A green and pleasant land

[Athena]

Aerie

:: Athena, standing tall, her own well styled blonde locks blowing in the wind now, notices that Haleigh is still as LOUD and GHETTO as ever. She casts her GRAY eyes upon the woman, with a stone faced expression.::

:: she referred to the "golden horses"...which were merely a manifestation that Athena created with the golden hued energy she channeled. the last time they were seen was during the alternate chain of events where Athena and Haleigh fought...to the death...Haleigh's death.::

The "golden horses" as you call them, were a manifestation of my POWER. As I am not in a combat situation, "they" are not required.

:: she said coldly. a reminder that while she had no reason to harm Haleigh, she certainly didnt have a reason to LIKE her that much either given her rudeness on Olympus::

:: as Hecate now stands with her, she looks at the group.::

We are aware of what has happened, the scales have tipped and the tides changed...though the times and the specific thing may be different, this whole idea of humans turning against one another and pushing themselves toward their destruction is not. It comes in waves and is clearly not something I would waste time on [implying that Ares, the only other diety of war on Olympus was probably the architect of this age old issue]

Ororo tells us that your original destiny ...what linked you all together even before you were born..."MYSTECH"...is now hardly a threat. You have acheived your goal completely, and now, as our time of prominence among humans had began to wane so many centuries ago...your time is now at hand. You are only here now because of Hecate, otherwise, the Harbinger's vision WOULD have come to pass and ALLbut 3 of you would be dead.

But now that you are here...your path is no longer clearly defined.

 

[Hecate]

Aerie

[ Hecate watched Athena as she took a moment to vex Persephone and respond coldly to Haleigh. Athena was "no nonsense", but SHE knew that the woman not only had a sly, witty sense of humour, but that even though she could "FORGIVE"...she would NEVER FORGET.]

[ Athena began and as Hecate stood with her, she chimed in.]

Think of where you are right now...as a PERGATORY. Aerie being the best choice because of its location.

Quite simply, the time for you all to "worry" about these humans like before is at an end. you've fullfilled your destiny and you nearly died. put of us repaying you was my SAVING YOU from that mechanical monster. the other part is this:

we offer you the chance to begin life anew, free of the scrutiny of mankind, but set apart from the populace...much like WE were during the days of antiquity. You will be invisible to the technology of man, but any telepath or magick user strong enough and sensitive enough WILL be able to detect your presence if you are near them.

Harbinger will return to Minerva's mansion to resume her role as the keeper of artifacts and time in this timeline while the rest of you can stay here on Aerie, an island that like Themyscria, is not seen on any mortal map and is undetectable by anyone except you who stand here now. The rotunda will be able to house all of you.

you all have the resources to thrive here, both your powers and other aspects such as "money" and ties to the few humans of this world that were privvy to your secret, but for the time being, you can not return to the general populace. It is not safe ...and quite frankly why would you even want to?

[ looks at Delilah]

though i'm sure some of you would like to reprise the role of "Christ" on the cross for them if given the chance.

[ rolling her eyes, she then looks at Persephone]

THEY [ the humans] need you more than you need THEM. It's time you all realized that. Their petty "government structures" and society heiarchy is what perpetuates half the problems they face now.

Stay here, in plane sight, yet never seen. move around the globe through stepping discs, worm holes etc, helping those who you wish or who truly need it and live out your days free of the "anti mutant sentiment"...

but beware...there are new issues, new challenges that loom on the horizon for each of you,for your continued existence CHANGED the time threads.

If you choose NOT to remain here...then you will be returned...to the moment of your death to fullfill your destiny as originally seen by Harbinger...and those of you who survive will carry on as best you can.

You have the opportunity to live now a more peacefull existence. set apart from the rabble of the world, while still free to help those who truly need it...IF you just feel that compelled to do so.

[ spoken with casual disdain, a clear indicator of how little tolerance Hecate had for modern day humans.]

This is also the opportunity for you all to truly ENJOY ADVENTURE, globe trotting like we olympians used many ages ago, right Persephone?

 

[Spellbinder]

her choice

<< Morgan stood with her mother on one side, Nicolas on the other and Alison near by.>>

so...we're supposed to be dead. That was THE END for us...

<< she said softly as Athena and Hecate clearly indicated that they were now at a major cross road. The fact they had been saved...was GREAT but now, she realized there really was NO going back.>>

To start here, fresh and in a new direction on Aerie....

<< she looked behind her at the rotunda which stood sprawling and strong against the churning , starry night skies. She really liked this place, but suddenly she found the haunting memories of Circe creeping up in her mind.>>

<< she speaks.>>

My whole life has taken away by "ordinary humans"...they sent SENTINELS after us because of what Connor St. James did. I dont accept ANY blame for their attempt to EXTERMINATE us. and now... I've had EVERYTHING I worked for taken from me.

<< she looks at the sky.>>

I choose to stay here...and start anew. I could care less about happens now. as long as they can't find us...

<< she spoke with bitterness. the reality that she would no longer be celebrated...that she couldnt be seen without being reviled...and the fact that Delilah cared so much about "the six's tactics" versus what "innocent humans" just tried to do to THEM...it left her feeling more than a little bitter.>>



<< referring to the "general populace">>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Aerie

<< the cape of her regal black flying suit billows in the wind. she receives Hecate and Athena...and watches as Haleigh demonstrates why its never a good idea to give her the benefit of the doubt for TOO long >>

insolent child. if she applied just a FRACTION of the energy she devotes to being so rude to nurturing her realtionships...she might be one step ahead of where she is now.

<< Hecate offers grace and favor to the young hybrid and continues on, as she and Athena reveal that The Six are in PURGATORY so to speak. What they choose to do will determine whether they live or die.>>

<< at THAT moment, realizing that her life as it was...is OVER...She has a flash of anger and emotion as she turns and glares at Delilah.>>

I never wanted my daughter to be a "super hero"...but i always encouraged her to use her strength to protect the weak. "innocent humans" BURNED witches at the stake centuries ago...TODAY they send SENTINELS after mutants and metahumans...

<< she looks at Hecate and Athena.>>

I wasnt even involved in the Six's last caper, but I knew what they were trying to do. I also knew the foolish choice Delilah made in believing in a man that was out to USE her...and the FALL OUT from it...while I can't lay that [ the sentinels ] on HER...I just want to know...was OUR DESTRUCTION worth those "innocent humans"? you care so much for!? the measures we took, to protect them...to protect ourselves...was it SO WRONG that we now stand on the edge of OBLIVION, with only two goddesses to keep the majority of us from going to our GRAVES?

<< she closes her eyes for a moment. her voice trembles with resentment as her own fears about her and her daughter being hunted down for being witches begins to surface. RATIONALLY she knows that Delilah didnt single handedly CAUSE this...but WHY did the woman choose BISHOP of all people? couldnt she have been SMARTER than to trust a man with a hidden agenda? Part of her ALSO remembered her own mistake...CHRISTOPHER VICTORY. though at the time she was being courted by him, he was not nearly the twisted sociopath he would one day become. Her distrust of men and her intolerance for women who were weak in their emotions was now showing all in her face. >>

I'm having a hard time...because SUDDENLY i realize that everything that i thought would matter...does not. It's hard for me to think clearly...to remain "rational"...

<< she looks back at Hecate and Athena....>>

I lost my marraige, my family...I can't even help people anymore like i used to. there's nothing left for me. I'm a witch...and the mother of a "demon sorceress"...in times past..that would MORE than qualify me to be persecuted and burned at the stake...and that's probably on its way to a REVIVAL given what we've just survived.

I refuse to live in fear and to be bound by the ignorance of "innocent humans" and I won't leave my daughter.

<< Karen made her choice.>>

I'll stay...and do what i can from here.

 

[Harbinger]

Isle of Aerie

:: Harbinger listened. She was right....this was the one vision the Six were NOT going to be able to change and had it not been for Hecate....only She, Haleigh and Sharon would be alive now.::

:: she bows her head and places her hand on her forehead...just the idea of having to BURY so many...to awaken around the bodies...it made her faint...HER, the "seer with the stone cold heart"::

hecate...thank you...for saving us.

:: she says softly...in another moment of usually hidden emotion.::

:: she looks out to the ocean as Athena speaks, her words echo in her mind. She knows that HER destiny remains unchanged. She must continue in her role as the guardian of the world's ancient, mystical artifacts as well as the keeper of time, but never again will she stay away from her family so long. .her OWN bloodline...Kelly King, Cameron King, Erika King ...was gone. Karen Victoria was the mother she never had...and Morgan and yes Delilah too were her sisters. But Ava, Haleigh, Alycia, Sharon and now Nicolas were all close to her...though she tried not to show it ::

Hecate...I can't stay away from them...not as long...not ever again. I'll return to my duties at Minerva's but if they choose to remain on Aerie, I must keep in contact with them. It was my reoccuring nightmares that lead me to come to them before this caper BEGAN...even KNOWING the outcome.

Hecate: I understand...but remember, you are not doing "as i command"...for I have not commanded you in any of this. You are following your destiny. YOU have always been the mistress of your fate. You're a PRECOG before anything else so if anyone is going to be able to figure out the best way to do something, its YOU. By all means, BALANCE your role between Minerva's mansion and The Six...it was YOU who helped bring the original team together after all.

Athena: and it has been you who always provided the much needed warnings and urgings for them in times of uncertainty when no one else could. we understand your bond with them and respect it.

 

[Rampage]

Aerie! Forever?

Nicolas listened at the choices they were given, and he was stung by the bitterness and regret of Morgan and Karen, who had made so MUCH of their lives. After Harbinger spoke of being with them more often, Nicolas stepped forward.

I will stay here as well. The people I belong with are here, the things I care about intertwined with them. I came into that world with nothing, and so I leave it to defend the weak from its shadows, from here.

He places his hand gently in Morgan's.

I ask one more thing, if I may. Will you not be available to us after this time? There is so much we could learn from you, and I from YOU in particular.

Looks at Athena.

I am a scientist. The chance to ask for an occasional audience with the goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge does not come every day.

****************************************

Mike looks up from Karen while holding her hand as well.

This is the most amazing thing I have seen or been a part of. I have been looking out for Nic for years. I will not stop now. I will stay here.

 

[Persephone]

:: Athena gave the six and their allies a choice. Either live on Aerie or die. No one was stupid enough to choose dying...other than maybe Alycia and Sharon, who, for whatever reasons, wanted to continue their existence in a world devoted to taking them out. The more Persephone thought about it, the more she realized there was nothing to be upset about. Her name was linked to a company and a family that people considered treacherous and evil. She would no longer have to be scrutinized or defend herself anymore. She could live freely as she did before she joined the six; exploring and living life to the fullest. She forgot how much she missed not having to comply with rules. As Morgan, Karen, Alison, and Nicolas all agreed to stay on the island, she too, nodded her head. ::

"As much as you'd like to see me roit [Athena], i'm staying as well."

 

[Black Widow]

But now that you are here...your path is no longer clearly defined.

"Well.... good thing I'm not afraid to cut a NEW path for myself."


Haleigh deadpanned. She wasn't merely being a smartass this time, though.... she was being completely honest. She found there was ANOTHER matter to be completely honest about as well... as Karen took a chance to tear into Delilah.... Haleigh felt she'd kept herself out of the mix for long enough.

I also knew the foolish choice Delilah made in believing in a man that was out to USE her...and the FALL OUT from it...while I can't lay that [ the sentinels ] on HER...I just want to know...was OUR DESTRUCTION worth those "innocent humans"? you care so much for!? the measures we took, to protect them...to protect ourselves...was it SO WRONG that we now stand on the edge of OBLIVION, with only two goddesses to keep the majority of us from going to our GRAVES?

"SERIOUSLY, woman! You CANNOT help yourself, CAN you?? Oh, you smell blood and you just CANT stop yourself from STRIPPING a person BARE. Delilah made a MISTAKE, alright?? She fell for a guy and she let it affect her judgment but she is NOT the first person EVER to do so. History is LITTERED with the stories of POWERFUL people felled because they laid their trust in a SNAKE in lover's disguise. She stood up for who and WHAT she believed was right at the TIME and she did it with CONVICTION and while I don't AGREE with her, I can RESPECT her decision... because it's WAY harder to stand up to the people that you LOVE than it is the people that you hate. I'm SURE she wishes she could CHANGE the way things are now.... but NONE of us can. What's MOST important is that she chose the RIGHT side in the end. She chose US over him, when she finally had ALL the information in front of her..... she realized she was WRONG.... and she STOPPED HIM from hurting any of US.... and she's not MAKING excuses to save face NOW.... so at the RISK of being the black sheep ONCE MORE.... I'll stand with HER on this. Cut her some god-damned SLACK.... because cutting her down NOW is not going to do ANYTHING but breed resentment and hostility."

Haleigh said, giving Delilah at least SOMEONE who was willing to stand wholly in her corner even if it meant being at odds with.... it was actually kind of liberating.... and the perfect anecdote to agreeing with Karen before. Soon, Hecate joined in to give them their choice.... and the more she spoke, the more it seemed to Haleigh like quite a one-sided deal. Stay here and live... or go back and die. Most of the team accepted nearly instantaneously. Haleigh's choice wasn't a matter of life or death, however.... as Alison had foreseen her survival.... of course, even given that, going back was a sour deal. Sure, she'd survive, but then she'd be alone... and she'd spend her life on the run from sentinels. The cost BEFORE they'd arrived at this point had been steep.... it would be so easy to stay here... and wash their hands of it. But what of their other friends? What of the mutants they leave behind, the FREAKS that now faced the anti-mutant sentiment? Could they really just leave them to face the mass hysteria? But Hecate answered that too.... they COULD lend a helping hand.... if they were so inclined.

"So.... let me just get this straight. We can go back and die, though, more likely in my case, go back and spend the rest of our miserable lives being hunted..... OR..... we can elect to stay here.... OUTSIDE the bounds of our former lives.... FREE to do..... WHATEVER we please..... free to go out.... and help those who WE DEEM worthy.... when and IF we so desire? Well..... that sounds like a PRETTY FAVORABLE arrangement...... so what's the CATCH??"

 

[Spellbinder]

Isle of Aerie

<< Morgan glared at Haleigh as she snapped at her mother.>>

Excuse YOU.

<< speaking with a harsh tone.>>

My mother isnt saying anything that MORE than one person here doesnt FEEL...and while YOU think my mom is being harsh, SOME of us think she's telling the truth.

I would NEVER have endangered YOUR life, your sister's life...anyone on this team's life for the want and trust of a man. Not even NICOLAS.

<< unaware that Nicolas had told Delilah this not too long ago>>

My mother raised me to NEVER let a man influence my descision and that's what Delilah did and this wasnt some minor thing...or something that would ONLY have impacted her, though I would not have been any MORE silent about it because Connor was a two faced , lying, asshole...everything that SHE isnt.

so EXCUSE US for taking OFFENSE but YOU need to just back the hell off my mother. Delilah may not have been responsible for the Sentinels, but she WAS the person Alison saw betraying us. She betrayed US...everyone standing on this island right now and it's not only SHOCKING..but it HURTS because I ALWAYS trusted Delilah's judgement even as CHILDREN she was the heart of our group. How do we know it wont happen AGAIN?

YOU WERENT THERE at Connor's hotel...I WAS...when she called us all the next best thing to EGO MANIAC LOOSE CANNONS WITH GOD COMPLEXES while that BASTARD stood there, leaning against the wall SNICKERING ..ever so confident that SHE would follow HIM against US.

It was like I didnt even know who she WAS. She sounded like she'd just "found God" and suddenly EVERYTHING ELSE was sinfull.

<< referring to her shouting match with Delilah at Connor's hotel room before arriving in Arklay Forest.>>


DO you think I, my mother or Alison ENJOY the way we feel about Delilah? do you think we are constantly plotting a way to tear her down? well THINK again...if anything...THAT is something YOU or CAMERON would do.

<< a low blow indeed...but Morgan's feelings of loss and bitterness were now bubbling up like never before. this WHOLE situation left her in a right state.>>

Delilah..

YES WE [ Karen, Alison and Morgan] are PISSED at you but in case you forgot, WE don't make it a habit of letting a MAN come between us and what matters the most.

<< Hecate motioned sternly for Haleigh to remain silent at this point...KNOWING that she was opening her mouth to form a retort. This was between Morgan, Alison, Karen and Delilah...and it had to happen. Better NOW than later.>>

WHY did you this? I've heard "yes she made a mistake but she was there in the end"...but that's not enough. It's NOT okay for you to pick and choose when you can be trusted and counted on. If that was the case, you NEVER shouldve joined us. We were friends ...CLOSE FRIENDS...SISTERS. You filled in for me on VALIANT when i could no longer carry on after Blaze's seeming "death", you were the FIRST to come to Illustra when Alison warned of the INFERNO and about the ONLY person outside of my mother, Alison and Ororo who didnt want to see me burned at the stake POST Inferno. We've always been DIFFERENT in key ways and that was okay...we loved and respected each other and our differences were what made us click...just like best friends or sisters should. but then you went and did THIS and it wasnt like Blaze when she was ensorcelled by that vampire and I had to go rescue her [ a storyline from valiant] before she nearly MARRIED him. It's not like you were under a spell, had a breakdown, were posessed. YOU CHOSE to follow him and TRUST HIM, even when he called US "MUTANT SCUM"...even KNOWING that it was HE who tried to murder Sharon in her own house! It looked and FELT like you were AGREEING with him on all counts!

<< it was almost like watching Hecate confront Persephone about Hades during the Ancient greece caper.>>

I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION!

<< by this time, she'd pulled away from Nicolas and was now right up to Delilah, starring her eye to eye. She wasnt acting in a threatening manner, but she would NOT be ignored or dismissed this time.>>

<< meanwhile, Karen and Alison both glared at Haleigh as Hecate kept a watchfull eye over the situation and Athena looked on.>>

<< Morgan was expressing the agitation, the anger that she felt, but she wasnt going out of her way to be hurtfull about it.>>

 

[Black Widow]

Morgan, as could be expected, stepped in on behalf of her mother.

I would NEVER have endangered YOUR life, your sister's life...anyone on this team's life for the want and trust of a man. Not even NICOLAS.

"Oh, I'm sure that makes Nicolas feel VERY GOOD about your regard for him."

My mother raised me to NEVER let a man influence my descision and that's what Delilah did and this wasnt some minor thing...or something that would ONLY have impacted her, though I would not have been any MORE silent about it because Connor was a two faced , lying, asshole...everything that SHE isnt.

"NO!! Your MOTHER raised you to be a DYSFUNCTIONAL SEXIST, in hatred and mistrust of MEN, and because of that, you can't BELIEVE Delilah would have even LOOKED at a man, let alone trusted him. Well I'M SORRY your father was a WACKO BASTARD, but SOME OF US have known GOOD MEN, some of us have LOVED GOOD MEN, and I know its a SHOCKER for you, but some of us were raised to be fully capable of TRUSTING men. And yeah, ALRIGHT, she trusted the WRONG man, but FACE IT, MORGAN. If Connor had been a WOMAN, this wouldn't be HALF the problem it is for you!"

She challenged, partially interrupting Morgan's rant. Morgan questioned how they knew Delilah wasn't going to pull a stunt like that again.

"We DON'T know! We DON'T! but how do WE know YOU won't FLIP out and go INFERNO II on us?? how do YOU KNOW I won't go OUT OF MY MIND and pull a ticking NUCLEAR BOMB out of my ass, or have another MELTDOWN and cause a Y2K situation?? HOW DO WE KNOW that ANY of us won't do SOMETHING that causes us extreme strife?? We DON'T, and let's be honest, for MOST of us, the precedent is already THERE. Delilah made her FIRST MISTAKE in over a YEAR of working with us. ONE MISTAKE on her part, among MANY on ours! Hell, I ALONE have got her trumped. I'm a PERPETUAL MISTAKE, just ask your MOTHER!"

YOU WERENT THERE at Connor's hotel...I WAS...when she called us all the next best thing to EGO MANIAC LOOSE CANNONS WITH GOD COMPLEXES while that BASTARD stood there, leaning against the wall SNICKERING ..ever so confident that SHE would follow HIM against US.

"NO.... but I WAS there when she called us all MONSTERS and walked out on us, and that HURT ME TOO. I'm NOT asking you to forgive her, or forget what she did, or let her off the hook, what I'm ASKING is that you cut her a fucking BREAK, because cutting her down until she has NOTHING left is ONLY going to make the rift BIGGER. LOOK AROUND YOU, Morgan. LITERALLY, all that we have left is each other."

DO you think I, my mother or Alison ENJOY the way we feel about Delilah? do you think we are constantly plotting a way to tear her down? well THINK again...if anything...THAT is something YOU or CAMERON would do.

It was TRULY a shot below the belt, and while she was stunned, it only took her a split second to recover.... however.... her angry reaction clearly showed how badly she's been stung.

"YEAH?! Well MAYBE I should have gotten wise like HE DID and GOT THE FUCK AWAY from you! DROPPED off the FACE OF THE EARTH, NOW THAT would have been smart! [her voice elevating to stereophonic levels]THEN I WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE, TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER I WANT TO GO BACK AND BE VAPORIZED OR STAY HERE FOR THE REST OF MY MISERABLE LIFE, WHERE YOU AND YOUR PSYCHO MIND FUCK MOTHER WILL DRIVE ME INSANE!!!"

Haleigh yelled, looking near apoplectic. Morgan turned on Delilah again..... and Haleigh was frustrated beyond belief.... she was just ABOUT to interfere again when HECATE gestured for her to wait.... and though she REALLY wanted to step in.... there was something in Hecate's expression that told her to hold on.... so instead, she opted for shooting Karen a particularly dirty look.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

<< by now, Karen was standing next to her daughter as she defending her against Haleigh.>>

you insolent child!

<< she spat with such icy hostility as Haleigh attempted suggest that Karen had sewed the seeds for dysfunction and sexism, two things that if ANYTHING, she tried to guard AGAINST...even though the dysfunction did touch her family, there was a time that the Victory family was a loving, balanced unit. How could Karen have KNOWN what Christopher would become? what he would attempt to do to Morgan!? that he sired another child [Blaze] and that he would DESTROY their family unit? Karen did what any mother would do, she protected her child and saved herself, teaching Morgan to be forever cautious and carefull, ready to protect and DEFEND against the evil that a man was clearly capable of visitng upon her. but for Morgan's part...the hostility grew, BALLOONED during her days with Valiant and their initial encounters with Mystech's then "super powered strikeforce". The shocking revelation of Blaze, Morgan fierce instinct to protect her but yet FAILING to save her from Black, only to discover that her FATHER had now captured and was torturing Blaze? THAT was an issue that Karen could not have anticipated either. Mother and daughter had both been traumatized many times over and mother and daughter would defend each other if NOTHING ELSE against any man in this world.>>

you know NOTHING of what you speak...but then again how could you? seeing as how YOUR idea of a good man turned out to be a LIAR who slept kept his affair with Sharon Kelly a secret...and if he was so GOOD and so DECENT, then where is he NOW? if you're such a MODEL for how to love a man, than why isnt HE here with us?

<< if Haleigh didnt remember anything else, it was that Karen was VERY adept at being a "psycho mind fuck" and that her daughter got it from HER.>>

<< as Haleigh went on to reverse Morgan's genuine mistrust of Delilah, asking how THEY didnt know another Inferno was coming along, THAT was the final straw for Karen.>>

another INFERNO? well if YOU are here...that's almost a GIVEN. SO maybe we shouldnt ask IF...only WHEN.

<< she said with a cruelty in her tone that was matched by the glare in her intimidating blue eyes.>>

My daughter had a breakdown..but not without ALOT OF HELP from YOU. you WANTED it to happen so dont you DARE try to present yourself as "another victim"...when YOU were the catalyst!


<< Karen's instinct to defend Morgan from Haleigh went BEYOND the "text book" mother/child bond. It was PRIMAL. It was no secret that Karen ALWAYS blamed Haleigh and Cameron for Morgan's breakdown. Nicolas had heard the stories, seen PHOTOS and archived footage but he was not present for the actual event. he only knew that Alison and Haleigh were the only two original members present for it. But Karen was MORE than ready to remind those who WERE there and anyone else who had HEARD about it that Haleigh played MORE than a in minor role.>>


<< before Karen could deliver her final scathing attack on Haleigh's state of sanity...>>

 

[Hecate]

break!

[ Hecate steps between the the mother and daughter, Harbinger and Haleigh.]

LADIES!

[ holding her hands up and out as her hair blue in the wind.]

that's enough!

[ Hecate looks at Haleigh.]

Do you THINK that you could stay out of this long enough to let those involved fix their own problems? Or do i have to remove your ability to speak?

[ looking at Karen.]

don't let this child take away your serenity. I'm not going to pretend that everyone should always get along. just look at Athena, Persephone and myself. it took 1000's of years and seemingly "unexpected' time/space rift and a visit from a band of humans from another time to help US even see the chance repair our rift.

but in order for you all to continue to function , you're going to HAVE to get through this...and now.

Delilah NEEDS to understand that this is what happens sometimes when you make bad choices, just as Persephone experienced the brutality of Zeus and Athena, being a pariah on Olympus...just as our own friendship was strained because of her choices. It's never pleasnt...


[ looking at Haleigh.]

if you want to "be there" for Delilah. that's fine and well. but this isnt the time for you to do what are apparently known for. She made her choices, now let HER handle the fall out.

[ looking at Karen.]

calm yourself....and let Morgan and Delilah work through this.


[ Hecate clearly didnt RELISH being the referee. but she couldnt help but empathize with the situation as she looked at Persephone, remembering her own bitter outburst toward her friend in the enchanted forest...after all that had happen...after it had all sunk in. They were friends again and they understood and deeply appreciated the value of that friendship, through all times and spaces.]

and for pitty's sake will you HURRY UP? I'm ALREADY getting bored with this plane of existence. I had more fun traipsing around the moon....or through HELL.

[ a sign that through it all, Hecate was not nearly as vexed as anyone else was as she looks at Persephone.]

you think we should introduce Haleigh to Ares?? he might be just the man she needs to finally bring her that BALANCE.

 

[Black Widow]

Karen called her an insolent child, but Haleigh was plenty ready to fire back.

"You unbearable WENCH!"

you know NOTHING of what you speak...but then again how could you? seeing as how YOUR idea of a good man turned out to be a LIAR who slept kept his affair with Sharon Kelly a secret...and if he was so GOOD and so DECENT, then where is he NOW? if you're such a MODEL for how to love a man, than why isnt HE here with us?

"MY idea of a GOOD man is the man who RAISED ME after my father died! Or his SON, who stood beside me and was willing to do ANYTHING for me. And I THOUGHT Zach was that kind of man..... you're right, I was clearly MISTAKEN about him.... but I LOVED him. And YES, it turned out bad, but for LITTLE WHILE, we were happy. I was HAPPY. He may have hurt me in the end, but I CERTAINLY wouldn't go back and CHANGE that if I COULD.... because then I would've missed what was GOOD about him, good about US. He's not here NOW because I CANT trust him anymore, but I DID trust him ONCE. I DID love him. I'm not going to let ONE, or TWO, or THREE bad experiences poison my view of an entire GENDER. Christopher did you WRONG, he ROYALLY fucked you over, but you and Morgan have let ONE BAD MAN spoil you against many GOOD ones, a you BOTH ought to go see a therapist about it, because OBVIOUSLY the 'help' YOU offer ain't working for EITHER of you."

Haleigh shot back hotly, as Karen went on to predictably blame Haleigh for the Inferno crisis. Haleigh's voice dropped significantly, from a loud, angry tone to a chilly, gravelly volume, as she folded her arms across her chest.

"You're god-damned right I was the catalyst. Did you think I'd forgotten? I've admitted it, I've accepted full responsibility for my actions, and I can live with it NOW because I know that I'd go to the ends of the earth, I'd jump the barriers of TIME and SPACE for your daughter, IN A HEARTBEAT. and if she asked me too... I do it for YOU as well. So say something NOW. Throw it in my face NOW."

Haleigh dared, eyeing Karen boldly. Hecate stepped in, calling for them to stop.

Do you THINK that you could stay out of this long enough to let those involved fix their own problems?

"Gee, I dunno... MAYBE. Do you think YOU could keep this from deteriorating into an unnecessary character assassination? That's what I'M trying to do. At least those lunatics [Karen and Morgan] seem to LISTEN to you."

 

[MorningStar]

Suddenly she heard Nicolas’ voice in her mind. She looked up at him, and before she could respond he had scooped her up and leapt into the air like the Hulk.

“Nicolas! Put me down! Are you cra-“

Nicolas set her down in front of Hecate. Who was being just as big a bitch as Morgan and Alison.

“You’re not MY goddess…” she said under her breath.

Hecate talked of wanting to protect humans like it was a bad thing. The gods of Olympus were still the same self-serving, oblivious beings they always had been. So they should just forget about humans?

Before Delilah could even think about a response, KAREN started in on her. She could do nothing but bow her head. She was cracking, and didn’t know how much more of this she could take. Perhaps it would be better if she went back to her death, as her life was meant to end…

Her head snapped up, as HALEIGH jumped to her defense. Delilah was agast. She had tried numerous times to befriend Haleigh, but there had always been a rift between them that couldn’t be repaired. And now she was standing up to Karen for her? Delilah couldn’t fathom why she would sacrifice herself for her. She smiled at Haleigh gratefully.

And then Morgan was in her face, literally. And she, Karen, and Haleigh went a few more rounds before Hecate stepped in. The pressure was on Delilah to explain herself. She didn’t know how to make them understand. The last time she had tried and failed. She didn’t want to let her anger make her come off as hostile. She took a deep breath and turned to look at Morgan face to face. Her hands came up in front of her, palms together.

“Morgan… I thought I could convince him to change his ways. I thought I had…he promised me he would leave Sharon and the rest of you alone. But don’t you see? That’s not what made me leave the War Room that day.

None of you were listening to me. THIS. This right now – this was what I was afraid of. What I was trying to warn you about. If it hadn’t been Bishop it would have eventually been somebody else. Our ways exposed us, made us look like the bad guys. Made them see us as a threat, and they took us out.

I didn’t want to be a part of our own destruction…though in the end I brought it upon us all…”

She bowed her head for a second as she paused.

“And I did exactly what I accused you of doing. I killed him. To save Sharon, yes. In self-defense, yes. But did I really have to? Could I not have simply incapacitated him, then turned him over to the authorities? Did I really need to kill him? Or was that just the easy way out? I was reckless, and we paid the price.”

She turned to face Karen now.

“You asked if it was worth it? YES. I have devoted my adult life to helping others, both with and without the use of my powers. I chose to lay my life on the line for others every day. And everyone else here made that same choice.”

She looked to each of the others in turn.

“Hecate would have us believe that humans are all evil. And it seems like most of you agree with her. But that is not the case. There ARE good people in this world. Not everyone wants mutants dead. Wasn’t it you, Morgan, who told me that WE are in fact human. If I choose to stay here, I will not become complacent, sitting and watching the world go by and not caring about anything but myself – like the gods of old. I still want to help others, because I can, because that’s what I do, what WE do. I won’t condemn the human race because of the minority of bad people in the world. I choose to believe that people are mostly good.”

Her gaze landed once again on Morgan.

“I was wrong. I should have stood by you, no matter what. And for that I’m sorry. And if you want me to return to the world and take my destiny, I will. If you truly believe that I am of no more use in this world, I will go to my death willingly. I will abide by your decision.”

 

[Rampage]

THAT, I am sure, will not be necessary. NOW...or EVER.

Nicolas stepped into the midst of the women. He had stopped to just listen for the last few moments since he had brought Delilah back. There had been some things that had come to light, but everyone was staying in their corners, looking at everyone across from them as adversaries. He was going to put some things on the table and see what happened. He had nothing else and he would fight for what was left, these people. He paced as he addressed them all in a strong deep voice.

There are some facts here that are being forgotten.

Number one, EVERYONE here has made a mistake. ALL OF US!! No one is immune or exempt. So before you, ANY of you, hold that grudge, think about where you would be if other people held grudges against you.

Second, we ALL have stood by each other when the chips were down. NO apologies, no excuses. We ALL deserve to give each other the benefit of the doubt, because all of use have given EVERYTHING to be there for each other, and now each other is ALL that is left.

Third, this was most likely inevitable.

Looks at Morgan, Alison and Karen.

It is not Delilah's fault for trusting Connor or falling in love. Love is the ONLY emotion with a major OLYMPIAN god representative FOR A REASON. It is strong enough to make you question everything, everyone. I hated her choice but in retrospect, I admire the fact that she was WILLING to give her ALL to a man, yet she STILL had our backs in the end.

Looks at Delilah.

But at once, I will NEVER apologize for doing what I believed was right to protect the world. You speak of another way, but tell me, who could the courts and prisons actually have held? Circe? Malice? Mystech's inner circle?

Nicolas laughs harshly.

Even Connor, no POWERS, just a guy, had been in and out of jails that were inferior to his skills. It is possible that NO jail could have EVER held him. We deal with what the courts and cops cannot, and the stakes are very high. For every POSSIBLY unneeded death in our travels, hundreds of MILLIONS of people sleep well tonight, FAR safer than they would have been without us. If you think that there is a better way, TALK to us. We listened to you BERATE us. Perhaps if you do not make us the bogeyman, we will listen to you more readily. Understand, we hear EVERYTHING you say. This situation should at LEAST tell you that. And we know that humanity is worth it. If that was not what we believed, we would not all be HERE, sans our very lives we have built.

Look everyone, I am not claiming to have all the answers. I only hope that you are listening now because this situation should tell us ONE thing. OUR destinies are intertwined. We either learn to live together or we DIE apart. The reason I can stay here and rebuild is because everything important to me, everything I love <<glances at Morgan for a second, then to everyone in turn>> is HERE, IN THIS PLACE. I would have walked back through that door to my DEATH just so no one else would have had to die alone. If you guys don't feel the same, maybe I am the FOOL here then.

But you will not die today, Delilah. Not alone. For if you return, I will join you. It would be my PLEASURE.

Nicolas stood waiting for a response, any response, form the group...

 

[Spellbinder]

<< she looked at Delilah.>>

WE could have use some of the consideration you gave those OTHER humans. You're RIGHT...i DID say we were human...but it was YOU who DEhumanized this team, not once...but TWICE after you dealing with Bishop.

<< pausing for a moment.>>

It was a very hurtfull thing.

<< Delilah was right, Morgan DID agree with Hecate at this point, but it was more out of bitterness and shock over everything that had just happened. Morgan had NEVER purposefully wanted to be a superhero. She joined Valiant mainly out of curiosity, shocked that the british government would have contacted HER of all people to enlist her aid. She helped form the SIX out of necessity to save her sister and the city she was once so glad to call home. there were times she was GLAD she was doing what she was doing, as Spellbinder. There were other times she wanted to escape to Limbo and never come back. NOW? she was so bitter and so resentfull, she almost felt numb and so Delilah's impassioned position fell on less than receptive ears. >>

one of the things i liked best about you WAS your strong conviction, your good heart...how you always seemed to know the clear path and to take it. i always trusted your judgement. trusted YOU easily because of that.

You really surprised and hurt me behind this...

<< Morgan hated to admit.>>

<< Nicolas stepped in, adding to Hecate's attempt to calm the situation. His words were very telling, as Morgan looked on with reflection, realizing that after the emotion, the bitterness, there was still the truth. they'd ALL made terrible mistakes before AND during this adventure called "the six". their lives were brought together by design and whether they wanted to admit or even LIKE it at times didnt change the fact that they needed each other. even the Olympians could see that.>>

<< she looked over at him as he spoke, then to her mother and Alison.>>

<< even IF Morgan wanted to just leave and go to limbo forever, while she COULD...it would not only be selfish, it would be WRONG. Just as it would be wrong to give in to the FLASH of violent urge she had against Haleigh. Like her mother, Haleigh managed to evoke the deepest anger in Morgan. as terrible as it may have sounded, Sometimes Morgan felt that the best way to teach Haleigh a lesson in humility would be to take her to limbo and BEAT HER INTO SUBMISSION. :fdevil: but in moments like THAT it became important for Morgan to remember the lessons of SELF CONTROL that Ororo gave to her.>>

<< Nicolas was right. there a tremendous opportunity to here. not only were Hecate and Athena offering them permanent protection from "man's world", which would give them a unique advantage that until now, only the Amazons of Themyscria had...but they were all together and would be able to rebuild their lives and go in a new direction.>>

<< as unhappy with Delilah as she was, as Nicolas spoke, Morgan felt those feelings FINALLY begin to subside a bit and she remembered all the GOOD things about her friend. a life time of friendship shouldnt be thrown away over one mistake.>>

of COURSE you're NOT going back Delilah. I don't have the right, nor would i ASK you to do such a thing.

<< after a few moments...Morgan's facial expression softened and her countenance became less hostile.>>

I'm sorry...for being so hard on you. My ways aren't yours...we've ALWAYS been different in the most fundamental ways...but for all these years...that never mattered and I won't throw our friendship away over a mistake. goddess knows you could have done it with me many times and you havent.

When things went from bad to worse...you WERE there for us.

<< Morgan reaches out and takes Delilah's hand.>>

I hope you can...forgive me.

<< Morgan hated moments like this. it was like she'd just put a "KICK ME SIGN" on her ass AND her stomach...>>

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah could see the pain she had caused in Morgan's eyes, and it killed her to see. She finally realized what it was that she had done, past the surface actions - how she had hurt her fellow teammates. Morgan took her hand, and Delilah squeezed it in return before pulling her oldest friend into a hug.

"Morgan - I'm so so sorry..." She blinked at tears. "It wasn't you who I thought was a monster, it was me...I was just so scared and confused...I doubted myself..."

 

[Harbinger]

opening up a bit.

:: as Haleigh kept going at Morgan and Karen, the mother & daughter duo went after HER just as hard. Alison glared with extreme disapproval at Haleigh, seconds away from giving into her own impulse to force Haleigh's mouth closed with wiggle over her finger. Haleigh could provoke anyone to NEW levels of anger and she knew it.::

:: Hecate and Nicolas intervened and Alison exhaled loudly with annoyance as she folded her arms.::

:: Morgan and Alison were very similar and had clicked as friends long ago, after Morgan's traumatic exit from Valiant. they both understood that sometimes to get the job job, to protect yourselves and those you love you had to BREAK the rules. they worked well together both in business, social settings and in adventures because they were willing to do what others would not...even KILL but Delilah was the stabilizer between them. Just by her being the way she was...she subconsciously influenced the two witches to sometimes search for alternative ways to solve problems without the use of brutality , violence or even magick. Though it didnt seem or FEEL that way right now, Alison had always respected Delilah for her being able to stand by her beliefs through thick and thin.::

:: Alison's own negative childhood didnt involve a MAN or MEN blighting her path...it was her own MOTHER, Kelly King [ witchfire of Mystech] . as early as age 11, she was forced to DEFY her mother in order to protect her brother and sister. she grew up WAY before her time, never having the chance to really appreciate laughter, love or even "FUN". She stalked the world like a bird of prey, compelled by a destiny with a scope even she couldnt fully see despite being a precog. Morgan and Delilah were the first REAL FRIENDS she ever had and Karen was the MOTHER she never had. they WERE her family in every sense of the word.::

Things like LOVE don't matter to me...I lost my chance to learn about that when i had to grow up ...at age 11 to protect my brother and sister from our psychotic mother...the same woman that Morgan would end up battling years later when she lost her sister....the same woman Cameron and I would go on to KILL.

It's HARD for me...to appreciate or even TOLERATE...those kind of emotions...because...i never had the luxury of experiencing them.

:: looking at Haleigh.::

and in MY case..it wasnt about MEN....it was just about being ROBBED of the childhood many of YOU unconsciously take for granted.

:: looking at Delilah.::

I never had friends...EVER...not until I met Morgan after the tragedy of Valiant...and I met you when i found out you were going to take her place on that team. I IMMEDIATELY knew that you were someone that I could trust...and it had nothing to do with being a precog. I could see why you and Morgan were best friends. I can remember SO many times where you helped KEEP the two of us from going in another direction with dealing with people and situations...and it served to BETTER the two of us in the long run. Like Morgan said...we've ALWAYS been different at the most basic levels, but those differences were what helped us click.

....after I became Harbinger, I had to stay away for a while, to get adjusted to finally realizing the destiny that had compelled me ever since I left home at age 14. I found myself slipping into an OLD mode...the cold and detached mode. when i returned to New York to warn Ava of the disaster we just faced, I guess I lost myself in the feelings of disapproval and bitterness i had toward you knowing that it was you who would betray us.

It's hard knowing someone is going to do..especially when its someone...you care about and you KNOW its a mistake they are going to make and you can't alter their course of action.

:: for her to reveal the fact that she'd never had any friends ...was a BOLD move on Alison's part. but she felt Delilah was worth it.::

...I apologize. My own coldness and way of thinking caused me to come down on you for the very thing that I always applauded you for. Being a precog, doesnt always protect me from being effected by the events i see as they happen...and the DEATH GLOW was so strong around all of us...I wanted to do EVERYTHING i could to stop it. this was supposed to be THE END of us...and like my warnings of the inferno...when no one seemed to listen...i felt like YOU werent listening and it just upset me to NO END.

:: looking less unforgiving.::

we all have our moments of weakness [ alison couldnt help but equate certain emotions...ESPECIALLY LOVE with "weakness] and Nicolas is right. none of us is exempt from having made mistakes. it's just HARD for me when i can SEE the mistakes coming and sometimes nothing i can do will STOP the person from making it .

:: looks at Morgan and Karen and then at the goddesses.::

we are literrally beyond the vision that I had. Hecate acted to save the majority of us from death, and i guess i'm still struggling because I had been locked in one mode during this whole thing and now...FINALLY...if never before...I can truly exhale.

and I hope you can fogive me as well.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah sniffed and reached out for Alison's hand.

"I'm sorry - I should have listened to you, trusted your foresight. This was so hard on you, and I wasn't there when you needed me, and I should have been. But I want you to know that I will do everything I possibly can to earn your trust again. I can't promise I'll never make another mistake, but I will promise to never knowingly make you feel unheard. And I hope that one day you will be able to think of me as your sister again. Because I have always thought of you as mine."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

<< like Morgan and Alison, Karen was a THOUGHT away from turning Haleigh into a ROCK or some OTHER inanimate object. the woman was beyond 'out of control' in Karen's mind. mentally unbalanced and without any form of decorum.>>

<< the wind blew and Karen's hair flowed and her cape billowed as she starred Haleigh down just as fiercely as the woman did her. Hecate calls for SOME form of order and Karen folds her arms as the goddess comes into the center, huffing with annoyance.>>

<< Nicolas speaks with insight and Karen is able to notice that things come full circle, it was Karen who was the voice of reason when Alison and Haleigh were ready to crucify Nicolas man months ago after his arrival o the six...and NOW he was thoughtfull standing in the gap for Delilah, appealing to them all and he was RIGHT.>>

<< in a moment, she changed her own expression as she touched Alison's shoulder as the Seer revealed her feelings and then gently rubbed her back, reassuring her.>>

ive often said before that mental health professionals are the ones who need a therapist the most and moments like this seem to validate that. I don't always get it right...and its hard to balance my presentation as a therapist with my role as a mother...my feelings as a WOMAN who has come to view men in a dim light.

i remember blaze and how hard and unforgiving i treated her...for something that wasnt her fault. INSPITE of knowing the horror she had endured at the hands of her father, my husband...and not WANTING to acknowledge her sisterly bond with my daughter because of the circumstances. She actually REACHED OUT to me...and i rejected her time and again and then the Inferno came and she died...and i realizd how horrible i had been.


Ive known you since you were a little girl, Delilah. You've ALWAYS been a wonderfull example of how a young lady should be. It's been my pleasure to watch grow beside my daughter and to see your friendship with her blossom. You were there in times when I could not be and I've come to regard you as a daughter through the years...I think you could tell that.

as parent, you watch your children, and sometimes they make mistakes that you KNOW they can easily avoid and it can be disappointing even MADDENING. But you have to let them live and LEARN and its important to be there for them ESPECIALLY in the fall out of the mistake.

You're quite different than Morgan, in that your family unit was not nearly as dysfunctional or dangerous so you do have something of an advantage over her...but << looking Haleigh with disdain>> I did NOT raise my daughter to be sexist , only to guard her heart and her life...because we've SEEN what can go wrong when you trust a man. we've lived the nightmare...time and again.

WE represent the OTHER side of relationships with men..be it fathers, husbands...or even colleagues...and its only been through Nicolas...and.... Mike that the two of us have been given a SECOND CHANCE to see what GOOD can come from having men in our lives. YOU havent had to go through that...and so perhaps, this experience will just remind you that there's two sides...and I am reminded by Nicolas' words that none of us are perfect, nor should I waste valuable time treating you the way i mistakenly treated Blaze.