Sometimes they come back!

[MorningStar]

Delilah and Haleigh had returned to Melrose Place via wormhole and parted for the night, deciding they should all regroup the next morning to plan their next move. She was straightening up her apartment when suddenly her mind was invaded…

"Sharon is on her way to your place. She's pissed. She knows you visited Alycia.. I had a flash at dinner and kind of blurted it out. Sorry.. sorry sorry sorry.”

CAMERON KING!

She thought back, shaking her head. That boy! Delilah HATED when the telepaths invaded her privacy, and now things just got worse. She wasn’t ashamed that she’d gone to Alycia – she had done nothing wrong – but dealing with Sharon was at the very bottom of her list of things she wanted to do. Right below cleaning her andirons.

She took a deep breath and calmed herself, smoothed her hair back once, and stared at the door, waiting for the knock (or the fist through it) that she knew was coming.

There was a banging on the door. Well, at least she hadn’t kicked it in.

“Coming!” she called in her lightest voice.

She stood there and counted to ten, then walked to the door, put her hand on the door, paused, then opened it.

There stood Sharon (pissed, but when was she not?) and Cameron cowering nervously behind her. Oh yeah, he knew.

“Sharon, Cameron, what a surprise.” She looked hard at Cameron as she opened her door wide and motioned for them to enter.

“Back so soon from your date? To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

 

[Silver Swan]

MP apt. 1

[ Sharon turned back to look at Cameron in annoyance.]

Oh PLEASE. My wanting to question Delilah does not make me a monster. It's not as though i tore down her door and stormed into her apartment!

[ huffing as she rolled her eyes.]

Really.

[Finally the door opens, and Sharon fixes her silver eyes on Delilah.]

"Sharon, Cameron, what a surprise.” She looked hard at Cameron as she opened her door wide and motioned for them to enter.

A surprise indeed.

[ Sharon said with sarcasm. as she walked in. The more restraint she exercised the better over all this would be. though she did feel like SHAKING Cameron into unconsciousness for trying to play both sides of the fence at this moment. She KNEW Cameron had telepathically warned Delilah, just as he had picked up on their encounter with Alycia and told HER.]

[inside of Delilah's apartment]

“Back so soon from your date? To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

Yes we are. We enjoyed ourselves too. It's amazing what the company of someone who ISNT a two faced, judgemental HYPOCRATE will do for you.

[Sharon said as she eyed Delilah with suspicion.]

and I think you know why I'm here.

[ standing with one hand on her hip.]

You called on Alycia this evening. I already made it clear that she's off limits. She doesnt want to see ANY of you and I really don't blame her.

Just because she's here now, doesnt mean you have the right to invade her space. She's not an OPTION, Delilah.

[ straight to the point and with no hesitation, Sharon spoke matter of factly but she didnt have a threatening tone or posture. she'd wait to see what Delilah would do OR if Haleigh showed up and tried to interfere.]

 

[MorningStar]

You called on Alycia this evening. I already made it clear that she's off limits. She doesn’t want to see ANY of you and I really don't blame her.

Delilah raised an eyebrow.

“Excuse me? ‘Off limits’? First of all, you never said anything about Alycia to ME. Second of all, she is a grown woman and can decide who she wants to see or not see for herself. SHE opened her door to me, so I guess that’s her answer to THAT. Third of all, Alycia is MY friend. How dare you act like it was okay for YOU to visit her but not me. I CARE about her, and if something is wrong with my FRIEND, I'm going to try and find out what it is.”

Just because she's here now, doesn’t mean you have the right to invade her space. She's not an OPTION, Delilah.

Delilah’s eyes widened at the ridiculousness of what Sharon was saying, and almost laughed. She took a step forward.

“Do not for one second think you can come into MY home and decide this is the time for you to start LEADING. I didn’t invade her space. I didn’t BARGE into her home and start making accusations, ready to break down the door if I didn't get my way. YOU were GONE, Sharon. You fucked off with Cameron to play patty cake under the table. So SOMEONE had to pick up your damn slack and try and figure out what we should do next.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, her voice lowered this time.

“Alycia and I had a nice chat, and then we left her. All we did was TALK. SOME of us are able to treat others with respect, Sharon. I’ll give Alycia room to live her own life, but not because YOU tell me to. And you.”

She turned to Cameron.

“Stay out of my head if you’re going to play spy for HER.”

She thumbed indicating Sharon.

 

[Silver Swan]

Mp # 1

“Do not for one second think you can come into MY home and decide this is the time for you to start LEADING. I didn’t invade her space. I didn’t BARGE into her home and start making accusations, ready to break down the door if I didn't get my way. YOU were GONE, Sharon. You fucked off with Cameron to play patty cake under the table. So SOMEONE had to pick up your damn slack and try and figure out what we should do next.”

You're such a self righteous, judgmental BITCH. But I guess you already knew that, right?

and just WHAT were we going to do next? who were we going to fight next after LAX. NO ONE knows anything solid just yet, not even "your friend", Alycia.

[replying in a catty tone]

I didnt BARGE into your apt, you invited us in. I knocked loud enough so you'd KNOW I was there. You've been hanging around Haleigh so much I figured you might start acting as stupid as she does and try to ignore the door. I'm simply talking to you...and if you dont like being questioned, then maybe you should watch what you say or do...or is everyone ELSE subject to scrutiny BUT oh holiler than thou Delilah?

and speaking of my date with Cameron, I'm entitled to a personal life just like everyone else around here. At least I don't have to sneak around with my date, NOR is MY date someone whose out to detroy everyone around me. Maybe you're just bitter because the last date YOU had ended costing everyone you claimed to care about their freedom and nearly their lives....that would include "your friend", Alycia, wouldnt it?

“Alycia and I had a nice chat, and then we left her. All we did was TALK. SOME of us are able to treat others with respect, Sharon. I’ll give Alycia room to live her own life, but not because YOU tell me to.

Yeah and some of you PICK AND CHOOSE whom you will treat with respect. Like i said, you're just a two faced hypocrate...oh and judgemental bitch. don't forget that. I'm not jumping through hoops for YOU or anyone else. I have EVERY RIGHT to be here if i so choose and if you can't get past who i am and what i've become, that's YOUR problem not mine.

[ the PERSONAL contempt Sharon had for Delilah was coming out now. not a good sign. Still, Sharon kept it verbal, and didnt take a threatening posture or make any physical gestures. that alone was a major thing.]

She turned to Cameron.

“Stay out of my head if you’re going to play spy for HER.”

She thumbed indicating Sharon.

HE wasnt doing ANYTHING for me. I didnt ask him to "play spy" and if it wasnt such a big deal...if you were truly as JUSTIFIED as you claim you were in visiting Alycia, you wouldnt blame him. I guess your motives for visiting her werent as noble as you claim. Like i said...I KNOW what you asked her about. You and Haleigh just couldnt WAIT to find out her secret and you probably think SHE and Terra Save were behind the LAX attack.

You better just get used to me being here...and when it comes to Alycia, you can believe I'll be VERY MUCH involved in any further dealings you have with MY best friend.

[ and with that, she leaves.]

 

[MorningStar]

And just WHAT were we going to do next? Who were we going to fight next after LAX. NO ONE knows anything solid just yet, not even "your friend", Alycia.

“Which is why we were SUPPOSED to be meeting back here to FIGURE THAT OUT. Remember that? Just before you DESERTED US yet again because you think you are too damn good for us? If you don’t want to do anything about the T and G virus’ being out in the world that’s fine, but leave US alone so WE can do something with our lives other than be BITTER OLD HAGS LIKE YOU.”

Delilah narrowed her eyes.

“I am so sick of your bullshit, Sharon. ‘Oh, poor Sharon, she came back from the dead with super powers.’ GET OVER IT. Stop expecting US to keep apologizing and apologizing for not trusting you at first when you started massacring civilians and trying to murder Haleigh! And while we’re on the subject of Haleigh, get off her damn back! How do you expect people to act when you treat them like shit, Sharon? Oh wait, I know the answer, you expect them to kiss your ass for the priviledge. Well that a’int happening here anymore.”

I have EVERY RIGHT to be here if i so choose and if you can't get past who i am and what i've become, that's YOUR problem not mine.

“It’s YOU who can’t get past what you’ve become, Sharon. The rest of us don’t give a shit, but you’re too busy being a self-absorbed cow to realize that. You and Nicolas really are family, aren’t you – everything is about how badly everyone else treats YOU.”

HE wasnt doing ANYTHING for me. I didnt ask him to "play spy" and if it wasnt such a big deal...if you were truly as JUSTIFIED as you claim you were in visiting Alycia, you wouldnt blame him. I guess your motives for visiting her werent as noble as you claim. Like i said...I KNOW what you asked her about. You and Haleigh just couldnt WAIT to find out her secret and you probably think SHE and Terra Save were behind the LAX attack.

“I BLAME him because now I’ve got you beating down my door ordering me around like you have any say in what I do. And no, I don’t think Alycia is behind the LAX attack: unlike you, I trust MY teammates.”

You better just get used to me being here...and when it comes to Alycia, you can believe I'll be VERY MUCH involved in any further dealings you have with MY best friend.

“Don’t forget that I am the manager of this establishment in Morgan’s absence and I would be perfectly within my rights to kick your silver ass out of here at any time I choose. All that birdshit in your apartment is reason enough. As for any involvement in MY further dealings with Alycia or anyone else – you aren’t MY leader anymore and YOU won’t be involved with ME until you learn to act like a fucking grownup.”

Sharon left the apartment, but Delilah went right after her.

“I should have let him kill you.”

She turned on her heel and slammed the door.

 

[Silver Swan]

MP courtyard

[ Sharon exhaled with a sarcastic laugh as Delilah remarked about the "bird shit alone" in her apartment. clearly she hadnt bothered to see the extraordinary measures Sharon took to more than efficiently manage the birds in that regard. still Sharon knew that along with Delilah's other replies were just her trying to take Sharon at her measure. Sharon refused to give place to most of what she was saying because as far as SHE was concerned, Delilah was two faced, judgemental and a raging hypocrate.]

“Sharon left the apartment, but Delilah went right after her.

“I should have let him kill you.”

She turned on her heel and slammed the door.

Flash [ Sharon GRABS Delilah by her hair and YANKS her back outside before she can shut the door.]

Oh...you mean like THIS!?

[ Sharon SNAPS Delilah's neck TWO ways before twisting her head CLEAN OFF and letting the body fall to the ground and writhe around. Blood has spattered on to Sharon's silver armour while SHE holds Delilah's head up by the hair and looks at it]

Well we all make mistakes now don't we?

[with that...she PUNTS Delilah's head up into the sky.]

Hmmm....

[smiling with satisfaction]

FLASH

[ back to REALITY. Sharon looks at the door as it slams shut, speaking loudly enough that Delilah will CERTAINLY hear her.]

and that would ONLY have prooven you to be the SELL OUT and TRAITOR that more than half your friends were ready to brand you as. Good evening, JUSTICER TRELEVAN.

[ Sharon walked away, toward her own apartment. She hadnt assaulted anyone, she hadnt even caused any property damage. But she was ready to BREAK Delilah in HALF. The ANGER she felt at this moment ...it made her TREMBLE even as she placed her hand on the doorknob of her door.]

 

[Seer]

and into the night

<< and with that confrontation's conclusion it becomes clear that Sharon and Delilah are clearly on opposite sides of a bitter chasm filled with resent and neither woman was willing to give in. >>

<< For Cameron it was definately hard to watch unfold. He could remember how it was a couple years ago when HE was like this with Morgan or even his own sister Alison. He could also remember the fact that Haleigh could infuriate ANYONE from human, to mutant, to OLYMPIAN and beyond even.>>

<< Whatever the situation, if SHE was involved, it was more than likely that more than one person would be livid. Delilah had now officially stepped in on behalf of Haleigh and was inviting the full brunt of Sharon's wrath upon her. Would Haleigh realize that? >>

<< Still, Sharon had demonstrated remarkable restraint for HER. It was no secret that she was more blood thirsty, a trait that was now apart of her as ther Silver Swan. She was meant for violence, battles, hunting and the like. Morgan and Nicolas, along with the Amazons had helped her to overcome MOST of her new found base instincts and tonight COULD have gone VERY badly but it didnt. No bloodshed, no physical violence, no property damage. SOMETHING was better than nothing.>>

<< After bidding Sharon goodnight, Cameron returned to his own apartment. He was right about one thing...OVERALL, nothing that was happening now was anything that couldnt be overcome at some point. It would just take time....>>

<< TIME that would soon be consumed by something far more pressing than the latest bitchfight in Melrose Place.>>

<< as the night wore on and the residents of MP had a precious few hours to themseleves, each of them stayed in their own apartments trying to figure out why the "family" never seemed to be at peace for long no matter WHO was on the roster and also, what today's episode at LAX would mean in the long term. Their friend, and long time trusted ally, ALYCIA BARNETT wanted nothing to do with most of them, it was a surprising, hurtfull turn of events but with change there is always that possibility of a development that one does not want.>>

<< several more hours pass and it is now LATE night, after midnight. Nicolas finds himself feeling a bit unsettled. At first he might dismiss it as just residual agitation from his own newfound rift with Sharon and the mystery behind her suddenly EXPLOSIVE behavior as of late. But it grew more and more with each passing moment. Soon, Morgan's small white kitten decides that Nicolas is shifting too much for her comfort and she mews with a bit of protest and scampers away from him.>>

<< he realizes that its more than a feeling...its a FEEDBACK and from a mind that he doesnt often make contact with. a mind t hat SHOULD Be psi screened from him but because of their blood bond, he maintains that connection to his AUNT, Dominique Deveraux, the Hellfire Club's BLACK QUEEN a.k.a. Isis. >>

<< something is wrong...and for Dominique to be broadcasting a psychic feedback that her nephew can pick up without even trying....it MUST be serious.>>

<< the sisterhood still is enjoying a "truce" with the six and so...Nicolas decides to rouse the others before he jumps to any rash actions. they must make contact with Dominique before they intrude upon the Hellfire Club mansion.>>

 

[Black Widow]

The meeting was over, just like that. Haleigh could tell Alycia was just trying to pacify them with the information she doled out. She still wasn't telling them everything, wasn't trusting them completely. Haleigh discusses this with Delilah on the way back and they both agree that they should wait until morning to see if Alycia got anymore information from her task tonight. Haleigh went back to her apartment, where she could hear the shower running. Zach was back. Haleigh started to go to him, but she stopped suddenly when she heard a loud banging next door. She looked out the window and down the hall. Sharon and Cameron were at Delilah's door, discussing something. Sharon was wearing her usual bitchface.

Cameron:Hey.. I know we're not on the best of terms right now.. but I was at dinner with Sharon, I saw you guys with Alycia, I told her.. she might be on a warpath... i'm just letting you know in case things get wo-- [pause]

Christ, Cameron. What were you thinking?? …. Cameron….?

Cameron: get worse.. sorry.. uhm. I.. I need to talk to you later tonight if possible... not at Melrose Place? That park off Wilshire.. the one where that swan attacked me?

[after hesitating] Okay…. Midnight then. I'll be south of the pond.

She wasn't sure what he wanted, she wasn't even sure she WANTED to see him right now, but her instincts told her he wouldn't have asked if it weren't important. This was the first time he'd requested ANY kind of alone time with her since he'd returned.

Right now something more pressing was happening. Sharon was berating Delilah for the impromptu meeting with Alycia. Haleigh's first thought was to go out there and intervene. It wasn't fair for Delilah to have to face Sharon alone. They'd both gone, and Haleigh had 'neglected' to tell Delilah that sharon had texted Cameron saying Alycia was not to be disturbed. But on second thought…. Maybe inserting herself into the situation wasn't such a sound idea. The last TWO times Sharon and Haleigh had directly opposed each other, it resulted in fisticuffs with more than ONE set of opponents. Haleigh didn't want to be responsible for yet ANOTHER bloodbath.

So she held herself in her apartment, and watched the interaction carefully, ready to act if necessary. Sharon was her usual obnoxious self. Delilah held her own admirably and thankfully, the encounter was short lived. Haleigh made a mental note to thank Delilah later for going so far as to tell Sharon to back off Haleigh. Sharon wouldn't listen, but the gesture was appreciated anyway. Haleigh heard the shower being shut off. She made her way into the bathroom, where Zach was toweling off.

"Hello handsome."

Zach: Hey. I heard about LAX. I assume you were there, since the whole city isn't a warzone.

[nodding with a smile] "We stopped by. I'd like to relax with you…. But I have some investigating to do… and then… I'm going to meet Cameron at Hancock Park. I don't know why he can't just talk to me here… but I wanted to tell you… so that you knew I wasn't trying to hide it."

Zach: I trust you.

Investigating Terra Save and Wilpharma wasn't the only thing she wanted to do. She also needed some uninterrupted alone time to try and search her memory banks for possible answers to her personal problem. In particular, she thought she might find SOMETHING if she went through her memories of the future alternate reality...

 

[Prophet]

Apartment #8

Well, this was going just lovely. He let the exchange go as it needed to, seeing no reason to interject on either of their behalf. It would have made things worse. Neither woman needed his help, and to be quite honest, he sided with Delilah. Alycia Barnett may have been a friend to the Six, and she may have gone through alot, but if she had any information, she SHOULD have given it. It was far too late in his opinion for her to decide that suddenly they all had ruined her life because she CHOSE to get involved with them in the first place, her first appearance being when she was threatening to take Cameron himself down for his tumultuous relationship at the time with Morgan. He respected Alycia greatly and their psychic connection during the Silver Swan caper had left him with a different taste in her mouth when it came to her, but she was a grown woman who knew EXACTLY what she was doing. The Six may have complicated things for her, but it wasn't THEIR fault they had abilities, abilities that on MORE than one occassion ended up saving the very people who chose to villify them in some way now.

He was a little irritated with Sharon and they soon bid each other goodnight. If this was what a date with Sharon Kelly looked like, he was very curious to see what would happen next. He went back to his apartment, changing into more comfortable clothes. It was at times like these he wished he had a true friend or companion. The only person he could really talk openly with would be his sister and she was far away. Suddenly, the reality of him being back in the mix with everyone started to weigh down on him. Everything was wrong. Everything. Haleigh was with Zach. Morgan and Alison were gone. Sharon was... testy. Delilah was disconnected. Nicolas and Sharon weren't what they should have been. He could see a very bleak future with all of them if things weren't fixed. Secretly he wondered if things would have been different if he had been there. Maybe Zach wouldn't be in the picture, maybe he could have helped Sharon integrate herself better back into the real world, maybe Haleigh and Nicolas would have never happened... maybe he could have fixed things?

Opening his wet bar, he took out a nice aged scotch and poured himself a small glass, and took a nice warm drink as he sat in his living room in the dark, the only light coming from through the blinds that was radiating in the courtyard. He decided at that moment that he was going to fix things. He was going to try. He was going to have to try and be what his sister was to this team. Not that he didn't have to work on things of his own, but he knew this team was truly.. the world's only hope. Things like Terra Save were fleeting. They weren't going to last. But The Six, in WHATEVER incarnation it took on, would live, would survive. They HAD to. He looked at his watch, it was about time to head to the park, but for now he took in the darkness around him, hoping to "see" the right way for this team to function, because right now they were no better off than they were when they first started, and as everyone knew, the consequences of THAT could be deadly.

 

[Rampage]

He could hear the discussion outside but he clocked them out, willed himself into sleep and meditation. He did not physically need the rest but a telepath with a tired mind is dangerous to himself and his team. He entered restfulness and was relaxing when he felt an impression. At first he shifted a bit back and forth, willing away what he thought was obviously his irritation and disappointment at the rift with Sharon. But it would not be dismissed. It only grew in intensity and he realized that this was not internal, but EXTERNAL.

It was unmistakable, but RARE in that it reached out to HIM.

He and Dominique were on good terms, quite good in fact. But that did not mean that she POPPED into his head to say "hi". No...something was wrong.

This was feedback, an expression of Dominiques' own emotional distress! That he could pick this up so easily was not only unusual, it was downright wrong unless she were in REAL trouble.

He sat up quickly, the kitten had already cleared out as she sensed his agitation. He got up and nearly ran off quickly on hi sown. But NO. The team deserved to know. The truce was important and besides, he was smart enough to realize that they would be worse off divided. He would need them to help him contact Dominique before they moved in any case.

This was a growth moment for Nicolas. Up to the last few days, he would have charged off to help without getting things together.

So he summoned everyone via the commlink system in their apartments, bolstered by his own telepathic powers. They would be awakened.

I am sorry to disturb you, but there is something going on that you need to know about. We will likely be needed. Please meet me outside in the courtyard in 2 minutes.

Nicolas teleported out to the courtyard ready for bear, axe in hand gleaming in the moonlit darkness.

 

[MorningStar]

Ungrateful bitch!

Delilah was fuming.

She is DELUSIONAL.

Delilah was laying in bed, trying to read, no hope of falling asleep anytime soon. But she had read the same sentence about 50 times already - her thoughts kept being invaded by her anger at Sharon's self-absorption.

The com system suddenly came alive.

I am sorry to disturb you, but there is something going on that you need to know about. We will likely be needed. Please meet me outside in the courtyard in 2 minutes.

Deciding not to bother changing out of her pajamas, she pulled on her cute Adidas sneakers and headed outside to meet Nicolas. He sounded really worried - what could it be that HE alone was alerted to it?

"What's going on?" she asked as she was pulling her blonde hair back into a high pony.

 

[Prophet]

Finishing off his last sip of scotch, Cameron put the glass back onto the mini bar and headed out to the courtyard, taking a seat near the pool.

He still had a few hours before he was going to meet up with Haleigh to discuss what he had seen, but while sitting in the living room, he had a flash that Nicolas would need them to gather there, so he decided that he wouldn't wait until he heard him over the intercom system.

Soon, Nicolas was there and then Delilah. He made one of those awkward hello smiles to Delilah, the kind where you're not sure if that person wants to talk to you yet so you smile anyway.

"Yeah. What seems to be the problem...."

Stopping for a moment, seemingly in thought.

"Who's Dominique?"

 

[Silver Swan]

MP courtyard

[ Sharon had been in her apartment for a little while. having resettled her gryfalcons, who had responded to her extreme agitation. She was now on a yoga mat doing some stretching and other meditation techniques. Nicolas' call came over the intercom system and as she exhaled and stood up. she was still in a silver tank top and silver short shorts which showed off a toned, feminine form as she emerged from her apartment into the night time courtyard where Cameron and Delilah were. ]

[ she ignored Delilah and stood silent as Cameron asked who Dominique was. He had been gone for a while, apparently missing MANY key events in the Six over the past several months. He could be a liability in that way if this situation was about to change for the worse. She'd let Nicolas handle the explanation of Dominique Deveraux]

[ what could POSSIBLY be going on? She waited to hear what Nicolas had to say.]

 

[Black Widow]

There were a lot of memories to sort through. Nothing jumped out. She had highly evolved powers ten years from now... but there was no way of knowing how she'd reached that point. It was extremely frustrating to be out of answers, but she figured that if she had been able to function in the future timeline without this distraction, then maybe her future self had found a way to deal with it. Which meant she COULD handle it. Or else, her future self had just eaten and so she wasn't hungry.

FUCK I hate being such a freak. I can't even be a run of the mill freak, either. I'm abnormal even by superhuman standards.

She was so absorbed in racking her memory for hints that she almost missed Nicolas' voice on the intercom. She was jarred back to the present by a mental nudge from him. Something was wrong. Haleigh begrudgingly slinked out to the courtyard for the impromptu get together. Delilah asked what was going on, and they all looked to Nicolas for the answer. Out of the blue, Cameron asked about Dominique.

"Dominique Devereaux, Nic's aunt. She's like what Whitney Houston would have been if she'd never turned into a crackhead. Also, she's the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club and one third of the Sisterhood, with whom we've been engaged in a truce ever since.... [awkward pause] well, ever since they helped defeat Set. [moving on quickly] Does Dominique need us, Nicolas?"

 

[Persephone]

After a relatively painless dinner with Nicolas, they soon parted ways, Ava heading up to her apartment with Onyx. Unaware of all the drama stewing between Delilah, Haleigh, and Alycia, Ava decided that no news was good news. Deciding to take a long hot bath to detox from the day, Ava disappeared into her bathroom for over an hour.

As the time passed, everything was pretty quiet. That was until Sharon arrived home. She could hear the conversation between her and Delilah as if they were having it in her bathroom. Rolling her eyes shut Ava sunk deeper into the tub submerging herself under water. Even THERE she heard the muffled quips and digs that both woman were saying to each other. Grunting out under water, bubbles floated to the surface just as Ava sat up, slicking her wet hair back.

"This is unbelievable. Can't you two GIVE IT A REST?!"

Shouting from her bathroom, she knew Sharon would hear her for sure. Standing from the tub, Ava lifted the stopper up, draining the water. So much for a relaxing bath. Heading into her bedroom, she slipped into a some pajamas and headed out into the livingroom to have a drink and watch some late night TV. She hadn't even gotten half way through her scotch when she heard Nicolas' voice over the intercom.

Nicolas: I am sorry to disturb you, but there is something going on that you need to know about. We will likely be needed. Please meet me outside in the courtyard in 2 minutes.

Dropping her head back against the sofa cushion, Ava looked up at the ceiling.

"Must there always be a crisis?"

Shutting the TV off, Ava finished off her scotch before getting up and heading out of her apartment. She saw everyone was gathered downstairs in the courtyard. With bare feet, she descended the stairs, tucking her loosely curled locks [due to letting them air dry] behind her ear.

"What's wrong now?"

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas sighed and waited patiently as everyone assembled. Cameron got an impression of Dominique and asked about her. Nic nodded at Haleigh's response.

Dominique Devereaux, Nic's aunt. She's like what Whitney Houston would have been if she'd never turned into a crackhead. Also, she's the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club and one third of the Sisterhood, with whom we've been engaged in a truce ever since.... [awkward pause] well, ever since they helped defeat Set. [moving on quickly] Does Dominique need us, Nicolas?

I believe so Haleigh. I am getting negative feedback from her psi-shielded mind from across the CONTINENT. NOT good. I am ready to assist, but if whatever it is can do THIS to her as one of the 3 or 4 most powerful sorceresses on the planet, it concerns us all. Since we are truced to the Hellfire Club, you deserved to know. I will be contacting her and departing in moments. In spite of our past, she IS family (glances quickly at Sharon, then up at the sky) and I will not EVER simply abandon her. I would...appreciate your help.

Nicolas fell silent, but Haleigh and Cameron would feel his mind going a mile a minute. He was at once anxious about Dominique's fate and his will was set to help her immediately.

 

[Silver Swan]

MP- courtyard

[ Sharon shifted her outfit back into its armoured form she adjusted her eye mask and ran her armoured hands through her hair as Nicolas glanced at her.]

[ She may have been FURIOUS with Nicolas, but right was right. He had been willing to go to the ends of the earth to help HER with Kyle. She'd do the same for him with Dominique.]

Yours without asking.

[ she said, secretly hoping that there'd be a reason for her to be violent and destructive on whatever this caper was shaping up to be.]

[Nicolas indicated from the impressions he got got from Dominique that she along with the rest of the Sisterhood were at the Hellfire Mansion, the main branch in New York City.]

[ with everyone soon gathered and Sharon having spoken for them ALL! , it was time for them to get going, and so with a wormhole courtesy of MorningStar, they would take their first and LIGHT SPEED step from one side of the continent to the Hellfire Mansion, but not DIRECTLY into it. Haleigh insisted they appear outside and a few feet away just to be able to get a clear assessment of what was happening before they entered. Any misstep could be seen as a betrayal of the truce between the Six & The Sisterhood and BOTH parties were still benefiting from it.]

 

[Seer]

NYC - The Hellfire Mansion

<< evening gives way to even LATER evening as the group travels across the continent at light speed thanks to MorningStar's beautifull wormhole effect.>>

<< outside and directly across the street from the hellfire mansion, with central park right behind them, the six are greeted by an evening rain storm and the sounds of SCREAMS and CHAOS as members of the elite, long standing Hellfire Club are running out and away from the mansion for their lives. Some are BLOODY and others fall , too wounded to move any further and OTHERS are....ZOMBIES.>>

<< ZOMBIES at the hellfire mansion? it couldn't be good.>>

<< there are flames spilling out from several shattered windows higher up the building but there was no sign of the sisterhood or anything that could tell them just what was going on or how bad it was. like it or not, the team would HAVE to go in. Helping those who were still ALIVE to escape while they could and repell the attack of unusually SAVAGE zombies, who seemed to be closer to evolving into the dreaded "Crimson Head" stage. >>

<< Silver Swan and Rampage lead the way...providing the raw physical power to repell what comes straight at them or to rescue humans from the clutches of agressive zombies while Persephone uses her power over nature to immediately dispell the rain but instead create a fog to further conceal the area from outsiders AND to impair the vision of escaping zombies. Prophet reaches out with his psi powers and immediately calms those fleeing who are still alive and replacing their panic with thoughts of "leaving in an orderly fashion". Black Widow and MorningStar provide cover Silver Swan and Rampage as they move through the mansion but for Haleigh, this situation rattles her more than it ever would have in the past. Maybe its because in her heart of hearts...she knows that THIS is her ultimate fate. Nothing else thus far has truly been "THE END" but soon...someway....THIS [A Zombie] is what she will become and then her life will TRULY be over. That's what she THINKS, but how close it is to becoming a reality, is anyone's guess.>>

<< the team moves through the mansion turning through different hallways, repelling surprise attacks, rescuing hellfire members and soon, Rampage again picks up on Dominique's destress.>>

 

[Isis]

the crystal ball room

what manner of HORROR!?

[ Dominique yells as she spins away from the snapping jaws and frenzied reach of a zombie and lashes out with a well placed spin kick to send him falling back.]

[ She isnt the only one here. Diana, a.k.a. Malice and Helena, a.k.a Enchantrah are here as well, each dressed in their trademark garb/colors as the White, Red & Black Queens. Three women as powerfull as their names imply, each with a past that has lead them to being what they are now. Individually, each of them is capable of causing the Six GREAT trouble, together as the Sisterhood, they dealt MORE than one crippling blow to the team, but NOW they have enjoyed the benefit of a truce with the Six, ever since BOTH sides were forced to come together to face, survive and defeat SET.]

[ Dominique has seen much in her travels, but unlike Diana and Helena, her past does NOT link to Mystech and so, the nightmares, the secrets and the CREATURES born from that entity were not apart of her life as they were her two counterparts or her nephew or the six. for HER, this evening went from being one of elegance to one of sheer disbelief and nightmare.]

[ from ONE "sick" member of the hellfire club, came this nightmare, this horrific cascade of blood, violence and chaos. the T VIRUS was NOT something she'd dealt with before and so now, she was on the defense, and these people, several of whom were on her BLACK COURT were now attacking HER with a BLOODLUST she hadnt seen since....]

FLASH

Nicolas eyes snapped open and he quickly grabbed her wrists, breaking them as he stopped her from slicing him with the blade. He lifted both her hands with his right as he stood, then jumped quickly forward, smashing her into the wall behind.

Nicolas then did something that NO ONE, not even the Seer could have imagined. He kissed Isis roughly on the mouth as he jammed his free hand up her skirt, making her squirm. As he spoke, his booming voice was impossibly deep and reeked of malice. No one would recognize it, except Isis herself.

FLASH

[ that LOOK, that vacant, MURDEROUS look! Despite the emotions it stirred up in her, she was NOT the young girl in that hut in her village all those moons ago. She had defeated Set and taken her place as the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, WHATEVER manner of horror this was, she'd DEFEND herself by any means necessary!]

DIANA, what's HAPPENED!? only MOMENTS ago we were engaged in a gala celebration and NOW....members have gone MAD, attacking...DEVOURING their own! the dead...they WALK!


[ dodging MORE attacks, the crystal ballroom was large and spacious but with the CHAOS happening around them and the POWER having failed, the sisterhood were taken completely unaware by the explosive event. the T VIRUS had somehow entered the hellfire mansion!]

[ Isis moves with the grace and skill of an olympic ballerina but there's no time to make even ONE mistake or misstep.]

We have to get underground and SEAL OFF!

[ trying to make her way over to one of the walls where she knew the secret panel was. she TRIPS over the dead body of one of the members of HER black court and hits the marble floor HARD...]

[ IMMEDIATELY she FEELS them closing in on her, she can FEEL their rancid presence, HEAR their horrid gurgling, groaning and growling and as they REACH for her with their rotting flesh, she PANICS!]

NO! GET AWAY!

[ she shrieks as she IMMEDATELY transforms into her explosive sandcloud form, the howl of high winds and the SHARP, SCOURING force of the crystaline sand particles WHIPS into a furious column effect as she SWEEPS the zombies that sought to devour her up into the air. they suddenly seem less menacing and more like helpless victims themselves as Isis moves across the ballroom and in one frenzied move, expells them up and OUT of a window, BLOWING the large ornamental window out completely as she seends the zombies flying out into the night sky.]

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Mansion- crystal ballroom

:: She shouldve said something the INSTANT she sensed the person who was "sick" with the T virus but as far as SHE knew, the Six had destroyed the T Virus...and this happened while SHE was disembodied, courtesy of Morgan's soulsword. Diana couldnt have guessed that a member of the HELLFIRE club would somehow be responsible for a SWEEPING outbreak of the T Virus for the first time SINCE Malice's "death".::

:: her hesitation costs her and her fellow Queens DEARLY as they are confronted with an eruption of chaos, panic, blood and violence. If Diana is at all troubled by what she sees unfold before her like a runaway bullet train, she doesnt show it not on the conscious level. Still even as Isis expresses true surprise and dismay, Malice and Enchantra can't HELP but feel de ja vu.::

:: another time, another mansion...same virus...::

Flash

Malice: and WE don't need YOU! you're OLD NEWS, Marcus...and you've gotten sloppy and stagnant!

<< the soldiers were under Malice's telepathic control, as they took aim at Marcus.>>

Marcus: DIANA! you SELF SERVING BITCH!!

<< going for broke, Marcus lunges for a vile of the G-virus and injects HIMSELF!!>>

Malice: SHOOT HIM DOWN!

<< the transformation as is FAST as it is TERRIFYING Marcus grows in physical size and dimensions, gaining super human strength , speed and durability. he SLAUGHTERS the soldiers, ripping them to pieces with BLOODY abandon and begins rampaging toward Malice.>>

Malice: Helena, seal the mansion and GAS ANYONE on ANY FLOOR.

<< the Red Queen eagerly complies, operating the control panel.>>

Malice: Marcus...you stupid FOOL. you've just prooven how much of a FREAK you always WERE!

<< in a move that nicolas and haleigh would know well, Malice touches her index and middle finger to her forehead...the sound of energy chiming is heard as a white halo forms around her hand and she takes aim launching a psi lightning javeline at the charging creature once known as Marcus. the javeline hits him square in his chest with THUNDEROUS crashing effect but the BACKLASH from the attack is truly devasating as the lab is ravaged. the creature is HURT but not felled by the blast and its power ricochets...destroying set ups and equipment and causing fire to break out.>>

Helena: Diana! you shouldnt have done that...the VIRUS will be released into the vent and water systems.

Malice: THAT doesnt matter. WE can get out through the underground express tube....its those idiots ABOVE who will meet their doom. as long as this place is SEALED...no one will be the wiser for no one will be LEFT ALIVE from within! Don't you see? This FOOL has just made our job EASIER!

<< the creature known as Marcus ROARS with disoriented rage..the G Virus causing him to mutate even FURTHER as he becomes a large, scaley creature with tentacles, a third eye and clawed hands and feet.>>

Malice: my psycho blast wont stop him. he is BEYOND control. we're leaving...SEAL the room behind us, Helena. let this creature DIE with all the rest of his creations. Dr.Chandler has secured the formula and samples for the G Virus....we have what we need.

<< and with that...the White Queen and Red Queen evacuate, followed by Dr's Chandler and Victory. the lab is engulfed in violent flames as it is sealed.>>

<< zoom from underground to the main floors of the mansion.
<< sirens begin to soound off as doors and windows, ALL possible exits are sealed as small electrial malfunctions and fires break out. the VIRUS is loose and RAVAGES the unprotected workers and staff...as well as any animals. people screaming, tearing at their clothes and bodies as they fall victim and become zombies, or DIE and later reanimate at a later time. meanwhile in various floors were lab experiments were kept...creatures already infected and mutated begin to ESCAPE out into the mansion, OUT of the mansion and into the forest, the water systems, the trees....the mansion itself remains intact...no reports of fire are made, no reports of ANYTHING and one of the largest cases of mass murder unfolds before the six. James Marcus double crossed Lord Spencer and he was himself double crossed by MALICE and what would come to be known as the Hellfire Club of a new age of MysTech!>>

FLASH

:: Malice and Enchantrah had released the T Virus in the ARKLAY Mansion more than a decade ago. They murdered dozens of people and most became zombies. From THAT moment, the T Virus was DESTINED to escape the mansion and be carried through the forest various ways where it would eventually reach the city. Back in her time as the Queen of Mystech, she COUNTED on such an event, but Mystech was gone, and she was no longer interested in any remnants of Mystech....and now THIS!? Diana couldnt HELP but be paused by the obvious memories this was all evoking in her.::

:: even as Isis and Enchantrah looked to her for any instructions, Malice was uncharacteristically SILENT as the chaos unfolded, suddenly switching to DIAMOND form as a zombie attacked her and BIT her, but in her diamond form, the bite had no effect at all. she PULPS the zombie's head with one punch.::

Isis: We need to GET OUT OF HERE.

Malice: Yes, we DO. you two, regroup with me....the rest...are EXPENDABLE.

:: cruel, but not unusual for Malice. She'd come to understand the value of a team, hence the Sisterhood...but she was not about to PURPOSEFULLY risk her life to rescue anyone else outside of the Sisterhood, not when the three of them could very well be overwhelmed by an ever growing BIO HAZARD event.::

:: this was surreal for Diana. She never imagined the ghosts from her past would come back...like THIS.::

:: Isis panics, and blows a dozen Zombies out of the ornamental window nearly the ceiling and opens the ballroom up to the outside elements.::

The catacombs are our only hope! Until I can fingure out just WHAT has happened!

:: helping Isis to her feet, Malice turns toward the entrance to the ballroom.::

Enchantrah, evacuate the rest of these creatures! We're getting out of here NOW!

:: and with that, she touches her index & middle finger to her forehead in a "salute" gesture. psychic energy sounds off as a white sparkling energy form manifests and she creates one of her trade mark PSI JAVELINES. taking aim, she hurls it with perfect form at the oncoming zombies. the javeline charges with a thunderous din toward them and collides with a POWERFULL expanding explosive impact as it BLOWS them apart with psychic and concussive force.::

:: as deadly and precise as her attack is, there are STILL more to replace the once she destroyed!::

Enchantrah! HURRY!

:: of the three of them, only Malice and Enchantrah had encountered these things before and Malice could see and SENSE the increased agression in these zombies. something was DIFFERENT about them. Had the T VIRUS evolved!?::