"What do you mean there isn't anything you can do?" Chloe fumed as she stood in front of the embassy director. "You have all the evidence you need to go into that palace and arrest him!"
Today was the day of the fight and Chloe knew she had to act quickly if she wanted to get to Clark and Lex before then. She had to admit she had never seen Lex actually fight with anything other than his money and his power and she was scared for both of them. She had no doubt that Lex couldn't win against the odds set for him.
"I'm sorry Miss. Sullivan but-"
"Chloe!" She interrupted angered by the condescending tone in his voice.
"I'm sorry Chloe." He patronized her, "But these pictures are not enough to over turn years of corruption and pay rolling within the local police system. The men on Joshua's payroll are far to afraid of him to risk their lives and the lives of their families by turning against him."
"Then you go and get them with our military."
Chloe's uncle had been called the previous day and was sitting in on the conversation. He stood up and approached her, "You need to understand something sweetheart."
He saw her eyes widen at the term of endearment he had always used when she was a kid and had her mind set on something that she wasn't going to win. "The American military can not support an act against of aggression against a Sudan citizen without buy in from the local police officials. To do that would be opening the door to an outcry from the public that may result in another World War."
"Bullshit! That man uses people, kidnaps people, alienates people and you're telling me that by going in and arresting him and releasing the people he is holding inside you would start a war. I don't buy it!"
"You don't because you know the whole story. You see what he does. The average person in this country would simply see the American Military coming down on a respected, influential member of the community who does great things such as provide generous donations to local charities. None of it would hold up in court."
"I don't care about that. At least Clark and Lex would be free. The fact that they are alive at all should be proof enough that he has been keeping them against their will. I don't care what happens to him after that."
"Listen to yourself honey." Her uncle tried to reason again; "A man like Joshua would simply explain it away with money and influence. The country would rise up against the American forces; sure Clark and Lex would be free to return home but for how long. Everyday they would wake up wondering if it would be their last. Joshua would not rest until they were back in his possession or dead. Is that what you want?"
Chloe turned away from the two men and stared out the window for a moment as she thought about what they were telling her. Were they really saying that she was powerless to do anything to get her friends back?
"Why did you let me go after them in the first place if you knew it was hopeless?" She turned glaring at her uncle.
"I let you go because I had hoped you would be able to get them out on your own and avoid this all together. Besides you have to much of your father in you to say no to." He offered her a smile, which wasn't returned.
"Also, I didn't say it was hopeless. There is a way to get them back using the proof you have provided."
She felt the blood serge through her heart with hope, "What do you mean there's a way?"
"If we can get Joshua onto American soil we can arrest him. He isn't a member of the Sudan government and has duel citizenship with the States that means he would not be able to fall back on Diplomatic Immunity to protect him. He would be tried according to our laws where he won't have as much influence."
"And what about Lex and Clark and the girls that he is keeping there?"
"Once Joshua is arrested and no longer possess a threat to or can provide money to the people on his payroll, I am sure that we will be able to convince enough of the local police to back us up with a quiet entrance into his palace. That way the public won't have any cause to be angered by our presence."
"How can we be sure Clark and Lex will be safe if Joshua is arrested?"
"We can't be sure of anything Chloe. We can only hope that we can get to them before word of Joshua's arrest makes it into the palace. There is also a chance that Joshua's men would not harm them if they think that Joshua will be able to beat the arrest charges and return home." He looked at his niece noting how young she looked standing there with seemingly the weight of the world on her shoulders.
"How do you propose we get him to go to America?" She sighed buying into the plan in theory at least.
"I'm afraid that much I don't know. We will have to wait for him to make a trip overseas for something. Our surveillance shows that he frequently goes to other countries in search of rare species but his trips are sporadic and he only deals with a few trusted people. I don't think we could infiltrate his ring of suppliers any sooner than three to six months without being too suspicious."
"Three to six months!" Chloe's shouted at her uncle, "Clark and Lex could be dead by then. They could," she recalled the night she had tried to rescue them and thought twice about revealing that much about their situation, "Who knows what they could have been subjected to by then."
"I'm sorry but that is our only option at this point."
Chloe's eyes flared and her uncle recognized the look immediately, "Maybe it's not our only option." She said lost in thought as she began formulating her plan.
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Clark and Lex had sat up all night drifting in and out of sleep. They had spent the whole night talking over their fears for the next day. They talked about their childhood experiences and their parents. Clark had a new found understanding of Lex's inability to feel as much empathy as Clark was able to feel towards people. He had developed a beter insight into how it was the Lex could be so jaded and cynical towards relationships, friends and family. Why he was so black and white when it came to their situation and how much Lex felt the need to be strong for both of them.
They had discussed Lex's past and the events that lead to him being expelled from various schools. Lex event touched briefly on his mother's death and how his aunt had left him alone to be raised by Lionel. He talked in depth about what it was like being raised by a man like Lionel.
Clark felt almost bad talking about his childhood. His life seemed pretty down home apple pie after listening to Lex's upbringing. Talking about his parents had made him sadder than he had experienced since he had arrived at the palace and that sadness spilled over into memories of Chloe, which had ended in him breaking down in sobs.
Lex was there to comfort him and stayed up with him almost all night letting him babble on about her and his parents. After he had shed all the tears he could manage and had worked himself up a good-sized headache the two boys finally gave into sleep.
Clark woke up feeling more exhausted than he thought possible and his eyes were puffy from all the crying. He wasn't surprised to realize he had slept most of the night with his head on Lex's chest. He sat up and looked at Lex hopeful that last night wouldn't be the last night he spent with his friend.
Lex was propped up against the pillows and felt the weight of Clark's head coming off his chest. He opened his eyes and saw Clark staring at him.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?" Clark asked surprised that Lex was awake as well.
"Like this is the last time you are going to see me." He smiled faint-heartedly.
"Lex I am being purely selfish when I say this but you can't lose this fight today."
"I don't want to lose today either Clark but after the repetitive beating at practice yesterday I don't see how I stand a chance."
Clark looked at him with unmasked worry.
"That guy that Joshua had me working with kicked my ass repetitively. I don't have much confidence for today." He added with all seriousness.
"You have to Lex. You can't die. I can't watch you die."
Lex moved off the bed a bit sore from the workout the day before. He had spent the better part of the day wrestling, jousting and averting an opponent that Joshua had set up for him to help emulate the fight that would take place today. Joshua had yelled and slammed a few chairs around at Lex's failure to win any of the fights but he didn't once touch him. Lex figured it was because Joshua was afraid of hurting him before the big match.
After the battles Joshua had returned them to their room and had a servant deliver them a full roast beef dinner. He remembered telling Joshua that it was his favorite and when it arrived it became clear to him that Joshua had doubts about his abilities to win also. It was almost like they were being given their last meal and it was unsettling to Lex but he didn't let on to Clark.
Lex felt the lump in the pit of his stomach rise to his throat as he sat up and swung his feet off the bed. "Pancakes for breakfast?" He asked hoping to change the subject in the only way he knew how with Clark; through his stomach.
"Lex I'm serious."
"Me to. I'm going to make them right now." He smiled referring to the pancakes even though he knew Clark wasn't.
Clark threw a pillow at Lex's head as he got off the bed as well. "I'm getting in the shower."
"Good idea, you're starting to smell." Lex tossed the shot back over his shoulder as he dogged the pillow and headed towards the kitchen.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
After they had finished breakfast and both were washed up they sat on the couch and simply waited. They had been briefed on how the proceedings today would go and with no opportunity of escape prominent they had no other choice but to wait for the inevitable.
They turned on the TV and sat watching the filtered channels that they were allowed to watch. There were no news channels allowed at all but at least some of the channels were in English so they could sit and watch the mindless sitcoms without too much thought.
The door opened and Lex hit the power button on the TV as he stood to face what came next.
"Seems your brat of a friend had an awfully busy night at Amir's" Joshua lied knowing fully well at this point that Chloe had escaped.
He had dispatched a number of the local police as well as some of his guards in order to locate her and bring her to Amir. He was growing very impatient with their inability to locate her but did not let on to Clark and Lex.
Clark cringed at the words and Lex reached out putting a hand on Clark's chest as if hoping to stop him from doing something foolish. Neither said a word hoping that was the last about the subject Joshua was going to share. Clark didn't think he could handle looking at the promised pictures of her death.
"I'll have to show you pictures later but for now I need you focused."
Lex shot him yet another scowl.
"Don't be angry with me young man. Direct your energy at your opponent. View him as your target. Take out all your pent up frustrations out on him and I have no doubt you will do surprisingly well today."
He placed a bag on the counter and unzipped the top. "Put this on." He directed as he tossed a pair of blue pants at Lex. The blue color stood out since it was so very different from the only colored pants he had been given since his arrival.
"Are we ready?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No." Joshua answered with all seriousness.
"In case you forget what is at stake her your friend will be front and center watching the action. Don't try anything stupid on the way there." He added as he grabbed Clark's arm and dragged him past Lex and out the door.
Clark was roughly hauled down the hallway by Joshua as Lex followed behind dutifully. There were guards walking in front and behind them, he knew that there was no way out so he didn't bother to even look for an opportunity. Instead he focused on trying to regulate his breathing.
Lex was terrified. He really had no idea what to expect. If it was anything like what he had been put through yesterday he at least figured it would be over soon. Then he thought of Clark and realized he wouldn't have the same luck. If Clark went to Amir, Lex had no doubt that his death would be slow in the making.
They entered the arena/ballroom and the crowd that was already in place went wild. The noise they created in unison was overwhelming and Clark had to cover his ears as they made their way to the ring.
Lex looked around the room anxious to see his opponent and begin to size him up. When the crowd parted and the ring was visible Lex saw Shier for the first time. He was mildly surprised at the size of his opponent. Shier was smaller than Lex had envisioned but he didn't take solace in that fact. He knew first hand how fast and efficient a smaller body structure could be.
They stopped at the ropes of the ring and two guards separated them for Lex to crawl through. He entered into the ring alone and turned to see where Joshua and Clark were going to be seated. His stomach sank as he remembered Joshua's words, "He will be front and center watching all the action". He knew what Joshua was talking about when he saw the pair approach a chair that was separated from the others on a platform. It was slightly raised above the rest of the crowd and there were leather straps on the arms.
He watched Joshua strap Clark into the chair and turn back towards the ring. He stared at Clark and willed him to be strong no matter what the outcome.
Joshua approached the ring and took the microphone from the judge. "Ladies and Gentlemen." He addressed the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen please take your seats." He waited for the crowd to settle.
"As you know you are here today to witness a battle to the death for one of my prized collection. In this mansion I have collected various rare predatory species from around the world. After the fight the doors will be open for anyone who wishes to view the remainder of the collection."
There was mumbling from the crowd as they discussed the collection briefly. Joshua waited for the crowd to quiet again. "As I was saying this fight will be to the death. Amir and I have entered into a friendly wager for the prize."
Suddenly lights were focused on Clark strapped to the chair. Clark squinted into the light as he tried to maintain a visual on Lex.
"This specimen is unique in his own way. He displays allergic symptoms to meteor rocks and he displays uncommon strength when angered. His mate was the first of the collection and this one was subsequently picked up to appease his lonely appetite. My primary collected species stands before you ready to fight to the death for his unique mate. Today he is fighting Shier. Shier is a guard of Amir's house that has extensive hand-to-hand combat training. For anyone interested bets are being taken in the back of the room by the main entrance. Proceeds from the betting will be donated to the city to build new playgrounds within the four main quarters of the city."
At the conclusion of Joshua's speech the crowd cheered. They applauded Joshua and Lex watched on rolling his eyes at the gullible nature of people in general. It solidified in his mind that anyone that could coerce others with words could take over the free world with little effort. He shook his head again as he turned his attention to the ring.
All to soon the fight bell rang and Shier crossed to the center of the ring and raised his fists in anticipation. Lex really didn't want to do this and he stood watching Shier for a moment before he was shoved into the ring.
It didn't take long for the fight to start. Lex took a number of punches to the face and ribs before he managed to get a shot in. His fist connected with Shier's jaw and Lex was sure it did nothing other than infuriate the other man.
The fight became more serious when both men were given a sword to choose from and Lex knew he had the advantage. He had spent hours training on the fencing team in school and felt at home with the somewhat larger sword in his hand. Even though it was wider and heavier than a fencing sword Lex felt comfortable with the extension to his arm.
Lex managed to hold his own with the sword and the crowd was ecstatic with all the action. Clark watched on from his chair shouting for Lex to watch his back every so often.
Joshua approached Clark and he rested his hand on the top of Clark's hand. "So are there any other special side effects to the red meteor rock that you would like to share with me?" He spoke into Clark's ear so the others around him would hear.
Clark looked at him a moment before replying. "No."
"Too bad really. I am sure that your friend could use your help. Seems to me that the books I have read about the properties of the meteor rock on people who are allergic spoke of other abilities."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"No. Too bad then I guess you will just have to sit back and watch your friend die."
"No wait!" Clark called out as Joshua walked slowly away.
"Okay there are some other abilities."
"Go on." Joshua encouraged.
"I can see through things, I have heat vision and can run fast."
"How fast?"
"Really fast."
"I have brought a piece of red meteor here today in the hopes that you might be able to assist your friend win the fight. I will bring it out of its box for a moment only but it will be accompanied by a piece of green meteor to ensure that you can't try to escape."
"I won't kill him." Clark confirmed.
"I'm not asking you to. I am asking if you can help your friend."
"Yes I can help him."
The two finished their conversation in time to see Lex knocked to the ground and his opponent standing over him with sword raised over his head.
"Now." Joshua directed as he opened the box and took the red meteor out touching it to Clark's hand.
The effect was instantaneous. Clark felt the rocks effects take over his body. He felt in control of his situation again until the green meteor touched him. His body conflicted with the effects of the two rocks working together. He focused on Lex and the sword that was hovering over him.
Everything slowed down to ultraslow motion as he focused his stare on the sword. His eyes lit up a fiery red as the beams of his heat vision crossed the ring. Shier dropped the sword that heated up on impact. He clutched his burnt palms and Lex seized the opportunity. He rolled onto his side and grabbed his discarded sword. He turned and thrust the sword upwards into Shier's torso.
The crowd fell silent as Shier's life drained from his body and Lex watched him fall to the ring floor. Slowly he rose and let the judge raise his arm in the air declaring him the winner.
Clark's head dropped to his chest as Joshua replaced the rocks into the lead lined box and the effects wore off. He had saved Lex but yet he felt indirectly responsible for another person's death.
The crowd was wild, some with applause and some with disappointment at money they had lost. Joshua stood and addressed them once again.
"Ladies and Gentlemen thank you all for coming and witnessing this event today. You have all seen first hand the predatory nature of man when he is put in a life of death situation. Amir I thank you for the friendly competition and I invite you all to visit my rare collection on your way out. Now if you'll excuse me I have to tuck these two back into their enclosure so you can all get a better look at them as you make your way through the collection."
With that he undid the straps on Clark's hands and lead him to the edge of the platform to retrieve Lex. The three, followed by a number of guards, left the room. On the way out Clark saw Amir watching him from across the room. It was evident by his body language that he was furious at having lost his opportunity to have Clark for himself.
A chill ran through him as he forced himself to look away from Amir and follow Joshua out of the arena back to their room.
Lex wasn't too sure what he had done to deserve such a lucky break but he was thankful for whatever had caused it. He couldn't explain away what happened in the ring. Why had Shier suddenly dropped his weapon? Lex replayed the events in his mind as they walked through the hallways. He reasoned that he would have to chalk it up to stupid good luck which given their current situation seemed ironic. It was ironic also that he was relieved and somewhat happy about being returned to his room which he resented being held in any other time.
He decided his relief was solely because he was alive and Clark was alive and as long as they stayed that way it meant there would always be a chance of escape.
