Runaways Part 2: Return to the Roosevelt

[Watchtower]

Night turned to the wee hours of the morning. Bars and restaurants were closing up, and the last of their patrons were stumbling out into the streets and to their cars and homes.

Effy and Olivia were living it up at the Renaissance Hotel, with full bellies and new clothes.

Around the corner, Brenda, Rich, and Jackson were heading back to the Roosevelt to meet Dominique as she had instructed.

Did Dominique really take care of Shade? Did she find out anything more from her Hellfire Club associates?

Let's see, shall we?

 

[Longshot]

From a Distance...

Everything seemed to be going according to plan. He knew that Dominique would not give a good impression to some of the kids, a trademark of the signature "charm" that was Dominique Devereaux. She had been a big reason that Finn had turned down his original invitation to the Black Court of the Hellfire Club. There was too much power, gone unchecked, and at the time, MysTech had been taking care of him. He didn't trust that Dominique and the others would offer the same protection that MysTech was capable back then. They seemed more inclined to waste their money and power on frivolous power struggles amongst themselves, and Gabriel wanted to a part of something bigger than that. He knew the business he was in was "gray" at best but MysTech was in line to pretty much take over the world, and he would would much rather have been on their side when the house of cards fell.

It was of course this decision that now left him in the position he was currently in, but he wasn't down for the count. He still had a few cards to play, but his endgame was tied to these children. He had to admit to himself that he felt a little bit of pity for them. They were so much like the teenager he used to be, so many years ago. Struggling with abilities he didn't know how to control, feeling so absolutely alone. Back then, joining MysTech was like finding out who his family really was. They offered him a place in this world, but the difference was. He chose that fate willingly, and Project Christmas would take all of that away from them. He still wasn't sure exactly what he would do, but for now he just had to get them to "The Basement" and see them pushed to their very limit, and then see if he succumbed to emotions he thought were long dead.

At any moment, Selene would be upon them, and attack them, and he would make himself known to them. His first appearance after watching and waiting for days. Convincing him to follow him and not Dominique would be a challenge, but he was hoping that Selene could help that process along, following a general script they had set up earlier. Right now was a pivotol moment. Their group was already divided. He needed to get as many as he could, mainly Jackson, he knew where Shade's bloodlust lied (with Richard and Brenda) and if he could get the muscle, he would be satisfied.

For now, he waited from a distance, not worried about Brenda picking up his thoughts as they made their way back to the hotel. Finn had been trained on how to guard his mind from outsiders even in the most intense interrogation by Diana herself, and though he may not have been a telepath, the human mind could prove very strong when pushed, and PUSH, Diana had.

 

[Brenthon]

En Route to Roosevelt

Jackson was not happy with the current situation. It wasn't supposed to be like this, and he was a little ashamed of himself. He didn't trust Dominique as far as he could throw her. If she had the power to get rid of such a powerful entity like Shade all along, he would have thought her "shadow" would have been exponged quite some time ago. He should have went with Effy and Livvie. They stood up for themselves and it might have just spared them their lives. Not to mention the fact that he was now walking down the street with the two people who this shadow woman seemed to have an EXTREME hard on for. He didn't need a computer mind like Effy's to tell him that statistically he wasn't in a very good position to live. He was torn and rather than try to play mediator, here he was, walking towards the Roosevelt Hotel with Richard and Brenda, unsure of whether or not this was the road he should be taking. He stopped them both for a moment.

"So look. I know tensions are high right now, but quite honestly I just don't know if I feel right leaving Effy and Livvie out of this. And I still am not sure that I trust Dominique. She's offering a too good to be true situation to me. I just want to make sure that we all understand that the second any of us suspects any trouble, we leave, and we leave together."

[running his fingers through his hair, scratching the back of his head.]

"And I mean if ANYONE suspects any trouble. We're supposed to be a team and act together, it's the only way we're gonna get through this, if at all. This woman has the power to summon Shade before her, and we are ready to stay under her wing. But i'm trying to be a little diplomatic. I just want to know that you'll all have my back."

He picked his iPhone out of his pocket and shot a text to Olivia, who's number he had gotten earlier, hoping she would get it, because they didn't know where they were, and if they needed to get out of town, he wanted them all together.

Liv, i'ts Jackson. Look, i'm all for not trusting Dominique, but i'm going to the Roosevelt to check things out. Where are you? Are you with Effy? Either way, let me know, cause I have a feeling that in a little while, we're all gonna have to get the hell out of dodge. Just.. keep me posted. I'm worried about you both.

[slipping the phone back in his pocket]

"I texted Livvie. I just want to know if they're together and if they are both okay."

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

After arriving at the Renaissance Hotel with Effy, the computer wiz managed to book them the penthouse suite, get them booze, food, AND clothing. Olivia had to admit, this was pretty bad ass. With Effy's computer skills and Olivia's "sticky fingers", they would make the perfect team.

It had been a couple hours since they both seperated from the rest of the group. Livvie had changed out of her cocktail dress into a pair of ripped jeans and a long sleeved fitted shirt. With her hair drawn back into a messy ponytail, she sat on the couch munching on a half eaten cheeseburger and some fries. Ironically, her and Effy seemed to be getting a long more than she would have thought. It wasn't nearly as awkward as it was when they first met up on the sidewalk.

"So, not to put a kink in our bad ass night of luxury, but do you have ANY idea what we're supposed to do next about Shade? I mean, i've been trying to piece together all the information that you, Dr. Victoria, and Dominique told us....but all i've come up with is that we're royally screwed."

Taking a sip of her rum and coke, Livvie placed her plate on the coffee table and turned toward Effy, getting more comfortable. With her legs tucked next to her, Effy seemed to immediately take the role of leader before, so it only seemed natural for Olivia to ask what she thought about the situation.

Hearing the sound of her iPhone vibrate against the coffee table, Livvie leaned forward and picked it up. Looking down at the screen, it was a text message from Jackson.

"It's Jackson.."

Liv, i'ts Jackson. Look, i'm all for not trusting Dominique, but i'm going to the Roosevelt to check things out. Where are you? Are you with Effy? Either way, let me know, cause I have a feeling that in a little while, we're all gonna have to get the hell out of dodge. Just.. keep me posted. I'm worried about you both.

Looking up at Effy.

"He's headed back to the Roosevelt with Rich and Brenda, but he wants to know where we are."

 

[Matrix]

Rich was no longer mortified. He wasn't ANYTHING. It was obvious that Effy would not be open to any suggestion that she didn;t come up with and Livvie? She WAS a thief. How can you get pissed when someone calls you on it?

Rich apologized to Dominique after the drink was spilled on here, careful not to do his first reaction, which was wipe the liquid off, essentially feeling up the singer. He nodded and departed, ready to get his stuff and get back to the Roosevelt.

On the way back with Brenda and Jackson, the big guy decided to actually speak. OK...

"So look. I know tensions are high right now, but quite honestly I just don't know if I feel right leaving Effy and Livvie out of this. And I still am not sure that I trust Dominique. She's offering a too good to be true situation to me. I just want to make sure that we all understand that the second any of us suspects any trouble, we leave, and we leave together."

[running his fingers through his hair, scratching the back of his head.]

"And I mean if ANYONE suspects any trouble. We're supposed to be a team and act together, it's the only way we're gonna get through this, if at all. This woman has the power to summon Shade before her, and we are ready to stay under her wing. But i'm trying to be a little diplomatic. I just want to know that you'll all have my back."

Rich looked back at Jackson while he texted, then reponded face to face.

And which of them had my back, OUR backs?! None of y'all liked the idea of meeting her and yet you are all surprised when this woman, who has been reading faces for years, is less than warm to you? All of you acted as if she should jump at the chance to help, kiss our ass, like she was applying to our team. She don't OWE us SHIT, and getting involved before cost her her only relative. The entire approach was insulting to her and me for calling her to be treated like ass. If y'all want teammates, BE teammates. Either way, bring yo ass or don't. I am tired of begging you to listen to me.

Rich turned with his shit to head to the Roosevelt...

 

[Brenthon]

Under Pressure

Jackson rolled his eyes.

"You're not getting it Rich. We are fighting for our LIVES. We can't trust ANYBODY. Dominique was a flat out bitch. If she had been reading faces for years, she would know deadpan that we were all nervous as hell about trusting someone we know nothing about to give us information, and maybe she would should have given us a little more credit. She treated us like fodder, and she only gave YOU a warm reception because you were the last to benefit from her nephew's foundation. I didnt EXPECT help from her, Rich. But I did expect that if you DO agree to have a sit down dinner with people to GIVE them information they need, you do so of your own accord. She was RUDE because she didn't receive the reception that she felt she so rightly deserved. But I don't KNOW Dominique Devereaux. That woman did NOT raise me. That woman has ties to the very woman who is out to KILL us or trade us like cattle, so excuse Effy and Olivia for being more than a little wary."

[sighing heavily]

"This isn't going anywhere. I know and UNDERSTAND where you're coming from. I get it. I don't like Dominique, but i'm willing to give this a chance. A team also LISTENS to it's other members, Rich. One doesn't decide what's best for everyone and refuse to listen to the REASONABLE concerns of others, because the concerns ARE reasonable. That is something we ALL need to learn. We are two down now. One with incredible firepower, and the other has a knack for saving our asses. Not to mention the fact that everyone in this new "super powered" elite world we seem to be running in, seem to be interested in YOU and BRENDA, so excuse me for thinking that strength might lie in our numbers, and for having a genuine concern for what happens to you. My mistake."

For a moment he thought of just turning around and calling Olivia. If Shade wanted him, she could have him. She could kill him, and Jackson knew that nobody, not even his savior Dominique Devereaux could stop her. That much he knew to be fact.

"Look.. let's just get to the damn hotel and hope we don't get massacred on the few blocks we have left to walk..."

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy was just about ready to get some sleep. She had showered, eaten the hell out of room service, and now was having a few drinks with Livvie, of all people. The hotel shop had provided her with a cute pair of pajamas, plus some jeans and a pretty top for the morning – and accessories to match. She popped a last fry into her mouth and took a sip of milkshake – the best food combo ever.

"So, not to put a kink in our bad ass night of luxury, but do you have ANY idea what we're supposed to do next about Shade? I mean, I’ve been trying to piece together all the information that you, Dr. Victoria, and Dominique told us....but all I’ve come up with is that we're royally screwed."

Effy stared off into space.

“Surprise is still our best option. Before the others got all Dominique-obsessed, I finished the trace on the Foundation’s mysterious hacker. It’s a facility out in Simi Valley – that’s where MysTech is, I’m sure of it. I’m going to take it out. I’m not going to sit around doing nothing and wait for someone to kill me.”

She said it matter-of-factly, as if it wasn’t something near-impossible.

"It's Jackson. He's headed back to the Roosevelt with Rich and Brenda, but he wants to know where we are."

She looked at Olivia, who seemed to be waiting for her to tell her what to do.

“It could be a trap.”

Seeing Olivia’s reaction, she continued, her face serious.

“It might not even be from Jackson. They could all be dead right now, for all we know.”

She pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them to her.

“Just tell him we’re safe.”

She rested her tired head on her knees.

"I can't believe Brenda and Rich were so taken in by Dominique. They acted like I spit on her - which is basically what she did to the two of us."

 

[Brenda Castle]

Rich, as was his nature, stayed mostly quiet. Jackson was still vacillating between staying with Rich and Brenda or going to join Effy and Livvie. Brenda walked between the boys, towards their designated safe haven, allowing them both a chance to think without interruption. It was nice not to have to keep up with conversation for once. Brenda reached in her bag, about to take out Cameron's letter and reread it in case she missed anything important the first time, but Jackson broke the silence.

Jackson: So look. I know tensions are high right now, but quite honestly I just don't know if I feel right leaving Effy and Livvie out of this.

"Leaving them OUT? We aren't leaving them out, Jackson. They had the SAME opportunity, and they CHOSE to walk out."

Jackson played the 'team' card and suggested that if they suspected any trouble, they should all leave together. Brenda was learning QUICKLY that by the time any of them even suspected trouble, it'd be far too late to do ANYTHING about it. She shook her head calmly.

"Jackson, I'm not turning my back on the only person so far who's offered to actually HELP us. You're forgetting that EFFY'S lone contact, the standoffish Dr. Victoria, practically REFERED us to Dominique."

Rich was getting worked up again, and he wasn't exactly WRONG, but he did manage to come across a bit more strongly than was helpful. Still, what he lacked in subtlety, he made up for in clarity. Jackson launched back a retort, lambasting Dominique for her less than friendly treatment of the others, but it was time for Brenda to draw the line. She was shaking her head again, her brow furrowed, but she wasn't nearly as vexed as Rich. She kept the same calm, gently persuasive tone she always used. She found it much more effective than raising her voice.

"No, you're not getting it, Jack. Dominique agreed to meet with us at Rich's request. She COULD have just blown us off. YOU expected answers from her, and SHE expected to be treated with respect. Effy and Livvie failed to meet her expectations, and people got rude ALL AROUND. She was nice to Rich and to me because we were treating her the way she wanted to be treated, which wasn't REALLY all that much to ask for, considering she was HELPING US. But Effy didn't even let us get past the hellos before she opened a volley of questions, and Livvie was so offended by the answers that she completely forgot her manners. I mean FOR GOODNESS SAKE…. They acted like having social graces AT ALL was some kind of snobby rich-people NONSENSE that they didn't have the time to bother with. And look what it got them: RIGHT back where they started, with no answers and no allies. And all they can do is sit around stewing in their own solipsistic indignation and hope that no one finds them."

Jackson seemed to realize that they could trade words all night, but everyone had their own opinion and that wasn't about to change. He had a dim view of Dominique's ability to help them and was seriously considering calling Olivia and just leaving Rich and Brenda. Brenda took a deep breath and touched Jackson's arm gently, stopping on the sidewalk even as Rich charged headlong into frustration.

"Jackson… even though I don't AGREE with you, it's okay if you don't trust Dominique as implicitly as Rich and I do. Maybe you're right, or maybe we are. But to just be plainly and brutally honest, I met you yesterday and I like you, but I have to do what's right for ME….. And I advise every ONE of us to take the same approach. And if you're uncomfortable with this arrangement, then by all means, DON'T DO IT. Go find Effy and Olivia and stick with them. I know you think Rich and I are wearing neon target signs right now. I won't be offended if you decide that we aren't the safest option for you, and Rich already stopped expecting anyone to act like we're in this TOGETHER, so really, you're not doing anyone any favors or sparing anyone's feelings by going against your instincts."

 

[Shade]

trap

after confering with Finn, Selene informed him that she would claim Brenda and Rich for her own and that he could have the rest. She'd make SURE they were in no position to do anything but suffer the pain and humiliation she visited upon them and then Finn would be in the clear with Mystech. Toward the end of their conference as they decided on a tactic to bring about confusion and further the paranoia the children were already feeling so that they would stupidly rush into FINN's arms, Shade warned him not to EVER call on her again to bail him out of anything to do with MYSTECH.

She may not have SHOWN it to him, but she knew that her actions could bring her into direct conflict with the Hellfire club. it was no secret that the membership to Hellfire benefited her in several ways and even though her violent temper and unwillingness to follow orders brought her into direct conflict with Malice and later resulted in Isis booting her from the black court, having the Hellfire membership on her "resume'" allowed her to globe trot on some of her personal endeavors with more ease and cover as opposed to just murdering anyone who got in her way. the hellfire club was not known for its moral compass and so the fact that several of its members INCLUDING Shade had violent murderous pasts or were filled with corruption didnt matter so long as they did not bring suspicion or undue attention to the club or its directives.

There was CONSIDERABLE risk now. Up till now, Shade acted without consequence BUT secretly she was preparing herself for the inevitable confrontation with one or more members of the Hellfire club's inner circle. One against three! three powerfull women. If she could consume Brenda and Richard before that...she'd have the power she needed to DEFINATIVELY beat them back.

Perhaps in giving into the more "human" aspects of herself and "helping a friend" she had unwittingly set herself up. perhaps it was time to MOVE ON from the hellfire club. if that were the case...so be it. but she'd have richard and brenda as her keep sakes from this little adventure.


STILL...NONE OF THIS was apparent to any of THEM and she would keep it that way!


Brenda, Richard and Jackson had been outside and Shade got a fix on them. Following them sight unseen they faltered as they squabbled amongst themselves.

just a bit father

She thought as they took their first steps in. and when the moment was upon them, Shade SUCKS them down into a shadow portal in the blink of an eye, suspending their sense of time and space and teleporting them down...down into the underground network that powered the hotel...a large, sprawling boiler room like labyrinth. cellphones wouldnt work and there was no immediate way for them to get out. they were FAR below ground in a dark environment where no one would hear their cries for help. Seperated from Dominique AND their other team mates

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Effy: “It could be a trap.”

Olivia shifted her eyes down to her cell phone, looking at Jackson's name and message again. It could be a trap...or maybe he really wants to know if they're okay and safe. Maybe he didn't want to take a chance with Dominique and just figured it out too late. Or maybe Olivia's feelings for Jackson were clouding her OWN judgement.

Effy: "It might not even be from Jackson. They could all be dead right now, for all we know. Just tell him we’re safe.”

"Yeah...I know."

Olivia began write back a short but hopefully reassuring message to Jackson. If it was even Jackson who contacted her.

"I'm with Effy....we're fine. Stay safe. - Liv"

Hitting send, Olivia sighed out and tossed the phone onto the cushion next to her.

Effy: "I can't believe Brenda and Rich were so taken in by Dominique. They acted like I spit on her - which is basically what she did to the two of us."

"I guess power outweighs loyalty....Whatever. We're better as a group, but if they want to stick with Dominique, then that's on them. [scoffing] What I don't understand is how they can want to side with her when she outright stated that Shade was apart of her Hellfire Court. How blind can they be? If Shade wants us dead, what does that say about how trustworthy and safe Dominique's little club is? It's like leading lambs to slaughter."

Resting her head back against the overstuffed couch cushion, Livvie shut her eyes and was silent for a few moments before rolling her head in Effy's direction, looking at her.

"I'm going with you to Simi Valley. You're gonna to need firepower and backup; so I hate to break it to ya, but you're stuck with me."

With a small smirk, Livvie then proceeded to grab the remote and turn on the TV, closing the conversation before Effy could argue or protest against her. Flipping through the stations, she stopped on an HBO comedy special deciding to give it a shot.

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

"I guess power outweighs loyalty....Whatever. We're better as a group, but if they want to stick with Dominique, then that's on them. [scoffing] What I don't understand is how they can want to side with her when she outright stated that Shade was apart of her Hellfire Court. How blind can they be? If Shade wants us dead, what does that say about how trustworthy and safe Dominique's little club is? It's like leading lambs to slaughter."

Effy picked her head up off her knees, and shook it.

“It’s like they want to believe she’s good so badly, it’s interfering with their reason.”

She rested her cheek back onto her knees, not looking at Livvie.

“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t need them anyway.”

"I'm going with you to Simi Valley. You're gonna to need firepower and backup; so I hate to break it to ya, but you're stuck with me."

Effy would never have thought she had anything in common with the girl in front of her. But as Olivia settled in to watch tv, Effy got up.

“I’m going to bed.”

She started to head into one of the two bedrooms the suite had. Then she paused.

“I guess…you aren’t…THAT horrible a choice. I mean, if SOMEONE has to come along and everything.”

She continued walking, and as she shut the door behind her she called back.

“Don’t stay up too late, we start planning in the morning. MysTech won’t know what hit them.”

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

It was nearly 12 in the morning and Olivia wasn't tired one bit. With her legs tucked under her, she sat back watching a pretty lame comedy special on HBO. Glancing over at Effy who got up from the couch, she stated that she was heading to bed.

"Okay, night."

Grabbing the remote, Olivia lowered the volume a bit so she wouldn't disturb Effy.

Effy: “I guess..."

Looking back over at Effy who was paused by the bedroom's doorway, she listened as the girl continued.

Effy: "..you aren’t…THAT horrible a choice. I mean, if SOMEONE has to come along and everything.”

Livvie couldn't help but smile. Effy was stubborn as a damn mule. She just couldn't come out and admit that she was happy that someone had her back. Or say thanks. But Olivia nodded, knowing that what Effy said was as close to "thanks" as anyone could get. And that was fine by her.

"Thanks....you aren't so bad yourself."

Effy: “Don’t stay up too late, we start planning in the morning. MysTech won’t know what hit them.”

"Yeah, i'll be in soon. Night Eff."

As Effy closed herself into the bedroom, Livvie sat alone in the suite's living room with only the company of the television. Looking at her iPhone which was sitting next to her on the couch, she was curious why Jackson hadn't replied back to her. He sounded pretty concerned if she was okay in his first text message....it just seemed natural that he would respond back to her saying he was glad she was safe, or maybe inquiring again where they were. He was definitely not the type of person who let things go easily. Nibbling her bottom lip, she was probably becoming too paranoid. But then again....was there such a thing as paranoid when being hunted by a shadow woman?

Shaking her head, Olivia took her iPhone and placed it on the coffee table in front of her before sprawling out on the couch. With her head propped up on a pillow, she needed to take her mind off everything. Switching the station to another HBO station, this time one of the Saw movies were playing. Nothing distracted the mind like watching people get mutilated. Settling on that, Livvie shut the lights in the living room and began to watch, passing the time before she headed to bed.

 

[Brenthon]

He listened to Brenda as she spoke. She made some good points but at the end of the day, he did NOT trust Dominique, and while she may have had a leg up on the motives of others, Brenda was acting impulsively to him. Dominique could have very well been leading them to a trap, to their deaths. But she was right, they had to make decisions for themselves.

"Well, regardless of what anyone else thinks, I would still like to think that we ARE in this together. I have made my decision. If I can try and stop this woman who seems animalistically after you, i'm gonna do it. Delilah proved to me daily that LIFE isn't about making decisions that serve you the best. Sometimes it's about sucking it up, leaving your bullshit at the door and fighting for the greater good, and that's what i'm gonna do. It probably WOULD be wise of me to leave you two alone, but.. I CAN'T do that. We're never going to agree on Dominique, but I guess, we're out of time and options to think this over. We're gonna do this.. but we are doing this TOGETHER, as a TEAM. We owe Delilah at the very least THAT."

His phone beeped at that moment as a text message from Olivia popped up on the screen.

I'm with Effy...we're fine. Stay safe. - Liv

They began to make their way into the hotel as all of a sudden, Jackson felt cold and encompassing shadow all around him as he was no longer in the lobby. Instead he was now in a very dark and disorienting environment. It was warm, and he felt like he was underground. He didn't know if the others were there and he could barely see his hands in front of his face. Jackson punched the air in anger.

"Perfect! Just FUCKING perfect! Brenda, Rich.. You There?! Looks like the Shadow Bitch strikes again!!! Thank YOU Dominique!"

 

[Matrix]

Brenda was sticking with him and she understood what he meant. GREAT. Rich kept walking while she tried to crack the nut know as Jackson. Rich already knew that since he didn't come up with it, he was only here now to try to "protect" them and be LOUDLY right if they were wrong.

He felt the cold and the lights went out and before he could shake it off he heard Jackson crying like a bitch. Like Dominique even had time to put what she said into motion. Fucking great. Time for Delilah's Chemistry drills and his survival books to take effect.

He changed one finger into Glycerin and the next finger into Potassium Permanganate and touched himself, using the flash fire to ignite his next change:Butanol. The area lit up like a Christmas Tree and warmed up as Rich looked as if he was on fire, yet unhurt. Somehow his body was immune to his partial changes...never figured out why. But he could see Meathead swinging at air and spoke to him.

Tone it down, Rocky. Find Brenda and stay close as you can stand...

 

[Brenda Castle]

Brenda gave Jackson an out, and he…. Didn't take it. How curious. She knew he was inclined to stick together, but with the doubts and reservations he had, she assumed he would leave if the option was presented to him in a way that didn't seem dishonorable. The more of Jackson's mind she heard, the more she liked him. He was a lot like Delilah. No nonsense, and genuinely decent. He even gives a rousing speech reminiscent of Delilah. Brenda smiles sweetly at him, considering the idea of kissing him on the cheek, but deciding not to take the chance of giving him the wrong impression.

"Aww Jackson, you're such a sweetheart."

He checked his phone for the message from Olivia. He didn't have to read it aloud for Brenda to know what it said. Olivia was with Effy, they were safe-- for now. At least they were together, though Brenda wished they were ALL here. Jackson's teamwork pep talk had struck a chord. Brenda picked up the pace a little so she could catch up with Rich, certain that Jackson could walk the rest of the fifteen feet of sidewalk to the front door without needing his hand to be held.

Everything went pitch black. The sound of her heels on the concrete changed to heels on a metal grate and she stopped quickly before she crashed into something or broke a shoe. She was not exactly near the boys, but not very far either. She never lost track of their minds, but everyone ELSE'S mind dropped from her mental 'earshot'. They were alone now. Brenda felt a chill run down her spine. She reached out in front of her, groping the air for something, anything. She gently struck the top of some metal railing and grasped it, not wanting to move without being able to see. She could tell from the boy's voices that she was elevated from them, and she didn't want to walk right off a ledge. Rich set himself on fire, literally, and admonished Jackson to chill out and look for Brenda.

"I'm up here."

She responded. She was just on the outer fringes of the sphere of light that Rich was making. She was standing up on the mezzanine, nearby was a spiral staircase leading down to the floor they were on. She walked slowly towards the stairs; it was still dim in here and the platform she was on was woven steel, it had many holes and was not at all friendly to her type of footwear.

[sighing gently] "What a day this is turning out to be."

 

[Shade]

attack

"too late!"

Shade, holding onto a pipe with one hand, silently drops down with the strength and agility beyond an olympic class athlete and DROP KICKS Jackson in his MOUTH with her high heeled boot. She lands, crouched down and sweeps him off his feet and then manifests a gigantic mallet via shadow construct and SMASHES him in the face. if it doesn't KILL him, the force of the immense dark energy construct and her own superior strength will certainly leave him stunned or unconscious. really he did her a favor, by running his mouth and wasting time with arguing against and delaying going to the one person who actually DID pose a threat to her, HE helped lead them into her trap.

she then turns to Rich.


not wasting anytime, Shade's eyes sparkle as shadow tendrils WHIP UP like eagerly licking flames and slap, whip and slice at Richard from all sides. the beating becomes more and more vicious until finally the tendrils begin to phase INTO his body and solidify, causing unimaginable pain that would no doubt register to BRENDA, who still was not well versed in BLOCKING OUT psychic resonance. one of the tendrils phased into his HEART. HE felt it and he KNEW it was not a good thing. if it solidified, he was dead.

Brenda got a nice surprise as well as shadow discs SLICED with lightning speed at the staircase she was, causing it to become unnconnected in several key areas before coming apart, leaving her to FALL down to the floor below.

 

[Brenthon]

Underneath the Roosevelt

Rich: Tone it down, Rocky. Find Brenda and stay close as you can stand...

"I'm sorry. I forgotten how used to this you two must be getting."

He was trying to make out Brenda's form when all of a sudden Rich lit up like a roman candle, illuminating the area and he saw Brenda above both him and Rich as she began to try and make her way down to them.

Shade: Too late!

He was caught off guard as Shade smashed her heel into his face attempting to drop kick him in the face with her high heeled boot. He was knocked a little back from the impact, but Shade would hear an almost metal hitting metal sound as her boot met his face and his nearly impenetrable skin.

"Nice try Malificent!"

He quickly tried to get up to his feet, his arms in fighting stance, ready to fight. This was really the first time he had gotten a good look at Shade. She was fatally attractive, and knew how to fight. He could see that her reputation matched her look. This was a woman to be revered, not Dominique Devereaux. She manifested a giant mallet composed of what he could only guess was shadow, with Shade being her name sake and swung at him with great speed and intensity in the face, knocking him off his feet once again and sent him flying into the opposite wall, which left an imprint of his body as he slid down it.

Jackson could go like this for hours. While he could still be moved by force, he hadn't really encountered anything that could bypass his natural invulnerability. He had been engulfed in FLAMES and felt nothing, he had jumped from high distances, only to feel only slightly dizzy. No matter what he did, he couldn't hurt himself, so he was really just waiting for the person who could actually hurt him. He stood up, his body looking as refreshed as before as he watched Shade unleash her attack on Rich and Brenda. He moved instinctively as Brenda was about to fall, he stood under the staircase, the debris falling on and off of his as he managed to catch Brenda underneath her body, holding her over his head as the rest of the staircase shattered, he set her down and sent to her in thought.

"You gotta get Effy and Livvie here. They're together, we know it. I don't know if you can reach them mentally but try, Effy should be able to track the location of my cell phone!"

As Shade was preoccupied with tormenting Rich, Jackson jumped in the air with his fist extended up before PUMMELING it to the ground with ALL of his strength, causing somewhat of an earthquake effect in the surrounding area as the floor began to rise up and flow like a wave, barrelling fast before the now large wave crashed into Shade, barrelling against her with the concrete, steel and rock debris that had been underneath the foundation of the floor, breaking her concentration with Rich and allowing him a moment to recover. He looked at Brenda.

"Please. We can't win this alone."

 

[Matrix]

"too late!"

Shade came down and hit Jackson hard, but he was seeminglyunfazed. Rich could see it in his eyes. He had been in some fights, seen even more...Jackson had a LOT more in him. Even once she smashed him with a mallet savagely and turned her sights to Rich.

She lashed at him with her tendrils again, but she had made a mistake of going back to an old tactic. Rich kept his form human-looking, even kept the fire layer, but even as she solidified the tendrils in his "body", he was fine. She then went for his heart, but who could harm a heart of sand? But she was none the wiser, so he feigned some pain, trying to buy time for Jackson to recover. Brenda would know he was playing up to the bad guy.

ARRGH!

She cut the scaffold Brenda was on, and Rich sighed with relief as Jackson caught her and then executed a BITCHIN' shockwave that tossed Shade up into the air. Rich then caught her with a move that made Delilah once call him "copycat". He turned into a solidified photon stream, hammering Shade across the room with the power of white light. It was Delilah's calling card, and he decided that now was as good a time as any to go to it. He then regrouped wiith the others, turning his hand into a phone and his arm into a huge antenna, and sent Dominique and Olivia an email to their phones. He couldn't resist the urge to use the Rick James saying which he'd always wanted to use in a real situation.

Darkness is spreading. Please help. Underground somewhere close.

He looked at the two others and spoke in a halting voice. He was momentarily staggered.

Too many changes...have to hold on...

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

It had been a half hour since Effy went into bed and Olivia decided to watch a movie. Still wide awake and completely unimpressed with the newest Saw installment, Livvie sighed thinking that it was going to be a long night. Just them her phone vibrated against the wood coffee table and lit up, indicating she recieved an email.

It must be Jackson...

She thought to herself as she sat up from the couch and grabbed her iPhone. Unlocking it, the address was unfamiliar which sunk Livvie's heart. She really hoped Jackson was okay....she could take him being upset with her for leaving the group, but she couldn't stand the thought of him being hurt by Dominique. Opening the email, it read: "Darkness is spreading. Please help. Underground somewhere close." Confusion washed over her face.

"Darkness is spreading...? Wha--[Olivia's eyes widened] Shade."

They were being attacked by Shade! Whether Dominique was in on it was yet to be discovered. Quickly standing, Livvie rushed over to Effy's bedroom door. She may have been upset with them, but she didn't want to see them DIE. Delilah risked her life to make sure they had good ones. That they could help people....she needed to put her stubborness aside and remember why they all came together in the first place.

"Effy!"

Flipping the light on, she knew Effy would be pissed. She already stated she didn't "need" the others and that she could handle MysTech herself. But Olivia had a hunch that even Effy wouldn't want the others to die. If not for the sheer fact she didn't want Shade to one up the teenagers.

"They're being attacked! Jackson and the others, Shade's attacking them somewhere underground.....I know what you're going to say, that it could be a trap, but we can't just leave them there to die. Delilah wouldn't want this..."

Tossing her iPhone at Effy.

"Trace the call, we have to hurry."

 

[Brenda Castle]

The staircase was giving way beneath her feet, and wasn't near enough to the base to be comfortable making a jump into the dark. Jackson was the nearest to her, and he was withstanding Shade's onslaught well. With an askew glance, she beckoned him over subliminally. He caught her deftly and set her down with grace, asking her to try and 'call' Effy and Olivia. She wanted to… and if she focused enough, she probably COULD reach them, especially if either of them were asleep. She found it much easier to tamper with people's minds while they were dreaming, for reasons she hadn't yet had the chance to determine.

But not now. They weren't hanging out in a cozy hotel room. They were face to face with Shade, and she required Brenda's FULL attention. To neglect Shade --in order to scrape together the focus she needed to reach Olivia or Effy at this distance-- would be to make herself a sitting duck. Luckily, Rich had an idea of his own. He shot an email to both Olivia and Dominique, then tried to steady himself. He was doing too much, too fast again. He needed to pace himself. Brenda forced Rich to dim his surface fire down drastically, until it was only in the palm of one of his hands and then she pulled Rich between herself and Jackson and prepared Jackson to defend him. It was quite dark again now, and just the three of them huddled together were in the midst of Rich's light. Everywhere else was filled with darkness, and that was Selene's domain. Brenda's eyes began to glow brightly again.

"Don't worry Jackson, the reinforcements are coming. For now, we only have to hold her off."

She didn't need to SEE Selene, she didn't even need Selene to manifest her physical form. Since blasting Shade earlier at Melrose, Brenda figured out that she only needed to listen closely for the essence of Selene's 'mind', or rather, that spooky amalgam of psionic energy that she seemed to be made of. Once Brenda located that, she could start her assault, and this time, it was no trial run. This time she was going to REALLY let Shade have it.

There! Though she couldn't tell which way was up, down or sideways in the black abyss before her, she had located Shade. She shot forth a Psycho blast, one much more concentrated and sharp than before. It pierced the darkness like a spear of blue light, crashing into Shade with the speed of thought. Brenda didn't immediately project again. She was, like Rich, weary from the TWO attacks she'd already suffer today. She was ALSO trying to do too much. She was going to have to use Jackson in a minute, and then Rich again after he'd caught his breath. It wouldn't do for her to exhaust herself to the point of passing out. Jackson still had a lot of stamina and Brenda knew that she could numb the boys to pain, and even fatigue, to a certain extent. She could only hope that between the three of them, they could hold out for Effy and Olivia, or even better DOMINIQUE!

"Be warned, Shade. We are under the protection of the Hellfire Club's Black Queen now. If you do not cease and desist immediately, they will DESTROY you. Dominique will be here soon. She is very displeased with your actions against us."

She was stalling, and rather confidently. There was not a single note of desperation in her tone. And it was mostly true. Brenda couldn't put the thoughts in Shade's head the subliminal way she was used to, but she could still suggest it the traditional way.