Fairytales are Real Part 3: Supernatural: The Legend of Hunter Dean
When the Winchester boys had finally gotten back onto the mainland, their father had regained consciousness. “Dean, Sam, is that you boys?” John Winchester sat up with the help of his sons holding onto his back.
“Yea Dad, we got you. You're good,” Dean reassured his father. He was too awestruck that they had actually found him to have much else to say. Sam thought to take out the map Missouri had given Dean to find that the image of their father was right next to the image that indicated Dean.
“Hey Dean, look at the map now.”
“Yea, that's great Sam.” Dean brushed his brother off and kept his attention on his father. “How'd you wind up out there anyway, Dad? You gonna tell us what's going on?”
John Winchester looked at each of his sons, still trying to get his wits about him. “Well, you know what I've been after. Right, boys? I've been looking for the beast that killed your mother and I got a tip that brought me to the sea ... the tip didn't exactly pan out. I was stuck in that whirlpool for days. But I think I know where I need to go next.”
“Where we need to go, Dad.” John looked at his eldest son dubiously. “I'm serious Dad. You can't keep doing this on your own. You need us. We've got information, Dad. Show him the book Sam!”
Before Sam could show his dad the book, he waved him off. “You boys gotta know what we're dealing with if you're going to come with me. These beasts, they're far more dangerous than any of the other beasts we've faced before. Definitely more dangerous than the beasts you've been hunting in the woods outside of town. And far more powerful than Charybdis.”
“If they're more powerful than Charybdis, then you definitely need our help, Dad. You said yourself that you were stuck in that whirlpool for days!”
“Yea, I know boys. And I want your help, I do. I just want you to realize what you're giving up for this.” Dean was about to tell his father how he'd already given up everything for him, how he'd given up his chance at a fairytale of his own, but his father brushed him off, “I know, Dean. I already know what you gave up. I see that you're an adult now. You should be out there looking for your own fairytale, but you gave it all up to find me. I appreciate it, boys.” He gave his eldest son a tight hug, and then after a brief moment also pulled his younger son into his arms. “I love you boys more than anything, and I want you to be happy. This battle ahead of us is going to be a dangerous one. The creature that killed your mother, and what he is, the one that I'm hunting now, they're known as demons. They're some of the most powerful creatures I've ever encountered. The last one I met nearly killed me and that was just one. The demon that killed your mother, the yellow eyed beast, his name is Azazel and I've tracked his castle. There will be other powerful demons guarding it though, so we'll have to be careful. I want you to understand what demons are really like, they can't be trusted, ever. No matter what you do, don't ever make a deal with one of them. Oh, I'm glad to have you boys both here.” John gripped the boys tighter in his arms. Dean could only nod his assent, but Sam had his doubts.
“Dad, are you sure this is the best idea? Shouldn't we wait 'till we know more about these beasts?” Sam questioned.
“Sammy ...” Dean chastised his brother with a frown.
“No, Dean. I want to know what we're getting into if we're going to do this together,” Sam insisted.
“You're going to have to trust me on this one, boys.” Sam huffed, pulling away from his father in resistance.
“Sammy, would you two quite jumping down each other's throats for just a moment? This is the beast that killed Mom that we're talking about!” Dean tried to persuade his brother.
Sam pouted remorsefully, “Fine, Dean. You're right, and I do trust you. And don't call me 'Sammy'.” Sam gave his father a sly look that showed how very much he didn't trust the older man. Dean would've chastised his brother for the thought, but he was too busy basking in the feel of his brother's loyalty and love.
***
It took a fortnight for them to arrive at Azazel's castle. While doing surveillance, they discovered the castle had four separate gates; a north, a south, an east, and a west gate. Each gate was guarded by a different demon with the north gate personally guarded by Azazel. The boys and their father camped a few hours journey away from the castle, deciding that it would be best to attack in the morning because at night the demons could see better than them. They were all nervous the night before the big meet up for different reasons. Sam was nervous about facing his first real monster. Dean was nervous that this could be it, they could defeat the monster that killed their mother and then he could have his father back. And John was nervous because he would finally be facing the monster he had worked so hard to find.
The night was a quiet and tense one, with each Winchester stewing in his own thoughts.
***
In the morning, the Winchesters packed and readied themselves for the confrontation. John Winchester decided they would split up, each of his sons attacking the east and west gates while he confronted Azazel at the northern gate himself. Even though the two sons did not agree with the plan, Dean followed it without fuss and Sam (as always) followed him.
John approached the northern gate. The figure of Azazel was humanoid in appearance but gross and distorted. His eyes were yellow and he had long black nails that curved and stained his fingers a deep gray. His hair was long, straggly, and reached down to his hips, curving at the tips with sharp spikes. His skin was gray and pulled tightly across his bones, tearing in certain areas to reveal bone and muscle. He sat at a great golden throne, upholstered in a red, potentially blood soaked, silk. The throne was the height of three men and had golden spikes sprouted from the top and the tips of the armrests beyond Azazel's hands. He grinned wickedly as the hunter approached him, “If it isn't old John Winchester, the blacksmith turned hunter of monsters. Here to avenge your poor dead wife undoubtedly?”
John Winchester growled at the demon, “You will pay for what you did to my wife!”
Before John could even draw his sword, the demon flicked his wrist and sent John flying into the air before slamming into a tree trunk.
“Dad!” Dean and Sam, having each killed the lesser demons, both ran to their father's side. Before they could get there, Azazel flicked his other wrist and the two boys twisted in an unnatural position, flying to each other as if by magical means and were cut with invisible blades a thousand times. Azazel grinned at his work, his eyes glowing magically, “You'll have to do better than that, Winchesters.”
John Winchester's body slumped to the ground, beside his boys, and helped them to their feet and onto the horses.
***
John Winchester rode for several hours, forcing his horse to move faster and faster as he led his boys to safety. The two brothers sat slumped against Impala, with Dean using every bit of his strength to hold onto the reins and keep him and Sam upright. Finally, they arrived at a small cottage which stood all on its own in the middle of the woods. There was a light on and smoke coming out of the chimney. A young woman ran out the door to assist them, signaling she had been expecting them. She helped John to lower his two boys to the ground and carry them into the cottage, laying them to rest on the single cot in the middle of the room.
The young woman whistled her appreciation, “Damn, you Winchesters sure know how to grow them.”
John grunted his assent. “Can you help them, Pamela? I brought them to you because you're the only faith healer in town I trust.”
The young woman smiled slightly, “Of course I can fix them.” She walked over to the boys and placed a cool hand on Dean's forehead. Dean felt a warm buzz travel through him before passing out.
When Dean Winchester awoke he felt like a new man, completely healed and rejuvenated, even better than the day he'd set out on his journey. He examined his skin and found no visible scars. He looked over at his brother laying next to him and was happy to see that they'd separated sometime in the night and he was also free of scars. He wandered around the cabin for a few minutes, finding neither his father nor the young woman from the night before. He did, however, find various books on spell craft and healing, as well as several dried herbs hanging around the place.
When Dean turned from his exploring, he found the woman of the night before looking at him with a smirk. “So you're the Dean Winchester?”
Dean frowned and shrugged his shoulders, “I guess so.” He threw her his dashing smile (the one that had won him over both Cassie and Lisa back home), and said, “So you've heard about me, huh?”
The woman winked, “Oh yea, I've heard about you. Creatures from all over the Other Plains have been talking about you. You've got quite the journey ahead of you. The name's Pamela Barnes.” Pamela held out her hand to shake. When Dean took it in his own she snuck her other hand around his behind and pinched him on the ass. Dean jumped and yelped, which caused John to come running back into the cabin from where he'd been outside.
John Winchester frowned at Pamela, “Stop harassing my boys.”
“Oh come on, I saved their lives and can't even get a little taste?” John's frown deepened with disapproval.
“So, can you help us out or not?” John asked after a spell.
“Maybe ...” Pamela worried her lip between her teeth as she scanned a shelf full of various crystals and magical artifacts. She pulled down a tiny amulet on a leather cord and held it in her hand contemplatively. Then, she walked over to the fire and threw it in. The fire sparked up blue, and purple, then died back down to an orange, and finally just a few embers crackled before the entire thing burnt out in a burst of smoke.
Dean frowned, looking at his father, “Dad, what's going on?” John Winchester, however, was not paying attention to his son, as Pamela reached into the fireplace with her bare hand and pulled the amulet out. Dean winced, expecting her to burn her hand terribly. But, when she pulled it out, her skin was completely intact and unmarred. Sam woke up from all the noises and rolled out of bed sleepily. He too was busy staring at Pamela, wondering what had his brother and father so hypnotized.
Pamela walked over to Dean and held out the amulet to him. He looked at it hesitantly, “You want me to wear that?” He shook his head, stepping back.
“Just put it on, Dean. I think it will be ok,” Sam called out.
Dean looked over at his brother, the brother that had such faith in him that he walked into what could only surely be death at Dean's mere command, the brother that stayed aboard a sinking ship all because Dean asked. He gulped and took the necklace from Pamela gingerly. He pulled it over his head and rested it on his chest. It was warm, but not scorchingly hot; it kinda tingled and filled Dean with a magical warmth. Dean stared at the amulet cautiously. It was a little golden head with horns. Finally he asked, “So ... what does it do?”
Pamela, flirtatious looks completely gone, stated, “It will guide you Dean, to your destiny. That is, if you'll let it.” She grinned again, slapping him on the ass, “That's all I got for you.” Dean cringed and hurried to his father and brother's side.
“Yea, that's all very good and well, but what about Azazel?” his father, ever the businessman, demanded.
“I believe Dean will be victorious in that sense.” That was apparently all John needed, because he ushered his two sons out of the cabin with a last wave goodbye to Pamela. Dean couldn't help fingering the amulet the entire ride back to Azazel's castle. His journey and destiny ... he'd already given up his chance at a fairytale, what could that possibly mean? He assumed that after finding his father and defeating Azazel, he would return to Lawrence and become a blacksmith alongside his father. He couldn't help but wonder where the pendant was meant to lead him.
***
When the Winchesters returned to Azazel's castle, they felt renewed in their strength and ready to take on the yellow-eyed demon. This time they would not make the same foolish mistakes as last time. Pamela had given John some hex bags that would protect them from Azazel's magic. Each Winchester carried one in his pocket as the three of them confronted Azazel at the north gate together. “Ah, I see the Winchesters have smartened up some, huh? Hex bags? No problems, I can defeat you without my magic.”
John Winchester growled, “How about a fair fight this time, Azazel? No tricks!”
A terrible grin stretched the length of Azazel's face, “You want a fair fight? Fine. I shall challenge each of you to a duel. We'll see if you can defeat each one of my best men with your best Winchesters, eh?”
Azazel snapped his fingers and a demon fell down before them. This time it was a female demon, equally grotesque as her master. “I would like you to meet my daughter, Meg, the Thunder-tooth.” Before any of the Winchesters could move, Meg threw herself at Sam, baring her teeth to rip at his throat. “Hey Sammy boy, you're so pretty I think I'd like to eat you,” she cooed as she licked down his shoulder and bit into it. Sam bucked to throw her off, pulling his sword out in the process.
“Sammy!” Dean ran towards his brother, but his path was blocked by another demon.
“Hi Dean. It's nice to meet you. I'd like to carve you up real pretty.” The demon in front of him brandished a silvery-blue blade like it was a wand, waving it around. “You can call me Alastair, the unconquerable.”
John looked back and forth between his two sons just as an arrow flew down to meet him. Another demon stood beside Azazel now, “And, Johnny boy, I've got someone very special for you too. This is my son Tom, the Long-hand.” Tom didn't say anything but loosed several arrows in John's direction, each lit with a blue flame. John jumped out of the way and tumbled along, dodging each arrow. John pulled out his sword and started knocking back the arrows with his blade, running towards the demon known as Tom. Tom decided to meet him halfway and jumped the distance between them, dropping down in front of John. Tom aimed his arrow directly at John's throat and loosed the string, sending an arrow straight at John's throat. John grabbed at the open wound, trying to stop the flow of blood before throwing himself at the demon.
John knocked the bow from Tom's grasp and tumbled around with him as he tried to plunge his blade into the demon's chest.
Sam managed to toss Meg to the ground and pull out his sword. Meg was up immediately and the two of them circled around one another looking for weaknesses. Meg let out a low screech and Sam clutched at his ears to block out the sound, leaving Meg with an opening to dig her nails right into his chest and twist. Sam screamed out in agony and swung his sword at her hands. She pulled her hands free from his chest to avoid dismemberment, causing Sam to fall backwards.
He jumped back up before Meg could strike again and ducked to avoid a swipe of her arm. He swirled around her body and popped up behind her. He swung his sword with a hard thrust and Meg's head popped off her shoulders and rolled away.
Alastair had Dean pinned to a tree and was pushing his blade beneath Dean's skin, curving it and pulling up to peel his skin like an orange. Dean screamed out with each flay of flesh that fell and immediately grew back. Dean strained to reach out for his sword that laid just past his feet, but every time he got close Alastair would snap each of his fingers like twigs.
Dean bit down on his own lip to suppress the shots of pain and headbutted Alastair so the demon stumbled back. In the few seconds he had before Alistair was back upon him, Dean dove for his sword and stabbed viciously at Alastair's feet while still perched on the ground. Alastair howled in pain, “So, you are learning, eh little Dean? You could be so great, you know.” Dean grunted before meeting Alastair's blade with his own. Their swords clashed together, ringing loudly throughout the open space.
Fighting through the blood gushing down his chest, John got the better of Tom and pushed his blade into Tom's chest and twisted. The demon gurgled blood out of his mouth. Tom's eyes turned black and smoke appeared all around him before he shriveled into a pile of ashes. Azazel screamed out in anguish and leapt from his throne, landing before John Winchester. Before John could retrieve his sword, Azazel thrusted his own blade deep into John's chest and twisted, lodging it in its depths. “You've killed my son, now I will kill your sons while you watch.” John slumped to the ground, unmoving.
Sam yelled out to his father and ran to his side, waving his own sword menacingly at Azazel who just stood back and watched. Sam dragged his father's body over towards his brother.
Dean and Alastair's swords clashed in a slow dance of metal on metal, each one gaining a little leeway before losing ground again. When Dean heard his father's yell, he lost his concentration briefly, creating an opening for Alastair who sliced a large gap up Dean's midriff. Dean didn't even flinch at the wound and tucked and rolled, thrusting his sword upward, piercing it through Alastair's jaw and up through the top of his head like a skewer. Alastair continued to laugh and spit up blood as his body slowly burst into dark smoke which floated skyward.
Dean helped Sam drag their father's body away from the fight and instructed him to press down on the wounds tightly. Dean then picked up his sword and approached Azazel. He felt his amulet tingle as he walked towards his mark. He knew the amulet was trying to tell him that this was his fate; to defeat the yellow-eyed demon. Azazel was grinning again, “Going to avenge your dear old mommy and daddy now?”
Dean struck out at Azazel, gaining an early advantage, but Azazel was strong. When Dean doubted his own strength, he felt his amulet burn more strongly. He thought about his father's slumped over figure and his mother's burnt body and it gave him courage. Dean pushed Azazel onto the ground and held the knife to the demon's throat. “My, my, look at you, little Dean Winchester all grown up. Well, go on then, take revenge for your parents. Do it!” Azazel goaded him on. And Dean gritted his teeth in a snarl.
“You don't deserve death.” Dean traced the sword along the demon's throat, tracing patterns in blood along the skin. “But I don't have anything else I want to do with you. So I will spare you in death.” Dean plunged the sword straight into the demon's throat. Azazel's body went up into smoke more quickly than the others, but Dean didn't stick around to watch.
Dean rushed back to his father's side, taking up Sam's position, applying pressure to hold the bleeding wound at bay. John twisted his head to look at his son, but his eyes were glassy and unfocused. “Dad ...” A single tear slid down Dean's cheek and landed on the tip of his father's nose.
At his son's voice, a hint of recognition came to his face, “Dean ...”
Dean held his father's shoulder, “Shhh Dad, don't talk. Everything's going to be ok. We'll get you back to Pam and she'll help us.”
John shook his head, “No Dean. Listen, I'm dying. No one can help me now. But listen ...” John paused to swallow. “I'm sorry, Dean. I'm so sorry.” He coughed up some blood. “I love you boys so much. So very much.” John closed his eyes and tears pooled underneath them.
“Dad? Dad!” Dean's calls became more urgent as his father was unresponsive. He felt his neck for a pulse but found nothing. Tears poured down his cheek and hung at his jaw as he bowed his head in silence.
***
It was a Wednesday night when Sam and Dean burned the corpse of their father. The flames of the bonfire swirled high up into the air, dancing as little nymphs around one another. The two brothers stood in silence, watching their father's body slowly burn. They had just found their father again after so long and it was too soon to lose him again. The two brothers were officially orphans now.
***
Next