Lean not to your own understanding

[Bishop]

The woman didn’t ASK to come back from the dead…

"NEITHER DID I! You think I WANT to be here, in this situation now? I’ve lost EVERYTHING. I know I deserve it – I know better than you the things I’ve done in my life.

His heart rate was pumping, his exasperation ramping up.

We don’t need YOU to tell us ANYTHING.

“Well clearly you do, because everyone in this room is still thinking about THEMSELVES.”

YOU FORCED HER TO MAKE A CHOICE THAT HARMED HER DOWN TO HER SOUL MORE THAN WE EVER KNEW

He paused for a few seconds, took a few breaths, then spoke more softly in a disapproving tone.

“Really? Cause you force her to hide her real self every single day.”

He looked down at the ground, swallowed, then looked back up.

“I know what I did, I own up to it. I have my punishment in this world, and I’ll have it in the next. But as long as you keep using me as an excuse to explain your own actions…this will never really be over.”

 

[MorningStar]

She hadn’t wanted this. She had wanted to say her piece, and then give them time to decide their answer. She was done with all this backbiting…

“Stop it, just stop it!”

Her hands flew to the sides of her face. She turned pointedly towards Maxim, and addressed him without emotion.

“Bishop? I don’t need you to fight my battles for me.”

She turned away from him and back to the others.

“And could we please stop this bickering? Whatever he is, for all his many many faults, being a mutant hater is not one of them. He risked himself to help us - he has earned our civility if nothing else.”

She turned her back completely on Bishop now, all her focus on the team. She had never felt so alone…but that was okay. Perhaps she was stronger now.

Delilah took a few steps towards Nicolas, and extended her hands open palmed, speaking to him gently.

“Nicolas, I have never doubted your abilities as a member of this team. If you were under that impression, I am sorry. [looks at Haleigh, then down at Morgan below] But there are also apologies that YOU need to make if you want forgiveness…that’s not something you can buy your way out of nor can I do it for you. We have all laid blame elsewhere long enough.”

She then turned back and spoke to all of them at once.

“I am sorry – all of you - for the hurt I’ve caused, for not thinking of your feelings before I acted, for not trying to work out our problems before this. And thank you, thank you all, for hearing me.”

Delilah took a deep breath and slowly started to circle the room. As she spoke, she made eye contact with each in turn.

“We need to move forward as equals, or this team is finished. If we don’t have that trust between us when we go out there against the next Malice or whatever it is- we are useless. I am standing here now asking to have the trust back that I have earned these years we’ve been together. And yes, I will leave the team if I don’t have it, because as Nicolas said it makes me ineffective in the field. And that’s not cowardice – that’s putting the team first. I’d rather the team survive than watch it go down in flames.”

She stopped in front of Alison.

“I’m sorry for not listening to how hurt you were by what Bishop did. I’m sorry that you felt I would choose Bishop over you. From now on I will always put this team first in my life, you have my word on that. He is no longer a part of my life – in any way.”

She turned her head and looked at Bishop.

“And he knows it.”

 

[Harbinger]

observation pod

:: Alison pursed her lips as she looked very unhappy at Bishop. she could have retorted him. the all could have...but where would that leave them? it was like paddling in a canoe and the only result was the canoe spinning around. this is what karen was talking about they had to makd PROGRESS and so instead of battling with him, Alison turned her attention to Delilah.::


:: taking Delilah's hands into her own.::

We're sorry too!

We didnt set out to make it accepted practice to punish you or unfairly blame you for everything involving all of this. We hope you can forgive us.

Unfortunately its been too easy for us to do this to one another because we've been all defined by trauma from early on. being let down, betrayed and endnagered by our own- whether family, teammates or allies...it happens to us more than others.

in times past we used you as a sort of patron saint and even then it was just to try to absolve ourselves. you're human like us. bishop knew that. he took advantag of you and we were so hurt and dismayed, we never stopped to think. at a certain point we didnt have time. we were too busy trying to survive what he set in motion.

but we never took the time to see things clearly afterward. we didnt give you a fair chance, nor did we REALLY consider your feelings, your role and input.

I BELIEVE you and I hope you'll believe US. Come BACK to us.

::it gave alison great pleasure to see Delilah give Bishop the ultimate dismissal on her own. it was solid.::

 

[Rampage]

“Nicolas, I have never doubted your abilities as a member of this team. If you were under that impression, I am sorry. [looks at Haleigh, then down at Morgan below] But there are also apologies that YOU need to make if you want forgiveness…that’s not something you can buy your way out of nor can I do it for you. We have all laid blame elsewhere long enough.”

Nicolas thought of her words, and of the others, and EXAMINED himself. Looking back at Delilah, he spoke again.

You know, I never said anything because I never believed you would even HEAR me. That is the truth. But if I could take away the pain I caused any of you, ALL of you, I would. I used my powers against you when I KNEW that it would hurt you, lashed out at you in a way that was immature and cut deeply and personally. That was ridiculous on my part. I also hurt Morgan and Haleigh, and I cannot take it back. I would never ask you to trust me with EITHER of their hearts, but I do want to hope that you understand that I would give my life for ANY of the Six. I ask no more, and to be treated no better than that for now. The rest will have to take time. Perhaps one day...we'll see.

As for you on this team, I trust your intentions, your heart. But I worry about how you cope with things, how you deal with them. I saw your alternate as you did mine. We BOTH have futures to avoid. I want you to do whatever it takes to be well and stay well...STOP running. WE need you here, but we need you to take care of yourself.

Nicolas tone had changed, his anger dissipated, his emotions warmer as he tried to tentatively reach back to the mutant who had reached out to him.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah gave Alison’s hands a squeeze as she spoke. It was as if a humongous weight had lifted off her chest, as if for the first time she was really hearing her friends, and for the first time they were hearing her as well.

She didn’t look at Bishop. She knew she was doing the right thing – that some things couldn’t be forgiven and shouldn’t be. For once, she had to do what was best for her, and that was to leave Bishop far behind. And he had made it perfectly clear how HE felt. But she wouldn’t let that hurt her – she was done being hurt by him, by anyone really. And she wasn’t about to change herself to suit someone else.

It was as if everything was back to normal hearing Alison talk to her – like it was before they had even heard of Bishop, before everything went so wrong between them. And as Alison finished, Dleilah hugged her tightly. Pulling back, she smiled sincerely.

“I’ll never leave you again. Can we wipe the slate clean? Be the friends we used to be? All of us.”

 

[Persephone]

For the first time in a long time everyone seemed to be talking civilly to one another without threats of maiming or ripping body parts off. It had been a while since all of them could seriously look past the finger pointing and the blame game and just get over it. Even Nicolas and Delilah seemed to find some common ground. The only person who really seemed to remain quiet throughout the entire conversation was Haleigh. Glancing over at her sister, maybe she just didn't feel the need to add anything. Everyone knew where Haleigh stood when it came to Delilah. She was basically Delilah's only true ally during the whole Bishop and Bishop 2.0 ordeal. So it was obvious that there were no hard feelings or issues to work through for them. Other than her, the only other person who could possibly rain hell down on this moment was Morgan.

Shifting her eyes from Haleigh to Morgan, who still remained in a coma on the lower level hospital room, Ava sucked in a sharp breath. Morgan could very well end this little happy pow wow if she deemed it necessary when awaking. Frankly, Ava wouldn't blame her. She WAS almost killed due to acts of a woman [Bianca] who was seeking revenge on her...AND the very same woman who pushed Bishop in their direction, incidentally causing the rift in the team that they were currently mending.

Yep, Morgan could truly throw a giant wrench in their newly oiled machine. Ava really hoped that wouldn't be the case...she knew Morgan well--actually she knew Darkchilde well, but Morgan was VERY similar. She had a big heart, but she had even bigger trust issues. The second someone screwed her over, she was done with them. Ava wasn't there for Morgan and Delilah's encounter on the Empire State Building, she only arrived with the group after Black started attacking...so for all they knew, Morgan and Delilah were still on the outs.

Lost in thought, Delilah's words snapped her out of her trance.

Delilah: I’ll never leave you again. Can we wipe the slate clean? Be the friends we used to be? All of us.


"I think if any group needs the slate wiped clean, it's ours. So yes, i'm very happy to put this behind me."

 

[Seer]

come together

<< and so...perhaps the greatest victory in the six's time of LATE was now at hand. finally they were no longer haunted and vexed by several past traumas that had changed their lives forever. the ties that bind prooved stronger than the resentment and threatened to drive apart.>>

<< TRUE forgiveness and healing had occurred. Delilah was now sure of herself and had changed for the better. And in an understated but no less satisfying rebuke to Bishop, she not only turned her back on him but declared that she would her journey with her team/family WITHOUT him. If ever he knew his time was over...and the unwarranted emotional hold his "ghost" had over them was BROKEN surely it was now.>>



<< Still, as Karen exhaled and Blaze gently squeezed her shoulder with reassurance...the doctor felt something. something in her HEART first...and then her head. Something very WRONG.>>

<< She was about to dismiss Bishop and command him back to his own room but she seemed unable to speak for moment and looked rather lost. She doesnt respond to anyone who calls her name.>>

<< FLASH out of the observation pod and into the dimly lit room where Morgan Victoria lays.>>

<< heart monitor registers once....twice...>>

<< FLATLINE!>>

<< Spellbinder's body STOPS functioning completely and all vitals previously supported by their cutting edge tech in the infirmary CRASH. the alarm for a CODE BLUE sounds off for Minerva's TOP medical personnell to arrive and attempt to resuscitate!>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

the observation pod

<< she heard it. she heard her daughter's last, weak gasp...and then...>>

she's....gone....

<< even as the sound of monitor FLATLINING and the ALARM for the emergency medical team assigned to Morgan sounds off, Karen doesnt hear ANYTHING around her.>>

<< Firebird, sensed...FELT her sister "slip away" as well even as she had asked Karen what was wrong moments ago.>>


<< this wasnt the same thing she felt the night Morgan was pulled into the Seige Perilous. Ultimately, through the guidance of Ororo, they were able to SAVE her from that. THIS time...Morgan...her little girl...had truly expired...DIED and she FELT it.>>

oh my....hecate....my baby....she's....

<< suddenly, sense of hearing came BACK as Firebird's screams and cries of anguish caused the doctor to flinch, blink a few times and then bolt up from out of her seat.>>

<<Firebird had already lost her OWN native timeline's Spellbinder and had quickly become attached to mainstream Spellbinder during the Six's crosstime caper. Spellbinder warmly welcomed Firebird and accepted the alternate as her own sister and the Six did so as well. Firebird felt Spellbinder die just now...and it broke her apart. She cried as Karen seemed to be distracted and quickly "handed" Firebird to Harbinger.>>

<< She didnt speak to them OR acknowledge their reactions. She vanishes from the observation pod and appears down in the room as the emergency medical team has arrived and is taking action.>>

 

[Harbinger]

the observation pod

:: As Harbinger smiled with relief. The very real moment of accomplishment and progress was swept over by a moment of pause.::

:: she looks at Karen, who looks rather BLANK and doesnt respond to Blaze.::

:: then Spellbinder FLATLINES.::

:: Karen stands up as Firebird is beside herself with shock and grief. She guides Firebird to Harbinger, who takes her cue from the doctor and gather's Blaze into her arms.::

Karen....

:: Karen doesnt respond but she looks at Harbinger directly. Another cue. Harbinger understands. Karen vanishes::

All of you...STAY in this room. Do NOT interfere...no matter WHAT happens!

:: Harbinger commands as she shuts the doors to the pod with her TK forcing Bishop to scoot INSIDE at that moment. He now will bear witness as well.::

:: Haleigh immediately objects, screaming at her much like she did the night Delilah drowned and Nicolas looks at her in pained disbelief as Delilah asks her what the hell she's saying and how can she just STAND there.::

LISTEN TO ME. YOU CAN'T HELP HER!

:: Harbinger says with force as she holds a sobbing and shaking Blaze in a protective embrace.::

:: She speaks as a precog...::

Black's touch...it broke her body. My protocalls were not enough to detox her from it. It wasnt like before when she returned from VALIANT. She had managed to escape his touch and EVADE him. The injury...the POISON she sustained was at a level Karen and I were able to deal with.

But now...It's....her body...it was too badly damaged...too POISONED and she.....she didnt want to come back to it SHE COULDNT. There's NOTHING I have...that ANY of us have that could change that...

:: tears well up in her colbalt blue eyes as they all stare at her waiting for something ...ANYTHING else...MORE than that.::

I...

It's in Shadow Weaver's hands now...and....I.....

:: she could SEE Karen wouldnt succeed...::

Goddess...please....

:: she shakes her head. she can't continue on as she shudders...still standing strong as she holds on to Firebird.::

Ororo...HECATE....PLEASE HELP US!

:: she called...she PRAYED::

 

[Shadow Weaver]

a descision

<< Shadow Weaver appears and immediately takes command of the attempt to resuscitate. She looks grim but DETERMINED. >>

SAC. Use appropriate procedures now. Bring the AED online and on MY MARK.

<< she removes the cape of her costume and the nurse practicioner joins her in QUICKLY prepping Morgan. checking for ANY possible sign of breathing, then opening the airway>>


<< the other doctor on hand brings the AED online and hands off to Karen who gets into position.>>

On my mark!

<< the team is moving FAST and prooving why they are among the BEST money can buy. As the nurse practicioner does one final check to make sure everyone and anything is clear of Morgan and nods to Karen...>>

CLEAR!

<<the other doctor activates and Karen delivers the FIRST JOLT to her daughter. Morgan's body seizes and up above in the pod, Firebird exclaims with dismay and grief as Alison holds her while they stand at the circular window.>>

Doctor: no change, Dr. Victoria.


Karen: Begin CPR immediately. administer the detox spray at FULL concentration.

<< one minute later. the doctor confirms no change.>>

On my mark.

<< NP makes sure everyone is clear.>>

Karen: CLEAR

<< one minute later. no change.>>

<< they repeat CPR and the detox spray/analysis cycle.>>

<< the monitor continues to remain flat line...the team looks to Karen for her direction. She does NOT look back/up at the others in the pod.>>

....

<< the sound of the flatline alert is all that can be heard until....

Karen: time of death....

<< Blaze SCREAMS and beats against the glass. Delilah is also floored by this...>>

<< The time of death is noted and equipment removed. monitor shut off. Morgan now lays in her bed...looking so pale and cold.>>

<< the team all offer Karen their silent and sincere sympathy as they quietly disengage and leave her to be alone with her daughter.>>

<< Karen stands. So still...so silent. No emotion in her face. She doesnt seem to register the emotional chaos up above as Alison, now absolutely crestfallen, struggles to pull Blaze back from the glass.>>

Alison: Blaze....you've got to....please...you'll make yourself SICK...you'll have a MINI STROKE if you dont...

<< but the precog's words fell on deaf ears as Blaze was BESIDE herself. Haleigh assisted Alison with Firebird and as the two of them looked at one another, they couldnt help but remember being in a place like this before...just HOURS after Master Mold had been pushed through the Seige Perilous. >>

<< more than one of them called for Karen but she wouldnt respond and if any of them tried to get DOWN there, they found they were UNABLE to, not because Alison had shut the door to the pod but because Karen had just silently cast a spell to BLOCK ALL ACCESS via pentagram of protection! but WHY!?>>

<< As they screamed for her to even ACKNOWLEDGE THEM...>>

Shadow Weaver: SILENCE!

<< she commands. the audio link still very much in tact as her voice rang out with such SHARPNESS.>>

<< The doctor stands and looks over her daughter, gently stroking her hair.>>

My darling Morgan...my sweet little girl! Black ...he touched you. He HURT YOU and broke your body. It is ONLY be sheer LUCK that I ....I could not be there to ELIMINATE him. and that STUPID LITTLE GIRL Bianca! BY THE SOUL OF HECATE....I would deliver her to a place BEYOND the realm of logic and reason! her ETERNAL PAIN...HER DAMNATION wouldnt even BEGIN to REPAY this...

i put you to sleep....but even on the astral plane you were alone...and cold...i tried so hard to reach out to you...to guide you BACK but you were too weak, your body broken, you astral form all but completely disippated. if...if ONLY i could have reached you! even JUST A TOUCH I could have given you MY STRENGTH....I...tried SO HARD BUT IT WASNT ENOUGH!

I'M YOUR MOTHER....AND I FAILED YOU AGAIN!



<< she SHRIEKED as she spoke to her daughter's body....holding Morgan's hand.>>

I'm so...sorry....

<< she leans over...and hugs her daughter tightly as tears flow for a moment and then she slowly lays her down and strokes her hair. Karen wipes her face and clears her throat as she tries compose herself.>>

Mommy will fix this!

<< she says as she chokes with grief.>>

I won't let it end this way for you....

Mommy will MAKE IT...ALL...BETTER!

<< and NOW something seems WRONG.>>

<< Karen stands totally upright, and lifts her hands, gesturing as she manifests golden halos of magick and weaves a pattern of POWER around her, Morgan, the bed, the room...>>

<< but thunder rumbles in the air as an odd sound is heard.>>


Winds arise, heed your daughter
what was wrought, now be undone!

<< a mystical wind WHIPS up around the room in a tornado like pattern as howlings and cries of ancient , UNHOLY energy and spirits can be heard and thunder cracks.>>

The secrets hid in the night
The oldest of demons are invoked here

<< JAGGED bolts of DARK MAGICK shoot down upon Shadow Weaver's now FULLY uplifted hands as she begins to conduct a symphony of POWER and DARK MAGIK.>>

Demons of Air, Forest and Sea
Find her lost soul wherever she may be ...

<< Shadow Weaver's eyes OPEN and are now solid BLACK and black bolts of dark magick flare from her eyes as the vortex of power BUILDS.>>

 

[Harbinger]

the observation pod

Oh Morgan....

:: Harbinger's face contorts with trembling grief and sadness as she holds on to Firebird.::

:: her tears flowed unchecked and she felt so defeated to the point of feeling FAINT. She tapped into her reserves to remain an anchor for Firebird and Haleigh assisted her as best she could. they were ALL in bad shape now and KAREN inexplicably ignored them, then BLOCKED them from her.::

:: Harbinger "looked" ahead on all timethread surrounding Shadow Weaver....and saw...::

oh no...

:: As Karen allowed herself a moment to grieve over her daughter, she stood up and seemingly SNAPPED, letting go of any sense of self preservation or caution as she...::

KAREN! NO!


IF YOU USE THE NECROMANCY SPELL AGAIN, YOU'LL DIE!

::It was the first CLEAR indication of WHY Karen was behaving the way she was. Harbinger's own voice cracked with grief and urgency as sure enough, Shadow Weaver tapped into the DARKEST of magicks that transformed HER into Shadow Weaver in the first place...the night she accessed them to revive Mike.::

:: Karen would NOT listen to her or anyone else shouting at her from above to STOP that spell before it was too late.::


I have no choice. I will have to use a spell to BREAK her barrier....get down there and STOP HER myself before she KILLS HERSELF igniting that necromancy spell.

:: and at that moment, grief striken as she was, the precog cast a gentle SLEEP spell on Firebird and Black Widow lays her down on a nearby couch.::

The backlash from my not only managing to BREAK her barrier with my own magick AND cutting her off from completing the spell...it could kill BOTH of us...or leave one/both of us in a coma....but I can't just let her do this...

 

[MorningStar]

It all went so wrong so fast.

One minute there was the relief of all the weight of dischord between the Six being lifted at once, and finally they were all friends again. And then they were painfully reminded of the one member of the Six who wasn’t in the room with them.

The tone of the flatline on Morgan’s heart rate monitor was as loud as a freight train running through the middle of the room.

And then Blaze was screaming.

Alison was blocking the doors and telling them that they couldn’t help Morgan.

“What the hell are you SAYING, Alison?! We NEED TO HELP HER!!”

She felt as if she were suffocating. Forced to watch, helpless. Tears streaming down her face.

Delilah jumped herself every time Morgan’s body seized with the shocks to her body, her hands pressed to the glass window of the observation room. And then…Morgan was gone…

“No! It’s…it’s not possible!”

And suddenly Blaze stopped screaming. And everything was quiet.

Then she could hear Alison, speaking to them, urgently.

I have no choice. I will have to use a spell to BREAK her barrier....get down there and STOP HER myself before she KILLS HERSELF igniting that necromancy spell...it could kill BOTH of us...or leave one/both of us in a coma....but I can't just let her do this...

Delilah’s heard turned slowly towards Alison. She moved as if in a fog, as if watching herself from somewhere outside her own body. But her voice was clear and steady when she spoke, but cold, all her earlier relief and happiness gone now.

“Alison, let Karen do it.”

 

[Persephone]

Everything went to hell. Morgan's vitals plummeted, Karen rushed out, Blaze was screaming, Alison was trying to calm her....then she flat lined. Ava's eyes went wide with horror as Karen and the medical staff attempted to revive Morgan. Pressing her hands against the glass that overlooked Morgan's room, time seemed to slow in the moments. Everything was muffled and the only noise Ava could truly make out where the agonizing screams of Blaze.

Karen stopped....Ava's wide eyes were filled to the rim with tears...then she called it. Time of death. An audible gasp could be heard from the goddess as the tears she desperately tried to keep from falling coated her cheeks.

"No...NO!"

What happened next was literally a blur for Ava didn't register anything past time of death. She heard noises, arguing, pleads, and Alison saying something about Karen creating a barrier. But Ava's focus was solely on Morgan.

Alison: I have no choice. I will have to use a spell to BREAK her barrier....get down there and STOP HER myself before she KILLS HERSELF igniting that necromancy spell...it could kill BOTH of us...or leave one/both of us in a coma....but I can't just let her do this...

Delilah: Alison, let Karen do it.

That's when it struck Ava....Karen would die using the necromancy spell because she used it before, after Ava had murdered Mike.

"Oh God.."

If Karen hadn't of used it before, she wouldn't be risking her life now. Guilt began to weigh on Ava's shoulders...do they let Karen die to save Morgan? Do they let Morgan die to protect Karen? Either way, someone was going to die tonight...and it was partly because of her.

[with hesitation] "....We can't let Karen do this....Morgan would never forgive us if we let her mother sacrifice herself."

 

[Rampage]

He was the first to feel her vitals flatline...it sounded in his ears like the loudest NOTHING there ever was.

The next few seconds were a blur behind tear-brimmed eyes. Karen going to attempt resuscitate, declaring a time of death, and then deciding to ignite a necromancy spell.

The debate about whether she should or not fell deaf on his ears. That was her CHILD and to try this was her call. Nicolas tore through the barrier as if it were tissue paper with his axe and sent out a primal message to Isis, to Nut, to Hecate.

Please...bind my spirit to Karen's. We can do this together...Isis, Hecate, Nut, Athena...the deities of two great Pantheons hear my call. If Karen falls, then so shall I. But I freely give my spirit to give her a fighting chance.

Nicolas attempts to link his spirit to Karen's on the astral plane. HE has no idea if this will even work, but he has to try something...surely he could hold the sorceress together and give her a shot at saving them both...


Karen...oh my GOD. You'll kill yourself honey please...don't do this. You KNOW you cannot do this and live. What the hell are you doing Nic? She will DIE.

Mike enters the room and immediately recognizes some of what is going on...needless to say he fears for the life of his love.

 

[Hecate]

The Infirmary

<< all the voices, all the movements, all the sounds seemed to speed up at one point but then slowed ....slowed and slowed somemore. the passage and perception of TIME itself was slowing to...a STOP.>>

<< the haunting toll of a bell is heard as the Six is enveloped by a white light and suddenly all of them, including Mike and Bishop find themselves down below in the room with Karen and Morgan.>>

<< they still dont have their bearings just yet until the white light fades and time has resumed...only Karen is no longer in the throws of her mad moment. she is now asleep, the same as Firebird and craddled in the arms of Mike.>>

<< half of the group was on one side of Morgan's bed, the other half the other side and Morgan in the center. those who were alive/conscious were now looking upon Hecate, who stood before them all.>>

<< she'd heard Alison and then Nicolas but BEFORE that....she'd felt Morgan's distress as she was gravely injured. She'd heard it ALL.>>

Shadow Weaver won't be doing ANYTHING right now.

<< She says with a look toward Mike.>>

<< To Nicolas' surprise, the astral images of Isis and Nut flicker in the air above Hecate. Ororo's astral can be seen as well, flickering like the other two.>>


<< Hecate looks at Nicolas.>>

Yes, Isis and I were FRIENDS centuries before Dominique OR you were even zygotes.

Somethings are just intolerable....

<< she waves her hand...and a column of energy beams down alongside of her. inside of that sparkling, spinning column is the disjointed, chaotic form of BLACK. the creature's CRIES of distress sound warped, almost BACKWARD.>>

Isis registered Spellbinder's scream when Black attacked her hours ago.

She & Nut were kind enough to CAPTURE this creature after you divorced him from this plane of existence.

<< she looks at Haleigh and Ava.>>

Black ranks right up there with Set. A mortal threat to MY seed...MY legacy! I am the goddess of witchcraft! Morgan Victoria is MY direct descendant and is the MAIDEN in the Dark Trinity. To destroy that trinity is to destroy my legacy and would bring in a NEW AGE of the Red Moon! That is the AGREEMENT that has been in place since the LAST TIME this happened.

<< referring to Ava murdering Demeter and the dawn of the first red moon.>>

<< she looks at Delilah...the smirk on her face fades into a look of utter contempt.>>

This creature has lived TOO LONG.He was brought BACK by the machinations of that foolish child, Bianca. Let this folly created by man's science and arrogance be PURGED by MY WRATH!

<< a foundation shaking CRASH of thunder shocks and startles the mortals in the room as Hecate, not looking at Black gestures back toward him and a jagged bolt of powerfull energy, much like that which she unleashed against Cronus many MANY moons ago strikes down upon Black's twisted form and irradiates him, causing him to scream and cry out before his form starts to swell. more and more, now totaly WHITE, he EXPLODES and the flickering shards of his remains fall down from the dispearsed column of Isis and Nut's energy, fading away.>>

Let that be a REMINDER of what will happen to anyone who harms that which is connected to ME. Black is NO MORE. The Sword of Anger will now have NO ONE to claim it.

<< she looks at up at Ororo's flickering form.>>

<< swirling stream of sparkling green light flows down and within it, the ghostly white form of a baby girl.>>

Behold...

<< the floating, ghostly image of the baby girl now rests within the out stretched hands of Hecate.>>

the soul of Spellbinder. It had disappated. Unable to hold on to consciousness or awarness after her body had been poisoned and broken by Black. Not even her bond with karen as mother/child could give her even the tiniest bit of strength to reach out.... she had no connection here and thus, she let go. the body died.

Karen did what any mother would do, and she cannot be faulted for that, But I am the mother of ALL witches and I will not suffer the loss of TWO of my direct descendants over the treachery of man's perversion and science.

Ororo, the guardian of the dark trinity across the timelines of the multiverse rescued the battered soul of Morgan and pulled her back together and now, as I decreed so many moons ago, I will put back into place what is my will!

<< she looks back at Delilah.>>

and if your little charity case, Bianca, harms that which I have made again...in ANY way YOU will not be able to save her OR stop ME from visiting my wrath upon HER and if you try, YOU will taste it as well. Do you understand!?

<< it was a moment where they were reminded that Hecate was NOT necessarily ANYBODY'S "friend" here outside of Persephone and that to harm any part of the dark trinity was a direct affront to the goddess herself.>>

Now.

<< repeating a key portion of the spell Shadow Weaver never got to finish.>>

what was wrought, now be undone!

<< Hecate brings Morgan's soul close to her bosom, cradling her and embracing her as mother one her baby, kissing her on the forehead before extending her arms forward and releasing the ghostly form and urging her onward telepathically.>>

Your body is restored, healed and forever safe from the touch of Black.

Return now, my daughter.

As I will it, so mote it be.

<< after a few moments, Morgan's soul reaches her body, and enters the now healed physical form. Shadow Weaver's astral form can be seen by Morgan's bed, bending down to kiss her daughter on the forehead.>>


<< the soft sound of a baby yawning, and then the sound of a young woman breathing anew can be heard as Hecate's hands lift.>>

Awaken, my child.

<< Ororo, Isis & Nut all smile reassuringly as they vanish and swirling haze of flowing white orbs, Karen awakens in Mike's arms, while Morgan Victoria breathes in deeply and awakens in her bed and Firebird too awakens, truly calmed.>>

<< Morgan is alive. Shadow Weaver is spared the loss of her own life and the Six is now whole again.>>

<< Surprisingly Hecate REMAINS even as the team adjusts to what has just happened. Bishop too has bore witness to all of this.>>

 

[MorningStar]

They’d ignored what she’d said. Alison moved to continue, but Delilah grabbed her arm.

“Karen knows what she’s doing. I can’t risk losing you…and Morgan could come back!”

Please...bind my spirit to Karen's.

"Do it Alison!"

And then suddenly they were all down in the room with Morgan’s body. Hecate!

The Sword of Anger will now have NO ONE to claim it.

“But what good does that do us now?”

It wasn’t an accusation, just a statement, in a whisper, to no one in particular. Hecate had stopped Shadow Weaver, so now Morgan was dead. Delilah’s face was stoic, still in a state of shock.

Hecate showed them the soul of Morgan, in the form of a baby – it looked so peaceful and pure that way. Delilah sniffed and wiped her eyes.

Ororo, the guardian of the dark trinity across the timelines of the multiverse rescued the battered soul of Morgan and pulled her back together and now, as I decreed so many moons ago, I will put back into place what is my will!

Delilah gasped – was it possible?

and if your little charity case, Bianca, harms that which I have made again...in ANY way YOU will not be able to save her OR stop ME from visiting my wrath upon HER and if you try, YOU will taste it as well. Do you understand!?

“I would not stop you.”

She watched, wide-eyed, as Morgan suddenly came alive before their eyes.

“Morgan!”

Delilah’s smile stretched across her face, her elation knew no bounds. For Morgan wasn’t dead.

 

[Bishop]

His face was a mask. He had pretended to be fine when she had told him it was over. But somehow here in front of her friends, her dismissal of him hurt worse. But he didn’t allow it to show. He barely admitted it to himself.

But then she started spouting nonsense. And if he thought it was over the top, something was wrong with her.

Delilah held Alison back. Knowing there was a good chance he’d get a photon blast between the eyes, he stepped towards Delilah. Coming from behind he put a hand on her shoulder.

“You’re not thinking clearly, Delilah. Let Alison go. You know what would come back wouldn’t be Morgan.”

Delilah took her hand off of Alison’s arm, but she turned and looked at him with such hatred…

But before she could do or say anything to him, they all found themselves down below. That was a neat trick.

So, this was Hecate! She didn’t look so tough. And she behaved more like their enemy than their friend. But then she brought Morgan back from the dead…just like she had brought him back.

He wasn’t among friends (as if he had any), and it wasn’t the ideal situation. But there were questions that needed asking, and this was probably his one and only opportunity to ask them.

He stepped forward.

“Hecate, please, tell me why you brought me back. I need to know why.”

Because after seeing her up close, maybe it had been to punish Delilah…

 

[Hecate]

teachable moment

<< Hecate smiled upon her children [Karen and Morgan]. Mike helped Karen as she was now awake over to Morgan who was now alive but a semi slumbering state. It was best not to rouse her. She needed time to settle unto herself both in mind and spirit.>>

<< The others- [with the exceptions of Persephone, who'd known her forever]always so quick to question and judge that which they did not know or understand- all were left looking rather foolish once again thinking they knew better than SHE did. That THEY could possibly know what's best for Spellbinder?>>

<< the goddess moved among being amused, annoyed, tolerant, displeased, [rarely]sympathetic, and utterly bored with these mortals and most humans in general, but with several indirect connections to them...she imagined she'd never be quite rid of them anytime soon. as the others began to express emotion of relief and joy that Morgan was alive, that Karen had not sacrificed herself AND the reality that Hecate had just destroyed Black UTTERLY began to sink in...they all began to react in their own way. Hecate didnt acknowledge anyone directly until...>>

He stepped forward.

“Hecate, please, tell me why you brought me back. I need to know why.”

Because after seeing her up close, maybe it had been to punish Delilah…

Oh you.

<< she said dismissively>>

They've kept you around? Well...I suppose mortals do need a reminder of what to absolutely AVOID becoming in life don't they?

<< he asked her his question. he seemed so...small to her at this point. like a pathetic frog left alone in a swamp.>>

Oh you need to know? Because somewhere in your recycled but still arrogant mortal mind you think it has some wide reaching significance? You think that you some how warranted or DESERVED another chance?

<< she throw her head back for a hearty laugh at Bishop as she mocked him. Even pointing at him. some of the others in the room might find themselves feeling a sliver of sympathy for him...MIGHT...but for others, especially Ava, Alison and Haleigh...it was especially interesting to see the goddess of witchcraft being so unkind to Bishop.>>

For what you did to MY offspring during your misguided campaign against her and her companions...I had....HAVE every right to banish you to the river styx.Count yourself FORTUNATE that it was MorningStar who killed you instead and make no mistake

<< not caring if Delilah agreed or not>>

She was RIGHT for doing so. You mortals have a penchant for being motivated by the most foolish ideas and concepts to do harm to one another. You deemed yourself the punisher of mutants. yet they are the same as you...only they have gifts that you do not. Would you have waged war against the Olympians as well for being who they are?

You endangered and nearly DESTROYED my daughters (Karen and Morgan). You earned NO favor from ME that sees you standing here at this moment and understand that if you EVER make such moves against them again I will ATOMIZE you and spread you across multiple planes of existence.

You think you've seen the worst that the world and being dead has to offer? THINK AGAIN.

<< she said as she bared an absolutely grim and evil countenance toward him. she turned away as her facial features returned to "normal" walking between him and Delilah. Suddenly she pushes him out of the way and grabs Delilah by the wrist and pulls her ahead so she's now standing in front of Hecate. she physically holds Delilah from behind at her arms and forces her to look at Bishop. Hecate was FAR stronger than she looked. Indeed she had the strength of a titan, enough to even knock Nicolas off his feet.>>

Why this child PUNISHED herself so over you initially escaped me. YOU! a pathetic worm of a man who was as treacherous to this child as Heracles and Theseus were to the Amazons! And JUST like them, you got what you deserved.

Indeed it baffled Ororo and even Athena as well. None of us could find ANY fault or error in judgement on her part for killing you- but EVERYONE, even the damned of the river styx could find fault with YOU.

How SAD for you. You thought you were "right"...and you couldnt have been more WRONG, while SHE DESTROYED herself due to the burden of guilt she heaped upon herself moreso than Atlas did his neverending burden!

Ororo, being the wise, fair and balanced sorceress that she is, not only saved her but tried her best to counsel her but to no avail. Delilah begged her to do something she would not. A line that even Ororo wouldnt cross but out of concern and sympathy for her, the sorceress sent her to someone who doesnt have such qualms. Athena and myself.

After she blubbered in front of Athena's statue at the parthenon for 5 minutes, I found her leaving the temple. I cut through her rather limited imagination and restrictive "moral code" to the heart of her issue and gave her that which she desired without consciously acknowledging it.

Athena and I havent seen THIS kind of ...dysfunction since...

<< she was about to say herself/HADES/PERSEPHONE....>>

well...at anyrate The Six DID assist US in ending the threat of Circe and thereby allowing my curse of the Red Moon to end [for now] and so one good turn deserved another.

After I put Delilah to sleep and did my best to calm her soul, I resurrected you. I called your pitiful soul from the cavern of souls just before you were to make your WELL deserved journey on the river styx. how pathetic you were. not even the lowliest of creatures wanted to look at you while you were there.

But what what Athena and I discovered when we called your soul forward is that even if WE hadnt intervened at this time...and as undeserving of it as you are...you wouldve found your way back eventually. It's what happens to ALL those who have been damned for eternity by a CURSE, one placed upon them by someone so powerful and so vengeful that they could decree it follow you through EVERY lifetime.

<< she hopes Delilah listens carefully to this>>

You, Bishop, were evidently loathed and hated more than once in as many lifetimes and YOU, Delilah have apparently not had good choice in men LONG before you lived as you are today.

 

[Bishop]

He stood strong in front of Hecate, head held high. It was almost defiant.

You think that you somehow warranted or DESERVED another chance?

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving her’s.

“Never.”

Would you have waged war against the Olympians as well for being who they are?

“My mythology’s a little rusty…did they murder innocents?”

She could threaten him all she wanted. Death didn’t scare him. And she wasn’t his goddess.

But then she grabbed Delilah…

He made a sharp intake of breath and took a step forward towards Hecate, his muscles tensed, his hands raised slightly – ready. These other people might trust this woman, but he wasn’t about to bet Delilah’s life on it. He didn’t care WHO Hecate was, if she tried to hurt Delilah he would end her.

But she was just forcing Delilah to look at him. He lowered his hands, relaxing slightly but still alert. Hecate told him about how Delilah had come to her. His eyes shifted to Delilah’s face.

Damnit…

He’d known she’d tried to kill herself. But he hadn’t realized how much the guilt she felt over killing him had driven her to it. He’d always assumed it was the rejection of her friends that Delilah couldn’t live with…

He looked sadly, painfully, down at Delilah’s face.

He had almost stopped listening to Hecate when

…It's what happens to ALL those who have been damned for eternity by a CURSE, one placed upon them by someone so powerful and so vengeful that they could decree it follow you through EVERY lifetime.

His eyes darted back up to Hecate. Awareness jolted through him. His mind was assaulted, but he could grasp no coherent thought out of the fog. Until one.

He sank to his knees, bowed his head. Then through gritted teeth:

“Enkil.”

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah was avoiding looking at Hecate. And Bishop. They were both so cold. And it was uncomfortable being talked about like she wasn’t standing right there. Especially when Hecate was telling Bishop how RIGHT she’d been to kill him.

Then the tension in the room skyrocketed. Hecate suddenly had hold of her wrist and was pulling her. Her first reaction was to be afraid.

“Whoa- wait! What are you doing?”

Hecate was standing behind her, holding her arms, making her face Bishop. And then she was bearing all Delilah’s secrets, the things only the two of them had known, in front of EVERYONE. Delilah cast her eyes at the floor, avoiding looking at Bishop, avoiding looking at anyone. Not wanting to see their pity or anger or ridicule, whichever emotion they had chosen. What more did she have to do to be free of this?

You, Bishop, were evidently loathed and hated more than once in as many lifetimes and YOU, Delilah have apparently not had good choice in men LONG before you lived as you are today.

Bishop looked like he was having a brain aneurism, and Hecate was talking in riddles. She turned her head to Hecate, a look of genuine confusion on her face.

“Excuse me, what?”