The after shock

[Spellbinder]

**Read the last page of "Enter: Master Mold" BEFORE you proceed to post in this thread!**

<< Master Mold SCREAMS as he is pulled into the vortex of the Siege Perilous. His head seems to be SUCKED away side ways. Morgan struggles to reach the unconscious Guardian, to pick her up and carry her back to the bus..... But at the last moment...a tentacle wraps around MORGAN'S ankle...another one around her waist.. Master Mold's face reappaers inside the vortex and then another tentacle around her NECK and all together they PULL HER IN AS WELL.....the image of Morgan screaming as she is sucked into the vortex, pulled deeper in until she fades out of site is one that will now haunt The Six as she is pulled into the cosmic gate. The Siege Perilous begins to deactivate its unforgiving vortex and shrinks down....a badly hurt and unconscious Guardian lays near by...and the rest of the Six and Alycia are left there...>>


<< the battle was over. the city at large had been spared catastrophic damage with most of it being confined to one area....and the casualties....limited to only TWO. Black Widow, Shockwave, MorningStar and new comer Frost were now left to grapple with the bitter victory over Master Mold...and the shocking loss of Sharon Kelly and Spellbinder.>>

<< the area all around was dark...small fires burned, power lines were exposed and there were deep smoldering craters all around the streets. Buildings had been crushed/demolished and cars destroyed. the melted remains of the limo that once carried Alycia and Sharon were now inside a massive crater....and outside of the battered bus that Alycia had hidden in for refuge...on a pile of rubble lay an unconscious Guardian whose vitals were dangerously low after having been electrocuted and slammed into the bus. the Siege Perilous lay near by. its smooth faced ruby gem which was supported by a flawless pure gold setting with ancient inscriptions around its perimeter sparkled as the last remnants of its latest activation died down. Among its victims: Black and Kelly King..its most recent victims: Master Mold and Spellbinder. >>

 

[Persephone]

:: Alexis' body laid long the steps which entered the bus. Her hand still gripped around the pole, and her blonde hair shielding her face. Everything was silent; the winds had died down. Moving her head Alexis released her cramped hand from around the pole and slumped down onto one of the stairs. Lifting her head her blonde hair instantly moved from her face as she caught the first glimpse of what had happened. Master Mold had been destroyed....but the screams of Morgan echoed in the blondes mind. She had been taken with him. ::

:: Letting out a low cough, Alexis allowed her body to fall to the cement ground outside the bus where she saw Alison laying unconcious afar. Slowly pushing herself up off the debris covered concrete, she didn't realize how much energy she used to just hold onto the bus when the vortex was opened. Walking over to Alison, Alexis kneeled down to the woman and brushed her brunette locks away from her face. She could feel remains of the electrical current that was forced throughout Alison's body...enough to knock out the entire city of New York. It was a wonder Alison had even survived it at all. ::

"Alison...can you hear me?"

 

[Foxfire]

Gritting her teeth, Jasmine felt her strength dwindling due to the strong vortex just outside the bus. Her hands perspiring but her fingernails curved inward to claw viciously along the seat. Shielding her head down on an angle she was able to manage to hear Guardian's battle cries, despite the hurricane like winds. Her heart beat slamming against her chest, for a second Jasmine thought her body would implode from such force. A few audible grunts were heard but drowned out in the backlash.

Lifting her green eyes, she managed to be in view of the battle outside. Her eyes narrowed from her hair lashing across her face. Small strings of pain whipping across her face. Squinting her eyes she saw Guardian battling Master Mold bravely. Watching the bewitching Seer risk her life to save the team and the city was astonishing. Here, Jasmine though Alison was a self righteous bitch with a marble heart. But now she saw first hand her bravery and honor. She gasped in shock with Master Mold's assault on Guardian. Jasmine's eyes looked down to aide but she was helpless. Alison's agonizing screams felt chills down her back, for if the Seer screamed it meant she was nearly dead. The bus shook from Alison's body slamming into the side. Jasmine's stomach churned knowing who had been flung into the automobile. "Alison.." She whispered.

Almost spontaneously Spellbinder let go and was sucked close to the vortex. Her amazon like cry fierce and predatory. As she watched her sibling, Jasmine shook her head. "No." She called, disapproving of the act but she knew where Morgan's wintery heart lay - with her friends especially with Guardian. Wiping her hair around to see better, that cold onslaught of air attacking her pale skin.

An ear shattering scream bellowed out over the winds. That scream belonged to Morgan AND Jasmine. Her eyes wide with terror with various tentacles grabbing and pulling on Morgan. Jasmine bite roughly on her bottom lip, she felt guilt haunting her core. "MORGAN!!!" She yelled. It seemed as though the two did patch things up and both were more cordial with one another. Jasmine's eyes blurring over with her tears swelling up her eyes. "Morgan!" She yelled again only to see her sister sucked into the vortex, "SPELLBINDER!!" The vortex closed and the winds were calm.

Falling to the floor with a thud, the pain of Morgan's death overriding any physical pain she suffered with the vortex. She was numb and lost, she could only imagine what the OTHERS thought and felt. They would probably feel as though their hearts were ripped. Climbing to her feet, Jasmine's eyes were still blurry.

Running out of the bus, jumping off the stairs to land on the ground. Her eyes frantically searching the skies for her sister. "Come on Morgan!!" But nothing happened, Morgan did not drop from a stepping disk or did she appear. Shutting her eyes tightly, Jasmine bowed her head in grief. "That's two sisters I've lost." She covered her mouth in shock as the tears leaked down her dirt worn face. Her small body shook with her sobs. "Come back....come back.." Her voice like that of a child, soft and innocent.

Jasmine could only imagine what BLAZE was going through with this awful news. She knew somewhere....someplace Blaze was in agonizing pain. Frost hadn't realized how much Morgan had grown on her until this very second.

Shockwave's voice brought her out of her misery for a second. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Guardian. Wiping her tears, Jasmine had to save at least one teammate. Her healing ability was capable of healing others. She would thoroughly morn for Morgan soon. Her stiletto boots stained with dirt as she walked over to Alexis and Alison. Sitting down on her knees she could barely see correctly. Sniffling quietly she placed both hands over Alison's battle worn body. Guardian looked horrible, and Jasmine could barely recognize her.

"Alexis...stand back...please."

It would be the first time Jasmine was polite to Shockwave was well. Her hands slowly began to glow as the heat radiating from her body passed to Guardian's. Shutting her eyes, a few tears slipping out again. Concentrating she focused her healing ability to restore Guardian's battered and nearly dead body.

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh was elated.... her eyes were bright and the corners of her mouth were fighting to turn up.

"We did it! Alison! We did it!"

Haleigh gave her a look, as if to say 'we saved her!', but she knew better than to say it out loud. Her heart was up in her throat, as she gave Spellbinder a smile too. They went back to the bus, to the grim sight of Sharon's dead body and Alycia's mournful face. Haleigh remained OUTSIDE the bus, at the door opening, ducking her head inside to get a ful view of everyone. Her smile left her face.... but she still felt... blessed. It was over, or so she thought. She was guilty only of not making sure it was gone.... she was so relieved, that even though she would have CHECKED on it, were she looking at this situation as an outsider, she dismissed it now. She assumed it was dead... the MOTHER of all mistakes. The others reassured Alycia. Guardian laid out a plan. Haleigh took it all in.... she even recognized that something mechanical was moving out there. At first she assumed it as the city, coming back to life... and then.... she identified it.

"It's MASTERMOLD!"

She warned, but not a second early enough, as it spoke and then began to retaliate. Alison pushes past and Haleigh knows better than to stop her, so she settles to grabbing hold of the bus door jamb as the vortex opens. Haleigh has an unblocked view of the events that follow... her eyes trail Alison as MM slams her back into the bus... and Haleigh dives for Alison without even thinking... there is so much eletricity in the air that Haleigh can FEEL it... and as she grabs Alison's bicep, she gets a pretty strong static shock... but it hardly registers, as Hlaeigh has to work at machine speed to be able to snatch Alison AND latch onto the underside of the bus, anchoring the both of them from the vortex... Haleigh hears Morgan charge for MM... and she can only watch in horror, her heart sinking, as she knows they did NOT manage to save Morgan.... and then things look up, and Morgan attacks MM and is able to fight toward them, against the wind.... Hales can tell it is a struggle, like swimming against a riptide. Morgan gets within reach, but Haleigh fears she wont make it all the way... a pair of handcuffs anchors one of Alison's wrists to a pipe on the underside of the bus, appearing out of thin air, and Haleigh lunges for Morgan's outstretched hand. They link hands as MM grabs Morgan by the ankle, and Haleigh can feel her arms being painfully pulled as she tries to hold onto the bus AND Spellbinder... the whole BUS actually begins to slide slowly toward the vortex, and MM wraps another tentacle around Morgan's waist. Haleigh's hands are slipping, both her grip on the bus AND on Morgan's hand, as they both fight her fate....

They both lock eyes and Haleigh knows that this is the last time she'll ever look at Morgan... but despite common sense, she cannot bring herself to let go.... Haleigh's loses her grip on the bus and begins a terrifying and painful slide on her knees across the pavement, towards the vortex.... she refuses, to let go, as she clamps on to a fire hydrant, making a last stand of her own....her body begins to tremble from the stress, but her grip on Spellbinder's fingers cannot be renewed... and Haleigh is holding on so tight she is afraid she might BREAK Morgan's fingers... another tentacle finds itself around Morgan's neck, and Morgan's hand slips from Haleigh's.

Wide-eyed, Haleigh is left there, watching Morgan slip through her fingrs like sand. The scream that follows as Morgan disappears is one that Haleigh will never escape... For a few moments, there is silence, except for the sound of fire and live power lines... then Alexis goes to Alison, followed by Jasmine. Frost begins to heal Ali. Haleigh is frozen, kneeling at the edge of the sidewalk, still hanging onto the fire hydrant, about twenty feet away. Her whole body is still trembling... the feeling that has settled on her soul is smothering. It is utter guilt.... WHY wasnt I paying attention?? WHY didnt i MAKE SURE he was dead?! WHY.... WHY didn't I fight BACK?! Oh Morgan.... I.... I failed you...

Haleigh covers her face in her hands... and for the first time since any of them had MET Haleigh, they can all hear her audibly sobbing, apologizing to Morgan and then to Blaze... it is a soul chilling and most heartbreaking sound... and it goes on for several seconds before dying off... Haleigh's bionic ears can hear the first wails of sirens, and its brings her back to situational awareness.... she wipes her tears and takes a deep breath... but at first, is unable to turn around and face her teammates... she feels thouroughly convicted that it was her fault... even thouhg her mind tells her that Alison had SAID there wasn't anything that could be done, her heart is still overwhelmed with guilt. The first coherent thought to enter her mind is to LEAVE... leave the group instantly... she doesnt know if she can deal with the pain of facing them.... she KNEW this was coming and yet... she still couldn't FATHOM it. She turns to look at Alison, who is lying, still unconscious, as Frost attempts to revive her.... and haleigh knows she can't leave.... she must guide them all to carry through with Alison's plans.... all those times she wished she could lead the group.... she never felt more regretful about ANYTHING than she did now, taking the position that Spellbinder USUALLY filled. Haleigh walks back over the group, refusing eye contact at first.... She scoops Alison up in her arms and lifts her from the ground as the handcufff falls off her wrist. Haleigh's voice is hoarse and quiet, but calm and commanding. She manages eye contact with Alycia first.

"Alycia.... you know what to do... the investigators will find a fixed 'tape' of the events leading up to Sharon's death... one that doesn't identify ANYONE but you and her as even being present.... We HAVE to get out of here.... the rescue teams are coming. We will go back to... Illustra... give me a call as soon as you are able. Alexis, Delilah, and Jasmine... come with me.... there is a car around the corner. We can continue to care for Alison once we get out of the risk of exposure...."

Haleigh is melancoly but methodical, as she bids a solemn farewell to Alycia and carries an unconscious Alison away from 'ground zero', leading what was left of the grief-stricken Six away from the scene. The large SUV is revved up and ready for them to file in, and promptly takes them back to illustra, driving itself through the back roads, avoiding both the areas of damage and the numerous police, EMS, and fire vehicles.

 

[Artemis]

::Alycia was on the floor of the bus. half way under a seat. Sharon lay next to her as she hid as best she could from the last final scare of Master Mold. she heard Alison being maimed and she heard Morgan SCREAM...for the last time before all went silent. She cautiously emerged...and upon seeing Alison in Haleigh's arms while Frost tried to revive her....and not seeing Morgan ANYWHERE around..given the distress that Haleigh was expressing..it could only mean one thing. Morgan had sacrificed herself to save them all from Master Mold::

:: She bowed her head as she covered her mouth...she was so weary...so heart broken already, NOW all she could feel was disbelief.::

:: sirens could be heard in the distance....and the surviving members of The Six had to escape while they could. She wanted to say SOMETHING...and usually she ALWAYS knew what to say..but she couldnt speak. As Haleigh gives her instructions on the tape to give to the authorities, Alycia nods solemnly ....looking Haleigh directly in the eyes trying her best to convey how she felt.::

:: she watched as the Six hurried into the darkness around a corner and turned back to the bus....she had to attend to Sharon's body. She feared for Alison and the rest of the Six...but she knew they would contact her as soon as it was safe. She had her own part of this caper to carry out and no matter how tired or heart broken she was.....she would do it.::

:: kneeling down next to Sharon....Alycia holds Sharon's now colder hand without any hesitation::

....don't worry Sharon. they wont get away with this. MysTech WILL pay. You'll see......You and Morgan....will be avenged...and MysTech will go DOWN for this!


:: she crumbled down..leaning her back against a seat as she waited for rescue crews, police, fire and news crews who were now converging on the scene....The surviving members of the Six AND the Siege Perilous were long gone.::

 

[Foxfire]

Agony

Elsewhere on another plan of existence, Blaze was busy speaking with the Elders. The skies here were a light lavender tint and the spirit forms could levitate and other forms of transportation. Thick cumulous clouds wandering by this strange universe.

"I see."

Her voice calm and collected, unaware of the battle taken place at Ground Zero. Or the tragic events that would plague her soul. Walking along a serene pond, her bare feet touching over the tranquil waters. Her emerald eyes bright and full of purpose. Walking away from them, Blaze began to feel that rapport with Morgan.

Her eyes narrowing at the panic she felt and the anger. Stopping in her tracks, Blaze frowned. She sensed something was off but what? Her mind racing with possible outcomes. Rushing off the pond, trickles of water splashing as she hurried her pace.

Waving her arm a small cloud vanished to reveal lavender skies, but it was like looking down from a plane. Except her sight had zoomed onto the battle ground. She had missed the majority of the battle only to see Morgan struggling with the restraints.

Blaze was about to teleport down to aide her sister when a forceful arm yanked her white robe. "You cannot interfere, Blaze." Blaze's eyes raging at his remark, "like HELL I can't! That's my sister!" She thrashed her arm away only for his arms to tightly envelop around Blaze, "I cannot allow you to leave." Blaze kept her eyes focused on the image of Spellbinder. "She NEEDS me! I have to help her!!" She screamed at him, her own sense of panic doubling. Several other beings began to surround Blaze in a circle. "Keep her from leaving!" He spoke fiercely.

The more Blaze watched the more she ached. "LET ME GO!!" She whipped her body around as various arms clung onto her tightly. Helpless at this second, Blaze adapted to channel her fire power. A muscular man yanked her up in mid air. "MORGAN!!" She yelled with another tentacle lashing onto Spellbinder.

"Please! Let me help her! You DON'T understand! She would DIE for me!" But all Blaze received was a pair of stern looks. A few on - lookers staring at Blaze whose eyes bugged out to see Morgan pulled into the vortex. "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Her hand reaching out to the cloud. Her heart crushed as she slowed her thrashing. "YOU BASTARDS!!" Her eyes morphing into a pitch - black.

Turning her eyes, Blaze shot a high - voltage fireblast at the man holding her captive. "You MURDERED my sister! You going to PAY!" She screamed in vengeance. More robbed men and women running over to contain Blaze. But she was in anguish and misery.

Closing - lining a few of elders she yanked the one who stopped her. "An eye for an EYE!" She placed her hand on his cheek bone as his screams echoed. His skin heating to uncanny levels before his body faded to ashes. Blaze looked around with her fists closed. "My sister's death is on your hands!!"

Teleporting to ground zero, Blaze's form dropped in a heap. As the dust cleared her cheeks stained with tears. "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She yelled up to the sky. "I could have SAVED her! You bastards!" Blaze smashed her fist into the ground. "Please...PLEASE!" She cried, the pain cutting into her heart.

Her body trembling, now Blaze Fielding knew the agony Morgan felt at her death. Her rage boiling inside her. Her skin tore and ripped as a pair of black feathered wings elongated from within her back. Her pupils dilating with her face contorting to something unholy. Black fingernails growing on her slender hands. A snarl escaping from her as she punched the ground again. This time the ground trembled with an earthquake rocking NYC.

Blaze's own savage rage twisting and tormenting her angelic soul to something dark and brutal. Even her chocolate locks grew to the middle of her back. Her wings flapped a couple of seconds. Climbing to her feet, she felt Christopher's blood intertwining within her own. Finally the effects of the TO Virus installed into her body, specifically designed for this.

 

[Persephone]

:: Standing as Haleigh scooped Alison into her arms, Alexis narrowed her eyes watching the blonde take charge of the situation. What the hell was this bullshit? Suddenly she assigned herself head of The Six now that Morgan was dead and Alison was incompastiated. Tensing her jaw, Alexis rolled her eyes away from Black Widow and looked to Alycia who looked utterly shaken to the core. Her face cold and unnerving, Alexis blinked her glance away from Alycia and turned her head toward the street Haleigh said the SUV would be parked at. ::

:: Stepping forward, Alexis began to walk fiercly away from ground zero; her long tassled blonde locks bouncing behind her. Alexis kept her eyes focused forward--almost like she was on a mission. But her mind was elsewhere. As she made her way down the alley way, broken wires instantly began to spark violently as she passed them and the alley itself seemed to grow darker. Seeing the vehical parked ahead, one of Haleigh's men climbed out of the SUV and opened the door respecfully for Alexis. ::

"Get out of my way."

:: Forcefully pushing the man, with ease, into the building wall aside of the car, he slumped to the ground as Alexis climbed within the SUV and slammed the door shut. Gripping her hands into fists, the meta human kept her dark sapphire eyes staring out of the tinted windows, quietly awaiting the others to arrive. ::

 

[Harbinger]

who watches the Seer?

::she had to save them, she had to save the city and she had to destroy this symbold of Mystech's relentless might. what better way to do that than to unleash the power of the Siege Perilous?::

::Alison Marble, socialite, mysterious adventurer, powerfull witch, keeper of time.....many ways to described the brunette beauty....but none could be more appropriate now than BROKEN. The seer lay limp in Haleigh's arms. Her body had been battered and broken by powerfull jolts of electricity that would have KILLED anyone else but her own power to control time....to warp the temporal field of her body as well as molecular motion saved her from a painfull death. She did not see Morgan charge forward to PUSH Master Mold into the mouth of the Siege Perilous. She did not see Morgan try to reach Alison....or Haleigh reaching out for Morgan as Master Mold's tentacle wrapped around her ankle. She did not see the supreme struggle that Black Widow made to try to save Spellbinder from a terrifying fate. The "Seer" whose gifts had made her awed by some and hated by others in The Six did not SEE the last moments of her beloved friend's life.::

:: Her head lay to the side...her body remained still as she was carried away from ground zero. Alycia was left behind to carry out her part in the "damage control". the aftermath of Master Mold would hold a pain worse than any physically inflicted pain from the battle itself and even if Alison were revived, would she forever be broken in spirit? A "Guardian" who couldnt save Spellbinder or Sharon Kelly from the evil of Mystech.....who will watch the Seer in her darkest hour?::


:: even now as they quickly make themselves scarce from the scene, more changes loom on the horizon as Alexis' standoffish and increasingly hostile behavior will surely exacerbate an already dangerously delicate situation. Shockwave had been very proactive from the moment this nightmare began...but were her actions truly on behalf of the team? or was she merely serving her own new found impulse to violence? She'd shown little reaction to the death of Sharon Kelly or Spellbinder, BOTH of whom were colleagues and Morgan was even her business partner, not to mention a support system during the death of her brother and the revelation/murder of her true father.::

::at the moment though...the pain of loss and grief would over shadow Alexis' peculiar behavior...at least for the time being. The group quickly make their way back to Illustra. The building seems so DARK and still. With Morgan gone and Alison unable to function at this time the only other person able to gain the group private access is Haleigh. Once inside....the first steps toward dealing with the reality ...the PRICE of their hard fought victory over Master Mold will set in. ::

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh sat in numb reticence the ride back, and lead the group into Illustra in the same silence. She carried Alison to the elevator, holding her tight, afraid that Alison, too, would slip through her fingers. They rode to Haleigh's floor quickly, as she mentally passed the security clearances required. Haleigh was running on autopilot now... and though she catalogued Alexis' out of character coldness, she didn't immediately entertain it.... she was doing good just to be standing upright at the moment.... She stared with unfocused gaze as the numbers changed from floor to floor. She burst from the elevator as if it were a deathtrap, moving so quickly across the corridor that she was literally GLIDING... Zach threw open the double doors, a bewildered look on his face, his eyes red with sleep.

They all looked like hell... but Haleigh especially looked like death warmed over... she hadn't allowed Frost to heal her in the SUV, and it seemed every inch of skin was dotted with scrapes and cuts, dried blood and some still fresh... Her dress was torn, her hair in complete disarray... but it was the look on her face was what really told Zach that something terrible had happened. Haleigh laid Alison on the sofa gently.... the basketball game Zach had been sleeping through was now being cut into by breaking news stories, images of ground zero and Alycia and Sharon being discovered. Zach was incredulous, his eyes darting from the group to the TV.

Zach:"That's SHARON!"


"Yes... we lost her."

Zach:"But she WON the election!"

"And they had her killed.... Morgan... was taken from us too."

Zach:"Baby, you're bleeding... fuckin' every where, come here, lets get you cleaned up." Zach changed the subject, he could tell Haleigh was barely holdng it together. Haleigh brushed him off, now wanting to be pulled away. She now had Alison's hand in both of her own. "Alison? Stay with me... fight it.... I.... I don't think I can lose you too." Haleigh said softly, as she directed Frost to start trying to heal Alison again and asked Alexis to get some washclothes and water.

 

[Persephone]

:: Climbing out of the SUV, Alexis watched as Haleigh carried Alison into Illustra; Jasmine following closely behind. Stepping forward, Alexis closed the car door behind her as she too began to walk into Illustra. Approaching the elevator, it immediately opened for the woman allowing all three to step within it. Everything was silent and very claustrophobic...or at least that's what Alexis could gather from Haleigh's stance. The woman was on egg shells--completely raw and exposed. Narrowing her eyes slightly as she studied Haleigh further, Alexis couldn't help but allow a small smirk to dance along her lips at the sight of the mutant clinging onto Alison's helpless body. How utterly ironic.... ::

:: Lifting her eyes to the highlighted number listed on the elevator wall, a soft dinging sound could be heard as the doors slowly began to open. Casting her eyes back down to Haleigh watching as the woman fled the compartment like a bat out of hell, Alexis simply stepped out and made her way down the hallway toward the blonde's apartment. Zach answered the door...damn he was cute. God knows why he was involved with Haleigh....but that personal debate would be saved for another day. Walking into Haleigh's penthouse, Alexis pulled her gloves off as she made her way over to the couch in which Haleigh draped Alison on. Moving her eyes from one person to another, Alexis tossed her gloves absentmindedly onto the table rested behind the sofa. Hearing Haleigh's request, the blonde sucked in a dry breath and pressed her lips together as she walked through the livingroom heading toward the hallway where Haleigh's bathroom was located. After a few minutes, Alexis returned with a small bowl full of water and a few washcloths. Placing them on the coffee table next to Haleigh, she took a few steps back and crossed her arms, allowing her weight to rest against the wall and her eyes to stay focused on the group. ::

 

[MorningStar]

[ From her rather awkward position on the floor of the bus, she could see very little. The gale force winds pulling at Delilah's body prevented her from moving much at all except to hold on. But despite the roar of the winds around her, she could still hear the cries of those around her. Alison...Morgan...and finally Jasmine. Jasmine calling out Morgan's name...

And then it was over. The air was calm. It was something more than quiet...more like an absence of sound. She lay stunned for a minute, then slowly picked herself up. She was the last inside the bus except for Alycia. Was it really over? Something was keeping her from going outside. For some reason, she didn't want to see.

Slowly she left the bus. She looked to Alison's broken body...Alexis solemnly nearby...Jasmine softly crying...and Haleigh, Haleigh sobbing. But no Morgan. The pieces fell together in her mind. She was gone...

Delilah silently fell to her knees, staring blankly into nowhere.

Zombielike, she followed the others to the SUV, and sat quietly, hands in her lap on the ride to Illustra. Saying nothing, as the others got off on Haleigh's floor, she continued on to her own...the one that used to be Blaze's. ]

 

[Harbinger]

Haleigh's apartment

:: Alison lay on the couch. Her breathing was shallow but steady. as Haleigh held her hand, the techno organic/mutant hybrid feared that Alison was slowly leaving them as well. that wasnt necessarily the case...DEEP within Alison's psi screen protected psyche there was a glimmer of activity. Her soul began to revive and cry out across the astral plane. Her mind was so weak...so beaten down by the trauma of tonight...the feeling of helplessness as the group lost two of their loved ones. It was the third time she had been unable to save a member of the six or an ally. and although SHE of all people knew that everything happened for a reason, it didnt take away the pain. It didnt take away the desire she had to sleep forever and never awaken to the numbing reality.::

:: Frost's own power manage to soothe and cool Alison's internal structure. Drawing out the stinging, blistering heat and reversing the damage to her skin that had already been slowed by her own temporal based powers. her own icy aura had an affinity for the cooling and helped to facilitate faster recovery.::

::Alison would be physically fine, but the trauma to her spirit and her mind...the second time she'd been unable to save those she cared for...it may have defeated her spirit and she could become forever a "shrinking violet".::

:: as Zach tried to attend to Haleigh, the rest of the group were also left to struggle with what had happened this evening. they'd destroyed Master Mold but lost Sharon Kelly and Morgan Victoria. The team was more vulnerable than ever now and with Prophet missing and no way to reach Bane....they were hurting for reserve members as well.::

::News reports were coming across every channel and police, fire and other rescue/law enforcement officials were out all over the city. helicopters in the air....the team was safely nestled inside Illustra but the very building itself seemed to reflect the loss of its mistress....with many floors completely darkened with only minimal lighting and hardly any sounds save for on the private residential floors. It was now becoming clear through the news reports that Sharon Kelly had been assassinated and Alycia Barnett had survived the attack....that it was determined by the remains that a large robot..a SENTINEL of MysTech design was responsible. The implications of what this meant were monstrous as emotions were coming through some of the reporters and other officials who were reacting to Sharon Kelly's death. Safely under the protection of police and FBI officials now, a badly shaken Alycia Barnett was set to give her FIRST eye witness account of the events on a special emergency broadcast on CNN. This would be the moment that Alison had foresaw....the turning of the tide with public opinion AGAINST MysTech and official federal scrutiny supported across the board.::

 

[Artemis]

on the television

::Reports coming in on every channel illustrated the shocking horror of the NEW "Ground Zero" . News anchors on the most respected news magazines and shows were visibly shaken by the destruction that was visited upon this section of the city and live views of the monstrous remains of Master Mold.::

::a picture of Sharon Kelly was present on almost every channel::

News cast: It has been reported and confirmed by federal, state and local officials that Senator Sharon Kelly, who had just won re election for the senate seat of New York has been assassinated. The exact identity of her assassin has not officially been confirmed....but sources as well as video footage retrieved from a security camera in the area reveal what appears to be a giant robot...known as a "sentinel" attacking the Senator.

::footage of the terrifying super sentinel blasting the limo as Sharon tried to escape is shown..thanks to Black widow adjusting one of the security cameras that MorningStar had scrambled with her light powers. For the members of the Six watching..they finally got to see just what had happened before they arrived at the scene as Master Mold was about to fire upon Spellbinder. Sharon running...a terrified look on her face as the sentinel unleashed a deadly repulsor blast. the violent ballistic explosion slams into Sharon and knocks her off her feet as she falls out of view of that camera.::

News cast: There was one survivor AND eye witness to what is being called by some, the most balatant act of domestic terrorisim. ADA Alycia Barnett, who was traveling with the Senator to what would have been the victory celebration at the Rainbow Room, survived the attack and while badly shaken, managed to avoid major injuries. She has been retrieved by rescue workers and is now under protection, her where abouts remaining undiscolsed at this time.

:n site interviews of police, fire fighters give further detail to the physical damage to ground zero as more footage of Master Mold rampaging is being shown from the tape. A few citizens who were on the street near by recount the sounds and their personal view of Master Mold and how terrified they were. While Sharon Kelly's closest friends and colleagues from state and federal government from NY all the way to capitol hill and even other senators from around the country began to react publicly to the news of her death. condenming MysTech's Sentinels and MysTech itself, calling for a thorough investigation and dismanteling of the international commercial entity and more.::

::the announcement that Alycia will give an interview live from an undisclosed location continues to scroll across the marquee of most news channels as a small picture of her appears on the lower portion of the screen::

 

[MorningStar]

[ As she walked mindlessly through the apartment towards the bedroom, Delilah peeled off the remnants of her dress, letting them fall to the floor in burned and tattered pieces. She entered the large marble bathroom, and turned the shower on full and as hot as she could stand. She let the water rush over her, rinseing the blood and dirt from her body, wincing as the water touched the still open cuts on her arms and legs.

Jasmine's last cry of "Spellbinder" echoed over and over in her mind. Her hands flew to either side of her head in an attempt to dispel the demons there. She sank to the floor of the shower, the water still pouring over her body. The last moments before the vortex closed replayed in her head. She, holding on to the bus for dear life, virtually motionless. Doing nothing. Leaving Morgan to die alone.

Pulling her knees up to her chest, Delilah slowly rocked back and forth, trying to drown out the echoes of the day's events. ]

 

[Foxfire]

hales crib lol

Life...you only live it once. For some its possible to cheat death but for the less fortunate its an impossible task. You would think the members of the Six would be used to losing valuable and loved members. First Blaze back in the Inferno and now Spellbinder during the Master Mold caper. Both siblings and both dying for the "greater good." But to register death, fully register it well ask any psychologist and they'll tell you there's various steps. Usually the first is denial and that's exactly what the Six struggled with.

Morgan Victoria lived her life to the fullest. A beautiful blonde bombshell, powerful business woman, and a courage lady. Like anyone she had her dark sides, but who didn't? Her icy demeanor and brutal tactics did intimidate most. But the people closest to her heart were the Six and close acquaintances and friends. Her memory as super heroine will live on but her sacrifice will be known. Spellbinder....bitchy demon sorceress, elegant super model, loving friend and sister.

Jasmine glanced up to see Haleigh approach. Lightly sniffling she wiped away the fresh patch of hot tears. Taking a moment to gather and collect herself, she stood up. Her chest quivering with emotion. Biting down on her bottom lip, she folded her arms across her chest. A defense strategy to protect her heart, which was vulnerable. She hadn't gotten the time to fully know Morgan. She regretted not being more amicable to her. But as I said, you only live life once. A slow nod was given to Haleigh's commands. Jasmine didn't seem to nod, she was actually thankful for it. They needed as much support as they could get and Haleigh seemed like the woman perfect for the job.

Walking off with the others toward the black Suv that pulled up. She glanced over her right shoulder. Silently preying Morgan would return but that false sense of hope shining through. Dropping her head with a few strands of hair obscuring her face. Climbing into the back seat of the SUV. Pulling on the seat belt her hands moved to heal Alison but Haleigh's commanding voice broke through. "Its too risky to heal her, wait until we arrive back at Illustra." Jasmine removed her hands, folding them in her lap. She stared off outside the tinted windows. Noticing the debris and the damage the city had taken. This would take several months to repair if not years.

The ride was quiet with the driver communicating with the rest of Haleigh's men. Sinking down in her seat, she couldn't shake Morgan's icy violet eyes off her mind. The most powerful member of the Six afraid. It was almost like Morgan knew she was going to die and that was willing to risk herself to preserve the team.

They all arrived at Illustra and one by one they filed inside. Jasmine was the last one to follow. Her thoughts on Morgan and Sharon. Both so young to die and both incredibly brilliant minds. It was a shame, a terrible loss to man kind. Jasmine stepped inside the elevator leaning against the elevator. Walking inside to Haleigh's suite, they piled in.

Crouching down by Alison, she was now able to heal her. Her hands glowing faintly with her power accelerating. Her eyes staring blankly at Guardian. So many losses this day presented. First her daughter, Sharon Kelly, and now Morgan Victoria. Jasmine felt her lip quiver but she bit down hard. Now, was not the time to grieve she had to focus on Alison Marble. Her life depended on it especially with the severe injuries she suffered.

Overhearing the news conferences, Jasmine's eyes looked up. "Can we turn that off, please?" She asked. She didn't want to be reminded of the awful losses they suffered. Looking back down she brushed back Alison's dark locks.

"Come on Al."

She encouraged, Frost did not plan to leave this room until she at least saw Alison awaken. Her spirit hopeful though, luckily for her "half full" motto. She did all she could for Guardian, the rest was up to her. She felt an unnatural freeze in the room with Shockwave standing beside her. A frown creasing her features as she scanned down Alexis' body, looking for something abnormal. But that clever piece of jewelry easily able to fool the others. So, she thought perhaps this was how Alexis dealt.

 

[Persephone]

Alexis' Penthouse

:: Noting Jasmine scanning her, Alexis lifted a single brow and rolled her eyes away. Great, another version of Blaze...just what she needed. Shaking her head, Alexis pushed her weight off the wall and slowly made her way around the couch and toward Haleigh's penthouse door, not bothering to excuse herself. What did these people think? Morgan craved attention; loved the spot light. She always thrived at being a hero, and now she died a hero's death. Deal with it. It was bound to happen one of these days. ::

:: Slamming the penthouse door as she left, Alexis made her way down the hallway and bypassed the elevator immediately heading for the stairs. Pushing open the emergency doors, Alexis stepped down the stairs, descending to her own floor and away from it all. Pushing through to her floor, Alexis let out an exasperated breath as she slinked toward her penthouse. Entering her abode, Alexis headed straight for the shower to clean up. After about a half hour, she emerged from the bathroom fresh and clean and ready for a solid nights rest. She certainly deserved it. ::

:: Scruntching her damp locks in her fingers, Alexis climbed into her large king sized bed and tucked herself under her sheets. Laying her head on the plush pillow, she closed her sapphire eyes and slowly exhaled feeling the tension instantly leave her body. As the meta human drifted off to sleep, a devastating view of the damage from the battle could be seen perfectly from her floor to ceiling windows located afar...how utterly cinematic. ::

 

[Foxfire]

Having been around her fair share of villains and Mob bosses, Jasmine knew enough to register this was not Alexis dealing with the tragedy. In fact she seemed to lose her spark that she once possessed. Climbing to her feet, Jasmine noticed Delilah had not returned. She respected the cop, she knew she was privately grieving in her own way.

Turning to Haleigh, she stepped in front of her. "Let me see that and I won't take no for an answer. So sit your ass down!" She commanded, "cutie pie, I'll need some bandages, rubbing alcohol, and gauge." She ordered to Zack. Frost practically made Haleigh sit down on the arm chair next to the couch. She felt more comfortable being able to watch Alison.

As Zack returned with the bandages she crouched down in front of her. "That was some quick thinking back there." She complimented, trying to steal Haleigh's attention away from their loses. Her fingertips wrapping around the medical supplies. "Try and sit still for me soldier." She had a doctor's touch it seemed, gentle with a soothing voice. Very uncharacteristic of Frost.

Reaching for one of the warm washcloths she wiped away the traces of blood and dirt. Snatching up a cotton ball she douched it in alcohol, "this is gonna hurt." Applying the cotton ball to the small cuts on Haleigh's face. The wound sizzling with a white foam before a bandage was applied. Working her way down, she moved Haleigh's arm up to study the wound. "I'm sorry." She blurted out, "about what happened." She called.

She finished cleaning up Haleigh, handing the materials back to Zack, "thank you." Jasmine stood up only to prowl to the love seat. Her eyes fixated on Alison's lifeless corpse. She knew with such extensive damage, Alison would take a while to revive her bruised and broken body. Her thoughts wandering to Blaze again, how was she holding up?

Leaning against the back of the cushion, she thought about leaving Haleigh's penthouse. But that was somewhat rude and so she decided to stay. Once Alison woke up, she would excuse herself to another floor to grieve, most likely the conference room.

 

[Black Widow]

Zach was about to turn the TV off when it was announced that Alycia would speak and Haleigh spoke up. "No... lets wait to see what Alycia says... then we will.

Haleigh too had noticed that Delilah hadn't joined them.... it was okay... she was here, where it was same, and she knew enough not to go off on her own at a time like this... Haleigh would call them all when Alison came back around. She began to clean the dirt and dried blood from Alison's face... she made no attempt to hide how worried she was... she'd spent a long time hiding emotions and it hadnt done her any good... in fact... Morgan had died not knowing... they'd JUST begun to actually socialize. Alexis left, slamming the door behind her... and it occured to Haleigh that she was acting oddly... but she remembered what Alison had said earlier... so instead of getting angry at the woman's calousness... she let it go. As Frost healed Alison's wounds, Haleigh relaxed a little, watching the improvement. She hesistantly obliged to being seen to herself, just so long as she sat right adajacent to the sofa. Haleigh looked at Jasmine as she helped to dress her wounds, pulling out pieces of glass that Haleigh'd missed and wrapping them in gauze wraps, then cleaning the cuts on her face and applying butterfly closure strips to the bigger gash. Haleigh never flinched, never blinked. She was too distracted to register pain, and she wouldn't have cared anyway. They locked eyes as Jasmine spoke, and Haleigh took a deep breath and sighed heavily, looking away to find solace in the new reports.

"Not quick enough..." She replied dejectedly. Frost caught her attention again with condolences... and Haleigh observed her mannerisms. "Me too." She replied softly, as she wondered just how hard today had been for Frost.... while Sharon and Morgan were not necessarily close friends for Jasmine, Morgan was STILL her sister.... and Jasmine had also lost her daughter. "I'm sorry about your daughter... its a terrible shame... only a true monster would go after someone's child."

Zach took the washclothes, water, and bandages away, tell her she was very welcome. Haleigh smiled at him as he left... a broken and pitiful smile, but the first she had managed since they had returned. Haleigh looked at Jasmine and seemed to read her mind. "I'm going to stay with Alison until she wakes up... she's healed... the wounds now are emotional and psychological... and only she can heal those, unfortunately. If you'd like, there's a guest suite right down that hall... a bed and bath... you can stay here tonight.... I don't want any of us leaving Illustra... not for the night at least..."

 

[Artemis]

::Alycia Barnett was now on the screen..broadcast live from an undiscolsed location. She looked so tired, so worn..her eyes conveyed pain and loss as flash bullbs went off around her.::

::she appeared on all the major news channels::

Alycia: My name is Alycia Barnett. I am the Assistant District Attourney for New York City and I was a personal friend of the late Senator Sharon Kelly.

::she paused for a moment as images behind her of the terrifying attack by master mold began to replay::


This evening, Senator Kelly and I.....were proceeding to the Rainbow Roomto what would have turned out to be her victory party. As many of you had found out, she won her bid for re-election. However, en route we were ...attacked. Attacked by what can only be described as a monstrous sentinel , larger than any building for miles. This machine, a construct of MYSTECH INC, attacked Sharon and myself......and while I was able to survive....Senator Kelly...... Sharon....

::Alycia bows her head as she begins to crack with grief. the cameras continue to roll and all is silent. She regains herself::

Sharon bravely pulled me from the wreckage...but before she could escape herself, the sentinel MURDERED HER! If ..if it hadnt been for a band of super powered beings...that came to my aid...I may have perished myself.

:: Alycia straightens her back...as the pain seems to turn to anger::

This sentinel was identified as a design from MysTech, a global commercial entity that has had questionable dealings, policies and practicies for nearly two decades. They have gotten away with many unlawfull acts...including THIS ...DOMESTIC TERRORISM! Because of tonights events, one of the most honorable, decent women ever to have served on the United States senate..has been killed. I ask ALL of our law makers, state and federal officials with the powers needed to do so...in the name of Sharon Kelly to PLEASE ensure that this horrible act of domestic terrorism does NOT go unpunished. As an officer of the court, i know PERSONALLY the efforts that have been made to CHECK MysTech's evil actions...NOW more than ever...it should be APPARENT that the government needs to rally together across party lines, across ALL LINES to STOP THEM IN THEIR TRACKS!

:: Alycia stops....and wipes away a tear.....::

Sharon Kelly was a Mutant Rights advocate...alot of people didnt like that, but I am here to tell you that MUTANTS are human beings too!
I am here tonight....because of the efforts of mutants and other super powered beings who risked their lives to save me and others who were directly in the path of Master Mold's rampage. Please remember...that Sharon's legacy was one of TOLERANCE and RESPECT for diversity...ALL PEOPLE!

:: As a picture of SHaron Kelly fades onto the screen. The cameras stop the live broad cast of Alycia..just as she begins to cry. She had done it..called out Mystech on global news and implored the united states government to take action against them. it was the moment Alison had foresaw weeks ago......Sharon's death...was the bitter sweet break that The Six and ALL of mankind needed in the fight to be free of MysTech's shadowy grip on the globe::

 

[Persephone]

:: It didn't take long before Alexis' restlessness caught up with her. Rolling onto her back, she let out a grunt of frustration. You'd figure after a massive battle she'd be at least SOMEWHAT tired. Rolling her head to the side, Alexis' eyes settled on her clock that rested on her night stand; it read 12:15 am..only a half hour since she put herself to bed. Sighing as she propped herself against the headboard of her bed, Alexis reached over to the night stand and grabbed the remote control to her television. Pushing a small red button, a small section of her ceiling retracted back allowing a huge flat screen tv to lower afar. Pressing the on button, there she was....Alycia Barnett. ::

"Mmmm, this should be interesting."

:: Turning the volume up as Alycia composed herself before speaking, Alexis sat silently watching the broadcast. She spoke of MysTech; how they were responsible for the attacks. She described the events that unfolded; how mutants and non-mortals helped her escape with her life. She spoke of Sharon...her fallen friend. As Alycia's voice cracked the clicks of the photographer's camera’s's stopped. It was so devastating...it was so emotional.....it was so utterly nauseating. Rolling her eyes, Alexis shook her head and lowered her brows. This was a joke right? As Alycia continued, Alexis' eyes narrowed slightly into a bewildered stare until finally the broadcast was over. ::

"Jesus Christ."

:: Flipping the television off, Alexis dropped the remote control aside of her on the bed. ::

"It's like a fucking Pope died or something..."

:: Pressing her lips together, Alexis flipped the blankets off of her and slipped out of her bed. Walking toward the French doors that opened to the balcony (off her bedroom), she pushed them open feeling the cold breeze wash over her body. Her blonde locks blew behind her as Alexis stepped outside inhaling a long deep breath. Looking out along the New York skyline, the meta human sat in the rocking chair placed by the railing and closed her eyes. She wasn't about to let Alycia and her crocodile tears ruin the rest of her night... ::