The Akhlys Hour

by Servant of Fire

The 4th "Major- verse", but can be read alone. 2 weeks after the events of "Baskerville Island", Greg's soon to be ex-wife mysteriously disappears. Sherlock takes the case ,knowing from the outset that something is terribly wrong. When it becomes evident that Greg's wife is trying to kill him, Sherlock will have to find out why, before the stroke of "Akhlys Hour".

20. Chapter 20 The Heavens Declare

Chapter 20: The Heavens Declare~

John held his breath. They stood higher than eagle's care to fly, in anticipation of the Akhlys Hour, and in anticipation of the Akhlys author, who was the only one who could truly call the cease-fire on this ridiculous scheme of Pandora's. He was the Exterminator, death and life was in the power of his tongue.

"Do you always meet your opponent's on rooftops, Mr. Holmes?" said Magnusson's voice from somewhere on the pinnacle.

"No, but when I do, I out do myself." Sherlock answered, climbing up, feeling John's steadying hands behind him, hearing the young doctor let out a shuddering breath.

"You might could have picked a roof with a little bit more leg room?" he sighed, ready for this to be over.

"Yes, you have done very well. I must say ,Sherlock, I am extremely impressed. Your observational skills...your science of deduction, cut through one of the most elaborate of my schemes to ever actually leave the drawing board, like a dagger through thin sliced cheese. In fact, I am somewhat disappointed how well you can see right through me...It will make negotiations...obsolete."

Sherlock nodded, "So, let me see if I have gotten any of it wrong ,then. The last , somewhat "insignificant" detail...is usually the most important to have correct. You have met me here on the pinnacle, before the Akhlys Hour...to discuss an alternative to the agreement you made with Pandora, because you know that I have beaten you..."

Magnusson smiled, and gave a little nod. John felt his fist curling. Before negotiations were over, he was most definitely going to come to blows with the Prince of Blackmail.

"A foolish man can never admit defeat. A wise man will know when he is beaten...And a clever man...will find a way to have it where he's holding all the cards , no matter what the outcome of the game..."

"Oh, I see. You're supposedly holding all the cards."

"You've beaten me, Sherlock...And saved the lives of your precious little doctor, and all your other comical little friends. You won the Game fairly enough, so far...But so far you've only played with Pandora and her Woman...I'm here to propose one last match of chess with me..."

"A bonus round?"

"Why spend your last sweet hours trying to sabotage Pandora's plot for this building when I can call off all the dogs right now? I can give the order, have them turn on her, and eliminate her for you..."

"Pshh, I don't want her eliminated, I want her turned over to the proper authorities, and her lover as well.. Justice to prevail..."

"And it will, Mr. Holmes...Hear me out..."

"No! You aren't making anymore deals!"John hissed, and sprung forward, Sherlock catching him beneath his arms, lest he fall.

"Sherlock has basically won this game, and can fight off the poison no problems! Fair and square, and you go to prison just like your agreement..."

"Or...I could offer him a position that will save you...That's what he really wants ,isn't it? To save you..."

Sherlock's, to John's sinking heart, full attention turned on Magnusson.

"I'm listening..."

Magnusson pulls out a syringe. " I have perfected an antidote serum for your poison. Now, how it will cure you is by accelerating your poison's reaction rate. The Akhlys Hour could happen...as soon as I inject the serum into your bloodstream. At which point, the contest will be between the two of us only, before Pandora can intervene in anyway. In a duel of wits, you will solve for all the blackmail I have stored in my mind palace, and if I win...I walk away from this ...and you..."

Sherlock guessed the last bit even before John did.

"And I fall to my death a second time. Die in disgrace..."

"Wonderfully clever you are! But there's one more thing..." Magnusson held up a final syringe.

"I have concocted a serum too wonderful to tell you what it even does for our dear Doctor Watson if you don't agree to my terms..."

Sherlock looked at John, and before John could even breathe a protest, Sherlock looked back at Magnusson, with a devilish grin.

"It seems the Game is afoot. And the heavens declare the winner."

"They do indeed, Mr. Holmes..."

Sherlock took two steps forward.

John gasped, and swung at mid-air trying to pull him back from this...unable to bear the concept of a potential second fall. Of losing him ...again. Of his dying to save him...again.

But it was too late.

Magnusson was already injecting the Akhlys Accelerator into Sherlock's heart.

A desperate, dying rage awoke in John's heart and mind, and with a blood- curdling scream, he leaped at Magnusson, and reached up and caught the building's pinnacle with one stray hand, using it like the pole in the center of a carousel to spin himself in a 360, and thrust his knee in Magnusson's face, breaking his jaw.

Sherlock sank to a sitting position there on the rooftop, whites of his eyes turning neon pink.

Suddenly his voice could be heard shrieking in pent-up rage and terror all the way from the street.

The Akhlys Hour had begun.