What's the matter with Rose?

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Catacombs

“Perhaps Malice will give her to us as a present.”

"You're relentless."

"In pieces."

“Can you blame me for wanting to see a beautiful woman like you have her pleasure?”

He raised his eyebrows in a very, “what can you do?” sort of expression.

“Together, or in pieces, it doesn’t really matter. I just thought if someone has to kill her, it might as well be you, my dear Persephone. I know *I* for one would love to see how you’d do it. And why not have fun with her first?”

He smirked.

“And we all know, Mystique likes to watch.”

"After what I've seen you two do, absolutely. As for Scion...Id rather dive head first into Silver Swans snatch than touch that biohazard."

“Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.”

He winked at her.

“But I will say, no one on the Red Court would be stupid enough to pull what she did. Calling the integrity of the inner circle into question like that. It’s really a miracle she’s not already dead. Though”

He looked around.

“Maybe she is and that’s what this whole ‘meeting’ is about.”

Mystique started to get hands-y with Persephone, and he liked it. He liked it very much. He hoped this little meeting would be over quickly so they could move on to more...passionate pursuits.

If you're interested, I'm always around.

"Oh I'm very interested. And I can tell you right now...I'm far better with my mouth than those two [Sharon and Maxine] ever dream of being."

He put his lips near her ear as he murmured.

“Yes, you certainly are…”

This meeting was going to be painful in a very literal sense.

 

[Wallflower]

Hellfire Mansion

:: After her sojourn to The Parthenon, Amanda had been enjoying her evening quietly with a glass of red wine and a good book. Watching Cameron King writhe on the ground in front of her, lost in torment and pain, it had been exhilirating. But an empty court had left nobody to share any of that with. While her connections on The Inner Circle were expanding, she still found herself to be a bit of a loner. For the most part, that was okay with her. She did enjoy her downtime and time to herself, but she was hoping that these people that Talisman had been promising for some time now would soon "move in" so to speak. ::

:: Lost in her own world for a bit, she suddenly heard the stern and serious words of Talisman fill her mind, via the "hearing thoughts" spell she had cast when Amanda had first arrived. It was a way to communicate that was protected. ::

"One hour. The catacombs. Your presence is REQUIRED."

:: She cocked an amused look as she closed her book with a snap, not knowing exactly what was going on. That is until she looked at her phone. Footage of The Blackout Party had been leaked and was being broadcast in Times Square. Domino and Silver Swan were engaged in a rumble, and then it become something altogether. She smiled mischieviously, before shaking her head. ::

:: This footage could have only came from Scion. She would be the only one stupid enough to break that kind of protocol just because. Even if she were messing with somebody, even if it were for some game of revenge..some things were supposed to be left in the dark. She obviously needed to re-read the handbook. As Amanda changed into something simple yet elegant, she headed down to the catacombs where she was certain she was about to witness a public execution of The White Princess. ::

:: As she got there, she could see members of The Red Court had already gathered, and their presence made her a bit uneasy. She knew little of them, but it appeared that everybody on the red court was in heat. As if they simply couldn't control their urges. While Amanda wasn't a wet noodle, she needed far more drama and circumstance in order to open her legs. She had lived her old life as an addict - she would never let herself NEED something more than she could control ever again. Sex may have been a weapon in The Hellfire Club, but so was abstinence. The one thing that Cobra had going for her in this place was mystery, and she wasn't about to lose it in order to join the ranks of the ever increasing population of Red Knight groupies. ::

:: Amanda nodded to the three queens each individually, before leaning back against a wall, crossing her legs at her ankles and folding her arms. There appeared to be a waiting game happening. She noted that nobody in The White Court was there yet, and neither was Maxine Dupont. She began to wonder exactly what they had all had been called there for. ::

 

[Rose]

The Sanctuary- Orphanage

<< Rose' house was right next door to the two building orphanage, with several secret passages that connected it, and allowed her quick access. Aside from Clandestine Inc technology that cast a web of security and protection over the entire city block, Rose relied on her OWN abilities, including her mystical tarot card deck, her crystal ball, and her immense psionic powers. The day had gone very well for her children, and after dinner and care, they were all asleep.>>

<< All except Jake. A very resilient, brave, and adventurous boy, but ALSO very naughty at times. He failed to remember that Rose was aware of EVERY living thing in her sanctuary, and though Jake was "sneaking", she knew where he was. But in his therapy sessions, it was apparent that he had an excessive amount of mental...psionic energy, in keeping with his status as an "air sign." He could not simply adhere to a schedule, and needed time to burn off some of that energy, and so he was allowed to have a modified schedule, and was often the last child to finally fall asleep. It was never a problem. Rose kept an "eye" on him. He never the safety of the enclosed courtyard. >>

<< But tonight...things would be different.>>

<< Rose was in her parlor , sitting in a large, plush, throne-like chair near a glowing, roaring fire in the fire place. She'd actually fallen ASLEEP, and her beloved cat, Sable lay in her lap, also resting comfortably>>

She thought, as the lock clicked and she eased the door open and let herself inside. None of the CI alarms would sound, and not even the 'door ajar' notification would betray her entrance.

<< Scion THOUGHT she was entering Rose's sanctuary undetected. But the moment she made contact with Jake, the crystal ball on a nearby table began to glow, hum and pulsate in it's glowing pattern, and a pattern flashes across Rose's "mind's eye" causing her purple eyes to snap open.>>

Someone's HERE....

<< Sable perked up with a slight mew as Rose sat up>>

Sable...there is an intruder. Run, carefully and gracefully through the shadows, as only you can, my beloved pet, and find Danny. Bing him here! Hurry!

"What are you doing out here, Jake? It's late, you should be in bed."

Jake: I don' wanna go ta bed! I'm on an Advengers Aventure!

"Are you now?"

Jake: YUP!

<< With a hug and a pat on her soft head, Roses sets Sable down, who immediately runs with quick, silent movement out of the parlor, out into the dark hall, and out through a through a cat door, into the open night. She moves through the shadows with stealth, speed, and form, as only a feline can, to find Rose's friend and ally, Citadle, the urban elemental.>>

She knelt in front of him, her face a mask of excitement that matched his. She tugged on the sleeve of his captain america t-shirt.

"Well so am I! Do you think you can help me complete my mission?"

Jake: What's yer missin?!

<< Rose herself, stands up, and moves quickly, as the mysterious, glowing scarf that flows around her tall, feminine form, illuminates the halls she glides throug. She takes a passage that allows her to emerge into orphanage...>>

"It's a TOP SECRET Avenger's Assignment, we'd better get going, I'll tell you on the way!"

She whispered loudly, extending a gloved hand. The kid took it eagerly, trusting one of his heroes. Haleigh felt the twisting pain at her core again, but she had made her choices and now she had to see them through, or suffer the consequences. She stoically lead the boy away from his home, and towards the worst place on earth that she knew of.

No.

<< Rose suddenly appears in front of Haleigh and Jake in a flash of purple spectral light, standing tall, taller than Haleigh, and hovering just off the ground as she stares at the white princess of the hellfire club. >>

What are you doing here, Black Widow?

You're Zach Armani's companion, are you not?

<< But even as Rose looks upon the woman, she can sense that something is not right about her.>>

Jake, come here at once.

Remember what I've told you about STRANGERS?

<< she holds out her hand to him and smiles.>>

<< Jake hesitates, looking at Haleigh for a moment, then to Rose, his caregiver, the woman that has kept him safe, and shown him love and stability ever since the Inferno burned his former life to ashes. He slowly lets go of Haleigh's hand and moves toward Rose.>>

That's a good boy.

<< she nods and smiles.>>

It's okay that you were excited to see her. She IS special like us. But...it's rather LATE for this kind of visit, Haleigh Davidoff.

<< Rose narrows her eyes.>>

Your purpose here...it is not benevolent. Your intentions for this child...are OBSCENE... Just like that woman who has been perverted by science [Cobra].

Surely you know, I will NOT allow you to carry this child away from his home.

<< She moves Jake behind her>>

I hope Sable returns with Danny SOON....

Why are you doing this? You're supposed to be an ALLY. That IS what Zach has told me...

But then again...how can HE be trusted anymore? He has not been here in over a MONTH, not even after that other creature, Cobra intruded two nights ago!

<< The thought of Zach, Cobra, Persephone...and now this woman in front of her, causes Rose's countenance to grow darker as she summons two soul satellites. They flash into view, and begin to orbit around Rose, and as one passes between her and Scion, it BATHES Scion in a spectra light and Rose begins to "READ" her, as she did Cobra and Persephone.>>

You are not what you appear to be, even what you're wearing is a facade.

THIS is your REAL form...

<< The light of the soul satellite FLASHES once more, revealing Haleigh's current form to Rose AND Jake>>

You came to this child...a fellow mutant...with every intention of leading him to a fate that no child deserves. How can you behave this way? Have you no conscience? No DECENCY!?

<< Rose needs to learn more....and so she intensifies her probe of Haleigh, the light of her soul satelite reaches into Haleigh's soul>>

I see.

You're tormented...conflicted down to your very soul. Who you thought you were, is a lie.

You were not born...you were CREATED. You've been touched, PERVERTED, just like that other one [Cobra]. Creation is only the FIRST STEP. You COULD have gone a different path...

And now, rather than take CONTROL, you've taken the path of least resistance. you've given yourself to complete CHAOS and DARKNESS. Instead of relying on the established paths of your former life, you dived into the arms of the very woman blighted you every step of the way!

You're doing this in part out of duress...but more so because you've decided it's EASIER.

You've given UP on yourself, you believe you DESERVE the worst possible outcome and you're willing to do ANYTHING, no matter how obscene or outrageous to bring that about!

<< Rose looks upon Haleigh with SYMPATHY and COMPASSION for a brief moment as Jake peeks outo from behind her.>>

Haleigh, I can help you. I can LIBERATE you from that chaos, that darkness...that WOMAN who is your genetic mother. I can FREE you from those deep, TOXIC psychic hooks that she's sank into your mind, your SOUL, and I can RESTORE you, set you BACK on a path of decency and HONOR, help you to RESTORE the ties and paths that you severed in ERROR.

EVERYONE loses their way sometimes...but it's not too late for you...your soul....you're...

<< But Rose pauses...as she hears echoes...faint at first, but as she listens more carefully...they sound TERRIBLY familiar...>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< at the sight of the Orphange, as Silver Swan calls out to Zach and Rose while Ava gets Simon and Katie back to safety and emerges from the car to join Sharon, Sharon turns....looking over her shoulder.>>

Silver Swan: AMBUSH!!!!

<< BOTH projectiles HIT THEIR TARGETS. TWO EXPLOSIONS THUNDER OUT INTO THE NIGHT AIR!>>

<< But there was something ELSE...something that ONLY Haleigh knew, that NO ONE, not even Zach Armani, Sharon Kelly or Ava Cassadine had known...>>

<< FLASH!>>

<< MOMENTS EARLIER, as the aircraft had descended into a bombing pattern...>>

"Sorry, but it's my SISTER and the love of my life we're headed to, DO believe me when I say I'm properly motivated to expedite this--"

She fell silent when she spotted the plane. It was flying a standard bombing run flight pattern, and Haleigh had direct access to its target database. Two targets...... their SUV..... and the bus full of innocent orphan children. The aircraft launched two missiles simultaneously, and Haleigh's heart sank.

She had to choose. There was no time to second guess or weigh the options. She decided to save her SUV, and the six lives inside. She detonated the missile several meters before it reached them, muting the impact on their vehicle. She swerved forcefully, throwing the SUV into an induced roll so that the belly of the vehicle would absorb the shrapnel and most of the blast. As they flipped upside down she saw what twisted metal remained of the warhead hit the pavement and ricochet back at her. She tried to shield her face, but it wasn't enough. It knocked her clean out.

<< Zachary and Rose are THROWN clear of the blast and barely conscious as they are PELTED with glass. SHARON, who was RUNNING forward is knocked back and SLAMS into a nearby car. Ava is knocked off her feet. BOTH women are still fully conscious. The BUS has been HIT! It's in FLAMES...car alarms near by are going off, CHILDREN are crying in pain. >>

<< Rose GASPED...and recoiled as she looked at Haleigh, one moment in SHOCK...the next in cold CONTEMPT as her eyes began glow>>

YOU...COULD HAVE SAVED THEM!? But you REFUSED!

<< Rose bellowed black tears began to fall from her glowing purple eyes>>

You CHOSE to let them die...MY CHILDREN...the unwanted...the WEAKEST and MOST IN NEED...

You...don't DESERVE salvation.

Your soul deserves to BURN!

<< the word "BURN" echoes in Haleigh's mind and her SOUL as Rose HITS her with one of those SOUL SATELLITES, BLINDING her for a brief moment. When she regains her sense of sight, she would FEEL something odd, something WRONG. Rose's soul satellite has SCRAMBLED some of her abilities, knocking her mind/body's activation of some of her powers out of synch for the time being. It's an effect SIMILAR to that of Alice or Karen's power scramble, but different on a VERY significant level.>>

The blood of 42 INNOCENT CHILDREN IS ON YOUR HANDS, AND STAINS YOUR PUTRID SOUL!

<< Rose now went from a calm stance, to an agressive posture, and ready to ATTACK>>

GET OUT OF MY SANCTUARY, you RACE TRAITOR, YOU MURDERER!

You'll NOT have this child, or ANY OTHER tonight!

 

[Black Widow]

The Sanctuary

Rose: What are you doing here, Black Widow? You're Zach Armani's companion, are you not?

"Not anymore."

She said coldly. Rose beckoned the kid over, and Haleigh let his hand slip from hers. She was going to have to fight her way out of here, and she could let ROSE keep the kid alive throughout the fight. She'd be able to grab him as soon as she struck Rose down.

Rose: Your purpose here...it is not benevolent. Your intentions for this child...are OBSCENE... Just like that woman who has been perverted by science [Cobra].

"My intentions are simply to give Jake a new home. His new mommy, however.... OBSCENE, I agree."

Rose: Surely you know, I will NOT allow you to carry this child away from his home. Why are you doing this? You're supposed to be an ALLY. That IS what Zach has told me...

"Don't be too hard on Zach. I had THEM ALL fooled for a very long time. Hell, I'd even convinced MYSELF I was a hero."

Rose: You are not what you appear to be, even what you're wearing is a facade. THIS is your REAL form... You came to this child...a fellow mutant...with every intention of leading him to a fate that no child deserves. How can you behave this way? Have you no conscience? No DECENCY!?

"Not anymore."

She says again, this time with a hint of bitterness. Rose seemed to 'scan' her, and began to talk as if she knew ANYTHING about what choices Haleigh was having to make. There was a flicker of emotion from Haleigh, but she grit her teeth as she listened.

Rose: You're doing this in part out of duress...but more so because you've decided it's EASIER.

"This IS easier..... but it is BY NO MEANS the path of 'least resistance'. The Path of Least Resistance would have been littered with the bodies of my family, fallen in defense of my honor."

Rose: You've given UP on yourself, you believe you DESERVE the worst possible outcome and you're willing to do ANYTHING, no matter how obscene or outrageous to bring that about!

Haleigh shrugged and nodded, willing to admit that in this case, Rose was absolutely right.

"Yes. Plus, they're torturing Ava, so they've kind of got me by the proverbial balls here."

Rose: Haleigh, I can help you. I can LIBERATE you from that chaos, that darkness...that WOMAN who is your genetic mother. I can FREE you from those deep, TOXIC psychic hooks that she's sank into your mind, your SOUL, and I can RESTORE you, set you BACK on a path of decency and HONOR, help you to RESTORE the ties and paths that you severed in ERROR.

For a split second, she paused to consider what Rose was offering. Then she gave a heavy sigh, and shook her head sadly.

"I wish that were true.... but no one can help me now."

Rose: EVERYONE loses their way sometimes...but it's not too late for you...your soul....you're...

Haleigh cast a dark glance at Rose, and balled her hands into fists. The time for talking was OVER. She was about to strike when Rose's attitude toward her soured.

Rose: YOU...COULD HAVE SAVED THEM!? But you REFUSED!

What is she TALKING about?

Rose: You CHOSE to let them die...MY CHILDREN...the unwanted...the WEAKEST and MOST IN NEED...

Oh right, the kids. The bus.

"Yes, I chose to let them die. If I had tried to save THEM.... I would have risked Rampage, Firebird, Recall, Charope, Prophet, and myself. Logically, I chose to save those who had the most to contribute to society."

She replied, unapologetic.

Rose: You...don't DESERVE salvation. Your soul deserves to BURN!

There is a bright flash, and Haleigh is blinded. She immediately begin to strafe to her left, knocking some piece of furniture askew, as she tries to avoid any unseen attacks while her vision reboots. Her HUD scroll advises her of the abilities that are malfunctioning.

>>Particle Transportation Unreliable.
>>Metal Manipulation Unreliable.
>>Equipment Retrieval Unreliable.
>>Technological Interface Unreliable.

See, that's why I always bring so much shit WITH me.

Rose: The blood of 42 INNOCENT CHILDREN IS ON YOUR HANDS, AND STAINS YOUR PUTRID SOUL! GET OUT OF MY SANCTUARY, you RACE TRAITOR, YOU MURDERER! You'll NOT have this child, or ANY OTHER tonight!

Haleigh shot a smoke grenade from her wrist, and drew a gun from its holster as the room filled with thick white phosphorus gas, obscuring her movements. She switches to xray vision and spots the kid, clutching Rose's leg. Haleigh lays down cover fire, then darts across the room and fires a couple more rounds, so quickly that it seems like she is in two places at once. Then she dives for the boy and wraps an arm around his chest, pulling him away from Rose easily. She lifts Jake up in front of her, pressed against her torso, a human shield. He screams and kicks his feet, but it doesn't seem to bother her.

"Don't be a fool, Rose. I can take ONE child and leave. Your resistance puts ALL your children at risk of collateral damage."

 

[Specter]

Clandestine Intelligence -- Board Room

They stopped debating for a while, so Gavin could do a food run, and when he returned they all shared dinner and companionship for a while, until an intelligence analyst interrupted them with the news that the Director had resurfaced. The consoles in front of all their seats lit up and began to display the video feed. There was a technological disturbance at Time Square, and a free-for-all bar brawl. A digitally edited female voice drew attention to a huge LED display of two women and it was NOT appropriate for all audiences. The announcer didn't sound exactly like Haleigh, but no one present would suggest that anyone ELSE could be the perpetrator of such an event. An operative on the street checked in, streaming live from his cellphone and giving them a close look at the combatants. Haleigh wasn't there, and they soon found out why.

It was a simple, but effective diversion.

A new feed popped up, this one at The Sanctuary. Black Widow looked directly into the camera, plenty long enough for the I.D. Algorithms, then she easily negotiated a fence. Somebody in the surveillance department was cycling through the security cameras to follow her along and give them the best view. She entered through a balcony door, approached a child and interacted kindly, but instead of encouraging the young one back to the safety of his bed, she beckoned him to follow. The Sanctuary's caretaker intervened, and a confrontation ensued.

Griffin could try to send a team in to stop her, but he knew she'd be long gone by the time they got there. She smoked the room and the camera's view was obscured, by they could still HEAR what was being said. He observed calmly, and though it disturbed him to see her that way, he knew from experience that sometimes while you were IN IT you had to do some pretty fucked up shit to get back out again. He trusted his Director with his life, he had since his Navy days. He was all too aware of high cost of 'the greater good.' In all his years, he'd always known Black Widow to be working towards that, and he had no room to judge her actions. He'd compromised his own morals many times over, and had to live with himself afterwards. Believing in the CAUSE was the only thing that kept him going on those hard days. That being said, they needed to take action for the sake of their company.

"I hate to say this, but we must suspend the Director's authority IMMEDIATELY. Whatever her plan is, I NOW believe that the Midnight Contingency must be part of it, or she wouldn't have UPDATED the SOPs just last week. We must distance the company from her actions, and begin damage control protocols."

Sentry: Let's vote.

There was only a short silence, then a collective sigh of relief from a few of them. It was unanimous. Cassie made the next suggestion for him, but he could hear the sadness in her voice.

Infrared: The Midnight Contingency is hereby activated. Next order of business is to appoint an Interim Director. I nominate Specter. He has the most experience with the operational aspects of the company, and is most well known and respected as a leader amongst the rank and file.

Griff gave her a small smile of gratitude. He'd never have asked for that, but he considered it an honor to fulfill that duty, if that's what the rest of the board wanted.

Sentry: I second the nomination. Here comes the ballot.

Another unanimous decision. The ball was rolling downhill now. Haleigh had made it very easy for them to continue, even if she'd made it difficult to understand what she was doing.

Infrared: Congratulations Griff, you have the command.

He cleared his throat, nodding with determination, and looked around the table at his colleagues. His mind had already been gnawing at this issue, and the tactics they could put in play. His gaze shifted from one Captain to the next, pausing for their reply before moving on.

"Thank you all, I will not let you down, but I'll require EVERYONE'S assistance. Tom, dispatch two of your best teams to guard Recall's server, and instruct the I.T. department to raise every layer of cyber security available."

Sentry: I'll take care of it.

"Hud, I'll need you to make contact with the Sanctuary's owner, and do what you can, you're best suited to discuss the breach of contract and try to smooth things over."

Verdict: You got it, Griff.

"Audrey, please do what you can for the Time Square incident, and compose a team to escort Verdict and offer cleanup services to for the Sanctuary."

Mirage: Consider it done.

"Jazz, we need all hands on deck in your division for anyone Mirage sends you, and be prepared for dispatch to the Sanctuary, in case they need triage."

Sawbones: Yes, Medical will be ready and waiting.

"Gav, can you prepare a quick transfer of funds to an account in case Verdict needs to make any financial recompense to the Sanctuary?"

Tycoon: We have some money put away for settlements, I only need to know how much.

"Haze, please provide a full inventory list, with special emphasis on the count and location of our more sensitive munitions. We must determine if the Director has taken anything serious already."

Bandolier: Of course, we can assume she has already cleared out and relocated her armory warehouse. Ah..... I'm..... receiving.... an emergency alert. It would appear that our ENTIRE stock of Hellfire Missiles, THOUSANDS of 100lb laser-guided warheads recovered over the years from the black market, have been reported missing from the main silo.

There was a cold silence in the room, as looks of stark terror were traded. Griff contemplated the endless possibilities for destruction that Black Widow could inflict with all that firepower.

"Get everything else on CODE BLACK lockdown. Charlie, please review all the personnel files and compile a list of those who are MOST at risk to violate the protocols of the Midnight Contingency, so that we can reach out to them individually and explain."

Headhunter: Okay, sure.

"Benny, are there any other..... fail-safes you've got hidden away in R&D, for dealing with Haleigh, if we're forced to?"

Da Vinci: Not specifically, but I'll take a look and let you know if anything can serve the purpose.

His gaze fell on the CEO of Liquid Crystal. She still looked crestfallen, and he knew why.

"Cassie."

Infrared: I've got a lot of paperwork to sign to make this transition smooth.

"We'll get her back, Cassie. This is all precautionary."

Infrared: I know. It's just.... seeing her like that.... what have they DONE to her?? She seemed so.... unhinged. The cyber attack on Times Square.....this kidnapping..... And all those rockets?

She said, tears falling. Jasper reached to comfort her, and she buried her face in his chest. Griff tried to mentally prepare himself for the task that HE faced.

"I hope I can still talk to her. I need to inform her of our decision. Then I've got to brief the Lieutenants."

 

[Rose]

The Sanctuary- Orphanage

<< The black tears streamed from Rose's glowing eyes as she trembled with anger...that was fast approaching RAGE as she listened to Black Widow's cold, UNAPOLOGETIC response to the TRUTH about her role in the deaths of 42 of Rose's children. >>

ZACH ARMANI, you BLIND FOOL!

<< He was an EMPATH, who often became DRUNK on the sensation of emotions. he seemed to CRAVE certain "flavors" more than others. Was that the case regarding his long time assocation and endorsement of HALEIGH!? Or was this ANOTHER result of the reading she gave him, and the Lovers card FLIPPING.>>

<< Jake was scared, but before Rose could calm herself to comfort him and get him out of there, Black Widow was taking ACTION.>>

Haleigh shot a smoke grenade from her wrist, and drew a gun from its holster as the room filled with thick white phosphorus gas, obscuring her movements. She switches to xray vision and spots the kid, clutching Rose's leg. Haleigh lays down cover fire, then darts across the room and fires a couple more rounds

<< Rose immediately manifests an astral energy SHIELD, to deflect any of the fire that came near her....but....>>

so quickly that it seems like she is in two places at once. Then she dives for the boy and wraps an arm around his chest, pulling him away from Rose easily. She lifts Jake up in front of her, pressed against her torso, a human shield. He screams and kicks his feet, but it doesn't seem to bother her.

JAKE!

<< Rose blinks her eyes several times, and they return to their normal, more human state, but the look on her face says it all. She's AGHAST. >>

Not again. I won't lose ANOTHER SINGLE CHILD to this woman!

"Don't be a fool, Rose. I can take ONE child and leave. Your resistance puts ALL your children at risk of collateral damage."

Release him, Black Widow, NOW, or TASTE MY WRATH!

<< With her hair now flowing, Rose lifts her hands, and gestures, igniting her Soul Power, the aura is once again that curious mix of purple...with swirls of WHITE. WHITE is associated with PSYCHO power...>>

<< Black Widow shook her head. She wasn't going to comply. Her mistake....likely a FATAL one for HER.>>

<< She takes aim, and FIRES upon Black Widow with an astral energy blast, but the hybrid DODGES! Rose keeps her eyes focused on the hybrid now with hawk like clarity>>

You're the fool if you think you're going to succeed in what you're trying to do here, Haleigh! I know you for the twisted, amoral creature that you are now, and I will NOT let you leave my sanctuary with JAKE!

<< The mysterious glowing scarf that flows around her responds to her mental command, as she directs it, pointing at Black Widow, the scarf spins and spirals before snapping/CRACKING like a WHIP, lashing out at Black Widow's HEAD, and unleashing a SOUL SPARK attack, if it connected, it would KO Black Widow in a violent, painful manner, but the Hybrid, using the lingering smoke to her advantage, once again dodges, only this time she takes the opportunity to RETREAT, with JAKE in her posession.>>

<< A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as Rose PURSUES Black Widow throughout out the two building orphanage, FIRING at her with astral energy blasts, and just NARROWLY missing Black Widow on several attempts.>>

 

[Black Widow]

The Sanctuary

"Stop resisting kid, you're going to hurt yourself."

Rose: Release him, Black Widow, NOW, or TASTE MY WRATH!

Rose threatened, conjuring some glowing purple and white orbs. Scion turned her steely gaze on Rose, as the smoke in the room begins to thin. She shakes her head slowly, indicating she has no intention of letting the kid go.

"You'll KILL this boy trying to stop me."

Rose doesn't heed the warning, and forces Haleigh to juke to the right to avoid an energy blast. Rose starts saying something about Haleigh being the fool, but she doesn't stick around to hear it. She DUCKS the scarf whipping towards her head and uses the last billows of smoke to avoid a repeat attack. She takes off with her captive, navigating the halls to find the shortest route to exit, but this place is a labyrinth and Rose chases her with energy blasts.

She drops concussion grenades in her wake, slowing Rose down with blasts of fire and debri, triggering the sprinklers overhead. Jake whimpers, and she shushes him sternly and then transfers him to her shoulder to 'combat carry' him.

She sees a large bay window ahead, and shoots out the glass so she can jump through more easily, then leaps cleanly out of the building from the second floor. She lands in the grass of the courtyard and doesn't even break her stride.

>>Metal Manipulation Now Reliable.

Good, there's the gate.

She holsters her gun and throws up her hand, blasting the wrought iron gate off its hinges. Her car is stashed several blocks away. She'd planned to link up with it and bring it around in time for the getaway, but now she'll have to reach it on foot. She picks up her pace, as best she can, though she can't go full speed without hurting the child.

 

[Citadel]

Brooklyn to Rose

:: All in all it had been a pretty good day. A chance encounter with Lauren Danvers had led to a surprising new opportunity with Simon Pratt, one that he hadn't been expecting. After a few more drinks with both Simon and Lauren, Danny returned to his Brooklyn apartment and took a nice little cat nap, until he was THROTTLED awake by the needs of the city! ::

[ On her feet, and now HOVERING off the ground]

Oh who CARES about them, you annoying bitch!?

You're so AMUSED with yourself in this moment, are you? You and that BASTARD BIO HAZARD, Black Widow

Well, you should take a moment to TRULY appreciate....

[ Silver Swan, ZOOMS toward Domino in a direct forward flight/dash, so FAST is her movement, that the WIND gusts along with her]

...Your BIG BREAK on screen.

[Contact is IMMINENT]

WELCOME TO PRIME TIME, BITCH!

[WHAMMO!]

[ Silver Swan SLAMS INTO Domino, delivering a THUNDEROUS punch with her adamantium armored fist to Domino's FACE/JAW, and LAUNCHING her up into the air like a runaway rocket, and sending her flying/CRASHING into the jumbotron! Even as the broadcast was now being STOPPED by some other force, Domino was now functioning as makeshift WRECKING BALL as she slammed into the giant screen, and caused MASSIVE damage to it]

HAH!

:: He SHOT up like a cannon, with his chest heaving, in a cold sweat. Instinctively he threw a shirt on and was JUST about to go to the scene to survey the damage repair it before anybody else got hurt when Sable, Rose's companion appeared on his window sill. Cocking a curious eyebrow, he walked over to the cat and pet her head. She hadn't come for cuddles. Touching her collar, the crystal on it activation projecting a HOLOGRAPHIC image into his very room. ::

"What the---? ROSE!"

Release him, Black Widow, NOW, or TASTE MY WRATH!

<< With her hair now flowing, Rose lifts her hands, and gestures, igniting her Soul Power, the aura is once again that curious mix of purple...with swirls of WHITE. WHITE is associated with PSYCHO power...>>

<< Black Widow shook her head. She wasn't going to comply. Her mistake....likely a FATAL one for HER.>>

<< She takes aim, and FIRES upon Black Widow with an astral energy blast, but the hybrid DODGES! Rose keeps her eyes focused on the hybrid now with hawk like clarity>>

You're the fool if you think you're going to succeed in what you're trying to do here, Haleigh! I know you for the twisted, amoral creature that you are now, and I will NOT let you leave my sanctuary with JAKE!

<< The mysterious glowing scarf that flows around her responds to her mental command, as she directs it, pointing at Black Widow, the scarf spins and spirals before snapping/CRACKING like a WHIP, lashing out at Black Widow's HEAD, and unleashing a SOUL SPARK attack, if it connected, it would KO Black Widow in a violent, painful manner, but the Hybrid, using the lingering smoke to her advantage, once again dodges, only this time she takes the opportunity to RETREAT, with JAKE in her posession.>>

<< A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as Rose PURSUES Black Widow throughout out the two building orphanage, FIRING at her with astral energy blasts, and just NARROWLY missing Black Widow on several attempts.>>

:: Rose had been attacked...yet AGAIN. Where were the people that were supposed to protect her? Look after her!!? What in the world was happening to his city. He scooped up Sable in his arms and in an instant he was on his way towards Rose..with a stop at Times Square FIRST. ::

:: Immediately materializing on the scene just outside The Pig & Whistle. He called out to the blonde woman who was taking part in a joyful destruction of everything around her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a raven haired woman STRUGGLING in the jumbotron that was now destroyed. Squinting his eyes, the jumbotron warped under his control as the raven haired woman was thrown from the device altogether. He called out to The Silver Swan. While they didn't know each other, he knew of her masked crusader status VERY well by nature of his power. ::

"SILVER SWAN! You destroy ONE MORE THING in MY CITY..and I will TURN IT AGAINST YOU! This is your FIRST and ONLY warning!"

:: First The Cathedral and Now this. She was walking a fine line with the city and she needed to know it. ::

:: Danny cast his hands out to the side as a bright yellow energy enveloped his hands as the damage done to BOTH the Pig & Whistle and the jumbotron began to warp and repair under his mental control. Almost as he was conducting a symphony, the damage was repaired almost as quickly as it had originally been destroyed. Scooping up Sable and he materialized right where he needed to be. Rose's neighborhood. ::

:: He looked ahead in the distance as Sable dropped to her feet. ::

"Stop resisting kid, you're going to hurt yourself."

Rose: Release him, Black Widow, NOW, or TASTE MY WRATH!

Rose threatened, conjuring some glowing purple and white orbs. Scion turned her steely gaze on Rose, as the smoke in the room begins to thin. She shakes her head slowly, indicating she has no intention of letting the kid go.

"You'll KILL this boy trying to stop me."

Rose doesn't heed the warning, and forces Haleigh to juke to the right to avoid an energy blast. Rose starts saying something about Haleigh being the fool, but she doesn't stick around to hear it. She DUCKS the scarf whipping towards her head and uses the last billows of smoke to avoid a repeat attack. She takes off with her captive, navigating the halls to find the shortest route to exit, but this place is a labyrinth and Rose chases her with energy blasts.

She drops concussion grenades in her wake, slowing Rose down with blasts of fire and debri, triggering the sprinklers overhead. Jake whimpers, and she shushes him sternly and transfers him to her shoulder to 'combat carry' him.

She sees a large bay window ahead, and shoots out the glass so she can jump through more easily, then leaps cleanly out of the building from the second floor. She lands in the grass of the courtyard and doesn't even break her stride.

>>Metal Manipulation Now Reliable.

Good, there's the gate.

She holsters her gun and throws up her hand, blasting the wrought iron gate off its hinges. Her car is stashed several blocks away. She'd planned to link up with it and bring it around in time for the getaway, but now she'll have to reach it on foot. She picks up her pace, as best she can, though she can't go full speed without hurting the child.

:: He made out the form of Black Widow running with the child. ::

"Has every HERO in this town gone CRAZY!?"

:: Danny didn't think, instead he stood there, invoking his yellow energy signature. As an urban elemental, he had a unique set of abilities that quite literally made the city his playground, he could inact it's will, change the landscape, move things around so to speak. As Haleigh continued to run, as well as she knew the landscape, she would find herself a bit turned around. Moving with great speed, no matter how far she ran, she found herself in a place she wasn't expecting, almost as if she were moving backwards. The cityscape shifted around her, with every step she took she felt disoriented, dizzy, and not much farther ahead than she originally had been. Danny was "turning her around" - Black Widow was not going to get away easily. ::

"Annndd...right back where we started."

:: Haleigh continued to run, to fight through whatever was happening to her, but none of her powers would save her against somebody who could control the ground beneath her and her location ANYWHERE in the city. She CHARGED forthe and nearly crashed RIGHT INTO ROSE, who was now standing in front of her. Haleigh found herself back where she had started. Danny made eye contact with Rose and silently beckoned her. ::

"Get her."

 

[Rose]

The Sanctuary- Pursuit

<< As fast as Black Widow was able to move, Rose was still ON her, pursuing her and firing at her.>>

SURRENDER! You can't escape ME, Black Widow!

<< the psi called after her!>>

he drops concussion grenades in her wake, slowing Rose down with blasts of fire and debri, triggering the sprinklers overhead. Jake whimpers, and she shushes him sternly and then transfers him to her shoulder to 'combat carry' him.

UGHH!!!

<< Rose's path and approach were hampered and slowed down by the concussion grenades, although she was able to shield herself from the brunt of the impact, and the fire. She heard Jake's cry>>

Is this the kind of person you TRULY are!? NO BETTER than the woman from whom you were created? Can you be so PERVERSE and AMORAL that you would subject a CHILD to this kind of TERROR!?

<< she YELLED, but the hybrid was making tracks.>>

She will NOT make it off this block!

<< She said, preparing to BLAST through the wall and onto the street! >>

<< meanwhile....Sable RETURNED with Citadle!>>

:: Danny didn't think, instead he stood there, invoking his yellow energy signature. As an urban elemental, he had a unique set of abilities that quite literally made the city his playground, he could inact it's will, change the landscape, move things around so to speak. As Haleigh continued to run, as well as she knew the landscape, she would find herself a bit turned around. Moving with great speed, no matter how far she ran, she found herself in a place she wasn't expecting, almost as if she were moving backwards. The cityscape shifted around her, with every step she took she felt disoriented, dizzy, and not much farther ahead than she originally had been. Danny was "turning her around" - Black Widow was not going to get away easily. ::

<< A large purple/white globe of astral energy forms as Rose appears out on the street, making contact with Danny as Sable quickly scampers away to safety.>>

The cards don't lie...you ARE a true urban knight!

<< she calls out to Danny>>

:: Haleigh continued to run, to fight through whatever was happening to her, but none of her powers would save her against somebody who could control the ground beneath her and her location ANYWHERE in the city. She CHARGED forthe and nearly crashed RIGHT INTO ROSE, who was now standing in front of her. Haleigh found herself back where she had started. Danny made eye contact with Rose and silently beckoned her. ::

<< Rose looks cold and grim, striking a fighting pose before meeting Haleigh's careening form with an open handed FIST, surrounded by her astral energy signature...>>

KAI!

<< She cries out as she SLAMS her open handed fist into Haleigh's face knocking the hybrid off her feet and forcing her to drop Jake.>>

<< she bends down, and waves her other hand over Jake. A purple beam of energy washes over him, and CALMS him, her SOUL POWER restoring the boy to calm and clarity. >>

JAKE.

<< She says firmly as she gently but quickly helps the boy stand, and turns him around, now with her hand on his back >>

RUN!

<< She points toward Citadel!>>

Go to Citadel, NOW!

DON'T look back!

<< Black Widow was closing in, and Rose turns!>>

KEEP AWAY, YOU MONSTER!

<< She attacks Haleigh, calling on her skill as a MASTER martial artist, definitely a more PHYSICAL side of Rose that Danny hasn't seen before, and definitely not something Black Widow was expecting.>>

You're not the ONLY ONE who knows how to fight with her hands, Black Widow.

<< Rose deliberately engages Haleigh in a PHYSICAL fight to minimize the risk of any attack spilling out and hitting Jake, at least that's what she WANTS, to give Citadel a chance to get Jake out of harm's way, while she SUBDUES Haleigh!>>

<< Rose PRESSES her advantage, augmenting the force of her physical strikes with her SOUL POWER, and she's FAST, faster than haleigh would have thought for a woman who usually moves/GLIDES with grace and elegance.>>

Citadel! TAKE HIM, and GO!

 

[Black Widow]

Outside The Sanctuary

Rose: Is this the kind of person you TRULY are!? NO BETTER than the woman from whom you were created? Can you be so PERVERSE and AMORAL that you would subject a CHILD to this kind of TERROR!?

Haleigh didn't respond. She didn't like doing this either, but she could still see the cold smile on Malice's face when she hesitated, and she could still see her sister lying on the floor of the control room, after getting the last psi blast. She'd do whatever it took to prevent them from hurting Ava.

>>Equipment Retrieval Now Reliable.

Great, what I REALLY fucking need is an uplink or the ability to fucking transport!

She thought she knew the route but clearly she'd made a wrong turn somewhere. Nothing made sense, she should have been able to traverse this east/west alley to get to the next north/south street...

How does a right fucking turn from an Eastbound heading take me fucking NORTH?!

She started to slow down a bit. Even without her GPS uplink, she should be able to navigate, but she was so disoriented now she was almost dizzy. She turned a corner and ran right into a supercharged fist from Rose. Dazed, she stumbled, dropped the boy, and tried to shake the stars out of her eyes.

Rose: JAKE. RUN! Go to Citadel, NOW! DON'T look back!

Alright, she was going to have to beat Rose down. She brought her hands up and dropped a foot back to take on a fighting stance.

Rose: KEEP AWAY, YOU MONSTER!

Rose moves in and fights much better than Haleigh expected. A combo from Rose sent a jab towards the jaw, which Haleigh ducked, a hook to the ribs, which Haleigh absorbed by tucking her elbow, and a front kick that Haleigh stuffed by raising her boot.

Rose: You're not the ONLY ONE who knows how to fight with her hands, Black Widow.

"I don't WANT to kill you, but I WILL if I have to."

Switching to offense, Haleigh threw an uppercut that Rose leaned back away from, an elbow strike that connected as she leaned back in, and cross punch that Rose managed to deflect. Another combo from Rose, another matched defense from Haleigh. Time to trap fight. Haleigh faked a haymaker then jabbed with the other hand, tagging Rose's chin and getting her attention. She lifted a knee to draw Rose's gaze down and then tried a hook towards Rose's temple but got blocked that time.

This bitch is fast, but I bet she's not faster than a BULLET.

She fully committed to a right roundhouse kick, but dropped her left hand to draw from her holster. Rose saw the gun come out and took the kick right in the hip as she lunged forward to fight Haleigh for control of the pistol. Haleigh was stronger though, and she continued to sweep the gun up towards Rose, who sidestepped away from the barrel as she tried to knock Haleigh's head off with another punch. The sound of a single gunshot rang in the nighttime air, as Rose's punch rang Haleigh's bell again. Haleigh staggered sideways down on one knee, and Rose stopped cold. Past the smoking barrel of her pistol, Haleigh watched the kid crumple to the pavement as a bloodstain bloomed across the back of his Captain America t-shirt.

FUCK.

 

[Rose]

Outside the sanctuary

<< Rose moved in, and Black Widow rose to meet her.>>

Rose moves in and fights much better than Haleigh expected. A combo from Rose sent a jab towards the jaw, which Haleigh ducked, a hook to the ribs, which Haleigh absorbed by tucking her elbow, and a front kick that Haleigh stuffed by raising her boot.

Rose: You're not the ONLY ONE who knows how to fight with her hands, Black Widow.

"I don't WANT to kill you, but I WILL if I have to."

Switching to offense, Haleigh threw an uppercut that Rose leaned back away from, an elbow strike that connected as she leaned back in, and cross punch that Rose managed to deflect. Another combo from Rose, another matched defense from Haleigh. Time to trap fight. Haleigh faked a haymaker then jabbed with the other hand, tagging Rose's chin and getting her attention. She lifted a knee to draw Rose's gaze down and then tried a hook towards Rose's temple but got blocked that time.

This bitch is fast, but I bet she's not faster than a BULLET.

<< FLASH!>>

She fully committed to a right roundhouse kick, but dropped her left hand to draw from her holster. Rose saw the gun come out

NO!

<< She took the kick right in the hip as she lunged forward to fight Haleigh for control of the pistol.>>

Won't....LET YOU....

<< Haleigh was stronger though, and she continued to sweep the gun up towards Rose,>>


<< Rose sidestepped away from the barrel as she tried to knock Haleigh's head off with another punch. >>

HAAIII

<< But before Rose could land a truly thunderous Soul Power charged punch to Black Widow's head>>

<< BLAM!!!!>>

<< EVERYTHING now seems to be moving in SLOW. MOTION for Citadel as he watches in horror...>>

The sound of a single gunshot rang in the nighttime air,

<< Rose's SOUL POWERED punch rang Haleigh's bell again. Haleigh staggered sideways down on one knee, and Rose stopped cold>>

<<GASP!>>

Past the smoking barrel of her pistol, Haleigh watched the kid crumple to the pavement as a bloodstain bloomed across the back of his Captain America t-shirt.

<<FLASH!>>

<< A three way, horizontal split view of...>>

<< Scion.>>

<< Rose.>>

<< Citadle.>>

<< and finally, a lingering view of Jake O'brien's fallen form, laying face down, blood on his back, and on the ground around him.>>

JAKE!

JAKE!?

<< Rose CRIES out...as she begins to TREMBLE>>

NO! NOT ANOTHER ONE....NOT AGAIN!

<< Images, sounds, MEMORIES they come FLYING FORWARD in Rose's mind's eye. The children on the bus, children who'd already been cast aside, unwanted, forgotten, bright little lights, that would have gone out if she hadn't gathered them in her loving embrace. But then...the missile of the Purifiers BLEW their lives apart, and snuffed out those lights one by one...while Rose was left HELPLESS.>>

<< She puts her hands to her forehead, shaking her head furiously>>

NO.....

<< the children's screams and cries of PAIN, their DEATH cries begin their tortorous symphony in Rose's mind, her heart...her SOUL.>>

Please....I'm SO SORRY...PLEASE DON'T....I'll FIX IT....I'll MAKE.....HER.....PAY!

<< Her purple aura shifts up the spectrum to WHITE. The sound of soul power giving way to PSYCHO POWER activating.>>

I WARNED YOU.

<< She says as she now looms over Haleigh , who is now back on her feet>>

<< her voice reverberates all around the city block, and in the sky above, as well as the astral plane itself>>

NO MERCY!

YOU KILLED MY CHILDREN!

NOW I'LL SEE YOU DEAD!

<< It's IMPOSSIBLE for Scion to dodge or evade, as Rose LUNGES forward and is instantly upon her, SCREAMING as the energy of the astral plane itself ROCKS the night sky! >>

<< Unlike soul power, PSYCHO POWER is meant for BRUTALITY, CRUSHING, DESTRUCTION , and Rose attacks Scion in a way she has no defense against.>>

I'll TEAR YOUR SOUL FROM YOUR BODY, AND RIP IT TO SHREADS! YOU'LL NEVER HURT OR KILL ONE OF MY CHILDREN AGAIN, OR ANYONE ELSE!

<< Rose unleashes a PSYCHO SPIRAL attack, as she "PUNCHES" through EVERY facet of Scion's physical and mental being, and reaches her SOUL, taking hold of it and RIPPING IT out of synch with her mind and body, and TWISTING IT in the most VIOLENT and CHAOTIC pattern!>>

<< she intends to MURDER Haleigh right then and there>>

FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE 42 CHILDREN, FOR JAKE, YOUR LIFE...YOUR SOUL FOR THEIRS!!!

<< She DRAGS Haleigh's soul, and TWISTS IT back and forth, before she begins to YANK It from the woman's physical body>>

 

[Citadel]

Rose's Neighborhood

"JAKE! NO!"

:: The fire fight that ensued between Black Widow and Rose was incredible. It was clear that he had underestimated Rose. He couldn't help but wonder if she was hiding that much power why she would need people like himself and Zach to keep her safe. She looked like she could take out ANYBODY, and it seemed like that was what she was doing. But her own effective nature had allowed her to dodge a bullet. And now, that poor little boy had been SHOT. Danny was ENRAGED as his eyes began to water. ::

:: His heart was TORN into two pieces, one part wanting to assist Jake and the other wanting to stop Rose from a tailspin that she wouldn't recover from. Jake needed medical attention and fast, but he couldn't let Rose do this. This wasn't who she was. She may have had it in her, but it wasn't who she was. Danny tried to appease the woman as she continued a BRUTAL assault on Haleigh. ::

"ROSE! ROSE NO!"

:: She wasn't looking at him. She was consumed. CRAZED. ::

"Rose! If you kill her..you become EXACTLY like her. There will be NOTHING separating you from the RATS that PLAGUE this city...this WORLD! That broad isn't WORTH IT! She's worth NOTHING against the lives of those CHILDREN. Children that NEED YOU..so they don't end up so BROKEN that they THROW away their LIFE like [gesturing at Haleigh] she has. I won't let you lay down with PIGS, Rose. I WON'T!"

"We're BETTER than this! We know there is a better way than this. DEATH IS EASY. LIVING is hard. Look at her! If she DIES, she will learn NOTHING. Please, Rose! Jake is INJURED. We have to get him HELP. HE is what is important. We don't have much time. You have to make a choice...save his life...or end hers."

:: Her eyes began to dart back and forth, torn between her decision to KILL Haleigh Davidoff on the streets and to listen to his words, to her better judgment. All was not lost for Rose. Not yet. ::

:: Danny moved even closer. ::

"Rose...PLEASE...come with me. Rose."

:: THANKFULLY...Rose came to her senses, DROPPING Haleigh to the ground before all but destroying her entire soul and existence from Earth. The power that Rose held under her skirt was jawdropping, which meant that Danny KNEW there was some kind of duality within her that she fought against frequently. After The Purifiers..after Hellfire Club and Ava Cassadine storming the city, Rose was reaching the end of her rope. But she still let go in this moment as Haleigh slumped to the ground, she was barely conscious and she wouldn't remain that way for long. She was bloodied and bruised. ::

:: He turned to Rose. ::

"Grab Jake and I will teleport you to the best emergency room in the city. I will secure the orphanage and we will be there SHORTLY."

:: Rose ran over towards Jake as Danny turned towards the puddle that was Haleigh Davidoff at this point. Danny kicked her in the stomach with his peak human strength. She was durable, but she had just been nearly completely obliterated. She FELT it. His brown eyes were glossy and his face was ANGRY as he spoke to her in her last moments of consciousness. ::

"The light you had is gone. And it's sad to see. You were the city's Black Widow. You stood for something. Even if it was false. Even if it wasn't who you were. It gave people hope. It helped them sleep at night. Made them feel safe. You took that from them. You took that from this boy. He will never believe in heroes again..and he will be wrong because at the end of the day, there ARE heroes in this world. Just because you have now failed at it so miserably, doesn't mean you get the RIGHT to destroy the idea for others..."

"Whatever path it is that you are walking, I hope it's worth the cost you will pay. But I will tell you this right now..you come after these kids again? You even salivate at the thought of it? I will bring this city down around you brick by fuckin' brick. LITERALLY."

"I hope you survive this. And I hope this is a moment that haunts you for a lifetime. I may have said the whole "you're better than that" bullshit to Rose? Well SHE IS...I'm NOT. If you don't bleed out on the streets, you'll be WISE to remember that."

:: Kicking her AGAIN, he walked over to Rose, touched her and Jake and dematerialized in front of Haleigh, after using his elemental powers to shift the location of the orphanage, completely cloaking it within the city, making it impossible to actual go to for the time being. Telepaths could perceive it, feel it sense it, but they wouldn't be able to touch it. They wouldn't be able to GET there. Only magick could do that and without knowing the general location thanks to his ability, it would not be an easy feat with a spell. ::

:: As they arrived in front of the hospital, Danny's only concerns were Jake and Rose. Instinctively, he took Rose's cell phone as she ran to tend to Jake. He scrolled to the letter "Z" and he made phone call. A male voice answered. ::

"Hey asshole. You're girl Rose is in the hospital. Another attack on her children and the orphanage. Get the fuck over here now or I'm coming to you. Toodles!"

:: Danny flipped the phone shut and gripped it in his fist, looking around in both directions before turning and running into the sliding doors of the hospital to attend to Rose. There was one other person he needed to call, especially after what he had just seen. She would know how to sooth Rose, understand what it was that she had done and why. He needed to call Rae. ::

 

[Black Widow]

Outside The Sanctuary

Scion slowly stuck her gun back into its holster, her gaze fixed on the kid as she rose to her feet. Rose was crying out his name, but Haleigh didn't think she could speak. She hadn't wanted this. She hadn't wanted ANY of this. Ambivalence overtook her, too much emotion for one person to sort out.

Rose: I WARNED YOU.

"What?! *I* warned YOU! That kid would still be ALIVE if you'd just LISTENED to me!"

Rose: NO MERCY! YOU KILLED MY CHILDREN! NOW I'LL SEE YOU DEAD!

>>Technological Interface Now Reliable.

Her uplink was finally re-established. She located herself via GPS and then started a search for the nearest DOD satellite. She started to hack in so she could program it to obliterate Rose with a laser when Rose grabbed a hold of her very SOUL.

The pain was indescribable, a tearing feeling that far surpassed anything she'd experienced before. She lurched left, then right, then crashed to her hands and knees as Rose twisted her soul back and forth and started to rip it loose from its home. She screamed and it didn't sound entirely human.

Then it stopped, and Haleigh dropped to the pavement with a thud, teetering on the edge of consciousness. She knew she was going to die, maybe permanently this time. She had so little experience with this type of attack, and no known defense against it.

She accepted the end. There was no light to go towards, just darkness, and in her final moments, her mind drifted backwards in time, looking for a memory, searching for something nice to fixate on, a time when she was with the Six and EVERYBODY was happy. She couldn't find one in recent history, how far back did she have to go? Before the Blue Moon, before Melrose? Before--

Someone kicked her while she was down. She rolled over onto her back, her brow creased, her eyes still closed. There was a man talking to her, but she didn't have the strength to even acknowledge him. Surely THIS was rock bottom. There couldn't be a single person left that would care if she died here, and maybe it was better that way, because they could all stop suffering. She felt another kick, insult to injury, but she didn't care. She tried to just let go, and let the darkness rush in and take her, but it didn't work.

>>Particle Transportation Now Reliable.

You've got to be fucking joking. I don't WANT to survive THIS.

She thought, opening her eyes. She still felt the after effects of Rose's attack, like she was torn down to her soul and it seemed to hurt just to THINK about moving. She was so tired, but if they weren't going to finish her off, then she still had work to do. She disappeared from the street and reappeared, flat on her back in the Catacombs in front of her mother.

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Zizi did her computer magic, while Zach checked back in with Clandestine. Infrared answered, and he could tell she'd been crying. His heart sank as he asked her what was wrong. She relayed the board's decision to activate the Midnight Contingency and Griffin's promotion, she told him about the discovery of the missing Hellfire Rockets, and then she breached the subject of the attack on the Sanctuary, by none other than Black Widow herself.

Grief seized him when she said Jake's name. The little boy he'd help save during the Inferno had become something of a surrogate son to him. Seven birthdays, seven halloweens, seven Christmases, and more, Zach had taken the boy on field trips to Museums and Monuments, and play days at Coney Island or the beach at Haleigh's East Hampton's Estate. Haleigh couldn't have kids and he knew she'd be uncomfortable spending time with Jake, so he'd never bothered her with it. It was kind of just his thing, his way of exercising his paternal instincts, his way of proving to himself that he wasn't anything like his own father. He'd once considered the idea of adopting Jake, but the nature of his lifestyle had been the deciding factor. He'd THOUGHT Jake would be safer if he stayed at the Sanctuary. Through sobs Cassie told him that Haleigh had barely escaped alive, after Jake had been shot. Apparently Rose and Citadel had left her for dead in order to rush Jake to the hospital.

"WHICH ONE?!"

He demanded, and she answered.

"Okay, I've got to go now."

He hung up, only to receive another call.

"Hello?!"

Citadel: Hey asshole. Your girl Rose is in the hospital. Another attack on her children and the orphanage. Get the fuck over here now or I'm coming to you. Toodles!

The line clicked dead, and Zach stared forward numbly for a second before turning to Zizi.

"The Sanctuary has been attacked by..... [he clears his throat] by Haleigh. Rose nearly killed her but she escaped. Can you and Andrew head over there and shore up defenses? I've got to go to the hospital, there was a boy gravely injured in the struggle."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

"The Sanctuary has been attacked by..... [he clears his throat] by Haleigh. Rose nearly killed her but she escaped. Can you and Andrew head over there and shore up defenses? I've got to go to the hospital, there was a boy gravely injured in the struggle."

“Of course, of course we can, Zach honey. Are you sure you don’t want one of us to come with you?”

Zach shook his head, so Zizi sent Andrew to bring the car around.

She touched Zach on the arm.

“Everything is going to be okay. Even though it doesn’t seem like it now. For all of us.”

She went to the door to retrieve her coat.

“You be careful Zach – no one’s off the table now. Whether she’s in control of her actions or not…no one’s safe.”

Zizi went to the elevator, and rode it down to the main floor where she would meet Andrew for the drive to the Sanctuary.