Chapter Text
"Do you want the bite? Yes...or no?"
"Hale?...Hale? Hale!"
Peter snapped out of his thoughts, eyes flashing blue towards Chris who took a step back and raised his hands in placating manner.
"You okay?" Chris asked tentatively.
He was in Refuge with Peter plotting how they were going to corner Deucalion and give Marin enough time to do the spell. Erica was off collecting some of the items that are easier to collect. Boyd was fetching some of the things that weren't so easy to find lying around. And Ms. Morrell was collecting the rest she'll need, along with a few magical power boosters. The spell Stiles left them was big. It would need some serious mojo. Soon after Erica and Boyd were informed about their plan, Peter contacted with Stiles's friend. It took him a few hours to get in contact but he did. The talk was brief, but it got the point across.
Peter wasn't sure what Grant's feelings were exactly regarding Stiles. If they were really real or if they were just friendly allies who liked to fuck when possible. Some may deny that friends with benefits actually existed, and maybe it was true. There was no denying feelings being stronger than what was voiced out loud, but people like Grant and Stiles understood the lives they led. Knew that they couldn't have everything they deserved, and took what they could. Even if what they took wasn't enough.
It was why Peter made it clear to everyone that no one else outside of who he allowed was to be contacted. Derek, Scott, Allison...anyone, they'd want to save Stiles. They'd follow their hearts blindly and as much as Peter wanted to do that too, he couldn't. He had to keep a clear head and look at things logically.
"If by 'Okay' you mean alive and in one piece with a ethically moral understanding of societies rules despite my natural psychopathic impulses? Yeah, I'm just peachy." Peter sneered.
Chris sighed, "I know this isn't easy, but it's what needs to be done."
Peter scoffed. "You don't need to give me that speech, Argent. I know that. It's why I called you and Morrell specifically. I can't have emotions of love and loyalty blind the call of duty."
"Wouldn't it have been better to leave Erica and Boyd out of it in that case?" Chris inquired.
"It's different for them. They might still hold on to a hope that in the end I'll have some miraculous trick that'll save Stiles, but they understand. Stiles...he..." Peter sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He was quiet for a moment before he turned to lock eye with the hunter, "The Stiles you're mentally preparing yourself to put down isn't the same one as mine. The Stiles you're feeling sorry for is the son of the sheriff. The last living member of a good man who doesn't deserve that and that strikes a nerve close to home. You see Allison's classmate, and by proxy what one day could very well happen to your daughter because this is a dangerous life."
Peter took in a deep breath before he said softly. "The Stiles I'm saying goodbye to was my Alpha." He looked at Chris with an intense look. In that stare was possibly the most human anguish Chris has seen in a long time. "My family was murdered...burned alive." Chris looked away with shame, but looked back up when he heard Peter laugh. "I'm not saying it to hurt your feelings..." Peter stopped, scoffed before smirking, "Or maybe I am. I am an asshole after all. But back to my point. They were killed. I was left as a burned out husk for years, trapped in my own mind as I slowly went insane. Before the fire I was...mischievously cunning, but nothing too out of control. My...my sister...my Alpha, kept me in check.
"You know the rest though..." Peter waved a dismissive hand as he recounted what happened, "I regained use of my body, went insane and on a spree, grew to be hated and thought of a villain...which I did kind of brilliantly I think. But none of that brilliance could ever fill the hole in my life. Wolves by nature are social creatures. The lone wolf act is a curse that none of us want...it's pathetic and miserable.
"Because of Stiles I have a pack. I have a family. For once in a very long time...the world makes sense again. Stiles did that. So yeah, saying goodbye to the guy that fix me won't be easy."
Derek opened the closet door where he and Cora first found the maps Peter was using to track Stiles. But just as the last time he checked, and the hundreds of time before that, it was empty.
"You really think you're going to find anything new? He hasn't been here in months! Hell, do you really think you can find anything reliable or useful in whatever Peter's given us?" Cora asked as she approached her brother.
"He was pissed with us...but these maps still held information from when he was tracking Stiles..." Derek mused.
Cora scoffed, "Again...how can you trust they're reliable?"
"Peter's cunning, but the best lies always hold a bit of truth. Was he hiding more crucial information from us?"
"Obviously." she deadpanned.
Derek gave her an impatient look before continuing, "These are locations within or around Beacon Hills" he said as he pointed the pinned up maps. Then he shared another look with her, "...I don't know the full story. But if Deucalion is back and using Stiles's body-"
Cora was now facing the maps just as Derek before she continued for him, "He may backtrack to some of these locations. Which he doesn't know we know about." She looked at her brother, smirking slightly, a little impressed.
"Won't hurt to check out." Derek replied.
"Also the only lead we have since Stiles's pack is MIA." Cora muttered.
Derek nodded as he took out his cell.
"Who are you calling?" she asked.
Sighing, Derek looked through his contacts before pressing 'call'. "I...the one thing Stiles has been trying to teach us is how to work together instead of competing with one another. It doesn't matter who finds Deucalion first, just that we do. We have to stop acting like we're on different tea- Yeah, Scott? Look...I might have something. Meet me at the Vet Clinic and bring everyone."
He had the basics down on the magic in his control. It was fighting him though. The magic properly belonged to Stiles, and the training and situations Deucalion had placed Stiles through to strengthen him have enforced his magic recognize only Stiles as it's true master. He could feel it swirl and burn inside of him. Angry and wild. Being close to Beacon and the Currents, his magic reached towards them...towards any connection to the Other Side where it can reach it's rightful master. If he didn't act soon, he would lose his new body and powers and his sight.
He wouldn't let it happen. Not again.
As he caressed the sheriff's badge he began to form a plan. Knowing what needed to be done.
Pulling out Stiles's phone he made a call. It took just about one ring before the other side picked up.
"Stiles!?"
He took a deep breath before giving his best impression of Stiles. "D-dad? Dad I'm in trouble..." there was silence over the line and he had to check to make sure the call hadn't been disconnected. "Hello?"
"I'm here! I'm...I just...god, I've missed you kid."
"I've missed you too dad. I...I wanted to call, I did. But-" Deucalion was glad he was doing this over the phone, he wasn't sure he could keep from rolling his eyes.
"Don't worry, son. All that's important is that you're back. Where are you?"
Deucalion shook his head and rolled his eyes once more. It was all too easy.
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"We really need to stop meeting like this, Peter. People will talk."
"Considering my demands for that consist of you leaving Stiles's body and leaving our pack alone for the rest of your miserable life, I rather doubt it'll happen."
"You're persistent, I'll give you that." Deucalion drawled. He paced around Peter, watching him with a careful eye. "Is there any point in asking what you're planning?"
"Who says I'm planning anything?"
Deucalion sent Peter a look that loudly said, 'Seriously?'
Peter shrugged but relented, "I'm a bit more tech savvy than my nephew. And I just so happened to notice that the Sheriff received a phone call. I hold no illusions that we can save Stiles. But I can make sure nothing happens to his father."
"Is that a threat?" Deucalion asked, somewhat amused.
"No, but should you try anything, you can consider this a promise. Touch the Sheriff...and I will personally show you a level of hell even Satan himself fears."
"I guess I should start with apologizing for our last encounter. You'll have to understand-"
"You're not Stiles." Derek cut in. He turned to look over at Deucalion wearing Stiles's face and even though he should keep a straight face, he couldn't stop the sadness from coming through.
Deucalion nodded in agreement. "I'm not. And I'm sorry to say that you can't save him."
Derek growled and his nostril's flared with anger, but that was all he could do. He tried to move, to lunge and attack, but he found himself paralized. His eyes widened when he saw Deucalion smirk and his eyes glow ever slightly.
He and Cora went to meet up with Scott and the rest. After telling them their bit of information, Scott being a bit angry that they kept it hidden all this time, they split up and went to search different locations. Similar teams were kept as last time. Scott went with Isaac, Allison with Lydia, the twins with themselves, and they even managed to get Dr. Deaton involved too. It was while at a gas station refueling that he got a text. It'd been from Stiles's phone and it asked him to meet him somewhere alone.
As much as he wanted to play by the rules Stiles tried to teach them, he stuck to his mannerisms and snuck away from his sister. When he arrive at the location, it was an old motel just in the outskirts of Beacon.
"I want to talk. You're going to listen..." Deucalion approached him until he was a few inches away. "I'm going to undo the spell. I can easily put it back, but I'd rather not. So...let's be civil, shall we?" he snapped his fingers and Derek stumbled a bit forward before he caught himself. He squared his shoulders and braced his stance before looking Deucalion down.
"Man of so little words...much better than your uncle. I honestly don't know how Stiles tolerated him." Deucalion scoffed.
Derek perked at attention. He was curious and wanted to ask, but he also wanted to rip Deucalion out of Stiles's body.
"I have all of Stiles's memories you see. When I switched out places we...let's say there was a moment of merging. For a second or two, we were one in mind, body, and spirit." Deucalion stated, sounding pleased with himself but all his smirk did was make Derek feel nauseous. "He and your uncle have become quite close...but not as close as him and that Grant fellow."
Derek growled at that name out of instinct.
Deucalion smiled, "Yes...I saw your jealousy as well."
"Not jealous." Derek growled.
"Right." Deucalion said, though it was clear he didn't believe it. So he threw Derek a bone. "Grant was. Is. He's away right now, probably still thinks Stiles is his. Sort of. Sorry, I'm being confusing, aren't I? Stiles liked you. Has for a while, but it was this whole thing as he tried to figure out his sexuality, you were older than him, everyone's lives and situations mattered more than his...it was all so much, he ignored it. He repressed it until he took noticed that his fuck toys while with me all shared...let's call them 'Derek' traits.
"You should have seen his thoughts when you were all willing and wanting to join his pack. It was presenting a tall glass of water to a man whose been traveling the desert. Grant hates you as much as you hate him...Stiles thought about you in bed. Called out your name a few times in the beginning."
Derek licked his lips and his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. "Why are you telling me this?"
Deucalion took a step closer to Derek. "I'm not just possessing Stiles's body Derek...I've taken over."
Derek shook his head and took a step back. Deucalion taking another step forward, following.
"I have. He sent me into Purgatory and I found that one in a millionth way out. And used it up. It's over...I am the last thing that remains of Stiles. And you can have me..."
Derek's eyes widened and his breath hitched. He licked his lips and let his eyes roam over Stiles's body, making Deucalion smirk.
"You want it, don't you? Have for a while...these last few weeks it's been worse...stronger. Stiles fought it, fought what you feel...it's not wrong Derek. And you can have what's left of him. You can have his body whenever you want, however you want..."as Deucalion spoke, he stepped closer to Derek until they were right in front of each other. Derek closed his eyes and Deucalion in Stiles's body reached up and kissed him.
If he kept his eyes close, if he thought hard enough, he could believe it. Believe it was Stiles and that he finally had him.
When Deucalion's hands traveled down and landed on Derek's belt, Derek froze. He gripped Deucalion's hands and kept them from moving. He opened his eyes and stepped back, but didn't say anything.
Deucalion grinned, "You don't have to lose everything, Derek. I can be anything you want me to be. I can be Stiles. You just have to protect me..." when Derek furrowed his brows in confusion, Deucalion reached up and cupped Derek's cheek with one hand. He tried for his most sincere look, channeling his best impression of Stiles. "Peter and his pack...they want to get rid of me. They're going to attack me...and soon. Protect me, Derek. Protect the last of Stiles."
"They sent you?"
"Fight fire with fire, you know how it goes. Except I know how to make my fire burn hotter." Grant spoke evenly as he held his gun stead and aimed at 'Stiles's' head. "Hale...to be frank, I didn't care to ever meet you properly, but least of all like this. You do understand that this isn't Stiles, right?"
"He knows who I am. He also know a good deal when he sees it." Deucalion stated smugly, even if Derek looked uneasy.
"Making deals with the devil is an idiot mistake. One that the real Stiles would hate you for. Step away from him and slowly leave the building Hale." Grant ordered.
Deucalion turned to Derek and gave him a demanding look, "You're not backing down now are you? They send in...this hack, and you stumble?" Deucalion approached Derek, invading his personal space and looked at him with sad doe eyes before speaking quietly, "You're not going to let him hurt me, are you?"
"Oh come on! You can't seriously be falling for this. He's not Stiles!" Grant barked as he cocked his gun.
Derek immediately pushed Deucalion behind him and stood between the gun and him. "I know he's not. I...I do. Doesn't mean I'm going to let you, or anyone else, hurt him."
"Oh for Gods sake! If you think I'm above shooting you, you're wrong! I don't know what the fuck you've got going through your brain, but let me make it easy for you to understand. You've got one last chance to stand down before I take you both down!"
Derek's eyes flashed blue and his claws and fangs extended. He roared in challenge. "Get the fuck away from Stiles!"
Grant clicked his tongue in annoyance. "You deluded mutt..."
Derek growled before lunging himself at Grant. The mage dodged Derek's claws by centimeters before turning and firing his gun. He shot at Derek's legs to make him fall over. It took a few minutes but he finally did manage it. As Derek tried, and failed, to remain up right and get to 'Stiles's' side, Deucalion was looking at Grant with a frown.
"You're a magic user...a rather powerful one. Why use a gun?"
Grant chuckled, smile gracing his lips, "Simple. It's called...a distraction."
In a blink, Grant was engulfed by smoke and disappeared. Deucalion's eyes widened and then flashed gold as he felt the pulse in power.
"NO! NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I AM DEUCALION! DO YOU UNDERSTAND? I AM THE DEMON WOLF! YOU CAN'T KILL ME!"
The pulse of power knocked Derek to the ground. He blinked a few times as he tried to get his bearing together and make sense of whatever the hell was going on. Grant was gone, the air in the room was swirling like mad. His eyes were wolfed out and he could see sparks of energy every so often. They seemed to be surrounding Stiles's body. A vortex began to form around it, Deucalion swinging at it wildly. He was yelling but his screams were eaten up by the howling of the winds.
Derek tried to concentrate and when he did, he could hear chanting from outside. He forced himself up and towards the window. It was blurry but after enough squinting he could make out the people outside. The councilor Morrell was in a symbol, arms extended as she chanted, across from her stood Grant. In four point around the sigil they created were Peter, Boyd, Erica, and Chris. Each of them was holding something and in the center was an opening to another vortex that got bigger and bigger, longer and longer, until it connected to the one that surrounded Deucalion. Derek tried to scream at them to stop. That there had to be another way. A way that involved saving Stiles.
But his screams were drowned out.
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The was a blinding flash and another pulse that knocked Derek back down. When he again opened his eyes...he was alone. He searched and searched but Stiles's body was gone. Running towards the window he saw that the magic that had swirled around the others was gone now too. All who participated were thrown by the pulse as well. Derek jumped out the window and ran towards them to make sure they were alright. He heard seven heartbeats, not counting his own. Which made him pause and look around.
Maybe it failed?
"STILES!"
Derek's heart sank and his chest filled with dread. While everyone else remained passed out, Derek will have to face a very pissed off and crazed Sheriff.
"Where is he? Where is he!?" the Sheriff demanded as he approached Derek. Then he pointed at the sigil and everyone in or around it, "What the hell did they do?!" he demanded.
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When Deucalion opened his eyes he thrashed about, feeling unsteady and unsure of where he was. A feeling that was oddly enough, not the first time he's felt it. He finally stopped when he saw...something, familiar.
"Why hello little sheep...I've been waiting for you."
Fin