(Scene Change) Mallory and Dean are still in the kitchen with Crowley.

"If we're going to Massachusetts, we should pop in and let Cas and Sam know." Dean suddenly looked a little anxious.

"Uhh, why don't you just send me in real fast?' He said, trying to act nonchalant.

"And leave me here with 50 First Dates, over here? Huh uh." Mallory said, starting to walk out of the kitchen. Dean scampered up behind her, moving to cut her off.

"Come on, it will only take me a second."

"Don't leave me!" Crowley called behind them.

"... Why are you acting weird?" Mallory asked Dean, pushing her way past him.

Dean hurried after her as she made her way to the infirmary. "It's just that... Sam feels awful about you seeing him like that," Dean lied. "He doesn't want you to feel guilty about what's happened."

Mallory stopped and looked at him. "Really?" Her brows furrowed with concern. "I mean, I do feel awful, but I still want to see him and make sure he's doing okay."

"You can make sure he's okay once we get him outta that hell hole," Dean said, giving her a slight smile. Mallory hesitated, then turned away from Dean.

"I'm sorry I dragged you guys into this..." she said, refusing to looking at him. "Maxus knows my weaknesses too well... This is why I don't stick around for too long."

Dean took a few careful steps forward. "Mal, don't beat yourself up over this..."

"It's just-" Mallory stopped abruptly, her body tensing. Her hand flew to the blade resting within her jacket.

"What is it?" Dean asked, feeling on edge. He quickly noticed the knife in her hand and he frowned, but pulled out his own demon knife.

"Demons are here," Mallory hissed.

"In the bunker?" She gave him a curt nod.

"Son of a bitch," Dean growled under his breath. "We're like fish in a barrel. Mallory don't be too quick to use that blade." he ordered.

"I know," Mallory said through gritted teeth, but her grip only tightened on the hilt.

Crowley waddled out of the kitchen, holding his cup of tea, and looking decidedly grumpy. "Some hospitality," he whined. "Are all you Americans this rude?"

"Alright kids, come out and play!" Mallory yelled out. The bunker was uncomfortably quiet. "Dean, go to the infirmary." Dean nodded, grabbed Crowley by the scruff of the neck, much to Crowley's protests, and rushed over to the infirmary.

(Scene Change) Dean and Crowley stand in the infirmary, between Cas and Sam's bodies. Dean looks up and notices that the devil's crap Mallory put in place for Crowley has been burned away.

"Damnit,"Dean said. He turned to Crowley. "Don't leave this room." A confused ans terrified looking Crowley nodded quickly and sat on the edge of Sam's bed.

A demon suddenly appeared in front of Dean, giving him an impish grin. "It sucks that you guys put so much to keep us outta here," the demon said smugly. "A lot of good i-" Dean stuck his knife into the demon's belly, sending it to the floor. As soon as the demon died, three more appeared in the infirmary, one of them grabbing Crowley by the neck and sending him flying over Sam's body. Two demons rushed at Dean; he quickly turned, slashing one across the neck, but the other caught his chin, landing a punch. Dean stumbled back, allowing the demon to step forward and Dean sidestepped, grabbing the demon and bringing them both to the ground. With the knife still in his hand, he elbowed the demon in the head, then brought the knife across its chest.

The demon that threw Crowley was now standing over him, eyes black, and hands squeezing at Crowley's throat. Crowley clawed at the demon's hands, but his face was quickly turning red.

"It's a pleasure to beat the crap out of you again, your highness," the demon smirked. Dean lunged at the demon over Crowley, stabbing him through the back. The demon slumped over Crowley, who pushed him off angrily.

"Why is everyone so mean to me?!" Crowley cried, sitting on the floor. Dean glanced at him, trying to keep his cool, then scanned the room.

(Scene Change) Mallory stands alert outside of the kitchen, surrounded by over a dozen demons. She has a hand on the blade, but has not taken it from her jacket.

"You must be a real idiot to think that you could hide from Maxus forever," A young female demon said smugly.

Mallory smirked at the demon. "I gotta ask, why are you red shirts so eager to get slaughtered? You may think he's a good leader, but are you all really willing to get your asses handed to you?"

"We play just a small role in a bigger picture," said another, older demon with a scruffy, white beard. "But we know your brother is capable and will deliver on what he promised us."

"Demons," Mallory frowned. "Just sheep, following the next big baddie. Don't you ever get tired of just following orders?"

A loud crash erupted from the the direction of the infirmary and Mallory swiftly pulled the blade from her jacket. Most of the demons turned their heads to the noise, but the older demon and the young female demon both gave Mallory satisfied smiles.

"Sounds like the others just got to your friends," The young demon mused, then she charged Mallory, flanked by two others. Mallory rushed at the female demon, sticking the blade through her stomach. She pulled it out and approached one of the flanking demons, grabbing their arm and flinging them back into the kitchen with ferocious strength. The third demon, she caught with the tip of the blade, slicing it across their face. She finished them by driving the blade through their chest. Mallory let the demon slump to the ground and she looked at the blade with a grave expression. She looked up at the remaining demons, anger in her eyes, and began to slash her way through them.

(Scene Change) Maxus stands outside of the bunker, still in his suit, accompanied by the same young, male demon from hell; the young demon appears slightly anxious. Maxus, on the other hand, looks calm, his hands in his pockets.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Do you think sending in twenty was enough?" The demon asked.

Maxus nodded, smiling. "I think it will get the job done. I saw the look in her eyes when she stabbed Atticus. Despite her annoyingly righteous intentions, Mallory can't help but be drawn in by the blade. Hell, I haven't even used it and I want to go on a murdering spree. I can't imagine how it's tearing her apart," he chuckled, then grew serious. "This should be enough to push her to come kill Azarias, at least. She's running out of time."

"And what of the Winchesters? What should we do about them?"

"I personally have no quarrel them... I should be thanking them for clearing out some of the people in my way, even if they didn't realize what they were doing. However, if they die in the line of fire, so be it. It only motivates Mallory to kill more if they are in danger."

"But what if they survive and word gets out to other hunters?" The young demon asked nervously. "We've been doing a lot of this on the down low... plus, there's that angel that's always helping them out. That might bring us some publicity that we don't want at this time... Word might get back to heaven."

Maxus slapped the demon on the back playfully. "Caleb, you worry too much. Heaven's got a lot on their plate at the moment, and I've already got the ball rolling on my next step, so I'm not too worried about Uncle Cas," Maxus grinned.

"I'm sorry for doubting you, sir," Caleb said sheepishly.

"Don't be. It's good to ask questions. I'm sorry that I don't divulge everything to you guys; not even Azarias knows the full extent of my plans. I just want to see this threw to the end with minimal demon casualties, but I suppose that seems like I sacrifice some trust by keeping everything so close to my chest. There are some demons that I trust immensely, but even still. I have too many potential enemies to let my guard down. I hope you can understand that."

"I understand," Caleb said. "And I don't blame you. I trust you to lead us well."

Maxus smiled. "Thank you. I hope I don't disappoint."

(Scene Change) Mallory is leaning over a dead demon, the blade in its chest. She pulls it out and clenches it in her fist, her eyes glowing black with white irises. She stands up, taking heavy breaths, taking a look around. Dead demons are strewn across the room. Dean runs into the room with a near hysterical Crowley.

"Mallory!" Dean yelled. Mallory quickly turned away from him, her eyes returning to their natural blue. She looked down at the blade, panic etched in her face.

Dean carefully stepped over the dead bodies to get to her. "Are you okay?" He asked in a worried tone.

"I...she stopped herself. "... I heard you guys getting attacked in the other room and I snapped." She turned to face him, tears starting to form. "It was too easy, Dean. It was too easy to kill them." Mallory dropped the blade with disgust and started shaking. Dean walked to her and put reassuring hands on her shoulders.

"We need to find Azasrias," Dean said with an uneasy look in his eyes. "We can worry about the blade later, okay? Let's save Sam." Mallory stared at the scene before her, her expression distant.

"Mal?" Dean shook her shoulders gently.

"Right..." She said quietly.

Dean looked to Crowley. "You wanna clean this up while we're gone?"

Crowley's face was twisted in horror. "Excuse me? You're just going to leave me here?! I could get killed if more of those things come back!"

"You're one of those things, Idiot!" Dean snapped. "Grow a pair and defend yourself!"

Crowley then cowered slightly, now offended. "I... am not quite sure how to do that, yet."

"Crowley does have a point though," Mallory said, regaining her composure. "If Maxus sends any demons through again, they could easily kill Cas and Sam. Someone needs to watch out for them. Someone who isn't Crowley."

"Rude," Crowley mumbled.

Dean's brow furrowed. "I know... But I don't want you to go alone. What if we woke up Cas, just long enough to protect the bunker and Sam's body?"

"That'd be leaving Sam alone and vulnerable in Maxus' purgatory."

Dean opened his mouth to speak, but stopped to reconsider his words. "You're right... I'll stay. Just please," he squeezed her shoulders, then let go to retrieve the blade. "Be careful," he handed her the blade. "And go kick some ass." Mallory smiled and disappeared, leaving Dean and Crowley with the mess.

(Scene Change) Azarias is sitting at a table in the bar, fidgeting with a glass of whiskey. the bar is full of people and music is playing loudly. Mallory appears beside him and takes a seat.

"You look nervous," Mallory said. Azarias jolted at the sound of her voice, nearly dropping the glass.

"Damn, Maxus is good," he said. "He has predicted everything perfectly... you must realize that you're only causing yourself more grief by putting up a fight. Why do you do this Mallory? You let him play you; you're so easily manipulated by him."

Mallory scowled. "Maxus has always been clever, but I'm not giving up so easily. I'm just here to take care of Sam. He's my first priority."

"I get that. That's why I'm here, after all." Azarias gave her a sickening smile. "But killing me just makes things harder for you in the end. How's the blade treating you? Powerful, huh? You'll go into a frenzy to protect the ones you care about, but what happens when you hurt one of them?"

"You seem to know a lot about the blade," Mallory frowned. "You probably know how I can satisfy the blade's bloodlust..."

"I'm not here to negotiate. I'm here to die." Azarias said, setting the glass down.

(Scene Change) Sam and Matthias are still sitting at the base of the tree, Cas standing over them.

"What happens once Cas and I get out of here?" Sam asked Matthias. "Does that mean we no longer have a connection to this place? We'll just lose you in here?"

Matthias thought for a moment. "I suppose that would be the most logical explanation. I know too little of this place to make assumptions. But I do know you and Castiel are not bound to this place like myself and the other creatures here because you are not dead."

"And this place is not like the actual Purgatory," Cas stated. "This reality is created completely on the whims on Maxus..."

But what if Maxus dies? What would happen to everyone in here? What would happen to you?"

Matthias gave him a concerned expression. "Now that you have freed me from torture, that is something I have been fretting over. I don't want Mallory to know that I am in here, because I fear that it may prompt her to give up her powers to try and save me... but a part of me cannot help but to wish to be saved. I know that is impossible and a selfish thought. It's foolish of me to even think it."

Sam and Cas shared a knowing look. "To be honest, this isn't the first time we've been in a bad situation like this. There may be hope for you," Sam said comfortingly. Matthias gave him a smile, but didn't look completely convinced.

"Thank you, Samuel."

"No problem, and you can call me Sam- AH!" Sam cried grasping at his side.

"Sam," Cas bent down to inspect his wound.

"It's burning!" Sam winced, moving his hand enough so Matthias and Cas could see the wound starting to close and mend itself. It started emitting a black light, glowing so intensely, that it cast the three men in shadow. Cas grabbed Sam's arms, trying to calm him down. The shadow was replaced by a brief, blinding white flash. Once it had disappeared, Cas and Sam were gone. Matthias knelt on the ground, surprise on his face. He pulled himself up and looked at the spot where Sam was with a smile.

"Good luck Sam. Take care of Mallory, please."

(Scene Change) Sam and Cas sit up abruptly from their bed, relief on their faces.

"We're not dead," Sam smiled, feeling his stomach where the wound once was. Not even a scar was left on his body.

"Sammy!" Dean sprang forward, hugging his brother. "You son of a bitch!" He laughed. "Glad to see you're okay."

"Yeah..." Sam looked around, almost in disbelief. He stopped when he saw Crowley moping on one of the beds.

"Um... Why is he here?"

"It's a long story," Dean grumbled.

"Where is Mallory?" Cas asked.

Dean cleared his throat nervously. "She went to kill Azarias, and since you guys are up and kicking, she must have succeeded... But, we got attacked by demons, and she used the blade on them."

"Why didn't you go with her?" Cas asked angrily.

"I couldn't leave you guys and I couldn't suggest she pull you out! She thought Sam would be alone in there. I made a promise to Matthias that I wouldn't tell her he was there."

Sam sighed. "Where is she?"

"Massachusetts." Dean said, deflated.

(Scene Change) Mallory is sitting next to a dead Azarias, who is slumped over the bar counter, blood seeping out from beneath him. She has the blade in her hand, the tip in the wood counter. She pulls the blade out and wipes it on Azarias' suit. Music is still playing overhead, but everyone in the bar is lying on the floor, drenched in their own blood. With a look of disgust, she puts it back in her jacket and stands up from the bar.

"It was too easy, Dean," she said quietly, walking out the door.