Family Reunion

[Spellbinder]

shock & disorientation

<< Morgan, now in a far more demonic form than they'd ever seen her, had just KILLED.>>

<< It was a justifiable killing to be sure. She was protecting herself and the rest of them, not to mention dozens of others in potential danger had he been free to walk on earth again.>>

<< But in this form she now wore, she seemed almost as fearsome as her brother, even as they saw her struggle at the last moment. Not out of sympathy for him or a change of heart but just grappling with the whole of the situation, HER life's story up to this point, which she now FINALLY had the power to TURN THE PAGE ON.>>

<< She KILLED the Shape....the monster of recent urban legend...her BROTHER.>>

<< She grips her soul sword, breathing heavily and clearly gripped by grief and emotion.>>

<< she saved them all, including herself and ended the threat of the Shape in the only place where SHE had the power to do so.>>

<< Still, a moment like this was not one to endure and for her friends, who just watched her KILL...that was a very surreal moment for them too. Even though she'd just ended the biggest threat they'd ever encountered up to this point in their lives.>>

<< it's over. it's finally over. FOREVER. but that defining moment was something Morgan could not seem to grasp at the moment.>>

<< she stands there, her eyes tightly shut as she seems to struggle to compose herself.>>

<< the next few moments...would be a test to see who, if any among them, would reach out to her and show that they had NOT in fact rejected her as she just knew they would.>>

 

[MorningStar]

It had all happened so fast.

Courtney had brought them to this place – this terrible, dark place. She has transformed into this powerful but frightening BEING. And with visible pain wracking her entire body it seemed, she had KILLED her brother.

It was almost too much to process.

For a long moment, there was nothing but an eerie silence.

And then Delilah exhaled after what seemed hours. She walked slowly over to Courtney, facing her, while the witch’s eyes remained shut.

“Morgan,” she said softly.

She gently touched the hand that still held the sword.

“Morgan, it’s done now. It’s over. Open your eyes.”

 

[Persephone]

"Get OUT of the car? Are you INSANE?"

Ava bellowed despite knowing that she NEEDED to help Dr. Starr. Just the thought of walking around hell was insanity, and scary like a mother fucker.....but Ava opened the car door and got out; the wind circled her body immediately as she to Nicolas' side just as he TKed Dr. Starr and Mike to them. Kneeling down, Dr. Starr's chest wound seemed to clot a bit...probably due to Nicolas using his powers to apply pressure. Lifting her head into Ava's lap, she looked up at a screaming Morgan who began to confront her brother. Morgan looked.....she looked....DEMONIC. Nothing like the sullen, gothic, loaner that everyone knew her to be. But beyond that, she was POWERFUL. Protectively holding Dr. Starr as Morgan engaged her brother, it seemed to be over in seconds. The fear...the legendary being...was dead. Gone with one swipe of the sword. The Shape was dead.

"She did it..."

Ava whispered, understandably shocked that a feat like that could be done. Looking down at Dr. Starr, Ava realized that none of this would matter if she died. Pulling off the vial's cork top with her teeth, Ava slowly began to dribble some of it into Dr. Starr's mouth.

"Common....something happen....anything...."

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas was completely focused on Dr. Starr at the moment. Her situation was bad and deteriorating, and needed to stop that somehow. Strangely enough the blade COMING OUT is always the worst part and Nicolas had to essentially slide an invisible TK blade back in hold her chest in place. He knew it would hurt and was risky but he had no choice. He used his hands to focus, placing them over the wounds as it began to stop seeping. Ava was in the car losing her shit.

Honey bunny? GET. HERE. NOW.

That got her moving and she supported Dr. Starr's head as he continued to focus. Something was happening and he looked up to see Morgan.

She WAS a demon, or some demon-goddess-queen. She had a crazy sword and looked one part scary, one part HOT. SOMETHING about this new version of him spoke to a part of himself that he kept hidden from them all, even Ava. He nodded as she looked for condemnation. Instead he said two words.

Finish this.

He looked back down to his work, his TK already told him that the Shape was pinned beneath something like 80 tons of boulder, injured and...YEP!! Now headless. Dee went over to reassure Courtney while Ava poured the potion into Dr. Starr's mouth and audibly hoped it would work. Nic calls over to Morgan and Delilah.

Court? If you have a trick that can help, you might wanna unveil that motherfucker now. I am doing all I can but it is bad. Dee, can you use that therapeutic light thing that you do? I am sensing shock here. We have to buy this stuff time to work.

 

[Spellbinder]

Limbo

<< Killing her brother wasn't as easy as it might have looked. YES it was the right thing to do and a matter of survival for her, her mother, ALL of them. BUT none of them had killed before. None of them had even come close to having to.>>


<< As long as she kept her eyes closed, she didnt have to face the reality that her friends now knew her terrible secret. they knew her magickal power was dark and came from a place most would call HELL.>>

<< Morgan kept her eyes close tightly but then felt a warm light wash over her...and a touch on her hand, the one gripping her soul sword.>>

"Morgan,” she said softly.

She gently touched the hand that still held the sword.

“Morgan, it’s done now. It’s over. Open your eyes.”

<< Delilah. She was reaching out to her, in spite of this darkness now brought to the forefront!>>

<< Morgan swallowed hard and soon, she took the first bold step forward by opening her violet eyes and allowing herself to look upon Delilah.>>

....

Dee...


<< still speaking in that haunting echoed tone>>



You shouldn't be here. You shouldn't have seen who...WHAT I truly am. None of you should.

All those rumours and whispers about me on campus were true.

I just...he was going to KILL my mom! He was going to keep coming after all of you, because of ME.

I did the only thing I could that would STOP him. I couldn't hope to stop him on EARTH. So i brought him HERE where I COULD!

But NOW....now you know, you ALL know what I really am. Not just a mutant. A demon sorceress.

Probably just as scarey as my monster brother.

Maybe I AM a monster...and it's only a matter of time before....

<< she looks away from Delilah....ashamed.>>

Court? If you have a trick that can help, you might wanna unveil that motherfucker now. I am doing all I can but it is bad. Dee, can you use that therapeutic light thing that you do? I am sensing shock here. We have to buy this stuff time to work.

Mom!

<< Morgan's heart and mind churn with distress. Delilah does her best to calm her as she leads her over to her fallen mother, adding her voice to Nicolas' that if there's ANYTHING she can do to save her, now is the time.>>

<< Morgan looks upon Nicolas, Ava and Michael, who were all doing their best to help Karen.>>

I can...

<< she lets go of her soul sword, which flies from her hand and slams down into a stalagmite of rock nearby, embedding itself.>>

<< she kneels down, taking her mother into her arms.>>

She's dying....I can feel it.

Oh mom...you did so much to try to keep me safe, to protect all of us

<< Morgan shudders as she holds her mother close in an embrace>>

I wasn't fast enough...

But he's gone now. FOREVER. He can't get you, me or anyone else anymore!

Here my magick is strongest! I can restore you...

Oh healing light...

<< she calls out in a hushed tone as a silver pentagram of power forms around her and her mother and the light bathes them both.>>

carmen corporis integrum facti!


<< she ignites a powerfull spell of healing and restoration that can save a person whose been badly beaten, injured, maimed or close to death.>>

<< the sound of eldritch energy plays out as the spell runs its course and Karen is healed completely, restored and made whole.>>

Mom...breathe easy now. You are restored.

You all should get ready to go. I'll send you back with my mom. I'm not coming.

 

[Rampage]

Courtney came over and sure, enough, she started doing something. She spoke what seemed to be some dialect of latin and a pentagram formed that glowed in the darkness. He could sense Dr. Starr just...getting better. Incredible!

Mom...breathe easy now. You are restored.

You all should get ready to go. I'll send you back with my mom. I'm not coming.

The hell you're not.

Nicolas stood to his full height and stepped in front of the sorceress. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

We are your family, your friends. In spite of what you HAD to do here, you are no monster. But if you stay here, separated from the love of your mother and your friends, you WILL be a monster. NO ONE IS AN ISLAND. And you will not send Mike back to put your mother's broken heart back together, send us away after all we have been through. COME WITH US. I would rather risk hell WITH you around than be without you.

Nicolas finally had time to speak to Morgan since the Doc was gonna be OK. And he laid it on the line.

 

[Persephone]

Morgan healed Dr. Starr. With a sigh of relief, it was officially over. This nightmare was done. Ava had a smile on her face as she looked up at Nicolas, Delilah, Michael, and Morgan--she was still kneeling holding Dr. Starr's head her in her lap until she became lucid enough to sit up on her own. But her smile faded as soon as she head that Morgan wasn't coming home with them.

"What do you mean you're not coming?"

Ava's brows furrowed. Nicolas quickly responded, telling her that she was basically apart of their family, horns or no horns. It didn't really dawn on Ava until that moment that Morgan probably believed that they thought she was some sort of demonic freak. Shaking her head, Ava reiterated Nicolas' objection.

"Morgan, you can't stay here. After everything we been through? Do you honestly think we don't love you any less than before? What's a little demonic sorcery between friends?"

A failed attempt at a joke to lighten the mood.

"But seriously...you can't stay here. We've finally seen the REAL you. Let us get to know her without the walls and secrets."

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah stood beside Morgan as Ava entreated her to return with them.

"But seriously...you can't stay here. We've finally seen the REAL you. Let us get to know her without the walls and secrets."

"Ffft," Delilah stepped forward. She looked at Ava, asking with her eyes for her friend to see what she was doing.

"We've ALWAYS seen the real you, Morgan. A name isn't who you are. We're your friends. Did you think you could hide from us?"

She crossed her arms.

"And if you stay, so do we."

 

[Spellbinder]

changing back

<< Morgan's eyes lifted as Nicolas stood up and came to her, refusing to accept her decision to remain behind in Limbo.>>

We are your family, your friends. In spite of what you HAD to do here, you are no monster. But if you stay here, separated from the love of your mother and your friends, you WILL be a monster. NO ONE IS AN ISLAND. And you will not send Mike back to put your mother's broken heart back together, send us away after all we have been through. COME WITH US. I would rather risk hell WITH you around than be without you.

<< Ava and Delilah both agreed and voiced their input.>>

Morgan, you can't stay here. After everything we been through? Do you honestly think we don't love you any less than before? What's a little demonic sorcery between friends?"

"Ffft," Delilah stepped forward. She looked at Ava, asking with her eyes for her friend to see what she was doing.

"We've ALWAYS seen the real you, Morgan. A name isn't who you are. We're your friends. Did you think you could hide from us?"

She crossed her arms.

"And if you stay, so do we."

<< Morgan's face had been enshrouded in shadow, save her glowing violet eyes but the shadow countenance fades away to reveal HER face.>>

<< This was IT. This was the moment she, at one time, never DARED to dream of! The Shape, her brother was GONE forever! Her sister, her friends, Alycia, everyone's death AVENGED. Her, friends, mother and Michael alive>>

<< Her FRIENDS. They accepted her when she told them her history and revealed her status as a witch, they did not abandon her even as her brother terrorized them and now, seeing her even in her TRUE form in Limbo, they did not turn away from her!>>

<< they treated her as..."one of their own!">>

<< the thing she'd often that she didnt need or care about was something she had and now realized made all the difference in the world- FRIENDSHIP, ACCEPTANCE.>>

...

<< The golden beatrice medallion that hung around around her neck glowed, the diamond stones in the pendant of the medallion sparkled as she touched it and slowly exhaled.>>

<< An odd sound was heard as the demonic aspect of Morgan began to fade away, returning her to her normal appearence, gothic variant school uniform and all.>>

<< she looked almost...RELIEVED.>>

Th...

Thank you.


My friends....


<< she said as she looked at them.>>

In my wildest dreams...I never imagined that freedom would feel like THIS.

Okay. Let's....go home...

<< Michael carefully picks up Carole, carrying her in his arms as everyone stands close together.>>

<< Morgan walks toward them and as she does, she passes by the severed head of The Shape, her brother Adam. She pauses as she looks down at the grisly sight. Her blonde hair blows forward in the winds around them and as she continues to look down at the head, she tucks some of her blonde hair behind her ear.>>

<< the others watch her.>>

...

Enjoy your stay...in hell.

<< she then KICKS the head with her high heel and sends it falling over the edge of the land mass they were on, falling into a mist enshrouded abyss where demons await to devour it.>>

<< she breathes in and out slowly once more, before finally joining the others.>>

<< she summons a stepping disc, teleporting them all from Limbo back to Earth, Boston, Hillcrest.>>

 

[Seer]

Epilogue

<< Larchmont, NY. Woodlawn Cemetery.>>


<< After meeting Jack Hightower face to face, Carole arranged to cover all of Alycia's final expenses and burial in the same cemetary where Blaze, Alison, Haleigh, Cameron and Christopher all rested.>>

<< Michael, the kids, Jack Hightower and his wife all join Carole and Morgan at Woodlawn Cemetary for the memorial.>>

<< At the gravesite of Alycia Barnett, after placing flowers at her headstone, Carole and Morgan stand together, dressed in black, arm in arm, as they bid final farewell to their longtime ally and trusted friend.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< The original home of the Victor family. Where it all began. The house has sat, empty for years. Alycia saw to it that it remained off the market. And now? It was with great pleasure that Carole saw to it the house was RAZED.>>

<< images of the house as it was when Karen and Christopher were raising Blaze and Adam>>

<< images of it now, over 20 years later, as it is bull dozed and leveled to the ground.>>


<< Often with the resolution that has been so large, looming and encompassing in one's life, there comes a period of awkward emptiness. What does one do now that this ongoing issue has been resolved? What do they focus the energy on now?>>

<< Carole and Morgan began to find that out, one step, one day at a time, and with Michael by Carole's side and Morgan now surrounded by a new group of friends, FAMILY that helped her close the book on her nightmare past, it was that much easier for them both.>>

<< It can be seen in both of them in different ways.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< images of Carole and Michael at the Suffolk County Circuit Court house. Carole has just been to a court hearing where she petitioned a judge to legally change her name to Carole Starr. She chose to leave the name "Karen Victor" behind forever. But Michael has a surprise for her, as soon as the name change is made official and legal and they are outside of the courthouse, He proposes to her and she?...she ACCEPTS.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Morgan still retains her unique gothic/glamor presentation but has now become much more visible in the student body at hellcrest. Like her mother, Morgan opted for a name change, but instead of going w/ Courtney Starr, she chose "Morgan Victoria", feeling THAT suited her best & wouldn't take HER too far from her sister's memory. At the urging of Ava and Delilah, she begins to revel in her apparent talent for FASHION DESIGN, nurturing a seed that will eventually grow into a life changing career for her. She, Delilah, Ava and Nicolas were soon the envy of many at Hillcrest thanks to her unique designs for parties and other events.>>


<<FLASH!>>

<< Hillcrest. The senior staff joined Carole in her efforts to ensure Michael was not charged in any crime and that Ronnie's family was compensated. Jean and Ororo among others on the staff scolded Carole for keeping her burden from them as she did but it was out of care and concern and they understood why she felt she had to do things as she did. They all reaffirmed their belief in Dr. Starr, Psy.D as a competent , capable woman and headmistress for this posh, secluded school for mutants.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< in light of the efforts and courageous efforts of Ava, Delilah, Nicolas and Morgan to protect each other and others at the school to prevent more loss of life, coupled with their status as omega level mutants, the senior staff and Dr. Starr all agreed that they would be the FIRST to graduate to the ranks of a new Jr. Team of mutants that would assist and back up the senior staff when needed.>>

<< and so at a special ceremony, with the senior staff, michael, dominique deveraux & all students present. Dr. Starr presents - Tempest (Ava), Polaris (Delilah), Rampage (Nicolas) and Magik (Morgan) - THE NEW MUTANTS.>>



<< so begins a new day and chapter for all of them and so we watch.>>