The Blue Moon

[Spellbinder]

Limbo- The Summit

<< Since the time she first allowed Rampage inside of her mind, past her psi screen, which itself was a bonding moment for the two, they had come to see they were more kindred spirits than they may have realized or appreciated. She with her "Darkchild" manifestation during the Inferno and He with is dark persona born from the heritage of his true father, Set. >>

<< They'd fallen apart and away for a while, but slowly, bit by bit, they repaired, rebuilt and learned to understand each other as the people they were now...today. >>

<< In one terrifying timeline, Nicolas saw a lesser, alternate version of Spellbinder brutally raped and murdered by his own cross time alternate. They had been married and had a child, the beautiful, bi-racial, violet eyed Victoria King. That Nicolas then himself violently murdered in a terrifying act of retribution by Karen Victoria, Shadow Weaver, Morgan's mother. Victoria King was left orphaned, without a mother, father or even a grandmother. She was cared for by an alternate Persephone and Harbinger. the alternate Karen was put on trial and set to be burned at the stake, taken to her execution by alternates Delilah and Michael Tralevan. But the mainstreams intervened, helping the alternates Harbinger and Persephone, along with an alternate Sharon Kelly, rescue Karen and escape that timeline with Victoria...giving them a chance and hope for a better life. Mainstream Nicolas was ESPECIALLY committed to seeing them escape to freedom and hopefully a better life. He felt responsible and needed to try to do something to balance the terrifying wrongs that had happened in this timeline.>>

<< That particular timeline haunted mainstream Nicolas and the rest of the Six even as they returned with their rescued loved ones to mainstream.>>

<< Ultimately, it was learned that the reason for that Nicolas' inexplicable actions was due to the manipulation of BARBAS who wanted revenge on Hecate AND her bloodline. >>

<< That, among certain other specific events including Delilah's attempted suicide, put Spellbinder and Nicolas on an accelerated path to reconciliation. Both of them, on some quiet, secret level inside themselves wondered what was their ultimate destiny, since they saw at least one timeline where they had a child together.>>

<< Through lessons learned and personal growth, their relationshp healed and now here they were, working together at Spectra and standing together in a revived, vital Six.>>

<< Now, together in Limbo, at the start of what would be a harrowing campaign into the underworld for them both, they took these precious few moments in the uncertain silence of the Summit to appreciate each other, the new level of understanding and empathy they had for each other's natures and struggles with those natures, the happiness they had for each other seeing that they both had come FAR in controlling those natures, making them work FOR them rather than being CONTROLLED by them.>>

<< But on a more personal level, Morgan allowed herself this tender moment with Nicolas because...there WAS the possibility that she could fail in her battle with Circe. She could be possesed BY Circe, they could BOTH die in the Underworld.>>

<< It touched her, that Nicolas answered Athena and Hecate's call to HIM to stand with her. They called him their "CHAMPION"...that was not a title Athena bestowed easily OR lightly upon ANYONE in any time>>

Nicolas...

<< she allows herself to be swallowed into his strong but tender embrace, tilting her head back slightly and closing her eyes as she welcomes his kiss. More than a few moments pass as she holds him, returning his embrace and his kiss. Far away from prying eyes or minds.>>

<< It was as good a day as any to die. She WOULD go to her death if that's what it took to stop Circe and save her family, the WORLD from the insane renegade goddess level sorceress who was her direct rival to Hecate's power and legacy and so, this time, this moment...was her's and she shared it with Nicolas.>>

<< soon, she slowly pulled away from him, resting her gloved hands on his chest>>

We'd better get moving...Circe could be attacking Minerva's Mansion right now with all her might.

<< still letting herself be held close by Nicolas, they TELEPORT from the floor they're on NOW to the very TOP floor of the summit.>>

<< In that stone, domed observatory like room, there is a large viewing hole carved out of the ceiling that allows a view of the chaotic skies of limbo and lets the sounds of limbo's wild weather flow into the dome>>

<< The scryng glass , a LARGE, magick lense that Spellbinder can use to view/locate anyone/anything across time and space hovers near the center of the dome while the Soul Sword sits, partiallly embeded in a stone right in the center of the dome, the silver mystic flames glow around it.>>

<< beyond those two talismans, there is a doorway leading out to a large balcony overlooking the seemingly endless expanse of Limbo.>>

In the short time I've been here...I no longer feel sick...or faint. I feel more like MYSELF. I can sense and FEEL the magick flowing through me! I should be able to use my scrying glass to conjure a view of the underworld and where we will arrive before teleporting us. Then, I'll draw my soul sword.

Did you bring your axe?

<< the axe that Morgan herself had charmed for Nicolas during the Ericka King caper.>>

I won't be able to manifest my magicks fully in the underworld, even with all the displaced energy from earth there, it's being conducted by Circe. But my soul sword will give me one HELL of an advantage that she can't compensate for.

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Infirmary

Bishop wasn’t used to feeling this way. Useless. In his regular life, there was always someone else to hunt, some bad guy to take down, some killer to kill. All he could do now was stand there, and wait.

At least Morgan answered his questions about what was going on, such as the answers were.

We....I...don't know exactly at this moment, Maxim. 24 hours ago, we learned from Harbinger & Persephone that Harbinger had a nightmare, a VISION in which she saw Delilah DYING in childbirth. But one possible variable factor that would help to AVOID that outcome was you being here with her...to help protect her. Harbinger also saw what you now see outside...

“So basically, you don’t know anything and you brought her here because of someone’s NIGHTMARE.”

His anger flared, just for a second, before he calmed again. They had risked Delilah’s life coming through that…that…disc thing because they had told him it was the only way to save her when in REALITY they didn’t know bubkus.

The blue moon, the manifestation of a curse in which a powerful goddess level sorceress name Circe, my direct rival to the legacy of my foremother, HECATE, is seeking REVENGE against The Six for her humiliation and defeat over a year ago on this very island…Our BEST hope to survive this and avoid the ultimate outcome of Harbinger's vision is for us...including you...to be HERE.

[under his breath]

“Great, Hecate, my favorite.”

Why did these beings always feel the need to ruin normal people's lives?

I must go...as this world's sorceress supreme, it is MY duty to go to Circe...to stop her at the source. Rampage, by order of Athena, Hecate and Demeter, will be going with me.

Normally, Bishop would have insisted he go along, but he was not about to leave Delilah alone when some Greek gods and shit were messing with her. AGAIN. So he said nothing, other than to discretely pull Nicolas aside before he left. He extended his hand.

“Thank you, for contacting me. I won’t forget it.”

There was no time for a heart to heart, as ALYCIA was suddenly barreling into him like a linebacker. He went down hard, with an audible thud.

Bishop! Get DOWN!

“Jesus Christ, woman! You take up MMA since the last time I saw you?”

And then he saw what Alycia was pushing him out of the way of. He rolled his eyes.

“Oh fuck, me. Shit.”

It was like they were in the middle of that scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark. With the lights and wind and creepy ghost things.

I recognize it from the Oracle's scribes on Themyscira! It's a demonic HARBINGER! Don't let it touch you it will KILL YOU with a single touch and leave nothing but a lifeless, withered husk!

“Fun.”

He called out to the others over the howling noise of the wind:

“We’ve got to keep it away from the civilians and patients!”

Specifically, Delilah.

The redhead, who he had not met before but who he knew to be Morgan’s sister and close to Delilah, shot flames out of her hands, which he had to admit was a pretty neat trick and it did the job, reducing the harbinger to ash. He nodded to her, with genuine approval.

“Nice shooting. I’ve been known to use a flame thrower myself from time to time.”

They were safe for the moment, but surely more of those things – and god knows what else - would not be far behind. For some reason he could not fathom, Alycia had decided to be his wingman in all of this.

You are not going to be able to protect Delilah like this...You'll need to go to the armory and arm yourself as well as put on protective gear.

He grinned, pulling aside his collar to reveal the kevlar-like but thinner suit he wore under his clothes.

“Got that covered, sweetheart. But I will take you up on your offer to add a few party favors.”

Alycia outlined the plan, which was basically, keep the attackers outside the facility.

"Charope, we cannot all leave. We have to cover as many bases as possible. The security team here is NOT equipped to deal with anything like what just walked through these doors..."
"I'm not trying to be difficult, just understand my stress at the thought of leaving my Sister, Miss Victoria and Delilah unattended. "

Bishop smirked, pulling his Browning Hi-Power from his back and checking the chamber.

“They won’t be unattended.”

He followed Alycia to their armory, where he definitely saw Haleigh Davidoff’s handiwork in the range of items it contained. Adding to the Browning at his back and ballistic knife he always carried in his boot, he strapped an assault rifle to his back, filled his pockets with extra custom ammo, and stuffed a large duffle with the extra grenades, guns, and knives that he couldn’t carry on his person.

At this point he and Alycia parted ways, she going outside to rejoin her team and Bishop returning to Delilah’s bedside. As they began walking in different directions, he thanked her in the only way he could.

“Stay alive, Barnett.”

Entering the infirmary once again, he stood in the doorway of Delilah’s room. It was so quiet. The physicians had gone, and Delilah, still unconscious, lay still. He crossed the room, nodding to Silver Swan who sat in the corner keeping watch. He pulled up a chair next to the bed, and sat, putting the duffle bag, open, at his feet within easy reach. He took Delilah’s hand. He studied her face. Slowly, uncertainly, he put a hand on her stomach, then pulled away quickly as if it had burned him. He bowed his head. He was a broken man.

There was a commotion outside. He drew his gun, motioning for Sharon to stay with Delilah, and slowly walked to the door. Seeing that it was only the medical personnel, he returned the gun to his back and went to see what the commotion was. Apparently, the other unconscious patients were awake. So why not Delilah?

He heard Sharon calling his name. Satisfied there was no imminent danger, he came back into the room and saw that Delilah was stirring. Rushing to her side he stood next to the bed, one hand on her head and the other holding her hand. He smiled down at her.

“Welcome back. Don’t worry, you’re safe. Everyone is safe.”

Somewhat of a lie, but a necessary one. She looked so pale.

“How do you feel?”

Delilah informs him that she’s gone into labor, so he rushes outside to get a doctor. The medical personnel tell him to wait outside, and for once, he obeys their orders and takes a seat out of the way in the hall.

He saw Alison, Morgan’s mother Karen Victoria and another woman talking close by, before the unknown woman left and Karen went into Delilah’s room, leaving Alison alone and giving him an opportunity.

“Alison – wait.”

He stands.

“Morgan told me what you saw…that vision thing…about Delilah. Do you know what’s making her sick?”

Alison would see that his concern was genuine.

 

[Rampage]

We'd better get moving...Circe could be attacking Minerva's Mansion right now with all her might.

<< still letting herself be held close by Nicolas, they TELEPORT from the floor they're on NOW to the very TOP floor of the summit.>>

<< In that stone, domed observatory like room, there is a large viewing hole carved out of the ceiling that allows a view of the chaotic skies of limbo and lets the sounds of limbo's wild weather flow into the dome>>

<< The scryng glass , a LARGE, magick lense that Spellbinder can use to view/locate anyone/anything across time and space hovers near the center of the dome while the Soul Sword sits, partiallly embeded in a stone right in the center of the dome, the silver mystic flames glow around it.>>

<< beyond those two talismans, there is a doorway leading out to a large balcony overlooking the seemingly endless expanse of Limbo.>>

In the short time I've been here...I no longer feel sick...or faint. I feel more like MYSELF. I can sense and FEEL the magick flowing through me! I should be able to use my scrying glass to conjure a view of the underworld and where we will arrive before teleporting us. Then, I'll draw my soul sword.

Did you bring your axe?

<< the axe that Morgan herself had charmed for Nicolas during the Ericka King caper.>>

I won't be able to manifest my magicks fully in the underworld, even with all the displaced energy from earth there, it's being conducted by Circe. But my soul sword will give me one HELL of an advantage that she can't compensate for.

Stepping back, Nicolas pulled his cane and allowed it to turn back into the axe. But this time it was a bit different. It was larger, and it was marred with dark runes, the marks of Set himself. Meanwhile Nicolas seemed bigger, with almost a shadow all around him. This form he rarely FULLY embraced but right now, Nicolas was at his most powerful. His eyes leaked psionic energy in an angry red and the air around him seemed to breathe and crackle with pure power.

I am ready when you are Spellbinder.

 

[Artemis]

Outside of Minerva's mansion

:: Following the others outside, Alycia looked up at the Blue Moon. It stirred up memories of the time she was here during red moon. So much had changed since then! But what would always be unnerving to her, no matter who she became was seeing the bodies of the dead, her fallen comrades, rising up, now perverse puppets to an evil power.::

:: If it wasn't Mystech, it would be Circe or someone/thing else...and every time...it would spark distress, for SHE HERSELF nearly became...a ZOMBIE!::

<<FLASH!>>

<< Arklay Mansion. Alycia, Rampage and Black Widow moving through a secret passage, trying to get to the next important area of the mansion. a wall is closing in. Black Widow is trying to stop the wall behind them while Alycia is trying to get the door open in front of them...>>

:: she plugs her hand held device into the port in the keypad and the device goes to work...crunching numbers with incredible speed.::

:: the wall was still coming...closer and closer and Alycia could FEEL the force coming with it....looking over , her eyes widen...::

COME ON!

:: she yells frantically as the access code is FINALLY unlocked and she punches it in!::

>> access granted!

allright!

:: she cant help but to smile as the wall in FRONT of them slides open::

okay...we're out of here NOW we.....OH MY GOD!

:: Alycia gasps with shock as the wall opens and reveals the waiting ZOMBIES on the other end who waste NO TIME grabbing hold of Alycia by her arms and head and pulling her in.::

NO!!!

::she screams with PANIC. as the groaning, growling horde of zombies PULLS HER FORWARD and into their undead grasp! there's no time to react...and her own screams are painfull to hear as she is bitten on the neck.::

:: the chaos, the pain, her screams...they remain etched mind forever. Rampage and Silver Swan destroyed the zombies trying to devour her and Nicolas applied a drug cocktail that delayed the virus gaining a foothold on her genetic structure long enough for Black Widow, Spellbinder and Harbinger to combine their powers in one truly AMAZING effort to save Alycia's life. She became the 2nd (and to date, the ONLY OTHER BESIDE Black Widow) to survive exposure to the T Virus. Later on Themyscira, exposure to the Purple Ray helped completely restore and enhance her physical form, erasing all traces of the virus from her body completely::

:: Still...that experience became one of the most terrifying and emotionally corrective experiences of her life to date and while she had recovered from it, on some level, there would always be that one part of her that is truly horrified and repulsed by zombies and what it means to become one...having INTIMATE knowledge of it::

:: Alycia's hazel eyes widen at the sight of the zombies, several of whom were former Force Works soldiers under her command from her federal agent days! There's a flash of deep ANGER in her eyes as she shakes her head.::

no...NO! these are nothing but animated corpses! there is no SOUL in these creatures...they are NOT the men who once fought by my side!

:: she stands defiantly as she manifests the Silver Bow once again...pulling back with a LARGE lightning shaft as she takes aim at the 3 zombies coming for her....reaching for her...::

These disgusting forms shall RETURN to their resting place...NOW!

:: with perfect form and intense aim, she lets the lightning shaft FLY and it strikes..CRASHES into the zombies, OBLITERATING them::

:: the creatures are blown apart, the corpses reduced to nothing but ash. Alycia still maintains that intense HUNTER'S EYE look as she stands for a moment, not moving from her pose with the silver bow. ::

Never....again

 

[Firebird]

Outside of the mansion

Flying out into the night over her teammates, Firebird's own red flame aura is in sharp contrast to the haunting blue light of the large moon. Normally, she loved to sit out under the moon and stars to think about things, but this was no moon to enjoy, not by a longshot.

the ground began to quake

"Watch out guys!"

She says as she flies down a bit lower, then she sees the ground cracking open with dark purple energy in different places and grotesque zombies rising up.

"Somethings....just NEVER change or go away..."

She says, rolling her apple green eyes at the disgusting undead creatures now marching forward to attack them. She'd seen and fought many zombies in her own timeline. Mystech was the cause of most of them. But it was always sad to see these bodies...that once belonged to whole human beings. Now they were nothing but terrifying pawns to some sick, twisted woman. She could see the pain and anguish in Arsenal and Charope. They recognized some of the zombies as people they once knew or worked with! This caused the Fire Elemental to feel sympathy for her teammates and concern with if they'd be overwhelmed for faltering, even just for a moment!


Arsenal told her no flames.

" But he didn't say anything about LAVA!"

She thought to herself as she swooped down to the ground, landing upright and standing fast as Prophet, Arsenal and Charope totally vanquished the zombies coming at them.

"There's still more than a few left..."

She wanted to make this easier for Charope and Arsenal

"But now that we're outside...I can do a whole lot MORE! Watch out guys! Move this way!"

She motions for them to fall back behind her as she poses clasping her hands together in front of her face as the red flame aura around her swells upward. Then, with one smooth movement, she extends her arms and spins, unleashing a fast, FURIOUS LAVA attack

The cascading wall of LAVA shoots across the length of the battle, completely enveloping and CONSUMING the remaining zombies- about 10 or 12- leaving the brief sight of their now ASHED forms before they crumble to the ground. Firebird had the power to control a VARIETY of flame/fire based forms of energy, not just fire itself. It was another reminder of how much more effective and powerful she was than her mainstream counterpart

"I never encountered Circe in my timeline. But I see she fights as dirty as they come. I hope Spellbinder and Rampage tear her apart!"

She says with coldness as looks at Arsenal and Charope.

"Hey...will you guys be okay?? I saw the looks on your faces...that's why i wanted to help wipe these things out, just in case something would have gone wrong..."

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's Mansion- Executive study

He saw Alison, Morgan’s mother Karen Victoria and another woman talking close by, before the unknown woman left and Karen went into Delilah’s room, leaving Alison alone and giving him an opportunity.

“Alison – wait.”

He stands.

“Morgan told me what you saw…that vision thing…about Delilah. Do you know what’s making her sick?”

Alison would see that his concern was genuine.

:: Karen went into Delilah's room to see to her in the capacity of a doctor, Dominique made her way to the above ground floors of the mansion, leaving Alison alone with a visibly concerned Bishop::

:: She looked upon him for a moment longer before speaking.::

I had a vision in the form of a nightmare last night. Part of it is what you see happening around us and upstairs from the Blue Moon. The other part of it...was Delilah...dying in childbirth. If the time thread is not altered enough to change the outcome, she will be dead before Circe's final attack destroys this place and all of us within it.

Though my precognition and magick are weakened by the effects of the blue moon...I am not without my contingency plans...for ALL occassions.

:: She steps closer to him.::

Are you prepared for what I will reveal to you?

:: Bishop nods::

Then follow me. I don't have much time...but I will help you to better understand...

:: she leads him through the main hall of the infirmary and to a private express elevator, that shoots them up directly into her executive study. The entrance to the elevator is camouflaged and can only be accessed by Harbinger or a member of the Six. as they step out, Bishop looks back & sees that it looks like they just arrived through a WALL.::

You've been here...at least once before. Back when we found you washed up on the shores of the aerie in your new body.

:: she moves her large oak desk and matching chair, which sits centered across the room. the ticking of the massive, curiously designed grandfather clock, which is a physical manifestation of a DOORWAY to the time stream itself, is the only other sound in the study. The chaos and battle from outside is a faint muffled echo in this place.::

:: she pulls from one of the desk drawers, a journal, one of many that she keeps::

I write in these journals. I log visions, dreams and premonitions, especially when I am using my power as a precog to view time threads leading to/away from a particular person.


<<FLASH!>>

He stepped forward.

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

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

...Still, that changes nothing about where you are today.

<< Bishop attempts to get up and fixes his mouth to respond to her in a turse tone. She waves her hand at him in a gesture and commands>>

SILENCE!

<< Bishop is frozen in mid movement. locked in temporal stasis.>>



<< she turns back to Delilah and walks up to her.>>

And if I were you...I'd hold myself in readiness, because the choices you made during this recent caper have set something in motion that will change your life FOREVER. I've seen some of the lives you two have lead in other times and how they came to an end...always tragic. Its too bad that Delilah had to bear the burden for something that wasnt her fault NOW she is CARRYING ANOTHER burden that will become clearly known in a very short period of time.

<< she looked at Delilah with a glint of sympathy in her eye. Hecate was saying something. It was something that must not have happened between them in any past lifetimes. There was a new development here.>>

Delilah, you are carrying this man's seed in you. You are pregnant with his child.

<<FLASH!>>

Look, it's really obvious. Either you take this chance to break free of this ancient curse NOW or you don't and that's it. There is no

<< copying Delilah's tone and voice as her eyes become rather emotional in "anime" style>>

Delilah: "can I have some time to think about this?"

Either you want it....or you DON'T!

Clearly you don't.

<< Shrugs>>

So, with that, I'll be on my way!


<< shaking her head with disappointment at Delilah.>>

You REALLY should learn to listen to Harbinger. But you'll learn soon enough.

<< and on that note, Hecate gestures. Thunder crashes and chimes sound off. with a flash and swirl of energy, she vanishes, leaving them to reel from what has happened, what was learned and the choice Delilah has made.>>

<< Bishop is subsequently released from temporal stasis...rather ROUGHLY so by Hecate. Leaving him to fall to the floor.>>

Those words...they rang in my head....and after we sent you on your way...WITHOUT telling you what we had learned from Hecate...

<<FLASH!>>

:: Bishop starts to follow.::

NOT so fast.

:: She steps in his way.::

Delilah needs time to herself.

The caper is over. Bianca is no longer a threat, Morgan is alive and We have Delilah...Delilah has us. YOU'RE no longer needed and CERTAINLY not wanted around here. DELILAH told you that herself.

It's time for you to GO.

:: Rampage stands behind Harbinger, looking grimly upon the man as he silently nods with agreement to Alison and is ready to help her escort Bishop out of the mansion.::

<< Alison sets up Bishop's safe passage from Minerva's aerie to Greece mainland. Using her contacts and connections in Greece, she extends the GENEROUS courtesy of making sure Bishop will have at least two nights stay/lodging and a chance to plot his own course as he moves on.>>

<< as all final arrangements are made, the sun begins to set. Alison and Nicolas stand at the dock and watch Bishop depart. the witch and demi-god remain stone faced but as Bishop continues to grow smaller and smaller in the distance on the horizon, Alison breaks form and looks at Nicolas.>>

<< they all now have a hand in keeping a secret from Bishop, one that could reopen old wounds and hatred that he once thought he was over.>>

<< secrets, as if the six didnt know, ALWAYS had a way of coming back to bite and haunt at the worst time. had they so quickly forgotten Viper and now Bianca?>>

<< still, as the evening sky took its place and Minerva's mansion shifted to the night staff the six had many things to be thankfull for. Morgan was alive,e Bianca was no longer a threat, Black was utterly distroyed and the Sword of Anger was beyond human reach.>>

<< For all of that though, there was an even darker , pensive mood amongst the team inside the sprawling fortress, almost as if a stream of SHADE blacker Morgan's own heart now flowed among them.>>

<< Delilah was expecting....and neither She nor the team had an idea of just WHAT they should be expecting now...>>

<< and so we watch.>>

...

After Hecate left and after sent you on your way....i sat down for the next few weeks and months


::Images of Alison sitting in her study, writing with a focused determination in her journal. Images of Delilah's name and visions of a DARKNESS inside of her womb....::

and I "saw"...that Delilah's pregnancy would become increasingly difficult...and ultimately LIFE threatning.

:: she turns the pages of her journal to the entires about Delilah and the baby and slides it over to Bishop.::

Delilah is a mutant, a powerful one, able to absorb and transduce sound into ANY form of LIGHT. There is no "upper limit" to how much she can absorb/release. But the BABY she's carrying....is the exact OPPOSITE...absorbing her LIGHT and generating DARKNESS, a powerful dark AURA that has become so concentrated in the womb that it is draining Delilah from the inside even now!

THAT is why she passed out at Melrose Place.

:: Harbinger says as she looks at Bishop, allowing him time to process this...::

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Infirmary to Harbinger's Office

Alison was telling him what he already knew – she had had a vision of Delilah dying in childbirth. He wasn’t sure how much stock he could put in that – since he’d found out she was pregnant, he’d had visions of Delilah dying in childbirth too. That didn’t make him clairvoyant. But it seemed like Alison had more to tell him, and surprisingly that this time she actually would.

Are you prepared for what I will reveal to you?

He nodded. She wanted him to follow her – but where she was taking him, he didn’t know. She could be planning to toss him off a cliff for all he knew. He glanced back at Delilah’s room. He knew it would be a while still, but he felt apprehensive leaving her. But if Alison could tell him something that could help him protect Delilah, it would be worth it.

She led him through a WALL – obviously fake, but still it was interesting – into what looked like her office. He could use something like that for his safe houses.

[under his breath] “Where do you get those wonderful toys…”

The place looked familiar, and then Alison confirmed he had been here the last time he was on the island.

Like every emo girl – who was he kidding, every girl, apparently Alison kept a journal. He would have made a crack about most little girls outgrowing dream diaries when they’re twelve, but he didn’t want to piss her off.

Alison filled in the blanks from his last night on Aerie. And apparently there were a lot of blanks in what he remembered.

[Hecate’s voice] You REALLY should learn to listen to Harbinger. But you'll learn soon enough.

Those words...they rang in my head....and after we sent you on your way...WITHOUT telling you what we had learned from Hecate...

Bishop looked up, Alison’s info and what it implied becoming suddenly clear.

“She knew. She knew before I left Aerie. You all knew.”

And she had deliberately kept it from him. His child. How could she?

“And she knew her life was in danger and still she didn’t tell me…”

He saw something in Alison’s eyes then.

“You didn’t tell her, did you? Does she know even now how much danger she’s in? Jesus, Alison. It’s one thing keeping something like that from ME – I know how you all feel about me – but Delilah? How could you? All these months…”

But Alison continued, dropping the biggest bombshell of all.

Delilah is a mutant, a powerful one, able to absorb and transduce sound into ANY form of LIGHT. There is no "upper limit" to how much she can absorb/release. But the BABY she's carrying....is the exact OPPOSITE...absorbing her LIGHT and generating DARKNESS, a powerful dark AURA that has become so concentrated in the womb that it is draining Delilah from the inside even now!

THAT is why she passed out at Melrose Place.

“Does she know about this?”

He ran his hands through his hair, sinking into a chair, just trying to process what he was hearing.

Delilah’s baby – HIS baby – was a mutant. And it was killing her. He looked up at Alison.

“How is this possible? She’s the baby’s MOTHER – how can the baby hurt her like that? What can we- HOW do we keep this from happening? There has to be something we can do – you can do - to help her. You brought her here for a reason; you must know a way to save her. I may not know you as well as Delilah does, but you wouldn’t just bring her here to die.”

 

[Arsenal]

Blaze made their work very easy by reducing the remaining animated corpses to ash. He could see the concern on her face as she spoke.

"I never encountered Circe in my timeline. But I see she fights as dirty as they come. I hope Spellbinder and Rampage tear her apart!"

She says with coldness as looks at Arsenal and Charope.

"Hey...will you guys be okay?? I saw the looks on your faces...that's why i wanted to help wipe these things out, just in case something would have gone wrong..."

I will be FINE. It is simply one hell of a realization that a proper and respectful burial for a fallen comrade...a fucking FRIEND...has now become a security risk. But don't worry...going forward that will make me MORE, not less, dangerous.

Mike had been working with his mask and goggles off, but now he put them on. Circe had gotten too close with that last one and he intended to take back the mental and emotional advantage. The computer interface came up off to one side as all of his communication and analysis systems came online. Mike grew very silent.

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's mansion- Harbinger's executive study

He saw something in Alison’s eyes then.

“You didn’t tell her, did you? Does she know even now how much danger she’s in? Jesus, Alison. It’s one thing keeping something like that from ME – I know how you all feel about me – but Delilah? How could you? All these months…”

:: Alison's colbalt blue eyes widen, a flash of ANGER can be seen in them as she suddenly stands up::

How could I??

:: SLAMMING her hand down on the desk as a rushing chiming sound is heard and the double doors to the study slam SHUT::

How could YOU!

Do you KNOW the burden of being a precog!? NO! You have ALWAYS lived in this world, hampered by your mortal, SELFISH mindset, your petty, FLAT concepts of "right" and "wrong". You, who has traveled from one lifetime to the next, bringing nothing but PAIN and GRIEF to Delilah in EVERY ONE OF THEM!

NO ONE, not even ORORO could help her to see that she had done the RIGHT THING the night in the Arklay Mansion...

<<FLASH!>>

<< Arklay Mansion. The Six, below ground in the test arena, being confronted by the MONSTROUS, mutated Kyle Kelly, son of Robert and SHARON KELLY. Sharon Kelly, recently returned to the world as the Silver Swan, confronts her son, lulling him with her power and preparing to do the only thing she can...what NO MOTHER should have to do....KILL her child to free him from the living HELL Mystech damned him to.>>

<< Zoom away from the classic view of this story up to mezzanine area of the arena, Bishop is hidden, taking aim at Silver Swan in the one vulnerable area of her now super powered, armored body, as SHE is about to destroy [out of necessity and compassion] her own son!>>

Unbeknownst to Bishop, another figure watched the proceedings from the shadows. His Marine senses should have detected her, but he was concentrating so hard on the task at hand that he had blocked everything else out. The ground began to shake and rumble, but she couldn’t leave. She knew she couldn’t interfere in the battle with Kyle, but if it came down to it, if she had to interfere...if they needed her…

She would let them fight their own battle. But she couldn’t just leave and wonder whether the Six would ever return from Arklay. So she watched, and waited. And prayed that Connor would pack it in and leave. But he didn’t.

She had believed him when he promised her this was all over. She gave him the benefit of the doubt. She waited until the last possible moment before moving quickly – at the speed of light so to speak – and bumped the butt of his rifle downwards so that the shot fired harmlessly into the ceiling.

Bishop turned, surprised, and – seeing that it was her - smiled.

Bishop: “I thought you’d left, darlin’.”

Delilah only shook her head in the negative and stared at him.

Bishop: “I know what I said but this needs to be done. She’s a monster, a murderer – all of them are. See how they treated you?”

Delilah still said nothing, nodding slowly now.

Bishop: “That’s a good girl – you get out of here and I’ll be right behind you. The scum’ll never know-“

This time she interrupted him. She held up one hand, palm facing Bishop.

“You have a right to remain silent.”

And she released a photon blast that would have fried a dozen or more G virus zombies.

It was because of YOU that she tried to KILL HERSELF!

::coming out from behind her desk::


It was YOU...living in the moment, the night the Bianca caper took it's first turn for the worst, ...functioning on a BASIC INSTINCT...that has left Delilah in her CURRENT condition in the first place!

I TRIED to persuade her, from the very moment she learned she was pregnant, to BREAK the curse that follows BOTH your souls. Hecate offered...TRIED to get her to do it as well. She WARNED Delilah that there was at best, uncertainty....at worst DANGER for her with this pregnancy...but DELILAH made her choice! She did not want to terminate the pregnancy, which would have been a consequence of Hecate breaking the curse.

:: Alison had come a long way in NOT reflexively blaming herself for EVERYTHING that happened, just because she knew what was coming. Being a precog and controlling people's lives were two totally different things. She thought of Haleigh...::

<<FLASH!>>

<< New York City, the night that MASTER MOLD attacked. The Six return to the bus where Alycia hid for safety, holding a badly hurt Senator Sharon Kelly in her arms. It is moments after Sharon has passed away from her injuries and the Six are now reeling from grief and dismay...>>

Spellbinder: YOU SAID HE WAS COMING....so hou MUST have known what would happen to SHARON!! WHY DIDNT YOU WARN US!?

<< she ran her hands through her hair as she looked up and struggled to grasp the situation...>>

YOU'RE THE PRECOG!! WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN!?

Black Widow: "Morgan... Morgan. That's not helping... She's a precog, she's not a GOD... she doesn't get to choose who lives and who dies..."

I'm a PRECOG, Bishop...NOT a goddess...and if you know Delilah as well as you think you do...then you should know that not even a GODDESS could MAKE her do what she doesn't want to do.

“Does she know about this?”

He ran his hands through his hair, sinking into a chair, just trying to process what he was hearing.

No....

:: she lowers her tone a bit::

<<FLASH!>>

"...some things, as my death... and Blaze's... MUST happen... we can only accept that she saw no way around this... and that the JUDGEMENT call she made was the best option she had... perhaps... someday... you'll understand. When you find out that someone is going to die that youd give your LIFE for... when theres no way around it you MUST try instead to save those who CAN be saved... instead of losing precious time on futile attempts to save those who can't. You must make the MOST difficult decision... for the greater good."

She doesn't. She went back to Melrose Place, determined to live her life her way. Members of The Six, at one time or another, have asked me NOT to share with them, my visions of them and their lives via my precognition. Many of them...have never understood that power that I possess. But after the things we've been through...some of them do now.

Delilah’s baby – HIS baby – was a mutant. And it was killing her. He looked up at Alison.

“How is this possible? She’s the baby’s MOTHER – how can the baby hurt her like that? What can we- HOW do we keep this from happening? There has to be something we can do – you can do - to help her. You brought her here for a reason; you must know a way to save her. I may not know you as well as Delilah does, but you wouldn’t just bring her here to die.”

It's you. It's her.

::Emphasizing with a noticeably BITCHY tone...::

It's mainly YOU.

:: Her face now showing a grim expression::

No...I certainly wouldn't just bring her here to die. I may not get to choose who lives or dies...but in case you haven't noticed, I have ALWAYS choosen to take action to alter time threads for those I care for...giving them the best possible chance for survival...whenever I CAN.

Everything I have "seen" when I looked closely at all time threads leading to/from Delilah would indicate that this is the ultimate manifestation of the CURSE that follows you both from one life to the next. A pregnancy, having a baby...usually considered one of life's miracles and greatest moments for a woman...the two people who made the baby...now for Delilah it has become an increasingly difficult pregnancy and will ultimately result in her destruction.


"Blind" as I am, from the Blue Moon's effect, I still know that while Delilah herself will soon be unable to make any declarations or descisions as her labor becomes worse...YOU are the baby's father. You have the right, the RESPONSIBILITY to make the decision...one that could save Delilah's life.

:: At this moment, even without her precognition, it becomes apparent to Alison just HOW Bishop may very well save Delilah's life.::

The baby must be delivered. The medical technology and private staff here are the BEST on earth money can by, Silver Swan and Karen are here as well. We'll do everything we can, using ALL that is at are disposal to see her survive the delivery. You will, if nothing else, help ensure that any spill over from the battle with Circe does not threaten the security of the Infimary, Delilah or any other patients therein.

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Harbinger's Office

He had forgotten: he was a MAN so that automatically made everything in the world his fault He tried not to smile as she threw a tantrum in front of him. ‘Oh it’s so hard being a precog. Boo hoo hoo poor me.’ What a load of bullshit. Talking at him like he didn’t know what he did.

NO ONE, not even ORORO could help her to see that she had done the RIGHT THING the night in the Arklay Mansion...

He smirked at her.

“Didn’t seem to turn out so well for Delilah, killing me, now did it? If she’d carted my sweet ass off to jail, she wouldn’t have tried to kill herself, you all wouldn’t have been outed to the world, and I would’ve taken out a few more scumbags on the inside. Win win. But YOU people made her think the only way she could prove she was one of you – as if she should have needed to prove that – was to kill me.”

He clucked his tongue.

It was because of YOU that she tried to KILL HERSELF!

“Sorry to break this to you toots, but it was because of YOU that she tried to kill herself. Me? I was already dead. YOU made her go against everything she believed in and you STILL didn’t trust her, even after everything she said would happen DID.”

He crossed his arms.

“Don’t forget that I know the things you’ve done – ALL of you. The people you’ve killed. The INNOCENTS that have died. I know the things that have never been questioned in your little clique. You aren’t fooling anyone. All of you got a free pass EXCEPT Delilah, and it DESTROYED her. I’ve taken responsibility for MY actions and tried to make up for it. What have you done?”

It was YOU...living in the moment, the night the Bianca caper took it's first turn for the worst, ...functioning on a BASIC INSTINCT...that has left Delilah in her CURRENT condition in the first place! I TRIED to persuade her, from the very moment she learned she was pregnant, to BREAK the curse that follows BOTH your souls. Hecate offered...TRIED to get her to do it as well. She WARNED Delilah that there was at best, uncertainty....at worst DANGER for her with this pregnancy...but DELILAH made her choice! She did not want to terminate the pregnancy, which would have been a consequence of Hecate breaking the curse.

This stopped him. His face went ashen.

She chose this…

“Alison.”
He tried to choose his words carefully, calmly.

“This pregnancy is not wrong. I didn’t knock up some cocktail waitress in a one-night stand (this time). Neither of us – NONE of us could have known this is how it would turn out. You can choose to believe this is all about some curse if you want to, but I will NEVER believe that. Never. Those people we were-”

He gestured, recalling the story Hecate had told.

“Divya and Kunar? They loved each other. They were innocent – they didn’t deserve what happened to them.”

He shook his head.

“Did you know I had two kids? Before I became [gestures to himself] this? They were murdered, along with my wife, before my eyes. I never thought-“

His voice broke.

“I never thought I would ever have any of that again. I cannot lose them. EITHER of them.”

 

[Harbinger]

Minerva's mansion- Harbinger's executive study

:: Bishop had always insufferable. And NOW was no different. He may wear a new face, but he was the SAME man. He saw himself as some kind of...equalizer or instrument of JUSTICE!? He had the NERVE to speak about innocents? He shot back at Alison full force, countering her every remark with one of his own, daring to suggest that THEY had driven Delilah to kill herself? that THEY didn't treat her like one of their own? like an equal? Alison wouldn't stand for this...especially not from HIM. She immediately replied with force and a scathing tone::

Away from our battles across the world, across time and space...JUST amongst ourselves- We've lived, we've learned- sometimes AWFUL things about ourselves as individuals and as a group, SUFFERED- sometimes at EACH OTHER'S HANDS, but ALWAYS OVERCAME and carried with us those LESSONS, secretly GRATEFUL for another chance with each other because we've come to know the power of the Six is not simply rooted in our individual gifts. It's rooted in the knowledge that we ARE a family!

Don't forget, Bishop. It was I, who lead her away from Hecate that night she revealed the root of the PROBLEM surrounding the two of you bringing her BACK TO HER FAMILY. WE are her family. ALL families have problems, misunderstandings. As a group, We've survived more than you'll EVER know. The fact that we are here NOW, FLOURISHING in our lives as individuals and as a group FAMILY unit, IN SPITE of what YOU did to us is proof of that!

But rest assured, when it comes to Delilah...she IS one of us. We LOVE her and WE WOULD KILL for her if it was necessary to protect her. You can like that, or NOT, I don't CARE! But you will NOT come into MY domain and criticize me for the way I do things regarding MY friends...MY family.

:: Alison GLARED at him with such contempt. Her colbalt blue eyes staring him down unwavering as she stood nearly toe to toe with him..::


You NEVER did understand...

:: Alison scoffed as she turned away and paced a few times, walking back and forth, fuming for a moment, before stopping and facing him once more. She folded her arms, turning sideways and turning her nose up at Bishop before lifting one of her arms a bit to wave her hand dismissively at him::

The things that WE do, were NECESSARY. There was no time to sit around and debate ETHICS when a vast, terrible POWER such as MYSTECH was threatening our world...AND your world, Bishop.

:: When it came to Alison and Haleigh, Bishop would NEVER move them, just as they would likely never move HIM on the issue of methods. But recently, during the Bianca/Black caper, Morgan had come face to face with one of the casualities of the Inferno...the inferno SHE caused. In that moment, as she sought to save Delilah's life, she had some sort of epiphany and what Delilah had been saying, now registered with her in a way it hadn't before. Alison suspected that that also helped close another hole of guilt in Morgan's own heart regarding the inferno. But THAT was Morgan. Alison was a different person all together.::

:: She calmed herself. There was no time for them to lock horns like this. Not now. She was still upset and on edge, but not nearly enraged like she was just moments ago.::

“Alison.”

He tried to choose his words carefully, calmly.

“This pregnancy is not wrong. I didn’t knock up some cocktail waitress in a one-night stand (this time). Neither of us – NONE of us could have known this is how it would turn out. You can choose to believe this is all about some curse if you want to, but I will NEVER believe that. Never. Those people we were-”

He gestured, recalling the story Hecate had told.

“Divya and Kunar? They loved each other. They were innocent – they didn’t deserve what happened to them.”

He shook his head.

Perhaps not.

:: Alison said coldly::

But Sharon and Alycia...they didn't deserved what happened to them either. But that didn't seem to matter to you, did it?

“Did you know I had two kids? Before I became [gestures to himself] this? They were murdered, along with my wife, before my eyes. I never thought-“

His voice broke.

“I never thought I would ever have any of that again. I cannot lose them. EITHER of them.”

:: Alison turned back to face forward toward Bishop. She looked upon him in astonishment. In all the time that she'd been aware of him, since he first began his campaign to try to kill Sharon, She'd NEVER bothered to look at the time threads leading to/from HIS life. And when he returned in the form he wears NOW, she initially couldn't get a clear view becase he essentially had NO PAST in this new body. He was, in many ways, a temporal anamoly just like Bianca. But at this moment, as she looked upon him with an uncertain gaze that was not contempt...yet not quite sympathy...she was reminded once again that no matter HOW a person may change in their appearence or physical nature some wounds will remain PRIMAL to their core.::

...

No, I didn't know that. I honestly had never taken a close look at the time threads leading to/from your life when you were in your original body.

I'm sorry for your loss.

:: she said this with a quiet, sincere tone::

Is that...why you were so easily persuaded by Alycia that night, all those years ago, when she hired you to go rescue the Kelly family from the Arklay mansion because she felt that something was wrong and they were in danger?

:: Sharon had lost her family too. They were taken from her and murdered by mystech. She realized that at that time, Bishop's heart may have been in the right place. It's too bad how things had changed since then.::

Bishop, I...WE don't to lose her EITHER.

You're going to have to realize that if things were as easy, SIMPLE, CUT AND DRY as you've always acted like they were...than I...WE would have had everything taken care of. Even the Olympians didnt have that luxury.

The Blue Moon outside of this mansion and all of the chaos ensuing that MY friends, my FAMILY are upstairs risking their lives to protect this place from, is proof of that.

My being a precog gives me the UNIQUE and PRECIOUS opportunity to try to ALTER the outcome of time threads, no matter how probable or remote, and when it comes to my FRIENDS and my FAMILY? I will take the opportunity EVERY TIME that I can! That is why you're here, tonight IN SPITE of Delilah making us PROMISE not to ever tell you about this pregnancy.


If you want to help, then you need to go back down to the Infirmary and help to keep it safe and secure. Be there to support Delilah as the medical team does their best to help her get through this delivery.

And then...

::Looking at Bishop for a moment, searching his eyes with her own, wondering if he was as TOUGH and CAPABLE of making hard choices as he wanted everyone to believe him to be.::

Make a choice.

:: she left it at that. ::

I must go. I must defend this place from Circe's direct onslaught, or none of us will be alive long enough to worry or care about anything else.

 

[Seer]

And as if on cue

<< From outside, Arsenal, Prophet, Firebird and Charope experience a surprising lull in the violence as the attacks seem to stop after they vanquish the zombies. But that moment passes as a lingering, roll of thunder is heard through the air, and then...>>

<< Coming from ALL sides out of thin air, large dark purple spheres of DARK MAGICK begin flying toward the mansion, SLAMMING into it with explosive impact! the spheres fly through the air with the precision of heat seeking missles, bombarding the mansion from all different sides, ROCKING it to it's core.>>

<< the mansion's red alert system goes online, bringing up physical and energy based defenses and putting the mansion in LOCKDOWN, giving Prophet, Arsenal, Charope and Firebird just SECONDS to HURRY back inside of the mansion before a several inch thick vibranium steel door slides down, sealing the front entrance>>

<< Inside the mansion they see it trembling with certain unsecured objects falling and crashing down...>>

<< Alison commands Bishop to return to the infirmary, while she summons Isis. She retrieves her time staff, which still contains a concentration of her own magicks. that, coupled with Isis' sceptre along with Shadow Weaver are a key part of her last ditch plan to stand and defend against Circe's more violent magickal attacks on the aerie.>>


--------------------------------------------------

<< Below ground, in the infirmary, Shadow Weaver and Silver Swan have been helping the medical team with Delilah. Cass has kept watch over the entrance to Delilah's room and out down the hall, helping to maintain security. >>

<< But as the mansion goes into RED ALERT and everything begins shaking violently, They hear an emergency page from Harbinger for SHADOW WEAVER to join her up stairs. Silver Swan tells Karen to go and that SHE will stay until the last possible moment.>>

<< Delilah has been very brave thus far...but she's in a bad way, and getting worse. Bishop returns, managing not to fall down more than a few times as the mansion shakes so hard it seems as if it will fall over.>>

----------------------------------------------------

<< Limbo>>

<< The DOME of the Summit. Spellbinder has spent a few moments magicking up a view of the Underworld and surveying the general area and expanse. She and Rampage determine where to teleport, putting them as close to the River Styx as possible. Time is short and they don't want to waste it fighting lesser creatures.>>

 

[Spellbinder]

Limbo

This place...

<< Spellbinder says as she gestures in front of the scrying glass, channeling a viewing spell that broadcasts a sprawling, moving view of the underworld to her and Rampage>>

It's an utter waste land. There's something about it that makes even LIMBO seem more...."welcoming"

<< and that was a telling thing, coming from a demon sorceress. Nicolas would recall that Hades had broken Hecate's heart in betrayal with Persephone, which not only destroyed the original trinity of the Moon, but also caused an enraged, heartbroken Hecate to cast the curse of the Red Moon. Spellbinder was Hecate's descendant. It was possible that Hecate's own deep seated resentmenet and hatred of Hades had passed down through her blood line, making ALL witches in that bloodline apprehensive about this place. The olympian goddess' words to him earlier also rang through his mind>>

Demeter: But the way there is long, and filled with danger. She must not go alone.

Athena: RAMPAGE. You earned earned favor as my champion in these modern times. I call upon you now, take up your axe and journey with Spellbinder to Limbo and from there, to the Underworld. Help her...


Hecate: Protect her.

Demeter: Give her the strength and courage she will need, for there are dangers that will be geared to play upon her most primal FEARS.

Athena: And as you are NOW, there is no one else that Hecate or myself would choose to stand by Spellbinder as she does her part to stop Circe and BREAK this curse once and for all!

<< even his more fearsome form, his more NATURAL form, he looked a bit pensive. THis would not be an easy journey for either of them.>>

<< Spellbinder moved past him>>

I will draw my Soul Sword now...

<< Standing in front of the amber that the sword is partially embedded in, the blade glows, humming with power and silver mystic flames flare out all around it as Spellbinder takes hold of the sword and lifts, pulling it out!>>

<< mystic chimes sound off and silver flames flow around Spellbinder, FLASHING brightly for a moment, as she is fully RESTORED in vigor! And now, as she stands before Rampage, her hair flows as swirling silver orbs flow around her. Eldritch armour covers the shoulder, arm and hand she's holding the mystic blade in. Her beauty and dark countenance that comes with being Spellbinder return fully. Her violet eyes gleam and glow for a moment...>>

The darkest, most POWERFUL piece of my soul...and my dark magick! No enchantment or mysical being can with stand it's touch. I'll most certainly need this to fight Circe or anything she throws at us.

<< Spellbinder and Rampage both look far more menacing now but they've both come to understand each other's natures and neither is offput by the other's manifestations. >>

We're as ready as we'll ever be. Let us go and stop Circe, once and for all!

<< with that, she stands beside Rampage, summoning a stepping disc, teleporting them from Limbo, to the UNDERWORLD. When they arrive, they are greeted with the desolate expanse of a hellish wasteland. the air is THICK with pain, strife and a mournful symphony of WAILS from lost souls>>

<< Spellbinder's soul sword glows brightly, increasing the width of the silver mystic flames surrounding it. A response indicating that it wishes to protect it's mistress.>>

<< They look across the way, through the mist , realizing that they are now standing on an ancient wooden pier over looking the river styx. on one of the poles, there is an ancient horn.>>

Rampage...can you summon the creature that is supposed to carry us across this mysterious river?

<< Rampage had informed Morgan in Limbo that Demeter had given him the "fare" to give to Charon so that he would ferry them across the river...and that it was apparently to be a LONG journey. Like Limbo, time flows differently in the underworld from Earth.>>

 

[Prophet]

Get BACK IN THE HOUSE!

Blaze' incredible lava attack had taken care of the rest of the zombies in their path as each of them took a sigh of relief. But somehow the silence seemed almost worse than fighting for their lives, at least it felt that way to Cameron.

"Silence is never a good thing..."

His senses tingled, and he had but precious time to warn the others.

"BACK INTO THE MANSION...NOW!"

Just as he spoke thunder clapped in the air as they were BARRAGED with large purple spheres of DARK MAGICK from all sides. They rammed into the mansion with speed and force that was incredible, rocking the mansion to it's very core. He turned around and began to run towards the mansion with Arsenal, Charope and Firebird close behind him.

"The Mansion.. it will lock us OUT. We HAVE to get there..."

The terrain was rough and uneven after the swarm of zombies rising up from the Earth, but still he traversed the scene, leaping out of the ways of deep chasms as he and the others slid under the door in the knick of time. However, the threat was not over as the mansion itself began to shake itself. Artwork, lighting systems all began to fall with loud CRASHING sounds. He surveyed the area for a moment as a giant chandelier came barrelling towards an unsuspecting Alycia Barnett.

"Alycia!!!!"

Cameron bolted forward with great speed and agility and barrelled into the air, pushing Alycia with the full force of his body, sending the two across the room literally just SECONDS before the chandelier crashes into pieces, the flames from the candles setting it on fire. Alycia and Cameron rolled around on the ground, entangled, waiting for the force of his push to slow them down, and when it did, Cameron found himself underneath a VERY close Alycia Barnett, her dark and silky black hair grazing his forehead, their noses nearly touching. He exhaled and looked at Alycia for what was a VERY intense few seconds between them.

"Well.. there are definitely far less attractive people to be in this predicament with.."

he smirked and laughed for a second, their lips almost almost "asking" to touch each other, as Cameron turned his cheek at the last second, reality settling back in.

"A little help guys?"

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - Harbinger's Office to the Infirmary

Alison for once actually looked like she had a heart inside her chest when he told her about his family. He hadn’t meant to – and he shouldn’t have. It just came out.

Is that...why you were so easily persuaded by Alycia that night, all those years ago, when she hired you to go rescue them from the Arklay mansion because she felt that something was wrong and they were in danger?

“Was I supposed to put up a fight and leave women and children to be slaughtered by monsters?”

A small laugh escaped his lips.

“You and I are not so very different.”

If you want to help, then you need to go back down to the Infirmary and help to keep it safe and secure. Be there to support Delilah as the medical team does their best to help her get through this delivery. And then...Make a choice.

Alison wanted him to leave Delilah. But that wasn’t a choice he was prepared to make. But he kept that to himself.

I must go. I must defend this place from Circe's direct onslaught, or none of us will be alive long enough to worry or care about anything else.

He started to go but turned back.

“I’ll keep her safe, whatever it takes.”

Then, as an afterthought:

“It must be hard, knowing what’s going to happen and not being able to do a damn thing about it.”

Then he turned and went, making his way back to the Infirmary.


The ground shook. He was regretting taking the elevator back down to the lower levels – it felt like the whole place was coming apart. He – not for the first time that night – questioned the wisdom of brining a pregnant woman to a war zone. But there was nothing to be done about that now. Now all he could do was watch over Delilah and the doctors and keep them all safe until the baby was born and he could get his family the hell out of here.

He reached Delilah’s room and hesitated. She was awake now. She had been pretty angry when he’d shown up at Melrose Place…maybe she wouldn’t want to see him. He decided to get the lay of the place, formulate a plan if they were attacked. He couldn’t be much help delivering the baby, but he could make sure the doctors and Delilah had a safe place to do it in.

So he waited, and drew up battle scenarios in his head.

 

[Firebird]

Back inside the mansion

Firebird eyes Arsenal with curiosity, watching as he puts on his mask and goggles. She could sense that this was a more than a mere gesture of defiance. He was closing off apart of himself, going into a different mode. She was not an empath, but she had ALWAYS been good at reading/undersanding people, especially ones she was close to.

"Don't you worry, big guy. Circe's "comeback" is gonna be all of five minutes, once Spell and Rampage get to her."

Firebird places a mildly warm hand on Arsenal's back, attempting to encourage and soothe him all at once.

"We'll face whatever she brings to us TOGETHER."

At THAT moment, Prophet calls their attention to the air, the sky around them. Firebird's apple green eyes narrow as she looks around intently, sensing a shift...thickness that wasn't in the air before.

"This DEFINITELY doesn't feel...."

Her last word, "Right" was drowned out by the sound of the glowing dark purple spheres of DARK MAGICK now streaking through the air and slamming into the mansion

"Oh wow!"

"BACK INTO THE MANSION...NOW!"

Just as he spoke thunder clapped in the air as they were BARRAGED with large purple spheres of DARK MAGICK from all sides. They rammed into the mansion with speed and force that was incredible, rocking the mansion to it's very core. He turned around and began to run towards the mansion with Arsenal, Charope and Firebird close behind him.

Lifting off the ground with perfect form, Firebird takes to the air and flies quickly with the others. dodging and avoiding the spheres as some come dangerous close.

"Watch out, Mikey! Need a lift?"

She urgently calls as she swoops down and GRABS Arsenal up, holding him under his arms and now carrying him aloft, plucking him from the path of a dark magick sphere that was about to collide with him just then. Firebird was naturally physically stronger than her mainstream counterpart, Foxfire, and when FLYING, she could carry at least ONE large human or certain large objects. She had such refined control over her power that the glowing, flaming red "phoenix effect" around her when flying moved away from her hands and arms so she would not accidently burn Arsenal.


"That metal door is coming down FAST! We better hurry!"

Picking up some speed, she reaches the lowering door and swoops down, carrying Arsenal around for one big LOOP inside before finally landing

"Wheeee!"

She says with a playful tone, looking at Arsenal who seemed a bit surprised and winded by the unexpected lift he got. but there was no time for jokes. All around them was chaos as the place shook and sounded like it was going to come crashing down on their heads!

"How can we stop THIS!?"

He surveyed the area for a moment as a giant chandelier came barrelling towards an unsuspecting Alycia Barnett.

"Alycia!!!!"

The fire elemental's apple green eyes widen with dismay as she sees the massive chandelier coming down toward Alycia

"Oh NO!"

Cameron bolted forward with great speed and agility and barrelled into the air, pushing Alycia with the full force of his body, sending the two across the room literally just SECONDS before the chandelier crashes into pieces, the flames from the candles setting it on fire. Alycia and Cameron rolled around on the ground, entangled, waiting for the force of his push to slow them down, and when it did, Cameron found himself underneath a VERY close Alycia Barnett, her dark and silky black hair grazing his forehead, their noses nearly touching. He exhaled and looked at Alycia for what was a VERY intense few seconds between them.

"Well.. there are definitely far less attractive people to be in this predicament with.."

he smirked and laughed for a second, their lips almost almost "asking" to touch each other, as Cameron turned his cheek at the last second, reality settling back in.

Observing this very carefully, one of Blaze's perfectly shaped eyebrows lifts as she smirks a bit

"A little help guys?"

"Yeah, you NEED some help, Romeo. Get a grip!"

She playfully ribbed him, knowing there was a moment of intensity and tenderness between him and Alycia just then. There were a clear indication of history between them, one that pre-dated Firebird's time here, but that was a story for another day. At the moment...

Helping Alycia up

"Are you okay?"

"That was a nice save, Cam. You're alot more fit and athletic than I ever remember...from this OR my own timeline. "

 

[Artemis]

Grand hall- Rescue

::Tucking some of her loosely spiral curled locks behind her ear, Alycia breathes in slowly and exhales slowly as she stands down, allowing her Silver Bow to vanish once more in sparkling glow around it's shape::

:: Blaze asks if she's okay. She hesitates before finally answering::

Yes...

seeing those zombies...the bodies of men who used to work under my command...not since i've returned to this part of the world from themyscira have I felt so UNNERVED.

:: She looks at Blaze directly in her striking green eyes::

You werent here...when I was attacked by zombies in Mystech's Arklay Mansion. I nearly died. Were it not for the quick actions of Rampage, followed by a concerted effort by Black Widow, Spellbinder and Harbinger, I would have died...and suffered the same fate as these creatures we just vanquished.

:: she looks back, there's nothing but ash blowing in the breezy air::

I'm one of only 2 people in this world to have survived the T virus. Black Widow is the other.

But that night...remains with me, as though it happened only yesterday.

I've seen, faced down and escaped zombies many times before...yet somehow I never imagined that I would come THIS CLOSE to BECOMING one.

:: Blaze nodded solemnly. Zombies were one of Mystech's most numerous examples of their deadly touch. It was easy to write them off as nothing but target practice or something to evade, but seeing loved ones, co-workers, fellow soldiers succumb and turn was horrible and heart wrenching enough...nearly BECOMING ONE YOURSELF...was a life altering experience.::

But now, more than ever, I have the power to defend myself and ensure that never happens and I wont allow anyone I care for to fester even for a MOMENT in that form of living HELL.

:: She nods with resolution::

:: the surrounding space of the mansion became it's enemy as large dark purple spheres of dark magick began bombarding it in waves::

CIRCE!

:: Cameron yells for everyone to get back inside as the mansion starts going into lock down. With her amazonian enhanced speed, it is no problem for Alycia to move with a purpose, sliding under the metal door as it lowers without hesitation.::

:: Once inside, she looks around to see the chaos and shaking of the building::

The structure is very strong. It's built AND reinforced with off-world technology...but I don't know how much of THIS kind of an assault it can take!

:: At that moment...::

Artwork, lighting systems all began to fall with loud CRASHING sounds. He surveyed the area for a moment as a giant chandelier came barrelling towards an unsuspecting Alycia Barnett.

"Alycia!!!!"

:: She snaps her gaze to Cameron, then UP. Her hazel eyes widen::

::GASP!::

ATHENA!


::She exclaims, but even before she can ATTEMPT to dodge...::

Cameron bolted forward with great speed and agility and barrelled into the air, pushing Alycia with the full force of his body, sending the two across the room literally just SECONDS before the chandelier crashes into pieces, the flames from the candles setting it on fire. Alycia and Cameron rolled around on the ground, entangled, waiting for the force of his push to slow them down, and when it did, Cameron found himself underneath a VERY close Alycia Barnett, her dark and silky black hair grazing his forehead, their noses nearly touching. He exhaled and looked at Alycia for what was a VERY intense few seconds between them.

"Well.. there are definitely far less attractive people to be in this predicament with.."

he smirked and laughed for a second, their lips almost almost "asking" to touch each other, as Cameron turned his cheek at the last second, reality settling back in.

:: She stays loose as he tackles her, rolling with her away from the massive falling chandelier. she ends up on top of him, their faces quite close. It's the first time she's seen him since his own changes and growth::

You're...bigger than I remember.

:: she takes in his scent with her own amazonian enhanced senses::

You're scent is rather....appealing. Your mana [power] seems to have changed as well.

:: She remembers him from times past. From arrogant corporate hotshot. To emotional and willfull member of the Six. To unexpected personal CLIENTof her's when she was an attorney. That night in his pacific pallisades mansion when the writing of his estate papers erupted into something she never imagined she'd do w/ someone like HIM.::

:: But as he was NOW? It definitely wouldn't be anything she'd shy away from! ::

:: But no time for such things now. Blaze promptly ribs him, causing Alycia to smirk and giggle a bit as she's helped up by Blaze.::

Oh yes, I'm fine. Cameron made a sound move. But he didn't know that an Amazon almost ALWAYS ends up on TOP!

:: Blaze and Alycia both make cheeky gestures at Cameron. One had to grab moments of levity where and when they could and Alycia was not above that either.::

::Back to business at hand::

There's precious little WE can do against THIS, except to keep each other safe and be ready for ANYTHING ELSE that shows up.

Harbinger , Shadow Weaver and Isis will be our only hope against the magick centered attacks...and with their own powers being hampered by the blue moon, I don't know what THEY can do!

:: She stands alert and battle ready with her fists slightly lifted and clenched, her feminum bracelets gleaming as she looks around::

 

[Rampage]

This place...

<< Spellbinder says as she gestures in front of the scrying glass, channeling a viewing spell that broadcasts a sprawling, moving view of the underworld to her and Rampage>>

It's an utter waste land. There's something about it that makes even LIMBO seem more...."welcoming"

Not usually a lot of fear coming from Morgan, but he knew her too well. She was ready, but she was worried. Considering the bad blood between Hades and Hecate he could understand how she felt. It felt like she inherited an aversion to this place.

But Hecate and Athena chose him to be their champion, HER champion. They asked HIM to keep HER safe, the sorceress supreme of the planet Earth and the living avatar of Hecate. One tall order considering that he had read of the horrors here as a child and imagined that there would be a lot of that that turned out to be true.

I will draw my Soul Sword now...

<< Standing in front of the amber that the sword is partially embedded in, the blade glows, humming with power and silver mystic flames flare out all around it as Spellbinder takes hold of the sword and lifts, pulling it out!>>

<< mystic chimes sound off and silver flames flow around Spellbinder, FLASHING brightly for a moment, as she is fully RESTORED in vigor! And now, as she stands before Rampage, her hair flows as swirling silver orbs flow around her. Eldritch armour covers the shoulder, arm and hand she's holding the mystic blade in. Her beauty and dark countenance that comes with being Spellbinder return fully. Her violet eyes gleam and glow for a moment...>>

The darkest, most POWERFUL piece of my soul...and my dark magick! No enchantment or mysical being can with stand it's touch. I'll most certainly need this to fight Circe or anything she throws at us.

Now that she had embraced her inner Darkchilde, they made a matching pair.

We're as ready as we'll ever be. Let us go and stop Circe, once and for all!

<< with that, she stands beside Rampage, summoning a stepping disc, teleporting them from Limbo, to the UNDERWORLD. When they arrive, they are greeted with the desolate expanse of a hellish wasteland. the air is THICK with pain, strife and a mournful symphony of WAILS from lost souls>>

<< Spellbinder's soul sword glows brightly, increasing the width of the silver mystic flames surrounding it. A response indicating that it wishes to protect it's mistress.>>

<< They look across the way, through the mist , realizing that they are now standing on an ancient wooden pier over looking the river styx. on one of the poles, there is an ancient horn.>>

Rampage...can you summon the creature that is supposed to carry us across this mysterious river?

CHARON. That was his name. And it FELT like the right way to call him.

CHARON! Come forth!

Nicolas held in his hand the two gold coins from the goddesses and waited for what was to come. As he waited, he absently corralled Morgan beside him and just behind him, as if to shield her with his axe and his form.

 

[Arsenal]

There was quiet. WAY too much quiet.

And then they were running, dodging spheres of violet that were slamming into the ground. He saw one coming for him but before he could react Firebird was whisking him away.

WHEEE!!!

He COULD have made it. Probably. But why not enjoy the ride. It was fun, safe and besides, Red smelled good so what the hey!! She deposited him inside and he rolled to his feet in time to see Cameron jump Alycia's bones while saving her life. Everyone had a light moment while he looked at Cameron and, knowing he could hear him...

Smooth move Playboy. That might need to be your new codename.

Smirking, Mike ran over and corralled everyone, ushering them farther in to the hallway. They needed reinforcements the way this seemed to be going now. The onslaught to the building continued.

There's precious little WE can do against THIS, except to keep each other safe and be ready for ANYTHING ELSE that shows up.

Harbinger , Shadow Weaver and Isis will be our only hope against the magick centered attacks...and with their own powers being hampered by the blue moon, I don't know what THEY can do!

Not the only ones. You have the lightning.

He cocked his shotgun.

And I have the thunder. We make our stand and make whatever gets through that door FEEL like they have been in a fight.

 

[Seer]

and so

<< Karen had spent time with Delilah, helping her to stay as calm as possible, holding her hand, intently reassuring her as only a mother could. SHe also directed the staff in measures to keep her stable and support her own body's efforts. Even with the building trembling, the technologically advanced, fortified medical facility held firm and there were no power fluctuations. Ruby (Cass) stood sentry by the doors. She’d be far more able to stand up to super natural threats than the mansion’s security, no matter how well trained they were. >>

<< But sadly, the perils of labor would only decend into darker places for Delilah, as her vitals began to drop, RAPIDLY and ghostly black aura formed around body! It was as if something was completely draining the LIFE out of her! Shadow Weaver was needed in the great hall but she was reluctant to go. Silver Swan advised her to go, for she had a role to play in this caper above ground. Silver Swan would stay with Delilah and assist how ever she could until the last possible moment when she might be needed in the great hall herself.>>

<< With a pained expression and hesitation on her face, Shadow Weaver emerges from the emergency suite>>

Bishop, go inside now. Delilah is being prepped for an emergency cesarean section! Her body is surrounded by some unearthly glow and her systems are shutting down in cascade effect. It’s as though something is draining all the life and light out of her. I have seen to it that she was sedated. As a measure of protection for her and medical precaution…I would have used my magicks to scramble her power , in case it was somehow working against her…but with the blue moon…I can’t. Silver Swan is with her now, assisting the special medical team. Now, I must go above ground to help defend this place from Circe!

<< She looks at Bishop with concern, before moving past him, rushing down the hall and disappearing through the double doors, leaving him standing there as the sounds of urgency are coming from Delilah’s emergency suite. He has to go in there, no matter what he sees happening, he knows they’re doing their best. Silver Swan is assisting them and Ruby will be there to help him fight off anything that should come their way.>>

<< Delilah’s fate is growing increasingly precarious and now, the ghostly dark aura around her body seems to be expanding…The nightmare that Harbinger had, was beginning to become reality in front of Bishop’s eyes.>>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

<< The Great Hall>>
<< Prophet, Arsenal, Firebird and Charope stand back to back covering all sides.>>

<< The wave of the dark magick attack has STOPPED, for now, and nothing else has appeared either. There’s no way to know why…but it does give them time to catch their breath and steady themselves for they know it isn’t over.>>

<< After a few moments of uncertain silence, Harbinger, Isis and Shadow Weaver emerge. All women looking more refreshed, and in their individual costumes, but still not at full power. They approach the group of four. They have a few precious moments to speak amongst themselves about what's happened, what WILL happen and how best to deal with it. They all wonder how Spellbinder and Rampage are doing at this point. >>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

<< The Underworld>>

<< The realm was horrible. Limbo may have been an icy, mysterious, mostly chaotic, eldritch dimension…but there was a certain order that was understood by all of its residents as well as those who some how came to visit or pass through. Spellbinder and Ororo were the greatest powers in that realm, with Spellbinder being Limbo’s mistress and Ororo occupying her own unique, serene mystical garden within the realm, a testimony to her power and redemption of her soul from the dark magick that she now channeled.>>

<< The Underworld was a place filled with misery and heartache, just the way Hades liked it. Spellbinder had come a long way in defining herself, NOT simply letting the mantle of “sorceress supreme” or being Hecate’s living avatar dictate her every action. But here in this place, Spellbinder was offended to her core- She hadn’t forgotten that day in Persephone’s mansion, when HADES, momentarily mistaking her for HECATE, MOLESTED her! She surprised him by fighting back and destroying the minotaur he sent after her, but it was a horrific experience. His very TOUCH made her want to leave her own body! The bad blood between Hecate and Hades DID manifest itself throughout Hecate’s bloodline, a reminder that she was as legendary for holding a grudge as she was for her witchcraft. >>

<< Rampage, even in his more fearsome form, instinctively kept Spellbinder just a step behind him and his axe. He would not fail Athena or Hecate…or SPELLBINDER, and SHE, knowing that he’d been called by her foremother and the goddess of wisdom and war to be their champion, HER champion in this dark and desperate battle, did not object to him keeping her somewhat shielded by him and his axe. He seemed to know how far to go with his movements. The had a much better understanding and sense of each other by now and they worked more fluently together in the battle field.>>

<< Now together, they stood on that ancient pier as Rampage called for CHARON to come forth. His booming voice thundered across the expanse but seemed to be SWALLOWED by the mist that hung and flowed over the mysterious river styx. For a few moments, it seemed that his call went unanswered, but soon, in the distance, they spot a shimmering light piercing the veil of mist. Then a mournful, haunting toll of a fog horn of sorts can be heard.>>

<< Slowly but surely, the form of a large wooden boat, adorned with the skull of a large beast on the front of it and a torch with an enteral flame in front of Charon, could be seen moving toward them and then, the hooded, cloaked figure of Charon himself, slowly rowing the boat. The water began to ripple and shift as the boat came closer and closer, finally it docked at the pier, with Charon directly in front of Rampage. Rampage had his hand extended with the exquisite gold coins given to him by Demeter in his palm. Charon didn’t immediately turn to face him, so Rampage took a step forward. Charon slowly turns with an eerily stiff, wooden movement. He is a tall creature, as tall as Rampage. But his form is covered in a cloak and his face enshrouded in complete shadow by the hood on his head. Slowly and stiffly, he extends his arm…a SKELETAL HAND opens up to receive the “fare”. Spellbinder looks upon the creature with apprehension as Rampage carefully places the coins in his hand and then steps down onto the boat, then turning to help Spellbinder, who did not want to board too closely to Charon.>>

<< Charon watches them board and settle, seating themselves , before finally turning away from them, again with that stiff, wooden movement. That haunting fog horn is heard once more across the air as the boat slowly begins to turn and face out toward the endless expanse and Charon begins to row once again, slowly but methodically. They travel at a slow pace with the boat shifting a bit as the waters rippled underneath. In the mist and air around them, they see flashing, glowing images of restless, lost spirits. Their cries, wails, groaning and howling provide a terrible, haunting symphony for the journey as Spellbinder allows Nicolas to pull her closer to him and wrap his arm around her , keeping her steady as the boat moved along, shifting at times. >>