Disclaimer: I am only borrowing the Supernatural characters, I do not own them.

Thanks again to Tya and Bella4evr3 for your reviews!

Azazel had a bad feeling. It started after Ruby left, and it continued to grow as the day progressed.

Was he scared? No, rulers of Hell don't get scared; he just had a healthy respect for how much power Sam held. He was progressing much faster than anticipated, and if he didn't trust his mentor, Ruby, anymore, there was no telling who Sam would direct his powers at.

Azazel felt another presence in the room. Knowing his demons would never disrespect him by popping in unannounced, Azazel turned to look at none other than Sam.

Azazel smiled awkwardly. "Sammy."

"Don't call me that." Sam's eyes were shooting daggers at Azazel.

Clearing his throat, Azazel tried again. "That's fine, Sam. I respect that. Nicknames are for followers, not leaders."

Sam didn't look amused. "Leaders? You think I'm a leader?"

Azazel stood up and took a step towards Sam. "Of course I do, Sam. You know that. You're destined to lead my army."

Sam's eyes narrowed even more, if that were possible. "Your army? It doesn't sound like I'll be leading anything. In fact, I think you're just using me."

Azazel laughed breathily. "Ha, uh, where would you get that idea?"

Sam stepped forward threateningly. "I have a lot of ideas, Azazel."

Azazel stood up at his full height, still shorter than the man in front of him. "Sam, you know I love that brilliant mind of yours. Why don't we sit down and talk about your ideas?"

Sam shifted his weight from foot to foot. "I'd rather not."

Azazel stopped himself from rejoicing. The kid was holding back, unsure. He could work with this. "Sam, you know you're my favorite. I'd do anything to help you."

Sam's features hardened again. "Like kill my girlfriend?"

Damn. He lost him again.

"Sam, that was-"

"No. No more lies." Sam interrupted, advancing on Azazel.

"Sam, what are doing?" Azazel wasn't scared. No, he was, uh... He was fucking terrified.

Sam smiled, his teeth red. "I'm showing you one of my ideas."

Raising his hand, Sam furrowed his brow in concentration. Azazel fought as Sam tried to exorcise him. He was Azazel, damn it, and there was no way he'd let a punk Winchester exorcise him, boy king or not.

Azazel was unaffected by salt, holy water was nothing, and he was the most feared demon in Hell, second only to Alistair and his torture techniques. Sam shouldn't be able to exorcise him!

Azazel was right. Sam wasn't exorcising him. He was doing much worse.

Azazel was being burned inside his meatsuit. Sam was killing him, not exorcising him. Azazel tried fleeing his meatsuit, desperate to escape, but Sam's power held him captive as he burned.

The last thing Azazel saw was Sam's black eyes.

Two Hours Earlier

Casey handed Sam a huge glass of red liquid. "You'll teleport into the main hall - Azazel's always sitting in that throne of his - and use your powers on him."

Sam eyed the thick liquid in the glass. "What will keep the other demons from entering the room to help?"

Casey shrugged. "They'll only come if Azazel calls to them, although I don't see you having any trouble taking them on."

"Mmhm." Sam was skeptical.

Casey nodded to the glass in his hand. "That will give you a boost. I believe Ruby gave it to you before.

Sam thought back. The flask. "What is it?"

"Demon's blood." The reply was as nonchalant as if they were talking about the weather.

"W-what?!" Sam sputtered, eyeing the glass with contempt.

Casey looked Sam dead in the eyes. "Demon's blood. Drinking it enhances your abilities."

Sam was so over dealing with demons. "What the hell, Casey? I'm not drinking demon's blood!"

"Why not? It's already in your system."

"Thanks for the reminder! I have to live as a monster, but that doesn't mean I have to act like one."

Casey tucked her black hair behind her ear. "Listen, Sam. I want nothing more than for you to take down Azazel and lead the demons, but you can't do that without a little help. Do you take out wendigoes with your bare hands? No, you use a flare gun. Think of the demon's blood as your weapon against Azazel."

Sam looked between Casey and the glass. "This is a lot more than I drank last time. Will that have any effect on me? Any withdrawal symptoms?"

Casey shook her head. "As far as I know, there are no withdrawal symptoms."

Sam thought back to when he first downed demon's blood. It had given him a buzz as the power had coursed through him, but afterwards he was fine.

Taking one final look at Casey, Sam steeled his resolve and downed the demon's blood.

Now

Sam felt energized, pumped. Azazel was gone, dead, and the high still hadn't worn off yet. He felt on top of the world.

He turned to look at the door seconds before Casey waltzed in, a flood of demons behind her.

"You did it, Sam!" Casey had a huge smile on her face.

The room grew quiet; all eyes were on Azazel's meatsuit.

A lone demon stepped forward. Dante.

"Who was it that killed Azazel? We all felt his death."

Sam stood up to his full height, well aware of Dante's aversion to him. "I killed Azazel."

Dante knelt down and bowed his head. "I pledge to follow you, Sam, and to obey your every command without fail, so help me Lucifer."

Dante stood up slowly, nodded once at Sam, and turned and left the room.

Sam was shocked. He was sure Dante hated him, was sure Dante would try to become the new ruler of Hell, and yet he pledged his allegiance.

After Dante left, other demons stepped forward and also pledged their allegiance to Sam. Some demons chose to leave without saying anything at all. Sam wasn't bothered by it. He knew every demon wouldn't accept his leadership without him first earning their trust.

Only Sam, Casey, and the two demons guarding the door were left. Looking at the two guards, Sam made his first order as ruler of Hell. "You two. Salt and burn Azazel's meatsuit. I don't want anyone else occupying it."

The demons rushed forward and grabbed Azazel's old meatsuit. "Yes sir."

Sorry Tya; I know you liked Azazel, but it had to be done.