God loves, man kills

[Valkyrie]

Approaching Madison Avenue

Valkyrie ran through the back alleys of New York, nearing the rendezvous point where she would meet Oracle and the rest of their team before descending on St. Patrick’s. The plan was good enough, and she was thankful that all HER people were together. She wouldn’t have to risk one of those high strung bitches shooting her in the back accidentally on purpose.

She toted a large black duffle on her back, filled to capacity with weaponry – she didn’t want to attrack attention until, well, until she wanted to attract attention. It had been a long time since she had fought with a large group – usually nowadays it was just herself. She didn’t mind that, but she missed the days when she stood shoulder to shoulder with the greatest of warriors, when the wings of the valkyrja nearly blocked out the sun.

But that was another age, let alone another lifetime. The world was so different now. People cared for so little that was important. There was barely anything worth fighting for. All there was WAS the fight.

She cut swiftly around a corner and came into perfect step with Steel. Oracle stopped and motioned for them all to hold up.

“Okay, let’s see what we’ve got.”

Ashley dumped the bag on the sidewalk and unzipped it. She was already wearing two leather straps crossing her chest which held curved serrated throwing knives. She also had a dagger in her boot, and her Beretta 1911 handgun tucked into her jeans at the small of her back. She pulled her Nordic broadsword out of the bag and strapped it onto her back. She had collected weaponry for more than a millennia, but Valkyrie still liked the old favorites.

She pulled out a smaller bag and looked into it before handing it to Oracle.

“As you requested. I ditched those ridiculous stun bolts you like so much and switched them out with the poison ones that would drop a rhino in 5 seconds. Also, let’s see, EMPs oh and the ones that dissolve metal. Don’t forget to steer clear of John when you use those puppies.”

She stopped and grinned.

“Oh and also, these things. Whatever THEY are. I can’t keep up with your gadgetry. Oh and-"

She pulled her gun out of her back and held it out for Oracle.

"Just in case. Is that everything?”

 

[Prophet]

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Cameron was running a little bit on fumes at this point. After several tries to get Cassandra to remember who she was and the task at hand it was clear that whatever she was going through would unfortunately have to be her own burden to bare. Right now, Cameron was monitoring his surroundings. Trying to find any inkling of anything he could make a weapon with or hatch a plan to escape with. Unfortunately the situation was rather oblique. For a bit of time he sat in the darkness, his held hanging down, his eyes closed, attempting to meditate. To calm his mind and clear his head. To many the silence and dark would drive them crazy, but to Cameron..a person who's abilities often REQUIRED time alone to recharge and reclaim himself? It was comforting.

That comfort didn't last long as soon there were armed guards that reminded him somewhat of Sentinels pawing at him and Cassandra once again under the command of Sister Mary Justice. Cameron knew it was futile, but he struggled against the armed guards wildly, flailing his body in every direction he could. He only needed an inch or a half a second to catch one of them off guard and attempt an escape.

"Where the HELL are you taking me, Sister! And where is my WINE!?!"

An energy baton smacked him in the face as Sister Mary Justice screamed back at him. He had obviously gotten to her earlier and that was a good thing. The more he could goade her and keep her off her focus, the more likely she was to make a mistake, to mistep in anger and THAT was when Cameron could make a move.

Sister Mary Justice: SILENCE!

"Oh Piss off you demented slut for Jesus! I'll speak when I please! Or may the Good Lord strike me down with lightning...[waits for a second and laughs] See?! He wants me to pervert you Sister Naughty Bits!"

Cameron and Cassandra are brought to the main floor where Cameron spies an incredibly large almost robot looking device that instantly sends chills down his spine.

"That thing it looks like a Sentinel?! But it's HUGE! How in the world did she get her hands on that?"

SILENCE!

<< She slaps him across the face once more with her energy baton as he as dragged by the Sentries and thrown down onto the alter>>

Your voice, your very role in all of this, is about to come to a most deserved END.

<< She declares as he and Cassandra are bound>>

From the gift of visions, I have seen what must be done with you and how best to do it. Your blood will herald the beginning of god's sword of righteousness striking with terrible, swift but JUST ferocity.

You shall be returned to the abyss from which you spawned, and we will continue on, as god's mighty army, heeding his call and carrying out his will until ALL of the devil's children are removed from this earth. This place was not meant to be overrun with unnatural, unholy VERMIN like you!

<< She says with contempt as she glares at Cameron.>>

"You know...this isn't my first rodeo. A good friend of mine did something similar quite a few years ago. Though SHE traveled back in time and attempted to use my infant body..."

[laughing]

"She thought she killed me too. But here I am! And you know sister...I have the gift of visions too! Perhaps we aren't that unlike each other!? Maybe YOU are a twisted abomination of Satan too! I mean, you've already got a lot of the jargon down..and you look pretty good in black!"

<< As she draws near and SLAMS her energy baton down into his chest and delivers another painful blast>>


Sarah: The two strike forces are ready to move out to their assigned targets!

Mary: Well, give them the go ahead.

<< She turns back to the Nimrod>>

We know that more of the devil's children are coming. We must not be afraid. We are given the spirit of power and sound minds! We have the full ARMOR of god (The right) and the wings of the holy spirit (the choir)! We are NOT afraid!

<< She lifts her hands and all the purifiers present in the church clap and cheer>>

They shall be purified with blood...and FIRE!

<< looking UP to the heavens>>

We shall PURGE THEM and make this land safe and fit for GOD'S children once more!

Cameron HISSED and gritted his teeth through the blast of the energy baton.

"You know [chest heaving] I'm kind of getting used to this..in fact I kind of like it. Turn it up a notch, I want to smell my flesh burning. I find that kind of...gets me there..if you know what I mean!"

[watching Sister Mary and her "congregation" cheer loudly]

[shouting] "HAIL SATAN! May his hoven feet CRUSH your skulls and bathe you in the blood of DEMONS!"

 

[Oracle]

Approaching Madison Avenue

She knew her team was ready for this. Without question. But she still had the old butterflies she always got before a fight. Back when she was with Valiant, she used to call it the “Go Juice”. That mix of adrenaline and endorphins that gave you that extra edge.

Valkyrie rejoined them, and Oracle could feel her confidence spreading. She had picked up the weapons Oracle had asked for in addition to the mountain of them she had brought for herself.

Ashley pulled a smaller bag out of the big duffle and handed it to her, containing a variety of bolts.

Also, let’s see, EMPs oh and the ones that dissolve metal. Don’t forget to steer clear of John when you use those puppies.”

Oracle rolled her eyes as she began snapping the bolts into specially-designed holsters on her chair.

“They don’t work on organic steel. What do you think I am, a first year lab assistant?”

“Oh and also, these things. Whatever THEY are.

“Ah, yes. THESE are for Miss Viv.”

She held two objects out to Vivica. They were about a foot in diameter, blackhandled with a large curved vibranium metal blade at one end and a smaller blade at the other. [similar to this]

“Custom boomerangs, specially designed for you, with love.”

Oracle smiled – there was very little in this world she enjoyed more than giving presents. Especially ones she had made herself.

"They charge via kinetic energy from your movements. See? These cells store it. And then watch out!"

Valkyrie tried to hand her her gun, but she shook her head.

Zizi raised her left hand in the air. She was holding a short, maybe six inch or so, piece of metal. As she held it up, it extended into a long staff.

“I think I have it covered. But thank you.”

“Is that everything?”

“I think so. Mina is meeting us.”

 

[Valkyrie]

Approaching Madison Avenue

Oracle declined her gun. For someone who with great regularity MADE guns, she didn’t like to use them. Which made no sense to Ashley. She LOVED guns. Greatest invention ever. And most improved weapon of the 20th century, she might add. It should win an award.

She wanted them all to move along. There was a battle to fight, and they weren’t getting any closer to it by standing here. She just waited for the word from Oracle.

“I think so. Mina is meeting us.”

For fuck’s sake, Oracle did NOT call that wench.

“Oh, really. What’s the blind wonder going to do? Read braille at the Purifiers? Listen for them really hard? Give me a break.”

 

[Harbinger]

<< A nearby building>>


:: There was no question now about when the time was best to strike and with the Six, their newfound allies, the Birds of Prey, along with Isis and MorningStar...AND at least ONE OTHER....all the players on this boardwere present. The RELIEF she felt at seeing her friends was tempered by the urgency over Cass and Cameron and their close proximity to the NIMROD! She WINCES as she FEELS more ABUSE being heaped on her brother, and feels him fighting to hold on to his sense of self::

Hang on baby brother, HELP is on the way! I'm COMING!

:: Outside, around the church, INSIDE, around the church...there were soldiers of THE RIGHT, THE CHOIR and WELL ARMED Purifiers, ALL ready to DIE for what they believed in! While The Six and their allies were just over a DOZEN.::

There are HUNDREDS of them, Tachyon, HEAVILY ARMED ,but we are not alone. My friends are here now, and they've brought help!


:: She continued to reach out with precognition::


There is a man inside of one of those suits of battle armor on the front line on 5th line, he is gripped with FEAR at the thought of confronting "mutant monsters".

:: She looks at Tachyon.::

HE is our way through.


WE must get inside...to the NIMROD.

:: She closes her eyes and bows her head once more::

:: Mere SECONDS later, there is a "POP" heard by Black Widow and Persephone as a pair of floating colbalt blue eyes opens before them::


Black Widow! Persephone!

:: She doesnt address Simon, but it's not out of malice. Time is short::

Wait for one of the soldiers in THE RIGHT outside of the church's front doors to "break rank"...I'm about to cast a spell that will get things going. After that? Silver Swan and Firebird have already come up with a "FLASHY" entrance for you.

:: KNOWING that the Birds of Prey were on the otherside, Harbinger reveals THEIR opening as well::

Oracle and her team need to wait for an explosive SAND STORM to descend upon the RIGHT in the back. It will provide them with their moment to move in!

:: This ALSO confirms that Isis must be in the area, and MorningStar with her.::

I've got to get inside...their ultimate advantage, is a NIMROD!

:: knowing that Haleigh and Persephone would BOTH remember that fearsome, futuristic hunter sentinel from their TIME STREAM misadventures::

Somehow it's HERE...and THAT'S what their leader's been using to SEE, to SEEK OUT and to DESTROY.

I encountered it earlier when I first got inside the church. I had the chance to rescue Cass, but the nimrod REACTED to my presence and the Purifiers nearly overcame me with their weaponized version of the Black Lotus Blossom. I was RESCUED by a man named Xavier. He's a speedster and he's with me now.


IT will DOOM US ALL if I do NOT get to it before Sister Mary Justice (the first time they hear the name of the LEADER of this group) unwittingly FULLY ACTIVATES IT with Ruby and Prophet's BLOOD!


It will activate, and go to ANY lengths to fullfill it's prime directive: to destroy ALL mutants...and it will EVOLVE into a MASTER MOLD!

:: Haleigh, as a courtesy, was broadcasting this information to Oracle's team, via a comlink the two leaders established but the revelation that they were facing what could become a NEW MASTER MOLD was heavy for Haleigh and Zach . She was here for this BEFORE. she knows what it cost them, as does Zach!::


each group must wait for those things I have shared with you to occurr if you want to SUCCEED in BREAKING the purifier's line of defense and have a fighting chance at withstanding their weaponry! My task, my burden awaits me inside, and I have a way in, courtesy of an...ALLY I've picked up along the way.

 

[Mina Harker]

Approaching Madison Avenue

The driver of a sleek black limousine opened the door for his passenger. She held out a black gloved hand, allowing the driver to take it and help her out of the car. She carried an cane with an ornamental head on it. She took the driver’s arm as he escorted her to where Oracle and the others were standing.

She could hear a woman’s incessant prattling from across the street. She inhaled sharply in annoyance.

Ashley. Ugh, why did Oracle feel the need to include that wench?

She approached Valkyrie from the back – something Ashley was usually ON, or so she’d heard.

“Oh, really. What’s the blind wonder going to do? Read braille at the Purifiers? Listen for them really hard?”

“In the end, that’s not the strategy we’ve gone with.”

Mina handed her cane to her driver, who returned to the car. She then carefully removed each elbow length black glove in turn, stowing them in a pocket of the black leather belted coat she wore.

“Oracle, are we ready to go? Well, then, bottoms up.”

From another pocket, she removed a vial of dark liquid. She pulled the stopper and drank.

The whole thing took only seconds. Her body seemed to convulse. Her eyes closed, and she threw back her head. Opening her mouth, those standing near could see her canine teeth elongating before their eyes.

And then it was over. She blinked twice, her eyes adjusting to their renewed sight.

“Let’s do this, shall we?”

 

[Isis]

:: The base of the bell tower::

:: Isis and MorningStar appeared at the base of the belltower, which surprisingly was not well attended by the inhabitants of the cathedral::

My nephew and Charope are at the top of the tower.

:: Isis said quietly to MorningStar as they slipped inside of the tower on the bottom floor::

We need not join them.

I have something in mind for US.


You have perfect vision, in all scenarios, do you not?

:: She looked at MorningStar, who confirmed that she did::

I'll create a deadly diversion with my explosive sand storm form. Not only will that knock out some of their sensors, but if there any openings or weak spots in their armor, I can exploit that and cause cascade failures. I can literally TOSS more than few of them FAR away from here as well.

This will allow you long range strikes with your abilities.

Charope and Rampage will back our play and allow us to get INSIDE, but there's no reason why have to AVOID TAKING DOWN as many of these arrogant men , BREAKING their toys AND their bodies.

:: Isis said with a bit of a glint in her royal blue eyes. It seemed she was ready to lay as much waste to these purifiers as possible and MorningStar was sure not to disagree with THAT!::

 

[Steel]

Approaching Madison Avenue

As the woman Ashley and Oracle called Mina walked towards their group, John has the fleeting thought that, after meeting the Six today as well as some of the others for the first time, there didn’t seem to be any unattractive mutants in the world. But that thought was quickly banished and he began to pump himself up for what was to come.

”Are we ready to go?”

In answer, John once again transformed his entire body in to his organic Steel form.

After introductions were made, he looked down at Oracle, who had readied her own weapons.

“I’m sure that trying to convince you to stay here would be a pointless exercise?”

She looked at him with those unwavering eyes that said her mind was made up.

Oracle: “John, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is fully wheelchair accessible per the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

He put his Beretta 92FS Inox (which he had chosen to NOT transform with his body and clothing) into her hand. He had seen her refuse Ashley’s weapon, but leaving her with just a staff didn’t sit right with him.

“I know you don’t want this, but keep it with you, just as backup. I can’t carry it with me.”

She reluctantly agreed, and it disappeared somewhere into her chair.

Feeling slightly better, his mind now focused on the task at hand. Whatever it took, they would take down these terrorists TONIGHT. The Six’s allies would be returned. The CHILDREN of this city would be made safe. Failure was not an option.

 

[MorningStar]

The Base of the Belltower

Isis brought them right to St. Patrick’s, to the base of the belltower. Delilah glanced upwards as Isis informed her that both Charope and Rampage were at the top.

You have perfect vision, in all scenarios, do you not?

A strange question, but she replied nonetheless.

“I do.”

I'll create a deadly diversion with my explosive sand storm form…This will allow you long range strikes with your abilities.

“They won’t know what hit them.”

Charope and Rampage will back our play and allow us to get INSIDE, but there's no reason why have to AVOID TAKING DOWN as many of these arrogant men , BREAKING their toys AND their bodies.

She looked over at the older woman, and smiled. In the short time she had been with Isis, she had found a new respect for her. It surprised her that she could associate herself with the likes of Malice.

“Isis-“

She paused, wanting to say something. Instead her face hardened, she pursed her lips.

“Kill them all.”

 

[Titan]

To the Bell Tower

Andrew couldn’t wait any more for Delilah to return – he was pretty sure he’d worn a hole in the carpet from pacing. He knew from her where Sally had been taken, and he NEEDED to see her, make sure that she was alright, for himself.

It had taken a LONG time for the super secret commando agents to decide he was okay to let in the building. This was after they had frisked him three times AND taken fingerprints. But nothing was going to stop him if he had to climb in through the window. Which he could do, if he had to.

Luckily he was eventually let inside. He sat by Sally’s bedside. She looked so pale and fragile, which was so unlike her that it made it even worse.

He was sure it was that he looked so worn and haggard, so distraught that no one had ever thought he could hear what they were saying. That the people who had done this were holed up in St. Patrick’s. He had kissed Sally’s forehead then and walked out, past the doctors and nurses and the muscle-bound agents.

Now he was dressed in a close fitting black t shirt and jeans, no jacket against the cold. And he was low to the ground, hugging the wall as he walked up the steps towards the bell tower of the cathedral.

He still could hardly wrap his head around the fact the people who had hurt Sally – and a lot of other people – were holed up in a church. A place that was supposed to be a sanctuary. Used for such an ill purpose - there was pretty much nothing worse these langers could do, in his mind.

Andrew probably appreciated religion as a source of violence better than anyone. He had seen religious discrimination first hand, knew what it felt like, seen people die because of it. And there was no way in hell he was going to let THESE assholes get away with what they were doing.

Keeping himself in shadow, watching for any kind of movement or sign of the freaks, he crept slowly toward the bell tower.

 

[Ruby]

St. Patrick's Cathedral

:: BRYDA cried out when the guards took her by force and hauled her out of the room. She rolled her eyes when she heard Cameron run his mouth off to the guards. He tried several times to get her to remember by mentioning this person, and this person, and this person, and THAT person…and it was too overwhelming for her; too much pressure. Thankfully he backed off…but she didn’t like that either. She had wanted him to talk TO her and not AT her. She had TRIED to get him to understand, but like all the males she had been around…he failed. Of course. ::

Stupid man!

:: They were both brought up to the main floor where they were BOTH tied up on the altar. Bryda made a face at the weird thingie giving off light. It was BIGGER than it was when she was there when that young woman tried to save her…? ::

“Uh…this is bigger than it was last time I was here. Did you guys know that?”

:: Bryda cried out when one of the guards smacked her across the face…and then, as an added bonus, Cameron discovered his favourite sparring partner was in the room and started in on her. Bryda rolled her eyes. HE may have said that he was friends with her but Bryda had her doubts; after all, she wanted nothing more than to punch him right in the face. ::

If I weren’t bound on this stupid thing…I’d kill him myself!

:: The religious zealots started cheering and Bryda closed her eyes…only to open them when she heard CAMERON. ::

"HAIL SATAN! May his hoven feet CRUSH your skulls and bathe you in the blood of DEMONS!"

*furious*: “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! Are you TRYING to get us both killed? What the HELL?”

:: Bryda GLARED at her fellow prisoner. ::

 

[Recall]

:: Finally an action plan was formed and the group was divided..and honestly? Vivica was thankful to only have HER teammates in attendance. She felt like she could almost take a breather and just be around people who easily understood and respected her. Even if they didn't know her very well personally, they still respected the work that she did without many questions...which was a hell of a lot more than she could say for certain people in orbit of The Six. ::

:: As they rounded the corner the group was able to take their places as Valkyrie got out her big black bag of tricks, handing out weapons to Oracle as she went. As Valkyrie went about her preparation so did Vivica, though hers was internal. She pressed her temple on the right side of her head as she began to filter through information in her mind. She had just downloaded with Oracle earlier in the week and had a lot of room to spare. As she connected with the server that housed a copy of every bit of information that Vivica had ever seen, heard, smelled, touched and whatever other sense she experienced life with, she began to search for different self defense techniques, martial art forms and other forms of movement such as ballet and classical dance. Essentially she was loading her brain with her own kind of "battle sequence." When she was heading into a big battle she liked to be sure she had access to information she could duplicate or utilize to give her an edge on the battlefield. She could upload different fighting styles she had learned and things of that nature straight to her brain and then back to the server when she needed to remain clear for more important things. A few seconds later, she was ready to go and energized as her hands crackled a bit with what looked like electrical energy, a small side effect of her uploading process that was a small manifestation of her synaptic blasts. ::

:: The flicker of snyapse dissappeared in seconds. ::

Valkyrie: "Oh and also, these things. Whatever THEY are."

:: Vivica looked over and her eyes widened as Valkyrie pulled out some VERY exciting items. ::

Oracle: "Ah, yes. THESE are for Miss Viv."

:: She smiled. ::

"Ooh, Zizi! You KNOW I love accessories! Especially ones like THAT!"

Oracle: "Custom boomerangs, specifically designed for you, with love. They charge via kinetic energy from your movements. See? These cells store it. And then watch out!"

:: Vivica took the boomerangs and began to move them in furious movement for a second, testing them out as a beautiful vibrating sound could be heard with every slice through the air. ::

"Now these sure beat the HELL out of the ones I'm used to using! You are the best!"

:: Everybody had their weapon of choice and for Vivica, she had always had an intuitive nature with the boomerang. When she was without her ability as an agent overseas, these were the weapons she could wield with EASE and deadly accuracy, and thanks to this upgrade from Oracle, she felt sorry for any group of people that would meet the sharp end of THESE suckers. ::

:: She had lightly heard about a woman named Mina joining the group which happened to piss of Valkyrie quite a bit. To Vivica though, she had had ENOUGH of people being incredibly petty and short sighted with their irritations when something so much BIGGER was at stake. Whoever this woman was, as long as she fought her ass off and helped the cause, she would be alright by HER. ::

:: The enigmatic woman arrived in style, took a quick swig of an unknown substance, flashed a pair of fangs but then seemed to settle down and prepare herself for battle. ::

"Interesting..."

:: She didn't really know John Steele..but she had heard of him. He seemed like a fairly reasonable person, though he was a little overprotective of Zizi..in fact so was Valkyrie. She didn't want a gun. So sue her. Oracle always managed to take care of and defend herself and she was one of the most brilliant minds in the world. Vivica hated when people doted over Zizi so much. She felt like it was insulting to the woman, but Zizi didn't seem to mind too much, so Vivica let it go. ::

"Alright...Come on Sandstorm..Mama's ready to kick some Purifier ass..."

:: Recall gripped her boomerangs tightly as she stepped into a fighting stance. She was ready for business. ::

 

[Rampage]

Time to move. Nicolas grabs Alycia's hand and asks one question.

Do you trust me?

And before she could answer the ground, the sky, the surroundings all fell away and they were FLYING, but they were no longer on Earth. Below them was the vast spacey expanse of the undiluted Astral Realm. Nicolas was master here, and he could move as quickly or slowly as he wished. At one juncture he gestured and a small hole opened in a shadow at the top of the Bell Tower. They had foolishly left it largely unguarded, somehow thinking that by being outwardly present they could ward off infiltration. The 'guard' turned and began to walk back, making his rounds, when he became the first casualty of this battle.

He was falling in the abyss of the Astral Plane, untethered and unable to do anything but scream into unlit chasm. IF he managed to not die quickly of a heart attack from the shock of everfalling, he would eventually die of thirst and starvation, unable to do anything but freefall until fate dealt him his final grisly hand.

Nicolas emerged finally from the shadow, holding Alycia's hand gently as he ensured her safe arrival. His senses were already at work, and he smiled as he received the plan from several sources, including a special one just below. He 'spoke' to Alycia telepathically, so as not to betray the slightest noise. He could have just spoken with the din from below as the rabble began to cheer, but this seemed more...appropriate.

Isis and Morningstar are just below us. When you see the sand and hear the screams, start shooting those lightning bolts. Clear a path towards the door, sow chaos. I will have your back.

As Nicolas spoke, his axe began to transform, growing a long chain and wrapping itself around his wrist. The runes deepened a black-red color and his own eyes began to glow.

 

[Matrix]

Rich entered the bedroom, USB and high end customized laptop/tablet hybrid in one hand, fruit bowl in the other and the extra two hands he had just spawned held cheese and a freshly squeezed orange juice. He set everything down at the small table in the corner as he looked at his guest.

Well damn...she is fine.

And she was. A pretty Asian and maybe something else lil' thang. But Rich took a look and then chilled. Nothing more creepy than staring a stranger down while they were unawares. Rich reserved that for who he - or Miss D - did not like.

He was under the impression that he was pressed for time. IF she was a target already, she had no time to sleep. So Rich got rid of the extra arms and walked over by the bed, shaking her gently by her shoulder.

Ana? Imma need you to wake up. Wake up ma'am!

 

[Persephone]

5th Avenue

Walking down the street along side Haleigh and Simon, Ava's amethyst eyes grew darker as she heard the cheers bellowing from inside the cathedral. Those sadistic animals were excited by what they had done--like the had actually accomplished something worth celebrating over. Slowly unraveling her whip that wrapped around her battle attire, it was time to give them a big sobering taste of reality.

POP

Alison: Black Widow! Persephone!

"Alison!"

She was alright! The last Ava had heard, Cameron reported Alison being captured by the purifiers as well. It was unknown if she had escaped or not....luckily she had.

Alison: Wait for one of the soldiers in THE RIGHT outside of the church's front doors to "break rank"...I'm about to cast a spell that will get things going. After that? Silver Swan and Firebird have already come up with a "FLASHY" entrance for you.

Nodding, Alison continued by stating that the Nimrod was inside the cathedral, that that was the ultimate end game to the purifiers. To kill Cass and Cameron, use their blood to activate it, then unleash it on all the mutants. It would be the start of the alternate universe that destroyed all mutants and used them as lab rats. Something that she and Alison were all too familiar with.

Ava sought out blood and vengeance. She wanted to make every single purifier die a painful and slow death for what they had done to this team and those innocent children. But if the Nimrod was in there, they needed to be smart about it too.

The whip that Ava had unraveled began to coil around her arm as it transformed into a black cobra. The snake hissed and spit, venom dripping from it's fangs in anticipation.

"Alright...lets kill these mother fuuckers and get our people back."

 

[Tachyon]

There are HUNDREDS of them, Tachyon, HEAVILY ARMED ,but we are not alone. My friends are here now, and they've brought help!


:: She continued to reach out with precognition::


There is a man inside of one of those suits of battle armor on the front line on 5th line, he is gripped with FEAR at the thought of confronting "mutant monsters".

:: She looks at Tachyon.::

HE is our way through.


WE must get inside...to the NIMROD.

Will do.

Xavier's face was drawn, serious with the stiff upper lip the British made famous. He listened as she gave everyone direction. He began to prepare himself, allow his natural speed to build, allow the world around him to slow to nearly a complete standstill. When Alison gave word there would be no more hiding, the sonic booms would herald too late what would have already come.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

FLASH! BANG!

Then nothing. Everything was black--dark. No light, no pain, nothing. But how is that possible? Was she dead? Was this what death looked like? Was this what those fuucking radical Christians were looking forward to? A black abyss? Maybe this was hell....it would be more suitable for them anyway. Anyone who could kill children without blinking an eye deserved more than just death--their souls deserved to rot and linger in agony forever. But this couldn't be hell...she felt at peace. Like she were taking a nap on a warm spring afternoon.

Ana...

The darkness began to fade away.

I'mma need you to wake up...

Everything was white--so bright...so LOUD.

Wake up ma'am!

GASP!

Startling awake, Ana-Leigh quickly sat up in bed. Without missing a beat, she manifested a red energy bow in her hands--the bow drawing back an arrow pointing directly at Richard's face.

"Where am I! Where's Alycia!"

 

[Matrix]

GASP!

Startling awake, Ana-Leigh quickly sat up in bed. Without missing a beat, she manifested a red energy bow in her hands--the bow drawing back an arrow pointing directly at Richard's face.

"Where am I! Where's Alycia!"

Richard did not move. He stayed completely still. This was not completely unexpected. He spoke in a low voice with the slightest hint of drawl in reply.

You are in the bed of the suite belonging to the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club at the Parthenon. Nicolas King brought you here after you were attacked by the Purifiers for your safety and to be healed. Isis healed you and the Six left you in my care so that we could cut off the money train to the crazy motherfucckers that REALLY want to kill you while I keep you safe. Would you like some water or juice to drink?

Richard stood up coolly and grabbed a glass, filling it with water and returning to offer it to Ana-Leigh. She did not move, her bow and arrow trained on him as before. He betrayed the hint of a smile.

It is going to be hard to drink this with that weapon held on me Ana-Leigh. And- damn - where are my manners? My name is Richard Martin, but feel free to call me Rich.

Richard set the glass down on the nightstand, within reach of the pretty young woman. He turned back to her and leaned forward a bit, placing his face less than three inches from the arrow's tip. This time he spoke in a nearly conspiratorial whisper, his smooth tenor barely leaking through.

If I meant you any harm Ana-Leigh...you'd be harmed. Now we are running out of time to do what we are supposed to do, so put that weapon away and let's talk like grown folks before you damage the Black Queen's decor. Besides, you want what I want, for kids like us to be safe. I try anything funny in the meantime, shoot me in the face. Deal?

Richard stood back up, then extended a hand to help her off the bed...

 

[Black Widow]

Nicolas handed her something, saying Delilah and Isis thought she could use it.

"I could REALLY use Delilah HERSELF right now, but I suppose I'll have to make do with her little gift....."

It was a mutant scanner, and it was networked, which brought a smile to her face. As Oracle laid out her plan, Haleigh listened, and inspected the scanner. She rewrote the programming software, altering the algorithm that determined which mutant had what weaknesses by changing a few key genetic marker identifiers. Then she uploaded her new program to the network as if it were an 'improvement'. It would affect ALL the scanners, and the purifiers wouldn't realize they were mis-identifying mutants until it was MUCH too late.

Oracle then handed her a small fragment from the bus bomb site, and she looked it over for a second before inserting it into a small port hidden in her hairline behind her ear.

"That's actually quite helpful, Zizi, thank you. It's embedded with a majority of the coding that Wilpharma uses. A couple of minutes analyzing this and I should be able to hack the suits and override the pilot inputs. (Smirking) I'll have remote control of a couple, and be able to send the rest into self-destruct mode. Let's hope there's a lot of them. Y'all steer clear of the mech suits. The ones I hijack will flank my position, those will be safe as moving cover, but the rest are essentially walking bombs."

Oracle: And one more thing: I suspect you may have at least one magick user on your team.

(Noncommittal) "We know a few."

Oracle: The Purifers attacked Isis with the Black Lotus Flower. Thankfully MorningStar was there and knew what it was. She mentioned it being a favorite of Malice, but Isis didn’t seem to think she was involved.

"No, Malice may be evil AND crazy, but she wouldn't be involved with this particular brand of Evil-Crazy. This group is all human. Diana believes humans to be inferior creatures."

On THAT, we can agree....

Oracle: The Purifiers have found a way to weaponize it into an aerosol. If any of your people are affected, they need to be taken to fresh air immediately.

"I wonder if I could talk them into wearing gas masks, or if they'd decline on account of a conflict with their outfit?"

Haleigh ejected the chip she'd decoded and crushed it under her heel. She scrubbed her internal systems for any Trojan virus that might have come from the chip, then once she was satisfied, she looked up to find everyone was beginning to split off as planned. Zach pulled her into a firm hug, and the two lovers wished each other luck and happy hunting. They kissed goodbye and Haleigh began to lead Ava and Simon up Fifth.

Alison: Black Widow! Persephone!

"Harbinger. I knew you'd rally. What's the sitrep?"

Alison gave them extensive Intel, which Haleigh relayed to everyone on Oracle's team by tapping into their frequency, which she would certainly monitor throughout the battle to gather a little more information on their group. After all..... knowledge is power.

Haleigh had more than ONE reason for splitting Oracle's group away from hers. Not only was she unsure of their group strength beyond Zach and Vivica's capabilities, but she didn't want to stand shoulder to shoulder with Valkyrie. She didn't trust the woman with her life, or ANYONE else's given the bitch's disposition. Zach and Viv could watch each other's backs, and if they counted Valkyrie as a friend, she hoped they weren't mistaken.

And if Valkyrie WASN'T a friend? Haleigh and her group could finish off the beat-cop and ANYONE who stood with her after they'd already been worn down by purifiers. There was no question in Haleigh's mind that her own group was more experienced and more powerful. They easily doubled the other group in numbers when you took into account that Zach and Viv would certainly 'switch' their alignment back to the Six if Valkyrie went rogue.

Haleigh rubbed her temples, trying to massage away her headache as Alison mentioned Nimrod.

"Yes, I saw it myself.... THAT was what they used to take Cameron from us. I only got a glance at the arm of the thing, but the implication was horrifying."

Nimrod was a major problem, but Alison seemed confident she could deal with it.

ONE situation at a time.

"We'll take care of the main assault, Harbinger. You do your thing. If you need ANYTHING from me, don't hesitate to ask."

 

[MorningStar]

The Bell Tower

MorningStar not only had perfect vision, but perfect hearing as well. And what she heard was someone creeping towards them.

She waited a breath, and then turned, her hand raised to strike. And oh, how she wished she could have unleashed her power right then.

Because it wasn’t a Purifier, it was Andrew.

In an angry whisper:

“What are you doing here?!”

Andrew: “I’m not following you, so keep your pants on. I heard the sons of bitches who attacked Sally were hiding out here, so I came to give them a bit of a kicking.”

“How did you- nevermind. You have to get out of here – now. It’s not safe for you.”

Andrew: “ I’ve been fighting fucktards like this my whole life – you don’t have to worry about me, I can handle myself.”

[hisses] “Will you just get out of here!”

They did not have time for this foolishness.

“Look, there’s no time to sugar coat this. We’re mutants. I’m a mutant, she’s a mutant, there’s a whole bag of mutants here right now. This is no place for someone like you. You have to go.”

Andrew: “Okay.”

Delilah paused, taken aback. She looked at him skeptically.

“Really?”

He shook his head.

Andrew: “No.”

He grinned at her, that ridiculous, arrogant, overconfident grin. The whole mutant thing didn't seem to faze him, which was strange in and of itself. She needed to get rid of him - and quickly.