Miracle of the black dream hole

[Harbinger]

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...

:: Harbinger holds out her hand and calls...::

Rampage!

:: She TELEBLINKS Rampage away the moment Spellbinder WARPS Badian's assault on MorningStar and Bishop and then disperses it. Gesturing with her same extended arm, she sends him to the exact spot where Spellbinder teleports the other wounded.::

Rest for the moment, Nicolas. You're safe with Morgan, my brother and Ruby. You just bought MorningStar the time she NEEDS.

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. ::

::FLASH!::

<< Black Widow takes the opportunity to quickly make her way around Badiane to see to Silver Swan>>

Good!

:: The only piece needed for her strategy against Badiane?::

"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!"

:: Harbinger nodded with agreement and understanding, leaving the safety of Prophet and Ruby's psionic dome

<<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....>>

:: Harbinger narrows her colbalt blue eyes. She lifts up her hand, and in a flurry of dark, glowing orbs, the Time Staff appears in her hand.::

The synergy sphere closes in on the hurt Firebird and Persephone. Badiane smiles WIDE with anticipation as it is about to make contact...::

HALT!

::Harbinger's voice is heard LOUD with a resonance that it never had before. She deftly twirls the time staff in front of her- in a counter clockwise motion- as the large garnet jewel in the crown of the staff glows and hums as it syncs with its mistress and she channels her movement and temporal power through it. As the violent synergy sphere is about to collide with Persephone and Firebird, Harbinger stops the twirling with the crown and garnet jewel now at the 12 o'clock position ::

:: Chronal winds swirl and howl and the din of the energy sphere comes to an odd silence as Harbinger STOPS time around Badiane's attack. But this is not HARDLY as easy as it make look. Badiane is not easily perceived OR defined and is beyond any EARTH standard scale of adversary they've fought. But EACH member of the Six is essentially a living weapon in his/her own right and they are HARDLY weak or powerless even in the face of Badiane.::

Firebird...Persephone...GET AWAY!

....


:: Badiane will begin to fight back any moment now!::

HURRY!

:: Both Firebird and Persephone have stronger physical constitutions than any normal human OR average mutant. They are in pain and shaken no doubt, but they manage to help each other to move away, with Persephone calling on a wind to push/sweep them along toward the relative safety of Prophet and Ruby's psionic dome. With them NOW safe and being cared for by Spellbinder, this left Harbinger with Badiane.::

Badiane: OH!!! Another witch! Oh whatEVER am I going to do!?

:: Badiane asks with a mocking tone. Harbinger is not phased. But she IS showing signs of a strain.::

Harbinger: Why don't you...EAT THIS!

:: She narrows her eyes and exclaims with determination as a rushing/chiming sound is heard and she TK'S Badiane's sphere BACK at her!::

Harbinger: You're not the ONLY one who can control magick, Badiane...and WE don't fight ALONE!

:: The precog KNEW Badiane would immediately defend herself from the backlash of her energy sphere. The light show of it's collision against her shield is blinding, but Harbinger was focused and "looking ahead".::

Badiane: You're cold, Harbinger. As cold, with a heart as BLACK as open space itself! You're BEAUTIFUL! Why are you helping THEM....helping HER?

:: The immense woman points at Delilah::

Badiane: She doesn't care about you! She NEVER appreciated your or your efforts on her behalf!

:: By now, MorningStar, Bishop and Rampage were regaining consciousness and were hearing the confrontation between Harbinger and Badiane. Prophet is able to telepathically "fill in the blanks" of what has happened for the short time they were down to get them up to speed.::

Badiane: She HATES you! Why would you want to SAVE HER and let her and that silly beast [Bishop] POISON Alexia with their hateful, SELFISH hearts and souls the way they have YOU and your little friends?

:: The only thing WORSE than what Badiane is saying...is that it seems to be REGISTERING with Harbinger as she seemed to WAVER in her focus.::

She hates me....

Badiane: CAST away your allegiance to these weak and fickle flesh bags! JOIN ME! Become my NEW HERALD and the run of the cosmos will be yours! You can succeed where PERLE utterly failed and you can BEGIN your new life by CRUSHING those who HURT YOU!

:: Pointing at Delilah and Bishop::

Badiane: Those who DOUBT YOU!

:: Pointing at Prophet and Rampage::

Badiane: Those who would rather you DIDN'T EXIST!

:: Pointing at Spellbinder::

Badiane: They HURT YOU! HURT THEM BACK!

:: The large, menacing sorceress closes in on Harbinger and her shadow casts over the precog and extends toward the others, some of them are LOUDLY protesting but Harbinger doesn't seem to hear THEM anymore. She turns to face them and looks upon them all with a cold, withering stare.::

They hate me. They doubt me....they always have!

:: Her inner voice "speaks" in unison with Badiane's loud and resounding voice::

Harbinger/Badiane: I can destroy them now...and be done with them ALL!

Badiane: HERE! I'll HELP YOU!

:: Badiane reaches down, intending to FIRE UPON those inside the dome, expecting Harbinger to JOIN HER in the attack. She takes aim, along with Badiane. For those INSIDE the dome, what appears to be happening is a NIGHTMARE come true! Not even MorningStar can ignore the surrealism of what's happening now. ::

:: Various members inside the dome try to appeal to Alison but she seems not to hear them. When it appears that she will join Badiane in attacking them, Spellbinder suggests EVACUATING those inside the dome via stepping disc.::

Don't worry, baby brother. it'll all be over soon.

:: Prophet heard his sisters voice in her head. But there was something about it, and what she DIDN'T say. He FINALLY realized what was about to happen! He tells Spellbinder to hold off teleporting them just yet, KNOWING it sounds crazy, but calling on her...ALL of them to trust him!::

::FLASH!::

<< Badiane's outstretched hand manifests her power signature, and she's about to fire upon them....>>

:: The garnet jewel in the crown of the Time Staff GLOWS and HUMS once more and Badiane's face begins to CONTORT with a look of DISMAY and PAIN!

:: Her VOICE now sounds WARPED, SLOWED DOWN.::

Badiane: WHAT'S.....HAPPENNNNINNGGG.....YOU.....YOU TRICKED ME!

:: Harbinger doesnt turn to look back at Badiane, instead, she simply smirks, as her face is now enshrouded in shadow::

You're right, Badiane. I AM cold...with a marble hard, BLACK HEART. It's what allowed me to SURVIVE things like Delilah's hatred. But there's something about me you clearly didn't account for. I'm a PRECOG. I anticipated your passive attack and allowed you to get close to me so I could lock you in a TK/TEMPORAL TRAP! Not even YOU can escape TIME. We ALL move through it. Even those of us who can circumvent it STILL have to move THROUGH it.

:: Badiane SCREAMS as Harbinger WARPS Badiane's temporal field and applies steady, INCREASING FORCE with her TK Trap.::

Long ago, My powers were first triggered by ANGER. So it's no surprise, that my attacks are their DEADLIEST when I'm ANGRY! All you did...when you REMINDED ME of one of the darkest hours of my life [Delilah/the Blue Moon Aftermath] is make ....me....

:: A haunting, mournful BELL tolls in the air::

ANGRY!

:: Harbinger begins her effort CRUSH Badiane's HEAD but the sorceress is now FIGHTING BACK. ::


::FLASH!::

<< A horizontal split screen view of Harbinger's colbalt blue eyes and Badiane's ruby red eyes. The otherworldly sorceress begins "PUSHING BACK" against Harbinger's TK trap, but her efforts are STILL slowed by the temporal warp.

Badiane: You deceiftul, stupid WITCH! You chose THEM over MY OFFER? You'll PAY for this TREACHERY! The STARS ABOVE will bear witness to your obliteration!

<< Badiane is gaining ground against Harbinger as she begins to struggle more fiercely!>>

I....don't think .....so....


:: Harbinger grits her teeth::

I know....I can't kill you! But I HURT YOU...which is something you didnt expect..... and I've KEPT YOU TRAPPED LONG ENOUGH for...

<< gigantic adamanitum CHAINS, DEEPLY rooted into the metallic floor of this battle field suddenly MANIFEST around Badiane, shackling her by her wrists and ankles. An adamantium HELMET forms around Badiane's head, LOCKING DOWN on to it and at BLACK WIDOW'S command, SPIKES are unleashed INTO Bandiane's FACE and HEAD!>>

Black Widow: GO FOR IT, SILVER SWAN!

<< SILVER SWAN swoops down, charging through the air at high speed. Changing course, she zooms up to reach Badiane's head and at that moment, Black Widow releases the helmet with a mental command. Silver Swan inhales deeply and then unleashes her SONIC SCREAM! As PAINFUL as it is for everyone ground level, one can only IMAGINE what what it would do to Badiane at such close distance and at at FULL POWER! >>


<< Black Widow, struggling through the PAINFUL feedback of Sharon's attack on Badiane, pushes her away across the length of the battle to reach Harbinger and PULL HER away from her close proximity to the sorceress. Together, they reach the psionic dome. This was ALL part of Harbinger's play against Badiane. She KNEW what Sharon and Haleigh were going to do, and timed HER move to set Badiane up for their's.>>

Black Widow: KEEP IT TOGETHER everyone! [easier said than done] We've GOT to hold on and let Sharon NAIL this bitch!

<< Badiane can be seen, CLUTCHING her bloody head and face, covering her ears, to no avail. Her body actually begins to VIBRATE and BLUR and just when it seems that she might actually RUPTURE, Silver Swan pulls back her fist and with a TRULY THUNDEROUS PUNCH that would have brought down a MOUNTAIN and staggered even Rampage, she SLAMS into Badiane's face and seens the sorceress CRASHING to the ground. Her body SHATTERS!>>

<< Silver Swan continues to hover in the air.>>

::Harbinger collapses in Black Widow's arms. Badiane was forcing them all to push themselves to levels of emotion and power output they might not have expected but at the MOMENT, it seemed that Badiane had been knocked out of the ring! They had a respite, they had best use it well::

 

[Bishop]

"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?"

Bishop rolled his eyes.

“Only red-headed ones.”

These people…the only reason in their eyes someone wouldn’t kiss their asses is because they hated mutants. It couldn’t be because they were assholes, now could it?

He was about to say as much when…something….something wasn’t right. He quickly grabbed Delilah’s arms and pulled her away from Sharon.

MorningStar: “What the hell do yu think you’re doing?”

In an instant, Perle was dead and Sharon was stunned. Badiane was there, and she was pissed. She used her power to push them all back, scattering them around the room. He grabbed for Delilah, struggling to right himself and help her up. What the hell? The Six should really look into padded armor, the amount they found themselves falling against things. Or maybe some sort of gadget that would always keep you upright. Did they have those?

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!

“Sweets, what I want is the ONLY thing that matters.”

He had just enough time to have the impulse to attack her, before both he and Delilah were hit by something that felt like a thousand freight trains. He tried to cover Delilah’s body with his own, to shield her from this, but he couldn’t think, couldn’t move. There was only the pain.

Screaming.

Then the pain, it was still there, but not as much. And then he felt relief. He knew his body was still breaking, but for some reason he wasn’t feeling it. This must be what happens when you die.

And then, he was waking up. He blinked hard a couple of times, touched a hand to his chest, picked his head up. Everything looked like it was still there. Delilah, next to him, was moving as well – a good sign. Mentally, there was a flash, and he somehow knew what had happened. He pulled himself up into a sitting position, and took a deep breath. He looked over at Nicolas, who, too was recovering, and nodded.

“Good lookin’ out, kid.”

He saw that Alison was squaring off with Badiane. Or…then again maybe not…

This was apparently the part where she betrayed them all.

Sonofabitch.

And this was the one he had trusted with his daughter?

“Delilah, open a wormhole, get yourself out of here.”

Badiane was about to fire on them. He tried to push Delilah behind him, but he knew it would do little good.

But then, Alison revealed she was faking. Old blue/black hair certainly missed her calling in Hollywood.

“I never doubted you for a second.”

Badiane was moving like in slo motion, and then Black Widow somehow or another controlled these huge chains and the man in the iron mask mask and held her fast.

“Way to go, Red!”

And THEN Sharon got all in Badiane’s face and did that scream thing. He covered his ears against the piercing sound, staggering at it. Badiane was worse for wear and Sharon PUNCHED her, her body SHATTERING.

He had to admit, he was impressed.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

Everything was calm. Was it over? It seemed like they could finally breathe again.

Then Alison collapsed. He took a few steps towards her, showing genuine concern in spite of himself.

“Is she…is she going to be alright?”

He looked from face to face. Now what?

 

[MorningStar]

She was about to reach down and take little Perle’s hand when suddenly Bishop was pulling her away, practically yanking her arm out of the socket.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

But then there was a flash, and Badiane was there, and had viciously MURDERED Perle. Delilah’s eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth to ask Sharon if she was okay when she was thrown backwards with amazing force. Bishop was trying to help her but she batted his hand away.

“I’m all right, I can do it myself!”

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’s not a THING to be used and twisted to your own evil devices! Alexia is OURS, bitch, and you will not have her!”

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Even Delilah couldn’t move fast enough to avoid the blast of magick Badiane threw at her and Bishop. MorningStar had never known pain like this, excruciating, never-ending. She was screaming and screaming until she could no longer make the sound.

Someone was there, shielding them, and then there was something familiar…Cameron…in her mind, taking away her pain.

No…don’t want you to…feel this…

But she couldn’t speak, and a wave of peace washed over her…and everything went black.

She awoke, and the pain was gone. She was disoriented. Her wounds had been healed. Cameron again in her mind, showing her what had happened.

Nicolas…

Beside her. She sat up groggily, patting Rampage gently on the arm as she moved, still not entirely in control of her movements.

“Thank you.”

She looked up at Spellbinder, still dazed and a bit bewildered.

“Thank you.”

As her head cleared, her eyes focused on…Harbinger? And she was siding with Badiane?

CAST away your allegiance to these weak and fickle flesh bags! JOIN ME! Become my NEW HERALD and the run of the cosmos will be yours! You can succeed where PERLE utterly failed and you can BEGIN your new life by CRUSHING those who HURT YOU!

“Prophet, she’s trying to control Harbinger the way she did Silver Swan. Do something!”

“Delilah, open a wormhole, get yourself out of here.”

“Are you crazy? I am NOT leaving. Maybe YOU could run away, but I WON’T leave them.”

I can destroy them now...and be done with them ALL!

“Prophet!”

Her voice came out almost in a screech.

Badiane gestured to them, about to fire. Bishop moved to put himself between them.

You're right, Badiane. I AM cold...with a marble hard, BLACK HEART. It's what allowed me to SURVIVE things like Delilah's hatred.

Delilah rolled her eyes.

“Jesus, even now with the martyr act!”

Alison had to get one in, even when they were all about to die. So typical.

I anticipated your passive attack and allowed you to get close to me so I could lock you in a TK/TEMPORAL TRAP!

She was faking?!! Delilah smirked.

“I always knew she was good at being a fake.”

Everything from then on happened so fast. Black Widow, binding Badiane with chains. Silver Swan, using a one-two punch of sonic scream and brute force to SHATTER her body. Harbinger, falling limply into Black Widow’s arms.

“Is she…is she going to be alright?”

Delilah didn’t look at her. She was about to say something along the lines of, “She’s always alright, she makes sure of that” but stopped herself. Did it matter to her if Alison was hurt? Past this mission, the current need, her usefulness to save Alexia? Did Delilah care? She pushed those thoughts away and instead changed tack.

“Is it possible…can Badiane really be gone?”

 

[Prophet]

:: He was relieved to see his sister manifest the Time Staff and head into action. They were both on the same page, something that after the terrible argument they had before this caper, was a much appreciated feeling. Delilah and Bishop were coming to as Cameron mentally filled them on what had just happened. Spellbinder was lefft to do her work while Black Widow took point on Silver Swan. Now it was time for Alison to face Badiane. ::

:: The two began to exchange words and it was clear that neither was planning to back down. Until.. ::

Badiane: You're cold, Harbinger. As cold, with a heart as BLACK as open space itself! You're BEAUTIFUL! Why are you helping THEM....helping HER?

:: The immense woman points at Delilah::

Badiane: She doesn't care about you! She NEVER appreciated your or your efforts on her behalf!

:: By now, MorningStar, Bishop and Rampage were regaining consciousness and were hearing the confrontation between Harbinger and Badiane. Prophet is able to telepathically "fill in the blanks" of what has happened for the short time they were down to get them up to speed.::

Badiane: She HATES you! Why would you want to SAVE HER and let her and that silly beast [Bishop] POISON Alexia with their hateful, SELFISH hearts and souls the way they have YOU and your little friends?

:: The only thing WORSE than what Badiane is saying...is that it seems to be REGISTERING with Harbinger as she seemed to WAVER in her focus.::

She hates me....

Badiane: CAST away your allegiance to these weak and fickle flesh bags! JOIN ME! Become my NEW HERALD and the run of the cosmos will be yours! You can succeed where PERLE utterly failed and you can BEGIN your new life by CRUSHING those who HURT YOU!

:: Pointing at Delilah and Bishop::

Badiane: Those who DOUBT YOU!

:: Pointing at Prophet and Rampage::

Badiane: Those who would rather you DIDN'T EXIST!

:: Pointing at Spellbinder::

Badiane: They HURT YOU! HURT THEM BACK!

:: Cameron was on edge. His sister possessed a PSI Screen and he didn't detect mental manipulation occuring, though there was a sharp spike in her emotions upon hearing Badiane's words. ::

"Is..is she listening?!"

:: Prophet shot a concerned glance to Spellbinder who was equally on edge about what was occuring. ::

:: The large, menacing sorceress closes in on Harbinger and her shadow casts over the precog and extends toward the others, some of them are LOUDLY protesting but Harbinger doesn't seem to hear THEM anymore. She turns to face them and looks upon them all with a cold, withering stare.::

They hate me. They doubt me....they always have!

:: Her inner voice "speaks" in unison with Badiane's loud and resounding voice::

Harbinger/Badiane: I can destroy them now...and be done with them ALL!

Badiane: HERE! I'll HELP YOU!

:: Badiane reaches down, intending to FIRE UPON those inside the dome, expecting Harbinger to JOIN HER in the attack. She takes aim, along with Badiane. For those INSIDE the dome, what appears to be happening is a NIGHTMARE come true! Not even MorningStar can ignore the surrealism of what's happening now. ::

:: Various members inside the dome try to appeal to Alison but she seems not to hear them. When it appears that she will join Badiane in attacking them, Spellbinder suggests EVACUATING those inside the dome via stepping disc.::

:: Prophet still held his dome strong, but it took everything in him to not let go and attempt to THROTTLE his sister back into reality. ::

Spellbinder: "We need to evacuate!"

"I'm not leaving my sister! Go! ...but I'm staying!"

:: He dropped his hands which dropped the dome and began to run towards Harbinger with great speed. ::

[to Cameron's mind] Harbinger: "Don't worry, baby brother. It'll all be over soon..."

:: Prophet turned back to the group with haste. ::

"No, no no! Stop! Spellbinder stay here! Please..TRUST ME! There's about to be one HELL of a---"

:: The garnet jewel in the crown of the Time Staff GLOWS and HUMS once more and Badiane's face begins to CONTORT with a look of DISMAY and PAIN!

:: Her VOICE now sounds WARPED, SLOWED DOWN.::

Badiane: WHAT'S.....HAPPENNNNINNGGG.....YOU.....YOU TRICKED ME!

:: Harbinger doesnt turn to look back at Badiane, instead, she simply smirks, as her face is now enshrouded in shadow::

You're right, Badiane. I AM cold...with a marble hard, BLACK HEART. It's what allowed me to SURVIVE things like Delilah's hatred. But there's something about me you clearly didn't account for. I'm a PRECOG. I anticipated your passive attack and allowed you to get close to me so I could lock you in a TK/TEMPORAL TRAP! Not even YOU can escape TIME. We ALL move through it. Even those of us who can circumvent it STILL have to move THROUGH it.

:: Badiane SCREAMS as Harbinger WARPS Badiane's temporal field and applies steady, INCREASING FORCE with her TK Trap.::

Long ago, My powers were first triggered by ANGER. So it's no surprise, that my attacks are their DEADLIEST when I'm ANGRY! All you did...when you REMINDED ME of one of the darkest hours of my life [Delilah/the Blue Moon Aftermath] is make ....me....

:: A haunting, mournful BELL tolls in the air::

ANGRY!

:: Harbinger begins her effort CRUSH Badiane's HEAD but the sorceress is now FIGHTING BACK. ::

"COVER YOUR EARS!"

:: Using his ability of flash premonition he knew EXACTLY what was coming next. ::

<< gigantic adamanitum CHAINS, DEEPLY rooted into the metallic floor of this battle field suddenly MANIFEST around Badiane, shackling her by her wrists and ankles. An adamantium HELMET forms around Badiane's head, LOCKING DOWN on to it and at BLACK WIDOW'S command, SPIKES are unleashed INTO Bandiane's FACE and HEAD!>>

Black Widow: GO FOR IT, SILVER SWAN!

<< SILVER SWAN swoops down, charging through the air at high speed. Changing course, she zooms up to reach Badiane's head and at that moment, Black Widow releases the helmet with a mental command. Silver Swan inhales deeply and then unleashes her SONIC SCREAM! As PAINFUL as it is for everyone ground level, one can only IMAGINE what what it would do to Badiane at such close distance and at at FULL POWER! >>


<< Black Widow, struggling through the PAINFUL feedback of Sharon's attack on Badiane, pushes her away across the length of the battle to reach Harbinger and PULL HER away from her close proximity to the sorceress. Together, they reach the psionic dome. This was ALL part of Harbinger's play against Badiane. She KNEW what Sharon and Haleigh were going to do, and timed HER move to set Badiane up for their's.>>

Black Widow: KEEP IT TOGETHER everyone! [easier said than done] We've GOT to hold on and let Sharon NAIL this bitch!

<< Badiane can be seen, CLUTCHING her bloody head and face, covering her ears, to no avail. Her body actually begins to VIBRATE and BLUR and just when it seems that she might actually RUPTURE, Silver Swan pulls back her fist and with a TRULY THUNDEROUS PUNCH that would have brought down a MOUNTAIN and staggered even Rampage, she SLAMS into Badiane's face and seens the sorceress CRASHING to the ground. Her body SHATTERS!>>

<< Silver Swan continues to hover in the air.>>

Bishop: "Is she...is she going to be alright?"

:: Prophet telekinetically hurled his sister from Black Widow's arms to his as he looked her face. ::

"She's alive..I can sense her via our sibling bond..but she's INCREDIBLY weak..."

:: Instantly he laid her down next to Spellbinder and he looked at the group. ::

"No way that bitch is dead..We're missing something. I can feel it. Spellbinder..see if you can wake my sister.."

:: Turning to the group. ::

"We need to locate Alexia. This is too much. If she returns we need to have Alexia and be at the ready to move..She can't accomplish what she wants without her, which can buy us some time to figure out a way to free the rest of these kids.."

:: Prophet looked around at the group. They were incredibly weak and their major power players in this kind of environment had taken a BRUTAL beating. ::

"I could try the astral plane..but with so many children here asleep, it'd be like looking for a needle in a haystack."

:: He sighed. ::

"I might have another way."

:: He REALLY didn't want to, but he felt as if he had ran out of options. ::

"Maxim. Come here."

:: Bishop came over to him. ::

"This might hurt a bit."

:: Prophet squinted his eyes as a sharp SLICE in Bishop's skin appeared over his right chest as Cameron placed his hands over the blood that began to gush out. He was normally VERY obstinate about using any of the mystical accents in his arsenal, it seemed now it was the only way to try and get a JUMP on finding Alexia and getting the hell out of this place. He made a promise to Delilah to protect her daughter and he was going to keep it. ::

:: Bishop would feel a surge of static electricity course through his body as Cameron began to use Bishop's blood as a way to track Alexia. He had seen Alexia in the flesh, but he didn't know her. He couldn't track her by traditional methods. Most likely she was being protected by magick as well. In connecting with Bishop's BLOOD he was able to connect with The Other Side. ::

<< BAM! >>

:: The sound of a large door SLAMMING shut could be heard as Prophet closed his eyes. The feeling was intense and strong and something he didn't like. It made him feel dirty. He began receiving flashes of Maxim's life. His ancestors, their deaths, the places they were buried. So much "information" at once as winds began to blow from almost nowhere. He saw Delilah, Bishop, the birth of Alexia. It was this memory he clung onto as he cast his mind out. ::

:: Bishop would feel for a few fleeting moments a unique "melding" experience, it would feel almost as if Cameron were a PART of him for a second. He too could see flashes of Cameron's life, things he had been through, trauma, good times, bad times, all very quick and jumbled. ::

:: A calmness washed over him as the meld was complete. Prophet was now able to "perceive" Maxim's bloodline. He could see the spirits of his old life; his wife and child. He could see spirits of those Bishop had killed and who had decided to stick around and haunt him. The spirits began to speak to Cameron, much in the way that AJ Quartermaine had so many years ago. It was the first time that Cameron had allowed this kind of contact to happen since then. The spirits spoke to him in a unified and stereophonic like tone. ::

Voices: "It's too late..."

"Knock it off..show me where she IS!"

Voices: "Cameron..she's on her way..she's coming for you.."

:: Prophet's eyes WIDENED as a flash premonition came over him and he let his hand go of Bishop's chest, watching Bishop stumble back a few feet. ::

"SHE'S ON HER WAY..SHE'S ON HER WAY HERE RIGHT NOW!"

:: Unfortunately for Cameron..he didn't understand what the spirits were trying to tell him and he wouldn't have time to figure it out. ::

 

[Bishop]

Bishop looked solemnly at Alison’s motionless form. He might not like Alison, but he respected her ability to do what needed to be done, regardless of the personal cost. And he certainly didn’t want to see her dead.

"We need to locate Alexia. This is too much. If she returns we need to have Alexia and be at the ready to move..She can't accomplish what she wants without her, which can buy us some time to figure out a way to free the rest of these kids…"

“I want Badiane dead. We don’t leave here until we know for sure – I won’t have her looming over Alexia for the rest of her life. We end this here. Now.”

But they needed to find the child first. You’d think one of these “magical” people could just snap their fingers and take them all to her, but apparently not.

"I might have another way. Maxim. Come here."

He paused only for a split-second, cocking an eye at Cameron, weighing if he could be trusted. Then Bishop moved forward, and stood face to face with him. He made a “what now” motion with his hands.

"This might hurt a bit."

That didn’t worry him.

“Just do it.”

Bishop didn’t flinch as Prophet somehow sliced his chest and stuck his hand on the wound. He had been through worse. He kept his eyes locked on Prophet’s, and suddenly there was a jolt.

He saw flashes; images he knew were of Cameron. So, there was more to this rich dickhead than met the eye.

And then another jolt, and Bishop staggered backward as the connection between the two of them broke, leaving him a little out of breath.

“Did it work? Did you get what you needed?”

"SHE'S ON HER WAY..SHE'S ON HER WAY HERE RIGHT NOW!"

Bishop reached out and put a hand on Cameron’s shoulder to steady him.

“Slow down, what’s happening? Who’s coming?”

 

[Ruby]

The Otherworld – Castle


:: Cass was feeling GOOD; like, REALLY good. All of a sudden, she was ENJOYING this caper. It was like an all-you-can-eat buffet for her! Cameron and Nicolas both did a great job keeping the team away from her so she didn’t accidentally absorb their energies as well. ::

Yay!

:: After high-fiving some of her teammates, they headed off on their way again. Surprisingly, they hit no more resistance along the way. Cass visibly tensed, as if expecting an attack to happen any minute. She received a thought call from Prophet. ::

Cameron: “Nice work. You held it together very well.”

Thank you! Sometimes it can be pretty unpredictable.

:: Soon they reached a point where the light and warmth became strangely dim. Cass stepped closer to her team as Sharon explained that the children were were locked in ‘dream coffins’. Cass stared down at the ground. She did not want to look at them. It brought back bad memories of her being locked up as a child herself. She shuddered and stepped closer to Black Widow. ::

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!”

:: Suddenly a hauntingly beautiful melody from a flute sounded and soon Cass was enthralled by the music, struggling against her desperate NEED for SLEEP… ::

*murmurs*: “N-no…”

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!”

:: Cass’ eyelids start to grow heavy, so much so that she can’t keep them open a second longer. As soon as that happened though, ANOTHER melody rang out and the ground dropped out from under her and her team and she felt herself falling, falling, falling… ::

:: …until finally they arrived to some other part of the castle where they where surrounded by OPEN SPACE! ::
Oh wow! Beautiful!

:: Cass stared in awe and wonder at the beauty surrounding them until Sharon’s voice brought her back to the situation at hand. She turned around and saw the faerie from the footage. Only this time the faerie seemed almost…pitiful? Cass felt sorry for it. ::

:: Before she could react to what was happening, Sharon and the poor faerie were both ATTACKED. Sharon went flying but the poor faerie was GONE. As in, DESTROYED. ::

“Wait…WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?”

:: Insane Woman spoke again and Cass felt herself flying through the air and landing with a hard THUD! Cass was dazed as she spotted the candy ships coming and going in the distance. It was pretty surreal for her. ::

:: As The Six started to FIGHT back, Cass pulled up her shield over Rampage as Harbinger teleblinked him over to her and Black Widow. Cameron put up his dome and called for her to use her force field as well. Cass nodded and erected HER force field under Prophet’s and kept it strong, which was insanely easy to do from all the psionic energy she could feel. ::

Cameron: "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!"

:: Cass nodded and stood strong, her force field charging Cameron’s. She watched as the battle raged on, almost slipping when she heard Firebird and Persephone’s horrible screams. She knew that they would be okay, but they were her teammates and she cared about them. She channeled her fury into making the force field even STRONGER and she watched the go-between Badiane and Harbinger…but something was different. It was as if Badiane GOT to Alison! ::

Alison…NO!

“Alison! NO! NO!”

:: But her words, as well as the words from the others, were in vain and it seemed as if ALISON would attack THEM! ::

Oh geez!

:: She was getting ready for the brutal attack when all of a sudden Alison turned the tables on BADIANE! ::

"YEAH!"

:: Cameron dropped his shield and began running. Cass dropped her shield as well not knowing what to do. Cameron said something about Alexia and then went up to Bishop and did whatever it was that he was doing and then freaked out. ::

Cameron: "SHE'S ON HER WAY..SHE'S ON HER WAY HERE RIGHT NOW!"

:: Cass looked bewildered. Who was he talking about? Alexia? Badiane? Someone ELSE entirely? Cass didn’t know, but she hoped it was a friend and not a foe… ::

 

[Black Widow]

Bishop: Yeah, who knows, trained assassins could be disguised as singing mice.

Haleigh chuckled as she drew her Ruger SR45 and the group started forward again.

"You know, Max, you're actually likeable SOME of the time. If you could just try to be less of a pig--"

Harbinger: It's TOO LATE!!

"Aww, come on Alison, I've basically AGREED to talk to him for the rest of Alexia's life, let me have some hope that he won't make me want to physically abuse him all the while....."

But Alison wasn't talking about Bishop, she was talking about the ambush, and before she could encourage Morgan to get them out of there, they were taken through some kind of vortex and dumped at the feet of a creature that was spewing those awful bon bon babies at them. Haleigh sighed and reholstered her weapon, knowing already she couldn't shoot them and would have to start shredding them as soon as she could get her hands on them. Bishop suggested falling prey to a NORMAL ambush for once, and the funniest part was that he hadn't seen HALF of the bizarre ambushes THEY had.

"Bad guys with machine guns is the ambush of my wet dreams, and at this point I've accepted that I'll never get a good ole fashioned GUNFIGHT ever again."

Morgan, Blaze, and CJ team up and dispatch their ambush with style, and Haleigh nods in approval.

"And then my friends pull AWESOME out of their asses and I think that maybe being a freak of nature isn't so shitty after all."

They made their way to the honeycomb of sleeping kids. Haleigh was disturbed by the sight, but determined to press on when she confirmed that Alexia wasn't here.

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

Cameron: We will.

"AFTER ALEXIA."

She said firmly, reiterating their primary goal. It was easy to get distracted by all these victims, but Haleigh knew that if they stopped to help these kids, they could run out of time to save themselves.

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!

"These children will never LIVE, but you can KEEP them, as long as you give us the one we came for."

It was a ploy, but it didn't hurt to try. Badiane wasn't in the bargaining mood, however, and she tried to put them asleep, a plan that nearly worked until some interference broke through and transported them to momentary safety. It had been Perle, apparently, and she was worse for wear. Sharon wanted to help her, and naturally a debate started immediately.

Bishop: 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: That’s enough, Maxim.

Blaze: 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?

Bishop: Only red-headed ones.

"HEY, what the fucck did I EVER do to you-- wait, actually, DON'T answer that, I just realized I've totally been a bitch to you since the diner, basically. Sorry NOT sorry. But REALLY guys, Max kind of has a point..... this creature turned Alexia AGAINST us at the park, so while it MAY have saved her from Badiane, it may have done so based on its OWN motives of wanting to keep the girl for ITSELF. I DON'T TRUST IT, essentially, is what I'm saying."

It didn't MATTER. There was a flash and the fairy was gone, Badiane was back and Sharon was knocked unconscious. Haleigh immediately dashed to Sharon's side, while Badiane was busy giving her evil genius monologue.

Blaze: What about SHARON?!

"Scans confirm she's alive, but STUNNED. She shouldn't be down for LONG given her..."

She stopped speaking as she reached Sharon, kneeling down beside her and nudging her shoulder gently.

Silver Swan....

She pulled Sharon's upper body into her lap and supported her head, jostling her a bit to try and rouse her.

SHARON! Wake up now! We need your help!

It's no use, she realized, as she noticed that the concussive blast she had sustained had sent her heart into arrhythmia. She needed a jolt, and Haleigh needed a defibrillator. She looked at her own hands for a second. If she could concentrate all the electricity in her system, would she be able to 'jump start' Sharon's normal heartbeat? Would it cost Haleigh her OWN consciousness and force her into a 'reboot'? It was a risk she had to take. She wedged her right hand underneath the bottom of Sharon's bodice until she felt her ribcage beneath her heart, then placed her left hand just below Sharon's right collar bone. She took a deep breath and zapped Sharon. Sharon bolted upright, looking like she'd just grabbed the ends of jumper cables, and Haleigh pulled her hands back as a wave of light headed-ness hit her and her system feed informed her that another stunt like THAT would guarantee an immediate crash of ALL systems. She shook her hair back a little and regained her bearings.

"Welcome back..."

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

"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 our top priority of course] but right now, we've got to stop HER!"

She exclaimed, and gestured back at Badiane. She started to get up and turn back to the fight, but Sharon quickly grabbed 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.

They plot for a second, then move into place behind Badiane and wait for their opportunity. Alison distracted and subdued Badiane long enough for Haleigh to manifest gigantic adamanitum chains, shackling Badiane to the floor and encasing her head in a helmet of spikes. It's effective, brutal and ONLY the beginning!

"GO FOR IT, SILVER SWAN!"

Sharon unleashed a soul-piercing sonic scream. Haleigh clamped her hand over her ears again and stumbled quickly to Alison, who she grabbed and dragged to the safety of the psionic dome. By the time they reach shelter, Haleigh's ears have started to bleed and there are deep purple bags beneath her eyes that look like bruises.

"KEEP IT TOGETHER everyone! [easier said than done] We've GOT to hold on and let Sharon NAIL this bitch!"

Harbinger collapsed into Haleigh's arms. Haleigh supported her, even though she could barely stand up herself. Her head was throbbing. She knew what it meant but she just couldn't afford to black out right NOW. It would have to wait until the recovered Delilah's daughter. She'd managed to stall a blackout BEFORE.... she needed to now but it wasn't like she could exactly ask Cameron to take her in a closet somewhere and blow off some steam. Her nose started to bleed as Cameron took Alison from her. She wiped it with the back of her hand and tried to recall the tryst on his dining room table.