The folly of Bianca

[Millennia]

“I can get you there unseen.”

Bianca didn’t see any reason to interfere up to that point. Better Black take pot shots at them rather than her, and she had back up in case they failed. But there was no way Black wasn’t going to notice Haleigh sneaking up on him – she didn’t care how quiet a machine Black Widow was. And this plan actually had a chance.

“His perception will be altered so he won’t notice our approach until you’re right next to him.”

She crossed her arms and smirked, raising her eyebrows at Haleigh.

“Unless you’d rather ‘get shit done’ by yourself?”

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah nodded – the plan was sound. As long as Black didn’t discover Haleigh too soon – but then Bianca offered to take care of that. She guessed that self-preservation went a long way with Bianca.

She could hear the choppers that were circling their location. Perfect fuel for her fire. Nodding once again to Haleigh and Bianca, she raised her hands and concentrated. Spellbinder appeared to return via a stepping disc on the other side of the roof. The image held aloft the Sword of Anger – but Black would see that this Spellbinder’s hand was a little unsteady, already turning black as the sword scorched her with its touch.

Absorbing the floodlights from the helicopters, MorningStar channeled it to create a perfect copy of Morgan’s voice as the hologram seemed to shout at Black.

Hologram: “It’s me you want, creature! Come and face me so I can send you to Hell with your own sword!”

 

[Harbinger]

Empire state bldg. roof top

:: Harbinger nodded with approval as Black Widow offered up the Sword of Anger AND decpaitating him.::

His heart...THEN his head, Haleigh. And make both strikes COUNT. Somehow he survived being impaled by Spellbinder with that sword but its touch is absolutely dreadful to her. she did not aim for the heart.

The sword brought him back...now let it be the END of him.

:: Bianca make an offer to directly assist the team again, smugly pointing out the advantage of Haleigh accepting her offer to bring her right up to him unnoticed.::

;; Harbinger frowns with irritation at the very sound of this upstart's voice, however, it wasnt a bad idea, in fact it was the most efficient route for Haleigh to take in this situation, minimizing time wasted, chances of Black gaining ground and the growing possibility of Persephone or MorningStar being harmed by the creature.::

:: and so, as Persephone continues to play out her role as "Ororo" to an increasingly suspicious Black, a hologram of Spellbinder appears...holding the sword of anger and calling him out.::

:elilah was careful to make Spellbinder look battle worn::

Now Haleigh, while he's drawn to his "prey!" Let Bianca get you right up to him. I will make sure he is none the wiser until the last possible moment!

 

[Black Widow]

Bianca: I can get you there sight unseen. his perception will be altered so he won't notice our approach until you're right next to him.

"Well, aren't you a clever little pet."

Bianca: Unless you'd rather 'get shit done' by yourself?

Too bad you lack the acumen to recognize those BLATENTLY SUPERIOR to you.... too bad you lack even the common goddamn sense that would advise against being so disrespectful to a person with a giant sword in her hand and the proclivity to hack you into pieces before you could get another word out of that smart mouth of yours. Haleigh thought to herself, with a menacing smile for Bianca. For a split second, she looked to be weighing the options of Bianca's offer. Those who knew her better might see the twitch in her wrist and the flash of the sword, and realize that what she was ACTUALLY weighing was whether or not it would be worth it to kill Bianca on the spot, if only to be rid of the annoyance of her insufferable ungratefulness for a few minutes.

But no, now was not the optimal time to teach such a lesson.... and besides, Haleigh wouldn't mind taking advantage of the girl's powers. It was, after all, undeniably useful to have that extra layer of disguise. Plus, Delilah had already gone ahead with the plan and Alison was telling Haleigh how to make the sword MOST effective.

Alison: The sword brought him back.... now let it be the END of him.

"The heart, then the head."

She repeated, so that Alison would know she'd been listening, even though she hadn't glanced over at her.

Alison: Now Haleigh, while he's drawn to his 'prey'! Let Bianca get you right up to him. I will make sure he is none the wiser until the last possible moment!

Haleigh nodded, her predatory glare already on Black. She waited until his attention turned to the hologram, then started to move, expecting Bianca to do her part without needing to be prompted.

As they neared Black, the handle of the sword started feeling a little warm in her grip, and her hand tingled as if it had fallen asleep. She remained calm, her heartbeat steady and her breathing as slow and deep as if she were completely relaxed. She was behind him now, and less than half his size, but that was no deterrent. She leapt for the mark with ease. Being left handed meant she could throw her right arm around his throat for stability and sink the sword into the left side of his torso without having to go across her own body. It didn't pierce Black's mass the way she expected, as a blade would usually feel going through a body. There was so little resistance encountered that Haleigh had to glance over Black's shoulder to make sure the blade was truly coming out the other side of his chest like it should. It was, and she plunged it all the way to the hilt. There was a fraction of a second went the hilt hit his back and Haleigh felt nothing, and then just as suddenly as she had struck, the sword seemed to strike back. There was a massive backlash, and Haleigh wondered if she was experiencing an amplified version of the electric chair, all channeled into her palm. It seemed to burn all the way to her SOUL, but above the pain she knew she had one more stroke to deliver. She yanked the sword out of Black's back, and he sunk to his knees, roughly putting her feet once again on the ground. With a quick spin and a well-aimed backhand, she cleanly beheaded the creature.

 

[Black]

confrontation

He'd been gone for a while. He didnt know the changes Spellbinder and Harbinger had been through. He didnt count on them having such strong support, including that of someone who had directly encountered him in another timeline...namely Persephone!

Though he was brought back, he was weakend. Not fully in touch with his power. Still the prey kept their distance. Why was that?

It didnt matter now, for even as "Spellbinder" appeared, taunting him much like she did the moment she buried Black's own sword deeply into his physical form, he loooked at her with a curious glint in his eye.

Perhaps I underestimated you, witch. A mistake I will not make a...

but then came that awful, white hot, seering pain as his physical form was violated by his own anethma, the Sword of Anger. Not from in front where "Spellbinder" had just been but from BEHIND. The HYBRID weilding it with no ill effect!

NOOOO! I have waited TOO LONGGG!

His booming voice warped as he roared with pain and his form began to glow and become semi solid as backlash of nega-energy erupted from him in random directions.

 

[Harbinger]

top of the empire state building

:: Harbinger stood behind the hologram of Spellbinder, masking her own immediate presence long enough for Black Widow and Bianca to sneak up behind Black and make the first killing blow::

:: The hologram of Spellbinder vanishes as Harbinger steps forward, hearing...almost feeling the violent reaction from Black as Black Widow was thrown from his back.::

This IS the end, Black.

You were revived but you were still weakened. You assumed you would face the same woman whom you fought years ago, that she would not have TRUE back up this time the way she did not from Valiant.

You assumed in ERROR.

:: knowing that his transitional form was the most dangerous, for he could move and flow like mercury with sudden speed and his energy output was dangerous, Harbinger extends her hands as four orbs of light form at distinct points around her hands.::

CRYSTAL!

:: gesturing a'la Prue Halliwell::

CIRCLE!

:: the sound of rushing dark orbs is heard as the four CRYSTALS mainfest and streak over to the ground around Black, forming, synching and activating the CRYSTAL CAGE, the one form of entrapment that NO ONE...friend OR foe had been able to break thus far.:

:: the din of the crystal cage reamains steady against the sounds from Black.::

There won't be ANY final scares Black...not now....not EVER!

There was a massive backlash, and Haleigh wondered if she was experiencing an amplified version of the electric chair, all channeled into her palm. It seemed to burn all the way to her SOUL, but above the pain she knew she had one more stroke to deliver. She yanked the sword out of Black's back, and he sunk to his knees, roughly putting her feet once again on the ground. With a quick spin and a well-aimed backhand, she cleanly beheaded the creature.

:: Black Widow succeeds in beheading the creature with his own weapon! the vanquish is as violent as to be expected as Black's body writhes and shifts forms wildly, expelling a deep cold and dark energy before EXPLODING. the crystal cage BENDS with the force of the explosion but does not break, shielding them all from any random effects until finally...there is nothing but residual traces left, and the sword itself, now contained within the crystal cage.::

::Harbinger looks down at the sword, then up at Black Widow.::

You've done it....

:: small bolts of energy from the crystal cage strike at the residual traces of Black, vaporizing them::

his form is destroyed.

He can't hurt Morgan or anyone else...

:: her spell concludes and Persephone now appears as herself once more.::

:: Still, the seer sounds cold and grim, even as the IMMEDIATE physical danger seems to have passed.::

 

[MorningStar]

It all happened so fast. Delilah watched as Black Widow used Black’s own sword against him, and Harbinger caged and finished him off.

You've done it... his form is destroyed. He can't hurt Morgan or anyone else…

Delilah looked quickly at Alison.

“His form? Does that mean he could still return? We can’t let that happen Alison…we have to get rid of him for good.”

Delilah was getting worked up, the toll of the battle showing in her state.

“And Morgan – we’ve got to get to Morgan!”

 

[Persephone]

Ava watched as Haleigh approached Black from behind while Delilah distracted him with a hologram of Morgan. Staying where she was, she didn't make any further moves against Black or pull his attention away from the hologram. Haleigh was too close to finally ending this nightmare. Finally she plunged the sword deep into Black before pulling it out and decapitating him. Alison created a "cage" around him, keeping all the nega-energy inside as his body began to explode. Finally, he was vaporized.

Harbinger: He can't hurt Morgan or anyone else...

Though they were supposed to be words of comfort, it was hard to rejoice in destroying Black when they all knew that Morgan was still injured at Minerva's Mansion. It was a bittersweet win, atleast until they found out she would be okay.

Glancing over at Bianca, Ava almost forgot that the whole reason they were there was because of this bitch. She DID help them defeat Black, but she WAS the one who summoned him in the first place.

Delilah: “And Morgan – we’ve got to get to Morgan!”

"Delilah, we still have a minor problem."

Gesturing to Bianca who was still very much alive.

 

[Rampage]

The team had a plan, and it was incredibly sound as usual. Bianca was covering Haleigh as she got in her best shot at Black. Nicolas played backup, monitoring everything on the rook top as the hologram of Morgan egged the beast on.

...the electricity crackle ceased as the breakers were finally blown from the previous attack on Black...

...the auxiliary power kicked up, lighting the emergency lights that lined the rooftop of the building, Nicolas dampened their effect with a layer of readily available dust and dirt...

...Bianca troops were holding down below, barely...

Then the time came. Nicolas watched as Haleigh emerged seemingly from nowhere behind Barbas, executed a PERFECTLY-timed killing strike, complete with heart impalement and decapitation, and then the beast dies enclosed in a crystal cage of Alison's making. Nicolas exhales as Black ceases to be, his atoms dispersing inside the cage.

They were finally done with hm. Now the could go to Morgan. Nicolas prepared to open a portal through the astral plane when Ava spoke.

"Delilah, we still have a minor problem."

Gesturing to Bianca who was still very much alive.

Nicolas turned to look at Bianca. His face was COMPLETELY BLANK, eyes red and glowing, glyphs pulsing. The members of his team who knew him would realize that Bianca had at best seconds to live...

 

[Harbinger]

Empire State Bldg. rooftop

:: Harbinger looked rather unhappy as she tucked some of her blue/black hair behind her ear. She did not immediately respond to Delilah who, like all of them, was concerned about Morgan. She also wondered if this was truly the end of Black.::

Don't worry about him. He's vanquished.

:: she said in a cold, low tone. still not looking directly at anyone yet.::

:: Ava pointed out the minor loose end of Bianca.::

:: Harbinger's frown turned into a scowl as she looked up and then over toward Bianca, who was just a few paces behind Black Widow.::

:: She spots Nicolas and can "SEE" what he wants to do at any moment::

Stay back!

:: she practically hisses this command as she turns on her high heel and makes her way directly toward Bianca, moving past Nicolas. The soundtrack from "Jaws" comes to mind as she moves past him. Haleigh begins to speak, but Alison quickly strides past her, absentmindedly throwing her hand up to Haleigh's chest level to admonish Haleigh to step aside.::

:: she reaches Bianca and stands right in front of her, glaring at her unwaveringly with her colbalt blue eyes. Bianca looks rather smug at the moment. The woman fixes her mouth to speak when...::

::SLAP!::

STUPID woman!

:: Harbinger shouts with indignation as she SLAPS Bianca across the face with such force.::

Do you NOW see the consequences of your actions!?

:: Harbinger LUNGES for Bianca, about to assault her flat out.::

 

[Millennia]

Bianca put her hand on Black Widow’s back, bringing her into her state and effectively hiding her from Black’s view. They crept silently up behind Black while MorningStar kept his attention, and as Black Widow moved to strike, Bianca stepped backwards out of the way.

Then Harbinger blew him up, yadda yadda, and now she stood off to the side, checking herself over. She brushed off her costume, and was examining her nails as Alison walked over to her.

“Well, that was fu-“

She started to say fun as Alison SLAPPED her!

Her hand flew to the side of her face and her jaw dropped open.

“How DARE you!”

She was incredulous.

Do you NOW see the consequences of your actions!?

“MY actions? YOU were the one leaving that THING lying around your HOUSE!”

Alison lunged for her and Bianca lunged back, grabbing her arms and struggling to push her away.

“When you KNEW what that sword could do! Barbara would be ASHAMED!”

 

[Harbinger]

Empire State Bldg.

Her hand flew to the side of her face and her jaw dropped open.

“How DARE you!”

She was incredulous.

“MY actions? YOU were the one leaving that THING lying around your HOUSE!”

Alison lunged for her and Bianca lunged back, grabbing her arms and struggling to push her away.

“When you KNEW what that sword could do! Barbara would be ASHAMED!”

:: oh how arrogant and foolish Millennia was, to attempt to FIGHT a precog? Even if she were to try to disappear, she'd need even a moment to do so. The use of that TIME would be all Alison needed to do any number of things to her BEFORE she could carry out that single move.::

:: in the "OLD" days, Bianca would have suffered a fate similar to Victor Klein or any number of others Alison had KILLED...for far less. the fact that she was ONLY being physical with Bianca at this point was rather interesting to the onlookers in the Six.::

::As they struggle against one another, Alison steps back, pivoting just so to send Bianca off her balance. While doing this, Alison turns her arms and then YANKS away and out of Bianca's grip before being instantly upon her again, charing her forward, and slamming her up against the wall of a shed like structure nearby, pressing her elbow into Bianca's neck and throat::

You listen to ME,you two bit WANNABE "Barbara Minerva!"

:: Alison said coldly::

That sword was HOUSED in the VAULT, which is in the Catacombs, which was a place Barbara NEVER granted YOU access to, and for GOOD REASON. She knew you for being the selfish, opportunistic WORM that you ARE! I saw it in her JOURNALS. She read you like an open BOOK.

What did you DO!? You waited until after she was DEAD, you stalked the island and the mansion, using circumstance to cover your tracks and your own "power". You VIOLATED the mansion and the catacombs and STOLE that sword with the express purpose to MURDER someone I care deeply about.

It was the KNOWLEDGE of what that sword and EVERY OTHER object in the Vault can do IN THE WRONG HANDS that warranted that sword being PUT there.

But you didnt care. Just like you didnt care OR respect Barbara. you DARE to invoke HER? YOU disgrace her! She WASTED HER TIME on you!

THIS...ALL OF IT...what happened to Morgan, the DANGER posed to the city...ALL OF THIS IS ON YOUR HEAD, one that I'm VERY close to DIVORCING from your BODY. Would you like to see how easily you "come back" from THAT!?

 

[Millennia]

Alison pulled away from her and sidestepped, allowing her to get a hold on Bianca and push her into the wall. And THEN Alison started to talk.

“Oh blah blah blah. ”

Bianca rolled her eyes.

“But you’re right, I don’t CARE! I’m not the one who wishes she were BARBARA!”

She struggled against Alison, who held her tight against the wall.

“You want to use your magick on me, you insolent little nobody? Well, GO AHEAD! The last time you were supposed to fix me and we all see how THAT TURNED OUT. Maybe this time you’ll make me NORMAL!”

Bianca wrapped her leg around Alison’s, and swept it from under her while simultaneously reaching a hand out and yanking Alison’s head back by her hair. She was able to loosen Alison’s grasp enough to slip out of it and move a few steps away. Darting behind Alison’s back and out of her line of vision, she changed her form and would seem to disappear, reappearing just as she barreled into the seer.

 

[Harbinger]

Empire State bldg.

Alison pulled away from her and sidestepped, allowing her to get a hold on Bianca and push her into the wall. And THEN Alison started to talk.

“Oh blah blah blah. ”

Bianca rolled her eyes.

“But you’re right, I don’t CARE! I’m not the one who wishes she were BARBARA!”

::narrowing her eyes with contempt at this...this totally IMPERTINENT remark::

why you little....

She struggled against Alison, who held her tight against the wall.

:: Alison grits her teeth as she turns her elbow a bit, applying MORE pressure, on the verge of using her TK to begin crush Bianca's throat if provoked.::

“You want to use your magick on me, you insolent little nobody? Well, GO AHEAD! The last time you were supposed to fix me and we all see how THAT TURNED OUT. Maybe this time you’ll make me NORMAL!”

Don't say ME. YOU never CAME to Me, OR to Morgan or ANYBODY ELSE for help. You did THIS, as if THIS would REALLY work. For all you vaunted research...the bigest revelation you MISSED is that you're STILL the shortsighted MORON you were BEFORE. And yet, before Morgan nearly DIED earlier tonight, SHE reached out to you! She offered to try to HELP you and she paid for that...nearly with her LIFE. But you don't CARE...so why...should...I!?

Bianca wrapped her leg around Alison’s, and swept it from under her while simultaneously reaching a hand out and yanking Alison’s head back by her hair. She was able to loosen Alison’s grasp enough to slip out of it and move a few steps away. Darting behind Alison’s back and out of her line of vision, she changed her form and would seem to disappear, reappearing just as she barreled into the seer.

:: she THOUGHT she was on a roll. But even as she took Alison at her current measure, ALISON looked "ahead" and saw the moment of her vanishing, and while she couldnt "see" Bianca after that....she COULD see HER OWN time thread, including her being slammed into by someone ...OBVIOUSLY Bianca.::

:: Harbinger did not depend on her precognition in a moment to moment way like this usually, BUT with Millennia's power and the way she conducted herself, Alison had come to see a way to maneuver when facing her and this was it.::

you may be able to hide from even MY precognition, but I can still "SEE" EVERYTHING ELSE including MY OWN time threads.

:: Harbinger BLINKS OUT of sight as the invisible Millennia charages, full force , slamming BACK into the wall she was once pinned up on and making a fool of herself in front of them.::

::BLINKING back into view, she smiles smugly.::

CHECK.

GOODBYE!

:: She raises her hands, about to gesture in a thrust a'la Piper Halliwell and BLOW Millenia APART.::

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah’s frantic thoughts were still on Morgan when Alison strode over to Bianca. She was pulled out of them, though, when an all out brawl broke out. Delilah put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes and sighed. Not again.

Delilah knew Bianca couldn’t really hurt Alison, so she just stood nearby. You’d think after everything Bianca would have been smart enough to keep her mouth shut, rather than calling Alison out, but she guessed that was too much to ask. Rationality was a sorely lacking commodity in this woman.

Delilah tried not to laugh when Alison blinked away from Bianca’s charge, and they watched her run headlong into a wall. But a chuckle did escape…

Bianca took a moment to gather herself, then turned back towards them. She was clearly pissed, her eyes narrow, when she spoke through gritted teeth.

Bianca: “Now that’s cheating.”

Bianca looked as if she was going to try rushing Alison again, so fierce did she look. And then Delilah looked at Alison’s face, and her mood became serious. Alison was on a rampage, and Delilah had seen that happen before.

CHECK. GOODBYE!

“Alison, STOP!”

Delilah nearly tackled Alison herself, throwing her arms around her into a sort of bear hug to prevent her from unleashing the attack that was coming through her hands.

“You've made your point, now please calm down. Morgan forgave her – shouldn’t we try to be a tiny bit understanding? After all, she did help us.”

 

[Persephone]

Ava stood back with her arms folded across her chest as she watched Alison and Bianca "catfight". She couldn't help but have a small smirk tug across her lips at the sight of the two woman bickering and taking blows. Alison could handle herself, and Bianca was about as intimidating as a blow up doll, so this was definitely entertaining to watch.

However Deilah didn't find it as amusing. She quickly put an end to it, pleading with Alison to get Bianca a second chance. Ava raised her eyebrows with surprise; though she really shouldn't be considering the source.

Delilah: “You've made your point, now please calm down. Morgan forgave her – shouldn’t we try to be a tiny bit understanding? After all, she did help us.”

"She helped us to benefit herself Delilah, not out of the kindness of her heart. If she didn't think killing Black was too much for her to handle alone, she would of fed us to him on a silver platter."

Shaking her head.

"Whatever, either blow the bitch up or let her slink away. Either way we need to get back to Morgan."

 

[MorningStar]

"She helped us to benefit herself Delilah, not out of the kindness of her heart. If she didn't think killing Black was too much for her to handle alone, she would of fed us to him on a silver platter. Whatever, either blow the bitch up or let her slink away. Either way we need to get back to Morgan."

Delilah slowly let go of her hold on Alison. Her eyes moved to Ava.

“Of course I don’t think she’s suddenly Mother Theresa, Ava – but Morgan…before…”

Delilah hesitated briefly, a lump starting to form in her throat. She pushed it back down.

“…Morgan feels responsible for what happened to her. She wouldn’t want this. Not now. And I know what it’s like to feel guilty for someone else’s death. I don’t want that for her. And I also know what it’s like to be abnormal when all you want is normal.”

She turned and looked at Bianca.

“We have enough evidence that she hired a hit man to kill us that we could turn her in to the police, if we so choose. Though, each one of us has gone a little crazy in the past due to our abilities, and gotten a second chance. It’s what we did with those second chances, that defines us as who we are now.”

Turning back to Ava.

“And don’t forget, she could have left any time she wanted, but she chose to stay and face up to her mistakes.”

 

[Harbinger]

the empire state bldg.

:: Harbinger was momentarily caught off guard as MorningStar rushed to stop her from blowing Bianca apart, literally.::

:: she looked at Delilah in disbelief but then began to think about it all and even Morgan, who had a change of heart at the end. still, Ava was no less valid in her observation as well.::

No I....I'm not going to kill her.

:: Alison says as she steads herself and gently removes Delilah's hands from her shoulders.::

It serves no purpose and it would be wrong.

Morgan realized the same thing after Delilah pleaded with her.

:: she speaks coldly. part of her struggles with the idea that she could be "going soft"...that CLASSIC part of her personality she'd always be known for, but as she searched her heart, she knew Delilah was right.::

UNLIKE HER and what she wanted to do to Morgan, we understand that killing her ISNT going to CHANGE ANYTHING. Murdering her, no matter how PERSONALLY gratifying it may be, would truly mark us all in a way that...is needless and unecessary. I dare say that even Ororo would look down on us for it.

Morgan publicly acknowledged her responsibility over the Inferno to this woman as well as her own current state of existence because of it AND offered to try to find a way to help her and I think I know what she had in mind. With this crisis contained...we COULD have explored that option further had she gone about this an ENTIRELY different way! THAT is why i smacked her. she DESERVED to be rebuked for her short sighted FOOLISHNESS. My own emotions carried me away when she attempted to DEFY me.

:: As they knew, Bianca was no REAL match for Alison in their little scuffle but there was more going on there, which Alison just revealed.::

Because of her, BLACK returned. He returned by the spilling of "innocent" blood...blood of a man who belongs in hell but benefited from circumstances we couldnt have dreamed of if we tried. We learned the ULTIMATE backstory behind why HE came after us in the first place and between these two...it does serve as an object lesson about loose ends and the often UNSEEN victims we may not be aware of as we do what we NEED to do to protect the world from vast...terrible powers....sometimes our OWN.

I can't deny that she was a victim at one point. Morgan couldnt either. BUT she had more than one chance....from Barbara Minerva and she could have, at ANY TIME, reached out to US DIRECTLY to confront us, ask for help...SOMETHING. But instead she used her vast resources to CONTINUE the cycle of violence she blames us for.

It HAS to stop...and it will...NOW.

BUT not without COOPERATION.

:: she looks directly at Bianca.::

Ava's concerns are valid. You ARE a risk AND while I...WE are attempting to put a stop to this whole thing...YOUR ACTIONS could very well negate our efforts. YOU were behind Bishop stalking us and destroying our lives as we knew them; you have stalked, tresspassed, stole, kidnapped, held a hostage, attempted to murder two people- outside of however many others youve killed on your twisted path to this very moment- toyed with and unleashed a deadly force you could NEVER have hoped to control...and what has it brought you? You can't continue like this. NOW that we know of you , we'll be forever on guard against you. Your power, such as it is, is unique but NOT infallable.

WE know you couldnt be held by any NORMAL prison. So you leave us with a VERY real and valid question to ponder.

KILLING YOU may be...unjust in many ways, but WHAT OTHER ALTERNATIVE do you leave us? What kind of assurance can you give US that you will stay AWAY from Minerva's mansion and the members of this team?

I'm offering you the chance now, to tell us what you want...what you NEED from us to start a new path in your life and if it is within our power- we'll grant it but ONLY IF you give your SOLEMN OATH to never come near ANY of us again and to NEVER tresspass on the aerie of Minerva's Mansion.

We could FORCE this obedience from you in any number of ways but that would make us no better than the night you were forever changed by forces you had nothing to do with, thus leading you to where you are now. instead, in the name of helping to set things RIGHT -- i offer you a CHOICE.

:: Harbinger spoke coldly but with honesty. The Six knew she was a woman of her word and she obviously had taken both Delilah and Ava's input into consideration and found this was the best approach. Would Bianca respond accordingly?::

 

[Millennia]

So Delilah was still in her corner: that was good. From what she knew of the Six, MorningStar’s influence on moral issues was more powerful than her laser blasts. Not that she was afraid of the six. She had died enough times to stop being afraid of it. To quote the Neanderthals that plagued the world these days, though, it stung like a bitch.

Now she just had to bide her time until either they left her to go back to Aerie, or she could slip away, whichever was easier. Alison addressing her directly, however, that surprised her. And not much surprised Bianca.

Her perfect almond shaped eyes looked quizzically at Harbinger, her lips pursed as she pondered what the Seer was saying to her. Alison’s words didn’t hurt her - of course not. She even rolled her eyes a little when Alison rattled off a list of her “transgressions”. She couldn’t care what these people said about her. But she picked out the important information: they weren’t going to (try to) kill her, and they knew she was never going to jail.

Bianca steepled her index fingers, tapping them against her lips as she nodded indicating she had heard Harbinger.

“I put this question to you, Alison Marble. If someone had murdered you, would you turn around and ask them for help?”

She sighed, and waved a hand in the air.

“But that is neither here nor there. I consider the person, or rather thing responsible for my current state of being to be dead. Therefore, I have no further quarrel with you or your team. And trust me, the last thing I want is to have to spend any time in the future with the likes of you.”

She did however, walk over to Delilah and, crossing her arms, narrowed her eyes at her.

“Delilah Trelaven, you are a real life good person. I don’t know what to think about that. But should you ever need my help- No, should you ever have a mutually beneficial situation for me, you know where I can be found. My people will clean up this mess.” She indicated the damage to the roof and building around them. “You may see to your friend.”

That dismissal was as much of a thank you, as much concern for Morgan’s well-being, as Bianca was able to give. Delilah nodded back to her, a spark of understanding in her eyes.

Delilah: “When Morgan is well, I’ll ask her to look into a cure for you.”

Bianca shook her head.

“There’s no rush. I have a little time left.”

She shrugged and cast her eyes upwards.

“I’m not that interested in being normal anymore, anyway.”

 

[Black Widow]

The others were deciding what to do with Bianca. there were fisticuffs, but Haleigh hardly paid attention to that. She was still clutching the sword, staring at it and turning it over in her hands. Her whole body trembled from the backlash she'd receiced when she destroyed Black, but it wasn't a painful tremble. Every now and then she succumbed to a more violent shudder, but it was a sensation that was oddly pleasurable that traveled up her spine and caused the shudder.

She could hardly take her eyes off it. She didn't want to let go of the thing. The glazed over look on her face made her seem almost mesmerized, and maybe she partly was... the sword seemed to be resonating a very low pitch tone, like a tuning fork. Haleigh cast a furtive look around at her companions to see if they were noticing the sound, but none of them did. They were all debating whether or not Bianca should be allowed to live.

Delilah: …Morgan feels responsible for what happened to her. She wouldn’t want this. Not now. And I know what it’s like to feel guilty for someone else’s death. I don’t want that for her. And I also know what it’s like to be abnormal when all you want is normal.

"SERIOUSLY?? Why would anyone ever want to be normal when you could be one of us?"

She interjected, impatience coloring her tone with disdain, but she was hardly in the discussion and she didn't seem to really want to add anything else. Alison and Delilah were covering both sides of the argument. They'd figure it out.
Haleigh was more invested in what would happen to the sword. Wouldn't Alison want it back in the Vault? Haleigh didn't want to part with it. Black was dead and gone now. For good this time. Haleigh felt an attachment with the sword that didn't seem one sided, as weird and illogical as THAT sounded.

Bianca: You may see to your friend.

"Oh, MAY we? Might we please be allowed that small concession? I'm so glad we've got your fucking permission. Thank you ever so much. BITCH."

That last jab almost as if it was supposed to be under her breath, but she said it full out and glaring RIGHT AT the presumptuous little brat. AS IF a single person here were waiting with bated breath for her to release them from her presence. Haleigh rolled her eyes so hard it could have been seen across the rooftop. This woman really was too stupid to LIVE. They'd be doing her [and the rest of the world] as service by euthanizing her. Too bad Alison was letting her off with a slap on the wrists [face].