The nightmare begins

[Seer]

<<How it all began>>

Nighttime...the NYC skyline...a horizontal cascade of steel edged beauty accented by the randomly flashing lights of various buildings, high rises and sky scrapers..the skies churn and swirl...as a storm just begins to brew and thunder rumbles.....far below on ground level..the din of never ending traffic and citizens who never seem to sleep can be heard ....but even as all seems to be normal...something is brewing in the air...a dark and growing feeling of dread...that can only be felt by a select few people.....scattered throughout the metropolis of NYC....these select individuals dont know it yet......but tonight will usher in a new chapter in their lives...the likes of which they never imagined...and will most likely DREAD.

<< This story began with Mystech- the largest, most powerfull commercial entity on the planet. It's reach was far and deep. 9 out of 10 households contained its products and while it employed numerous individuals in various capacities, only an ELITE few knew of Mystech's top secret endeavors including- biological/chemical weapons development, ethic bending if not BREAKING biotechnology and an ongoing, ever developing push for global domination. The Original Six were called together by Alison Marble, a precog/witch, in order to rescue Morgan Victoria's sister, Blaze Fielding from the clutches of Mystech's Citadle, a honeycomb like super facility that was hidden underground New York City. They were also charged with the task of STOPPING the Citadle's meltdown and saving the city from a viral outbreak that would have decimated the population.>>

<< a picture of the ORIGINAL Six: Shockwave, Spellbinder, Prophet, Black Widow, Tempest and Foxfire. Guardian is pictured as well, but NOT an official member of the Six in the beginning.>>


<< In mainstream time, The Six, fractious as they were in their beginning, managed to save Foxfire and deal a crippling blow to Mystech in what was to become the opening round of a deep, violent, often costly struggle between Mystech and this group of super powered mutants and metahumans, who were all that stood between the world and Mystech's chokehold. They destroyed the Consortium of doctors, shut down the Citadle and went on to become what you see today.>>

<< Rapid montage of Spellbinder/Darkchilde; Karen Victoria; Ororo; A revived Black Widow; MorningStar; Frost; Bane; Enchantrah; Alycia Barnett; Sharon Kelly; Michael; Zach; Malice; Blackout; Persephone; Rampage; Bishop; Isis; Firebird; Black...>>

<< THE SEIGE PERILOUS!>>


<< So many changes have occurred, some permanent, some tragic, some wonderfull, some yet to be fully understood or felt. One thing is for certain, the story is NOT over and only time will tell....>>


<< Time and space figure prominently into the lives of The Six, their foes, and allies.>>

<< At some point in each of their lives, they've each pondered significant events and choices they've made and considered how vastly different the outcome would be had a different choice been made. As the old saying goes- "Hindsight is always 20/20", but when you're a precog that old phrase all at once gains a whole new meaning and loses impact.>>

<< Sometimes, its the circumstances and details surrounding the Six that determine the outcome and if they were altered, would change everything drastically. While many only imagine what it would be like to see these variant possibilities, the six have in their midst, a witch whose mutant power makes that imagination often a REALITY as she teleports herself and her team THROUGH time and space via stepping discs.>>

<< some alternate timelines are wild and vivid, others are dark and apocolyptic but the best thing to be said is that through the portals known as stepping discs, the possibilities are TRULY LIMITLESS.>>

<< If you wonder why this feels familiar, it's because you've been here before. You've just FALLEN into a stepping disc.>>

<< And so we watch....>>

 

[Seer]

Through the stepping disc

<< In a time and place where The Six was JUST forming to protect the world from the vast, terrible powers of Mystech, but here the events unfold differently, bringing an outcome that was less than favorable.>>


<< The team is hardly cohesive and soon seperated when Spellbinder teleports far ahead leaving a cold and brutal Guardian to "lead" the others. In this timeline, that is where things begin to fall apart.>>

<<FLASH>>

<< Prophet and Tempest are both devoured by the ant lions that Guardian cruelly abandonned them to. Cameron's screams are the last thing to be heard in the dark tunnel before the growling and feeding of the Ant Lions.>>

<<FLASH>>


<< Black Widow [in her original body], succumbs to the brutal experimentation at the hands Adam Chandler and demon mage Imagiomg, never becoming the powerfull hybrid that we saw in Mainstream. Her broken body is soon dumped into a container, to be shipped to the DEAD FACTORY were all "bio hazards" are sent to be INCINERATED.>>

<< FLASH>>

<< Guardian and Shockwave are in the office pool - just as Guardian discoveres that she orchestrated the death of her BROTHER, CAMERON KING and that mystech had files on her whole family due to her MOTHER, Witchfire, being a member of Mystech's shock troop team Axis of Evil, she and Shockwave are both struck down by the Citadle's defense system...in this case...nerve gas. Guardian lays on the floor, on her stomach, her head turned to the side with her eyes closed; the single tear that had fallen from her eye when she realized just what she'd done to her baby brother STILL slowly trickling down her cheek while Shockwave, who was keeping watch, lays on her side, eyes wide open frozen with a look of uncertainty as blood trickles out of her mouth.>>


<<FLASH>>


<< Foxfire who was thought dead but revealed to be alive , and one part of the reason for the Six attacking the Citadle in the first place, had freed herself from her father, Dr. Christoher Victory's clutches in a lab and was now running/hiding from him while fighting off random creatures on the loose in the citadle following the facility wide power backlash. Her's was a brave bid for freedom but doomed to fail as BLACK, the menacing energy creature, and another member of the Axis of Evil who was ALSO thought dead, roars into view.>>

<< Spellbinder, whom had faced Black before and seemingly destroyed him (after HE had seemingly murdered her sister Blaze) FINALLY finds her sister and snatches her from Black's clutches. She has no idea that all her erstwhile companies are now DEAD and that she and her sister are the only ones left!>>


<<FLASH>>

As it ORIGINALLY happened in mainstream-

Spellbinder: you wont hurt her again!! i wont allow it!

<< she gritted her teeth and exhaled feriously as she hurled the large mainframe computer at Black...a hard impact is hard as the massive machine slams into Black dead center....causing him to fall back and skid across the room before hitting the wall so hard...the room and ceiling shook>>


<< without wasting time....Spellbinder rushes forward and scoops up Foxfire. with her super strength...carrying her sister is an easy task. she takes one last look at Black...who is struggling from the electricity and being hemmed against the wall...as he begins to push the mainframe off....and then, spellbinder rushes out of the room...lifting into the air and FLYING down the hall.>>

<< cradling Blaze and holding her close, Spellbinder's icy violet eyes are WIDE with exhileration...and TERROR.>>

Spellbinder: I have to get out of here.......but where am i going to go!?

<< in MAINSTREAM, she was met and aided by Guardian and Shockwave and ultimately, Ororo, who cast Black through the Seige Perilous. But HERE?>>


<<FLASH>>

<< Spellbinder, carrying her sister Foxfire and flying fast down the hall trying to escape, is BLASTED by a massive, jagged bolt of NEGA ENERGY. Her magick shields can't protect her from Black's power and she screams as both she and Blaze are struck down. The fall hard, landing at the feet of their FATHER, Dr. Christopher Victory>>

You were WARNED, Daughter. But I should have known you would not listen. You're just like your BITCH mother. ALWAYS interferring. ALWAYS defying me! I offered you and Blaze BOTH a life of adventure and prosperity in the SERVICE OF MYSTECH. You could have been magnificent but instead it's come to THIS. You're both too much of a threat and liability. You know too much. I regret it has come to this.

<< now on the ground and badly hurt, Morgan can hardly respond to her father, who looms over her so large and twisted. no longer the man she once knew, love or trusted. He hadn't been THAT for sometime. But NOW? He stands before them, over them. Black is closing in. She's injured, shivering...she can't fly...or even teleport.>>

<< She attempts to cover and shield her sister from Black's assault but it is of no use.>>

"Obedience breeds discipline. Discipline breeds unity. Unity breeds power. Power is LIFE!"

<< Black attacks, savagely. Bombarding Spellbinder and Foxfire with nega energy. It slices THROUGH them to their very core...they're WRACKED with unearthly pain as their bodies seize and their insides RUPTURE. Their SCREAMS finally give out as Blaze dies and Morgan slumps over her sister, dead as well. Their bodies now battered beyond recognition and steam rises up from the circumference of the floor around them singed by the blast area.>>

<< Spellbinder had endured so much in this timeline as she had in mainstream following her sister's loss at the hands of Black when she was with Valiant. But here, she'd rescued her, only to DIE in that attempt and now, with her's and her sister's death, THE ORIGINAL SIX had all fallen, never completing their first and so CRITICAL mission.>>

<< zoom up from the Citadle ABOVE ground, where the BEGINNINGS of an unintended viral outbreak were beginning. Unlike in mainstream where the meltdown was well underway, Mystech employed its Special Tactics and Rescue Squad to quickly and swiftly contain the virus, ELIMINATING those infected and expunging them as though they never existed. Meanwhile, Mystech, its tentacles deeply reaching into the media, used it's channels to play down the bizarre and strange occurrences of that evening as little more than a Nuclear Reactor failure, which "Thanks to Mystech's swift and decisive action was quickly contained with no casualties or damage.">>

<< a total cover up.>>


<< The Six...DEAD. Mystech, though they'd experienced some setbacks from the Six's attack, were largely successfull and STILL very much on top.>>

<< The city, the country indeed many aspects of the world STILL very much encompassed by the long, tentacled shadow this entity cast.>>

<< THIS time and place was destined for the NIGHTMARE that begin in mainstream to become PERMANENT REALITY.>>

<< BUT...it's not over YET.>>


<< 6 months later.>>

<< Nighttime...the NYC skyline...a horizontal cascade of steel edged beauty accented by the randomly flashing lights of various buildings, high rises and sky scrapers..the skies churn and swirl...as a storm just begins to brew and thunder rumbles.....far below on ground level..the din of never ending traffic and citizens who never seem to sleep can be heard ....but even as all seems to be normal...something hangs in the air...a dark and growing feeling of dread. The sense that all is not as it should be and that beneath the gleam of steel, strength of stone and speed of technology, a ROTTEN CANCER is growing.>>

<< Who knows? Who senses it? Who can stand up and protect the weak and unsuspecting? With the destruction of the original Six, that question seemed never to be answered in this timeline. BUT scattered throughout the metropolis of NYC....*there are select individuals dont know it yet......but they will come to fill the gap left behind by those who were called to stand against a vast terrible evil but DIED before they could ever realize their destiny...a destiny that MUST be answered if this timeline is to have a prayer of continuing forward, much less getting better.>>

<< The first glimmer of HOPE begins with the ONE remaining link of similarity between mainstream and this dark uncertain time, Delilah Trelevan, a.k.a. MorningStar, the best friend of the now deceased Spellbinder. They grew up together, remained close through adolescence and adulthood. When Morgan took a hiatus from the fashion world to answer the call to join the london based team Valiant, Delilah would ultimately replace her after she LEFT due to severe injury and the death of Blaze following Valiant's violent confrontation with Mystech's Axis of Evil.>>

<< Delilah, along with Alison and Karen, Morgan's mother, ALL grieved with Morgan over Blaze and helped Morgan eventually recover enough to resume her life in NYC back in the world of fashion. Soon Delilah returned to her work in the police force but still remained in contact with Morgan.>>

<< When last they spoke, Morgan confided in her that she'd met a mysterious woman, Haleigh Davidoff, during a photoshoot at Illustra and when she and Alison confronted the woman, the learned the TRUTH about Blaze being alive and held captive at a place called "The Citadle". THAT name rang bells for Delilah, who was well connected in the force and was aware of bizarre, unsolved crimes/situations involving Mystech and references to the Citadle.>>

<< Morgan was determined to rescue Blaze no matter what and though Alison would join her, Delilah begged her to WAIT so she could come with them. Sadly, Morgan did not wait and Delilah would not hear from her again until rumours in her department about a major weird happening at The Citadle reached her and soon, her worst fears were confirmed as she learned that Morgan Victoria and Blaze Fielding were now both dead. Their bodies found topside.>>

<< Delilah bypassed procedure and obtained the coroner and autopsy report, along with photos. THEY may not have been able to determine WHAT did this to Morgan but when she saw the photos SHE knew. BLACK. Morgan and her sister were now DEAD at the hands of this creature that Delilah herself had fought when she replaced Morgan after he had seemingly killed Blaze and maimed Morgan. THAT coupled with the BLATANT coverup by Mystech and the corporate owned media about what was REALLY going on? It was more than Delilah could take.>>

<< She RESIGNED from the NYPD and disappeared for several months. She needed time to grieve among other things. She also contacted Dr. KAREN VICTORIA, who, as in mainstream time, was in hiding from her abusive, twisted ex-husband, Christopher Victory and under the protection of Clandestine Inc, the elite black ops organization owned by the now deceased Haleigh Davidoff. Delilah and Karen were all each other had left now, but with Morgan and Blaze's death and knowing Christopher was responsible, Karen could NOT emerge from her protectied, concealed living. However, she gave Delilah something...a letter and a pass key to Illustra...specifically the secret residential floors of the 107 floor skyscrapper.>>

Dear Dee,
If you've received this from my mother, then Alison's precognitive vision aboout something HAPPENING to me, to BOTH of us has come to pass. I don't even know how to continue writing this, as I sit here pondering the strong possibility that I may DIE while trying to rescue my sister, but Alison INSISTED I do this, and include a pass key that will give you access to MY penthouse apartment on the top floor of Illustra. I can't say anything else because I...Alison hasn't explained anything more and honestly? I'm FREAKED OUT...I...we've been able to alter the outcome of Alison's visions before...even though those were on matters of business and such...but maybe we'll luck out this time too. I survived Valiant. I destroyed Black...I can get my sister back! But if I fail...and I don't make it out... love you. I'll miss you.
-Morg.

<< Now, nearly a YEAR later, Delilah has returned to town, to Illustra. She may be a POWERFULL mutant who can transduce any sound into light of any form and manifestation but her heart is DARK, filled only with one thing...the NEED FOR JUSTICE....REVENGE.>>


<< Mystech is a pervasive presence...worse than a fog and more intrusive than chronic pain...and yet...they remain sight unseen. But NO shadow or fog can prevail against the LIGHT.>>

<< and so we watch.>>

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah Trelaven looked out of the window of the car service into the rainy evening. The New York City streets she had once loved passed by, but she hardly noticed a difference between one and the next. Her fingers found the worn envelope in her lap, the letter she had read hundreds of times over since she had last seen Karen.

It had been a year since she had been here, to the place where Morgan had died. If only she had been there, that day…

Her head bowed. Her fist clenched around the letter. No. This was not her doing. THIS. This horrible thing, perpetrated by those MONSTERS. Her jaw tightened, her eyes narrowed. Soon Mystech would fall and all who had tortured Blaze and MURDERED Morgan would be dead. And in HELL.

The sleek black car pulled up in front of 4616 Fashion Way Circle – ILLUSTRA. Once Delilah had been awed by the skyscraper, but now she barely gave its tall spire a glance upwards. The driver helped her out of the car and she entered the lobby. This was where Morgan had lived, and now it was hers. But she hadn’t been able to come here, until NOW.

Some sort of aide or manager flew towards her in three inch heels.

“Miss Trelaven! It is a pleasure to have you finally join us here at Illustra. We’re so happy to see you’ve arrived safely. I’m Natasha Nichols, building manager. Allow me to personally assist you up to penthouse.”

Delilah responded coldly, her eyes slits as she looked up at the too-eager-to-please and way-too-young girl.

“I don’t need any help. Now get out of my way. If I need something, I’ll ask for it.”

She continued on to the private elevator, and turned to put the key Karen had given her which allowed it to access the residential floors. Pressing the button for the top floor – 107 – she sighed. Delilah had made all the arrangements for her arrival in advance. The modifications to Morgan’s penthouse had been completed, and Delilah’s belongings already unpacked. She hadn’t even brought any luggage with her. Well, almost none.

Arriving on the top floor, she exited the elevator. Moving to Morgan’s door, she put another of the keys on the ring into the lock. The new security pad had been installed but without her presence could not be attuned to her particular ability. That would be done immediately – that night, if possible. Security was to be of utmost importance – especially now.

Entering the penthouse, she saw that it was dark. Coming down the entryway she could barely make out the rain through the windows. A gruff voice came from the darkness.

“You should have let me come down for you.”

She raised her natural luminosity, easily lighting the sunken living room. Light fell onto his face.

“You should know by now Connor – I don’t NEED your help to use an elevator.”

Connor St. James stood up and chuckled softly. He walked around behind her.

“You know, Darlin’, it would be nice if you’d let me pretend, once in a while...”

Delilah turned her head to look up at him, with a smirk. “Don’t hold your breath. It takes all my energy just to put up with you.”

A flash of lightening glinted off the steel of the wheelchair as he put both hands on either side of it and pushed her down the newly installed ramp into the living room.

For Delilah Trelaven, former NYPD detective, former member of Valiant, former employee of Powerbroker, Inc. – MORNINGSTAR – sat in the wheelchair, her legs useless to her, paralyzed from the waist down nearly six months before.

The vigilante known as Bishop had first met Delilah Trelaven while she was chasing a mob hitman in her previous occupation with the NYPD. They’d developed a mutually beneficial relationship, feeding each other information, and though they didn’t always agree with the other’s methods, the end result was a lot of scum either in prison or DEAD.

After Delilah’s injury she didn’t have any one else to turn to while she healed, so he became a sort of caretaker to her. And though she fought him on just about everything, he had a way of getting her to do the important things. He made her do her physical therapy, saw that she ate and didn’t mind if she didn’t speak to him for days or weeks. It was an adequate arrangement for both of them, and though neither would admit it, they were the closest thing either of them had anymore that resembled a friend.

Connor pushed her up to the windows so that she could look out over the city below. As she gazed out at the breaking storm, a familiar sound reached her ears and a beautiful SIAMESE jumped into her lap. Delilah gasped.

“Tink!”

She cuddled Morgan’s familiar to her chest and stroked her head.

Delilah looked at Connor. The corner of his mouth turned up into a sort of smile – he almost saw delight in her face, and this was the happiest he’s seen her since she’d found out about Morgan.

“I didn’t know you’d brought her here!”

He nodded, “Well I guess I’m just full of surprises.”

He put a hand on her shoulder briefly as he made to leave her, but she put her own hand on his and held it there.

“We’re so close – can’t you feel it? They’re out there, right now, Connor. Soon this will all be over.”

Tink rubbed against Delilah’s hand once more then stretched. She looked up into Delilah’s face and mewed, then jumped down and went to the door, then turned back and mewed again.

The phone-intercom rang.

Connor had personally installed the special system that would allow Delilah to answer the intercom or telephone from wherever she was in the penthouse, using her power over light and sound.

“Yes?” Delilah spoke impatiently into the air.

“Miss Trelaven, this is Natasha Nichols again…”

There was a nervous pause.

“Spit it out girl!”

“Um, there’s an Alycia Barnett to see you ma’am?”

Delilah sat up straighter, startled.

“Send her up immediately.”

 

[Artemis]

Illustra-107th floor

I know the way, thank you.

:: she waves off a gentleman who attempted to escort her to the express elevator.::

:: A woman arrives on the 107th floor of Illustra. Wearing a Ralph Lauren Black Label jacket and pencil skirt with high heels, She's tall, polished and stylish and walks with a purposefull stride.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< black and white freeze frame of Alycia in mid stride>>

:: She was NO fan of Mystech and it ran much deeper than her simply representing the LAW. She HAD a personal backstory, one that involved her father and his insurance company, a holding of mystech's, denying him coverage for life saving care he needed after years of dedicated service to a utility company that also turned out to be a mystech holding. he DIED and that was what catalyzed Alycia's desire to help people fight back against bullies like Mystech.::

:: Oh yes, Alycia was aware of Mystech, TRULY aware of them. Being a high powered attorney with many contacts had sometimes brought her into direct conflict with them...in the courtroom. Alycia was often the strongest ally for people that were victims of Mystech's maleficence via their products that caused more harm than good or when Mystech's holdings tried to strong arm small businesses out of the way.::


:: Alycia's track record and bold, unabashed stance against Mystech made her an enemy of their's, but since t hey controled a large stake of the media, Alycia's open attacks on Mystech and attempts to have them scrutinized by media outlets often fell short. But she would never give up.::

<< resume of Alycia making her way toward the large double doors at the end of the long hall.>>

::It had been a long time since she'd been here. It did not feel good to be here now. Morgan had become far more than a client of Alycia's. She had become a trusted FRIEND.::

:: She had been there for Morgan when Blaze was thought dead, helping to STOP Christopher Victory from getting his hands on Blaze's estate. But then...everything thing changed when Blaze was found to be alive and held captive in The Citadle. Despite her prowess and influence as the powerful attorney she was, being "only human" had its limitations. She could not stop Morgan from going, nor could she go with her and now...Morgan AND Blaze, not to mention others, were DEAD and their deaths were covered up!::

:: She was making noise as she could from her end, but the deck was so heavily stacked against her. Then DELILAH reemerged. She'd been almost impossible, even for Alycia, to find shortly following Morgan's death and subsequent events but now? There'd been rumblings of a major event in the Citadle and Alycia was certain Delilah had something to do with it.::

:: But THAT was not why she was here. She was here because she needed to fully execute Morgan's WILL. Delilah had no idea what that would entail, but she'd soon find out.::

:: At the double doors, Alycia almost reflexively took hold of one of the handles to pull the door open, as she'd done many times before when here visiting Morgan on business or pleasure. But at that moment, she halted. A RARE thing for her.::

Morgan...

:: Alycia felt...the sadness creeping up in her again. But no...she had a job to do and she had to carry it out regardless of her personal feelings.::

:: She knew of Delilah from Morgan, especially during the estate planning, she met the woman immediately following Morgan's stint with Valiant but that was it. Now the time had come for them to have an in depth meeting and conversation. One that would change Delilah's life.::

:: She takes hold of the handle and pulls back, opening the door.::

Good evening.

:: Entering, She spots Delilah Trelevan, seated in a wheelchair and holding Tinkerbell! The sight of Morgan's beloved familiar...it stabs Alycia in her heart but she masks her feelings well. Her hazel eyes look upon Connor St. James, whom she was also aware of from various sources::

I'm Alycia Barnett.

:: Shaking Delilah's hand and nodding to Connor as she stands among them::

You're very hard to track down, Delilah.

hard...but not impossible.

But this is a meeting that can't be avoided any longer, not if Morgan's affairs are to be completely put in order.

:: she looks at Connor::

Please excuse us. This is a private matter.

:: She says politely but no less directly. As she returns her gaze to Delilah. Wheelchair bound. THIS was not something Alycia was immediately aware of. What had happened? Now more than ever she suspected it had something to do with the Citadle incident.::

Delilah,

:: seating herself on the leather sectional and placing her attache on the glass table, she begins to retrieve some files and documents.::

I'm here in the capacity of Morgan's personal legal counsel and the executrix of her will with Trustee powers.

I know of you from Morgan and we met once before...so despite the unfortunate circumstance of our meeting this evening, I will do all I can to assist you with this transition.

It is what Morgan entrusted me to do.

 

[MorningStar]

Alycia entered without knocking, looking every bit the stylish and high powered attorney that she was.

Alycia: “Good evening. I'm Alycia Barnett.”

Alycia came forward to shake her hand and Delilah did so.

“Alycia, of course – it’s nice to see you again.”

Alycia addressed Connor, “Please excuse us. This is a private matter.”

Connor didn’t move a muscle, other than to look at Delilah. She nodded, and he exited towards the guest bedroom. But he didn’t take his eyes off Alycia until he was out of sight. It was clear he didn’t like leaving Delilah alone with a stranger he didn’t know.

Clearly with no time for pleasantries, Alycia got down to business

Alycia: “I'm here in the capacity of Morgan's personal legal counsel and the executrix of her will with Trustee powers…I will do all I can to assist you with this transition. It is what Morgan entrusted me to do.”

Delilah looked confused.

“Excuse me…will? Transition? I’m not sure I understand?”

 

[Seer]

into the night

<< How did she get here? Delilah did a great thing, but it came at a tremendous personal cost, the most obvious sign of that being her now wheelchair bound.>>

<< Despite all of this, Karen Victoria, Delilah's last clear link to Morgan and Blaze, chose to remain in hiding, as she was now devastated by the loss of her child even while attempting to recover from the terror her now deceased ex husband had visited uponher so many times that had made her go into hiding in the first place. Delilah had hoped...that Karen might help her determine what to do with Morgan and Alison's MAGICKAL belongings...being that Karen herself was a witch. But for the time being, that was no longer a possibility. Delilah respected Karen's need to remain hidden and to grieve, PRIVATELY.>>

<< Now, after having reemerged herself, Delilah as just beginning to try to find a new path for herself, while still grieving and pondering her life as it would now be. She had an idea of what she wanted it to be like...but she'd learned nothing is set in stone and tommorow is not promised to anyone.>>

<< Still, she was about to get one hell of a confirmation about what she secretly wanted and hoped for. Right now.>>


<< a view of Delilah's bright blue eyes.>>


<<FLASH>>

<< a view of Alycia's unwavering hazel eyes.>>

<<FLASH>>


<< rapid flash shots of Alycia's hands holding documents she's about to show Delilah that will change her life.>>


<< Elsewhere in the city.>>


<< With the Six having died, there was no one to halt Mystech's progress, even with the Citadel being shut down due in large part to Delilah, who as MorningStar not only avenged Morgan, Blaze and Alison, by attacking and DESTROYING Black, but ALSO destroying the cohesion of the Consortium by killing Morgan's father, Christopher Victory as well as Shockwave's father, Adam Chandler.>>

<< But that was far from enough to even CRIPPLE Mystech as they continued their slow, multitentacled advance and reach across the lives of the general populace through every aspect, even their governments.>>

<< The Six were not the ONLY mutants and metahumans in NYC. There were others. While this timeline has a decidedly darker, more somber tone to it, mutants and metahumans generally live a less blighted existence here. Though most prefer to keep their status secret for various reasons, they are not openly hunted or hated by the general public....not YET.>>

<< Zooming away from Illustra out across the city with a bird's eye view we reach a club known as XS.>>

<< A club where the young, rich and beautiful with an insatiable apetite for partying and money to burn come.>>

<< Tonight, white hote dance/house &electronica diva SIRYN is performing. Music industry big wigs from several major lables are in attendance, all trying to snag the notoriously independant and bold diva with what they hope will be a "deal" she wont want to pass up.>>

<< The rest are patrons who are out to have fun, drink, dance and hobknob.>>

<< Among them are the beautiful young Brenda Castle>>

<<black and white freeze frame of Brenda Castle strutting down the red carpet>>

<< a trust fund baby who is anything but typical>>

<< Ana-Leigh Moreau>>

<< black and white freeze frame image of Ana-Leigh and those she was with being granted entrance past the velvet rope, much to the distress of others desperate to gain access.>>
<< a beautiful, studious law student attending NYU who was persuaded by some college friends to "let her hair down" and come check out Siryn>>

<< and Richard Martin>>

<< black and white freeze frame of a tall young man employing charm, swagger and subterfuge to not only look the part of "one who belongs" but also to gain entrance into the club after being mistaken for a young pop/r&b male vocalist.>>

<< a handsome but mysterious young man who's street smarts and boyish charm have helped carry him far ever since he fled far from his own hometown. Tonight he's managed to bluff his way past the difficult bouncers at the velvet rope outside and was now inside the club, attending the hottest ticket in town.>>

<< none of these three knows each other...yet...and at first glance they have nothing in common, save that they are ALL super powered mutants, pursuing their individual lives and as diverse as the points on a star, just like The original Six.>>

<< Finally, there is Siryn.>>

<< Black and white freeze frame of a woman standing in front of a three way mirror in her dressing room, adjusting her sexy, avant garde design silver bullet bra corsett.>>

<< A young, bold , beautifull woman and powerfull presence with a powerfull voice to match, a voice UNLIKE ANY OTHER actually, which made her all the more intriguing to many. Like the others highlighted above, Siryn was different...not exactly a mutant, but a MUTATE. That was the secret behind her amazing voice...her sonic based powers. Siryn's past was unclear and no one knew who the woman behind this stage name was, not even her real name, but at the moment that didnt matter.>>

<< Soon she'd be on stage, backed by super hot and super sexy DJ Tone and with her dance moves, her voice and her set, she'd drive the crowd into the evening as only this dance diva could.>>


<< And so, the night begins...as we now have a clear glance of 4 others to watch besides Delilah, Alycia and Connor.>>

<< rapid fire images of XS, the interior of the club and its patrons as the party is about to begin.>>

 

[Artemis]

Illustra- 107th floor

“Alycia, of course – it’s nice to see you again."

:: despite the battle weary look on Delilah's face, she was still as warm and friendly as she had been the last time they met but Alycia knew that anyone could put on a "face" when necessary. SHE was doing it as she tried not to given in to the pangs of emotion...the urge to either throw up or weep as she was once again back inside Morgan's apartment, knowing that she was gone. FOREVER.::

:: She knew Delilah must be feeling similar if not worse, after all, they GREW UP TOGETHER and had been friends all this time.::

Connor didn’t move a muscle, other than to look at Delilah. She nodded, and he exited towards the guest bedroom. But he didn’t take his eyes off Alycia until he was out of sight. It was clear he didn’t like leaving Delilah alone with a stranger he didn’t know.

:: Alycia paused for a moment, and looked up at Connor, locking eyes with him. He may not have known her [surprisingly] but SHE knew him and his reputation. He was the scurge of the criminal underworld. A vigilante. He was the dark side of the coin to Delilah's light when she was a member of law enforcement. Many times, Alycia had used her connections, influence and clout to persuade attorneys lower on the food chain to NOT represent criminals who tried to SUE Connor if they survived their encounters with him. Alycia was all for protecting the weak and innocent and sometimes a person had to get down and dirty to do it. She'd done it in her own way with legal maneauvering for her clients. Her battles were in the courtroom or boardroom, his were on the streets.::

:: She didnt have a problem with him...YET but right now, his apparent refusal to cooperate and give her privacy was about to draw an ernest admonishing.::

:: As she looked at him and he looked at her, Delilah silently indicated to him it was okay and soon he left, going elsewhere in the penthouse.::

Morgan wouldn't have someone like THAT in here, much less Illustra. But...this isnt Morgan...she's not here....she never will be again.

:: she thought to herself as she shut her eyes tightly for a moment before reopening them and getting down to business.::

Delilah looked confused.

“Excuse me…will? Transition? I’m not sure I understand?”

I was Morgan's legal counsel for years. I handled all of her legal procedures both personal and professional.

Upon her return from London, following the Valiant disaster and the seeming loss of Blaze, I assisted her in stopping her father from laying claim to Blaze's estate and at that time, she decided to revise her own will and update her estate planning in case something...happened.

Sadly, that contigency has become REALITY and here we are.

Dr. Karen Victoria, Morgan's mother was originally to be Morgan's sole beneficiary in the event that something to both she and Blaze. However, she revised her will, with YOU in mind.

I am here to execute that will and see that the provisions be set in motion.

You may have wondered how it is that Illustra has continued its BUSINESS operations, despite Morgan's passing. As the trustee of Morgan's will, I have been granted broad powers to ensure that Morgan's estate continues to remain profitable & thus, I assembled a silent management team fitting Morgan's criteria to continue the operations of Illustra Inc.

HOWEVER, on the personal side, there are the secret residential floors of this building, which originally were to go to Karen. Karen and Morgan agreed after Valiant to change that provision, which is why Karen gave YOU the pass key to the Residential floors, specifically Morgan's penthouse. I possess an emergency copy but don't worry...I will not be haunting you here.

:: Alycia's own dry humour::

There are other things to go over though.

Illustra has a "secret" floor that occupies space between the Business and private residential floors. the ONLY people who know about this are myself, Karen and now you. Apparently, Alison and Haleigh Davidoff were discussing schematics for a state of the art command/tech hub to be used for their newly forming team. It is UNKNOWN by the professional staff of Illustra. KEEP IT THAT WAY and use it for what you like.

:: handing Delilah the according documents::

Morgan's financial assets and holdings.

There is a provision here that Dr. Karen Victoria will receive monthly payouts of $75,000 a month. She is to be allowed to come here and select any of her daughter's personal effects...both mortal OR magickal for her own keeping and must be allowed access to the private residential floors up to and including Morgan's penthouse apartment whenever she so desires.

The Parthenon. A hotel jointly owned by Morgan and Alison. Again, I was delegated to form a management team to keep the hotel running in a manner that will keep it at the profitable, high end level that it has been for the last several years.

The Presidential Suite, the highest end room of the hotel is to be reserved for only those that Morgan associated with in the fashion world or her close circle of celebrity friends (Alycia hands Delilah a list of names, among them Madonna and Cher). A diamond executive suite is available for yourself and Karen to occupy anytime you need to.

There is a celebrity resident...a singer/entertainer by the name of Siryn, who currently resides at the Parthenon. This has driven the hotel's popularity among the celebrity and wealthy clientle up even higher, so you should expect the revenue to remain strong.

If you want to change the management team, you've only but to contact me. Other than that, as far as they are concerned, the hotel is now yours, as part of the financial/holdings portfolio you are inheriting from Morgan.

:: Alycia went over more details. Basically she just explained to Delilah that she'd essentially NEVER have to work again, EVER. The only requirements were: Morgan's wish that Illustra's name continue to carry on her legacy in the fashion world was to be honored and Karen was to be taken care of. Alycia was certain Delilah wouldnt object to either.::


If you will, sign the following documents. I will began execution of the will and transfer of titles, accounts and all other things bequeathed to you by Morgan starting tommorow.

There IS a confidentiality clause that you must sign as well. You may NOT reveal the nature of your inheritance in a public manner to any media source or outlet.

:: Alycia slid the documents over, along with a pen.::

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah exhaled heavily. Her hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly. She looked from the documents in front of her to Alycia. She put a hand to her forehead, clearly shocked by what she’d just been told. She’d assumed Morgan wanted her to stay in the penthouse, because of the keys and letter…but this? This was too much.

“Are you certain this was what she wanted? Surely Karen should have…all this.” She motioned her hand towards the documents.

“I’m sorry, I’m a little overwhelmed.”

She wheeled herself over to the bar area and retrieved a bottle of sparkling water from the mini fridge and poured it into a rocks glass. Taking a long drink, she looked back at Alycia.

“Can I offer you anything?”

Returning to the table, she set the glass down and picked up the pen. With one last cautious look at Alycia, Delilah signed her name where the little paper flags indicated.

She sat back in the chair, stunned.

 

[Brenda Castle]

Meanwhile, in Midtown

William Robert Vanderbilt the third. Known to everyone as 'Trip'. Brenda should have known it'd be this bad. She was mentally kicking herself for agreeing to this date. It was only because her parents had insisted that Trip was the perfect man for her. She tried to humor them. She knew they only wanted the best for their little girl. It wasn't like they didn't have impossibly high standards. By all accounts, Trip was perfect. Perfect grades, perfect manners, perfect bloodline. Hell, he even had perfect hair. Who could ask for more?

But Brenda knew better than anyone that appearances could be deceiving. Trip was not as well-bred as he seemed.

Trip [thinking]: GOD, this girl is weird. She's so..... quiet. OH well, Mom is right-- as least she'll make a decent trophy wife. All that money.... the Castles own practically EVERYTHING, what with her mother being a Rockefeller. All I'll have to do is keep cozying up to her father. Eventually I'll own the city myself. At least she's hot. Weird, but hot. I won't mind getting in bed with HER everynight. Or at least most nights. Still, she hardly speaks. Is she autistic or something? Whatever. Women should be seen and not heard, right? OWWW!

Brenda glanced at him as he grunted in pain. She succeeded in not smirking as she apologized, feigning concern.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I kick your leg? I was just crossing mine."

Trip [clearing his throat]: "No, it didn't hurt, just surprised me. So, are you looking forward to the show later?"

Trip [thinking]: Yeah, only twenty more minutes and we can go to the Nutcracker. At least then we'll have something to fill the silence. And then later maybe we can fill the silence in other ways....

Brenda: "Excuse me, I need to go to the ladies room."

For the third time since they got here. But Brenda would rather fake a bladder infection than sit there listening to all the things Trip wanted to do to her later [or right now, if it were up to him]. Brenda took refuge in the powder room. She loved the Nutcracker, but was seriously considering to bail. It just wasn't worth it! Her great-grandfather was part of the initiative to build the Lincoln Center, which was where the Nutcracker was performed every year! She could see the Nutcracker anytime she wanted. She could even bring someone that she could enjoy sitting next to. She didn't have to suffer through Trip Vanderbilt the third, or his pornographic fantasies. She could be at the Limelight Marketplace right now, eating Grimaldi's Pizza with Pete, the only guy she could tolerate being around for more than thirty minutes. They'd had a few classes together over the years at Columbia, and Pete was a genuinely good person. That didn't stop him, too, from fantasizing about being with her, but at least his were mostly... respectful. And oddly endearing in their innocence. But he hadn't made any advances toward her, and Brenda was fine being just friends. He was the closest thing she had to an ACTUAL friend. Everyone else was just superficial. Like Trip, their were motivated by greed and ambition. Pete had been decent to her before he'd known what her last name meant, and his behavior hadn't changed after he knew who she was.

Brenda giggled at the idea of her parents shuddering to think that she would rather hang out with a scholarship student from Brooklyn than a bonafide Van-Der-Bilt. She leaned against the counter, sighing as she pulled out her iphone.

Brenda>>Pete, this blind date is stupid awful.
Pete>>LOL!
Pete>>What was his name again, Trick?
Brenda>>Trip.
Pete>>.... right. that should've been your first clue.
Brenda>>Yeah. Well whatever. I'm about to bail. It just sucks to call it a night so early. You still cramming for that engineering exam?
Pete>>Yeah.
Pete>>Actually
Pete>>Enough studying for one night. I need to blow off some steam. I heard Siryn is performing at XS tonight. Wanna meet me?

XS, the ultra swank nightclub on the Upper West Side. It was a pretty nice place, which was great, because if Brenda was willing to be anywhere but here with Trip, then XS was an awesome alternative.

Brenda>>That sounds great. I'm actually in Midtown right now, so I'm just a far from XS as Morningside Heights, so we'll probably arrive at the same time! : )
Pete>> Um, yeah. except I don't have a driver waiting outside for me, so probably not.
Brenda>> Well then, I'll just wait out in the car until you get here so we can go in together.
Pete>> And how will I know which black limo is yours?
Brenda>> Just text me when you get there, dork.

He teased her about being filthy rich, she teased him about being a giant nerd. They both secretly liked it. Brenda slipped out of the restaurant without saying goodbye to Trip. His ego could benefit from the wound anyway.

****************

Pete>> I'm coming up out of the subway. Which car are you in?

Brenda looked around until she saw him, then stepped out of the car without waiting for her driver to open the door.

Brenda: "Over here."

Pete [thinking] Wow. She looks....... wow.

Brenda: "Do you want to pull up in the limo or just walk over?"

They both looked across the street at XS before turning back to each other.

Pete: "It really makes no difference to me." [thinking] I'm showing up with you, that's all that matters.

Brenda: "Well get in the car then. My dad would have a heart attack if the tabloids reported that I walked onto the scene from the subway."

Pete, as he slides into the backseat with her and shuts the door: "Ever mindful of your public image, aren't you?" [thinking] Does she ever get to do something just because she wants to?

Brenda: "One's reputation has the power to speak for them when they aren't there. And in my case, it's not just my image on the line, but that of the Castle family name, and indirectly, the Rockefellers. I have to make sure my reputation is a good reflection of them."

Pete: [thinking kindly] That must be a pain...

"Ready for the papparazzi, Pete?"

The limo pulls around to the front entrance of XS, where a red carpet and velvet rope has been set up to limit access to the club for tonights performance. A valet opens the curbside door. Brenda prods Pete in the back, urging him out of the car. He turns back to offer her help out of the limo, which she accepts gracefully. She has no trouble taming the hemline of her dress as she exits the vehicle. She's been getting out of limos her whole life. She can tell Pete is a bit blinded by all the flashing lights, and she smoothly links her arm with his, guiding him down the red carpet like a pro. They are let inside the velvet rope without even having to speak to the bouncer. Everyone knows Brenda Castle. She is the Princess of Manhattan.

 

[Artemis]

Illustra - 107th floor

Delilah exhaled heavily. Her hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly. She looked from the documents in front of her to Alycia. She put a hand to her forehead, clearly shocked by what she’d just been told. She’d assumed Morgan wanted her to stay in the penthouse, because of the keys and letter…but this? This was too much.

“Are you certain this was what she wanted? Surely Karen should have…all this.” She motioned her hand towards the documents.

::Alycia noted Delilah's tense reaction. It was understandable. Most will readings were emotional regardless of who was involved but the sheer volume of the estate that Delilah was inheriting had to be more than a surprise.::

:: Alycia crossed one leg over the other at the knee::

Come now, Delilah. Surely you know that Morgan and Karen knew what they were doing when Morgan was planning her estate and consulted her mother for advice.

You've been apart of Morgan's life since childhood. Karen thinks of you as a daughter. Both Morgan and her sister are dead. She is only survived by Karen and yourself.

Karen is a psychotherapist who managed to escape her husband...only to then lose her daughter. She's understandably heartroken right now. But...she can now RETIRE thanks to what her daughter has bequeathed her and being that her whereabouts are classified thanks to Clandestine Inc, which I understand has been taken over by Haleigh's loyal, longtime assistant Jennifer, Karen will be protected by the best private security money can by.

You can rest assured that Karen is taken care of and unlike most, YOU know how to contact her. The best thing you can do for her is to remain in touch with her from here on, but don't try to bring her out of hiding. She'll let either you or I know when she's ready to visit Morgan's...now your penthouse.

“I’m sorry, I’m a little overwhelmed.”

I understand.

:: Alycia leaned back a bit where she was sitting. She continued to watch Delilah with a steady but calm gaze.::

She wheeled herself over to the bar area and retrieved a bottle of sparkling water from the mini fridge and poured it into a rocks glass. Taking a long drink, she looked back at Alycia.

“Can I offer you anything?”

No, but thank you.

Returning to the table, she set the glass down and picked up the pen. With one last cautious look at Alycia, Delilah signed her name where the little paper flags indicated.

She sat back in the chair, stunned.

:: watching as Delilah signed, Alycia then took the documents and looked over each one checking some things.::

Well, everything seems to be in order. The execution and transfer will begin tommorow. As I am the trustee of Morgan's will and estate, all questions about any financial transactions can be directed to me.

:: Alycia hands Delilah her personal business card.::

That's not a "public" number...but if YOU or Karen need me, call it...anytime.

:: She trusted Delilah to know what that meant.::

Before I go...there IS something I'd like to ask.

:: She sat forward a bit::

What happened to you? When I met you before, you were not wheelchair bound.

:: not bothering to beat around the bush::

Did you go after the people responsible for Morgan, Blaze and Alison's death?

 

[Silver Swan]

Club XS

[ the sleek, stylish club was crackling with energy tonight.]

[ filled with young, rich, beautiful, famous, powerful people who were now ready to dance and party hard into the night, the club was in full swing with many V.I.P suites being used and drinks from the bar flowing]

[ soon, the state of the art laser light and sound system began a cycle to get everyone's attention as DJ Tone commanded the crowd's attention as only he could, announcing the dance diva herself, Siryn.]

[ starting off her set is the beat heavy, electro/trance hit single of her's called Schizophonic begins to play as she struts out on to the stage which is elevated in the center of the dance floor that forms a large circumference around it.]

[ Siryn is joined by two female back up dancers as they launch into a sexy, stylish routine. she moves like she's a direct descendant of Madonna and Janet. She begins to sing live into her headset mic and her voice is icy and haunting as it seems to glide along the electro/trance melody with the bass heavy drum beat driving the song and now patrons of XS who flood the dance floor to dance around the elevated stage.]

[ Siryn's voice is remarkable. It's clear that she's singling LIVE and she seems to be able to change her voice to suit each song in her set and it sounds slightly different with each song! Melodious one moment, strong and bold the next, a haunting lilt the next one still.]

[ Who IS this woman?]

[ Her voice, her songs, they make the people want to dance...and dance they do.]

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra, 107th Floor: Penthouse

What happened to you? When I met you before, you were not wheelchair bound. Did you go after the people responsible for Morgan, Blaze and Alison's death?

Delilah wished she’d gotten something a bit stronger from the wet bar. She took another sip of water, then looked up at Alycia with a wry smile.

“You certainly don’t pull any punches, do you, Ms. Barnett?”

She set her glass down again, silent for a moment. She sat back in the chair and took a long look at Alycia. Then she sighed.

“Let’s just say, Karen doesn’t need to be afraid of her ex-husband or his slimebag business associate Adam Chandler any longer.”

Delilah looked into Alycia’s face, and it was clear from her expression that Alycia was NOT going to accept that as the end of the story. She turned her chair around and wheeled herself to the window again. It wasn’t an easy thing, none of it was, actually. What came before…or after.

“As you know, Blaze Fielding was being held prisoner in an underground bioweapons research facility called the Citadel. I begged Morgan to wait – so I could go with her – but she wouldn’t. When we got the call at the precinct that Morgan and Blaze’s bodies had been found…I was supposed to recuse myself from the investigation but I looked at the coroner’s report, I saw the photos. I saw what they did to her, to them both. I knew instantly what had happened, because I’d seen it before. BLACK.”

She paused, and bowed her head, rage entering her voice. She wheeled around to face Alycia.

“Morgan was my best friend! What was I supposed to do?”

She took a breath to calm herself.

“So I started investigating. The whole thing was a MASSIVE coverup. MysTech has their hands in every pie in this city, maybe in the world. Everywhere I turned, I hit roadblocks. People I knew, thought I trusted turned blind eyes to hard evidence. So I resigned from the force, and became an expert on the Citadel.”

Delilah nodded her head towards the guest room.

“Bishop – Connor – he and I went in to finish what Morgan had started. We made it to the control room, and I left Bishop there to shut down the power grid and initiate the self-destruct sequence while I hunted Adam and Christopher down – the possibility of them escaping was NOT an option. But I didn’t count on Black.”

Delilah shuddered.

“We fought. He was so strong. He absorbed my light attacks like they were nothing.”

She looked down into her lap, brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She forced a smile at Alycia, a tear collecting in the corner of her eye.

“I’m sorry, it’s still a bit vague.”

She glanced down at her lap again before continuing.

“I remember him picking me up, and it was so cold where he touched me. It was like he could just snap me in two.”

She took a second to compose herself once more.

“And then he threw me, or I fell. I’m not sure. I must have passed out then, because all I can remember after that is dreaming of a ghostly woman in flowing white robes reaching out to me and then waking up in this hospital. And I was…like this. I don’t know how I survived. Connor found me and carried me out before the place blew.”

She wheeled forward so she was seated across from Alycia once more.

“The Citadel is destroyed, Adam and Christopher dead, but Mystech still runs unchecked. And there’s Black…”

She looked Alycia dead in the eye.

“But while there is breath in my body I will not rest until Mystech falls and Black is destroyed for good.”

 

[Matrix]

Club XS. Party time.

After months of traveling the country, 'finding' books and other things, helping people here and there, Rich was ready to get his groove on and, most importantly, eat something he had not stolen or killed.

He always looked like someone to the bouncer, whoever that was is who HE was, immediately, and he strolled inside. His powers allowed him to be sharply dressed, fitting right in with this crowd, head and shoulders above many of them in fact.

He started off by rolling into VIP and for a few moments, he was THAT guy, gobbling up food at an astonishing rate. Once full (the spread was now demolished), he went to the restroom and checked himself out, washed his hands, and then got ready to dance. Perhaps if he were lucky he would find a rich socialite who was tolerable and, most importantly, had a bed he could sleep in for the night. It would certainly beat another alley.

Then the ACT came out. She was beautiful, had moves, and sang like a bird. At first he spent more time just drinking her sound in than shaking his ass, at least until he felt a HAND on his ass. He turned to see a cute brunette with a nice rack and sweet smelling perfume dancing up to him. He smiled a megawatt smile and danced with the eager socialite...

 

[Artemis]

Illustra-107th floor

“You certainly don’t pull any punches, do you, Ms. Barnett?”

In my line of work, it's not an option.

:: Alycia said calmly as she continued to sit forward a bit and listen to Delilah's forth coming response.::

:: The opening statement about Karen not ever having to worry about her abusive ex-husband or his twisted associate Adam Chandler, she wasnt expecting to hear THAT and while it was a pleasant development, she knew there was more to it and so she continued to watch Delilah.::

:: Delilah opened up even more and Alycia listened intently. Not only making note of some key points but finally learning MORE details about what happened to Morgan from this side of things::

:: she swallowed hard even as she continued remain stone faced.::

:: Delilah went back for revenge, for some measure of JUSTICE since it was clear even to ALYCIA that the media release about the "reactor meltdown" was such a crock of bullshit. The deaths of Morgan, Blaze, Alison and their companions, not to mention scores of victims that had been lost in that horrid place BEFORE were ALL covered up and try as Alycia did to get a deeper probe of it even from the federal level, SHE, despite her clout & influence, was shut down.::

:: it was both jarring and COMFORTING to her that Delilah and her companion Connor had apparently done what others could not...WOULD NOT do.::

:: her facial expression softened slightly as Delilah's own emotion came up to the surface. From the moment she spoke of an aparition that she thought she saw during her battle with the monster Black up to the moment she woke up in the hospital and all the rest... She understood the depth of history between her and Morgan. it predated Alycia's own relationship with Morgan.::

Delilah...

If I may break form for a moment....

:: in a rare display that perhaps ONLY Morgan or Karen might have seen behind closed doors, Alycia uncrosses her legs, leans forward a bit more and places her manicured hand on Delilah's, gently squeezing it::

and say...THANK YOU...for doing what others could not...or simply would not.

My battles are fought in the courtroom and boardroom. I don't have any mutant or magickal powers...If i did...I would do so much MORE in my often thankless, frustrating attempts to shine the light on MYSTECH for what it is!

I ...was Morgan's attorney...but I was also a FRIEND.

I...didn't realize how much it would...PAIN me to come back here after all this time, but my duties as the trustee of her estate required me to do so and I always perform my duty.

I....just....

:: she ALMOST spoke about her father and how his employer, a holding of Mystech, signed his death warrant by denying him medical coverage despite placing him in ongoing occupational hazard for years. How THAT pain and desire for justice is what inspired her to become who she is today...helping those that she can fight against bullies like Mystech.::

:: but she stopped. shaking her head. she'd already broke form far enough for her comfort at this time.::

Thank you for telling me the TRUTH. Knowing that Morgan's death was avenged and that somebody who had the power to, actually went down there and confronted those bastards.

You justify Morgan's trust in you.

Undoubtedly you are now an priority ENEMY of Mystech and since they are still standing, still carrying on...we know this isn't over...they are still out there, touching aspect of people's lives and they dont even know it!

If I can help in anyway, don't hesitate to call.

:: quickly standing up as she cleared her throat, suppressing the emotion she felt moments earlier as she listened intently to Delilah's own struggle::

I'll file the paper work tommorow and we'll be in touch.

You take care Delilah.

Goodbye.

:: shaking her hand once more, Alycia picks up her attache and moves with a purpose, exiting the penthouse apartment, leaving Delilah to hear the echo of her high heels clicking on the floor down the hall till finally there's a ding of the elevator and Alycia is gone from the top floor, soon to exit Illustra::

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah was more than a little taken aback by Alycia’s “all business” façade cracking ever so slightly and her reaching for Delilah’s hand.

”THANK YOU...for doing what others could not...or simply would not…I...didn't realize how much it would...PAIN me to come back here after all this time, but my duties as the trustee of her estate required me to do so and I always perform my duty. I....just....”

“I didn’t do it for thanks – I did it because it was what NEEDED to be done.”

She didn’t mean for it to sound so hard. Her tone softened as she continued.

“And it is not…easy…for me to be here either. Among her things.” Delilah looked around her.

“But it was what she wanted. So I am here.”

Thank you for telling me the TRUTH. Knowing that Morgan's death was avenged and that somebody who had the power to, actually went down there and confronted those bastards. You justify Morgan's trust in you.

“Not quite yet, but soon I will. Morgan trusted you, I know that from our previous albeit brief encounter, but also from the way she spoke of you. And as someone who was always there for Morgan – despite being ‘only human’ – you deserved to know the truth.”

Delilah returned Alycia’s handshake with a smile as they said goodbye. Then held her hand a second more as she added,

“There is one thing you could do – if you could get word to Karen that her problem has been taken care of…?”

Delilah released her hand as Alycia nodded, sitting quietly a moment as she heard Alycia’s footsteps moving out of the apartment, then finally the motion of the elevator as she made her descent.

“I assume you heard all of that.”

Connor stepped out of the shadows of the hallway and into the living room. He nodded, his hands in his pockets.

Connor: “Didn’t think I was going to leave you completely unprotected, did you? We don’t know how far up this thing goes. You took a big risk telling her what you did. She could be one of them.”

“No!” she snapped, then smiled and softened her tone apologetically.

“Morgan trusted her, we can too. She may be of some help to us yet. I want you to check out that ‘secret floor’ – see if you can find those plans. That could be useful.”

Bishop stepped forward, ready to assist his charge.

Connor: “You should try and rest – we have an early flight and a long day ahead of us.”

Delilah nodded absentmindedly, not arguing with him for once. He took charge of the chair, pushing her up the ramp and down the hallway to what had been Morgan’s chamber of dreams.

Connor: “I’ll be right next door in the guest room, if you need anything.”

Delilah looked up at him as he was about to close the door behind him, her face childlike.

“I don’t know if I’m up to this, Connor.”

Connor: “You are.”

He shut the door, and she was alone.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Ana-Leigh, common! You're acting like i'm dragging you to get water boarded or something. It's just a club!

"You know I hate clubs. They're filled with attention whores and shitty music. Can't we go to a bar?"

Girl please, like bars aren't filled with attention whores and shitty music!

"Yeah, well....at least I get to wear jeans."

Grunting out, he was right. She was running out of excuses. But honestly, she was so not a club girl, and the only reason she was even considering going to Club XS was because Marco wanted to sooo badly. Something about a popular pop/electronica singer named Siryn performing. Rolling her eyes; gay's and their music. But Marco was her best friend and the only person she actually felt like she could be herself around, other than her parents. Of course this didn't include her secret of being a mutant....she didn't feel comfortable telling anyone that. But everything else? He was her guy. So there she stood, hiding in the bathroom with Marco pounding on the door with what she could only gather as cursing in Spanish.

Chica, if you don't get your skinny ass out here now..."

Ana-Leigh smirked, knowing he was about to go on a flamboyant threatening rant. The last time, he threatened her with a week long Marc Anthony marathon of music....it wasn't pretty. But before he could even begin his verbal assault, Ana-Leigh opened the bathroom door revealing the dress that he picked out for her. Her hair was left down and loosely curled, and her makeup smokey.

Girrl....you look FINE.

"Seriously? I feel like i'm molting."

That is a SEXY dress, don't even start. If I had your legs I'D wear that dress.

Ana-Leigh chuckled, knowing Marco was trying his hardest to make her into a girly girl....but she just wasn't. She was a jeans and t-shirts kind of girl. Leather jackets and riding boots. Not Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Choos. But she had to admit, she did feel pretty sexy.

"Okay, okay, I concede! Lets just go already!"

Smiling, she pushed Marco playfully out of her apartment before locking the door behind her. It was a good 20 minute ride from Brooklyn to the Upper East Side at this time of night, but by the time they ascended the subway stairs to the main street above, it looked like it was the lunch rush during the weekday! Cars lined the streets and people crowded the sidewalks.

"Damn."

Marco pulled Ana by the hand as they made their way to the velvet rope. There were TONS of beautiful girls there begging and willing themselves into the club. Ana just stood there wondering why the hell they were subjecting themselves to this. That was when she heard a "you" and saw a bouncer pointing at her. He opened the velvet ropes, and like Moses parting the red sea, she was in. So out of her element, Ana-Leigh walked down the red carpet wanting to get out of the spotlight, however Marco was eating up every second of the paparazzi calling out for a picture. Pulling him into the club, they finally escaped the blinding lights and entered the darkened infamous Club XS.

"Ohmygod, I felt like Jennifer Lopez out there."

"Well you have her ass."

Don't be jelly! You can't help your Asian flat ass."

Ana-Leigh burst out laughing, her face and eyes lighting up for the first time that night. Marco always had a way of making her happy, even when she felt like the entire world was closing in around her. Between school and her birthday coming up, she was stressed beyond belief and missing her family on top of everything. Marco knew this....that was why he wanted to bring her out to Club XS to begin with. So despite the fact that she had no desire to come tonight, she was glad she did. Just for moments like these.

"Go, the shows about to start. I'll be at the bar."

Marco didn't argue and he quickly ran to the front of the stage, pushing his way through just as Siryn made her grand appearance. Walking to the bar, Ana-Leigh took a seat on the plush stool and crossed her legs. Ordering a 20oz Blue Moon with double orange wedges, she turned around and watched as Siryn performed. Not bad.

 

[MorningStar]

She was back in the Citadel.

She watched herself decapitate Christopher and blow Adam apart. Everything was chaos.

And then Black towered over her, MASSIVE and dark. Cold. Every photon blast seemed to only make him stronger.

He had her. She screamed. The pain, the horrible searing, inescapable pain only made more terrible with the knowledge that the pain Morgan had felt had been infinitely WORSE.

She was on the ground. Could barely move. Yet there was a light. A woman. She reached out a hand towards Delilah, but she couldn’t see the woman’s face. The woman grabbed her hand and it was like warmth poured into her body, expelling Black’s cold.

“Morgan?” Delilah saw herself murmur…

…and then she sat up straight in bed. She was sweating. Connor was rushing into the room, so she must have been screaming again. She tried to assure him that she was alright but her mind kept going back to that night – WHY was she still alive? Black should have killed her, there was no reason for him not to. What had happened and why couldn’t she remember?

 

[Silver Swan]

Back at XS

[ the XS crowd was definitely partying hard, dancing the night away under the voice of Siryn & her beat heavy, trance melody dance songs. Hardly anyone was still. The large dance floor that encircled the elevated circular stage on which Siren and her dancers were performing was packed with the beautiful people in XS tonight.]

[ Siryn's energy, her voice and the stylings of DJ Tone made for an irresistable force.]


<<FLASH>>

<< Freeze frame black & white image of Siryn in mid dance and vocals, eyes closed and facial expression of satisfaction.>>

[all along the circumference of the dance floor, people dance, gyrated, whatever they could. XS once again prooved to be the pulse of the night in NYC, even the evening storm outside couldnt drown out Siryn or her fans.]

[at the end of her set, she closes with a little bit of "old school" as DJ Tone spins the sasha ultra violet mix of Madonna's "Ray of Light" , a far more icy, trippy, beat heavy danceable version while Siryn sings the now classic vocals in such a way that would make even Madonna smile.]

[ The laser light show that accompanies the finale definitely adds to the overall effect and the dancing crowd swells with approval as she carries them through this last song and at the end, instead of just departing the stage, she stays, along with her back up dancers as DJ Tone takes them into a wicked mix session and they dance along with everyone else.]

Alright people! Let me see YOU!

[ Out of sheer coincidence, she points at BRENDA CASTLE; RICH MARTIN; & a visibly shocked ANA-LEIGH MOREAU, whom Marco had dragged up to the front to join him just in time for her to catch Siryn's eye]

Get up here! I wanna dance with YOU!

[ Brenda, Rich and Ana-Leigh Moreau were all directed up on to the elevated circle stage. Now directly face to face w/ this white hot popular dance diva who looked so strong & rubost.]

<<FLASH>>

<< Freeze frame black & white image of each of the three's facial expressions the moment they were picked by Siryn to dance with her; images of each of them joining her on stage and their individual vantage points of the people they now over look; all three sets of eyes now on Siryn>>

[ moving her mic away from her mouth, she's curiously able to speak at such a tone that they can STILL hear her clearly but the rest of the patrons cant.]

Now don't disappoint me! All you've got to do is DANCE! HAVE FUN!

[ beckoning them to spread out around her and her dancers and smiling at them, she returns to the center and brings her mic back down. She signals the crowd to keep on dancing and cheer them on. The back up dancers smile at them as well and encourage them to go for it with some free styling.]

[ Whatever these three had been expecting tonight, none of them, not even Brenda could have expected this! But now it was time for them shake their asses for all they were worth! Who'd want to be caught looking like a clumsy, scared wallfire next to someone like Siryn?]

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Marco had drug her into the crowd. Perfect. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate dancing or the music; she didn't appreciate the sweaty Jersey Shore wannabe's trying to grind on her like they were swift shit. It was like they were a flock of seagulls at the shore....she managed to get rid of one and five more surrounded her.

"MARCO! MARCO!"

Ana tried to shout over the bass pumping music to no avail. He was jumping around to the beat like a teenage girl at a Britney Spears concert....it would be really cute and a total picture worthy moment if she weren't fending off a cloud of Axe and hairspray.

Siryn: Alright people! Let me see YOU!"

Ana-Leigh wasn't paying attention in the least to what was going on...until a spotlight illuminated her like a beacon. Looking up with wide eyes, she realized that the singer was calling HER up. Quickly shaking her head "no", Marco pushed his way over screaming at the top of his lungs.

GO! GO! OHMYGOD GO!

"NO! You go!"

But despite her refusals everyone in the crowd began to push her to the front of the stage, Marco being the ring leader of the pack. As she reached the steps, one of the backup dancers grabbed her hand and helped her onto the stage. That's when she noticed two other people on stage with her; a pretty blonde girl and an attractive black guy. At least she wasn't alone. The music seamlessly changed to the next song and everyone started dancing. The attractive backup dancer that helped her onto the stage could tell she was nervous being up there in front of all the club patrons. He grabbed her hand and twirled her around, causing Ana to smile as he pulled her to him and began to dance with her. Her smile grew bigger as she became more relaxed, and weirdly enough, started to have fun. She continued to dance with the male dancer, completely forgetting that she was standing in front of a large crowd. Her prior years of dance lessons and martial arts gave her the ability to move her body perfectly to the beat of the music without looking like a fool or a trashy stripper. She continued to dance; the lights, music, and heat of the club completely overtaking her senses.

 

[Matrix]

Rich was finally getting his mind off his troubles. The young lady before him was warm and soft, trying her best to smash her booty into his crotch as he moved easily to the music, keeping perfect time. His eyes were closed and he was drinking it all in when he felt his face get warm as Siryn spoke.

Siryn: Alright people! Let me see YOU!"

He opened his eyes to see a spotlight in his face and the gorgeous performer motioning him and two pretty ladies onstage. He had no idea how he got to be so lucky tonight, but why not? She spoke to him and he nodded, then flashed a winning smile.

Now don't disappoint me! All you've got to do is DANCE! HAVE FUN!

So, what do you do when your body is completely owned by you and you are urged to dance? You dance fool, you dance. And so he did, his moves athletic and smooth, his timing perfect and when the time was right, he elicited gasps from the crowd as he executed a perfect split and then came back up without using his hands, going back to an enegetic yet smooth set of dance moves. As he moved, he caught the eye of the pretty Asian girl who came up with them and winked, still smiling.