Miracle of the black dream hole

[Seer]

The Candy Shop

<< Jagged tendrils of magick come LASHING OUT at them in the blink of an eye.>>

<< All of the Six are immediately snatched up and upended as Badiane's laughter can be heard in an unnatural wind and a crash of thunder.>>

<< All at once, they are YANKED forward and carried away on a ROUGH ride, like a horrifying, runaway rollercoaster, finally being pulled through a waiting VORTEX, they are sent falling down to the underground level of the castle.>>

Badiane: Welcome to my domain, where your rules, your ideas simply DON'T MATTER! The child is MINE now, as are all the others and YOU can't stop me! Your ENERGY will only aid in your own destruction!

<< As the Six struggle to get their bearings, and pick themselves off the floor, they are greeted with the sight of Badiane's official "welcome party".>>

<< A large, but cute creature, who appears to be a "distant cousin" of the Bon Bon babies, bounces into view and smiles at the Six, laughing a bit as they all look at it.>>

<< It puckers up and begins to blow a stream of colorful bubbles out. All the bubbles around swirl around the six and eventually shimmer and change to the form of more bon bon babies, DOZENS of them in different colors. They surrounded the Six from all the sides, laughing as they begin diving down them. >>

<< Those at Central Park would remember how HARD they were to evade, much less destroy! Different color sets attack each member of the Six, driving them AWAY from each other- dividing them, and then going in for the bone breaking, body crushing attacks that Black Widow and Bishop experienced in Central Park. Those among the Six who had the power to FLY would have a bit of a buffer and advantage. >>

 

[MorningStar]

The Candy Shop

With only a glimpse of what had to be Badiane, they were swept off their feet (and not in a good way) and sent on a wild ride that rivalled the disorientation of travel by stepping disc. They could hear Badiane’s voice as they landed on the cold stone floor with a thud.

The child is MINE now, as are all the others and YOU can't stop me! Your ENERGY will only aid in your own destruction!

Delilah stood quickly and shouted to the air.

“Alexia will NEVER be yours, cow!”

Before anything could be done or any reply came from Badiane, another of the strange creatures of this world was in front of them. And it started…blowing bubbles?

“Oh no, not these fuckers again.”

The bubbles became more of the bon bon babies like they had fought in Central Park.

“This is just plain annoying.”

Moving at the speed of light, she dodged the babies as they came after her.

“Grr - we don’t have time for this!”

Reaching out with both hands she began blasting any that came near to her with a photon beam.

She shouted to the others. “Focus on that thing that’s making them.”

 

[Bishop]

The Candy Shop

Suddenly the ambush that everyone knew was frickin coming happened and they were yanked forward, and now were falling. Bishop tried to position himself in order to slow his descent as much as possible, grasped for a wall or handhold, but was in the end deposited on the floor with everyone else.

And...more cutesy creatures trying to kill them.

“You have got to be kidding me – doesn’t this place have any bad guys with machine guns or anything? You know, something normal?”

But they had to get through them – this was clearly a time waster for them and that was something they didn’t have. He remembered vividly his last encounter with these things – and he definitely recalled that shooting at them was pointless.

He caught one of them by the arm as it came near and hurled it into another one, then did it again with another.

“Hey, Lilah, batters up!”

He lobbed one in an easy path for her to shoot. After shooting a couple more, she shouted:

“Focus on that thing that’s making them.”

Putting her hands together in a batting grip, he watched as she manifested a hard light construct of a baseball bat, and cracked it against one of the bon bon babies sending it in a line drive into the creature making the bon bons.

 

[Spellbinder]

Castle, underground

<< Spellbinder knew her plan would work. It was unfortunate that some of the others doubted or questioned her skill or judgement, but if Cameron's behavior toward her thus far was an clear indicator of anything, her prolonged absence may have other consequences she wasn't counting on.
She briefly thought about Vivica's parting words to her at the end of their private conference outside of time and space>>

<<FLASH!>>

"Blaze is fine..but are you sure there's nothing else you want to know? I mean...not for nothing, but there is a LOT of stuff going down "out there" [gesturing to some made up location of where Earth might be at this moment]. New faces..new threats. The tides are changing..and I don't know how much better off The Six will be because of it...I know it must be peaceful where you are..but..if I were you...I would see how fast I could get myself back. Don't rush..but understand that the team you are coming back to..is VERY different from the team you left..you don't want to miss out on TOO much or you might not be able to connect with them again in the same way..trust me..THAT lesson I learned the hard way.."

<< There were many on the team that didnt always "approve" of magick being used to solve problems, but magick wasn't a bad thing, nor was it a crutch. It was a wonderous concept, ENERGY, that took a special kind of person/mind to tap into it and harness it. If the ability was there, why NOT use it to fix things if that was possible?>>

<< Ever since the Inferno, Spellbinder had looked for ways to help balance the scales and she'd had several chance to do that, even sacrificing herself to see Master Mold pushed through the Siege Perilous. But for everything she did, there would always be someone who had been traumatized by magick. Cameron, Haleigh, Bianca (among others) and most recently, Delilah.>>


<< Delilah.>>


<< Even in what could be their truly LAST caper together, there was no hint of bridging the gap on Delilah's end. Morgan's heart BROKE in the War Room following Harbinger's prophecy but Firebird reminded her that she was Sorceress Supreme! If EVER there was a time for that to really mean something? NOW would be that time.>>


<< Badiane may be an ancient, otherworldy witch-crone, but Spellbinder had NEVER shown fear in the face of any mystical rivals/adversaries, and she would NOT simply WATCH Delilah go to her death. She heard her sister's impassioned call to Spellbinder to "THINK OF SOMETHING...ANYTHING and when the time was right, TRY IT!">>


<< Delilah was being a bitch, but who among them HADN'T been at one time or another for any number of reasons? Morgan didn't care what nasty comments Delilah tossed her way, it didn't change reality. Morgan loved Delilah dearly and she WAS sorry for all that had happened and the mistakes in judgement/choices she made regarding the Blue Moon.>>


<< All she had wanted was to HELP Delilah. She hoped that Delilah would have believed that much about her if nothing else and maybe in time, she would remember who they were to each other and once she did, once there was hope that the gap could be closed, Morgan would show her what SHE had learned as well.>>


<< But in order for ANY of that to happen, Delilah would have to LIVE, she'd have to SURVIVE the rescue of Alexia and the confrontation with Badiane.>>


<< There HAD to be a way to make this happen! Blaze was right, Spellbinder HAD to figure it out and so even now as Cameron and Delilah seemed to take turns trying to piss her off, her mind and heart weren't REALLY into the comeback comments. She was truly thinking about something MORE IMPORTANT.>>


<< With Sharon free and the team now moving with clear direction and purpose, they began making their way deeper into the castle. Mere moments passed until Harbinger abruptly stops and calls for Spellbinder open a disc, but to WHERE?>>


<< The answer would never come as "lightning bolt" tendrils of black energy crashed down with a boom of thunder, snatching them all up and carrying them away on a truly wild ride.>>

<< Spellbinder tried to grab Firebird's hand, but they couldn't reach each other as they were all upended and carried away like helpless tiny fish in a wild tide!>>


<< Finally, they are dropped on the floor in the underground level of the castle. Spellbinder, feeling slightly winded, clutches her chest and coughs a bit while Rampage helps her and Firebird to their feet.>>


Thank you.

Is...everyone alright? Does anyone need healing?

<< Before anyone could really reply, a giant creature that looked like cotton candy bounced into view, smiling at them>>

What the hell is THAT!?

Firebird: Sugary sweet death, courtesy of Badiane.


<< The creature began blowing bubbles, which turned into bon bon babies. Dozens of them in different color sets! The different color groups began to circle around the Six before diving down to attack>>


<< Firebird takes to the air, and a bonbon baby that was coming for her continues its approach to spellbinder. She saw the kind of physical IMPACT they could have from Black Widow's video playback.>>


Can't let them hit me!


<< thrusting her hand forward, chimes sound off as Spellbinder unleashes an eldritch bolt! The magick blast rips through the bon bon baby dead center, causing it to stop laughing and instead CRY as it's body warps and finally reverts to a piece of candy that falls to the ground.>>

hmph.


<< With that, Spellbinder takes to the air with her sister. The sisters take a few more out, making it a bit easier for those on the ground who are already hemmed in by many more.>>


This is clearly just the first wave of Badiane's defense. She knows we're not going to be overpowered by this...


Firebird: Not YET...but if that thing keeps generating them...


<< FLASH!>>

<< The Bon Bon babies that remain begin to ADAPT, REFORMING after behing hit by any energy projection directed at them and resisting any PHYSICAL attempts to destroy them.>>

Firebird: and then...there's THAT...


<< Spellbinder and Firebird both look on with dismay as the bon bon babies begin reforming and attacking various members of the six>>


Spellbinder: Harbinger! I've got an idea!



<< Not wanting to openly reveal the stratgey in case Badiane would hear/counter, she knew the precog would already "SEE" it and know what to do!>>


Everyone, help someone else! Switch your targets for now!



Firebird: and I'll take care of the cotton candy monster over there!!!


<< The sisters take off in different directions, with Spellbinder now in the center, high above the immediate conflict.>>


<< She extends her arms and opens a LARGE stepping disc at a slanted vertical orientation. Now would be the time for Harbinger to act and the others to follow suit.>>

 

[Harbinger]

Inside the castle

:: Harbinger thrusts her hands forward a'la Piper Halliwell and subjects an oncoming bon bon baby to her TRUE FREEZE effect. It not only stops the temporal field around the moving object but completely negates all movement on a molecular level. the bon bon baby slows in it's approach before coming to a complete stop and becoming enveloped in a thick shimmering block of ice. The ice block shatters.::


:: Harbinger narrows her eyes and a rushing/chiming sound is heard as she sends the shards of ice FLYING at high speed at 3 other oncoming bon bon babies. Another gesture and the sound signature of her power indicates the moment when the blocks of ice BLOW UP upon collision with their targets::


:: But even as she and those around her succeed in taking down several or even close to 10 each, Harbinger looks ahead. OBVIOUSLY this was just the first line for Badiane and hardly meant to intimidate or be seen as a mortal threat.::


Beware! These bon bon babies will begin to adapt and resist all forms of energy projection and attempts at overpowering them physically. Any energy you throw at or exert against them, they will return upon you in the level of impact they make when they strike you!

<< FLASH!>>

<< The Bon Bon babies that remain begin to ADAPT, REFORMING after behing hit by any energy projection directed at them and resisting any PHYSICAL attempts to destroy them.>>

Firebird: and then...there's THAT...

<< Spellbinder and Firebird both look on with dismay as the bon bon babies begin reforming and attacking various members of the six>>


Spellbinder: Harbinger! I've got an idea!

And a very sound move it will be!


:: And not a moment too soon. The re-energized bon bon babies, now GLOWING and moving and attacking with increased aggression. Attempts to stop them only slowed them down and any attack them blew them apart saw them only reform together almost immediately!::

The source of these is about to generate MORE of them!

:: Harbinger informed the group as she "saw" it coming::

Firebird: I'll take care of the cotton candy monster!

<< She extends her arms and opens a LARGE stepping disc at a slanted vertical orientation. Now would be the time for Harbinger to act and the others to follow suit.>>

::6 of them were circling around her preparing to launch themselves at her one after the other::

They can't be flat out destroyed...

:: holding out her hand as her Time Staff orbs into her waiting grasp.::

But they can still be MOVED, and EVACUATED.


::The others who could, would follow suit.::

:: As the six bon bon babies begin to close on her like runaway wrecking balls, she channels her own telekinetic power through her time staff. The garnet jewel in the crown of the staff hums and FLASHES as she activates it, unleashing her own power through it, sending a large sphere toward the bon bon babies. It grows as it charges for that group, catching them all and overwhelming them as it carries them in another direction::



Bishop, GET OUT OF THE WAY!


::The precog shouts with more annoyance than concern for him. There's a rushing, chiming sound as Harbinger mentally commands the sphere to change course, intercepting 4 of the more aggressive bon bon babies coming after him.::


:: All ten of them are now carried toward the stepping disc, and soon, they disappearing from view as the sphere pushes them through the portal, their cries of protest are soon nothing more but faint echoes.::

:: Even as the others began to follow suit and send their targets toward the stepping disc, The END of this particular obstacle would depend on Firebird dispatching the source of these things::

 

[Firebird]

It was easier to remain calm(er) when you had something to focus on. Now that they had Sharon back safe, the goals here were to rescue Alexia and somehow keep Delilah alive! By Harbinger's vision, one was guaranteed, the other IMPOSSIBLE, but hadn't the Six been able to pull off the impossible a time or two before? Even if Delilah didn't believe in Spellbinder, and others had problems with magick, Blaze knew that magick was an amazing thing and sometimes when all else failed, when logic, science and physicality couldn't fix things...MAGICK could and if that was what it took? SO BE IT! She'd do ANYTHING to keep the Six together HERE the way they hadn't survived in her own native timeline.

She didn't want Harbinger to immediately shoot down her idea....her HOPE, that's why she was glad to have the chance to say what she said to her sister in private when she comforted her in the hall. Spellbinder wasn't sure what or HOW she could fix this, but Blaze KNEW she was actively thinking of a way. It was time for Morg to show then what being Sorceress Supreme really meant and it was time for this bitter divide to be mended. Delilah may hate them right now, but she needed them here and she knew it in her soul. Some of the others may not be happy with Delilah but they had a DUTY to be here.

Now here they were, facing these weird things that looked like something designed by Willy Wonka and colored by Lisa Frank! What was Badiane hoping to proove here?


Throwing her arms up and extending them out, she unleashes a MINI FLARE that encompasses her explodes outward in all directions around her but only a short distance. The flame is nearly WHITE HOT and the bon bon babies that hit her flare fiield cry out before warping and turning back into pieces of candy, CHARRED pieces of candy, and falling to the ground.

Still, more bon bon babies were coming and would not be so easily beaten and she'd seen what kind of damage and pain they could cause if they made contact! Fortunately, Firebird was quite adept in aerial maneuvers and combat . Time was of the essence and Badiane clearly wanted to tire them out before bringing out her big guns. Fortunately, the team had OTHER ideas and as they began pushing the bon bon babies into the large stepping disc, the creature that generated them was getting quite mad and seemed to be growing, EXPANDING!


"Uh ohhh....looks like someone's about to have a TEMPER TANTRUM!?"

The creature responded by opening it's mouth and unleashing a TORRENT of pure FORCE, the POWER behind the blast was completely unexpected from the creature, considering how it looked!

"OH!?"

Firebird is hammered and pushed BACK by the blast. She holds her arms up in front of her face in an X pattern. The entire area they're ALL in SHAKES as if struck by a monstrous thunder bolt and the force blast can be felt by them all.

Blaze COUGHS , having been quite rattled and nearly STUNNED by the impact. She wasn't expecting THAT. None of them could have guessed the creature had that kind of power!

"Ohhh kay. So, the cotton candy has some BITE! Well...I'm willing to bet that you'll MELT like any OTHER marshmallow when you get a dose of my..."


the creature, now floating in the air at level with Firebird, doesn't wait for her to finish as it attacks again, BLASTING HER with energy that looks an awful like FIRE. For a brief moment all sight of her is LOST in the torrent of flame energy.


"...."



At HER mental command, the flame attack that was enveloping her IMMEDIATELY splits and flows AWAY away from her body, circling around her. She hovers in mid air, looking less than enthused.

"Well. THAT was RUDE! So...you have power, but not much BRAINS! "

She says with a mix of humor and IRRITATION now.

"Well, Badiane is going to have to make another sweet treat for her demented candy shop, because YOU'RE FINISHED!"

The circle of flames around her begins to glow, becoming orange in color, with a sparkle.

"EAT THIS!"

Her attack takes the energy of the creature's attack and turns it back on him, with the FORCE of HER power! It's more than the creature can bear apparently as it CRIES before BLOWING UP.

"I never liked cotton candy anyway. All looks...no substance, and totally nauseating."

 

[Prophet]

Big Bad Castle

Morgan: "Just WHO do you think you're talking to..."

:: Cameron wanted to roll his eyes, but he refrained. He wasn't trying to start anything. Alison had foretold that this mission would be a failure. Morgan had basically stated that Badiane was too powerful and ancient and god like to be killed. It made sense that if that was the case..Badiane's magick would be too strong to break. But here she was about to tout the Soul Sword for a BIRD enchantment when she really should be going balls to the wall to find Badiane and plunge the sword right through her HEART. ::

...LIMBO is my realm, Prophet. There, I can do ANYTHING, but whether it's Earth, or this strange otherworld, NO enchantment can withstand my Soul Sword. It cuts through magick, disrupts enchantments and can hurt or kill just about ANY magickal being, regardless of his or her power source.

"Then by all means..use it to perform some low rent magician's feat."

:: Prophet shrugged. ::

Morgan: "I can restore Sharon, but I'm going to have to "strike" her with my sword."

[his eyes widen]

"No."

:: It was a reflexive impulse. And Bishop actually made sense. They had no idea what Sharon had endured in her encounter. There was no way to know if Badiane hadn't seen what Sharon was capable of and put her under some kind of control like she had the children. The rest of the team bickered for a moment and it saddened Cameron. He was so angry with Morgan for not wanting to live with them. So mad at her for leaving them for so long. He was mad at his sister for chastising him, but he was also an empath. He said what he said to them because he could sense how they were TRULY feeling, even if they couldn't. He could sense the pain that Morgan was in over the situation, and that's what had kept him from going too far. And while his behavior may have been shocking to THEM or looked at like a step back, part of the ultimate problem with Morgan and Alison is that THEY were a team, and more often than not, they weren't looking for new members. ::

:: Things were becoming clear to Cameron. While he could have a great relationship with his sister and a great relationship with Morgan, it seemed that it was not possible when BOTH of them were "active". While Alison took leave on Aerie, his relationship deepened with Morgan. When Morgan left Earth, his relationship deepened with Alison. The second they were back together, it seemed to fall apart. They would always look to EACH OTHER for confirmation or guidance. They were NEVER going to look at him the way he wished they would. As a founding member of the team. As somebody who tried every single day to get through what he did in his past. Which was ironic, considering the brutal past that both of them had. That ALL of them had. ::

:: Maybe it was something Cameron just needed to get over. Maybe he was viewing THEM with old eyes as well. Maybe he needed to talk to them..but for now, unless they got out of this mission alive, he wouldn't have the chance. So he tried his best to push his feelings aside. He looked at Haleigh for a moment. ::

"Pushing feelings aside..yeah, not something I've ever been good at."

:: Morgan was able to break the enchantment on Silver Swan as she began to explain what happened. Things were not good. Badiane had Alexia and all the children below the castle and it seemed as if any moment she could exact her plan to create the black hole that would kill Delilah and possibly all of them. ::

Black Widow: "Alright, we need to head down to this honeycomb place. You're the designated tour guide here, so you take point. Everybody keep your head on a swivel. We're prime targets for an ambush."

Cameron nodded as Sharon began to lead the way when he was interrupted by a thought call from Delilah.

Delilah: [thought call] "Cameron, Bishop is an asshole but he's not wrong about Sharon. If Badiane takes control of her again, can you break the connection?"

Prophet furrowed his brow for a moment. Could he?

[to Delilah] "To be honest..I don't know. I'm not sure if my telepathy trumps ancient magick. The only thing I can think of would be to trap her on the astral plane..but that would take me out of the race...her mind is like quicksilver..but it isn't inpenetrable. I'd have about a millisecond to act. But if I can stop her...I will."

:: The continued walking forward... ::

Harbinger: "IT'S TOO LATE!"

:: They were swept up in a torrent of magick as Badiane's voice filled the area. ::

"Welcome to my domain, where your rules, your ideas simply DON'T MATTER! The child is MINE now, as are all the others and YOU can't stop me! Your ENERGY will only aid in your own destruction!"

:: And then more of those GODDAMN BUBBLE PEOPLE!! ::

:: Cameron lifted high into the air via his telekinesis and hovered over the area. He was focusing on what Badiane had said and watching the others battle them. They absorbed energy and unfortunately for The Six..they PRODUCED a lot of energy. He looked at Cassandra and called down to her via a thought call. ::

[To Ruby Via Thought Call] "A good time to test your training Ruby! You feel all this Psionic Energy around you? I want you to ABSORB it. I know you are more of a "hand to skin" contact kind of girl, but you gotta try. Sense it around you and pull it in mentally! Let it FEED YOU and DON'T EXPELL it. We can't give these things or that old BITCH anything extra!"

:: Prophet weaved through the Bon Bon Babies in an attempt to confuse them, to have them run into each other, to trip each other, to use them against each other so as not to give them the chance to regenerate and adapt. They didn't seem to have a high level of intellect so much as a compulsion to attack. Their senses were animalistic and therefore easy to manipulate, much like a dog that wants to chase a ball. He flew in and out with ease being guided by his flash premonition abilities. ::

:: It seemed as if Morgan had a plan and from the looks of it? A good one. A Giant Stepping Disc was opening. They couldn't be destroyed but they could be transported FAR away from them. ::

:: Alison executed her move as Cameron decided to run counterpoint. He squinted his eyes as the rest of his teammates on the ground were lifted high in the air, surrounded in an aura of electric red crackling telekinetic energy before SLAMMING his hands together causing the floor of the basement they were in to rumble before mentally CRACKING it causing it to start moving like a tidal wave in tandem with Alison's own sphere causing the Bon Bon Babies to THROTTLED forward while Cameron used the stones of the floor to keep them "on course" towards the stepping disc and through it. He let go of his telekinetic hold on his teammates before landing on the ground himself. ::

:: It was Firebird's turn and as usual she executed brillaintly and beautifully, though it was not an easy win for the elemental. The creature's power was shocking to everybody and not many on the team would have been able to survive a blast like that. ::

:: He looked at the team before calling out to Badiane. ::

"If you're SURE of yourself, remember THIS! As powerful as YOU are..you still need a MUTANT to enact your destiny..so don't count out the fact that MUTANTS can also cause your destiny to UNWRAVEL! GIVE US THE GIRL!"

 

[Ruby]

The Otherworld – Castle/Candy Shop


:: Cass followed along after her team who were still crabbing at each other for whatever slighted them this time. She pretty much checked out of THAT argument so she focused on cautiously looking from side to side, backwards and forwards, so she could keep herself on her toes. She glanced forward just in time to see Morgan lightly tap Sharon with her SOUL SWORD and then pulled it away. ::

Oh. I guess that’s why everybody’s panties were in a twist.

:: Sharon turned back into her human form and thanked Ava for rescuing her from Bishop. Cass put her hands up to her ears as Sharon SCREECHED Badiane’s name! Haleigh told Sharon to use her indoor voice and then Sharon relayed all she knew…which was that Badiane snatched Alexia from her grasp and had taken her somewhere Sharon didn’t know about. ::

Of COURSE not…

:: Cass sighed and played with her ruby necklace. She most certainly expected to jump through hoops to get to Alexia, but it made her incredibly angry to think Alexia and the other innocent children couldn’t protect themselves. ::

That’s why we’re here; to get Alexia and the others BACK home safely.

Black Widow: “…we’re prime targets for an ambush.”

Harbinger: “IT’S TOO LATE!”

“Ah, hell!”

:: Cass stumbled to a stop, almost bumping into Cameron. ::

Harbinger: “SPELLBINDER! Open up a stepping disc and get us…!”

:: Jagged tendrils of magick lashed out at them in the blink of an eye. Before Cass could even THINK, she was yanked forward with the rest of her team and went for a horrifying ride! They were then pulled through a vortex which ended with them plopping into some kind of dungeon. At least, that’s what it looked like to Cass. She didn’t want to be here; the room gave her flashbacks of the cathedral and Sister Mary Whatever. ::

Badiane: “Welcome to my domain, where your rules, your ideas simply DON'T MATTER! The child is MINE now, as are all the others and YOU can't stop me! Your ENERGY will only aid in your own destruction!”

:: A cheerful critter bounced into view and giggled ONCE before blowing a stream of bubbles at them; bubbles that were all different colours. ::

“Erm…OKAY?!”

:: The ‘bubbles’ soon changed form into those rascally…BON BON BABIES. They were all laughing their high-pitched laugh before dive-bombing them! ::

“I am trapped in a horrorhouse!”

:: Delilah, Bishop, Spellbinder, and Firebird, all went into battle mode. Cass was still a bit taken aback by the colourful critters before she realized she needed to DO something! From what the video showed her, the Bon Bon Babies couldn’t be eliminated the easy way. So Cass had to do something different. From what everybody was saying, the bon bon baby machine was the main thing to be eliminated. Cass honed her power, and then used it to levitate off the ground. ::

Badiane said that our energy is of no good here. Hmmm…

:: Using her power of levitation she soon used it, along with her athletic body, to use the babies as stepping stones towards the pink baby machine. It worked GREAT…until the Bon Bon Babies caught on to her plan and started to swing from her feet. Cass gritted her teeth. ::

“WHY WON’T YOU DIE?!”

Harbinger: “Beware! These bon bon babies will begin to adapt and resist all forms of energy projection and attempts at overpowering them physically. Any energy you throw at or exert against them, they will return upon you in the level of impact they make when they strike you!”

:: Cass tried her best to hear what Harbinger was saying, but those damn babies were swinging from her feet, laughing in their high-pitched giggles. ::

Cameron: "A good time to test your training Ruby! You feel all this Psionic Energy around you? I want you to ABSORB it. I know you are more of a "hand to skin" contact kind of girl, but you gotta try. Sense it around you and pull it in mentally! Let it FEED YOU and DON'T EXPELL it. We can't give these things or that old BITCH anything extra!"

O-Okay…I’ll try…

:: Cass immediately relaxed her body, and used her mind to sense things on a different level. She soon forgot about the babies who were climbing on her feet and climbing up her legs. She could barely feel her feet hitting the floor. She barely felt the swarm of them immediately over taking her body. All that mattered was… ::

NOW!

:: And there it was. It was a new sensation for Ruby. It wasn’t that she COULDN’T absorb psionic energy like this; it was that sometimes it could be pretty unpredictable. She was surer of herself putting her hand to the surface of whatever it was she came into contact with. But this called for completely different power absorption. She was right THERE. She was IN! She started absorbing all the psionic energy in the room like a sponge, the babies on her body immediately disappearing. ::

Get everybody to safety, Cam. I don’t want to accidentally absorb the team’s energies here.

 

[Rampage]

He was moving along with the others after Sharon was safe, but his mind was operating at another level altogether. He was thinking of how to solve this death riddle from Harbinger while managing to save the children...ALL OF THEM.

Delilah and he never REALLY seemed to hit it off for any number of reasons, more than a couple of them admittedly valid. But at the same time, Delilah was family and he loved her. That was the main reason why he saw Morgan's actions as logical even of the ethics of it could be questioned in hindsight.

As he was working things through in his head, he was also trying to map this place, even as they made their way down when suddenly....

<< Jagged tendrils of magick come LASHING OUT at them in the blink of an eye.>>

<< All of the Six are immediately snatched up and upended as Badiane's laughter can be heard in an unnatural wind and a crash of thunder.>>

<< All at once, they are YANKED forward and carried away on a ROUGH ride, like a horrifying, runaway rollercoaster, finally being pulled through a waiting VORTEX, they are sent falling down to the underground level of the castle.>>

Badiane: Welcome to my domain, where your rules, your ideas simply DON'T MATTER! The child is MINE now, as are all the others and YOU can't stop me! Your ENERGY will only aid in your own destruction!

Rather than fight the movement or try to evade it, Nicolas went along for the ride so as to avoid the risk of separating the group. He landed and immediately began to help the others up as they would allow.

The next thing he saw was straight from...OK, no idea what that was from. A mescaline high? PCP?

In any case he easily out maneuvered them as he looked for a way to destroy them, smacking a few away with the hammer end of his axe as he went. This was a waste of time and was only allowing Badiane to further her plans. After Hothead blasted away the Pokemon from hell Cam decided to lay down the gauntlet.

"If you're SURE of yourself, remember THIS! As powerful as YOU are..you still need a MUTANT to enact your destiny..so don't count out the fact that MUTANTS can also cause your destiny to UNWRAVEL! GIVE US THE GIRL!"

She already knows that Cam...or she would have met us at the door earlier. We need to find a way to skip a step in this game, take the initiative somehow. By the way, get everyone to safety before Cassandra kills them.

Nicolas stood, shielding the team and attempting to regulate Cass' feeding as she tried something new....

 

[Seer]

One last chance

<< The Six manages to surprise Badiane with their creativity, efficiency and yes, their POWER too.>>

<< With the efforts of various members of the Six, Dozens of the bon bon babies are moved, swept, pushed into the waiting stepping disc and for the few more that remain? Ruby steps up in a big way, as Prophet and Rampage urge the others to move quickly in the opposite direction, giving the psionic succubus room to work.>>

<< Ruby uses her power to drain and completely absorb the psychic energy these bon bon babies have, and since they are propelled by Badiane's will, that makes for PLENTY. Those that managed to retreat from the stepping disc were soon completely absorbed into oblivion, giving Ruby plenty of energy/power reserves for the coming battle and leaving the group FREE of any more of the bon bon babies now that Firebird had taken care of their generator.>>

<< Anxious to close the distance between themselves and their adversary, they resume course, with Sharon leading the way. Surprisingly they do not encounter any direct resistance along the way! They reach a point in their journey where light and warmth in the space around them becomes VERY faint. Silver Swan stops them, informing them that they're about to enter the space where the walls on either side will be honeycombed with "dream coffins" , each one containing a slumbering a child.>>

<< The sight is a bit unsettling, even if the children seem to be in peaceful slumber. It's an ETERNAL sleep, and their energy now belongs to Badiane. THAT energy is now put to USE. The Six find themselves standing together in a circular pattern to cover all sides, with MorningStar and Bishop center.>>

Badiane: These children will NEVER have to face the perils of growing OLD and BITTER like you! They will never lose their pure innocence and vitality, FOREVER protected in their dream coffins, where their precious dreams provide them endless joy! Their ENERGY, however, is MINE to command!

<< A beautiful flute melody, similar to the one the dream faerie played in central park, is heard all around them in perfect, crystal clarity and a field of energy, collected from the slumbering children forms at one end of the passage and moves across the way toward the Six. It is not physical or magickal and can't be repelled or blocked! It washes over them ALL even as they take defensive stances and soon, they all find themselves feeling tired....SLEEPY. Even Silver Swan, Black Widow and Rampage can't remember when they've felt such a NEED to just lay down and go to SLEEP!>>

<< The music continues to play, and soon, if the Six give in to falling asleep, they will all be welcomed by the arms of unconsciousness and suitably distracted by their most secret dreams, leaving their bodies and souls ripe for the taking by Badiane!>>

Badiane: This is your LAST CHANCE, interlopers! GIVE IN to the comfort of your dreams, GIVE ME YOUR ENERGY and leave the cares of this world BEHIND you forever!


<< The Six are STRUGGLING now as the hypnotic flute melody continues to play and the dark energy continues to flow around them. >>

 

[Seer]

Part 2

<< The moment they fall asleep, it's over. They're beyond lost. But just as eye lids become too heavy to even flutter and nothing but the thought of sleep dominates their weary minds and hearts, an urgent COUNTER melody rings out in sharp contrast to the hypnotic flute melody and a round space on the floor beneath the six slides open, causing them all to FALL down and slide on a wild ride before they all come falling through and landing on "the other side" of the castle, which sees them looking out on OPEN SPACE all around them!>>


<< They see candy ships from other parts of the galaxy coming and going in the distance and they're all granted a merciful respite, allowing them a chance to recover from their brush with OBLIVION just a few moments ago. But who brought them here? >>

<< The answer became clear as they all laid their eyes on Perle. But the beautiful, dreamy quality that she had about herself when they first encountered her in central park was gone. She looked worn, clearly battered, and was trembling, barely able to stand.>>

<< Bishop was the first to move forward, about to ATTACK or try to kill the weakened faerie.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

[Sharon felt a bit....light headed at first, and then she felt...SLEEPY!?]

[ Her alertness was replaced with overwhelming drowsiness as she shook her head and tried to resist....]

sleep....i need to....sleep

[The music was so soothing, and with each passing moment, nothing else seemed to matter! All she wanted was to close her eyes and sleep...forever!]


[ The others were feeling it too and some were already starting to buckle]

Must...stay awake...

[ She said as she YAWNED, something she RARELY did in her current form as a mutate. One shriek, one NOTE from her sonic scream would be all it took to shatter this hypnotic trance they were all in, but all she could think about was closing her eyes. This woman, who could lift/press 90 tons, now STRUGGLING to keep her eyes OPEN!]


[But just as she and the others were about to be swallowed by Badiane's eternal sleep spell...]

an urgent COUNTER melody rings out in sharp contrast to the hypnotic flute melody and a round space on the floor beneath the six slides open, causing them all to FALL down and slide on a wild ride before they all come falling through and landing on "the other side" of the castle, which sees them looking out on OPEN SPACE all around them!>>


<< They see candy ships from other parts of the galaxy coming and going in the distance and they're all granted a merciful respite, allowing them a chance to recover from their brush with OBLIVION just a few moments ago. But who brought them here? >>

[ The opposing melody immediately registered with Sharon, like a child's cry for help. She blinks her eyes twice and they all fall through the floor, sliding down, curving this way and that, until finally they came falling out into a new place. Her sonar told her that they were on the "bottom half" of the castle, but now they were facing UP and into OPEN space. ]

[ Rubbing her temples, Sharon gained her bearings as she looked around.]

More of those candy ships...

[Children being brought in from places OTHER than Earth. It was a reminder that they were certainly not alone in this galaxy, this universe. The question of WHO rescued them just now was answered as they saw Perle]

It's the dream fearie, Alexia's little friend.

<< The answer became clear as they all laid their eyes on Perle. But the beautiful, dreamy quality that she had about herself when they first encountered her in central park was gone. She looked worn, clearly battered, and was trembling, barely able to stand.>>

She's badly hurt...even breathing is causing her pain.

<< Bishop was the first to move forward, about to ATTACK or try to kill the weakened faerie.>>

[Sharon was on her feet and zoomed forward, grasping Bishop's arm , pulling him back and TOSSING HIM with ease all the way back to the others.]

Is that your answer to EVERYTHING, Violence and aggression!? This creature just saved us from Badiane's spell! Don't you think we should find out WHY!?

[Not only that, Sharon made a promise to Alexia that she wouldn't let Perle be harmed. She came to the conclusion that Perle was as much a victim in all of this as any of the other children. Perhaps even MORE so given how long she'd been a SLAVE to Badiane. ]

[ Sharon looks at Perle, who flinches from her as she gently reaches for her]

Don't....don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you. NO ONE here is going to hurt you. I promise.

[ The faerie collapses and Sharon gently picks her up, carrying her in her arms]

When I was with Alexia, she told me that her little friend here kept her from being taken away like the other children. She hid her away from Badiane as long as she could. She said that the faerie was even talking about going back to earth to find US for HELP when Badiane suddenly appeared and forcibly snatched her away, leaving Alexia all alone until she found me.

When Badiane appeared before me to take Alexia away, she said that the faerie had been PUNISHED for disobeying her.

This, apparently is the end result. Her body is battered and she is very weak. But I HEARD the opposing melody that broke us from the hypnosis of Badiane's spell...SHE played it with her flute. She's the one who rescued us. But she's growing weaker by the moment and will not last much longer.

We have to help her. She's as much a victim as these other children and she can help us rescue Alexia.

Please heal her, so that she can talk again and tell us what she knows. She may have a clue as to what we should do next, now that we appear to be even BEYOND where I had first awakened in this castle.

 

[Bishop]

He walked down the center of the corridor, the sleep coffins on either side of him. The sight was damn eerie. He scanned the faces, looking for Alexia. His fist clenched. All these children, taken away…

And then there was music.

Not used to cushy beds and regular sleep, Bishop was better prepared than most to resist the urge to sleep. But soon he too fell prey to the overwhelming sense of tiredness, the need to close his eyes.

No…we can’t fail…not like this…

But just as it appeared to be the end, they were once again falling. When they finally hit the ground, he could see space all around him, with the demented candy ships coming and going all around.

“Holy fuck…”

It was like a scene from a sick twisted alien invasion flick. And then he saw…

“YOU.”

The little “girl” he had seen playing with Alexia in Central Park, the faerie that had turned her against them and taken her away. He moved forcefully forward.

“Where is my daughter?!”

He shouted at the battered faerie.

“Tell me where she is or I will finish the job somebody started on you!”

It's the dream fearie, Alexia's little friend. She's badly hurt...even breathing is causing her pain.

He snorted.

“Friend my ass. Forgive me if I don’t give a shit.”

Is that your answer to EVERYTHING, Violence and aggression!? This creature just saved us from Badiane's spell! Don't you think we should find out WHY!?

That was ironic, considering what he'd seen of the person making a statement about violence.

“Oh, I can find out why. Look Tweety Bird, violence and aggression gets things done, and we don’t have time to mess around.”

Don't....don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you. NO ONE here is going to hurt you. I promise.

He threw up his hands and walked away, exasperated. Yes, let’s just throw caution to the wind with his daughter’s life in the balance!

We have to help her. She's as much a victim as these other children and she can help us rescue Alexia.

He turned.

“Victim? You’re so trusting as long as its female! This…thing…LURED Alexia from Ororo, from her mother, brought her here. It’s HER fault this is happening in the first place! We can’t trust her for shit.”

 

[MorningStar]

Spellbinder, Harbinger and Firebird chose to ignore her, but they did what she suggested anyway so that was fine with Delilah. The candy freaks taken care of, they pressed on.

MorningStar’s hand flew to her mouth as she saw the sleeping children, lining the walls.

“My god…”

She looked, hoping and not hoping that she would see Alexia. She reached out towards them, as if she could touch the coffins.

“We…we can’t leave them…we have to free them.”

But there was no time to act before they once again heard a booming voice.

These children will NEVER have to face the perils of growing OLD and BITTER like you! They will never lose their pure innocence and vitality, FOREVER protected in their dream coffins, where their precious dreams provide them endless joy!

It sounded so good. To live in dreams forever, to not have to deal with the world and all the terrible things in it. Delilah felt her eyes getting heavy, and there was beautiful music playing. Never having to fight or feel sad or angry again. Maybe she could just close her eyes for a minute. Just a little nap and she would feel better.

But then she heard a voice in here head:

Wake up, MorningStar, you can sleep when you’re DEAD.

Her eyes flew open and she realized she was falling. Finding themselves in another part of the castle, it was immediately clear that they were no longer alone.

It's the dream fearie, Alexia's little friend.

Delilah tensed, on guard, not knowing what the faerie was about to do. The little thing looked like someone had beaten her up; she doubted any child would follow the faerie looking like that.

Is that your answer to EVERYTHING, Violence and aggression!? This creature just saved us from Badiane's spell! Don't you think we should find out WHY!?

She hadn’t moved as Bishop threatened the faerie, or as Silver Swan forcefully pulled him away from her, but she regarded the little creature with an appraising eye as Sharon moved forward to pick the childlike girl up.

“A little caution wouldn’t be unwarranted.”

When I was with Alexia, she told me that her little friend here kept her from being taken away like the other children. When Badiane appeared before me to take Alexia away, she said that the faerie had been PUNISHED for disobeying her... She's the one who rescued us. But she's growing weaker by the moment and will not last much longer. We have to help her. She's as much a victim as these other children and she can help us rescue Alexia.

“Victim? You’re so trusting as long as its female! This…thing…LURED Alexia from Ororo, from her mother, brought her here. It’s HER fault this is happening in the first place! We can’t trust her for shit.”

Delilah inclined her head backwards towards Bishop.

“That’s enough, Maxim.”

Delilah took a few slow steps towards Sharon, until she could look down into the faerie’s face.

“Thank you for helping my daughter. I’m sorry that Badiane hurt you because of it.”

 

[Seer]

<< As MorningStar spoke softly to the faerie...>>


Harbinger: She's HERE!

<< But even as the precog detects Badiane's impending arrival, Almost no one can react fast enough. But Bishop seems to KNOW this is not the time to waver, as he pulls Delilah to safety.>>

<< A destructive bolt of mystic energy CRASHES DOWN with pin point accuracy, DISINTEGRATING Perle even as the faerie was held in Silver Swan's arms. The force of the blast sends Silver Swan flying the opposite direction. She hits the floor and slides a bit as several of the team exclaim with SHOCK and dismay over the sudden attack on Sharon and Perle.>>

Badiane: Not as sorry as you WILL be, for defying me!

<< the otherworldly sorceress' voice rings out all around them, before she finally thunders into full view. She TOWERS above them all and stands between them and the fallen Silver Swan. The shock of her apparent brutal MURDER of Perle is still ringing in the minds and memories of the Six as they are now confronted by their adversary.>>

Badiane: You HAD your chance! I offered you a gift, IN SPITE of your BAD behavior! But like pearls before swine, you didn't see the BEAUTY of retreating into dreams forever! NOW I'll PURGE YOU of the folly o f your existence! You WON'T stand in my way of opening the black dream hole in this time and space!

<< She exclaims/laughs as the thrusts her hands forward and unleashes a VICIOUS torrent of FORCE that sends the Six scattering/flying/falling! But they each struggle to help someone NEAR them to survive the impact of crashing down to the metallic floor. Bishop once again does his best to shield Delilah, but now the group has been spread out, leaving Firebird and Persephone closest to the menacing sorceress, Black Widow andProphet are closer to MorningStar and Bishop- all of whom are 3/6 o'clock to Spellbinder, Ruby, Rampage and Harbinger. Everyone is suitably jarred and shaken by the initial attack. >>

<< Badiane looks upon MorningStar and Bishop, the parents of Alexia!

Badiane: FRAIL. WEAK. FOOLISH! To think that what YOU want MATTERS!? To think that YOU could take the key to opening the black dream hole [Alexia] from ME?! I've got a BIG dose of HUMILITY for YOU!

<< She gestures and MorningStar and Bishop are both bombarded by a powerful bolt of magick, much like the one that killed Perle, only this one seems to PROLONG the physical pain and will soon cause their bones to break and their heads to explode>>

<< The Six have no choice but to take action NOW. If they don't stop Badiane's assault, Delilah and Maxim won't survive and even with the presence of Spellbinder, there's no certainty that their adversary will even ALLOW "a moment" for her to HEAL them of their injuries so that they can stay in this fight!>>

 

[Firebird]

MorningStar’s hand flew to her mouth as she saw the sleeping children, lining the walls.

“My god…”

Blaze was disturbed by the honeycombed walls of sleeping children. She knew what it was like to be young and victimized by an adult, worse...a parent! These children were sound asleep, forever dreaming. But they were still held captive against their way, denied one of the most precious things any living thing would want- FREEDOM and the chance to learn and grow, to discover themselves and the world around them! Badiane was USING them, their innocence and the unique, pure energy emanating from them while they dreamed, to her own twisted, destructive ends! She might want them to believe the children were getting something "beautiful" out of it, but this offended Blaze to her core, her instincts, her special perception about EVIL intentions was SCREAMING to her down to her soul!

She looked, hoping and not hoping that she would see Alexia. She reached out towards them, as if she could touch the coffins.

“We…we can’t leave them…we have to free them.”

She quietly nodded in agreement. But by now, she was feeling almost SICK from the growing presence of Badiane. She may not have been there physically, yet...but her POWER and her INTENT filled the air around them. Soon she attacked them again, this time with a passive, but no less powerful attack. She trapped them in a dark haze of energy and a SLEEPING SPELL!

The effort to resist, to try and stay awake....it was almost NAUSEATING! She began to lean on Spellbinder. The sisters held each other up desperately trying to stay awake. Her eyes were heavy, and watering, and she yawned. Each blink became harder and harder to come back from as her mind YEARNED to just let go and fade to black!

"Don't fall... don't fall asleep..."

She protested weakly, as she and Spell both struggled. It was mere moments, but it might as well have been HOURS until finally they escaped...or rather were RESCUED from certain defeat and death as they fell through an opening in the floor and went on a wild slide down and around to who knows where!?


FINALLY falling out into an opening on the otherside/bottom of the castle, they were now somehow STILL "right side up" and standing out in OPEN SPACE on a large, round metallic floor.

"It's like an observatory, only without the dome...and all those candy ships! She's taking children from...everywhere!

But even as they saw the scope of what was going on, Bishop was the first spot Perle! Blaze's apple green eyes fixed on the mysterious creature, but she looked a mere shadow of her former self. Bishop went after her, intending to attack her but Sharon stopped him! He completely objected and showed more of his ignorance regarding Sharon, who had come so far since she first returned as a mutate.

"Lay off Sharon, Bishop. She was a MOTHER before she became the Silver Swan. she has those maternal instincts. Maybe THAT'S what allows her to trust Perle. And when you want to have a conversation about BIAS (referring to his comment on Sharon only trusting women) let's be sure to visit YOUR bias AGAINST MUTANTS?"

Sharon craddles the badly hurt faerie in her arms, and tells them what Alexia told her, how the faerie had a change of heart and tried to keep Alexia from Badiane. She had clearly paid the price for it.

He turned.

“Victim? You’re so trusting as long as its female! This…thing…LURED Alexia from Ororo, from her mother, brought her here. It’s HER fault this is happening in the first place! We can’t trust her for shit.”

Blaze eyed Bishop as he continued to object. There was no point in arguing with him. Most anything that was ever said to him fell on deaf ears and a stone heart anyway. She wondered how Delilah could have EVER loved someone like HIM, but then she remembered....this "tainted love" began DOZENS of LIFETIMES ago for them.

“That’s enough, Maxim.”

Delilah took a few slow steps towards Sharon, until she could look down into the faerie’s face.

“Thank you for helping my daughter. I’m sorry that Badiane hurt you because of it.”

"How about it, Spell? Harbinger? Can you help her?"

<< As MorningStar spoke softly to the faerie...>>


Harbinger: She's HERE!

GASP!

<< A destructive bolt of mystic energy CRASHES DOWN with pin point accuracy, DISINTEGRATING Perle even as the faerie was held in Silver Swan's arms. The force of the blast sends Silver Swan flying the opposite direction. She hits the floor and slides a bit>>

"PERLE!!! SHARON!!!"

Blaze cried out as a STUNNED Spellbinder steadies Blaze, who was knocked back from the fallout of the blast, having been close to MorningStar the moment of the attack.

Spellbinder: Bishop got MorningStar away in time....but Perle...

"What about SHARON?!"


Black Widow: Scans confirm she's alive, but STUNNED. She shouldn't be done for LONG given her...

Badiane: Not as sorry as you WILL be, for defying me!

<< the otherworldly sorceress' voice rings out all around them, before she finally thunders into full view. She TOWERS above them all and stands between them and the fallen Silver Swan. The shock of her apparent brutal MURDER of Perle is still ringing in the minds and memories of the Six as they are now confronted by their adversary.>>

Badiane: You HAD your chance! I offered you a gift, IN SPITE of your BAD behavior! But like pearls before swine, you didn't see the BEAUTY of retreating into dreams forever! NOW I'll PURGE YOU of the folly o f your existence! You WON'T stand in my way of opening the black dream hole in this time and space!

"You MONSTER! You USED that girl (Perle), made her your SLAVE after you destroyed her FAMILY and now you MURDERED her! You've stolen all these children and you're using them, you're holding Alexia against her will! You're just an evil predator offering children something that is BAD for them and you'll PAY for what you've done! "

<< She exclaims/laughs as the thrusts her hands forward and unleashes a VICIOUS torrent of FORCE that sends the Six scattering/flying/falling!

Firebird was seperated from Spellbinder as she and Persephone were blown away in the same direction. Firebird manages to get her bearings in the air after being upended, while Persephone rights herself with her winds and they land together and are now the two closest to Badiane, immediately standing in her path toward MorningStar and Bishop. She knew Morgan and the others could take care of themselves and would regroup. Right NOW she was faced with this looming, deadly threat before her and it was obvious WHO she was going to go after next!

<< Badiane looks upon MorningStar and Bishop, the parents of Alexia!

Badiane: FRAIL. WEAK. FOOLISH! To think that what YOU want MATTERS!? To think that YOU could take the key to opening the black dream hole [Alexia] from ME?! I've got a BIG dose of HUMILITY for YOU!

<< She gestures and MorningStar and Bishop are both bombarded by a powerful bolt of magick, much like the one that killed Perle, only this one seems to PROLONG the physical pain and will soon cause their bones to break and their heads to explode>>

<< The Six have no choice but to take action NOW. If they don't stop Badiane's assault, Delilah and Maxim won't survive and even with the presence of Spellbinder, there's no certainty that their adversary will even ALLOW "a moment" for her to HEAL them of their injuries so that they can stay in this fight!>>

Firebird's eyes widen with horror as Badiane viciously attacks MorningStar and Bishop. Their screams only BEGIN to indicate what kind of pain and physical punishment the sorceress is dishing out to them.

"They can't survive that, she'll KILL THEM! Come on, Persephone!"

The fire elemental and the goddess were the "front line" and they HAD to do something to get between Badiane and her targets, to give the others a chance to go to their aid! The two women nod to one another and move forward, together. Firebird takes to the air.

"Leave them ALONE!"

And with that, she flies into position, takes aim and attacks! The flame energy blasts out and spirals toward Badiane in the form of a large fireball and two "torpedo" streams that would have concussive impact and the ability to completely CONSUME most man-made substances.

Persephone immediately joins Firebird's direct attack, unleashing a truly THUNDEROUS lightning attack against Badiane.

<< Just ONE of these well placed attacks could decimate an entire army, or take down even the most fearsome super powered foe! TOGETHER? Few things or people would be left standing in the aftermath! The elemental attacks charge madly for Badiane....

 

[Rampage]

The music...even for Nicolas it was intoxicating, able to reach his mind. He was doing better than most others but he was wavering when...

ANOTHER SOUND?!

That sound was very familiar, and they soon found its source.... PERLE.

She had saved them, but she had taken one hell of a toll. Sharon had taken her in her arms and asked for healing when...

Harbinger: She's HERE!

<< A destructive bolt of mystic energy CRASHES DOWN with pin point accuracy, DISINTEGRATING Perle even as the faerie was held in Silver Swan's arms. The force of the blast sends Silver Swan flying the opposite direction. She hits the floor and slides a bit as several of the team exclaim with SHOCK and dismay over the sudden attack on Sharon and Perle.>>

And just like that, the faerie was gone. Struck dead by this otherwordly bitch, and now she came for De after tossing them all aside.

<< She gestures and MorningStar and Bishop are both bombarded by a powerful bolt of magick, much like the one that killed Perle, only this one seems to PROLONG the physical pain and will soon cause their bones to break and their heads to explode>>

<< The Six have no choice but to take action NOW. If they don't stop Badiane's assault, Delilah and Maxim won't survive and even with the presence of Spellbinder, there's no certainty that their adversary will even ALLOW "a moment" for her to HEAL them of their injuries so that they can stay in this fight!>>

Not today...

Suddenly Nicolas was between the couple and the sorceress, and somehow managing to withstand the assault and shield the pair. But how?

On his left hand was the answer: The AEGIS of Athena and Zeus! He was wielding it to shield Delilah and Maxim from further harm...but the strain was incredible, and Rampage could be seen leaning into the shield, the spillover of the magical bolt tearing at his skin on his head, his now-exposed legs even as his body shifted into overdrive to heal the damage being wrought. This was not a long-term solution...

 

[Spellbinder]

<< She went from focusing on the ultimate "rabbit out of a hat" strategy for their darkest hour, to longing to sleep! Sleep sounded, FELT better than ANYTHING right now, as the haunting melody lulled her and the others around her. She and Blaze leaned on each other for physical support and both wobbled a bit, witth Nicolas behind them.>>

<< But just as she was about to give in, high pitched tone BROKE the lulling effect and they were all falling down/THROUGH to another side of the castle! The dimensions of this place didn't make sense, but nothing else they'd seen so far had either. Spending time in a place like Limbo helped her cope with things like being "right side up" on a floor in open space, when she actually SHOULD be standing upside down, on the ceiling right now.>>

<< They took in the terrible sight of the candy ships coming and going, and soon came upon a badly hurt Perle. The Darkhold had a small entry on her that accompanied Badiane, and what this girl had endured to become Badiane's "hand maiden". Sharon was right, she WAS a victim in so many ways, but of course Bishop and his tunnel vision would never understand that.>>

<< Listening to him now...reminded her of why she wanted to kill him BEFORE and...she honestly had a flash thought WISHING he was DEAD right now- or better yet, had STAYED dead! At least THEN none of this would have happened to Delilah and they wouldnt even BE here! She'd ALWAYS blame Bishop for FOREVER altering the dynamic between Delilah and The Six, Delilah and HER! She would take responsibility for HER mistakes and would do whatever she could to make up for them. But Bishop and the curse that followed them? That was something Morgan wanted to destroy forever!>>

<< The truth about what happened with Perle and Alexia after they'd gotten here came out, and Delilah expressed sympathy and gratitude to the wounded faerie. Morgan looked on with sadness herself as Sharon and Blazed asked her to heal the fearie. It was certainly within her power to do so and they could figure out what to do about her when this all over. BUT, even as Morgan nodded that she could help and began to come close...>>

Harbinger: She's HERE!

<< But even as the precog detects Badiane's impending arrival, Almost no one can react fast enough. But Bishop seems to KNOW this is not the time to waver, as he pulls Delilah to safety.>>

<< A destructive bolt of mystic energy CRASHES DOWN with pin point accuracy, DISINTEGRATING Perle even as the faerie was held in Silver Swan's arms. The force of the blast sends Silver Swan flying the opposite direction.

<<Spellbinder FLINCHES from the sudden, CLOSE call and is truly SHOCKED!>>

"PERLE!!! SHARON!!!"

Blaze cried out as a STUNNED Spellbinder steadies Blaze, who was knocked back from the fallout of the blast, having been close to MorningStar the moment of the attack.

She....she MURDERED her!

Thankfully, Bishop got MorningStar away in time....but Perle...

"What about SHARON?!"

Black Widow: Scans confirm she's alive, but STUNNED. She shouldn't be done for LONG given her...

Badiane:You HAD your chance! I offered you a gift, IN SPITE of your BAD behavior! But like pearls before swine, you didn't see the BEAUTY of retreating into dreams forever! NOW I'll PURGE YOU of the folly o f your existence! You WON'T stand in my way of opening the black dream hole in this time and space!

<<CLANG!>>

<< Spellbinder's Soul Sword FLASHED into her hand, WITHOUT her summoning it! The last time THAT happened, SET was attacking. This indicated just how powerful, how DANGEROUS their foe, and the soul sword was leaping to protect its mistress! Her hand, arm and shoulder were now covered in eldricth armour as well.>>

I....I'll NEED the sword to FIGHT her!

<<Firebird defied Badiane and Spellbinder, along with Harbinger both stood beside the fire elemental, looking up at their much bigger foe with cold glares.>>

<< She exclaims/laughs as the thrusts her hands forward and unleashes a VICIOUS torrent of FORCE that sends the Six scattering/flying/falling! But they each struggle to help someone NEAR them to survive the impact of crashing down to the metallic floor. Bishop once again does his best to shield Delilah, but now the group has been spread out, leaving Firebird and Persephone closest to the menacing sorceress, Black Widow andProphet are closer to MorningStar and Bishop- all of whom are 3/6 o'clock to Spellbinder, Ruby, Rampage and Harbinger. Everyone is suitably jarred and shaken by the initial attack. >>

UGHH!!!

<< She was tumbling through the air! too disoriented to right herself or take flight! But she did her best to stay loose and Rampage CAUGHT HER as he timed his descent just right, bringing them both down while Harbinger used her TK to cushion her fall.>>

<< Badiane looks upon MorningStar and Bishop, the parents of Alexia!

Badiane: FRAIL. WEAK. FOOLISH! To think that what YOU want MATTERS!? To think that YOU could take the key to opening the black dream hole [Alexia] from ME?! I've got a BIG dose of HUMILITY for YOU!

<< She gestures and MorningStar and Bishop are both bombarded by a powerful bolt of magick, much like the one that killed Perle, only this one seems to PROLONG the physical pain and will soon cause their bones to break and their heads to explode>>

NO!!

<< The Six have no choice but to take action NOW. If they don't stop Badiane's assault, Delilah and Maxim won't survive and even with the presence of Spellbinder, there's no certainty that their adversary will even ALLOW "a moment" for her to HEAL them of their injuries so that they can stay in this fight!>>

Firebird's eyes widen with horror as Badiane viciously attacks MorningStar and Bishop. Their screams only BEGIN to indicate what kind of pain and physical punishment the sorceress is dishing out to them.

"They can't survive that, she'll KILL THEM! Come on, Persephone!"

The fire elemental and the goddess were the "front line" and they HAD to do something to get between Badiane and her targets, to give the others a chance to go to their aid! The two women nod to one another and move forward, together. Firebird takes to the air.

"Leave them ALONE!"

And with that, she flies into position, takes aim and attacks! The flame energy blasts out and spirals toward Badiane in the form of a large fireball and two "torpedo" streams that would have concussive impact and the ability to completely CONSUME most man-made substances.

Persephone immediately joins Firebird's direct attack, unleashing a truly THUNDEROUS lightning attack against Badiane.

Suddenly Nicolas was between the couple and the sorceress, and somehow managing to withstand the assault and shield the pair. But how?

On his left hand was the answer: The AEGIS of Athena and Zeus! He was wielding it to shield Delilah and Maxim from further harm...but the strain was incredible, and Rampage could be seen leaning into the shield, the spillover of the magical bolt tearing at his skin on his head, his now-exposed legs even as his body shifted into overdrive to heal the damage being wrought. This was not a long-term solution...

<< Spellbinder was on her feet, moving forward with Harbinger, hot on Nicolas' heels>>

Firebird and Persephone's attacks...powerful as they are, they are PHYSICAL in nature. Their's a strong possibility that they won't stop her....that they won't have any effect!

Harbinger: We have to heal MorningStar and Bishop BEFORE WE can engage her. I'll help Rampage, YOU get them! Prophet, use your PSI powers...STOP the sensation of PAIN that Delilah, Bishop and Nicolas are experiencing, their minds are causing their bodies to shut down!

<< Spellbinder looked at the precog. There was something in her tone. Had she already detected what Morgan was intently thinking on...PLANNING, regarding Delilah's fate as told in her prophecy?>>

Despite the level of power she's using, it's STILL MAGICK and I've been sensing HER energy patterns since i got here. I can...."TUNE IN" to their frequency! And....

<< Rampage was standing between MorningStar and Bishop, providing a much needed "BREAK" in the bone breaking CURRENT of her attack on them, but at what cost to HIMSELF!? HE would need her magick touch as well, assuming they should live so long! Harbinger aids Nicolas, forming a magick shield to ADD to his own Aegis AND protect his physical form. She uses her TK to DEFLECT the tributary effects of Badiane's attack from his own attempt to block/shield Delilah and Bishop. This gives them the MOMENT they need for Harbinger to teleblink him over to Black Widow and Ruby now that Spellbinder is acting.>>

....I can WARP IT!

Badiane, it's DANGEROUS to UNDERESTIMATE your foe! Have you ever heard of HECATE?

<< As Harbinger aids Rampage, Eldritch chimes sound off as Spellbinder gestures, with her soul sword in one hand and LOCKS onto the magickal attack, WARPING the spell, causing the energy signature to fluxuate and even change color before DISPERSING it across the length of the battle field! It was a move that DEFINITELY would show Badiane that Earth's current Sorceress Supreme was not going to be easily mowed down by her!>>

Spell of RESTORATION!

<< another chiming effect of a different town sounds off as she whisks MorningStar and Bishop away from that spot over to Black Widow and begins the healing process.>>

I need a few moments! I must not be interrupted! Their injuries are servere! Ororo makes it look so easy, but if I don't do this right...it will be for nothing and they'll die anyway!

<< an indication that she needed those who could, to block for them. A part of her was ALSO concerned for Firebird and Persephone. How long could they stand against Badiane? would the sorceress even TOLERATE much more of this from all of them!?>>

 

[Prophet]

"And on to the next one..."

:: Nicholas was right. They were wasting time and energy on things that didn't matter at the moment and it was frustrating. Everybody was so on edge and so raw at the moment that the thought of fighting another horde on Bon Bon Babies was almost unbareable. They needed to find Badiane and they needed to DESTROY her. They continued on their course as Cameron sent a thought call to Ruby. ::

[to Ruby via Thought Call] "Nice work. You held it together very well."

:: They marched forward with Sharon leading the pack before they reach the place where the sleeping children were locked in their dream chambers. The air was cold and it was dark and the sight of so many young children at risk sent a chill down his spine. They all looked so peaceful and so happy. Part of him wished he could ever sleep as peacefully as these kids. He knew that would never happen. He also realized the stakes at that moment. While he would sacrifice his own life for Delilah and her child, what about these children? Who would save them? They had JUST experienced the loss of so many children with the bus accident during the Purifiers attack and now it seemed they were facing the same situation. How could they POSSIBLY save each and every one of these children? ::

:: He was walking next to Ava and made sure to take a moment to reach out and squeeze her hand as they walked through. This was surely a difficult moment for her. ::

Morningstar: "My god...we..we can't leave them. We have to free them!"

"We will."

:: Cameron knew he couldn't promise that, but he did. They might all die tonight and the world might be destroyed. If he could give ANY of them hope, especially Delilah, he would. ::

Badiane: "These children will NEVER have to face the perils of growing OLD and BITTER like you! They will never lose their pure innocence and vitality, FOREVER protected in their dream coffins, where their precious dreams provide them endless joy! Their ENERGY, however, is MINE to command!"

:: Prophet scoffed. ::

"Don't make yourself to be a hero! Because if any of these kids are like us..they don't know dreams..they only know NIGHTMARES. You're a disgusting creature!"

:: But there was no time to hear a response, Cameron felt incredibly tired all of a sudden at the sound of music. He was hit with a wave of energy as he gritted his teeth. He was trying his hardest to fight through the sleep. ::

"Stay. AWAKE. Cameron! STAY awa--"

Badiane: "This is your LAST CHANCE, interlopers! GIVE IN to the comfort of your dreams, GIVE ME YOUR ENERGY and leave the cares of this world BEHIND you forever!"

:: His vision blackened. ::

"fucck...you..."

:: Before he knew it he was JOLTED back to reality by a sharp dissonant chord before he was shot down on some kind of disney ride slide before smacking on the ground. Cameron immediately shot up rubbing his eyes and trying to orient himself to his surroundings. ::

Silver Swan: "More of those candy ships."

:: There were more children, but they were definitely not HUMAN. It was such a shock to see and in an instant, though Cameron never doubted, the question was answered about humans being alone in the universe. His eyes darted over before settling on Perle. Immediately he was enraged but Bishop took the lead on this one. ::

:: Sharon bounced him to the back of the group. ::

Silver Swan: "Is that your answer to EVERYTHING, Violence and aggression!? This creature just saved us from Badiane's spell! Don't you think we should find out WHY!?"

:: Prophet was confused. Sharon was acting WILDLY out of character since they arrived in space. Sharon was not a person in her new life that "talked" things out. She beat her way through things and did what she thought she needed to do...and Cameron was beside himself as he found he was beginning to identify with Bishop during this caper. He was trying to get his daughter back. He was trying to do the one thing he possibly could to "help" Delilah. ::

:: He WISHED he could be as angry at Bishop as the others..because the man DID do a LOT of irreversible damage to The Six, but the ultimate struggle for an empath was that no matter what their own feelings were, they could ALWAYS understand intimately where people were coming from. Bishop had everything taken away from him. Everything he did was the result of vengeance. It was the only thing that fueled him. And really..it was the only thing he had left. He didn't have his original family. He didn't have Delilah. He didn't have Alexia. Without a vendetta, Maxim didn't have a reason to exist. This was probably the most alive and useful he had felt in a long time. These of course were feelings he would nto DARE share with any of his teammates. He knew how polarizing the topic was, but still..Cameron, as he ALWAYS did, could see the good in Maxim. He could see the man he used to be, who he wanted to be, and how much of his personality was reflexive. ::

Morningstar: "A little caution wouldn't be unwarranted."

"I agree. I mean, how do we know we aren't just dreaming, stuck in those coffins like the kids?"

:: Cameron felt a chill down his spine as his sister confirmed his fear. ::

Harbinger: "She's HERE!"

:: Perle was disintegrated, which Prophet wasn't really too torn up about. Sharon however was sent FLYING across the area, hitting the floor. This was scary. He had NEVER seen ANYBODY able to do that to Silver Swan. EVER. ::

"SHARON!"

Badiane: "You HAD your chance! I offered you a gift, IN SPITE of your BAD behavior! But like pearls before swine, you didn't see the BEAUTY of retreating into dreams forever! NOW I'll PURGE YOU of the folly o f your existence! You WON'T stand in my way of opening the black dream hole in this time and space!"

<< She exclaims/laughs as the thrusts her hands forward and unleashes a VICIOUS torrent of FORCE that sends the Six scattering/flying/falling! But they each struggle to help someone NEAR them to survive the impact of crashing down to the metallic floor. Bishop once again does his best to shield Delilah, but now the group has been spread out, leaving Firebird and Persephone closest to the menacing sorceress, Black Widow andProphet are closer to MorningStar and Bishop- all of whom are 3/6 o'clock to Spellbinder, Ruby, Rampage and Harbinger. Everyone is suitably jarred and shaken by the initial attack. >>

<< Badiane looks upon MorningStar and Bishop, the parents of Alexia!

Badiane: FRAIL. WEAK. FOOLISH! To think that what YOU want MATTERS!? To think that YOU could take the key to opening the black dream hole [Alexia] from ME?! I've got a BIG dose of HUMILITY for YOU!

<< She gestures and MorningStar and Bishop are both bombarded by a powerful bolt of magick, much like the one that killed Perle, only this one seems to PROLONG the physical pain and will soon cause their bones to break and their heads to explode>>

<< The Six have no choice but to take action NOW. If they don't stop Badiane's assault, Delilah and Maxim won't survive and even with the presence of Spellbinder, there's no certainty that their adversary will even ALLOW "a moment" for her to HEAL them of their injuries so that they can stay in this fight!>>

:: Cameron was blasted back as were the others as they began to scatter. He watched Delilah and Bishop suffering against the blast and Alison and Cameron came to the same conclusion as Persephone and Firebird sprung into action and delivered one HELL of a brilliant display of power at Badiane. ::

Harbinger: "Prophet, use your PSI powers...STOP the sensation of PAIN that Delilah, Bishop and Nicolas are experiencing, their minds are cuasing their bodies to shut down!"

:: Prophet clapped his hands together as they crackled with his electric red energy signature and telepathically took hold of the pleasure centers of their brains simultaneously. It was a process, much like a surgeon as he had to balance between keeping them conscious and grounded, but not allowing them feel so good that they had no idea what was going on. As he did this, Spellbinder got Bishop and Morningstar to safety and attempted to ignite a healing spell. ::

Spellbinder: "I need a few moments! I must not be interrupted! Their injuries are servere! Ororo makes it look so easy, but if I don't do this right...it will be for nothing and they'll die anyway!"

Cameron looked at her for a moment as the two of them locked eyes.

"You can do this."

[nodding]

"I've got your back."

:: As Spellbinder worked her magick, Cameron began to siphon the intense emotional energy that was COURSING through Nicolas, Delilah and Bishop and used it to charge himself. He created a DOME like structure around the group that was powered not by his normal PSI powers but by his EMPATHY. Really it was the only tool that Cameron had. He knew that he couldn't simply attack Badiane mentally. He wasn't even sure of her physiology, but she definitely had emotions, she definitely had drive. Something that was making her do what she was doing and if Cameron could figure out a way to get at that..he might have something. The electric red dome CRACKLED with energy around Morgan and those she was healing. He was drawing as much RAW emotion from EVERYBODY in the surrounding area, including the kids on the ships and using it to STRENGTHEN the dome. If Badiane went for Spellbinder he would use that energy to blast the HELL out of her. In situations like this..seconds COUNTED and if he could take her out for even a few seconds it might mean the difference between life and death. He looked at Alison. ::

"We have to slow her down, Alison..I can protect them [nodding towards Spellbinder and her patients with his hands out in front of him] Take that Time Staff of yours and make her HURT!"

:: Turning to Cassandra who was under the dome as well ::

"Ruby! Erect your force field underneath my dome...do what you did back there and keep it strong. There is a TON of psionic energy crackling through this place. Use it to your advantage!"

:: Ruby nodded as her energy signature erected right underneath his own shield, CHARGING it and making it even stronger. ::

"If Badiane breaks through this thing? I want you to BURST. Shoot it out from all sides..I will protect the others, but you will need to DETONATE!"

 

[Seer]

<< Firebird and Persephone attack Badiane head on with ferocity they hadn't displayed perhaps since Set! Harbinger teleblinks Rampage away while Spellbinder warps and DISPERSES Badiane's attack on MorningStar and Bishop.>>

<< Black Widow takes the opportunity to quickly make her way around Badiane to see to Silver Swan while Ruby joins Prophet in shielding the wounded and Spellbinder, who now works carefully but urgently to heal and restore the damaged bodies and souls of MorningStar, Bishop and Rampage.>>


<< Badiane IS truly caught off gaurd that Spellbinder COULD stop her attack! In that moment of surprise, she is then ASSAULTED by Firebird and Persephone's attacks. All sight of her is LOST in the blinding light show produced by the collision of their attacks against Badiane's form.>>

<< Spellbinder works in earnest, weaving a pattern of magickal power that flows around and through Delilah, Maxim and Nicolas. She speaks in an unknown town as she utters the incantation for restoration. Her power is driven by her skill and her legendary heritage, but ALSO (in the case of Delilah and Nicolas), her SINCERE emotion. For her to be attacked or interrupted NOW would be DISASTER for those she's trying to restore. Prophet knows this and once again, steps up displaying a level of power and technique he wasn't always known for. He is joined by Ruby, who has displayed more versatility with her power in this caper than any previous one. The two psionics together provide a SUBSTANTIAL blockade for the sorceress to do her work and with Badiane's attention now drawn to Firebird and Persephone, Spellbinder MIGHT have the time she needs! but at what cost!?>>

<< away from them, BEHIND Badiane, Black Widow reaches Silver Swan and kneels down beside her. All available scans indicate that Sharon is alive but the concussive power of Badiane's blast must have been INCREDIBLE to render Silver Swan unconscious. But now, more than ever, they'd need ALL hands on deck.>>

Black Widow: Silver Swan....

<< She lifts the mutate's upper body up slightly, holding her in her arms>>

Black Widow: SHARON! Wake up now! We need your help!

<< Black Widow uses several resources her power affords her to help Sharon regain consciousness, knowing that anything less than HIGH levels won't effect the mutate. FINALLY, after a few moments, Sharon awakens with a START, bolting upright. Black Widow quickly stands up with her, calming her and RELIEVED that she didn't use her sonic scream just now. >>

Black Widow: Welcome back...

Silver Swan: Wha....WHAT HAPPENED? Perle? Where is she?

Black Widow: Badiane attacked us...you got slammed pretty hard. [about Perle] She's gone, Sharon. Badiane killed her...and she's about to kill our friends. We'll avenge Perle, we'll save those other children [with ALEXIA being their top priroity of course] but right now, we've got to stop HER!

<< the hybrid thumbs back at Badiane and motions for Sharon to join her as she turns to make her way back. Sharon quickly grabs Haleigh's arm to stop her.>>

Silver Swan: No, wait! Badiane has...forgotten US for the moment. We MUST use this to our advantage and MAXIMZE the effect our attack will have on her.

<< Silver Swan quickly discusses her strategy with Black Widow>>

<< While BACK on the other side, in the face of danger>>

We have to slow her down, Alison..I can protect them [nodding towards Spellbinder and her patients with his hands out in front of him] Take that Time Staff of yours and make her HURT!"

<< Even when they were at odds, Cameron and Alison seemed to be more in sync with each other's thinking than either would realize. Harbinger was already thinking...."LOOKING" ahead and she knew the only way to give the Six room to breath and survive this round would be to slow Badiane down, literally. Powerful as she was, she STILL moved through TIME.>>

<< The precog, who had placed Nicolas along side Delilah and Maxim for Spellbinder to heal, nodded to her brother in agreement and understanding as she turned and left the safety of his and Ruby's psionic dome. It was not a moment too soon, as Badiane was now focused on Firebird and Persephone! They'd manage to STAGGER her with their attacks, but she didn't look hurt...she looked utterly PISSED now!>>


Badiane: INSOLENT rabble! Your blonde witch may be possessed of arcane might, but it won't change ANYTHING!

<< The flame energy blasts and lightning bolts suddenly seem to hit a shimmering dark "WALL" and are ABSORBED into it. The two elementals try AGAIN, but their next assaults are simply absorbed as well.>>

Badiane: You've just sowed the seeds of your own spectacular DESTRUCTION!

<< The color and energy signatures of Firebird and Persephone's attacks can be seen shimmering across the "WALL" that seems to seperate them from Badiane. She holds her hand out, and does a turning motion as those energies COMBINE and crash back down upon THEM! Firebird and Persephone's screams are horrible, but they survive the shocking and PAINFUL retaliation. Still, Badiane is not finished yet!>>


Badiane: I'll CRUSH you like the insects that you are!


<< More of Firebird and Persephone's energy signature that was absorbed by Badiane's "WALL" begins to glow, shimmer, and crackle....before flaring out and combining once again, this time into a large sphere of VIOLENT synergy! She extends her hand and with a turning gesture, the sphere charges for the fire elemental and the goddess. If it envelopes them....>>