A.N.: Many, many thanks to Kaz who is an awesome beta!

"Glad you finally joined us, Dean."

The unfamiliar, cold voice send shivers down Dean's spine. Suppressing a groan, he picked himself up from the floor, his eyes quickly scanning the room.

It only took him a moment to spot the man standing in the corner across the room, his black eyes raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Dean glanced over to Sam who still lay unmoving on the bed.

"What did you do to him?" Dean asked through clenched teeth.

"Don't worry, just a soft hit to the head. I'm sure he's had worse." The demon laughed. "Actually, he looks like he's had worse. Tamiel was always the best at breaking people."

"Sam's not broken." Dean replied, anger dripping from his voice.

"No, of course not." The demon smirked.

"What do you want?"

The demon grinned viciously. "What we all want … revenge. Isn't that what drives us all?"

"Revenge? What for? Have we met before?" Dean forced a grin on his face. "Have I sent your sorry ass back to hell?"

"Dean Winchester, always the smart ass you're known for. I have to say, you don't disappoint."

Dean saw Sam stirring on the bed and a wave of relief rushed through him. Sam wasn't dead!

"Tamiel was my brother. You killed him." The demon went on, his smile having vanished from his eyes and instead was replaced with pure hate.

"This is another family revenge thing? You know, this is starting to get old." Dean smirked.

The demon's grin reappeared and a second later Dean doubled over in pain - pain so excruciating that it felt hard to breath. He bit his lips to stop a scream from coming out.

"Dean?"

Through a pain filled cloud, he heard Sam calling for him. He forced himself to look up and could see Sam sitting on the bed, looking at him with confused eyes.

"Stay there, Sammy." Dean choked out.

"Morning, sunshine." The demon said happily.

Sam's head snapped towards him and his eyes widened in shock. "Who are you?"

"Always with the questions." The man shook his head. "Just call me Steve."

"Steve?" Dean picked himself up from the floor, using the wall to steady himself. "From all the names you can choose from, you pick Steve?"

"Dean." Sam glared at him to shut up.

Dean really wished he could because his talking usually brought him more pain than necessary. The problem was he wasn't going to let a demon stop him from saying what came to his mind. "That's lame, man."

His head slapped against the wall the moment the last word had left his mouth.

"Leave him alone." Sam yelled.

"Make me." Steve whispered viciously.

Blinking away the stars dancing in front of his eyes, Dean frowned at the demon. "You want revenge for your brother's death? Take it out on me. Let Sam go. He had nothing to do with it."

"Dean!"

"But having just one of you here is only half as much fun." Steve smirked. "Watching you two sacrificing yourself for each other is just so amusing."

He waved his hand and Dean found himself flying through the room again, colliding full force with the opposite wall. Sam lunged forward at the demon, but he hadn't even made two steps before he was flung backward and thrown against the wall Dean had been pinned to just moments ago.

"You son of a bitch." Dean groaned. "I'll kill you."

"You can try." Steve mocked him.

Dean shot him an angry glare before his eyes went for his brother. "Sam, you okay?"

"Yeah." Sam breathed out, slowly picking himself up from the floor.

"Don't worry, Sammy is not the one I'm planning to hurt today." Steve smiled viciously.

Before either of the brothers had a chance to react, Sam found himself pinned to the wall again, unable to move. Dean was hit with the full force of the demon's anger as one wave of pain after the next rolled over him. It didn't take long before he couldn't stop himself anymore from screaming out loud.

"Stop it!" Sam yelled, watching horrified how his brother lay curled up on the floor, his screams of pain ringing in his ears.

Steve laughed. "Make me." He said, daring the younger Winchesters.

Sam felt the anger rising inside of him – and with it, something else. Something dark, buried deep within him. He remembered his abilities and Tamiel using them. Back then, Sam had done his best to keep him back, to make it difficult for the demon inside of him to fully access and use his powers.

There was no need for this now. If he only could … if he knew how he could kill the bastard, make him pay for what he was doing. He could save Dean.

"Come on, Sammy, what are you waiting for?" Steve teased him. "Time to save your big brother."

Dean's screams intensified and Sam didn't think his brother would be able to take much more. And he couldn't lose him. Not after everything. Not like this.

"You're going to regret this." He hissed.

Steve only kept smiling.

Sam closed his eyes and concentrated on that dark place he felt inside of him ever since he had woken up. He felt the power inside him, just waiting to be let loose.

And then it suddenly felt like in the diner, when he made the memories stop haunting him. It was like a switch turned on and he could feel his abilities, all of them, surging through him and waiting to be used. He knew what he had to do.

He opened his eyes and glared at the demon. "Let my brother go."

Steve laughed in response and send another wave of pain in Dean's direction.

"Let. My. Brother. Go." Sam repeated slowly, his voice low.

Steve raised an eyebrow in surprise when his body obeyed to Sam's command against his will. He released Dean from his invisible grip and the older Winchester lay panting on the floor, his arms wrapped around his body to protect himself.

"I'm going to kill you." Sam growled.

"Sam …" Dean whispered.

The surprise in Steve's eyes vanished when he realized the change in the man before him. Understanding dawned on him and a knowing smile played on his lips. "Go ahead then."

Sam didn't hesitate any longer. Within seconds, the demon flew through the room, hitting the wall hard. It didn't take long before Steve started screaming. Blood started coming out of his eyes, ears, nose and mouth. His screams increased and Dean begged Sam to stop.

Sam didn't hear him. He kept taking out his revenge. And it felt so good, hearing the demon's painful screams, watching him suffer in front of him. He was doing this. Finally, he had the strength to pay back what had been done to him, to Dean, hell, his whole family, everyone he had ever loved! He would make them all pay, one after the other.

Once he was finished with the demon, Steve slid to the ground in a bloody pool, not moving.

Sam didn't have to check to know that he was dead. And so was the demon inside of him.

He trembled slightly, overcome by the powers pounding through his veins. He took a few deep breaths, relishing in the feeling.

He felt free. For the first time in years, no, since he could remember, he felt completely free.

"Sam?"

Dean's weak voice finally reached through to Sam and he quickly walked up to his brother, kneeling beside him.

"You okay?" He asked. He never noticed the absence of real worry in his voice.

"I'm super." Dean groaned. "Help me up."

Sam grabbed his arm and helped him to the bed, his grasp rough and tighter than necessary.

"What happened?" Dean asked, once he caught his breath again.

"I killed him." Sam replied, pride swinging in his voice. It wasn't every day that he got to save his big brother; usually it was the other way around.

Well, those days were over now.

"How?" Dean looked at him confused. His eyes went to the dead body on the floor. They widened in shock at the bloody figure. Sam had done this?

"I finally figured it out, Dean."

"Figured out what?" Dean frowned.

"How to use my abilities. It's awesome, man. The things I can do … and feel. I don't even have any pain anymore. It's like this freaking knife wound isn't even there."

Dean's frown intensified. "You used your abilities? Are you crazy?"

"Crazy?" Sam stared at his brother, the anger once again rising inside of him. "He would have killed you if I hadn't done anything. You would have preferred if I had just stood by and let him go on like that?"

"Yes!" Dean exhaled frustrated and shook his head. "No, of course not. But … Sam, this is dangerous. You know what could happen."

"Nothing happened. I'm fine." He pointed at Dean. "It's you who got beaten up."

"I'm okay. Just got a bit banged up." He winced when he took a too deep breath. He looked sternly at his brother. "Just don't do it again, okay? Remember what it did to Jake? And Ava?"

"Believe me, I'll never forget. But I'm not like them." Sam shook his head, willing his brother to believe him, to believe in him. "I can control this."

"I bet that's what they thought too." Dean countered. He tried to get up from the bed, but his legs gave away the second he stood upright.

Sam rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just lie down and take a break for a moment?"

He bent down and helped Dean back on the bed again. He wondered slightly that he wasn't worried about his brother more than he was. He knew he should. Dean had gotten hurt badly. Yet he felt nothing. Only impatience at his brother's reluctance to admit that he had done good.

"You need anything?" He asked, pushing these thoughts to the back of his mind.

"Painkillers." Dean groaned, lying back on the bed.

Sam puffed. "On their way."

A knock on the door had both brothers on alert immediately. Dean sat up as fast as possible, reaching for the gun under his pillow.

Sam raised a brow in question as he walked towards the door. Dean shrugged. Neither of them expected a visitor. And Bobby wouldn't have come back without having called before.

Slowly, Sam opened the door.

"Ruby!" He called out surprised when he saw the woman standing in front of him.

"Oh great." Dean groaned, putting the gun down. "Just what we need now. More demons."

"Hello Samuel." Ruby smiled. "May I come in?"

"Sure." Sam replied, frowning at her using his full name.

"Dean, you look like crap." She smirked once she was inside.

"Thanks. So do you." Dean quipped.

Ruby smiled and then turned her attention back to Sam. "It looks like you guys had some kind of trouble here."

"Yeah, well …" Sam shrugged.

"You're lucky Steve there …." She pointed at the dead body on the ground. "…. took precautions so that your screams wouldn't be heard throughout the motel."

"You knew what was happening here?" Dean asked, shooting accusing looks at her.

"Don't get all upset. I knew you could handle things. Or at least Sam could." She added with a raised brow at Dean's injuries.

"Then what are you doing here?" Dean wanted to know. The anger made him forget his injuries and the pain for the moment. He wanted that bitch out. He needed time alone with Sam.

I'm here to obey your orders, Samuel.

Sam's head snapped up when he heard Ruby's voice in his mind. A familiar voice.

The same voice he had heard since waking up.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by." Ruby smirked, still looking at Dean.

Sam stared at her incredulous. "What are you talking about?"

She turned to him, bowing her head slightly.

You have risen to be our new leader, Samuel. We'll obey your orders.

"It's what friends do, isn't it?" She said aloud.

"No." Sam called out, taking a step back.

"No?" She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Sammy's right, we're not exactly friends." Dean added.

Ruby turned to him, a smile playing on her lips. It immediately raised Dean's suspicions.

"What are you up to?" He asked.

Think about it, Sam. All demons, doing what you command.

"Shut up!" Sam yelled.

"Sam? What's wrong?" Dean was up to his feet in a moment, his hand tightened around his gun.

You can save the world.

Sam didn't even notice that Dean had gotten up, all his attention was on Ruby now.

You can save Dean.

Sam stilled.

"It's all going to be all right." Ruby said quietly.

"This has been your plan all along, hasn't it?" Sam asked.

"What plan?" Dean demanded to know.

Ruby smiled. It really had all been too easy. Her plan couldn't have worked any better. She didn't even had to possess Bela to convince her to give Sam a fake gun. A little bit of help getting her out of her Deal and she was more than willing to help. Watching Sam while being possessed had been fun, like seeing the future leader raise before his time. She had felt when Sam had been ready. Giving Dean the knife, making him use it just by giving small hints that it might save his brother, had been the easiest part. Staying close enough to Sam to prepare him for the last stage, whispering her words into his mind, that had been more difficult. Bobby and Dean were both experienced hunters and hiding from them hadn't been easy.

But in the end it all had worked out for the best. And now Sam was ready to lead the demons to war. And she would be his second in command, always at his side. This was way better than anything Tamiel had ever been able to offer her.

"I've watched you grown with your abilities, Sam. You always had it in you." She smiled. "You just needed to accept who you really are."

"Would someone please tell me what you're talking about?" Dean asked angry.

"Dean, it's okay." Sam held up a hand, motioning Dean to stay quiet. His eyes stayed fixed on Ruby. "You sent Steve?"

"I knew you would beat him. A sacrifice for the greater good." She shrugged.

"You back-stabbing, evil bitch!" Dean cursed.

Ruby ignored him, instead her smile widened as she looked at Sam. "Are you willing to accept your destiny?"

"Destiny?" Dean exclaimed.

"Save the world?" Sam asked.

"Save the world?" Dean repeated, sounding much less impressed than Sam. "What is that crap?"

Don't listen to him, Samuel. He'll never understand. He can't.

Sam frowned, ready to object.

He's a hunter through and through. It's impossible for him to understand. You know that. Like father, like son.

Sam nodded slowly. He knew it was true. "Dean …" Sam finally turned to his brother. "I have to do this."

"Do what?"

A smile crept on Sam's face when he realized what he had to do. That Ruby was right. The darkness he had felt inside … he could use it for something good. He could fight the evil in him. He wouldn't give in like Jake and Ava.

"Azazel wanted me to lead his army. Well, that's what I'm going to do." He laughed quietly. "Only not quite as he planned me to do it."

Dean's eyes widened in shock. "Sam, what … Are you crazy?"

Sam laughed. "That's what I thought. Ever since I woke up, I thought I was losing my mind. I never realized … This is who I am."

"No." Dean shook his head. "No, it's not. You're not some demon army leader. You're my brother. You're a hunter."

"Dean …"

"No, Sam! You don't lead the bastards, you kill them. That's the only way to stop them."

"I told you he wouldn't understand." Ruby said.

"Shut up, bitch!" Dean yelled. He raised his gun and pointed it at the demon's head.

"Dean!"

"You know you can't kill me." Ruby smirked.

"I killed Tamiel. And Azazel. And a whole bunch of other demons. What makes you think I won't kill you?"

"Dean, put the gun down!" Sam ordered.

Dean lowered his arm and the gun fell to the ground. Shocked the older Winchester stared at his brother.

"Did you just …"

"I'm sorry, but this is exactly what I'm trying to stop. No more unnecessary bloodshed." Sam said.

"By using your mind tricks on me? Your own brother?" Dean's heart sank when he saw not a single trace of remorse in Sam's eyes. Only cold determination.

"Whatever it takes." Sam replied.

Dean shivered. This wasn't happening. "Look, let's … let's think this through, okay? We drive to Bobby, let's see what he has to say."

"Bobby won't understand, Dean. He's just like …" He hesitated and his voice softened. "He's just like you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You'll never understand. I'm sorry." Sam added quietly.

He didn't look sorry.

He didn't feel sorry.

He only felt free. And ready to take on the world.

"Sam …"

"It's time to go, Samuel." Ruby said quietly.

Sam looked at her. "I thought I was the one giving the orders."

"Of course." Ruby bowed her head, a playful smile on her lips.

Sam turned back to Dean. "You should call Bobby. Someone should look after your wounds."

Dean looked surprised. "You're just going to leave me here?"

Sam shrugged. "You'll survive."

"Sam …" His voice hitched as he stared at the man in front of him. This wasn't Sam. Not his Sam. "Please, don't … just …"

"With the time, you'll see this is the right way. The only way." Sam cut in before Dean could go on.

He looked at Dean with eyes that were bare of any emotion. Like Sam was already gone.

"Good bye, Dean."

Dean shook his head, opening his mouth to hold his brother back, but no words were coming out.

When Sam stepped out of the room, followed by Ruby, Dean's legs gave in and he sagged on the ground.

He'd lost Sam.

--SPN--

It took less than a week for the first rumors of the new leader of the demon army to come in. Dean was staying at Bobby's place, having not trusted himself to look after his injuries himself. He knew he had been wounded badly. And he hadn't wanted to be alone.

Not again.

It was Bobby who told him. A group of demons, lead by their new leader, had raided a small town in Nebraska. Hundreds of people had died. They had checked on it immediately; most of the dead had a history of crime, some worse, some less bad than others. A few had been nothing but innocents though - innocent victims in a war they didn't even know about. Sam had started his mission to save the world.

In the ways of a demon.

And Dean knew that he had lost – had failed. There was no way back now. No magic weapon, no deal that would give him his brother back.

"He just said that I had to save you, that nothing else mattered; and that if I couldn't, I'd... That I'd have to kill you. He said that I might have to kill you, Sammy."

Dean looked up at Bobby who was waiting for him at the door. He gave a short nod, packed his gun and stood up.

"Let's go."

The end.