I apologize it's been a while, I had a little writer's block with this chapter, but I'm back now and will continue to update.
Fitz, The Doctor and River all found themselves dinning with the rest of Kasius's guests. Fitz supposed the food was supposed to be fine cuisine but it just looked disgusting to him. His parents didn't seem to have any trouble eating it though, consuming it as they made small talk with some of Kasius's guests.
"The last time we spoke, the strains of your exile seemed to wear heavy on your soul," Ponarian was saying to Kasius who, Fitz noted, seemed displeased by this.
"I was never exiled. My father simply wanted me to oversee his earth project personally," Kasius said a hint of warning in his voice.
"While your brother oversees the family empire," Ponarian noted.
As Kasius almost glared at Ponarian, Fitz realized Kasius's weakness: his father. His years in the framework left him suited on how to exploit this weakness. He just needed a few minutes alone with Kasius.
"My dear friends," Ponarian said as he got to his feet. "In honor of Kasius presenting the Destroyer of Worlds, I too have brought a rare delicacy for everyone's enjoyment: Fresh Xandarian snail."
Fitz fought the grimace that threatened to cross his face as the entrée was brought in. It just had to be snail, didn't it?
"You are far too generous, Ponarian," Kasius said with a laugh.
"Please keep that in mind when the bidding begins," Ponarian joked and the two laughed.
"How do you keep your human population so well under heel?" Lady Karaba inquired.
"He has them kill each other," Fitz said without thinking as he took a sip of soup.
When the table stopped, Fitz noticed everyone was staring at him, The Doctor and River both looking at him with eyes that said 'Son, you really need to learn to keep your mouth shut'.
"Well, that's what I would do. Humans clearly have the numbers, so fear is essential," Fitz said, drawing on his experiences in the Framework. "Ritualization clearly helps. Make it a sort of a game. It's all very efficient really. At least in my experience."
Fitz went back to eating, subtly looking across at The Doctor, who seemed torn between relief and worry as Kasius spoke.
"It seems we have similar minds. And yes, it has done wonders to tamper the humans' more rebellious impulses," Kasius said with a laugh, seemingly obvious to Fitz's unease.
At that moment, a Kree woman walked over to Kasius, whispering something in his ear. He nodded before turning his attention back to his guests.
"Well, I hope everyone's meal has been to their liking. As for your more primal appetites, a fight to the death is moments away. So take a final look, one of these Inhumans is about to be withdrawn from the marketplace."
As he spoke, Daisy walked passed the table. She and Fitz locked eyes and Fitz turned his head, looking after her worriedly when Ponarian spoke up.
"Maurader, you haven't touched your snail."
Fitz reached to for his utensils only to find them gone. Seeing a glimmer of steel, Fitz looked up, seeing Jemma had taken the knife and was currently sticking it under her sleeve.
That was his girl, Fitz thoughts proudly before Ponarian continued.
"Perhaps unrefined men don't have the stomach for such indulgences," the man said with a smirk and Fitz stared at him, knowing he was expected to play a part.
Well, time to give the performance of a lifetime.
"I find moist creatures…distasteful," Fitz said, picking up his plate, grabbing the snail before placing it back on his plate. "Much like the fat mouths slurping them down."
Fitz put his plate down and began cleaning his hands as he smirked at Ponarian, who looked at him stonily. There was silence before Kasius burst into laughter. The Doctor, River and the other guests soon joined him in laughter.
"This Boshtok makes for a lively dinner companion," Kasius said before getting to his feet. "Let us leave these snails to shiver, eh? Much greater pursuits await out attention."
Kasius walked away and the guests over began cleaning themselves up as Ponarian looked at Fitz, who merely smirked again.
Not long after, they were all making their way towards the showcase when The Doctor walked close to Fitz.
"That was too close, son. You need to do better at remembering who you are here," The Doctor warned him softly.
"I know," Fitz said lowly.
"You may not be able to talk your way out of trouble again. So make sure that you do," The Doctor said before stepping back.
Fitz nodded silently, knowing he needed to be more careful. Couldn't afford another slip up.
The three joined the other guests by walking through a doorway, which led into some kind of special seating. It was a roomy sort of space with several seats overlooking what seemed to be a battle arena.
This would be where they would watch the Inhumans fight for their lives, Fitz realized with a start.
Fitz was broken out his thoughts as Kasius walked over to him, offering his hand.
"It is refreshing to have a man of your caliber join our ranks," Kasius said as they shook hands. "Would you care to join me for the upcoming display?"
"I'm eager to see what you have to offer," Fitz said, playing the role of Boshtok once more.
"And I shall make every effort not to disappoint," Kasius said as they took their seats. "Our first contestant possesses extraordinary skill. A telepath able to read his opponent's plan of attack before it is carried out."
In the arena, a young man stood behind a Kree warrior. The tree threw a knife at him and, at the same moment, the young man held out his hand, grabbing it before it could touch him.
"Normally, I pit Ben against another human. But for this crowd, I've decided for a more unique opponent," Kasius continued, causing Fitz, Jemma, The Doctor and River to grow worried. "This deadly assassin was trained by one of the galaxy's most despised organization. But most intriguing, she is also a friend to the Destroyer of Worlds.
The other door opened and Fitz and Jemma stared in horror at who was led out in chains.
"Dear guests, may I present to you, Melinda May, Agent of SHIELD," Kasius declared as May was unhanded.
May looked up and paused, visibly stunned to see Fitz. She and Fitz stared at each other for a moment before May was handed a staff with two blades on each side. Then, it was on.
May rushed Ben, whirling her staff like it was a baton. She tried to strike him but with knife, Ben blocked each of her strikes. Ben then made a cut along May's arm, causing her to cry out in pain.
"You're cheating," May grunted as she held her wounded arm.
"You're dying," Ben countered before he pressed forward.
"How many traveled through time with the Destroyer?" Fitz asked Kasius, trying to sound casual as they continued to watch May and Ben fight.
"My servant and Melinda May are the only ones I've discovered, although Sinara remains convinced that there are others," Kasius told him.
"The Mind Reader's a skilled fighter. Speaks well of his training," Fitz noted, channeling his experiences in the Framework to pick up on these things.
"Ben is quite talented for an Inhuman, but he wouldn't last a day in my father's army," Kasius noted, not judgmentally, merely factual.
"You speak quite highly of your father," Fitz noted.
"He is the greatest warrior I know," Kasius said and Fitz silently observed he both seemed to love and fear his father.
Something Fitz could understand all too well, he mused as he repressed a shudder at the thought of Allister Fitz.
"Ponarian made it seem like you had been banished from his home world," Fitz said and immediately realized he had touched a nerve when Kasius looked over at him with a black look.
"Ponarian knows not of what he speaks," Kasius said darkly and Fitz saw his way in.
"My father was disapproving," Fitz said after a moment, looking over at Jemma and then The Doctor, both of whom were watching him closely as he turned back to Kasius. "The things I did to earn his respect…they left scars."
"My own situation…is a tragic misunderstanding," Kasius said as they turned their attention back to the fight.
May was perhaps the best fighter Fitz had ever met, but it was clear she was losing, badly. Fitz watched worriedly as she continued to fight Ben, at one point looking at him for help before Ben pushed her back.
Fitz would like nothing more than to help her, he just didn't know how, he thought helplessly as he saw May kicked on her back. She landed on the floor with w howl of pain.
But Fitz turned his attention back to Kasius. If he couldn't help May, maybe he could help the others.
"My guess is you're selling the Destroyer as a way to redeem yourself," Fitz mentioned.
"I believe a great fortune can smooth over any transgression," Kasius said, confirming Fitz's suspicions.
"I'm prepared to help you with that," Fitz promised.
May helped herself to her feet with her staff before rushing Ben. He blocked her strikes for a moment before, to the surprise of everyone; she struck him across the face with her staff. Although taken back, Ben quickly regained his bearings, blocking May's next strike before punching her in the face. May stumbled back before she attempted to strike him again. But Ben grabbed her staff and sent a jab to May's wounded side before yanking the staff out of her hands and tossing it across the room.
Not willing to give up, May raised her hands and clenched them into fists, waiting for Ben to make the next move. Ben tried to strike but she grabbed his hands, forcing the knife away. May said something to him, but none of them were close enough to hear what it was. Ben said something back before yanking his knife back and kicking her in the side. May fell on her back with a groan of pain as everyone sat forward, Kasius and his guests in anticipation, Fitz, Jemma, The Doctor and River in worry when-
'My name is Ben. Do not react,' Fitz almost started as he heard Ben's voice in his head. "If you want to get your friend out of this, you need to do exactly as I say.'
"This fight bores me!" Fitz complained a few seconds later as he got to his feet.
"I assure you it will end in a most thrilling fashion," Kasius said as he got to his feet. "Sinara! Have the guards throw in more weapons."
"Lack of weapons is not the problem. I came to see the Destroyer fight, not some washed up…Has-Been," Fitz said, silently asking for May to understand as he saw her narrow her eyes at him.
"I'm afraid a life is owed," Kasius informed him and Fitz looked him in the eyes.
"Have the agent of SHIELD sent to the surface. The Vrellnexians will have much more use for her than your weary audience," Fitz suggested and Kasius considered this for a moment.
"Guards! Escort the human woman to the Surface Lifts," he ordered.
"Thank you," May told Ben as the doors opened and two Kree Guards walked forward.
"Unfortunately, your friend just delayed the inevitable," Ben told him.
Not a word more was spoken as May was forcibly escorted out, giving Fitz a last look before being dragged out.
May was still alive, Fitz told himself as he watched her vanish. In this kind of situation, that was as good as he could expect until he got them all out.
Later, Fitz watched with The Doctor and River as Ponarian and Karaba squabbled like children before the bidding on Ben even began.
"You and Enoch weren't joking," The Doctor muttered to River, who smirked at him.
"My apologies to you both, but I cannot in good faith sell this Inhuman," Kasius said, stunning everyone in the room.
"What dense thought raddles inside your brain, Kasius? If I wanted a tease, I would have visited the brothels of Kitson," Ponarian said angrily.
"You're pent up desires do not concern me," Kasius said coldly, walking passed Ponarian and over to Fitz, stopping next to him. "As to my reason…"
Kasius turned around, pulling out a remote, using it to restore Ben's hearing as they all watched curiously.
"Perhaps you would care to illuminate our guests?" Kasius said and they watched as fear filled Ben's eye.
"No. Please. It won't happen again. I promise. Please," Ben pleaded desperately as they all watched curiously.
"You see, Ben was present when I asked the Destroyer if others had traveled through time with her. She insisted my servant was the only one, which turned out to be untrue."
"Kasius. Th-It's not his fault. Kasius!" Daisy pleaded desperately before she was grabbed a Kree.
"He lied," Kasius said as though he hadn't been interrupted, walking over to Ben. "Normally, that would not include him from being sold but, in this instance, that lie was told to me."
"Is this really necessary?" Fitz asked as he walked forward, hoping to stop Kasius. "Let one of the buyers discipline him."
"You of all people must understand. No man of honor can allow the tongues of his slaves to lie so boldly," Kasius said coldly.
"I'm the one to blame, not them!" Daisy shouted desperately.
"Perhaps. But he's far less valuable," Kasius said coolly.
Sinara opened her palm and two metal spheres floated into the air. Fitz, Jemma, Daisy, The Doctor and River all watched helplessly as the spheres flew forward, penetrating Ben's abdomen. As Ben fell to the floor, dead, Daisy went down to her knees, calling out for Ben as Jemma looked down and The Doctor and River fought to keep their faces blank.
"There. I hope you found this display more to your liking," Kasius said and, after a moment, Fitz nodded, fighting to keep his composure.
As Kasius walked off, The Doctor glared at his retreating back. Oh, he would enjoy taking Kasius down. And, deliciously ironic, Kasius had just shown him to do just that.
Not very different to the episode so far, but hope you all enjoyed it regardless.