The Inferno Crisis: heart of darkness

[Jill Monroe]

<<following a very awkward and intense meeting/reunion between members of the Six and Morgan's mother, Doctor Karen Victoria, the now larger group made its way to Morgan's luxury penthouse. it too was extremely cold and stagnant...almost as if it existed outside time as it were. It provided an eerie yet steady sanctuary from the madness that raged outside>>


meanwhile:

<<the demonic alter/plateau atop the now MONSTROUS and gothic empire state building. the clouds billow and emmit jagged bolts of black lightning...an evil fog hangs thick for MILES in all directions...as the city is transfixed in a demonic, magickal hell. demons have taken control everywhere...but thanks to efforts of The Six and their allies...human casualties WERE less than expected. Spellbinder fumed with agitation as she paced back and forther...her massive flowing cape stretching out behind her and casting a long shadow>>

CURSE THEM ALL...they have survived much farther than i thought. Ororo has guided them well. But no matter....I have reveled in random chaos long enough. the time has come to get SERIOUS!

<<thunder rolls and rumbles through the sky..even at that high an altitude...as the largest of demons stand at attention in a row along either side of the plateau, with Black at the head in front of the alter>>

<<abruptly turning around and pointing..her blonde, double highlighted hair flows upward in the winds like fluent shadows>>

Black...FIND them...and CRUSH THEM ALL! bring back the heart of Cameron and the HEAD of Haleigh...they will make the most memorable keepsakes fo those two repulsive insects. Do not stop until their bodies are BROKEN...as well as their SPIRITS! do WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO!

<< Spellbinder watched as Black bowed and disappeared in a blast of black lightning bolts..she then made her way to the alter...and raked her nails down the ancient stone carvings>>

the time has come...for me to reach back into the past...to bring forth the sacrificial lamb , the baby Cameron King!! whose innocent blood will bridge the path between earth and limbo...rendering the gates open PERMANENTLY and forever transforming this land into LIMBO. the EARTH will soon learn the power of dark magick...as my demons and i sweep across this nation..and DESTROY IT!

<< her depraved laughter was bolstered by the blasting thunder and howling winds...lightning bolts flared across the sky..and STRUCK the lightning rods high atop ILLUSTRA's roof...but no harm came to the building yet>>


by destroying the baby Cameron..not only will i have my revenge TWO FOLD in that his adult form will be lost...but his sister ERIKA will learn the error of her ways for DARING to cross me. Haleigh will be broken hearted..making it EASIER to take her apart piece by piece...I will have my revenge upon them ALL!!


<< while Black was closing in on The Six...Morgan herself teleported away...through time...to aquire her prey and bring him back to prepare him for his final hour>>

[Ororo]

::inside the penthouse...Ororo looked around..taking in the surroundings. Alot of time had passed since HER time on earth with her X-men. Styles and trends had obviously changed, as had technology. Though she was far from naive and was possesed of intelligence and wisdom..she smiled slightly at the trappings of youth all around her. The pictures of Morgan and her celebrity friends: madonna, shannen doherty, demi moore, the rock and more all around; the stylish furniture and decor and the beautiful view provided the wall of "floor-to-ceiling" windows facing the east wall in the sitting room, dinning room and other rooms of the spacious loft::

::turning to see as the others all arrived in at last. Ororo shut the double doors behind them with a gentle gust of wind...and sealed it with her own warding spell...lest any stray creatures undetected in the building before somehow find their way up to this floor::

Ororo:in some ways..this splendid abode reminds me of my attic loft back at Xavier's mansion...such spacious expanse and a skylight. only i filled mine with more plants and flowers as I always prefered to be surrounded by nature. Morgan has certainly made a name and life for herself here.

:: While Alison and Karen were further away..looking at the rest of the group who were all at various points in the large sitting room::

I am glad to see you are all functioning more like a unit. The changes have taken root and definately become apparent. It is good that you have made it this far. But we still have more to do..and face. Karen is here to help, despite how she may feel about you all, that is her daughter out there, and she will put aside her personal feelings for the bigger picture....as we all will.

All you all in good health? are there any among you who are in need of healing?

::Ororo seemed a bit more warm toward them at this moment...but there was a hint of sadness in her voice as well. her solid white eyes looking at the young members of this group.::

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron said nothing as Karen introduced herself to the group. He decided to actually take Alison's advice for once in his life and do nothing. Besides he knew Blaze was on edge so he would rather her take the brunt of their meeting than himself for he had been the brunt since the beginning of all of this anyway. He followed them to the Penthouse of Morgan Victoria as he heard the door shut gently behind him. He nodded at Ororo's statement. Even he could not deny how much it felt like Morgan was already gone. Like they were going into her penthouse to remember who she was, the people she loved and what she herself loved to do. ::

"She certainly was well connected.. I remember when I first came to New York to do business with the Parthenon Hotels.. Illustra was the first and foremost name that they told me, besides Morgan Victoria.. funny how things work out, eh?"

:: Prophet looked at one of the pictures on a stand of the entire group of the Six at the opening of one of Blaze's many clubs. That was such a fun night. It was probably one of the only where the entire group got along. Everyone was smiling and dancing and enjoying themselves. They all knew their boundaries and followed them with ease then. Then of course a few weeks later, Kelly King came into the picture and any of the slow connection they had been growing for one another was crushed. No not crushed but massacred. It was almost kind of tragic. As Ororo asked the group how they were, Cameron needed to speak with Ororo badly. He asked her ::

"I.. actually.. Ororo.. can I speak with you for a few moments in private? Is that okay?"

[Erika King]

< Erika was just literally taken aback by all of the events happening around her. Underground Intelligence Agencies was one thing. Erika had worked with many of them in her career as a Profiler and Criminal Psychologist, but underground express ways, Morgan's Mother, Impending Doom. This was just alot to take in. Erika was in fact very interested to meet Karen Victoria. Both were psychologists and had Dr. in the beginning of their name. They would at least be able to establish some connection based on that. As they began to reach the top levels of Illustra, Erika's heartbeat began to race. She hadn't been back to this place since the earliest of Morgan's erruptions. She had seen then the rage in Spellbinder's magick but hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her about it. If only she would have said something. Maybe things would have turned out differently. As Ororo and Karen appeared in front of the group, Erika was stopped dead in her tracks. So this was Karen? She was DEFINITELY Morgan's mother. Their expressions, facial features and hair were just the beginning. As she looked at how Karen was burning a hole through Blaze, Cameron and Haleigh, she stepped back a moment. Why was she so excited to meet a woman who hated her brother and the people she had come to know as friends? The thought was derailed when Alison actually referred to her as her sister. This was almost too much and Erika wanted to cry right then and there but she stopped herself and took a moment to introduce herself after they arrived inside Morgan's Penthouse. >

"Hello, Dr. Victoria.. I'm Dr. Erika King.. a Psychologist like yourself... I don't want to be all sappy or apathetic, I just want to let you know, that I am here to save your daughter, and I will do anything in my power to do so.. I hope you can trust in that..."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< looking over the young Erika King, Karen's facial expression was less hostile for the moment. >>

Dr. King. << nodding to Erika as she shook her hand>>

I've seen your name on the registry of the National Board of Certified Counselors. But then again..any therapist, counselor or mental health professional of any speciality worth their salt gains admission to that registry before finishing their Master's program. <<looking over the young woman once more...and noting her obvious youth>> my...You must have pushed very quickly through grad and doctoral school.

<<Karen was a psychotherapist, she dealt with the most extreme cases involving patients with severe mental pathology. This was the specialization in mental health were only those with the strongest minds and most in depth knowledge dared enter. she'd worked with profilers in aiding police and other law enforcement agencies to catch the worst and most dangerous of criminals/serial killers and other sociopaths who endangered society. She also secretly used her magick to help rehibilitate some of herYOUNGER patients with severe mental pathology and set them back on the path to a normal, healthy life...that was in part what garnered her such a respected reputation in the ivy league of mental health professionals...not to mention her bewitching beauty. she catered to "high end" clients typically, charging extremely high fees but with her success rate...perspective patients from far and wide were willing to pay.>>

It isnt easy to act outside of oneself for the good of others. My daughter's personal hell has apparently been unleashed upon the city...whatever the cause ...i think it is a safe bet to say that all the help that we can get will be MUCH appreciated. I realize that this situation has drawn you in deep , but since you have apparently decided to remain and help thus far...allow me to thank you for your help and involvement.

[Harbinger]

::Watching Ororo and Cameron have a converastion, Alison thought it a very unusual sight. Ororo never really approved of Cameron for many reasons, but she remained an example of graciousness and poise, even in the face of a situation like this. She was a huge inspiration for Alison herself. She owed Ororo her life more than once over for all the times she'd been saved, revived and restored from injuries that wouldve killed anyone else dead PERMANENTLY.::


::she looked over..and saw Blaze by the floor to ceiling panoramic windows that stretched along the entire east wall of the main rooms of the pent house. taking a few moments, Alison went over to Blaze...::

I think someone is happy to see us.

:: Pointing down...a nervous tinkerbell poked her head out from underneath the coffee table...and looked up with her deep blue eyes at Alison and Blaze::

the poor baby...she knows her mommy is "not here anymore" in more ways than one. she's scared..i think alot of us are. even I ..with my precognition...I cant say that I feel CONFIDENT about these last hours. I can "plot out" events...and see them with clarity but still there is nothing like LIVING them.

:: she remembered the anguish that Blaze felt when Alison mentioned Karen resenting her for being Christopher's daughter::

I know it hurts you to have Karen disapprove of your very existence. Its not YOUR fault that her husband was the way he was. You're a product of an extra marital affair...one of many that he apparently had. He obviously wasnt satisfied with her beauty or intelligence. He was a pig in every sense of the word and his damaging effects live on in Morgan..who HATES men. All of this is in part due to her hatred of Cameron...a man. A man who provoked her to no end. It can't be helped now...but I can tell you that Karen WILL come to "forgive you" in her own way...she will allow herself to look past the stigma of your father. She is a very rational, logical woman...but when it comes to her daughter and christopher..and all the hellish dynamics of her family...she is UNDERSTANDBLY unnerved. You are an extended part of that family dynamic...When this is all over...provided we go down the most probable time thread that i see, She and Morgan will talk...and things will be laid to rest. The opportunity for you to at least be civil with Karen will present itself. I suggest you open your heart to know when that moment is...and take it.


Alexis can certainly identify with you in this matter..just as she could with Morgan when it came to being fathered by a maniacal psycho path. It looks like Ororo was right all along...there are MANY common threads among us all..if we take the time to see them.

::Alison bent down and picked up the nervous Tinkerbell. craddling the siamese cat in her arms..as she held her close to her chest to let her beating heart calm Tink down a bit.::

[Ororo]

::noting the picture that Cameron spoke of. she looked at it carefully. it was a beautiful moment captured. the fact that Morgan even had it framed suggested that somewhere in her icy heart..she DID have some regard for the whole of her team. of the few large potted plants that were present, Ororo began to inspect one of them gently..the plant seemed to immediately respond to her gentle touch..as Ororo was the creator of one of the most splendid, lush gardens anyone in the Six had ever seen. ::

::she listened as Cameron addressed her. and finally, when he paused..and asked to speak to her with a somewhat earnest tone, she turned and looked at him. She was nearly as tall as he was..but he was FAR younger than she. In better times...she could have been a sort of maternal figure to him just as she was Morgan, Alison and in other times and spaces, Magik, Darkchilde and Morpheus.::

Yes, child, what is it?

::this was the first moment since the citadle that she had really addressed Cameron directly.::

[Jacob Black]

:: Prophet looked at Ororo with an intense gaze of honesty and vulnerability. He just didn't know what to do at this point. He was so confused. Cameron didn't know whether he was going to live or die but he had to tell someone what he had seen. He needed some form of advice if any to make this go by a little easier ::

"Ororo...While I was telepathically talking to Blaze, my psychic sense grabbed hold of a memory from Blaze. It was Alison, showing the death of both Haleigh and myself.. I saw Morgan come back from the past with my child version. I saw her throw me into the air and zap me with an Eldritch Bolt. My blood is going to seal the gap between Limbo and Earth.. This is going to be all my fault, and I know you probably have no sympathy for me Ororo.. but I don't want to die.. I just reconnected with my family. I found my sisters, I saw my Father when I was embraced into the bloodline.. So much is going for me right now.. I don't want my relationship with Morgan to end the lives of so many people.. I don't know what I should do.. Should I just leave the Six? Should I never come back? I would have said something earlier but I was afraid I would explode.. What am I supposed to do? I just feel so... Lost..."

:: Ororo and Prophet were away from others viewing eyes when Cameron's head fell into his hands and he began to cry. And it wasn't just some light tears. He was afraid of death and had been his whole life, and now it seemed more imminent than ever that nobody was going to save him. That all of his time with the Six would mean nothing. Was he really such a horrible person that nobody would be able to forgive him? Did Cameron really have no soul? This was definitely a side of Prophet that Ororo was not expecting to see and she would definitely be taken aback. He wasn't looking for sympathy, or someone to tell him everything was going to be alright. He knew it wasn't going to be, he just wanted a hint of something. He wanted advice. He would have gone to Erika but if she knew what was going to happen to him, then she most certainly would have lost control. He was turning to the most unlikely person for "guidance" and it was definitely not easy, but he had to do something. ::

[Ororo]

::Ororo looked at the young man..as he began to weep. She remained silent. Her own maternal instincts of course had been touched by this moment of vulnerability and emotion from Cameron..but at the same time, she remembered him and all that he had been UP to this point.::

::she could hardly pass FINAL judgement on him, for she too had gone down dark paths in her life. from the first time she violated her own oath not to kill another human being to the moment where she turned to dark magicks to help protect herself, shadowcat and a young Magik from the wrath of Belasco. She knew that life was never set in stone and that we never made the right choices EVERY time. For the first time since meeting Cameron..she felt SYMPATHY. She had already KNOWN about Morgan's plot, Alison had told her this when she deviated from the group while they were on the west coast...but she too knew that if Erika had found out, she would have become a danger to the success of this caper as well as herself...for Morgan would have eaten her for breakfast in a magickal fire fight. SO MUCH was riding on their success..including Cameron's life and although Ororo was less than confident in him as a man of high character, she saw before her a young man who as genuinely scared for his life....and he was asking for her guidance in his own darkest hour::

Cameron King....

::gently lifting his face out of his hands with her own hand...and waving her hand in front of it as a very small cloud burst forms over his face...the gentle flowing rain mist and breeze sweeps away the tears and cools his eyes and refresh his face...and serves to calm him::


from the moment that I first laid eyes on you..i was never confident of the content of your character. But despite my personal misgivings...you are a young man, who ULTIMATELY deserves a chance to live a better life. the foundation has certainly been laid for it. I lost my beloved X-men years ago to Belasco and the hordes of Limbo. Without going into endless detail...I stand before you here now so that I may help PREVENT a revisiting of the tragedy that befell my X-men all those years ago. Your LEAVING would not correct or change anything, as Morgan would find you and surely finish what she started in Limbo when she attacked you. It is better that you remain here with this group...your team, your sisters..and even Karen and myself. We will do everything within our power to see you and EVERYONE ELSE live through this nightmare....so that you all may live your lives as you were meant to and continue to grow...and when this is over...REMEMBER this moment right now...and never allow yourself to revert back to that which you were before. THIS my child is the dawn of a new level of awarness of yourself...your actions and how they affect others.


::Cameron didnt know Ororo's history...how she came to be the powerful, immortally beautiful sorceress that stood before him and all the heartache, sorrow and tragedy that catalyzed her to embrace sorcerey. He didnt know the price she had paid..and how even if she wanted to, she could never return to earth to resume the life that she once lead all those years ago..for her family, the X-men...had died she was the last to survive and though she had her revenge against Belasco and won her soul back...she was still ultimately ALONE...just like DARKCHILDE , one of Morgan's counterparts. So this night certainly meant something to her as much as it did anyone else...and despite her personal misgivings about Cameron..she would not simply stand by and allow him to be butchered.

[Foxfire]

** Dreadful and morose, Blaze's mind raced with wild thoughts about seeing Karen Victoria. The Mutant would highly avoid her at all costs to preserve the peace around her. Things within the group were flowing nicely, it was odd how a tragedy brought such diverse people together, just as they had back in the Citadel. Alexis did the unthinkable, she comforted Blaze, pulling her by the arm to speak privately. Her eyes slide up onto the Meta Human, respectfully listening to her advice. **

"Its good to know that I'm not alone in this..."

** So much vulnerability escaped Foxfire with those short words. Pain and agony lashed out at her troubled soul but like that of a solider, she kept GOING! Perhaps it was her family background that made her so stubborn and pig headed. She mouthed a thank you to Alexis who released her arm. However, that small ounce of comfort faded when Karen Victoria appeared, and she had heard the last sentence Blaze spoke off. Blaze looked down in shame at the cold wintery voice of Karen, who addressed the others. Swallowing the large lump within her throat, Blaze allowed the others to walk ahead. Foxfire stayed all the way in the back, the last member of the group to enter Morgan's posh penthouse. She shivered at the cold and stuffy air here. She could even see her own breath through the air. Quickly, she avoided everyone again, moving over to the windows. Noticing a small framed picture of herself and Morgan, Blaze picked it up. Biting down on her quivering lower lip, she ran the palm of her hand over it. She felt the need to cry but contained the emotion, but she felt her eyes gaining warmth. Blinking away the tears, she tightly pulled the frame to her chest, hugging it tightly, like it was the last possession on earth. **

** Her eyes peered out the windows, knowing Morgan was out there plotting against the team and who knew what else. A feminine voice entered her senses, it was Alison. Turning to look at Guardian, she sniffled to herself. She lightly tried to "smile" but only a small portion of her lips curved. Even such a small exercise as smiling was hurting Blaze. Listening to Alison's words, she felt a pint of clarity and more comfort. In time Karen would give the Mutant a chance, probably when she got her daughter back. Putting the frame back down on the table in front of the couch. She then noticed Tinkerbell whose eyes revealed her fright and uncertainty, just the way Blaze felt. **

"Thank you Alison."

** It was the only thing Blaze could think of. Alison was comforting her again even explaining what the Seer saw. It meant a lot to the elemental, but that pain still surged through her. Right when Alison picked up Tinker, Blaze could feel intense anger, rage, and hatred. Her hand moved to swing around to catch her balance. The power was too much for Blaze, who felt Morgan's blood thirst. Collapsing down onto the carpet, she felt terrified. She was just glad she didn't have to see it unfold. The air in Morgan's penthouse dropped in degrees and Blaze was the first to feel its affects. **

"She's coming Alison....or her demons are coming."

** Blaze slowly climbed to her feet, sitting down the sofa instead to catch her breath. Wrapping her arms around her cold body, she became quiet again. Goosebumps were lined over Foxfire's arms with the tiny hairs erect. **

"She knows Ororo has aided us far, I feel her anger towards her....based on our rapport. Its intense and overwhelming....I've never felt anything like this....she's fuming at our success of working together as a team...she's making plans to see that's terminated."

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Seeing Karen appear, Alexis watched the woman closely...she wasn't sure how she registered on Karen's hate list, until the woman extended her hand out to Alexis and greeted her. Nodding, she took Karen's hand and shook it. ::

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Victoria."

:: Honestly, she didn't seem like a horrible woman...just a woman concerned for her child. Looking to Ororo hearing if anyone needed healing, Alexis stepped forward.....it was just a gash, a small little thing. But what worried the metahuman was the fact that one of Morgan's demons had inflicted it on her. Sliding the bloody ripped shirt that was tied around her wound, she showed it to Ororo. ::

"If you could.."

:: Parting her lips, the gash was pretty deep and seemed to change with color since the last time she saw it. But before Ororo could administer her healing powers, Cameron came up requesting Ororo's assistance. Lowing her arm, she shimmied the torn shirt back onto the gash, covering it up. ::

"Go speak with Cameron. He probably needs your help more then I."

:: Alexis knew Cameron was in a bind, along with Blaze and Haleigh. She was the only one who wasn't fully effected by this event...therefore her minor cut could wait until later. Others needed to be helped first--with more dire problems. Stepping off to the side, she made her way deeper into Morgan's penthouse, noticing the chilly temperature even greater now. Stepping into the kitchen, she headed straight for the sink, turning it on. Removing her torn shirt from the wound, she placed the tender wound under the running water, wincing slightly. Bits of skin and muscle ran into the drain, along with blood. Gently moving her thumb along the cut, cleaning it off a bit more, Alexis then shut the water off and immedtiatly grabed a paper towel dabbing her forearm dry. Tossing the used paper towel into the near by trash can, she noticed a clean dish towel hanging on Morgan's stove. Taking that, the meta human tied that around her wound which started bleeding once again. Alexis could of gone into the bathroom and gotten a better form of bandage, but she would rather stay with the group then head off by herself. It was the smartest move in this moment of time. After cleaning up her wound and putting a cleaner "bandage" on it, Alexis left the kitchen which overlooked the six in the livingroom. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the back of the sofa overlooking everyone in the room. the meta human waited patiently for the others. ::

[Shadow Weaver]

<< while talking with Erika Karen looked over at Alexis.>>

that looks like a nasty little wound there. I can also perform magick healing/curing.

<<Karen took a look at the wound before flicking her index finger at it. a small icy blue trail of sparkling energy hits the wound and spreads around it....nullifying any possible infection as the wound begins to heal very quickly and close up...leaving no marks or scars. there was a cooling sensation as well. this was the first demonstration of Karen's own powers...more would follow later.>>

contrary to what you might have heard this evening, I am a mother, and no good mother likes to see a child in pain or injured. My issues with some of the people here will not prevent me from doing everything i can to bring my daughter back and ensure the safety of the city.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Looking up at Karen then back down to her arm, she felt her wound begin to heal. Removing the dish cloth from her arm, the gash was now healed. Lifting her blue eyes up to Karen, Alexis smiled softly to the woman. ::

"Thank you."

:: Karen reminded her a lot of her own mother, Monica. Or atleast, from the pictures AJ had shown her. And the fact that she was acting very motherly towards her made Alexis' conclusion about how much of a "bitch" Karen was going to be go out the window. Frankly, it was nice to be looked after for once instead of being the person to look after others. She never grew up with a mother figure...so Karen's kind act somewhat put a smile on Alexis' normally pouty lips. Removing the dish towel from her arm she placed it on the couch and re crossed her arms. These moments of tranquility were going to be short lived....Morgan was most likely on her way, and once she arrived, all hell would break loose. ::

[Harbinger]

::as Alison stroked Tinkerbell's little head...and the cat seemed to calm a bit...just as Blaze felt ill from the extreme chill of the penthouse, the scrying glass, far across the room in a den that lead off from the sitting room began to glow and pulsate::

the scrying glass is trying to show us something. lets go take a look!

::Guardian began to walk across the sitting room area along the panoramic window..her stilletto boots made no sound on the plush carpet as she passed from that room through door way into the den which actually served as Spell's area of consecration, the area where she conducted her private magickal affairs. the walls of the den bore the aspect of outerspace...with flowing zodiac charts that seemed to turn with the earth's own rotation...there were shelves filled with potions, orbs that contained mysterious objects and talismans...as well as the Darkhold, one of the most POWERFUL book of spells on the earth....shared among the trinity...it possesed the darkest, most violent spells that would make the average practicioner of magick faint of heart::

::the room was dimly lit by the bewitching glow of the scrying glass...an extremely large, smoothed faced mystic lens that was held by an ancient gothic stone talon structure....the face of the glass was now sparkling ..as images within the lens were flowing, flickering::

I think we are about to get the answers we are looking for as to just WHY this is happening...and what we might be able to do about it.

[OOC: IF you havent read this thread that im posting the link to, please do so when you read this post]

::as Guardian stepped the closest, followed by Karen...the glass began to form images...showing actual events as they took place. It also provided audio as well. They saw...Spellbinder sitting on the butte in the ocean back when they had arrived to Erika's. she appeared to be meditating as she sat in a pentagram of protection. the stormy winds and waters raged around her as her hear blew....and soon...Spellbinder's eyes began to flutter.. she was very tired and sleepy it seemed...and soon..she slowly lay down falling asleep right there..in the middle of the ocean..and THAT is when things became bizarre::

see the events as the scrying glass shows them HERE:
http://www.screen-gems.net/showthread.php?t=653



::everyone would watch..and see....each person reacting/responding in their own way as the images played out on the mystic lens::

[Jacob Black]

:: Prophet looked up at Ororo as she gave him the straight truth but wise advice. He wiped his eyes as he turned his head away. ::

"I will never forget this as long as I live, Ororo... But we need to move fast, I can't be worried about my own life right now when there are thousands of citizens being killed as we speak. We have to get to that Scrying Glass..."

:: Just as he mentioned it, Alison led them all over to the Scrying Glass as they saw Morgan meditating in her Silver Pentagram of Protection. As she seemingly passed out the group was taken inside her mind or wherever she seemed to be as she was greeted by Black himself. He watched with horror as Spellbinder was pretty much tempted into giving into her darkside by Black as he returned from her slumber completely rejuvenated and much younger looking. ::

"She gave into it willingly.. I don't see how much we can do to stop her at the moment. She would have to give up that dark part of her willingly and right now I don't think she would do that?"

:: Everyone seemed to be cloaked in silence as they watched the images of her being taken to the palace by Black and questioned about her actions on Earth. None of this made any sense at all. Why did she go there and why was Black seeming to have been waiting for her return?::

[Ororo]

::Ororo watched the events of that most bizarre dream unfold...she was deeply saddened by Spellbinder's choice...and watched with grim feeling as the events played themselves out::

Ororo: Fascinating....apparently her hatred of Cameron and Haleigh created a need for power. Power that was already her's via Limbo by birthright. This was no dream...she fell into a disc while she slumbered, and encountered Black in Limbo...who apparently now is HER right hand demon. He merely acted as a PUSH for her to embrace her darkest desire....to leg go of all self control and destroy Haleigh and Cameron...along with the city. But one thing is also clear, she needed a REASON to let go...up until this episode in her "astral nightmare", her core being..kept her in check, not allowing her to kill them outright even in times past when she lashed out at them. But now, there are no restraints. That is why she was able to obliterate Haleigh and tear Cameron's skeleton from his body. NOW she will plummet to any depths necessary to accomplish her goal

This is the WORST case scenario...of the three in the dark trinity..Morgan is the most bitter and vengefull. Magik is on the side of good. Darkchilde is evil/neutral... but Morgan...is completely given over to her black heart of darkness.

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen watched with disbelief...her eyes widening at the bizarre sight of her daughter as a mannequin...before being shaped and tempered into the killing machine she is now...along with BLACK appearing to be alive and well..but presenting himself in a different form. watching as he led her deeper into darkness before finally catalyzing her transformation.>>


my baby....<< she closed her eyes tightly...she was very distraught at what she saw>> .....what could the two of you have done to drive her into the arms of a DEMON!? and not just ANY demon...the demon who brutalized her and nearly killed her TWICE.

<<she screamed at Haleigh and Cameron>> Why do you two seem to be a common demoniator through this WHOLE nightmare?

[Harbinger]

::seeing herself appear in this pecuilar "astral nightmare", Guardian clenched her fist. she was angry at HERSELF for having NOT helped the mannequin form of Morgan...she didnt know how or WHY she had been there....but now she was furious at herself::

curses! I was THERE...and yet...i didnt help her. But i dont understand HOW...when this happened..i couldnt sense Morgan in ANY thread of time...past or present. all i could see was what was yet to come. it was as if she completely disappeared from this time and space all together......

::Alison felt a sense of loss. She had always been there for Morgan..from the time they first met...and through the time when Morgan mourned Blaze's death....but now..it appeared she had let her beloved best friend down in the worst way. She heard the anguish in Karen's voice...and IMMEDIATELY she too felt a flash of bitterness towards Cameron and Haleigh. THEY were the reason Morgan left the group in the first place, CAMERON wanted to see her ruined in the worst way...and NO ONE but Blaze heeded Alison's repeated warnings...until it was too late::

::she gritted her teeth with annoyance...but closed her eyes and shook her head::

::thinking:: Am i to blame just as much as THEY are? How could i be...i couldnt tell where she was for this space of time..i had no way of knowing...but THEY...THEY continually provoked her and pushed her to this point......this is THEIR FAULT! NO..we cant do this now..we CANT start pointing fingers...time is of the essence and ......and we HAVE to stay together...its the only way we'll make it through!

...Karen...i think...That is why Ororo has been so disappointed in us, The Six. Haleigh and Cameron did provoke her and goad her yes..but while we were out on the west coast at Erika's, for about an hour...or two, i couldnt detect Morgan ANYWHERE in any time or space past or present...all i could see was her future..OUR future. I tried to tell everyone..but people thought i was just using my precognition to lord over them. The only people who really KNEW what was coming besides myself were Blaze and Ororo. I think we ALL failed to see what was coming....

I ...I......just cant believe that Black is back. he nearly killed Morgan, Alexis and Myself at MysTech's Citadle....if Ororo hadnt arrived....we'd be dead now. How are we supposed to stop him NOW that he is working WITH Morgan?!

::Alison's own anguish became apparent.....the scene from the scrying glass was VERY shocking...and it was understandable that those closest to Morgan would be upset by what they had just seen and learned. For Guardian..one of the most hard and stoic of the group to began to react like this...was ANOTHER first.::

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron watched as Karen understandingly exploded upon Haleigh and Cameron. He wanted so much to explode right back at her, but he remembered what his sisters had warned him about. He promised he wouldn't provoke anyone. Instead he tried to calmy explain his stand on the situation. His blood was boiling but he maintained composure ::

"Karen.. I am not going to make excuses. I, myself am in large part responsible for this, but had I known something like this would happen.. I never would have done those things... I know that is not very comforting.. it's the truth.."

:: He knew that Karen would probably still be very upset but he was trying to derail the conversation before it got too heated as they would still need to get to Morgan and figure out the best plan of action on what to do. There was still a city load of people to protect as well as Morgan herself. ::

"But any of us arguing now, will not help Morgan or the City.. We need to figure out our best plan of action..."

:: Thinking about Black ::

"Well, Spellbinder had to rely on her stepping discs, flight and super strength to defeat him. He was an entity of energy right? We need to think along those lines..We will have to do the same. Haleigh is the only person here that is remotely close to Morgan's strength. As for defeating him, I am not sure how..."

:: Taking the Siege Perilous out of his pocket ::

"I still have this, if you think we should notice, though from the looks of things now, it didn't do any good in the first place..."

:: Cameron handed the Perilous to Alison and put it in her hand. This was hers and it belonged to her. She let him use it to destroy their mother, but Alison would be the sole decision maker on this one ::

[Erika King]

< As Erika watched the events through the Scrying Glass she began to think of her own future. Would this be the path that she would eventually go down? Her sister perhaps? Magick was such a powerful and addicting thing. Some people just weren't able to go without their fix. They were the types that used magick to close their doors and do their hair. They never got quite high enough. This is what Erika had thought of what happened to Morgan. She had been with magick for so long. She was so powerful. If you took that away, perhaps she would be able to come down from her darkness. She ignored the small argument between Karen and Cameron as she continued. >

"Well.. I am thinking that probably the only way to stop Morgan would be to bind her powers in some kind of way, temporarily. She is giving into the power. It is like an addiction, the more she creates, the more powerful she feels.. We have to purge her system of magick and slowly recourse it back into her body..."

< She continued to watch the Scrying Glass as she turned to Karen Victoria who was obviously still upset about what she had seen in the Glass, which was understandable. But the Six couldn't afford a single argument. She had seen what happened to the group when they argued time and time again in her own estate in California. Somebody had to stop this from worsening. >

"Listen.. I know we all have mixed feelings about this, but we can't afford to come apart at the seems in the most important part of this whole thing. We have to stick together."

[Ororo]

::taking hold of one of Karen's hands...and raising the other to get everyone's attention::

Ororo:Karen is upset...and rightly so. Her daughter, as we can see, is consorting with BLACK of all creatures. A demon who has terrorized her for years and nearly killed her more than once. Karen's anguish is that which any mother would feel when seeing their child in such a terrifying situation. I think those who hold a large portion of responsibility in this situation know who they are....and in their hearts they realize what a mistake they made But we cannot afford to waste precious time trying lay blame right now.

Black himself is not what he was before. Look at his physical appearence. he is no longer a creature of energy. He was redesigned....to present another aspect of his being and placed in a most ironic situation. He does not pose a threat to Morgan anymore...but he most certainly poses a threat to all of us. There is no telling just be looking if his powers or his abilities have changed.

As for Morgan..."binding" her power is not quite what i had in mind as any spell leveled against her she could turn back, warp or even IMITATE against the caster, BUT it is on the right track. Morgan has allowed the flood gates of hatred and bitterness to open and wash over her soul..BUT as i taught her years ago...one CAN win their soul BACK from darkness. I did it...so did Magik and Darkchilde. It was the one lesson that Morgan never had the chance to PERSONALLY experience herself.

But.......

::bringing forth that Orb she produced earlier during the fight in Limbo::

I have this...the remnant of the brightest , most powerful piece of Morgan's soul....one of the first spells i taught her...to manifest that part of her which could never be compromised by magick or anything else from outside herself...

when the final battle comes...the most terrifying moment...Karen and I will know what to do. But for the rest of you....Facing Black...and Morgan initial wave of violence....and SURVIVING will be your highest priority.

Erika, your healing magicks will be pivotal in ensuring that those who battle Black stay in good health...and stay ALIVE, dont waver and doubt yourself even as you watch this situation with Morgan unfold. her path is not yours..nor will it ever be. EACH of you has a postion to play tonight. Black isnt facing the same people whom he faught in the Citadle. Everyone here tonight has demonstrated the potential to grow BEYOND the shortcomings that have imparied this group's ability function as a whole. backed by allies such as Erika, Karen and myself....the battle will be fierce...and hard fought, but we CAN prevail.

let us look to the scrying glass once more..to see what IS at this very moment.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Ororo's words were strong and c omforting. Speaking from experience, battling Black was tough and she was certain that she wouldn't have to do it again. But unfortunatly...luck wasn't on her side or the side of the six thus far. Black was a fierce competitor, and the fact that he has changed since the last battle makes the situation even harder. Alexis looked towards the scrying glass as everyone else did and awaited an image...any image. ::

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh strode out of the elevator and into Morgan's penthouse with unwavering confidence, as though she'd not just been shaken by word from her dearest friend and as though the city werent crumbling in front of her. She was always capable of the uncanny ability to compartmentalize thoughts a nd feelings in order to get the mission accomplished or hoodwink state of the art lie detection equipment. Haleigh silently faded into the background as the group took a moment to reacquiant themselves with Morgan's mother. She CAUGHT the look Karen was giving her... but chose to let it slide... after all.... SHE had been the one preaching to everyone about giving each other latitude... so she wasn't about to be the one to break the unity they'd developed.

She stood next to Cameron, chuckling about the picture. "Yeah, back when all I wanted to do was take a DAMN picture or two." She let Cameron go to speak with Ororo.... she'd had her turn and she sensed they ALL would eventually.... for O just seemed like the type to go to and tell these things... she seemed to possess a calming effect and she gave good advice. Haleigh looked over as Alison picked up Tinkerbell... she reached over softly to touch Tinkerbell... partly just for the comfort she got when petting animals... but the cat was not so warm towards her... like before... it tensed up and hissed, and Haleigh frowned and quickly withdrew her hand as though she'd been stung.

"You hold a grudge, I see. Just as well... I'm more of a dog person." She said lightly, shrugging, listening as the others continued to talk. She just wanted to get this over with.... and find out what was behind the mysterious message. She looked up at O spoke... she was sick of WAITING for this Black character to come... she was ready to get this show on the road.

[Foxfire]

** Off in a daze, Blaze remained on the sofa. Personally, she didn't want to look into the scrying glass to see what Morgan had become, she could feel it. And she felt it a while ago back at Erika's place. She chose to stay put on the couch, folding her palms in her lap neatly. She needed to be away from the group, even if they were just a few feet. **

** She did listen to the various conversations being held and she noticed another consecutive change within Guardian, first by calling Erika her sister, then being somewhat less cold, and now expressing her concern and somewhat fear to the whole group. She admired Alison for letting down her walls, just once. Blaze's green eyes focused back on the photo propped up on the coffee table with herself and Morgan. She looked at the photo longingly, the mutant knew when and where the picture was taken. Running a hand through her hair, she brushed her locks back into a sleek ponytail now with a few strands of lose ends framing her face. **

** Blaze's mind focusing in on the memory, replaying it in her memory banks. It seemed Blaze was in a trance while she sat on the couch, looking off into space. **

[Jill Monroe]

<<the scrying glass images began to swirl and shift...now climbing high.....higher and higher still up the impossibly tall empire state building up to that alter and plateau where Spellbinder was. She gestured menacingly over the alter...as a toy sized image of ILLUSTRA appeared floating above the alter>>


I do not want any possible interference. Even IF they some how manage to withstand Black's assault, i cannot allow them to live long enough to reach this place. they'll thank me to feed their remains to the demons when this is over. especially that repulsive robo chick haleigh and her lap dog cameron.


<<as she turned....her face now seemed to look DIRECTLY BACK at the group from the scrying glasss. her face was once again enshrouded in shadow..her eyes solid red...and her hair flowing up like endless waves of an ocean>>


Ill bring the whole building down around their ears...and turn that entire city block into a ball of silver flames! this will clear the way for me to destroy cameron....and use his blood to bridge the path between earth and limbo!

<<thunder crashes as the glass loses contact with Morgan...and all entrances at Illustra are sealed shut by magick.>>

[Black]

::a large hulking shadow stretched and lengthed across the rooms in the main area of the penthouse...one might assume they were caused by the setting sun and the large buildings from the outside, coupled with the many structures inside...but it was Black::

::as he silently formed behind Blaze...and raised his large scythe composed of dark shroud energy...the ONLY link to his past as an energy creature....the demon dwarfed EVERYONE in the penthouse in size and strength. Without a word...or sound...he SLAMS the blade down with tremendous four and speed...striking Blaze in her shoulder::

[Jill Monroe]

<< gesturing over the flicking image of Illustra....Spellbinder casts one of the deadliest spells YET>>

<< winds rise across the skies...and began blow trees to a point of snapping and toppling smaller objects...as billowing black clouds now PUSH OUT ALL REMAINING SUNLIGHT...and black lightning begans to flash jaggedly across the sky>>


the depths of hell shall be their tomb
Born through the skies on a fog of doom!
Now go with a curse and serve me well...
round the walls of Illustra..CAST THY SPELL!


<< Morgan gestures and directs toward the direction...like a conductor of a mad symphony....as Illustra now finds itself surrounded by a shadowy purple/black fog....which then gives way to an ENDLESS BARRAGE OF BLACK LIGHTNING BOLTS that ROCK the buildindg so hard...the alarms began to sound off...the building shudders and shakes... as evil magicks radiate through the walls, and all systems...causing internal explosions, glass to shatter, other objects to fall...total chaos! Eldritch fire balls....large, ballistic flaming bolts composed of silver mystic flame began to bombard the building...concentrating especially on the top floors....the repeated strikings cause such thunderous crashing and explosions as well>>

[Erika King]

< Erika's magickal sense began to tingle all around her body as she turned around just moments after Blaze had been hit with the scythe in the shoulder. She called attention to everyone. Although Blaze had extremely keen senses, there was no way she would have been able to sense the demon as nobody had even sensed him enter. >

"Blaze! NO! EVERYONE! BLACK IS HERE!"

< With a single thought Erika used her healing gifts to soothe the wound on Blaze's shoulder. It healed up but there was probably some magickal residue left from the energy composed scythe. She stood strong as she eyed the demon directly and called for his Scythe. >

"Scythe!!"

< Orbs began to swirl around Black's Scythe only these were not like anything the group had seen her do before. Instead of the bright lights and white orbs everyone had seen before, they were dark in nature with hints of violet and dark blue. The Orbs encompassed the Scythe as it was teleported to her hands. She hadn't anticipated that the Scythe was composed of such a dangerous energy and upon contact began burning her hand feverishly as she sent it flying behind her with great speed. As she tried to gain her stance she was toppled to the floor along with the rest of the Six as the Building of Illustra was under an immense attack. She looked out of the window to see Eldritch Fire Balls and things of that nature attacking the place, trying to topple it down completely. >

"Morgan is trying to destroy Illustra completely! We don't have alot of time!"

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron heard his sister's cry as she began to engage Black directly which was something he wouldn't have expected her to do. Just what happened in the Citadle with Ororo and Alison? The Erika that stood facing Black was not the same Erika that stood before him now. She seemed more powerful, more intimidating and it wasn't something he was sure he liked. As he dodged the scythe that Erika had taken from Black he got back onto his feet as he tried to get to his feet which was quickly tabled as the building of Illustra was literally rocked from side to side sending everyone flying to the floor. In the window he saw the fiery effects of what could only be a spell cast by Morgan. He slowly made his way off of the floor, he looked to Alison with a shocked look on his face ::

"We need to keep the building from toppling? Do you think we could combine our powers to hold up a powerful enough Telekinetic Shield? To at least lessen some of the impact?"

:: Prophet was trying his best to at least do something as he figured that Black was most likely immuned to his mutant powers as were most of the Upper Level Demons they had faced and pretty much all of Mystech's drones. Squinting his eyes, he pushed Blaze out of the line of fire of Black and into one of the couch's in the main sitting room. She might not have liked being pushed back but he knew how much Black would be able to get inside her head if he tried to. Turning to Guardian, he stated once again. ::

"What do you think?"

[Harbinger]

::Guardian desperately tried to steady herself against the violent shaking as the building besieged. the SHOCK and suddenly blitz of the attack almost MINIMIZED the fact that Black was looming large in the penthouse::

PSYCHIC phenomena isnt going to stop Spellbinder's attack. this is a magickal attack...of the highest offensive order.........and she timed it just right...because now we are trapped between a rock and hard place!


:: another blast strikes the building...illuminating the penthouse with a bright silver light...PAINFULLY strobbing...as the thunderous echo of the explosion lingers::

[Shadow Weaver]

<< running out to the sitting room...stumbling from the sever shock and impact...Karen glared at Black with contempt>>

you wont get away with what you've done to my daughter monster!! I've waited for YEARS for this moment!!


<< a blue black aura radiated raround her as she extended her arms horizontally...around her body, five points of magick form....spinning fast as they turn into mystic force daggers...composed of energy and with edges sharp as a monomolecular blade...as they spin and sparkle, Karen thrusts her hands forward...and sends the daggers flying at high speeds. the daggers charge madly for Black at such positions that they will slam him back against the wall and CRUCIFY him in place>>

[Ororo]

::Ororo was nearby...holding on to the back of the couch, as she began to steady herself after the first wave of Spellbinder's assault::

Ororo: perhaps not PSYCHIC based shields Guardian, but Prophet IS on to something. If Karen, and myself join hands and magicks...WE can repell Spellbinder's attack for a time. Guardian can shield us from Black while the rest of you attempt combat him.

::looking over at Karen who was already engaging Black::

but convincing KAREN will be another matter. She is enraged right now...and will stop at NOTHING to destroy Black...with or WITHOUT anyone's help!

[Black]

::Black growled as his scythe was snatched away...but even as Erika succeeded in disarming him at that moment, SHE couldnt have known...that the sycthe was not merely a solid form...and was controlled by Black mentally now. it could become ANYTHING he wanted it to::


:: he turned...and forcibly shoved Erika aside as if she were the lightest feather....moving with FRIGHTENING speed toward Alison and Cameron...but was caught off guard when KAREN appeared...hurling her mystic force daggers at him...he was in mid stride and had no time to dodge..as the daggers slammed into him...impaling his hands and ankles...as they continue to fly...and drag him back across the room..toppling tables and furniture as he was now NAILED to the wall by the daggers::


Black: Morgan's mother eh? i might've known. Only she could think of something so "artful" yet so SAVAGE. This wont hold me woman...and when i get loose..ill feast on your pretty little body and pick my teeth with your bleached bones!

::he cracked his neck as he roard...and began to strain against the daggers...trying to break loose from his crucifixion. his physique was AMAZING..and his strength was far beyond that of anyone in this penthouse::

::at his mental command, the scythe...transformed into a stream of small "marble sized and shaped" orbs...a SWARM of shroud energy...and it now surged forth...ATTACKING Erika...swarming around her and circiling her face...slicing at her, stining her with their toxic, poison touch and trying to get into her eyes, nose and mouth to cause a PAINFULL suffocation::

[Shadow Weaver]

END OF THE LINE PAL! I'm PUNCHING YOUR TICKET IN!

<<taking fast strides forwar...as she struck a pose...a chime sounded off...as white blast lines shined around her and she TRANSFORMED into an extremely LARGE solid marble ball with spikes...a MACE of sorts....and it rolled crushing EVERYTHING it its path....before SLAMMING into Black and the wall....bull dozing him INTO the wall..and causing that portion of the wall to implode...thankfully the inner "skeleton" of the six was rienforced with carbonium steell>>

<<there was the sickening sound of flesh being ripped and pierced and bones being cracked and as the giant mace seemed to grind into what was presumed to be the mangled body of Black>>


<<Karen's power was quite interesting to see when manifested...just what kind of magick she channeled was unclear but it WAS clear to see where Morgan got her savage instinct for battle from>>


<< as the dust and rubble settled from the impact of her smashing into Black...she returned to her true form...with her hands on her hips>>

mess with MY daughter will you!?

<< she hissed with contempt>>

<< but if Karen thought even she could subdue Black so easily..she was mistaken...PAINFULLY mistaken>>

[Black]

::shadows lengthened and constricted as Black reformed after a few harried minutes....standing BEHIND Karen and the massive amount of damage done to the wall she had initially crucified him too. he tapped her on her shoulder::

Black: Dr. Victoria!! who would have thought that a scrawny, prissy skirt like yourself could be capable of such savage instinct...but of course, Morgan has that too. I always liked that about her. Like mother like daughter i guess. But that wasnt very nice what you did...wrecking your daughter's pretty little penthouse all for your personal vendetta.

::Black BACKHANDS Karen and sends her sprawling into the side of that wall that ends just before the window. Standing over her...he lifts his hand upward...and manifests a large boulder of shroud energy. watching as she hits the floor...stunned and barely conscious::

you pose an extreme threat doctor..which is why i think its time to CRUSH your pretty little face

[Erika King]

< Erika swatted her hands in the air as she tried to bat away the shroud energy as it entered her own body. Thankfully her restorative magicks were working against the energy and subconsciously healing Erika of any physical wounds that she was suffering at the moment though she still felt as if she was being poisoned. All of this energy coursing through her body mader almost fall to her knees as she tried to chant a spell to rid herself of the energy. >

"Darkest Energy I can't quell... Death TAKES you with this spell!"

< As she hit the floor for a second time the energy seemed to lift as it was suddenly completely gone around her. She stood up and dusted herself off before continuing with the battle as if she had never been wounded. Erika was not a quitter and she never gave up. She wasn't about to start now. The purple bruising on Erika's face from Black's punch began to slowly heal as she could feel the tingle on her cheek. She looked at Karen and acted out of pure instinct. >

"Black you Son of a Bitch! Unhand the Woman! What? Do you have a thing for the Victoria Women?"

< A static charge seemed to fill the room as crackling could be heard from Erika's hands and immediately she had charged and was now emmitting a continuing blast of Mystic Force from her hands that traveled almost faster than Black could see, hitting him dead in the chest and knocking him straight into the window that led to at least a hundred foot drop to the floor. Erika knew he could would most likely be back but it would give her some time. The blast had the force of a freight train to a person with magickal capabilities and though Black was certainly much stronger, he would definitely feel the impact. Her eyes were now glowing a bright silver as she walked forward pushing him backwards with her magick. >

"You have a HARD lesson to learn, Black! And first is that you do NOT come between a woman and her FAMILY! If you think for one second I will let you lay a hand on my brother, sister or ANYONE else in this room than you are SORELY Mistaken!"

< And with a final push, she blasted Black out of the window as shards of glass became imbedded into his back. She had hoped with enough luck that he might catch the angry end of an Eldritch Fireball but she knew she didn't have that kind of luck. Still as the magick stopped coursing from her hands, she quickly went over to Karen and began to heal her as a soft golden glow was emmitted from her hands. >

"Karen, are you okay? Speak to me!"

[Foxfire]

**It was easy for Black to attack Foxfire, she was isolated from the group just feet away. She hadn't been able to sense the beast, not even once! Suddenly her shoulder was impaled violently with some sort of weapon, Blaze's green eyes went wide with a small gasp echoing in the corner of the room. **

** She could see the pointed end of the weapon protruded out of her shoulder, which only made her head spin more. Dazed and confused, Blaze felt her eyes move in the back of her head. Blood oozing down her shoulder, staying her shirt and particles of the sofa. Her right arm moving around to try to force the blade out. The sound within the room slowed down for the firestarter, who could barely hear Erika's scream, it came out mumbled. She saw a small portion of her shoulder begin to heal. The room seemed to get more dimly lit than ever before. Once the Scythe was retracted and into Erika's hands, Blaze fell forward, smacking down onto the coffee table, her blood soaked hands smearing hand prints over the furniture. Shaking her head, she had to get up and soon. Grabbing a hold of the corner of the table, she pulled all her might to get up. When she did, she took a minute to breath. Her shoulder throbbed with pain but she wouldn't allow this Black creature the satisfaction. However, she was rocked backwards into the couch by some sort of gravity, Prophet! While she lay sprawled out on the couch, the building shook like mother nature were trying to destroy it! **

** Coughing up particles of dust, she felt even the furniture within the penthouse shake, even Morgan's finest China held within the hutch nearby. Morgan was trying to destroy them in her own penthouse, how ironic. Blaze did see the final moment when Black backhanded Karen to the ground. Foxfire sprang to her feet, rushing towards the fallen Karen and Erika. **

"How is she?"

** This would be a surprising change for Blaze who before wanted to keep her distance and now she would help Karen. She knew Erika was going to attempt to heal her. Walking over to the broken window, kicking away the shards of glass. Waving her hands she created a large sparkling fire wall around the window, to secure it for now. Turning around, she clenched her fist. Karen fought bravely against Black, something Morgan would have done. Glancing down at her wound, she ripped open the shirt. Blaze needed to close the wound, setting her hand on fire she placed her hand against her shoulder. Roughly biting down on her bottom lip to prevent a piercing scream, she shut her eyes tightly. Leaning against the wall, she took slow breaths. She would recover in time. Her hand lost its fiery glow, when she opened her eyes. Just when she went to walk forward, the building rocked again. Grabbing onto one of the arm chairs, Blaze steadied herself. Returning to Karen's side, Blaze stood over them, carefully watching, even if Karen detested it. Morgan would want Blaze, Alison, and Ororo to look after her mother and that's exactly what she was going to do. Kneeling down, Blaze ran her hands into the air, emitting her healing powers as well. **

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Everything had happened so fast. Black had appeared, slammed that damn Scythe into her shoulder, attacked Karen...and now the woman was unconcious on the ground. Looking to Karen as both Erika and Blaze emitted their healing powers onto the fallen woman, Alexis quickly walked to one of the windows that was next to the one Erika had thrown Black out of. Looking down at the city below, she tried to find any trace of where the demon might of landed...or be. Turning away from the window, she placed her hand onto one of the tables close by as the penthouse began to shake once more. ::

"God damnit.."

:: Glass and other breakable object could be heard dropping left and right, until finally, the mini earthquake within the apartment had stopped. Allowing her eyes to look around the room, she could see everything begin to settle from the jolt. Then allowing her eyes to fall upon Karen, she looked at both Blaze and Erika. ::

"How's she doing?"

[Ororo]

::stepping forward::


Ororo:the trappings of this domain hem us in. we need room to fight and we do not want to destroy Morgan's possesions needlessly.

::gesturing...Ororo envelops all furnishings and objects [excluding the scrying glass, tinkerbell and the darkhold] and sends them away out of site...where to is anyone's guess::


we also cannot afford to compromise the the atmosphere in this place...that fog of doom outside is the source of the attacks on the building. Even if we managed to escape we would be taken by its deadly attacks and noxious fumes!

[Harbinger]

::from across the sitting room...all the wall on the OTHER wall, Guardian points at the broken out section of the panoramic window and circles her finger in a counter clockwise motion, an eerie sound is heard as she rewinds the temporal field around the glass..bringing it ALL back into place..and sealing it together...closing off the opening to the outside b efore any of the doom fog and eldritch fire balls come inside. she tries to offer further anchor by reinforcing the walls with TK and putting random warped temporal fields throughout the ENTIRE estate::


allright. Ive place several warped areas of temporal fields throughout the estate. one near Spell's area of consecration. one by the front door...SEVERAL along the windows....and in the back of the penthouse where the private rooms are.

::a small insignia appears where each of the fields are before vanishing::

these can work to our advantage if you use them properly when fighting Black..but be carefull. if you get wrapped up in them yourself..then the exact OPPOSITE could be true as well.


::moving over to where Foxfire and Erika were::

we have to help Karen get up...she and Ororo are the key players in defending Illustra from morgan's attacks while WE deal with Black!

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen felt herself staggering violently forward from the force of b eing hit by Black...it was as though she was no longer in control of her body. after a flash of pain...there was darkness and silence....and moments later..her eyes fluttered open as Erika and Foxfire were looking over her>>


<<slowly sitting up and gritting her teeth>>

I hit him with so much...and yet he was undamaged...Morgan always told me how much raw power he posessed..but i never IMAGINED!!!

<<true enough. Karen's attacks would have killed a lesser being in a most paintfull way..but Black's endurance, physical strength and integrity were far beyond the levels that anyone in this room had ever dealt with anywhere else>>

Thank you...Erika...... <<allowing her and Foxfire to help her to her feet>>

and you as well Blaze... <<it was one of those moments Guardian had told foxfire would come>>


<<the building once again began to vibrate and shake as black lightning struck the building over and over and cascaded down the four sides of the building....there was an intense electrical buzzing sound as alarms could be faintly heard around on various lower floors>>


<<Karen steadied herself...as she put her hand to her forehead...the cape of her flying suit fluttering just a bit from the remnants of rushing wind in the spacious, sprawling penthouse>>

where is he now!?

[Harbinger]

the most apparent time thread has him arriving in the BACK of the house...trying to play cat and mouse....and make us "look for him"...


we need to STAY TOGETHER! ::Glaring at Blaze:: do not him divide us.

Ororo is already informing Karen of their task...we have to prepare for ours. Alexis...you cannot hope to control the energy of the shroud...BUT since the shroud FEEDS on "light" energies. Black's scythe can transform into ANYTHING he desires...if you focus on IT..and give it as MUCH as you can...the moment he releases it at the group...you must OVERLOAD it. But make no mistake...this isnt going to be a walk in the park. The REST of you will have to save the pretty speeches and fight Black tooth and nail. Black has nothing to lose ...and will stop at NOTHING. Erika must be vigilant to keep the vitals of the group UP...Prophet..your telapathic powers will not affect him. Unfortunately.. this places you at a disdavantage...as most psychics often are in matters of a mystical nature. Since Erika is the designated healer of the team...Black will try to target her head on...YOU can protect her with your other abilities.

The burden of combat will lie with me..and foxfire.

::Guardian was an excellent tactician...her powers as a Seer made it a most natural thing for her.::

[Ororo]

::nodding as Alison spoke::

Ororo: we all have our tasks. let us prepare ourselves. Once Karen and I begin we cannot be disturbed. the success of your subduing Black depends entirely on you!


::motioining Karen to join her in the area of consecration....Ororo stands facing her and holds out her hands::

join your hands to mine. with our combined magicks...we can fight back the fog of doom and its variety of attacks...pray that the maiden blesses the others and allows them to quickly triumph over Black so that we can reach Morgan before its too late!

::rings of green and blue energy began to form around Ororo and Karen as they join hands...and their hair and capes flow...as the sound of power builds::

Bright Lady...guardian of the elements,
I call upon your power
Your wrath, you will now let loose
Reflect and dispell this fog of doom,
Its power no longer holding sway over us!


::the energy signatures of Karen and Ororo combine..and grow....radiating out and around...traveling into the walls...and out to face the fog of doom...IMMEDIATELY clashing with the power of Morgan's spell...conflict and chaos can be heard as energies of several different colors flair and radiate wildly but at least now..the BUILDING itself is steady...and free from the fierce assault allowing the others to better concentrate on their task at hand::

[Erika King]

< Erika stood to her feet as she helped Karen off of the floor. This was just complete and udder chaos. She had never healed so many people in this short period of time before in her life, but she could widthstand the strain. Ever since returning from the Spirit Realm with her sister Alison in tow and unleashing the part of magick she never used, she felt refreshed and anew. Opening the Spirit Realm was tough work but healing her allies was not at all. She was prepared to do so if needed. She watched as Karen and Ororo counteracted Morgan's Spell as the Fog was seemingly lifted. They stood in the living room, waiting for Black. It was stupid to split up and look for him. He was angry now and he was angry with her. She had blasted him out of the window and healed the wounds he had inflicted upon the others. It was time to draw out the beast. >

"Black! You coward! You show your great power yet you Hide in the Shadows! Show yourself, lest I destroy you right here and now!"

< This was definitely a side of Erika that the others were not used to seeing. She was being directly confrontational and it seemed that she was using her powers in a much more effective of a way before. Before she only played the "clean up" role and now she was playing as a major hitter. For a moment, Erika felt extremely proud of what she had accomplished, but the reality of the situation soon set in and Erika set poised and ready for Black to come out. >

"Oh, come black? Has anyone told you that your a little anticlimatic?"

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron knew that he didn't have a dog in this fight with his Psychic powers, but he did stand a chance with his telekinetic ones. They were much more aggressive and although Prophet didn't usuall rely on them, his experience in the Citadle had taught him that joining the Six meant he had to be up on all of his powers. He had spent many nights training in his home gym, honing his accuracy, moving meticulous things such as tying his shoe laces or adjusting each individual hair on his head, fine tuning all he had. Prophet was as prepared as he could have been with his powers and now was the time to prove what he had been training for. He listened to Erika call Black out herself. It seemed a little reckless but made sense as she would probably be the one that Black would want to go after first as Alison had stated earlier. He smiled at her as she commented. ::

"I knew there was a TRUE King inside of you somewhere, Erika!"

:: He laughed but stood completely ready in a fighting pose for anything that might happen suddenly or out of the ordinary. Right now he wasn't focused on the animosity between Karen and himself, but only the fight, the thrill of the kill and the satisfaction he would feel of the group working together for one of the first times since their constitution. It would be a great site. He went back to the night in the Citadle when Alison, Cameron and Haleigh were instrumental in destroying the Demon Mage. They had worked so well together under the guidance of Guardian that he stopped to wonder why he doubted Alison so much. Prophet had watched her most of the night, seeming to embrace Erika as her sister, and after having her save his life almost three times now, he wondered if he should change his outlook on this Time Mage ::

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Alexis listened to Alison instrust everyone on Black's abilities and how each of them messured up to him. Unfortunatly Alexis was pretty low on the totem pole because she couldn't control Black's energy like she was able to before. But it still didn't mean that she couldn't put up a fight. She had other abilities that could harm him or even better, distract him for Alison and Blaze to deal with him. Either way, Alexis was prepared for the beast to return and send him back to where he came from---for GOOD this time. Nodding to Alison as she finished her monologue of instructions, her eyes shifted towards both Ororo and Karen. Watching them for a few moments, her attention was then diverted to Erika who was showing her true colors. A small smirk appeared on Alexis' lips. Finally, she let go of the "good will prevail over all" outlook and realize that in order to defeat any enemy, you need to rely on both "good and evil" magick. Atleast in a witches and sorceress' case. ::

"Finally the King spunk emerges."

:: Shaking her head allowing a small chuckle to escape her lips, she never had a problem with Erika. She was a vaild part of this mission, whether she was apart of The Six or not. Plus, she was Cameron's sister. It was just her goody-two-shoes act that was really starting to piss of Alexis. But the fact that Erika was showing that she had some quote on quote "balls", made Alexis appriciate her presents even more. ::

:: Turning away from the group, allowed her eyes to study the now completely vacent penthouse. Peering down the dark hallway into one of the spare bedrooms, she could of sworn she just saw something move. Narrowing her eyes....Alexis watched closely, but there was no movement. Lifting her hand, her palm facing the ceiling, the hallway and bedroom lights immediatly flickered on and illuminated the once dark area. Stepping forward towards the hallway, she kept her eyes glued to the bedroom, but there was nothing. Stepping back, she lowered her hand as the lights instantly turned off returning the area to it's previous state of darkness. Turning back to the group, she shook her head. ::

"He's hiding now...but he won't be for long. He enjoys taunting us---making us anticipate when he will attack."

:: With a roll to her eyes, Alexis knew this all too well. She did afterall battle him along side of Alison and Blaze in the citadle. Stepping back towards the group, she stood along side of Erika and Cameron. Keeping on her toes, they would all basically have to wait until he attacked first. It was his move. ::

[Black]

::the area of the penthouse that the group is standing in seems to lengthen...but sight becomes increasingly difficult...as the all traces of light are nullified. Karen and Ororo's voices seem to trail off...until they are SILENCED. Did something happen to them?

::there is no dimensions or definations now in the space which they stand...and they can BARELY see each other..much less out around them::

::as perception of space is lost....and there is an unnerving SILENCE that seems to last forever...now even ALISON's guidance seems to be gone. Has she disappeared as well?::


::a little psychological warefare never hurts::

::Spellbinder's voice fills the air:: foolish striplings! did you really think you could defeate ME...the mistress of Limbo? Erika...i EAT sprites like you for BREAKFAST..no one in your family EVER COULD match up to my arcane might..

::her voice moved from one area to the next..::

Prophet...I have something just for you. I wanted to present it to you UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!


::a blast of thunder and a painfull flash of light reveal what APPEARS to be Spellbinder...standing right before Cameron....in all of her dark glory, raising the SOUL SWORD high above her head...and bringing it CRASHING DOWN upon Cameron's head...intending to split him in two. everything about this illusion seemed REAL..the voice, the presence...the stimulation of the senses..but JUST as the blade made contact..."Spellbinder" disappeared!::

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

::and as the group struggled to regain their sense of space and where each other were...a sudden ERRUPTION of shroud blasts up from the floor in the center of the space they were in. cut off from Ororo and Karen...there was no way for them to breach the DOME of dark energy that now surrounded them...as Black appeared...but only his EYES could be seen. Taking Erika and Alexis by their heads, BANGING them together before snatching them off the ground and FLINGING them across the length of the dome...as shadowy spikes grow out to MEET them at the end of their travel::

Black: your sisters cant protect you monkey boy!
::his voice is all around cameron.::

you're the WEAKEST one here. Alison is gone, Karen and Ororo too. what chance do you think YOULL Have before i BITE your little head off?

::alison, karen and ororo werent gone. they were just "cut off" from each other thanks to the encompassing power of the shoud's dark energy solidified...it was apart of his psychological warefare.::

:: raising his weapon...it was now a Board Axe...he swung around and across...intending to DECAPITATE Prophet::

[Jacob Black]

:: The voice of Spellbinder filled the air as it seem to encompass Cameron completely. Suddenly she appeared before him with her Soul Sword lifted high above her head. Prophet tried to lash out with his mind but it didn't seem his powers had ANY effect on her whatsoever. As the Soul Sword came inches from his head he cried out in a heartwrenching scream just as everything faded once more. It had been an illusion. Prophet screamed out and rage ::

"CHEAP TRICK you son of a BITCH!"

:: He needed to get some kind of scope on the situation as he pushed out with his mind's eye. Cameron quickly picked up on Blaze and Alexis who did not possess PSI Screens and he could pick up on his sisters through pure instinct of their blood relations, almost exactly how Kelly was able to track all of them for so long. He began to channel his power of premonition which increased his basic instincts. Air grazed his head as he immediately crouched to the ground and rolled in the opposite direction as he missed Black's blade by mere inches. Prophet looked up to see the eyes of Black glaring at him. Quickly attacking with his mind, Cameron pushed forward with all of his mind unleashing a Telekinetic Bomb blast that had a ripple effect throughout the room. It had the concussive impact of a large bomb and it seemed to look the same as a Nuclear Bomb, with Cameron being the epicenter and the globe of destructive force unleashing all around him. Black was hit with the brunt of Impact and as Cameron felt the connection, he focused all the force back onto black as a large combustion appeared, clearing the energy for a brief second to show Black was being blasted back yet again (Think Prue in Morality Bites) as he stepped to his feet. He called out to Erika, using his Mind's eye to lock on to her ::

"Erika are you okay? Where are you? Where is EVERYBODY? I can pick up on everyone except for Karen and Ororo!"

:: Prophet immediately surrounded himself in a Telekinetic Shield that if breeched would blast an opponent back with an intense amount of Telekinetic Energy as if struck by a Kinetic Bolt. He continued to search for the room as Black was blasted back a few rooms away and through the main wall of the dining room of the penthouse by the effect of Cameron's Bomb Blast ::

"If we can find each other we will be able to get through this.. I am coming to find you all..."

[Erika King]

< Erika was lashed by the pain of knocking heads with Alexis as she found herself thrown into the air and plummeting towards a wall. She hit the spike with hard impact as she found herself impaled in the side. It was a deep cut but not fatal. She stifled her cries of pain as she pulled her body off of the spike and fell to the floor. Placing her hands on the gaping wound, she was able to heal most of it, though it still looked pretty scarred. For now it would do. She heard the curdled bleeding of Alexis who had hit a spike next to her as she took the Meta Human in her arms and pulled her off the spike as well, doing whatever she could to heal the wound. There wasn't enough time to heal the wounds completely. She needed to find her brother. Erika began to chant. >

"Darkest Night, Full of Shadow, Give Me Vision, Give Me Power!"

< The impact of the spell began to hit Erika as she fell to the ground once more, her eyes starting to burn as they blasted out a bright silver light which could be faintly seen within the dark energy. She opened them and her vision was extremely blurry. She could see through the energy but not very well, it was as the black energy had been lightened and she could make out all the shadows. She grabbed Alexis' hand at the call of her brother. >

"Cameron I am right here! I can make you out! Don't move I will come to you!"

< She charged for her brother as she could make out the gleaming eyes of Black from far away. Erika needed to get to him fast. >

"Alison! Are you okay? Karen, Ororo? Blaze? Speak to us! We will have to communicate loudly if we want to get anything done!"

[Jill Monroe]

<< gritting her teeth with anger...Spellbinder felt the resistance of magick...the spell cast by Ororo and Karen>>

Hecate rot their bones! they are FIGHTING BACK....and its a POWERFUL resistance! Black is there now....he should be more than capable of breaking the backs of my enemies...but just in case.....

<<concentrating...as another louder chime sounds off...she pours on more power...she intensifies her assault...and bolts of black lightning manage to BREAK through Karen and Ororo's shield....Spellbinder's wish..is that they STRIKE Haleigh repeatedly....using HER as a lightning rod...>>

powerful as they are....they wont stop me from destroying those wretches....i've come TOO FAR to be beaten!!

[Ororo]

::Ororo continues to stand tall...concentrating as she repells Spellbinder's attacks on the structure of Illustra...the winds rage around her and Karen as the two powerful women combine their efforts. Ororo frowns..as she feels the weight of increased power bearing down on them::

Ororo: we must keep fighting! Spellbinder is increasing her attack! There is no telling what is happening out in the main area of the penthouse...but we MUST continue to defend Illustra against Morgan's attempts to render it assunder!

remain steadfast!! do not waver for an instant!!


::thunder and clouds rage in a head pounding symphony....as the war of magicks rages all around them...::

[Shadow Weaver]

<<Karen's hair blows in the ripping winds..her cape flows as well..as she holds her head high and closes her eyes...breathing slowly to keep herself centered as she continues to draw on her considerable magickal power>>

Morgan is obsessed with REVENGE....she's pouring all she has into this attack...she wants to destroy EVERYTHING to do with Haleigh and Cameron.....this is THEIR FAULT...... we should just...GIVE THEM to her...their lives for the lives of the city...and the REST of this group!


<< Karen couldnt help herself. this was her DAUGHTER they were fighting against...and Morgan had NEVER gone so far as to endanger the lives of so many....in the name of revenge. She had talked with Morgan many a nights..she KNEW of her daughters increasing hatred and distress with Cameron and Haleigh...but she assumed Morgan would handle it as she did everything else with her typical strength of will. SHe was wrong this time. She continued to fight against the dark onslaught.....even as she begain to vocalize her wish to see Cameron and Haleigh given over to Morgan....Ororo's words ringed through the air>>

remain steadfast!! do not waver for an instant!!

<<Karen reigned her emotions in...and poured them into the defensive front...as she and Ororo continued to fight against the attacks>>


<< still holding hands the two women were focused on their task...and completely UNAWARE of what was happening to the group.

[Black]

::a rough growl escaped from Black..indicating that he may have been hit by the initial blast. a pity that Prophet didnt bother to stick around to see WHAT became of Black...as he unleashed his blast.::

::Blacks voice continued to flow around the air around them::

Boy....im not so easily dispatched. your little "outbursts" of telekinetic energy arent going to destroy me. But I CAN destroy YOU.

::the force of the energy unleashed by Cameron may have been released OUTWARD...but the walls of the dome around them ABSORBED all of the power...where ever it went...and stored it. now...the SAME power that Cameron released was turned BACK upon him 2 fold!

::black's eyes appeared in view.::

So...Erika King. you think you're tough?


::shadowy tentacles pull her and Alexis apart...and bring Erika closer to Black...face to face::


Lets PLAY

::taking Erika in a head lock...as he runs and leaps up in the air...turning Erika upside down as grips her by her waist and bends her as her back is faced to the ground. He slams down to the ground..using Erika's back to take the brunt of the fall...intending to break her spine::

::Black's speed , strength and physical prowess were what he enjoyed using the most..and he was going to BREAK the body of Erika King..and enjoy it. ::

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: As Erika's head made contact with her own, Alexis instantly became dizzy and faint preventing her from geting away from his attack. Black picked both woman up and threw them like rag dolls into a spiked wall. As Alexis' hip was impaled by a jagged spike, a scream could be heard. Actually, BOTH woman screamed at the same time letting everyone know that they were seriously injured. Alexis' head limped down as she hung on the wall--the pain was so great. Her head was throbbing and she couldn't even feel her hip at this point. But soon she felt Erika's hands pulling her down to the ground. A loud moan of pain could be heard escaping Alexis' mouth--NOW she could feel her hip. ;) Laying on the ground next to Erika, the woman began to heal Alexis' wounded body. Even though her healing powers didn't completely heal Alexis, it made her feel atleast 75% better. ::

"Stick together!!"

:: Alexis shouted over the commotion. Taking Erika's hand, she held on tight trying to see through the black smog that clouded their vision. But unfortunatly Black had other ideas. Pulling Alexis and Erika apart, Alexis was thrown again, being seperated from Erika. ::

"Erika!!!"

:: Standing, she desperatly tried to see....but all she could hear was Black's grunting and rage. Throwing her hand forward, a globe of white energy flew from the palm of Alexis' hand out towards where she heard Black. The globe exploded instantly sending a shockwave of light which only lasted mere seconds. But it was long enough to see Black holding Erika in the air, about to slam her down crushing her spine. Quickly, Alexis thrusted her hand forward as her energy whip instantly appeared. The whip wrapped around Erika's torso as Alexis immediatly pulled back. The moment Alexis pulled back, there was a thunderous roar that could be heard as a concussive electrical blast RIPPED Black and Erika apart. Erika flew towards Alexis with great speed, allowing Alexis enough time to let go of her whip, have it wrap around Erika, and hold her other hand up, stopping Erika in mid flight only feet from Alexis. Gently laying Erika down, the energy whip disapated, only leavin the witch on the ground. ::

"Erika?! Are you okay?"

[Foxfire]

** Nervous green eyes peered down at Karen, who by now was slowly waking up. Thankfully she was okay thanks to Erika and Blaze's own omega healing factor. The emotional scene came when Karen thanked the mutant, Guardian's foresight was correct. Smiling down at the doctor, she nodded. **

"Anytime."

** Her hands gently wrapping around Karen's hands while Erika did the same to help Dr. Victoria stand up. Blaze's mind buzzed with Karen's sincere gratitude, she was still in shock. But it was a pleasant feeling, however Alison intervened on her thought process instructing the others to stay together, she caught Alison glaring at her, which made Blaze grin. That small speech was directed at her, she knew it but she had learned from her mistake. Glancing down at her injured shoulder, which by now was completely healed. She keenly listened to the tactical diagram Alison had mentally thought of. Great, she would battle Black side by side Alison. She owed him a couple of good well executed punches when the time arose. **

** She remained silent, listening to the others, even Erika who was taunting Black, that was a first. It seemed the whole group was changing, for the better. Her eyes moved around the darkness, making a silver haze appear over her eyes, allowing the mutant to see in the darkness through aura's and infrared body heat. Her gravity was altered, making Blaze look down at the ground, immediately she jumped upwards towards the ceiling, standing upside down. Her eyes circled to pinpoint Guardians temporal field traps. She saw each of the other members of the team, all of them surrounded by darkness. Black was targeting the other remaining members of the six. Blaze had to find Alison, both of them were key factors while Ororo and Karen concentrated on the spell. **

"Alison!"

** She called when suddenly an idea hit Blaze like lightning, she remembered Guardian's traps, her mind mentally calling out to Prophet, who would be able to hear the mutant. **

Cameron, remember your sister's traps. "One near Spell's area of consecration. one by the front door...SEVERAL along the windows....and in the back of the penthouse where the private rooms are." If you can keep Black distracted or even push him back into one of these traps, it'll supply time for myself and Alison to come to you and the others! Watch over Haleigh as well, she'll be a high target.

** Blaze's observantly helped her through this battle, she paid attention to key words, actions, etc. She wasn't so lucky to free herself from this black prison, which seemed to follow her everywhere. She needed to think of a way out, but how? **

[Erika King]

< Erika was not going to do down that easily. Black was a fool if he thought for one minute that he would EVER get the upper hand on her! As he grabbed her with hig gigantic hands and jumped high into the air, Erika called upon her connection to the element of Water as her entire body liquified as she turned into a pool of water and fell onto the floor. She saw Alexis send out the ball of energy and she quickly reformed as she let BLACK take the brunt of Alexis' attack, she quickly followed the electricity to Alexis where she grabbed her hand tight. >

"Thanks for the help, Alexis. Though you'll find I am not THAT easy to get rid of! Now let's find my brother!"

< She listened and waited for any sound that might avert her attention to him but for a second she heard only nothing, and it was the worst sound in the entire world to her. Was her brother still alive? Was he unconscious? Did Black get the best of him? If he did, she would make sure that it was HER that would deliver the fatal blow to that Alpha Demon of Limbo. Even on her worst day she would have enough rage to take him out if she found out one of her family members was dead. She called out to Prophet, hoping to hear something, anything! >

"CAMERON! Speak to me Buddy! You okay?! Come on! Speak to Me!"

[Jacob Black]

:: BAM! The wave of energy hit Cameron with great force, though not as much as Black would have felt since Prophet had tried to muster up a protective shield around his body. But his own power against him was a force to be reckoned with as Cameron fell into a wall cracking it behind him as he slid to the ground. For a moment his vision was blurred as he got to his feet and heard the sounds of Blaze whispering inside his head. That was it. Blaze was right. Cameron would now have to rely on the few times he had been inside Morgan's Penthouse for his coordinates on how to get Black into one of the traps. Quickly he felt the wall and felt a plant. He was close to the front door. He began to mentally call upon the memory of right before Black attacked, how the room looked and what he had been looking at. He opened his eyes and saw Black's gleaming with rage. He called out to Black with Intense Rage and raspiness in his voice ::

"OH Kill THIS Motherfucker! You think you're the ONLY person who has ever said that to me?!"

:: Lashing out with his mind he pushed Black back again and again, it was as if it was a non stop barrage of telekinetic hits, each one more intense than the other. Lashing out again and again, the hits felt like razor blades as Black noticed small cuts on his chiseled chest as he kept getting pushed. He would have no time to react as the hits were consistent and successive. He called upon the Memory of the Penthouse once more as he delivered Black a final blow that was so powerful that a beam of energy began to form in the middle of Prophet's forehead in an Electric Blue Hue. It was unleashed at what seemed the speed of light as it CRASHED into Black and although the demon was extremely strong and mystical, the amount of telekinetic energy released was FAR more than that of a telekinetic blast. This wasn't to be a show off or to unleash a deadly combination attack, this was SHEER FORCE and POWER as it hit Black and he zoomed through his OWN Black Dome as he would logically be immune to it and straight into Alison's trap near Morgan's area of Consecration. He would be hit by Mystical Force and the effects of Alison's Spell. All was quiet in the area for a moment as he locked senses with Alexis and quickly found her grabbing her hand, knowing her sister was close. ::

"Blaze somehow got out of the Blackness and she gave me a good idea.. We don't have much time to get out of here! We have to figure it out!"

[Black]

[OOC: im afraid there IS NO "getting outside" of the dome if you arent Black. Foxfire is going to have to edit her post when she comes back]


::Erika and Alexis managed to ensure that Black wouldnt be successfull in breaking Erika's back. and Now Prophet was attempting to hammer Black once again. with each strike...Black was pushed back...but he kept coming...stomping forward like a juggernaut. his huge body made him an OBVIOUS target...but his endurance...and stamina were OFF human chart levels. Morgan couldnt have picked a better Alpha Demon to work by her side. Even as Black was slammed again and again...the energy from cameron's assaults continued to FEED the dome...the dome stored the energy and as Black was pushed back THROUGH the dome...and into one of Alison's temporal fields...his movements began to slow down.::

:: even as he lunged up and began to dart forward...roaring with annoyance as Guardian's field temporarily impaired him....he smirked with wicked glee::

Black: none of you whimps have the power to breach this dome...your perception of space is GONE...and the more power you use against me, the more the dome will store...and TURN IT BACK ON YOU!


::at that moment..the sound of energy is heard...as Shockwave's energy is directly against Erika in a furious shower of lightning strikes...while Prophet's FORCE projections are RETURNED in the form of an all encompassing REVERSE WAVE....the wave of energy serves to HAMMER everyone DOWN to the floor as if they were being knocked flat by BACK to BACK tidal waves. not only does this rack the body with pain but it ALSO impairs one's ability to breathe easily...as it pummels the group and moves them further apart...while hammering them down still.::



you are a frightened bunch of eels...hiding behind shields and shifting physical forms. you know that none of you has the physical power to withstand me..your psychic attacks wont work and you cant escape the dome. If i cant break you myself..ill just CRUSH YOU ALL!

::the dome begins to radiate with jagged bolts of black lightning as it begins to shrink to fit...CLOSING IN and COMPACTING the group::

::while Black remains OUTSIDE the dome.....FINALLY fighting his way through the temporal field...as he stumbles forward to the floor.::

[Harbinger]

::Guardian was cut off from the group. She felt dizzy...disoriented...almost LULLED by the encompassing shroud...it was as though she were already asleep. Despite her abilities as a precog..the one thing she always wanted more than anything else was TRANQUILITY...and some how the dark power of the shroud provided that to her...it couldnt have happened at a WORSE TIME::

::she felt immobilized, she seemed to lose all sense of urgency as she felt her eyes fluttering. THIS was Guardian's greatest weakness...it wasnt the first time it had happened. Once before...with Imagiomg...and now. If someone didnt find a way to REACH her...and snap her OUT of this...she would fall into an ETERNAL SLEEP...removing one of the Six's most essential members during a time most critical::

::she was OUTSIDE of the immediate area of the dome....cloistered in the kitchen area in an outgrowth of the dome::

[Erika King]

< Erika scowled at the Demon as he unleashed the Reverse Wave upon the group. She was whipped from side to side by the wave. She was crushed to the ground as she stood up listening to the Alpha Demon make his grandiose forboding statements yet again. The White Witch could only roll her eyes as she began to think of an idea. >

"I see Morgan has taught you well in the ways of drawn out and disillusioned monologues! But if you want to fight fire with FIRE, then LET'S GO Big Boy!"

< Closing her eyes she began to chant a spell >

"Being of Dark and Nightmare Fright, Your strength shall waiver in this fight. Share it now or pay the price, and held me end this endless night!"

< She had used her magick once before to give her sight in this black like midnight dome and now she was simply going to go toe to toe with this big bad ugly. Erika's spell had allowed her now to SHARE Black's strength and use it as her own. Without thinking about anything anymore, she was too tired to think, she charged Black at full force as she came up under him and drove her right fist straight up as she knocked him with a straight shot right under his chin as a large crack could be heard as the Alpha Demon was sent flying into the air. As he was in the air she fired again with a High Charged Mystic Bolt that hit the demon square in the chest, knocking him back. Erika had to use her magick to her advantage here. She was the only one who could possibly gain a big amount of leverage over the demon. She waited for the Demon to Scramble to his feet as she laughed and motioned for her hands. >

"Now, come and see Mama, Big Boy!"

[Black]

::Black was surprised BUT amused as the frail looking Erika rushed him. her spell having granted her the power to share HIS physical strength. but still...she couldnt change her NATURE or her system..lest she compromise everything she was.::


Ow. who woulda thought a skrawny little skirt like you would grow a back bone.

::rising to his feet as he cracks his neck...Black licks out his long, demonic tongue as he disappeares...and appears again ALONG SIDE Erika..snatching her by the head. his hand covering her entire face...as he slams her not once..but THREE TIMES in lightning quick succession down on the floor. :


::racing along...Black begin's playing SOCCER with Erika...kicking her and stomping her in the stomach::

you may have my strength, girlie. but ive got the MASS, the MOMENTUM...and the ENDURANCE that your frail little body will never have. not unless you decide to try to become ME...and of course, if you do that..then youll not only negate your precious illusion that your a good witch...but your body will be DESTROYED by the shroud!

Alison is gone toots...and the three little piggies over there cant hope to out power me on their BEST day. Karen and Ororo are too busy fighting Spellbinder...and so ...all that's left is you. I gotta tell ya...its ALOT of fun bruising this body of yours.

:: laughing heartily before PUNTING her across the floor like a foot ball with a kick to the head with his immense foot::

[Erika King]

< Crack! Erika rolled to the side of the floor as her elbow was snapped on the corner of a wall knocking it clearly out of place. Grabbing her arm in pain, she gritted as she popped it steadily back into place and let her restorative powers do the rest. She walked up as the bruising on her face began to fade away right in front of Black as she continued to walk forward. >

"You may have the MASS and MOMENTUM, Black, but REMEMBER this! The bigger they are the harder they fall, the more you beat me, the more I will come back for more. You aren't dealing with those CHILDREN anymore! You are dealing with a WOMAN! A PISSED off woman at that! You of all people should know you can NEVER beat that! Why you've ended up Morgan's BITCH in whatever reality you come into! That must hurt!"

< Erika dissappeared in a swirl of Black Orbs as she appeared behind him, her fists becoming enraptured in Mystic Energy that glowed a solid violet, looking almost like energy gloves as she PLUNGED both of her fists into the back part of Black and began moving her hands around before GRABBING hold of his heart, squeezing and pulling on it. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around him and sent him flying upwards and onto the ground. She was now sitting on top of him with her hands deep within his chest, her face seeming to enjoy every moment of the pain she was causing the demon. Even if what she was holding WASN'T a heart, because Erika wasn't even sure he had one, whatever it was, it was a vital organ to Black and one that seemed to cause him an immense amount of pain. She looked at his arms as she immediately manifested CHAINS of a mystic violet energy that kept his locked to the ground. She looked him right in the face and laughed. >

"So, like I said, we can play cat and mouse all night, it's all up to you Black, but sooner or later, Morgan will come here, when she realizes it has taken you so long to dispatch of a group that SHE could have taken care of herself AGES ago and when the time for killing has come, you KNOW she won't surrender your life to you.. You'll go up in flames like the rest of you! So let's rumble Baby!"

< She spit on him right in the face as continued to dig in the Alpha Demon's chest, crushing and pounding on anything she could get her hands on while pulsing violet mystical energy glew from her arms and into his chest. >

[Jessica Hamby]

Everything had happened so quickly, Haleigh had nearly missed it by just blinking. Blacks entrance proved devastating for Haleigh... she might have normally been right on the front lines... but the dark shroud seemed to be suppressing her. She could normally see quite well in darkness... but this was certainly a different kind. She lost all sense of space and became terribly disoriented. she couldn't have told anyone if she were upside down or sideways... and even when 'Spellbinder' showed, she couldn't seem to snap out of it, for it had a lingering subduing effect on her. Black, Cameron, and Erika fought... Haleigh remained in the background, isolated from the group but not far from Alison, rubbing her eyes and shaking her head softly to try to get a grip on herself. When she finally did seem to get her balance about her, the first person she saw was Alison... who seemed to be slipping out of it slowly. Haleigh assumed Alison was feeling the same effects she just had.... and perhaps her recent disorientation extended into her mental sanity... for she promptly hurried over to Alison to help. She took Alison by the shoulders, shaking her softly.

"Alison.... Alison, get a grip. Shake it off... we need you to slow time again... this... thing is closing in on us... well be suffocated!"

[Foxfire]

** Blaze too was trapped inside this black endless dome. She thought about Black's words, the more energy they used, he'd feed from it. They would have to fight him tooth and nail like Alison suggested....even that was a hint, one she hadn't noticed before. Foxfire was roughly knocked down to the floor with a forceful momentum that felt like two tidal waves crashing into her. Unfortunately she couldn't communicate her idea to Prophet, who was busy aiding his sibling. **

** Slamming down onto the floor, Blaze's voice rocked the penthouse with a loud scream this time. She felt as though she had been hit by a train and then run over again. Her scream became muffled when she struggled to breath. Gasping for air, she blinked her eyes to try to focus her eye sight. Warm diamond like tears fell from her silver hued irises while staining her cheeks. Coughing more violently, Blaze's chest heaved with desperation for oxygen. Sinking her fingernails down onto the hard wood floor, she dug into them. She felt pinned down, such an awful feeling to go through. She didn't know where Alison was, or where Ororo or Karen were. Slowly shutting her eyes, Blaze felt light headed. Being wounded didn't help this matter, she wanted to sleep. The black dome pushing further towards the mutant. Faint small gasps were beginning to slow in rhythm. **

[Harbinger]

::Just as Guardian was about to give in to an all encompassing sleep, she felt the jostling of Black Widow. She wanted to dismiss her as part of a dream..but it was real..and PAINFULLY she fought her way back to full consciousness and alertness. she could hear the deep shaking tremor as the black dome of shroud energy closed in on the group...Guardian shook her yead and regained herself::

its too late!!!

::the foundation of Illustra was starting to buckle from the stress of the power struggle between Morgan , Karen and Ororo...and now...the very air and ENERGY was being sucked away from the members of The Six and their Allies::


::Guardian closed her eyes...thinking fast using her skills as a tactician and a pre-cog::

Erika cannot hope to destroy black. he's enchanted by LIMBO's magick now. the ONLY thing that could destroy him utter is the soul sword. the shroud is FEEDING off of her anger and agression...not to mention she's risking irreversible changes to her being with the way she's doing things.

Black Widow..you going to have to step up and create a weapon...a PLASMA CANNON. it will require your concentration and focus...and you must innundate the top center of this dome with the energy projection from the plasma cannon. Foxfire will have to stand up...and create a ring of fire around the circumference of the dome..and POUR the energy of molten lava into it. the ONLY WAY to get through this..is to OVER LOAD the inferno. I have a spell to deal with Black and check him long enough to ensure this plan works!!


:: Guardian rushes forward::

FOXFIRE, BLACK WIDOW!! get in gear!!!

[Ororo]

::Ororo frowns...the strain of such a prolonged effort away from the reserves of Limbo and her garden are beginning to take a toll. as the winds rage around her and Karen. the two women continue to hold hands...and fight with all their mystical might to provide the young members of the Six with a chance to stop Spellbinder and save NYC....but even the efforts of these two gracefull, powerful women may not be enough::



Ororo: the hatred....the rage.....the corrosion of Morgan's attacks...i ...havent felt this evil since...i faced Belasco....

::outside the windows of the building....less and less of Karen and Ororo's magick signature can be seen as Spellbinder begins to gain ground in the power struggle::

Goddess....please grant our powers...our sufficient....to ::gritting teeth:: carry us through!!


::no one else here save Guardian could have lasted THIS long against Morgan's assault...Karen and Ororo give it their all...drawing on all the mental, physical and spiritual strength....but they are both beginning to grow weak...faint....and show signs of physical pain::


::the raging sounds of the battle of magicks outside...with the tremor of the dome inside make for headache inducing sounds....the situation is growing CRITICAL on both sides::

[Shadow Weaver]

<<Karen is gritting her teeth ...the forces of magick at play ROCKING her body from outisde the building...as she holds hands with Ororo. She feels the pain that Ororo feels. but they must by The Six the time they need to overcome Black and Shroud Dome>>

Ororo.........it hurts.......must...hold on.......

::as her hair blows back, a tear falls down her wintery face...she turns to look...barely catching a glimpse of the team as they are being consumed b y Black::


they...arent.....SUCCEEDING!! we..MUST KEEP FIGHTING!!!

::Karen will not give up...not until she has no more energy or power left. She will see to it that her daughter is delivered from this evil and she will NOT abandon Ororo in this most painfull trevail!::


::the winds swirl around the area of consecration..as shards of magick continue to flow and the halo of power shimmers and radiates from between the women's hands. they are losing the battle to Spellbinder, but its not over....not YET!::

[Black]

::Black's roar of laughter seems to MELD with the thunderous shaking caused by the constricting dome. even as Erika attack's him with such ferocity...seemingly dealing him a deadly blow....Black's fanged, gleaming teet smile as his eyes glow as his body melts into the floor in a horrid bubbling ooze like state::


Black: foolish Girl. by taking out your frustrations on me. you've sealed the fate of your friends. your energy is FEEDING the dome, wench...


::Erika feels a tap on her shoulder as a NEW body is standing behind her::

and YOU do not have the power to destroy me...Limbo's magick has given me a new lease on life. the shroud is just ONE of my powers now! Working for Spellbinder is the only obvious choice...since SHE is going to win ...and the prize of her victory will be YOUR HEADS while the demons of limbo feed on your bodies and souls

::grabbing her by the shoulders and yanking her up to his face::

since your so bent on being a bad ass...why dont we make your heart and soul BLACK as night to match?

::Black begins to FLOOD erika with the shrould...blasting it into her mouth, eyes, and nose..as he grips her like a vise...squeezing her so hard as he pushes AIR out of her and replaces it with the black, poisoning energy of the shroud. Not only will she lose her soul...she will lose her life as well. the energy pours into her.::

[Foxfire]

** Close to the edge, Blaze was struggling the temptation of falling into a deep slumber and forever lost in the darkness. The sound of Guardian's icy voice sprang Blaze into action, her words coming in crystal clear to the mutant, who was able to hear the Seer's words just fine luckily from her super sensitive hearing. **

"GOT it!!"

** Easing her sore body to the side, Blaze understood her task. Pushing the palm of her hand down onto the floor, she quickly pushed herself up with a battle like cry. Swallowing away her anger and rage, replacing it with love. Her metallic eyes moved around the black dome imprisoning her. Shutting her eyes, Blaze drastically rose her body temperature in a matter of seconds. Flames erupted off her petite and bruised body with her irises morphing into the glowing yellow tint. Circling her hands out in front of her, she breathed more heavier, calling upon one of her hottest powers. Licking her dry lips, she rose her hands above her head. Several bright shades of heat sources could be seen whirling around Foxfire's hands until an intense light flickered over and around her. The ball grew in size and shape moving at high velocity speeds while her yellow orbs concentrated. Blaze's face was stern and determined. She ignored Black for the time being. **

** Beads of sweat poured off her body but she kept on going. More and more fire power was added to Foxfire's creation. The ball was about the size of Black's head until Foxfire threw her hands forward quickly hurling the ball of fire forward. It sped through the air currents like a heat seeking missile until it handed near the ground level by the rear of the black dome. A large explosion ROCKED Illustra now and it wasn't Morgan but Foxfire! Large currents of fire ignited around the edges of the dome moving around the whole shape of the dome. It was a magnificent sight. But Foxfire didn't rest, instead she allowed her limbs to become nothing but solid hot lava. Stretching them forward she pounded the dome with molten lava energy furiously. Large "fire bombs" bombarded the dome, washing over the ring of fire with hot lava. Together the two mixed intertwining into one. Blaze stumbled back pressing the palms of her hands down onto her knee caps to rest. **

** She carefully watched her firestorm work its course, hoping it would free them all if not then at least Foxfire. **

[Erika King]

< One moment Black was there and the next he was nowhere to be found. It angered her that he had yet again slipped through her fingers just as it seemed she had him pinned. Before long she felt a tap on her shoulder as she turned around to see the Alpha Demon stand before her once again. He grabbed her up as the two now were face to face with Erika's body DANGLING in mid air as he continued his ever tiring and nauseating monoglue. She coughed and turned away, refusing to show any sign of fear. >

"Ah.. Black.. my man.. try a CERTS once in a while! And I am by NO means bent on being a bad ass, but I will be DAMNED if you think that YOU are going to be the one to kill me!"

< Suddenly Erika began to feel her body FILLED with the Shroud Energy as it completely enveloped her mind body and soul. She felt so much pain and suffering as if she was being suffocated by an extention of Black. She began to cough and snort as her body waivered in the air seemingly unmoved with Blacks hands around her shoulders. It was almost no use. She felt herself nodding off and her spirit being pulled from her body. She was being poisoned. Erika needed help and she needed someone to be able to bring her back from the brink. She tried to slow down enough to concentrate. If she didn't calm down she would only die faster. Before long the Astral Form of Erika fluttered in front of Alison and Ororo for a brief second, long enough only to mutter a few words. >

"ALISON! HELP ME! HE'S TRYING TO TAKE MY SOUL!"

< The Form dissappeared almost as sudden as it had came and now she was back in the torturous pain of Black's attack continuing to cough and choke even more as she kicked the Demon with all her might which did knock him back but he didn't loosen his grip on her. That was dead tight. She wondered if these would be her last moments but held strong. If she was going down, it wasn't without a fight. She continued to flail her body all around trying to do something, ANYTHING to escape the demon's grasp. >

[Foxfire]

** Breathing more normally, Foxfire spun her head to the side seeing Erika in danger. Her eyes flamed over to their blazing yellow form. She had to help Erika and fast but how? Sure, she threw out some assaults at the dark dome but was it enough? She watched in horror while Black brutalized her just like the way he did to HER! Blaze's eyes flickered over to her red tint. Clenching her fist, she yelled out over to him. **

"SHIT for brains, come play with me! In fact I challenge YOU Black! You and I....Erika isn't who you really want....its me....who is closest to Morgan?! That's right, me! I know your dying for a rematch....bring it on.."

** She beckoned him forth, calling him out. She was putting herself in danger but it was the only thing the mutant could think of. Blaze admired Erika for her courage and her strength, the woman went through hell for them, it was about time Blaze stepped up now! Cracking her knuckles loudly, she waited for him. **

"Leave Erika....take me stud."

** Her eyes heavily locked onto Black's enormous muscular form. She awaited close by, raising a brow. **

"Don't be a pussy Blackey, come and get me!"

** Kissing the palm of her hand, she blew a fire blast right at him. It traveled much more faster but either the black dome would protect him, if it was still up or he would have to hustle to avoid its deadly effects. **

[Harbinger]

::Guardian was taken aback by the sudden "appearence" of Erika..but immediately she felt the gloom and dread that accompanied the attack of Black on Erika::

We cannot allow him to win. I cannot allow him to claim Erika's soul...She's worked...so long and hard....and come too far to allow herself to be taken over by this creature!

::Blinking to the other side of Black and Erika...just as Foxfire was attempting to bait him, Guardian's face had a stern, cold expression as she glared at Black with her cobalt blue eyes::

I think you've feasted on her soul LONG ENOUGH you vile pig.

:: thrusting her hands out [think Piper Halliwell], Guardian DETONATES the air and space between Black and Erika...the powerful explosion BLASTS Erika from Black's grip...and sends Erika flying into Prophet's arms while the concussive force sending Black sprawling across the floor toward Foxfire. it was a brutal move BUT Guardian HAD to act quickly to save Erika::

We are WASTING TIME fighting HIM. He know's we cant destroy him utterly in this battle. its this DOME its a TRAP...cutting us off from Karen and Ororo who are LOSING to Spellbinder outside the dome!

Prophet...keep Erika back...she cannot be apart of this any longer!


With the Powers of night and space
Send forthe the energy with which to deliver
us from this time and place.



:: Power climaxes as blast rays spin around Guardian's pulled back and posed hands...as Guardian stands fast...and thunder blasts followed by the toll of a bell, Guadian unleashes a broad beamed energy blast...so bright it is blue/white in hue...and it illuminates EVERYTHING its immediate path as it charges madly the area of the dome nearest Morgan's area of consecration. the massive energy bolt begins to hammer at the wall of the dome...radiating it...and causing shards and sparks to fly every which way as the friction between the shroud and the energy clash. the dome grows further stressed...shaking from within from this as well as Foxfire's attack. its getting stressed....reaching its FILL of energy absorbtion capacity.....all that is needed now..is that FINAL PUSH to send it over the edge and cause the MUCH NEEDED SHATTERING::

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: All hell was breaking loose in Morgan's apartment. Alexis couldn't see for the life of her because of the black shroud created by Black, but she could hear everything perfectly. The battles, the screams, the attacks. But every time, Black would pull through. Shock really couldn't do much of anything because everything was happening so fast. Before she could even get her barrings straight, another attack was launched against Black. Squinting her eyes, Alexis could make out a shadowy figure in the distance, it seemed to have the shape of a tall woman--most likely Guardian. And just as she was about to call out to the witch, Guardian launched a massive amount of energy sending a blinding light that illuminated everything. Finally Alexis could see more then a foot in front of her. Running toward Guardian, she kept her eyes on the area in which Alison was attacking. The dome's wall seemed to grow weaker and weaker by the minute, but Guardian needed an extra boost otherwise her efforts would be wasted. Alexis slowed finally reaching Alison. Stopping, she immediately lifted her hands forward in exactly the same fashion that Alison was doing. An orb of white energy surrounded Alexis' hands until finally bolts of highly carded energy came flying from Alexis' hands straight into Guardian's attack. The bolts crashed violently, each following bolt containing more and more energy. The wall began to pulsate....Alexis continued her efforts to help Guardian, hoping that the extra energy, along with her assault against the dome's wall, would be of assistance. ::

[Foxfire]

** Blaze's emerald green eyes went wide seeing Black tumble roughly towards her. Spinning at the waist, she cartwheeled out of the way. The penthouse shook at the expanse of the fallen creature. While Guardian and Shockwave worked magnificently together, it was Blaze's turn to unleash some pent up aggression. Inhaling a sharp breath she moved swiftly at the hip striking the back of her heel directly and in close contact with Black's skull above his right eye. Her boot connecting with a brutal thud, almost like the sound of someone falling from the Eiffel tower down to the ground. Walking around him when she cracked her neck to the side. Careful to beware of his trickery and cunning style. **

"I think Freddy said it best....WELCOME to my world BITCH!"

** Throwing her sais through the air, its sharp blade soured through the space between them. Striking down on his large left foot to hopefully pin him. The blade was heavily stuck through the hardwood floor. Blaze skillfully backflipped to supply more space around them. Guardian gave her the perfect timing to attack this unholy beast. Clapping her hands loudly, a massive circle of fire traveled around Black around his massive physique, keeping within her circle. Maneuvering her hands in the air, her high temperature heat expanded into a fire grid almost like the same dome he had trapped them inside of. Blaze extended the temperature making it sizzling hot, more humid than the Brazilian Jungle. Foxfire herself was igniting herself on fire. She was going to burn this monster to a crisp! The walls of the dome inclosed more on Black and the metallic blade which pinned Black became intensely hot, the agony and pain could possibly be enormous. If Black caught fire, he wouldn't just suffer third degree burns but the SUN'S rays! **

** Foxfire's humanoid body lost its molecules turning into her element, fire! Her currents rippled and churned and the only humane feature about her was the pair of cold yellow eyes glowing through the fire. No longer was Blaze human looking but she had turned into complete fire, like a ray of light. Flickering brightly, Blaze rushed down to attack the beast. Brilliantly colored shades of red, orange, and yellow mixed together through her flaming form. Foxfire had called upon her most powerful asset, her ray of light. The Mutant went under metamorphous using her fire. She had never used such extreme power before, this was a struggle for Blaze. Lashing down at him, she moved like furious lightning. It felt like the sun's devastating rays whipping at Black. The attack was brutal yet quick, if it didn't kill Black, it would hopefully seriously burn him. But with Black anything was possible. **

[Jacob Black]

:: Erika flew into Cameron's arms as both were knocked back by the sheer force of Guardian's fast attack. As Erika pushed off to the side he could tell that she wanted to get right back into the fight to help her sister and to defeat Black. Prophet guessed that each of the members of the King family were stubborn in their own way. He could tell how angry she was that she had to ask for help in defeating this Alpha Demon and Cameron smirked at her and laughed ::

"Man, girl! You put up one hell of a fight, but I would rather NOT lose the sister I just found out about so easy there, Killer!"

:: He was trying to hold her back, but she had temporarily shared Black's strength and it was no use as she quickly pulled away from him but gained her composure once more. The flash of the lights were nearly blinding which was a dramatic and welcomed change from the black they had been sentenced to before. Finally figures were able to be seen as Cameron ran up to Alexis and Heather with Erika in tow ::

"Jesus Christ.. I never thought I would say this.. but it's nice to see EVERYONE for a change! Now let's get out of here!"

:: He watched at the exchange of energy between Guardian and Shockwave and Foxfire's lethal attacks against Foxfire. This was a rather amazing display of power and Cameron felt a little inadequate compared to these powerful women. Each of them when faced were so OFFENSIVE and Prophet stood being on the Defense. Prophet watched in awe as he waited for the shield to crash around them ::

[Harbinger]

::the dome began to pulsate with flickers of white light...it seemed to be swelling and shaking. as shockwave joined Guardian in her efforts, Guardian swung her hands upward toward the top center of the dome hitting it where it would hurt the most::

Its ..WORKING...keep at it!


::Shockwave's own considerable power helped to irradiate the dome's walls while foxfire's assault and even the by product of her attack on black strained the circumference....the dome was being taxed beyond anticipated levels...and began to SHAKE...as cracks began to appear all around ....with the LOUND sound of shattering glass, the dome exploded...sending a powerful shockwave forward in all directions ...and now the group were back in Morgan's penthouse..their vision adjusting to normal once more and the sweet smell of fresh air greeted their bodies::


::Guardian put her hand to her forehead as she exhaled...and closed her eyes for a moment...the SHARDS of the dome were still flying through the air, allowing Prophet to take a shot at Black if he seized the moment with his telekinetic power. Even though this problem had been solved, there was still the matter of Karen and Ororo as well as BLACK who was in the room. but NOW....the tide had been turned in favor of the group::

[Black]

::Black was knocked off balance by Guardian's forcefull attack and sent into the inferno of Blaze's assault. He didnt roar in pain from her attacks..but it was CLEAR that his body was being racked by the assault....as he curled up on his feet....the onslaught of solar heat and blasts was staggering him and immobilizing him..but it wouldnt be enough to DESTROY him. as he slowly rose to his feet.....he loomed over Blaze, dwarfing her. She attacked him again and his body seemed to vibrate and phase as the energy of the lava and the flame bombarded him. soon..he DID began to roar with agitation and MORE pain as Guardian and Shockwave destroyed the Dark energy DOME and BROKE his hold on the team....DESTROYING that dome took MORE out of him because he had invested much power into creating it..and NOW he was at a loss....he was bowled over...as rays of yellow energy from Foxfire's power began to shoot out of his eyes and mouth....::

:: he stood up once more...LAUNCHING himself at Foxfire like a wounded animal's last stand....coming so fast and so hard that she wouldnt have time to react..his body, which was radiating from her attack nearly collided with HER's!::

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Seeing the walls begin to crack, Alexis knew that the massive overload of energy was working. Finally the wall exploded into shards of energy that scattered throughout the room. The black smog dissapeared and Alexis could finally see everything more clearly. Looking towards Black, she decided to take things into her own hands. Waving her arm forcefully (Think Prue), the broken shards of energy instantly went flying towards Black, forming a dome of energy around HIM. Ha, irony's a bitch. Holding her hand forward towards the dome, Alexis intensified the energy with her own powers, hoping to keep him in place long enough for others to attack him. ::

"Attack him! Before I the dome weakens!!"

:: Alexis screamed, hoping someone would take this chance to set forth a massive attack that could weaken him enough to kill him. ::

[Harbinger]

::as Shockwave directed the broken shards of dark energy, (still irradiated by her own power signature) at Black, Guardian looked up noting the irony of Shockwave binding Black in the remnants of his own dome::

turn about is fair play, but let's make sure he gets the point!

:: knowing that pain and malice FUEL Black, Guardian quickly thrusts her hands out [think piper] and TRUE FREEZES him...encasing him in a block of sub zero , blue shimmering ICE...all time and movement now stopped around him...WITHIN him. he is completely immobilized in place and rendered inert::


he is checked in suspended animation for now...but I doubt it will hold him for long. But Karen and Ororo........they need our help!!

:: just then, she looked over and saw Karen and Ororo...both women falling to their knees and quickly losing the last of the strength they had. the attackin on Illustra itself had taken its toll...as the building seemed to be listing to one side...and cracks and massive structural damage were all around through the floors.......but even as Karen and Ororo seemed to be overwhelmed....something began to HAPPEN outside the windows of the apartment::

[Ororo]

::Ororo began to buckle under the tremendous physical and mental strain of the sustained effort..she felt herself slipping in and out of conscious....any earth bound sorceress with half her age and experience would have been defeated hours ago...but Ororo and Karen were older, wiser more powerful. if ANYONE could have provided such a strong defense against Spellbinder, it was them...but even THEY had their limits...and they were now painfully there::


Ororo: ....i can do no more!!!......nothing ...left!!

::she began to fall to her knees....her power signature fading....as she slumped over and fell to the ground......she looked so weary and without the the reserves of her garden or the magick therein to draw on...she was now exhausted::

[Shadow Weaver]

::Karen's face betrayed the pain and strain...of the hours long fight....she too was now painfully weary. she put her hands to her fore head....and shut her eyes tightly..as she felt Ororo's hands slip from her grasp::


::her voice so low..and shakey::

Ororo......i'm afraid...i'm going....too!

:: she fell to the ground...her power depleted...her energy gone.... and her power signature faded as well...leaving on Spellbinder's....as the building began to shake once more..and the sound of metal friction could be heard::

[Jill Monroe]

<< Spellbinder who was locked in a powerful conflict with her mentor and mother....finally began to show sings of animation as she SMILED with wicked glee>>

their power FAILS.....another moment....and I shall TRIUMPH!!


<<a soft, yet evil laugh is heard over the whistling winds high above the city..which seems to have ACCEPTED its demonic fate...the chaos is starting to settle...as screams from humans fade...and demons roam unchecked....Limbo begins to take more and more a strong hold and once that happens....it will only SPREAD beyond this city.>>


<< as a clap of thunder heralds the falling of Karen and Ororo....Spellbinder exclaims triumphantly.>>

It is FINISHED.............I........wait..something....B LACK has FAILED...the OTHERS are FREE!! CURSES!


<< Spellbinder immediately CEASES her attack on Illustra....a rushing sound of air and chimes accompanies the immediate halt of her spell of shriving>>

They are TRULY possesed of resiliency and tenacity. no doubt encouraged by ORORO. They will come here...and attempt to stop me from having my revenge! from taking what is mine. I cannot afford to focus in on Illustra, i MUST permanently bridge the gap between earth and Limbo and seal its fate....THEN..i will have all the time i need to hunt them down and destroy them..one by one, just as Belasco destroyed Ororo's X-men all those years ago!

<<echoes of crashing thunder are heard as Spellbinder storms away from the plateau of power and into the shadows further back....to prepare for the final BLOOD RITUAL that will pave the way between earth and limbo.>>


-------------------------
<<MEANWHILE back at illustra, just as Black is defeated and Karen and Ororo are exhausted of their powers....the attack on Illustra ENDS as suddenly as it began hours ago. there is a brief moment of silence and some might even DARE to enjoy the "calm"...but the building is badly damaged...and the members of the Six are weary and tired....Erika is in dire need of healing.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: The commotion had stopped leaving an eerie silence that fell over the building known as Illustra. Lowering her hands, Alexis' eyes looked over the frozen Black wanting so desperately to fry the fucker before he figured a way out of Guardian's bindings. But it was smarter to leave him in there and aid the others while they had the time. ::

"Guardian, heal your sister...i'll take care of Ororo and Karen."

:: Running toward the two fallen woman, who were in desperate need of an energy boost, Alexis kneeled next to them immediately after reaching their destination. They looked so weak and powerless...it was horrible to see how Spellbinder, a woman they both loved so dearly, could do this to them without a second thought. Standing enough to step her leg over Karen, followed by her other, she was now in between both Karen and Ororo. Hovering one hand over Ororo and the other over Karen, Alexis closed her eyes as her palms began to glow a radiant blue. Beams on energy emitted from her hands and began to absorb into the two woman, causing their weakened energy levels to increase within them. Alexis continued this for a good minute, allowing both Ororo and Karen to gain the strength to continue on. Lowering her hands and resting them in her lap, Alexis opened her eyes slowly, casting a glance down at both woman. ::

"Are you two okay?"

[Foxfire]

** Piercing yellow eyes glared down at Black. It felt actually good to unleash her pent up aggression and anger against this brutal monster. Her flames flickered through the light just when the massive pitch black dome exploded. Several shards of it flying right through Foxfire's elemental form. But this small distraction was enough for Black to attack her! She hadn't realized he had gotten up and now he was coming at the mutant. Turning around at the last second, Blaze's eyes filled with the shape of Black's badly damaged body. The two massive heat waves met with Black attacking her. Between her massive power onslaught and now this, it was too much for Blaze. She unleashed a blood curdling scream that could have probably broken a view windows while Black attacked her. Several signs of weakness were showing through the fiery form, which were now becoming more human. A pair of arms and legs were morphing into view now. Luckily Shockwave and Guardian temporarily stopped the situation. **

** With Black frozen into place with his own dark shards of dome around him, Foxfire crashed to the floor. And in one massive explosion, her flames were gone. Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and parts of her were burned. Sprawled out on the floor, laying within her human form. Her brightly colored irises faded into a pale green shade. Sparkles of steam and smoke arose from Foxfire. Coughing from the small amount of smoke inhalation, she had exhausted her powers. Shutting her eyes, Blaze's mind called out to Morgan, uttering just one sentence. **

You won't win this....

[Harbinger]

::as shockwave went to see about Ororo and Karen, Guardian went over to Prophet and Erika::

::Erika had put up an AMAZING fight....standing in the gap when even Alison herself could not. She'd definately grown and evolved from her experiences with the group, and was no doubt influenced be Ororo. She saw the forming relationship of pupil and mentor between those two.::

::as she knelt down on one knee...she looked down upon her sister::

that was quite a impressive display Erika. You faced Black on your own...and survived. Not many people have been able to do that.

::a halo of black light forms around Guardian's forward extended hand...as a small jagged stream of magick flows forth and forms a "talon" like manifestation::

you are filled with Black's toxic shroud....you must hold still while i extract it. this may hurt...and for that, I am sorry.

::the talon passes through Erika's chest cavity and lays hold to the cancerous shroud inside her body.....Guardian YANKS ...using her her TK to quickly and forcibly draw ALL the energy forward and OUT of her chest ...the talon still holding on tighly...as she pulls it all out and thrusts it into the air.::

::standing up quickly...she thrusts her hands up at the much smaller extension of Black's toxic shroud and blows it up completely...accelerating its molecules to the point of burnout. Erika is now free....and her own healing magicks can pick up the slack::

you will recover of course....

::Guardian looks upon her with minimal expression...as her cobalt blue eyes slowly look over Cameron's as well::

[Erika King]

< Erika tried to force a sarcastic smile as Guardian worked her magick to withdraw the shroud energy that she had been infused with while Battling Black. It hurt like crazy and it was all Erika could do not to scream. As the energy was removed, Erika could feel her own healing magicks began to work, restoring cell damage and internal wounds that she had been infected with during the battle. She slowly stood to her feet as she dusted off her disheveled clothes and patted her brother on the back while looking at Alison intently. >

"Thank you very much.. I just had this instinct that I had to protect everyone. I couldn't let all of this hard work go to waste. The world NEEDS the Six..."

< She took a moment to be proud of herself for what she had accomplished. She had been brutal and vicious in a battle with an extremely powerful demon. She had held her own where as before she would have only been on the defense, healing the others. Erika liked that for once she let go of everything and unleashed her power for what it was. It was a moment that she would never forget. Erika only wished that she could have KILLED Black. The rage in the moment of the fight wasn't enough. Erika wouldn't have stopped until she herself had been killed or until Black was lying on the floor beneath her. Erika turned to the others in the group. >

"How are Karen and Ororo? Are they okay? Do they need healing? And where is Spellbinder are we any closer?"

< Just then the building began to shake and rumble just as it did when they had first entered which meant Ororo and Karen weren't protecting them any longer. >

"We need to get out of here.. this place is going to topple to the GROUND!"

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron watched in quiet desperation at the scene unfolding before him and now he found his sister in his arms. She was quiet for the moment after he had finished pulling her back from trying to attack Black yet again. He was amazed at the amount of tenacity and fire that she had shown and it made him give Erika a second glance. Maybe she wasn't as cookie cutter as he thought. He liked that. Nobody was that good 100% of the time, especially in his family. As Alison removed the shroud energy from Erika's body, the two exchanged a casual glance ::

"Alison, I just want to say before things get crazy again and on the off chance that I don't survive this one... Thank You. Thank You for saving me the first night I met you in the Rainbow Room, thank you for saving me in the Citadle and thank you for saving me from my own death countless times.. Just thank you.. I have averted calling you Guardian from the day I met you.. but now I see it, and I promise if we both make it out of here alive.. I will change. I will give you the respect you deserve.. as well as Morgan. I just want everyone to be okay..."

:: He knew this was a reach for them both and he wasn't sure of how Alison would react with this. He had seen her grow leaps and bounds in the past few hours and he just wanted to try and start clearing the air between them. After all, whether they liked it or not, they were related. His eyes darted to the ground before turning them up again and stared right back at her Cobalt Blue eyes. ::

"You don't have to say anything.. I just wanted you to know that.. If you don't accept it, I understand, you don't have to say anything, just know that I plan to keep my word..."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen squints her eyes as she begins to stir....she slowly sits up and rubs head .....slowly acclimating her surroundings as Shockwave comes into focus>>

uggnnnnnnnn!!!!


Alexis.....? thank you.....

<< breathing deeply...as she welcomes the silence>>

I was sure that we were going to be crushed by Morgan's wrath. But the spell of shriving...it has stopped!

<<looking over...the luxe penthouse was still completely empty but the damage to the structure of the building was extensive>>

and Ororo....

[Ororo]

::Ororo sits up....exhaling slowly as she surveys her surroundings>>

many thanks Alexis. prolonged absence from the reserves of my garden has left me feeling weaker than i expected. The first trial is over but the worst is yet to come.....even now, as the building teeters on the edge of destruction. this was Morgan's way of seperating herself from any binds to this team. We must leave immediately....and journey to the empire state building.

no overtures....no deliberations...we most go with a purpose and make our stand there face to face with morgan.

She has expended as much power and energy as she could on us....Karen and I bought you the time you need......but the rest is up to you.

:: standing up with the group....as the building continues to groan and creek...Ororo lifts her hands...and everyone is enveloped in sparkling swirling shards of energy....and TELEPORTED out of the badly damaged Illustra..outside..it was night fall....a blood red moon hung low in the sky as black clouds drifted along. and winged demons flew around in the sky::


::the human screams were now more whispery in the wind...as the city seemed to bow and accept being overrun with magick...as the buildings looked ancient and demonic....with smilign demonic faces leering out...and enchanted objects randomly flew through the air... there were downed power lines...burning cars...and dead bodies all around...::



:: Ororo motions for the group to keep moving...as she forms a barrier around them...and as the ground seems to shake...Illustra...looking so grey and dillapidated, begins to come crashing down.....its hard sight to watch::