God loves, man kills

[Arsenal]

Everyone had received treatment and secondary cleaning team had begin body disposal. Mike was getting his chest rubbed as Karen did her thing, setting and healing his broken ribs. He felt MUCH better except for one thing, which he rectified now. He was low on his usual good humor and so he said what was on his mind.

In the Cathedral a voice would ring out in the silence as the people stood, preparing to leave. It would ring in through all of the comm-links.

I need a sitrep. Someone give me the all clear or I am shooting everything in the FACE on the way over there. IN THE FACE. OVER.

 

[Tachyon]

And that, as they say...was THAT.

World saved? Check. Murderous crazed religious zealot extinguished after delivering final grim prophecy? Check. Voluptuous brunette who drew him into this because she almost was killed walking right out on him? HUH? WHAT?!

No problem. He knew she was a precog, so she MUST know that now he could track her by the Time Staff pretty much anywhere she went. So fair play. He decided to speak with who was left here, which seemed to consist of several models who channel amazing powers and guys who cut a sharp enough figure that, were he into such a thing, he would be definitely thanking the Almighty himself at the altar before him for their presence. So he kinda walked over as Alison left and cleared his throat.

Nice to meet you, everyone. The name is Xavier, Xavier Winston. I am sometimes called Tachyon. Since my hostess just walked out on me, I figured I would just toss that out there myself, seeing as we are not currently being threatened with death.

His British accent rings out, the sarcasm of his words punctuated by the timbre as the roll off his tongue. He looks over to Cameron.

I hear your hotel has excellent shuttle service, sir. I have my key card and I MIGHT need a lift.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah stared at the place that Mary Justice had been. She could hear the Six, chatting about how they were going to restore the frickin’ BUILDING. Taking in a deep breath and exhaling it, she turned away. Walking slowly to where Isis stood with the others, she held out her hand to the goddess.

“Thank you, Isis, for all your help tonight. Please, call on me any time.”

She then found Cameron’s face, and nodded, before turning and walking out the side door into the night. There was no reason to stay, just to be excluded. Or to be told how WRONG she was about one thing or another. She didn’t have a place with the Six anymore, and if this night had shown anything, it was that.

 

[Mina Harker]

Mina walked gingerly over to where the others were, patting herself down. She was healing just fine, but her clothes were ruined. She looked up from her ruined state to Oracle.

“If you have no further need of me, then, I shall ring my driver.”

She began to put her black gloves back on, somehow still in her pocket. The crazy young boy sidled over to her. She raised her eyebrows – she had not expected him to live.

Andrew: “So, you’re a vampire, huh? That’s cool.”

Mina sighed.

“’Cool’?”

Her face bore a look of disapproval.

“My boy, there was nothing ‘cool’ about it. My will was subjugated by a monster, and I was turned into something evil and wretched. I lost my husband and son to the long years – what kind of life is it to watch the ones you love leave while you must continue on alone?”

She shook her head, her voice was crisp.

“This is not one of those American films. It was a horrific thing.”

After a pause, the boy pressed on.

Andrew: “So, when you’re a vampire, you can see?”

“Yes.”

Andrew: “That must be weird.”

She sighed again.

“Yes, it is. It is weird.”

 

[Titan]

Andrew was still trying to figure out how he was pretty sure he had at least two broken legs one minute and the next felt completely fine, but he just chalked it up to: mutants. Same thing when Delilah vaporized Sister Mary Ninja Nun.

He gave himself a mental pat on the back.

Yeah, I’m hittin’ that.

Delilah spoke to Isis, then said nothing to any of the others before walking out the door.

“Delilah! Don’t go!”

But he was too late. He felt bad. She should be celebrating, they all should, but she was isolating herself. Andrew didn’t know the particulars, but he was SURE after what she just did, the others would let her join them.

Now that the danger was past, he was feeling more like his old self. He felt Sally had been avenged, and was safe now. Especially with friends like these looking out for her.

And then the vampire came over and he stood a little taller. A VAMPIRE!!! In real life! This was awesome! He wondered if he would seem strange if he asked her for her autograph. Probably. But maybe she wanted HIS. He had been pretty amazing out there.

He nonchalantly stepped over to stand next to her.

“So, you’re a vampire, huh? That’s cool.”

“’Cool’? My boy, there was nothing ‘cool’ about it. My will was subjugated by a monster, and I was turned into something evil and wretched. I lost my husband and son to the long years – what kind of life is it to watch the ones you love leave while you must continue on alone? This is not one of those American films. It was a horrific thing.”

He thought about that for a minute.

“So, when you’re a vampire, you can see?”

“Yes.”

He thought about it some more.

“That must be weird.”

“Yes, it is. It is weird.”

She was eating out of the palm of his hand.

Harbinger came over to thank them (he thought she was thanking them anyway – it was a long speech like Admiral Akbar would give at the end of a Star Wars movie, so he was pretty sure). She started to go, and Andrew tried to stop her.

“Wait, Miss Alison! Thank you for saving me before!”

Xavier then introduced himself as he, too, was left in the lurch by his date.

Nice to meet you, everyone. The name is Xavier, Xavier Winston. I am sometimes called Tachyon. Since my hostess just walked out on me, I figured I would just toss that out there myself, seeing as we are not currently being threatened with death.

He elbowed Xavier in the ribs good naturedly.

“Yeah, my girl left me too. But don’t worry – always leave them wanting more. By the way, thanks for the assist earlier.”

And then to the remaining crowd.

“Wait – that robot thing said there were THREE mutants around me when Harbinger did that blinky thing and moved me. Who was the other person? I want to thank them too…”

 

[Oracle]

Oracle was so incredibly proud of Ashley – of all her team, but Ash had really given it her all. She gave her two thumbs up as she rejoined the group.

“Well done! And really scary.”

She knew that would be important to Valkyrie, that she had been scary.

Oracle gave Blaze a big smile as she thanked her team, telling her it was a group effort and it was their COMBINED strength that had won the day.

Zizi could see that Sharon was taking all this very badly. She could FEEL the regret and sadness pouring off of her like waves. It was enough to nearly bring tears to Zizi’s eyes.

She wheeled herself over next to Sharon, and took her hand gently, giving her a warm smile, but saying nothing.

Harbinger spoke to them all, which made Zizi’s heart just about leap out of her chest with pride.

“Wait – that robot thing said there were THREE mutants around me when Harbinger did that blinky thing and moved me. Who was the other person? I want to thank them too…”

She shook her head, but with a smile.

“Oh Andrew, I’ll explain it to you later.”

 

[Steel]

He cradled Valkyrie in his arms. It broke his heart to see her this way, so weak. The fact that she even allowed him to carry her spoke volumes for how bad off she was. A show of vulnerability like this is something she would NEVER allow others to see if she could possibly help it. True to form, not long after, she slipped out of his arms to finish off the nimrod for good.

She would have said it was in her best interest to destroy the nimrod, before it could become Master Mold. She would have swore up and down that she wasn't a "good guy". But he knew, somewhere, deep inside, Ashley had a good heart.

Then Delilah blew the nun behind all this apart. Which he could understand. Anyone who could hurt dhildren deserved to die. But Delilah would never have agreed with him on that – in battle, in a fight, maybe – but not when they were incapacitated and could be brought to justice. Never. As it was clear Delilah wasn’t going to say anything to him, he took a step towards her.

“Delilah, come on – this isn’t like you. None of this is you!”

When the door shut and she didn’t return, he turned around to the others. Why weren’t any of her team – her friends saying it?!

“That isn’t the Delilah I know. She MURDERED that woman, without a second thought.”

What had this life done to Delilah? He looked around at her team mates, before closing his eyes and shaking his head.

What have you done to her?

 

[Valkyrie]

All of that power SURGED through her. As weak as she had been, now she felt AS POWERFUL. It took a minute for her eyes to return to normal.

Now everyone was just standing around, looking at each other. It was time for a drink.

I thank you both for your help. Because of you, my family lives, scores of others in this city are safe, and the threat of the Nimrod has been averted.

Valkyrie cracked her neck. She would have been lying if she said she wasn’t surprised to get a thank you from one of the Six, especially Alison Marble. But she had proven herself no slouch, and worthy of Ashley’s respect – at least as a warrior.

She held up a hand.

“War is what I do, no need to thank me. As long as I don’t have to clean up this mess, we’re all good.”

She kept stealing glances over at Richard. And after a little bit she decided she would HAVE to speak to the bitchmonster of death.

“Hey, Dominique. Your knight over there has got the biggest ass death glow I have seen in a long time. I really expected him to be dead by now, but you might want to get that checked out.”

She had noticed it when she’d seen Rich at the Parthenon, when she had been arresting Dominique. She *could* have been a bitch and mentioned it then, but for some reason she hadn’t. But there was NO WAY he should still be walking around all this time later. Something was definitely up.

“Okay, then, if everyone’s finished making out with each other [pauses to wink at Haleigh], let’s get tanked.”

 

[Bishop]

Bishop relaxed, and took his sight off the target. He had prepared to take Mary Justice down with a clean shot to the forehead if necessary, but he didn’t need to. Delilah had taken care of her for him. Which he had to admit, was a surprise. It was not like her, and he knew it was a sign that she was finally seeing the world as it was and not how it should be. He shook his head.

He left the way he had come in: the roof. He climbed down onto the scaffolding around one of the large arched windows, and leapt across onto the roof of the Venezuelan consulate. He wouldn’t be making a stop inside – this time.

It had been easy to swipe one of Oracle’s earpieces while he was “visiting” Ashley. He knew he would hear the chatter when The Six was close to a confrontation. He had set up on top of one of the gables with good sight lines, picking off targets when he could without giving away his position. For this night, discretion was the better part of valor. He couldn’t risk Delilah knowing he was there. She would not appreciate the gesture – but he also couldn’t leave her without backup, especially not in her current mental state.

<< Flash >>

Isis: MorningStar!

The goddess pointed behind her, but it was too late.

Delilah heard the energy cannon activate and turned her head what would have been too late, save for a gunshot dead on using such explosive rounds that the head of the Purifier ITSELF exploded.

He had slid inside once the party moved, still keeping himself hidden. But now the job was done and it was time to pack it in. He didn’t follow Delilah back to the Parthenon – there would have been no point. She wouldn’t have spoken to him anyway.

 

[Artemis]

:: Had Isis not stepped in to heal Alycia, she would have passed out. Black Widow showed concern for her and it was well placed, because Alycia had sustained a MTBI, which is why she was having a hard time talking or focusing. But thankfully, Isis heals Alycia, along with the others taking refuge in the alcove while Harbinger, Valkyrie and Tachyon banish the nimrod::

:: A few moments later, MorningStar VANQUISHES Sister Mary Justice.::


:: Alycia was shocked. Not that Delilah was WRONG. But that it was DELILAH who did it. Others in the Six could see just how changed Delilah was in the aftermath of the Blue Moon, but no one knew what to do. Really, there was nothing anyone COULD do, unless it involved bringing Alexia back, which would then cause another problem::

:: It was a painful and seemingly HOPELESS circle, one that was moving Delilah further away from them, which was not good::

:: Alycia took a step forward::

Delilah, please wait!

:: She reached Delilah and Steel, looking at the man for a moment, she didnt know HOW MUCH he knew about Delilah's situation, but she couldnt let this go::


Delilah, Don't leave.

You did the right thing. Mary's crimes were nothing short of genocidal in nature. She would have become a lightning rod for controversy and emboldened OTHERS who felt the same way she did, had she been brought to trial.

If anybody has the right to stand here with their team tonight, it's you. Cameron and Cass are alive, in part because of your efforts!

We want you here. Don't turn your back on us.

All I can do is speak to you from the heart and hope that it's enough to at least...OPEN some possibilities...

:: Alycia hoped Delilah would believe her, and STAY. This battle and threat may be over, but the Six was FAR from "out of the woods" and the fact that Harbinger had ALREADY left , and Delilah was in the process of leaving, was proof enough.::

We can't go on like this.

We only survived and triumphed tonight because of much needed outside help. But there are...issues SIX FAMILY issues that MUST be addressed before we can truly move forward! You are apart of this family. Families argue, hurt and even fall out...but there's ALWAYS a chance to FIX things!

Please come back to the Parthenon WITH us and let's...let's TRY to work things out!

:: Alycia looked into Delilah's eyes with sincerity and even as she spoke to her friend, Alycia was unaware that Delilah had a "guardian angel" all her own, watching over her tonight during this battle. None of the Six knew this BUT his actions helped ensure that
she was still here, and as long as she was here...there was a chance::

 

[Rampage]

Please come back to the Parthenon WITH us and let's...let's TRY to work things out!

:: Alycia looked into Delilah's eyes with sincerity and even as she spoke to her friend, Alycia was unaware that Delilah had a "guardian angel" all her own, watching over her tonight during this battle. None of the Six knew this BUT his actions helped ensure that
she was still here, and as long as she was here...there was a chance::

Alycia is right. I will not try to speak for anyone else, but I hope every day that we can find a way through was has gone on. Even you here cursing me out is better than not having you at all D. You SAVED Aunt D and I can only be grateful for that. I don't wanna talk to you D. I want to - I NEED to listen. C'mon D...

 

[Prophet]

Everybody spoke their peace and Cameron watched as Alycia and then Nicolas tried to convince Delilah to stay behind and return to The Parthenon with them to talk things out. While their hearts were in the right place...this was a matter for The Six. It wasn't a matter for these people who barely knew her or only knew of her life on the police department. A life that seemed a thousand years ago. Delilah wasn't hearing it as she continued to leave the cathedral and head out into the night. Cameron looked at Alycia and Nicolas.

"Your hearts are in the right place. But THIS situation is a matter for FAMILY...and NOBODY else. Let her go."

He turned to the others in the group.

"Thank all of you for ALL of your help and tireless efforts. The Parthenon is open to any of you at any time should you require it's services. Thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for helping save our team from destruction."

[turning back to The Six]

"I'm serious. Morgan asked ME to watch over her and it's not something I take lightly. Leave her alone for now."

 

[Isis]

:: Isis looks upon Oracle with kindness and understanding AND As Steel offered acknowledgement and a compliment of sorts about Dominique...::

How fortunate for you to be willing to adjust your thinking about me.

:: She said in a rather haughty tone, still offended by him from earlier, but QUIETLY satisfied that she was able proove him WRONG in ACTION rather than mere words::

:: Isis continued to administer healing and restoration to those who needed it. She accepted that her ultimate role in this final battle would not be one of violence, but one of healing. Things always had a way of working out the way they were meant to, Including Dominique honoring the covenant between herself and Isis the goddess. As she healed the others, ROSE had made her way over to them with Richard and Ana-Leigh, creating a powerful dome of psionic force to sheild their physical forms from the BLOW BACK from the final battle with Nimrod.::

:: Soon, the sentinel from the future was gone and the Purifiers were decimated.::

:: Mary Justice offered one last hateful diatribe! It made Isis grit her teeth with agitation. She HATED the way mortals used religion to justify their hatred and abuse of others. It was so...PATHETIC!::

:: MorningStar VANQUISHES the woman.::


:: Isis had seen more than a little of Delilah's behavior earlier in the evening, but there was something about this moment that even made Isis pause to look at woman with concern::

“Thank you, Isis, for all your help tonight. Please, call on me any time.”

:: Isis looked down at Delilah's hand and extended her own, gently gripping Delilah's hand and squeezing it::

It was an honor to stand with you against a common foe, MorningStar your power and your courage are remarkable. And I extend the same courtesy to you. If you need me, please contact me.


:: They were ALL capable of killing, but some not MEANT for it. Was Delilah trying to fill a vacuum in her soul with violence and killing? Isis knew what that was like. She'd done the same thing as she cut a path toward Nicolas in the name of VENGEANCE for her sister.
But ultimately it did more harm than good. SOMEONE SHOULD reach out to Delilah, BUT it wasn't Dominique's place. She was not apart of their team, still, the goddess DID feel CONCERN for the woman::

:: Steel and Charope went to Delilah and Dominique held back, for now.::

::She looked at the others. Those she knew, the ones she hadn't yet been formally introduced yet and the one who she despised THE MOST- VALKYRIE!::

She kept stealing glances over at Richard. And after a little bit she decided she would HAVE to speak to the bitchmonster of death.

“Hey, Dominique. Your knight over there has got the biggest ass death glow I have seen in a long time. I really expected him to be dead by now, but you might want to get that checked out.”

:: Isis looked at Valkryie with a grim facial expression::

Oh you EXPECTED him to be dead? All the MORE reason for ME to make SURE I FOLLOW UP on the promise I made to YOU at the police station. Rest assured that Richard Martin is under MY protection and ANY foe or force that would attempt to harm him will have to go through me and THAT, I ASSURE YOU, will NOT be an easy task.

:: Isis LOATHED Valkryie would under different circumstances, would have gone after her RIGHT NOW. But now was not the time. STILL it DID strike her as odd...DISTURBING that Valkyrie saw a "DEATH GLOW" around her black knight! Was this more of Valkyrie trying to SCARE her like that attack at the police station? Why would she make it sound like a common thing, like something you'd go to the doctor's office to get a prescription for? The only thing more infuriating than Ashley's crude behavior was her flippant ways! Isis would DEFINITELY have to keep Richard CLOSE, especially since she was on the cusp of a fateful decision involving herself and her future in the Hellfire Club::


:: She gestures for Richard to come to her side and looks at him::

I did not tell you to come to this place. The danger was too high and you could've been hurt...or killed! You have done an excellent job in helping me during this caper, but do not go overboard and place yourself in the path of harm's way again! Is that clear?

::Scolding him as she was, he could still sense the care and concern she had for him. She valued him not just as her Black Knight, but as the good young man she knew him to be. He represented a new generation of mutants and in keeping with her own nature and covenant, she wanted to see him take his proper place in a world that would need people like him in it.::

:: As Alycia and her nephew appealed to Delilah, Isis looked toward them. She had counseled Nicolas BEFORE not to over extend himself to Delilah. You could poor as much water on a rock as you want and still nothing will GROW from it. Dominique was concerned, and obviously so were MorningStar's teammates, but in this instance, Cameron was the voice of wisdom. He called on them to leave Delilah be, and Dominique nodded silently to Nicolas::


Listen to him, Let her be. She's simply not ready right now.



:: Isis watches as Alycia and Nicolas reluctantly let Delilah take her leave.::



Black Widow's Clandestine will be arriving soon. If anyone is in need of rapid transport, I can provide that in the form of teleportation...

 

[Matrix]

All's well that ends well. Or in this case of the crazy Nun bitch, that just ends. Morningstar smoked her ass, good riddance. And then things got weird in how people reacted. Nicolas was following her trying to get her to talk to them, but Rich remembers his Mama saying something to him when he was young:

People say what they have to say when it is time for them to say it. If someone wants to be quiet, there probably is a good reason why. Let them be.

So Rich focused back on Miss D, glad that she was OK. He was not at all surprised at what happened next.

:: She gestures for Richard to come to her side and looks at him::

I did not tell you to come to this place. The danger was too high and you could've been hurt...or killed! You have done an excellent job in helping me during this caper, but do not go overboard and place yourself in the path of harm's way again! Is that clear?

::Scolding him as she was, he could still sense the care and concern she had for him. She valued him not just as her Black Knight, but as the good young man she knew him to be. He represented a new generation of mutants and in keeping with her own nature and covenant, she wanted to see him take his proper place in a world that would need people like him in it.::

Yes, my Queen.

That was what everyone heard, and he refused to embarrass her in front of the rest of these people. But via their mystical-telepathic bond, he said his peace. He caught her gaze as he 'spoke'.

I accomplished my mission at the Parthenon and after that, my place was here...with you.

He was not one for long sayings and so he was done after that. He felt like going for a flight and getting some air before heading back and the moon was full and fat in the night sky. He turned and spoke to Ana-Leigh as he prepared to walk outside.

You wanna fly?

 

[Seer]

<< Clandestine Inc arrives, prepping the area for a thorough "cleaning" and The Six, Oracle's team and their allies all depart in their different ways.>>

<< Some will be returning to the Parthenon, others to the Clocktower and a few to places unknown, but the Six have not seen the last of Oracle and her team.>>

<< They may be leaving tonight with an important victory, but there are still many lingering issues in the aftermath of Sister Mary Justice and the Purifiers. Many questions linger and concerns fester.>>

<< Everyone needs time to decompress, rest and begin recovery, Seeds of change that were planted due to various events will now begin to come to fruition as well.>>


<< We see a view of Harbinger's crystaline chessboard and all the figures on it. NEW figures shimmer into view, that of Oracle, Mina, Steel, Ashley, Tachyon, Simon, Andrew, Rose, Richard Martin & Ana-Leigh Moreau. While OTHERS that were already present, begin to MOVE...from the sides of the board they were usually on, to OTHER positions elsewhere on the board >>