Scare Tactics

[Oracle]

<< Limbo, not a place anyone once to visit, let alone be forced to spend prolonged amounts of time in. It is the ULIMATE view of the darkness that Spellbinder weilds...and it reflects who she IS. for those who don't know her....it can be a TERRIFYING object lesson. For those who DO know her..it is always a reminder of the struggle she has endured to control the magick she was born to channel.>>

<< this place and all there in would make GROWN MEN cry for their mothers and yet Guardian, MorningStar and Persephone have come here many times and have survived the nightmares ....even without Morgan's protection...a testament to their courage and the power of the women in The Six.>>

<< usually they come to the tranquility and serenity of Ororo's garden. Ororo is second ONLY to Morgan in terms of power and rank in the hierarchy of this realm and even then...its not really "second" so much as it is SEPERATION...through years of discipline and painfull lessons learned, Ororo has become the one "ray of light" in this realm of darkness. Her indomitable will and her power has allowed her to retain autonomy that has been respected by the demons and other visitors and occupants of Limbo for years.>>

<< TONIGHT however, they do not come to Ororo's garden, they travel elsewhere in this harsh and unforgiving realm...to revisit a recent arrival sent here by Morgan hours ago. Ethan Cruise. He has been FORTUNATE that Morgan cast him into a dark cavern that is closed off from most of the demons and other evil creatures that wander the realm. he has a view of the violent skies high above...but no hope of escape and he is about to find out why it is NOT a good idea to be a prisoner of Spellbinder's in this realm.>>

<< Spellbinder, wearing her demonic "Inferno" costume now as her standard battle dress uniform, leads her team mates across some rocky terrain. they fend off a few agressive demons that come forth to test them and brave the winds and thunder of the realm. finally passing through a passage way and down a dark tunnel. MorningStar lights the way and Guardian keeps an "eye" out for trouble. finally they pass several other "cells"....where some old dried bones can be seen in a few of them. It appears that Ethan has not been the first to be sent here....Belasco once used this place as well long before Morgan or even Ororo had come to know this realm.>>

-----------------------
Meanwhile, back on earth

<< having been sent to Illustra by an exasperated Spellbinder, Rampage and Black Widow are left to think about their actions and behavior at the Parthenon. It is CLEAR that Haleigh needs the help of Dr. Karen Victoria, a noted psycho therapist who uses secretly uses her magicks to BOLSTER the well documented and respected therapy she gives her patients. But while Haleigh may remain a bit pridefull and stubborn about seeing the doctor, who is also Morgan's mother, Nicolas, decides to go to her on his own. He has come to view her as a mother figure and she has willinglly nurtured that bond with him...knowing that he never knew his own birth mother.>>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< across town from Illustra, in the trendy, wealthy soho district, Dr. Karen Victoria slept in her spacious, luxury loft. She had returned to her life several weeks ago, following her "supporting role" with the Six and she was GLAD to be back in her own space. spending so much time around so many willfull young people who thought they knew it all was exhausting for the doctor.>>

<< physically, the doctor didnt look her age at all. She was very elegant and beautifull and kept herself in shape and aside from being a well respected psycho therapist, she was also a powerfull sorceress. it was where Morgan had inherited her magickal power from.>>


<< she was the mother of Spellbinder and surrogate mother to Guardian and MorningStar but lately, a young man by the name of Nicolas King had begun to view her as a mother figure as well. She held a special place in her heart for the young man...as he was the one sent by Ororo to rescue her from the clutches of Malice following her near fatal battle with the Super Soldier. For that, she'd always be greatfull. But BEYOND that, she saw the need he had for a mother's love and guidance. he may not have known his birth mother...but he was blessed with both Ororo and Karen to make up for that.>>

<< she had helped him better acclimate into the team when things seemed to be impossible for him and would always provide the guidance that he as a young man needed. tonight would proove to be no different as Nicolas appeared in the doctor's loft...calling for her rather urgently.>>


<< she stirred a bit in her sleep as the moonlight cast over her in the bedroom...finally opening her opal blue eyes and waking up. Sitting up she realized that Nicolas was before her in astral form. he seemed a bit upset. he HAD to be in order to show up in her loft like this unannounced.>>

<< in clear, elegant tone.>>

Nicolas? It IS rather late.....what's the matter?

<< she sat up further in her bed, wearing an elegant gem toned silver night gown.>>

<<

[MorningStar]

[ Teleported by Spellbinder into Limbo, MorningStar found herself now dressed more appropriately for the occasion in low rise black leather pants, matching halter, and black heeled boots. As they entered the tunnel, she raised her own luminescence enough to light their way in the dark. This place was as dark and foreboding as the outside terrain was. They passed dank and nasty looking rooms to the sides of the passage, which had at one time held god knows what. ]

"Nice place you got here, Morg."

[Jill Monroe]

<< walking along, Morgan's high heeled boots echoed through the rocky cavern which revealed some old, nasty dungeons. Delilah commented, and Morgan couldnt help but smirk.>>

Thanks! The previous owner did such a nice job with the decor, i thought i'd keep it!

<< she joked>>

honestly though....Limbo is an endless realm. Ororo has suggested their are areas that neither she nor I have even seen yet.

<< as she said this, she remembered the astral nightmare she had...the one that catalyzed her transformation right before the Inferno, Morgan often wondered if she'd ever find THAT area of Limbo again. >>

Long before Ororo and certainly before I came, Belasco had many enemies and those who he captured and tortured were never heard from again...this must of have been one of the places. I wanted to put Ethan somewhere cold and harsh and so my stepping disc must have responded to my mental command and placed him here.>>

<< finally they rounded a corner...Ethan's cell was at the end of the passage. the sound of dripping water could be heard in the air.>>

I'm sure the time spent here has taken some of the ARROGANCE from my guest. but just in case it hasnt...his powers will not be nearly as effective here as they might be on earth.>>

<< stopping a few feet away..>>

I want you to flood this area with a powerfull strobe, D. i dont want him to adjust to the sight of us or to see anything...because once you stop, i plan on showing him a glimpse of a world that HIS actions could help create. Limbo can be whatever i want it to be...its about time i tested that option.

[Harbinger]

:: arriving in Limbo, Guardian decided to pull her blue/black hair back into a pony tail. standing tall with the others, she felt the bitter cold winds and saw the desolate world before her. it wasnt anything "new" but every time she came...she could always feel the chaotic EVIL in the air. She could understand how Spellbinder lost herself in the Inferno and applauded the woman for her new found confidence and control now.::

:: walking with the others, Guardian leered at demons who were watching them. She'd battled with her share of battling with techno organic creatures before and there were few things that actually FRIGHTENED the Seer.::


:: stepping along the rough terrain, Guardian's high heeled boots might seem impractical to some...but she could move VERY quickly and with surprising grace in them. swatting away a small demon, the Seer brought up the rear of the group as they finally entered a dark tunnel. MorningStar lighted the way and Alison did her best to "look ahead" for any danger but nothing loomed so she kept silent.::

:: when they finally reached Ethan's cell and Spellbinder spoke of the first stages of the plan, Guardian spoke up.::

Delilah, generate a "white noise" effect while we talk to prevent ANY possible hearing on his part.

:: once the "white noise" was in effect, she continued.::

the key is to play upon the fear of loss of control. Limbo is OUTSIDE of time and space. When MorningStar unleashes her stroboscopic effect, I'll spin him around with a temporal vortex [what she did to Cameron during the fight over "Dr. Grey"] and Spellbinder can whip up a suitable "nightmare" scenario....I suggest showing him just what would happen if he had killed Alycia...and then just when he's about to meet his OWN end, we let Delilah crack him open with the interrogation.

:: Guardian was merely providing direction but in her OWN mind, she felt that MORE satisfaction would be derived from obliterating Ethan. She despised him....from the moment he DARED set foot into the Parthenon and tried to play HARD BALL WITH HER!? she's crushed men and OTHER creatures far more powerfull than him. and then there was Haleigh...whom Alison did NOT support in this crusade of "sparing ethan". She had wanted to SILENCE Haleigh herself many times in the Parthenon and was RELIEVED when Morgan sent her away. ::

[Rampage]

Nicolas appeared at the foot of Karen's bedand, as she sat up, he felt a hint of shame at bothering her so.He had no protocol of what to do whe you awaken your mother, so his form went around to the side of the bed and knelt down at her. Now that Nicolas was alone with the doctor, he allowed his feelings to flow more freely. A shiny glint of a tear could be seen on his face as he spoke.

"Ma, have you ever imagined what it was like to grow up as a TELEPATH of African descent living amongst whites, many of whom think you to be inferior or to even be sub-human? The pain of this legacy still haunts me, and it has soured a relationship with one of my teammates. Morgan banished my PHYSICAL body to my quarters, and suggested that I may need to speak to you. I...couldn't wait to do so as I am in need of your wisdom. I am sorry to have bothered you, but I have no where else to turn."

As Nicolas spoke, more tears rolled down his face, the pain of memories that he could not yet overcome...

[Shadow Weaver]

<< the Doctor watched as Nicolas came around to her side of the large bed and knelt down. She hadnt seem him like THIS before and she looked upon him rather intently as she began to assess the situation, listening to him and noticing the tears he shed.>>


"Sub human"? << she said in a lower, still elegant tone>>

Nicolas...what...or WHO has made you feel this way? Where would you get such a silly idea?

<< He mentioned Morgan. She had raised her daughter BETTER than that. Could Morgan have displayed some barbaric form of racism or skin color prejudice? had they fought? there were too many questions at this stage and the doctor couldn't know all the answers right off so she had to find out more. one thing was for sure....this was a moment she knew would come eventually. a black man among a team of white women? never mind the GENDER politics...this was america...and skin color prejudice...RACISM were still alive and well. it troubled her deeply that this could be happening among people she knew and cared for especially to a man like Nicolas who wanted nothing more than to honor his father's memory by doing all he could.>>

What happened?

<< she could see he was rather upset but in order for her to have any effect...she had to know exactly what was going on. she had to keep HERSELF from jumping to any conclusions as well. if there WAS racism going on, whomever was responsible, she'd deal with them HARSHLY...including recommending to Morgan that they be REMOVED from the team.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Once arriving in Limbo, it was as if the goddess had never left. Trekking through the vast desert-like conditions. Watching the techno organic creatures scurry by. It was home away from home. ;) Keeping close to the others, Persephone glanced around as they made their way to confront Ethan Cruise. Half listening to the others converse among themselves, Persephone let out a small laugh hearing the directions she was giving Delilah. ::

"This should be fun!"

:: It wasn't any surprised Persephone loved torturing people. Whether it was mind or body. So this little caper to scare Ethan would be oh so fun!. ::

[Rampage]

Nicolas did not even see Karen's reactions as he looked off with his head on the mattress. He waited a moment to compose himself, and then he looked back.

"From the time I was very small, my telepathic powers have been manifest. I was living with my father, who NEVER made me feel anything but equal AT LEAST to any other person alive. But some of his friends, I could see their thoughts, feel their TRUE emotions as they interacted with me. Many were racist and ignorant. I once mentioned what a friend of my father's REALLY thought about me. He immediately siezed the man, was so angry that I was made to feel that way in my own home. He banished the man and never had any further dealings with him...but I could feel his anguish at losing what he BELIEVED was a true friend. So from then on I kept it to myself when I detected those..ideas inside people. I go about my day every day hearing the most unimaginable things, and IGNORING it. I thought I was past being upset by racism but...in the time I have spent with the team, haleigh has addressed me as "boy" on a couple of occasions. I have asked her not to do that, that the word had a negative racial overtone and I did not appreciate it, but tonight...we had beeen arguing about a situation that we were having a disagreement with , and she did it again. I was angrier than I had ever been. I demanded that she not do it again or I would F her up, but she persisted. I actually went for my axe to engage her in combat when Morgan and Alison intervened. Morgan chastised Haleigh for her language and attitude and me for my temper, and we were sent back to Illustra. I was not coping well alone, so I came to you. Here is the entire situation from my mind's eye. I wish I were more in control then, but I felt so angry. Please help me."

Nicolas projected the events at the Parthenon for Karen to see. As the scene plays out, he could not even look at it, as he was ashamed at his behavior and angry at Haleigh's. As it ended, Nicolas looked at Karen, hoping that the mage would have an answer for him.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen watched as Nicolas revealed part of himself, his past...and his pain to her. it was not easy for him and the uncertainty was obvious. but it gave her insight...and reminded her that no matter how far people thought they were....somethings never changed and racism ....even the implication of it was never easy to deal with.>>

<< Karen shook her head with disapproval as Nicolas seemed to be crumbling. she watched the events at the Parthenon and her face tightened with disgust....at Haleigh.>>

Sit up. don't you fall apart now. I've spoken to you before about your temper and you UNDERSTOOD it was something you needed to work on. Coming to see me when you need help is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do so that you can continue to find better ways of handling the parts of yourself that you are not as in control of. BUT, putting up with something like what Haleigh is doing is NOT part of your job description as a member of the Six.

It's OKAY to be angry. If I was being harrassed or defamed...and couldnt find a way to stop it would become agitated too. If it seemed like MY request for respect was denied or if my wish to go without being belittled was dismissed..I would be pissed too. I can't begin to "identify" with the racial implications of this...but i don't HAVE to identify to see that its wrong, that its uncalled for and that SHE needs to be checked.


You asked her to stop. Morgan AND Alison TOLD her to stop....and still she continued. She is the one with the problem...one that perhaps she needs to be FORCED to address.


My daughter learned a hard lesson about not knowing when to stop....the INFERNO...it's something she must carry with her forever. Haleigh needs to learn that she cannot just TRAMPLE on things like this. its careless and disrespectfull and makes her even MORE uneappealing than she has been in the past.

racism, in ANY form is not okay and there's no justification for this. it would be like her calling me a BITCH because she didnt like the way i did things. REGARDLESS of how she feels...somethings just need NOT be said.

my own daughter said this based on the replay you've given me.

<< reaching for her robe, Karen slipped into it as she rose up out of her bed and tied it around herself.>>

Violence ISNT the answer, and I would hope that you would not come to the point where you felt you had to assault one of these women...but you WERE unfairly provoked.

She REFUSED to see that HER actions were causing disharmony in the team...and this started the moment she threatened Alycia's livelyhood....and inexplicably supported this man that was captured at the Parthenon.

You're very strained right now. Your rational thinking as at its limit and i sense a breaking point. You need time to rest, to that end, I am informing Morgan and Alison that you are on sick leave from the Six for the next two days. You may stay here if you like....but I'm going to Illustra.


<< holding her hands up midway, she snaps her fingers. a chiming sound is heard and she is now wearing her regal black "flying suit". her blonde hair is down in a "flip" do resting at her shoulders.>>


I've had ENOUGH of Haleigh's bullying ways. If i hadn't stopped her..she would have killed Morgan's sister and risked causing a blood bath in Illustra...and ALL OF THIS apparently stems from her sudden need to stand against Alycia? The woman needs a reality check AND an attitude adjustment. NONE of this would have happened if she had been forthcoming about her "secret" in the first place.

<< Karen's voice dripped with agitation. lately, MOST of the team's inner turmoil had either been caused by Blaze or Haleigh. Blaze had been kicked out by Morgan....and perhaps it was time to REVISIT that course of action.>>

and if she won't listen to reason, if she even ATTEMPTS to cross me....I'll...

<< she stopped short of saying something about using her magick>>

recommend her for immediate expulsion from the team.

<< with that, Karen waves her hand. a rushing harp sound is heard as she disappears, most likely leaving for Illustra.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh looked around at her surroundings. It was dark throughout her penthouse and Morgan had dropped her in the sitting area. The silence was comforting.... and Haleigh went through her penthouse to her closet, changing from her battle suit to some sleepwear before she went back into her bedroom. Zach lay on his back in bed, sleeping peacefully. A slight breeze blew in through balcony doors, which were slightly ajar. Haleigh closed them softly before crawling into bed.... she didn't sleep, but she always felt comforted lying next to Zach and listening to him breathe...

Hermind vexed over Nicolas and his incessant harassment... he just didnt know when to quit... it was like he had to have the last word-- and it had to be a threat. The situation with Ethan was complicated ENOUGH without Nicolas badgering her every damn second... it seemed to Haleigh that he WANTED to fight her.... and for what? She remembered Alison warning Haleigh that her relationships would improve or deteriorate according to her actions, and sighed.

HOW am I supposed to mend ANYTHING when I've got to deal with his THEATRICS?!

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as Karen spoke to him. He straightened up as told and watched her as she talked to him further. She cautioned him about raising a hand at any of the Six and that is when he responded.

"I agree. That is why I came here. I would never want to hurt ANY of them normally but...maybe you're right. I will stay at Illustra, but I may bother you from time to time. I need to work this out."

As Karen disappeared, Nicolas astral form returned to his body at Illustra. He begins to meditate, to try to regain his emotional center...

[Oracle]

<< the night wears on as Nicolas returns to his place in Illustra after having spoke with the Doctor. She put him at ease as best she could and now, it became clear that it was time for her to speak with Haleigh.>>

<< as Morgan, Alison, Delilah and Ava dropped in on Ethan in Limbo; Dr. Victoria arrived in Illustra, dressed in her regal black flying suit.>>

<< there were some conference rooms on various floors between the 80'th and 99th floors and she decided it was best to speak with Haleigh there rather than in her quarters. they needed a neutral envrionment as Karen was not here for a social call.>>

[Jacob Black]

The environment was getting to Ethan. It was so dark and extremely cold. The thunderous skies kept him from thinking any happy thoughts. He began to delve into the mind of Morgan Victoria for a moment as he pondered as to how she came to be a part of this "Limbo". The entire place had a staunch echoing of evil and despair. The fact that this placed echoed evil to HIM, that was something to be said, about both Limbo and Morgan. Was she born into inheritence, was it something she created? She controlled it, so she must have considerable power. The fear was getting to him. He was scared and now that he was being faced with his own mortality he began to think of things that mattered in life to him and he was drawing a blank.

"How the fuck do I get myself into these situations?"

Since the death of his lover, his life had really just been a bunch of killing and then more killing. He had absolutely nobody and he always took an indifferent approach to life, and he was beginning to think that it might not be the route. His thoughts were cleared as a blast of light filled the entire area as he couldn't see or hear anything. Whatever they were going to do to him, was starting now.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< inside of the dark "after hours" Illustra, Doctor Karen Victoria popped into Morgan's penthouse apartment first. greeting a curious tinkerbell and sleepy kitten nearby in Morgan's sunken in sitting room.>>

<< knowing that her daughter and most of the others were away, Karen took a brief moment to look around and it seemed that things were "back to normal" for the most part in Illustra since the greece caper...not counting the incident with Stavros in Alycia's office.>>

<< after a few moments, the doctor opted to walk out of the penthouse, down the hall and take an elevator down to the 85th floor. it gave her time to think about how she would handle Haleigh and to try to ancitipate the behavior the hybrid mutant might display.>>

<< when she finally reached the 85th floor, she went down the hall a ways before selecting a conference room/lounge. looking out of the panoramic window, she saw the bustling city. even at this lower floor, the view was beautifull. she could never get tired of the view that Illustra offered. a few moments later..>>

<< an alert tone sounds off in Haleigh's apartment.>>: Dr. Victoria to Haleigh Davidoff. Report to the 85th floor, conference room 3.

<< the doctor's voice was clear, elegant and business like.>>

[Jill Monroe]

<< back in Limbo, in the dark, dank holding cell, Spellbinder signaled for everyone to take their position...and at her signal, Guardian gesture's ala' Prue. a rushing chiming sound is heard as the thick old metal doors blast open but before Ethan can register just WHO or WHAT is coming through, MorningStar makes the scene as she unleashes a powerfull, unrelenting strobe effect and Guardian lashes out with a temporal vortex...spinning Ethan so hard and so fast that his perception of time and space is BLURRED to the point of not registering anything around him.>>


<< the initial onslaught ceases as Ethan seems to "fall" through another stepping disc and at Spellbinder's will, the scene around them ALL changes...to that of a "post apocolyptic" era in America and the world...they are in NYC which looks like a technological Orwellian NIGHTMARE scene. there is damage and destruction everywhere. the statue of liberty has FALLEN and the Empire State building looks a gutted ruin...but most noticeably to ETHAN...the building known as ILLUSTRA now has four giant sentinels guarding at each corner around the "office park". high tech air craft flies by information and spotlights sweep over the areas all around.>>

<< soldiers with what appear to be collared and chained mutants patroll the area. those mutants are actually "psyhic hounds"...telepaths were among the ONLY types of mutants that were slaughtered...as they were deemed usefull by the government under the new Mutant Control Act. Ethan sees a soldier walk by...with a black man that is collared and chained...it appears to be none other then RAMPAGE who is now a "psychic hound!">>

<< on a damaged bickwall of an abandonned storefront...Ethan will see pictures of various mutants, metahumans and even WITCHES...some "wanted" like Guardian,and Persephone others "apprehended" like MorningStar, and others still...SLAIN like Karen Victoria and Black Widow. The SIX had apparently been more than disbanned and Illustra was now a command center for Sentinels!?>>

<< it gets better...for even as Ethan begins to realize just what has happened....RAMPAGE and his commanding soldier lock on to Ethan's mutant signature...and begin to lead the charge! they intend to KILL Ethan who has long been outed as a Mutant since the death of Alycia Barnett.>>


Soldier 1: Hound's got a scent boys! Its a mutie....target identified as Ethan Cruise! That's the gene-joke who murdered Miss Alycia Barnett! Our orders are to KILL HIM DEAD on sight!

<< the soldiers and more psychic hounds give chase. if the soldiers dont destroy him with their energy weapons that are designed to counter most ANY mutant's power signature, the psychic hounds will tear their bodies apart and feast on their mutant energy.>>

<< Ethan was MORE than outed...he was marked for death. HOW did it come to this? who had blown the whistle on him? he'd never know...because he was about to DIE.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh nearly jumped out of her skin when the security systems alerted her to a new presence... she had expected only her and Rampage to be in the building's residential floors for some time.... but someone was in Morgan's penthouse. Haleigh sat up, as a screen flipped through camera views to show her Karen, who made her way to the elevator and downstairs a way. Haleigh's heartbeat slowed... it was only Dr. Victoria... her systems confirmed the DNA signature. Haleigh got up and slid out of bed slowly, careful not to wake Zach.

I wonder...

She said, as Karen's voice came over the intercom, beckoning her to the 85th floor. Haleigh went into the kitchen and poured herself some iced tea into a mug before answering the call.

She appeared in front of Karen in the conference room, a curious look in her eyes, taking a sip of the tea.


"Karen? Its so late.... what are you doing awake? and here? You gave me a fright slinking around Morgan's penthouse like that..." She began, and then, noting the stern look that Karen was wearing: "What's wrong?"

She was obviously unaware that Nicolas had already been to see Karen in his astral form... and she didnt know that Karen had come here without friendly intentions. It had been over a week since they'd disagreed before Haleigh went with the team to greece... and Haleigh thought that was behind them. Is she still mad about that.... but why would she come here? Morgan wouldn't have sent her.... why wake her up when I was just going to see her tomorrow?

[Shadow Weaver]

<< standing with her arms folded, the doctor watched as Haleigh appeared rather promptly.>>

<< Haleigh spoke and Karen went on to sit down at the head of a long conference table, still wearing her flying suit.>>

Yes, I do realize it's rather late. But i received a disturbing visit from Nicolas. It seems that both he and yourself were removed from a current mission of the Six. He was in extreme mental distress, in fact, i don't think I've seen him like that before...EVER. And apparently from what I was told and what i SAW...YOU were the cause of it.

You've been the cause of ALOT of things lately young lady. I think it's time we discussed that...and what your problem is.

<< Karen gestured at one of many seats at the table.>>

please have a seat. we're going to be here for a little bit.

[Jacob Black]

The Scene was horrific. It seems as if the world had literally ended and that everything was in ruins. The city smelled of dead bodies and blood and Ethan was LITERALLY scared shitless. He couldn't move. All he could do was take in the scenery. He saw the posters for those apprehended and for those wanted and he could tell the Six was not together as a team anymore and what used to be ILLUSTRA was now the headquarters of someone else and had sentinels circling around. The psychic hounds were there as well, one of whom he recognized as Nicholas King. They had been able to capture an OMEGA LEVEL TELEPATH? Things had gotten bad.

"Well at least they don't know who I am..."

He said with nervous laughter as Nicholas recognized him and called him out for the death of Alycia Barnett which he had apparantley committed and he had been outed as a mutant. One of his worst fears being realized, as the psychic hounds came at him, he freaked out instantly fading away subconsciously. He felt like he couldn't fight all of them back and he remembered how vulnerable he had been when Nicholas entered his mind. This could only be worse. Who the fuck outted him as a mutant and who wanted him dead? It didn't make sense! He hovered in the air under a constructed disc of energy as he waited. Ethan was no stranger to fighting for his life and even though this seemed EXTREMELY not in his favor, he had to be able to get away somehow. He needed to fix what he had done. Killing Alycia altered the future of the world. She was the one who offered mutants protection, she was the one that hid the work the world couldn't face to see. Her death cost Ethan every thing and he realized what a mistake he had made. Where could he go? He had to find somebody, he had to find one of the Six, there had to be a way to bring her back? Ethan could go back in time, with Morgan maybe, if she didn't kill him right after looking at him. He felt the desperate need to fix a mistake, something he had never experienced in his life. What had he done?

"There has to be a way to fix this.. This world, it.. it isn't RIGHT! It should be the other way around..."

[Oracle]

<< even as he tried to hide/escape, Ethan knew it was a futile attempt. this was the world HE ushered in with his selfish, murdering tactics. he killed the last buffer between mutants and humans on the brink of a genetic war.>>

<< as the soldiers and psychic hounds closed in a voice cried out in the air all around them. >>

mysterious woman: You couldnt leave well enough alone could you!? You had EVERRRYYYYYTHING figured out, didnt you hotshot!? Well THANKS TO YOU...our WORLD is RULED by sentinels. Humans are FORBIDDEN to breed to prevent the procreation of humans with mutant potential. nearly all of the word's super beings...mutant or otherwise are DEAD and the world governments are now controled under one network...by MASTER MOLD.

<< a cloaked woman stepped forth. the hood of her cloak kept her face enshrouded in shadow. but her icy voice...it seemed distinct. she sounded much older, almost WEARY.>>

Your killing of Alycia paved the way for a RABID anti mutant campaign and Mystech was able to SELL its sentinel technology to the u.s. government and become a LEGITIMATE manufucturing/distribution network for mass production of sentinels as well as the nerve center for MASTER MOLD!

BECAUSE OF YOU, the MAN I LOVED... << pointing to Rampage>> is now a psychic hound..FORCED to hunt down his own kind. My MOTHER died trying to defend those who couldnt defend themselves. Some of us survived...but my magicks have no effect on these new sentinels....so i and others like me who were strong enough to survive have gone under ground......


YOU did this....and I made SURE that before Illustra was raided..before the Six were destroyed..that I revealed YOUR STATUS AS A MUTANT...and now....I will make SURE that you do NOT SURVIVE!

<< the hood of her cloak falls back to reveal an older Spellbinder..but FAR MORE DEMONIC with horns, fanged teeth and solid red eyes. she opens her cape....and demons come flying forward..to tackle and overwhelm Ethan...while the soldiers and psychic hounds come from behind.>>

YOUR DEATH will never repair the damage you have caused...

<< everything closes in on Ethan...and just as it seems he is about to be devoured...a crash of thunder explodes all around them....and he now finds himself BACK in Limbo...tightly bound by mystic chains on his wrists and ankles as he is shackled to a large stalagmite on a rocky plateau that reaches high up toward the raging clouds of limbo.>>

<< he finds himself confronted by Spellbinder, Guardian, Persephone and MorningStar. MorningStar is right in front of him while they other three women are a few steps back...all looking very grim.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

"Nicolas?"

She questioned, her look of concern falling to one of incensed agitation. That conniving little dipshit! I should have KNOWN...Morgan sent us home not TWENTY minutes ago and he just COULDNT quit with it, could he? Had to run to SOMEONE ELSE to bitch and moan, didnt he? And he couldn't go to just ANYBODY... he had to go to KAREN with his ridiculous delusions... and DRAG ME THROUGH THE MUD in front of the woman who's SUPPOSED to HELP me?? She thought, as Karen spoke again. Haleigh lowered herself warily into a chair.

"So.... the T.O. of the Six has been to see you.... I'm sure he had MANY nice things to say about me. Did he paint me out to be the wicked bigot bitch of the East? What you SAW? you mean what he's SHOWN you. He's a TELEPATH... how do you know he hasn't manipulated a 'replay' to his liking? He's probably up there in his room LAUGHING about how he played YOU and TRUMPED me."

she sighed, slumping to forward to rest her face in her hands for a moment.

"You know what? FINE. I don't care. You can tell him he WINS. I'm a racist and a Cassadine and WHATEVER ELSE he wants me to be... because frankly, I'm sick of TALKING to him. I'm SICK to death of defending myself to HIM... I dont give a DAMN about him and I don't have to prove ANYTHING to him."

She said, sitting up and leaning back in her chair... She took another sow sip of tea, her facial expression softening, along with her tone.

"Hmm... I feel oddly liberated. Funny... if that NEANDERTHAL was right here with us... I'd probably trying to leap across the table and strangle him.... such a CAVEMAN... no, really. [sarcastically animated] Me Nicolas. Me have BIG STICK. [heavy sigh] honestly. He halts ALL progress to wage some bogus personal vendetta. I'm trying to save a man's LIFE here... and he's got to blindside me with a LOW BLOW that wasn't even RELEVANT."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< The doctor sat and listened, not moving. not saying anything. Putting her hand over her face as the woman went onto a tyraid about NOTHING and EVERYTHING all at once and all of this from Karen asking Haleigh to be seated?>>

You arrogant child. Do you think I am THAT MUCH of an amateur that I could be FOOLED by a "Telepathic Illusion"?

<< The doctor had enough of this woman's volatile, "never wanting to admit her wrong" attitude. and Karen slammed a solid round paper weight on the table.>>

BE QUIET!


Just CLOSE YOUR MOUTH for once. This outburst is completely unecessary.I've had about ENOUGH of you and your unwillingness to SHUT YOUR MOUTH and LISTEN and LEARN and it's TIME that you did just that!


<< holding up her hand...>>

<<ZAP!>>

You're going to SIT THERE and we're going to TALK about what your problem is and don't bother trying to leave, or anything ELSE that requires the use of your powers. they're SCRAMBLED.


<< the doctor's tone was forcefull, clear and sharp. she was VERY serious.>>

Morgan telephoned me after the fallout in Alycia's office, so you see, I already KNEW what was going on. When Nicolas came to me, I could feel and OBVIOUSLY see with my training as a th erapist that he was on the verge of breaking down. I was MORE than disappointed to see that it was in large part BECAUSE OF YOU.



<< continuing to sit, the Doctor remains focused.>>

You're a bully. You've been that way for ages and until you met Morgan, Alison and joined the Six...you were used to having the upper hand. You dont have that anymore. YOu werent expecting to encounter people with the will and the POWER to resist you and CHALLENGE YOU and You have been slapped in the face with REALITY more than once while being apart of this team but every so often, with those who you THINK you can exercise dominance over...you take that opportunity. You did it with Blaze and now you're doing it with Nicolas.

It is NOT part of Nicolas' job description to take your racist remarks NOR is HE your subordinate. You are EQUALS and a RATIONAL person would remember that but based on what I've been told...you've been anything BUT rational as of late...ever since your precious secret about being connected to Stavros came to the surface.


You're used to lying, deceiving others and using information to suit YOUR needs and you've had to adjust...to LEARN along the way that your behavior doesnt CUT IT in every social circle you are apart of.

the fact that you went on the DEFENSE about NICOLAS without even giving me the chance to lay a neutral platform of discussion SHOWS that your conscience...what little of it there may be...can even realize that your behavior was a disgrace.


even now, you act like an unstable wild animal who lashes out at ANYTHING that is beyond their control or understanding.

<< pausing for a moment.>>

Clearly you've become unbalanced lately. It's not hard to guess that this most likely began when Alycia steam rolled over you after she found out your secret. You don't like when people don't listen to you. You don't like it when they can MATCH and ONE UP YOU and Alycia, a HUMAN with just as much drive and tenacity as any super human blew you out of the water....you began to take this...passive agressive route. you displaced your anger ....brutaliziing Blaze and later choosing a most INOPPORTUNE time [ the death of Stavros] to make some misguided "stand" against Alycia for what was a justifiable act of self defense.

NOW, in the face of Ethan Cruise...a contract killer whose actions could change ALL of our lives for ever... you want to act as though YOUR supposed epiphany about "no more death" should dictate the decision of Spellbinder or the feelings of the others? and when people disagree with you... when you're challenged for YOUR behavior and questioned as to WHY people should listen to YOU all of a sudden in light of the things YOU did toward Alycia, the person that ETHAN was trying to kill....you have NO BETTER SENSE than to resort to racial slurs?

Not only are you unraveling, you're betraying the parts of yourself that you have worked so hard to hide and all the while, you're becoming a BURDEN to this team and a RISK.

You need to STOP deflecting and take a look in the MIRROR and see what YOUR problem is instead of trying to tell OTHERS what their problem is.

[MorningStar]

[ MorningStar followed Spellbinder and Guardian's directives silently, first creating interferance so their discussion could not be overheard, then emitting a strobe light effect from her hands to disorient Ethan and add to the confusion and nightmarish conditions he was experiencing.

Suddenly Ethan came back to reality - the horror of what he'd seen showing all over his face. She'd been in this position many times before, though when she did it on behalf of the police they liked to call it "interviewing" instead of "interrrogating" - but it amounted to the same thing. She walked slowly to where Ethan sat. She leaned forward so that her face was inches from his, her hands on the arms of the chair. She cocked her head slightly, looking deeply into his eyes, trying to read him. She made her body glow in a way that would be comforting, that would make him want to trust her. She spoke softly, rhythmically. ]

"Ethan..."

[ It was sing-song, the way you hear your name called in dreams. She ran a finger slowly down his right cheek. ]

"If you tell us everything you know, we'll make the pain stop."

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh fell silent as Karen responded... slamming the paper weight down and opening a long-winded assault. Haleigh didn't flinch. didn't blink. didn't speak.

Oh.... struck a nerve, have I?

She thought. She watched Karen through narrowed eyes as she was called a bully, a racist, and a liar.... and further admonished for being unstable, unbalanced and passive aggressive and if THAT wasn't bad enough, a burden and a RISK to the VERY cause that took nearly everything from her. The curious thing was that she didn't say ANYTHING... she just politely waited until the doctor was finished, as if, maybe, to prove she COULD listen. And when Karen was done... silence fell over the two for a second.... and then Haleigh stood up from the table.

"I don't have to TAKE this. It's nice how you criticize ME for belittling a man incessantly provoking me while you're in here LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT talking down your nose at ME. I don't NEED this. I'm 'clearly unbalanced' so what? You've come to take a shot at me as well? WELL I've got NEWS for you, Doctor. I don't NEED my powers to turn my back on you. I KNOW what my problem is... and I can SEE you aren't going to be much help with it. I Knew... I KNEW it was a bad idea look to you for help... and NOW I know it wasnt just my PRIDE talking. I'm leaving now, thanks for the verbal abuse."

[Shadow Weaver]

You're not going ANYWHERE.

<< Karen lifted her hands and extened them forward, trapping Haleigh in a golden field and removing ALL possibility of movement as she mystically bound her.>>

it's about TIME you faced the music and you're GOING to answer for what you've done.

You can't turn your back. you can't escape, you HAVE to face THIS...ALL of it.

YOU made the choices that have lead to this moment and now you will give an account for them now SIT DOWN!

<< Haleigh's body had no choice but to obey.>>

You STILL don't get it, do you?

You shut down EVERY TIME you're forced to be held responsible for your words and actions. You've been in this mode EVERY SINCE Alycia went over you're head but you couldnt understand there was MORE at stake than your foolish pride or even the love of your sister....and even now, instead of realizing that your choices and actions have had a negative impact on everyone around you, you want to play the role of victim?

Have you ever ONCE given thought to those who YOU have harrassed and abused? the lives you have RUINED? all the things you seek to Blame Alycia or even Nicolas for...YOU are just as guilty of YOURSELF MANY TIMES OVER.

Instead of pointing fingers and finding excuses, why not try ADMITTING and DEALING with YOURSELF.

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh glared at the Dr.... all manner of respect or courtesy gone from the predatory, caged tiger look that dominated her eyes. she couldn't leave... Karen saw to that and even made a point of forcing her to sit down. to this injustice, Haleigh only further buckled down. Karen could control her body... but if ANYTHING in the world was indomitable, it was her will.

"Oh? Answer for what I've done? Answer to who? YOU?? Piss off."

She snapped, without breaking eye contact. It was a completely brazen comment brought out by anger that was deep seated and unbridled, and it was clear that while Haleigh would NORMALLY have at least attempted to be polite and respectful with the Doctor, that was gone now.

"What do you want from me? You want me to cry and tell you how sorry I am? how ashamed i am? Well Im NOT. Yeah... thats it. I just DONT get it. Yep, that's what's wrong with me. Youre so clever, aren't you Karen? Not clever ENOUGH.... though... not clever enough to realize that you can MAKE me sit here and you can MAKE me listen but you CAN'T MAKE me break myself down... you CAN'T MAKE me play along with your DR. PHIL HORSESHIT. I'm sorry Nicolas woke you, Karen, I'm sorry you WASTED you TIME coming here. But I don't NEED another person judging me.... I've got ENOUGH people doing that and I cover the task FINE all by myself anyways.... and I don't WANT to fight with you.... so its FINE by me if you don't want me to leave. We can just sit here and STARE at each other... but I OBVIOUSLY can't talk to you... because you've ALREADY formed an opinion on me and there's nothing I can say... because I'm never gonna change your mind."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< slowly standing up, Karen looked at the young woman with a rather detached glare.>>


Do you think it matters to me if you "answer" to ME? Honey my life will go on whether you get a grip or NOT.

Haleigh, you don't fool me. I've dealt with patients far more cantankerous and FAR MORE obstinant than you. You can insult me all you want, apparently when push comes to shove that's what you do BEST. But that STILL doesnt change the fact that YOU have a problem and you can't STAND the fact that someone can see through you.

<< walking around the table, the doctor intended to prolong this.>>

I know such spells that would PULL from you ALL of your secrets, your dreams ALL of the things you THINK are so well hidden. I could FORCE you to face yourself and all the UGLY therein , to EXPERIENCE all of the maladaptive behavior you bombard other people with and let YOU see what it feels like...but i think we BOTH know that you're not well right now...you're WEARY and it shows in your unbalanced behavior as of late.



you keep lashing out as if you're being so scrutinized...but from what i can tell...the ONLY person having passed judgement lately is YOU. First on Alycia, then Nicolas who you KEEP bringing up in this conversation. You've been rude with Morgan and Alison as well. Morgan came to you once, you shut her out. ALISON warned you that things would be as good or as BAD as you made them and so far, your choices, your ACTIONS proove that you dont CARE how bad things get.

Your fatalist, devil may care mentality may save you from combat situations but they DONT save you from interpersonal relationships. You're friendship with blaze...gone. your professional relationship with alycia...gone. your standing with the six...DECLINING. How long before your relationship with ZACH begins to suffer from this...VACUUM? What man wants to deal with a woman who is ready to self destruct everytime things dont go her way?

<< turning around and walking back.>>

there's a difference between a strong will and hiding behind a WALL..a wall you've spent YEARS building up and reinforcing.


you can insult ME all day and all night. you can "shut down" and yet the problem will remain and how do you think before Morgan and Alison have to make a descision about you? You'll be RIGHT back where you were over a year ago...and it will all have been because of choices YOU made.

Nobody is judging you. That's just your own dilluted perception. Nobody is out to "get you". People call things as they see them. They could be wrong, but you certainly havent CARED enough to proove them wrong now have you?

People want to see you get some HELP because you've been acting like you've lost your MIND over the past 24 hours. Morgan cared ENOUGH to tell you that you need help, as did ALISON, who DESPITE the rudeness you've sent HER way has remained long suffering.....how different is THAT from a year ago when she would have just as soon KILLED YOU than look at you? Delilah has no reason to "judge" you, despite YOUR constantly WRITING HER OFF and then there is Persephone, who is now your half sister. Instead of delilghting in this new opportunity to bond with her, you've been so busy acting like a JACKASS that you've neglected your sister in her new form just as you did in her OLD form when you CHOSE to make the life that you did that lead you away from her.

Your choices...these outcomes.

[Jacob Black]

Ethan didn't know what to do. He didn't know where to find anybody. They were all either missing, captured or dead. Suddenly the coldest voice he had ever heard pierced his hearing like a knife he turned to face the woman who could apparantely see him. He recognized the voice immediately. Morgan Victoria, and it was just like he dreaded, she wanted nothing to do with him. He did succeed in killing Alycia, he had collected his bounty, but the world has changed. The MASTER MOLD was unleashed and the Six didn't stop them. They raided Illustra. Morgan had outted him as a Mutant. He was speechless.

"Morgan.. I, I didn't know this would happen! This isn't what I wanted!"

As she revealed herself, hordes of demons and psychic hounds swarmed his body, tearing him to shreds and gripping into his flesh and tearing at his bone. He looked down to see scarlet red as he was now looking at his own bones. The pain was excruciating and he screamed out in a deep and painful cry as he now found himself BACK in Limbo. He was tied up by chains of an uncomposed energy. They seemed to be on some kind of mountainous area where he could see the dark and evil skies of Limbo. He was shivering and looked back down on his body, and he was fine. He wasn't dead. Delilah Trevalen was standing in front of him with Ava, Alison and Morgan behind her. This was his interrogation. Delilah spoke to him in a cold and even tone as he fought back tears.

"Trevalen... what do you want to know..."

He bowed his head. He was beaten, he needed to tell them everything he could. He didn't know they were so against Mystech, that their work along with Alycia was protecting the world. Their plans were the same, their alleigances were the same, and he needed to give them anything he could to help them continue their work, even if it meant his death.. He whispered softly to himself.

"I didn't know... I just didn't know..."

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh sat still, with a steely glare, apparently unimpressed by Karen's threats of spells. But when Karen suggested Haleigh was the only one doing the judging, Haleigh smiled wickedly.

"Oh, is THAT so? You mean to make out like you DIDNT come here with the EXPRESS purpose of telling me about myself? My BULLYING, RACIST, LYING self? my UNSTABLE, UNBALANCED, PASSIVE AGRESSIVE self? You mean to tell me that you dont STAND THERE and look at me and SEE a BURDEN and a RISK?? HA. You're a joke.... you can't even decide one way to attack. I can't believe people PAY you to 'treat' them. I wouldn't pay you if I was criminally insane."

She replied, with a scoff, and moving on with great sarcasm to target Karen's next tactic.

"You know, it's funny you should say that... because I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Everybody else I can scare off.... but Zach.... he's tough. I've TRIED getting rid of him... but that boy's got a hold on me like a damned pit bull. I'm running out of ideas. Maybe YOU can help me.... you didn't have much trouble driving YOUR man away."

In all honestly, Haleigh had inadvertantly revealed that she might have done things purposely, with the intent to push everybody away. But behind all that bravado... there were some things even Haleigh couldn't hide... or didnt want to.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: As Delilah drug her finger along Ethan's cheek, Persephone could see the man shaking with fear. A small smile crept along her lips as her piercing blue eyes glared violently at him. Hearing him ask Delilah what she wanted to know, it was obviously their attempts to bleed him dry of information had succeeded. But of course, it was way too much fun not to continue this little 'interigation game'. ::

"Eager are we...?"

:: Persephone's voice echoed, now taking a small step forward and withdrawing a single Mystic Dagger. Dragging it along her finger tips, the goddess wasn't about to use it against him, or even attack him. It was just another technique to scare him straight. ::

"You wouldn't LIE to us, now would you?"

:: With lighting fast speeds, Persephone through the weapon straight at Ethan's face. The dagger's razor sharp point stopped milimeters away from Ethan's retna, hovering in mid air. ::

"Because I could get a little knife happy..."

[Shadow Weaver]

The "Joke" is on YOU sweetheart if you think ANYONE in this building is going to risk their lives on account of your demented, self destructive behavior. Zach may be putting up with you..even showing PITY, or MAYBE he's one of the RARE FEW that can see somewhere in that TOXIC cesspool you call a personality a possible HEALTHY core? Maybe he wants to keep hope alive so you dont wind up going the route most people like you do.

<< the doctor turned as Haleigh rebutted in the way she expected. looking at Haleigh as she placed her hands on her hips, the doctor's intimidating eyes looked THROUGH the young woman. her comment about Christopher meant nothing, as Karen was GLAD to have driven that evil man away.>>

your defenses are retread. your strategy can't cope with the REALITY of the situation.

You ARE a bully, obnoxious, inappropriate and MORE and those are just your SURFACE flaws.

The things i stated before are TRUE. OTHER people don't tell you because THEY might be impressed or intimidated by you, miss g.i. jane, but i'm NOT. you're just another weak little girl who doesnt know how to maintain a HEALTHY relationship , let alone nurture any lasting friendships. ANYONE who enters into a prolonged relationship with winds up leaving..or DYING because of the SAME THING..... You're a vacuum, TOXIC.

You ARE a burden...that's why you're not on the current mission. You ARE a risk...that's why you are dangerously close to being asked to LEAVE this team. You better WAKE UP sweetheart because you are ILL EQUIPED to shut ME up. I'm not the one with anything to lose. YOU are. You've lost MUCH already and you're too stubborn, too FOOLISH and too reliant on your pride to realize that.

So used to mistreating and ABUSING people are you that you KNOW deep down...you feel you don't have what it takes to maintain HEALTHY friendships and relationships with people so instead of using the "strength" you claim to have, you take the route that MOST cowards like yourself do and you DRIVE EVERYONE AWAY...some you brutalize, others you BETRAY, and others you verbally abuse...and if all else fails, you KILL THEM. It's easy to wallow in your own mental malfunction when you THINK you don't have to be held accountable to anyone....something YOU crow about ALL THE TIME.

The truth is, no one here wants to be BOTHERED. NO ONE in their right mind would put up with your CRAP and although you had reached a new level in your interactions with Morgan and Alison...they BOTH are convinced that you are losing your mind and are no longer FIT to serve on this team.


<< smiling at Haleigh as she went toward the door.>>

I certainly have BETTER things to do than waste my time on an ill tempered RAMBETTE who thinks she's an army of one. In MY professional opinion, you are not fit to return to the Six. I will make my FORMAL recommendation to Morgan and Alison that you be REMOVED from Illustra immediately.

Oh but before i go, allow me to show you why i'm one of the most successfull psycho therapists on the east coast..and why people like YOU who THINK they are so tough are the most FUN to CRACK!

<< turning around to face Haleigh, the doctor's cape sweeps behind her as she lifts her hands. the room grows dark as Karen ignites a spell. thunder crashes as the doctor's elegant voice rises above the winds. she gestures>>

Let the truth from within, Destroy her Might
Her worst Fears, her weakness, Now she will Fight
Brought forth from her maladpative mind and black heart into the Night,
Twist Her, BREAK HER, End her plight!

<< sweeping her hands forward and out toward Haleigh, an odd, rushing "harp" sound is heard as a flash of golden light can be seen throughtout the entire conference room. Karen herself disappears in billowing blasts of smoke and Haleigh must now be faced with the TRUTH about herself. She will be FORCED to see herself for who and what she REALLY IS without any "spin". all the faults, the weaknesses and tendencies. Her mental defenses and "discipline" to resist psychological manipulation are DESTROYED and she is STRIPPED to her core self as she is cast onto the ASTRAL PLANE.>>

<<On the astral plane with NO control over what she sees or feels, she will be FORCED to relieve all her memories as they ACTUALLY happened, not as she "sees" them with her own spin. every life she took, every person she battered and abused, all the of things that SHE accused others of and yet SHE did herself. she will RELIVE all of the worst moments in her life and she will be forced to watch them from an objective perspective..seeing just how maladpative she actually is. all of these things will coelesce into a "real as life" scenario of what will happen to HER if she continues on this path. she will see herself being forced out of the six, ultimately exposed for being a mutant and captured by the government. Alycia Barnett will supervise over her BRUTAL EXPERIMENTATION...in which she will DIE a painfull, humiliating death. No one comes to her aid, no one mourns her loss, she is remembered as little more than a traitor to america, a domestic terrorist who was reviled by everyone she knew. her death will bring COMFORT AND JOY to the masses and will be looked upon with APATHY by those whom she once served with in the Six.>>


<< Psycho Therapy is the most intense, EXTREME forms of therapy. it involves reacing DEEP into the psyche of the patient, KNOCKING OUT all of their defenses and forcing them to see themselves as they REALLY ARE. this is one of the most extreme examples of why Dr. Victoria is legendary for her results. using her magick to BOLSTER normal therapy techniques and FORCING people to seem themselves for what and who they really are. for those who truly want to recover, and start FRESH...this is where it begins. Psycho The>>


<< Haleigh's physical body remains in the conference room and cannot move, she cannot leave the conference room. she will STAY and suffer through this spell...and if she is anywhere NEAR as "strong" as she think she is...she will LEARN.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh smiles knowingly as Karen responds, confirming EVERYTHING she just said.

"MMHMM.... and who made THAT judgement? It was YOU, wasn't it? So maybe you'd like to readvise your previous statement... about me IMAGINING being judged?"

But when Karen takes to attacking Haleigh's ability to maintain a relationship... Haleigh stops smiling. She frowns and struggles to move, her voice turning from a taunt to a growl.

"SHUT UP... you SHUT UP! You don't know what you're talking about..... I CAN... I just don't want to...."

Karen turns to leave and Haleigh senses a final reprieve from this onslaught.... and reverts back to confidence and sarcasm.

"Oh, FINALLY. Thank God.... I thought you'd never tire of criticizing me. Oh, your PROFESSIONAL opinion, is it? Well, now that they have YOUR permission to exile me.... wonderful. I think that's exactly what they were waiting for. Thanks for your help-- NOT!"

What happens next takes Haleigh by surprise. For all her posturing, she didn't think Karen would actually USE magick against her. She could tell she was on a different plane... and she couldn't move or speak... she could only watch, as if from third person, as her life flashed before her.... and every corrupt, questionable thing she ever did played out like a movie in front of her. She was stoic as she watched her past... these actions, these flaws were not new to her... she saw them every day when she looked in the mirror. It was her FUTURE path that had the most profound effect. Being cast out of the six is hurtful, but not devastating... but being captured.... experimented on... under the watchful eye of Alycia... THAT gets her attention... and like when you drive by a bad car wreck and HAVE to watch... Haleigh can't bring herself to look away, even through the torturous experiments... and her own final moments:

Alycia Barnett makes an appearance in the lab... Haleigh is strapped down to a bed and being subject to magnetic pulses so strong that her pale, weakend body shudders and falls limp. She is barely conscious... and she seems to know the end is near. Even now, she is defiant and abrasive... cold and standoffish to the very end.... and now, certifiably insane. Her own laughter gives Haleigh chills... it is shrill and emotionless, robotic.

"They say I'm going to die soon Barnett... are you going to do it? Come on.... it'd be kind of poetic. COME ON!"

She shouts, as she uses her last bit of strength to surge forward, breaking her binds but causing those standing by to adminster a subduing dose of magnetic flare... too subduing, it proves.... and the sound of her own flatline fills the air.

That's not the end of the montage either... the worst comes as each of the six goes about their lives... unmoved... as Haleigh's funeral service is held... and no one attends. Haleigh winces... because in spite of EVERYTHING... she didn't imagine it could get that bad. Well... I got what I wanted... Every ONE of them is still alive... but at what cost? I lost myself along the way.... not to mention that i DISGRACED myself..... and what's worse... essentially... I still LOST them... all of them.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< down the hall on the 85th floor, sitting quietly in a small alcove Karen "watches" from a scrying pool. The pulses, twitches and small "spikes" from haleigh's physical body indicate reaction from what she's being subjected to. Haleigh certainly does a good job at stifling her emotions but she cannot escape what she's being forced to experience by the spell.>>

I hope that she gets something out of this. that she LEARNS.

<< Karen says softly as she sits in the alcove.>>

<< she can't afford to coddle or pet her patients, when it comes to turning them around, she has to be hard...even BRUTAL. members of the six were not used to her being this way and in Haleigh's case, Karen KNEW it would come down to this moment because Haleigh would rely on her "defenses" even to the expense of HERSELF.>>

This is for your own good. You dont want to be you're own greatest enemy...

<< after a while, the spell runs its course and Haleigh's astral form, her mental essence are returned to her body, with all the feelings and sensory inupt for the spell INTACT with clarity. she is back in the dark conference room, but Karen is not there. she is no longer held by the mystic binds but her POWERS are still scrambled...if she wants to get anywhere...she'll have to walk and she'll find that her body is a bit weakened from the intensity of what she just went through.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

The spell ends and Haleigh's awareness returns to her body in the conference room. She can tell immediately that she's been released from Karen's hold but her powers are still on the fritz, she finds, as she can't retreat or scan for Karen on Illustra's security network. She looks around... it appears Karen has left.

Though her body is achey and feels heavy, Haleigh tries to stand and leave the room... she only gets a few steps before stumbling and falling to her knees, her body shuddering uncontrollably. Okay... so maybe she had a point... maybe I went about things the wrong way... so maybe i've got inadequate coping.... She stays there for a few seconds.... and then with slow, steady determination, pushes herself back to her feet. She uses the doorway for support and then, out in the hallway, she walks along the wall. She makes her way towards the elevator slowly... unaware that she isn't alone. She stops midway down the corridor, leaning against the wall and burying her face in her hands.

"How am I gonna fix this?"

Her quiet voice, muffled through her palms, asks no one in particular.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen quietly steps out of the alcove, still in her regal black flying suit, the moonlight from the alcove casts over the doctor as she stands with her hands on her hips.>>

<< she see's Haleigh is in the midst of reflection and questioning and waits a few moments. as she spoke, her voice was cold, yet elegant as it echoed down the silent hall. >>

It can get better you know. The wonderfull thing about the human psyche is that for most of us, we possess the ability to process and CHANGE accordingly. Just because you've done things one way for so long..its not too late for you to realize and try a BETTER way.

You're young...you still have time to change. Your life doesnt have to be defined by the mistakes of the PAST , nor do you have to continue making those SAME mistakes now and relying on FLAWED defense mechanisms.

It shouldnt BE ABOUT "defending" from/against your friends..your family.

I think you knew that deep down but were too entrenched.


My spell pulled you outside of "yourself" and allowed you to see things as they REALLY WERE and where they would GO if you didnt change.

[Rampage]

Nicolas re-entered his own mind in his quarters. He sat for several inutes trying to calm himslef further, trying to settle wht heeded to be done in his mind and for the team's sake. he finally decided upon a course of action, but he would wait until morning, when he would put it into action. As for now, he settled into bed after a long shower, and settled into his best sleep in days. He didn't even need it PHYSICALLY, but he found that it help to soothe his mind that much more.

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah turned her head to Ava. Damn, she was good at being the bad cop. Or maybe crazy cop. Maybe she should join the force…Delilah almost laughed at the thought of the goddess in uniform blues. Instead she just smiled. ]

“Now Ava, I’m SURE our guest wouldn’t be so deceiving as that, would you Ethan?”

[ She turned back to the dark-haired man. ]

“It IS okay if I call you Ethan, isn’t it? Good. Now...”

[ She stood tall and turned, glancing quickly at the others as her back was turned to Ethan. She began to pace in front of him, her arms crossed in front of her, one finger to pursed lips. ]

“We know that Stavros Cassadine hired you to kill Alycia. But you have another agenda for being here as well.”

[ She turned to face him. ]

“Who fed you your information about the Six? Who knows what we are?”

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Looking to Delilah, Persephone's eyes shifted to a startled Ethan. Holding her hand out, the dagger immediately returned--just as fast as when she threw it--to her hand. Holstering the weapon, Persephone crossed her arms along her chest and waited for the man to speak. ::

"Tick tock, Ethan. I sure some hungry demons who would love to have a midnight snack, right about now."

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh spun around a recoiled as if she'd been hit as Karen spoke, exhaling quickly and running her hand through her hair.

"Oh, Karen.... you startled me...."

She listened as Karen gave her a few words of encouragement. She could agree with it... but she knew there was so much more to it than that.

"I think we BOTH know that's remarkably easier said than done... most especially in my case. I just dont... know where... to start."

She gave a soft laugh that provoked a cough.

"Yeah, well... I might have NEEDED the change in persepective.... but I can't say I thoroughly enjoyed your methods."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen's eyes were always the most intimidating feature of her bewitching face. she could pierce even the strongest facade with her trademark disapproving glare. but as haleigh spoke honestly and from her heart, Karen's facial expression SOFTENED.>>

start right here, right now.

<< the two women stood in the dark hallway of the 85th floor.>>

remember what youve seen from my spell. remember it clearly. it will take work, a conscious effort on your part as you will be moving OUTSIDE of your "comfort zone." transition is never easy for any of us but its a part of growing and evolving.

its OKAY to feel awkward and perhaps even lost. when you finally let go of something, there's a vacuum there. the TRICK is to work to fill it with something BETTER than before...itll be EASY to revert back, especially when things get a little rough but you must REMEMBER tonigiht.

Better to go through this NOW than to crash and burn later...alone and uncared for. We BOTH know you really dont want that and its OKAY for you to want or acknowledge the NEED for friendship and BONDS with those you work/live/play with.

But you need to show yourself to be friendly as well. there are some people here who you have things to sort out with. thats going to be apart of this process too.

I'll be checking on you soon, but for now, I think I've done all i can.

<< as Karen flings her hands up, a rushing harp sound is heard as her cape spreads out and with a chime, she disappears in the blink of an eye, leaving Haleigh there alone. the power scramble effect finally comes to an end as well.>>

[Oracle]

<< In Limbo, Ethan Cruise divulges all that he knows, revealing that while the NUCLEUS of Mystech (in America) has been all but destroyed thanks in large part to the efforts of The Six, that the various strong holds globaly are still in tact. with the destruction of the "Inner Circle" (White and Red Queens - Malice and Helena / Black and White Kings Christopher and Adam) , the vacuum of power has allowed various "factions" to take hold around the globe and no longer being an immense "entity" with a tremendous force.>>

<< the world's governments have various covert partnerships with mystech and they continue to remain beneficial. the mutant prejudice that grips america seems to be "exported" around the world to various degrees.>>

<< there will be new troubles and challenges for the Six as it appears the future isnt so certain and "bright" after all, but like everything else before, they will face these things head on...as best they can.>>

<< Satisfied with the interrogation, Delilah and Persephone step back and Morgan returns the group to earth. True to form,She and Alison are STILL against allowing Ethan into Illustra and so Morgan casts him away, forbiding him to set foot in the Parthenon or anywhere NEAR Illustra.>>

<< Alone and without the backing he once had, Ethan will have to find a way to convince them that he CAN benefit the team as Haleigh believes. But that will be a task far easier said than done.>>

MEANWHILE

<< as late night begins to give way to DAWN, Karen has returned to Soho as fast as she had left. Haleigh, who has just experienced an intense taste of psycho therapy is now left with some questions of her own but a new resolve for TRUE CHANGE. Nicolas, now rests peacefully in his luxury apartment on t he 100th floor and soon, Morgan, Alison, Delilah and Persephone return to Illustra.>>

<< it has been a long night for them all. The MORNING does not bring te promise of "peace", but it does bring the opportunity for new direction among the team on various subjects....including what to do about Ethan and Haleigh.>>


<< and so we watch...>>