The folly of Bianca

[Bishop]

As Nicolas (laughably) tried to put him in his place, Maxim narrated:

You stagger over to our home

"It's a hotel, not a home"

after FAILING to detain or even bother this wretched creature that you worked for yet have NO intel on

"At least I knew she existed"

...cretin...you slobber after Delilah instead of having the decency to allow her to try to reclaim her own life,

"How's Morgan doin', Nic?"

you beg your way into a caper that should have only involved your betters...

"You begged your way into my mission"

and to top it off, you manage to lose Delilah, try to turn this on us AND get cut by a sword that needs blood in one night.

And then he got exactly what he wanted. And that, was out of there. Nicolas used his powers to push him out the door. Dumbass, all he had to do was ask. As he went, Maxim waved behind him.

"Have fun with all that denial - adios!"

Finding himself released in the elevator, he pushed the button for the lobby. He was now all business, all playfulness out of his demeanor. Nicolas was not the only one who had noticed that Morgan had been gone a very long time. He flagged down a bellboy.

Had he seen Morgan Victoria come down from her suite?

The boy - who couldn't have been more than 17 - said that yes, she had been enjoying the show in the lounge when a note arrived for her.

Who did she speak to?

The bellboy pointed at the attendant at the front desk. Maxim slipped him some cash and walked into the bar area. Picking up a book of matches, he folded back the cover and tore off the sandpaper. He retraced his steps back into the lobby, and casually strolled past a large potted plant with a bunch of paper grass surrounding it’s base, the matchbook in his hand. He rubbed the sandpaper on the book of matches and dropped it inside the pot. The plant started to smoke, then flame. He rushed to the front desk.

“That plant is on fire!”

The attendant rushed over to look, frazzled. Easy as pie. Sliding behind the desk, he quickly found the note that Morgan had left for Alison. He opened it, quickly scanned it, and put it back, then slipped out the front door of the Parthenon.

He walked quickly down the block and turned onto a side street. His outer countenance was blank, hands thrust into his pockets. But inside his blood was boiling. For he’d learned two very important things: one, he knew where Bianca was right this second and two, Delilah Trelaven had been alive when that note was written.

 

[Persephone]

Bishop: “Um, excuse me? Guys? I think we may have a problem. What exactly happens if someone gets cut with the sword again?”

Ava looked at his arm and literally just slumped back against the conference room table with an exasperated expression on her face.

"You're LITERALLY going to be our end, aren't you?"

Ava didn't have to say much more than that before Nicolas--lets give Maxim a fighting chance--Nicolas, went ape shit on him. A sly smirk tugged on her lips as she watched Nic lay into Bishop before literally forcing him out of the conference room, down the hall, and into the elevator. He was officially on his own, because as far as he was concerned, he just pissed off his last "ally".

"Now that the trash has been taken out."

Nicolas: Morgan has been gone for nearly a half hour...has she contacted any of you? She is no longer here.

"No......You don't think she went after Bianca on her own...?"

Ava really didn't have to ask, because the others were thinking the same thing. The grim reality of what MIGHT happen hit them like a freight train...

"Alison, can you 'see' where she is?"

 

[Spellbinder]

NYC- the empire state building rooftop

looked Delilah squarely in the eye for a long moment, as if she were scrutinizing her face as if it were a puzzle. She then took several steps backwards and turned away.

OH NO! WATCH YOUR STEP!

<< Morgan's voice RINGS out amongst a howling wind and blast of thunder as Biana's boot lands...INTO a STEPPING DISC.>>

<< in the twinkling of Spellbinder's violet eye, Bianca finds herself FREE FALLING in a dark, HELLISH, ICY dimension where flying demons come charging at her, images from her own past swirl and flash around her and finally, the DEMONIC "Spellbinder" of the INFERNO is seen ALL around her. the giant apparition REACHES for Bianca>>

you might just wind up...IN HELL!

<< but in REALITY Spellbinder just used her stepping disc to pull Bianca off of earth into Limbo for the BRIEFEST of moments, suspending ALL sense of space and the perception of it as well as time. Her own nature was useless in a realm where time had no bearing.>>

<< and suddenly as it happened, Bianca was BACK where she thought she had stepped seconds ago, only NOW Spellbinder was there, in front of her.>>

BOO!

<< ZARK!>>

<< Spellbinder thrusts her hands forward. A halo of dark magick forms around them and she fires a massive eldritch bolt blasting Bianca off her feet and away into a nearby wall.>>

The wicked witch is BACK!

<< Spellbinder says with a demonic glint in her now glowing eyes. She smiles, her face enshrouded in shadow, save for her gleaming, slightly fanged teeth. CLEARLY her anger and agression had brought her to this transitional state...and she was ready to CUT LOOSE.>>

You want me bitch!? COME AND GET ME....all you have to do ...is survive....

<< thunder rolls in the air as the clouds begin to swirl from the rising winds.>>

my DARK MAGICK!

<< Spreading her arms, Spellbinder is clearly ready to KILL.>>

You DARE to stalk me and my friends...my FAMILY!? You vexed and STOLE from Harbinger....the successor to Barbara Minerva, the woman who gave YOU shelter and tried to give PURPOSE to your cockroach of an existence; You sent that murdering MUTANT HATER BISHOP after us....You HURT my best friend...and you hold here here HOSTAGE....did you REALLY THINK I WOULDNT COME for her!?

FOR YOU!?

<< the thunder CRASHES in the skies around them.>>

STUPID woman...you have NO IDEA what you've done. But I'll tell you THIS. I will drag you down into the depths of HELL, where *I* rule...and I will spend an INDETERMINANT amount of "time" TESTING THE LIMITS of your regeneration. I will do things to you that are BEYOND all known philosphies!

<< dark magick forms around her hands, dancing and flowing over her in an arch pattern as she prepares for a MASSIVE and [for most] FATAL attack.>>

You'll have nothing BUT time to ponder your existence...and BEG for the comfort of DEATH! but you'll NEVER lay a hand on Delilah or ANYONE ELSE I care about AGAIN!

SAY GOODBYE!

<< the SAME thing she said to HALEIGH the night she obliterated HER...the MOMENT they knew that the INFERNO was upon them all!>>

 

[Black Widow]

Bishop: Oh I've heard about how you held Delilah responsible for your actions.

"You don't know what the FUCK you're talking about, proved most sharply by the fact you're saying that shit to ME of all people. But lest you think you've been better for Delilah's well-being than ANYONE else sitting here, just remember: You've come into her life twice and both times has resulted in her apparent demise, meanwhile, she's been living with us for years and has managed to survive despite the 'curse' of our existence."

He gives her an air kiss and mocks her for sounding like Eastwood, making a joke so that he can back down from the challenge. She gives him a smirk. She hadn't intended to quote anyone, but regardless, he was a coward, good for little more than mouthing off, because he couldn't back up his boasting with action, and he was plainly showing those colors now. He tried to mock her tone then, contesting that Bianca's way of coming back, and everyone else's resurrections weren't exactly the same thing. Haleigh replied with a condescending sneer:

"I wouldn't expect a flatscan fucking fathead like you to grasp the intricacies of reversing death."

Bishop: Soooo.... this is all Morgan's fault.

It was a good thing there was a table between them. Having to still her murderous intentions long enough to plan how to cross the distance most quickly, Haleigh managed to remind herself that Bishop had a death wish and killing him would give him exactly what he begged for not twenty minutes ago. Haleigh would sooner deny herself the pleasure of killing him than actually grant him his death wish. She wasn't going to give Bishop what he wanted if she could help it. Her temper under control [but only just] she glared at him and replied in a measured, steely tone of unmistakable sarcasm.

"YES. Regardless of the grudges and grievances and informed decision-making of EVERY OTHER PERSON INVOLVED, and no matter WHAT our individual degrees of responsibility are as to bringing the Inferno about, and no matter who has done WHAT since the Inferno incident, Every Last Whit of liability rest squarely on the shoulders of Morgan Victoria."

Ava: In those tests she took a few minutes to 'come back', that could be her Achilles heel.

"I'm wondering how many minutes it would take her to come back if she's in pieces."

She suggested smoothly, all trace of sarcasm having left her inflection. But they couldn't even go on discussing THIS without Bishop having to pathologically FUCK SHIT UP beyond all repair.

Bishop: Um, excuse me? Guys? I think we may have a problem. [revealing his wound] What exactly happens if someone gets cut with the sword again?

"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST! YOU ARE TOO STUPID TO LIVE! YOU INEPT GODDAMNED PERPETUAL FUCKUP!"

She scowled loudly, standing up so quickly that her chair rolled backwards violently. She was just about to launch herself across the table and dismember him when Nicolas stepped in and threw the insufferable idiot out. Haleigh fumed for a few more seconds, until Ava mentioned that at least now the trash had been taken out. Haleigh laid a hand to her brow and swallowed her fury.

"Why, oh WHY didn't I just let Morgan kill that neanderthal on the SPOT when we found out he was Bishop??? Why for FUCK'S sake did I care to spare Delilah the pain of seeing him killed AGAIN? I let her rescue the motherfucker, I should have KNOWN that was enough to satisfy her savior complex."

Nicolas: Morgan has been gone for nearly a half hour... has she contacted any of you? She is no longer here.

Ava: No.... You don't think she went after Bianca on her own....?

[sigh] "I'm sure she did."

Ava: Alison, can you 'see' where she is?

"If it was the APEX of the Inferno struggle, AND the point from which Morgan's magick struck Bianca, shouldn't the Empire State Building be the starting point of our search?"

 

[Millennia]

The time was almost here. She could feel it – soon, everything would be back to normal for her and she could put all of this distraction behind her. Though she would definitely have to get Maxim arrested for industrial espionage or something similar in punishment for his disloyalty to her. A nice prison sentence was exactly what he needed.

The air was positively alive for her – it was like Christmas, though she’d never particularly liked Christmas. But the sense of anticipation one is supposed to have, that was how she felt at this moment.

She took a step away from Delilah to survey the night sky…

And suddenly nothing was as it should be. She was FALLING, horrific images surrounding her, taunting her, seemingly attacking her.

And then she was back on the rooftop. And before her was THE Morgan Victoria.

Before she could even blink, she was blasted backwards by dark magick, falling onto her back near the cage where Delilah was trapped. Bianca looked up at Morgan with hatred, but no fear.

“You forget, witch, that I have seen your demons before! They no longer frighten me!”

She turned to Delilah as she slowly got up, still reeling from Spellbinder’s attack.

“She’s not the same woman who stood here that terrible night, eh? Take a good look, Delilah Trelaven…”

Bianca looks dead at Morgan and points towards her, standing defiantly on the rooftop.

“…she is STILL more demon than woman. You would ask me to spare her? You would ask HER to help me?”

…did you REALLY THINK I WOULDNT COME for her!?

FOR YOU!?

“I COUNTED on it!”

With that, from her side she pulls the SWORD OF ANGER, and holds it aloft.

“Do you recognize this, Spellbinder? Black’s sword, the sword that nearly killed you once before…it won’t fail in MY hand! You will pay for what you’ve done to me!”

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah was out of time. She needed to free herself, but still had no good ideas on just how she was going to do that. Morgan had arrived like a bat out of hell…and was now within yards of the most lethal thing in the world to her existence.

“Morgan – get yourself the hell out of here! She has the Sword of Anger!”

But of course, there was no telling Morgan Victoria what to do. Morgan caught her unawares, and blasted Bianca, sending her flying.

“She’s not the same woman who stood here that terrible night, eh? Take a good look, Delilah Trelaven, she is STILL more demon than woman. You would ask me to spare her? You would ask HER to help me?”

“If you would see with your brain instead of your pride, you would see that Morgan is not your enemy. If you lay down your weapon she WILL help you.”

But Bianca would believe none of it. She held the Sword aloft, preparing for her attack – misguided as she may be.

Then Bianca seemed to stop midmotion, her face briefly registering surprise, as a hole appeared in her forehead and she slumped to the ground.

 

[Bishop]

Bishop was no fool, despite what the Six thought of him, what he led them to believe. He was less than optimistic about their supposed prowess as a team after what he had observed – they cared about the wrong things, missed clues, were quick to make snap judgments and let their emotions color their decision-making. All things that could get you killed. But Bishop was no fool. His mind was clear as he armed himself via one of his stashes around the city. He was calm as he made his way to the roof of a neighboring office building. There was ice water in his veins as he climbed between buildings then scaled the rest of the way to the top of the Empire State Building. For he knew it was very possible that Delilah was dead already. But there was also no doubt in his mind that tonight he would find a way to kill Bianca Ceasul.

This sort of thing had been his life long before he met Delilah Trelaven. The height didn’t faze him, nor did the odds. He was a ghost. The three figures on the roof’s attention was elsewhere, which allowed him to slip onto the roof and pull the rifle from his back.

Bishop quickly surveyed the situation. He saw Delilah – trapped, but alive. Morgan was toying with Bianca. Bianca was raising that Sword of her’s…

He took aim and fired. There wasn’t time for dilly dallying.

Bianca fell. He rushed to the cage that held Delilah.

“We only have a few minutes, at most.” [to Morgan] “Sorry, never was good with waiting.”

Delilah: “I can’t use my powers.”

Maxim reached through the bars towards Delilah’s collar, but she drew back.

Delilah: “No – it’s rigged. We need Haleigh.”

“Damn…the bars? Blowtorch?”

Delilah shook her head at him.

Delilah: “You can’t cut them.”

“Morgan, can you-”

None of them had been watching Bianca’s body, so focused were they on MorningStar’s escape. She was thus able to move unseen, their perception altered so that she was not noticeable, until she interacted with them.

And how she chose to do that was to plunge Black’s sword into Bishop’s back clean through to the other side.

Now it was Maxim’s turn to look surprised. Bianca pulled the blade from his back and blood started seeping from the wound. He coughed blood. His hands went to his stomach. He looked at Delilah and tried to speak but no words came out before he slumped to the ground.

 

[Spellbinder]

Empire State Bldg.- roof top

<< Spellbinder stood, poised for her next attack which would be FAR more deadly for sure.>>

“Morgan – get yourself the hell out of here! She has the Sword of Anger!”

Don't you worry...I'll save you...and I'll FINISH HER! I was WRONG to let you do this. I should have met her HEAD ON and kept you out of harm's way!

<< Morgan said, in her NORMAL voice as she addressed Delilah.>>

<< Bianca was rising up, recovering from Spellbinder's "greeting" and looking as hatefull and evil as Spellbinder HERSELF.>>

“I COUNTED on it!”

With that, from her side she pulls the SWORD OF ANGER, and holds it aloft.

“Do you recognize this, Spellbinder? Black’s sword, the sword that nearly killed you once before…it won’t fail in MY hand! You will pay for what you’ve done to me!”

<< Spellbinder eyes Bianca AND the sword as her hair flows upward. She didnt show any IMMEDIATE reaction, though she FELT a twinge of ice cold and twitching in her left arm. some hurts, some traumas were so primal they never truly left. STILL, the sorceress did not react outwardly.>>

<< remembering from her own intimate knowledge of Black and his weapon, that sword's power was ONLY accessible by BLACK and so in Bianca's hand...it was JUST a conventional weapon and if she wanted to fight with a Sword, Morgan could MATCH her with the Soul Sword...BUT...>>

must not...get cocky...

<< images ...MEMORIES of Black and Morgan's battles with him flicker in her mind as she glares at Bianca who trumpets the sword>>

You'll have to get close enough to USE it, Minerva wannabe and THAT is where you will FAIL miserably.

<< Morgan says in an icy tone.>>

come and GET ME you bitch!

<< Morgan stepped back, preparing to fire upon Bianca with more deadly force as she came forward, raising the sword to strike. but THEN...suddenly she fell.>>

what!?....

She's been...shot!

<< she looked at her, then over to Delilah's cage! her eyes widen with disbelief.>>

BISHOP! you unmitgated FOOL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!? You'll just GET IN THE WAY you...

<< she turned back quickly, Bianca was awfully quiet...TOO quiet.>>

SHIT...she's GONE...she's somewhere around here but I can't SEE her until....

<< Morgan lifts off the ground, HOVERING a few feet in the air to avoid the obvious possibility of being attacked by Bianca, who CAN'T fly.>>

<< Morgan watched Bishop and Delilah. He was trying to be a hero and rescue [in his mind] his "damsel in distress". he thought his "military" discipline somehow made him more effective than Morgan or the others...who were more often than not governed by emotion. He was wrong. FLAWED as they were...something greater than them had brought them together- DESTINY and they were stronger as a whole than than the sum of their individiual parts. despite their flaws...they were motivated by a truly GOOD thing. PROTECT THE WEAK and those who could NOT defend themselves!>>

Bishop you shouldnt have come here, don't you understand Bianca is NOT HUMAN she can....

<< it was too late. She attacked, STABBING HIM through the back with the sword of anger. Spellbinder watches with dismay as Bianca is once again in clear view.>>

Gutless COW!

<< teleporting via disc, another one opens vertical and Spellbinder STREAKS out, flying FAST as she BLINDSIDES Bianca with a powerfull PUNCH to the back of her head she flies past and around the cage in a large circumference before landing again facing Bianca with Bishop between them.>>

Stabbing folks in the back!

You're OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE, Bianca. Had you come to us...to ME differently I would have done my best to help you. But NOW!? knowing YOU sent this.... << gesturing at bishop>> mutant hating bastard after us...you betraying one of our beloved allies...you HOLDING one of my best friends HOSTAGE? like ANY of this makes you BETTER than me?

<< scoffing>>

you're pathetic...you immortal COCKROACH WITHOUT A CAUSE!

<< Spellbinder gestures, powering up for a blast that would KILL most...even superhumans. magickal energy flows around her like ghostly violet hued flames as she extends her hands.>>

This may not kill you...but it sure will HURT and you'll be HARD PRESSED to come back from it.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah gasped. She stretched her arms out, through the bars, but she couldn’t reach Bishop’s body. She could very faintly hear his breathing, but he was so still. For the second time, he was going to die because of her. But THIS time, she wasn’t crippled by shame and guilt. Instead, her senses were heightened. She rose and turned to Bianca defiantly, putting her hands on the bars of the cage.

You're OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE, Bianca. Had you come to us...to ME differently I would have done my best to help you. But NOW!? knowing YOU sent this.... << gesturing at bishop>> mutant hating bastard after us...you betraying one of our beloved allies...you HOLDING one of my best friends HOSTAGE? like ANY of this makes you BETTER than me?

Bianca: “Help me? Barbara MINERVA pretended to help me. But she wouldn’t do what I wanted – she wouldn’t FIX me! She wanted me to accept what had happened to me. She was like you [looks at Delilah] – telling me this was a GIFT. But it’s NOT A GIFT.”

Delilah could tell Spellbinder was gearing up for a kill shot. Without its power, the Sword of Anger would be next to useless in Bianca’s hand. And then, in the clarity that had come to her, something occurred to Delilah. She turned to Morgan.

“Morgan – no! Don’t you see, that’s what she wants! She wants you to kill her! She hates herself – and all this? This ludicrous plan of hers. It’s clear she’s no match for you. She doesn’t really think killing you will take away her powers. She’s afraid.”

Delilah shifted her eyes back to Bianca thoughtfully. Bianca looked as if she had just tasted something horrible.

“Barbara told her that one day she’ll be little more than a stone statue – no human contact allowed her. And that terrifies her. She’d rather die than be…alone.”

Bianca looked hastily away. And Delilah knew she was right.

“Bianca – it’s not too late. You don’t need to hide what you are. I’ve been ashamed of my abilities for so long. Sometimes it’s hard being different, sometimes things are difficult. But we’re not monsters, and we’re not wrong. I’ve seen so many fantastical things in my life – who knows what the future will bring you? You can’t live your life – or choose to end it - based on a theory. Even Barbara Minerva can be wrong. You need to keep fighting – that’s what we all do, every person in this world. Keep fighting through life. Keep living.”

Bianca: [to Morgan] “Finish what you started. I was supposed to die during the Inferno. You killed me then. Finish it now!” [to Delilah] “If I can’t be normal again I don’t want to keep living.”

“There is no such thing as normal.”

Delilah watched as Bianca raised the sword over her head – no protection from her powers this time – and rushed at Spellbinder.

 

[Spellbinder]

Empire State bldg.- rooftop

<< Spellbinder's eyes darted in Delilah's direction as she heard her.>>

“Morgan – no! Don’t you see, that’s what she wants! She wants you to kill her! She hates herself – and all this? This ludicrous plan of hers. It’s clear she’s no match for you. She doesn’t really think killing you will take away her powers. She’s afraid.”

Delilah shifted her eyes back to Bianca thoughtfully. Bianca looked as if she had just tasted something horrible.

“Barbara told her that one day she’ll be little more than a stone statue – no human contact allowed her. And that terrifies her. She’d rather die than be…alone.”

<< at that moment, Spellbinder remembered what Delilah said at the mansion. How they never listen to her...and she then thought of Demeter's words a month earlier...remembering that her actions could do more HARM than good in this situation if she didnt listen to the RIGHT voice.>>

<< Ororo, her mother, Barbara Minerva....women of wisdom...their words echoing as Morgan herself flashed back to the >>

FLASH

<< the city BURNS with an unholy evil WRATH...magick overruns and enchants everything making it something Tim Burton would be afraid of. and atop the now impossibly tall Empire State building, Spellbinder, dressed in an unholy yet erotic garb and now fully given over to the Darkchild in her soul, conducts the symphany of rage known as THE INFERNO>>

<< central view of Spellbinder....then flashes as the view gets closer and closer to her beautiful yet demonic face and she yells with wild, savage delight!>>

FLASH

I caused her to be the way she is...BARBARA tried to FIX what I unknowingly BROKE and it wasnt HER responsibility...

<< Morgan snapped out of her dark agression at that moment even as Bianca raged and charged.>>

<< Spellbinder wouldnt go out of her way to HURT the woman BUT she wouldnt be a fatalist either.>>

<< a flash of violet light and a clap of thunder heralds the opening of a stepping disc as Spellbinder teleports, doding Bianca's mad charge. she reappears several feet away in another place on the roof, away from Delilah's cage.>>

I...I'm NOT going to hurt you, Bianca. I was SO UPSET about all of this...so worried for Delilah that I felt that you deserved to be battered and tortured. But I would be WRONG for that.

<< she said with no shame.>>

You sending Bishop after us...it caused more harm than even YOU could know but we survived because inspite of your opinion of us...despite what I...WE KNOW about ourselves as a team and individuals...flaws and ALL...in our hearts at our core...we ALL know that we MUST help and protect the weak and those who CAN'T help themselves.

I know what it is to be so ANGRY that you lose yourself. That very personal experience is in no small part what has brought YOU to where you are at this moment.


BUT, I won't let you harm ME or Delilah either. That sword is not yours...and killing me WONT change what's happened to you BUT Harbinger and I...perhaps we can find a way to undo the change in you wrought by the dark magick. I AM Sorceress Supreme of this world and I have spent much time trying to atone for the Inferno...If i can do ONE MORE THING for that, then I will. I will help you, but you MUST not interfere as I set MorningStar free and you must give that sword back to Harbinger and STOP any further hostile against The Six. THEY are not responsible for what happened to you...Delilah is not responsible either...I am.

<< Spellbinder looks much more like herself now. the Darker aspect no longer manifesting as it was. She was thinking clearly and applying all that she'd learn since the Inferno.>>

 

[Seer]

turn for the worst

<< There are those times when capers work out so well. No casualties. No fractured relationships. No sweeping trauma or damage to innocents. There are those times when things go the best way possible. Bianca stands down, Spellbinder releases MorningStar, the Six heals Bishop and sends him on his way and at long last, Spellbinder BREAKS the spell/curse that has made Bianca what she is...and Harbinger offers her sanctuary at Minerva's should she no longer choose to live her risky lifestyle.>>

<< NOT THIS TIME.>>

<< zoom down from the night sky to the skyline of New York City. Zoom through town to the Empire State Bldg and up to the roof top.>>

<< flashes of Spellbinder, Millenia, Morningstar in the cage and a gravely wounded Bishop on the ground. Each woman has a distinct look on her face, conveying the emotion she feels. The air around the rooftop is charged...not JUST with dark magick...but something ELSE.>>


<< as thunder rumbles in the billowing black clouds above, Spellbinder calls on Bianca to stand down so that she may TRULY "fix" what she broke. There's a moment of uncertainty, but Spellbinder HAS heeded the earlier warning of Demeter and is now thinking of her best friend, truly LISTENING to her rather than merely "humoring" her.>>

<< there's that one moment where it seems things will go one way...>>

<< zooming in and a flash up front view of the Sword of Anger>>

<< the sword has spilled blood, innocent human blood. in an already bizarre twist, Bishop was returned to life due to MorningStar's crippling struggle with guilt over his first death but now he wore a new body and was technically given a "fresh start"...and yet once again he has become a terrible liability and burden to the Six as HIS blood now becomes the catalyst for a truly horrific NIGHTMARE>>

<< Even as Bianca begins to make a move like she'll attack again, the sword begins to hum with a power long dormant. it begins to gleam and GLOW with a ghostly noir effect. shards of energy fly from it as it begins to WAKE UP and a force within it begins to raise it even in Bianca's grasp before it JOLTS HER painfull and tears itself away from her.>>

Spellbinder:....oh....no....

<< Spellbinder dashes past Bianca to MorningStar's cage. She knows this not good...she can FEEL it in her stomach....her ARM. She speaks with focused urgency as she looks at her best friend.>>

Spellbinder: I'm getting you out of here. I'm sorry...

This is not your problem and I never should have allowed you to be faced with this danger.

<< chimes sound off as she SNAPS the lock on the door and exerting nearly the full extent of her super strength, she tears the door of the cage off and tosses it aside.>>

Spellbinder: we can deal with the collar back at base. and we can regroup and deal with THIS...but for now, let's get the HELL OUT OF HERE.

<< but even as Spellbinder takes MorningStar's hand and helps her from the cage and prepares to escape with her...it's too late. the glow from the sword has now progressed to a fury of dark energy rays blasting out in different directions. Spellbinder moves MorningStar behind her.>>

Spellbinder: Bianca for goddess sake....you must LEAVE while you still CAN! come with me, I'll provide you with safe passage AWAY FROM HERE before its too late!

<< an unearthly howl was heard in the air as the temperature began to drop FAST.>>

 

[Black]

Too late

a bolt of black lightning slams down encompassing the sword and exploding. there standing in its place, holding the sword, now fully activated and reunited with its true owner is BLACK the mysterious energy creature that has menaced Spellbinder for years.

I AWAKEN

At 9 ft. He looms, large and hulking as ever. He roars as he flexes his muscles. He is NOT the creature Morgan saw in her astral nightmare on Inferno's eve. He is as he once was...HIMSELF. The DOOM of Spellbinder.

ahhh, Spellbinderrrrrrr

His voice is deep and rips with sinister evil.

He looks upon Spellbinder who has changed somewhat since their last encounters. He then sees Millenia behind him.

Allow me to thank you for your hand in this.

Extending his massive, muscular arm out, he gestures and a stream of Nega-Energy flares out flowing and cresting across/through the ground before reaching Bianca and BOMBARDING HER with a deep, dark, COLD blast of nega-energy. It slices through her body before leaving her to fall, crumbling down in a lifeless heap.


Several FAST steps forward. Black slams MorningStar out of the way like a pile driver and is now upon Spellbinder.

At long last I get to finish what I started. I get to KILL YOU.

Snatching Spellbinder up, he holds her within both his hands and as he had done the night he FIRST assaulted her, he bombards her again with jagged glowing black bolts of nega-energy. It is as furious and deep an assault as it was then and no doubt awful for the powerless Delilah to watch as Black is KILLING her beloved Spellbinder.

 

[Spellbinder]

Pain

<< nearly all of the sound around her was gone. it was just like it was in the ladies room at the parthenon! nothing but her own baited breath and seemingly pounding heart beat as she looked upon what was not supposed to be possible...but WAS just the same>>

BLACK!

<< it all happened so FAST. He strikes Bianca down, slams MorningStar out of the way and then...>>

<< there was one second of disbelief before that truly terrifying and familiar sensation of PAIN...the kind of pain that RAPED HER TO HER SOUL.>>

<< as her body is attacked and battered in his grasp, Spellbinder's hair flows upward from the torrent of energy and CRIES OUT, SCREAMING with such PAIN AND AGONY that chimes sound off>>

<< her SCREAM is heard ACROSS time and space by>>

FLASH

<< SHADOW WEAVER on Aerie...as Mike immediately sees to her in concern as she winces with PAIN and distress as she senses, FEELS, HEARS her daughter screaming.>>

Shadow Weaver: MICHAEL! something...MORGAN...she's being KILLED...

<< FIREBIRD, though not THIS timeline's Spellbinder's sister but that of a crosstime alternate, drops her glass of wine as she was walking through the rotunda on Aerie and she too winces with pain and exclaims>>

Firebird: MORGAN!

<< ISIS- in her diamond executive suite of the parthenon, sitting at her piano...shuts her eyes tightly and frowns with extreme discomfort as she sees the faintest image of a truly distressed Spellbinder on the astral plane. She's another magick user. One of the most powerfull 4 on the planet in this day and time. HER goddess once knew HECATE personally.>>

Isis: bright lady! please let my nephew and his companions go to her aid before it is too late...

<< she says as she places both her hands to her head feeling the feedback.>>

<< other magick users and psychics would feel various versions of this...it was as though a terrifying sound was being heard by many all at once.

FLASH

<< as Black continues to grip and KILL her, the very fabric of her costume begins to glow and UNRAVEL. Her screams of pain are almost more than the horrified and helpless Delilah can BARE. SHE remembered when Spellbinder RETURNED HOME having SURVIVED her battle with Black. It was SHE who volunteered to replace Spellbinder long enough to help Valiant tie up loose ends following that horrific battle with Mystech's Axis of Evil and NOW THIS...>>

 

[Harbinger]

The Parthenon

:: the elevator chimes and Harbinger, Persephone, Black Widow & Rampage emerge.::

:: Harbinger walks with brisk urgency, the others follow. They don't acknowledge anyone around them.::

:: at the front desk in the circular lobby, Harbinger turns around to face everyone outside of the six and, gesturing al'a piper halliwell, subjects EVERYONE and EVERYTHING but the team to TEMPORAL STASIS. the echo of the sound of time "stopping" is heard as she turns to the desk and takes the envelope and opens it to bring forth the invitation.::

:: as she reads it....she GASPS and jolts...its not her normal reaction as a precog...its a powerful and URGENT PREMONITION.::

the death glow!?

FLASH

<< BLACK IS BACK...attacking...HURTING...KILLING Spellbinder RIGHT NOW! her SCREAM hits Alison like a TIDAL WAVE.>>

FLASH

:: seconds later. she drops the card, which vanishes in a swirl of blue/black orbs. and a tear is now running down her right cheek.::

Black...:: she says in a truly shaken voice:: KILLING MORGAN....NOW! We HAVE TO GO!

::Her TIME STAFF suddenly manifests in her other hand as she frantically thrusts her right hand up and waving her arm in a circular motion, an odd sound is heard as she warps the temporal field around her and the team, SPEEDING IT UP to a truly blinding degree.::

Persephone, carry us to them with your WINDS. GET US TO THE EMPIRE STATE BLDG.

:utside the Parthenon they were airborne and on their way before anyone INSIDE was finally released from Harbinger's temporal stasis. The Six traveled at speeds approaching MACH thanks to Harbinger's temporal turbo charge. they reached the Empire State Bldg. where Harbinger FELT the magick of Morgan LEAVING her body as it was SHUTTING DOWN.::


NO!!! SPELLBINDER NO!!!

:: she shrieks! adjusts the temporal field around them so they can land strategically::

:: they all see the scene. Bishop down...possibly dead. Bianca down...quite possibly dead. MorningStar down...shaken but relatively unhurt and powerless at the moment and then Spellbinder in the clutches of BLACK.::

:: Harbinger TOO remembers the aftermath of Black's attack on Spellbinder in the Valiant days. They saw the haunting emotion she had about it all in the Parthenon during her vivid vision projections. She would NOT let it happen this way....NOT AGAIN.::

STOP IT! YOU MONSTER!

:: Harbinger SCREAMS with anger as her voice cracks a bit from the personal emotion being brought up by this for SHE TOO had personally survived a confrontation with Black, as had PERSEPHONE in the MOE timeline.::

:: she thrusts her right hand out::

SPELLBINDER

:: and with that, Spellbinder's body transforms into swirling dark orbs as She TELEBLINKS the sorceress OUT of Black's grasp! the stream of orbs RUSHES over to Alison and coalesces back into Spellbinder, who is now seizing...and exclaiming with grief as BLACK tears flow from her solid white eyes.::

oh goddess...oh my goddess!

:: she says with horror as she craddles a BADLY hurt and nearly FLATLINED Spellbinder. Harbinger sits down on her knees, craddling the fallen Morgan and spots a shaken Delilah a few feet away BEHIND Black.::

Someone get Delilah over here and KEEP THAT THING AWAY FROM MORGAN!

:: Harbinger says as her own deep seated feelings and emotions about Black and this situation begin to pierce her steely exterior.::

 

[Black]

reunion

No facial expression. No emotion.

I am beyond the capacity to hate you, witch. I am even beyond the capacity to truly enjoy this moment because I am beyond you. Mystech or no, your death is my primary mandate.


Others arrive. There are TWO he recognizes. The time freezing witch and the goddess from Masters of Evil! How did she come to be here?

And as with all just causes, two more that must be terminated have arrived.

STOP IT! YOU MONSTER!

No.

You do not command me, witch.

The seer's power has changed, grown. She robs him of Spellbinder and is now seeing up close the damage he has done. He turns slowly, now looming over them ALL.

Someone get Delilah over here and KEEP THAT THING AWAY FROM MORGAN!

:: Harbinger says as her own deep seated feelings and emotions about Black and this situation begin to pierce her steely exterior.::

You will not save her. Nor will you survive this night, witch.

He becomes a flowing snake like wave of nega energy with giant snapping jaws. Directing himself toward them in this monstrous form, he will ENVELOPE Harbinger and Spellbinder, killing Spellbinder and subjecting Harbinger to the same painful death her beloved "sister witch" just experienced.

 

[Millennia]

She tried to steel herself against MorningStar’s words, but they kept hammering at her, penetrating her mind as she tried to keep focus on her objective. She wanted to scream at Delilah to Shut up! but instead she did what she had come here for. She couldn’t back down now, she told herself.

She charged at Morgan, eyes on fire. And then Morgan suddenly teleported away from her, and lowered her attack. Bianca turned towards Spellbinder’s new location, sword still raised. And then Morgan spoke, calmly, humanely, not very much like the demon sorceress at all.

I...I'm NOT going to hurt you, Bianca… I will help you, but you MUST not interfere as I set MorningStar free and you must give that sword back to Harbinger and STOP any further hostile against The Six. THEY are not responsible for what happened to you...Delilah is not responsible either...I am.

And Bianca paused for a moment. She lowered the sword slightly but not completely, unsure what to do next, so unexpected was Spellbinder’s reaction to her. But she never got to make a decision.

The sword in her hand began to hum and spark. It burned and froze her seemingly at the same time. She tried to drop it to the ground, but at first it was as if she couldn’t let go. And then it was violently PULLED from her hand. She watched it, dumbfounded, even as Spellbinder once again offered her assistance. But she was frozen, and she could only watch as a black lightning bolt struck the rooftop and brought with it BLACK.

He turned to her, a horrific nightmare in the flesh.

Allow me to thank you for your hand in this.

She wanted to say something akin to wanting nothing from him, so repulsive was he, so unlike what she had thought. But she had no time.

There was only the pain, the freezing cold pain, and then nothing…

***********

Millennia blinked. That was definitely the worst one she’d had. She still felt cold all over, and it was nothing to do with her stone form. She sat up, cautiously, careful to stay unnoticed. She saw that the rest of the Six had arrived, but it was of little use. Black had Spellbinder in his clutches and was killing her. Harbinger succeeded in teleblinking her away from him, but it looked to be too late.

So this was Black. Everything she had thought came crashing down around her as she watched the scene unfold, the walls in her mind shattering, and awareness washed over her. Of this THING before her. Seeing Black and Spellbinder side by side, she now KNEW what pure evil was, and it wasn’t in the guise of a supermodel. Black was more the demon she had thought Spellbinder to be. But worse. And yet, Spellbinder fought him, knowing how deadly he was to her. The deed she had come here to do herself, the deed she had wished for for so long, was about to come to pass. But it didn’t feel the way she thought it would. The pieces didn’t add up to the picture she had formed in her mind. Bianca began to slowly make her way across the roof, staying behind Black, taking two steps at a time.

Black had turned his attention to both Harbinger and Spellbinder. She could leave now. Black would kill them, she was sure. But then what? Would he discover she was still alive and come for her again? What would he do THIS time to the city? Whom else would he murder like he had murdered her during the Inferno? ANGER. It was now clear to her that BLACK was the monster that had caused her death. Her wits were now firmly back about her. Black was going to PAY. And he had taken HER SWORD.

She was now standing next to MorningStar, who was still unaware of her presence, her perception so altered as to make Millennia unnoticeable even as she stood so close. But she would notice her soon enough. And so would Black. She was Bianca Ceasul, for god’s sake. And she WOULD be heard.

“BLACK!”

She took one step forward, but appearing to everyone else on the rood to come out of nowhere. And she did what she did best, boss people around, in her most authoritative, regal, booming tone.

“You cannot kill ME! I am IMMORTAL and cannot be harmed by such a low being as yourself. Kneel before me or incur my wrath, creature!”

A bit dramatic, but it would get Black’s attention. And so would this.

She reached up and placed her thumb on Delilah’s restraining collar. The scanner read her print and the collar deactivated and unlatched automatically, leaving MorningStar free to attack Black at will.

 

[Black Widow]

Alison: Black... KILLING MORGAN...NOW! WE HAVE TO GO!

Alison speeds up their temporal field and Ava carries them to the empire state building at a pace that approaches the speed of sound. They arrive and quickly take in the scene. Morgan is screaming in pain, a sound almost inhuman and Alison steals her away from Black's attack in progress.

Bianca: BLACK! You cannot kill ME! I am IMMORTAL and cannot be harmed by such a low being as yourself. Kneel before me or incur my wrath, creature!

Haleigh rolls her eyes. This bitch is crazy, AND has delusions of grandeur.

Black: You will not save her. Nor will you survive this night, witch.

He intones, just before transforming into black energy and launched himself at Alison, who cradles badly injured Morgan. Haleigh lunges in between Black and Alison, still benefiting from Alison's temporal boost, and she melts the huge Adamantuim cage sitting empty on the rooftop. It zooms toward her in a white hot molten stream, then flattens into a large, convex shield. She attempts to reform it, but there is only time for it to semi-harden before Black hits it like the tip of contact from a battering ram, forcing Haleigh stumbling back towards Alison, then to her knees as she tries to physically and mentally hold it in place. She realizes with split second timing she will be overwhelmed once the brunt of the impact reaches her, and she re-melts the shield to allow it to concave and SURROUND Black, fully encasing him in energy form. Now a tight, seamless hollow adamantium sphere about six feet in diameter, Haleigh hurls the ball into the air, off the edge of the building and holds it there mentally.

"Not on MY watch, you nasty ugly motherfucker."

The whole process occurs in the span of a second. Haleigh realizes that her gloves are melted and the shoulder of her suit, where it made contact with the shield, is sizzling and putting off smoke. Her should feels warm and her hands feel burned, and she peels off her gloves with some difficulty. The sheer heat from the melted adamantium had burnt the palms of her hands THROUGH the protection of her suit, but Haleigh was still grateful. She knew that her suit had also protected her from the possibility of being electrocuted by the energized metal when Black hit it. She turned to Bianca.

"You know, thunder is just noise. Lightning does the damage. Just a life lesson for ya. Instead of huffing and puffing and threatening to do a bunch of shit, you might consider just GETTING SHIT DONE. Especially when time is of the essence."

She turns to Morgan and Alison, kneeling beside the two and placing her hand gently on Alison's shoulder.

"Are we too late? Can she be helped? Shall I fetch Karen?"

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah closed her eyes as Millennia rushed Morgan – she was prepared for the inevitable ZARK that would end Bianca’s life, probably for good. She slowly opened one eye to see Morgan teleport, and Bianca freeze where she stood.

And then Morgan stopped her attack. Delilah couldn’t hide her surprise. Morgan was a take no prisoners kind of fighter – she wasn’t the type to leave an enemy standing. But there she was, apologizing for what had happened to Bianca.

”…in our hearts at our core...we ALL know that we MUST help and protect the weak and those who CAN'T help themselves.”

And Delilah listened to Morgan say the thing she had been trying to impress upon her for so long. Perhaps Morgan had been listening. Delilah was speechless. But had Bianca listened?

But there was little time for warm fuzzy feelings as the Sword of Anger began to glow in Bianca’s hand. Morgan rushed to her side and ripped the cage open.

Let's get the HELL OUT OF HERE.

“Amen, sister!”

Spellbinder tried to evacuate them, but it was too late. Black had returned!

Delilah took several steps backwards as Black manifested.

“How…?”

Morgan’s most lethal enemy stood before them, and there she was, powerless. She couldn’t just stand there, but she would be useless against him. He grabbed Spellbinder. She could see the life draining from her friend.

“No! SPELLBINDER!”

And then she felt a presence next to her as Bianca made herself visible and called out Black. Damn. Even she had to be a little impressed at the Wicked Bitch of East act. But then again, Millennia had no weapon at her disposal AND she was standing right next to Delilah.

“Bianca, are you crazy – you’re going to get us, well, me killed!”

Black’s attention turned to them. Harbinger had successfully retrieved Morgan from his clutches but she had drawn his fire to them both. And then Bianca really surprised her by reaching over and switching off her collar. Perhaps Morgan’s words had actually reached her.

The sides of Delilah’s mouth curled up into a smile. She clapped her hands together and pointed her index fingers like a gun, unleashing a stream of photon blasts from her fingertips aimed at Black. It barely hurt the demon, and he had soon turned his attack back on Harbinger and Spellbinder. But then Black Widow was there, shielding them at the expense of her own body and encasing Black in adamantium!

Delilah looked over at the fallen Morgan and sunk to her knees. She bowed her head.

 

[Harbinger]

Top of the empire state building

:: Harbinger's powers, while magickal, were different than Spellbinders. She had been able to AT LEAST defend herself from Black BEFORE but not without GREAT strain.::

:: The precog was nearly BESIDE herself with grief and emotion now, so much so that her own vitals were in flux on Haleigh's sensors and Nicolas could sense emotion had hadnt felt form her himself since SET'S manifestation. BLACK was a terrifying creature that had vexed Morgan, Blaze, Alison and even AVA in her timeline he came after Darkchilde. He ranked RIGHT UP THERE with Master Mold, Set and MALICE as one of her's...and now THEIR deadliest, LETHAL threats::

:: He was coming for them BOTH now as she held Spellbinder but she didnt move. Harbinger could BLOCK Black with her mystical/telekinetic shields ...but for HOW LONG was the question.::

:: Black Widow moved in and stopped him soundly even as the ground them rocked from his impact on her adamantium blockade.::

Delilah...thank the goddess you're alive...

:: Alison holds Morgan, tears streaming her face as Haleigh asks her if she needs to contact Karen.::

:: BIANCA, finally using her gift to HELP, trips Blackup. not even HE can see/sense her when she activates her temporal displacement. She frees MorningStar, who uses her power to blast Black AWAY from the adamanitum blockade which in turn gives Black Widow a much needed respite. When MorningStar reaches the group she drops to her knees beside Harbinger.::


:: Harbinger shudders.::

I can FEEL her magick LEAVING her...she's DYING and I CAN'T stop it! Call Shadow Weaver....and HURRY.

:: She looks at Haleigh...with much the same look the night she revealed to Haleigh who would die at the hands of Master Mold.::

:: She HAD to pull herself together. they would NEED her as a PRECOG in realtime in this battle if they had any hope of fighting ...surviving...POSSIBLY defeating Black. She did NOT address Bianca. If the woman was near them now...Alison would not acknowledge her...not NOW.::

....::blinking a few times as tears fall from her face.::

When Shadow Weaver gets here...she'll be nearly beside herelf. she already knows what's happening to Morgan. she could sense it through their bond as Mother and Child. Haleigh...CALM her and tell her She MUST take Morgan away from here...back to Minerva's manion- the infirmary. I have...a protocall there in place for this...ever since the last time Morgan nearly died in battle with Black. Shadow Weaver has the power to PERHAPS hold Morgan together and put her into coma. But most importantly, she wont be HERE.


WE will keep Black HERE and will...we MUST

::Black's roar is heard a he prepares to rush them again.::

deal with him!


:: she gets more composure as her tone evens and she looks less horrified and more resolved.::

He wants Morgan...and now me...and Ava. We'll deny him ONE...and hopefully keep him getting the other two.

 

[Persephone]

The worst case scenario happened. Alison revealed that Black was back. After using her wind to fly everyone to the top of the Empire State Building, the sight was horrific....exactly as how she remembered Darkchilde being attacked. There Black was, holding Spellbinder up by the neck and unleashing nega-energy into her body relentlessly. Ava could see Morningstar helplessly watching with a nearly dead Bishop and Mellennia fallen around her in the background, but they didn't truly register to her. Her eyes were focused on the onslaught....and then....

FLASH

Screams could be heard outside of the Hellfire Club of Persephone's time as lower leveled members of the Masters of Evil came flooding out the doors, running for their lives. A roar of fury was heard--crashes, explosions, screams--it was like a warzone within the club. Persephone and Alessandra had felt Darkchilde being attacked much like the magick users of the six's timeline did of Spellbinders. The Dire Wraiths were bound by not only duty, but by sisterhood. They both appeared within the club, seeing the entire lower level abandoned except for Titania, Elektra, Brenthon, and Morpheus.

Titania: He appeared out of nowhere!

Elektra: The entire club began to quake and we heard DC screaming.

Morpheus: I left her for a second...it all happened so fast.

Persephone: Okay! Okay! We'll attack [referring to Alessandra] Morpheus, GET HER OUT OF HERE!

Darkchilde's screams are heard as Black began to attack her.

Alessandra: GO! NOW!

With Persephone and Alessandra leading, everyone ran upstairs to the VIP lounge seeing the exact same scene as on the Empire State Building. Black's hand around DC's throat, attacking her violently with nega-energy. She looked like a ragdoll--lifeless. Persephone attacked first, sending a massive lightning bolt directly into Black's back. It was a dangerous move considering DC was in his hands, but they had to stop him quickly! He was blasted forward, flying into the wall and dropping DC in the process. Morpheus quickly scooped her up, Titania backing his play.

Persephone: QUICKLY! Take her to Apothecary! Elektra, go with him and contact Karen, HURRY!

Morpheus and Elektra disappeared just as Black managed to stagger up.

Alessandra: We need Ororo!

Alessandra's last words echoed like a bad dream as Ava snapped out of her flashback. Everything was so similar....Alison now had Morgan cradled in her arms like Morpheus had Darkchilde. It was like reliving the past....it wasn't until Black tried to attack the group and Haleigh took the brunt of the hit with her shield that it truly snapped Ava out of her daze. With Delilah distracting him with photon blasts, Ava quickly turned to Alison.

"Alessandra and I were able to batter him pretty badly in my timeline, but ORORO was truly the only one he feared! He is very susceptible to elemental attacks, THAT'S why he's terrified of her! Can you create an illusion of ME as Ororo and i'll attack him not only physically with my powers, but mentally as well with my image as his mortal enemy?"