The after shock

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Alexis' Penthouse

:: Wincing slightly feeling a slight pinching of her skin, Alexis lifted her head from it's previous resting position and opened her eyes. She had fallen asleep out on the balcony; the sirens and smoke filled air seemed to sooth her to sleep. Lifting her hand to where she felt the pinching, Alexis' fingers ran along her silver choker that she completely forgot having on. Lowering her brows, she ran her finger along the length of the choker until she found it's clasp located by the base of her neck. Unbuckling the clasp, the choker opened effortlessly and collapsed into her hand. ::

:: As the choker left her neck, Alexis suddenly had an overwhelming feeling of nausea. Her stomach was in knots and her head dizzy with uncertainty. Closing her eyes, a fire truck's siren afar brought back memories of the tragic evening. Sharon and Morgan's death...Alycia sobbing on national television...a completely feeling of emptiness; then a terrifying feeling of strength. Panting in shallow breaths, Alexis' eyes opened and immediately fell upon the choker in her hand; her pain was being masked by this piece of jewelry and replaced by the feeling of utter power and strength. A feel she hadn't felt since before Blaze's death. A feeling she dearly missed. Shaking her head, the meta human stood from her rocking chair to only collapse forward onto the railing lining her balcony. Holding herself up weakly, a soft breeze swept along her body; her blonde locks brushing behind her shoulders and settling down her back. But with the wind came a voice...::

Alexis...

:: Gasping in, Alexis' eyes immediately opened from their closed state as she turned toward the French doors assuming someone was in her home. Seeing it was as dark and lifeless as moments before, the blonde gripped the railing with her hand tightly and stood motionless trying to calm herself. ::

Alexis...

:: Jumping, a soft shriek escaped her lips as she pressed her body against the railing. She wasn't startled that she was hearing voices, or WHY she was hearing them. She was startled at the fact she knew the voice all too well. The voice of evil...the voice of her Aunt Helena. Gripping the choker in her hand subconsciously, Alexis fluttered her long lashes as her eyes shifted around the small balcony. ::

"You're dead..."

:: Whispering softly. ::

"I killed you myself..."

:: Parting her mouth in shock as a soft laughter echoed in the wind, even in death Helena knew exactly how to pull Alexis' strings and play with her like a puppet. ::

Oh, Alexis. It never ceases to amaze me how truly stupid you are. I live within you--I’m apart of you whether you like it or not. I'm in your blood, your mind, you soul. I'm everything within you that you try so desperately to change. You're a Quartermaine, Alexis. So unless you want to end up like your father and your brother......you'd be wise not to fight this.

:: The sapphire gem placed in the center of the cuffed choker began to glow brilliantly. The choker itself began to pull slightly forcing Alexis to grip it tighter. Looking down at the jewelry within her closed fist, within milliseconds, it ripped out of her hand with ample force and clasped around her neck making the blonde gasp in and fall to her knees. As the gem's glow died down, Alexis kept her body slumped over; her blonde hair shielding her face. A soft gust of wind tasseled her hair back giving the world a glimpse of the meta human once again. The wind danced around Alexis in figure-eights until she heard her aunts voice...and what felt like her warm breath, along her exposed ear. ::

Embrace your new destiny...

:: Opening her sapphire eyes, all the lights within Illustra began to flicker violently as the slightest smirk could be seen coating Alexis' lips. ::
 
Morgan's Penthouse

[ As Delilah took in the surreal experience that was Ororo, her true feelings were brought out of her. What was really bothering her, what she hadn't been able to say before. She had let Morgan die...

Her next question came out a hoarse whisper, as tears came once again. She looked up at Ororo. ]

"But would she forgive me?"
 
Haleigh pulled out of the hug, taking Alison's hands in her own, managing a weak smile.

"Yes.... we'll do it together.... I think I can handle that." She took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, letting go of Alison's hands and wiping her eyes, giving out a short, relieved laugh. "I think... I feel a little better now. You should try falling apart, it does wonders for stress managment."

The flatpanel turned back on, as it notified Haleigh and her guests that someone had come to her door.... Haleigh turned to look... Blaze was back, and Haleigh's mood lightened, but only slightly. Zach offered to get the door, and haleigh turned back to Alison, her voice still somber and her expression melancholy.

"Well...ONE wrongful death has been righted... we saved countless lives... and Mystech is about to find itself in some very hot water.... and yet.... I still feel as if the pros are overshadowed by our losses.... Sharon, and Morgan... I wish there was a way we could have saved them too... I know... things are as they are supposed to be. I wish being able to logically accept it, as I have, would make it easier."

She turned to receive Blaze, nodding at her question, but not speaking, as blaze asked them not to explain. As Blaze asked why, Haleigh subdued the empty feeling she had, and tried to offer a helpful response.

"THEY.... didnt do it to spite us.... It was.... Morgan's destiny... and Sharon's... their deaths will do an incredible feat for the greater good.... they made the ultimate sacrifice.... and it doesnt make it any easier to swallow.... but neither of them died for nothing."
 
Haleigh's reply unsettled Blaze who bolted from the arm chair, "HER destiny? It was never Morgan's destiny! Okay...THEY took her away from us! It was THEM!" She pointed to the ceiling with her index finger raised. Her eyes morphing into a midnight tint and her facial expression grimacing into that unholy feature again.

"The Elders stopped me from saving Morgan....all of them...I tried! But I did manage to kill the one who stopped me." Her eyes zooming in on Haleigh, "I have every reason to HATE them, Haleigh. I understand they saved you and you repented for your old ways but don't you DARE tell me it was time for Morgan. I come back to find my sister gone because those selfish bastards decide its her destiny. Its bullshit and I don't buy it! If you wanna sit there and swallow that then fine, but I refuse! And I apologize if I seem belligerent to you...I'm just royally enraged with them."

Her eyes flickering back to that Sage green tint again. She folded her arms across her chest. "I cannot forgive them....ever!" She clenched her fists tightly. "Morgan and Sharon's courage will not go unnoticed but the way they died will not either. Morgan had a lifetime....she didn't deserve that..."

"She didn't deserve that!" She repeated with more emphasize on the wording. Inhaling a deep breath she looked down, "I'm sorry...I don't mean to be hostile with you both....I'm just....well..lost without her."
 
Morgan's penthouse

:: Ororo looked upon the young Delilah with a compassion of a mother. She remembered her own youth...BEFORE arriving in Limbo and forever changing her life..and all the moments of uncertainty there were for her. The moon was full and bright as it shown through the panoramic window wall...it was the only light in the large sunken in sitting room as Delilah hadnt turned on any lights in Morgan's penthouse...she had her own natural luminescence.::

Morgan is one of the dark trinity, connected to Limbo which exists outside of time and space. At this moment, I cannot say for certain when or IF she will return to us in our timeline but the Siege Perilous....it judges a person on the totality of their deeds once they have been pulled in and the cosmic forces therein will rearrange the person to reflect another aspect of their being...and they begin life anew in a new time and space...with no memory of the life before.

Everything has happened so...suddenly...and yet, it was what was supposed to happen. Your ongoing fight with MysTech has taken a turn...through this terrible loss and you will see yourselves afforded a new advantage in your efforts to dismantle that vast and terrible power.

::she listened as Delilah asked her last question::

You are a brave woman Delilah, you have always operated with selflessness and provided an example for others through your actions. If there was ever anyone that Morgan truly trusted on this earth outside of Alison and her mother, it was you, her best friend. Do not look down on yourself for not being able to save Morgan. She did what she felt was necessary to save all of YOU...again, it was her way of balancing the scales for what she had done during Inferno.

::Ororo's voice was clear and soothing...she didnt want Delilah to blame herself. This was no one's fault..but at the same time, Ororo herself felt a quiet, nagging sense of guilt and regret...she had lost her X-men in Limbo years ago and was unable to save them. To avenge them, she learned the ways of dark magick and destroyed Belasco..but in the process...she lost her soul. Though she won it back, the deaths of her X-men haunted her for then on. She can sympathize with Delilah's pain...but she can also see the bigger picture::

Take time to reflect, allow yourself to grieve. It is only natural. Stay here in the safety of Illustra with your team mates...you ARE part of this team...and its what Morgan would have wanted.

::Ororo gently brushed away some of Delilah's blonde locks that hung in front of her face, as the young woman looked down and seemed to be full of uncertainty. Soon, a soft mew from Tinkerbell was heard as she jumped up on another portion of the leather sectional...she looked across the way over at Ororo and Delilah. Ororo looked over at the siamese cat and smiled::

Delilah, will you be caring for Morgan's familiars in her absence?

::Ororo made it sound that the possibility of Morgan being able to somehow return was very real...a reassuring tone::
 
Haleigh's penthouse

::Back on Haleigh's floor, Alison, who had let her hair down out of her trademark bun, looked less servere....her face looked weary. As She and Haleigh disembraced, Alison held her hand...::

::she looked up...shutting her eyes tightly::

i've spent years become hard as Marble...i think....that this evening has been the closest I've felt my own heart ache for a long time. Knowing what is going to happen....is nothing compared to GOING THROUGH IT. I didnt think I would hurt so much....feel so powerless.

::as Haleigh and Alison looked toward the door and the person entering..it was Blaze. ALIVE and whole as she was before Inferno. True enough Alison and Haleigh had known she would return and they knew Jasmine was now in a time and space, living a new life with no memory of this one. A small step in balancing out an evening of tremendous loss::

::Alison shifting where she was sitting as Blaze spoke::

Knowing what is coming is one thing....looking ahead in all probably time threads to see all possible outcomes is easy enough. Knowing when and when NOT to interfere is one of the greatest burdens of being a precog. OBVIOUSLY if i could have had my way....we would have done everything we could to save Morgan and Sharon. Both women ....went to their deaths with bravery and honor. Their sacrifice has set in motion a chain of events that will lead to MysTech being brought down sooner than ANYONE would have suspected.

::she paused as she looked at Blaze...Morgan's half sister. So different were they...and yet, somehow Blaze reminded Alison of Morgan.::

Morgan...felt that she had to balance the scales...make up for what she had done during Inferno. She sacrificed herself to push Master Mold through the Seige Perilous ...not only to save US but to save the city...the same city she nearly destroyed months ago. She promised Ororo she would learn control......and in that moment...she.....

:: Alison put her hand over her face as she bowed her head....::

Master Mold had electrocuted me, knocked me unconscious....I just wish i had been AWAKE!! I could have...TELEBLINKED her out of his grasp....

::it was clear that Alison was haunted by this...she LOATHED the idea that she might have been too weak to at least ATTEMPT to circumvent the events she knew had to come to past. it was the ultimate burden. Knowing that even though you see what is to come, you cannot always intervene.::

::shaking her head as she attempted to abandon a wave of emotion, she sat up straight again::

Tomorrow Haleigh and I will visit Karen. We will inform her about Morgan and be there for her. We also need to prepare for Sharon's funeral coming in a few days. Alycia will be informing us of her descision to leave the office of the district attourney for the state of new york. She is going to become a private citizen....Then there's the matter of Alexis, who still doesnt register clearly in my sight anymore. something has happened to her, changed her...and that would explain her fierce behavior during the battle with Master Mold and her cold detachment from the events of this evening. We will have to look into that.

But for now....let us all try to....get some rest. Our task tomorrow will be most difficult. Blaze, you will stay here in Illustra with MorningStar while we're gone. With Prophet missing in action and Alexis obscured by some kind of spectral anamoly...that leaves a core team of 4. We can ill afford to be seen in public right now.
 
Even as emotional as she was, Blaze felt comforted by Alison's commanding voice. Her nerves tingled from the magick that transported her here. She hardly had much time to register it but now was not the time. Everytime she thought of Morgan, her heart sunk inside her chest.

So full of rage and heat, Blaze almost felt chilly and cold. Her sibling added to her warmth but she was gone, forever. Standing up from the arm chair, Blaze walked to the window overlooking the city. She saw the same chaos Jasmine did earlier that day.

"You want me to stay here? I believe I should go, Karen knows me and if anything she and I could comfort the other." She paused, Doctor Victoria's grieve would be far worse than any of the team and she knew that. "If you think I should stay here...I will...maybe I'll go up to Morgan's penthouse and reflect some things."

Her hunter eyes sparkling with the threat of a new batch of tears. Blinking them back, she breathed deeply. "Alexis seemed odd back on the yacht, are you sure she's purified of any chemical warfare?" She turned at the waist, directing her question to Haleigh.

"I'm sure Prophet is safe, he always was street savvy, he'll find his way back to us, I'm sure of it. How is Delilah holding up?" She turned her back to the window, leaning up on an angle. "I'm sorry...so many questions.." She apologized.

Walking over to Alison, Blaze crouched down in front of her. Lightly caressing her cheek, "Alison Marble, you did the best you could....do not blame yourself for their loss. I know you...and what's behind that Marble heart. I saw it on another plane of existence - you fought bravely and Haleigh...your actions were dangerous for your own life but your quick thinking helped Morgan to live a bit longer. Thank you both....I know you two blame yourselves and I would probably too." Her eyes sliding onto Haleigh this time, "but Morgan wouldn't want that...she'd want you to kick some ass and ask questions later! The two of you are the team leaders of this team, which means the team will rely on you for guidance, support, and strength. Its a whole different career of its own."

She turned to study Alison's cobalt eyes, "you saw this coming....its your destiny. And I'm sure at times its an awful curse. At least the two of you tried, I wasn't even allowed to do anything." Her voice dropping a level or two. "This month will be brutal on us all....we have to pull through. I'll see what's up with Alexis....while you two inform Karen."

Pulling her hand from Alison's cheek, Blaze stood up. "Besides, I need to have a word with dear Alexis." Her eyes morphing into that oily black tint. Blaze hadn't forgotten Alexis' provocative behavior with the mutant. She had her own personal vendetta for Alexis, but most likely Blaze would be the one to sense this new change in Shockwave. Not because of her senses but because Blaze too had turned more toward the darkside.
 
Haleigh's floor

Haleigh nodded, her eyes distant, as alison spoke of feeling powerless, and at the realization that the loss of Morgan hurt way more than either of them had originally thought. "Nor did i..." Haleigh could only agree, and listen, as Blaze talked. 'Prophet has street smarts,' Blaze said. 'He's safe.' Haleigh heard.... she desperately hoped so... after the way she and Cameron had left things between them... Haleigh had the sinking feeling that she might never get the chance to repair their close friendship.

Alison bowed her head, and wished she had been conscious.... Haleigh put her hand on Alison's back between her shoulder blades, offering whatever solace she could. She knew this pain all too well... "Alison... I know we ALL wish we could have done more.... and Blaze," haleigh continued, raising her eyes to meet her dear friend, "Trust me... you are lucky they stopped you... at least you have THEM to blame for your inability to help... the only ones WE have to fault.... are ourselves... at least you get to be angry.... all we have is our guilt.... and it is a feeling like acid in my veins." Haleigh greived, pulling herself to her feet, and then embracing Blaze in a hug.

"Welcome back... I wish it could be under better circumstances... but it seems today can only be filled with ambivalence... for every good thing... there has been tragedy to accompany it." Haleigh turns to Alison. "Yes... tomorrow... we will go to Karen.... Blaze... I'm not too sure if that is a sound idea... she knows you died... for you to be alive... and in the flesh... there, as we tell her that Morgan is lost to us forever.... it might aggravate and already delicate situation.... you know I would NEVER ostracize you intentionally... I'm just afraid to risk bringing you.... you never know HOW someone will react... and we don't want to lay it all on her at once... some things... are just better handled strategically, you know? Alison... feel free to stay here, if you like... both of you are welcome to anything in the flat... food... alcohol.... I'll be taking the Everclear... but there's quite a collection of strong liquers... HAVE some... itll help you escape... and SLEEP... something I wish i could do."
 
and so...

<< and so...as one light of the Six has faded...another was re-lit. as as the painfull, numbing reality of Morgan's passing settled on the minds and hearts of the three women in Haleigh's appartment, up above several floors in Morgan's very loft, Delilah is comforted and given understanding by the powerfull sorceress Ororo. Her words bring understanding...a bit more clarity and even a ray of hope? that the mystery that is Limbo and the nature of the Siege Perilous...some how hold the key to what all of the team wishes for.>>

<<Jasmine , a woman who knew nothing but heartache and violence in this life...was rewarded for her acts of bravery this night by being reborn in a new life...with no memory of this former life. It is the ultimate gift of the Siege Perilous. While at the same time, Blaze is returned to THIS life...somehow granted a second chance and at a time most critical.>>

<< even as the city reels from the disaster and the world is shocked by the truth of MysTech...any solace that the Six might find in the turning tide will soon be all but lost as a new threat begins to head their way...both from within and without.>>

<<but for now...they mourn..and as the burden of leadership passes from Morgan to Alison AND Haleigh...the team will begin to forge ahead...one step at a time, starting with tomorrows meeting with Karen...and Sharon's funeral shortly thereafter>>
 
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