Hellfire Odyssey: Reckoning

[Enchantrah]

Helena laid on the chase lounge chair by the pool, the thin lace fabric of her red robe billowing from the sea breeze. It had been an eventful day to say the least. Ahadi was...Ahadi. A perfect representation of how big of an egotistical blowhard Ravena was. He showered everyone with gifts, wooed Diana sickeningly, and made sure everything and everyone was perfect. And THAT was the tell that made Helena go to Kelly. Nothing was ever perfect, and those who tried to prove such things were masking mountains of shit with pretty scented flowers. Kelly agreed with Helena, finding Ravena as repulsive as she did and decided that he needed to die. Especially because it was obvious he was doing something to Diana. They didn't know what, but it was something that was swaying her to his side and that needed to be stopped immediately. So she and Kelly parted ways, Kelly prepping her attack to destroy Ahadi while Helena was tasked to assassinate Ravena. That was when she decided that she could rid herself of two pests: Ravena AND her Rook.

Persephone had been a thorn in her side since arriving at Hellfire. She was powerful, and Helena wanted more power on her court. But she also historically ruled before Hellfire was ever created. A person of that stature wouldn't fall in line for long, especially one of such power. She was beginning to show signs, involving herself with her Knight...her beloved Alek. And THAT was when Helena knew threatening Haleigh in order to keep Persephone in line wouldn't suffice any longer. She had made a deal with Haleigh that Persephone wouldn't be touched, but that too would end. Persephone would kill Ravena, or die trying.

When her Rook confirmed she did in fact kill Ravena, Helena was a bit taken aback to say the least. She figured the man would bolster enough power to at least fatally wound her during the battle, but Persephone barely sounded out of breath on the phone. But none of that matter because as soon as Diana was out of Ravena's trance, she would most definitely make an example out of her Rook. Either way, Helena would get what she wanted.

Sipping her drink slowly, Helena looked down at the chase lounge as her phone began to vibrate next to her. She was waiting for Kelly's call, but seeing Alek's name pop up made her laugh haughtily. Picking up the phone, Helena grinned a toothy grin.

"I see my Rook has already opened her loose lips."

Alek: "Are we at war, my Queen? Do you need me at your side?"

Helena rolled her eyes as she circled the cubes of ice in her glass.

"No, we are not at war, Aleksander. You will stay at Hellfire as ordered."

Speaking to him as if he were a child who had just said something absolutely ridiculous.

"Ravena needed to die because he was getting far too comfortable manipulating his way to Diana's throne. I did what was necessary...and when Diana is feeling herself, she will do what is necessary as well."

Ominous yet the meaning clear. Helena slowly finished the last bit of whisky that remained in her glass, rolling the cold alcohol along her tongue before swallowing it. Her sapphire eyes narrowed with annoyance.

"Tell me, my trusted Knight. Were you calling because you were concerned for your Queen? Or because you were concerned for [brusquely] her?"

She was done tip toeing around the relationship they were most obviously still in. If they believed their charade fooled her, they were as stupid as Ravena.

"Choose your words wisely, Aleksander."

 

[Malice]

Ahadi — The White Princess’ Suite

:: Scion expressed her mistaken belief that the Six were going to be able to stop Malice. Diana laughed coldly.::

“You’re wrong about that, foolish little girl. I am restoring the Hellfire Club to its former glory, and we will be unstoppable.”

Scion: “Oh, I doubt that very much, Mother.”

:: Diana didn’t respond verbally, but with salute gesture, and Scion was subject to a fresh, searing pain inside her skull as the psi javelin struck. It was not enough to kill the girl, but it would certainly make her wish for death to alleviate the pain. Diana called in two musclebound guards that had been posted outside. They came into the suite now, one wielding an EMP baton, the other a pair of cuffs and a flat metallic choke collar.::

“These men will escort you back to Hellfire to wait while I decide what is to be done with you. Are you going to surrender or do you require more punishment first??”

:: Scion laughed softly as she eased up to her feet. She held her hands out in front of her, her wrists relaxed and close together. She let herself be shackled by a cautious guard. He was the smaller of the two men, though he still hulked over her. It didn’t take a telepath to observe that he expected her to snap into action and resist, but she didn’t bother to fight them now. She tipped her head back a bit, lifting her chin so he could fit the power suppression collar around her neck. She didn’t even try to pull from their grasp when they took up a position on either side of her and each grabbed a hold of her arms.::

Scion: “These fine fuckers aren’t taking any chances, huh?”

:: Scion wisecracked, and then Heidi burst through the door. The White Knight took one look at the men who had Haleigh in custody, and then she blasted the bigger, bearded one with a jet of water that sent him flying back across the room and crashing into the liquor cabinet. The guard on Haleigh’s other side lifted his free hand as if to calm Heidi, while Diana emerged from the shadows and into Heidi’s field of view. ::

“Heidi, leave them.”

Heidi: “My Queen, Ahadi is under attack!”

:: Heidi’s thoughts had always been a bit challenging to grasp. They were fluid, slippery — but not completely unreadable. When Diana concentrated enough, she could get the gist of whatever was on the surface of Heidi’s mind. The White Knight had come here to wake the Princess so that they could fight their way to their Queen. ::

“Under attack? From who?”

Scion: “Don’t look at me...”

:: The White Princess said, sounding all too pleased. Diana cut a look of warning over to her daughter, who feigned innocence. Diana reached out with her mind, but Ahadi was a cacophony of terror, threatening to drown out the familiar mindsets in her vicinity. The thoughts she caught from her fellow Queens were unnerving. This would require an immediate adjustment to the plan. Diana turned to the remaining guard.::

“Remove the Princess’ collar.”

 

[Black Widow]

Ahadi — The White Princess’ Suite

Every joint in Haleigh’s body ached, and her muscles felt tight and sore, like she’d worked out way too hard. She felt like she was heavily weighed down as she stood there, her legs and arms dense and torpid. Even breathing was a now a chore, since it felt like her rib cage was wrapped in leaden wire. Her head pounded, her mouth was dry, and her stomach roiled. She had never felt weaker.

She wondered if she’d die, and if the power suppression collar would prevent her from transferring to a new body. Then her mother ordered the guard to remove the collar. She looked at the White Queen in surprise as her powers came back online. Diana was staring at her intently.

A coldness gripped her mind as she felt the resurgence of her own strength and ability throughout her body. A chill crawled down her spine as the cuffs fell off her wrists and her posture straightened. As she regained her physical composure, she could feel her mother taking over her mental capacities. Resist, a small voice insisted in the back of her mind. She steeled herself against the infiltration.

Don’t even think about it.

Was that her own thought, or her mother’s response? She couldn’t be sure, nor could she remember what had prompted the thought. She let go of the thought, whatever it had been.

It’s not important.

No, it wasn’t. Only one thing was important now.

Obedience.

Yes, that was it. Obedience, to her Queen and her Court. Heidi was staring at her curiously, but she said nothing. Scion looked at her mother, her expression neutral, but expectant.

Malice: “We’re leaving, back to New York, NOW.”

“Yes, My Queen.”

Scion responded at once. None of them threw so much as a pity glance as the heap that was formerly a guard. Heidi hadn’t been merciful, and the man hadn’t moved since she hit him. They left him for dead. If Diana didn’t care, neither did Scion, or anyone else it seemed.

 

[Malice]

Ahadi — The White Princess’ Suite

:: The girl’s mind, always busy calculating the odds and outcomes of every conceivable development, had gone eerily quiet. She considered the possible permanence of her own demise, but there was surpringly no alarm at the thought. Diana knew her daughter should be concerned with what was coming, but the girl decided that the terror was over. She was devil-my-care about it all now.::

:: Diana herself was seething. It was very rare for her to be caught off guard by anything, but clearly she had been too distracted by Scion to notice what was happening, and before tonight she had been too focused on the trip to watch every mind. She had trusted them, and now she was reminded why she shouldn’t trust anyone. She was tempted to take it out on Scion, the ever present thorn in her side. However, striking down her daughter here would eliminate a very useful tool. She had the suppression collar removed and went immediately to work on Scion’s mind.::

:: It was always an option to possess the mind, but rarely a good one. While easy to do on a flat scan, it required an inconvenient amount of focus to take over a mutate of most kinds. Worse than the effort involved was the tell; her control cast a glowing white halo on the crown of her target, and so the ability couldn’t be used with any manner of stealth. However, with the new turn of events, her White Princess was too valuable a resource to waste. She couldn’t be allowed to think for herself, but she could certainly be useful. ::

:: Moments passed in silence as Diana fought for control of the hybrid’s mind. It was a tangled web that Diana expected to be used to by now, but wasn’t. Scion put up an initial strong resistance, but only another omega level telepath could have contested Diana’s control, and this girl was clearly limited in her mental abilities. No doubt that was Christopher’s doing. He made the child in his image more than hers. It didn’t matter. He was dead and Scion was hers now. The girl’s mind surrendered, finally. ::

“We’re leaving, back to New York, NOW.”

Scion: “Yes, My Queen.”

:: Heidi simply nodded her understanding, as Scion’s grip closed mechanically on Diana’s elbow. It was painfully tight at first, but as soon as Diana cut a look over at her daughter, Scion’s grip relaxed to a comfortable level. Her transportation was a strange sensation, a deep skin-crawling feeling with a stone cold weightlessness that was not suited for a sensitive stomach. But it was the fastest, and they stayed dry, unlike Heidi’s method.::

:: It seemed like less than a second had passed before they were surrounded by the executive conference room. The Catacombs underground had a chilly atmosphere, enhanced by its Gothic modern aesthetic. Diana took a look around and was soothed by the power it projected. Her gaze fell on Scion, and her mouth tightened. The girl looked a hot mess, with disheveled hair, a wrinkled, loose-fit tank top and white leggings. Color was the only thing Malice found satisfactory, elsewise she was most unacceptable. The White Princess got the message immediately and reached up to finger comb her hair while her bed clothes were quickly covered over with well cut armor of some metallic alloy that had a white sheen. Better.::

“Heidi, call down to security, the White Court is to be immediately upgraded to the level of highest alert. Then I want you call my Rook and Bishop and tell them to come here at once. Scion—”

:: She paused as she made eye contact with her daughter. Their nascent bond could not be tested too strenuously so soon after its establishment. She would have liked nothing more than to order Scion to murder her ‘sister’, but that must wait, for now. ::

“The Red Rook has openly attacked our Court. You will take Persephone into custody and bring her here. Do NOT allow her to escape. Suppress her powers and restrain her. If anyone tries to stop you or defend her, kill them.”

Scion: “Yes, My Queen.”

 

[Berserker]

Hellfire Mansion - the Hallway

Alek wanted nothing more than to keep holding Seph in his arms, telling her that everything was going to be alright. But in order for her to actually be alright, he had to do everything he could possibly do to make it so. Number one of which was to try and get her to get the fuck out of this mansion. So as much as it pained him, as much as the thought of her actually leaving destroyed him, he didn't correct her assumption that he was choosing Helena over her. If Seph thought it, then any prying eyes including Helena's would too - plus, Seph was more likely to leave if she was hurt and pissed off at him. If it kept her alive, it would be worth it.

His first call had to be to Helena, for a myriad of reasons. He needed to know what was going on there, first and foremost. And doing his duty put him in the best position to know Helena's mind and help Seph. If that weren't enough, ALL of their lives were in danger from Malice, and it was his responsibility to protect this court. He wasn't about to let everything be destroyed without a fight. No way would he sit here and wait for an attack...or a call from Helena. When she picked up, he was direct, asking if they were at war.

Helena: "I see my Rook has already opened her loose lips."

"It was her duty to inform me, my Queen. I sought her out to discover why she had left the mansion without informing me."

Helena: "No, we are not at war, Aleksander. You will stay at Hellfire as ordered."

"I'm sending Mystique to stay at your side. You shouldn't be unguarded at a time like this..."

Helena: "Ravena needed to die because he was getting far too comfortable manipulating his way to Diana's throne. I did what was necessary...and when Diana is feeling herself, she will do what is necessary as well."

Alek closed his eyes. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Diana wasn't the only queen not thinking straight.

Helena: "Tell me, my trusted Knight. Were you calling because you were concerned for your Queen? Or because you were concerned for [brusquely] her? Choose your words wisely, Aleksander."

Alek ran his hand over his face. It didn't have to be this way. She was allowing foolish pride to get in the way of their court.

"Why do you still question my loyalty, my Queen? I have never betrayed you. Never."

Her lack of faith in him hurt him more than he cared to admit, even to himself.

"You can't possibly think that I want harm to come to you. Helena..."

Everything was falling apart. Everything. He could feel his frustration building.

"I should be there, at your side, protecting you, as your Knight. But instead I am here, as you commanded me. It falls to my duty to protect the Court, as best I can from here, and that includes You, Mystique, and Persephone. And I will do my duty."

He paused.

And then he continued, because fuck it if Malice was going to kill him anyway, he might as well say what he thought.

"But I need to know what precautions have been taken for your safety, and if we're about to be attacked here. Because we sure as hell can't protect you if we're all dead. The Court is at stake here. And as for Persephone..."

Either this would work, or backfire horribly. But he didn't have much choice.

"After what happened with Valkyrie, I must advise you that allowing her to be killed for following your own order will not sit well with the men."

 

[Nogitsune]

Hellfire Mansion - Security

Emiko was sitting cross-legged on one of the Security desks, eating popcorn and watching the monitors in front of her. The guard who was supposed to be watching the screens was in the bathroom washing his hands so furiously that the top layer of skin was coming off. Emi has whispered to him that he had T virus on his hands. But he was in her way - she could see much better with him gone.

The little deer had smashed the big window in the room where her panda bear ate his breakfast. Emi wished she had gotten to help, but maybe she would wait for them to fix the glass and then break it again. It would be funny to see everyone's faces if she did. Panda was on the phone (as usual). And Miss M had returned from her trip with the Toaster and Cold Fish. Lord Crow hadn't come back. Maybe Miss M had found out what he was up to. Emi had tried to warn her...

Emi's own phone started ringing. Too loud. TOO LOUD. Emi covered her ears but she could still hear it. So she picked it up and pressed the green spot on the screen like Panda had taught her.

[into the phone] "BLAH BLAH BLAH!"

And then she pressed the red spot and hung up. Emiko slipped down off the counter and sauntered off towards the Catacombs, twirling her hair between her fingers as she went.

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire Catacombs — Executive Conference Room

I’ve been hacked, Haleigh thought for a split second in transit, but when they arrived in the Catacombs the realization was gone again. Her internal clock readjusted to the new time zone, going from the middle of the night back several hours to around dinner time. She looked to find her Queen inspecting her appearance, and displeased with it. Scion hurriedly ran her fingers through her hair and manifested attire more appropriate for a White Princess under attack. Form fitting metallic plates began to slide into place, in some cases layering one over another to allow for joint and muscle articulation. It was light weight and nearly impenetrable, with the luster and color of fresh snow.

Better, that was better. She would improve at the first opportunity, for now they needed to focus on shoring up their defenses, and taking control of the situation. The Red Rook had attacked, and her Queen ordered capture. There was a sharp twinge at the name Persephone, some hostile instinct to violate orders, but it was met with an slice of cold ferocity, and then it was cut down, gone. The Red Rook must not be allowed to escape or even to use her powers. And if anyone interfered they must be met with lethal force.

“Yes, My Queen.”

Scion replied, the only acceptable answer. She searched the mansion’s surveillance to find the Red Rook in her chambers. Scion ambled off mechanically in the direction of the Red Wing, as the White Knight stayed by her Queen’s side, carrying out her own set of orders using her cellphone. With every step, Scion felt a fraction less programmed. Still, her focus was laser sharp.

The Red Rook has openly attacked our Court. Take her into custody. Do NOT allow her to escape. Suppress her powers and restrain her. If anyone tries to defend her, kill them.

The orders ran in a scroll across the top of her visual feed. When they were done they ran again, and again, and again. Infinitely until her Queen’s orders were fulfilled. But the further along she got the slower the scroll ticked. She couldn’t go in blind, or she exposed herself to the risk of an ambush. She got as much intel on the Red Rook as she could during her walk.

The scene in the Morning room was darkly lit, almost hidden without the night screen filter applied. The sound was crisp, most of the conversation between the Red Knight and Rook was clearly audible. The treachery was not limited to the Rook. The Red Queen had given the order to assassinate the White King. The Red Court would protect its Rook, according to the Knight. There was more, context on what precipitated the attack. The intel rocked Scion at her core.

He hurt her...

It didn’t compute. Or it did, but it altered all the calculations. When she reached the Red Rook’s door she glanced at her orders scroll once more, but didn’t feel the need to read them as strongly as before. The door clicked open for her as if it were unlocked. She hesitated, but she didn’t know why. Her Queen would be displeased with her ambivalence. She grit her teeth and pushed through the door, checking her corners for the Red Knight. He wasn’t here, but her target was. Scion would rather prevent a fight. She gestured and a power suppression collar slipped itself around the Red Rook’s throat. She couldn’t escape now, that order was satisfied, as well as the one to suppress her. Two down. She steeled herself and pressed on.

“Red Rook. My Queen has determined you to be a hostile combatant. Surrender peacefully or you will be met with an escalation of force.”

 

[Madame Masque]

Manhattan — Nefaria Mansion, 2nd Floor

There was a fire crackling in the Reception Room, and guests scattered around, here and throughout the rest of the floor, in the Great Room, even a couple on the terrace, though they’d be dragged inside soon. The party was coming to a close, and it had been everything Adriana envisioned. She really couldn’t be happier, she just had to wrap this last thing up, and she’d be ready to toast.

Her opponent was a sloppy one, getting even more so in desperation. Adriana delivered a liver shot that sent her foe reeling, and as their legs wobbled she slipped around behind, her right arm sliding across the collarbone. She caught the throat full in the crook of her arm, and tucked her right hand into her left elbow, then grabbed a fistful of hair with her left hand. She applied steadily increasing pressure to the carotid choke hold, squeezing her elbows together and taking a few steps backwards to pull her victim off balance.

It only took seconds for unconsciousness to take over. If she released the hold now, it would only take seconds for consciousness to return. She relaxed, releasing her right hand so that she could grab the chin, and then twisted sharply to snap her sister’s neck. The body made a satisfying thud when she dropped it, like a sack of flour. Ettore stepped over a violently stabbed Capo to hand Adriana a glass of champagne as she smiled at him. His suit was splattered with blood, and that wasn’t all. It was even in his beard. He had never looked better.

“To taking back the business, with the ones I truly consider my family.”

She toasted to the room, and was met with more than one hurrah. Those who had remained loyal to her were here, and had proven themselves yet again tonight. Those who’d betrayed her laid at her feet. She drank the whole glass of champagne, and smiled again, as she bid her guests goodnight and told them not to worry about the mess. She had already arranged for cleanup. A phone began to ring, and a short investigation found it to be in Gia’s pocket. Adriana looked at the ID, raised an eyebrow, and answered.

“Nefaria.”

Heidi: “Where are you?! No- never mind that, it’s not like I really care. Just get back to Hellfire, and down to the Executive Conference in the Catacombs now. Oh- Dress for a fight, the Queen has ordered High Alert.”

The White Knight Of Hellfire told her, right before hanging up. A bit rude, but if she thought she was talking to Gia, could her phone etiquette be held against her? Adriana slipped the phone into her pocket and leaned over Gia’s dead body to pick up the mask from where it had fallen in the struggle. Her mask. It had been insult to injury for her father to steal her mask and will it to her illegitimate sister.

“Ettore, have the driver bring the car around. I’ve been summoned to Hellfire.”

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

They discussed wedding ideas. No churches, since they weren’t into it. Zach proposed big, lavish destination weddings, but Ash wasn’t too moved by the idea, and wasn’t sure their friends would want to bother. Zach doubted that, but when Ash suggested something closer and less extravagant, he happily agreed. He sensed her relief and wondered what had bothered her, then decided that she must have just not wanted to make such an event out of it.

She did get excited about the bachelor party, and Zach joined his enthusiasm with hers, suggesting they have a joint party and then chuckling with Ash when she brought up the humorous prospect of Zizi in a strip club. Zach gave his best impression of their friend being scandalized, and Ash grinned as she declared they had to get her drunk.

“Oh, you’re incorrigible! I love it!”

He replied with a wicked laugh as they parked. There was a brief moment of horror as Ash implied she’d hid food in the car, then revealed she was just teasing, because all she did was draw some steam art on his window, and it was kind of sweet. He discouraged her from cleaning it off when they got home, admitting to liking it as he wrapped his free arm around her and kissed her temple.

When the elevator doors shut, he remarked that there was at least one decision for the wedding they didn’t have to stress over: whether or not to invite the exes. Ash snorted at that, replying that she wasn’t stressed about it because she wouldn’t invite Alek anywhere, especially not their wedding.

Zach didn’t respond right away. He was glad she didn’t want Alek there, because Zach hated him with unbridled passion. But he also felt secretly guilty. Haleigh had been a big part of his life for a long time, and he wasn’t capable of just shutting down all the emotions that churned around the thoughts of her. He didn’t want her anymore, it wasn’t that. He loved Ash wholeheartedly now and not even the best memory of his time with Haleigh could shake that.

But he had this nagging feeling about his ex, and part of him wondered if having her at the wedding would help give him a sense of closure. And if she refused to show up, if she reacted to his relationship with Ash the same way Sharon and Alycia had, then at least he’d have something to hold against her, and maybe he could make himself feel the same way about her that Ash felt about Alek.

Ash: "Though, the satisfaction of seeing him so jealous of you would almost be worth it."

“Yeah.”

He replied, inarticulate for once. The elevator doors dinged open on the 15th floor, giving his mind a chance to clear. Ash let them in to Zizi’s penthouse, and a new computerized voice announced their arrival. Ash of course questioned it, and Zizi explained that it was a new security feature, and greeted Zach.

“Hey Ziz. I hope you don’t mind if we hijack your night.”

He said, but then he just smiled and shook his head, because it was clear she didn’t mind. Her and Ashley were already admiring the ring and talking about the wedding. Of course Zizi had a file for that. She told Zach he could set the pizzas on the table and went into the kitchen to get plates and glasses. Zach arranged all the boxes along the table so they could hit the food buffet style.

“Did you want some beer, babe? I can grab you one from the fridge.”

He asked Ash as Zizi rolled around the kitchen collecting what they’d need. Then he spoke up so Zizi could hear him around the corner.

“Speaking of the wedding, I’m gonna ask Andrew to be my Best Man.”

He announced, and then he gave Ash a meaningful look and tipped his head in the direction of Zizi, with a smile of anticipation for the surge of happy emotions that were about to erupt when Ash asked Zizi to be her maid of honor.

 

[Tycoon]

Upper East Side — Jones Wood Foundry

Delilah tried his Shepherds Pie and deemed it to be good, and Gavin nodded his agreement, scooping himself another bite. He still wasn’t going to eat quickly though. Delilah warned him that she hadn’t been on a first date in a long time. Gavin chuckled at that.

“Ok good, me either. It’s fair to say I’m out of practice. As evidenced by my egregiously awkward attempt to even ask just now.”

He replied with an amused tone of self-deprecation. She warned that she was going to ask boring questions. His smile was forgiving.

“Well you can expect my answers to be equally mundane, so don’t feel bad.”

She offered him the opportunity to back out, as he finished off his Guinness. He shook his head, his brow furrowing.

“Oh no, definitely not backing out. Also, I’m not so honorable as to permit you the same option. You agreed, it’s happening. Coney Island, here we come.”

The waiter was back, with the option of dessert. Gavin nodded vigorously in support of the idea. She ordered a slice of pie, and another beer. He added that he’d have another drink as well, and a slice of the banoffee pie. He was glad for an extension on their dinner, being in no rush to end it.

Delilah: "I do want to hear how such a strait laced financier became a motorcycle junkie, though.”

“Oh really, it’s not that interesting. When I was a young lad, I was a person of limited means. My father was a maintenance worker on the London Underground, so you might expect I’d use that to get around.”

The waiter brought their drinks and he took the opportunity to pause and sip a fresh Guinness as he figured out how much to say.

“But I developed a very strong aversion to the Tube after the King’s Cross Fire, couldn’t stand to be underground after that. I used to bicycle around town instead. One year my father fixed a little rebuilt motor to my bike. It was only moderately fast, but I was quite enchanted by it. In my teen years I had a paper route, and scrounged up the money to buy a REAL motorcycle. I suppose it slowly became a life-long love affair.”

He finished, a reminiscent smile on his lips. He took another drink.

“Alright, now you. That’s how this works, remember? I share, you share. Hmm, let’s see... why did you choose to be a cop? Of all the ways to help people, that seems very particular.”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Zach was oddly quiet when she was commenting on how jealous Alek would be of Zach if they invited him to their wedding - which, of course, was something Ashley was certainly not going to do.

Zach: “Yeah.”

She looked at him askance as the elevator doors opened to Zizi's floor. She reached out with her free hand, giving his belly a rub.

"You okay babe?"

And then they were being welcomed by Zizi, who seemed genuinely happy to see them. And she wanted to see Ashley's ring, which she didn't mind showing off. She whispered to Zizi that she was going to have to tell Ashley everything she knew about weddings.

Zizi: ”No problem. I have a whole file of wedding contacts on the computer.”

Ashley looked triumphantly at Zach, I told you so written all over her face.

Zach: “Did you want some beer, babe? I can grab you one from the fridge.”

She gave him a smile.

"No, no. If you say wine goes with pizza, I believe you."

She leaned over to give him a peck on the lips.

Zach: “Speaking of the wedding, I’m gonna ask Andrew to be my Best Man.”

Zizi: "Oh, he will be absolutely tickled pink! Seriously, it will really make his day, Zach. What a wonderful gesture."

Zach was giving Ashley that look that meant she was supposed to be doing something she wasn't. And then she remembered.

"Oh, right. Right. Uh, Zizi."

She walked towards the kitchen.

"Can you do me another favor and be my maid-of-honor thingy? If you want to, I mean."

 

[MorningStar]

Upper East Side — Jones Wood Foundry

Delilah was still half in shock that she had agreed to go out with Gavin. The other half was in disbelief that she didn't feel guiltier about it. She honestly owned up that it had been a long time since she'd been on a first date. Not that she and Bishop had "dated" much. And she and Andrew definitely hadn't. And before them, she hadn't had much time for it either.

Gavin: “Ok good, me either. It’s fair to say I’m out of practice. As evidenced by my egregiously awkward attempt to even ask just now.”

She smiled warmly. He had a way of putting her perfectly at ease, saying exactly the right thing. Then she warned him that she was going to be a boring date, asking boring questions, because she didn't know what else to do. The Six had called her a stick in the mud often, after all.

Gavin: “Well you can expect my answers to be equally mundane, so don’t feel bad.”

Maybe he hadn't been thinking straight, and wanted to take it back.

Gavin: “Oh no, definitely not backing out. Also, I’m not so honorable as to permit you the same option. You agreed, it’s happening. Coney Island, here we come.”

She feigned shock.

"Why, Mr. Greeley, what kind of English gentleman are you?"

They ordered pie for dessert, and she gave him advance warning that she wanted to know how he got to be into motorcycles. He didn't wait to answer her.

Gavin: “Oh really, it’s not that interesting. When I was a young lad, I was a person of limited means. My father was a maintenance worker on the London Underground, so you might expect I’d use that to get around.”

"One might, yes."

She smiled.

Gavin: “But I developed a very strong aversion to the Tube after the King’s Cross Fire, couldn’t stand to be underground after that. I used to bicycle around town instead. One year my father fixed a little rebuilt motor to my bike. It was only moderately fast, but I was quite enchanted by it. In my teen years I had a paper route, and scrounged up the money to buy a REAL motorcycle. I suppose it slowly became a life-long love affair.”

"So, a gift for Finance even then?"

She smiled teasingly.

"I do admire your work ethic, though. A motorcycle must have taken a lot of papers."

She tried to imagine Bishop with a paper route. Beating up the kids with the paper route and stealing their money, more like.

Gavin: “Alright, now you. That’s how this works, remember? I share, you share."

She shook her head playfully.

"Oh, I'm not sure that's how this works at all."

Gavin: "Hmm, let’s see... why did you choose to be a cop? Of all the ways to help people, that seems very particular.”

She took a drink of her beer.

"Now that story is actually not interesting at all. My father was an agent with the FBI, so I started working for the NYPD in preparation for applying to Quantico. But my...special abilities...weren't so desirable there, so I had to drop out of training. I spent some time working for a corporation that was a really bad decision, who didn't particularly respond well when I tried to leave them. And when that was finally over I found my way back to the NYPD."

She chuckled.

"Poor man's feebee."

The pie came, and Delilah dug in as if she hadn't just consumed a huge meal.

"What about you, ever consider following in your parents' footsteps?"

 

[Persephone]

Persephone had appeared in her suite, rage and pain coursing through her body. He had left her to be with his Queen, and she knew he was doing it to protect her. She didn't want protection, she wanted him. She wanted him to say fuck all this bullshit and destroy this place from the inside out. To help her get Haleigh out of there an to all disappear off the radar until things died down. But he left, and Persephone felt like her chest was on fire.

Pulling off her blood covered black shirt and jeans from her battle with Ravena, she quickly slipped on some dark red [almost black] leather pants and a red fitted long sleeve shirt. As she was doing so, her phone was on speaker sitting on the dresser, Haleigh's name listed as the person she was trying to call.

"Come on, Haleigh. Pick up."

She quickly slipped on some boots before picking up her phone to hang up the call. Opening Haleigh's text thread, Persephone quickly wrote out a text. It was very unusual for Haleigh not to answer her, especially given her power set.

>> Are you okay?! Please call me!

It was then she heard the door burst open, causing Persephone to quickly look over to see Haleigh. She was relieved, but that only lasted for a split second realizing her sister was standing defensively as if ready to fight. And that was when Persephone's brows furrowed, seeing a glowing halo of light over Haleigh's head.

"Haleigh?"

Haleigh gestured toward her and before Persephone could register what happened, she felt the cold metal collar around her neck. Gasping in, she quickly reached up to the collar feeling her powers already starting to drain.

"NO!"

A wave of dizziness came over Persephone as her God-like strength began to leave her body. The lights within Hellfire began to flicker as she tried to hold onto her abilities for as long as possible, but there was no use, her powers were gone and her strength depleted.

Haleigh: “Red Rook. My Queen has determined you to be a hostile combatant."

Persephone looked up at her sister, hearing the robotic and emotionless tone in her voice.

"This isn't you, Haleigh!"

Haleigh: "Surrender peacefully or you will be met with an escalation of force.”

It had finally happened: Diana was controlling Haleigh's mind. Persephone knew it would happen eventually with how defiant Haleigh was, but all that told Persephone was that Haleigh had gotten to the point where she didn't care what happened to her anymore. If she was at that point, Diana had no other choice but to control Haleigh herself. Persephone pushed herself from the dresser, the human like strength she now had making her feel uneasy.

"Surrender? Even with Diana controlling you, you know that's never going to happen."

Persephone was stubborn, just like Haleigh was. She hoped it would strike something within Haleigh that could help her remember who she was and who she was about to take by force. Persephone's limbs tingled as she picked up a large wooden candlestick, getting into a defensive stance herself.

"You want take me, sis? Then you take me by force! NEITHER of us would ever go willingly. REMEMBER THAT!"

Persephone swung the candlestick at Haleigh, attacking her. It was a futile fight, she knew this, but even with her human strength Persephone still knew how to brawl and fight like the best of them. And that best was standing right in front of her.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Just when she was getting most dejected, the calvary arrived. Zach and Ashley brought pizza, darlings that they were, and it cheered her right up.

Zach: “Hey Ziz. I hope you don’t mind if we hijack your night.”

She waved him off.

"You are always welcome here, honey, you know that."

Zach had made a terrific choice of ring, and Zizi cooed over it genuinely while Ashley asked for help, in her own way. Zizi knew that planning a wedding for someone like Ashley, who probably hadn't considered getting married for hundreds of years, would be overwhelming. So she was prepared to step in and help her however she could. Including, sharing her prized file of New York City wedding contacts.

Before they got too far along, she went to get plates and silverware for the pizza, and told Zach where he could set the boxes.

Zach: “Speaking of the wedding, I’m gonna ask Andrew to be my Best Man.”

Zizi moved around to the other edge of the island so Zach could see her when she answered.

"Oh, he will be absolutely tickled pink! Seriously, it will really make his day, Zach. What a wonderful gesture."

And one Andrew really needed right now. Zach was so thoughtful.

Ashley: "Uh, Zizi."

"Uh huh?"

She got a stack of napkins out of the holder. She glanced up to see Ashley walking towards her.

Ashley: "Can you do me another favor and be my maid-of-honor thingy? If you want to, I mean."

Zizi dropped the stack of napkins and just nearly avoided knocking the plates and forks out of her lap, grabbing them in the nick of time.

"Really? You mean it?"

She wheeled over to Ashley and put her arms around her in a hug, tears of joy springing to her eyes.

"I would be so honored. So honored."

 

[Enchantrah]

Duty, responsibility, work. They were all words Alek used to side step his ongoing affair with her Rook, believing it somehow hid the truth from Helena. He was a fool, and she had never taught him to be a fool. This was all Persephone's doing, and yet another reason to get rid of her once and for all. Alek had never showed signs of wavering from her side until she came into the picture. Helena never once doubted his loyalty, until now.

Alek: "Why do you still question my loyalty, my Queen? I have never betrayed you. Never."

"You are LYING TO ME NOW, ALEKSANDER!"

Her cool and nonchalant demeanor she was known for was gone, screaming into the phone with a frustration that rivaled that of a mother dealing with an insolent child.

"I ORDERED you to stay away from her. I ORDERED you to END your romance with her. Yet you DEFY my orders and LIE to me STILL! She has twisted your loyalty against me and making you into a turncoat, Aleksander!"

Alek: "You can't possibly think that I want harm to come to you. Helena..."

"Harm? No. Freedom? Absolutely."

She could see Alek was stuck between his love for Persephone and his love for her. But there would be no choosing. If his choice wasn't already clear to him, Helena had no use for him any longer. But he still fought, proclaiming his loyalty. His need to protect her and his court. Helena let him continue as she stood from her chair.

Alek: "I should be there, at your side, protecting you, as your Knight. But instead I am here, as you commanded me. It falls to my duty to protect the Court, as best I can from here, and that includes You, Mystique, and Persephone. And I will do my duty. But I need to know what precautions have been taken for your safety, and if we're about to be attacked here. Because we sure as hell can't protect you if we're all dead. The Court is at stake here. And as for Persephone..."

Helena's eyes narrowed, the grip on her phone tightening.

[through gritted teeth] "Careful, Aleksander..."

Alek: "After what happened with Valkyrie, I must advise you that allowing her to be killed for following your own order will not sit well with the men."

Helena was silent. The silence deafening and deadly. He had pulled from his bag of tricks even something Helena didn't anticipate. Something that spoke volumes to his loyalties. Helena's lip twitched as a snarl formed along the lines of her mouth. The situation with Valkyrie was a turbulent one that almost caused an uprising within the Red ranks. She wouldn't let that happen again within her court....but if her Knight believed this was his beloveds saving grace, he was gravely mistaken.

[slow and seething] "Brava my Knight....I have taught you too well."

Helena walked to the wet bar, picking up the pack of cigarettes that laid there. Pulling one out with her lips, she struck the lighter and lit it, dragging in a deep breath.

"Do what is necessary to protect our Rook from the White Court."

Helena paused, seeing a Red Guard approach from the room.

"I will personally deal with her later."

Helena ended the call with that, looking at her guard who bowed his head.

Gaurd: "The White Queen has returned to Hellfire along with the Princess and Knight."

Helena huffed out, knowing Diana was likely thinking there was some sort of mutiny going on in regards to Ravena's assassination. She needed to return to Hellfire immediately to speak with Diana and smooth things over so all three Queen's could get back to what was REALLY important.

"Get my Bishop. We return to Hellfire within the hour."

 

[Berserker]

The Hallway

Alek was spending his life nowadays sticking his fingers in the dam, and he didn't like how it felt one bit. Since his arrival at Hellfire, he had always taken comfort in one thing: Helena's love for him. It was easy to give her his loyalty because of all she did for him. But now...

Making him give Seph up, not caring that she made him happy - she couldn't hurt him more if she slapped him. And add to that making choices that put the Court in danger while not leveraging her best assets - him and Seph - it was mind boggling. She had done it with Valkyrie and he had accepted it. She was still alive, after all. But he wasn't about to watch Seph die. Not like this.

Helena was treating him as if he would ever let her be hurt, as if she couldn't trust him. He was probably the only person she could trust, and she should know that.

Helena: "You are LYING TO ME NOW, ALEKSANDER!"

She was better than this. Screaming at him for what, loving someone? He still did his duty. And when that person was a goddess, a boon for their court - why wouldn't she see that? Use their relationship to her advantage rather than detriment.

Helena: "I ORDERED you to stay away from her. I ORDERED you to END your romance with her. Yet you DEFY my orders and LIE to me STILL! She has twisted your loyalty against me and making you into a turncoat, Aleksander!"

She couldn't really believe that, and he said so.

Helena: "Harm? No. Freedom? Absolutely."

He didn't want to have to choose between Helena and Persephone. He shouldn't have to choose. But Helena was trying to force his hand. He had to save her from herself, show her that what she was doing what hurting them all. If she really believed he was against her, then nothing he said now would make a difference. But she needed to know how it looked. And he prayed it was enough to save Seph.

He brought up Valkyrie.

He had accepted Helena's treatment of the former rook, and her orders to him regarding her, without question. Once might have shown her power, but twice...

Helena: [slow and seething] "Brava my Knight....I have taught you too well."

Alek's eyes closed.

"Everything I know, I learned from you, my Queen."

Helena: "Do what is necessary to protect our Rook from the White Court."

His heart leapt with relief. He almost couldn't believe it. She had seen reason.

Helena: "I will personally deal with her later."

And Helena hung up. He couldn't think about what that meant just now. He had to focus on this small reprieve that had been granted to Seph. He ran a hand through his hair. Now, to make sure she got herself the fuck out of harm's way. He pulled up the Security feed on his phone, to confirm she'd listened to him and left the mansion.

When he flicked to the feed from her room, he saw something he didn't expect. Seph, attacking Haleigh with a candlestick. And what looked like one of those power sucking collars Kelly had developed around her neck. He started to run.

His phone was to his ear, calling the commander on duty of the Red Guard.

[into the phone] "Have you sent the extra guards to the Red Wing?"

Commander: "We're on our way, Sir."

Alek almost erupted. He was going to have heads for this. But right now, he needed them.

[into the phone]: "I needed you there ten minutes ago! Scion is attacking Persephone in her suite. I want all units at that location. If you witness a hostile act from the White Court, you will return fire, is that clear?"

Commander: "Yes, sir."

[into the phone]: "Bring all the EMP wands from the armory. RIGHT NOW. MOVE!"

How the hell had they gotten back from Ahadi so fast. And what was Haleigh fucking DOING?! He should never have left Seph alone. That was stupid. Fuck that was so stupid. Why hadn't she left? Couldn't she just do what he told her this ONE fucking TIME?

He sailed into the Red Wing and down the hallway to the living quarters in record time. When he reached Persephone's door he didn't even try the handle, he just burst through it and into the room, grabbing at the collar around Seph's neck as he put himself between her and Haleigh.

He showed his teeth, his speech coming out almost in a growl, his narrowed eyes trained on Haleigh.

"You will not take her Scion."

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire — The Red Wing

Persephone was calling her, but there was some underwritten code telling her not to answer. Persephone was labeled a treacherous bitch. Scion didn’t remember making that assessment personally, but the thought was there, all the same. She pushed the door to the Red Rook’s chambers open. Glancing around to make sure the Red Knight wasn’t waiting in ambush, Scion flicked her wrist and set a power suppression collar around the Red Rook’s neck. That order, complied with, disappeared from her scroll. Relief flooded Scion as she was released from that requirement, but there was more to do before she could stop.

Persephone: Haleigh? NO!

Haleigh. Haleigh. The name shouldn’t have given her a sense of cognitive dissonance, but it did. It was her name, but it wasn’t. Her name was Scion. Haleigh, Rebecca, Catherine, and the rest, those were just aliases.

Persephone: This isn’t you, Haleigh!

“This isn’t Haleigh.”

Scion replied coldly, and then she told the Red Rook that if she didn’t surrender peacefully, she would be met with escalating force. She wasn’t affected by the flickering of lights. If the lights went out, she had night-vision. She walked calmly closer to the Red Rook, her gaze locked on her target. Persephone rejected the idea of surrender.

Persephone: “You want take me, sis? Then you take me by force! NEITHER of us would ever go willingly. REMEMBER THAT!"

Haleigh didn’t want to take her, least of all by force. She shuddered to a stop, as Seph raised a candlestick in her defense. She didn’t shield herself as Persephone swung towards her, wielding the candlestick like a baseball bat. She didn’t flinch or even react as it struck the side of her head and cracked in two.

Hacked, she remembered. The White halo around her head dimmed and flickered. Resist! She was trying to. She grit her teeth, shut her eyes tightly, and grabbed her head with both hands. Stumbling to the side a step or two, she leaned against the flat screen tv on the wall. It flickered to life with a scramble of images, glitches of all the nightmares, flashes of the fight with Rose. Things that haunted her, things she didn’t want to do. She gave a low grunt.

“I’m sorry, I—I—”

Her head ached, a sharp, cold pain, threatening to hack her mind to pieces. Her nose started to bleed again, and then her ears. Sweat rolled down the side of her face, and tears from her eyes, and that was blood too. Her whole body shook with effort, until she felt something snap behind her eyes. She stilled, taking in a slow breath as her hands dropped. The halo glowed brightly once more as she stood up straight, her gaze locking on the Red Knight, who was now between her and her target. When had he shown up?

Aleksander: “You will not take her Scion.”

“I will. The Red Rook has openly attacked our Court. My Queen has ordered her to be taken into custody. Anyone who tries to stop me or defend her will be killed.”

She answered, repeating the relevant parts of her orders. He didn’t seem too be comprehending her properly.

“Stand down, Red Knight. I will kill you if you don’t.”

She warned, and gave him a single second to move. When he didn’t, she ripped the tv off the wall and smashed it over his head. She moved with the speed of a machine, turning on Persephone, who still held the broken shard of a wooden candlestick up in defense. The piece that was left was sharp enough to impale Scion. In the blink of an eye she seized the Red Rook’s wrists in both her hands. Without her powers, the goddess was nowhere near strong enough to pull herself free.

Thick metal bands manifested around Persephone’s wrists, and then they stuck to each other as if magnetism drew them together. A six foot long, thick braided cable extended from Persephone’s cuffs to one that appeared around Scion’s right wrist, and now they were linked together. Scion let go of the Red Rook’s wrists, only to grab the broken candlestick, wrench it out of Persephone’s grip, and toss it over her shoulder.

Then Scion turned to see if the Red Knight was still alive.

 

[Talisman]

For a few moments, Helena had quelled her fears. She too suspected something was wrong with Malice. Which was a good thing. Ever since arriving in this timeline, she had been on thin ice with Diana. Only when Kelly began to play by her rules did she soften her steely resolve. She replaced Isis in The Sisterhood and took the helm of The Black Queen, and she was ready to continue her life's work and shape the world to her liking. The arrival of Lord Ravenna and Domino had shifted the power dynamics of The Sisterhood, in fact it seemed to stack the deck in Diana's favor. And then the mutiny of Haleigh Davidoff happened and at the moment, it seemed like Diana couldn't get any stronger. And she knew Helena deep down was feeling the same way. All they needed was a reason - to take out Ravena, destroy his entire nation, and head back to Hellfire to pick up the pieces, and shortly after her conversation with Helena, they found one.

Nobody could control Diana's mind persay, but The White Queen wasn't invulnerable. In fact she was susceptible to magick, which is not too say it would have to be very strong and very old magick to really pull one over on her, and Ravena's status as a vampire was something she had researched extensively since his arrival. He might have just been able to compell her. She moved her way towards DIana who had for once taken a break from Ravena's side as she grabbed a flute of champagne off a passing tray, her black manicured fingers wrapping around the stem.

"I can't believe you conned your way into running a nation. Really, Diana, you should teach a class."

Kelly gaye a playful smirk.

Diana: "Some things can't be taught, Kelly. Despite what your tightly wound ass might think..."

Diana sauntered closer to her. Kelly was good at being the opponent in a good bit of social ribbing, which she was honestly sure had kept her alive a good 60% of the time. She knew how to volley AND serve.

Diana: "That being said, are you finally enjoying yourself? You've had your panties in a bunch ever since we got here. In fact, you were RUDE about it really, which looking around and seeing how far we've come, is stupid."

Kelly blinked her cobalt blue eyes for a few moments before taking a sip. She didn't have time to argue with Diana.

"I'm a lot of things, Di. But none of them are stupid. And I'm slowly coming around. It's hard not to be enchanted by a place like this, but..."

From within her gown she had produce a small black velvet statue containing vervain, something she herself had started taking when Ravena arrived and something she was toying with putting in the water supply at Hellfire. It was a magickal herb that made it impossible for vampires to compell someone who had taken it. Even being around it was a bit uncomfortable for vampires. It would also taste very bad to somebody who had been recently compelled by a vampire and Kelly wanted an answer.

"Their cocktails are child's play. Thankfully I brought some herbal goodies,.”

She opened the pouch and poured a small amount in her flute of champagne as well Diana's drink who looked horrified."

Diana: "What the hell is that!? Are you trying to drug me or something?!"

"Down girl. It's just gonna give you a little kick in the pants. It's like sex in herb form. And no hangovers. A true blue witch's way...to get really high. A peace offering, really."

Diana eyed her up and down and for a moment Kelly was worried that she was being a bit too bold. But Diana's silence ended with a pervase signature smile.

Diana: "Go on. You know I love a little groveling. Well, more so abject and desperate pleading, but this works too."

Kelly laughed.

"To Ahadi. You were right...you miserable bitch."

The Black Queen raised her glass and downed the rest of her flute with a smirk afterwards as Diana took a small sip of her cocktail before curling her lip and contorting her face.

Diana: "Jesus Christ, this tastes like shit."

"There it is."

"Hmm, perhaps it should only be mixed with champagne. Sorry to spoil the moment, I shall refresh your drink myself as an act of pennance...Queen of Ahadi."

Kelly did a faux curtsy as she moved passed Diana still appearing calm and collected and thankful for her PSI Screen. She saw Helena in the distance as she made her way over, alerting a servant to refresh the White Queen's drink. She stood with her back to Helena, right behind her and began to make small talk with the people around her as she reached behind her, delicately tugging one of Helena's fingers, a move they created in Kelly's timeline to signal the other one that they needed to talk privately and not make any noise. After a few moments, they socially danced through the floor at either ends making a loop before reaching each other in the door way, speaking only in smiles.

"He's mindfucked her."

Helena: "The worst kind of fucking. On the receiving end anyway. Doing it is actually quite fun. One of the lesser knowns ways of getting off."

"I'm serious Helena. We need to get her out of this."

Helena: "We will. Let's go."

===============================================================================

It was decided. They were taking out Ravena and burning this place to the ground. They decided that Helena would take care of Ravena and Kelly would take care of the destruction of Ahadi, as both were best suited to defend themselves to those actions. And once Ravena put his hands on Ava, on any woman, in an aggressive manner, he was dead to her anyway. She shimmered Amanda back to Hellfire to help deal with the chaos that would likely ensue once word got out that The Red Rook had killed The White King and she made her way her way to Alice's room, letting herself in and standing over her as she slept.

She was about to be responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people, but she wanted one of those victims to know she truly, personally wanted them dead. So she suffocated her in her sleep. A death she found fitting for a bitch like Alice. She couldn't risk Diana rescuing her. Ravena and Alice threatened her position as the technological arm of Hellfire and she was going to make sure that it died here. Once she confirmed Alice was good and dead, Kelly made her way towards the Eyes of Ahadi, a structure at the heart of the city that housed a good deal of it's resources.

It was a white pale room with a buzzing alive energy. and it's power source seemed almost like that of the valkyries, which confirmed to Kelly that Ravena's ties to magick were a deep as she suspected. For a moment, she felt concern for Ava, which surprised her. This might not be as easy of a kill as they thought it would be. But it didn't mean Kelly couldn't play her part. The entire technological aspect of the nation had super charged her - she had never felt more powerful and more prepared to destroy it completely.

"Goodbye, Ahadi. Rest in Hell."

She cast her hands out to the side, finally allowing herself to channel the power of Ahadi around her as a small black and gold ornate jewelry box rested in front of her feet. The second The Black Queen tapped in, Ahadi experienced a total blackout as explosions could be heard everywhere in the distance. It would not be long until Ahadi found itself on fire. The night sky began to turn a thick grey and amber as the flames spread.

"Darkness calls. My will be done. Release it from it's chains! Erase it!"

The jewelry box opened as a cascading white energy flowed from it, hitting the large orb like power source in front of Kelly. It was a concentrated energy from Helena herself, a master reality warper. This boost, mixed with Kelly's power would allow her to weave her magick in such a way to completely wipe Ahadi from existence (Thanos style). More explosions and screams could be heard from up above her on the streets, as the lights burst around Kelly until she was surrounded only by darkness and the bright and pulsing mix of energies in front of her. With her omnisight she could see the entire nation of Ahadi being destroyed as it if were sand in a windstorm, bodies dissolving left and right, entire structures being wiped from existence as Kelly braced herself, the energy pushing back on her. She grimaced in pain.

"ERASE IT!"

The large swirling orb in front of her began to flicker and become unstable as The Black Queen found herself hovering over the ocean, everything around her having been completely destroyed as if it had never been there in the first place.

"UGGHH!!!!!"

She needed to send it away before it consumed her. Gritting her teeth, she doubled down, her hands and entire body leaning in, slowly but surely gesturing the orb high in the sky.

"BEEEE..GONNNNNNNEEEE!"

The Black Queen let her hold of the orb go as it soared through the sky like a comet. Kelly only hoped it breached the atmosphere into space or else a large part of the world was about to be destroyed. She began to freefall through the air towards the ocean as she shimmered out of the night sky and into her quarters at Hellfire, falling on the black wood floors in a huddle, her chest heaving up and down, her body adjusting to the pain she had just put it through. She was going to need a recharge in a big way, but she could not let the others know how much of her power she had just used. She sat up from the floor, combing her hair behind her ears, acclimating to her surroundings. Her omnisight alerted her to the fact that Helena and Diana had gotten out. She needed to move. In minutes she was in The Red Wing, passing by the ensuing altercation between Haleigh, Alek and Ava and into Helena's quarters.

"It's done. We need to get to Diana. Also, I just saw your Rook and Knight fighting with Haleigh, which tragically means Haleigh survived the destruction of Ahadi."

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Ash reached over in the elevator and rubbed his belly, bringing him back to the present with a concerned question about whether he was okay.

“Hmm? Yeah, I’m good, just thinking about the wedding and stuff.”

He gave her an ever growing smile.

“I can hardly wait to marry you.”

He added as she unlocked Zizi’s door. Zizi was happy to see them, but then Zizi was almost always happy. They went about setting up for dinner, talking a little about the wedding. Zach told Zizi who he was thinking of for his Best Man, and she was thrilled by the idea, even mentioning that it would make his day.

“Really, you think so? Well that makes me happy.”

He replied, and then he gave Ash a meaningful look. Then he wondered if maybe she wanted to ask Zizi in private about the maid-of-honor gig, and decided to let it drop because Ash was looking at him in confusion. A second later she figured out what he meant though, and asked Zizi, who was so floored she almost dropped the dishes.

“Let me take those.”

He said, pulling the plates and silverware from her lap so she and Ash could hug. Zizi was about to cry she was so happy, which Zach found to be incredibly warming. He needed something to busy himself with or he might get misty-eyed himself. After setting the plates on the table he went back to the kitchen for the wine glasses, and then popped the bottle so he could pour glasses for them all. He handed the women their glasses and cleared his throat gently.

“Thank you, Ziz. And I hope you know Gabe would be welcome as your plus one.”

He said with a small smile. It should’ve gone without saying, really, but just in case there was any doubt, he wanted to clear the air. He had a rocky past with Gabe, but he was trying to rectify that misunderstanding. In retrospect he could admit that it was possible he’d been in the wrong, but at the time it hadn’t felt that way, and he’d been a little overprotective of Zizi. But she seemed to be doing well, or as well as could be expected for someone in a long-distance relationship.

“Well, tell us what you’ve been up to since I stole your roommate. Other than security upgrades, I mean.”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Zach informed Zizi that he was going to ask Andrew to be his best man, and you would have thought Zach was making Andrew King of the World by how she reacted.

Zizi: "Oh, he will be absolutely tickled pink! Seriously, it will really make his day, Zach. What a wonderful gesture."

Ashley began pictured Andrew dressed head to toe in pink, and giggled to herself at the image. One she entirely intended to make become a reality at some point in this whole wedding thing. Her mind was already scheming where to find a pink dress in Andrew's size.

Zach was eyeing her, and it took her a second to realize what he was trying to tell her, but then she went ahead and asked Zizi to be her maid of honor. She'd probably not want to, anyway.

Zizi: "Really? You mean it?"

Ashley blinked.

"Sure I mean it. Why would I ask you as a joke?"

And then Zizi was throwing her arms around Ashley's waist and hugging her.

"No...no hugging. You can't do it if you're going to hug."

Zizi: "I would be so honored. So honored."

Ashley was starting to think people had gotten weirder than she'd realized over the centuries. Yes, Zizi was a nice person, but she'd spent enough time with Ashley to know that accepting this position was basically accepting doing all the work. Yet she was acting like she'd won a prize. Ashley shrugged, deciding not to think about it any more.

Zach: “Thank you, Ziz. And I hope you know Gabe would be welcome as your plus one.”

Ashley had been reaching for a glass of wine that Zach had offered when he made that statement, and Ashley rolled her eyes. Great. The one person that WOULD show up at their wedding was Gamer Gabe. She slinked down into a chair and pulled two slices of pizza (meat lover's) onto her plate.

Zach: “Well, tell us what you’ve been up to since I stole your roommate. Other than security upgrades, I mean.”

Ashley levelled a steely gaze at Zach,

"Oh, you've stolen me now, is that it?"

She cocked an eyebrow, then took an enormous bit of pizza.

"But yeah...how's the latest-"

She didn't know how to finish that sentence.

"-war...wizard...alien...video game going?"