Ororo's ghost story, part 3

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Delilah was blasting every creepy crawly – every grabbing hand, every moaning face – she saw, but to little effect. Some were wearing old fashioned clothing, some more modern. They just kept coming – her powers barely seemed to affect them.

Morgan was being pulled away again, and Karen was desperately grasping at her daughter. She kept firing, just trying to keep them from closing in but not able to gain any ground. Ava grabbed hold and tried desperately to pull Morgan free.

Blaze jumped into action and attacked Christopher, calling to her to help Ava with Morgan. She ran to them, grabbing Morgan by her tiny :)D) waist and pulling backwards. But she could feel that they were losing.

And then, it was as if everything stopped at once. She was flung backwards onto the floor – again. There was only silence in the church now. She could see the fog dissipating. She stood up, brushing herself off and checking herself for any lasting damage.

“Allright, what the HELL is going on here?!”
 
Nicolas! STOP THIS! RIGHT NOW!
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Who?! Who DARES-

The sonic scream was quite possibly the best thing, maybe the only thing, that could easily give him pause. His axe dropped from his hand, embedding in the ground as he turned, actually startled a bit back to some semblance of self. He watched as the pretty songbird walked up to him. SDhe reminded him that, as much as they had lost, tehre was too much left to still lose for him to be THIS way. The mention of Kyle and her soft touch on his hand did the trick, and the stone covering his right hand fell away as dust as his breathing slowed, and he began to regain his full composure. His features brightened and his markings faded away as he held Sharon's hands, his eyes gloweing less red as he looked into her face. As the transformation completed, he looked away in shame at what he'd nearly become.

I'm sorry, Sharon. Let's...check on the others.

Nicolas trudged heavily back to the room in which they had huddled themselves, tearing his way easily into their enclosure via TK...
 
Desperate to save Morgan, Blaze would attempt to goat Christopher while Karen, Ava, Delilah, and Haleigh worked in unison to ward off attacks in hopes to save Morgan.

Everything was spinning out of control and Blaze prayed that Nicolas and Alison could find a resolution to all of this. Yet, the earth-shattering thunder rocked the church while a blinding light that swelled every where. Then dead silence! You could probably drop a pin and manage to hear it.

Blaze, looking a bit dishoveled like the others turned to peer over to Delilah.

"You can say that again, D."

All objects that were flying had ceased, no howling winds, nothing. It was like an eye before the storm of a hurricane. Even James' voice could be heard but it was incoherent while the fog was receeding. What the hell happened?

they...they're gone! what happened!? is it over???
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"I wish I knew...but if its over that was TOO easy."

Blaze had her doubts while everyone was regaining their bearings. Alison's groan caused Blaze to look over to her. She hadn't even noticed Nicolas return with her out of fear for Morgan's life.

"Good morning, princess."

Smirking under her breath only to cease when she felt the church quake and something unholy roar outside of the conference room. Next came Sharon's sonic scream.

"What is going on out there?"
 
It was all ANYONE could do to just keep the floodgates from busting... and everyone gave it their all. In between fighting off corpses and fortifying the rest of their room, Haleigh noticed Mike run low on ammunition. She passed him an M4A3... precisely the one he'd asked for before and she made sure it had a 'bottomless' magazine of bullets.

There was a barrage of noise coming from out in the hall. Haleigh recognized Nicolas' voice and was instantly worried... if he was nearing the state he was in when he saw the apparition of his wife.... bad things laid on the horizon.

And Then the swarm stopped.... the violence subsided. Haleigh, like a watchdog with its hair on end, stayed firmly alert and aggressive. She pivoted in an eight-point turn, stopping rhythmically to check her surroundings. Everything was calm and quiet.... eerily so. Blaze asked about the noise in the hall.

"Nicolas."

She responded simply, briskly passing the pyro towards the exit and making her way down the hall.... Nicolas was already headed towards her.... but Everything was okay... Sharon was there with him and it appeared disaster had been averted. Haleigh instinctively swept him up in a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing tightly [though not TOO tightly]. She didn't seem to care whether or not anyone was watching... she just wanted to comfort him, and, of course, gleam some comfort from his embrace in return.

"Are you okay? What the hell happened??"
 
Mike was pivoting around the boy, picking off advancing ghouls with a precision that spoke of his readiness. But he was running low on ammo, especially since it was taking more as time went on to achieve the same effect. He needed help, though he loathed saying it, and decided to swing at the oncoming fray wen he felt a weight on his chest.

The pretty blond with the attitude to match her rack had hooked him up with the PERFECT weapon. He noticed as he laid low the oncoming horde that its weight did not change, and he had fired far past reloading time in seconds with no problems he turned quickly to Haleigh.

Thanks, soldier. You saved my ass.

Turning back to Kyle, he bellowed one order.

Duck DOWN, boy!

He continued to fire but then...SUDDENLY...nothing!! The oncoming horde had dissipated, leaving an eerie silence. A silence that was shattered by an inhuman bellow and a scream that nearly made his ears bleed.

What the hell!??

Haleigh answered with one word:

Nicolas.
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And she exited to check him out as he came over to Karen and the others, Kyle in tow.

Karen, are you OK honey?
 
Nicolas was returning to the room that held the others when he felt Haleigh hug him, holding him tightly as she asked about what had gone on. Nicolas hugged her back, pecking her cheek as he spoke in her ear.

I was lost...but I am better now. James Marcus took his gold and left...but I am not sure it is over. Something doesn't seem right. This is STILL too easy. Be careful.

Nicolas pecked her cheek again and hugged her tightly before heading to the room with her...
 
inside the church

<< Karen continued to hold her daughter as she calmed. Blaze asked Morgan if she was okay and Karen checked over Blaze as well. Haleigh had gone out to the sanctuary to check on Nicolas and from the sound of it, SHARON had made it too. Good for Kyle who had endured more than any child should have to.>>

...thank the goddess you're all okay.

<< she said looking among Ava, Delilah and Blaze before Mike came and asked if she was okay.>>

oh Michael...

<< as Morgan decided she could stand up, Karen then turned to hug Mike.>>

I think we're all okay now...but beyond that, I don't know what else to think...

<< as those in the conference room settled in themselves, slowly allowing the belief that the danger had passed to sink in, Haleigh, Nicolas and Sharon arrived.>>

<< Karen looked over to them.>>

It's all over.
 
[ Sharon noted Haleigh's arrival. Clearly there was more than concern for Nicolas' well being behind her hugging him. Sharon could tell but that was not what was weighing on her mind at the moment.]

[ through the hall, and into the conference room where clearly a battle had taken place, her silver eyes dart around. all of her friends were alive...but where was]

KYLE!!

[ the little boy peeked out from behind Mike]

Kyle: MOMMY!!

[ he runs forward with his arms outstretched]

Mommy! Mommy!

[ Sharon rushes forward too to meet her son.]

Sharon: oh baby!!

[ sweeping her son up with ease, and ignoring the pain from the wound in her shoulder { her high level of durability/invulnerability allowing her to continue on inspite of the vicious attack} she hugs him and kisses him on the forehead.]

you're alright!!!

[ at that moment...mother and son share "memory flashes" of all that happened. Kyle had endured the fear his mother felt and vice versa. his power had GROWN because of this experience...but Nicolas would be needed to continue to show him understanding and control over his ability which now had a wider range. ]

[ tears fell from Sharon's eyes as she held her son and looked around the room at her friends]

thank you for keeping my son safe. I don't know what would've happened...without you.

[ she squeezes her son as he continues to hold on to her tightly.]

Karen...do you want to make a statement...address the town? Perhaps Haleigh can patch us in to the lighthouse's radio frequence from here and you can address the town...
 
Mike hugged Karen back, pecking her cheek as he made sure she was OK. As they turned to face everyone else, he kept a hand around her waist, loathe to let her go so soon after this danger. He wasn't sure if everything was over yet, and so he kept his left hand on his weapon as Sharon made her appearance. Kyle peeked around him and he spoke to the boy.

Go get her, man. I told you she'd be FINE.

He watched as they were reunited, but as Sharon brought up the idea of addressing the town, Mike shook his head as he responded.

We might need to venture out...see what we have here before broadcasting an all-clear. Maybe a cautionary address that the danger appears over but tells people to stay put for now.

Mike still had a feeling that this was WAAAAAAY to easy for a two hundred year old curse.
 
Nicolas walked back into the room with Haleigh, taking a moment to gently scan everyone for injuries. He walked over to Morgan and her friends and spoke.

All of you OK? Hopefully the worst is over...
 
inside the church

<< Morgan was very silent. It was the first time that she could EVER recall that she had been all but helpless! none of her magick, her power could free her from the curse that had threatened to pull her into oblivion! had it not been for her mother, ava and everyone else ....she would have been lost. taken away by her seemingly undead "father".>>

<< she was still wet. her father's touch, his attempts to pull her into the fog had left her looking like she'd went for a swim herself. but she was breathing regular now. Ava, Blaze, her mother, Delilah, all of them had hugged her out of relief and reassurance that she was fine, they were fine. but what about Nicolas? he was definately having a problem toward the end. it reminded her of her mocking warning to him earlier about showing his "True Colors".>>

<< at the moment, none of the "politics" of this evening's earlier events mattered. all the petty squabbles had taken a back seat as they all stood together to try to survive the nightmare.>>

<< Nicolas asked if she and the others were okay.>>

<< in a icy voice>>

yeah...i'm fine now.

<< the young sorceress definately had alot churning in her mind, not the least of which was a jagged little pill called HUMILITY. that she had TOTALLY NEEDED her mother and Ava to keep her from being overcome...that she couldnt fight back...it rocked her to her core.>>

<< as Sharon reunited with her son, and everyone gathered back together, still apprehensive, Mike suggested they assess the outside before Karen addressed the town.>>

I...can magick up a scrying pool that will allow us to see everywhere to make sure.
 
yeah...i'm fine now.
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Nicolas touched her face softly. As he did so, he dried up most of the water, pulling the moisture out of her clothing to make her a bit more comfortable. The sorceress was obviously shaken and, despite what Nicolas had said earlier, he cared for her. A LOT. After this was done, there was still a lot of unfinished business with her. Maybe they would NEVER be truly done, their connection since Alycia's death was so strong, and so much more than sex.

We'll ALL be OK, honey.

Nicolas listened as Mike analyzed what should be done next. He was in agreement, and he turned to watch Morgan as she offered to scry for the answers. Nicolas tensed a bit as Mike's words and thoughts sank in. His apprehension was contagious...
 
outside the church

<< and so, as the group moved together, cautiously through the church, with Haleigh and Mike keeping their weapons ready, they went outside, and saw, FELT the clear air. the fog could be seen from the distance but it was rapidly receeding as Kyle pointed and said that.>>

<< the wind could be heard as well...and the fog horn tolled mournfully.>>

<< Morgan , now feeling better thanks to Nicolas, lifted her hand and wove a pattern of power , forming a scrying pool. the mystical conjuring allows them to see all the roads and areas around the town. places they had been only hours ago now were completely quiet, empty and deserted. no sign of fog anywhere or traces of the appartions that had been seen. and finally to the lighthouse and sharon's loft. the fog could be seen out to sea...looking unearthly and glowing, but it was pulling back.>>

<< it was safe to say that whatever had engulfed the town, was now gone...there was a feeling of clarity and emptiness, like a storm had just passed.>>

<< everyone stood together, looking tired, weary but most of all, relieved.>>
 
the broadcast

<< and as the light from the lighthouse continued to spin, each flash of the light allows us to revisit various areas of town.>>

Mayor Victoria << courtesy of a remote link up via Haleigh's powers, broadcasts across the town. >>

I don't know what happened to Thunder Baytonight.

Something came out of the fog and tried to destroy us.

In one moment, it vanished. But if this has been anything but a nightmare, and if we don't wake up to find ourselves safe in our beds, it could come again. To the ships at sea who can hear my voice, look across the water, into the darkness.

Look for the fog.


Oracle<< Karen advises everyone to remain indoors for the night and to only come out in the morning...and with that, the broadcast ends, Morgan opens a disc that will send everyone to their homes. Nicolas asks Sharon to stay at his pool house tonight, just to be sure and Sharon does not argue. Sharon and her son once again spend the night as Nicolas' pool house. Haleigh returns home with Nicolas as well. Morgan, Ava and Blaze return to Morgan's mansion while Karen, Mike and Delilah return to Karen's mansion. Karen insists that Delilah stay in one of the guest rooms for the night.>>
 
and so

<< they all returned to their usual "groups", but each group now had a sense of a larger whole. their lives were forever changed because of the sins of their fathers and secrets from the past. secrets always have a way of coming back to haunt and in Thunder Bay....it could FATAL.>>

<< everyone was now inside, slowly decompressing from the shock of the evening.>>

<< but for one person...it was far from over.>>

<< in Nicolas' home, Sharon and her son settled in the pool house and Haleigh was showering. Nicolas was moving through the house. it all seemed quiet. But he was haunted by his own "changes" from earlier this evening. They would all move forward in their own ways but he would NEVER be able to move on from what was inside of him.>>

<< there was a picture of Alycia sitting on his mantle in the room where "she" had appeared. Her wide, confident smile in the picture contrasted the glamorous yet evil look the apparition had. Nicolas would never quite recover from Alycia's death...how she died and that they had just had a fight before she went out onto the boat.>>

<< it has been said then when a person dies with fear, anger or bitterness in their heart..they can never QUITE move on until total resolution is achieved. even with the curse of the fog seemingly passed, Nicolas was not quite sure it was over...he had every reason to be concerned and no one...not even Sharon or Haleigh could be there for him now...>>
 
Nicolas sat in silence in his Great Room, the events of the last few days, even the last year, washing over him. Th e part of him that seethed, that seemed to bleed hatred and anger lay beneath his exterior. He lost control tonight, for a moment. And for that moment, all he wanted was to fight, cause chaos and destruction. He REVELLED in the chance to fight James Marcus. Not because he was angry so much. He knew, deep down, that was an excuse. He wanted to loose control, to let whatever darkness that lurked inside to unleash itself. And it was POWERFUL, far more powerful than himself. This realization kept sleep far away from him , the concept of rest a foolish bargain.

As he sat silently, he looked at the picture. Alycia was SO beautiful, so alive in it. So different than the upset woman he saw last, before she was lost that night. They had argued, over something stupid he was sure. Nonetheless, he had hurt her feelings, sent her away. As she settled into the ship, moments away from a watery grave, he felt badly about it all. He wanted to go to her, hold her. He'd called her cell phone, but it was off. He thought at the time that maybe she was pouting. But now he knew the truth. She was too busy DYING to turn it back on!

His guilt and pain even seemed to make the room darken, and Nicolas could swear that he saw the smile turn ever so slightly...sinister and dark. The smile no longer held love and affection for the picture taker, but was cold and accusing to the man that stared at it now.

Nicolas shook his head, trying to clear it a bit as that feeling that this was not yet done began to creep back in. He held up his hand as his new weapon sliced through the air, whistling a death's tune as it landed within his grasp. If James Marcus had another trick up his sleeve, he would not find Nicolas unprepared...
 
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Delilah felt a little strange staying with Karen for the night – what with Mike there as well and them just having cheated death she felt more than a little like a third wheel. But she was wigged out enough by the night’s events that her out-of-place feeling was trumped by her need to not be all alone tonight.

Karen had good taste and her guest room was both luxurious and comforting. She took a scalding hot shower to get the dirt and blood off of her and dressed in a robe that Karen had given her to wear. She laid down on the bed, but couldn’t close her eyes. She just stared at the ceiling, the vision of the fog and those creatures burned into her retinas.
 
After Karen's address, Mike drove them home. Well, not really HIS home, but one day...maybe. Especially with the way Karen was treating him since they had arrived. She was especially comforting, and he showered quickly, giving her a kiss before leaving for the kitchen.

Be back in two shakes, honey.

Mike went to the hot water he had put on before his shower and took it off. Before he set the tray for Karen and himself, he took out a tasty cinnamon tea and made it, adding two cubes of sugar before putting it on a small tray with a raisin bagel. Just in case, he also put two beers with lime slices on the side on the tray and took it to the guest room.

**KNOCK!!KNOCK!!**

Are you decent? It's Mike, just wanted to bring you something to help you chill out.

Mike gingerly entered, his eyes ready to avert themselves (at least EVENTUALLY depending on how indecent the mutant was:hehe2:) and put the tray on the nightstand, secretly grateful that he'd found her quite covered. He took only a passing glance at her exposed legs as he spoke one last time before leaving the room.

You were GREAT today, a born leader and tactician. I am hoping that we will speak very soon about possible new duties for you. But for now, enjoy your rest. You earned it tonight.

Patting her knee good-naturedly, Mike turned and left to get Karen's tray ready as well...
 
one final issue

:: no mistake about it. there was one final thing.::

:: the lights flicker, the temperature drops and the fog seeps through the cracks and openings in the house. Nicolas was looking at the picture, holding a weapon, expecting James Marcus but he was wrong again.::

:: Alycia's soft laugh could be heard in the wind around him as he found himself unable to register anything BUT the room he was in.::

Nicolasssss....

:: the fog swells and billows before Alycia's form appears , wearing what she was last seen in last night.::

I'm back....

back...just for you.

:: the cold aura from her was undeniable. she was dripping with sea water and her white on white eyes contrasted her blood red lipstick and impossibly flawless make up. she was the most stylish looking "ghoul" the fog had turned out.::

did you think that I was REALLY under the thrall of James Marcus? NO. YOU are responsible for this. YOU are the reason my spirit does not rest! I will NOT rest until YOU PAY!

:: Nicolas hadnt turned around yet...::
 
Morg's place

As things seemed to have resolved for the time being, Blaze remained quiet while everyone returned to the conference room. Everyone was safe and alive. But, for Blaze she was still suspicious if this really was the end. Having hugged her sister tightly, grateful she was still alive. The feisty firefly didn't want even to imagine a life without her older sister.

Walking over to the others, Blaze studied Nicolas closely. He seemed troubled and after that unearthly roar it had unsettled B. Yet while he comforted her sister, Blaze turned back to Mike to nod to him.

With things seemingly back to normal, Morgan would transport each of them back to their houses. Blaze though couldn't seem to relax though.

Pacing in her room while deep in thought.

"What am I missing..."

She couldn't shake the feeling and the way Nicolas seemed only increased that worry. A laptop propped up on her bed with the various articles she had researched the night before. Maybe she was just being paranoid, after all the fog had receded. What was to worry?

Exiting her bedroom, Blaze wandered down to find Morgan. If anyone knew Nicolas it was her sister. Under all of that bravado and arrogance was a decent guy. Even still his new found transformation worried her.

"Hey Morg...can we talk?"
 
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