Who We Become

The Palace, Alexandria: Same Day

As Tobias continued to cough and sputter, choking on the black vomit, Kurios gently deposited Mira on the floor and ran to his side.

"Oh, this is bad. This is very, very bad. Miss Olivier, please, can you tell me if anyone has touched him in the last 24 hours?"

Susie looked at the man worriedly. "I have…and Mira…I don't know if anyone else has though. What's wrong with him? What can I do to make this better?" Her voice wavered as she fought the panic rising in her chest.

"Stand back, and shut up," said Sherlock as he swept into the room, John Watson in tow.

Kurios stared at him, anger building. "Who are you, and what gives you the right -"

"He's a doctor," said Sherlock simply, pointing to John, who lifted Tobias' head gently from the floor.

Susie watched them, her worry mounting. "Please, what's wrong with him? I can't stand to see him like this!"

John sniffed at his mouth. "Hmm. . . interesting. Just like the other one."

Faith stiffened. "What other one?"

Sherlock turned to her. "Lucian Jamerson. He's currently back at our lodgings with Miss Conway."

"It's exactly the same," continued John. "Black fluid from the stomach and lungs, labored breathing. . . Sherlock, is it possible that they're choking on ink?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Moron. No. Clearly, there's something else at work here. Did you bring my lab kit?"

John nodded to a small case lying next to him.

Sherlock picked it up, dumping the contents on the floor. John winced as several things broke.

Sherlock frowned up at Kurios. "You. Get these women out of here. I swear, if one of them starts getting hysterical, she'll set off the whole bunch."

Faith frowned at that statement. "That won't be necessary."

She grabbed Susie's arm gently and pulled her towards the door. "He's in good hands, Su. Let's give them some space."

Susie pulled out of Faith's grip and stared at the Baker Street Boys. "Wait…I know your voices. You're…but how? And what is wrong with my Toby?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Oh, God. John, will you please. . ."

John smiled apologetically at Susie, his blue eyes full of compassion. "I'm sorry. We're still trying to figure that out. I assure you, though, we won't let anything happen to –"

Sherlock smiled slightly as he pulled a dagger out of his bag.

John grabbed it from him. "I. I won't let anything happen to him."

Faith's eyes hardened.

John's promise didn't convince her.

Susie looked at Sherlock, her face set in stone. "Pretentious twat…I preferred you when you were just a voice…"

He glared back at her. "I preferred you when you kept your mouth shut while I was working. Oh, wait. No. That never happens."

John sighed. "I'm sorry, Susie. He's in a mood."

Susie just snorted. "It's alright, Doctor Watson. This is his natural state of being. Though you better tighten his leash a little or I might have to have a little chat with him…"

As they talked, Kurios pulled Faith aside. "You know, don't you? What this means."

Faith nodded, a lump forming in her throat.

Kurios turned to the raven-haired girl. "Mira, dear. How about we take Susie and go find something to eat?"

Mira stared at him. "Why can't we just go together?"

Kurios smiled. "Don't you think she needs a distraction? Let's go."

They dragged Susie out of the room.

As soon as Susie, Mira and Kurios were clear, smoke filled the room, as if from a smoke bomb.

Sherlock and John gasped as their lungs filled with smoke, losing consciousness.

As he faded, Sherlock gazed at the figure clouded by smoke. "You. . ."

Susie managed to break the grip Kurios had on her arm. She covered her mouth and nose with her hand and looked around desperately for the others.

The smoke cleared slowly.

Susie could see Sherlock and John unconscious on the floor.

There was no trace of Tobias or Faith.

As she stared at the ground in shock, Zephyrus came charging in.

"What the hell is going on here? Who are these guys? Where is everyone?"

Susie's eyes were wide in horror. "Gone…they're gone…where the hell are they?" she ran to John, shaking him to try and bring him round. "Dammit, wake up! Where'd they go? Who took them? Talk to me!"

Zephyrus frowned. "I just went to get some water. Then I woke up in a broom closet. I don't know what happened." He pulled Susie close. "Calm down and tell me what happened."

She fought briefly with Zephyrus before suddenly going limp and clinging to him, breathing heavily. "Toby started vomiting black stuff…the idiot showed up…now Toby and Faith have disappeared somewhere. Zeph…I can't feel him. . ." Susie struggled to check the wild terror she was feeling. This could not be happening…

Romana rushed in as well, coughing. "Zephyrus, Lucian is gone! Someone threw in a smoke bomb, and- here too, huh?"

She noticed John and Sherlock on the ground. "Who the Hell are these guys?"

Zephyrus' eyes widened. "Lucian too? Who would do this? Who would take Faith, Tobias, and Lucian? And why?"

Sherlock coughed, beginning to wake up. "Stop. . . her. . ."

Frowning, Romana knelt down next to him. "Stop who? And who are you?"

"I'm . . . Sherlock Holmes. And isn't it obvious? The one responsible for this is –"

"Me, of course," called Set's voice. The wall behind them collapsed, revealing a set of stairs that vanished deep underground. "If you want your friends back, Zephyrus Ambrose va Boeshane, you will need to play my little game."

Zephyrus stared at the passage. "And if I refuse?"

Kurios entered with Mira bound and gagged. A cage dropped from the ceiling, imprisoning the others.

"Then I'm afraid all of them will die."

Romana looked at Sherlock wryly, an eyebrow raised. "I figured you'd have a funny hat and a pipe."

She jumped up, glaring at the passage. "Now, who are you, and what right do you have? What have they done to you?"

The voice did not answer.

Zephyrus sighed. "Fine. I'll go. But if Tobias is down there. . . you should let me take Susie."

"No. You must go alone."

Zephyrus sighed, and walked down the dark passage.

The Dungeon

As Zephyrus reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw Tobias and Lucian. Both were hanging by their wrists on either side of a vast pit, filled with fire. They both looked rather the worse for wear. In the center stood Set, his arm wrapped tightly around Faith.

Zephyrus stared at the girl. "Faith! What's going on here?"

Faith looked down, her hair covering her eyes slightly. "Hello, Zephyrus. Are you here to play Set's game?"

Her voice didn't sound like her own. It sounded older and pained.

He looked at her, his eyes filled with shock and pain. "What have you done?"

Set laughed. "She was with me from the beginning, boy. Oh. Does that surprise you?" He laughed cruelly. "You believed she was on your side? How adorable. Now then, here's the game. You can only save one of them. Your loyal servant, Tobias. Or your best friend, Lucian."

Zephyrus stared at him. "And what happens to the other one?"

Set smirked. "One will live. The other die. Your choice."

Faith shuddered. She wanted to scream and appologize, but she just can't… she just can't. She was a puppet and that was all she'd ever be.

Zephyrus cried out in anguish. "How can I make that choice? What possible purpose does this serve?"

He stared at Tobias. The boy smiles gently at him, nodding. "Tell her. . . tell her I said it wasn't your fault."

Zephyrus's eyes widened. "No. No, I'm not. . ."

His eyes shifted to Lucian, who stared at him in fear and shock. He did not speak, but trembled gently.

Set chickled. "What purpose? My dear boy, there's only one purpose I live for. Chaos. And besides, watching you squirm is fun."

Faith frowned.

This is the choice… the one that breaks them all.

Her eyes widen and she looks up at Zephyrus.

Faith heard Jack's voice in her head as she replayed their conversation in 221B.

Faith, I need you to do something for me. The worst thing I could ever ask you to do. And I'm sorry. But this is it. This is when it happened, when I became. . . I remember now. Those two years. But it won't happen the way things are. Meeting you. . . all of this, it's changed things. I. . .Zephyrus was alone and weak without you. He was someone who could put others in danger. But with you by his side, even knowing you are alive. . . it changes us. And he won't be able. . . you have to betray him, Faith. Betray me. For the sake of the future.

Zephyrus looked panicked. "How can I? I can't. No! Why them?"

Faith looked away. She couldn't do a damn thing. She knew that.

"Faith, please tell me this is all a practical joke. Please. I know you're a good person. Why would you do this?" He stared at her, the betrayal clearly written on his face. "I. . . I love you, Faith Harkness."

Faith's eyes widened in shock. Her mouth opened as if gasping in pain… Then suddenly, her eyes hardened. "I never loved you. In fact, I hated you. Always have."

Zephyrus screamed in anguish, hurling himself at Set. "You bastard! You will pay!"

He was thrown against the wall by a powerful wave of energy. "Now now, Zephyrus," hissed the god. "Play the game."

Zephyrus whimpered. "Why don't you just kill me. You might as well."

Set smirked. "When you're being so interesting? I wouldn't dream of it. Now make your choice, or I will kill the people upstairs. Starting with Susie."

The Palace, Alexandria: July 26, 204 BC

Susie stood completely still for a moment, thinking. Slowly she turned around, looking for a way out of the cage. No doors or anything. She rubbed her arm holding the vortex manipulator consideringly.

Romana nodded to her. "There has to be a way out, a weak point…" She started checking the corners for that very thing.

Sherlock sighed. "I hate to be a bother, but could one of you please help me?" He was cradling John in his arms. The blonde man was clearly not breathing.

Kurios crowed at him. "What's this? The great Sherlock Holmes doesn't know CPR?"

"I rather thought it wasn't important," muttered Sherlock.

Susie walked over to them slowly, as if in a daze. She knelt down on the other side of him John and leaned over his face, bringing her head close to Sherlock's. Her words, when they came, were no more than a faint whisper. "Ready to make yourself useful?"

He glared at her, storm eyes full of anguish. "And when am I not useful? Oh, I see. You think that just because I'm the head of the class that I don't have time for your little problems, is that it? Well, it's true enough. But now I'm interested. What do you want me to do?"

"Lay him on the ground. Now place your hands here, over his chest like this. right. Now, I need you to push down sharply and up, wait for a count of three, then do it again, got it?"

As soon as Sherlock had the idea, she leaned over John's face, breathing into his mouth.

Breathe you idiot, I'm not losing anyone else today!

John sputtered and coughed, gasping for air.

Sherlock half-smiled down at him. "You really are such an idiot, John."

Susie sighed. "I knew you would eventually be good for something. Now, to get the hell out of here. . ." She stood up and walked back over to Romana. "Anything at all?"

She sighed in reply, stepping back and looking at a corner with a thoughtful look on her face. "Perhaps this one… if we had something for leverage…"

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "No, no no. You're going about this the wrong way." He reached through the bars and grabbed Kurios, slamming him against the spot. The cage collapsed.

Romana whistled. "Or that, that works too." She stepped past Sherlock, bending down to check Kurios. "He's alive, good. "

Without a word, Susie turned and ran for the stairs.

As Susie ran, Kurios, still barely conscious, pointed a gun at her. "Stop right there, bitch. I can't let you intervene."

He shot her in the knee, felling her.

Susie dropped with a shriek of agony, clutching her knee. She remained curled up for a few moments before straightening and trying to rise on the one leg.

Romana sighed and quickly moved, pinching a pressure point on Kurios' neck.

She picked up the gun, handing it to Sherlock. "Hang on Susie!"

Kurios chuckled. "Like that'll work. Romana. . . has it really been so long that you don't recognize me? Well, we've both changed since then, haven't we?" He removed his wig and beard to reveal blonde hair and streaks of pale skin where the tanned makeup didn't cover.

She looked at him, confused for a moment, then leaned in, looking in his eyes. After a moment her eyes widened, and she glared angrily at him. When she spoke, there wass venom in her normally calm voice. "The Master. You… you bastard! What are you doing?"

The Palace Dungeons

Zephyrus thought hard for a moment. Then he pointed at Tobias. " Let him go."

Set nodded. "Are you sure?"

Zephyrus' eyes glowed with rage. "Let. Him. Go. Or I will rip your liver out with my bare hands and feed it to you."

Faith sighed. "He played the game. He made his choice." Her voice was as dead as her eyes.

Lucian stared at Zephyrus in horror. "No. Zephyrus, no. How can you. . . he'll kill me!"

"I'm sorry, Lucian," he whispered.

As Tobias was lowered to the ground, Zephyrus grabbed him and carried him towards the entrance. His face was unreadable.

Faith reached out a hand, the deadness fading from her eyes. "Zephyrus… I—"

"Don't," he snarled. "I have nothing to say to you. Pray we do not meet again."

He didn't even look back at her as he carried Tobias back to the main room.

Faith finally fell to her knees. She looked up at Set, her eyes defeated. "I've done what I needed to."

He nodded. "Well done. And now the Master will do the rest." He vanished, taking Lucian with him.

The Palace

Romana glanced at the kids, concern on her face, but focused her attention on the Master again. "You know I'll do everything in my power to stop you. It'd be easier to tell me what you have planned. I know how you love to brag."

He chuckled. "Oh, just something I've been meaning to for a while. And the main attraction's almost. . . oh! Here he is!"

Zephyrus appeared, carrying Tobias.

Mira ran to him. "Where's my brother? Where's Lucian?"

Zephyrus shook his head.

Mira stared at him in confusion. "What? He wasn't there?"

Tears rolled down his cheeks. He put Tobias down and turned to Sherlock. "The fucking gun. Give me it."

Sherlock frowned. "Zephyrus. . . I'm not sure. . ."

"The gun," he hissed.

He handed it to Zephyrus.

"This was all your doing, you bastard!" shrieked the boy. He unloaded the gun into the Master's chest, continuing to fire long after there were bullets. He no longer cared about anything.

Tobias moaned. "Susie? What happened?"

Susie, whimpering at the pain, dragged herself over to Tobias. She gripped his clothing and hauled herself up his body, til she could see his face. "Toby? Oh god, baby, what have they done to you?"

She chuckled weakly, running her hands over his face and arms, as if reassuring herself that he was here. "The bastard getting colander-ed shot out my kneecap. But what happened to you? And Zephie? I've never seen him so angry!"

Tobias stared at her in horror. "John! Please help me!"

He crawled over, looking at Susie's wound. "She won't be walking for a while. I'm so sorry, Susie."

As John treated her treating her, Tobias looked at Suzie, his eyes dark.

"Set. He killed . . . Made Zephyrus choose between us. He chose me. I. . . I. . ."

He began to sob.

Susie closed her eyes in grief, pulling Tobias close to her and cradling him tightly. "Shhh, Honey, it's okay, everything's gonna be okay, Shhhh." Susie kissed the top of his head gently as she continued to hold the sobbing boy.

Zephyrus looked up, his eyes flashing in anger. "I can't let this stand. I have to. . ." He cried out in pain as the Master's blood touched him. It was acid. He looked at the body. It had melted away into a pool of blood. In the center was the Flail.

"Well, then." He picked it up, cringing as it seared his flesh. When he looked back up, his mouth was contorted into a cruel grin.

Susie rocked Tobias gently. "They're not gonna get away with it my love, I promise you. They won't get away with this!"

Zephyrus hissed. "Of course they're not going to get away with this. I will find those responsible and kill every last one of them."

He strode out of the hall, anger and bloodlust in his eyes.

Everyone stared at each other in shock. Their wolds had just imploded. Lucian was probably dead, Zephyrus was angry beyond imagining, and no one was quite sure where Faith was.

Susie, ashen faced from the pain and from Zephyrus' actions, looked at Tobias, her face becoming determined. "Help me up. We have to stop Zeph before he does something irreversible." She started trying to get to her feet.

Tobias grabbed Susie and lifted her. "I agree that we need to find him, but you are not trying to walk on that."

Violet ran through the door, traumatized. "Has anyone seen Lucian? I was with him one minute then he disappeared. I can't find him." As Violet was talking, tears started coming and as she looked at everybody else's faces she knew something had happened.

"Did something happen that I should know about?"

Sherlock sighed. "He's de —"

John covered his mouth, glaring at him. "We aren't sure what happened yet. But as soon as we know anything, we'll tell you."

Violet stared at Sherlock and then looks at John. "He's what? And who are you? I am assuming that you are a friend of this rather creepy one."

The shorter man held out his free hand to her. "Doctor John Watson. And I prefer colleague."

He yelped and pulled back his other hand in disgust. It was wet. "You licked me!"

Sherlock smirked. "Of course I licked you. You were being annoying." He turned to Violet. "What I was trying to say is that we think he might be dead."

John facepalmed. "Christ. Why? Seriously, Sherlock. . ."

Susie allowed herself to relax against her fiance a moment, before stiffening. "Find me something to use as a crutch. You can't carry me and fight, and I'm not being left behind! I will not lose the only two people who mean anything to me because I did nothing!"

Tobias stared in horror at Violet and Susie before carrying the Australian over to the couch. After setting her down, he ran outside.

Violet stared absently for a minute. When Sherlock's words fully hit, she tried to keep from crying, but it was little use. "I just got him and now he is dead?" She turned on the detective. "This wouldn't have happened if you didn't show up! We were perfectly happy together! And then you have to come and bring up what we needed to do. I wouldn't care if you were the next one to die in this fucked-up tragedy!"

Susie hissed. "John! sorry to interrupt, but do you have any painkillers in that bag of yours? Ones that your idiot hasn't broken anyway? And bring Vi over here too."

Sherlock hissed. "I'm not an idiot. I'm a genius. And what gives you the right –" he turned to Violet, his storm eyes flashing dangerously. "You know what? I don't have time for your petty little dramas and your tea parties. There's at least one intertemporal maniac out there killing people, and that is far, far more interesting to me. I'm sorry if your boyfriend got caught up in the middle of it, but to be honest I don't see the attraction."

Violet stopped crying long enough to glare at him. "This is not a petty little drama or a tea party! This is the man that I love being dead! and you not giving a damn! As far as I know you are that intertemporal maniac or what ever you called him!" She slapped him hard enough to leave a mark. "And as for being attracted to him, He is a gentleman, which you are not!"

Sherlock smirked, interested in this turn. "Of course I'm not a gentleman. No one ever expected me to be. I am exactly what I am, which might not be refined or elegant – but I am the man who will find out exactly what happened here. That is what I do. I don't have time to pretend to care about anything else."

John handed Susie the pills. "Here they are. Sherlock, you're being rude again."

Susie smirked. "Thanks John, you're a gem!" Without looking around, she threw a knife at Sherlock. It landed point first in the ground at his feet. "Do something brilliant then, and stop harassing the normal people will you?"

Sherlock nodded. "Right." He picked up the knife, an odd gleam in his eyes. "We need data. Where's Tobias?"

They heard a neighing outside. Suddenly, Tobias crashed through in a two-horse chariot. "I think this is a little more your style than a crutch, Susie."

Susie couldn't help but laugh in delight at Tobias' entrance. "Love, you give me the sweetest gifts! Okay, lets go!"

Sherlock glanced about. "And where is Faith? Wasn't she with you?"

Faith walked in, her body language very tight. Her eyes wandered the room nervously.

Susie sighs in relief. "Faith! Where have you been, honey? Come here and let me make sure you're okay."

At seeing one of her friends enter the room Violet forgot about the idiot that so offended her and ran up to Faith. "Faith, do you know if Lucian is dead or alive?"

Tobias stepped between the two of them. "Stay away from her. This was her doing. She's the one who did all of this."

Faith froze and looked down. She expected that. She could not deny it.

Violet looked from Faith to Tobias and then back at Faith. "What do you mean by that, Tobias?"

Susie looked at Tobias in stunned shock at his words. "Faith did this? But she…I…she never…" She just couldn't reconcile Faith with being that evil.

"It's true," Faith whispered. "It…It is all my fault. I…I never… I didn't." She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked up. "But that's not why I came here."

Tobias rolled his eyes. "So you aren't here to finish the job? Forgive me if I don't believe that."

Faith glared at Tobias and stormed over to him. "You know what? I don't care. I came here to tell you to stop Zephyrus, ok? I don't care about myself anymore. You can believe me or not, but Zephyrus is the one in trouble. I don't matter anymore."

Sherlock frowned. "She's not responsible for this."

Tobias swung towards him, eyes fiery. "How can you say that? She betrayed us! He. . . He's dead because of her!"

Sherlock shook his head. "No. She's not responsible for this. Are you people really so blind? Look at her sleeves. Those are not the sleeves of a murderer. Those are the sleeves of a victim."

Violet walked up to Faith and took her hand. "I believe Faith. She is only here to tell us to stop Zephyrus. And maybe while we are at it we can get the one that killed Lucian."

Susie looked from one to the other and back again. Her eyes narrowed in cold decision. "Toby? You say she caused this. It's up to you to decide what to do with her. I'll back you in whatever you decide."

Faith rolled up her sleeves, revealing millions of small cuts. Her torture marks. "I would never willingly hurt someone. I've been hurt enough to know that."

Tobias gasped. "Christ. Who did that to you?"

Sherlock leaned closer. "Close male relative, I'd imagine, judging by the patterns. But that's not the point. The point is that I do not believe she betrayed you willingly. And she's right. From the way he stormed out of here, I'd say that our biggest problem is —"

John suddenly got a wild look in his eyes. He grabbed Susan and Mira and dragged them into the chariot. "Get down!"

The building exploded around them.

"What the hell?" cried Faith. "Is everyone ok?"

Violet moaned, coughing. "Well I am good, I think. What was that?"

"Fine," said Sherlock, glancing around.

"I think so," muttered Tobias.

Mira moaned. "Well, my ankle's still broken. You know, you guys really should. . ."

Sherlock ran over to the chariot in a blind panic. "John. John?"

"What?" cried Faith. "What happened?"

Sherlock bent down in front of a pile of rubble. The edge of Dr. Watson's black army-issue jacket could be seen, torn and bloodied, fluttering in the light breeze.

"No. He's not. . . someone help me. Please."

Faith jumped to her feet and ran to where Sherlock was. She began moving rubble from around him. She was not going to let someone else die here. "Tobias! Get over here!"

Violet leaned down to help uncover John. Even though she still didn't like Sherlock, John seemed nice.

They managed to uncover the doctor. It was clear that he is not doing too well. He half-grinned half-grimaced at Sherlock. "This is why I told you I didn't want to come with you this time. I just knew, one of these days, following you would get me killed."

Susie turned to Mira. "You know? something tells me we're gonna have fun trying to get to Zeph…"

Violet stopped and stared at Susie. "FUN? You think this is going to be fun? Oh, you aren't looking for the one that killed your beloved! Last I checked you still had the guy that loves you, and he isn't dead! So I suppose you would think that this is going to be fun to find Zephyrus and this crazy pyschopath!"

Sherlock looked at the women, his eyes filled with anguish. "I never thought I'd be the one to say this, but can we stop talking about death for a moment?" He cradled the broken doctor awkwardly, trying to make him more comfortable. He knews there's not much more he can do. "Not like this, my friend. It was never supposed to be like this."

"You think so?" crowed Zephyrus. He was standing on the roof of another wing of the palace, the flail lifted above his head. He appeared to be summoning fireballs from the sky.

Oh… God help us…. thought Faith.

Susie draged herself out of the chariot, landing on the ground with a cry of agony. She looked up at Zeph from where she lay on the ground. "ZEPHYRUS VA BOESHANE! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Zephyrus looked at her in compassion. "Susan. Get Tobias and get out of here. I have no quarrel with you. Please."

She just continued to glare at him. "Forget it brother mine. Do you really think I'll stand back and allow you to go down this path? I will get you back, or one of us is going to die trying!"

Faith stared at him in pain. "Zephyrus. I did what I had to. I know saying my sorry isn't gonna change that." She stretched out her injured arms, every cut exposed. "Please. Don't do this. Please."

Zephyrus chuckled darkly. "More than one. Susie. . . I'm sorry, but you and I are no longer on the same side. I wanted to spare you. But I suppose you'll all have to die now."

Meanwhile, John smiled gently at Sherlock, his breathing ragged. "I do believe. . . you're actually. . . bothered by this."

Sherlock sighed. "Well, of course I'm bothered. You know you're the only person I've ever been able to stand for this long. And I won't let you die like an idiot. I won't. Heaven knows I'll never find a better flatmate."

John rolled his eyes, coughing at the blood that frothed from his mouth. "So that's all you care about, then? I should have. . ."

Sherlock stared into his eyes in true anguish. "Don't make me, John. You know I won't. I can't."

John sighed, fighting to smile at him. "I know. Please. . . take care. . . don't be a moron. . . and learn to be kinder to. . ." He sighed, his body going limp.

Sherlock set him down reverently and stood, his eyes unreadable. He looked at the boy holding the flail. "You've just made the biggest mistake of your life, Zephyrus," he hissed.