Rose of Destruction II

[Seer]

Aroma- The battle is joined

>>Recall to Oracle. Persephone and Firebird are engaged in a firefight at Aroma Cafe! I'm going in.

:: The sky darkened and rumbled as lightning cracked in the sky. ::

[via com] "Recall, no, wait for backup, it's too dangerous."

Zizi pulled the control pad she usually wore on her arm from her purse and set it on the bar. A laser keyboard appeared in her lap and a small projection screen materialized in front of her.

There was definitely something going down at the café. Lots of damage already. Her fingers flew as she flipped through cameras and trackers.

[via com] "Recall, be advised, Isis, Matrix and the Six are mobilizing to come to your aid. Hang in there.”

<<FLASH!>>

<< Aroma, the battle is joined by Recall as Firebird continues to fight Persephone.>>

"TAKE THIS!"

With that, Firebird takes aim, and ATTACKS ! She unleashes a RED HOT bolt of LAVA, channeling the geothermal power of the EARTH itself. the Lava bolt charges MADLY for Persephone and upon contact, it would ENVELOPE her in a volcanic BLAST that would leave her as nothing more than a statue of ASH!.

<< And as Firebird's vicious attack charges madly for Persephone, the goddess backpedals preparing to defend herself for her very life. But a curious thing happens.>>

<< FLASH!>>

<< As the spiraling blast of lava charges for Persephone, the moment of IMPACT is...BLOCKED!?>>

WHAT!?

IMPOSSIBLE!

<< The spiraling torrent of lava is BLOCKED by a translucent shield...a BARRIER that can only be seen from the shimmering feedback caused by the collision with Firebird's attack. If Firebird's attack is an irresistable force, it has just collided with an IMMOVABLE OBJECT, but WHAT...or WHOM is the source of it!?>>

Persephone doesn't have the power to BLOCK an attack like this!

No, she doesn't! There's got to be some external force at work here, so I'll just KEEP PUSHING! I can tap into the geo thermal power of the EARTH itself! SHE and whoever's helping her will give out LONG before I do!

<< and with that, Firebird POURS IT ON! The sound of the fire elemental CUTTING LOOSE with her attack is not unlike the crashing thunder that Persephone commands. The GROUND begins to trumble as Firebird draws on more power, and channels it into her attack. >>

<< For Recall, it's also an opportunity to observe and gather data on Firebird herself, along with Oracle and Gabe, who are watching via Oracle's device. For Gabe, seeing "Ava" fighting against this woman was no doubt a surreal moment, and it would help crystallize the world of Oracle was now apart of. He may not have known it yet, but by agreeing to help Rose, he just pulled himself a little bit FURTHER into Oracle's orbit.>>

<< Firebird's renewed assault begins - JUST as Spellbinder, in her new costume, along with Rampage arrive via stepping disc to witness this standoff!>>

<< only SECONDS later, Isis arrives, bringing Matrix, Prophet, and MorningStar with her. They join Spellbinder and Rampage, and the new arrivals are filled in by Recall on what's happening, as Firebird is RELENTLESS in her assault against Persephone, who is being SHEILDED by....>>

<< FLASH!>>

<< MYSTIQUE , the mysterious Red Bishop of the Hellfire Club, is the source of the invisible force field that SHEILDS Persephone from the elemental barrage unleashed by Firebird, but as the fire elemental intensifies her assault, even Mystique, as well as Persephone begin to FEEL the geothermal heat! The woman, who has been focused on blocking Firebird's attack, FINALLY reveals herself to everyone present.>>

<< Her appearence is a source of surprise for all present, ESPECIALLY for Firebird, who notes her look, her red hair, her green eyes.>>

<< Firebird's attack not only collides with the sheild, but splashes in opposite directions, traveling along the length of the forcefield, and hitting cars and other objects - either completely consuming them, melting them down, or setting them aflame.>>

 

[Mystique]

Ah Blaze...ever the loud mouth.

She unleashed a powerful attack against Persephone--a lava blast charging straight for the Rook. Persephone was fully capable of defending herself and countering the attack. But what fun was that?

The lava HIT a wall, quite LITERALLY. Exploding magma went in every direction--pouring down the transparent wall and pooling onto the concrete before Firebird and Recall. Stepping out from behind Persephone, Mystique's hand was held up, fingers splayed, revealing herself.

"Not today, hot stuff."

She now stood next to Persephone, smirking as the entire group arrived. Her eyes shifted to each of them...She let out a laugh as Blaze intensified her attack. She could feel the heat, but Mystique didn't buckle under the pressure--her field holding against Blaze's attack.

"Eight against one? Such fair odds for such an upstanding group."

She flexed her fingers, the wall PUSHING BACK toward The Six.

"You good, Seph?"

Persephone: "Oh, i'm fantastic now."

Persephone grinned as the two stood toe to toe with The Six.

 

[Jezebel]

Rose's House

Xavier: "And how is my fallen angel? Still leather in your wings?"

"And ash. And dust. Probably whiskey. Also feeling a bit arthritic. But they still flap!"

Xavier: "She is just a friend, a really good friend who I met in the street and had a couple of fights with before we decided that talking made more sense. I dunno if you know her...Alison Marble...but I would not be surprised if you did. You seem to know everyone else you want to."

:: Rae cocked an amused eyebrow ::

"A friend that you've shagged. Don't forget honey, I'm a psychic, and a damn good one. Good enough for Dionne Warwick to try and recruit me and then later sue me. It's a long story. Here come outside with me. I can't stay in a smoke free zone for long."

:: Both of them made their way through the house and into the backyard. The kids were finally back inside doing god knows what and Rae had a baby monitor clipped to her jeans on her leather belt. Lighting up an American Spirit, she exhaled as Xavier continued. ::

Xavier: "In all honesty, the team is having some growing pains, some cultural clashes, and it could not be at a worse time. It will be on some of us to cut the shit and get back to what is important, like these kids. That is in part why I am here. I brought some cricket gear for some of the kids who asked. Speaking of the kids...who are the suits outside? Is everything alright?"

:: exhaling. ::

"Ya ever notice how mutants always tend to be the most delicate of snowflakes? Not judging..oh who am I kidding, yes I am. They can move things with their mind and fly and create fire and they all wanna focus on the things they can't do and don't have. It's bullshit."

:: taking a drag. ::

"Sorry your team ain't much of a dream right now, Xav..."

:: In her mind she began to perceive a flock of birds flying together. Strong beautiful and in unison in the night sky of the city. ::

"But you'll get it together. They're lucky to have you."

:: she flicked her cigarette as ash fell onto the ground. ::

"As for the suits..What I was worried about earlier seems to be true. Some fat fuck from the department of assholes is trying to give Rose trouble. And I know he's in the pocket of The Hellfire Club."

:: She saw a gavel cracking down on the ground. ::

"But it looks like for now...things will calm down. Sharon and Alycia, I gotta say those two amuse the SHIT out of me. Always so PISSED OFF and ready to just fuckin' maul a man for looking at him sideways. It reminds me of when I was on the road with my band, but it took a LOT of coke to get me to THAT point. For them...it's all natural.."

:: smirking ::

"But they're good girls. Better than I ever was. SO...settling down, laying down roots? I thought you were a rollin' stone like myself. Giving up the relic hunter life to be a hero? What brought that about? Why stay put when you can get anywhere you want faster than..well ANYBODY?"

 

[Oracle]

O’Malleys

"Look, Liz....I'm not sorry I kissed you. I'm sorry I made things awkward between us..."

She looked at him, not looking away for the first time since they'd got to the bar.

"Gabe...if you wanted to be with me, it wouldn't be awkward. So let's just forget about it."

And then she remembered why she usually didn't go out, gettting a call from Viv and setting up her mini command center there on the bar.

"Oh shit...nice tech.."

Zizi didn't take her eyes off the image in front of her.

"I tinker."

"HOLY SHIT! That's AVA!"

“Keep your voice down.”

Zizi hadn’t had time to find a more private place, but Gabe yelling didn’t help.

[in a loud whisper] "What the FUCK is going on?! She can shoot lightning bolts now!?"

Zizi sighed. Yes, Ava Cassadine could, in fact, shoot lightning bolts now.

“Long story short, she merged with-“

I cannot tell him she merged with a goddess.

“Another being, and she gained certain powers. One of which, is power over the weather. And by extension, lightning.”

She watched Blaze Victory fire a blast of LAVA directly at Persephone. And part of her, to her shame, really wanted to see it hit its mark. But it was blocked, somehow.

“Wait…Ava doesn’t have the power to do that…”

Zizi searched for another angle, and found one in time to see a red haired, green eyed woman, holding back the wall of lava. She zoomed in on the woman’s face. She knew this was the Red Bishop of the Hellfire Club, from the intel Sharon had provided her about the Blackout Party, but that’s all she knew. This was the first time she had seen her use her powers.

She glanced at Gabe, who looked like somebody had just slapped his mama.

“So, remember how Ava’s sister attacked Rose and her children? Well, long story short, Ava has joined the Legion of Doom with her. She almost killed Zach, that guy you met earlier? And now it looks like she’s attacking more of the good guys.”

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: "Gabe...if you wanted to be with me, it wouldn't be awkward. So let's just forget about it."

Right in the jugular. Gabe didn't say a word in response because she was right. And lucky for him someone com called Zizi to tell her something was going down. She brought up and image of the battle and to his shock it was Ava who was fighting.

Zizi: "Long story short, she merged with--Another being, and she gained certain powers. One of which, is power over the weather. And by extension, lightning.”

"Holy shit."

Gabe watched in amazement as Ava fought against this red hair lady that controlled fire, the chick then sending a lava blast directly at Ava. Gabe's eyes went wide, but the blast was stopped, looking like it hit a wall of some sort.

Zizi: “Wait…Ava doesn’t have the power to do that…”

"This is fucking nuts."

He didn't realize just how far deep into the world of mutants and powers Zizi had become. She was literally in the MIDDLE of it....she was in command of a group who was in the forefront of it. He continued to watch as ANOTHER red haired chick that look kinda similar to the other red haired chick was revealed. SHE was the one who had stopped the attack. Gabe just looked astonished....his mouth parted in shock.

Zizi: “So, remember how Ava’s sister attacked Rose and her children? Well, long story short, Ava has joined the Legion of Doom with her. She almost killed Zach, that guy you met earlier? And now it looks like she’s attacking more of the good guys.”

"She almost KILLED him?"

He may of found the dude obnoxious, but he didn't need to DIE for Christ sakes.

"So....she's evil?"

Gabe asked quietly, not really knowing how to put it any other way. He didn't know how to take any of this....he couldn't even believe his eyes as he watched the scene continue to unfold.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Zach didn’t like the beer, apparently.

"It's cold, it's convenient."

“Call down the bodega and have them send something up, then.”

They started watching one of the Star Wars things, and she was considering how much he could really care for her if he made her watch this crap.

"BABE. It's in a galaxy far, far away. Have YOU been to a galaxy far far away?"

She cocked and eyebrow at him.

“Only when I’m with you…”

She smirked then gave him a quick kiss, smiling as Zach pulled out his phone to order their dinner.

She commented on not being able to help Zizi, but Zach didn't seem too concerned.

"Well, I made a complete jackass out of myself, but hopefully it at LEAST got the point across to him."

She turned and looked at him.

"What did you say to him?"

Ashley noted the one part of the movie she did like. And Zach laughed.

"That's how we can help her! Get her a thermal detonator, and then she can threaten to use it unless she gets to play with Gabe's light saber."

She scoffed.

“After the way he just acted? He’d better be taking care of her Death Star before anything happens with his light saber.”

She took a drink of her beer and then poked him on the arm.

“See, I watched the movie.”

Ashley got a devilish gleam in her eye as she leaned back to whisper in Zach’s ear.

“I wonder if they can just put the carbonite on certain body parts…”

She sighed.

"Han Solo is hot though."

 

[Spellbinder]

From Limbo to Aroma Cafe

<< Time well spent, the demon sorceress, and the demi god enjoying each other most richly in the chamber of dreams. >>

<< Sometime later>>

Now, ENOUGH of your distractions, Nicolas. << smirking she throws the bed covers over him >> My mother is leaving for aerie soon, and we have work today!

<< she said firmly when suddenly she leaned forward, shutting her eyes tightly and letting out a pained sound.>>

<< FLASH!>>

<< At that moment, Spellbinder would receive a FLASH call from Firebird with the details of what was going on. >>

It's...Blaze! She's in pain!

<< Moments later, eldritch chimes sound off in MorningStar's apartment, and Spellbinder's voice rings out, JUST as Isis had finished performing her buffer spell on Prophet to bring about BALANCE to him in the wake of his "modification." This would help him to be more at peace, and ultimately, more effective AND to be open to the idea of RECLAIMING that part of himself that he excised, when the time was right!>>

Spellbinder to those present: I need all available Six members to rendezvous with me at the Aroma Cafe immdiately! Firebird and Persephone are engaged in a firefight!

<< and with that, Firebird POURS IT ON! The sound of the fire elemental CUTTING LOOSE with her attack is not unlike the crashing thunder that Persephone commands. The GROUND begins to trumble as Firebird draws on more power, and channels it into her attack. >>

<< For Recall, it's also an opportunity to observe and gather data on Firebird herself, along with Oracle and Gabe, who are watching via Oracle's device. For Gabe, seeing "Ava" fighting against this woman was no doubt a surreal moment, and it would help crystallize the world of Oracle was now apart of. He may not have known it yet, but by agreeing to help Rose, he just pulled himself a little bit FURTHER into Oracle's orbit.>>

<< Firebird's renewed assault begins - JUST as Spellbinder, in her new costume, along with Rampage arrive via stepping disc to witness this standoff!>>

Firebird, we're HERE!

<< But her sister was focused intently only on Persephone, and pouring it on with a POWERFUL attack! Even the ground was quaking from the geothermal power her sister was channeling!>>

Recall!

<< She and Rampage joined Recall>>

<< seconds later, Isis, MorningStar, Prophet and Matrix arrive.>>

Isis: We are here as well. Things will NOT go the way the did LAST TIME.

"Not today, hot stuff."

WHO!?

Firebird: So THAT'S who is sheilding Persephone from molten DEATH!

<< MYSTIQUE , the mysterious Red Bishop of the Hellfire Club, is the source of the invisible force field that SHEILDS Persephone from the elemental barrage unleashed by Firebird, but as the fire elemental intensifies her assault, even Mystique, as well as Persephone begin to FEEL the geothermal heat! The woman, who has been focused on blocking Firebird's attack, FINALLY reveals herself to everyone present.>>

<< Her appearence is a source of surprise for all present, ESPECIALLY for Firebird, who notes her look, her red hair, her green eyes.>>

Spellbinder: Who in the WORLD is THAT!?

Isis: That is the Inner Circle's RED ROOK!

Spellbinder: Is...is SHE a fire elemental? HOW can she be BLOCKING Firebird's attack like this?

Recall: Her handle at the Hellfire Club is Mystique, but scans on HER are....inconclusive. I need to see MORE of her in action in order to determine what her power set is.

She now stood next to Persephone, smirking as the entire group arrived. Her eyes shifted to each of them...She let out a laugh as Blaze intensified her attack. She could feel the heat, but Mystique didn't buckle under the pressure--her field holding against Blaze's attack.

"Eight against one? Such fair odds for such an upstanding group."

She LOOKS like Blaze...but WHO IS SHE!?

<< Spellbinder's gaze at the red head, green eyed woman was broken as she snapped back to the moment at hand she retorts to the new comer. looks at Persephone.>>

You're one to talk about UPSTANDING.

HIDING behind someone?

Not the big BAD goddess *I* recall.

Come OUT from behind her and FACE US, Persephone. You've done so much ALREADY, why shrink back NOW?

<< Spellbinder points at Persephone, and called her out, as she, Rampage Isis, Matrix, MorningStar, and Propet all move into position, rallying behind Firebird and Recall.>>

You have A LOT to answer for, woman, and today, RIGHT NOW, is as good a time as ANY.

 

[Firebird]

Aroma Cafe

"Not today, hot stuff."

<< FLASH!>>

<< MYSTIQUE , the mysterious Red Bishop of the Hellfire Club, is the source of the invisible force field that SHEILDS Persephone from the elemental barrage unleashed by Firebird, but as the fire elemental intensifies her assault, even Mystique, as well as Persephone begin to FEEL the geothermal heat! The woman, who has been focused on blocking Firebird's attack, FINALLY reveals herself to everyone present.>>

<< Her appearence is a source of surprise for all present, ESPECIALLY for Firebird, who notes her look, her red hair, her green eyes.>>

<< Firebird's attack not only collides with the sheild, but splashes in opposite directions, traveling along the length of the forcefield, and hitting cars and other objects - either completely consuming them, melting them down, or setting them aflame.>>

"So THAT'S who is sheilding Persephone from molten DEATH!"

<< By now, Spellbinder and others had arrived by her's and Recall's side.>>

<< Firebird was INTENT on getting through that damn barrier but...>>

She now stood next to Persephone, smirking as the entire group arrived. Her eyes shifted to each of them...She let out a laugh as Blaze intensified her attack. She could feel the heat, but Mystique didn't buckle under the pressure--her field holding against Blaze's attack.

"Eight against one? Such fair odds for such an upstanding group."

She flexed her fingers, the wall PUSHING BACK toward The Six.

"You good, Seph?"

Persephone: "Oh, i'm fantastic now."

Persephone grinned as the two stood toe to toe with The Six.

"It FIGURES you'd be at your best, when someone ELSE is doing all the work!"

Spellbinder: Who in the WORLD is THAT!?

Isis: That is the Inner Circle's RED ROOK!

Spellbinder: Is...is SHE a fire elemental? HOW can she be BLOCKING Firebird's attack like this?

Recall: Her handle at the Hellfire Club is Mystique, but scans on HER are....inconclusive. I need to see MORE of her in action in order to determine what her power set is.

Firebird narrowed her own apple green eyes as she glared at the new comer.

She...LOOKS like me. But I don't SENSE any elemental affinity in HER like i do Persephone!

Who IS this woman?

The others were here, Spellbinder, Rampage, Prophet, MorningStar, Isis and Matrix!

HIDING behind someone?

Not the big BAD goddess *I* recall.

"Oh....the IRONY..."

Considering all that shit Persephone talked EARLIER.

Come OUT from behind her and FACE US, Persephone. You've done so much ALREADY, why shrink back NOW?

<< Spellbinder points at Persephone, and called her out, as she, Rampage Isis, Matrix, MorningStar, and Propet all move into position, rallying behind Firebird and Recall.>>

You have A LOT to answer for, woman, and today, RIGHT NOW, is as good a time as ANY.

"You can't hide in there forever, EITHER of you! I'll BURN my way through, and I'll melt you both down to so much moon dust!"

Isis: Matrix, be ready! that barrier they're behind may create a block between us and them, but it doesn't divorce them from this physical world we we're in!

Clearly Isis was crafting a plan with Matrix to somehow upend them. Spellbinder and Rampage were now on either side of Firebird and Recall, and Prophet and MorningStar were moving closer as well.

Firebird's attack was coasting...not RISING in intensity. She was almost...DISTRACTED.

That girl, her hair her eyes, her FACE it's like looking in...a distorted MIRROR!

Spellbinder placed her hand on Firebird's arm.

Spellbinder: Ease down, sis...whatever she's doing...we'll find a way to BREAK THROUGH together! But your power...you'll burn down this entire AREA if you keep up this rate

Spellbinder's soft tone and the look in her violet eyes, along with the nod of her head, leads Firebird to slowly but surely ease down, finally STOPPING her attack. Recall could see that Blaze was reved up, and ready for a KILL much like during the fight with the Purifiers.

"We CAN'T let them escape! Especially not HER [Persephone]!"

Spellbinder: There's no question on that.

<< the sisters look at each other and then turn their attention toward their adversaries>>

 

[MorningStar]

Aroma

Spellbinder had “called” them, letting them know that Firebird was fighting Persephone outside of a coffee shop in the city! Isis quickly transported the four of them to where the battle was already raging. Firebird was unleashing a brutal lava attack, but just as it appeared that Persephone was a goner, something stopped the lava from hitting her.

“What the hell?”

A red-headed woman stepped out from behind Persephone – SHE was the one shielding them from Firebird’s attack. Delilah’s gaze fell on the mystery woman. Ava sure had made some new friends since she’d been gone. But this Red Bishop was no friend of her’s – they’d see how well she held up with her shield gone.

Delilah reached out her hand to absorb the Bishop’s shield back into her own self.

And nothing happened.

“What?”

She tried again, still nothing.

She glanced at Spellbinder.

“That shield…it’s something different. It’s not made of photons or laser light…I can’t control it.”

Who was this woman? What kind of power did she have? And why did her words for Blaze seem personal, almost as if she knew her? As Delilah watched her further, there seemed to be something about her that she couldn’t put her finger on, something familiar about her. But she was sure she had never seen this redhead before.

Remembering Cameron’s words about Alexis, Delilah stepped forward.

“Ava, you don’t have to do this. Come WITH us. Stop this insanity…”

 

[Oracle]

O’Malleys

She gave Gabe the rundown on the Ava/Persephone dichotomy.

"Holy shit."

“Indeed.”

"She almost KILLED him?"

Yes, someone that beautiful could also be deadly.

“Yes, Gabe. His insides were on his outside.”

"So....she's evil?"

She sighed, and her eyes softened. She couldn’t character assassinate Ava. She had to be truthful.

“Zach thinks she can be saved. That she failed to kill him for a reason. But this is the third time she’s attacked. And there are a lot of people out there who want her dead.”

She glanced at him.

“I’m sorry.”

She stopped typing, and turned to look at him with her full attention.

“I’ve promised Zach I would help him save them if I could, but if they attack, people have a right to defend themselves. I won’t sacrifice any of my team for her.”

She turned back to the screen, watching as the Six, Isis, Vivica and Matrix spread out against their opponents.

 

[Rampage]

Now, ENOUGH of your distractions, Nicolas. << smirking she throws the bed covers over him >> My mother is leaving for aerie soon, and we have work today!

That is not what you said about my 'Dickstraction' a few minutes ago. You were hitting all the right notes then!

Nicolas laughed, pondering for a moment the idea of distracting her one more time just because he could when she suddenly winced in pain. he leaped out of bed and was beside her in a flash.

It's...Blaze! She's in pain!

<< Moments later, eldritch chimes sound off in MorningStar's apartment, and Spellbinder's voice rings out, JUST as Isis had finished performing her buffer spell on Prophet to bring about BALANCE to him in the wake of his "modification." This would help him to be more at peace, and ultimately, more effective AND to be open to the idea of RECLAIMING that part of himself that he excised, when the time was right!>>

Spellbinder to those present: I need all available Six members to rendezvous with me at the Aroma Cafe immdiately! Firebird and Persephone are engaged in a firefight!

Nicolas teleported his current battle attire onto himself and his hand held his axe as they returned to the realm of Earth, arriving at the pitched battle.

Firebird, we're HERE!

<< But her sister was focused intently only on Persephone, and pouring it on with a POWERFUL attack! Even the ground was quaking from the geothermal power her sister was channeling!>>

Recall!

<< She and Rampage joined Recall>>

<< seconds later, Isis, MorningStar, Prophet and Matrix arrive.>>

Isis: We are here as well. Things will NOT go the way the did LAST TIME.

Goddamn right.

Blaze was sending enormous amounts of energy towards the goddess, but it was not reaching her. Soon the source of her defense could be seen.

Spellbinder: Who in the WORLD is THAT!?

Isis: That is the Inner Circle's RED ROOK!

Spellbinder: Is...is SHE a fire elemental? HOW can she be BLOCKING Firebird's attack like this?

Recall: Her handle at the Hellfire Club is Mystique, but scans on HER are....inconclusive. I need to see MORE of her in action in order to determine what her power set is.

She looks familiar...does Chris Victory have even more kids out there?

She LOOKS like Blaze...but WHO IS SHE!?

<< Spellbinder's gaze at the red head, green eyed woman was broken as she snapped back to the moment at hand she retorts to the new comer. looks at Persephone.>>

You're one to talk about UPSTANDING.

HIDING behind someone?

Not the big BAD goddess *I* recall.

Come OUT from behind her and FACE US, Persephone. You've done so much ALREADY, why shrink back NOW?

<< Spellbinder points at Persephone, and called her out, as she, Rampage Isis, Matrix, MorningStar, and Propet all move into position, rallying behind Firebird and Recall.>>

You have A LOT to answer for, woman, and today, RIGHT NOW, is as good a time as ANY.

Nicolas threw his axe, the flat hammer end striking the shield with a shockwave that rocked the entire block even as it pushed the mysterious redhead who was protecting Persephone back a couple of steps. Continuing to do that would risk a lot of lives. Nicolas knew he would need to try to find another way. he stepped forward to grip the shield, try to rip it open...he could feel it give, but then it became very slippery, impossible for him to continue to grip....

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Ashley: What did you say to him?

"Oh, you know.... not much.... just something to the effect of... if he hurt Zizi I'd make him as miserable as possible."

He drained the rest of his beer. When he put it like that, he felt like it DEFINITELY had been an over reaction. Then he thought about the pang of sorrow Zizi felt when Gabe let her down with the prom comment, and he thought maybe he did the right thing. If Gabe didn't think Zizi was good enough, then he really WAS a moron, and maybe Zach SHOULD knock some sense into him. Then again, maybe Gabe would have a sudden revelation at dinner. Zach mentioned getting Ziz a thermal detonator to help things along.

Ashley: After the way he just acted? He’d better be taking care of her Death Star before anything happens with his light saber.

She made him laugh. He found her to be delightfully witty, with her sharp sarcasm. How had he let himself miss out on this for so long? Even if she said she hated Star Wars, she could still make sex jokes with it, and that was pretty much good enough for Zach. She poked him playfully.

Ashley: See, I watched the movie.

"I see. You know what that means... we have no obligation to finish watching it.... it can just.... play in the background...."

He suggested, and she got that sexy stare of hers, and leaned in to whisper in his ear. She had the power to turn him on like a light switch.

Ashley: I wonder if they can just put the carbonite on certain body parts…

"I'm about to be as hard as carbonite, will that do?"

He asked, his hands finding her legs under the blanket.

 

[Cypher]

Zizi confirmed that Ava almost killed Zach.

Zizi: “Yes, Gabe. His insides were on his outside.”

Gabe winced, knowing Zizi wasn't using that as a metaphor of some sort.

"Jesus Christ..."

He trailed off, his eyes lowering from the screen to try and register what he just learned.

"So....she's evil?

Ava wasn't evil. She was a BITCH, but she wasn't evil. Whoever this person was that she 'merged' with must have been one bad ass mother fucker. And Gabe couldn't figure out for the life of him WHY Ava would WANT to be merged with someone like that.

Zizi: “Zach thinks she can be saved. That she failed to kill him for a reason. But this is the third time she’s attacked. And there are a lot of people out there who want her dead.”

Gabe didn't say anything, his eyes lifting to the projection of the fight, seeing about 7 other people show up. Fucking hell...Zizi wasn't exaggerating...all those people wanted Ava dead.

Zizi: “I’m sorry. I’ve promised Zach I would help him save them if I could, but if they attack, people have a right to defend themselves. I won’t sacrifice any of my team for her.”

There was a lump in Gabe's throat as he nodded, swallowing hard.

"Yeah...I understand."

And he did, as much as it hurt, he did. He continued to silently watched the footage, the gravity of the whole situation hitting him at once. He literally just got himself involved in a superpowered WAR.

 

[Ruby]

St. Patrick’s Cathedral




:: She couldn’t believe it. The little shithead just stood there looking fucking AMUSED while her damn hand was STILL stinging from the blow! ::

Ben: "Well, I have to admit love...this has been nothing like what I had imagined."

“Nothing usually is.”

:: Casss felt a bit uncomfortable as Ben stared at her intently. It felt like he was staring into her SOUL. ::

Ben: "I could say everything you have just said back to you, Cassandra. You wanted to be a hero, that means facing the villains."

:: Cass gave Ben a dubious look. ::

“You’re NOT a villain…”

Can’t you see that THAT is why I haven’t ‘showed off’ my powers? I mean, besides the fact that we’re out in a very public place?

:: Cass had long suspected, since their ‘relationship’ ended, that deep down inside, whether Ben realized it or not, there was GOOD in him. She had seen it before; there actually were NAZIS who weren’t, well, Nazis. Instead, they had filterated them in order to help those in need. Cass knew about some of them, so she allowed THOSE who weren’t true Nazis to live. Seeing Ben again forced her to look back on some moments that they had shared together: the cuddly moments, the INTIMATE moments, the playful moments. NOBODY could be THAT good of an actor, could they? ::

"Tell me...where is your family now? I mean the ones that stayed at The Parthenon, not the ones who live with me now. Have they been keeping you informed Cassandra? Do you know what's going on with them..better yet. How many of them have reached out to YOU? Checked in on YOU and made sure that YOU were okay, and safe?

:: looking around ::

"Seems to me they are nowhere around. And during such a dangerous time..."

"It's curious is all."

:: Cass stepped back as if she had been struck. She turned her face away from Ben, a curtain of hair hiding the woundedness that appeared on her face. Right now, it seemed as if NOBODY had reached out to her; NOBODY even bothered to check in on her after her outburst during the meeting on Haleigh and Ava in the War Room. But, of course, everybody seemed to be keeping to themselves these days…other than holding meetings about KILLING people of course. Cass gasped when Ben suddenly appeared in her face. ::

Ben: "Perhaps you should reconsider your options. Maybe get out while you can..find your OWN allies..or at the very least your own 'playmate'..."

:: Cass BIT her lip in order to keep from crying out in happiness that Ben was touching her face. She probably SHOULD leave, but the truth was…she LIKED this new feeling of danger. ::

What the hell is going on?

"I'm telling you this because I have already signed my life away to them. To The Black Court. They don't want to just defeat The Six. They want to take over the world, and they will. The Six just happens to be in their way, but from the looks of it..not for much longer. I go where the power is Cassandra, I always have, and because of that...that means I WILL face off against The Six when it becomes necessary, and that will mean I will fight you."

*softly*: “I can protect you…from Hellfire AND the Six…”

Because I REFUSE to fight YOU.

"And I won't fail this time.."

"It doesn't mean that I WANT to..it's just reality now. A matter of time."

Then don’t. I wouldn’t be able to bear it if something bad ever happened to you.

"Of course...you could always join us? I'm sure Talisman would love to have a member of The Six on her court. It seems to be the trendy thing to do these days, and you've always looked good..."

:: Cass’ blue eyes widened in surprise and SHOCK. HOW many times had she deliberated with herself about going over to Hellfire just to keep an eye on Haleigh and Ava?! HOW many times had she purposely walked BY the mansion wanting to go in and make sure that they were okay? COULD she? She bit her lip again. What he was saying…it was absolutely TEMPTING. Never mind looking out for Haleigh and Ava, but BEN obviously needed somebody to look out for him. And now he was biting her ear. ::

Ben: “In black…”

:: Cass let out a small moan of pleasure and wrapped her arms around him. It was [almost] ALL over for her. She NIPPED at his neck gently before she kissed his neck. ::

*purrs*: “I don’t look good in black…I look FANTASTIC in it.”

:: Ben wanted to play? She could play. She jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist, and knocked him to the ground. She locked eyes with him, her ice-blue eyes wild and chaotic…with JUST a hint of DANGER and DANGEROUS LUST… Cass was unaware that she even had a dark side, she had been generally known as a “BABY”, but she LIKED these new feelings that Ben had evoked within her. ::

“I COULD join you, Ben. I COULD because I think that I could be an EXCELLENT addition to them. But here’s the thing: they would only keep me LOCKED UP and test me, TORTURE me, EXPERIMENT on me, if only to be sure that I am FOR them and ONLY them. I wouldn’t be YOUR Cassandra anymore, and THAT would be a bloody shame.”

:: Cass leaned her mouth to his ear again. ::

*whisper*: ”Is that REALLY what you want, my sweet boy, for me to NOT be your Cassandra anymore?” *teasing whisper*: I have my doubts...

:: Then she gently tugged on his ear, her signal for wanting MORE, and then trailed a line of kisses from his ear, along his jaw, and then to his lips…just because she could. Cass just may have entered into a dangerous game…and it PLEASED her; it THRILLED her. ::

 

[Prophet]

Battle Ready

:: The spell would have to wait for the time being. ::

<< Moments later, eldritch chimes sound off in MorningStar's apartment, and Spellbinder's voice rings out, JUST as Isis had finished performing her buffer spell on Prophet to bring about BALANCE to him in the wake of his "modification." This would help him to be more at peace, and ultimately, more effective AND to be open to the idea of RECLAIMING that part of himself that he excised, when the time was right!>>

Spellbinder to those present: I need all available Six members to rendezvous with me at the Aroma Cafe immdiately! Firebird and Persephone are engaged in a firefight!

:: His blood ran cold for a moment. He KNEW that Blaze would go hunting. It was what she did in times like this. She was always vigilant and BOTH had been logging an incredible amount of hours in The Danger Room in recent days. Her security clearance codes were always the last ones in the server when Cameron would log in. She was looking for a fight and it appeared she found one. Normally, she fought vagrants, common criminals, he didn't think she would go right after Persephone, but he was glad that she did. ::

"Let's move!"

:: Isis teleported them there as they arrived on the scene to total and utter chaos. ::

Spellbinder: "Firebird, we're HERE!"

:: Recall was there as well, but Cameron couldn't split his focus right now. ::

Isis: "We are here as well. Things will NOT go the way they did LAST TIME."

"No. They WON'T."

<< MYSTIQUE , the mysterious Red Bishop of the Hellfire Club, is the source of the invisible force field that SHEILDS Persephone from the elemental barrage unleashed by Firebird, but as the fire elemental intensifies her assault, even Mystique, as well as Persephone begin to FEEL the geothermal heat! The woman, who has been focused on blocking Firebird's attack, FINALLY reveals herself to everyone present.>>

<< Her appearence is a source of surprise for all present, ESPECIALLY for Firebird, who notes her look, her red hair, her green eyes.>>

Spellbinder: Who in the WORLD is THAT!?

Isis: That is the Inner Circle's RED BISHOP!

Spellbinder: Is...is SHE a fire elemental? HOW can she be BLOCKING Firebird's attack like this?

Recall: Her handle at the Hellfire Club is Mystique, but scans on HER are....inconclusive. I need to see MORE of her in action in order to determine what her power set is.

:: Immediately he was on edge. Her PSI signature was familiar to him. And the fact that she looked liked Blaze was not lost on him. She was The Red Bishop. The Bishops were usually the eyes and ears. Her signature. Had she followed him before? Spied on him? ::

"I say we kill her before we have to CARE what her powerset is."

She now stood next to Persephone, smirking as the entire group arrived. Her eyes shifted to each of them...She let out a laugh as Blaze intensified her attack. She could feel the heat, but Mystique didn't buckle under the pressure - her field holding against Blaze's attack.

"Eight against one? Such fair odds for such an upstanding group."

Spellbinder: "You're one to talk about UPSTANDING."

"And something tells me you know more than a little about GROUP PLAY."

Spellbinder: "HIDING behind someone? Not the big BAD goddess *I* recall. Come OUT behind her and FACE US, Persephone. You've done so much ALREADY, why shrink back NOW?"

:: They begin to FLANK the two women, the shield still up. ::

Spellbinder: "You have A LOT to answer for, woman, and today, RIGHT NOW, is as good a time as ANY."

"You can't hide in there forever, EITHER of you! I'll BURN my way through, and I'll melt you both down to so much moon dust!"

Isis: Matrix, be ready! that barrier they're behind may create a block between us and them, but it doesn't divorce them from this physical world we we're in!

Clearly Isis was crafting a plan with Matrix to somehow upend them. Spellbinder and Rampage were now on either side of Firebird and Recall, and Prophet and MorningStar were moving closer as well.

Firebird's attack was coasting...not RISING in intensity. She was almost...DISTRACTED.

That girl, her hair her eyes, her FACE it's like looking in...a distorted MIRROR!

Spellbinder placed her hand on Firebird's arm.

Spellbinder: Ease down, sis...whatever she's doing...we'll find a way to BREAK THROUGH together! But your power...you'll burn down this entire AREA if you keep up this rate

Spellbinder's soft tone and the look in her violet eyes, along with the nod of her head, leads Firebird to slowly but surely ease down, finally STOPPING her attack. Recall could see that Blaze was reved up, and ready for a KILL much like during the fight with the Purifiers.

"We CAN'T let them escape! Especially not HER [Persephone]!"

Spellbinder: There's no question on that.

<< the sisters look at each other and then turn their attention toward their adversaries>>

"ABSOLUTELY no question. She's a PASSENGER in a body that doesn't belong to hers...that she wouldn't HAVE if not for us. And it's time we REMIND her of that."

Delilah reached out her hand to absorb the Bishop’s shield back into her own self.

And nothing happened.

“What?”

She tried again, still nothing.

She glanced at Spellbinder.

“That shield…it’s something different. It’s not made of photons or laser light…I can’t control it.”

Who was this woman? What kind of power did she have? And why did her words for Blaze seem personal, almost as if she knew her? As Delilah watched her further, there seemed to be something about her that she couldn’t put her finger on, something familiar about her. But she was sure she had never seen this redhead before.

Remembering Cameron’s words about Alexis, Delilah stepped forward.

“Ava, you don’t have to do this. Come WITH us. Stop this insanity…”

:: Cameron's face remained intense, his eyes staring Persephone right in the face. ::

"There are other ways THROUGH that barrier."

:: Casting his hand out, his crackling electric red energy signature warped around him as his PSI BLADE manifested on his left hand, a halo of energy and a long triangular pointed, CRACKLING blade capable of EXTENSIVE damage. ::

"And Delilah?"

:: He broke his gaze from Persephone to stare Delilah dead in the face. ::

"That's not Ava."

:: Prophet returned his glance to Persephone and before she knew it, he was INSIDE of her mind. ::

[to Persephone inside of her mind]

"Hmm..so it seems the Red Knight gets around. Good to know."

:: In her mind, she could see both of them, face to face, everything else around them black. ::

"Oh..Oh you care about him a GREAT deal, don't you...Persephone? I'll be sure that he meets the long end of my blade in the near future."

<< BOOM! >>

:: Persephone would feel a FLEX of psionic energy warp her mind as she could feel herself NOT having the control over the body she lived in as she just had moments before. Cameron was forcing himself into her mind in a DEEP and PERVASIVE manner. ::

"You don't belong in this body Persephone. And there is WAYS to rectify that. All of which are...rather PAINFUL for you..."

:: A crackle of his energy signature flickered around Prophet's eyes as Persephone found her body JOLTED forward, placing her in FRONT of Mystique as the others would notice his energy signature flicker around the Goddess. ::

"But it's a risk I'm willing to take. Because I would rather have Ava DIE than to have her body be used as a vessel by the likes of YOU."

<< BOOM! >>

:: Cameron gave Persephone a rather STRONG PSI Blast...one that was reminiscent of the one that she experienced at the hands of MALICE before she began to experience a HINT of Ava's memories, or at least the ones that she experienced with Cameron and Alison. He wasn't going full ON, but he was essentially...ringing her bell so to speak, letting her know that he wasn't playing around with her, and that he WAS capable of getting rid of her. ::

"This is the EASY way...the ROUGH way? Is me using my blade to CARVE YOU OUT OF HER. Something I will take GREAT pleasure in doing. So let go now, or we will go the rough route."

:: He could feel her trying to push back, reassert herself as he channeled painful psionic energy through her body. ::

"I forgot..both Ava and yourself have always liked it a bit...ROUGH..BUT..Not here. Not like this. I want to savor watching you die. Watching you leave her body...and I'd like more of an audience. That little shield can't take much more of this..so until then."

<< ZARK! >>

:: Prophet gave her one big JOLT as she found herself BACK outside of the cafe facing off, Cameron was already CHARGING forward, his PSI Blade channeling an INCREDIBLE amount of energy as he used his telekinesis to increase his speed and agility, jumping HIGH in the air. ::

"Enough of this PASSIVITY! You're little SHIELD?! [to Mystique] It's psionic in nature. Which means...my blade can cut THROUGH IT!"

:: He jumped incredibly HIGH in the air as he raised his blade up with his left hand, interlocked his fingers into his right hand and prepared to cut RIGHT through whatever it was that was keeping them back. ::

 

[Matrix]

This shit was boring. It was obvious that everyone loved Haleigh, she fucked half the team, they sad, but she will KILL them if they keep bullshitting. Did I miss anything? NO. Right.

Miss D offered to cast a spell to unfuck Cameron's head and he finally had enough sense to say yes. I was watching her do her thing and then...Spellbinder is speaking everywhere at once!

Spellbinder to those present: I need all available Six members to rendezvous with me at the Aroma Cafe immdiately! Firebird and Persephone are engaged in a firefight!

Blaze?! Miss D teleported us there as I grew to 15 feet, turned my hands into 50 cals and started in on this force field after watching Set-boy take a crack at it. I spoke low in my throat to no one in particular.

You are so fucking dead, bitch.

The bullets did nada and the people on the street were too stupid to properly take cover or evacuate. So what now? Even Red was slowing down her assault on the shield...

Isis: Matrix, be ready! that barrier they're behind may create a block between us and them, but it doesn't divorce them from this physical world we we're in!

Gotcha.

It was almost time for gloves to really come off...

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower

Ashley asked Zach what he had said to Gabe.

"Oh, you know.... not much.... just something to the effect of... if he hurt Zizi I'd make him as miserable as possible."

She pondered that for a second.

“Huh. I just told him that Zizi was a tiger in bed.”

She thought about it a second.

“Or maybe I said ‘wildcat’. I’m not sure.”

The talked some more about Zizi, and Zach finished his beer. She showed off for him that she’d actually seen his shitty movies.

"I see. You know what that means...we have no obligation to finish watching it...it can just...play in the background..."

She turned over so that she was facing Zach, and looked at him through lowered lashes, biting her bottom lip. She whispered something suggestive in his ear, and he came back at her just as strong.

"I'm about to be as hard as carbonite, will that do?"

She smiled naughtily.

“No complaints so far.”

She tilted her head back for him to kiss her, and she forgot that the damn movie existed. She slid her hands under his shirt and lifted it up over his head, giving her mouth access to his chest.

“I’d better check your progress…”

She murmured against his stomach as her head disappeared under the blanket.

 

[Persephone]

Spellbinder: "You're one to talk about UPSTANDING. HIDING behind someone? Not the big BAD goddess *I* recall."

Blaze: "Oh....the IRONY..."

Persephone scoffed.

"The IRONY is you calling your SISTER for BACKUP."

Glaring at Blaze.

"And here I thought you didn't HIDE behind MORGAN, Blaze?"

Blaze: "You can't hide in there forever, EITHER of you! I'll BURN my way through, and I'll melt you both down to so much moon dust!"

Mystique: "Oh I'd love to see you try."

Mystique goaded with a wink, while moving behind Persephone and to her other side like a panther eying her meal. Blaze continued the assault to no avail, Mystique's barrier holding strong. Persephone smirk as Spellbinder talked her down and Firebird ceased fire. Then Morningstar tried to break the barrier....nothing. Even Persephone was impressed. She hadn't seen Mystique's abilities beyond her just appearing and disappearing. It was no wonder she was the Bishop of the Red Court.

Delilah: “That shield…it’s something different. It’s not made of photons or laser light…I can’t control it.”

Blaze: "We CAN'T let them escape! Especially not HER [Persephone]!"

Morgan: There's no question on that.

Cameron: "ABSOLUTELY no question. She's a PASSENGER in a body that doesn't belong to hers...that she wouldn't HAVE if not for us. And it's time we REMIND her of that."

Persephone feigned being humbled and taken aback.

"I feel SO popular."

Mystique: "Don't get too excited. They're used to turning on their own."

Persephone's eyes shifted focus to Cameron.

"I've ALWAYS been here, Cameron. Watching...listening....WAITING. I know EVERYTHING about you--ALL of you! There is no ying without a yang, KING. Haven't you figured that out by now? You kill ME, you kill AVA. Are you READY to kill your surrogate sister--your friend...[to everyone] your FAMILY?"

Delilah: “Ava, you don’t have to do this. Come WITH us. Stop this insanity…”

Persephone laughed with malicious intent.

"BECAUSE I AM."

Now Rampage was trying to break through the field, throwing his axe, and even going as far as to try and rip it open. Mystique smirked, the barrier 'flexing' in power--reverberating at his attempt.

Mystique: "Aww the hot one's trying to claw his way in."

Mystique casually remarked with an amused smile. But Ava didn't hear her....she didn't hear anything....see anything. Everything was suddenly black around her. The backdrop of New York gone, the six gone, Mystique gone....then she heard a voice. CAMERON'S voice. Then she saw HIM standing before her.

[In her mind]

Cameron: "Hmm..so it seems the Red Knight gets around. Good to know. Oh..Oh you care about him a GREAT deal, don't you...Persephone? I'll be sure that he meets the long end of my blade in the near future."

"You're not going to LIVE long enough TO TRY."

[Reality]

Persephone began to wince, grabbing the sides of her head as she felt Cameron's psionic energy growing in intensity. Falling to one knee, she shut her eyes tightly.

[In her mind]

Cameron: "You don't belong in this body Persephone. And there is WAYS to rectify that. All of which are...rather PAINFUL for you...But it's a risk I'm willing to take. Because I would rather have Ava DIE than to have her body be used as a vessel by the likes of YOU."

[Reality]

Persephone screamed, jolting as Cameron unleashed a psi blast similar to the ones that Malice had inflicted on her.

[In her mind]

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD."

Cameron: "This is the EASY way...the ROUGH way? Is me using my blade to CARVE YOU OUT OF HER. Something I will take GREAT pleasure in doing. So let go now, or we will go the rough route. I forgot..both Ava and yourself have always liked it a bit...ROUGH..."

"And we like to take CONTROL TOO."

[Reality]

Through gritted teeth, Persephone unleashed an EAR DEAFENING crash of THUNDER, very similar to a SONIC BLAST that immediately knocked Cameron back not only physically but also OUT of her head. EVERYONE in The Six and Birds or Prey would be STAGGERED by the thunderous attack. Persephone's eyes shot open, blood shot and wet as she glared at Cameron who was regaining his barring.

Cameron: "Enough of this PASSIVITY! You're little SHIELD?! [to Mystique] It's psionic in nature. Which means...my blade can cut THROUGH IT!"

Cameron made ground again, jumping into the air in preparation to attempt to slice Mystique's shield in half. Both Mystique and Persephone quickly glanced at each other, both on the same page as to what to do. Just as Cameron reached the barrier with his psionic blade, Mystique smirked.

Mystique: "Try again, lover boy."

[to Mystique] "NOW!"

The barrier immediately dissipated with a simple blink of Mystique's eyes. In that EXACT moment a blast of HURRICANE FORCE winds exploded out from the 'wall', SLAMMING into Cameron and EVERYONE ELSE instantly sending them FLYING BACKWARDS. The sky CRASHED and ROARED, opening up in a fury of rain all around New York City.

"You WANT ME? You're going to GET ME and EVERYONE ELSE WITHIN THE INNER CIRCLE."

Persephone shouted over the commotion of the elements.

"YOU WANT TO BRING BACKUP BLAZE? THEN I'LL BRING FUCKING BACKUP [Inner Circle]"

Persephone grabbed Mystique's hand.

"I'll give Haleigh your regards."

With one last CRASH of thunder, Persephone and Mystique disappeared in a tornado of winds.

 

[Mystique]

Spellbinder: Who in the WORLD is THAT!?

Isis: That is the Inner Circle's RED BISHOP!

Spellbinder: Is...is SHE a fire elemental? HOW can she be BLOCKING Firebird's attack like this?

Recall: Her handle at the Hellfire Club is Mystique, but scans on HER are....inconclusive. I need to see MORE of her in action in order to determine what her power set is.

Everyone was confused, it was comical. Mystique simply stood next to Persephone with a condescending smile spread across her red tainted lips as their eyes so obviously TRIED to figure out exactly who she was. Mystique laughed at Recall needing to watch her more to determine her abilities.

"Oh sweetie. You can't learn what you can't see."

She countered in a lusty, airy voice.

"Or touch....or scan...."

She continued tauntingly with a grin. Her barrier unable to be broken, evaluated, or even remotely DECIPHERED by anyone there. They all looked stunned AND pissed. MORNINGSTAR even trying to break through it with her own power and FAILING. It was so glorious.

"Quite the predicament your in."

Morningstar: “That shield…it’s something different. It’s not made of photons or laser light…I can’t control it.”

Firebird: "We CAN'T let them escape! Especially not HER [Persephone]!"

Spellbinder: There's no question on that.

Prophet: "ABSOLUTELY no question. She's a PASSENGER in a body that doesn't belong to hers...that she wouldn't HAVE if not for us. And it's time we REMIND her of that."

But they soon went IN on Persephone. Mystique's eyebrow raising at how EASILY they had turned their back on their team mate. How EASILY they were ready to kill her.

Persephone: "I feel SO popular."

"Don't get too excited. They're used to turning on their own."

Persephone unleashed a vicious verbal assault on them as Nicolas tried to rip his way through her barrier. Mystique watched as the barrier flexed and reasserted itself, holding strong.

"Aw, the hot one is trying to claw his way in."

She said with a laugh. But Persephone said nothing. Looking over at her, she had a blank look on her face causing Mystique's smile to immediately fade. Soon, the goddess began to grab her head in pain, falling to one knee. Going to Persephone's side, she placed a hand on the Rook's shoulder while quickly looking over at Prophet through narrowed eyes. SO, he wanted to PLAY did he? Mystique flexed her fingers out, FULLY prepared to unleashed an attack when Persephone unleashed one of her own. A crash of thunder so loud it even caused Mystique to grab her ears reflexively was unleashed onto Cameron and the rest of the Six. They all staggered back, but Cameron came back at them, saying he knew exactly how to break through her barrier.

Glancing to Persephone, they were on the same page. They needed to strike and retreat. Eight on Two were NOT good odds, even with how powerful Persephone was and how mysterious her own powerset was to them. It wasn't SMART and they needed to GO.

Cameron launched himself into the air.

Mystique growled.

"Try again, lover boy."

The barrier immediately disappeared with a simple blink of her eyes allowing Persephone to unleash a massive wind attack on them. With a few last words, the goddess grabbed her hand.

Persephone: "I'll give Haleigh your regards."

Mystique smirked.

"I'll see you all SOON."

Giving them a wink, she disappeared with Persephone in a tornado of winds.

 

[Spellbinder]

Aroma Cafe

<< Spellbinder placed her hand on Firebird's arm.>>

Ease down, sis...whatever she's doing...we'll find a way to BREAK THROUGH together! But your power...you'll burn down this entire AREA if you keep up this rate

<<Spellbinder's soft tone and the look in her violet eyes, along with the nod of her head, leads Firebird to slowly but surely ease down, finally STOPPING her attack. Recall could see that Blaze was reved up, and ready for a KILL much like during the fight with the Purifiers.>>

Firebird: "We CAN'T let them escape! Especially not HER [Persephone]!"

There's no question on that.

<< the sisters look at each other and then turn their attention toward their adversaries>>

"ABSOLUTELY no question. She's a PASSENGER in a body that doesn't belong to hers...that she wouldn't HAVE if not for us. And it's time we REMIND her of that."

Nicolas threw his axe, the flat hammer end striking the shield with a shockwave that rocked the entire block even as it pushed the mysterious redhead who was protecting Persephone back a couple of steps. Continuing to do that would risk a lot of lives. Nicolas knew he would need to try to find another way. he stepped forward to grip the shield, try to rip it open...he could feel it give, but then it became very slippery, impossible for him to continue to grip....

<< Spellbinder glared at Persephone and her accomplice!>>

MorningStar,

<< Pointing at the apparent area where the forcefield was holding>>

see if you can SHUT that forcefield down!

Delilah reached out her hand to absorb the Bishop’s shield back into her own self.

And nothing happened.

“What?”

She tried again, still nothing.

She glanced at Spellbinder.

“That shield…it’s something different. It’s not made of photons or laser light…I can’t control it.”

Dammit!

<< she said through gritted teeth, nodding to MorningStar. Matrix tried next!>>

Blaze?! Miss D teleported us there as I grew to 15 feet, turned my hands into 50 cals and started in on this force field after watching Set-boy take a crack at it. I spoke low in my throat to no one in particular.

You are so fucking dead, bitch.

The bullets did nada and the people on the street were too stupid to properly take cover or evacuate. So what now? Even Red was slowing down her assault on the shield...

Isis: Matrix, be ready! that barrier they're behind may create a block between us and them, but it doesn't divorce them from this physical world we we're in!

Maybe I can get them....with a STEPPING DISC!

MorningStar, change of plans...on my mark, pop a FLASHBULB effect on them. That should painfully distract this mystery woman long enough for me to...

Persephone feigned being humbled and taken aback.

"I feel SO popular."

Mystique: "Don't get too excited. They're used to turning on their own."

Persephone's eyes shifted focus to Cameron.

"I've ALWAYS been here, Cameron. Watching...listening....WAITING. I know EVERYTHING about you--ALL of you! There is no ying without a yang, KING. Haven't you figured that out by now? You kill ME, you kill AVA. Are you READY to kill your surrogate sister--your friend...[to everyone] your FAMILY?"

<< She rolled her violet eyes>>

We're ready to do what is NECESSARY to bring you down, and make you ANSWER for what you've done, Persephone! We can do it the EASY WAY...OR we can do it the hard way. It's YOUR CHOICE!

<< MorningStar tried a softer approach, hoping to appeal to a humanity that was likely no longer there.>>

Remembering Cameron’s words about Alexis, Delilah stepped forward.

“Ava, you don’t have to do this. Come WITH us. Stop this insanity…”

<< Firebird was seething. She wanted Persephone DEAD, and she wasn't the only one. Isis and Matrix were out for blood, so was Vivica. Spellbinder placed her hands on Firebird's shoulders as Rampage stood behind both of them.>>

<< Persephone, bolstered by Mystique's aid, ignored Spellbinder's warning, and MorningStar's appeal, but one person who WOULDN'T be ignored?>>

:: Cameron's face remained intense, his eyes staring Persephone right in the face. ::

"There are other ways THROUGH that barrier."

:: Casting his hand out, his crackling electric red energy signature warped around him as his PSI BLADE manifested on his left hand, a halo of energy and a long triangular pointed, CRACKLING blade capable of EXTENSIVE damage. ::

"And Delilah?"

:: He broke his gaze from Persephone to stare Delilah dead in the face. ::

"That's not Ava."

:: Prophet returned his glance to Persephone and before she knew it, he was INSIDE of her mind. ::

<< What went unseen, was an FORCEFUL encounter. Prophet echoed Spellbinder's warning, and CLEARLY showed her what the "HARD WAY" would look and FEEL like.>>

<< A MASSIVE crash of THUNDER rocked the entire area, causing EVERYONE to jump with a start, and Cameron winced, staggering with pain. Apparenty the PSYCHIC confrontation was over...>>

Prophet!?

<< ZARK! >>

:: Prophet gave her one big JOLT as she found herself BACK outside of the cafe facing off, Cameron was already CHARGING forward, his PSI Blade channeling an INCREDIBLE amount of energy as he used his telekinesis to increase his speed and agility, jumping HIGH in the air. ::

"Enough of this PASSIVITY!

Everyone, FORWARD!

<< She, motioned as she, Firebird and Isis took to the air, Rampage, MorningStar , Recall, Matrix were hot on Prophet's heels. They were gonna take Persephone DOWN, and CAPTURE her. And Mystique, WHOEVER she was, could either stand down, or get PUT down.>>

:: He jumped incredibly HIGH in the air as he raised his blade up with his left hand, interlocked his fingers into his right hand and prepared to cut RIGHT through whatever it was that was keeping them back. ::

<< Spellbinder quickly communicated a plan to the charging group as they followed after Prophet. This was IT! And after Persephone was captured? HALEIGH would be next!>>

It's OVER, Perspehone, for BOTH of you!

Mystique: "Try again, lover boy."

[to Mystique] "NOW!"

The barrier immediately dissipated with a simple blink of Mystique's eyes. In that EXACT moment a blast of HURRICANE FORCE winds exploded out from the 'wall', SLAMMING into Cameron and EVERYONE ELSE instantly sending them FLYING BACKWARDS. The sky CRASHED and ROARED, opening up in a fury of rain all around New York City.

<< GASP!>>

<< they were COMPLETELY bombarded by an onslaught of hurricane force winds! She and Firebird, despite being among the best fliers around, were caught completely unaware and couldn't buck them. Isis didn't have time to transform into her sand storm/cloud form, EVERYONE, including Rampage, was blown back, BUT MorningStar's quick thinking resulted in them all being covered in a GLOBE of solid light, buffering their impact against cars or a building! They still had a rough landing, but a lot less damaging than what it would've been if they'd freefalled/crashed unprotected>>

<< They were on the ground, and MorningStar sheilded them from the sudden MONSOON that Persephone unleashed, but while the forcefield was down, no one among them had a chance to rally themselves to try and capture her!>>

"You WANT ME? You're going to GET ME and EVERYONE ELSE WITHIN THE INNER CIRCLE."

Persephone shouted over the commotion of the elements.

"YOU WANT TO BRING BACKUP BLAZE? THEN I'LL BRING FUCKING BACKUP [Inner Circle]"

Firebird: THIS ISN'T OVER, PERSEPHONE!

Spellbinder: Not by a LONGshot! You'll face us AGAIN, and you'll ANSWER for what you've done, Persephone!

Persephone grabbed Mystique's hand.

"I'll give Haleigh your regards."

With one last CRASH of thunder, Persephone and Mystique disappeared in a tornado of winds.

<< As the cloud burst that Persephone summoned began to blow itself out, Spellbinder looked among the group>>

Is everyone ALRIGHT? Does anyone need healing!?

<< No one seemed to indicate they were seriously hurt, but Firebird was looking very distraught>

It's alright, Firebird. You did your best. No one could have anticipated that mystery woman...

And at least THIS time, there were no casualties on OUR side. Persephone got the message. We're not fooling around with her OR Black Widow any longer, and we're NOT playing this on Malice's time table.