Finally the championships are hear. That means the most violent fight yet. Graphic violence and gore. Be warned.

Warnings and Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

Enjoy.


The team arose early, but well rested the following morning. Jacob sent Daniel on one final errand before pushing Jack and Teal'c into the bathroom and made his last report to Lord Yu. Once finished he ordered an extravagant breakfast spread delivered to their room. They feasted on the lavishly prepared meal.

"You look ridiculous," Jack said over a mouthful of eggs. Jacob had showered and put on the most lavish outfit he could find. He just grinned.

"Wait till Daniel gets back," he said, reaching for some bread and spreading a generous amount of jam on it.

"Why?" Jack demanded, but Jacob only grinned. A few minutes later Daniel returned, laying out three ornate costumes that complimented Jacob's perfectly. "Was I mean to you in a past life or something?" Jack grumbled as Daniel reached for some food.

"Only in this one," Jacob responded as Teal'c grabbed his outfit and went for a quick shower. "I think they're starting." Jacob pointed to the viewscreen. Jack nodded, grabbed their map and began marking the new traps the slaves were setting up. Teal'c joined him a few minutes later, looking as ridiculous in his outfit as Jack knew he would look in his.

They slowly wiled away the morning, eating and mentally preparing for what was to come. Eventually Jack and Daniel showered and changed into their outfits as well. All too soon it was time to leave. They arrived at the pavilion a few minutes before the level was to start. Everyone was already here, leaving very little room for others. They all stood and bowed as Selmak entered. She motioned for her slaves to go to the back corner where they usually stood before making her way to the center of the pavilion. The Family Heads of the two contestants were on her left, while the City Administrator, the Security Chief, and the Gamemaster were on her right. She shared a long look with the Administrator and the Security Chief before addressing the Gamemaster.

"You have produced another fine Contest to honor Lord Yu." He bowed and Selmak turned her attention to the two Family Heads. "You have produced fine contestants to honor Lord Yu." They bowed and Selmak again turned her attention to the Administrator and Security Chief. "Lord Yu is most pleased." They shot each other a quick glance but quickly bowed to Selmak. Selmak nodded and sat down, the rest of the room following suite.

"I hope this final level will hold up to the high level of competition you have experienced so far," the Gamemaster said as he retook his seat. Below in the stadium spectators started filling in.

"I'm sure it will," Selmak replied, motioning for Daniel to bring a tray over. Daniel immediately responded, and was serving Selmak as she was being introduced to the Family Heads. Soon the audience was seated and it was time to begin. She waved Daniel away and instead nodded to the Gamemaster. He nodded, rose to his feet, and exited the small staircase that led directly to the stadium. He reached the center of the stadium and began introducing the final contestants, running through each of their victories to reach this point. The glass window protecting the pavilion suddenly darkened as it was being used as a viewscreen to show footage as the Gamemaster spoke. As each contestant was finally introduced the crowd roared its approval. No one was surprised when Sam's cheer was as loud as the other woman's.

"My Lord?" Ling Shou leaned over and whispered into Selmak's ear as the Gamemaster finished his introductions and made his way back to the pavilion. "Have you had time to think about our discussion?" His voice was shaky and he was still slightly pale. The Security Chief looked over, straining to hear the low tones. Selmak simply raised her hand for silence.

"I have thought about it," she said loudly, causing curious looks from the two Family Heads. "We will discuss the situation after we have our new Champion." He nodded and retook his seat. The Heads were relaying final instructions to their contestants through a primitive looking radio device. The contestants themselves were led to the center of the stadium and placed back to back, backs touching, facing the two ends of the stadium where the most influential people waited. Sam's opponent, the efficiently ferocious contestant named Wan Ming, was facing the pavilion where their God waited. Sam faced the opposite direction, where the other Family Heads were watching in their own special pavilion.

Finally the time had come. Jacob heard Master Chang yell "Fight!" into his radio before the center of the ring had his full attention. Wan Ming jumped away as soon as possible, grabbed the first weapon she could, and flung it behind her with all her strength. Luckily Sam moved into action a second before the giant axe hit her. Sam retaliated; throwing a sword behind her, but it didn't land anywhere near the other woman. Instead it sprung another trap, causing a good section of the stadium to disappear as a line formed from one end of the stadium to the other. Water rushed out from one end, effectively forming a rapidly moving river that divided the stadium into two. Neither woman was caught in the trap, and both allowed themselves extra time to find just the right weapons for them.

"How did she know where the trap was?" Master Ming demanded. The Gamemaster shrugged, but Master Chang smiled knowingly.

"Perhaps she is seeing with more than her eyes," he said smugly. The other Head frowned at him before turning to the Gamemaster.

"Does anyone else know of the traps? Is there any way that information could have been exposed?"

"No," the Gamemaster insisted. "I had only decided which traps to use a few hours ago, and none of the slaves preparing the stadium have left the building. You dishonor me by implying I am aiding the Chang family."

"I did not intend to dishonor you or your Contest, but the facts cannot be ignored. Throughout the Contest the Lady Chang has been able to spring the traps of the stadium at her will, always to her benefit, and she has yet to get caught in one herself. That is highly unusual."

"Unless she sees with more than her eyes," Master Chang repeated. The other Head was about to respond when Selmak spoke up.

"Enough. The Gamemaster told us information regarding the traps did not go beyond the stadium. That is enough for me." She flared her eyes, turning to the Family Heads. "That is enough for you." The Master Ming wanted to continue arguing, but thought better. He bowed his head in understanding before facing the round. Both contestants had armed themselves. Sam again grabbed two daggers, sword, and a spear. Wan Ming also grabbed some daggers, but kept two small short swords as her main weapons. She also grabbed a handful of throwing knifes, and as the two women approached the newly formed river she hurled them in Sam's direction.

Sam was able to easily dodge each one, but Wan Ming took the opportunity to leap over the river and attack. Sam was ready for her though, and got in one lunge before she had to fall on the defensive end. Sam was able to block each of Wan Ming's attacks, but was never able to find an opening to attack against the two swords. Eventually the two women broke apart, winded from their onslaught. Sam used the advantage of the reach of her spear to attack several times as they rested, but Wan Ming simply dodged or blocked each one.

Wan Ming attacked again, driving Sam once again onto the defensive. She managed to draw first blood, as one of her swords scratched Sam's neck. In response Sam dodged the next attack, lunging toward the other woman with her spear. Sam changed direction at the last second just as Wan Ming prepared to dodge. Instead of sending the spear toward her chest it was now heading toward her feet. It hit its mark. The crowd roared as they could hear bone crunching under the spear. Sam quickly pulled back, leaping backward to avoid the counterattack she knew was coming.

Wan Ming paused and examined her foot. It was clearly broken, but she could still put some weight on it. She screamed and began limping after Sam who was making her way to the remnants of the rockslide trap, knowing she would have the advantage over her opponent in the rocky terrain. She climbed up several rocks, waiting for her opponent to arrive. Wan Ming leaned against one of the larger boulders as the two women sized each other up. Sam lunged again, but Wan Ming simply stepped around the boulder, letting it take the hit. Snarling, Sam moved down to the stadium floor. Wan Ming used that moment to attack.

She turned her body so that her injured foot was farthest from Sam. That protected her injury, but it also made her second sword obsolete. Taking advantage of the situation, Sam began a new volley of blocks and thrusts, forcing Wan Ming on the defensive. Sam had just thrust her spear at Wan Ming when suddenly the other woman twisted into the attack, bringing her second sword to deflect Sam's spear into the boulder. Sam attacked with so much force the spear was actually imbedded into the boulder with a series of sparks. Wan Ming's sword was also imbedded, effectively trapping the spear in place. Sam, who had taken a few surprised steps forward because her grip on the spear was so tight, lost no time reaching for another weapon, but she was too late.

Wan Ming threw her body at the spear, adding her strength to keep the spear trapped. One of Sam's arms was trapped between the spear and the boulder, but the other hand had already let go and was reaching for one of her daggers. Wan Ming brought her other sword down hilt first and crashed it down on Sam's exposed arm with enough force the dagger was knocked out of her hand. Sam screamed as her arm splintered. Wan Ming took advantage.

She leaned forward enough that her free hand could close around Sam's neck and began to squeeze, never easing the pressure on Sam's trapped arm enough to let Sam free it. Sam grappled for the dagger at her waist with her injured arm, but when she did manage to get it she did little more than make a scratch in Wan Ming's throat before the other woman batted it away. Sam got in one gulp of air before Wan Ming's fingers were once again around her throat. Desperate now, Sam extended her fingers as far as she could; hoping to poke out her opponent's eye to give her some relief, but Wan Ming merely laughed and tilted her head back.

Sam's lungs were burning. Her groping fingers finally found Wan Ming's neck, but she didn't have the strength or coordination to start choking her. Instead she found the small cut she managed to make with her dagger and her fingers dug into that wound. Wan Ming stopped laughing, squeezing Sam's neck more desperately now, but Sam continued her own digging. Finally her digging fingers landed on something more than blood and cartilage. Feeling her body shut down, Sam laced her fingers around the strong object and gave one gigantic tug, pulling with all her might.

Wan Ming immediately pulled her fingers from Sam's throat and put them around her own, but it was too late. Sam collapsed, only her trapped arm keeping her from crumbing to the ground. Wan Ming staggered back in shock, the feeling of having her throat ripped out effectively blocking everything else out of her mind. She grasped the cords Sam had pulled out and pushed them back into her throat as if they might magically go back into place as she stumbled backwards. Eventually she collapsed amid the roar of the crowd. Sam was gasping for air, trying to get her uncooperative legs back under her.

"Amazing," the Gamemaster gushed. "What an outstanding ending. May I present your Champion!" He rushed back down the stairs to the stadium. Master Chang muttered something in his radio, but Jacob took no notice. Instead he forced his heart to start beating again, relieved Selmak had been able to maintain the eager face she was expected to wear. He could feel her disgust and despair though. He couldn't agree more. That was way to close. A quick glance at the rest of SG-1 told him the same thing. Far to close.

He caught Teal'c's eye quickly as slaves poured into the stadium. The Jaffa gave a barely perceptible nod. He was ready. Turning back to the stadium he saw Sam's handlers working to free her from the spear. Once she was free she was led off the stadium, though not in the direction the contestants usually go but instead towards the pavilion. Jacob suddenly remembered the Champions were always honored by Yu after the last fight. Master Ming was congratulating Master Chang, who bowed his head respectfully and thanked him for a worthy fight.

'This is it Sel,' Jacob said to his symbiote.

'Don't worry Jacob. It's all going according to our plan.' Selmak tried to reassure him but he could hear the shaking in her voice. The last battle had shaken her up as much as it had shaken him. Thankfully when she spoke aloud he could detect none of that. "Impressive ending," she said, as the Gamemaster returned, taking his place at Selmak's side. Sam followed him in, turning to stand directly before her father before kneeling. Master Chang soon followed. "You have done very well Gamemaster. Lord Yu will hear of your spectacular Contest. You have honored him well."

He motioned for Master Chang to regain his feet, but left Sam kneeling as was tradition. This part was killing Jacob. He longed for her to look him in the eye with a look that clearly said how annoyed she was it took him this long to get her. But he knew that was wishful thinking. The brief glance into her eyes he got before she kneeled showed no more recognition than before.

Selmak stared at the pair before her as she pulled out a small key from the folds of her outfit. The key was strung on a chain she wore like a necklace. Traditionally Yu would present this key to the winner, allowing him or her to collect the most food and supplies from what he had brought for their Family. This time Selmak merely held it up, staring at it. The noise in the room gradually subsided, until everyone was watching the Tok'ra intently.

"Impressive," Selmak said again. "But I wonder how well your experiment would fare against a Jaffa." Master Chang smiled.

"I'm sure she would perform in the same honorable way she has performed throughout the Contest."

"I would like to see that." Selmak smiled before barking. "Jaffa! Kree!" Teal'c immediately stepped forward, kneeling before Selmak on the other side of Sam. "Jaffa! Have you found a new master to pledge your loyalty?"

"Indeed," Teal'c answered, not rising from his kneeling position.

"Then it is your turn to prove your worth." Selmak turned toward Ling Shou. "It is my understanding that Lord Yu has the right to challenge a new Champion."

"Yes my Lord," Ling Shou muttered, throwing a glance at the Security Chief.

"It is my wish for this Jaffa to prove his honor and his worth here." The two looked at each other uncertainly again. Jacob sighed impatiently. The City Administer, the Family Head, and the Gamemaster all had to agree to his request. If any one of the three vetoed it the request was denied. With very good reason too. If the Champion wins the bounty is doubled, if the Champion looses it is halved. "If the challenge is accepted there will be no reason to inform Lord Yu of the increased number of outlanders," Selmak said quietly. The two men looked at each other once more before grinning.

"The challenge is accepted," Ling Shou replied. He turned to the Gamemaster. "Is the stadium equipped for one last level?"

"Indeed it is," the Gamemaster answered. "The challenge is accepted." Smiling Ling Shou turned to Master Chang.

"Your Champion has been called out. Will you accept the challenge?" The smile faded from Master Chang's face as he studied Sam's kneeling form intently.

"My Champion is wounded. She requires rest and medication to recover from this level." Selmak leaned forward.

"I have a proposition. I do not want my new pet dead, and I am sure she can display her new enhancements to Lord Yu much more admirably if she were alive rather than dead. I wish to battle to the yield. In exchange I will offer you fifteen minutes to bind her wounds and prepare her any way you desire." His eyes lit up at the mention of Lord Yu seeing his success, but he remained somber.

"I'm afraid that isn't possible," he countered. "She must fight to the death. She cannot change at this late hour."

"That is acceptable," Selmak agreed. "Your Champion will fight to the death. My Jaffa will fight to the yield. It will still be a marvelous battle worthy of Lord Yu."

"Indeed it will," Master Chang smiled and bowed. "Your challenge is accepted." Selmak bowed before retaking her seat, the others following her actions. Teal'c and Sam both rose to their feet, retreating back down the staircase into the stadium one last time. Master Chang spoke into his radio, instructing her team of handlers. Selmak was alarmed when she hear him mention 'Dragon's Blood.'

'What's that?' Jacob asked as they watched them make their way to the center of the stadium for the last time. Sudden shouts from the few spectators who were still waiting to leave had the crowd surging back in. Sam was being tended to by her handlers. Her broken arm was wrapped tightly, and they inspected all of her major wounds, including any she received this round, but they were not able to do any more than clean them before their time was up. They injected her again with an unknown substance, and then forced her to drink something out of a cup.

'Dragon's Blood is a legendary narcotic Lord Yu has used in the past. It grants a significant increase in strength and stamina but at a hefty price.'

'What price?' Jacob asked, though he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know.

'Their lives. As the legend goes, when Yu first rose to the position of System Lord many Goa'uld were jealous. The first few centuries he struggled against constant onslaught to maintain his empire, the center of which was this planet. One day, when his main force was out fighting to expand his empire, one of his rival System Lords discovered the location of this planet. The system Lord, Gaia, brought her full force to conquer this planet and crush Yu forever. Hardly any Jaffa remained on the planet, and while the humans had their own militia, Gaia was certain of her victory. So certain she joined the battle herself.'

'What happened?'

'The Jaffa and the militia took large amounts of Dragon's Blood for the battle. Gaia lost. Her whole army was crushed by a handful of Jaffa and the human militia. Gaia was killed and her surviving Jaffa pledged themselves to Yu. The Jaffa sent a message to Yu, who raced back as quickly as he could, but before he arrived the conquered army noticed something strange happening to the Jaffa. They suddenly started dying. A healthy Jaffa would suddenly collapse dead in the street. The only thing they could attribute this to was the Dragon's Blood. Eventually all the Jaffa that took the substance died as well as two-thirds of the human militia. No one has ever been able to say why that happened and since that day Yu has banned the substance in all but the most desperate time. At least according to the legend.'

'Well this is a desperate time,' Jacob thought, as the handlers finished their preparation and left the stadium. 'Just desperate for us, not him.' Selmak agreed as the Gamemaster positioned them several paces apart, facing each other, before the round started.