Visit to Arklay

[Oracle]

<< and night gives way to day...a warm but windy day. the city goes about its daily routine on all levels with members of the six getting started. Alison awakens and takes the time to enjoy the comfort of being in her old luxury apartment once more...but she still couldnt shake the image of the Arklay Mansion....and the growing "flashes" of the destruction of their lives as they knew it. the BRIDGE between these two things? a presence...a person...someone who was coming.>>


<< Haleigh, Delilah, Nicolas and Ava were all in Illustra, preparing to go about their day and Morgan along with Karen were quickly making their way back to NYC. Morgan now more than ever felt she had to get back and see if there was something MORE behind her nightmare and Nicoals' strange phone call.>>

<< Alycia was already back in Washigton, hoping...PRAYING she hadnt made a BIG mistake in telling Haleigh about the secret of the Arklay mansion and mountain range in Conneticutt.>>

<< and so the day has begun....warm, windy and uncertain.>>

[Harbinger]

:: a rushing, chiming sound is heard as the balcony doors leading to her balcony over looking the city open. Alison knows she's home....but she cant quite enjoy it thoroughly. as she looks out over the city and her power as a precog FORCES her to see what is coming....::

the empire state building...damaged and burning to the ground..darkness and power outages every...smoke and fire reaching to the sky...sirens competing with the SCREAMS of humans (most of them mutants) far below...the statue of liberty FALLEN on its side...and charred in the waters it once stood above....it is the apocolypse....and SENTINELS...ruling the land.

::its is the FUTURE...but for HER, all times and places flow like water....its only a question of which one she chooses to focus in on.::

:: her apartment begins to TREMBLE as her emotions cause her Telekinetic power to spill out and touch the space around her. she shuts her eyes tightly as she bows her head. the winds blow her newly styled hair a bit as she keeps herself in check...::

:: she cant afford to coddle anyone....and she WONT. some people may find her BRUTAL again...but TOO MUCH is at stake this time....::

I wont let it happen.....no matter WHO i have to hurt.


:: being in greece...knowing what it took for her to get there....it CHANGED Alison and she KNEW it wouldnt be long before friction formed between her and at least one member of the six in particular.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< arriving in New York, it was all Morgan could do to keep from giving in to her urge to TELEPORT from L.A. to New York City via stepping disc. but she and her mother had a few more things to tie up and now they were arriving home.>>

<< in the limo on the way to Soho, Morgan couldnt hold it from her mother any longer...>>

mother...something's wrong...I can FEEL IT.

<< she looked to her mother with eyes that betrayed true uncertainty.>>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen looked knowingly at her daughter.>>

i was wondering when you'd fess up, sweetheart. we're not like other mothers and daughters...our bond as mother and child goes beyond magick and i certainly felt your distress last night.

I assumed that you would come to me if you needed to.

Morgan: the dream i had...was so jarring...and then later on, Nicolas called me, at least i THOUGHT he did....sounding distressed like he was watching a tsunami bearing down on Illustra! I'm no precog...but i feel like something is WRONG.

Karen: we're WITCHES and I learned from your Grammy a long time ago that one of our most basic gifts, INTUITION, goes beyond the strength of mortal women and while its not as specialized as precognition...its nothing to be dismissed or minimized. if you had that dream and Nicolas called you in that manner....then there's a reason. He came to ME in a similar state many months ago when he needed help. Go home to Illustra, check on things...and find out WHAT is going on. But DONT blame yourself for taking time you NEEDED to yourself these last few days. if things had been DIRE someone would have called you.

<< the ride progressed as the two women talked>>

Morgan: I know i probably shouldnt be saying this...you raised ME and you can take care of yourself...but my anxiety is getting the better of me. Mother, please be carefull...and make SURE if there's anything that goes wrong on your end...you call me IMMEDIATELY.

<< Morgan's body language betrayed how anxious she was.>>

Karen: aww honey dont worry!! i HAVE been taking care of myself, since long before you were born. trust me....your mother's not too old to put the fear of magick into a foe or two still. but trust me, if there's any problem you'll be the first to know. now dont let your anxiety sweep you head long into panic. you know that will render you less effective. just get to illustra and find out what's going on.

<< finally the limo arrrives at the highrise where Karen stays, in the soho district. the two women emerge from the limo while the attendants prepare to take Karen's luggage up to her loft. the mother and daughter witch duo embrace as the winds begin to gust.>>

Morgan: Thanks for making the trip with me, mother. Having you there was a big help and i hope you enjoyed yourself too. I love you.

Karen: Oh believe me, i needed the get away as much as you did and i'm happy to help. and i love you too, honey.

<< as the two women let go, they both notice the wind.>>

Karen: can you believe this wind?

<< both women look up as their hair blows in the wind.>>

Morgan: it does seem rather gusty for this time of year and in THIS part of the country.....maybe Ava can help with that. Once i get to Illustra and get things settled...i'll call you.

<< with a few parting words and a "see you later" mother and daughter wave as Karen goes inside the high rise and up to her loft while the limo carries morgan back to Illustra.>>

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah was already dressed in a smart black pants suit and on her way down to retrieve her car. She drove south, making her way downtown in the morning traffic to her office at police headquarters.

She opted for a parking spot on the street rather than the lot, and she did something as she walked to the high rise that was the center of the Manhattan police force that she hadn't done in a long time.

She looked up at the court buildings, at their white marble structures, and thought about what they represented. To her, they had always been a source of a feeling of "right". And despite some heated conversations on the subject with Morgan and the others, she didn't really ever think about what those same buildings might symbolize for someone else.

She passed St. Anthony's and walked across the red brick square to the office building. She rode up in the elevator and walked to her office, still lost in thought. She sat down at her desk, but she couldn't look at the files on her desk. Not yet.

She heard a knock at the door, and a head poked into view. ]

"Delilah? Can I have a minute?"

[ Captain Megan Russert - mentor, friend, all around tough-cookie - looked worried. Not a good sign.

Delilah smiled. The older woman was a good influence on her mood. ]

"Sure, come on in. Please, sit down."

[ The captain took a seat across from Delilah, and took a second to gather her thoughts before she started. ]

"Delilah, I just wanted to make sure you were okay after what happened yesterday. I know you've been on the force a long time - and you know what a great cop I think you are. But these things can affect any of us. If you need to speak to a counselor-"

[ Delilah held up a hand. ]

"Megan, I'm fine. I promise. I'm a little preoccupied today, yes, but it's not about that."

[ Saying it gave Delilah an idea. She chided herself for not thinking about it before. Who better to pump for information than someone who had been working the beat for 25 years? She leaned forward, folding her hands in front of her on top of the desk. ]

"I was wondering if you could help me with something I've been working on...?"

"Another case?"

"Sort of...more of a project though. Have you ever heard the code name Bishop? Possible vigilantism - probably first name Connor, I don't have a last name on him though. System's come up empty."

[ Russert sat back in her chair and nodded. ]

"Connor St. James. I've never run into him personally, but I've heard tell from cops who have. And he's been through the system several times. You can look up his file for that. Goes after mostly those connected to mafia killings. He's taken out a lot of made guys in his day - and that's just counting the ones we know about. Organized crime is scared shitless of this guy. Brutal, resourceful, most of the time uncatchable. His pet project is one of yours, Victor Klein. Bet he's pissed someone got to Vic before he did though. My advice to you"

[ She stood up, and looked down at Delilah. ]

"is to let this one go. He's dangerous."

[ Delilah laughed. ]

"But Cap'n - dangerous is what we do."

[ Russert, usually one to join in on cop humor, didn't crack a smile. ]

"But this guy's suicidal - and I don't want one of mine caught in the crossfire."

[ Delilah nodded. ]

"Thanks Megan."

[ Russert left, and as soon as she was out of earshot, Delilah called records and asked for the file on Connor St. James. ]

[Connor St. James]

Back uptown, Connor was getting down to business of his own. He was trying to put his late-night meeting out of his head. Attachments were a distraction from his work and to be avoided. And the last thing he needed was to be making friends with a cop. But he had to admit, he liked her drive. She had spirit, he'd give her that.

Bishop was perched in the crawlspace above the 87th floor of a luxury hotel on the upper east side. He watched the proceedings below via fiber-optic camera. Most of the morning the suite with it's high ceilings and expensive furnishings had been filled only with assorted bodyguards, but the real guests were now arriving. The Russians were having a sit down with the Dominicans, and Bishop was never one to miss a party.

He pulled the D ring on the satchel charge he'd brought with him, knocked out a ceiling panel below him, and dropped it into the center of the room.

The explosion took out most of the bodyguards. He brought his AK47 to the aim, and picked off the rest. Bishop hopped down to the floor, landing like a cat, and pulled his M1911 Colt, seven in the magazine and one in the chamber: twice the impact, half the recoil. Some of the main players were still attempting to crawl towards the door, bodies bloody and broken. He stood over them and resisted the temptation to make the sign of the cross. They reached up to him, pleading, begging him to be merciful.

Unfortuneately for them, he was all out of mercy.

He emptied two each into the remaining mobsters, then slipped out through the servants entrance and down the back staircase. It was a good morning.

[MorningStar]

[ Deciding to talk to a few more people and come back after lunch for the file, Delilah returned to her car. But her leads proved to be tight-lipped dead ends. She stopped for lunch in a midtown restaurant, choosing a window seat. She was sipping her iced tea when the waitress came to take her order. ]

"I'll have a cheeseburger and fries."

"And I'll have the same." Bishop.

[ He slid into the seat across from her and Delilah sat back in disbelief. She handed her menu to the waitress then shot evil eyes to the other side of the table. ]

"What the hell are you doing here - are you following me?!"

"Following you?" [ The waitress set a glass of water and a place setting down in front of him. ] "Thank you." [ The he continued to Delilah. ] "No, I'm not following you."

[ He tore a piece of bread off the loaf that sat between them and popped a large piece into his mouth. He leaned back and rested his arm on the back of the booth. ]

"You are still investigating me."

[ Delilah leaned forward for emphasis. ]

"YOU don't tell me what to do. Got it?"

"We're on the same side here, coming after me is a waste of time."

"Well of course you are going to say that. Why would I believe a felon?"

[ He stiffened, his face fell. She thought she must have struck some sort of nerve with him. He nodded, slowly. ]

"That's right."

[ At that point, their burgers arrived. Delilah bit into hers, stealing a glance at him as he kept his eyes averted. They ate the rest of their meal in silence.

When they'd finished, they stepped out into the windy street, and started walking westward. ]

[Connor St. James]

Connor, hands clasped behind his back, breathed in deeply the fresh air. He didn’t know why Delilah’s comment about his prison record had wounded him so – he was not remotely ashamed of the time he’d done, or the things he’d done while on the inside.

"I'm going away for a day or two, so you can take a vacation from trying to keep a tail on me. Merry Christmas.”

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye as they crossed Park Avenue.

“Where are you going?” she asked, almost as if they were friends rather than adversaries.

“Camping trip. Fresh air, recharge, you know.”

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah wasn’t buying it. ]

“Mmm hmm.”

[ Connor stopped abruptly as Delilah took a step into Central Park. He had a strange look on his face, and he seemed nervous. She stopped as well and turned towards him. ]

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing’s wrong,” he stammered. But he was clearly lying.

“I’ve got to go. I’m telling you, for your own good, stop looking into my past.”

[ She instantly felt defensive. ]

“Is that a threat?”

[ He shook his head. He seemed tired all of a sudden. ]

“No, no, not at all. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

[ He did a 180 degree turn and started moving rapidly away. She called after him. ]

“Why would I get hurt?”

[ But he pretended not to hear her. ]

[Connor St. James]

Bishop cursed himself for revealing too much to the cop. He should know better by now, he shouldn't let him emotions get the better of him. Memories fought to come to the forefront of his mind but he pushed them back, back far down into the recesses of his brain.

He decided to make a sidetrip. He needed to get these distractions out of his head. There was only one place to go for that.

[Alycia Barnett]

::it was a whirlwind trip back to Capitol Hill. a few phone calls, a few mandatory meetings...most were about the "threat of the mutant menace"...it turned Alycia's stomach to hear the ideas the security advisor was entertaining a bout how to deal with them...including Sentinels, and recruiting a mutant whose power to was to invent ANY type of mechanical object to create power neutralizer guns...the one benefit was that Alycia had access to ALL this technology before anyone else and with Cassadine Industries now the chief supplier and manufacturer of weapons for her office and team, she MORE than had a way to run interference...but again HOW LONG could she play both sides?::

:: though she was cementing her reputation as a woman who got results...she wasnt NEARLY as vocal on the "mutant menace" as they expected her to be. there had been some RUMOURS including one that had her ROMANTICALLY involved with a mutant...HAH...she didnt even have TIME for a love life and there wasnt a man she trusted enough to let him near her like that.::

:: still...her own feeling of dread continued to grow.::

:: back in her own office, she left word that she'd be gone for several days ...traveling to Conneticutt to do some follow up investigation on "supicious activity"....but not going so far as to reveal WHERE the activity was taking place. her 1rst officer, command of Force Works in her absence had a way to reach her at all times and she had a strong working relationship with her. she felt she could trust him...for now. She had full authority to operate without informing anyone of her motives but just in case...the "unthinkable" happened, she wanted her 1rst officer to be prepared to take over...and she would ensure that a fixed report would be delivered to HIM to debrief the Security Advisor and the President.::

:: after preparing her personal arsenal of weaponry that would make most MILITARY MEN cringe, Alycia closed down her office, gathered her traveling luggage and proceeded to her chauffered limo to be driven back to the airport where she would depart immediately for Conneticutt. She sent a private message to Haleigh , keeping it brief and informing her of where/when to met. ::

::now, all that was left to do was to PREPARE herself for what she would find....in the Arklay mountain range..in the MANSION. She felt like she was being shady to Sharon by not telling her...but right now, she felt it was for the best NOT to involve her. ::

::she had no idea that she and Haleigh would probably run head long into yet ANOTHER element of the past..the very man whom she had hired to rescue sharon all those years ago. ::


:: arriving at a quaint "bed and breakfast" resort, Alycia quickly checked in and began to make modifcations to her room, scrambling any posisble communication and listening devices, blocking most forms of detection by technological means, closing the windows and drawing the blinds...and booby trapping the doors and windows as well. so began to lay out some of her weaponry as well as her body countouring "armour" ::

[Jill Monroe]

<< the escalade stretch pulls up slowly into the circular drive of the office park outside Illustra's main doors. Morgan emerges, and looks up...to the sprawling skyscraper that is her home....the wind now causing her hair to flow across her face.>>

home at last....

<< she said softly.>>

the building is still standing...nothing's on fire...there's no alarm....

<< trying to talk herself down...she realized how silly she was being at the moment and as the attendant brought her back into focus by asking if she was ready to go in, she nodded and followed. inside the crystaline lobby, she was greeted by a few employees as she smiled and nodded before making her way to the private express elevator. at this point. she bid the attendant a good day, tipping him and taking her own luggage cart. inside the elevator she exhaled.>>

to the top floor please....

<< Moments later, she arrived, stepping out and making her way down the long hall way, taking a moment to look out of the windows as she passed the small alcove.>>

<< reaching the double doors to her luxury penthouse, she let herself in and found that all was calm and just as she had left it. her babies werent here ...so they must have still be at Nicolas' apartment. She'd go to retrieve them in a moment....but first she wanted to get inside and do a quick walk through. as she moved slowly through her silent , sprawling penthouse, she looked around, realizing how thankfull she should be for having such a beautifull place to live...so HIGH above the city...ABOVE the "problems" it seemed..one would THINK it was an envious position to be in....but not really. the residential floors were Illustra's most precious secret and Morgan was unaware that Delilah had already allowed someone to VIOLATE that secret.>>

<< as she made her way to her chamber of dreams...she screamed...>>

<< GASP!>>>

ALISON!?

[Harbinger]

:: Alison stood in the center of Morgan's chamber of Dreams, sporting her new look and new "costume" as Morgan screamed, startled by her presence. it was slightly amusing to watch Morgan try to compose herself.::

I'm sorry Morgan...i didnt mean to....

Morgan: ::glaring in disbelief, her facial expression soon changed to that of happiness:: oh shut up!

:: Morgan rushes to her best friend and hugs her...and Alison can't help but to melt with a bit of emotion...::

Morgan: goddess!! it's so good to see you!! it's been so long....ALL that we've gone through..since you've left...

:: Alison knew how Morgan felt....she wanted to come back more t han once in the months since she'd left just as much as Morgan had wanted her to come back.::

Alison: we both know i couldnt come back...not yet.

:: the two witches embraced each other a bit longer before standing back, looking each other over..holding each other's hands.::

Both women: you look good!

:: they laughed.::

Morgan: girl look at this HAIR! it's goregous on you!! and this outfit too! it reminds me....of my original VALIANT costume....

:: Morgan remembered her dream once more....she wore it in her dream.::

Alison: I know you're troubled right now....I am too...that's one of the reasons why i'm here NOW. this is...is ...PERSONAL.

Morgan: for us in Illustra?

Alison: yes....


:: the look on Morgan's face said it all....::


Morgan: you've SEEN something...havent you? I had this dream...this AWFUL dream about....

both women: a mansion....

:: the winds howled a bit outside...even at this height as the two witches stared at each other...and then looked out the skies...::

Morgan: Alison...what is it? what's coming for US in Illustra?


Alison:.....we're going to need to talk with the others. this isnt going to be easy. but we're going to need to pull together NOW more than ever.

:: Alison already SAW what Alycia and Haleigh were planning to do...it was a MAD thing to do...but they would survive this crazed run to the Arklay Mansion...but there was a variable...a man whose soul was as black as Morgan's or her OWN. so FREE of scruples and reservations...that he seemed more like a GHOST than an actual presence....and with each "focus" she attempted, she saw HERSELF...decapitating Victor Klein AGAIN and AGAIN... how was this POSSIBLE? Alison could be slightly off course because of her own trepidation. But at any rate, Ava, Nicolas and Delilah were to be informed by Haleigh of information she had aquired form Alycia. Information that would link back to Sharon, Mystech...the past...AND the FUTURE.::

:: there was so much going on all at once...and yet it ALL lent itself to fullfilling Alison's prophecy...what was worse...one of the SIX would most likely be an unwitting pawn in all of it. ::

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah returned to work, still confused by what she'd witnessed. He was so gruff, but there was something going on under all those layers of toughness. The administrative assistant outside her office informed her that Archives had dropped off the file she had been looking for while she was out. She eagerly picked it up and sat down to read.

There he was: Connor St. James. He was ex-Marine, which she could have guessed. Heavily decorated. He had indeed been arrested several times, and done damage to some of his fellow inmates while incarcerated. The NYPD had had some difficult times pinning any crimes on him, but they suspected him of quite a lot of them. It appeared that he only targeted murderers and mafiosos.

She then reached a section of the file peppered with newspaper clippings, crime scene photos, and coroner's reports. She held the topmost newspaper article in her hands - its headline read "Gangland killings target family of four". The details in the article were only eclipsed in their gruesomeness by the actual reports from the officers on duty. The St. James family, gunned down "alledgedly" by Victor Klein. Connor surviving the multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Klein's boys getting off on a technicality. The little boy, little girl, Connor's wife - dead, riddled with bullet holes. She picked up the stack of photos. Delilah had been on the force a long time, and seen a lot in her time, but these were some of the most grisly things she'd ever witnessed. So this was the "why". This was what had driven him to take his dark path. Vengeance. Now she knew what he'd meant when he'd said that justice and revenge were the same thing. Because to him, they were.

She finished reading the file, wiping a tear off her cheek. She grabbed her purse and took off for the elevator, having to make herself keep from running. She got to her car and drove, but the tears were coming down in multiples now.

She finally pulled over and cried. She cried for the soul of Connor St. James.

[Connor St. James]

Connor stepped into the clearing. Here there was not a cloud in the sky, birds sang, there truly was peace. He hadn't planned on coming here, but he needed to. Needed the sanctuary it provided.

He tacked targets to the large wooden poles in the middle of the clearing, then moved back to its edge. Preferring to work from large to small, he selected an AK47 from one of the large duffle bags next to him.

He took aim at the first target and fired until it was in shreds, the rhythm of the weapon's firing hitting a regular beat, comforting. The feel of the gun in his hand familiar, safe.

He moved down the line - M16 with and M203 grenade launcher attached. And finally the Colt. All customized weapons, precision killing-machines. Not unlike himself.

This is where he came to get away. Other people took vacations; he took target practice. It focused him, soothed him. But not this time. This time, the touch of cold steel didn't make him feel any better.

But he couldn't linger; there was something he needed to do. So he packed his things and left the clearing once again to the animals and birds who called this place home.

[Harley Quinn]

:: Stepping out of her bathroom, Ava ran her fingers through her damp hair while heading to her closet. She was starting late today, mainly because she couldn't sleep well last night. Alison's warnings really got her thinking about what's to come in the future and what could possibly happen to the six as a family. ::

:: Entering her closet, she began to shuffle through the endless void of black clothing before finally selecting a clean cut pair of dark denim skinny jeans, black spagetti strap top with sheer flowy overlay, and black peep toe pumps. Getting dressed, Ava kept thinking about the danger room simulation Alycia ran...just as her sister did [although she didn't know about it], Ava was contemplating running the simulation to better study the mansion. When it was originally run, her mind wasn't focused on the actual setting, just the zombies attacking her. She needed to go back and REALLY take a look around. ::

:: Lost in her own thoughts, a sudden BANG made the goddess jump before quickly exiting her closet. A large gust of wind blew through her vast master bedroom from the open french doors. Her hair flew across her face, making her squint as she moved toward the door. ::

"What is with this wind?!"

:: Extending her palm out, the heavy winds instantly began to subside to a suitable breeze. Walking out onto her balcony, the day was bright and sunny, but something about the weather didn't sit well with the goddess...sensing nothing 'abnormal', it still didn't reassure the goddess that, perhaps, Alison's warning last night might be happening sooner than later. ::

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh tried to sleep... she thought perhaps that with the recent developments in her psychological and emotional growth that she might be able to drift off.... but she was still a severe insomniac and if she DID sleep, her own vivid dreams were fraught with confused and jumbled imagery.

She rose before long before dawn after failing to fall asleep at ALL tonight.... it was just as well.... her mind was still RACING with the discussion she'd had with Alycia and the file she'd pored over after the meet. She made her way around her loft in the dark with no problem whatsoever, as she slowly gravitated to the OTHER situation that occupied her mind: Cameron. Namely, his recent disappearance... AGAIN. This time, she didn't know whether she should be angry or worried.... so she settled for a little bit of both. In the past week or so since the breast cancer event, Haleigh had searched his suite at the Parthenon, his old haunts, and places that were significant to him in the past.... all to no avail. Lately she just checked up on the surveillance in those places and any reported sightings.... again, like every previous morning, today there was nothing except frustration.

Haleigh paced her apartment for a while.... so long, in fact, that the sun began to rise... she stepped out onto the terrace and watched it rise over the bay, immersed in thought, emitting a deep sigh. She hated feeling this way.... like there was nothing more she could do.... especially since just about EVERYONE knew exactly how she felt about Cameron-- probably even better than she knew herself. That was a primary catalyst for her total commitment to helping Sharon.... and a big reason for wanting to run off with Alycia into the heart of possible danger. In her experience, if she could help solve somebody else's problems, she could move her own to the back burner and possibly forget about them awhile. Of course.... the mission with Alycia was on standby as well.... Haleigh awaited a message from the former DA and until then, had nothing to distract herself with. She fed the dogs, straightened here and there in her apartment.... busy work, basically. She'd already read and destroyed the file Alycia'd given her.... now she was experiencing time alone that she would normally spend.... with Zach. She thought somberly. There was no way to ignore it... disapprove of his behavior or not, and though Haleigh still felt the sting of betrayal.... she had LOVED Zach.... and she missed him.

"I sure know how to pick the men in my life, don't I?"

She asked the dogs. The male dog lifted his head from eating and whined, prompting Haleigh to chuckle and pat him gently.

"Not you, Echo.... not you."

Haleigh sighed, staring out the window again, slightly disgruntled... before she quickly picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number. The male voice sounded slightly groggy. Haleigh managed to sound as casual and pleased as possible.

>>Cross.
"Christopher."
>>[brightening]Haleigh? Well.... I'll be damned.
"So.... how've you been? How is..... what's her name... that new girl you started seeing?"
>>[chuckling] I'm fine.... I wouldn't know about her though.... it didn't work out... we haven't seen each other in weeks.
"Mmm... shame. So, how'd you like to meet for sex?"
>>[pause] I thought you were going to suggest breakfast.
"Why bother, we both know what we'll be there for. We can eat afterwards if you like."
>>Oh, I'd like.
"Great. You've heard about my place in the Hamptons?"
>>Who hasn't?
"Meet me there in thirty."
>>I'll be there in twenty.

Haleigh closed her cell with a self satisfied smirk and went to go get dressed.

"Mommy's going to go get cheered up."

******************************************

"I feel much better."

Haleigh says, laying on her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows and lighting a cigarrette. Chris sits up, then props a couple of pillows between himself and the headboard. They both lay comfortably nude on a fully made bed, and he nods as he reaches for a cigarrette of his own.

Chris:"You're welcome. Light mine?"

She obliges, and for a second they smoke in silence perforated by satisfied but heavy sighs.

"You do know that this is purely recreational, right Cross?"

Chris: "Hmm? Oh, of course. that's fine by me......[pause] I read about your breakup in the paper. Stupid fool... I never understood a man that couldn't be happy with just one woman.... dont let it get to you.... a woman like you.... if you couldn't keep him.... well.... no one could."

Haleigh smiled softly, getting up and pulling on a silk robe, gesturing for him to follow her into the kitchen where breakfast was already prepared. "You always did have the just right thing to say. Come on.... I had the help make us something to eat while we were busy. Don't worry about me.... I'm fine. I know what you mean.... While I've always understood the need for SOME to be unrestrained by monogamy... I don't get why he would do something like that and not TELL me. He was right... our relationship, at the time in question, was not an exclusive one.... but he still kept it from me."

Chris, while sitting down at the breakfast bar:"Doesn't make any sense.... if he didnt think he was doing anything wrong.... why did he think he had to hide it?"

Haleigh laid down their plates and joined him. "I dunno.... he said it was complicated."

Chris:"Isn't it always?"

Haleigh smiled.... for a while, they ate and caught up, like old friends might, keeping topics light and jovial. Neither of them seemed concerned with starting something up again.... both were just happy for the company and the comfort. Haleigh's phone rang and she let it go to voicemail....she already knew it was Alycia. She mentally sent a text message to each of the other members of the six, telling them she needed to meet with them to discuss something and that it would be brief. Her and Chris wrapped up their 'rendezvous' and parted ways.... and Haleigh, upon scanning Illustra and finding both Alison and Morgan there, sent a transmission to the PA system.

"Hate to interrupt a reunion ladies. Morgan, welcome back. Alison, i'm certain you know what this is about.... I'd like to brief the others.... I'll be home shortly."

[Oracle]

<< the winds, which were causing some disturbances around the city that wasnt accustomed to such weather, were now calmed by Persephone. was it anything significant? a sign of trouble "sweeping" in ? with Haleigh's message reaching everyone simultaneously....including Delilah....it was time for them to gather. this time on the security room floor in the War Room.>>

<< Sharon was not there, Alycia was gone, though only Haleigh [And Alison] knew were she was just now...and with Morgan PLUS Alison back, the team was at a full compliment...even with Cameron being absent AGAIN. :rolleyes: >>

<< it was a day of secrets. some would be revealed only so far...but others would be kept silent.>>

<< even haleigh had no idea just WHY Alison was here and that her own briefing would overlap what Alison had to say.>>


speaking of Arklay

<< Alycia was now several states away, on the east coast, having made some quick but thorough modifications to her cabin suite at the cozy and quaint bed and breakfast..one of the last stops on the way to the now "off limits" area of this mysterious forest along the mountain range.>>

<< she had no idea that she'd have unexpected company from afar...let alone that it was someone she had dealt with years ago.>>

<< Bishop too was now making his way to the same destination and HE was not expecting Alycia to already be in the area either.>>

[Rampage]

Nicolas sat up, deciding that he haid lain there SLEEPLESS long enough. His TK had dismantled the phone last night, and he decided against calling Morgan back or even fixing it at that moment. So he laid back down with his friends (Tink and Kitty) and rested, sleep evading him for the remainder of the night.

As morning came, he arose and carefully bathed and groomed himself, wanting Morgan to be IMPRESSED when she saw him. He put on a pair of dark grey slacks with a maroon silk t-shirt, his physique flattered in the snugness of the shirt.

After he placed cream and fish out for the cats, he placed an order for a raw leg of lamb and reached out telekinetically, locating Morgan easily. He teleported onto the security floor where the ladies were meeting and walked up to greet them, clearing his throat as he did so.

Good morning.

[MorningStar]

[ Haleigh's message "forwarded" itself to Delilah in her car as she was on her way home again to Illustra. After a quick stop-off in her apartment to fix her makeup and pull herself together, she arrived in the War Room. Morgan, Nicolas and Alison - yes, ALISON - were already there. ]

"Alison! What are you doing here?! It's so good to see you!"

[ She moved towards Alison to give her a hug hello, but on the way past Nicolas, she couldn't resist the temptation. ]

"Nice shirt, Romeo."

[ She patted him on the chest and gave him a snarky smile. ]

[Harbinger]

:: Nicolas was the first to arrive. she knew he'd be there almost immediately...his beloved Morgan was here :D ::

:: as he walked forward, looking like something out of a metro sexual magazine spread, Alison nudged Morgan as he cleared his throat and said hello.::

Relax Nicolas dear...you already got the job as model when we interviewed you MONTHS ago...you dont need to try to show off skin NOW!

:: she and Morgan giggled as Delilah entered the room and added her OWN comment to nicolas' look.::

Delilah! Hello!

:: Alison stood up to greet and hug her friend....and as she did...the FOG of uncertainty that she saw plaguing a member of the team...it suddenly ENVELOPED HER in her mind's eye as a precog.::

DELILAH!

:: it was SHE that would come under captivity in the mind and heart..the one who would come to find herself in a GRAVE struggle and internal conflict!::

:: Morgan and Nicolas would see a faint flash of consternation in Alison's cobalt blue eyes before she drew back and held Delilah's hands in her own, quickly composing herself.::

I came here, because I could....but as I've told everyone else, I needed to be here now if at no other time since my staying behind in Greece.

You're looking well, lightengale.

[Connor St. James]

Hours later, Bishop found himself once again in a mountainous forest. This time, however, he had moved east into Connecticut. He was feeling better now that he was focused on the mission at hand. He was almost there. There was a break in the trees, and he looked on a cottage tucked into the wilderness. At first glance it looked quaint and cozy bathed in sunlight – but on further inspection, it was clear that something terrible had happened here, from the look of the damage to the property.

He shrugged out of his backpack, and walked cautiously towards the abandoned house to explore. This wasn’t his final destination, but he’d learned long ago to leave no stone unturned. And besides, he’d been here before.

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan was sitting next to Alison. it was almost like "old times" for the two women...they could remember BEFORE there was "the six". both they and even Illustra itself had been through many changes since those times and one of the most noticeable "changes" walked in the room.>>

Nicolas!

<< he cleared his throat...obviously wanting all eyes on him as he greeted the two witches.>>

<< Morgan stood up , wondering for a moment.>>

Alison will pick with me FOREVER if i show TOO much affection...

<< Just then Alison picked with Nicolas and the two giggled as Delilah added her bit in as if it were PRE PLANNED!>>

<< in an icy voice.>>


Oh nicolas, its good to see you again....thanks for that WAKE UP CALL in L.A. at 2 in the morning by the way.

<< she hugged him and poked him hard in his side with one of her nails...her own playfull way of chiding him for disrupting her beauty sleep. HE didnt need to know the distress she had caused with that bizarre late night call.>>

<< Alison hugged Delilah as Morgan went back to take her seat...so far things were going well. Alison being here was , ON THE SURFACE, good for everyone...INCLUDING Alison herself...but there was always something that lay beneath.>>

just Ava and Haleigh herself to arrive.......

and...Alycia? is she still here or did she go back to Washington?

[Rampage]

Nicolas smiled at the ribbing by the women. Morgan playfully poked at him as she hugged him, but they both knew that he had REALLY called, and that he had things on his mind. He hugged her back, resisting the temptation to embarrass her with a kiss or pinch of the bottom, and winked as Delilah patted his chest, flexing as she walked past a la Hulk Hogan.

Genuine 100% BEEF, D-Light! All man all the time.

Laughing, he looked at the ladies as they arrived. By now, Mike should have stepped up security around Karen, and he felt a bit more at ease for the moment as he awaited debriefing. He always believed that they could face anything together. Hell, they already had, it seemed. And so he allowed a moment's levity with his favorite ladies...

[Harley Quinn]

:: Walking into the danger room, Ava look as chic as always wearing dark wash denim skinny jeans, a black spagetti strap top with black flowy sheer overlay, and black peep toe stilettos. With her waist length brunette hair bone straight and parted to the side, her healed shoes clicked against the floor, indicating to the group she had arrived. ::

"Sorry i'm late."

:: Noting Morgan was back, she gave her a faint smile. It was nice to see both her and Alison together again. It was apparent they both missed each others company. ::

"Welcome back, Morgan."

:: Reaching the group, Ava folded her arms across her chest and stood with her weight resting on one leg. ::

"So, anyone know what his little pow wow is about?...Aside from the obvious, we're all in danger and need to save the world again, part?"

:: A bit of joke on Ava's part, she had a hunch that whatever Haleigh asked them here for, was in connection to Alison's warnings last night. ::

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan smiled and nodded as Ava arrived. she couldnt help but flash back to Alexis...the two women BOTH had an aloof air about them but she KNEW that Ava was more connected than Alexis allowed herself to be. after all, Ava now occupied the position ALISON once held in Illustra on the professional front.>>

thanks, ava. it's good to be home...and what a pleasant surprise to find ALISON here too.

<< With Haleigh yet to arrive, everyone was accounted for, except Cameron, who had taken to being absent for a prolonged period yet AGAIN. :rolleyes: and Alycia who was most likely attending to her own affairs in the Capitol.>>


<< Ava asked if she knew what this meeting was about.>>

I dont know. Haleigh called us all...i've only been here for a few hours and Alison said she arrived last night....

<< she didnt want to go further with Alison's bit. she figured the Harbinger would know what to say best.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

"She went back to D.C. to handle a few things.... but she's probably waiting for me now. [holds up her hand] I'll explain in a minute. Welcome back.... again."

Haleigh said, entering the war room, buttoning a feminine, tailored black vest over a deep blue blouse and giving a soft smile, which deepened upon seeing Alison.

"Alison! My favorite know it all. [pulling her into a hug] I missed you.... it's nice to have you back. I would ask you what you're doing here.... but I'm almost certain you brought news of some unfortunate vision. You know... you COULD just stop by sometime.... just to say hi. That'd be nice."

She released the Seer, making her way around the conference table and pointing to a wall in front of which a large monitor dropped down. Haleigh passed by Nicolas on the way, giving him an amused smirk.

"Nice shirt."

She commented, winking to her sister and nodding politely to Delilah before taking a stand in front of the screen and facing the others. She seemed quite intent to keep this as brief as possible... as if she realized this might be an imposition.

"Alright [taking a seat and crossing her legs at the knee, rolling her chair to the side of the screen] Everybody please have a seat.... the coffee should be along any moment but I don't expect this briefing to take long.... First of all, I think it'd be the perfect time to get Morgan up to speed with the rest of us. [the Danger Room appears on the screen behind her] Morgan, you're familiar with the efforts Nicolas and I have been making to engineer the Danger Room project, yes? While you were away, we gave it a test run.... to help determine its operable condition and also to help Sharon acclimate to using her newfound abilities in a controlled but realistic environment. Unfortunately... we had to end the session shortly after we began.... when the simulation bay pulled THIS [screen brings up a recreation of the Arklay environment] location from Sharon's memory bank. Sharon was.... very disturbed. She's okay now, she's safe... if not a little upset about the experience. We've determined that the Danger Room didn't glitch... rather, it did exactly what it was supposed to, introduce the possibility of psychological attacks to supplement the physicality of a conflict, and so.... I don't intend to make any kinds of corrections to the software. I would venture to say that all of you would agree. We can't IGNORE psychological training just because it makes us uncomfortable.... that's EXACTLY why it would be used ON us by an enemy."

Haleigh pauses, as the coffee arrives via a Clandestine Security Operative, and waits while the operative makes sure everyone has what they ask for and then leaves before she continues.

"Alycia then revealed that Sharon had lost her composure BECAUSE of the particular place that was simulated --Arklay Mansion, as it is known, and we dealt with the immediate issues and all went about our business. I later ran the simulation again and, following my instincts, went to speak to Alycia about the incident. We discussed the core of the problem.... a lot of it has to do with sensitive and PERSONAL information involving Sharon and please, don't think I'm trying to keep any of you out, but I'll let Sharon herself or Alycia discuss the particulars with you... I promised Alycia I wouldn't.......[pause] I hope you'll understand. [soft smile with another pause, before picking up the prior brisk pace] So! Instead, I'm going to tell you what I brought you here for.... Arklay itself."

She gestured back to the screen, which began to move fluidly like a video tour of the place....

"Arklay has a rather dark past, as it turns out. The place was where the very FIRST.... stronghold of sorts.... for MYSTECH was formed. It's isolated in a mountainous, forested area of the same name and its genuinely creepy by all accounts. It successfully hides an underground lair where all the usual gruesome, unethical, and highly illegal Mystech experiments were perfected and performed. It was reported to be abandonned some time ago.... but you all know how THAT goes. There are still a few mysterious occurances and oddball sightings in the area... people occasionally go into the woods and never come out, that sort of thing. The surrounding community, obviously, closed off all trails and shut down recreational parks in the forest in an attempt to curtail the disappearances.... the entirety is strictly off limits to civilians and even most law enforcement personnel. Of course.... there are still the foolhardy adventurers who defy the forbiddence.... as always. Alycia and I discussed the probability of the underground portion of the estate ACTUALLY being abandonned.... we're not very convinced. According to records, when the place was abandonned, everyone involved got the hell outta dodge.... but none of them have ever been seen or heard from since and that, in and of itself is suspicious. Upon careful consideration and review of all the evidence in possession, Alycia and I have decided to do a little investigating [holds up her hands quickly to stall their inevitable protests] I realize that you may want to contribute, come along, whathaveyou, but I'd prefer if it were just us. This is STRICTLY reconnaissence.... we don't intend to do any type of interaction with possible occupants or holdovers.... we just want to verify the reports.... in the interest of the nature of the 'mission', if you will, keeping the roster down to just TWO will increase our likelihood of slipping in an out undetected. If we ALL go traipsing about the place, we're bound to attract unwanted attention. Alycia is the MOST knowledgeable person available in regards to Arklay Mansion, the surrounding area, and the history, and as far as qualifications for the TYPE of operation, I think it's irrefutable to declare that I am the best person to accompany her... even if it sounds arrogant. You are all completely entitled to your opinions on the matter and are welcome to try and stop us.... but we've made up our minds.... I simply thought it appropriate... and courteous.... to let you all know of our intentions and whereabouts. We've all complained in the past about being out of the loop.... this is a prevention of that. Any questions..... comments..... concerns?"

[Connor St. James]

Connor noticed the pristine condition of the yard (despite the overgrown grass) as he approached the cottage, almost as if it had been swept clean. Reaching the house, he pried off a large piece of plywood that had been nailed to the frame to cover a broken window, and climbed inside.

Someone had definitely been here before him - but what had they been looking for? The house was in disarray, and clearly no one had vacationed here for a good while. In a room that had once seemingly been an office, papers were strewn around, but nothing of importance remained. If any information pertinent to his mission had been here, it wasn't here now.

Moving into a large family room, he saw chairs turned over, broken tables. He stepped on something and reached down to find a broken picture frame. He tapped it with a flick of his thumb and forefinger and shook the glass out of it. It was a picture of Sharon Kelly and Alycia Barnett, at some function or another. He pulled the photo out of its frame, folded it, and shove it into a pocket. He would make what they'd done right.

He looked around - the place looked so different. Not that he had really noticed the decor the last time he had been here. It was all about the mission then, same as now. But then he had been more trusting, more naive, more willing to help people without first making sure they deserved his help. He had trusted Alycia Barnett, and in turn Sharon Kelly, but they had betrayed that trust.

A sweep of the remaining rooms and he was back outside on the grounds, searching for anything out of the ordinary.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia, who by now was all set up and secure, decided to allow herself the GIFT of a nap!::

:: checking her door once cagain..it was looked and suitably booby trapped, her windows were sealed and the curtains closed. all jamming devices were installed and activated and she left a secret communication with her 1rst officer informing him and him only of her location and that she was secure.::

:: Haleigh had received her message and so there was nothing to do but wait...and rest.::

:: as she lay down in the queen sized, deep pocket mattress bed, the former DA and current Fed heavy hitter allowed her mind to relax and wander a bit...but unfortunately it went the once place she DIDNT need it to go...the faint images....distant memories of that night further up the mountain range at Sharon's cottage...the eerie evening with the drifting fog and sounds of haunting nature as she paced back and forth...back THEN she was not trained as a fighter ...not as honed as she is now...and she could REMEMBER the feeling of nervousness and anxiety that flowed through her body as her heart raced.::

:: waiting was the hardest thing...as she looked up and out into the dark forest...storm clouds rolling overhead. after a while...a young man comes staggering through the thick woods...carrying a distraught and half dead Sharon...::

::Alycia's mind races...as she inexplicably tortures herself with these fearfull and upsetting moments. CURSE Haleigh for having prodded and poked around on this issue..Alycia WARNED Haleigh there would be a backlash...and she didnt even necessarily mean from HERSELF. But even ALYCIA didnt realize the danger may not have JUST BEEN from the forest, around the mountain range and the mansion...but from the one other loose end from her involvement in that fatefull night at the Arklay Mansion.::

:: as images of the SUPER SOLDIER terrorizing both herself and Sharon at the cottage begin to come back in her mind too along with her most RECENT battle agianst Rick Riley's black guards and the horrible zombies...(and just WHERE they came from wasnt clear..until NOW )_ ..... Alycia shut her eyes tightly..rubbing her temples and consciously pushing back the memories...she worked at settling herself and her mind, allowing herself to rest in the bolstered security of her cabin suite and take some necessary rest before her fearfull exploration into the Arklay forest and mansion...::

:: for the moment...Alycia allowed herself some rest.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< Haleigh arrived, looking refreshed as ever. Morgan noticed that Alison took the liberty of sealing the war room BEHIND Haleigh as she walked in. was it as BAD as she THOUGHT it might be? as Haleigh began to speak, Morgan fixed her violet eyes on the holographic simiulation that flooded the room around them.>>

OOC: *FOR EVERYONE TO GET AN IDEA OF THE MANSION:

the mansion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDW77rkSd50

more of the mansion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGk24EGCfwI
(THIS music is played in the Danger Room simulation)

more of the mansion-inside, outside, and various levels underground
(pardon the horrid music LOL it was the best clip i could find)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH9-_rAx4II


goddess!! that....is the same place i dreamed about..in L.A.


<< she looked PALE as she saw the different areas of it...including the sprawling underground facility...the place that she MOST remembered from the nightmare. something about this place..it had a PRIMAL impact on everyone in the room...perhaps because this was the birthplace of the nightmare that blighted all their lives>>

Sharon has a connection to this awfull place!? how long has it been there?

<< Morgan's mind RACED as to what it could be. even SHE didnt know all of Sharon's "backstory" prior to her time in NYC.>>

<< she looked at Delilah and Nicolas..>>

those zombies that attacked us when we went to rescue Alycia from Sharon's cottage...THEY werent apart of Rick's arsenal...they didnt fit in. maybe THEY have something to do with this this mystery....this "arklay mansion"?

If people are disappearing...even NOW...maybe THEY are being turned into Zombies...but by WHOM??

<< that and several OTHER things ,of course, was what Haleigh and Alycia wanted to find out.>>

I dont like it Haleigh....that place...its TERRIFYING..in can FEEL it...and this is coming from ME..the MISTRESS of Limbo! I dreamed about this place even before this meeting..before Alison told me why she was here. At LEAST let me BIND a disc somewhere in the area for you two to have an ESCAPE route.


<< Haleigh went on to explain the logic behind just the two of them going...and it DID make sense...but Alycia, for all her ability was only human. She knew HALEIGH wouldnt allow ALycia to die..not without perhaps giving up her own life in trying to get them both out of there...but before she went on to protest, She looked at Alison ....>>

[Harbinger]

:: Hugging Haleigh, Alison smiled as she greeted her friend.::

well, part of being a Harbinger is making sure i spread doom and gloom around BOTH hemispheres...

:: Alison replied with her cool sarcasm that she was known for.::


:: Alison sealed off the War Room as Haleigh entered. it was almost an unconscious thing for her to slip into her role as '1rst officer' of the Six even though she technically was not a member of the active roster at this point.::

:: returning to her seat at the circular conference table, Haleigh began to speak. the woman had clearly come through something since the last caper. she seemed to posses more clarity and focus and she looked radiant...there was a glint in her eye.::

::the mansion of course was the focal point. she confirmed just about everything Alison had been "seeing" for weeks now.::

:: Morgan asked how long it had been there and Alison quickly interjected...::

since about 1964.

:: being a Seer made "Trivia" a snap :D but on a serious tip.....they were now viewing the birthplace of MysTech...and it was apparently in the hearts and minds of men DECADES ago.::

Sharon was traumatized here...in the 1980s. That she survived...was a MIRACLE in itself...but not without a terrible loss. Haleigh is right...Alycia should be the one to tell it...or Sharon herself. BOTH were present for the events.

:: Haleigh continued on...the view of this place was horrifying..not in an overt way...but in a subtle, pervasive way...and it bothered HER as much as it did Morgan.::

:: Haleigh went on to indicate that Alycia and herself intended to go and investigate the area around the Mansion and the mansion itself....::

you're assuming that subtle ENTRY is possible after all this time? what if the place is booby trapped? and NOT with just technological means?

:: Morgan objected immediately.::

Morgan....Alycia CAN take care of herself. how many times has she prooven that? and even inspite of that...Haleigh would not allow her to go to her death...not without doing everything she could to save her. And with what i have to add to this...it really IS b etter that we move cautiously and quietly.

:: Alison stands up.::

I arrived here last night...i made contact with Ava first and as i told her, i had been haunted by visions of this very mansion. I see a fog of confusion...chaos and pain. Not just around the mansion...the fog GROWS and REACHES OUT...to US. this mansion...plays a role in a BIGGER PICTURE one that sees the prohecy i decreed to HALEIGH prior to your caper with RIley and the Silver Swan COMING TO PASS.

:: Haleigh would remember the prophecy about the destruction of mutant kind...mutants, witches, metahumans..no one would be safe and it began with Alycia's death...Haleigh's betrayal. But Haleigh had corrected herself, changed her path and achieved closure with Riley AND Patrick...how could this BE?::

It's not HALEIGH who is a danger to this team anymore...its...someone else...through no fault of their own..the fog that i see will consume them...hold their heart and mind captive and cause them to waver....an outside force is coming to strike us at our core. This same fog that threatens us...threatens our allies as well Sharon is in MORTAL danger...and so are WE...ALycia will be exposed for helping us branded a TRAITOR by the U.S. Government...and KILLED because of it...and the future that i saw before...it WILL come to pass...and more than half of us in this room..will not survive the initial fall out.

:: she looked at Ava as she said this next part...for she had discussed this with HER in the elevator...telling Ava that someone on this team would be lead astray...::

The FOG is so encompassing ...that even I can't get a clear focus on the "outsider" who seeks to expose us. their soul...it is as black as Morgan's or my own....almost like a rogue ghost from the astral plane!

:: the only one who MIGHT have a shocking inclination as to WHOM Alison would be referring to ...was DELILAH.::

The key to STOPPING this course of events...begins with looking to the past..this MANSION.

[Rampage]

Nicolas' good mood disappeared as they explanation of Arklay mansion was laid out by Haleigh and Alison. Haleigh detailed a plan in which she and Alycia would scope it out before they would consider a larger force. This idea made him a bit uncomfortable. he knew that both women were capable, but NEITHER of them possessed the means to quickly escape should the need arise. However, he relented as Haleigh seemed determined to go.

The idea of a small recon group makes sense, but I also think that it would not hurt to at least make sure that swift departure is possible. I think the idea of binding a stepping disk gives us an extra level of security as they do this. Or at least allow me to monitor you mentally.

As they continued and Alison spoke of her vision of the future, Nicolas blood grew cold. He was not ever scared for himself. But to lose Morgan? To have her slip from him after all they had gone through to be together? The telekinetic backlash from he thought of it exerted itself on the table, disassembling it molecularly, and it simply ceased to exist.

Nicolas looked about nervously as it happened, reaching mentally out with some strain before putting the table back together as it was.

[Harley Quinn]

"I don't know..."

:: Ava spoke, after Haleigh explained she and Alycia were planning on entering the mansion alone. ::

"I understand both you and Alycia are fully capable of defending yourselves, but you're entering this place with no real knowledge of what or who could still be there."

:: When it came to Haleigh, there was no arguing with her when she made up her mind. But Ava felt it necessary to voice her objections and opinions in this matter. It just seemed a bit too risky to go in with only a stepping disc to rely on as a means to get out. ::

"You need a soild back up plan...not just relying on Morgan's stepping disc as a means to escape. Why not take a flank man; someone to stay on the outside of the property just in case you need immediate help."

:: Alison began to explain her visions and the fog of uncertainty the loomed around the six; particularly one member of the six. Looking around at each member, the threat of exposure could put them all in danger...or even worse, get them all killed. Funny how they had battled powerful and unstopable creatures together, but their greatest threat was mortals and the media. ::

"Alison's visions are frightening, but the furture CAN be changed by the actions that we make right now. We've done it before. We just need to really watch our backs out in public and be careful what we say to people we don't know or trust. The person who exposes us could be ANYONE...we can't take any chances until we, for certian, identify him or her. "

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah seemed to be feeling more afraid of Alison's visions than the others - she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She usually had belief in the team and their ability to change the future, but for some reason she wasn't so optimistic this time.

She ALSO was secretly happy that Haleigh had suggested just she and Alycia go to the mansion. She had a major sense of foreboding about going there, and she would happily keep as much distance as possible between her and it. She was ashamed of her feelings, but it didn't change that she had them. ]

"Haleigh knows what she's doing. If she thinks a two-man team is the best way to go, I'll back her up on it."

[Harbinger]

:: as the others, most noticeably Nicolas, reacted...Alison watched each of them. Ava was not the one ...Nicolas wasnt the one...though his emotions were affecting his ability moreso than usual. Morgan wasnt the one...nor Haleigh....that left only one person.::

:: Alison's cobalt blue eyes fixed on Delilah as the mutant was the last to comment on the situation with far LESS clarity and focus than she was known for. Carefull NOT to convey too much with her own facial expressions, Alison casually looked away. She would speak to Ava later. ::

Nicolas,

:: looking at the conference table being affected by his power.::

keep yourself together.

:: she admonished as was prepared to reverse what he had done but he did it himself.::

At this point, things MUST go the path that has been plotted. I don't SEE any harm befalling Haleigh or Alycia...THIS TIME. Morgan SHOULD bind a disc somewhere nearby so they CAN escape quickly and if there's a problem, Alycia or Haleigh can give a telepathic distress call. Haleigh, no heroics...keep the lines of communication OPEN...and...

look for a makeshift journal of sorts...kept by KYLE KELLY.

:: the name might not register to anyone who hadnt known Sharon closely...but it was the name of her son who had been lost in the Mansion. it was a clear indication that Alison was in top form with her precognition and it would provided much needed information apparently.::

:: looking among the group.::

meanwhile, Ava is right...

:: Alison didnt even realize that she was at the forefront by now.::

everyone else in this room needs to watch their backs. keep your business under wraps and avoid any needless display of powers in public.

Ava...i'll want a word with you after this meeting is over. Haleigh, you'd better go. Alycia is waiting....resting right now..but the fog is heading her way...

[Jill Monroe]

<< Alison's vision of the future made Morgan's heart sink. what would they do if it came to THAT? She often saw herself evacuating her team and their allies to LIMBO to escape the world that would have their blood...but would that be it? they'd have to live in LIMBO or try to find another timeline?...to lose EVERYTHING as the world they protected turned against them...and worse...NOT being able to stop those she loved from dying. She looked dismayed when suddenly the the table itself began to become distressed and it startled her.>>


WHO DID THAT! This table and the technology in it is very expensive...it will be hard to replace...


<< Morgan stands up just as the table seems to become distressed...she looks it and then notices Alison admonishing Nicolas to keep it together.>>


just like when he called me. he seemed BESIDE himself...

Nicolas...are you okay?

<< she looked at him and her look of disapproval softened a bit as Alison urged him to get ahold of himself. she didnt know that SHE (and the fear of her being lost in the anti mutant/witch/metahuman backlash) was what was troubling Nicolas. she looked at him a bit more as Ava spoke, reminding them that they HAD affected the outcome of Harbinger's visions before...but even so, something about THIS one seemed to be unsettling to them ALL.>>


<< Alison went on to say that Haleigh and Alycia would be successfull in their recon mission...but that a disc WOULD be needed. She stood firm as Alison spoke and looked at Haleigh. >>

Allright, you have my blessing but not without some conditions and you're not going to dissuade me either.

I'll teleport to Sharon's old cottage and bind a disc there AND I'll cast a warding spell around the cottage so it will be a safe place. if you are wounded ...try to get back there. the spell will hold back ANYTHING and i will pull you through the disc. and i'm STAYING there until you get back. If you take too long...if i even THINK something has happened...i'm FLYING up to the mansion myself.

Alison can keep in contact with ME while i wait via a "hearing thoughts spell" and Nicolas can monitor Alycia and Haleigh telepathically.

and I want Sharon checked on immediately...just make sure she's allright and her place is secure from ANY possible scrutiny, invasion or otherwise. Delilah, Nicolas...that's your job. But NOT A WORD about Arklay to her just now. Let's not bring her into this until we absolutely have to.

<< she noted that Alison wanted to speak with Ava. She didnt think anything of it just yet though. The precog warned them all to watch their backs...and Morgan immediately thought of her mother.>>

I'm going to call my mother......i told her i would once i got to Illustra anyway.

[Rampage]

Feel free to call Ma, of course. But she is fine and her security detail has been doubled as of this morning. The point for her security is actually cooking her a "welcome back" meal as we speak. I will personally check on Sharon immediately after this.

Nicolas answered Morgan with an obvious nod to Mike as the head of her supplemental security detail. He was tense, but much calmer after Alison's admonishment. He stood as things appeared to be decided, and started for the door, then stopped.

Morgan...a word alone, please.

[Jill Monroe]

Good...so we have things set in motion. We're not going to be completely blindsided...and we have a chance to try to change the outcome of Harbinger's vision.

Is there anything else Haleigh, Alison?

<< Alison nodded to the negative and Haleigh had just been informed she needed to be on her way as quickly as possible. >>

Haleigh, I'll give you a lift to where ever you were planning to meet Alycia, and then ill take us ALL to Sharon's cottage. from there...you two will be on your own but Ill be on standby. Just give me a few minutes to contact my mother.


<<as the War Room was unsealed, Morgan was the first to walk out...Nicolas asked her for a word and she nodded.>>

sure. what is it?

<< she said as she went to the elevator to head to her floor. once inside, she wanted to hear what he had to say.>>

[Rampage]

Nicolas watched her enter the elevator and followed inside. He pulled her close and kissed her quickly, then stepped back, his voice very low as he spoke.

I have lived my entire life essentially without fear. In some way, I believe that because i should have dies as an infant in the African sun, that any time I have is borrowed anyway, so I will not hesitate in doing all that I can do. I do not fear death. But when it comes to you...

He turned away quickly, looking off to one side, before speaking again, his voice as low, but more hoarse and shaky.

I WILL not lose you. Throughout history, mankin has not been charitable to witches, mages, sorcerors. Your powers are mighty and I understand that you are capable but..I WILL NOT LOSE YOU.

As he spoke, the elevator stopped, then disintegrated. They were held there in space by his power as he continued to speak.

I have been acquiring land, in many different countries, even islands that fall under NO sovereignty, and I can MOVE us, all of us, if it comes to that. In my life I have lost TOO much, I will not lose you as well. Because if you go, I will make them all pay.

Morgan could almost see the outside as the building's interior between floors began to fade, then it all came back as he composed himself, putting everything back. But his point was made. The WOMEN of the Six weren't the only ones capable of great destruction through emotion...

[Jill Monroe]

<< she returned Nicolas' affectionate kiss as she hugged him. her violet eyes fixed on him as he spoke, revealing more anxiety than before. the elevator halted between floors. it was HIS doing.>>

<< the sudden halt caused Morgan to stumble a bit as she looked upon Nicolas. Alison's vision had really gotten to him...to them ALL. she listened to his words...and FELT the emotion from them and from HIM. >>

Nicolas...

<< the building began to suffer from his anxiety...no doubt the other women were noticing it in various places of Illustra too. Morgan's eyes widened a bit as she could see the OUTSIDE! if it got any WORSE...she could find herself FALLING nearly 100 stories!>>

honey...get a hold of yourself before you expose us ALL in one of the few places we have LEFT.

<< she came forward and took his hands into her's attempting to reassure him.>>

Remember what Ava said...we've been able to affect the outcome of Harbinger's visions BEFORE. We still have a chance to NOW.

<< looking at him.>>

I'm afraid too...not just because of the mansion...but because there's MORE to it that even ALISON cant spell out CLEARLY.Alison said more than HALF of us could die if the future she saw comes to pass...that's not including SCORES of other mutants, witches and metahumans across the country who arent as powerfull as we are. those of US who survive...might be able to escape...but what about THEM? those of us who could die.... INCLUDES YOU so i dont want ANY HEROICS out of YOU either! If i have to ...BIND YOU in mystic chains..then i WILL!

<< that last part was her own way of trying to sound tough...but her heart wasnt in it...her voice too soft.>>


We ALL have to be carefulll even in PUBLIC. We dont know who will expose us....and it could be from WITHIN and that makes it WORSE!

i ...i HAVE to do what i must. that's why im going with Haleigh and Alycia. It's my responsibility as leader to protect this team AND it's allies...ever since the Inferno...i've NEEDED to do what i could to try to balance the scales. But i promise i wont be foolish or take unnecessary risks...

<< she was truly moved by his feeling for her. she didnt think a man could BE like this...and it took her by such surprise.>>

But remember.......

<<as she hugged Nicolas.>>

...if we all stick together...watching each other's backs...we may just have a chance in hell.

<< and she INCLUDED "LIMBO" when she said "hell" :D>>

<< she held Nicolas, gently rubbed his back as she comforted him.>>

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah opted to take the stairs. She was sorry now that she hadn't offered to go along to the mansion. What was wrong with her? She had to get her shit together. And that was going to start with Sharon.

She exited the stairwell at Nicolas' floor, and waited for him to arrive so they could take care of Sharon together. ]

[Harley Quinn]

"Haleigh knows what she's doing. If she thinks a two-man team is the best way to go, I'll back her up on it."


:: Looking at Delilah, Ava found her statement particularly strange. For a law inforcement office to turn down the idea of backup during a potentially fatal mission was more than just unusual, especially in Delilah's case. Lowering her brows, Ava studied the woman for a moment, noting her stiff posture yet 'calm' demeanor. Delilah was nervous and/or scared about something...Shifting her glance to Alison, both woman's eyes met, and Ava knew instantly, that Alison had sensed the same thing about Delilah. ::

:: Keeping quiet for the remainder of the meeting, Alison chimed in that she wanted to meet with Ava afterwards. Nodding, Ava looked back at Delilah as everyone was dismissed. Watching her leave the room, Ava stood from her own chair, and made her way around the holographic table, meeting with Alison. ::

"You're concerned about Delilah as well?"

:: Keeping her voice low enough for only Alison to hear, Ava glanced over to the exit, watching as everyone finally left the danger room, leaving only Alison and herself. Still keeping her voice in a lower volume, Ava folded her arms across her chest, and rested the small of her back against the edge of the table, relaxing a bit more. ::

"She seems off--her body language is different. I can't quite put my finger on it, but somethings different with her."

[Harbinger]

:: shifting her weight over onto one high heel, Alison took a moment to run her hand through her now longer hair with its auburn highlights. Ava was catching on just as Alison knew she would.::

yes...I am actually. I "see" her already lost in a fog of doubt and uncertainty. She may very well be "the one". But I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt right now...based on her character. She's always been a woman of virtue and courage..even challenging myself and Morgan on ethical behavior sometimes. SHe's the BALANCE. If something is changing that...we need to find out what...or WHO it may be.

:: Alison nodded as Ava commented on her body language during the meeting.::

She had little to say. The LAST time we went to Sharon's cottage together it was to rescue Sharon and Alycia from the Super Soldier and back then Delilah was not yet a "full time member" of the Six...she was visiting...but even THEN she was more INVOLVED than she is now.

Something has distracted her but NOW is not the time to confront her. when the time comes, I will most likely be ALONE in my voice of scrutiny...but YOU understand and if necessary, you'll back me up.

:: She too spoke in a lower tone. and as she paused the building began to tremble...::

It's Nicolas again. He's not doing very well at checking HIS emotions right now. He's more upset than he would have us to believe.

Let's leave from here...


:: and with that, the two women departed the war room and the security room floor of illustra, both were wearing high heels and the sounds of their foot falls could be heard echoing and fading as the war room powered down and faded to black.::

:: the two women would return to Alison's apartment. Ava would remember that She and Silver Swan DAMAGED a fair portion of this place the last time SHE was here.::

Don't worry....I don't hold THAT against you. You were defending yourself and Illustra against an insane foe....you aquitted yourself well, all things considered.

:: as the massive, ornamental grandfather clock with its ancient inscriptions in the dark wood continued to tick along, as if governing all the universe with its steady rhythmic tick, Alison offered Ava a seat in her sitting room lounge.::


tell me, Ava....how has Cameron been, since his return? I KNOW he's back...but again...it wasnt the time for me to come back. He had to be able to stand on his own. and even more so...how have YOU been since your return from Greece? that was one HELL of a caper we endured...it was LIFE changing for more than one of us.

[Rampage]

Nicolas held her back as he settled himself. His powers weren't out of control, really. They were always tied to his emotions. That was what Malice knew and exploited more than once. Even now, as Morgan held him, the molecules aroiund him calmed, his power centered itself, and he supressed its destructive potential.

He kissed her again.

Thank you, for EVERYTHING. But you will not be the only one watching, SO BE CAREFUL. You are not the only one here full of idle threats.

Before the doors opened to his apartment, he popped her on the bottom hard enough to get her attention.

And you have been trying to "bind" me in those chains for a while now, naughty girl. Hurry back and we'll discuss it.

Nicolas stepped off the elevator, his normal mood returning. He noticed Delilah waiting for him already, prepared to check on Sharon. Her mood was conflicted, and wracked with guilt. Odd sensation coming from her, but Nicolas figured that he was not one to judge currently, so he simply walked up to her and spoke, hoping to put her more at ease.

So pretty lady, are you ready to check on our special guest? Maybe I can whip us up some lunch over there while we scope things out. My new toy is waiting, and I can't wait to let off some steam.

[Harley Quinn]

:: Delilah was defintely the more level headed member of the team. She wasn't headstrong, nor did she have a short temper. So for Alison to be confirming Ava's suspisions that something is wrong with Delilah made the goddess worried. Not only for Delilah, but for the safety of the team. But, Alison and Delilah were like sisters....the precog would speak to her when it was the right time. ::

:: Exiting the danger room, both Ava and Alison returned to the residential floors, namely Alison's apartment. As both woman entered the room, Ava paused for a moment, realizing that Alison probably knew that her penthouse was destoryed ::

"I managed to replace everything, don't worry."

:: Smiling, Alison assured her it was fine, and both woman made their way into the livingroom and sat down. Alison asked about Cameron, and Ava cringed at the thought of even talking about that neanderthal. BUT, he was Alison's brother...so, Ava kept her tongue in check. ::

"Cameron and I didn't exactly hit it off....we spoke breifly; mainly concerning the endeavour with Silver Swan and his involvement with Haleigh. But aside from that, i've avoided him. No offence, but he's not exactly my favorite person."

:: Changing subjects, Ava inhaled a deep breath as Alison moved to the topic of the Greece caper. ::

"It's been a working progress. I believe i've opened up more to the team, but I still have my moments of uncertainty as to whether I should 'wear my heart on my sleeve', so to speak. But, I feel more at home here now....not as lost and alone as before."

:: Pausing, Ava did miss have Alison around to speak with. Both woman were extremely alike. Cold, analytical, and calm. She knew when to pry and knew when to back off, and that was rare these days. ::

"As for the Greece caper...i'm still adjusting to the fact that my mother is alive and living as a mortal. I've held such animosity towards her for hundreds of years, it's difficult to work past that."

:: Shaking her head gently, Ava looked up at Alison, gesturing absently at her. ::

"But good did come from that mission. Pandora is safe, you're following your destiny, and Barbara is living as an Amazon...which she truly deserved. So, I suppose the pros outweigh the cons."

[Jill Monroe]

you just better make sure my BABIES [tinkerbell and the kitten] are well taken care of, mister. Ill be INSPECTING them when i get back!



<< Morgan spoke in her best faux stern tone as nicolas left the elevator. she smiled to herself, and her icy heart "tripped" with warm feelings as she left Nicolas knowing he was going to be allright. His little smack on her bottom wouldve earned him a one way trip to Limbo had he met her during her days with Valiant...hell if he had even LOOKED at her too long that wouldve been the end of him :D but this was proof that change was not always bad...and that....love was not the enemy.>>

<< she knew that he and delilah would see to Sharon and Harbinger and Persephone had more than enough power to repell anything that came toward Illustra while she was in Conneticutt with Haleigh and Alycia.>>

<< after making a phone call to her mother and checking on her and telling her of her plan for the evening , then speaking to Mike giving him necessary details Morgan felt everything was covered...and so, now in her latest costume given her by Hecate, she came to Haleigh's floor and rang the bell, waiting for the hybrid to appear so that they could rendevous with Alycia.>>

[Harbinger]

:: Alison seated herself as well on a portion of the long plush sectional. she laughed as she exhaled, listening to Ava's candid reaction on Cameron.::

Oh Ava, if ONLY you knew. When i first MET my brother while here at Illustra [before realizing i was under a spell that made me FORGET him] i loathed him. When I helped bring the original six TOGETHER to rescue Blaze, Morgan's sister....I tried to KILL HIM AND Haleigh more than once. He made QUICK enemies with myself and Morgan and it STAYED that way for quite some time.

but time, understanding and circumstance eventually allowed our sibling bond to return and repair itself and YOU know what happened with Erika...so believe me...i know TOO well how HARD it could be to deal with him.

:: she ran her hand through her hair once again as she leaned back.::

When Darkchilde sent you with us, it was her hope that you'd make a new life here. She knew there was nothing left for you in the MoE timeline...she would be (and probably already knows and IS) very proud of how far you've come here. You're in MY old position now in Illustra and you're building a social life BEYOND the shadow of the "cassadine" legacy.

you're well on your way...and while MOST people dont know the end from the beginning...i've got it on good advice that if we make it through THIS...you'll be just fine. ;) and dont worry about "when or when not to show your emotions"....just BE. i too had to learn that...never as much as when the Six formed....and without even realizing it along the way...ive come to know that sometimes there's a better way to be than a "ball busting ice bitch"



:: Alison laughed at herself when making that last statement. the ecouragement of a precog...it was unlike any other and Alison could identify with Ava on several levels as well. it was one of the reasons why she made first contact with AVA upon her return to NYC now.::

magick, life force, destiny...all these things work in mysterious ways...and though some of us may be able to tap into and manipulate these forces..NONE of us is "all powerfull"...we learned that when Circe nearly destroyed us all and nothing is so permanent that it cant be changed..we saw that with Morgan coming back from the seige perilous...and you helped with that. Demeter's return, Barbara's rebirth as an Amazon...i suspect was a cosmic tipping of the scales, bring things in your life closer to balance. you may still be adjusting to her being alive and YOU being in a time and place outside of the centuries old animosity, but she lives safely nestled in Themyscria...beyond ANYONE'S reach and anytime you feel ready to see her....I'm SURE Athena will allow you to. we know that Athena, Hecate...ALL of them are still around...just on a different plane of existence...and YOU took the brave and necessary step to repair your relationship with Athena and Hecate...who knows...we may NEED them one day and your efforts might be what allow them to move on our behalf.

:: looking out of the panoramic window acrosss the way, Alison relected for a moment.::

I envy you really...you STILL have your sister and you're relationship has survived tests and trials. I barely have ONE sibling at this point...but Delilah and Morgan are the sisters i always wished i had. Karen has treated me like a daughter for years...and i love her for it.

:: it was moments like THIS that Alison never really enjoyed with anyone OUTSIDE of Morgan or Delilah...talking real talk...being honest and sharing. Both she and Ava did it more easily with each other than anyone ELSE might have thought. but moments like this were to be savored because as the day went on...so too did the fog of doom loom closer...with Delilah's own LIGHT fading within it.::

Morgan and Haleigh should be leaving soon. Delilah and Nicolas are going to see about Sharon...so that leaves us to hold down the fort here. you're not expecting any homicidal killers come back from the dead or gigantic monster sentinels are you?

:: a little morbid humour from the seer :D ::

[MorningStar]

So pretty lady, are you ready to check on our special guest? Maybe I can whip us up some lunch over there while we scope things out. My new toy is waiting, and I can't wait to let off some steam.

[ She smiled at Nicolas, though he face looked tired out even as she did. ]

"I've had lunch, thanks. But I'm ready to get on over to Sharon's and make sure she's okay."

[ She started to walk to the elevator, then turned. ]

"Maybe I should drive..."

[Rampage]

No chance, babe. This is MY time.

Nicolas went down the elevator with Delilah and led her to his waiting sports car. In no time it seemed, they were off, and he was REALLY letting go, swimming in the power of his Bugatti's 1001-hp engine. In this case telepathy was an asset, allowing Nicolas to escape any speed traps and anticipate other drivers' maneuvers to the point that he was able to go at impossible speeds through the city without a wreck or ticket. On the cd player, "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones blared as he got to Sharon's in what for him was record time...

Here already? Too bad. I hadn't even gotten to fourth gear...

[Oracle]

<< Ava and Alison enjoy a chat in Alison's luxury apartment in Illustra, Morgan prepares to depart with Haleigh for Conneticutt and Nicolas has just dirven WILDLY across town to Sharon's brownstone with Delilah as his unwitting passenger.>>

<< the day moves along nicely but the winds begin to pick up again, only having TEMPORARILY calmed by Persephone's urging. there's a coolness in the air as well.>>

<< there were several sparrows in a tree just outside the brownstone...they all seemed to be singing a nice melody and there were a few more on the stoop. it was obvious that birds were responding to the Silver Swan's sway and given their gentle mood, that indicated that SHE herself must be in good spirits today too. the sparrows watched Nicolas and Delilah as they arrived.>>

<< Sharon was inside, in the sun room...in her costume...and her two new "children" were perched on large perches, cooing softly as the silver swan babied them with a soft voice and gentle strokes on their heads. they had bonded with her quite nicely.>>

meanwhile

<< as Alycia continued to get much needed rest, neither she, nor morgan or haleigh had any idea that Sharon's now abandonned cottage was already being combed over by Bishop. He'd observed the remaining evidence of Morgan and Nicolas' last battle here as well as Alycia's fight with the blackguards inside and found a picture of Sharon and Alycia....his own thoughts about these two women made it clear that they were going to come under his scrutiny. He had been seemingly lied to by Alycia and the woman he had once rescued years ago was now a mass muderer herself...it didnt matter if she was under the thrall of mystech....she had to PAY for what she'd done.>>

[Silver Swan]

[Sharon was content with the fact that her "costume" was bonded to her physical being. not only was it figure flattering and an extreme departure from anything she'd EVER worn before, but the properties of the costume ADDED to her arsenal of attack/defense capability...it made her look like a true bird of prey.]

[ the sun shined into her brownstone's sun room where she enjoyed her time alone and the company of her new companions, the two large silver gryfalcons. they too enjoyed their new "mother"...as she nurtured them with her gentle touch and her telepathic sway over them.]

[in a cold, airy voice.] soon we'll go out for exercise today.

[the sparrows outside alerted her to visitors....Nicolas and Delilah. She trusted Nicolas...but Delilah still seemed unsure around her. Could she BLAME her though? Still, even the BIRDS could sense the uncertainty in Delilah and that carried over to Sharon, who looked with coldness in her silver eyes as Nicolas and Delilah approached.]

.....

[ She stared as the door opened. the gryfalcons looked as well...]

[Rampage]

Nicolas emerged from the Veyron and walked up to the house. He knew that Sharon was already aware of their presence so he opened the door and walked in. He came over and quickly hugged her, then stepped over to the Gyrfalcons, rubbing them both as he verbalized to them, his tongue clicking.

He knew that Sharon (and her new friends) were still a bit wary of Delilah, so he decided to run point, putting everyone as much at ease as possible in this situation.

Sharon! Good to see you today. Have you had lunch yet?

[Silver Swan]

[ Nicolas came bounding in, almost TOO quickly as if to keep Sharon OCCUPIED from dwelling on Delilah. The gryfalcons fidgeted a bit as he came near but seemed to positively respond to his vocalizing and accepted a rub from him.]

[Sharon hugs Nicolas back.]

[in a cold, airy voice.] Hello...Nicolas...

[staring at Delilah a bit more before finally looking at Nicolas. The woman didnt view her the same anymore...THAT much was obvious...and while she couldnt be FAULTED, for even Sharon HERSELF couldnt think of herself in the same way...it was a struggle, she wondered if she could TRUST Delilah? a law enforcement officer? after all, she was now on the total OPPOSITE side of where she had been before her death...going from victim to what some would call terrorist while STILL being a victim and now...somewhere in between.]

Lunch?

[ she looked blank for a moment. she really didnt NEED to eat much anymore...yet ANOTHER side "benefit" ...but also another reminder that she'd lost some of her humanity....but still, she had a taste for fresh fruit and it was nearly time to feed her new babies...but first....]

yes...i suppose that would be nice.

[ Sharon hands Nicolas a bag of high end bird seed...]

Nicolas...take this and please feed the sparrows outside in their designated place..

[ that was her way of sending him away so she could have a moment alone with Delilah.]

[MorningStar]

No chance, babe. This is MY time.

[ She smacked Nicolas on the back of the head. ]

"Don't call me 'babe'."

[ After a white knuckle ride through the city with Nicolas, she got out of the car at Sharon's brownstone. ]

"Thank god we're here."

[ She slammed the car door shut and looked over the hood at Nicolas. ]

"I hate the Rolling Stones. I think I'll take the subway home."

[ She took a deep breath as they ascended the stoop of the brownstone. She still wasn't all that comfortable around the new Sharon, something that was compounded by the fact that she thought she should be comfortable around her - she'd known Sharon for so many years. Her head knew it was the same Sharon, but her heart just wasn't following directions.

She followed Nicolas inside, waving a hello to Sharon as she greeted Nicolas. Even as Sharon responded to Nicolas' offer of lunch, she didn't seem like the same person. She seemed distant, almost out of it. Was that just Delilah's imagination? Was she protecting her own feelings on Sharon? And if not, would Sharon get over it?

As Nicolas left the room, Delilah put her hands in her pockets and smiled uncomfortably. ]

"So, Sharon - how are you feeling today?"

[Silver Swan]

[watching as Nicolas left, Sharon looked at Delilah again, and seemed to look through her before finally blinking once.]

[Sharon asked her how she was feeling.]

I'm getting used to FEELING.

[was all she could say as she noticed the gryfalcons eyeing Delilah curiously.]

Nothing's the same...not able to go anywhere...or do much of anything

[ she suddenly glared at Delilah.]

You aren't comfortable with me?

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah was busy looking at the creepy birds. Like all New Yorkers, Delilah saw pigeons as rats with wings, but Delilah's opinion of other kinds of birds didn't go much better than that. She turned her eyes back to Sharon as she asked the question. She sighed, and touched a hand to her forehead. ]

"I don't know Sharon...I'm just not sure you're the same person I used to know. It's like we're strangers. I'm sorry - I don't want to feel this way, I really don't. But I can't help it."

[Harley Quinn]

Morgan and Haleigh should be leaving soon. Delilah and Nicolas are going to see about Sharon...so that leaves us to hold down the fort here. you're not expecting any homicidal killers come back from the dead or gigantic monster sentinels are you?

:: Turning her wrist, Ava looked down at her watch noting the time. ::

"Well I did have an appointment with Freddy [Kruger], but I think I can reschedual."

:: Giving her a smile, Ava rested her elbow on the back of the couch, and her head against her hand. ::

"I honestly don't know if my relationship with my mother will ever truly change...and i'm not sure I want it to. I've lived without her for so many years, the thought of her being apart of my life once more is a bit unnerving. I don't know...time will tell I suppose. But as for Hecate and [clearing her throat dryly] Athena, I AM happy that we were able to come to an understanding; if not for the future of the six, as you pointed out. I do wish that Hecate and I were closer however....our relationship was very much like yours and Morgans. We were like sisters -- we leaned on each other, defended one another...I just became so corrupt with gaining as much power as I could that I was blindly hurting her in the process. I don't regret much in my life, but I do regret how our relationship ended; regardless of the fact that we made amends."

:: The wind outside began to howl again, causing Ava to glance over to the windows. Not really thinking TOO much about it, the weather goddess looked back at Alison; her head still tilted into her hand. ::

"As for Haleigh, that too was a rocky relationship there for a while. But...through everything, I think it really brought us closer together as sisters. [smiling faintly] As much as I miss my family and friends in my own timeline, I have come to realize that the six holds a special place in my heart."

:: Shoving Alison's knee with her hand playfully. ::

"Speaking of which, if you're not going to be visiting us as frequently as we all would like, I think i'll be taking trips to my villa in Athens more often. [laughing softly] I enjoy our chats together...it's a definite stress reliever from all the drama surrounding my life."

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh nodded at the responses... they were more or less what she expected.... even Delilah's supportive response. Delilah could always be counted on to be completely objective and Haleigh had become accustomed to Delilah agreeing with her..... The rest of the team expressed various forms of worry but relented. Haleigh tried to put their minds at ease.

"I appreciate your concerns.... all of you... but we'll be fine. Morgan, that sounds like a great idea with the stepping disc... and rest assured, all of you, I didn't plan on going out there unprepared or unattached. I'll be recording and streaming a visual feed straight to Illustra's security room.... everything I see will be stored on the hard disk. If ANYTHING happens.... you'll be able to view the broadcast instantly. I'm not interested in any funny business."

Alison revealed her recent visions..... maybe Haleigh was just jaded.... but she wasnt as deeply disturbed by this as her teammates appeared to be. Half of them would die.... the world would reach apocalypse.... and so on and so forth. It was getting to be routine now. Her teammates discussed it in depth.... Haleigh didn't say much. Alison's visions had been changed before. They could be changed again. And if it couldn't be changed.... then they would have to deal with it, like they always did.... that was the bottom line.

Morgan offered to give Haleigh a lift to the rendezvous point, and she accepted, as they all filed out of the conference room and split up.

"Morgan, I'm going to go grab a few things.... I'll be in my quarters when you're done with him [Nic]."

******

The door slid open as Morgan rang the bell, and Haleigh descended the stairs in her BDU, adjusting the cuffs with a slight smile.

"Just in time.... Locked and Loaded.... and I pity the fool who rubs Alycia or me the wrong way."

She had no bag with her, but it was clear she wasn't planning on carrying one.

[Silver Swan]

[ Delilah was busy looking at the creepy birds. Like all New Yorkers, Delilah saw pigeons as rats with wings, but Delilah's opinion of other kinds of birds didn't go much better than that. She turned her eyes back to Sharon as she asked the question. She sighed, and touched a hand to her forehead. ]

"I don't know Sharon...I'm just not sure you're the same person I used to know. It's like we're strangers. I'm sorry - I don't want to feel this way, I really don't. But I can't help it."

[ Sharon looked at Delilah and didnt blink for a good while. it was unsettling to have someone who could look so cold and expressionless at times....especially with silver eyes.]

[ she picked up a picture of herslf with Alycia back at the gala at the parthenon.]

[ in a cold, airy voice.]

and i suppose this is what you prefer?

[pushing it into Delilah's hand]

do you think...it's easy for ME? I dont FEEL like "myself"...what is SELF anyway? i was killed and brought back...CHANGED. YOU struggle with "FEEILNGS?" well I'm SORRY that my being killed and then brought by back the same people who wanted to USE me has left you ....conflicted.

[ turning away from Delilah, Sharon looked at herself in a full length mirror....slowly surveying her body, holding up her armour covered hands.]

i live....

[ she looked blankly for a moment....before resuming]

i feel like a spectactor in my own body...it doesnt even FEEL like my old body. i live with the screams of people that i murdered in my mind. I became a PAWN....to be USED by the very people i DIED fighting against. do YOU hve ANY IDEA what the FEELS LIKE?

[ punching the mirror with her fist...it shatters and falls from the wall to the floor, crashing. the gryfalcons were startled, fluttering their wings and making audible sounds of distress. there was now a HOLE in the wall as well. in indication of Sharon's super strength.]

YOU cant get past how DIFFERENT i am? at least YOU can leave...i am STUCK this way FOREVER!

[ she turns and looks at Delilah...]

nicolas said my humanity is what allowed to break free of riley's hold and help destroy him. didnt help much BEFORE ...when i destroyed the church...the same one i was MARRIED In, the same one i had my SON christened in..and i dont FEEL very human anymore.

I used to think you were a friend....now im not so sure. i guess even MUTANTS are not exempt from displaying the same PREJUDICE that they wish THEY were not subjected to.

[ Sharon's voice was cold and sounded bitter now. it was clear she HAD changed....and NO ONE was more disturbed by it than HER. ]

[Rampage]

Nicolas dutifully accepted the birdseed and went outside to feed the other birds. he could feel Delilah's trepidation, but her lack of regard for the birds was startling. She clearly felt much differently about animals than he, or any other member of the Six for that matter.

As he fed the avians, he heard a loud crash and investigated, piggybacking Delilah's own senses as he scanned for Sharon. Sharon was not pleased with Delilah, and she was still struggling with her new life. He would repair the hole in the wall later, but the emotional rift that he saw in the room was not as easy to fix. He prepared to intervene if required...

[MorningStar]

[ Sharon's cruel retort sparked quick anger in Delilah. She hadn't SAID 99% of the things Sharon was accusing her of. And then to question her friendship...Delilah was more sure than ever that this PERSON in front of her was NOT Sharon Kelly. ]

"I NEVER said I COULDN'T get past how different you are! God, Sharon - you are acting like a spoiled child! We have ALL killed - all of us - Morgan, Alison, me, Haleigh, Alycia. You don't have the monopoly on guilt. You will deal with it, the same way that we deal with it. And don't use that political bullshit on me - this has nothing to do with you being a mutant. YOU are the one who seems to think being a mutant changes who you are-"

[ Delilah closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down. She didn't want to fight with Sharon. ]

"Listen, I just need time to get to know the new you again. Let's get out of here."

[ She called to Nicolas. ]

"Nicolas! We need to borrow your car!"

[Rampage]

GENIUS!! Try looking into the garage. Sharon already HAS a brand new Audi A8 with almost no miles on it. Why on EARTH would you require the use of a car that you barely had the nerve to sit in as a passenger? And you hate the STONES TOO?! Automatic disqualifier...

Nicolas' response was pointed in its denial yet a comedic attempt at lightening the mood in the room. He was notoriously bad at not eavesdropping, especially when thoughts and voices were raised, and so he was familiar with where things currently were. As he yelled back to Delilah, anyone paying attention would see the hole in the wall filling up and the mirror reconstituting itself as if nothing had ever happened. He came to the now open doorway and looked at the women in the room, his voice losing much of its laughter.

Look, if you two want to ride, Sharon knows the keys are hanging by the door. I can go my own way if you two wish...I just wanted to see you Sharon. By the way, the refrigerator should have a finished fruit salad in it for you.


Indeed, if one of them were to look, Nicolas had already sliced up several different fruits and placed them in a Tupperware bowl...

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan stood in her own new costume, watching Haleigh make final adjustments to her costume. the woman expressed courage and resolve as she was ready to go.>>

let's just hope everything goes as smoothly as you make it sound, Haleigh.

<< Morgan raises her hands and in the twinkling of her icy violet eyes, the women teleport via disc from NYC several states over to Conneticutt...on the outermost parts of the Arklay forest, closest to the road where the bed and breakfast Alycia is staying at can be seen.>>

Well...here we are...

<< noting the deceptive serenity and rustic beauty of the area. Do you know which cabin Alycia is in?

<< Morgan looked around as a strong breeze caused her hair to flow a bit and dried leaves on the ground rustled and kicked up a bit.>>

[Oracle]

<< Alycia had given Haleigh the precise location of where to find her and Morgan cast a cloaking spell as Haleigh lead the way. quietly entering the cabin with the proper entrance code so as not to be hit by the booby traps and other anti personell devices.>>

<< the three women went over the final plan before moving from the bed and breakfast to the now vacant cottage that once belonged to Sharon. now deeper into the forest, the sounds of nature and the wind through the trees could be heard all around. Morgan bids both women good luck and urges caution as they begin to make their way up the hilly terraine toward the mansion. Morgan stays behind at the cottage, weaving a pattern of power as she casts a pentagram of protection around the immediate of the cottage to make it a "safe place' in the event Haleigh and Alycia have to retreat. she then BINDS a stepping disc to the location. all that's left to do now is for the sorceress to wait, and so she does...slowly pacing around the cottage, noting the sounds and shifts in the wind and finally going back into the cottage...the last time she was here...the place was beseiged by zombies....that was actually their FIRST run in with the "fall out" from arklay mansion but they were too busy to try to find out why zombies were there. the time before THAT? well it was the super soldier. this place was like something out of Evil Dead or the Friday the 13th movies....and though Morgan was a powerfull sorceress, she was still a pretty blonde, wandering through this place in the forest..alone...where anything or ANYONE could be watching.>>

<< Haleigh and Alycia, meanwhile were now high up in the forest, finding themselves on a new level area, and now they could hear the sounds of a WATER FALL. the terraine was less dense with trees, ....more room for quicker pace but with more room, came exposure to things that lay deep in the forest...such as devil dogs (zombie dobermans) , GIANT wasps (another highly irregular creature to be found in THIS of all places) and the occasional ZOMBIE but these zombies were FASTER to react...charging at Haleigh and Alycia as they ran through the gauntlet. they still had a ways to go... all of this..like somethuing out of a horror movie and yet, it had not spilled out into the city or anywhere ELSE? >>

MEANWHILE

<< back in NYC, as Delilah sharply defended herself against Sharon's cruel remarks, she insisted that Sharon join her in a trip somewhere. Nicolas offered to leave them alone but ultimately he joined them as they were now leaving for an outing ..the fresh air might help Sharon and it gave h er a chance to continue to talk and work through the tension with Delilah.>>

Back at Illustra

<< as Ava and Alison enjoy their afternoon together, talking and what not, Alison informs Ava that they will soon need to return to the War Room where they will have LIVE FEED of the recon mission that Alycia and Haleigh are on.>>

[Connor St. James]

Having retrieved his backpack, Bishop walked away from the house and came upon a lake. He took a moment to look out over the water, so calm and clear. He could almost pretend he had had another life than this one. One of barbecues and soccer games, PTA meetings and grandchildren.

He walked to the water and crouched down, putting his hands into it and splashing some on his face. Something caught his eye in the water. He stood and started wading in.

Something glinted in the sunlight; getting closer, he saw that it was a watch. He took his rifle off his shoulder and poked at it. It slowly came more to the surface...and he realized it was attached to an arm. There, floating in the water, was a body.

He poked at it with his rifle. It was badly decomposed, the head riddled with bullet holes and almost unrecognizeable. Then he noticed, there wasn't jsut one of them. There were multiple bodies, some missing heads or other body parts, just floating there in the lake.

Holy Jesus, what the hell happened here?

[MorningStar]

[ As Nicolas came to the doorway, she narrowed her eyes and glared at him. ]

"I don't know about you, but I don't make a point of snooping around other people's homes to see what kind of cars they have lying around. This is New York City: most people don't even own a car."

[ She moved closer to Nicolas and lowered her voice. ]

"Don't ever belittle me like that again."

[ She brushed past Nicolas and called back to Sharon as she went. ]

"Come on Sharon, we're going shopping. I'll hail us a cab."

[Connor St. James]

Bishop was still pondering what could have caused the horrors he saw in the lake when he heard voices in the distance. He quickly exited the lake and took cover in a forested area, keeping out of sight while he moved closer to the source of the sound.

It can't be...

Alycia Barnett - here! With Morgan Victoria and Haleigh Davidoff no less. So, Alycia was still consorting with dangerous mutants. Some people never learn until someone teaches them.

Alycia and Haleigh started off on their own, and Bishop could make a good guess where they were going. He had to get there - and get a look at whatever there was to find there - before they did. The last thing he wanted was for Alycia to see him before he was ready.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: in her own body contouring "armour" and carrying a light but POWERFULL arsenal, Alycia waves to Morgan as she and Haleigh begin their journey deeper into the forest. its quiet at first. tranquil but difficult to get through but as the path clears and they find themselves on a higher more level area, she looks back.::

we're a LONG way from the cottage now....

:: the sound of rushing water could be heard in the near distance.::

we need to head in that direction, the mansion relied on hydro power as one of its main sources, it was easier for them to operate undetected that way.

:: as the two women made quicker progress, they soon found themselves being spotted and accosted by the occasional zombie dog , giant wasp or humanoid zombie...::

:: drawing her custom designed, golden desert eagles, Alycia shot several wasps from the air and dodge the thrust of a zombie come at her 3 o'clock before round house kicking him back. ::

look at their clothing! these are some of the hikers and others who have gone missing through the years!


:: the area seemed to grow wider as they were now going round a bend...finding another hilly expanse and also a view of the water fall. it was rather large for this area but explained the large flowing brook down by the cottage.::

The mansion has to be near by!

:: she saw an abadonned campsight...with materials left behind that indicated these campers probably met an untimely end.::

:: as the two women moved on, not encountering anymore odd attackers, they sooon found an obvious winding path that lead to the Arklay Mansion itself. a MASSIVE place that looked old, yet regal....vines covered various areas of the front of the mansion and in the circular drive, there was a car....long abandonned...probably Robert and Sharon's old car.::

well....here we are....

:: Alycia says with slight hesitancy.::

the place looks ...quiet enough....

:: she looked around and with the exception of the water fall in the near distance, she realized they were QUITE far from Morgan. would she be able to get their in time if they needed her? Alycia COULDNT let last minute jitters get to her now.::

i dont THINK we can just walk in....

:: saying this as they slowly made their way up the path, through the massive gates and into the circular drive. the fountain long stagnant was filled water, vines, lilly pads and noisey frogs. there were some birds perched at the top of the fountain that eyed the women as well.::

can we?

:: making their way closer and closer to the door, there was nothing that came out at them YET...but that feeling of DREAD was ever present. as odd sounds could be heard in the air..like haunting moans faintly in the wind, creaking noises and other subtle but odd sounds.::

[Silver Swan]

[ Glaring at Delilah as she defended herself, Sharon had a flash of anger that made her want to lunge at the woman and tear her to pieces....WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?! she would proove herself to only BE the monster that her emotional center caused her to think she was.]

[ she exhaled loudly with disapproval toward Delilah ]

im NOT a mutant....i'm...something ELSE all together DIFFERENT...its not just about living with GUILT. its about feeling like a VISITOR in my own BODY. it doesnt even FEEL "right" all the time.

[Nicolas came in and attempted to lighten the mood as Delilah suggested they head out. Sharon watched as Delilah advised Nicolas not to trifle with her. she hesitated for a moment, before grabbing a trench coat and wrapping it around herself, tying the belt into a sort of bow and pulling her hair back into a ponytail before grabbing a brimmed hat and placing it on her head, tilting it a bit low to cast a shadow over her eyes. she looked like a feminine detective going on a stake out but she HAD to cover up like this.]

[ Nicolas knew he had to follow, for Morgan asked BOTH of them to stay with her for the time being and so off they went, to rockefellar center, among the hustle and bustle of the day time movement. not so long ago, Sharon's own awakened power over birds had caused a major catastrophe here in the plaza, but now, here they were....together with Sharon incognito.]

this place.......

[ she said as she looked aroud wondering where they would go or what to buy...but despite a fleeting curiosity, it really DIDNT matter to her. hardly any of the traditional human past times seemed to matter to her anymore, but for the moment...she was willing to at least give it a try.]

[there were birds in the area, mostly pigeons or the occasional seagull. and through them, Sharon had a multifront view of people, what they were doing, where they were going...this kind of sensory input was both intriguing AND still unsettling to her but she maintained her composure , standing with Delilah and Nicolas.]

[Harbinger]

:: as Ava and Alison continued, Ava revealed more of her feelings, about her mother, Athena and Hecate, as well as finally feeling a connection and emotional investment to THIS timeline outside of her home in the MoE timeline.::

all these things you're feeling, your "issues" as some would call them...all that really means is that youve become a more well rounded person. youve ADDED to your being with these new experiences. I think your Darkchilde would be most satisfied. She wanted you to make a new life...and you've done that. as for your mother, we may not understand completely but that is your own affair ultimately. I know I loathed MY mother...but she was no where near is kind or as giving and loving as Demeter. MY mother was apart of Mystech's "line of generals" and aside from being a careless, greedy, sloppy witch...i found her to be massively incompetent as a woman. SHE is the reason i grew up so fast. i was protecting my brother and sister from her with my own magick...and LOTS of courage as early as age 10 so believe me...you're not the ONLY one with family issues.

:: Alison half laughs as she reflect briefly on Kelly King and her family...most of whom were dead.::

:: Ava broke her out of those reflections as she playfull pushed her knee. Alison looked down and smiled.::

you know, you should come to see Pandora. she'd be thrilled and of course the Barbara's mansion is as you remember it. I didnt feel that i should change anything. that house....where it stands and the HISTORY of it...its not something that I should tamper with.

I think about her too....[Barbara Minerva]...for the short time that i knew her, she made such an IMPACT on the Six through her sacrifice and her bravery....i can only IMAGINE what she must have been like in your timeline...

::Though Alison could easily "SEE" for herself, she felt that it was best to rely on Ava's perception for that was Ava's only OTHER link to that timeline from this one and though Barbara was now simply known as 'Minerva", an amazon on the isle of Themyscria, her memory lived on strongly as her mansion stood.::

:: she looked at the massive grandfather clock.::

We'd better get back to the war room. we can watch Haleigh and Alycia from there....see what they see and get a "first peek" at the actual mansion in case we all have to go there.

the security team shift rotation should be occurring shortly and i don't "SEE" any danger coming our way.

:: and so, wityh a slow and casual pace, Alison and Ava return to the war room to begin watching the live feed from Haleigh as she and Alycia come upon the Arklay Mansion....unaware that Morgan is being watched in the forest by Bishop and he too has spotted Haleigh and Alycia.""

[Rampage]

Nicolas smiled as Delilah tried to chastise him.

Sharon is NOT most people. To think that I wouldn't have a car for her is almost insulting.

As Delilah came close and ordered him never to belittle her he kept his smile for Sharon's sake, and voiced his response mentally.

Save your threats and bluster for those it works on, Delilah. And you aren't going anywhere with her without me today, so lose the sudden loner urge.

Nicolas hailed a cab and sat opposite Delilah, with Sharon in the middle on the way to Rockefeller Center. As they arrived, Nicolas attempted to draw Sharon into the event, offering to take her to various boutiques and buy up the place. But she remained distant, not really getting into what most people would consider quite the treat.As for Delilah, he did not know WHAT to make of her, but he was not happy with her at all. She had been acting weird all day and her attitude with both Sharon and with him did not seem like...her. He would speak about it to someone, but he wasn't sure who at this point. He would wait until the time was right. For now, he focused on Sharon, on trying to make her feel more at ease...

[Jessica Hamby]

The forest in which they stood could only be described by Haleigh with one word: beautiful. There was the faint sound of running water, and the sights ans smells of nature surrounded them, enveloped them, and Haleigh seemed more relaxed than ever. Her comrades might find this place eerie.... creepy.... and malevolent.... but Haleigh wasn't affected that way by the forest. In fact... The environment didn't loom over her for a very distinct reason: The most violent, devastating thing to haunt THESE woods had just got here.... Haleigh herself. It may have seemed arrogant.... and even her body language now suggested a swagger of self confidence, but it was quite literally true. The biohazards of this place were basic and STAID compared to the level of threat Haleigh herself posed.... the zombies and devil dogs ought to be running AWAY from her and Alycia, rather than towards them. Haleigh was not only infected with the worst disease known to science, she THRIVED on it.

There was the sound of movement off in the distance.... and at first, Haleigh dismissed it.... but as her and Alycia talked with Morgan and bid her farewell, Haleigh leaned in close and dropped her voice.

"Morgan.... [whispering] Don't be alarmed.... but I advise you to maintain CONSTANT vigilance.... you do what I do long enough.... and you develop a kind of sixth sense.... we're not ALONE.... someone's watching us.... I don't know if they'll follow US or you.... I'll update you when I know more. As of now.... it's just one male... medium build by the sound of the footfall.... but he could be a scout. If you spot him.... let me know."

And with that.... they departed. The next half hour or so was steady going, a scenic hike towards the mansion through sometimes trifling terrain.... but Alycia and Haleigh were both surefooted and determined, and they negotiated the long overgrown path at relatively the same pace. They reached a clearing.... and Alycia could hear the rushing of the waterfall.... Haleigh had been listening the the soothing sound for a while now... and knew they had been working their way towards it... but she didn't find it necessary to mention to Alycia.... mostly because Haleigh felt Alycia had developed quite the neurosis on the subject of being 'only human' amongst the Six. Haleigh personally felt that Alycia did just fine holding her own alongside the team and she didn't for a SECOND feel that she would be better off if her current 'partner' had superhuman abilities.... but she didn't want to give Alycia too big a head.... and so she kept that observation to herself.

She proved to be correct.... Alycia had no more trouble dispatching the intermittant resistance than Haleigh did.... they were both quite methodical and neither hesitated.... the zombies were faster than there diseased appearance might suggest but the women were faster and benefited from training and experience. Haleigh had no qualms about being absolutely brutal, while Alycia employed the shoot-em-up tactic, Haleigh ripped opponents limb from limb with less than no regard. The resistance thinned out and then altogether discontinued, and the two women happened upon a campsite that had clearly been abandonned and had since apparently been pillaged by bears, raccoons, and other forest wildlife scavenging for a meal.

They cautiously approached the Mansion itself.... it still appeared abandonned....


Well.... here were are....

"It's beautiful..... you know.... in a decrepit kind of way."

Alycia wondered aloud if they could just walk in the front door.... Haleigh had pulled out a gun and was looking warily about, seemingly considering the idea and simultaneously looking for the person she'd mentioned earlier. IF he was anywhere in the immediate vicinity.... Haleigh would spot him.... while she was still working on complete mastery of her x-ray vision, she could still identify a lurker in other ways. She wasn't sure she should make it known that she was AWARE of his presence... but she would prefer knowing what he was up to. For all they knew, he was just someone looking for an adventure.... in which case he was more annoyance than actual antagonist.... but NOT being able to make that distinction was bothering Haleigh.

"Well.... if there ARE people working here still.... and they want to keep the place looking abandonned.... THEY certainly wouldn't use the front door... or any door at all. If they were smart about it.... they'd have some other tunnel or offset entrance that would allow them to bypass the mansion altogether.... which would mean we'll be able to waltz in like we own the place. Of course.... I would expect that there might be a little welcoming committee on the other side of these doors, so be at your ready. I'll lubricate the hinges so we can enter silently... sans the creepy creaky noises these old doors always make that ANNOUNCE arrivals like Grand Central Station."

She replied, manifesting a small metal can of oil and mentally lifting it to lubricate all the hinges. She passed Alycia a pair of suppressors to fit on the end of her desert eagles so that the gunfire would be silenced and a flashlight in case it was too dark for her to see inside the mansion, and slowly opened the door, allowing Alycia the room to enter and 'clear' the threshold while she followed her in and closed the door behind them.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: the two women were facing opposite ends of the courtyard in front of the mansion and as Haleigh remarked on its beauty...Alycia nodded.::

yes..it is...but then again some people thought the house in PSYCHO was a beautifull piece of architecture too.

and here i am...about to go in here....where any sort of MONSTER could be waiting to EAT ME!

:: she felt slightly nauseated with trepidation. finally she and Haleigh made their way up to the doors and Haleigh handed her custom supressors for her desert eagles while preparing to lube the doors.::

good idea.

:: she takes them and quickly attaches them to her weapons. PERFECT fit! as Haleigh primes the doors, she offers one last warning. and Alycia nods...getting ready as she takes one door and Haleigh the other. the two women open the doors slowly but in synch...just enough to slip in and once inside, they QUICKLY stand back to back....looking around and training their weapons as they survey the immense foyer. the DOORS slowly close BEHIND THEM on their own....SLAMMING::

:: Alycia cant help but GASP as they are now in a much dimmer area...and the silence is uncertain at best. with both custom designed, golden desert eagles drawn and ready for fire, Alycia kept her eyes peeled and her ears as keen as she could. ::

::so far ..NOTHING.::

the mansion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDW77rkSd50


::Alycia was almost SURE her heart beat was the loudest thing around them...echoing off the marble floors and pillars. ::

all the doors leading to other areas are shut...

maybe...we should split up. we could cover MORE ground that way.

::a MAD suggestion...but there was some sense behind it.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< as Haleigh indicated that someone could be watching them...Morgan began to look around slowly while inside the cottage. Haleigh and Alycia had been gone for about an hour now and so far ...nothing. In the cottage, Morgan went from room to room, slowly. more pacing than actually searching for anything. she'd been here BEFORE and knew the lay out and pretty much what was left BUT if someone was HERE somewhere...were they HUMAN or a ZOMBIE? >>

<< she looked through some of the broken windows out into the woods surrounding the cottage.>>

who in the world would hide in THAT? there could be ANYTHING out there...but if there IS someone...and they mess with ME..theyll REGRET IT.

<< she said as she clenched her fist. As powerfull as she was, waiting in a creepy abandonned cottage in a spooky forest wasnt her idea of a good time.>>

<< there werent even any ANIMALS to indicate NORMAL life around here.>>

<< her high heeled boots clicked along the floor panels, some of which seemed to creek at times.>>

what am i going to DO for the next few hours?

<< she went back outside. the sounds of insects, nature and a flowing brook that lead into the lake were around....but that didnt do much for her either especially since all the dead zombies she, nicolas and DELILAH had fought were now IN the lake itself...SHE had swept them all there with her winds. and so going to the water was out of question.>>

<< she looked around.>>

hmph.

[Jessica Hamby]

There was no sign of the 'watcher'.... and Haleigh slightly relaxed. Maybe he WAS just some crazy young kid, and had come to his senses when he realized what they were actually up against. Maybe he was inexperienced in traversing such deterrent terrain, and they'd lost him amongst the forest. Or maybe he'd gone after Morgan.... who was ALONE in the cottage. Haleigh tried not to let it worry her.... Morgan could most CERTAINLY handle herself and if he had reinforcements, she'd naturally call Haleigh for help if she needed it.

yes..it is...but then again some people thought the house in PSYCHO was a beautiful piece of architecture too

"Well, I know I did..... [continuing the conversation casually as if they WEREN'T sneaking into a place that STILL reeked of death and despair] I ALSO thought the Amityville estate was very beautiful.... in fact, I seriously considered BUYING the place.... but I realized I wouldn't have the time to give it the attention it needs and deserves in regards to restoration."

It was quite dark in here, as Haleigh had expected. There was no signs of recent inhabitance.... everything was covered in a thick film of dust, which detracted from the decor. Alycia made a suggestion marked with trepidation, and Haleigh immediately whipped around on her, her voice a loud whisper.

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SENSES COMPLETELY?!" She exclaimed, before looking around to see if she'd attracted any attention.... but then dropping her volume to a low whisper again. "Abso-LUTE-ly not! While we're still on the topic of HORROR MOVIES.... don't you watch any? Somebody ALWAYS DIES when they split up..... and I ain't a virgin, so we're gonna STICK TOGETHER LIKE GORILLA GLUE, okay? Look, we're both in a precarious situation here, Alycia.... neither of us have been here before and we have no real concept of what kind of defenses we might come across.... not JUST devil dogs and wasps and zombies and shit.... there could be booby traps or secret passages.... we could get PERMANENTLY separated..... I'm not letting you OUT OF MY SIGHT.... I don't care HOW LONG it takes us to check this place out or how little ground we cover. We're going to THOROUGHLY scour this place and we're going to do it TOGETHER. Listen.... Alycia.... If.... something happened to you... and I wasn't there to help... or didn't get to you in time.... because I approved splitting up..... I'd.... never be able to forgive myself. [trying to soften the gravity of the admittance] And vice versa, alright? I'd NEVER forgive you if I went traipsing around a corner ALONE got blindsided and reprogrammed. In fact, in my crazed reign of terror, you'd be FIRST on my list of victims."

She replied, cracking a smirk.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia found ODD amusement in Haleigh remembering her previous entertaining of the idea to PURCHASE the amityville house. it helped distract the high powered federal agent from the looming dread that was now all around her.::

:: as they quietly scanned the area around them, Haleigh immediately rejected Alycia's idea. had she lost her senses? no...but maybe they were being overrun with FEAR? what was WRONG with her? she'd faced many horrid things before...things that most OTHER "ordinary humans" dismissed as FANTASY.::

:: as Haleigh chided her and at the same time showed genuine concern, Alycia's hazel eyes widened with disapproval at first, but then understanding. Haleigh was right to voice her opinion and concern and it wouldnt be just HER who would be upset of Alycia were to not make it out of the mansion and vice versa....Alycia couldnt see herself leaving Haleigh behind at all...and worse, being unable to HELP because they were so far seperated.::

I wonder if Sharon and Robert went through this...before they were seperated in this horrid place.

::Alycia said softly.::



allright. we'll stay together. but we better get moving. we've got to find a diary that Alison "saw" in her vision and if we can learn as much as possible about this place...

:: there was a horrid sound in the air...it was that of gurgling and moaning...it was far away but that was of little comfort. Alycia looked around but still there was nothing, save the pillars, the large chandelier, the statues and a large oil painting of a regal looking man...::

That's lord spencer!

:: she said softly as she looked at the picture of the man who sired what would become MysTech.::

::after a few seconds more, the two carefully head toward the seat of double doors off the center of the foyer to the west. once they opened the doors they were inside what appeared to be a dining hall but looking up above there was a balcony that ran around the perimeter of the upper portion of t his large room and that meant there was a floor above that overlooked this dining hall. the table had long been unused, some chairs were knocked over....and there were a few place settings along with a dinner cart near the wall.::

:: large windows on one wall revealed a view of the garden outside and on the wall opposite, there were several other doors.::

more doors...but still no sign of anything...or anyone. are you picking up anything?

:: more haunting gurgling and moaning could be heard in the air...faint, echoed, but present. Alycia looked over her shoulder back toward the doors they came through....::

:: as the two women now were further into this dining hall, Haleigh would detect bio scans....several coming from the floor above...ZOMBIES, all in tattered lab attire and looking grossly decayed but these zombies had blood coming from their mouths and eyes...and their hands and feet were slightly larger than normal...they moved quicker as well.::

[Oracle]

<< they werent the only creatures. Just as Alycia and Black Widow identified these unusual looking zombies...Black Widow would find herself being accosted by another zombie, THIS one seemed to be crippled...crawling/dragging itself toward her on the floor but NO LESS agressive as it reached out ...growing and hissing.>>

<< some of the strange zombies from ABOVE were now vaulting OVER the rail of the balcony and landing down on long table before lunging for the women...while two MORE came barging out of a swing door ...these two looking LARGER than the others but sporting the same curious features. they all looked so ROTTED but somehow they possessed VIGOR and AGRESSION beyond any zombies the six had dealt with before.>>

meanwhile

<< as Morgan paced and meandered around the cottage, she began to wonder about Delilah, Nicolas and Sharon. what were they doing? Was Delilah getting along with Sharon? were they SAFE? and what of Alison and Ava? whatever it was...it couldnt be anymore boring...anymore uncertain than standing around in a forest. Morgan of course wouldnt abandon Alycia and Haleigh NOR did she begrudge them their time needed....but she just didnt have much to do herself. every so often a rustle of the brush or leaves above would cause her to look with narrow eyes to see if the unseen "watcher' was in fact there....or maybe it was a zombie or some other creature? she wondered what the hell kind of forest was this anyway.>>

and back at Illustra

<< as Alison began to work the operating systems, noting the many changes that had been made since her last time here, she was now bringing in the live feed and data stream from Black Widow inside the Arklay mansion...and ALREADY there was trouble. She and Ava watched with intense focus as the first of many gauntlets in the Arklay Mansion began.


<< all the while they were unaware of the figure that was stalking them ALL for through his focus on ONE of them...he sought to bring them all down...>>

[Connor St. James]

Little did they know, by the time Haleigh and Alycia reached the mansion, Bishop was already inside. He was able to avoid most of the creepy crawlies in the area due to his military stealth training. They didn't surprise him - he had been here before and seen worse - but he didn't need them slowing him down. He seperated some surprised zombies and devil dogs from their heads, but made it relatively unnoticed into the mansion.

It was run down - more from disuse than anything else it seemed. The front hallway with its massive staircase had the dust and dirt of years untouched. He still remembered the mansion's layout from his previous mission here. He knew there was an office, so he headed there first.

He scanned the room, with it's book-lined shelves and large semi-circular wooden desk. He began ripping the framed pictures off the wall. It took seconds to find the wall safe. Rich people couldn't resist them. He smirked.

Attaching some plastic explosive to the door, Connor blew it wide open with a pop. He started pulling out the contents, discarding worthless items to the floor. There was the usual cash and jewelry, but then he hit paydirt. Government documents detailing funding for a research facility. Communiques from various high profiled people. Some of these were threatening - more than they usual corporate backstabbing. Hurried plans to close and conceal the facility due to the "failure" to turn the Kellys and the unforeseen outcome.

He shoved the pertinent papers into his inside jacket pocket for later perusal.

He got a bad feeling, and turned in time to see a zombie enter through the doorway. He grabbed a poker from the fireplace, and smashed it's head in with it. He never passed up an opportunity to save bullets.

He stepped over the body of the zombie and moved on.

[MorningStar]

As Delilah came close and ordered him never to belittle her he kept his smile for Sharon's sake, and voiced his response mentally.

Save your threats and bluster for those it works on, Delilah. And you aren't going anywhere with her without me today, so lose the sudden loner urge.


[ Delilah gave back in similar fashion. ]

If I'd wanted to ditch you, you'd be standing around scratching your ass wondering where we'd gone right now. Second, coddling Sharon is not going to help her adjust to her new life. So stop kissing her ass, and stay out of my head in the future.

[ Sharon wasn't having much fun it seemed, so she thought she'd try something different. ]

"Why don't we go to Dean & Deluca for something to drink?"

[ It was a good place to sit, with a nice view of the ice rink. Maybe that would give her and Sharon a chance to talk some. ]

[Rampage]

You couldn't lose me in a SEA of fake blondes, Lightengale. Calm yourself. And I don't need to be in your head to see that you need to get a grip on the fact that Sharon is REALLY there, she's just gone through a lot. For once, you do NOT have the answers. Try acceptance.

Delilah suggested that they go for a drink and Nicolas agreed.

That sounds good Sharon. You two can catch up while I do a little skating.

Nicolas wanted them to have some room to speak with each other in private. After all, he did have SOME faith in Delilah, despite her attitude towards him. But he would be monitoring things. He did not trust her THAT much. Not now.

[Silver Swan]

[ Sharon was looking around still, standing in virtually the same spot as before with hardly any expression. she was unaware of the mental exchange between Delilah and Nicolas but since it was obvious she was unimpressed with the boutiques, they suggested somewhere else and she finally turned and responded.]

[in a cold , airy voice]

yes. perhaps that would be better.

[ she remembered that spot well for she, Morgan and Alycia would often enjoy summer lunches there. even as she looked out among the crowd, what was PRESENT didnt matter. she preferred to see images of the past...maybe fond memories would help her feel more connected?]

[ on the went and Nicolas kindly pulled her's and Delilah's chair out. she sat down, still with her brimmed "detective" hat tilted down a bit and her feminine trench coat. a few sparrows fluttered onto a near by railing, they seemed lively as they chirped quite a bit.]

something fresh..made with fruit would be nice...

[she said softly as she looked around slowly, before finally settling her partially shadow enshrouded face back on Delilah.]

I used to come here. I remember.

[ all the sounds of people and fun and activity around her didnt seem to move her very much as she sat very still.]

[Jessica Hamby]

Alycia thankfully agreed to stay together.... and wondered aloud if Sharon and Robert had done the same thing when they were here.

"Well.... there's really no way of knowing, is there? I mean, short of asking Sharon herself.... But if I were to venture a guess... I would say that they came here for a party and were taken by surprise.... where as we came to CRASH the party."

the two women moved through the house slowly, taking in the surroundings, and Haleigh confirmed that finding the journal was a high priority. Alycia identified Lord Spencer in a painting.... and Haleigh gave it a half hearted once over before injecting her opinion.

"I hope he didn't ALWAYS look that constipated."

They were in the dining room now.... it was in the same condition as the rest of the house.... and Haleigh spotted signs of rodent infestation and other pests, as could be expected in an unkempt, dilapidated estate.... there was a gurgling sound in the distance.... and Haleigh picked up scans of several zombies that were not immediately in sight.... Alycia asked if Haleigh was aware of any presences.

"Oh.... YES.... you could say that. Remember that welcoming committee I talked about?"

Zombies came into view.... most were badly decomposed.... and had the odd feature of oversized hands and feet... they looked kind of swollen. Some type of compartment syndrome caused by their mutations? Haleigh didn't have time to properly say.... one had crawled towards her and taken hold of one of her ankles, and try as she might, she couldn't shake it lose. She lifted her free foot and STOMPED its skull, crushing it with a sickening squelch.

"Severe Head Trauma will do the trick."

A zombie lab doctor jumped off the balcony onto the table, and others were poised to follow him, when Haleigh immediately erected a grid of high metal SPIKES along the floor her and Alycia were standing. Any more leaping from above would become skewered and Haleigh and Alycia would have little trouble navigating between the spikes, while the zombies would be slowed by the obstacles. Haleigh used her own gun, suppressor equipped [of course] to help Alycia pick off those who charged in through the swinging doors.

A sound in the distance caught Haleigh's attention. A detonation of some kind? she diagnosed..... had they tripped a sensor....or was it something else? One of the skewered zombies grabbed at Haleigh as she neared.... she instinctively freed herself from his grasp by breaking his arm, and then leveled her handgun between his bloody eyes and pulled the trigger.

"Would this be a bad time to say 'I told you so'?"

[Harley Quinn]

:: After Alison and Ava's nice chat up in Alison's penthouse, they headed down to the security room to watch the live footage of Haleigh and Alycia's exploration of the Arklay mansion. Grabbing a seat, Ava sat back and crossed her legs. The footage was as clear as a High defininition movie, making them both feel as if they were there in the room with both Haleigh and Alycia. ::

"Beautiful estate, I must admit. [pausing seeing a zombie] Minus the zombies of course."

:: As Haleigh and Alycia made their way through a maze of spikes, zombies continues to try and grab them left and right. It reminded the goddess of an interactive video game. ::

"If Haleigh and Alycia weren't in potential danger, I would actually find this entertaining to watch...[standing up] I'm going to quickly head out to Starbucks for a caffinee jolt, would you like anything while i'm out?"

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah blew into her cup and took a sip of Chai tea. She wanted to patch things over with Sharon, she wanted to get to know her again. ]

"Sharon, is there anything you'd like to do? You said you don't get to go out of the house much..."

[Harbinger]

:: Alison continued to tap on a few controls before finally sitting back herself. Ava commented on the estate.::

Indeed it is...and in its prime, it was one of the most luxurious estates on the coast. The amazing thing is that its remained relatively UNKNOWN for so long. in plain sight, yet never seen. THIS is the birthplace of Mystech...before Malice and Stavros...there was Lord Spencer.

::as Haleigh and Alycia entered one of the dinning halls, shortly after that they were accosted.::

zombies...people who lived in the mansion and worked in the underground lab. they've remained isolated all this time.....something different about those zombies.

:: Ava was heading out to get herself a drink.::

no, im fine thanks.

:: she said a little absentmindedly as her cobalt blue eyes remained focus on the screen. as she watched them, she began to perceive DANGER in the most immediate timeline for MORGAN....and something ELSE::

someone...inside the mansion....ALIVE!!

:: was it Bishop she was "seeing" or Kyle Kelly?::

[Alycia Barnett]

:: As Haleigh couldnt resist the urge to say "I told you so" , Alycia slightly rolled her eyes as she quickly looked up and saw as Zombies began LEAPING from above toward them.::

They've never displayed THIS kind of coordination BEFORE!

:: Alycia began to open fire on a few in the air. resisting the impulse to go over bored and making SURE to hit them in the head. Black Widow errected several large metal spikes to IMPALE any others that might come down and to hamper the moves of the ones on ground level.::

:: as the doors bust open and more came in...She and Black Widow took aim and began to fire...but for those who were not immediately hit in the head...they began to LUNGE at the two women.::

:: Alycia gasped with dismay::

they're MORE DURABLE!

:: the women needed to MOVE out of there so they went...a few more zombies were lumbering out in the massive foyer but when they made visual contact with Alycia and Haleigh they began to move with surprising focus as they LUNGED and charged.::

:: as the two women fought off their undead attackers, one got the got the drop on Alycia , rushing her as she blocked his attempts to bite her with her covered fore arms. after a few frightening moments of struggle, Alycia expands and FORCES the zombie off her.::

GET AWAY!

:: she yells as he comes for her AGAIN and she spins, round housing him in the chest with a STRONG kick from her high heeled boot. the zombie staggers a few paces back and she opens fire with both her desert egals...two shots in the heart and two more in the forehead. the zombie doesnt FALL right away which causes her hazel eyes to widen with dismay but after a few scarey seconds...it drops to its knees, falling face down..dead.::

They arent as easy to kill....but their clothing...they must be some of the workers that were never seen or heard from again. were they PURPOSEFULLY turned into zombies or...something else? there must be MORE further in...

::she wondered aloud as she looked around. if the former was true than the federal government could level capital charges against Mystech or ANY of its remaining subsidiaries.::

:: after this initial attack, the women had a moment to calm down and regroup mentally. Alycia looked at the now dead zombie on the floor just steps away from her....it was once again erriely silent. ::

.....what was it that i said to Ororo? a life without adventure is not a life worth living? maybe she should've turned ME into a statue.

well door number one was a bust. shall we try THIS one?

:: she said sarcasticly they were now facing the west...another sset of double doors that were closed.::

[Silver Swan]

[ Sitting there , slightly leaned back with her legs crossed at the knee, a small amount of her armour could be seen. She had her arms folded as well, looking somber and brooding.]

"Sharon, is there anything you'd like to do? You said you don't get to go out of the house much..."

.....

[she didnt respond immediately. just sat there with her face partially enshrouded in shadow.]

[instead she kept zoning out...the sensory input from the birds in the area distracting her or drawing her attention elsewhere and Delilah's voice seemed more an echo at first.]

[finally it came into focus and she blinked (after an inhumanly long time). why was delilah talking to her? did she view her as some kind of patient in a convalescent home? or was she sincere? part of the problem with being "new" again in some many ways was that she wasnt SURE of some people anymore....and she had always had a high regard for Delilah in her past life....now...it was awkward.]

.... was it always this noisy....so full of people...with bad spirits?

[she spoke in a cold, airy voice.]

[Oracle]

<< Delilah was sincere in her EFFORT, but her HEART was not as clear in its resolve as it normally was. the mutant who channeled LIGHT was losing her way in a FOG that she did not yet realize was creeping upon her....but OTHERS had begun to notice things here and there.>>

<< still for the moment, she attemptd to reach Sharon and after a few moments....the woman responded, but not quite the way Delillah might have hoped.>>

<< this was NYC and anything could happen....and probably would in today's world.>>

<< as the two women sat....off in the distance, a disturbance was occurring as a woman, a young mother was moving with a stroller and a young child, she seemeds a bit hurried as she tries to keep her little one up with her. all at once, a car screeches to a halt and a man jumps out, screaming, yelling and immediately bearing down on the woman.>>

<< Sharon's head immediately snaps over to that direction and DELILAH herself would recognize the MAN...a COP she knew that was married. Suddenly there he was...man handling this woman, his WIFE as her son began to cry out. With Delilah's hearing she could discern that he was ANGRY with her for LEAVING him , filing for divorce. there was talk of abuse and how it was HER fault...so the rumours were true.>>

<< the next series of events in the next few moments...will be telling.>>

[Silver Swan]

[Sharon stared with the motionless focus of a bird of prey. other people gawked as well, making comments and pointing but no one did anything as the ugly scene got worse.]

[this man, now berating his wife, promising there'd be hell to pay and now trying to force her in the car. the small boy, crying for his father to stop. the boy.....the little boy. and finally it happens. He UPPERCUTS her in the stomach before slamming her down to the ground.]

[ Sharon slowly stood up and walked away from the table, leaving Delilah to sit there. It was UNKNOWN to sharon that delilah would recognize this man who was probably "off duty" OR that he was a law enforcement officer.]

monster....

[she said softly as she began to walk toward them....cars honking as she goes into the street, seemingly ignoring traffic.]

stop him....

[ at that moment..SPARROWS began to flutter with fury and SWARM....diving and charging at the man from ALL sides...attacking him with their beaks and sheer numbers. it was an unbelievable sight for specatators as they watched in shock. the birds didnt harm the mother and the child but they DID manage to seperate the mother from the man's grip.]

[ Sharon kept walking.]

hurt him....bleed him....

[ the birds continued to attack...the man was now hollering and flailing about, fumbling for his gun. by now the crowd was growing increasingly distressed at this scene.]

take your children...and run away. run as fast as you can...

[Sharon said to the distraught mother as she looked up at the SILVER SWAN]

Woman: but he'll find me...he has FRIENDS in the....

Silver Swan: he will never hurt you again. i PROMISE. now hurry.

[as she POINTS, the woman can see her armour covered hand and she knows that all is not as it seems. she gathers her children and runs....as tha man who is rather large and well built begins to fight off some of the sparrows.]

stronger than he looks...for a human.

[he cusses...finally drawing his gun and aiming at HER. he somehow instinctively associates these birds attacking him with this woman standing here....more of her armour showing through her trench coat. calling her names and telling her he's interfered with law enforcement and that she's going to jail.]

you hurt her. the birds told me....they told me what you did and what you will do. you're a monster of a man.

[she comes close as the sparrows begin to dissipate and fly off...and as he is about to fire she gestures a la' Prue Halliwell and a single spinning star DISARMS him in the blink of an eye. she's now clutching his hand and wrist...squeezing it...CRUSHING it...causing him to strain trying not to scream with pain as she slowly b rings him to his knees.]

i'm not afraid you.

you cant hurt me.

you wont hurt anyone else.

[she speaks with coldness. as she snaps his arm and crushes his wrist before hurling him into the wall of the building nearby she raises her hand....]

The Silver Swan was a mother once too. My little boy...he is gone. But i will protect OTHERS from MONSTERS like YOU!

[ as she spreads her arms, its clear to Delilah and Nicolas that she's about to unleash her malestrom of spinning stars and FILLET him alive.]

[the crowd is gasping! some CHEERING this "wonder woman's stopping this man. OTHERS who KNOW him to be a cop and have been harrassed by him are CHANTING for her to finish him off...and some OTHERS are terrified at who or WHAT this woman actually is? its NYC...so many different attitudes...so many different mind sets...but SHE doesnt care. She'll stop him.]

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh and Alycia managed to neutralize the last few stragglers, as they moved into the Foyer. Haleigh reacted predictably.... her aim was consistently perfect and she 'double-tapped' twin bullet holes in the head of every aggressor long before they got within arms reach. Alycia was struggling with the last one... and things were getting hairy, but Haleigh didn't interfere.... Alycia COULD handle herself and Haleigh wanted to let her PROVE it to herself.... maybe it would help suppress Alycia's rampant inferiority complex-- which was pretty much the one major thing that drove Haleigh insane about Alycia. If she could just develop an accurate level of confidence in her own abilities, Alycia could be JUST as potent as anyone else..... and the former DA SEEMED to be getting a grasp on that concept... So Haleigh watched as Alycia fought back and eventually won the struggle.

They arent as easy to kill....but their clothing...they must be some of the workers that were never seen or heard from again. were they PURPOSEFULLY turned into zombies or...something else? there must be MORE further in...

"Well...." Haleigh begins, as she pulls on a pair of latex gloves and crouches down by the zombie Alycia had just killed, rolling him over and looking closely at him: "Peter Grant, Nurse Practitioner. [unclipping his ID badge and pocketing it, in case they needed the access card for a secure area later. She opens his lab coat and then rips open his degraded oxford shirt] No visible wounds other than the ones you inflicted. The state of decomposition makes it difficult to determine if he was beaten to death... [tipping his head back to look at the neck] Or if he was strangled.... but there's no obvious trauma to the soft tissue. [prodding the area around the bullet holes in the chest] No blood seepage... that would suggest.... [opens a pocket knife and splits his torso from sternum to belly button] yep. His blood is COMPLETELY congealed.... gelatinous. The decay of internal organs --despite the viral agent that's evidently designed to discourage decomp-- would suggest he's been dead for QUITE some time.... I'm no expert.... [glancing up at Alycia] but I would estimate.... several YEARS. [standing up and pulling off the gloves before tossing them down on the body] Without extensive tests, xrays, and an autopsy, it's difficult to determine the cause of death. However.... a N.P. would have a prominent position. Not the status of a doctor, but if Mystech WERE intentionally turning people into zombies, I don't think they'd use their own highly trained staff. That's what hare-brained hikers are for. Whatever happened to Grant here.... it doesn't fit Mystech's M.O. Grant died and was exposed to an agent that MADE him a zombie... but not directly put on a zombie assembly line. [pause] That's what I speculate, anyways."

Haleigh gave a shrug and a soft smile.... apparently oblivious to the fact that she'd just dissected a decayed corpse. Little fazed her.... it was all just part of the job.

.....what was it that i said to Ororo? a life without adventure is not a life worth living? maybe she should've turned ME into a statue.

"Oh.... I don't think so. I'd agree with you. you know what I would be doing if it weren't for our little adventure? Sitting around my desolate apartment, twiddling my thumbs, commiserating my failure in relationships."

Alycia suggested they try another door.... and Haleigh agreed. Why the hell not? It was either the right path to take... or there were more zombies. Haleigh chuckled at the idea.

"I suppose we might as well.... after you."

She said, withdrawing her gun again and raising it in preparation.

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah could hear the man before she saw him, screaming at the woman with the stroller. When he came into view she was shocked to see that it was a cop she knew - from a different precinct, but she'd run into him on occasion.

Sharon was up and moving, but before Delilah could tell her not to interfere, the man became violent. Her and Sharon's "heart to heart" would have to wait. Delilah got up and followed in Sharon's wake over to the scene, pulling her badge and flashing it to the crowd which had now gathered.

She knew Nicolas was probably not listening to her early admonishment about listening to her thoughts, so she decided to use that to her advantage and yell at him later. ]

Nicolas, we need your help to control these civilians. Sharon's...just get over here, you'll see.

[ Delilah was calling for everybody to stay back, but then the man pulled a gun. She drew her own weapon and trained it on him. ]

"NYPD - PUT THE GUN DOWN."

[ But Sharon took care of that for her - at once majestic and terrifying. She holstered her own weapon and moved to the man where he had fallen.

She looks back at Sharon, holding up a hand. Whether they were still the friends they had been now or not, Delilah knew that Sharon would not be able to live with herself if she killed again. At least, not the Sharon that she knew was in there somewhere. ]

"You've done it, you've saved the woman - and the boy. Let me take him in now. It's over. It's all over."

[Connor St. James]

The zombie had been wearing a name badge. He hadn't bothered to look at it. The last thing he wanted to do was start thinking of it as a person. But it made him wonder where these things were coming from? They clearly weren't residents of the mansion itself. How were they getting in? They didn't seem THAT intelligent to be able to do even light B&E work. He moved through a corridor and down a set of back stairs - probably the servants stairway from the looks of it. Maybe there was a breach in the basement, and he decided to head for the cellar.

He made it down into the dingy area beneath the main floor. Everything was caked in dirt and dust, discarded items lay strewn about, fuses lay exposed on the wall.

He noticed a stone staircase that led down further...and at the bottom, a large steel door had been torn half off its hinges. He suspected this was his mysterious zombie entrance.

As he peered down the steps, something large grabbed him from behind. Instinctively, he flipped his assailant, which flew over his head and down the stairs. Bones crunched sickeningly, but the zombie soon righted itself and started back up the steps. Bishop pulled his AK from his shoulder, and blasted the monster in the face.

Connor walked slowly down the stairs, gun still trained on the zombie. He kicked the body with his foot, making sure it wasn't going to start moving again. Satisfied, he stepped over the body and slid through the opening in the door.

[Rampage]

Delilah was right. Nicolas WAS keeping tabs and he figured she could be all mad and indignant later as he emerged from the crowd. He responded to Delilah's request with a game plan as he gave the woman who was abused a card of a very good women's shelter in a different part of town than she lived in along with a thousand dollars in cash. As he nodded, she took her child and left.

I have Sharon. Just take care of the perp. The crowd, unfortunately, is a matter I can no longer completely handle but I will do my best.

As Nicolas came forward to Sharon, he acted as if he was simply coming to her aid. Meanwhile, he projected an illusion that Sharon was not actually in armor, but in a pretty silver outfit, whatever the witness would find most alluring/sexy/comforting. While he had no ability to simply dismiss the crowd mentally as before, he could definitely suggest a more palatable vision than what they were currently seeing. In addition, cell phones and cameras seemed to be useless now. He spoke to Sharon directly.

Sharon. It is over now. I will take you from here and let the officer do her job. Please don't do something we will all regret. Please. Let me take you HOME.

As Nicolas touched her hand and shoulder, he cocooned her with his power, essentially encasing her in a Null field. She would notice nothing, but the field was designed to sap her stars of their kinetic energy before they could seriously harm anyone. Nicolas had long devised this tactic for this eventuality, but he hoped that she wold not test its efficacy just now...

[Silver Swan]

[ Sharon glared at the man who alternately writhed with pain but still had time to curse at Sharon, calling her all sorts of names. it was clear this man had little respect for women, the ultimate cliche of a cop gone bad....and his authority meant NOTHING to the Silver Swan.]

monster....I'll show you what fear tastes like.

[Delilah pleaded to Sharon's humanity to let HER arrest him and let the law take its course. It was interesting that the sight of a woman and child in distress snapped Sharon into action...clearly her maternal instinct and feelings over her own son were still VERY strong despite her changes.]


"You've done it, you've saved the woman - and the boy. Let me take him in now. It's over. It's all over."


[ Sharon hesitates before unleashing the spinning stars.]

Sharon. It is over now. I will take you from here and let the officer do her job. Please don't do something we will all regret. Please. Let me take you HOME.

[one of the reasons why Nicolas had such much pull with Sharon at this point was because some of her maternal instinct was reawakened by HIM. She still saw him a little boy sometimes...even now. memories of him and her interactions with him were calming.]

regret!

[images of the people outside the cathedral...the poor chaplain....her own SON...she felt it...she didnt want to go BACK she wanted to go FORWARD...the humanity in her was getting stronger.]



home...

[ she made it a point to STEP on the hand of the man on the ground with her high heeled boot as she turned and began to walk away, leaving Nicoals and Delilah standing there as she seemed oblivous to the crowd or anything else. a few birds lingered by...some perched ON the fallen man.]

[Oracle]

<< The Silver Swan strikes again, REMINDING Delilah and Nicolas that while Sharon may be changed, she's far from weak. Her maternal instinct is primal now and to trifle with her means grave peril for the person who tries.>>

<< Nicolas and Delilah will "clean up" and catch up with Sharon as reports of this incident will soon become known to Alison, Ava, Haleigh, Alycia and even Bishop.>>

in the Arklay Forest

<< Morgan , now sitting on a bench on the ground of the cottage, has taken to primping in her ever present estee' lauder compact...but even as she admires and touches up her face, her icy violet eyes widen with SHOCK as she catchs the reflection of something monstrous in her mirror....from the forest BEHIND her...comes something charging...smashing through the brush, and tearing through smaller trees. far worse than a zombie dog or a wasp...its the one thing Morgan WASNT prepared for.>>

the mansion

<< Alycia and Black Widow explore the eastern offshoot of the foyer, finding it to be a mini museum of sorts with decorative "knight" statues, documents and photos encased in glass showing the Spencer family as well as photos of a young MALICE...with her FIRST name included but still no last name...simply "Diana". there were pictures of other wealthy social and political figures from decades past as well , along with swords, daggers and other ornamental weapons mounted on the walls.>>

<< this room was a dead end and so out the went...and this time they had to go up the main staircase in the center of the foyer....they could go to the right or the left once they reached the first landing and ascend another small flight of steps to reache the second floor over looking the foyer and of course several possible choices for hall ways..>>

<< the two women had no EXACT idea that there was another man in the mansion, prowling about and having obtained evidence critical to Alycia. HE was elsewhere in the mansion.>>

<< Alycia and Haleigh made their way down one hall...where there were several doors...and a few decorative accents in the halls. as they rounded the corner, they were greeted by a lone lumbering zombie and as he caught sight of them...he began to grown and growl as he charged quickly for Alycia. She made short work of him as she nailed him through his eye and then his head...around that corner, there was one door...it seemed so isolated...and so, with some trepidation, Alycia prepares to open the door with Haleigh right behind her.>>

elswhere in the Mansion

<< Bishop was getting foolhardy as he ventured down what appeared to be a "secret" stair case...leading him below ground. he was now in a dark cellar..with a tunnel that lead from the cellar further down..."somewhere". would he really WANT to risk going this far in without knowing what lay therein? he would remember Alycia's words of fear as she commissioned him to "rescue" the Kelly family and how he could NOT find Rober or Kyle...that Sharon was babbling about them being lost in a maze....WHERE was this maze? what had become of Robert and Kyle?>>

<< there was a faint sound of water dripping echoing in the air...and the sounds of rushing air as well. it was his choice...venture down further into the unknown or leave now with what he had.>>

<< as he pondered this...a small device on his person began to blip and vibrate. he was getting information regarding a situation in NYC...a blonde woman violently subduing a man...a COP, who had been attacked by BIRDS shortly before. that could only mean one thing...the Silver Swan was out and about.>>

<< Bishop didnt know exactly where Alycia and Haleigh were but even HE would have heard the sounds of gunfire and fighting between the two women and several zombies back in the foyer.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: up the stairs, around, and up more stairs. down the hall they prowled. eerie sounds whispered and echoed in the air as they went down the dimly lit hallway.::

:: her high heeled boots were not making much noise due to the carpet....and once again it was only hear own heart that sounded so loud , at least in her own mind.::

so many doors..this could either be a child's dream come true..or an adults worst nightmare.

:: she stopped midway in the hall and drew near to a door, seeing if she could hear any obvious sounds before only SLIGHTLY opening the door to peek in....it was a room, a large room that apparenly belonged to one of the many workers that lived above and worked below ground but it was long abandonned. dust, cobwebs and stale air greeted Alycia. there were no creatures and no surprises....::

maybe most of these rooms in this hall are like this.

:: she said as she closed the door and moved on down...around another corner.....a ZOMBIE...this one also in a long, tattered lab coat.::

::GASP!::

:: stepping back as she took aim, she fired upon it as it began to quicken its pace. again it hesitated to fall completely, dropping to its knees before finally falling face down. as the women checked around them...there was nothing else, save their own reflection in an old dusty mirror.::

okay...

:: around the corner there was now a dead end, save one door...which had a key card slot. an odd contrast to this old gothic design of the mansion.::

must have been added later on...ill have to try that key card.

:: as Haleigh gives it to her, Alycia slides it...a small sound indicates that it works! and the door opens. Haleigh and Alycia step back, taking aim as SEVERAL GIANT WASPS come flying out...striking at them almost as quickly as the door opens. but their own exaggerated size makes them easier to pick off!::

ick...insects..bad enough as they are...and now THESE? mystech must have experimented on EVERYTHING they could get their hands on. the mad criminals!

:: she spoke with contempt...partly because of what happened to her father and partly because this entity had managed to exist and thrive for so long with no punishment thus far even NOW...their decline was due to "fall out" rather than swift legal retribution and to be in this mansion...where apparently it all began....it was surreal for Alycia.::

::inside was a small room...a medical supply room with a small desk , some files and various jars, viles and other containers filled with chemicals, medicines, antidotes and other small medical tools. the wall ahead was not an actual wall...but another door with a KEY pad on the side.::

Haleigh, can you get that door open? i think we're on the right track now...

:: Alycia whispered as she looked at a file on the desk.::

look here...

:: pictures and a chart for KYLE KELLY...::

[Jill Monroe]

<< time passed as Morgan was now bored out of her mind. who knew "standing watch" could be so DULL?? still she always enjoyed primping...and so as she primped in her trusty estee lauder compact, she wondered what Alison and Ava...or even Delilah, Nicolas and Sharon were up to? hopefully whatever it was...good OR bad...it wasnt as stagnant as this.>>

<< insects, frogs, and the occasional rustling of leaves filled the air ...the slight breeze made the "forest smell" less dense and Morgan sat on a wooden bench.>>

<<sigh>>> isnt this great? me...sitting here in a forest...PRIMED to be hacked to pieces by Jason.

<< rolling her violet eyes.>>

Alycia and Haleigh must be allright, i havent heard anything..or seen anything....neither Delilah or Nicolas. Maybe we'll make good progress after all...

<< as she was feeling more confident....she felt a shift in the air...suddenly she heard twigs snapping, leaves rushing and something COMING...a large..HISSING sound...>>

<< standing up JUST as she turned, her eyes widened as she GASPED...a SNAKE...but not just any snake...this one...was ENORMOUS....and WIDE...it came charging forth and now raised up....looking DOWN on its beautifull prey.... the snake was ALBINO in color and was unlike ANYTHING Morgan or the six had seen before! it was cleaerly another result of mystech experimentation...one of the many creatures that was once in one of the tanks in the "water" level below ground but had escaped out into the waterfall and lake system...and now lived in the forest. NO WONDER there were no other animals...or PEOPLE about!>>

<< Morgan SCREAMS and chimes sound off in the air....her screams do not go unnoticed.>>

[Harbinger]

:: Alison's cobalt blue eyes widen.::

MORGAN!!

:: she hears the mystical chimes ::

AVA!!

:: she stands up...and looks back at the screen. Alycia and Haleigh are FINE...but MORGAN needs HELP! powerfull as she is...a SNAKE is not something she can handle...her PHOBIA wont LET her! and she "sees" Morgan being captured and DEVOURED by the revanous, mutated repitle.>>

:: BLINKING from where she is...she intercepts Persephone.::

come on! we have to hurry! Morgan needs help!

:: she takes Persephone by the hand and BLINKS again....from NYC to Arklay Forest in conneticutt....and as they appear...they only have to RUN a few feet to reach the grounds of the cottage to reach Morgan...and the MONSTER of a snake.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< it was too late....the mutant monster of a snake ROCKETED up from the ground were Morgan stood...pushed high up in the air before the snake lurched forward ...dropping her to the ground and attempting to SWALLOW HER in its massive jaws.>>

<< Morgan was so gripped by PANIC she was about to BLACK OUT.>>

<< the snake was making short work of her in the worst way.>>

[Harley Quinn]

:: Leaving Alison to watch Alycia and Haleigh's live feed, Ava left Illustra and made her way down to the Starbucks located a few blocks away from the main building. Ordering two coffees, regardless if Alison wanted one or not, Ava felt it would be rude if she didn't atleast bring something back for her, just in case. But this wasn't any normal trip to Starbucks...hell, why would it be for anyone involved in the six? While waiting for her coffee orders to be made, Ava overheard a small portion of a conversation a couple customers were having...something about a woman attacking a police officer. But what really got her attention was the fact that they said the woman had, what looked to be, silver armor. Sharon... ::

:: Quickly exiting the coffee shop, Ava's quick pace picked up into a run, quickly making her way back to Illustra to warn Alison. But as she entered the elevator, Alison suddenly blinked into view. ::

"Alison, Sha--"

come on! we have to hurry! Morgan needs help!

:: Alison grabbed her hand before Ava could respond, blinking them out of Illustra and into the woods where Morgan was located. Spotting Morgan ahead, Ava began to run toward her, finally seeing what the problem was: a monsterous while snake. Morgan was terrified and frozen in fear as the snake prepared to strike at her. ::

"STOP!"

:: Extending her hand out, the snake stopped in mid strike, turning it's attention onto Ava. ::

"Get her out of here.."

:: Looking at the snake, it was a beautiful creature; snow white in color with ruby red eyes. Although a result of MysTech's experimentations, the snake still had it's natural biology in tact, giving Ava the power to control it as she would an untouched snake. Although a bit more difficult because of the changes, Ava kept her eyes focused on the snakes. ::

"Good boy..."

:: The snake began to slither toward Ava, hissing as it traveled. Using it's large tongue, it tasted the air surrounding the goddess getting a better idea of who and where she was. ::

"You're beautiful.....[softly smiling sensing the snakes cockiness] and you know it.."

:: Easing the snake, she spoke to it both verbally and mentally. Finally reaching her, the snake lifted it's head off the ground, coming eye to eye with the goddess. ::

"You're angry at the people who did this to you.....[reaching her hand out, she gently stroked the scales along the side of it's face] I won't hurt you, I promise."

:: The snakes animosity toward people was understandable. It was not only programed as a killing machine, it's hate for the human species contributed to it's attacks and behaviors. Reassuring it that herself and her team wouldn't harm him, Ava looked upon it with kind eyes. Whether she'd like to admit it or not, a lot of Demeter's motherly and kind nature was burried deep with Persephone's soul; most notable surfacing when dealing with animals. ::

"Go on..go home."

:: The snake looked at her for a few moments before finally lowering itself back onto the ground and slithering past her, and out of sight. Watching it disappear, Ava finally turned to see Alison with Morgan. Quickly jogging over to them, she looked down at Morgan with concerned eyes. ::

"How is she?"

[Harbinger]

:: Alison was prepared to attack the snake with the full force of her powers. While she wasnt PHOBIC about them, she wasnt exactly FOND of them either. They seemed so sinister, so creepy....and even for the Seer who had seen many unspeakable horrors around the globe...a snake wasnt exactly something she WANTED to look at...ESPECIALLY a GIANT mutant snake that was as big and tall as a TREE.::

:: as she and Persephone ran forward, Persephone immediately reached out with her power over animals and Harbinger ran for Morgan, holding out her hand.::

Morgan

:: Morgan is surrounded by a swirl of dark,glowing orbs and TELEBLINKED from the Snake's graps over to and behind Alison.::

Morgan, it's allright...Persephone will take care of the snake.

:: Looking back quickly, Alison helps a distraught Morgan to move away from the area, to a bench near the cottage and sits her down. she looks up and watches as Persephone calms and subdues the giant, eriee snake.::

that thing...it doesnt even LOOK like a snake ive ever seen before.

:: she was THANKFULL that Persephone took over with dealing with it because she "saw" the OTHER abilities the snake would unleash if they had attacked. it would have been a harrowing battle. ::

:: as Ava came to see about Morgan, Alison looked up.::

She's calming down now...regulating her breathing. Nicely done with the snake. Your power over animals will come in handy here in the forest, there are all sorts of mutated creatures lurking about. that SNAKE...it travels in the water systems in the area...it got out of the mansion's water tank.

we better stay here...we dont have anything else to do and the forest is really a hidden danger.

:: checking over Morgan as the woman continued to stabilize.::

there's no serious injury, just a few scrapes and bruises.

:: looks at the now abandonned cottage. the breeze flowed as some dry leaves rustled and swirld around them and she looked at Ava.::

hard to believe this was once Sharon's "retreat". I'll contact Nicolas and Delilah...

:: Alison hadnt paid attention to the fact that Ava was about to tell her something about Sharon. Indeed, Alison hadnt even focused IN on that yet.::

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah wiped a hand over her forehead as the situation was disarmed. She pulled her gun and held it to the (hopefully ex) cop's chest while she waited for backup to arrive. Someone had already called the police as Delilah could hear sirens approaching. She held her badge high with her other hand so the uniforms wouldn't shoot her. She watched them handcuff the man and then gave her statement, promising to fill out a report when she returned to work.

Flexing her stiff arms and working some kinks out of her neck, she rejoined Nicolas. ]

[Connor St. James]

Bishop could feel a breeze as he stepped to the other side of the door – and that air had to be coming from somewhere. He peered into the blackness. What was down there? The feeble light from the basement showed the walls and floors to not be the same as found in the rest of the mansion. Bishop deduced that this must be a separate structure and not part of the house itself. He felt along the cool surface of the wall with his free hand, the other holding up his AK to the unknown.

He remembered intel about some kind of facility in the area – what they did there, he never knew. But perhaps the Spencers were connected to it somehow. It really was outside the scope of the mission, and Bishop could never be called overly curious, but something was drawing him down that hallway.

He jumped a little – and was glad no one was watching to see it – as a small electronic device began to vibrate in his pocket. It allowed him to stay ahead of the police and alert him to the goings on in the New York world of crime. Officers had been dispatched to a domestic disturbance where a third party and a flock of – birds? – had intervened.

Bishop shook his head. “Silver Swan…” he said with disgust.

He quickly turned back to the hallway as a low rumbling sound reached his ears. He pulled a flare from his vest and lit it. Looking back at him from the other end of the corridor was a huge beast. It had two arms and two legs like a man, but it was more like an animal – taller, scaly, with gigantic teeth and claws. As soon as the hall was lit, it began to run towards him. Bishop dropped the flare and fired the automatic weapon into it, but it kept coming.

Bishop retreated to the other side of the door, and pushed it shut as best as he could, shoving his body weight against it to brace it. The beast hit the other side of the door with tremendous force, causing Bishop to have to take a step backwards. He pushed again on the door, but the beast had managed to get a claw through the crookedly hung door. It slashed across Bishop’s arm and side, cutting into his Kevlar vest. He hit the protruding parts of the monster with the AK, but the butt shattered – worthless plastic, he cursed.

He pulled an incendiary grenade off his belt, pulled the pin, and threw it through a crack in the door. Giving the door one last shove, he ran as fast as he could up the stairs, and back to the stairs to the main house. He didn’t hear anything coming after him, but as he began up the stairs he heard another noise coming from the mansion. He knew THAT noise very well. Gunfire.

Barnett and Davidoff must have caught up with him. Going into the basement had been stupid – he had known he needed to get out of the mansion before they arrived and now he was stuck trying to avoid them AND the creatures that kept springing up here. What was wrong with him lately? These mistakes were going to get him killed. He applied pressure to his injured arm, clasped tight to his side, with a hand and he re-entered the mansion's main floor.

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan was half dead with terror , her screams and the eldritch chimes set off birds that had been hidden before as they seem to scatter away in the air all around, while SHE was in the clutches of massive, albino white SNAKE.>>

<< she couldnt think...all her spells, her powers BEYOND her reach.>>

<< just as she began to black out, Harbinger and Persephone made the scene. She heard them both screaming her name and as she felt her body being WHISKED away by Harbinger's versatile teleblinking power and Persephone managed to exercise control on even this mutated creature and soon sent him on his way.>>

<< still shaking, coughing and sputtering a bit, her blonde hair having fallen forward, Alison held her and steadied her as Persephone came back and asked how she was. Morgan touched Persephone's arm....trembling.>>

oh...godd...goddess......

<< she didnt intend a pun. she had often invoked Hecate long before she even knew Persephone. she was so pale....and her violet eyes were misty from fear and shock.>>

the snake...wha...where IS IT?

<< she looked around feverishly....no sign of it...but the breeze caused dead leaves to blow about and the sounds of feral creatures off in the distance could be heard as afternoon turned into early evening...these were not normal creatures at all and suddenly Arklay's DANGER was becoming clear to the women. it was what you DIDNT SEE that could hurt you>>

<< Alison suggested they get inside the cottage and stay together as they couldnt abandon Haleigh and Alycia..>

Alison...are they allright? can you SEE them?

<< she said as th ey helped her up.>>

this forest....it must be FULL of creatures...what kind of things were they DOING at the mansion?? we cant even SEE it from here. maybe..maybe we should go AFTER them!

<< it was clear that Morgan was still shaken and understandibly so but even now, Alison and Ava could feel a forboding presence in the very air itself. this forest was a place of uncertainty and fear...how could Sharon have picked THIS of all places for her cottage retreat? >>

[Oracle]

<< even as both Morgan and Bishop were questining themselves and the place they were in....day was turning into early evening and they were BOTH about to find out just how much MORE there was to this place.>>

back in nyc

<< Delilah, who was also close to Morgan might have thought she was HEARING things even WITH her mutant perfect hearing as "eldritch chimes" began to ring in her head. Nicolas heard it too...due to his bond with Morgan. the ONLY time the chimes sounded like THIS was when Morgan was in extreme distress. ... and for "chimes" to sound off.... at least what they THOUGHT were "chimes"...more than two states away...it was both a testament to the bond Morgan shared with her best friend and her new companion AND what fear must be gripping her! and so they needed to contact Ava and Alison, only to find that NEITHER ONE was at Illustra >>

<< something was happening in Arklay.>>

<< the NYPD was now abuzz about the Silver Swan ...and media coverage was growing as some of the public WELCOMED this mysterious avenger of battered women while OTHERS were in hysterics over this silver clad woman and the birds that seem to follow her. Delilah was catching HELL for being so close to the Silver Swan and not attempting to arrest her, but little did they know her own connection to her OR that the silver swan was actually a resurrected Sharon Kelly!>>

back in Arklay Mansion

<< Bishop was now becoming all too aware of the enormity of the mansion. Back on the main floor and head out toward the foyer, he realized there were just as many UPPER levels that he didnt know about either. but he saw the remants of the battle between Black Widow , Alycia and the zombies out in the foyer and from the open doors to the west dining hall. the east doors were open too to that small exhibit museum.>>

<< Alycia and Haleigh were now on an upper floor, far out of his reach but the sound of his detonation would DEFINATELY not go unnoticed by Haleigh THIS time...he would have to leave, or risk being seen and NOW there wre THREE super powered women at Sharon's cottage, not to mention the emerging creatures of the evening around the forest...some of whom were FAR from natural. >>

[Harley Quinn]

:: Feeling Morgan touch her arm and exclaim goddess, Ava smiled softly, knowing there was no pun intended, but still finding it slightly humerous. ::

"Morgan, it's alright, the snakes gone."

:: Reassuring her, Ava didn't have to be told that there were other monsterous creatures lurking around the woods; she could feel them. In fact, many of them were watching/listening at that very moment. Some burried deep within the soil, others high in the trees. It was quite amazing actually...well from Ava's point of view atleast. ::

"Our safest bet would be to seek shelter in Sharon's old cottage until we hear word from Haleigh and Alycia. [helping Morgan to her feet] Come on."

:: Although Ava felt relatively safe out in the woods, she knew if Morgan came in contact with another snake [regardless of it's size] she would most likely go postal. Shelter was their best bet at the moment. ::

:: Walking with both woman toward Sharon's cottage, a rolling cloud of white fog began to overtake the woods, literally 'whiting' it out so no human or animal could see a single foot in front of them. ::

"Some cover...just in case."

:: Keeping a good 5 feet of clear air [no fog] in front of just herself, Alison, and Morgan, this would allow the woman to see where they were going. However, Alison would definitely be their 'eyes' until reaching Sharon's cottage. ::

[Connor St. James]

Bishop silently crept along a hall and through several rooms back to the front of the house and the main foyer. Zombie and giant wasp bodies lay strewn about - someone was DEFINITELY here and he DEFINITELY didn't want to run into them.

He headed out the front door and into the cover of the forest. When he felt he was a safe distance away and out of sight, he sat down to field dress his wounds. He removed a small first aid kit from his backpack, pouring peroxide on the wounds in his arm and side, hardly showing any reaction to the pain. He then began to sew up the wounds in neat lines of stiches. Satisfied, he set off again, hoping to put as much distance between himself and the mansion as possible.

[Harbinger]

:: Harbinger looked around more and what Persephone sensed, SHE "foresaw"...::

there are so many creatures...many of whom are zombified but have "reacclimated" to this particular area...it has become a unique ecosystem in its own way....and in that, Mystech has provided an IRONIC area that would be of major scientific research....but as Persephone can verify, these creatures would sooner KILL any defenseless human than look at them.




:: As Morgan expressed the possibility of going after Haleigh and Alycia, Ava countered and Alison agreed as she and Ava helped Morgan along toward the cottage. ::

Ava is right, we better stick to your original plan...for our sake AND theirs. there's an unknown variable, even now that has has infiltrated the mansion. Not a DIRECT threat to Alycia and Haleigh but still, something to be noticed. I "see" them further inside, progressing carefully but steadily forward.

thank the goddess those two repaired their rift...other wise a moment like THIS would not be possible.


:: the fog began to roll in. it had been a LONG time since there had been an elemental on the team...not since TEMPEST, one of the founding members of the six! But Ava was in a whole other league and it showed.::

a sound move, Ava. this fog will cover us, AND confuse anything that might have its sights set on us....

:: pausing::

unless you count the sonar enhanced, zombiefied BATS that lurk around the rock formations near a waterfall several miles UP and near the mansion....

:: directing them along AND keeping her 'mind's eye' alert for any oncoming danger, Alison lead them quickly and carefully to the cottage. she felt like she was BACK to that night when SHE, Morgan, Delilah and Alexis came to rescue Sharon and Alycia from the Super Soldier!::

Ava, if you could raise the temperature inside just a tad. we may as well be comfortable here while we wait. ill seal the door and the windows with my TK and with my precognition, ANY thing coming will not get close before i know about it.

:: she looked around the cottage which was not lit at all and with nightfall coming, they'd need light.::

I better contact Delilah and Nicolas....

:: she looked at Morgan and Ava.::

Delilah is in the midst of extreme uncertainty right now...

at that moment, a pair of floating cobalt blue eyes pops open before Nicolas and Delilah. her voice echoes in the air around them.

Delilah, Nicolas? Ava and I are now in the Arklay Forest...Morgan was attacked by a gigantic, mutant albino snake of somekind. Persephone used her power to drive it away. clearly it was unnatural to this area..and given the water systems around here...there's no telling WHERE or WHEN it will resurface. This forest is a hotbed of mutated, even zombiefied creatures....castoffs of escapees from the mansion which is not too far away. We're in Sharon's cottage now and we've secured ourselves as we wait for Haleigh and Alycia.

:: she paused for a moment.::

Delilah....I know what's happened with Sharon. I've "seen" it and Ava was coming to tell me when i whisked us to Arklay. Are you allright?

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah was trying to figure out what they should do next, when suddenly she jerked her head around. ]

“Did you hear that?”

[ She spoke to Nicolas, while looking around her listening intently for the sound again. It sounded like chimes…

She pulled out her cell phone, and dialed Illustra. Could they please find Ms. Marble or Ms. Cassadine? Neither were on the premises? Thank you. ]

“Oh Jesus!”

[ Delilah was not expecting Alison’s eyes to pop out in front of her. She cringed as Alison told of the giant snake – she knew how afraid Morgan was of them. ]

Delilah....I know what's happened with Sharon. I've "seen" it and Ava was coming to tell me when i whisked us to Arklay. Are you allright?

“We’re, we’re fine. They can’t figure out why I didn’t arrest Silver Swan, but I’ll make something up. As for Sharon…she’s certainly coming into her powers, that I’ll say. Do you need us out there with you?”

[Rampage]

Nicolas already had a car picking up Sharon, and he was getting a report when he heard it. He answered Delilah.

Yes. THAT was chimes. And in distress!!

Nicolas looked in his own way as Delilah, and she confirmed what he already knew about Ava at least. That she was gone already.

He was not nearly as startled by the cobalt eyes, having an affinity for astral projection. He added to Delilah's report.

The incident has been somewhat minimized, and Sharon is headed back home. We can be at the cottage in moments of you need us...

He was clearly itching to rejoin Morgan. He knew how she felt about snakes, and he naturally wanted to protect her.

[Jessica Hamby]

The girls find themselves in a museum of sorts.... pictures and exhibits line the walls like some kind of shrine to the Spencer legacy.... Haleigh tinkers around carelessly with the ornate weaponry, pokes fun at the Spencer family photos, and all around shows only mild interest... until she catches sight of a photo whose subject has her suddenly seeing red. She PUNCHES through the glass and extracts the photo....

"MALICE....."

She growls.... the woman in the picture is youthful but undoubtably JUST as malign.... and Haleigh holds a special kind of loathing for her... for Malice is directly responsible for so MUCH of the pain in Haleigh's past.... in fact.... Malice probably did MORE HARM to Haleigh than any other SINGLE person. She'd taken Haleigh's father, her childhood sweetheart Patrick, AND Cameron.... and that was just what Haleigh was AWARE of. Malice was GONE but Haleigh would FOREVER be dealing with the repercussions of what the woman had done.

"If I find one SHRED of evidence that Malice BELONGED here..... I'll burn this place to the goddamn ground. I erase ANY PROOF that this ever existed.... and then..... and then.... [balling her fist, crushing the picture] so help me.... if I ever discover who her FAMILY is.... I'll EXTERMINATE her bloodline."

Haleigh looked positively HOMICIDAL.... and Alycia practically had to DRAG her from the room... but they made their way upstairs... and Haleigh seemed to be coming back around to her slightly more pleasant self when Alycia asked for the keycard. Haleigh produced it, her expression distant but focused, and followed Alycia in. Wasps provided a temporary deterrent, but Haleigh helped Alycia to shoot them all down and soon they were moving once again. Alycia ruffled through the papers on the desk.... Haleigh inspected the jars and medical supplies while mentally cracking the code on the keypad. Alycia called her attention to a file.... on Sharon's son. Haleigh peered over Alycia's shoulder to get a look at it.

"Those sons of bitches..... I've done some pretty despicable things.... but not to kids. He's..... just a kid. They have NO limits..... they'll do ANYthing.... to ANYONE.... and for WHAT? fucking power hungry bastards."

A muffled sound made Haleigh's attention whip to the door they'd come through. It was a grenade.... she was SURE of it this time.

"Okay.... now I KNOW you heard that! [pushing the desk to barricade the door shut] We need to hurry, Alycia.... there's somebody else IN the mansion and they aren't so worried about keeping quiet. If THEY attract attention, WE risk getting caught too. [they keypad chimes and the door unlocks] Come on.... bring that file."

[Harley Quinn]

:: Entering the dusty cottage, Alison locked all the doors and windows, protecting the three of them from any unwanted guests. Keeping the fog thick outside [espeically around the cottage] it was slightly eerie to look out a window and see absolutely nothing. Slowly walking around the living area, Ava's healed boots softly tapped along the hardwood floors; a few boards creeking as she put weight on them. ::

"I feel like I should be in a Wes Craven horror movie or something. Three woman in an old cottage in the woods, late at night with looming fog....I can hear Jason's music now."

:: Ava spoke with a mix of sarcasm and deadpan humor. It wasn't her forte to stand around and wait for what happened next. She was very much a control freak and thrived off jumping into the thick of things and battling it head on. ::

[Sighing out] "I think i'll check the kitchen...maybe there's some bottled water or something I can salvage."

:: Walking out of the livingroom, Ava made her way into the kitchen, rummaging around basically to kill time. ::

[Harbinger]

:: the floating cobalt blue eyes waited as Delilah and Nicolas responded. they both expressed interest in coming to the cottage but at this point, that was not a good idea.::

No. Persephone and I are here now with Morgan. She's plenty powerfull by herself but the SNAKE took her by surprise...this wasnt a normal creature by any means and THANKFULLY Persephone had the power to dissuade it inspite of its changes. We're going to wait HERE and no interfere with the course that Haleigh and ALycia are taking. Besides...they'll be rejoining us soon...out of NECESSITY.

You two need to go back to Illustra. Let Sharon return to her home under her own power. What's happening now is what NEEDS to happen. She's coming into her own but she's not out of danger...a fog is creeping closer toward her. and when the danger comes, Nicolas will be able to sense her ENOUGH to know when to get back there.

::the eyes looked at Delilah for a moment.::

Delilah, don't give in to confusion....dont waver now.

:: What was Alison referring to? Her warning was meant to speak to Delilah through and through....perhaops in a proactive attempt on the precog's part to ward off any doubt the mutant was having that could affect her judgement in the future. it would not be enough but with so much at stake, Alison had to try.::

Once you get back to Illustra, you'll find a data, image feed from Arklay being broadcast into the War Room courtesy of Haleigh.

:: and with that, the eyes close and Alison is gone. it wouldnt be long before the team was reunited....and it wouldnt be long before more situations started popping up

[Jill Monroe]

<< inside the cottage, as Alison sealed the doors and the windows and the fog creaped up. Morgan fashioned two floating magick orbs that would provide illumination for them inside. Persephone increased the temperature to a comfortable level and soon, the place felt a LITTLE less creepy.>>

<< Ava deadpanned about fullfilling more than one horror movie cliche and Morgan nodded as she took a moment to tend to her minor wounds.>>

only this time, it wont be jason, itll be mutant, zombiefied forest creatures. Jason would be JUST another glorified zombie after all WE'VE faced.

<< she thought about Nicolas....wonder what he was doing. he probably wanted to be near her and she could lie...she wouldnt mind being in his arms right now either.>>

i hope delilah and nicolas are having a better time with Sharon.

<< Morgan was unaware of the reports of the silver swan attacking a police officer or that it was in self defense actually.>>

No word from Haleigh yet either way, that must mean that she and alycia are making progress. I'm ready to get them out of there at a moments notice....i keep wanting to fly up there but i know we have to let things go the way they are meant to.

<< looking around at some of the tipped over furniture, Morgan began to sit some chairs upright for them to sit in.>>

Haleigh thought she registered the bio scan of another human besides Alycia when we first got here. lurking around the cottage, but i didnt see anyone at all. I wonder if it was just a hiker who was lost...or...?

<< unaware that Bishop himself was the perfect Haleigh had first detected and that HE was also inside Arklay until now. He had just emerged, wounded from a creature from a lower level and with documents that he had retrieved.>>

If you dont find anything in the kitchen, I can conjure/teleport us some things to snack on while we wait.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Haleigh's reaction to Malice was as sharp as it was predatory.::

Haleigh...dont destroy this room ...we need to leave it as undisturbed as we can...

:: as Haleigh extracted the picture of a younger Malice, whose name appeared to simply be "Diana" Haleigh expressed a deep seated hatred for the woman. indeed, Malice had menaced Haleigh's family and her life for decades. the woman had cast a shadow over nearly EVERY member of the Six from FAR back. even though Alycia's father had died because a mystech owned insurance company denied him the medical care he needed, there was no evidence to indicate MALICE was DIRECTLY behind it. Of them all, Alycia had probably had the LEAST amount of contact with the woman actually and so while her sympathy went to Haleigh, it was easier for her in this instance to remain more cool headed a bout this. She pulled Haleigh along.::

come on! there's nothing here except more images and relics of the spencer family, the investors and other political/social dignitaries of the time.

:: up on another level and in the small medical storage unit, Haleigh looked over some of the jars with specimens, chemicals and other liquids while Alycia found , quite unexpectedly, Kyle Kelly's file.::

can you bring any of those along? :: points at the jars and other specimens.:: my government researchers and scientists could perhaps get a closer look at the virus that mystech has been cultivating now for decades.

:: as they looked at the file, both women were aghast at what they saw.::

they exposed Kyle to the G virus...an earlier, more unstable version of the T virus...he was just a CHILD!

:: as Haleigh heard that muffled sound, so too did Alycia.::

Yes...i DID hear it.

:: Haleigh barricades the first door they came through and Alycia prepares to go through the second one that Haleigh cracked the combination to.::

i hope we can get out of here.....


:: she said with uncertainty as she drew forth a wond that provided light and could also be used as an ENERGY BATON to fire concussive force blasts, or emitt blinding pulses of light and flares of energy from her leg holster.::


a passage way...it looks like it leads back through and BEHIND the rooms we passed down the corridor. so they had secret entries and tunnels all through this place.

:: down the passage they went, and sure enough...they could see through the two way mirrors into various rooms....many of which were long abandonned and clearly rooms that belong to mystech lab and research workes from time long past. there were walll pannels that could be used to release various forms of gas/vapors into the air, as well as monitor the vitals and stats of anyone in any given room.::

these must have been added on later....this kind of technology simply didnt exist in the mid to late 60s. computers were in their INFANCY. this mansion is a ruse all the way around....seemingly gothic and regal from the surface...but so muich more lays beneath the surface.

:: down the long hall....they heard what sounded like the house creaking and moaning...they finally reached another door...not immediately visible but there just the same. after feeling around for an obvious way to get in, Alycia found a slot for the key card ...::

good work on getting this card from Peter, Haleigh.

:: she slides it...and the door slides up. ALycia thrusts her energy baton forward and emits a pulse of light but nothing is there...nothing immediately.::

:: as they move inside, they find a room that looks like something out of emily dickenson book...wooden...old...only a small bed , a chair and a desk...and chains that were hanging from a wall. the room was filled with dust and cobwebs now and the chair was laying on its side...damaged.::

:: on the desk, there lay a candle with a cobweb connected it to the desk. it had not be used for a while.::

It looks like a room...but feels like a DUNGEON.

:: points to the chains on the wall...and the fact that there was a food tray on the floor nearby.::

and look!

:: tattered clothes..BOY'S clothes.::

clothes for a little boy!

:: they lay on the floor near the bed. and THEN...PAYDIRT....the JOURNAL that Alison spoke of...lay on the floor by the desk!::


the journal!

:: Alycia exclaimed a bit too loudly as she picked up the tattered book....::

:: at that moment, they heard more creaking and moaning of the house....and now they heard the muffled but heavy sound of slow, awkward FOOT FALLS...they werent coming from BISHOP either.::

what..what is THAT!?

[Oracle]

outside the mansion

<< Bishop didnt have long to rest, as he heard a slimey, slithering sound....and soon, from the ground, from the trees above...and from the slope near the water fall came giant, agressive zombiefied LEECHES....all zeroing in on HIM. this was in ADDITION to devil dogs that had become aware of his presence as well.>>

<< he may have done well to heed his OWN advice to Alycia all those years ago...for now in his attempts to destroy Sharon and expose Alycia, he may very well become FOOD for monsters himself!>>

<< the night was rolling in and there was faint traces of a fog from down the forest slope near where the cottage was. his exit strategy would not be as easy as he might have initially thought.>>

back inside the mansion

<< as Haleigh and Alycia heard the disjointed foot falls....they were coming CLOSER...and picking up pace.....it was still hard to tell from which direction at first...but at that moment, another sliding panel in the wall opened...to reveal a large, HULKING creature who easily dwarfed Haleigh and Alycia. a mishappen thing with only the slightest indication of humanoid origin. it was slouched over...with one arm that was longer than the other...a hump on its bak with tentacles coming out of it. three eyes, a long tongue .and wearing what looked like a hospital gown. he lumbered forward... ROARING as he now cornered Haleigh and Alycia in the room....this goblinesque creature was KYLE KELLY....and his body was now INDESTRUCTIBLE. blood dripped from his gaping mouth....and in his hands...were bones of long dead humans...as well as the broken chains still attached to the shakles around his wrists.>>

<< Haleigh and Alycia could TRY to fight him off...but the better thing to do would be for them to RUN FOR THEIR LIVES! at that moment...he swings...AT ALYCIA intending to PULP her with his massive fist. the SPEED and fluency of his moves contrasts his grotesque, oversized body..he's larger than even the SUPER SOLDIER.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh obliges Alycia by packing some of the specimen jars in a foam lined steel case that subsequently disappears, headed for the Illustra War Room. They head further into the compound.... Haleigh ever with her gun at the ready as they explore. She's subconsciously 'clears' each room as they pass. She nods in agreement with Alycia's observation.

"Yes.... Mystech has always kept their technology up to date. It doesn't surprise me that this place is current. Mystech takes pride in their 'state of the art' badge."

Alycia slides the keycard through another secure door and commends Haleigh on having the foresight to grab it. Haleigh smiles and nods again, looking sly and sounding playfully confident.

"Thank you..... I've done this sort of thing a time or two."

She says with a wink... and a smirk that deteriorates as they enter the next chamber. It DOES look like a dungeon... it's dark and dank and NO place for a little boy. Alycia hones in on the journal, but Haleigh fixates on the clothing. She knelt down and picked up the little shirt.... it was clear that it hadn't been worn in quite some time... the print was faded and dirty but she could make out a rendering of Superman and the worn lettering that spelled 'Truth, Justice, and the American Way!'.... Haleigh looked pained.... Sharon's little boy had worn this.... and Mystech had taken that little boy away.... and like with Patrick, Mystech had crushed the goodness out.... and destroyed the humanity. In the distance, Alycia was saying something.....

what....what is THAT?!

"Huh?"

She questioned absently, but her senses immediately reacted to what Alycia was talking about. She leapt to her feet, closing the distance between her and Alycia so that they could present a UNIFIED front to whatever was bearing down on them. The silhouette of a LARGE and HULKING figure absolutely DWARFED them.... and immediately went for Alycia. Haleigh knew Alycia was likely to be incapacitated by a direct smash blow like that... but the hybrid had a much denser composition and could withstand heavier abuse than the unprotected human form... and so she had NO hesitation as she shoved Alycia out of the way and squared her torso to face the hit. She expected to be jarred... and she prepared to absorb the blow, then retaliate, and she lifts her handgun up towards his face.... but the creature was FAST and more coordinated than Haleigh had judged and absolutely SMITES her with such mighty force that she cries out and the CRUNCH of bone can actually be heard as he connects with her ribcage. The gun goes off, and Haleigh gets SLAMMED sideways towards Alycia.... she immediately RETHINKS the idea that they could fight the thing off... as she stumbles and ultimately crashes to the floor at Alycia's feet but is quick to scramble back to her feet and push Alycia again.

"Rrr- RUN!"

She croaks, ushering Alycia back out the way they came in.

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia gasps with shock as the massive creature appears....how could THAT have once been a LITTLE BOY? suddenly the sound from everything around her seemed to leave her as the creature attacked her. She was FROZEN by the sight of this grotesque creature....but Haleigh shoves her out of the way...she goes stumbling and falling onto the bed and quickly looks to see Haleigh fall ot the floor having taken the brunt of the blow.::

oh my god! is...is that HIM!?

:: Haleigh tells Alycia to RUN....and she knows thats the only thing that MIGHT keep them from being KILLED now. She goes to help Haleigh up, but the hybrid is able to get to her feet quickly on her own. ::



:: Alycia starts out the door down the corridor....and NOW suddenly it feels like a never ending black tunnel with barely any room to move, much less THINK or even BREATHE. with a flash of thought , ALycia brings forth a CLUSTER bomb....a small ball, the size of a large marble but packing enough concussive force to blast through 2 tons of thick concrete.::


her son.......what....has he....BECOME! forgive me, sharon.....

:: she looks back, flinging the cluster bomb over Haleigh's shoulder and it hits the floor at the creature's feet...DETONATING as Haleigh and Alycia run for it. the blast of light and force obscures the creature but its DOUBTFULL that even THAT is enough to kill him. ::

:: down the hall they run.....back into the medical storage room and the door shuts behind them. now out into the hall, Alycia slams th at door shut too.::

Okay....we've got it. now let's get the HELL OUT OF HERE!

:: the creature is coming....they can HEAR him! and they move down the corridor as fast as they can. thankfully there's not too much further to go....down the hall, one flight of stairs and now the main stair case back into the foyer!::

:: a few new zombies are lumbering about....but with her adrenaline going...Alycia can hardly CARE as she dashes past them. she and haleigh BOTH easily running around them as they make for the main doors.::

almost there!!

:: out the double doors they go....::

Made it........

:: spoke too soon!

[Oracle]

<< just as SOON as both women make it through the double doors stepping OUT from the mansion's insides....the ultimate fear is realized...as a massive hand reaches out...GRABBING Alycia by her hair and PULLING her back inside!>>

<< it happens as FAST as Haleigh can turn around and the doors slam shut!>>

<< They had done SO WELL....and now THIS. Haleigh , as strong and powerfull and as experience as she was, KNEW that she'd need assistance on getting Alycia away from him AND getting the hell out of there in one swoop. She'd have to call Morgan now before it was too late!>>

<< standing outside, Haleigh would notice traces of a fog the same fog called up by Persephone....THIS was beyond the normal mist generated by the water fall near by. and since the weather hadnt called for a fog , this was one more unusual occurence. she would also note that she had company, in the form of four zombie dobermans.>>

<< her time to act was SHORT at best, before the creature dragged Alycia to some other unknown part of the mansion ...unless he pulled her back in to simply throw her into the arms of ZOMBIES.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

oh my god! is...is that HIM!?

"NOT [cough] ANYMORE!!!"

They race for the exit. Alycia throws a clusterbomb that the creature practically lumbers right through, Haleigh mentally lifts the desk that had previously barricaded the door over their heads and throws it at their attacker.... it slows him... but only just. His size and momentum carries him through the collision with the desk, but Haleigh doesn't look back to see if she was effective, she and Alycia spill out of the medical lab and down the stairs, Haleigh taking them two at a time as she hugs her left side protectively.... they rush past zombies in the foyer, Haleigh spinning out of the grasp of one and BOWLING OVER another as she runs for safety. they taste fresh air... Alycia exclaims freedom but it is short lived as she is SNATCHED back inside the mansion. Haleigh turns and lunges for her but is too late and the doors slam in her face.... Haleigh gasps and coughs, trying to regain her breath and wrench the door back open with one arm. Her ribs are killing her... she knows she needs help. There is a growl behind her, and she spins to greet it.... four devil dogs approach, menacing.

The TV in the cottage on the other side of the forest comes to life.... there is a short playback of Alycia getting pulled into the mansion and Haleigh getting buried by devil dogs that attack in unison like a pack of wolves. It is a burst transmission; a loud, effective attention getter.

Haleigh fights off the dogs but her range of motion is limited and the dogs instinctively ATTACK her weak side, forcing her to protect it even more and preventing her from any kind of offensive retaliation. She slams her fist down on the exposed backbone of one that lingers too close for too long, CRUSHING it and the animal yelps and falls away, paralyzed from the forequarters on back. Another dog clamps its jaws down on her right forearm, dragging her down and as she tries to protect her injured side with the other arm, she gets pulled to the ground. The dog bite doesn't break through the protection of Haleigh's BDU.... but 100lbs of supercanine is trying to rip her arm from the socket and Haleigh is definitely trying everything she can to get rid of it. She swings her arm, dog still attached, and smashes the dog against a tree to break free of its jaws. A third dog launches towards her, but is squashed by an ANVIL that Haleigh drops on it.

Haleigh unloads an automatic carbine handgun into the fourth dog.... there is one left [the one that bit her] but it is hobbling.... growling... but retreating slowly and Haleigh turns again on the mansion door, this time making the HINGES disintigrate and rushing back in, looking for Alycia.

[Harbinger]

:: Alison snaps at attention as the she SEES what's happening and then the old TV blinks on...replaying those frightening images of.::

ALYCIA!

:: getting snatched back into the mansion and Haleigh being besieged by devil dogs.::

NOW we can go!

:: she contacts Nicolas and Delilah::

CHANGE of plans...Alycia has been captured by a creature inside the mansion....possibly KYLE KELLY and Haleigh is HURT. Get here as fast as you can!! we're on our way to the mansion now!

:: she turns and rushes to find Morgan and Ava.:

We have to hurry...Alycia and Haleigh need our help!

:: and with that, Spellbinder, Harbinger and Persephone bust out of the cottage, with Spellbinder taking to the air and Harbinger accelerating her's and Perspehone's temporal fields, allowing them to sprint like crazy through the forest and brush, while using her own "eyes" and telekinetic power to clear the path for them on foot while Spell streaks through the air.::

[Rampage]

Nicolas nods at Harbinger's directive and sets back for Illustra. He teleports to the War Room to monitor events as soon as he is able to hide himself, sure that Delilah will quickly follow. In the moments he has to himself, he thinks about Alison's words. WHAT exactly does Delilah need to hold together? She was feeling conflicted before, but she came through just now. He would keep an eye on things as needed.

Suddenly he feels the surge of emotion from Haleigh and Alycia as they run from Kyle. He looks at the monitors to see a large hand pull Alycia into the mansion and Haleigh fighting off demonic-looking dogs. As Alison urges them to come immediately, he locks onto Haleigh's position mentally and teleports directly to the mansion doorway, dressed for combat. He finds Haleigh going back in after dealing with the canines, but looking worse for her time here. He senses several broken ribs.

Haleigh! What was it and where did it go?? Are you able to continue?

[Jill Monroe]

<< Spellbinder looks grim as the TV screen flickers on...>>

What??

<< its like something out of a horror movie! Haleigh and Alycia come rushing out of the mansion , only for Alycia to get pulled back inside and the mansion doors SHUT while Haleigh gets attacked by dogs!>>

dammit!!

<< Alison tells them they have teo go and Morgan agrees as the women rush outside and with a sound of rushing wind and chimes, Spellbinder lifts off the ground and takes to the air.>>

You contacted Delilah and Nicolas??

<< she debates for a moment...>>

if that IS Kyle...should we TELL SHARON?? ...

<< that would have to wait. they had to get to the mansion befor Alycia was killed by whatever was inside and Haleigh needed assistance too!>>

<< the women rush through the forest, with Morgan in the air and Harbinger and Persephone covering ground fast courtesy of her temporal power.>>

<< through the forest, dodging trees, rushing past animals and a few straying zombies up the slope, the women soon hear the sounds of a rushing water fall.>>

we're almost there!

<< she looks down and see's Harbinger and Persephone fending off some zombies and Spellbinder takes aim before obliterating two devil dogs and some giant wasps with her own eldritch bolts. >>

<< Morgan can see the mansion from her vantage point and the large water fall nearby....and in the circular drive out in front of the mansion is ...>>

Haleigh!!

<< Nicolas has just arrived with Delilah. thank the goddess... and several dead dobermans lay nearby.>>

[Harbinger]

:: as Morgan touches down in the drive, just past the fountain, Alison and Ava arrive as well, no longer blurred from the effects of Alison's temporal turbo boost.::

that was fun...

:: she says softly, having sped through the forest and knocked off a few zombies and dogs like the helpless bowling pins being struck by a bowling ball.::

:: Nicolas and Delilah are there now too. Haleigh looks visibly hurt as the two witches and goddess finally make contact.::

there's no time to waste....

:: Morgan begins healing Haleigh's wounds with her magick as Alison looks out.::

This place is enormous....there are zombies, creatures and booby traps, not to mention mazes, passages and a sprawling underground complex that connects to the water fall, the streams and lake and surrounding areas of this forest and the city that its jurisdiction falls under.

Kyle has Alycia and he's taking her....

:: she looks out with her seer's eye...her own eyes turning solid white.::

he's intending to take her down below, to the the underground labs!

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah nodded to “Alison” as they were told to head back to Illustra. Then Alison made a strange comment about her “not giving in to confusion”. ]

“Okay, Dr. Phil…”

[ She said it under her breath, but seriously. She was fine. Alison just needed to chill. She turned to suggest to Nicolas they share a cab back and he could pick his car up at Sharon’s later…but he teleported away before she could speak. ]

“Bastard.”

[ As Delilah was walking to Seventh Avenue to catch a cab herself, since Illustra wasn’t far but she didn’t feel like walking, Alison reappeared. She swore under her breath.

“Kyle Kelly?! Holy shit!”

[ She walked quickly into the lobby of the Hilton and found the ladies room. Luckily it was empty, and she opened a wormhole to the mansion. Screw Nicolas, he could find his own way (;)). She arrived just in time to meet Alison and the others at the fountain. ]

“Kyle Kelly? How is that possible? Why would he take Alycia?”

[Harley Quinn]

:: After unsuccessfully finding anything useful in the kitchen, Ava was about to head back to the livingroom to meet with Alison and Morgan when Alison beat her to the punch. ::

"We have to hurry...Alycia and Haleigh need our help!"

:: Quickly, Ava high tailed it out of the cottage and back into the woods. Morgan took flight while both herself and Alison ran at warp speed [thanks to Alison's powers] through the forest toward the mansion. Parting the fog as they went, it gave the woman a clearer view of what was in front of them, and what was AROUND them. Zombied creatures tried to attack both herself and Alison, but their speed allowed them to literally mow the creatures over and reach the mansion unharmed. Calming to a hault, Ava flipped her wind blown hair away from her face. ::

"that was fun..."

"Who needs amusement parks..."

:: Ava moved past Alison and over to Haleigh, checking on her as Morgan healed her wounds. ::

"Are you okay?"

:: Helping her sister up as Morgan finished, Ava looked to Alison who spoke of Kyle Kelly having Alycia. ::

"Can't Morgan just use one of her stepping discs to transport us all where Alycia is?"

[Jill Monroe]

<< Spellbinder looked around the creepy foyer as they began to acclimate to the place and try to get their bearings. everyone arrived quickly and that was a good thing.>>

<< Delilah asked why Kyle would take Alycia...Morgan couldnt even wrap her finger around the fact that Kyle was still ALIVE....only now he was something ELSE. she only saw a HAND grab Alycia...but what was connected to it?>>

I dont know...but we have to FIND her before its too late!

<< this place gave her the creeps, and the gurgling, moaning of human zombies in the air indicated they were soon to have company. Ava asked why couldnt she just reach Alycia with a disc. >>

Unless Alison or Haleigh can give us EXACT coordinates...I cant teleport us completely blind. without my scrying glass to view more of the mansion, i have no way of knowing WHERE to teleport us to.

<< looking around at the creepy gothic decor, Morgan expressed agitation at herself.>>

I spent all that time in the forest..i shouldve flown up here EARLIER when i felt like i needed to. That SNAKE took me by surprise...if it hadnt been for Alison and Ava...i dont know WHAT i would have done but now... Alycia's being dragged further into this awfull place and there's no telling what creatures may be waiting to EAT her or worse!

We have to stick together. We get Alycia and we get away as fast as possible. we dont know enough yet of this place or all the creatures within....and we have to seal it back up when we leave....so that MORE of these..."things" dont escape.

[Alycia Barnett]

NO!!!!

:: Alycia screamed and cursed....struggling but his grip was too strong, he nearly covered her face with his hand which caused her to almost PANIC because NOW she couldnt SEE what ELSE was coming her way. more ZOMBIES? other creatures? WHERE were they going?::

:: struggling in vain, the woman beat at the hand with her own fists...and thankfully her body contouring "armour" which offered protection against temperature extremes, conventional weapons such as knives and other sharp objects (such as teeth or claws) kept her body from being bitten ....but she could FEEL zombies reaching for her....her mind became ablaze with PANIC as she began to kick out...hitting some but missing most.::

:: NICOLAS would sense her distress as her muffled scream could be heard in the far distance. she was SOMEWHERE in the main area of the mansion, not YET taken into any passages. PROBABLY up on the same floor where she and Haleigh had been only moments ago.::


I DONT WANT TO DIE!

::she cried out in her mind as she could not with her mouth.::

:: Kyle....or at least the creature that once WAS Kyle, dragged her along before throwing her into one of the rooms that they had passed by during the initial run of this hall way. he slams the door shut...and lumbers on...disappearing into the darkness...and leaving Alycia stunned and winded on the floor in this dark room...the personal quarters of a lab worker whose corpse just happened ot be sitting, slumped over in a chair at a desk.::

::COUGH!! COUGH!!....::

:: the federal agent lay on the floor, shaken and disoriented...and by now GRIPPED with fear. she HATED this place...and now she was in it...she was too afraid to move or even SPEAK now that she could. and what was worse...the CORPSE in the chair...began to REANIMATE as if it were expecting her. ::

:: up the main stairs, to the left...up more stairs, down the hall....a few paces...door on the right.::

[Rampage]

A they stood there, Nicolas could feel Alycia's distress and he walked forward, trying to pinpoint her. Then a muffled scream was heard and he raced forward and up the main stairs and to the left to follow the sound. The passage had zombies shuffling about but he had no time for niceties. The sound of his axe could be heard as he carved a swath through the zombies in his way while pushing the rest aside telekinetically. He managed to reach Alycia through her panic and spoke to her.

Alycia!! Stay calm, I am following your though patterns. I should be there momentarily.

As he ascended more stairs, drawn to her like a moth to a flame, he heard her "say":

I DONT WANT TO DIE!

Stay with me honey, I'm coming as fast as I can!!

He saw the door in which she had to be enclosed and tore it off the hinges, looking to see the federal agent facing a newly animating corpse. He "pulled her over to him and picked her up with one hand, brandishing his axe in the other...

[Connor St. James]

<< Bishop didnt have long to rest, as he heard a slimey, slithering sound....and soon, from the ground, from the trees above...and from the slope near the water fall came giant, agressive zombiefied LEECHES....all zeroing in on HIM. this was in ADDITION to devil dogs that had become aware of his presence as well.>>

Bishop was looking around himself, wondering how the hell he was going to get out of this one, when one of the dogs decided to full on attack and leapt into the air. He snatched it out of the air by its neck and severed its spinal column as it snarled and kicked.

Before he could catch his breath, two of the giant leeches were on him, toppling him to the ground. He rolled his body, managing to get a hand free to pull his 12-inch ka-bar knife. He stabbed one of the creatures with it, pulling the blade towards him slicing half of it open. He pulled the other one off his chest and stabbed it in what he could only assume was the thing’s head as it stopped moving.

He stood, and another devil dog came at him. He pulled the M16 off his back and fired into it. Its head exploded like a melon against a wall.

He wiped blood off the corner of his mouth. “Dogs? More like pussies.”

Just then he was pushed to the ground from behind by another dog. This one managed to grab a hold of his vest, but thankfully hadn’t broken the skin. He tried to hit the dog with the butt of his gun but it held on. He was able to take a hold of its leg as it released its jaws in order to try for a tighter grip. He flung it way from him and rolled onto his back, firing at the dog repeatedly until it stopped moving.

He started firing at leeches randomly, trying to keep them at bay, but they kept coming at him. He pulled out three incendiary grenades, and dropped them into the M203 attached to his M16. He could hear rushing water. He aimed in that direction and fired. Not waiting for the smoke to clear, he ran, hoping his path had been cleared enough for an escape.

He ran, until he could hear the waterfall loud in his ears and then, finally, could see it. He didn’t slow as he reached the cliff, and jumped off it into the cold water.

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah put a hand on Morgan's shoulder. ]

"You can't blame yourself. You're here now, and that's all that matters. Now let's go get Alycia."

[ She looked at her surroundings, a close approximation of what she had seen before in the danger room. But it was even creepier being there for real.

Nicolas rushed up the stairs after some unknown lead. Did that boy ever play well with the group? She didn't know what else to do but follow. Coming into the doorway behind Nicolas, she without thinking threw an arm forward and sent a laser blast at the animated corpse. ]

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan jumped a bit as the sound of zombies grew louder.>>

they're COMING!

<< she looked over to see Nicolas moving away.>>

WHERE do you think you're going? we're to STAY together!

Harbinger: He's found Alycia wth his telepathic powers! she's not TOO far away. ...He's strong enough to get her but KYLE is coming back...


<< and as she said that....the group RUSHES forward, to keep up with Nicolas. He gathers up Alycia while Delilah blasts the zombie with a laser and slices him in two. as the group rushes back...making their way just as alycia and haleigh had, they find theire way BARRED by a new welcoming committee. there's a group of zombies ...about 15 of them...some in lab uniforms, other in "support staff" uniforms...and at least TWO in hiker attire....all looking decayed, bloody and inhumanly agressive. >>

allright.....let's show them that WE can be just as scarey as they are!

<< four zombies begin RUSHING forward, HELL BENT on biting Morgan. She leading off the offense of the women of the six , as she begins gesturing and a chime sounds off, Morgan weaves a pattern of power as she casts a spell.>>

Hell spawn demon creatures of death!
FIRE shall take your BREATH!

<< several flaming circles with mystic symbols form and flow around Morgan as she extends her hands and the rush out...spinning and sparkling as the slam into not one...not two...but FOUR of the zombies closing in on them...engulfing them in mystic fames before they EXPLODE...incinerated to piles of ASH.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh wasn't panicked but she certainly looked harried, and she nearly collapsed into Nicolas' arms as he appeared in her path and queried her. He was the FIRST on the scene and he wanted to know details she didn't think she had time to explain and even worse, he questioned her ability to continue.

"Alycia! .....[cough] Come on..... [cough] we have to go back..... [cough] for her!"

She said, pressing against him.... but it was clear that though she had the INTENT in her heart and mind to go on, between her injury and the fight with the devil dog pack, she was thoroughly sapped of the strength to continue. She began to cough more violently than before, coughing up BLOOD, evidence that her broken ribs had punctured her lung.... luckily.... the calvary arrived.

Morgan was instantly at Haleigh's side, healing her, and everyone had questions.....no one believed that could have been Kyle.... Haleigh still clutched the ratty child's tee.... in the chaos of everything, she must have subconsciously kept it close. She somberly looked at it now....

"It's Kyle Kelly alright. [inhaling and exhaling deeply as Morgan finished healing her.] Fuckin' A..... he knocked the living fucking shit out of me...."

The others discussed plans to reach Alycia, but Haleigh shook her head and moved quickly towards the stairs once her strength returned to her.

"No.... I'm willing to bet that 'Kyle', despite his size and strength, still has the mental capacity of a child.... he probably thinks she's some kind of TOY.... in any case, he'll take her right back the way we came.... come on.... and watch the fuck out when we run back into him.... he only got me ONCE.... but it fuckin' rocked my world. [as Nicolas takes off in the direction of Alycia] HEY! Don't separate yourself from the group, if you get ambushed--"

She sped off after him, leading the rest up up the main stairs and to the left.... up a second flight.... through the medical lab entrance to the entrance of the dark corridor.... where she slowed..... she lit a flare, suddenly calling attention to a NEW GROUP of Zombies.... but hell if they were going to stop her... she had a .45 sidearm aimed and ready, and she BLASTED anything standing between her and Alycia right in the FACE.... checking each room as they passed... as she had the FIRST time they'd come down the hall.

[Harbinger]

:: Haleigh leads the way and both she and Morgan begin fighting off a new group of terrifying looking Zombies. even ALISON is repulsed by this "new breed". Nicolas has secured Alycia::

He's got Alycia!

:: MorningStar destroys the reanimated corpse just as it rises out of its seat.::

now HURRY!!


:: she motions for them to come out of the room....and as Haleigh and Morgan destroy the group of zombies....they begin to run for the stairs::

Haleigh is right..to a point. Kyle's MIND...is childlike...BUT it has been erroded by YEARS of torture and experimentaiton. he will be unpredictable....as unpredictable as his BODY is INDESTRUCTIBLE. i SEE IT...he is the PROTOTYPE for what Patrick, years later, would eventually become..he was the FIRST attempt at a super soldier experimentation...and after YEARS of TRIAL AND ERROR at his expense....he is....TRULY INSANE.

:: at that moment, she turns...::

WATCH OUT!

:: and Kyle LEAPS UP the real and is now IN FRONT of them...BLOCKING their path to the stairs.::

his stature is immense...and his body...HORRIBLY grotesque...the awkward way he stands...one arm longer than the other, HANDS so big with the shackles of chains LONG broken around his wrists. tentacles sprouting form the hump on his hunched over back. his THREE eyes and his inhumanly long tongue that flows out of his gaping mouth. the grey'ish skin tone of his indestructible hide and his only clothing...is a tattered hospital gown that somehow managed to survive the warped growth and changes of his physical body!::

:: he sees Alycia...and he WANTS her...and as he slams his fist down toward the group...ALISON steps forward and THRUSTS her hands out a la' Piper Halliwell attempting to TRUE FREEZE him...but to her DISMAY even as a PRECOG...her POWER does little more than to SLOW HIM DOWN and even THEN he begins to fight through her attack.


UGH....THE STRENGTH HE HAS!! MORGAN GET US OUT OF HERE!!

:: she screams over the roar of the creature.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< Spellbinder and Black Widow take down the zombies in the hall way on one end, while Perspehone dispatches another group with wind and lightning from the opposite end. Upon hearing Nicolas and Delilah have gotten Alycia, Morgan stands back and lets Alison direct them out of the room as the rest of the six follow morgan's direction to cover them from all sides while SHE chooses to bring up the rear.>>

No one ELSE is getting snatched back in here ..not THIS time.

<< she looks behind her....as shadows from around the distant corner indicate that MORE zombies are coming. but that becomes a secondary issue as Alison quickly explains more about Kyle as she "SEES" it....adding to Haleigh's earlier observation. this wasnt going to be like it was with Sharon there was no way that science OR magick could fix this. >>

which means that there's no way we can....

<< Alison screams for them to watch out as the creature that was once Kyle LEAPS into view....and Morgan is STAGGERED by what helooks like......HOW could that have EVER BEEN a human...a LITTLE BOY at that?>>

<< even for a sorceress who ruled hordes of demons....to see this creature..and to KNOW that it was once a CHILD that had been brutally turned into THIS...it broke her heart even as it terrified her to behold him.>>

Zombies are closing in on us from BEHIND too!

<< Harbinger tries to STOP Kyle but he's...IMPOSSIBLY too strong and at that moment, she screams for Morgan to get them out.>>

YOU GOT IT!

<< with a chime and crash of thunder, Morgan summons a stepping disc...and in the twinkling of her eye the six, along with their ally Alycia are TELEPORTED out of the mansion, OUT of the forest...and back to NYC, safely inside ILLUSTRA...with only the memories of that nightmare mansion to haunt them as th ey realize they are SAFE now.>>

.....

<< Morgan staggers with dismay as she leans against the wall.>>

is...is...EVERYONE allright?

<< she quickly does a head count. EVERYONE was there...thank the goddess.>>

[Harley Quinn]

:: Running into the mansion, Nicolas took off looking for Alycia and the rest of the group followed. It was like Nicolas to play Rambo and try to rescue the damsel in distress...but Ava didn't have time to argue or yell at him, she simply followed the group, dodging zombies as she ran. But as they came to a stop, the zombies grew more vast in numbers. Thrusting her hands out, bolts of lighting came charging from the palms of her hands, obliterating three zombies off to her left. Hearing groaning sounds behind her, Ava quickly turned sending a powerful blast of wind sending three more flying into a nearby wall. ::

"They're surrounding us!"

:: Shouting above the chaos, as the zombies multiplied, another threat surfaced, Kyle Kelly....or what was left of him. Watching the monsterous 'child' jump in front of the staircase, Alison took action by trying to freeze him...he fought through it. With Kyle stronger than everyone anticipated, and zombies closing in on them, Spellbinder made a sound move by teleporting everyone out of the mansion and back to Illustra. Ava's body relaxed upon arriving back home. Everyone was pretty shaken up...Kyle Kelly was alive and a brute at that. How were they supposed to explain this to Sharon? ::

:: Looking over at Morgan, Ava nodded her head. ::

"I'm fine..."

[MorningStar]

"Oh fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

[ Delilah had crouched down and had her head in her hands. This was almost too much to process. She looked up. ]

"You know what? I HATE zombies."

[ Standing up, she crossed one arm across her body and put the hand thoughtfully to her lips. ]

"So how do we get out of this one? Jesus - we can't save Kyle, or what's left of him. And we sure as hell can't tell Sharon about this - she'll go off half cocked back there and get herself killed. And we really sure as hell can't just leave him and those - things - out there running free. Fuck."

[ She shook her head. ]

"What can we really do short of dropping a nuke on the place and being done with it?"

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia wanted to pass out and when Nicolas arrived, she felt herself TRULY slipping in and out of consciousness.::

Nicolas.....the creature......

:: She passes out as the corpse reanimates, unaware that MorningStar arrives and blasts it with a laser whiler Spellbinder, Black Widow and Persephone are fighting off zombies in the hallway. Harbinger directs them to move and as they make their mad dash, KYLE appears. Its clear that he has a preoccupation with Alycia, perhaps he DOES view her as some sort of TOY or object to be possessed.::

:: the next moments are truly frenzied as Harbinger tries to stop Kyle but he fights through her temporal stasis. Spellbinder teleports them all back to Illustra..and Alycia awakens with a START, thrashing about a little bit::

THE CREATURE!

::before realizing she's in Nicolas' arms, surrounded by The Six in ILLUSTRA!::

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan went over to Alycia and checked her over...>>

shhh! its allright Alycia. you're safe now. you and haleigh both. we ALL are now.

no signs of any obvious physical injury that i can heal....Nicolas, check her internal systems as well and then take her to one of the medical rooms to rest for a bit. She and Haleigh can gives us details of their own recon mission later.

<< she went over to Delilah, who was clearly unnerved.. Morgan was shaken up herself, she empathized with her friend. She herself was CREEPED OUT by the place they had just been. it was WORS than the dream she had. she gave her best friend a reassuring hug.>>

you did great in there. you saved Alycia from the zombie. and now we're all safe.

<< she said trying to reassure herself as well.>>

but....delilah raises a valid concern. just what ARE we going to do NOW? we CAN'T just pretend that Arklay isnt there anymore....the longer it stays..the more danger it poses...there are creatures ALL THROUGH that forest, people have been coming up MISSING for over two decades and i suspect that nicolas, delilah and i SAW some of those people when we rescued alycia from Riley months ago....as ZOMBIES. the mansion itself is a death trap! The creatures....they're HORRIBLE!

Kyle Kelly is....ALIVE...how long before SHARON finds out even if the DONT tell her?? Will she BLAME us for not telling her?

If we DESTROY the mansion outright....THAT will draw attention too!

<< Morgan exhales.>>

this is all so...MONSTROUS.

<< having no idea that another problem was brewing from WITHIN....possibly from her best friend.>>

its a NIGHTMARE....and what if the VIRUS is still in there..just WAITING to get out? my magick cant stop it...HALEIGH is proof of that...if it gets out into the water system...what are we going to do?

<< her own fears...coupled with the grim vision that alison saw...were starting to wear on her.>>

we'll need to go over what Haleigh and Alycia found while they were there. but i just want Alycia to rest for a bit first. being dragged around by a hideous creature ....especially one that is the son of your best friend cant be anything so easily forgotten.

[Jessica Hamby]

The creature reappeared as everyone came together to fight off the opposition and make a retreat.... Alison tries to freeze it but it fights through and Morgan quickly teleports everyone to the safety of Illustra.... and Haleigh can finally breathe a sigh of relief, gesturing that she's okay, though she still looks a little shellshocked. Delilah is the first to speak about what they'd seen and it invokes a quick and intense reaction on Haleigh's part....

So how do we get out of this one? Jesus - we can't save Kyle, or what's left of him--

Haleigh, loudly cutting in: "There's NOTHING LEFT of Kyle Kelly!"

And we sure as hell can't tell Sharon about this - she'll go off half cocked back there and get herself killed. And we really sure as hell can't just leave him and those - things - out there running free. Fuck.

Morgan adds in agreement to Delilah, talking about how difficult it could be to contain the inhabitants of the mansion.... and her concern shifts to Kyle and how to handle Sharon... and this time, Haleigh BELLIGERENTLY interrupts:

Kyle Kelly is....ALIVE...how long before SHARON finds out even if we DONT tell her?? Will she BLAME us for not telling her?

"GODDAMN IT, LISTEN PEOPLE! KYLE Kelly is NOT alive.... [holding up the child's shirt, displaying it with angry emphasis] the LITTLE BOY that wore this shirt is GONE. G. O. N. E. As in, NO LONGER WITH US. As in DEAD. What you saw back there.... was some kind of Zombie with a deluxe UPGRADE package, okay?! It was a perversion, a mutation of his CORPOREAL body.... but there is NO PART of Sharon's son there ANYMORE!"

She was absolutely fuming, and venting it on anyone who insisted on calling that... THING.... by the name of Kyle. The same woman who just an hour ago had no problem dissecting a decomposed zombie corpse and attaching a human identity to it..... a switch in her psyche had obviously been tripped... she couldn't bring herself to attach the idea of a child-- Sharon's little boy, no less, to the thing that had nearly caved in the left side of her ribcage... and she wasn't keen on letting the others anthropomorphize it with Kyle either. She was desperately determined to SEPARATE the two as far as she could get them... if for nobody's sake but her OWN, so that she could justify the need to destroy it.... and not feel guilty for being willing to destroy it herself. The best person to recognize Haleigh's outburst and what was driving it was in fact Karen... it was a psychologically motivated desire to detach from the 'target' and Haleigh herself seemed to recognize that she couldn't DO that [detach] if she kept calling it 'Kyle'.... or if she viewed the creature as remnants of a little boy.

No.... in the same way that she had separated Patrick from the Super Soldier in order to fight it.... she was trying separate Kyle from the creature in the mansion and she was having a hard time because everyone kept referring to it as Kyle.... she took a deep breath.... and composed her anger.... before going on.

"We HAVE to tell Sharon what we found.... we can protect her from harm but not from the TRUTH. she'll find out eventually and unfortunately, she'll be devastated.... and probably upset with Alycia and me for going OUT there... but if she finds out we tried to KEEP it from her... or tried to deal with the fallout without her... she'll be irate.... and Sharon is STILL having trouble readjusting with her Silver Swan abilities.... We can't risk triggering some kind of relapse. [more gently now] But... we have to realize.... we HAVE to accept-- and help HER accept.... that what EVER that THING was back there.... it's NO little boy, and especially not hers.... and I KNOW.... if SHE can't differentiate between her memories of her child and that hulking BEAST of a monster.... when she sees it.... it'll kill her. The sense that she failed to protect Kyle and the maternal guilt and the irrational HOPE that somehow, if she came back, maybe he can too... the idea that what she faces in that creature was once actually her little boy, her baby, whom she LOVED.... all those feelings will combine and she'll be completely paralyzed by them... if she doesn't go CATATONIC.... she'll go BERSERK."


She lets that sink in.... and she mulls over the best way to debrief everyone on the mission with Alycia..... Alycia would probably want to be there as well but Haleigh would answer any questions or concerns as they were presented.

"We have to take this one step at a time.... the FIRST step... is separating the identity of KYLE from the creature we found at the mansion. I know I must sound like a broken record but I CANT stress it enough. Even if it doesn't bother the rest of you.... it bothers ME and I know for DAMN SURE it'll bother Sharon. Once everyone can agree to that.... the next step would be to disseminate all our intel and develop a plan of attack."

[Rampage]

Nicolas stood transfixed as the monster that was Kyle motioned for Alycia. he would not have her though, as Alison slowed him and Morgan teleported them all away. His mind was screaming.

OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod!! Sharon CANNOT handle this right now, but we have no choice but to tell her...

Nicolas nodded as Morgan gave him directions, and he headed to a Med Bay with Alycia. As he walked he scanned her for internal injuries and also incisions of any kind. He telekinetically opened her armor, covering her with a sheet as he pulled away the combat clothing, depositing all of it into a corner.

There. I will make sure your armor is cleaned and disinfected in short order. Right now, just relax. We will debrief soon enough.

Nicolas gently rubbed Alycia's face absentmindedly as he waited with her...

[Harley Quinn]

:: Chiming in before anyone could respond to Haleigh's comments, Ava stepped forward, next to her sister. ::

"Haleigh's right. We can't think of that creature as Kyle Kelly; Kyle is dead in every sense of the word. If we go into this fight with any sort of hesitation, you can be damn sure that beast will take advantage of it and attack us without a second thought. It tried to kidnap Alycia, nearly slammed a hole into the side of Haleigh's chest, and obviously had the ability to defy Alison's powers....we're not dealing with a little boy, we're dealing with another MysTech lab experiment."

:: She could tell it was difficult for everyone in the room to try and seperate Sharon's little boy for the beast they just incountered. Everyone was emotionally affected by this situation, because they all loved and cared for Sharon's emotional well being. For some, it was more difficult, and she knew they wouldn't be able to just shut down their emotions with an off switch. For herself, she was more than able to seperate the two beings and get the job done, because in the long run, trying to 'rescue' what was left of Sharon's little boy would be more emotionally draining because it wouldn't be possible. They would be setting themselves, and Sharon, up for failure...it was a harsh reality, but true, and the sonner the six realized that, the better prepared they would be to go forward with this mission. ::

"Morgan is right about outright destorying the mansion. Whatever viruses are within that mansion, are contained there. By breaching it who knows what we would be releasing into surrounding areas. We need to somehow figure out how to shut this place down..."

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah shook her head emphatically. They were still acting like they were dealing with the OLD Sharon Kelly. ]

"Haleigh, you're not helping. No one's trying to save the thing, so relax. But we CAN'T tell Sharon about this. You didn't see her out there today - she will not be able to handle it at all. You're worried about US seeing that thing as Kyle - SHARON will not let us destroy it if she knows it started out as her son."

[ She thought about what Persephone had said about destroying the mansion. ]

"You DO know I wasn't serious about nuking the place, right? But seriously - Morgan, what about your magicks? Can you somehow seal it off so nothing can get in or out?"

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan's icy violet eyes glared at Haleigh in astonishment as the woman began to sound off about referring to the creature as Kyle.>>

<< she shook her head at first, signifying disagreement...but as she looked at the old, frayed little boy's teeshirt, Morgan immediately began to see the impossible chasm between the image of a wide eyed little boy and that hulking monster they just escaped.>>

<< she bowed her head ...shutting her eyes as she struggled.>>

this is TERRIBLE.

<< she exhaled as Ava backed Haleigh's position.>>

but even in trying to destroy him....IT....

<< Morgan faltered.>>

is there any guarantee that we CAN? only people/beings with INCREDIBLE amounts of power can shrug off Alison's true freeze or temporal stasis attacks, there's no telling WHAT ELSE .....HE...is capable of.

<< she knew in this instance that haleigh and ava were RIGHT. there was NO saving "Kyle"....>>

I can...teleport him to LIMBO where he could do no more harm than any OTHER creature there....

<< offering the fastest and what SHE thought was the most humane solution.>>

if he has no humanity left...then he would fit in just fine with my demons. safe from the world....and the world safe from him.

<< she still didnt want to outright entertain the idea of KILLING HIM DEAD...not just yet anyway....and in this, how FAR Morgan had come since her days in VALIANT could be seen...the blood thirsty woman NOW being more contemplative.>>

this creature BEGAN as Sharon's little boy. She was seperated from him...and he was LEFT probably hoping for his mommy or daddy to return to him to SAVE him...and they never did! he was left in the hands of merciless doctors and researchers....that turned him into that....THING!

<< she clenched her fist.>>>

people hate mutants and witches....but THIS prooves that HUMAN BEINGS can be as MUCH if not MORE of a MONSTER than WE ever could be!

and NOW we cant PUNISH ANYONE for this...because the people involved...are either DEAD, ZOMBIES or MISSING!

IT'S NOT RIGHT! SOMEONE SHOULD PAY FOR THIS!

<< the subject of Sharon loomed as well.>>

I think maybe we SHOULD go to Sharon....TOGETHER and tell her ...and be ready to answer whatever we can in the way of questions. we owe it to her to help her through this as much as we can. She hs the right to know what became of her son....its an issue that was UNRESOLVED and even with her DYING and COMING BACK...it remains an issue to her.

but before we can do that, we need to learn what haleigh and alycia discovered.

<< she looked at Delilah...."see Sharon today?">>

What happened with Sharon today?

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah lowered her head, slightly embarrassed - like telling your mom you were out after curfew. ]

"Nicolas and I took her to Rockefeller Center - just for some time out of the house. And Sharon saw a man beating up on his wife and son. She nearly killed him."

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan audibly exclaimed as Delilah offered such a SHORT rendition of something that more than likely caused a PUBLIC STIR.>>

....are you KIDDING ME!?

<< she looked in disbelief.>>

WHERE is she NOW? The Silver Swan has a KILLER INSTINCT and no matter how docile she may be at any given moment...we're only JUST learning what will set her off and i'm willing to bet that seeing a woman or a child in distress is RIGHT AT THE TOP of the list, given HER OWN past.

<< she bellowed for Nicolas.>>

NICOLAS! GET IN HERE!

<< first he rushed off for Alycia DESPITE her order to stay together, and THEN she finds out that Sharon was out in public ATTACKING people no less. part of her didnt blame sharon ...NOR did she blame nicolas or delilah....but she kept thinking about what ALISON said...EXPOSURE.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh rounded on Delilah, incensed.

"WHAT the HELL is WRONG with you?! Usually you're... level headed! I don't NEED to know about some fight between her and a wifebeater.... we ALL would have acted in THAT situation.... I know I wouldn't be able to sit idly by..... Now.... I know what's been DONE to Sharon by Mystech and I know HOW SHE FEELS about it.... and I know the pain and the guilt she feels for the loss of her son..... and.... I know.... it's going to be HARD for her.... but this isn't a matter of whether Sharon can or CAN'T deal with this... she HAS to. She WILL.... and we're going to HELP her, because that's what a family DOES. This is BEYOND her, beyond ALL of us... EVERYBODY is in danger.... we can't ignore the threat of that place, it HAS to be dealt with.... which means we ALL have to answer the call... including Sharon. She may be influenced by Mystech programming... Silver Swan whatever.... but SO WAS I, and if I can overcome my OWN ingrained maladaptive instinct, so can SHE. She's not ANY DIFFERENT than the rest of us..... and I, for one, believe she CAN do this.... she CAN stand up as ONE OF US.... she CAN make the sacrifices necessary to protect the innocent. She's a STRONG woman. She's already DEALT with the loss of her son.... this is going to drudge up a lot of buried emotion and layered pain.... but I think she can handle it. I BELIEVE.... that if she can OVERRIDE Mystech's Silver Swan.... and assert her OWN personality.... then when the occaision calls for it.... she can and WILL do what is necessary.... even if that includes dealing directly with.... that creature."

[Rampage]

As Nicolas placed the rinsed armor into the UV light for sterilization, he heard Morgan yell his name. He could tell by her tone what was going on, the "Sharon trip" shit had officially hit the fan. He stiffened a bit as he turned to rejoin the group. He whispered to Alycia.

I will be back soon. If you don't see me in 10 minutes, send HELP!!

He winked as he joked. He turned and walked into the room and right up to Morgan, awaiting her wrath...

[Alycia Barnett]

::Alycia was a bit listless, still dizzy as Morgan shushed her and gently stroked her hair out of her face and asked Nicolas to carry her to a medical room.::

:: she was laid down on the bed and promptly covered as Nicolas carefully removed her body contouring armour for sterilization. She turned her head to the side and sighed with exhaustion as Nicolas gently stroked her forehead.::

thank....

:: her voice soft::

you for helping me.

I'm going to close my eyes....and rest now. just rest....

:: she looked so calm and peacefull, almost serene, a rare sight for Nicolas to see from the former D.A.::

:: as he softly informed her he would soon return and joked about calling for help if it took too long, the woman only slightly vocalized a response as she began to drift to sleep and the lights dimmed in the room.::

:: it was time for Alycia to rest...she'd be up soon enough.::

[Harbinger]

:: Alison stood back and watched the growing disagreement between Morgan, Delilah, Haleigh and Ava. SHE TOO had come a long way. had this been a year ago SHE would have silenced Haleigh utterly, dismissing her every word and threatening her LIFE if she dared to speak out of turn :D Morgan wasnt the ONLY one who had grown and matured.::

:: BUT she would have to correct Haleigh on one fundamental issue.::

Haleigh, that creature...at its CORE IS Kyle Kelly. there are valid points and observations from both sides... but the BOTTOM LINE was that this creature CANNOT be allowed to escape the mansion....or perhaps even allowed to LIVE within the mansion either.

:: she takes the shirt from Haleigh and inspects it a bit.....looking over it carefully before slowly setting it down.::

Yes...there is no doubt...but i'm not quite finished putting together the "story"...ill need to see the journal first, which Alycia has and she needs to rest.

He never died...his MIND was erroded from years of pain and brutal experimentation and his body...it changed..it EVOLVED In the most WILD and disjointed of ways... and like any living thing subjected to HARSH envrionments....he ...adapted. We're looking at the FIRST attempt at a "super soldier".....at least a DECADE before Patrick Phillips.

BEFORE we do ANYTHING...n order for US to go to Sharon, WE need to know PRECISELY what happened to Kyle. my powers as a Seer will allow us to discover what happened that night and afterward. If we're going to tell her something...it needs to be the WHOLE story...but either way, the likelyhood of the Silver Swan traveling to the Arklay Mansion isnt remote...it's not even POSSIBLE...its DEFINATE. She WILL find her way there...sooner than later, that much is clear....

Sharon is going to ADOPT the identity of "Silver Swan" as her OWN. Much like Morgan wore the INFERNO costume after her return from the seige perilous to signify a new level of control. Haleigh is right...in that we MUST be there for her as only FAMILY can but Sharon will demonstrate a surprising adaptability to this. I'm more concerned about the unknown VARIABLE that lurks in the background of all this. the same FOG that will cloud the judgement of a member of the six and that will lead to DISASTER for all of us.... this very ARGUMENT that you all are having lends itself to that.

:: she looks at each of them::

the MANSION is as deadly a threat as anything else...if left alone OR destroyed...EITHER WAY WE are going to suffer behind it and Alycia's own career and life is at stake as well.

:: Nicolas arrives and awaits Morgan's screaming at him....and Alison watches.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan folded her arms and look stone faced as Haleigh attacked Delilah.>>

Haleigh...DELILAH is not the enemy. she's ALLOWED to have a difference of opinion. this is a dfficult situation for ALL of us...and NONE of us has children....we cant even BEGIN to empathize with the anticipated GRIEF and SHOCK this will cause Sharon.

<< little did morgan know that Delilah might very well BE the UNWITTING pawn that facilitates the exposure and destruciton that she fears the most.>>

We all fought over SHARON when we first learned she was back from the dead....it BOTHERS me that we're having this same discussion about HER son without her here. WHATEVER he has become..he was BORN of HER ...and ....goddess forgive me...if he MUST die << which in her heart of hearts...she knew to be true>>

...maybe SHE should be the one to give him that PEACE...and release him from that HORRID BODY that mystech fashioned.

I'll be honest with you....I'd give ANYTHING to not have to tell Sharon about this...but we CAN'T hold this from her. it's not right and if she's GOING to find her way to Arklay ANYWAY as Alison foresees...through whatever chain of events...then we need to arm her with the TRUTH as Haleigh says. of COURSE we'll be there for her. we ARE her family now more than ever before, but unless ALISON can foresee it...i dont know think ANY of us can know what to expect when we reveal this to Sharon and so we need to be able to give her the whole story.

<< as Alison went on, Morgan turned to see Nicolas arrive. she narrowed her eyes and beckoned him forward and he came right up to her.>>

and speaking of FOGS....do YOU have one in your BRAIN? just WHAT did you think you were doing in the mansion? i told you we had to STAY TOGETHER. you couldve been BITTEN by one of those zombies or captured by any other creature on the prowl in that creepy place. And what's this i hear about you and Delilah taking Sharon out to galavant around town in the open?

<< she poked him in his chest with her gloved hand to make SURE he was paying attention.>>

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as the sorceress vented, his face even as she spoke to him. He then responded.

No fog, Morgan. I KNEW where Alycia was and I simply acted to get to her as quickly as possible knowing that you all could follow me. As for Sharon, she and Delilah were...sorting things out and Delilah thought that she could use an outing. I acquiesced, and we took her to Rockefeller Center. Things were fine until some idiot decided to beat up his wife in front of their child. She responded harshly, but we managed to somewhat mitigate the damage and she is safely home now.

Nicolas looked at Morgan eye-to eye. He decided not to speak now of the disagreement between Delilah and Sharon, but Morgan could tell there was SOMETHING else...

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan glared at Nicolas at first...as he seemed to think it was OKAY that he ran off into the darkness of the Mansion....>>

What if we COULDNT have followed you? we havent even BEGUN to know the whole lay out of that place...there's no telling what kind of traps, secret passages or anything ELSE could have seperated you from...

<< she was about to say 'ME' but she caught herself with a fleeting side glance at ALISON who was watching.>>

US!

I would APPRECIATE it if you followed DIRECTIONS or at least ATTEMPTED TO next time.....

<< pausing for a moment.>>

But still, yours and Delilah's actions saved Alycia from the corpse in the room...and together we escaped so i guess i wont scold you too much more for that.

<< she poked him firmly again in his chest for good measure.>>

just COOL IT with the heroics in the future when we return to that awfull place.

<< and as he explained how Sharon came to be out in public, Morgan looked puzzled.>>

I sent you two over there to make sure she was safe and secure. NOT take her out in public where something could set her off.

<< the man beating his wife in front of the small child.>>

...although i can't say i BLAME her for responding "harshly" to that prick. I probably would have done the same thing. but AGAIN. Alison warned us ALL about the risk of exposure being higher than ever. if someone is smart enough to figure out who the Silver Swan actually is....its going to fall on ALYCIA'S head and then WE'LL be toast too!

you two shouldve used better judgement. you know Sharon doesnt mesh well with "MOST PEOPLE" anymore.

If she's at home now...let's leave her be for the moment until we figure out EXACTLY what we're going to do. With Alison, my scrying glass and your telepathy, we'll know immediately if she's in any danger and from what Alison tells me....the "FOG" that is coming toward us, is coming toward HER too.

[Rampage]

Nicolas smirked a bit as she almost revealed her own fears of losing him in front of the group. Her scolding him about it had taken an nearly comical turn, but he stayed stoic, determined not to embarrass her. She WAS in charge.

As for her comments about Sharon and going out, she was right. He had been overly hopeful that Sharon could handle being out and he was wrong, He should have opposed the move, rather than rolling over for Delilah. He nodded his head.

You are right, I was hoping she was ready for an outing, so I went along with Delilah's suggestion. The confrontation today has taught me to be MUCH more conservative in the future. She is fine now and I will continue to monitor her.As for rushing headlong into danger, I will be more careful, OK?

Even as he took his medicine, Nicolas was charming the hell out of Morgan, and she KNEW it. He stood waiting for any response...

[Harley Quinn]

:: Ava watched as Delilah's short temper flared with not only herself but Haleigh. Everyone was entitled to having a mood swing here and there, but when it came down to buisness, Delilah knew when to get serious and check her raw emotions at the door....but in these cases, she seemed to doing the complete opposite. ::

"Sharon has a right to know about her son. Keeping that information from her will not only drive her AWAY, but leave her feeling betrayed. We can't afford to have her stop trusting us now. [pausing, Ava sighed out] However, I do think it should be done in private...perhaps Alycia and Morgan tell her, or Nicolas even. It will be a sensitive matter, and I really doubt having the entire six present for the reveal will make the situation any better for her."

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh glared at Alison as she cut in.... folding her arms across her chest and shaking her head defiantly. She wasn't going to give in... something inside wouldn't LET her... and her retort was laced with wicked sarcasm.

"Fine. Whatever. Mmm... maybe you're right. That's Kyle. Maybe we should give him his shirt back. Maybe THAT'S why he went all wrecking ball on my ribcage. Must've been his FAVORITE shirt. Maybe I should buy him one of those new Transformer toys, to apologize. He'd like that. Mmm.... or maybe.... he'd just like to BLUDGEON ME TO DEATH WITH IT."

Haleigh scowls, sitting against the War Room table. She scoffs as Morgan steps in on Delilah's behalf, saying that she wasn't the enemy. Yes.... she WAS entitled to her own opinion.... they ALL were.... and Haleigh was of the opinion that Delilah wasn't acting like herself... but she didn't say it aloud... she just gave Ava one of those meaningful sisterly looks. Alison went on to predict that Sharon would 'become' the Silver Swan and that the Silver Swan would go to Arklay.... and Haleigh narrowed her eyes.... she wouldn't MISS the opportunity to call on THAT one.

"You know... I find it VERY interesting that you believe that Sharon and the Silver Swan are NOT one and the same and that Sharon is not HERSELF when the Silver Swan is in control.... But you WON'T entertain the idea that THAT CREATURE [pointing to the War Room's big screen TV monitor, which illuminated with a particularly horrifying capture of the creature that Haleigh and Alycia had discovered] is no longer a little boy. You absolutely INSIST.... that's Sharon's son. And WHY is it so important for you to make the distinction between Sharon and the Silver Swan? Is it because Sharon killed all those innocent people as the Silver Swan?"

Ava spoke up. They seemed to have more or less agreed [by majority rule] that Sharon would be told the truth.... but Ava suggested that it was a personal matter that the new should be broken to Sharon by a select few.
Haleigh considered the idea.

"I don't know about that, Ava.... I mean... if it's handled that way then she's still going to feel like we're crashing the party when we tag along to help with Arklay.... we're ALL involved in this... we might as well show our support up front."

[Jill Monroe]

<< with one hand wrapped around her waist the other supporting her down turned forehead, Morgan exhales as Haleigh begins to get sarcastic with Alison.>>

Haleigh...i realize you have an ACIDIC sense of humour but could you CUT THE CRAP just now? Do you think Alycia would have just ALLOWED him to hit you if she had any way of stopping him? do you think any of US would have just stood there and done nothing if we had been there at that time? THAT is why i insisted on coming and waiting at the cottage. Had I not already BEEN there...had WE been a moment LATER....Alycia might be dead and YOU would gravely wounded.

Alison wouldnt even BE here right now if all this wasnt leading us toward something WORSE and even WITH her here, we still cant figure JUST what to do yet.

<< she paused for a moment, realizing that she had reacted REFLEXIVELY to defend Delilah BUT there were some odd things going on, INCLUDING the fact that apparently she FORCED the idea of taking Sharon out in public even with Nicolas not being in favor of the idea. Delilah was MUCH more carefull and discreet than that. Alison and Ava were already noticing, now Haleigh and Morgan quietly realized that there were some discrepencies going on as well>>

<< next was (splitting hairs in her mind) Haleigh questioning Alison's statement about Sharon.>>

isnt it OBVIOUS what she means? it probably has something to do with why Sharon is so DISJOINTED now. She pulled BACK from the "Silver Swan" alter ego after she was freed from the programming and poison of Mystech...but just like ME coming to terms with the Inferno and my heritage....my connection to Limbo and its dark magick, Sharon has to come to terms with who she is NOW...not try to exist outside of it since she cant go back to being who she was BEFORE she died. She's probably going to have some kind of epiphany, realizing she has a tremendous opportunity before her now...with her new powers. the "Silver Swan" will be her code name...like all of US have one..now she can too.

<< Morgan didnt see it the way Haleigh saw it...and she felt Haleigh was being a little too argumentative.>>

Haleigh...we went through this when SHARON came back...we dont need to do this again now about her SON...WHATEVER he is now. I AGREE that he cant be allowed to continue...even living in the mansion...but he WAS BORN of Sharon...and not only does she have the right to know...but again i say...maybe SHE should be the one to FREE him of this damnation that he now lives. You'll get no argument from ME that he's not REMOTELY human anymore..and i WONT risk ANY of us trying to "APPEAL" to that...NOR will I allow Sharon to risk HER life trying to "save" her baby.

Let's make sure that all this talking yields solutions and a PLAN...and NOT go down the road we went LAST time!

<< she said firmly as she looked up again with clear violet eyes.>>

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah sighed. What she wanted to do most was just walk out of the room right now. All this bickering...they couldn't even have a discussion about what they should do without Haleigh snapping at everyone. She never ever was going to learn and Delilah was sick of it.

She put up a hand, just wanting to move on. ]

"Can we please just see what Haleigh and Alycia found out at the mansion so we can do something productive?"

[Rampage]

Nicolas listened as the the team nearly fell into infighting. He continued to look at Morgan as she tried to make sense of things, even as they tried to debate Kyle's humanity and what to do next. Delilah finally made a good suggestion, that they get a report from Alycia and Haleigh. He nodded slowly.

That is the best idea so far. We need to know what we are looking at in that house. I believe that unfortunately we will have to get our hands dirty in this one to make that area safe. As for what we faced at the mansion, it may possess the DNA of Kyle Kelly, but it has no mind, save a simple reptilian one full of insane urges...barely enough to register even telepathically. We are unfortunately years too late for any rescue of the true him. I will make sure that Sharon is told by us in as humane a way possible, but I will not sacrifice her for a lost cause.

Nicolas turned to go back to Alycia. He paused before leaving.

Alycia should be recovering well. I will check on her, see if she is up to making a report on what she saw.

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan held up her hand.>>

no. not tonight. Alycia needs her rest and we do too. We're not getting much further than we already have and before things degenerate we need to take time to rest and recover. Tomorrow is another day....another chance to do things the best way possible.

<< directing everyone to leave.>>

I'll stay here for a while and sit with Alycia before going to bed myself.

<< Alycia was a close friend of Morgan's and through all of their individual changes and progressions, Morgan was still upset at herself that she hadnt been there to snatch Alycia from the grip of Kyle.>>

<< Morgan, still in her latest costume given her by Hecate, she left the war room, walking down the hall to the med lab and soon was in Alycia's room, sitting in a chair with her long legs crossed at the knee, before leaning back in the seat.>>

<<sigh>>....nothing with this team is ever easy...she makes everything so DIFFICULT...even when we are TRYING to agree she finds a way to SPLIT HAIRS!

<< from the shadow in a corner of the room, a bleeting mew [as only a siamese could make] is heard as Tinkerbell, Morgan's enchanted siamese familiar slips through the shadows and trots over to her mommy.>>

ohh Tink!

<< tink cries a bit and Morgan reaches down to scoop her up.>>

awww...mommy misses her baby too!!

<< she says as she nuzzels and cuddles with the siamese, who returns the affection with purring.>>

mommy wants to go away again...would you take her place as the leader?

<< tinker looked up from Morgan's arms with sleepy blue eyes as she lay with content.>>

Alycia will be fine, it was just a terrible shock. tomorrow we'll start again and move FORWARD with what she and Haleigh have learned.

<< and soon...as Morgan and tink both began to get sleepy, the sorceress gently stroked Alycia's hair before teleporting up to her own loft on the top floor so that she and her babies can get the rest THEY need.>>

[Oracle]

<< with everyone slowly and reluctantly retireing to their own floors and apartments...the time had come to stop talking and start thinking, processing what they'd seen and learned and preparing to go forward. they could ill afford to waste time locking horns and disagreeing now ...especially with one of them already showing signs of confusion and internal turmoil.>>

<< and as the night passed on and dawn approached, they would find more changes in the new day than they could have expected.>>

<< a fog rolls in...but one thing stands clear amongst the fog and all else, Arklay Mansion and the fall out that will come of it.>>

<< and in the midst of the figurative and literal fog...one lone figure moves ...he brings with him a seed of GREAT TROUBLE for the Six, Alycia and Sharon....his past indirectly connected to the Six in a way they dont expect and only just recently ...through his aquaintence of DELILAH, his path now rapidly approaches a deadly crossing with them. Bishop, having escaped the mansion and the creatures there in, now has made his way from Arklay forest to safer ground...he prepares to make his next move.>>

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah returned lethargically to her apartment. She was definitely ready for a shower and some sleep. Silence was definitely golden after the pettiness of their "meeting" back in the war room. She rubbed her stiff neck as she walked down her hallway and into the living room. Something caught her eye and she turned back to the hall table. A folded piece of white paper sat on it.

She did a quick turn through the rest of the apartment, but she was alone. She returned to the hall and picked up the paper. In a half printing/half cursive scrawl, she read:

Meet me on the roof. - C

She stared at the paper. She shouldn't go. Why would she go? She wasn't at his beck and call. And what could he POSSIBLY want that he couldn't just pick up the phone?

But she wanted to go. It was the first place other than home she'd actually wanted to go all day.

She took the stairs, and as she opened the door to the roof, a refreshing rush of cool night air hit her. She took a deep breath, and looked out over the lights of the city. It was so peaceful here. She would have to talk to Morgan about building a patio up here.

Connor stood in the far corner of the building, also gazing at the city lights. He turned as the door closed behind her. ]

[Connor St. James]

Connor turned, and saw Delilah, the lights of nearby buildings shining behind her. He walked slowly towards her so that she wouldn’t feel threatened, about half way to her holding up his free hand to show it was empty. In his other hand were several manila file folders, which he held out to her.

“Here.”

Delilah took the files from him gingerly, her fingers only slightly grazing his. She flipped through them quickly.

Delilah: “We’ve been looking for these guys for months – why are you giving them up to me?”

It was true, normally crooks of this low a level wouldn’t even register on his radar. He focused on the killers – the hit men, the bosses. Usually he wouldn’t concern himself with criminals like these until they crossed that line where justice had failed. So why was he helping her?

“Because you still believe in the system. Take care of them or I will.”

He turned and looked back to the city. It was his home, but not. He was just walking through its streets, not connecting to anything. Or anyone. But he had spent more time with and spoke more to this cop than he had to anyone in a long long time.

He heard her voice behind him, tentative.

Delilah: “I’m sorry about your family.”

It was as if he had been stabbed in the chest. And as Connor had been stabbed in the chest before, he knew what it felt like. Before he could think his anger flashed and he turned his head, growling his response at her.

“Don’t ever talk about them!”

He turned back away from her. Breathing deeply, he calmed himself, and he was sorry he had snapped at her. He looked to the park where his life had changed all those years before. He could feel Delilah watching him, feel her confusion, then heard her turn and start to walk away.

“Sometimes in my dreams...”

He heard the footsteps stop.

“Sometimes in my dreams I’m a normal person. All I worry about are football games, ballet recitals, PTA meetings, dinner with the in-laws. I have a little workshop out behind the house. I have a dog, and I take him hunting with my son. We never get anything, but we don’t mind.”

He turned around to see Delilah staring at him, deep concern plastered across her face. He looked into her eyes – right all the way inside them. And he knew she saw who he really was at that moment.

“And then I wake up.”

A single tear rolled down his face – just one – and then it was gone. He looked away quickly. Indicating the folders, he spoke.

“Don’t make me sorry I didn’t eliminate that scum myself.”

With that, he flung himself over the side of the building.

[MorningStar]

[ As Connor spoke about his family, she could see the intense loss on his face. She could see that he really was sorry that he ever woke up in the morning. So that was why he was so reckless, why he had such a death wish. Because he really did have a death wish.

She was about to make a daft attempt at a smart comment, when Connor had pitched himself over the side of the building. She cried out and ran to the edge and looked down, but he was gone. He certainly wasn’t on the sidewalk below as she was expecting. Her breath was coming in short gasps, and she made a split second decision.

She quickly entered the code on the keypad of the roof door and ran to the lobby, moving virtually at the speed of light. She tossed the files to the receptionist, calling something to her about being back for them later, and ran out the door.

She looked frantically around her, thought she caught of glimpse of his moving figure, and made her way west towards the river. She was determined to catch up with him. She saw movement in an alley up ahead, and turned into it, thinking to surprise him.

Just then she felt something cold and hard slam into the back of her head. Her vision went spotted, then everything was black.

She woke, lying on her back, hands around her throat, choking her. A street hood’s dirty face looking down at hers, two others holding her hands and legs. She couldn’t breathe, she had to fight to keep from blacking out again.

And then the one on top of her was suddenly flung away, and a figure similarly picked up the other two. She gasped for breath, doubled-over, coughing. And then as her vision cleared, Connor was there, scooping her up. ]

Connor: "I told you to stop following me."

[ She put her arms around his neck as he carried her, and she murmured a question. ]

“Are…are they dead?”

[ Connor looked down at her, and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. ]

Connor: “Do you want them to be?”

[ Then the flashes behind her eyes took over and all went dark again. ]

******

[ When she came to again, they were on the roof again. Connor was holding a small device up to the keypad. It beeped a few times and then the door clicked open. ]

“Well I guess now I know how you keep getting into the building…I’m going to have to have a conversation with Haleigh about that.”

[ She started to laugh and then regretted it, the pounding in her head intensifying. Connor set her down and they started down the stairs together, she holding onto his arm and one railing to steady herself.

They reached her floor and Connor sat her down in a chair. He pulled out a flashlight and had her follow it with her eyes. He clicked off the light. ]

Connor: “Everything looks okay, but you should see a doctor tomorrow just to be sure. You have a first aid kit?”

[ Delilah went into the bathroom to clean up. Connor sat outside the open door – necessary in case she passed out again in the shower. She emerged, feeling a little nervous around him. She was dressed in her usual tank and pajama bottoms. She sat in a chair with him in another opposite of her. He had the first aid kit in his lap and begun doctoring her cuts and bruises. She noticed the fresh stitching on his arm. Her fingers brushed it lightly. ]

“What happened?”

[ He smiled. ]

Connor: “Nothing – just a scratch. I’ve had worse, darlin’.”

“You should get a new doctor - looks like you sewed it up yourself.”

[ He finished and closed the first aid kit, then turned down the covers on her bed and motioned for her to get in. Her head resting on the pillow, she looked up at him. ]

“Thank you.”

[ And he knew she meant more than just tucking her in. He bent down and kissed her forehead gently and spoke softly. ]

Connor: "I didn't kill them. I knew you wouldn't want me to."

[ He turned to go. Delilah grabbed his arm. She could hardly believe it was her voice speaking. ]

“Will you stay? Just until I fall asleep?”

[Oracle]

<< an interesting thing indeed....that Delilah would begin to develope a fondness for one such as Connor and was BALATANTLY violating the security protocalls of Illustra. it appears that Alison had cause for concern after all. >>

<< and so we watch.>>