Casualties of War

[Rampage]

The Hellfire Mansion - The Black Wing

Rampage was getting ready to finish Ben off - Malice had slipped through his fingers, but this guys wouldn't. He would pay for what he had done to Cassie. Gorgon had thrown a lot of shit at him, and Nicolas was going to pick it all up and BURY that motherfucker with it.

Gorgon: "I didn't realize it was you when I first attacked. Or rather when you made some big stand about me walking out of here with my life, while losing the life of your teammate in the process...but now I do. You're Gustav's little street rat. They told you he died in a plane crash, from what I can remember? Unfortunately memories are all we have left...considering that Hellfire burned MysTech London, and my own father to the ground years ago..."

Nicolas' temper raged, and he was ready to unleash it on Gorgon. He willed the debris to fly back at his opponent.

Nothing happened.

Gorgon: "Thankfully my memory is pretty good. Your would be father died much in the same way that our friend Cassandra just did - having the life squeezed right out of him. It was one of my father's greatest accomplishments. A customary holiday tale he liked to tell when the scotch hit him just enough..."

He tried again. Nothing.

He tried to access Gorgon's mind. He wanted to see these memories of his father before Nicolas killed him.

Nothing.

What the hell was happening to him?

Gorgon: "Life is funny, isn't it? In a macabre, Machiavellian kind of way...One moment you're murdering your ex girlfriend, and the next your faced with your father's greatest failure. Your's being his untimely death, and mine being that he didn't think to clean you up in the mess...But we'll fix that soon enough won't we lad?"

And then it hit him. Malice.

Gorgon: "Oh bollocks can you show yourself already? Or are you a man who prefers to deal with things in the shadows...?"

He would figure out how to fix this later. For now he'd have to depend on his physical gifts. With incredible speed and force, Rampage threw his axe at Gorgon, aiming to embed his blade in the murderer's back.

"You're all going to pay."

 

[MorningStar]

Hellfire — The White Wing

Bishop showing up was about the last thing they needed. Haleigh, of course, got her minion to free him, then proceeded to put a power suppression collar on her.

"Just had one of those lying around, did you?"

Black Widow: “We can turn her over to Steele and Oldenburg. Maybe there’s some charges they can pin to her.”

Bishop: "Spoken like a true Hellfire member."

"Trouble in paradise?"

Delilah rolled her eyes.

Prophet: "Seriously, dude. We're trying to kill the blonde bitch that keeps threatening your baby."

Bishop: "She's standing right beside you."

"No, the other blonde bitch."

Delilah was losing patience with this.

"Why the hell are you here?"

Bishop: "Looking after you."

Delilah snorted.

"Yeah right. You marched into a mansion full of super-powered villains. That's not dumb at all."

She turned away in disgust , waving her hand in the air. Then Cameron was talking to her.

Prophet: "There's strength in numbers Delilah, and you know he won't go against us. But I promise you have my full support to take him out at any second you deem it necessary."

Delilah was silent for a moment, then nodded. Maybe he could be useful as a diversion. She turned back around.

Bishop: "You want Malice, so do I. And you know I'll always watch your back, Lilah, whether you want me to or not. But she is not your friend."

"No, she's not."

She said it matter-of-factly. As if she hadn't known that already.

Prophet: "I'm begging you.. Please. Let's sort this shit out later."

She suggested Bishop go home and let the adults handle this, but it was apparent he wasn't going to leave.

"You're right. We don't have time to argue. Let's go."

Bishop: "You can't seriously think you can work with her again, after all this? That's insane, Delilah. You know who she is, what's she's done. What she threatened to do. Malice wants you dead and she'll use her daughter to do it. That's if she doesn't send her after OUR daughter first!"

"It's not that simple..."

And then the asshole pulled out an EMP grenade. Where the hell did he get that? Oh, right, his other girlfriend. She smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What did you have to do to get Ashley to give you that?"

Delilah marched up to him and looked him dead in the eye.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Give me that, you lunatic."

She grabbed the grenade right out of his hand and deactivated it.

"Really great idea. You did so well with Costume Party over here you want to let her out so she can kick your ass again? Please."

She pointed her finger at Bishop, poking him in the chest while she spoke.

"Now you listen to me. We have something to accomplish here, and we need Haleigh to do it. So either go the fuck home, or shut the hell up."

Bishop was silent for a moment before he responded.

Bishop: "Okay. I won't try and kill her any more. Today."

Delilah turned and looked at the others.

"We done here?"

 

[Titan]

Hellfire Mansion - The Black Wing

Viv was electrocuting the snake woman when he saw his knife hit home in her throat. Steel crushed her into pieces, which was sort of awesome and sort of gross. Then he wondered if he was dying quicker now, because he'd moved. Vivica was searching for the woman's head, which was when he thought maybe the venom was affecting his mind.

Recall: "This is to the whole fucking lot of you. You come at The Birds of Prey? We will DESTROY you!"

Andrew had a little difficulty coming up with excitement at the moment, but he managed a "Go team".

Recall: "There's a lab less than fifty yards ahead. It's our best option to keep Titan alive."

"I like being alive."

Viv turned to look at him.

Recall: "That whole knife thing was very impressive, Drew. I might lift my no fly zone sooner than I anticipated."

Of course, Vivica would make that statement now. With his luck, he'd never live long enough to see if she came through on it.

"I'm gonna die for sure now."

He felt miserable.

Steel: "Oh no. No no. Ashley and Zach are quite more than I can handle thank you very much."

"Now that is just not fair, holding their...Zashness against us."

Steel was coming towards him, and then he was picking him up. Like full on Officer and a Gentleman.

"No, I can walk, really."

Steel: "It's best if you don't move more than you have to."

"This is so emasculating. Maybe Delilah AND Haleigh could walk by at just this moment. Then my life would be complete."

Recall: [to Oracle via com]: "Oracle, I'm getting us to an exam room. I can mitigate this, but I'm not sure I can fix this...

"What?! I thought you knew how to do that antivenom thing?! Isn't there a Youtube video for that?!"

Recall: "...surely you've got some kind of magickal card to play? Dominique perhaps?"

Oracle: [via com] "Negative, Recall. We can't pull her away from the Sanctuary, and can't risk anyone following us there. I have another option ready. Do what you can to stabilize him and prepare for extraction."

He was laid down in an exam chair in a lab like a child.

Steel: "Hang in there mate."

"You know, I never thought I would be mates with an English. Thanks for always driving me places in your car. And Viv-"

He looked for her.

"Your maybe-I-am-maybe-I'm-not lesbian imagery has been a highlight of my time in New York. Thank you."

He sniffed, and was quiet for a minute.

"I'm sorry I made such a mess of things. You two should go on without me - Rampage and Ruby need your help. I'll be fine."

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire — The White Wing

Alek: "I thought I got to know you pretty well."

Haleigh smirked at him.

“In some respects, maybe. In others, not so much.”

He expressed some mild skepticism that her and Cameron were a thing, and asked her if she wasn’t afraid of breaking him. She replied, a bit defensively, that she could be gentle when she wanted to be, and also that it wasn’t really his business, anymore. He grinned at her, observing her to be ‘touchy’. She smiled in spite of herself at that. It was kind of relieving at the moment, his humor. It cut through the heaviness of what they were facing.

She felt a bit like she was walking to the gallows, and that her friends were going to hang beside her when all was said and done, but here was the Red Knight, who’d had her back in this place, who’d hopefully succeed in preventing her from killing her friends. He had gotten to know her pretty well: he knew her fight style, certainly. With the EMP baton he could short-circuit her powers some, and it’d be a mostly fair fight. It was another relief, in addition to the amusement of his witty repartee.

They caught up to Nefaria and her captive, the one and only Bishop. It was bound to be uncomfortable, made even more so by Masque calling Max her ex. Alek mused that Max did look more her type, and Haleigh cut him a look that said stfu! Haleigh and Max replied in unison that they were not exes, which might’ve been comical except that Delilah was standing there fuming. Haleigh locked eyes with Max and immediately understood his mission. Her hesitation was in calculating how she could turn it to their advantage.

She had Gia release him, and then turned her captive in reward. Naturally that incensed the girl. The interesting part was that it turned out not to be Gia at all, but her apparent sister, Adriana. Haleigh didn’t have time to sort the records out.

Delilah: “Just had one of those lying around, did you?”

“Scary answer? I’ve got more than one at my disposal. Which reminds me—”

She replied, tossing a little key fob looking device at Delilah.

“That’s a universal key, just in case I try to disable any friendlies when I go into Scion mode. Just touch the key to the necklace you need to unlock, and give it a second to decode.”

She said, and then she suggested they turn Nefaria over to Steele and Oldenburg. Maybe they could pin something to her, though probably they’d just hold her for a bit and then turn her loose again.

Bishop: "Spoken like a true Hellfire member."

“And what would you have me do, Max? Murder her?? She’s not even really Inner Circle....”

She replied, looking over the mask in her hand before handing it over to the bound Adriana.

“Just some woman masquerading around as her sister for some reason. But we don’t have time to sort her out.”

Prophet: "Seriously, dude. We're trying to kill the blonde bitch that keeps threatening your baby."

Max: "She's standing right beside you."

Delilah: “No, the other blonde bitch.”

“Actually, this hair color is a DNA code ‘correction’ done by Malice to make her ‘Scion’ look more like her. I’m really a redhead, remember?”

Max seemed motivated to go after Malice, but he was also determined to tell Delilah that Haleigh was not her friend. Haleigh scoffed at that, and opened her mouth to remark on the irony of the secretive man pointing out someone else’s untrustworthiness. Yet when Delilah replied to confirm his assertion, Haleigh’s retort died on her tongue. She closed her mouth, pressing her lips into a bitter line as she turned away for a moment.

Cameron begged them to sort this out later, while Delilah dismissed Max outright. But of course Bishop was a bull-headed alpha male and he had to make his case right this second. Haleigh ran her hands through her short shorn hair, a little moan of frustration escaping her as he talked. And then to cap it all off, he produced an EMP grenade and activated it.

Max: "The Birds of Prey have a lot of nice toys."

“Yeah, it’s a shame they couldn’t equip you with intelligence.”

Haleigh shot back drily, while Delilah questioned where he got it and what the hell he thought he was going to accomplish with it. Thankfully she dealt with the problem so Haleigh didn’t have to. Then Delilah told him, in no uncertain terms, to get with the program or get the hell out of here. He was obviously reluctant, but he agreed, even going so far as to promise not to try to kill Haleigh anymore today.

“Oh you don’t have to compromise that much, Max. You’ll get a chance to use your nice little toys on me. We’re just asking you to wait. I trust you’ll know when it’s weapons free time.”

Delilah: “We done here?”

“Almost— Just one more thing we ought to clarify.”

Haleigh said, stepping up to lock eyes with Maxim again.

“If I really intended to hurt Alexia, I’d have just done it, and you’d have found out about it when you watched the tape. Pull your head out of your ass, Max. I threatened to give you time to prepare a defensive strategy. Yeah, okay, I’m a shitty fucking friend to have. But I’m not the monster you think I am. Or have you already forgotten how easily I could’ve killed you when I was in your apartment?”

She asked, her aggravation apparent as she shook her head and turned back down the hall. She looked at Cameron.

”Malice and those who’ve managed to rally around her have set up a defensive position in the White Queen’s Chambers at the end of the hall.”

 

[Enchantrah]

The Red Guards swarmed like ants, much like the WILDPack used to for her former and far less powerful cross time alternate. They began to beat down Alexis much to Helena's delight, and distract Zach and Ashley enough to give Helena time to regain hr strength from Zach's last attack. But they had done away with her guards like child's play, and quicker than Helena would have liked. Zach and Ashley turned their attention to Helena, followed by Alexis who was unfortunately gathering to her feet. Helena's tongue ran along her top lip, a smirk following.

"While I do love being the center of attention..."

Her power flickered around her, a red light pulsing from her body.

"You've all started to bore me."

But almost instantaneously Zach unleashed his emotional torrent against her once again, Helena stumbling as she began to scream.

Zach: “You know Helena.... I gave my father a heart attack like this.... you’re older than he was.... when I killed him.”

Even through the pain, Helena couldn't help but be compelled to respond given who Zach's father was. He was a simple minded weak man, and the apple didn't fall far from the tree. The only difference between the two was Zach actually had power to back up his running mouth.

"You're.....as weak....as your....FATHER!"

Helena fell to one knee.

Ashley: "Heart attack, huh? Let me help you with that babe."

Ashley's hand connected with Helena's chest causing the overall emotional pain Zach was inflicting on her to feel like it was constricting her. She grabbed her chest, gasping in agony, crying out in pain.

Ashley: "It must kill you to know that you let a weapon like me go in a ridiculous test of Alek's loyalty. Oh, I forgot. It's us that's going to kill you."

The pain was almost numbing at this point, her screams subsiding as she tried to catch her breath. Her jaw was tense, teeth clenched, eyes blood shot and filled with tears. She looked up at Ashley, and even through the throes of agony, there was a hatred there that was undeniably directed at her.

"I got...rid of the..TRASH."

She managed to string together.

"And...he'll [Alek]...DIE SOON...ENOUGH!"

Her red power signature began to pulse brighter as Helena hunched over in pain, her eyes shutting tightly.

"ALL OF YOU WILL!"

She screamed, the energy to yell nearly causing her to pass out as she fell to all fours now. Her arm was numb, heart racing, breath rapid. Then the pressure around her whole body began to amplify, like something was constricting her and preventing her from breathing. Helena managed to lift her head to see Alexis now standing, hand outreached toward Helena, creating some kind of semi visible binds around Helena's body.

Alexis: "I've waited so long for this..."

The three of them, all in sync, unleashing a tidal wave of powers against her that made even her question if she would make it out of this scenario alive. But she was Helena fucking Quartermaine, Red Queen of Hellfire. When backed into a corner, overwhelmed and out numbered, she had no qualms about retreating for backup. Her entire court may have gone AWOL, but Diana's and Kelly's had not. It looked as if Helena was seizing up and ready to keel over, when suddenly her entire body EXPLODED into a swarm of bees and began to fly all around Zach, Ashley, and Alexis. There were hundreds of them, the buzzing sound deafening. The swarm finally began to fly into the air duct until finally, there was not one left in the conference room and Helena was gone.

Moments later the swarm burst through the air duct of the White Queen's chamber, Helena re-materializing on the floor next to Kelly, gasping and clutching her chest still.

"I hate...those fucking...cunts..."

She grumbled through the residual pain of the attacks. She could feel her strength slowly coming back, but not as quickly as she would have liked. Her eyes looked up at Kelly as she laid on the wood floor.

"Don't just stand there...heal me you bitch..."

Helena groaned as she patted Kelly's black heeled shoe that was next to her.

"And I say that...oww...in he most loving...way possible...."

 

[Malice]

Hellfire — The White Queen’s Chambers

:: They were sustaining HEAVY losses, even amongst the Inner Circle. The Red Court was entirely in open rebellion, even Helena’s surrogate son, Alek. They should’ve BRAINWASHED him last night, but it wasn’t too late to do it after they took care of the opposition, if he survived and Helena still wanted him.::

:: The Black Court, which consisted officially of just Cobra (and unofficially included a prospective Rook i.e. Goliath) was OVERWHELMED by a contingent of the Six and a few Birds. Amanda perished, though there was likely enough for Kelly to reconstruct her. Ben was STILL fighting for his life against Nicolas. While Rampage was HANDICAPPED by his loss of telepathic abilities, it was probable that he’d TRIUMPH over an untested Goliath in one-on-one combat.::

:: The White Court was still intact, though Scion would need to be brought to heel. Masque was toying with the flatscan down the hall, and though they were much too far away to be able to see what was happening, Malice believed even GIA could trounce a flatscan like Bishop. Emiko had gone off to help Helena, and while she was MIA at the moment, Malice wasn’t concerned. The girl liked to reserve the element of surprise.::

:: And then there was Fathom, who’d SURVIVED an encounter with two of Christopher’s daughters, no mean feat. Her esteemed Knight was beyond reproach, even after their captives disappeared. Heidi SLAUGHTERED the guards who’d let them slip through their fingers, unaccepting of their excuses. Kelly told her that as the SOLE remaining Knight, she had command of the full-color Guard. She also gave her instructions and a mission.::

Fathom: “I’m locked out of the security system... all I get is a report of the depletion of our forces, and a little clock-looking thing counting them down... I need to go to the control room.”

“Heidi, you have my leave. Do WHATEVER you must, and meet us at the Arklay Replica if you are forced to REGROUP.”

:: Kelly was trying to reach her own team, and tell them what to unleash. With her magick, she’d no doubt OVERCOME the security blackout. She sent a group of Red Guardsmen to Helena in the Conference Room in case too many of the Birds caught up with her. Tyrants and Leeches were to be set LOOSE in the mansion, and Kelly even suggested Jessica Marcus.::

“Not Jessica. I’ve posted her at the Arklay replica. If Scion falls to her little friends, I want Viper there to detain her when she downloads to a new body.”

Kelly: "You let me know when you're ready to attack, Malice. I've got it covered on my end.”

“Let’s take a less exposed position, in my Chambers. They’ll be here SOON.”

:: She said, and as they went into her Chambers, with the dozen or so remaining White Guard fortifying their position, Helena appeared on the floor. She complained that she hated ‘those cunts’. Diana knelt beside her sister Queen, agreeing that they ALL did, and then Helena told Kelly to stop just standing there and heal her instead, while Diana helped Helena to a sitting position.::

 

[Madame Masque]

Hellfire — The White Wing

Adriana hit Mr. Handsome with a blitzkrieg turn and captured him with ease. He swore about mutants, which made Adriana look at him with a narrowed gaze as she suddenly suspected he was a flatscan, and a prejudicial one at that. She turned and greeted Scion enthusiastically, quite confident that she was well on her way to sliding right into the Bishop slot. The Red Knight remarked that Mr. Handsome looked like Scion's type, while Scion and Mr. Handsome answered together that they were not exes.

"Oh, still together, are you? I just assumed since he's marked as yours exclusively to kill-- wait, are you two the til-death-do-you-part types? I wish you people would wear rings so the rest of us are aware. It's not enough to just put it on facebook, fyi."

The mystery man with Scion balked impatiently, claiming they didn’t have time for ‘this’.

“Well, good thing I’ve saved you the time by gift-wrapping him for you.”

Adriana replied smoothly. Scion asked how long Mr. Handsome would be stuck the way he was. Adriana proudly answered that she could release him any time Scion wanted, and Scion apparently wanted him released now. Adriana first freed his hands and forearms, but only so she could strip him of his guns, which she handed to the Red Knight. Then she gave Mr. Handsome a little shove, releasing his kinetic energy al at once and sending him falling at Scion’s feet. If he was smart he’d start apologizing and begging for forgiveness. He was attractive enough to be given a second chance, maybe even a third.

The Red Knight told her she’d done well, a compliment that was slightly undermined by him calling her Gia. She badly wanted to correct him, but held her tongue, instead just giving him a nod. She felt some kind of choker forming around her neck, and reached up to touch it, her look of confusion hidden behind her mask. A second later there were handcuffs on her wrists, and a chain tethering her to the floor.

“What’s going on here?”

She asked warily, only to be mostly ignored. The other woman turned to Scion and asked her a curious question, and Scion answered her before tossing what was apparently a key to the woman. Scion explained what it was and how to use it. Adriana gestured up to her own neck, making the chains jingle.

“Alright, jokes at Gia’s expense, just hilarious. Now why don’t you go ahead and use that little key here, set me free again.”

She suggested bitterly. Scion unmasked her though, and just like that the charade was over. The Red Knight laughed, commenting that it was no wonder she was acting competent. Adriana tossed back the dark hair of her wig with a huff.

“I am competent. So you see, whatever you were planning to do to Gia, it’s totally unnecessary, I already took care of her.”

Haleigh: “We can turn her over to Steele and Oldenburg. Maybe there’s some charges they can pin to her.”

Adriana’s gaze shifted to Scion, her annoyance now plain on her face, thought it was tempered a bit with a shift toward congeniality as she prepared to argue for in her own defense. Mr. Handsome remarked something about speaking like a true Hellfire member, which was a compliment Adriana was going to take, except Scion responded to him as if he’d rebuked her. If there was one bright spot in all this, it was that Scion seemed to be against the idea of murdering her. Scion handed Adriana back her mask, saying she wasn’t even Inner Circle, just masquerading around as her sister.

“Technically she was doing that to me. I was my father’s first born, you know. Gia tried to take everything from me, but I’m taking it all back.”

Alek: "Just go along, you'll be fine. Hell, you might even come out of this as a Rook, or even a Princess."

“I’d be pleased with my father’s title of Bishop. If Gia hadn’t weaseled her way into everything..... but she ingratiated herself with people who saw her as easy to manipulate and manage.... they tried to overthrow me.... and they failed.”

She told the Red Knight, as the others bickered back and forth about some kind of drama that Adriana wasn’t tuned to. She didn’t bother trying to keep track of what they were arguing about, instead sensing she might be able to talk the Red Knight into freeing her.

“Listen, I’m kind of a free agent, right? Whatever’s happening here, it’s like a coup, isn’t it? I can help you guys pull it off, just get Scion to free me and I’ll totally team up with ya. Come on, if the flatscan gets to help....”

She negotiated, but before she knew it, said flatscan had pulled another grenade looking thing from his vest, because if he couldn’t win his argument then he was apparently ready to commit suicide. Adriana rolled her eyes. At least he was pretty, since it was clear he didn’t have much else going for him.

Delilah: “Really great idea. You did so well with Costume Party over here you want to let her out so she can kick your ass again? Please."

“Ha! I did kick your ass, Mr. Handsome. By the way, my codename’s Madame Masque. But my friends call me Adriana. We’re friends, aren’t we? Come on, I don’t even know the White Queen. She sounds like a bitch, I’ll help you kill her!”

She offered, trying not to sound desperate, but she truly hated this powerless feeling. She was still being ignored by most of the group, who seemed more invested in continuing their own spat. Adriana yanked on her chain in frustration as they went back and forth. Finally they seemed to be wrapping it up, and Scion turned them all towards the White Queen’s suite.

“Wait! You aren’t really going to leave me here?! You can trust me!”

Scion: “NO. Stay here and call your lawyer.”

“Well— can I at least have a chair then, or are you gonna make me sit on the floor like an animal?”

A metal chair appeared on the floor with a clatter, and Adriana sink down into it with a sigh of resignation. She waited until the group was out of sight, and then she leaned forward, putting her head in her hands. She felt around in her wig until she found a hairpin and pulled it out. Then she dug it into the keyhole of the cuff she had on until they clicked open. It didn’t take long, but this wasn’t the first time she’d picked a pair of bracelets. The necklace was new, though. She put her mask back on and headed down to the catacombs, looking for the security control room.

 

[Recall]

Hellfire Mansion - The Black Wing

It was both horrifying and slightly sexy to watch John burst through Cobra in such a violent way. She grabbed The Black Knight's head and did a victory lap.

"This is to the whole fucking lot of you. You come at The Birds of Prey? We will DESTROY you!"

Steel: "I'm sure she's not the only thing we'll find in here. Thanks for the assistance."

Vivica smiled, keeping The Black Knight's head at her side as she moved over towards Andrew.

"And thank YOU for bringing the pain."

[searching her mind]

"There's a lab less than fifty yards ahead. It's our best option to keep Titan alive."

Titan: "I like being alive."

[to Andrew]

"That whole knife thing was very impressive, Drew. I might lift my no fly zone sooner than I anticipated."

Andrew: "I'm gonna die for sure now."

"Oh stop, Casper. You're gonna be fine."

Vivica laughed despite being very, very worried for Andrew. Antivenom wasn't just something you could manifest, or just whip up in a lab on the fly. It took weeks. Even if Cobra had enough venom in her fangs to be useful, they needed to freeze it, make antibodies, purify it..and Cobra was...a Cobra. Their bites often came with cardiac implications. In short - it didn't look good. But if they could have a few moments of levity before anything she didn't want to think about happening, she'd allow it.

Steel: "Oh no. No no. Ashley and Zach are quite more than I can handle thank you very much."

Andrew: "Now that is just not fair, holding their...Zashness against us."

"Can we please wait to hashtag them until they actually walk down the aisle?"

Steel swooped Andrew up in his arms in a strong yet comical way and she could tell it made Titan very uncomfortable.

Titan: "No, I can walk, really."

"Well you shouldn't."

Steel: "It's best if you don't move more than you have to."

Titan: "This is so emasculating. Maybe Delilah AND Haleigh could walk by at just this moment. Then my life would be complete."

"Being a real man means knowing when you need help and allowing others to give it to you. Even if it is from another...more giant, hulking man made of steel."

She looked at his face. He wasn't getting any better. The time for joking was over. They needed to get him out of here. And soon.

Andrew: "What?! I thought you knew how to do that antivenom thing?! Isn't there a Youtube video for that?!"

Recall cast a worried glance to John.

Oracle: "Negative, Recall. We can't pull her away from the Sanctuary, and can't risk anyone following us there. I have another option ready. Do what you can to stabilize him and prepare for extraction."

Vivica nodded, thankfully that security systems were down, making entrance to the lab very easy. Steel laid him down in an exam chair as Vivica raided the cabinets for medical supplies. Her mind was in overdrive.

Steel: "Hang in there mate."

Andrew: "You know, I never thought I would be mates with an English. Thanks for always driving me places in your car. And Viv - Your maybe I am maybe I am not lesbian imagery has been a highlight of my time in New York. Thank You. I'm sorry I made such a mess of things. You two should go on without me - Rampage and Ruby need your help. I'll be fine."

She ignored his desperate if not hilarious please as she continued to search.

"So we aren't going to think about anything other than breathing, Drew. In and out. That's it. None of the chatter. None of the com links. Just your breathing..."

>> Venom flow through the lymphatic channels is the major route to reach the systemic circulation. Block lymphatic flow to delay onset of toxicity...

Considering there were so many animals in Hellfire, she was thanking her lucky stars she had done such thorough research and that John had squashed Cobra to shreds in record time. They had time..but very little.

>> Large lymphatic vessels have smooth muscles in their walls that contract, which is the primary mode of lymph propulsion in an extremity as rest...a pharmcological blockade of the intrinsic lymph pump can retard venom transport.

"Shit...pharmological...blockade..."

Recall's eyes darted back and forthe as she moved over to a medical cabinet with various vials and medications and pills, things of that nature, trying to use her brain to identify what she needed.

>> "Arfonad."

Basically she needed to be able to restrict or stop Andrew's ability to move lymph through his body and get into his lymphatic system and his bloodstream, and slow the flow of venom before it reached his heart or respiratory system. Closing her eyes for a moment, Vivica shifted into something her and Oracle affectionately called "Laptop Mode" - a function of the chip that shut off a bit of her main brain function to utilize the archival information housed in the server that kept her "memories". Opening her eyes, they were now silver. She grabbed the needle as well a vial of Halothane. She said a silent prayer of thanks that she was working on a man that had perfect posture. She tipped the chair into a full on upright position, making his body flat but elevated. She began to fill the needle, biting the tip of with her mouth. She used the mode she was currently in to communicate with Oracle on a text pop up screen on her end, a channel transmitted by her chip.

>> [to Oracle via chat]: "I need to get him into hypotension and slow his lymph flow down. It will delay the venom getting into anywhere dangerous, but...I'm kind of going in here blind Zizi."

The message soon came across Steel's optic lens as well.

Vivica was scared as she strapped him into the chair, firm enough to keep him restrained but not too tight as she tipped the chair over, so that Andrew was dangling at an angle ( like \). She looked at Andrew. He was such a sweet guy. He didn't deserve to die in a place like this. He didn't deserve to die at all. She looked at John.

[to John] "Keep him still."

[to Andrew] "I need you to trust me."

She didn't give him time to answer before she jabbed the needle into his skin just over the "bite", before re-filling it and poking him once again this time with the other drug. Both drugs were a bit paralytic and Andrew would feel the slow and gradual drop in blood pressure. Normally a person would be knocked out before any of this happened, but she didn't have that kind of time. The pain might be intense, but she was hoping she had done enough to save his life.

>> [to Oracle via Com Link]: "I think....he's stabilizing? We are ready for extraction...but Oracle, its gotta be SOON."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

[via com] "Citadel, be ready to extra an injured Titan as soon as the coast is clear. On my order."

Oracle kept an eye on Valkyrie and Orion, who were engaging the Red Queen in the catacombs, with an unlikely ally in Alexis Quartermaine, who apparently was not dead. The Six were still mostly in the White Wing, and she saw with a shake of her head Bishop pulling out one of her own EMP grenades. The two of them were going to have a little talk when this was all over. Luckily MorningStar was there to be the sane head of the group. Oracle wondered again how the Six ever got anything accomplished. It did shed a good deal of light on Sharon and Alycia, and why they behaved the way they did. Why they didn't fit in with her team as well as she would have liked. It was sad to have lost them, but this new revelation gave her some solace. This, in front of her, is how they'd been taught that teams functioned. In the Black Wing, Rampage was still fighting Gorgon. She would have expected Nicolas to have finished with him by now, but with Ruby's status unknown, she could see how it would affect his fighting.

[via com] "The Queens are together in the White Queen's Chambers. The Six is enroute, except for Rampage, who is still engaged in the Black Wing."

Recall: [via com] "Oracle, I'm getting us to an exam room. I can mitigate this, but I'm not sure I can fix this...surely you've got some kind of magickal card to play? Dominique perhaps?"

"Negative, Recall. We can't pull her away from the Sanctuary, and can't risk anyone following us there. I have another option ready. Do what you can to stabilize him and prepare for extraction."

She got a lock on their coordinates as they moved into the shelter of a lab exam room.

[via com] "Just relax, Titan. I'm sending help."

Recall [to Oracle via chat]: >> I need to get him into hypotension and slow his lymph flow down. It will delay the venom getting into anywhere dangerous, but...I'm kind of going in here blind Zizi.

[via chat] >> Your body and brain know how to do it. Just breathe.

[via com] "Citadel, I'm send coordinates to your phone. Extract Titan from the mansion. Around the corner on 65th and Fifth there is a limousine, license plate New York TRF4364. It belongs to Mina Harker. Take him there. You are expected."

Recall: [via com] "I think....he's stabilizing? We are ready for extraction...but Oracle, its gotta be SOON."

[via com] "Recall, Citadel is inbound for extraction. Once Titan is safely in his care, proceed to rendezvous with Rampage. Then bring the Black Wing down."

 

[Citadel]

Danny watched from various areas of The Hellfire Mansion. It was a very grim situation. This war for them was personal and it made Citadel nervous. There had been many instances of both MysTech and The Six's destruction spilling out into the streets, threatening to destroy his mistress. When she hurt, he hurt. He had found out he was a super after what he had gleamed from information circles he had was known as The Inferno. He felt the city burn from the inside out and he spent months in the hospital. He almost died. That was when he started taking an active part in defending New York City. He knew what she wanted, who she liked and what she needed. And what she needed was what he needed.

So really, to helping with any of this caused him great concern, but when the stakes were raised, he needed to meet them and exceed them. He was down chasing out ruffians and thwarting egomaniacal drug lords. He was done letting his city feel the effects of this bitterly personal war between supers.

"But what Oracle asks, I will do..."

He preferred his favors to be of the sexual variety, but this was a favor to the city. Elizabeth was one of the city's most cherished residents. Her place in The Clocktower was not by accident. Many of the buildings in New York were unknown monument's of the city's greatest heroes. And she was one of them. And she was trying to show supers a different path, one that didn't involve so much bloodshed.

Oracle: [via com] "Citadel, I'm sending coordinates to your phone. Extract Titan from the mansion. Around the corner on 65th and Fifth there is a limousine, license plate New York TRF4364. It belongs to Mina Harker. Take him here. You are expected."

[to Oracle]: "Mina Harker? Now this is a treat, Oracle. I'll have him out in under sixty seconds. Really ten, but I don't want to sound cocky."

Mina Harker was one of the city's more colorful characters. Such a mysterious aura and a rich backstory. The city may sometimes have been ambiguous about it's feelings of Mina Harker, she was one of Danny's personal faves, though he'd never met her. There was no time to waste.

Danny faded immediately into quite a seen in the lab, as Vivica Lennox had Andrew strapped to a chair and was poking him with needles. And while Andrew always looked very good, good enough to eat even, he was looking somehow much worse for wear.

"Extraction Express. I take it this is my passenger?"

"I can't believe I'm about to bust this tall, muscular, sweaty, RUGBY player over him arms and dump him in anywhere else but my bed..."

Citadel smirked unstrapping Andrew and throwing him over his shoulder, before fading out entirely, reappearing at the exact front of the limo. Opening the door with one hand, he used the other to gently guide Andrew into the limo. He leaned in.

"I take it by the looks of your ripped clothes, you probably don't have any tip money. No worries, I'll collect later."

Danny puckered his lips and make a kissing gesture with his mouth before shifting back over to The Hellfire Mansion. Things were seeming to reach a boiling pount. There was a death count that mattered to them and they were standing to see more bodies fall at their feet. He shook his head - his light encounter with Andrew had worn off. It was time to cut the sarcasm and prepare for the worst.

[to Oracle via com link]: "Oracle, I'm worried about this spilling out into the sheets. Because if it does, I have to send this place away...no matter who's inside."

He could use his power to change where Hellfire was geographically in the city, both above and below ground. There were many hidden horrors deep beneath the Earth of New York City, for justified reason. He couldn't let another Inferno or Purifier Event happen under his watch.

 

[Titan]

Hellfire Mansion - The Black Wing

It had taken three of them to do it, but the snake lady was dead.

Recall: "Being a real man means knowing when you need help and allowing others to give it to you. Even if it is from another...more giant, hulking man made of steel."

"This is no time for sensitivity training Viv!"

He said his goodbyes. Maybe they would engrave some of his poetic and self-sacrificing last words on his tombstone.

Recall: "So we aren't going to think about anything other than breathing, Drew. In and out. That's it. None of the chatter. None of the com links. Just your breathing..."

He wasn't giving birth here!

But he did as she instructed. It was getting harder to breathe, and he felt sort of fuzzy.

Recall: "I need you to trust me."

He nodded weakly, and then his leg was on fire. His eyes went wide with the pain. He could feel a numbness spreading through him. It must be the venom. This was it.

Citadel: "Extraction Express. I take it this is my passenger?"

He felt hands on him..someone unstrapping him from the chair...and then a face - Danny, it was Danny Donnelly - before he was thrown over a shoulder. Please let no one be filming any of this.

The light was very bright then, and he could hear the sounds of the city around him. They were outside. And then he was being shoved into a car.

Citadel: "I take it by the looks of your ripped clothes, you probably don't have any tip money. No worries, I'll collect later."

Andrew tried to wave.

"Thanks, Superman..."

The car door slammed, and Andrew looked up to see two women, one being Mina Harker, sitting on the seats on either side of him. Each of them was holding a champagne glass in their hand.

"Am I dead? Is this the part where you rip each others' clothes off to make bandages for me?"

Fingers. Crossed.

 

[Seraph]

Mina's Limo

Alix surprisingly had quite a lovely conversation with Mina while they waited. She wasn't so bad, for someone 100+ years old - her knowledge of demon lore was impressive, and promises were made to keep in touch and share information in the future. Add in the excellent champagne that Mina had chilling which she served in generous amounts and it totaled a very pleasant day indeed.

And then they were interrupted by the ringing of Mina's phone and the woman on the other end who was called "Oracle" asked her to heal one of their team who had come into contact with snake venom somehow. Alix wasn't used to sitting on the sidelines of battles, so she actually welcomed the chance to do something for a change. And if Karen Victoria thought these people needed help, then they probably did, and she had promised to provide it.

So when a half dead body was shoved into the back of the limo, Alix looked down at it curiously.

"Someone was thoughtful enough to rip his pant leg off. How helpful."

She could see the wound - a cut, and it was oozing. Oracle had told them he'd been given injections to lower his blood pressure and slow the venom's progress. But that mattered little to her - she wasn't a doctor, after all.

Titan: "Am I dead? Is this the part where you rip each others' clothes off to make bandages for me?"

Mina gave a disapproving shake of her head.

Mina: "Do be quiet, Andrew."

"If you're a very good boy, maybe I'll flash you after."

Alix set her glass down and grabbed his leg, turning it this way and that to examine the wound. She reached into her boot and pulled out her stele. It was silver, with a white crystal tip, with raised runes on the shaft. Carefully she used it to draw a rune for healing directly over the cut, and it immediately began to knit together and heal, the rune glowing silver on his skin. She then opened his shirt, and drew two more runes on his chest near his heart: a more powerful healing rune to counteract the venom, and a rune to boost Andrew's constitution. In turn, she pressed her stele to each of them, and as she did so the stele began to emit a bright light from its tip that caused the runes' glow to intensify and brighten. Andrew tensed and cried out, before collapsing as the light died away.

She looked to Mina.

"We should get him some place where he can rest."

Alix shifted to the seat next to Mina, and scribbled a rune on the palm of her hand. She held it out towards Andrew and lifted him onto her vacated seat.

Mina banged her cane on the roof.

Mina: "Simms, take us to the Clocktower."

 

[Goliath]

Hellfire Mansion - The Black Wing

Rampage: "You're all going to pay."

<< SLICE! >>

He could feel the axe move through his back and shoulder, slicing the right part of his body off from the top of his shoulder, through his chest, watching as his arm fell to the ground shattering in front of him. The pain was IMMEASURABLE.

"UGGGHHH!"

Ben fought with all of his might to stay in his stone form. If the pain triggered him back into his human body, he would surely die. If he stayed in stone form, he could regenerate it back, but he was running out of time. Ben CHARGED forward like a bull towards the astral cleave, knowing he had to get it out of Rampage's grasp before he tried to slice through him like deli meat again. He was just in grasp of the axe as it shot back behind him, returning to his owner most likely. Ben gritted his teeth in anger. This man was harder to kill than most and it was starting to bother him, being a man who made his living collecting heads for the highest bidder. He turned around, calling out to the air.

"What are you Mary Poppins? Temporary mind tricks. Mystical Axe. Speed. Strength....Shadows? What's next? You gonna turn into a bloody dragon and bite me head off?"

[smirking]

"Though it is a bit flattering. You having to pull so many tricks just to get the one up on me. Mostly though, it's boring me."

Ben grimaced in pain as his stone body began to regenerate itself as the sound of stone could be heard cracking and binding like rubble falling off a mountain as his arm began to form. He gripped his newly reformed first and began to WALLOP the ground with hits sending shockwaves through The Black Wing and hall as it began to rumble all around them. He needed this win, even if he had to destroy the entire wing of the mansion to get it. It could stand to be remodeled anyhow. Bricks, tiles, furniture, began crashing down throughout the hall in record time and with massive results. He needed to shake this man's shadow form, rip off his head and deliver it to Talisman.

"Enough with the foreplay. It's time for you to die."

 

[Prophet]

Hellfire Mansion - The White Wing

Delilah: "We done here?"

He could feel the anger inside of her, but he also knew that she would apply it to the battle ahead. And she wasn't getting as much credit as she deserved all things considered. She was in the mansion of a woman who had been toying with her for months, and faced with working alongside the two people who had hurt her more than anyone else on Earth besides maybe Morgan and Alison, and she was still here. That was what made her Delilah.

Haleigh: "Almost - just one more thing we ought to clarify."

Cameron sighed as Haleigh looked to Maxim.

Haleigh: "If I really intended to hurt Alexia, I'd have just done it, and you'd have found out about it when you watched the tape. Pull your head out of your ass, Max. I threatened to give you time to prepare a defensive strategy...."

Prophet's mind drifted from the conversation altogether. While they tied things up, Cameron decided to prepare. He had been hoping The Birds of Prey would keep the other Queens occupied long enough for them to face Malice by themselves, but it appeared they would have a full house. And just as he needed to continuously split Diana's focus, he would need to do the same for the other Queens. Which is why as Haleigh continued to plead her case with Bishop, he found himself astral projecting into the very conference room where Zach, Ashley and Alexis were, appearing only to Alexis.

"You didn't think I'd leave without saying hello, did you?"

She looked as good as he remembered her looking, if not better. In the early days of The Six, he had cared for Alexis deeply, and they often used each other to drown their misery. Alison was so much colder to him then, meaner really. Alexis was the only one who understood what that was like - having a family that hated you when all you wanted was to be accepted by them. They were kindred spirits in that way. And while a good part of him wanted to just give her a hug, he knew instantly by reading her energy that this was a decidedly different Alexis.

[to Alexis]: "I don't know how the hell you got here, but nothing makes much sense these days. What I do know is that you don't intend to leave this mansion without Helena's head on your hip. I intend to do the same thing with Diana. Which means we can serve each other's interests. Helena is in Diana's chambers, where we are about to storm. Thankfully for me, Helena wants you dead more than she wants to save Malice. You really want your chance? Now's the time..."

Cameron looked at Zach and Ashley, who appeared confused as to what exactly Alexis was looking at.

"You can help the B team and their friends, or you can get your ass up to The White Wing and get the pound of flesh you so righteously deserve. And if Diana dies before Helena? I will help in whatever way I can to destroy her...I failed you before. Let me help make it right."

[pausing]

"The choice of course is up to you. But we're striking now. Hope to see you shortly. And Alexis? --"

He began to fade out of the scenery.

"It's really good to see you again."

Prophet's mind left the conference room and returned to The White Wing.

Haleigh: "Yeah, okay, I'm a shitty fucking friend to have. But I'm not the monster you think I am. Or have you already forgotten how easily I could've killed you when I was in your apartment."

"We're all monsters."

Haleigh: "Malice and those who've managed to rally around her have set up a defensive position in the White Queen's Chambers at the end of the hall."

Adriana: "Wait! You aren't really going to leave me here?! You can trust me!"

Scion: "NO. Stay here and call your lawyer.."

"Oh Jesus Christ. I'm done with this."

He motioned for Delilah, and they began to walk forward, around the corner and towards Diana's suite. Cameron motion for her to stop for a second.

"I'm not a fan of close quarters. It's time. You plant us everywhere and we go from there."

There was a few moments of silence.

"Let's do this."

Prophet squinted his eyes as his crackling red energy signature warped around him as a ripple effect, BURST through his eyes with the force of a freight train, unleashing a telekinetic bomb blast in front of him, as every room in The White Wing that rested on the same hallway as The White Queen was blown to smitherines including her own as dust and smoke and fire and general chaos happened around them. Delilah and Cameron moved through the smoke quickly using his powers to guide them, knowing the others behind them would follow.

"Delilah now..."

He watched Delilah's eyes glow white as she began to channel dozens of holograms of the two of them throughout the area as best as she could with limited vision as Cameron began to mark the holograms with their energy. It wouldn't take her very long to find their actual placement, but it would give them a few seconds to make a strong attack. He blasted his telekinetic power out again all over the space in a chaotic pattern as the dust began to settle, the entire part of the White Wing in ruin, looking as if it were some kind of Dollhouse, missing walls, settled debris and pristine white furniture all now charred black.

He called out to The White Queen in a stereophonic voice.

"Oh Diana, I'm HOME!"

 

[Talisman]

The Hellfire Mansion - The White Queen's Chambers

The time was growing near, and as much as Kelly refused to admit it - The Six and The Birds of Prey had been close to successful in their attack on Hellfire. They had divided and conquered, but in this game of chess, the Queens still remained Queens. They were intact and ready to show these children the error of their ways.

"Spare the rod, spoil the child."

And though Kelly would have been an atheist had she not actually seen the Gods with her own eyes, she quoted scripture, albeit in more in a literal, scholarly sense than anything else. For a moment, she felt a bit jealous that nobody had directly attacked her upon their arrival at Hellfire, but she was beginning to realize that it was a good thing. Though she hoped she didn't have to, she would be able to provide timely back up. They didn't know exactly what she could do. Spoiler alert - it was worse than whatever they were about to come up with.

Malice: "Let's take a less exposed position, in my Chambers. They'll be here SOON."

"Diana, dear. There is no less exposed position - the Oracle and the Prophet have us right in their sight. We need to strike them NOW."

Helena: "I...hate....those...cunts..."

The Red Queen manifested right beside her black studded Manolo Blanic's as a huddled mess, appearing to be fighting a heart attack no less.

"Nice of you to show up, Hel."

Helena: "Don't just stand there...heal me you bitch..."

Talisman smirked, as always impressed by Helena's resolve even in this much pain.

Helena: "And I say that...oww...in the most loving...way possible."

"Love is dead..."

The Black Queen knelt down, placing her right hand over Helena's heart as a crackle of deep black ethereal looking magick manifested around it. The Red Queen was healed and ready to go. Kelly helped Helena up, and dusted her off a bit.

"I do however accept payment in the form of Chanel."

She shook her head, regaining her focus.

"I was just telling Malice that the time to wait is over. We need to attack those little brats before they get the ru--"

<< BOOM! >>

The entire White Queen's chambers were blast wide open as the entire front wall came imploding in on them with great speed and ferocity, cracking marble in it's path. It was late, and they were now going to have to play defense, a stance none of The Sisterhood were particularly fond of. She shimmered Malice to her side and immediately erected a pentagram of protection in front of her, the telikinetic blast's energy fighting against her shield as she began to slide back, slowly gaining her stance and control. The power that she had just forced Morgan Victoria to let go of was up for grabs, and she was planning to take as much of it as she could while she could.


Suddenly Cameron King and the homely looking blonde girl where everywhere. She could sense them all over the area through the thick smoke and dust settling. The Black Queen flexed out with her power, calling an incredible swarm of her nanites, in the thousands. These magickally enchanced could attack and swarm like meat bees, and in record time. Nanites existed for one purpose - to consume. And they were intelligent predators.

Cameron: "Oh Diana, I'm HOME!"

Kelly cracked a wicked smile as she was surprisingly able to sense his true location. It was a side effect she had not known would occur. And perhaps it was her motherly instincts kicking in, but she couldn't help but want to discipline him. Especially when he seemed to practically beg for it.

"Cameron! My baby boy! What a fantastic surprise. Please....make yourself at home..."

She flexed with her power as the other Queens began to get into formation, flanking each other. Her face became enshrouded in shadow.

"While you still can.."

She unleashed a WAVE of dark magick at the group in a circling black maelstrom weaving in and out in a chaotic pattern. She turned her gaze to Diana.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

 

[Bishop]

Hellfire — The White Wing

So Haleigh was suggesting that they have Ashley pin some crimes on this Adriana chick. He shook his head and commented how that was just like a Hellfire member.

Haleigh: “And what would you have me do, Max? Murder her?? She’s not even really Inner Circle....”

He shrugged.

"Either she's got crimes to kill her for - or for you fluffy heart squad folks, arrest her for - or not."

Haleigh gave Delilah a key for some sort of device that took away powers. In case she went into "Scion mode". Well that was just great. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Delilah was working with Haleigh. Meanwhile, she wouldn't have anything to do with him. How many people did Haleigh have to try and kill and threaten before Delilah left her to rot? She'd threatened Alexia. Bishop wasn't about to give her the goddamn benefit of the doubt. So he pulled out an EMP grenade.

Delilah's anger towards him had definitely ramped up since the last time they'd spoken.

Delilah: "What did you have to do to get Ashley to give you that?"

"Ask her for it."

He mumbled but it was lost as Delilah was coming at him. At first he thought she might punch him.

Delilah: "What the hell do you think you're doing? Give me that, you lunatic."

She grabbed the grenade right out of his hand.

"What- Delilah!"

Delilah: "Really great idea. You did so well with Costume Party over here you want to let her out so she can kick your ass again? Please."

Adriana was chattering at them but he ignored her.

"You got here before I had time to counterattack..."

Then she actually poked him in the chest with her finger.

"Ow - Delilah-"

Delilah: "Now you listen to me. We have something to accomplish here, and we need Haleigh to do it. So either go the fuck home, or shut the hell up."

He started to say something but then stopped. Then started again, and stopped again. Damn, he hated when she was right. And she was usually right. Fuck. He rolled his eyes.

"Okay. I won't try and kill her any more. Today."

Delilah turned away from him, and he scowled at Haleigh. Today.

Haleigh: “Oh you don’t have to compromise that much, Max. You’ll get a chance to use your nice little toys on me. We’re just asking you to wait. I trust you’ll know when it’s weapons free time.”

"Count on it."

Delilah: "We done here?"

Haleigh: “Almost— Just one more thing we ought to clarify. If I really intended to hurt Alexia, I’d have just done it, and you’d have found out about it when you watched the tape. Pull your head out of your ass, Max. I threatened to give you time to prepare a defensive strategy. Yeah, okay, I’m a shitty fucking friend to have. But I’m not the monster you think I am. Or have you already forgotten how easily I could’ve killed you when I was in your apartment?”

He smirked and leaned in.

"Even if you're not a monster. Your mother is. And she's in the driver's seat, isn't she, Haleigh?"

Haleigh - like everyone else in this place apparrently - switched her attention to Cameron.

Haleigh: ”Malice and those who’ve managed to rally around her have set up a defensive position in the White Queen’s Chambers at the end of the hall.”

"Can I have my guns back?"

Delilah and Cameron moved ahead and the rest of them started to follow. And then that lunatic starting blowing things up everywhere - the entire Wing taking damage. Oh, right, well, even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while.

Cameron: "Delilah now..."

Bishop had moved up on Delilah's six, ready to keep her from being blindsided while she did whatever it was she was going to do. And it turned out, she was going to make copies of her and Cameron all over the damn place. He hoped it wasn't one of those Freud guy things, but at the same time he was pretty fucking amazed by it.

The magnitude of what they were about to do hit him: three queens, responsible for countless deaths, for abject misery spreading around the world. Three dead queens, and his daughter would be infinitely safer. It was highly unlikely that he was going to come out of this alive. He was okay with that, as long as these three bitches died with him.

 

[Berserker]

Hellfire — The White Wing

Haleigh took off Gia's mask, which revealed that it wasn't Gia at all. Alek recognized her as Gia's older sister. And this woman was actually competent.

Masque: "I am competent. So you see, whatever you were planning to do to Gia, it’s totally unnecessary, I already took care of her.”

Alek raised an eyebrow.

"Oh really? Interesting."

Gia was an embarrassment to the White Court, and probably to old Count Nefaria too, even in his grave. Which didn't really bother Alek: White weakness was Red strength. But objectively, she hadn't totally fucked up - other than trusting her Princess when in strange company as an attack is going on in the Mansion. But to be fair - Adriana was a stranger, and had behaved better than Gia ever had even coming in blind.

Haleigh: “We can turn her over to Steele and Oldenburg. Maybe there’s some charges they can pin to her.”

Bishop: "Spoken like a true Hellfire member."

"I'm sure she'll take that as a compliment flatscan."

This moron that had let even Gia's imposter capture him had a mouth on him, and apparently a hard on for Haleigh. It didn't take long to piece together who he was: Malice had ordered his and the girl's death. Alek found the interpersonal stuff quite amusing, especially Haleigh's response to it all. Though her decision to turn Adriana over the police was a tad disappointing.

Alek stayed near Adriana, trying to reassure her and suggesting she'd probably come out of this a Rook, or maybe even Princess. Any charges Ashley could trump up (if she could even be bothered), the Hellfire lawyers would shred.

Masque: “I’d be pleased with my father’s title of Bishop. If Gia hadn’t weaseled her way into everything...but she ingratiated herself with people who saw her as easy to manipulate and manage...they tried to overthrow me...and they failed.”

"I'm sure with Gia's-"

He cleared his throat.

"-untimely demise, the Bishop spot should be no problem. And if not, I'm pretty sure the Red Bishop's spot just became free."

Returning to the others' conversation, they were still talking about this Bishop dude, and for some reason trying to convince MorningStar to let him come along.

Prophet: "There's strength in numbers Delilah, and you know he won't go against us. But I promise you have my full support to take him out at any second you deem it necessary."

He raised his hand.

"I think it's necessary right now. He can't possibly help us and he's just going to get in the way."

Adriana was pleading her case. Which he respected.

Masque: “Listen, I’m kind of a free agent, right? Whatever’s happening here, it’s like a coup, isn’t it? I can help you guys pull it off, just get Scion to free me and I’ll totally team up with ya. Come on, if the flatscan gets to help....”

It wasn't totally out of left field. And if the decks were being cleared at Hellfire, there was going to be a need for new blood...

"She's right - I mean, she's barely set foot inside Hellfire before today. She's got no loyalty to Malice."

Then there was bickering. Oh so much bickering. Alek wouldn't have any of these people for his pawns, let alone on his Inner Circle. The guy kept going on and on about Haleigh and Malice threatening his daughter. If Malice wanted the kid dead, she'd be dead. Period. And then the moron pulled out an EMP grenade. Alek emitted a low growl.

"Toss that grenade and I'll snap your neck."

But then MorningStar was laying down a virtual bitchslap on him and completely shredding any last bastion of masculinity the guy had left.

Delilah: "We done here?"

"Yes, ma'am."

He was liking the light bulb a little more after she showed she had some balls on her.

Haleigh: “Almost— Just one more thing we ought to clarify. If I really intended to hurt Alexia, I’d have just done it, and you’d have found out about it when you watched the tape. Pull your head out of your ass, Max. I threatened to give you time to prepare a defensive strategy. Yeah, okay, I’m a shitty fucking friend to have. But I’m not the monster you think I am. Or have you already forgotten how easily I could’ve killed you when I was in your apartment?”

Alek looked at Haleigh.

"How didn't you kill this guy?"

Alek made a mental note to correct that mistake. He wasn't going to waste his time swatting at a gnat when he could squish it between his fingers.

Haleigh: ”Malice and those who’ve managed to rally around her have set up a defensive position in the White Queen’s Chambers at the end of the hall.”

Adriana: "Wait! You aren't really going to leave me here?! You can trust me!"

Scion: "NO. Stay here and call your lawyer.."

Alex shrugged at Adriana.

"Maybe next time."

Bishop: "Can I have my guns back?"

Alek looked at him, then pulled the automatic rifle off his shoulder and pulled the handgun from his waistband.

"If I thought you could actually do any damage with these, I wouldn't give them to you."

He didn't want to carry them, anyway. They started moving forwards towards Diana's suite. Alek leaned towards Haleigh.

"A redhead huh? Send me a picture, will you?"

He grinned at her.

As they moved further into the wing, Prophet unleashed a massive attack, before MorningStar created a bunch of decoys. Alek wasn't really convinced any of that would work, but he had to give them credit for trying. Alek stuck next to Haleigh; this wasn't his fight, and he wasn't interested in helping further than making sure Seph's sister didn't die.

Prophet: "Oh Diana, I'm HOME!"

"Subtle."

Through the dust and the smoke, Alek could hear Kelly, and then he could see a dark swarm coming for them. Alek quickly picked up a large piece of stone wall that had fallen nearby and lifted it to shield he and Haleigh.

 

[MorningStar]

Hellfire — The White Wing

Delilah stopped listening to Haleigh try and justify her actions as if she hadn't known what she was doing. And she certainly didn't want to hear Haleigh and Bishop discussing being in Bishop's apartment. Cameron signaled that it was time, and the two of them moved forward. Delilah didn't look back at the others, because what they did didn't matter. They were decoys. This was her and Cameron's fight. It had been a long time coming.

Prophet: "I'm not a fan of close quarters. It's time. You plant us everywhere and we go from there."

Delilah nodded. They were both silent.

Prophet: "Let's do this."

"Cameron?"

She smiled at him.

"See you on the other side."

Cameron flickered with red energy, and Delilah could feel the anticipation of what they were about to do. And then he unleashed his power, and it was the most destructive attack Delilah had ever seen from him. He was leaving nothing back, which was good. There was smoke and debris everywhere, flames flickering in the darkness. It had begun.

Delilah stuck with Cameron as they moved forward, allowing him to choose their position.

Prophet: "Delilah now..."

Delilah could see better than the rest, and had a sense of the space around her. Her arms fell to her sides, the fingers of her hands spreading apart. The color in her blue eyes grew in intensity until they were bright white, her own body glowing from the inside out. She quickly littered the area with hard light holograms of she and Cameron.

Prophet: "Oh Diana, I'm HOME!"

But wasn't Diana who came at them first, it was Talisman, the woman from the Citadel - Kelly. She channel some sort of attack which looked like a plague of locusts coming for them. Delilah created a laser shield around them, careful to mimic it around the holograms as well.

She's not your mother, Cam.

Delilah sent a targeted sonic boom directly for Kelly to break her focus. But she wasn't here for the B team, and she turned her attention to Malice.

 

[Rampage]

Hellfire Mansion - The Black Wing

Rampage's axe hit home, slicing Gorgon's right arm off cleanly. Nicolas reached out his hand, and the axe returned to him - Ben's comical dash for the Astral Cleave was fruitless.

Gorgon: "What are you Mary Poppins? Temporary mind tricks. Mystical Axe. Speed. Strength....Shadows? What's next? You gonna turn into a bloody dragon and bite me head off? Though it is a bit flattering. You having to pull so many tricks just to get the one up on me. Mostly though, it's boring me."

This guy liked to talk. A lot. Which is probably why he wasn't getting anywhere. He thought he would provoke Nicolas into giving up advantage, but Gustav had taught him better than that.

Gorgon started throwing a temper tantrum, using the same old tired trick he had earlier. Rampage was knocked off balance, but rolled as he fell to return to his feet. He ducked and dodged debris, knocking it out of the way as it hit him, staying mobile as he was knocked over again and again to regain his footing. But he couldn't keep this up forever, so once he had the timing of the shockwaves coming at him, he pushed off from solid ground, leaping into the air.

Gorgon: "Enough with the foreplay. It's time for you to die."

Rampage careened feet first towards Gorgon's chest. He landed in a fighting stance, his axe pulled back over his shoulder, which he then swung upward like a club aiming to make contact under Gorgon's chin.

 

[Steel]

Hellfire Mansion - The Black Wing

Steel's adrenaline was still pumping, he could feel it. He had crushed the life out of that woman, for Zizi, for Gabe. For the children on the bus and the ones at the Sanctuary. For Zach, for Vivica, for Alycia, for Ashley. For all the others that had been hurt by Hellfire.

Andrew's spirits were up, by the way he still WOULDN'T SHUT UP, but he didn't look so hot. Steel picked him up, so he wasn't exerting himself, and though Andrew was protesting he couldn't really do anything about it. But Steel did lay him down on an exam chair once they were in the lab.

Andrew: "You know, I never thought I would be mates with an English. Thanks for always driving me places in your car."

Steel put a hand supportively on Andrew's shoulder.

"Don't you worry about a thing - you're going to be annoying me into driving you around the city again in no time."

He returned Viv's look, which told him she was worried, and that did not make him feel hopeful.

Andrew: "I'm sorry I made such a mess of things. You two should go on without me - Rampage and Ruby need your help. I'll be fine."

"Oh shut up, will you? We're not leaving you behind you tosser."

Recall: "So we aren't going to think about anything other than breathing, Drew. In and out. That's it. None of the chatter. None of the com links. Just your breathing..."

Steel started to mime breathing with Andrew, in and out, in and out. His eyes flicked to Vivica as her message to Oracle came across his view.

>> Recall [to Oracle via chat]: I need to get him into hypotension and slow his lymph flow down. It will delay the venom getting into anywhere dangerous, but...I'm kind of going in here blind Zizi.

>> Oracle [via chat]: Your body and brain know how to do it. Just breathe.

Vivica was positioning the chair, holding a syringe.

Recall: "Keep him still."

Steel held Andrew's leg with one hand, and put the other on Andrew's chest, then leaned over so he could see his face.

"Just look at me Andrew, just focus on me."

Recall: [to Andrew] "I need you to trust me."

Viv jabbed the syringe into Andrew's leg, and his eyes went wide as he cried out in pain. And then she stuck him a second time. Steel made shushing noises.

"It's all done now, just relax. She's finished."

Recall: [via com] "I think....he's stabilizing? We are ready for extraction...but Oracle, its gotta be SOON."

Oracle: [via com] "Recall, Citadel is inbound for extraction. Once Titan is safely in his care, proceed to rendezvous with Rampage. Then bring the Black Wing down."

[via com] "Copy that, Oracle."

When he was done with this place, there would be nothing left. True to her word, Danny Donnelly appeared once more.

Citadel: "Extraction Express. I take it this is my passenger?"

"Yes. Be...careful."

Steel gave Andrew a squeeze to his shoulder as Danny unstrapped him from the chair and unceremoniously through him over his shoulder. And then they were both gone. Steel breathed out heavily. It was out of their hands now. But...

"Maybe one of us should have gone with them."

He walked to the door and opened it, checking the hallway. It was odd that this wing seemed so deserted. Like all their forces were protecting something else. He waved for Viv to follow and slipped out into the hallway. Anger and worry were going ten rounds inside of him, but there was nothing for them to do but keep moving forward. They had to finish this, or Andrew would have been hurt for nothing.

Oracle: [via com] "Make a right at the next hallway. You should be able to see Rampage up ahead."

"So, do you really think Zach and Ashley won't go through with it?"