The Twelfth Match

[realitymods]

Characters: Damon, the Fifth Doctor, Spectators
Location: The Coliseum.
Time: Two days after the last fights.
Summary: The twelfth of the death matches.
Warnings: Character death warning.

The king glanced over the arena. He did not step onto the ledge but rested his hands on it, observing the two combatants step in and betraying nothing in his expression. He said, “Damon, Doctor. May yours be an honourable fight.”

The sand started falling as the king returned to his throne. Then, the king muttered something, defeat ringing in it like the toll of a church bell: “If honour can be found here.”

His face thrown full in shadow by the angle of his hat, the liar offered his king a plate of chocolate treats. Disconsolate, both king and liar looked away from the fight.

Comments

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

Damon walked into the arena, holding a staser somewhat awkwardly. The thought of shooting himself with it still terrified him, but he had already failed to stop the Doctor's execution once before. He couldn't do it again. Besides...he'd made a promise to the TARDIS.

He glanced up at the Emperor's box, but unfortunately Weber was looking away. Perhaps that was for the best.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

The Doctor appeared to be weaponless when he entered. He glanced at Weber and the king, his gaze cooly curious before becoming mournfully determined when they settled on Damon.

His hands clasped behind his backs as his steps slowed, a faint smile crossed his lips. "Have you ever used one of those, Damon?"

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

"We do have them in the computer room," Damon pointed out. Of course, that didn't mean he had ever used one before. Still, it didn't seem terribly difficult to operate, and it only took him a moment to find the lethal setting.

"But I don't intend to use it on you, Doctor," he murmured, turning the staser toward his own hearts.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

His voice remained calm as he strode forward. "We've already had this discussion, Damon."

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

"I made a promise to your TARDIS, Doctor, and I intend to keep it," Damon replied firmly, closing his eyes. His finger pressed down on the trigger.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, the Doctor was at the right distance to aim a sharp kick at Damon's hand.

He didn't often engage in physical combat, but that didn't mean he wasn't prepared for it.

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

Damon's eyes flew open as the staser was knocked out of his hand -- of all the things he'd been expecting, that wasn't one of them.

"Doctor! I'm not going to let you die, I can't." He remembered the last time the Doctor had nearly been executed...the last time he had failed him.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

The Doctor stood as if it had never happened, cool and unflustered.

"You are not letting it happen, Damon." Finally, he drew his hand from his back, revealing the small sonic blaster. "I am taking the choice from you, because I refuse to see another friend die."

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

"You can't take a choice I never had in the first place, Doctor," Damon pointed out, frantically thinking of a way to stop him.

"I won't be dying, not really. And it's not as if I haven't died before myself...besides, if you kill yourself, you won't have the opportunity to try breaking the forcefield from the inside." He doubted the Doctor would listen to reason, but it was worth a try.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

His voice took on a lecturing tone, then. "Oh, Damon, there's always a choice."

Again, he glanced at their hosts, only for a moment.

"And, as you say, I won't truly be losing a life. I may gain more insight into the Machine, as well." The idea of being tied more closely to anything didn't suit well with him, but it was something he could live with.

There were so many things he could live with.

"And really, Damon, how much success do you think I would have?"

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

"More success than if you don't try at all," Damon replied stubbornly. "And I don't think your TARDIS sees it that way. Your companions won't, either." And neither would he. He would never forgive himself if the Doctor died, even if he came back.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

"My friends really ought to know what I'd prefer." And then, quite offhandedly, he fired at the barrier.

"I do believe that was trying?"

He knew there was no single force he could have gathered that would breach the barrier; he'd considered killing their hosts, but they were apparently quite resilient.

Pity.

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

"And you really ought to know that we prefer you alive and well." Damon ran a hand through his hair at the Doctor's halfhearted (or rather, one-hearted) effort.

"Is there nothing I can say that would change your mind, Doctor?" He already knew the answer, but asking never hurt.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

"I'll be alive and well soon enough." He smiled, then, softly. "Tell me it won't hurt. Tell me you won't forever remember what it was like, dying here, murdered on a whim. Tell me they won't take leave a piece of you behind when they bring you back."

The sentiment was smooth on his tongue, and some of it was even sincere. The bloodshed didn't touch him very deeply; it couldn't, not any longer. But that didn't mean he approved. And Damon...well. Some people he simply didn't want to watch die. Some people he'd rather protect.

Everyone had their preferences, after all.

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

Damon stepped forward, placing a hand on the Doctor's shoulder. "It won't hurt, Doctor. You won't remember forever, and you'll always be yourself. I'll be waiting here for you." Only he wouldn't. But what the Doctor didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Literally.