.

"Thank you! I feel much better!"

"I wasn't sure I could do that, given where you're a mermaid in all." Cas mentioned.

"Was a mermaid." Layala corrected him and then asked. " Now, could you please heal Dean?"

"Layala!?" Cas said, sadly.

"What? What is it?" She questioned, perplexed.

"I can't heal the dead!" Cas responded.

"WHAT!? Can't be!" Layala replied, as she stumbled to her feet and went to Dean's lifeless body.

"Layala?" Cas asked.

"DEAN?! DEAN? NO!" Layala yelled, as she began to cry over him. Next, she picked him up mid-way and hugged his body in her arms. In a soft and coarse voice, Layala spoke.

"Dean, I was suppose to save you. I have failed! I am so sorry!"

"Layala, you didn't fail!" Sam said, as he kneel before her. Tears too had escaped his eyes, and fresh ones made their way down his cheeks. He added, "We knew this was coming."

"Knew what was coming?!" Layala asked, as she wiped away the fallen tears.

"The day that for once in all, we would have to say goodbye to each other. There wouldn't be no more escaping the jaws of death. A reaper named Billy had already informed us both. If one was to die that would be our last. No exceptions."

"Oh. There must be something-something that we can still do to help Dean, before-" Layala suddenly ceased herself.

"Layala there is nothing we can do!" Sam commented, painfully.

"Sam's right!" Cas said in agreement.

"Even, I know no tricks to pull on this!" Crowley commented.

Layala was quiet for a few seconds as she thought it out, and said. "Maybe something you guys can't do, but I can!"

"What?" They all asked.

"I can exchange my eternity light-my life for Dean's. Switch places. I know reapers would love to get their hands on it. A deal with any of them, they couldn't resist. And the no exceptions would be out the window. For its a rare for them to come across.

"Why would you say that, or even do that?!" Sam questioned, shocked.

"Like I said, reapers love mermaid's eternity life. Also, I want to help, please!"

"It will also be dangerous!" Cas pointed out.

"It will work. It's been centuries, since they had an opportunity."

"But why would they want one?"

"Because in a way it helps them, I think."

"I don't know?" Sam replied, unsure.

"Sam, I need to do this! All along this was my purpose, please?!" Layala begged.

"Is there another way?" Sam asked.

Layala shook her head. " No time to find out! If what you told me about the Reaper is set, then we must act quickly.

Layala bent down and gave Dean a short kiss on his almost-cold lips.

"Everything is going to be okay, Dean." She told him tenderly and laid him gently back down on the floor, followed by her getting up.

"Layala, I-" Sam argued, but stopped himself. "Never mind."

Cas and Crowley stood guard.

Once everything was ready. Layala seated herself onto the ground in a Indian style position. Next, she took hold of the knife in her hand.

"Layala, you don't have to do this!" Sam encouraged, as he watched her point the sharp tip end of the blade to her chest.

"I must!" Layala replied, and instantly with no hesitation she stabbed her heart. In a swift movement, she grabbed the small glass bottle and tilted it where her blood could flow into. It began to glow green. Layala looked at Sam, her vision fuzzy.

"Why?" Sam asked, he wished there was another way.

Layala smiled and she glanced over at Dean's body. Sam mocked her action. "Because Dean's body couldn't take the disease, or fight it. I am willing to sacrifice my life to save him. So, you both can continue to carry on."

"And your body can?" Sam questioned, angrily.

"Not really. True, I can last longer, but not much. Sam, I love you both! You guys have helped me. Thank you! Promise, you keep on the fight, the so call family business! No matter what happens. It's truly a beautiful thing that you guys do!

"I promise. Are you sure the reaper-" Sam asked.

"Yes. Trust me! Her, or any of the others hands will be tied." Layala breath in and out ragged. "Besides this is my call they will have to respect it. Keep on looking out for one another. Now, hurry before its too late. It's all up to you, Sam!" Layala said, as she closed her eyes for the very last time and slumped her head over.

Sam went over and kissed the top of her head. Additionally, he placed Layala onto her back and said. " You're one brave woman, Layala. Rest in peace."

Sam collected the small bottle out of her grasped hands. He uncapped it and poured the substance in the cauldron. Finally, he recited an incantation.

In seconds, an green spark flew from the pot. At that point, it floated above. Then, it spilt into two parts. One went into Dean's body, while the other proceeded in Layala's. Next, the separated sparks came out and swirled around. They switch places. In the mists, the green light exploded the blackness that held Dean's soul captured.

Suddenly, Layala's body transformed back to her mermaid form. Her body began to brighten, then faded away, followed by her dissolvedment. Strangely, the Sea Witch's unreasonable body did the same thing. All along, Kaychi was tied into Layala's decision with the twist she made.

Dean opened his eyes and gasped loudly for air.

"DEAN?! It worked! I can't believe it!" Sam said, ecstatic.

"It did! Wow!" Cas replied, surprised.

"Who would have thought?" Crowley stated, stunned.

Dean observed his brother with confusion, when he couldn't spot Layala.

"Sammy, what happened? Where's Layala?" Dean asked.

"Dean... She's gone-passed on," Sam answered, sadly.

"What? Why?"

Sam helped his brother to his feet and replied with. "She wanted to save you and did, plus the future of others. Layala destroyed Kaychi, the Sea Witch. I think when she realized her main purpose would also end the Sea Witch, there was no stopping her."

"So, Layala's main purpose besides save the world was to rescue me?" Dean questioned, unsure.

"Yes. Sounds far fetch. I know." Sam answered.

"Since everything is back in order, as it should be." Crowley remarked and vanished.

"Things never change, do they?!" Cas pointed out to where Crowley left.

Sam noticed Dean was still confused, so he replied with. " Dean, Layala did this as the simple reason of what our main goal is; to save people.

"But because of me, she's-" Dean declared.

"Dean, no! Don't think like that! Layala saved you! So, you- us could keep on doing what we do best. Hunting things, Saving people, the Family Business. She seen what comes from this and wants us to continue it."

"I didn't save her, Sammy!"

"Dean, you yourself told me we couldn't save them all. I wanted to save her also, but we couldn't. We know the risks and she did too. Dean, she didn't want to be saved.

"What about the reaper?" Dean asked, as he changed the subject.

"There was a leap hole. According to Layala's information, reapers love mermaids eternity, for it gives them so kind of power. She wasn't sure. Layala made a deal with one of them that they couldn't resist. And it worked, or you wouldn't be here."

"Wow! Wouldn't have ever guessed that!" Dean replied, shocked.

"Neither would I! " Sam responded.

Dean's eyes glisten as he retraced what had happened. Someone so sweet, caring and determined saved him, so he could keep on to help others. It was sad that she didn't get a chance to live her life. Layala had reopened his eyes to so much. He understood her reason. In the end, something like this always had to be done to destroyed the "big bad". Dean wiped away the fallen tears. He looked up at his brother, and nodded.

"Layala's spirit has made it safety." Cas said, contented.

"Thank you, Cas for letting us know. Appreciate that man" Dean responded, pleased.

Dean put one hand on Cas's shoulder and then his other one on Sam's shoulder and said.

"Let's go home!"

In returned, they nodded.

The boys left the abandon warehouse and walked towards the Impala; followed by them entered inside.

Dean took a few minutes, it had been a while since he seated behind the wheel. He was so stupid for not coming forth to tell about the broken jar, and also the neglect of Baby, again.

"Sorry, Baby!" Dean verbalized, as he stroke her dash gently.

"Dean, you okay?" Sam asked.

"Mine, if I ride? I'm exhausted from dealing with the Sea Witch." Cas inquired.

"Of course, Cas" Sam responded as Cas got into the Impala.

For a few minutes, Dean didn't say anything. He started Baby, and she rumbled to life.

"Sammy, this has been one bizarre weekend, even for us!" Dean acknowledged.

"Yes, Dean. I agree it has," Sam said.

Dean put the Impala in gear and drove away and on down the road. In wait, for the next case ahead of them.

~~THE END~~

Well, that's the end. Hope you have enjoy this story. Let me know what you think about it. Until next story, my wonderful readers. *smiley face*