Casualties of the nightmare

[Seer]

Melrose Avenue

<< Arielle's apothecary. a small shoppe, nestled between two larger storefronts. it looks to be a place for cute little trinkets and other curious objects but upon closer inspection and for those in the know, its a true apothecary, owned and maintained by its mistress, a true witch.>>

<< Arielle is a young witch but knows much about pain and loss. Cast out buy her devoutly religious parents, she soon found sanctuary in a coven ran by her high priestess, Amanda Sefton [ ]. Through Amanda's guidance and surrogate motherhood, Arielle finished school, honed her craft and even found her gift, the power of mystic shield/protection...she also was able to establish her own apothecary. Amanda disappeared shortly after the Inferno event in New York, and that left Arielle to take over the coven. Now a young woman, Arielle nervously stepped up and carried on where Amanda left off. >>

<< Her apothecary also housed her own area of consecration, hidden in the back reaches of the building. With help from Mike, the security for the building and Arielle had been beefed up but subtlely so. Arielle continued her daily operations, including helping her sister witches to be more aware and prepared for the threat of Barbas, but even as the weeks passed, nothing was guaranteed. Arielle knew that...FEARED that secretly and that was ALL the room barbas needed.>>

night time

<< the coven had ended its gathering and the ritual of blessing for the evening was complete. everyone had gone home with Arielle's final warning to be alert, to avoid the things that sparked fear etc. She herself remained behind in the Apothecary. locking up as her own familiar, the sleek white cat, Jewel prowls about.>>

<< Arielle moves with caution, humming softly as she locks everythign up and sets the talismans inside the apothecary to active status. her power is PROTECTION, she can defend against conventional weapons and various forms of energy projection with her spells and talismans and not even the members of the Six could easily circumvent her BARRIERS if it came down to it but against Barbas, even that is but a MINOR deterrant at best.>>

<< finally, in the back outside of the area of the store and in the private areas of the building, Arielle lights a candle. she reaches for Jewell, but the sleek feline seems more than a little upset!>>

Arielle: Jewel?

<< Jewel knows something is wrong. This is the beginning of something horrible.>>

<< to her surprise, the back door was ajar, and the gust of wind blew it completely open, causing her to gasp with a start. but she quickly composes herself...and holds her hand up, ready to conjure a force field if necessary. she makes her way toward the door to shut it...when she hears a voice calling her.>>

Amanda: Arielle?? << it is softer, weaker than Arielle remembers. The young witch pauses, listening in the wind before she hears it again...and against her better judgement she ventures out into the alley , following the weak, weapy voice. is she hurt? it sounds like it.>>

Arielle: Amanda??

<< the voice calls for Arielle and she slowly moves down the alley, her own hair blowing in the winds. Jewel mews and cries out for her mommy to come back...craining her neck and sniffing the night time air...she knows this is wrong.>>

<< down the alley she goes...around around the corner of the last building...Arielle looks slowly and is greeted by the hanging, gutted body of Amanda...swaying in the wind, the broken body squeaks and jitters as it's ghostly eyes fix on Arielle who screams.>>

Amanda: it's too late for you now, Arielle! it's okay to be afraid...we ALL were afraid. we're your friends.. your sisters...EVERYONE!

<< the body falls down, toward Arielle who screams...and runs...until the sound of a rolling garbage can lid catches her attention and she turns back.>>

<< Barbas' ancient, smug laugh is heard, as his shadow casts and then he appears...walking slowly down the alley...dragging the apparition of Amanda's dead body...andhis other hand is rather large, with blood dripping razors on it, dragging across the wall.>>

Arielle: you....you killed AMANDA?!

<< in reality, Barbas had not. but Arielle's fear of FAILING to live up to Amanda's perceived standard was all the room he needed to get to the witch.>>

Barbas: No, my dear. YOU FAILED Amanda...and your sisters too!

<< thunder crashes and a flash of lightening reveals the burned, broken SPIKED bodies of Arielle's sisters. all of them with looks of fear and shock on their faces as they lay, on pikes...DEAD. Arielle, recoils and coughs, she wants to vomit! the ground beneath her was wet, muddy...with creepy crawly things about her feet...the air was filled with the mournfull cries of long dead witches and Amanda's ghostly whispered call.>>

Arielle: I will NOT fear you!

Barbas: but its okay. You've helped ME! you've given me all that i need, and now I want to REPAY YOU!

<< he was upon her, but Arielle used her POWER.>>

Arielle: CIRCLE OF PROTECTION!

<< she throws her hand up, and manifests a SHIELD, blocking Barbas' advance...but even as he is halted, he smirks.>>

Barbas: though you may THINK you can fight to stay alive...the outcome will always be the same! You will never be able to see it through and now I'm going to make sure you NEVER have to worry about it...

in a demonic voice as he reveals his TRUE form: AGAIN!

<< Arielle BOLTS, running back to her apothecary where she knows she will be her strongest and where she can press the PANIC button to call for KAREN! She doesnt scream...but the look on her face says it ALL. Barbas chases her, but she makes tracks...but as she reaches the door way...Barbas grabs her by the hair and places his hand under her chin.>>

Barbas: No one can help you NOW, princess. I am the END!

<< he STABS her in the back...his razors pierce her flesh with such white hot pain that she cries out as he hurls her forward. Jewel, the familar as already taken cover, but NOT before she KNOCKED over a potted plant that was heavy enough to SMASH DOWN the PANIC BUTTON! sending a signal to Mike and Karen!>>

<< Barbas proceeds to VICIOUSLY assault Arielle with his clawed hand...causing her maximum pain as he feeds on her pain and fear...her scream is matched only by the storm OUTSIDE!>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

MP apt. 2

<< for a while, Karen retreated from Mike on more than one level. She'd been shaken to her core AGAIN by Barbas and Mike tried his best to comfort her, but she found herself doing what she unknowingly passed to her daughter...CLOSING OFF from men!>>

<< Mike backed off and made sure she was comfortable and then after a while, he came to her again to talk. She responded and soon, it seemed that everything would be okay. Karen retired early...she was rather exhausted emotionally and needed rest. Mike was in bed too, respecting her wishes for him not to "try anything" tonight. but he still lay close to her, his arm wrapped around her waist.>>

<< the sleep seemed to be longer than it was...and soon, it was jolted away as the light and singal on the night stand near Karen sounded off, startling her awake.>>

<< GASP!>>

<< in a winded voice as she looks around hurridly before seeing the signal.>>

Mike: Karen...what's going on!?

<< He was ready to leap into action if necessary. Karen grabbed the signal...and realized what was happening.>>

It's Arielle! She's under attack!

We have to HURRY!

<< rushing out of the bed, Karen spins around wonder woman style and with a chime, she is now in her latest costume: consisting of long black opera gloves, form fitting black leather pants that disappear seamlessly into black high heeled boots, a silver belt and choker and a black leather bodice that leaves her midriff exposed and has a long black cape that emerges from the bustline.>>

The others...we'll need their help! It's Barbas....I KNOW IT.

<< Karen sends a distress call to Alison, a fellow mystic who in turn informs Haleigh, Karen was UNAWARE that Alison had just given a cryptic comment about her to Haleigh. Blaze , Delilah and Morgan are informed as well as are Sharon and Nicolas.>>

<< rushing toward the front door, Karen is outside and up the stairs to apartment four joined by the others. Nicolas and Sharon will have to get there courtesy of Nicolas, who can carry at least ONE other person with him when he shunts through the astral plane.>>

Morgan, teleport us to Arielle's Apothecary on Melrose Avenue...before its too late!

<< Karen had PROMISED Arielle that they'd be there for her if needed. Of them all, Blaze and Mike would understand MOST how Karen felt now. They'd met the young woman. Karen was the one who took down Arielle's would be assailant. But Karen knew that if Barbas was in fact there, they needed to fight him TOGETHER.>>

 

[Siren]

Claudia was determined to get out of her apartment; especially with Haleigh listening and watching their every move. It was slightly unnerving for Claudia to know that for the past couple of weeks their every move had been documented...she was used to being the center of attention but this was a bit extreme even for her. Heading down the hall with Clara and Johnny in toe, Claudia reached the front door and opened it with a huge surprise.

"What the hell!"

A bewildered expression overtook her face as she saw New York City in ruins right in front of her. Demonic beings were running around destorying the war-torn city as fires raged on completely burning away any sembelence of normalcy left in New York. Among the chaos was a woman, dressed in a cape and with little else on underneath. Her face was enshrouded in shadows, but horns could distinctively be seen come from her head. It would have been hard to tell who exactly the woman was if Claudia hadn't already seen this manifestation of Morgan Victoria before. Remembering the demonic version from her previous Barbas attack at her office, Claudia instantly knew this was a bad situation to be in.

Spellbinder: well, well! what have we HERE! out in the open where i can give you the welcome, you more than RICHLY DESERVE!

"And she wonders why she's a washed up model..."

Claudia deadpanned, watching as Morgan gestured her hands toward them, magick quickly manifesting around her. Spellbinder unleashed a massive eldritch bolt, hurling it toward the trio with an intent to kill. Lifting her hand up, Claudia created a massive geiser of water under a nearby burning car; the force of the water lifting the car into the air and sending it flying directly into the path of the eldritch bolt. The bolt shattered the car into pieces, but managed to dissipated before reaching Claudia, Clara, and Johnny.

Spellbinder: you TOYED WITH ME , you PUSHED me over the edge! trying to make me BREAK! Now...i'll BREAK YOU...YOUR SOUL!

"Oh this is getting ridiculous already. Barbas, do you HONESTLY believe we're scared of Morgan Victoria? She's a puppy compared to the people my sister and I have dealt with."

But it seemed Barbas wasn't ready to fold this particular hand. Morgan took off, flying into the air before swooping down toward them.

Spellbinder: SAY GOOD BYE!

"John!"

Yelling for Johnny, he quickly grabbed both woman and teleported them from where they were standing right before the wind bomb hit them. Reappearing a few feet away, where the wind bomb DID hit, there was a giant crater left in the pavement of the street. Eventhough the situation was dangerous, there was a DEFINITE benefit of Barbas using Morgan as a way to 'scare' the Zacchara's: they were getting a first hand look at Morgan Victoria's powers. And for Claudia, this was a HUGE pluse. Recalling everything THIS Morgan was doing would help her and Clara in future dealings with the REAL Spellbinder.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas and Sharon settle in a bit, talking about lighter subjects and spending time bonding a bit as he plays with the Gyrfalcons. He is gesturing to Antiope when he is suddenly jarred by a scream that reverberate across the astral plane. It is close by, and STRONG. Nicolas drops teh perch in his hand, causing Antiope to fail to perch as she came in. It clatters to the floor, startling Sharon, who cannot recall Nicolas DROPPING anything. Was it a prank?

Nicolas looked at Sharon grimly.

It is Barbas. He is on the attack. The others have gathered at Morgan's to go to the scene of the attack in hopes of stopping him. I normally do not travel in this way, but there is no way we can get there fast enough otherwise, and Morgan and I need to limit interaction. Come with me.

Nicolas grabs Sharon's hand and concentrates. Even the mutate, designed for movement at high speeds and pretty much invulnerable to the effects of vertigo, feels a bit jarred by the new experience as Nicolas swings his axe...

moving them (and the birds) through the astral plane ITSELF to their destination, an apothecary location plucked from Mike's mind. They arrive as the others do...

 

[Arsenal]

Karen's response after the incident was infuriating, expected, but in the end, a bit better than before, as she eventually came around after turning away from Mike in his own apartment. It was uneasy, but after a renewed coaxing on Mike's part, Karen opened back up and things returned a bit to normal.

They retired to bed, and when Mike stripped down to climb in beside her wrapping his arms about her waist, she must have felt something behind her as she stiffened a bit, then asked that they not do anything tonight. Mike was a bit amused at the extremely rare request, but had no problem, assuring her that he understood that she wasn't feeling well, and so she settled down, wrapping her arms around his as they went to sleep...

...to be jarred awake by the lights and alarm on Karen's side of the bed. Mike rolled to his side, tapping a button that caused his shotgun and snub-nosed .44 to be ejected into the air where he caught them. Mike looked for a target to shoot as his eyes searched the darkness.

Karen...what's going on!?

It's Arielle! She's under attack!

We have to HURRY!

<< rushing out of the bed, Karen spins around wonder woman style and with a chime, she is now in her latest costume: consisting of long black opera gloves, form fitting black leather pants that disappear seamlessly into black high heeled boots, a silver belt and choker and a black leather bodice that leaves her midriff exposed and has a long black cape that emerges from the bustline.>>

The others...we'll need their help! It's Barbas....I KNOW IT.

Mike looked at her, clad in her sexy new battle costume and ready to go while he was naked save for his guns.

Shit! Baby...a hand here?

Karen gestured and Mike was clad in his battle suit as he led her upstairs while she sent out the distress signal to Alison and the others. Nicolas was already on it and was accessing the coordinates of the apothecary as Morgan ws addressed by Karen.

Morgan, teleport us to Arielle's Apothecary on Melrose Avenue...before its too late!

They all arrived even as Sharon and Nicolas did...

 

[Spellbinder]

the apothecary!

<< Morgan, Blaze and Delilah had been talking, the evening had progressed smoothly for them and the cats and they all seemed a bit more settled. But after a while, that was shattered as Karen bursts into her daughter's apartment in her NEW costume!?>>

Mom! what is it!?

<< the trio of young women stand up as Karen grasps her daughter's hands.>>

Morgan, teleport us to Arielle's Apothecary on Melrose Avenue...before its too late!

<< Haleigh and Alison arrive shortly after Mike.>>

What's happening!?

Karen: There's no time to explain...its BARBAS! He's attacking a friend...a fellow WITCH!

<< Morgan briefly catches Alison looking like she WANTS to say something...but the precog does not speak.>>

I know that look. WHAT does she suspect! what does she KNOW!?

<< Morgan uses a spell to switch herself, Delilah and Blaze into the current costumes.>>

Okay...let's go!

<< and in the twinkling of the Sorceress' eye, Harbinger, Black Widow, Firebird, MorningStar, Shadow Weaver and Aresnal are teleported via stepping disc. this is the fastest way to travel...but even THIS is not FAST ENOUGH for what they HOPE to do...SAVE this young woman from Barbas!>>

<< Rampage and Silver Swan MEET them at the Apothecary, the FRONT of the building. Rampage's own ability to shunt through the Astral plane makes him just about as fast a "teleporter" as Morgan! Though the two are not on good terms, THIS is an emergency and BOTH of them know to lay their personal problems aside for the sake of an INNOCENT!>>

Mom...I sense magick....

Karen: Arielle has protection based abilities, shields, barriers, forcefields and deflection fields. she was the most powerfull of her coven. she owns this apothecary. Blaze and I met her when we apprehended an invader who tried to rob and SHOOT her. Mike set her up with security and police protection since then and we were able to keep in touch with this.

<< holds up the signal/communicator.>>

Karen: LISTEN! << Arielle's pained, terrified screams can be heard!>>

He's hurting her! LET'S GO!

<< Morgan doesnt hesitate as she TEARS open the front doors. her Soul Sword IMMEDIATELY leaps into her graps...a mystical "CLANG" sound is heard as body contouring, eldritch armour manifests on the hand that holds the blade as well as that arm and shoulder. this is NOT a good sign, that the sword comes WITHOUT her calling it.>>

<< she uses the soul sword to deactivate the talismans that would otherwise BAR their way through the apothecary. the sword can disrupt any spell, enchantment and can gravely wound/kill magickal beings!>>

In the back!

<< she motions as the sword's white mystic flames provide light in the cold, dark apothecary. everyone hurries, readying themselves for what they might find.>>

can this be IT!? can we really be about to face this centuries old DEMON here and NOW!?

 

[Seer]

night time is the worst time

meanwhile

<< in what is ultimately the dream zone, the DEMONIC inferno phase Spellbinder ATTACKS The Zaccharas with savage glee. Claudia, quick on the draw saves them [narrowly] from the eldritch bolt and Johnny evades the WIND BOMB, they see the place t hey once stood is now a massive CRATER. Spellbinder weilds magick and is Earth's Sorceress Supreme. Claudia was taking in this information, but it was still rather DATED in terms of Morgan's fighting style etc. Claudia had to wonder, could she even mimic a MAGICKAL attack? she had not done so before. So even with this information, new questions were raised.>>

<< the Zaccharas and Johnny barely had time to regroup before they found themselves trapped, on the ground where they stood, they were now surrounded by molten LAVA that flowed as far as the eye could see and with an eruption of dark magick from the ground behind them, Spellbinder appears.>>

Spellbinder: Do you think you can defeat ME!? the MISTRESS OF ALL EVIL!?

<< with that, she grabs Johnny from the back and RIPS OUT his spin, leaving his body to collapse into a heap before the sisters as the shadow enshrouded face of Spellbinder reveals a DEMONIC gleaming smile of slightly fanged teeth. she tosses the spine and its bloody attachments to some demons nearby and steps ON the body as she walks toward them.>>

Spellbinder: There's nothing more delightfull than destroy my enemies...watching them as they realize all hope, all control they thought they had is LOST!

<< gesturing, Claudia is grabbed by the GROUND itself as THORNED vines spring up around her ankles, waist, wrists, chest and NECK. the feeling of the thorns piercing her skin...the gripe of the vines constricting her breathing, crushing her bones...it was all too REAL in feeling even if Claudia was aware this was a nightmare of sorts.>>

Spellbinder: << Clara was now instantly in Spellbinder's grasp courtesy of a stepping disc, and hoisted off the ground as the sorceress began choking her.>> YOUR TURN!

<< taunting Claudia by holding Clara hostage, Claudia most likely could free herself but even as she prepares to, the MAIN IDEA behind this sudden attack unfolds as Morgan STABS Clara through the heart with the soul sword! dark magick irradiates the woman's body...mystic flames set her ablaze even as she is still alive before Morgan tosses her into the waiting arms of techno organic DEMONS to DEVOUR!>>

<< Claudia is left to watch her sister DIE a horrid death...but can do NOTHING to stop it! Spellbinder's demonic laugh reverberates as thunder crashes before a raging tidal wave of LAVA rushes across the expanse and crests....crashing down upon ALL OF THEM, consuming Claudia as well.>>

Barbas: you're life is over. BYE NOW!

<< THANKFULLY for the Zaccharas and Johnny, someone ELSE was watching. The SAME presence that saved them the FIRST night they and the Six were attacked, manifests again...a WHITE LIGHT and soft, feminine whisper...>>

Verna Eckert: WAKE UP!

<< the trio finds themselves INSIDE their apartment of MP. No wounds, no death, no INFERNO. But Claudia just got another taste of Barbas and what he may do to CLARA. NOW more than ever the woman wanted to take her sister and get out of MP....if only for the night! But she couldnt shake the images, no matter where she went for the evening.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

the apothecary!

[All was calm now. The gryfalcons were enjoying attention from Nicolas as well as their Mommy. Sharon snapped her surprised look at Nicolas he dropped the perch! it seemed odd that he would have a slip of the hand, but then it became clear he senseed something.]

its Barbas. He is on the attack. The others have gathered at Morgan's to go to the scene of the attack in hopes of stopping him. I normally do not travel in this way, but there is no way we can get there fast enough otherwise, and Morgan and I need to limit interaction. Come with me.

Let's GET HIM!

[ Sharon stands up, it only takes a moment of thought and concentration before the technique taught her by the Amazons allows her to mentally shift her clothing into her costume of the Silver Swan! She dons her silver eye mask just as Nicolas grabs her arm.]

[ She'd been teleported before...by Morgan or even Pipeline, but THIS movement power of Nicolas' was different even for her. she almost felt like she had MISSTEPPED. But even as she centered herself alongside Nicolas and the gryfalcons were hovering above her, they arrived at the Apopthecary, meeting the others. Karen and Morgan spoke, but SHARON could hear EVERYTHING.]

The young woman! I HEAR her! What's happening to her! she's being assaulted, stabbed, MULTILATED! We've got to GET to her!

[ Spellbinder forces the doors open and she and Karen lead the way. The others follow and Sharon mentally commands Artemis and Antiope to stay in the store area but to remain perched HIGH UP. Jewel, Arielle's familiar is hiding...and her poor little heart is being so fast!]

There is a cat...and she's terrified!

[ turning to the birds]

Protect the kitty! make sure nothing happens to her!

[ the move together, everyone getting ready but the sound of flesh being torn, blood spattering, bones being scrapped and ripped, not to mention Arielle's screams BLARED to Sharon more than the others, save perhaps Delilah.]

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas watched as Morgan and the others arrived. They all immediately went about the task at hand, and as the young witch's scream is heard, Morgan tears open the front doors and rushes inside, the team in tow.

Nicolas manifests his axe and closes the doors behind them so as to keep prying eyes from seeing. As they moved forward Morgan manifested her armor and sword without calling for it. NOT A GOOD SIGN. Nicolas could sense the nearness and strength of Barbas, and his own weapon manifested the rune of set, it adding its own glow to Morgan's as they moved...

In the back!

Nicolas moved unconsciously, just like old times, to Morgan's right near point due to his physical strength and resistance to injury as they prepared to seemingly face the monster FINALLY!!

 

[Harbinger]

the apothecary

:: in her latest "Costume" consisting of the blue corsett, black, tailored mini skirt and black leather high heeled boots, Harbinger only LOOKS at Haleigh as the hybrid asks her if there's something more she'd like to share.::

:: the answer seems to reveal itself as Karen sends her distress call and both women stand up.::

Just understand...tonight isn't going to be good...at ALL and we need to be there, for Karen.

:: It PAINED Alison to know that Arielle was...lost. But they HAD to try. Even SHE wished they could save her. She was a fellow witch, with a pure heart and sweet spirit. .She didnt deserve this. BARBAS was a cruel, sadistic creature. Even HECATE had experienced his brutality first hand and it made Alison SHUDDER to think as she remembered her OWN experience with him in HER nightmare. Had Nicolas NOT been there...would she even be here NOW?::

:: they join the others and Alison starts to speak, but remains silent. they teleport to the apothecary and meet up with Rampage and Silver Swan::

Nicolas, telepathically screen out ALL of this from any minds in the area. The police can't help at this point...

:: Morgan gains them entrance, but the fact that the soul sword has appeared only indicates how DANGEROUS this is. This happened when SET appeared as well!::

:: as they rush toward the back, to the secret areas. Sharon indicatese the pain that Arielle is in as she endures her assault but Alison can SEE IT! She can't just stand back...even though she KNOWS already...she can't let this girl DIE with out KNOWING someone tried to help her!

I'm going to take the point!

:: Harbinger BLINKS out and reappears at "ground zero" and GASPS...Arielle is in mid air...writhing, convulsing! her body is bloody, stabbed, multilated...she's screams as her throat nearly cracks and she is now dragged up the side of the wall, and too the ceiling. even for what they see now, Alison KNOWS that as fast as they got here, Arielle has endured this for more than a few excruciating minutes...that for HER may have felt like HOURS! the woman was brutalized in a way that most RATIONAL people would not imagine themselves doing to another human being.::

the OTHERS arrive to see the GRUESOME site as well::

BARBAS!

:: Alison uses her SEER'S eye to try tolocate Barbas who appears INVISIBLE at that moment. But it's TOO LATE! a horrible sound of a neck being broken is heard...and Arielle is silent...her broken body left to fall to the ground as blood SPLASHES onto Alison and those who reach her just in time. The precog looks HORRIFIED for a moment, but then blinks her colbalt blue eyes...and looks more ENRAGED than anything::


COME OUT AND SHOW YOURSELF, MONSTER! FACE US!

:: Alison screams! feeling more than a little overcome with shock and GRIEF for this fallen woman. Morgan, Karen, Blaze, Mike and Sharon rush to Arielle's body while Haleigh, Nicolas and Delilah join Alison in looking for Barbas, WANTING him to show himself. ::

:: it seems that they are too late...but is it REALLY over?::

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas, telepathically screen out ALL of this from any minds in the area. The police can't help at this point...

Nicolas nods and a semblance of normalcy is placed over the area. No one would know what happened here.

As Nicolas rushed in beside Morgan, Alison took point and he hastened his movement, blowing out the back door as he rushed to make sure that Alison was not lost as well.

He arrived in time to see the young witch's neck broken, a tactic OBVIOUSLY designed to scare the hell out of Morgan and Alison. Alison screamed in grief as she challenged the monster, and Nicolas stood by her, calling him out.

You cannot escape us all, beast! Be revealed!

Nicolas raised his axe, and it emanated a pulse glow that washed over the entire area. Any astral or physically invisible beings would be revealed.

 

[Fusion]

Melrose: Apt 6

Claudia: "We're bugged! …Or under surveillance…. [scoffing] no wonder she knows so much about our attacks from Barbas. Not to mention when to precisely open that little metal container when I flipped back the sheets. [shaking her head] I can't believe I didn't pick up on this before."

Clara shrugged her shoulders, nonplussed. Her whole life had been spent living in her fathers house, under HIS surveillance and constant snooping. The idea the Haleigh was watching them now didn't much bother her simply because it wasn't a change from what she was used to.

"Whatever. I wouldn't doubt she's got cameras in EVERY apartment in Melrose-- including her OWN."

Johnny reappeared beside Clara, just after Claudia asserted that they wouldn't stay HERE tonight.

Johnny: "I hate spiders."

[curiously] "Did you change your shirt?"

Johnny: "I thought there was a spider in my last one."

[worried]"You didn't get bit, did you?? [off his 'no' response] Oh. Well, come on, the apartment's wired with cameras or bugs or something--"

Johnny: "So what else is new?"

[chuckling] "Claudia's not--"

Claudia: "What the hell!"

Clara came to a halt right behind her sister, staring out over her shoulder at the ruins of New York. This HAD to be some kind of illusion… like the vortex of doom the other night. Had they all fallen asleep again? There was a woman… scantily clad and ENRAGED… and vaguely familiar….

"Is that…. Our landlord?"

Morgan unleashed an indiscriminate blast at them… something intended to kill anything in its path. Clara prepared a plasma sphere the size of a basketball... not nearly big enough to counter it but maybe enough to knock it off its path-- but Claudia was quick on the draw too and she took care of it.

Claudia: "Oh this is getting ridiculous already. Barbas, do you HONESTLY believe we're scared of Morgan Victoria? She's a puppy compared to the people my sister and I have dealt with."

Clara smirked.

"It IS rather hard to be afraid of a woman so skinny she's borderline emaciated."

Johnny: "Seriously. Maybe if she ate a cheeseburger she wouldn't be so easily outraged."

Claudia: "John!"

Johnny was well trained in the call for his powers… Claudia used a tone almost identical to the one Clara used when she needed to get out of a jam quickly. He grabbed Claudia by the elbow and wrapped an arm around Clara's waist, taking them both out of harms way in the nick of time. In an instant they were trapped by molten lava… an apoplectic Morgan reappears. It was a little easier to be afraid of this woman now… she was clearly PSYCHOTIC and hell bent on hurting them. Morgan grabs Johnny and pulls him away, even as Clara grabs his hand in an effort to pull him back. Was this woman on PCP?! She was SO STRONG!

"JOHNNY!"

Two hands on him now, but Morgan was winning the tug of war and then… right in front of Clara… Morgan rips Johnny APART… pulling out his spine. His blood splatters a horror-struck Clara, and Johnny collapses at her feet. Morgan is boasting something in the background but Clara doesn't hear it.

"Johnny…."

It was too late for him, that much was plainly, painfully obvious. Clara shut her eyes tightly, letting go of Johnny's hand, clenching her fists.

"THIS IS JUST A DREAM! ITS ALL A DREAM…. NONE OF IT IS REAL!"

It was a real as a dream GOT…. Morgan grabbed Clara by the throat and lifted her off the GROUND. Clara struggled against the woman's grasp to no avail. Gritting her teeth, gasping for breath, she glared into the eyes of the MONSTER trying to kill her… and SLAMMED a plasma blast down over the side of Morgan's head to try to get the psycho to drop her or loosen her grip. Clara feels a sharp pain in her heart… the seems to strike her very SOUL…. She blinks…. Looks down… she realizes she's ON FIRE… but she doesn't scream. she doesn't feel HOT… she feels cold…. So cold… and numb. The thundering of her heart is not just eerily audible… it seems to have taken over every sound and every sensation in her world… and she realizes her heartbeat is slowing down… the world is dark. She's so tired…

There is a white light…. A woman's voice… telling her to wake up. Clara isn't sure she WANTS to…. But someone is shaking her gently….she stirs… reality comes back. Johnny is the one shaking her. Clara rubs her eyes groggily. It happened so fast there was hardly time to react with anything except instinct. The memories flood back.

"Johnny… you're alright? [he nods] Claudia? [pausing] Is it just ME…. Or has someone been SAVING US at the LAST POSSIBLE SECOND?"

 

[Siren]

Claudia's quick thinking was in vain as herself, Clara, and Johnny were quickly overtaken by molten lava. With her palms facing the ground and fingers flexed out, torrential rains began to pour down upon them, causing the lava to seize from the water. Steam began to errupt from the cooling magma, creating a mist of rain and white fog around them.

Clara: JOHNNY!

Clara's voice was panicked causing Claudia to quickly turn her head to see her in a tug of war with Morgan, Johnny being the proverbial rope. Before Claudia could even THINK of trying to help, suddenly thorned vines shot up fromt the ground, grabbing her arms, legs, torso, and neck. Screaming out in pain, she fought as best she could, trying to pull against the vines even though the torns dug deeper into her flesh with every movement. As she fought against the vines pull, Claudia watched in horror as Spellbinder RIPPED Johnny's spine from his body. Mouth agape in utter shock, Morgan quickly turned her attention to a devistated Clara.

"CLARA!! CLARA!!"

Watching Morgan grab her sister by the throat, Claudia struggles became more violent; her skin torn and blood stained.

"LEAVE HER ALONE! BARBAS! LEAVE HER ALONE!"

A sword appeared in Morgan's free hand and Claudia's eyes went wide. As she plunged the sword into her sisters chest, Claudia's screams could be heard reverberating throughout the streets of New York.

"NOOOOO!!!!"

Claudia stopped struggling, watching through blurred eyes her sisters body burning before her. She couldn't do anything but watch.

Wake up!

A woman's voice alerted, causing Claudia to snap out of her trance. A bright white orb appeared in front of her, quickly moving toward her.

Wake up!

Gasping in, Claudia jolted awake on the floor next to Clara and Johnny. Johnny was kneeling beside Clara, who looked like she had just woken up herself. Clara asked if she was alright and Claudia slowly nodded.

Clara: Is it just ME…. Or has someone been SAVING US at the LAST POSSIBLE SECOND?

"A woman....she told me to wake up. But WHO would want to save US?"

A very valid question considering the lack of friends the Zacchara's had made since arriving in LA. Pushing herself up off the floor as Johnny helped Clara to her feet, Claudia bent down and picked up her purse.

"Come on....lets get out of here."

 

[Spellbinder]

the apothecary

<< UNAWARE that her INFERNO self was wrecking havoc in the Zacchara's nightmare sequence, the CURRENT Spellbinder lead the others, rushing to try to save the young woman who sounded so utterly pained and ravaged. Morgan's own heart began to beat faster...a mixture of uncertainty, urgency and FEAR crept up. She heard that she'd been MURDERED by Nicolas in another timeline, but the details were not yet revealed to her. She'd been menaced by a "figure" that strongly resembled Nicolas for several days now...and here they were, trying to save a woman, a witch who was being preyed upon by a creature that dated back to HECATE'S time.>>

<< still, afraid or not, an INNOCENT was in terrible trouble and needed her help! a fellow WOMAN was in distress! how could Morgan NOT step up to help a fellow woman and witch if she had the ability?>>

<< Alison went ahead and Nicolas quickened his pace. They soon burst into the area of consecration and Morgan was STAGGERED by what she saw.>>

GODDESS!

<< she exclaims as Arielle's blood chocked screams pierce the air. her body was ravaged, bloody, stabbed and more...dragged up the wall and to the ceiling, she reached out for Alison.>>

Sharon...GET HER DOWN...HURRY!

<< but it was too late...the horrid sound of the neck breaking was heard...as Morgan's icy violet eyes widen. the body drops, in almost slow motion to the floor and blood splatters on to Alison.>>

<< Karen, Blaze, Sharon and Mike rush to Arielle's side and Morgan joins her mother in a frantic attempt to try to revive and heal the woman.>>


I think we're too late...

<< Morgan said in her heart as Sharon rests Arielle's head in her lap and Kare and Morgan flank the body on other side...using their magick and spells.>>

Sharon: there's no heart beat...there's nothing...

<< Alison and Nicolas call Barbas out...demanding he show himself.>>

...we're too late...she's gone.

<< Morgan says with a mournfull tone and a sad face as she looks at Karen, then the others. Sharon gently closes Arielle's eyes as Morgan holds the dead woman's hand.>>

oh....I'm so sorry...

<< Morgan closes her eyes. She feels so BADLY that in spite of how fast they came, they could not save her, that the woman had died such a violent, sadistic death!>>

<< Morgan sees her mother taking it VERY hard.>>

He killed her...he tortured her!

<< Morgan felt the sadness...but underneath it...was RAGE.>>

 

[Arsenal]

Mike met up with the others, deactivating the alarms as they burst inside to save the young woman. As they smashed out the back, he could hear the distinctive sound of a neck breaking as the young woman was dropped to the ground.

Mike rushed over with Karen, Morgan and Sharon as they minisered to her, hoping there was something to save, while he knew that there was no way, that she was close to death from the sound of her before Barbas did it. Mike was pained as he felt the sting of this defeat, knew how much it would hurt Karen. He placed a hand on her shoulder as Sharon closed her eyes and recited so low as to barely be heard save for one line, a last prayer for a fallen innocent.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the oaths of righteousness for his namesake.
Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL.
For you are with me, your rod and staff comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen.

Sleep well Arielle.

Mike hugged Karen, attempting to comfort her...

 

[Shadow Weaver]

the apothecary

<< Karen felt a FIRE in her chest. the feeling that a mother has as she is DESPERATE to save her child! Arielle may not have been HER'S but she felt an immediate bond to the young witch when they met. Arielle was a woman with a kind , genuine spirit. She was not like most in L.A. or any where else. She was as unique as her protective magicks.>>

<< Karen PROMISED her they would help her if she needed it, and though the team RUSHED to her aid in record time, Barbas ensured they were too late. He was too thorough, he took TOO MUCH depraved pride in what he was doing!>>

<< Arielle was lost...even as Morgan and Karen tried to revive and heal her. Sharon confirmed there was no heart beat...no physical activity. Arielle was gone...and Karen began to weep as Sharon closed her eyes and Mike offered one last prayer for the fallen witch and then held Karen.>>

Oh...Arielle...

<< she too was holding one of the young woman's hands...until she slowly laid it down.>>

We promised her...

<< she said in a weak, tearfull voice.>>

that we'd protect her! and we FAILED! look...look what she SUFFERED through before she DIED!

<< she said, nearly beside herself as Morgan and Sharon both look crestfallen and misty eyed. >>

Morgan: Barbas did this...he tortured her and then KILLED HER!

<< Alison and Nicolas were already trying to call Barbas out...to FORCE him to appear.>>

Sharon: Then he should PAY for what he's done!

<< Karen was not quite as hot headed as Morgan, Sharon or any of the other younger members of The Six. Arielle's violent death, her screams of agony tore through Karen's heart and psyche and she was overcome with grief as Mike held her fast, comforting her as best he could.>>

<< Sharon gently picked up Arielle as Mike finished his prayer and moved her away from the area that could become battle, covering her with a sheet. The team would ensure she received a proper burial and if they survived, the WITCHES of the team would perform a special ritual for a lost witch.>>

<< but for NOW, the doctor, was hearbroken. she felt like she had FAILED. this was the VERY MOMENT that Alison had been criptic about to Haleigh!>>

 

[Harbinger]

the apothecary

:: Alison heard Karen behind her. the moment she had seen was at hand. There was nothing that could have been done to change it and Alison HATED that Arielle, an innocent, had been lost...consumed by Barbas.::


:: it was a gruesome scene, a reminder that even if someone had powers or gifts, they could bleed...and DIE. Arielle was a WITCH! she DIED!::

:: Alison's cobalt blue eyes were wide with indignation at first, then shut TIGHTLY with disorientation as the images BURNED into her psyche! the shock, the grief for Arielle, the realization that there was no turning back, that this was what Barbas had instore for HER, KAREN and MORGAN was all too real now.::

:: her eyes snapped opened as Rampage tried to search out Barbas!::

Karen!

 

[Shadow Weaver]

the apothecary

<< Karen was held by Mike as Sharon covered Arielle after moving her body away to a far corner of the area of consecration. the next few moments were tense. the area was cold, dark....and filled with death and despair as Alison and Nicolas dared Barbas to appear.>>

<< Karen began to feel sick with grief...>>

Barbas: You couldn't protect her! what kind of woman...what kind of MOTHER are you?


how could you do this!? how could you take her! she was just a CHILD!

Barbas: It does not matter, WITCH! She is fodder...she fed me her fear, as will YOU!

<< at that moment, heavy footfalls can be heard....>>

Harbinger: Karen!

<< Karen looks up...>>

 

[The Shape]

grudge

:: BUSTING into area of consecration in full effect. The ULTIMATE preadator has come back for revenge on his PREY!::

courtesy of a now much stronger Barbas

:: the Super Soldier fixes his sentinel-esque red eyes on Shadow Weaver and immediately reaches for her. Arsenal can die in the same stroke if he tries to interfere. the only thing that matters NOW is crushing the skull of the witch that dared to cast a spell on HIM!::

 

[Silver Swan]

the apothecary

[ Sharon looked mournfully upon Arielle as she covered her up. Her desire to AVENGE this young woman was due in part to her time on Themyscria, the mystic isle of the Amazons. She mourned Arielle the way the amazons mourned a fallen sister. a woman who died defending herself or others in BATTLE.]

perhaps you will be reborn on themyscria, Arielle...

after a few moments of sadness and undertainty, Sharon looks upon the others, standing up...then looking around to see if there's any sign of ]

Barbas...

[ but there's nothing.]

How can we defeat him if he won't APPEAR!?

[ they stood and the looked...until she heard...]

someone's coming!

Harbinger: Karen!


[ Sharon turned her head SLIGHTLY as the force of the shape could be felt bursting into the area of consecration! he was GIGANTIC. She REMEMBERED being terrorized by him in her cabin over a year ago...but this time she was NOT going to cower and hide!]

[ still...it all seemed to happen so FAST!]

[ there he was, big as life! and now he was reaching for Karen!]

NO!

[ just as Silver Swan rushes forward, a sound is heard as Harbinger can be seen thrusting her hands forward ala' Piper Halliwell and attempting to subject the Super Soldier to either temporal stasis OR "true freeze" effect! but as it is ultimately not REAL, her power only succeeds in slowing him down for a moment, but its LONG enough for Sharon to dive across and get Karen AND Mike out of the way]

[ the landing might be rough but better than that the weight of the Super Soldier's FIST slamming down on Karen's HEAD! Sharon quickly gets up and turns to face the Super Soldier!]

You're OUT OF HERE!