Shattered!

[Firebird]

Rotunda Garden

I know Blaze. Mike only just reminded me that I should not...CANNOT let go and completely revel in the darkness that has burned my soul since this caper began. That is in part why he came here.

Nodding to Karen, Blaze allowed the older woman to elaborate on what she herself was beginning to suspect. Even while being the 'new kid on the block', Blaze had always made it a habit to be observant of those around her and the environment. Karen's behavior as of late provided a good inkling of something menacing in the works.

Would you care for something to drink?

"Nifty little power ya got there. But no, thank you."

She would have to wait to indulge the rest of her alcoholic beverage later. Glancing over to the left, Blaze smiled over to Delilah, "Hey, D." She greeted softly to the blonde while Karen embraced her in a tender-motherly hug.

How nice to have you here. Both of you, please sit down. We should talk.

Walking over to sit down as well, crossing her leg over the knee. Blaze awaited for Karen to continue. The silence drifting through the air. "Karen, what is it?"

We've always had Alison to help us understand the time that IS, the times that WERE and the times that could very well BE. Her's is a special gift and she is uniquely qualified to use it. We need to find a way to get her back...but before we do...there's something else we need to discuss.

Mike came to me...and told me of an alternate timeline that he saw while some of you were searching for Alison and Ava...in this timeline...he saw this child.

"I don't know...Alison is about as stubborn as an ox. She won't return until she's ready."

"That child looks like Morgan...but there are similarities of Nicolas..."

Pausing, Blaze nibbled on her bottom lip.

She was an orphan. Her mother...dead, at the hands of Nicolas...and Nicolas...dead at...my hands...or rather the hands of my alternate. Alternates Ava and Alison cared for the child, but they themselves were horribly scarred emotionally and mentally from the experience as well. There was NO explanation available for why Nicolas would have attacked and murdered Morgan...

Reaching out to take the picture from Karen, Blaze's fingers stroked along the girl's portrait. "I'm an Aunt in the future? Or was an Aunt? Why would Nicolas kill her...he loved her? Unless..."

Just...the thought of it...it sickens me...and as i told Mike, it SCARES ME for if...goddess forbid...IF it happened here...I WOULD KILL NICOLAS MYSELF.

"You wouldn't be the only one responsible for his murder." Fire shimmered behind the pair of green eyes of the young mutant. "But...let's just be grateful it hasn't happened!"

I, apparently was scheduled to be executed for murdering Nicolas.

Mike suspects that the ultimate reason for that Nicolas attacking and murdering that Morgan was SET...and...given what we saw when Nicolas attacked Dominique under Set's influence and when he captured Morgan...perhaps he is right.

"That's awful! You...well your alternate was seeking justice."

"Just as I had suspected the moment you mentioned it. Its possible that if we have other alternates...well you guys then its possible Set has a few carbon copies as well. But the important thing is that Mike brought this to your attention. We can make sure that's prophecy isn't fulfilled!"

In various timelines that Mike and the others went...there were alternates of myself, nearly each one was ALREADY known as "Shadow Weaver", each one consumed by bitterness and hatred and having murdered more than one person. In each case, Morgan was dead....and moreover, the team was destroyed beyond repair.

There was ONE instance, he said, where remnants of the team were able to come back together. In a timeline where my alternate was the BLACK QUEEN in the SISTERHOOD. That Shadow Weaver tortured mainstream Mike, but he was able to reach out to her just enough, to bring her back to herself. She and the alternate Sharon FREED Alexis from the clutches of Helena and Malice, the same two that are now in THIS timeline.

Michael implies that in nearly every instance, once i let go and embraced the darkness that is now in my soul, that the team suffers irreversible damage because of it. I RAILED against the idea that I bare that kind of burden of responsibility...as i told him, i am WOMAN before I am ANYONE'S "mother figure"...and yet...here i am, now calling MYSELF Shadow Weaver in this timeline, I now have access to the WHOLE of the Darkhold book of spells, just as my daughter and Alison and a "hit first, ask questions later" attitude. The team is fractured to the point of what feels like "beyond repair"...everyone is hurting from what happened...Set, Nicolas, Haleigh....

"Well, all the more for you to be careful, we can't afford to lose you too. We've got Alison and Morgan traveling in incognito." Blaze remained oddly quiet for a few minutes. Her mind wandering to her team that had been destroyed. It was a sore subject for the brunette. She managed to put on a brave face none the less.

"You...torturing Mike? But you love him...or you did. It doesn't make sense...why would you hurt the one person who loves you? Unless....his alternate was a catalyst in the role of Morgan's downfall? Mike and Nicolas are best friends. It just doesn't add up though." Massaging the side of her temples, Blaze didn't want to even begin to imagine losing Morgan to the hands of Nicolas, losing Karen to the dark side, and having Mike tortured. Let alone having Ava and Alison parenting a child, her niece for that matter.

"Just because you have transformed into Shadow Weaver does not make you a bad person! Morgan is capable of mass destruction but she fights it! Which..if the time comes you must fight that dark side within you for the sake of this team and the world. But, I don't think the team's downfall is from you. I think its a whole slew of events that play a domino effect."

Even IF what he says is true...which this picture of "Victoria" seems to bear out....WHAT does he want from me!? It is not ME who had destroyed the team THIS time...it is Haleigh and Nicolas! Mike HIMSELF drove Alison away!

I can't help but wonder...how narrowly did we avoid an even WORSE outcome...that maybe...Haleigh's actions, no matter how unforgivable, somehow...CHANGED and NEUTRALIZED the outcome of Nicolas raping and killing MORGAN while under Set's influence.

It is THAT very thing, that gives me pause now.

If Alison could tell us for sure...If she would just...come back.

"Nobody is blaming you, Karen. As I said...Mike is simply looking out for your benefit. What anyone of us would do for you. But, I also wouldn't use Haleigh and Nicolas as a scapegoat either. They were manipulated into doing an atrocious act of betrayal on behalf of Set. You heard what Ava said...her sister would never do such a thing. They were mere pawns in a game of chess. Its not solely fixated on one person but the whole group. Just as it was for my team...each of us played a part."

"Haleigh may have altered its course, if that is the case. But, it also means other events have changed as well. Either way we do need Alison here. But how do we appeal to her? She won't come with Nicolas and Mike around."

 

[Persephone]

:: Standing by a large tree, a jaguar, one of the jungles more infamous killers, sat calmly next to Ava, watching and sniffing out Mike. Keeping her own animal-like senses on full alert, finally, she looked down at the jaguar nodding her chin in a specific direction; the jaguar stealthily obeying. Mike was close, about to walk on the proverbial red x where he would be taken out. Positioned unknowingly around him was three adult female jaguars. Known for for their exceptionally powerful bite, the jaguar usually kill their prey by directly biting the skull between the ears to deliver a fatal blow to the brain. It was the perfect way to drive Mike directly to her and allow the large cats to take the fall after he was dead. ::

:: As Mike literally walked past Ava, the dense fog made for excellent cover. However, for extra procaution, she used her cameleon-like skin to allow her to blend perfectly into her background. Directing the jaguars via her mind, one began to growl lowly, right in front of where Mike was headed. The other two flanked him, each walking through the dry dead leaves and growling as well, indicating he was surrounded. Stalking their prey, they slowly began to drive Mike back to where Ava stood, waiting. It was an eerie position for anyone to be in, much less a human. Surrounded by a sea of white fog while instantaneously being knocked down to the bottom of the food chain. ::

:: Standing quiet and motionless, her back pressed against a large tree, Mike was finally within reaching distance. Her eyes darkened with bloodlust as she quickly reached from around Mike's back, slamming her razer sharp nails deep into his jugular before literally TEARING the right side of his neck OFF.. It happened within seconds, but it all played out in slow motion to Persephone. As he slowly lost the ability to stand by himself, she held him upright from behind; her face pressed against the side of his. She wanted to FEEL him die....feel him suffer through every futal attempt to breath. Blood poured down his body, staining the dirt ground beneath him. It was a brutal sight to behold. Persephone drug her lips across his cheek to his ear....she wanted to speak to him, tell him he was simply a pawn in her game of revenge against Nicolas, but she remained silent. Only her breathing ushering him into his afterlife. Persephone KNEW that Sharon was around the jungle; she could feel her gryfalcons, which meant Sharon would be able to hear even the faintest whispers. So Persephone simply departed with a kiss to Mike's cheek before dropping his body onto the jungle floor. The jaguar's rawred as they all sprinted over to the kill, literally ripping into Mike's flesh like the predetors that they were. Directing one cat to specifically work on the neck area so nothing could be traced back to her, a cold smile appeared on the goddesses lips before she departed in a tornado of winds; the fog slowly disipating around the jungle floor as she left. ::

 

[Arsenal]

As he heard the low growl, Mike froze, locating the three jaguar. he slowly retreated, allowing them space and staying high so as to maintain some level of dominance. This was a bit disconcerting for Mike, he even recognized the trio of animals as part of a QUARTET.

As he neared the tree, he felt just the tearing as his neck was opened. His eyes widening, he was dying quickly, his voice unable to even register a shout as he lost his lifeblood.

But his assailant had missed a key item in covering her tracks. Men are physical beings, and a man who has taken an interest in a woman can recognize her height, her touch, her breathing, and her SCENT. Ava's unmistakable odor and her own body heat permeated his senses and as he breathed his last, the last name that he sent out as a thought was of his killer.

PERSEPHONE

 

[Persephone]

:: Quickly walking through her bedroom's double doors, Persephone unzipped her bloody leather jacket and quickly took it off, throwing it into her suite's fireplace as she passed it. Going into her bathroom, her hand and arm were stained red with blood, and spatters of red managed to get on her clothes as well. Breathing somewhat quickly, the adrenaline from everything that had happened was still pumping furiously throughout her body. She hadn't felt this alive in YEARS. Since her days in the MoE. ::

:: Stripping her clothing off piece by piece, Ava crumpled them into a ball and tossed them into the nearby hamper. Pulling her hair long hair back into a messy bun, Ava jumped into the shower. Not bothering to let the water heat up, the goddess immediately began to scrub and wash her body; the water a cherry color as it went down the drain. It was so simple...so easy to do. Why hadn't she done it before? It would have saved everyone from so many countless fights and stresses. Alison would still be here....helping everyone recover. Perhaps even being the voice of reason. Standing in the now steaming hot shower, Ava's chest moved with every labored breath as she began to LAUGH, realizing how WONDERFUL it felt to know that Mike was finally dead! ::

 

[Silver Swan]

aerie- the jungle

[ peering into the fog, Sharon stood still. She heard what was normal activity within the lush jungle, but this fog...how was it moving AGAINST the wind of the island?]

[ she boldly stepped into the jungle, her clothing having reverted to the "Silver Swan" costume of silver adamanitum armoured bodice, armour "opera" length gloves and front lace up, knee high high heeled boots. ]

go up into the trees, artimes and antiope...which the area up there while I move along the ground.

[ she directs her gryfalcons.]

AVA?

[ she calls out boldly, not carring if any animal heard her.]

[ nothing. she pushes on through , moving branches aside, even yanking a snake away as it tries to strike her and throwing it away. the fog and the brush was dense, but soon she reached a larger, more open area. she hears the sounds of agression, violence, flesh rending!]

WHO IS THAT!?

[ she calls out, rushing forward, using her perfect hearing and sonar to bypass the fog and zero in on the source of the sound. ]

[ she found a pack of jaguars! larger than any in "man's world" and they were attacking MIKE!]

STOP IT! GET AWAY!

[ she busts up the group of big cats, SMACKING one away, rushing another and smashing it into a tree and punching another one with force. she was carefull to control her blows to not KILL them but to surely stun the hell out of them. their claws and fangs were no match for her invulnerable form and she established HERSELF as the dominant one. starring them down as they regain themselves and silently DARING them to attack as her gryfalcons circle above, crying out with annoyance. ]

[ she turns back and see's Mike...the fog is rapidly dissipating...and he's the only one here...DEAD...but she had heard MORE than one human heartbeat before. SOMEONE ELSE was here ...nearby...she looked in the direction of where the other heartbeat had been but there was no one there!]

[ she crouches down to Mike. His wounds are violent and brutal. No HUMAN could have done this. There's no heartbeat. no pulse...she hears NOTHING but dead air. Sharon was plenty powerfull...but one thing she could NOT do was bring back the DEAD! ]



HELP!

she cries out with her super sonic voice, registering on all levels and heard in all directions.

EMERGENCY!!


[using her power, she comes across like a stronger, "emergency broad cast system" Delilah would be the first to hear it, then Blaze...and then everyone else would hear it from where they were.]

 

[Persephone]

:: Ava's shower was quick. Just enough to wash away any evidence that she had murdered Mike. Exiting her large closet now wearing black cargo pants that rested low on her hips and a black razor back fitting tank that sat just above the pants exposing a portion of her flat stomach, Ava walked by her massive fire place seeing no signs of her leather jacket she had thrown in minutes before. ::

[with a sigh] "I really loved that jacket..."

:: Carrying the clothes she had been wearing during her strike against Mike, Ava stopped, turning her head toward the open french doors leading out to her massive patio. She heard Sharon shout 'Emergency!'....Mike was found, and she was making sure everyone knew about it. With an even stare, Ava lifted her eyebrows casually as she walked out of her bedroom. ::

"Music on."

:: Music began to blast throughout Ava's villa drowning out Sharon's voice. Bobbing her head as she walked to her laundry room, she threw her tainted clothes inside while pouring some detergent in. Turning the machine on, Ava went about her buisness 'unaware' of just what was happening with the others. ::

 

[Rampage]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Nicolas eyes snap open wide as he HEARS Mike's last thoughts, as he FEELS his friend's life being snuffed out like a flickering flame. What would happen next would emanate telepathically from him to anyone to whom he was telepathically in touch, namely Haleigh herself. Nicolas stood quickly, teleporting away as he did so...

...to arrive by Mike's body. Trembling, he picked it up, ignoring Sharon, cradling it in his arms as his TK sealed up the wounds, doing a job any undertaker would be proud of.

Standing, he leaped at impossible speed towards the closest place, to where all wayward children end up when they have hit rock bottom...whoever they call MOM.

Nicolas crashes through the rotunda, his voice racked with sobs as he tears through each wall like tissue paper, going directly to the only other person who cares about Mike as much as he does. He is not welcome, and he does not care. Because right now, he could die and it would not matter.

He places Mike's body's at Karen's feet, and the wounds fall open as the demigod let out a primal scream, a roar that wold rival anything this side of Sharon herself. He then began to talk quickly, as he registered the identity of Mike's assailant.

ShekilledhimshereallydiditicantfuckinbelievethatSHEDIDIT!!SHE killed MIKE!!!!

Nicolas began to not sob, not sniffle, but CRY. Cry the cry of a very young man who has no tie to anything anymore, no life, no friends, nothing at all. the last tie to his former life, the man who comforted him when his own father died...was gone.

 

[Silver Swan]

the rotunda

Nicolas! YOU CANT MOVE HIM!

[ she yells, but the young man totally ignores her. moments later, Sharon arrives, swooping in a large LOOP over the skies of the enclosed garden as Nicolas had CRASHED through the citadle. she heard everything. Nicolas couldnt hide his heart beat, his erratic breathing, certainly not his cries.]


[ she lands down with form and grace. as Nicolas is sobbing and crying out to an obviously shocked Karen, who now has blood on her beautifull night gown. ]

Mike was attacked in the jungle, by three jaguars. I had been SORT of following Ava, but when the fog came, I couldnt see her. I landed to get a better view of things. She wasnt there when I finally reached Mike and fought off the jaguar...

[unlike Nicolas, Sharon knew that Karen would not respond as she did before, BEFORE becoming Shadow Weaver. she suspected that Ava had been involved as well...and she had proof as well, but she would wait for the right moment.]

I drove them away, but there was nothing i could do for Mike.

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh's head snapped in the direction of Mike suddenly... she had been awaiting Nic's response, but now the notion was gone from her mind-- Mike's vitals were declining RAPIDLY! She didn't have to tell Nic, he knew already and they both appeared as the scene of Mike's death moments after Sharon cleared the area. Nicolas was beside himself with grief, Haleigh was SHOCKED! she saw the wounds, the gruesome brutality of his death and she watched the jaguars slink away. Haleigh was saddened... mike had grown so comfortable in the jungle it would seem he got complacent and died because of it... but Sharon had the oddest expression... and Nicolas immediately took Mike to Karen.

The telepath never closed their link, though... and he continued to project his thoughts to Haleigh.... Haleigh stood in the jungle on bloodsoaked earth for a few seconds longer.... then she too moved to a different location.... but she didn't go to where Mike was. Mike was GONE, she knew that... and there wasn't one among the Six who could raise the dead. Haleigh went instantly to her sister's villa.

Music was BLARING.... and Haleigh turned it down as she came upon her sister, who was in the laundry room. She had hoped Nicolas' thoughts had been him leaping to conclusions.... but as Haleigh looked at her sister.... who had showered and changed clothes.... dreaded realization sunk in. there was a moment of silence.... it was difficult to determine what Haleigh thought or felt about the situation, or even if she KNEW.... until she spoke, as her sister poured soap into the machine and turned it on.

"You're going to need one hell of a detergent to wash that blood off your hands, little sister."

She said grimly. She already knew WHY her sister had done it.... She wanted to strike back at Nicolas, cause him the pain she felt he deserved... but most of all... Alison's departure had hurt Ava terribly, and the former goddess blamed Mike directly for that.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Rotunda- marble garden

<< as Blaze and Delilah talked with the doctor, they seemed to be on the same page about the state of things. mulling over what Mike had revealed to Karen.>>

<< the conversation went along smoothly until suddenly...>>

EMERGENCY!

<< Karen looked up at the sky.>>

That voice...even from HERE? its SHARON!

<< mere minutes later, Karen and the two younger women gasped as they heard what sounded like a WRECKING BALL crashing through various walls, pillars and areas of the rotunda.>>

It must be AN ATTACK!

<< she stands up with the others, but suddenly the biggest crash of all came as NICOLAS burst into the marble garden.>>

NICOLAS! WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!

<< she bellowed before her sapphire blue eyes widened and she gasped, as she covered her mouth...MICHAEL!>>

<< blood spattered on her gown...as she felt a WAVE of dizzyness wash over her from the shock of this mutilated body before her....>>

SHARDS...

<< Nicolas was blubbering on and on...and Karen looked up with distress and disbelief.>>

SILENCE!

<< she yelled at the young man as she put her hand on her chest...as she staggered back...>>

SHARON??

Mike was attacked in the jungle, by three jaguars. I had been SORT of following Ava, but when the fog came, I couldnt see her. I landed to get a better view of things. She wasnt there when I finally reached Mike and fought off the jaguar...I drove them away, but there was nothing i could do for Mike.

I told him...I TOLD HIM!

I TOLD HIM TO STAY OUT OF THE JUNGLE!?

<< she screamed as her voice cracked with grief...she looked around frantically as Nicolas could still be heard sobbing...she ran her hands through her hair...>>

what did he MEAN by "SHE KILLED HIM"....

<< moments had already past.>>

NEVERMIND...there's no time for that just now.

<< she looks at Firebird and Morningstar...>>

GET HIM OUT OF HERE and if he resists...Sharon, KNOCK HIM OUT! I can't deal with him...

<< pointing at Nicolas.>>

<< her breathing was rapid, her heart RACED. >>

MICHAEL!

<< she covered her mouth as she silently screamed his name in her mind. as the others moved Nicolas out of the garden, Karen made SURE they were not in immediate view.>>

....you wont die...I wont allow it.

<< she was going to do something that Ororo would consider to be a most DANGEROUS error in judgement. She was going to use a NECROMANCY SPELL. With her newfound affinity for the Darkhold book of spells, she had access to some of the darkest, most abominable spells...and she had NO QUALMS about using them...>>

<< her voice trembled as it was now at a lower tone.>>

i will save you...and you will understand NOW just how FORTUNATE YOU ARE that I AM SHADOW WEAVER!

 

[Persephone]

:: Ava's eyes lifted hearing Haleigh's voice from behind her. They were narrowed into a devious glare hearing her sister claim she killed Mike. Turning around, her facial expression and eyes immediately changed, giving her sister a strange look. ::

"What are you doing here? And what are you talking about, 'blood on my hands'?"

:: Shaking her head, Ava moved past Haleigh and proceeded into her livingroom. Uncorking a glass bottle that held brandy, Ava took a tumbler from under the mini bar and poured herself some. ::

"I thought we were going to take some time apart tonight. Try to clear our heads after the fight we just had?"

:: Taking a sip of her brandy, Ava turned around and looked over the rim of the glass at her sister, bypassing her sister's accusations. She would admit to nothing. ::

"I was about to head to bed, why don't we discuss whatever's wrong tomorrow."

 

[Black Widow]

what are you talking about, 'blood on my hands'?

Ava nonchalantly moved to the next room and poured herself a drink. Haleigh kept herself calm... but she was annoyed that her sister was trying to play dumbfounded with her.

"I'm talking about Mike has been MURDERED and you're the one responsible. You could never LIE to me Ava.... you always tried but this act of yours is perpetually transparent."

Haleigh followed her sister... there was no turning back now... just HOW was Haleigh going to protect Ava from the fallout?!

"HOW did you think you would be able to get away with this?! WERE you thinking at all?! Haven't I taught you ANYTHING?!! Killing someone you KNOW is the number ONE way to get CAUGHT! You killed MIKE! [it seems to suddenly set in] Oh my god.... you killed Mike.... [leaning against a doorway, sliding slowly down the threshold to her knees, massaging the bridge of her nose with one hand] Oh Ava.... how COULD you?"

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas cried and cried as he was pulled away from Mike by the others. It was quite easy, as the metahuman seemed to have lost his fight completely.

As Karen worked above, Nicolas cries quieted slowly as he rocked back and forth...then a rumble escaped his body as his skin darkened again, his voice deepened as he emitted a choked LAUGH.

So she thinks that she will get away with this? I will scatter her bones over the ocean and salt her mansion's rubble. Unhand me.

With a shrug and a gentle but irresistable force wave, Nicolas pushes back the stunned audience and teleports away, his hands opening...

...then slamming shut as he appears before Ava, smashing her on each side of her face. he grabs her hair and slams her face into the floor in front of him, then pulls his axe (which was now marked with a marking on the blade that matched his body markings) as he holds her stunned form by the hair.

Say hello to Hades you murdering cow!!

As Nicolas went to strke the death blow he heard a voice.

Nicolas, DON"T!

He froze as he saw Haleigh, completely stunned, on her knees a few feet away. She was calling to him, and it STAYED his hand. He whispered to the goddess.

Be glad you are her sister.

Nicolas dragged Ava high into the air at an impossible pace, binding her with his TK as he did so. He threw her form down roughly in the presence of the others who had held him as he landed before them all, his axe gleaming wiith the new rune blood red as he considered finishing what he'd started just moments before...

 

[Persephone]

"I'm talking about Mike has been MURDERED and you're the one responsible."

"What....Mike's dead?"

"You could never LIE to me Ava.... you always tried but this act of yours is perpetually transparent."

"I'm not lying, and for you to say so is a bit insulting."

"HOW did you think you would be able to get away with this?! WERE you thinking at all?! Haven't I taught you ANYTHING?!! Killing someone you KNOW is the number ONE way to get CAUGHT! You killed MIKE! [it seems to suddenly set in] Oh my god.... you killed Mike.... [leaning against a doorway, sliding slowly down the threshold to her knees, massaging the bridge of her nose with one hand] Oh Ava.... how COULD you?"

:: Ava watched calmly as Haleigh began to yell; tell her that she would get caught. Following Haleigh's body with her eyes as she slid to the floor, she remained quiet, standing with an eerie calm. Raising a single brow, Ava gave Haleigh an even stare. ::

"Prove it."

:: Turning away, Ava downed the last of her brandy before roughly putting the glass back ontop of the mini bar. Pouring some more of the dark alcohol into her glass, she turned her head and looked over her shoulder at Haleigh. Her calm demeanor was almost sociopathic in resembelence. ::

"Would you like a drink? You look like you need one."

:: But before Haleigh could answer or even respond to Ava, Nicoals was before he, slamming his hand into her face and knocking her into the bar. Glass and bottles went flying to the floor. Everything breaking instantly. ::

"Say hello to Hades for me you murdering cow!!

:: Blood dripped from Ava's mouth as she LAUGHED in Nicolas' face. ::

"I'll say hello to MIKE for you instead!"

:: Watching him raise his axe, Persephone's eyes darkened fully prepared to avoid his strike, but Haleigh quickly intervened. Nicolas picked Ava up, flying across the island and to the rotunda before dropping her to the ground. Sharon, Blaze, and Delilah were all there, probably stunned by what was going on. ::

"Are you just going to stand there and let him MAN HANDLE me?!"

:: Pushing herself up from the ground, Ava glared at Nicolas. ::

"What the hell is WRONG with you?! You destory Morgan and Haleigh's lives and disappear for weeks at a time, then suddenly come back here and ATTACK me?! [looking at the three woman] He's out of his MIND!"

:: Nicolas had no standing with the six, and Persephone knew this. If she could manipulate the situation into her favor then she would. She certianly wasn't about to stand there and ADMIT to anything. ::

 

[Black Widow]

Prove it.

Haleigh's hand dropped from her face... she slowly raised her gaze to meet her sisters. the hybrid was silent as Ava offered her a drink.... she felt something involuntarily wash over her... an almost PERVERSE sense of pride? It was startling... but Ava had a point. Dark, but undeniable. Haleigh KNEW she'd done it, Ava KNEW she'd done it.... but Haleigh didn't have the 'smoking gun' to PROVE she'd done it.

Before Haleigh could respond, Nicolas hit the villa like a hurricane, bombarding Ava with violence.... he was so FAST! The most terrible avatar of 'swift justice' Haleigh had ever seen... but despite the fact that KNEW Ava had been wrong in murdering Mike, she couldn't just sit idly by and let her be EXECUTED!

"NICOLAS, DON'T!!!"

She screamed... to her great relief, he stopped.... looked at her. She could see the grief in his eyes... but he could see the desperation in hers. He didn't kill Ava... but he did take her back to the Rotunda.... presumably to face the FIRING Squad! Haleigh quickly followed, not caring whether she was forbidden from being there or NOT. She appeared there, disheveled, shocked. Ava played her hand.... Haleigh remained silent, waiting to see if anyone DID have proof.... trying to figure out HOW she was going to save her sister from this.... for she knew if it became common knowledge that she had killed Mike... she would be in the worst kind of trouble with SHADOW WEAVER!"

 

[Silver Swan]

[ with Morgan gone, Sharon was now the strongest woman among the six, second only to Nicolas among the whole group. She quickly complied with Karen, assuming the lead in pulling Nicolas away from Mike.]

Be carefull you two.

[ Blaze still wore the pendant around her neck that Morgan had fashioned, but Delilah was not immediately safe. Sharon was ready to use FORCE to restrain Nicolas if she had to.]

[ outside of the rotunda on the marble steps, Nicolas seemed quiet for a moment but then...]

He's REVERTING!

[ his skin changed, his markings returned. Before Sharon could strike a blow, she was forced back, as were the others. Even Nicolas couldnt do lasting damage to her invulnerable form, but she quickly recovered to see to the others.]

He's GONE!

[ and she knew WHERE. She would have to get there, but something told her to stay HERE with the others, with KAREN inside apparently attempting to revive Mike.]

[ moments, later, they were ALL shocked as Nicolas arrived with PERSPHONE, throwing her down to the steps, she looked like she'd been brutalized. Sharon was the first to react. UNAFRAID.]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

[ she rushes forward, and pulls Persephone away from Nicolas, DARING him to try to pass her.]

Just WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? You can't DO things like this! EVERYTHING YOU DO CAUSES PAIN! MORE PAIN MORE VIOLENCE AND YOU ONLY ADD TO IT!

[ meaning that Ava did what SHE did because of NICOLAS and NOW Nicolas was adding to it]


You only PROOVE yourself to be the MONSTER half the people on this island THINK YOU ARE.

You've damaged The Rotunda and you nearly KILLED Ava!

You're not the boy i knew....I dont know WHAT you are anymore...but I WONT allow you to add ANY MORE DEATH to this place. KEEP AWAY!

[ Firebird and Morningstar rush to Persephone, and add their looks of disapproval. ]


I'm going to have to tell Karen. It's the ONLY way to prevent HER from treating Nicolas as a threat. She's going to have to know what happened.

[ She didnt need telepathy to know what had happened in the jungle. She saw Ava at the villa while Nicolas was away. She heard everything and she had been following Ava until the fog came. But she HEARD the heartbeat and breathing pattern]

[ the situation was hot button and could get worse. Sharon would not allow the Rotunda to become a free for all.]

Haleigh, i suggest you make yourself usefull, and keep that rampaging LUNATIC at bay, before i have to make a descision.

[ and with that, she turns to the others.]

Take her to Karen. she needs medical attention and fast.

[ out of the frying pan and on their way to the FIRE. Sharon would be hard pressed to keep Karen from going MAD on Persephone, but she'd HAVE to. There'd be NO MORE KILLING! NO MORE LIVES RUINED! ]

I'll explain everything. I hope Karen will listen to me...

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Oh Michael....

<< thunder rumbled in the shaken halls of the rotunda as Karen was now on her knees, cradling Mike. it was a bizarre, grizzly moment. tears fell from the Doctor's eyes, but she did not SOB. Instead she spoke softly. >>

I dont know...how this couldve happened so fast....

<< her low toned voice trembled...>>

but maybe N OW You will see the benefits that come with my being SHADOW WEAVER! I will do what should NOT EVER be done...I have the power...and i will USE IT!

<< she heard the echo of commotion outside but did not open her eyes or even look in that direction. instead she lays Mike back down...and spreads her hands out in either direction.>>

Winds arise, heed your daughter
what was wrought, now be undone!

<< chimes sound off, winds begin to HOWL and blow and thunder crashes.>>

The secrets hid in the night
The oldest of demons are invoked here
The great works of the Darkhold are sought
In this night and in this hour
I invoke the anciant power
To serve me, SHADOW WEAVER!

<< the howling winds sound more like the mournfull cries of demon spirits now...as the area grows cold and dark....a flash of blue/black light erupts around karen as a shadow form now flows all around her and Mike.>>


Demons of Air, Forest and Sea
Find his lost soul wherever he may be
Beasts of hoof, and beasts of shell
Bring this soul BACK to its MORTAL COIL!!

<< a jagged bolt of black lightning erupts from the GROUND UP, surrounding Mike and Karen as her hair flows, her eyes glow solid black.>>

Blood flows and flesh made whole
BRING HIM BACK!

BRING HIM BACK!

<< she SCREAMS as the POWER flows through her UNCHECKED! the NECROMANCY SPELL which challenges DEATH ITSELF now fully activated...as the spirits flow around Mikes body, each portion of his body touched by the dark shadows is slowly restored...and finally, one larger spirit form flows over him and kISSES HIM on the mouth...and as dark sparkling winds swirl around them, MIKE GASPS with new LIFE and SHOCK of his spirit being pulled BACK into his body.>>

<< Shadow Weaver had done it....she has used a necromancy spell to success.>>

<< and in one final crash of thunder and blast of dark magick...the spell climaxes and ends...With Karen once again craddling Mike, and slowly rocking him and the sound of her exhaling can be heard all around the rotunda as the winds return to their normal state...>>

I...have made it....all better.....you can wake up now.

 

[Arsenal]

Mike's spirit is floating, but it is dark. He has not yet settled anywhere and he is still trying to wrap himself around being dead. As he floats in darkness, he hears a voice, a sneering deep voice that accosts him.

So, she got to you as well. No matter, you will be transferred soon enough to the Elysian Fi--EH?!! It appears you picked a better woman to bed than I mortal, your time has not yet come. Tell Proserpina that her Lord Hades will be waiting...

Mike violently inhales, for the first time once again, and he is held...CRADLED by Karen, who can apparently allay death ITSELF!! As he shakes, his body settling down back into his body, he looks at Karen and smile slightly, his eyes still betraying a WILD IMBALANCE, and he speaks, his voice croaking at first, then more like himself.

YOU...brought me back? One advantage of the Darkhold...is it? Good thing, especially if Ava decides to kill me AGAIN. Might want to keep that on SPEED DIAL.

Mike laughs after that, speaking almost nonchalantly, his mind not completely grasping its own end. It appears that the effects of being raised from the dead will be not as clean cut as expected...

 

[Shadow Weaver]

<< she is jostled a bit as Mike experiences the shocking effect of being resurrected. But she held him close and stroked his head.>>

Yes...I brought you back...I went to a place that...I probably should not have...but I had the power, and the WILL to use it and that's what i did.

<< Mike would notice Karen's hands looked a bit different...more "crone" like in that the nails were longer, and they seemed to have an odd "glow" about them [ think Doctor Strange's hands. It was a sign that the spell had been so powerfull..so demanding that it caused a cosmetic change in her hands. whether it was temporary remained to be seen.>>

Don't make jokes, Michael. You were DEAD! Sharon found you...she said you had been attacked by a pack of jaguar! She drove them away...but it was too late. NICOLAS came charging in here like a renegade WRECKING BALL with your body. I had to send him AWAY so that i could TH INK CLEARLY...so that i could figure out WHAT i could do!

<< Mike didnt seem to understand just the GRAVITY of what she'd done.>>

I....went somewhere...that Ororo has always taught my daughter NEVER TO GO. I did it for YOU. so perhaps my being SHADOW WEAVER isnt such a bad thing AFTER ALL!

<< she said coldly...but still holding him. the look on her face was soft and serene. it was clear to see she had shed tears...>>


<< the others were coming.>>

you just rest....I have ...something else to attend to now.

<< she spoke in the low, cold tone as she stood up and lowered her hands, snapping her fingers as her hands reached her sides and with a chime, she instantly changes out of her blood soaked nightgown into her FLYING SUIT, only this one looks EXACTLY like the one worn by Shadow Weaver in the alternate timeline, with the cleavage bearing neck line and the split up the side hem of the skirt.>>

Sharon??

<< the others arrived with Ava.>>

AVA? WHAT HAPPENED to her!?

 

[Silver Swan]

[ arriving with almost perfect timing, Sharon saw Mike was...]

ALIVE!

[ she exclaimed with a noted tone of relief in her voice. She'd gotten a second chance, so why shouldnt anyone else among them...but she knew it could all blow up AGAIN...]


Karen...Ava needs healing. She's been badly hurt.

Karen: WHAT HAPPENED?

Sharon:....

[ the doctor cast a restoration spell on Ava, which restored her physical body and her vitality but she still waited for an answern.]

There's no easy way for me to say this...

But...Nicolas attacked her. He...retaliated against her BECAUSE...of what she did to Mike. SHE was responsible for the attacks on him. It must have been her power over nature and animals.

I saw her at haleigh's compound, i heard everything she said...and when she left the compound, i followed her from the air...until the fog came...that unnatural fog.

I landed to investigate, but while i couldnt SEE ava, i eventually locked onto two heart beats...one was mike's the other was HER'S. She was THERE when the jaguar attacked...it happened SO FAST that even I couldnt get to him in time. Once i did...I beat them back and drove them away but by then, Ava was gone. But I KNOW she was there. my hearing, my sonar are PERFECT.


SHE killed him. There's no other explanation but she's not herself...there's something wrong with her. I HEARD IT when she was at Haleigh's. her heartbeat, her breathing, everything is off...

[ she said matter of factly. feeling that it was better to be honest about everything, for everyone's sake.]

Her own SISTER didnt seem to notice. She was too busy talking to Nicolas in telepathic rapport.