Have a happy Easter Weekend. This is a gift from me to you.
The Lighthouse
The Doctor led Mack, Elena, Flint and Tess down a darkened corridor, holding a light as they found what The Doctor was looking for.
"Tell me Kasius's exact words, Tess," The Doctor said as he led them over to what seemed to be a fuse box.
"They will all burn," Tess recited and The Doctor nodded as he opened it.
"He's going to make the human race burn. Best way to do that is by starting a fire. And you can't start a fire without oxygen," The Doctor said remerging around in the oxygen before moving a tube and finding what he was looking for. "Just as I thought."
The others followed his gaze, seeing a –
"Is that what I think it is?" Elena asked and The Doctor nodded grimly.
"A bomb," Mack said darkly.
"Hardwired into the O2 lines for this floor," The Doctor explained.
"Pure oxygen," Mack noted and The Doctor nodded.
"If there's one on every human floor, there's gotta be hundreds," Elena said uneasily.
"He can kill the human race in a flash," Flint said horrified.
"Not just kill. Incinerate," Mack said grimly.
"I'm not going to let that happen. I know how to stop it and turn Kasius's own plan against him. But I can do it alone. I'll need help from every human," The Doctor told them.
The Surface
On the command bridge, Jack was making sure everything was up and running when May walked over to him.
"Hey, everything good?" May asked as Jack finished.
"As good as we can get. It's all up to fate now," Jack said and a beat passed. "Everyone get out okay?"
"Deke and Owen sent them all into the caves. Owen said they'd be safe there," May said before pausing and Jack smiled.
"I know you have questions. So go ahead, ask them," Jack said and May was silent, putting her thoughts in order before speaking.
"You, me and Robin. How did that…happen?" May finally asked and Jack laughed lightly.
"At first, it was purely practical. We were the only people who weren't afraid of what Robin could do, what she could see. And it made sense, I couldn't die, someone needed to look after Robin after you were gone. And you had a way with her, could reach her when I couldn't. Like I said, it just made sense," Jack said and May was silent for a moment, processing this.
"You said at first. You and I, we were…" May trailed off and Jack nodded.
"Yeah, we were. Took a few years but we were," Jack said with a smile.
"Were we…happy?" May asked uncertainly.
"As happy as we could be, given the circumstances. The thing about the Lighthouse, you take whatever happiness you can find, you don't really worry about what tomorrow might bring," Jack explained, smiling in amusement at her uncomfortable expression. "It's okay, Melinda. I don't expect anything from you. I said goodbye to the Melinda May I loved a long time ago. The only thing I want now is to stop Kasius and get you all home so that this future never happens."
"Okay," May said, lingering for a moment, feeling like she should say something. "Jack…I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I knew what I was signing for. I was lucky to have you and Robin for the time I did. Now, time to get back to work," Jack said, steeling himself. "Time to take on Kasius."
The Lighthouse
Not long after
"And that's my plan," The Doctor said after he had explained it to the leaders of each floor. "But if I fail, I need your help to make sure it doesn't blow up in my face, literally."
"Now, you probably won't see us again. But if we succeed, your children will be safe," Mack assured them.
"The most important thing will be for you to keep your heads down and keep working," Elena added.
"If this works – and I'm almost positive it will – you will have your freedom back. Do not waste it, it is a gift some species in the universe are never lucky enough to receive," The Doctor told the remains of the human race. "Good luck."
Not long after, The Doctor, Mack and Elena walked down the dark corridor, where they saw Tess and Flint talking. Seeing them, Tess gave a slight smile to Flint before walking off as they reached Flint.
"Let me come with you, I can fight," Flint pleaded.
"Sometimes, the best thing you can do in this situation is to not fight," The Doctor told him sagely, placing a hand on Flint's shoulder. "Fight by making sure they don't have to fight anymore. They will look to you now."
"He's right. Remember what we said," Mack said, placing a hand on Flint's shoulder before he and The Doctor walked passed him.
"These people need you now," Elena said, hugging Flint before following after the others, leaving Flint staring after them.
The Zephyr
Not long after
"We sent everyone into the caves," Owen said as he and Deke rejoined everyone on Command Bridge.
"So what now?" Deke asked.
"Cut the anchors," Jack said and they all looked at him in disbelief.
"Are you mad?" Fitz questioned.
"It's what you and Jemma told me to do the last time I saw you. You said the Zephyr was upgraded in order to maneuver in space. That's why the only thing we need are the reaction control system thrusters," Jack explained.
"He's right. With the Gravitonium, we could break through the earth's diminished gravity, if we can get high enough," Fitz said after he and Jemma exchange a look, silently discussing this new information.
"No, right? Could that actually work?" Deke asked uncertainly.
"Only one way to find out," River said before the Zephyr shook from the gravity storm. "But if we're going to do this, we need to decide now."
"May, can you fly us through a gravity storm?" Coulson asked her and May gave him an exasperated look.
"I know she can. You can do this, Melinda," Jack said with certainly and she looked over at him before nodding.
"What the Hell. What do we have to lose?" May asked, hardly believing they were going to try this.
"I used to be really good at self-preservation," Deke groaned.
"So did I. You grow out of it," Jack said with a grin.
"We can do this. Time to save what's left of the human race," Coulson said.
The Lighthouse
Not long after
On the research floor, Kasius's guards were on the ground, dead as The Doctor, Mack and Elena stood over them.
"You sure this is gonna work?" Elena asked the two men.
"Kasius needs his Inhumans, he's proud of what he's accomplished here. Tess should be giving him our message now. It's not a question of if Kasius will take the bait, but when," The Doctor said confidently.
"The Doctor's right, Kasius will meet us. Then, we'll see if his plan works," Mack said with a little anxiety.
"It'll work. You two just be ready. Kasius won't be happy when this is over. That leaves Tess in danger," The Doctor said and they nodded.
"We got it. Let's end this," Elena said, hoping The Doctor's plan, as mad as it was, worked.
The Zephyr
Same time
"As the gravitational forces accelerate, our chances of implosion are rapidly increasing," Enoch warned as everyone got ready.
"Remind me of your primary function again," May ordered.
"To observe and record the evolution of your species," Enoch said.
"More observing, less sharing," May snapped before strapping into the pilot's seat.
"Thrusters and artificial gravity are ready. We'll have about ten minutes of power at the most," Fitz said as he, Jemma and River strapped themselves in.
"Don't fire the thrusters until we are at the very edge of the atmosphere or we will most certainly die," Jemma warned.
"Business as usually then," River noted.
"Certainty of death, small chance of success. Just like every other trip with The Doctor," Jack said with a grin that made River laugh.
"Great. Strap in then," May said before flipping a switch, dismayed when a beep sounded. "No! No!"
"What is it?" Coulson asked.
"The anchors won't release. We're stuck here."
"I'll get them," River said, unbuckling and standing up. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I'll help," Owen said, unbuckling and following after her.
The Lighthouse
Not long after
"We don't know how Kasius activates the explosives, so no one do anything stupid until I give the order," The Doctor said as he, Mack and Elena pushed the crate full of essential Inhuman breeding equipment down the corridor.
"By 'we', you mean me," Elena noted.
"Well, you seem to be the most trigger happy. Which I don't blame you for, but cooler heads must prevail if we're going to win," The Doctor pointed out.
"He's right. I know you don't like people like Kasius, but The Doctor has a point. We won't help anyone if we screw up now," Mack agreed.
"I hate it when you get all logical," Elena grumbled and Mack grinned.
They then heard a door opening and they tenses, knowing what was coming. Seconds later, two Kree Warriors walked down the corridor to meet them, followed by Kasius and a nervous Tess.
"Have to say, that's not what I pictured," Mack admitted as he saw Kasius.
"What did you picture?" The Doctor asked and Mack shrugged.
"Don't know. Was just expecting…more," Mack admitted.
But Kasius was not listening, not paying attention to The Doctor or Mack. Instead, he was looking at Elena curiously.
"Yo-Yo Rodriguez?" he asked, stunning them all. "How peculiar."
"Says the space mime," Elena mocked.
"Nobody moves!" Mack roared, holding up the trigger to the explosives that would destroy the breeding equipment.
"You think you're invincible. But in the end, you will submit," Kasius said confidently.
"Give us the controls to the explosives downstairs or your Inhuman making days are over," Mack demanded.
"You will not hold the human race hostage anymore," The Doctor said firmly and Kasius looked at him curiously.
"You arrived with the Marauder and Professor Song. Who are you?" Kasius demanded and The Doctor smiled tightly.
"Call me Rory. Now, do as we say, or you will suffer the consequences," The Doctor warned, gripping his screwdriver tightly.
"Throw yourself at my feet and I will consider bringing you back after having slaughtered," Kasius said, causing Elena to laugh.
"We're not scared of you. You hide behind stronger men and force them do your bidding. You're a coward," Elena said boldly and he smiled tightly.
"It's ironic; you would trade humans for Inhumans when that very deal was brokered ages ago. In all my time here, the one defining trait of your kind…you will always turn on each other," Kasius mocked.
"You clearly don't know humans very well if that's what you believe. They are capable of turning on each other, I won't deny that. But when they stand together, they are perhaps the greatest species in the universe. And I will not let you play God to them anymore," The Doctor said firmly.
The Zephyr
Same time
River was getting the Anchors ready when she felt a presence behind her. One that definitely wasn't Owen.
"Duck!"
At Owen's shout, River rolled onto the floor, barely avoiding Sinara's fist.
"Where's the Destroyer?" Sinara demanded.
Before River could respond, the Zephyr rocked as it lifted up into the air. As the Zephyr flew into the gravity storm, River and Sinara flew into the air, which River immediately took advantage of by slugging Sinara, who flew into a wall, surprised by the strength behind the punch.
"That was too strong for a human. What are you?" Sinara asked and River smirked.
"Something beyond your comprehension: a mother who is trying to help her son," River said before rushing Sinara.
"May! Hit the gravity!" Fitz shouted.
In the pilot's seat, May reached for the button and, after some difficulty, slipped the switch, turning on the artificial gravity.
As the gravity set in, River and Sinara fell to the floor. Once they got to their feet, the two women began trading blows. As Sinara punched her in the face, sending her stumbling back, River realized that, while being part Time Lord gave her more strength than a human, Sinara was the stronger and more skilled warrior.
On the command bridge, the ship was rocking as the lightbulbs above them began exploding.
"If I had a stomach, the vomiting would begin now," Enoch noted.
"Thrusters?! Talk to me, Fitz!" Coulson shouted.
"We're not high enough yet!" Fitz shouted back.
"Just hang on! Can't be much further!" Jack tried to reassure everyone.
The Lighthouse
Same time
"You love forcing hard choices, so how does it feel to be on the other side for once?" Elena asked.
"Any moment now, Sinara will secure the Destroyer and then, you will have no choice but to surrender," Kasius said confidently.
"I doubt that. She'll have to get passed River first. Tell me, what do you know about River Song? If you knew half of her story, you'd know how unlikely it is that Sinara will survive against her," The Doctor said just as confidently.
The Zephyr
Same time
River and Sinara were continuing to trade blows when Sinara sent a kick to River's chest, sending her crashing into some crates. Sinara was advancing on her when River jumped up, slugging Sinara. This had no effect and Sinara slammed her against the crate.
"Where is the Destroyer?" Sinara demanded.
In response, River spat in her face. Angrily, Sinara punched her.
The Lighthouse
Same time
"Stand down, or experience death like your friend many, many times," Kasius ordered.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" Mack sneered in disgust.
"I am a god, to be feared. Humans wish to be ruled. Without me, they'd have perished a long time ago," Kasius boasted.
"You know nothing of humans. You are no God. Just a madman with too much power. I will be happy to take it all away from you," The Doctor said angrily.
The Zephyr
Same time
River was tossed across the room, landing painfully on her back as Sinara approached, holding a dagger.
"I'm not supposed to kill the Destroyer…but Kasius said nothing about you," Sinara snarled.
Sinara raised her hand to deliver the killing blow when, suddenly, a grappling claw wrapped itself around her arm, stopping her. Sinara looked over her shoulder, seeing Owen was holding it.
Taking advantage of Sinara's distraction, River pulled out her gun and fired, getting Sinara's in the side of the face. Sinara dropped her knife, crying out in pain before River fired against, this time getting her in the chest. Sinara went limp as Owen yanked her back, her limp body hitting the floor.
"She dead?" Owen asked, looking back at River, who nodded, lowering her gun.
"Yes. Yes, she's dead. Thank you," River told him and Owen chuckled.
"Fitz told me once that you're not part of the family until you save someone's life at least once. Guess I'm part of the family now," Owen joked.
The Lighthouse
Same time
"Elena, enough with the theatrics. You wouldn't dare such a brazen attempt, not with you precious humans dangling in the void," Kasius said confidently.
"You do talk funny."
Flint then appeared, walking up behind Elena and Mack.
"Is it done?" Mack asked and Flint nodded.
"Do I get to fight now?" Flint asked, getting an incredulous look from The Doctor and Mack.
"Now that we're all here, is this what you were waiting?" Kasius asked, pulling out a device they instantly realized was the trigger. "Surrender, or make your play. Either way, you will be mine."
"I choose play," Elena said.
Elena tried to speed to him but, to her shock, a force field appeared, blocking Elena and sending her flying on her back.
"You didn't think I'd be prepared for that?" Kasius asked amused as Mack helped Elena to her feet. "I promised suffering. Now, I make good on my promise."
The Zephyr
Same time
"Now?" May called back.
"Now!" Fitz confirmed.
May activated the thrusters, leaving the atmosphere and heading into space.
"A sound plan indeed," Enoch said as the rocking stopped.
The Lighthouse
Same time
"I'll do it!" Mack said, holding his own detonator.
"You'll set me back, but you won't stop me. Remember, you did this!" Kasius taunted them.
But, before Kasius could activate the trigger, The Doctor pointed his screwdriver at it and turned it on. As he did, the trigger sparked before the floor was rocked with some kind of tremor before the lights went out. Tess, taking advantage of the distraction, ran over to the others, Mack and The Doctor immediately placing themselves between them and Kasius.
"What is happening? Wat have you done!?" Kasius demanded.
"It was all you. I merely turned your own weapon against you. You see, by changing the explosives, I was able to stop them from going off. Instead of exploding, they shorted out all your power by emitting a pulse that was sent back to you. You have no electricity, no weapons that run on Kree technology, they are all gone now. But, in case I failed, the humans moved them all to level 25 and the humans moved up a few levels. Every human, worked together to take away your power. You have no weapons, no ability to turn their power and water on and off as you please," The Doctor said with a smirk.
"Tess said you were a slow talker, so we kind of leaned into that," Mack said.
"I will be able to undo what you've done," Kasius snarled.
"Maybe. But it'll take at least a week on earth. And you won't have that kind of time," The Doctor told him confidently. "The human race just took its power, its freedom back from you."
"But not you! For all of you, it's now over!" Kasius roared angrily.
"Over? No, no, no, no. Ass-kicking's just begun." Mack told him.
Mack pressed the detonator and there was an explosion. Kasius, realizing he didn't have his shield anymore, ran, taking cover as his Kree warriors were covered in an explosion. When it o was over, all his Kree were dead and The Doctor, Mack, Tess, Elena and Flint were gone. Enraged, Kasius let out roar.
And now The Doctor has crippled Kasius's ability to rule the human race.
Hope the River/Sinara fight was enjoyed. I kind of just wanted to see River kick her ass instead of Daisy.
We're in the endgame now.