The rose fades to black

[Isis]

Rose's Sanctuary

Having seen to that, he returned to the assembled members of the BOP. Andrew thankfully no longer looked like he was going to pass out, and Zizi looked better as well.

“Where are the others?”

Tachyon present and accounted for. Delilah has Bishop. What are we to do next?

:: A golden column of light manifests, as Isis suddenly appears before Oracle, Titan and Steel::

The cries of terrified children registered with me. One of them is the infant that I saved from the Purifiers in Central park.

:: Oracle would remember Isis sensing the distress of Mark and Jill, two mutant children who were murdered by the Purifiers, was what drew her into that confrontation in the beginning::

You won't find anyone above ground in any of the buildings on this block. All of Rose's surviving children, and her pet cat, have evacuated to an underground bunker.

It's....an emergency plan, a drill she has gone over with them over and over, if there was ever a red alert activated.

:: She'd already contacted her ward, Matrix, who was relaying the information to Firebird and Ruby now.::

In my former life, I was trained as a midwife, and I was a caregiver to young mothers and their children.

:: She places her hand to her temple::

These children are terrified that what happened to their fellow orphans at the hands of the purifiers is going to happen to THEM tonight! The older ones are trying to keep things in order, but they need help.

I can get us to the bunker, and once inside, I can help with the care and safe guarding of the children.

 

[Tachyon]

Isis made the scene and in doing so, had valuable intel with her. It was strange to see her without Richard's watchful eye.

You won't find anyone above ground in any of the buildings on this block. All of Rose's surviving children, and her pet cat, have evacuated to an underground bunker.

It's....an emergency plan, a drill she has gone over with them over and over, if there was ever a red alert activated.

:: She'd already contacted her ward, Matrix, who was relaying the information to Firebird and Ruby now.::

In my former life, I was trained as a midwife, and I was a caregiver to young mothers and their children.

:: She places her hand to her temple::

These children are terrified that what happened to their fellow orphans at the hands of the purifiers is going to happen to THEM tonight! The older ones are trying to keep things in order, but they need help.

I can get us to the bunker, and once inside, I can help with the care and safe guarding of the children.

I am going too. This building has activated defenses that I can help deal with if need be. And the guys out here have things in order. And I am good with kids, I promise.

Xavier was ready to move and it was easy to tell. His hands and feet seemed to teem with energy...

 

[Firebird]

From the Starlight Lounge to Isis' diamond suite

Blaze, I know its changing the subject but...that was Isis. Black Widow attacked the orphanage. She wants me to ask you to meet with us up at the Suite ASAP.

I stood, nodded to Cassandra respectfully as I tossed out some cash for the tab, and offered Blaze my hand. I knew this would be a shock to her but we needed to get moving....

Did Recall become some kind of PRECOG and no one told me!?

Blaze places her palm on her forehead and shakes her head.

"Okay, let's get out of here."

She gave her soft, well manicured hand to Rich, who took it, and urgently led the way, causing Blaze to pick up the pace a bit. She turned back and urgently beckoned to Ruby!

"Cass, you need to come too, since Black Widow is...WAS one of ours. "

"I'm going to be the one to tell the rest of the Six what's happened, after we confer."

Up to the floor with Isis diamond suite, and back inside of it, on the main floor now, Firebird, Matrix, and Ruby can speak freely and securely, as Isis wards would bar any unwanted intrusion, and her defensive spells scrambled many forms of prying eyes AND minds.

But Firebird was definitely not happy

"Rich, I just want to be CLEAR, because when I deliver this news to the others, one or more of them may try to find whatever opening they can to minimize this...in defense of Haleigh. "

"You ARE talking about ROSE'S orphanage...RIGHT??"

She paces back and forth.

"How COULD SHE!? KNOWING what happened before...!"

But no one in this room knew the AWFUL TRUTH about just HOW MUCH Haleigh knew...or had a HAND in....not YET.

"What's the status of Rose and the children there!?"

Everyone in this room knew what happened with the Purifiers. 42 children, DEAD. But what they didn't know, is that Rose had been rather...busy herself!

"Does Isis know where Haleigh is NOW!? Something REALLY needs to be done about her."

She looks at Rich and Cass

"We have to stop her, AND Persephone, before they hurt or kill anyone else, and this is really The Six's responsibility."

 

[Hellion]

The Parthenon Hotel

Spellbinder: "Have a seat, Derek."

:: Amused, Derek sat down at the conference table across from Morgan. ::

Spellbinder: "Would you care for a drink?"

"Vodka. Straight up."

:: Morgan fixed him a drink, set it down next to him and spoke. ::

:: She was clearly trying very hard to say all the right and appropriate things in this moment. Morgan was a committed woman. She loved her family and she loved Nicolas, but it was clear to Derek that even as she spoke of all these things going for her, the very fact that she needed to mention this to him meant that she was second guessing her own feelings. ::

Spellbinder: "I have fond memories of working with you. We started out nearly the same time, we were both sheparded by Sally, and the rest was amazing history as we made it."

:: Derek had flashes of many a scandalous high art fashion shoots involving the two of them. They were often paired together in shoots because photographers noticed a distinct and very palpable chemistry. Both were able to evoke a sense of dark and sexy energy with their eyes and outside of their other very prominent physical features...their eyes were what they were known for. They sold a hell of a lot of clothes, in short. ::

Spellbinder: "But that was then...this is now, and if my sister's consternation over you is any good indication, it's probably for the BEST if we remain associated ONLY through Sally, and the rag trade."

:: He smirked as he set his glass down on the table. Rising to his feet, Derek adjusted his collar and smuldered his eyes at Morgan, slowly making his way closer to her as he spoke. ::

"Let's not bullshit each other Morgan. You're just as hot for me as I am for you. Why else would you take me to an incredibly quiet location in a top that boasts that much cleavage just to say our relationship is better suited to business and nothing else."

:: Moving closer ::

"I want you. And I know as you sit there, telling me all the reasons that our hanging out is innappropriate..or that it would stoke the fires of the people around you, that you want me too. You sit there, looking me up and down...wondering what my neck smells like, wondering if I can match your strength.."

:: Now just a few inches away from Morgan, their bodies seemed to connect to each other on an energy based level as a trickle of static energy coursed through both of their bodies. ::

"You would be pleased on both measures."

"And I sit here..wondering why a woman with as much POWER as you spends so much time worrying about what others might think about her desires...her urges."

:: Derek could sense her restraint. It was clear that both of them knew that there was something..."otherworldly" about the other. They had been dancing around it since they had recconnected in Los Angeles. Derek wasn't about to let her get away this easily. He needed to experience her in a certain way, and he wasn't going to stop until he got that. Nicolas be damned...her whole FAMILY be damned. There was something between them that was STRONG..and it COULDN'T be denied any longer. ::

"There is a darkness in you that wasn't there before...all those years ago. When I look at you now..I see it all around you. The POWER..and the sacrifice you've made to stand where you do now. Most people don't understand that..They don't understand that to house the darkness that you and I house is to live in constant turmoil."

:: He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as his fingertips made the most delicate contact with the temple of her head, lingering dangerouly on her face for a moment. Derek was letting her know just how serious he was. This was no mere coincidence that they had ran into each other. Morgan's power had called out to him like a lighthouse guiding a ship to shore. ::

"You know you could destroy it all..with a thought. Take the whole world as your own. But you can't..because there is this...OTHER side to you, this sickening...HUMAN side that SHACKLES you to the Earth...ties you to things. You start to turn away..from the power...from the intoxicating feeling of being ABOVE... [gestures around him] all of this. Because..this other PART of you, makes you feel bad about it. Makes you feel like doing what you can INHERENTLY do, is a bad thing. That no one man or woman SHOULD be able to wield that kind of power, and that the only conclusion to that power..is the destruction of EVERYTHING around you."

:: They were face to face, so close that it appeared any moment, their noses would touch. ::

"I understand this struggle, Morgan. More than you know. I've been to HELL and back...quite literally. Seen and defeated the darkest of evils around and held council with angels. I've had my body overtaken by the dark when I was at my most vulnerable, and crawled my way back from my own total destruction. Do you know what I got from that? A second chance yes, of course. But at what cost?"

"More often than not...I feel like I've been neutered. That if I dare to BE WHO I AM..to defy the laws that this "realm" I must be punished. Or feel a world of guilt. It gets...tiring."

:: Derek stroked Morgan's face, feeling braver as his beautiful blue eyes meeting her icy violet ones. Their pulses both racing, the closeness of their bodies becoming nearly unbearable. ::

"I see you...and I see somebody I KNOW who understands that..and it makes me want you desperately, Morgan. It makes me want to rip off that blouse and bury my face in your breasts. See what you can do...see how DEEP our mutual understanding is."

:: He smiled at her warmly. ::

"Don't you get tired of all of this? Don't you get tired of having to be this..PERSON you are told you need to be.."

:: cocking an eyebrow. ::

"Don't you ever just want to...DANCE with the dark?"

"I think you do...I want to...and I think we can help each other."

:: There was no distance between them now, but both seemed to be dangerously dancing a fine line, not wanting to be the one who finally tipped the scales in a certain way. Not wanting to be responsible for what was ABOUT to happen. ::

"What if there were no reprucussions? What if there was no consequences. What would you do, Morgan? What would you do if you FINALLY just got to let go and LIVE."

:: Derek GRIPPED Morgan, his hands firmly on her hips as he gripped her tightly and firmly, pressing her hips against his, her ass backed against the table. ::

"I know what I'd do."

:: He KISSED her passionately and with great fervor as a well of passion rose up in his body, their tongues touched and interlocked for but a moment as he pulled away from her, biting her lip for a moment as he eyed her with a smile. ::

"Come back to my place with me. Spend the night with me. Let me help you remember who you are."

 

[Matrix]

She took my hand. AWESOME. Now to run! She kept up well in heels and looked good doing it, but it was hard to enjoy with all of this we were running to. She invited Cass and I couldn't blame her, maybe Cass didn't totally hate me by now.

We get to the suite and Red has 20 questions.

"Rich, I just want to be CLEAR, because when I deliver this news to the others, one or more of them may try to find whatever opening they can to minimize this...in defense of Haleigh. "

"You ARE talking about ROSE'S orphanage...RIGHT??"

She paces back and forth.

"How COULD SHE!? KNOWING what happened before...!"

But no one in this room knew the AWFUL TRUTH about just HOW MUCH Haleigh knew...or had a HAND in....not YET.

"What's the status of Rose and the children there!?"

I dunno yet, Red. Lemme check in.

I let the nickname slip. I was hoping to save that for 3rd base or more. In any case, I 'speak; with Miss D.

We are here plus Cassandra. What is the status?

Miss D didn't need me to ask any more questions. She told me pretty much everything anyway. If she needed me, she knew I was there. And she trusted Red, so she would let us both know wassup.

During all of this, I finally noticed I was still holding Blaze's hand. It was of course soft, manicured, all of the good stuff. But it was also warm, energetic, like I could feel the...LIFE in her. I started thinking about that thigh again for a second and stifled it. Duty was calling.

 

[Spellbinder]

The Parthenon- Dr. Victoria's office

"Let's not bullshit each other Morgan. You're just as hot for me as I am for you. Why else would you take me to an incredibly quiet location in a top that boasts that much cleavage just to say our relationship is better suited to business and nothing else."

:: Moving closer ::

<< Morgan eyed Derek unwaveringly>>

Don't FLATTER yourself, Forrester!

<< she replies immediately>>

I brought you here to handle this decently and PRIVATELY, out of respect for Sally, and consideration of your...EGO...which had this happened JUST a year or two ago? Would NOT have been a concern of mine. I've grown up, I suggest YOU do the same.

And as for how I dress? If you knew me, you'd know that I dress to suit MY tastes, moods and interests...NOT some MAN'S.

"I want you. And I know as you sit there, telling me all the reasons that our hanging out is innappropriate..or that it would stoke the fires of the people around you, that you want me too. You sit there, looking me up and down...wondering what my neck smells like, wondering if I can match your strength.."

:: Now just a few inches away from Morgan, their bodies seemed to connect to each other on an energy based level as a trickle of static energy coursed through both of their bodies. ::

That's close ENOUGH, if you want your body to RETAIN it's current form and integrity...

<< But it wasn't entirely ANGER that she was feeling at this moment. Which is why her eyebrows lifted a bit as her mind raced with...ANTICIPATION!?>>

"You would be pleased on both measures."

"And I sit here..wondering why a woman with as much POWER as you spends so much time worrying about what others might think about her desires...her urges."

:: Derek could sense her restraint. It was clear that both of them knew that there was something..."otherworldly" about the other. They had been dancing around it since they had recconnected in Los Angeles. Derek wasn't about to let her get away this easily. He needed to experience her in a certain way, and he wasn't going to stop until he got that. Nicolas be damned...her whole FAMILY be damned. There was something between them that was STRONG..and it COULDN'T be denied any longer. ::

"There is a darkness in you that wasn't there before...all those years ago. When I look at you now..I see it all around you. The POWER..and the sacrifice you've made to stand where you do now. Most people don't understand that..They don't understand that to house the darkness that you and I house is to live in constant turmoil."

:: He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as his fingertips made the most delicate contact with the temple of her head, lingering dangerouly on her face for a moment. Derek was letting her know just how serious he was. This was no mere coincidence that they had ran into each other. Morgan's power had called out to him like a lighthouse guiding a ship to shore. ::

<< Morgan swallowed hard, she was almost TRANSFIXED by him now. But that was NONSENSE! Was she getting SOFT? or was something about what he said...something about HIM...ringing true to her on a level she dared not consciously acknowledge!?>>

you...you're just making this up! you've ALWAYS had a silver tongue!

"You know you could destroy it all..with a thought. Take the whole world as your own. But you can't..because there is this...OTHER side to you, this sickening...HUMAN side that SHACKLES you to the Earth...ties you to things. You start to turn away..from the power...from the intoxicating feeling of being ABOVE... [gestures around him] all of this. Because..this other PART of you, makes you feel bad about it. Makes you feel like doing what you can INHERENTLY do, is a bad thing. That no one man or woman SHOULD be able to wield that kind of power, and that the only conclusion to that power..is the destruction of EVERYTHING around you."

:: They were face to face, so close that it appeared any moment, their noses would touch. ::

I SAID that was close ENOUGH!

<< She replied with a little force as she pushed him away, but he returned>>

"I understand this struggle, Morgan. More than you know. I've been to HELL and back...quite literally. Seen and defeated the darkest of evils around and held council with angels. I've had my body overtaken by the dark when I was at my most vulnerable, and crawled my way back from my own total destruction. Do you know what I got from that? A second chance yes, of course. But at what cost?"

"More often than not...I feel like I've been neutered. That if I dare to BE WHO I AM..to defy the laws that this "realm" I must be punished. Or feel a world of guilt. It gets...tiring."

:: Derek stroked Morgan's face, feeling braver as his beautiful blue eyes meeting her icy violet ones. Their pulses both racing, the closeness of their bodies becoming nearly unbearable. ::

"I see you...and I see somebody I KNOW who understands that..and it makes me want you desperately, Morgan. It makes me want to rip off that blouse and bury my face in your breasts. See what you can do...see how DEEP our mutual understanding is."

:: He smiled at her warmly. ::

<< She glared at him, pushing his hand away, before looking away from his gaze>>

NO! This is OUT OF ORDER!

I don't need...you...I have Nicolas...

<< something was wrong. She felt something washing over her, Derek was NO mere mortal or flatscan. He was something OTHER than "only human...." But WHAT? And was he trying to use his abililty to manipulate her!? if so...he would REGRET IT!>>

"Don't you get tired of all of this? Don't you get tired of having to be this..PERSON you are told you need to be.."

:: cocking an eyebrow. ::

"Don't you ever just want to...DANCE with the dark?"

No.

<< She began to push past him, to make her way toward the double doors, but he took hold of her arm, and turned her back around. She was going to pull away from him with FORCE if he applied anymore pressure>>

"I think you do...I want to...and I think we can help each other."

:: There was no distance between them now, but both seemed to be dangerously dancing a fine line, not wanting to be the one who finally tipped the scales in a certain way. Not wanting to be responsible for what was ABOUT to happen. ::

"What if there were no reprucussions? What if there was no consequences. What would you do, Morgan? What would you do if you FINALLY just got to let go and LIVE."

:: Derek GRIPPED Morgan, his hands firmly on her hips as he gripped her tightly and firmly, pressing her hips against his, her ass backed against the table. ::

"I know what I'd do."

<<GASP!>>

:: He KISSED her passionately and with great fervor as a well of passion rose up in his body, their tongues touched and interlocked for but a moment as he pulled away from her, biting her lip for a moment as he eyed her with a smile. ::

<< Eldritch chimes sound off as her icy violet eyes widen...but soon after that they they...CLOSE. Almost as if she were going to let herself...let HIM.>>

WAIT!

<<SLAP!>>

How DARE YOU!?

<< She bellowed, sounding more winded than angry, as she SLAPPED his face with MORE than a little of her strength, AND a touch of dark magick to make SURE he felt it. She leaned/"sat" back on the desk, resting her hand on her ample chest, which rose and fell rapidly as she regained her breath and tried to compose herself. His scent was all around her. She could feel his aura....TASTE HIM still. She wanted to slap him AGAIN...and THEN....>>

"Come back to my place with me. Spend the night with me. Let me help you remember who you are."

You...

<< still breathing rapidly>>

You have NO idea who I am, Derek. You never did!

<< She composes herself a bit, as she stood upright, walked right over to him, and SLAPPED him across the face again>>

And YOU'RE the one who needs HELP remembering what happens when a man presses his LUCK, you....

<< Derek was not faint of heart, OR fragile it seemed, as she soon returned and stole ANOTHER kiss from her. Only this time, she made no attempt to pull away as she ran one of her hands up his back, the back of his neck, then his crown of hair, YANKING IT to pull his mouth and embrace away from her's>>

DON'T interrupt me, DEREK!

<< things were too hot and heavy now. She could barely think straight! Parts ofherself that should be locked away were rushing to the surface, the energy and aura that she reserved from darker activities was now flaring around her. There was only ONE way to address it>>

TONIGHT ONLY, Derek.

<< She says as she TEARS his shirt open.>>

Now...DRIVE FAST before I have second thoughts!

 

[Firebird]

The Parthenon- Dominique's diamond suite

I dunno yet, Red. Lemme check in.

"RED" is it?

Blaze smirked a bit. How cute, he'd already come up with a pet name for HER! She'd have to think of one for him. "Richie" was too obvious...and rather ordinary for a guy that could become ANYTHING he could imagine...

At the moment, Rich was communicating with Isis to get more pertinent details regarding Black Widow's attack. But in all the hurry to get back up here, even once they were inside, neither one of them immediately noticed they were STILL holding hands, until just now. Blaze's apple green eyes looked down to their hands.

Ebony and Ivory indeed.

She smiled a bit, noticing that Cass saw this too.

During all of this, I finally noticed I was still holding Blaze's hand. It was of course soft, manicured, all of the good stuff. But it was also warm, energetic, like I could feel the...LIFE in her. I started thinking about that thigh again for a second and stifled it. Duty was calling.

Vivica thought it was...ill timed for the two of them to be discovering each other like this, and while logically in a time like this that would be true, Blaze disagreed. Things like this were what people know they were ALIVE. It couldn't always be pain, truth bombs, or some other negative thing. Still, there was no way to know what would come of all this. They seemed to be responding to each other in genuine, unrehearsed ways, and that was a good sign. But it was still premature to read more to it than what was apparent to both of them at this stage, no matter what observes may have thought.

:: The sorceress communicates the information she has learned to Richard via the "hearing thoughts" spell she cast between them.::

Richard, Black Widow attacked the sanctuary, intent on kidnapping a child for some nefarious purpose. Rose confronted her and pursued her. The confrontation reached outside of the sanctuary, where Rose was aided by her friend Danny Donnelly, aka Citadel. She forced Black Widow to release the child but during that confrontation, the child was SHOT IN THE BACK by Black Widow. Rose nearly KILLED her in response, before she and Citadle rushed the injured child to the hospital, leaving Haleigh for dead!

Rose put the sanctuary on RED ALERT. The cries and terror of the surviving children in her care registered with me, much like those of the children I was too late to save from the Purifiers when that all began. I am here now, with Oracle, Titan, Tachyon and Steel. Steel has set up a perimeter to keep the MORTAL NYPD away, Oracle is deactivating the defenses of the sanctuary as quickly as she can, and I will get us to the children. Will be here to maintain the security and well being of these children.

I have no further information on Rose or the child that was injured. Black Widow herself does not appear to be here either. There's no way to know if she's dead or alive at this point. But even if she DID die...remember what MorningStar told us about the CLONE bodies. This isn't over. Tell Firebird and Ruby what I have told you. The Six need to know what has occurred.

Stay alert, Richard. Things are going to get worse. We will remain in contact.

While Rich and Isis communicated, Blaze felt a WAVE wash over her.

MORG!?

The fire elemental looked away, and BLUSHED for a moment.

OmiGAWD!?

Morgan HADN'T thrown Derek out. In fact...he was finding his way IN, and soon they were going to have it off! She was both intrigued AND repulsed by him, but somehow, he'd gotten past all of Morgan's higher level of thinking and defenses, and here Blaze was, in the midst of an emerging crisis, she couldn't just RUSH AWAY to try and stop THEM now, but she'd certainly have something to say about it LATER!

"What did Isis say, Rich?"

Blaze had finally removed her hand, and took a seat, waiting for the details...fearing the worst.

 

[Matrix]

Miss D gave me the dirt, and it was bad for real. Red let go of my hand and I stared at the empty space, almost forgetting the urgency of the moment. I wanted to grab her up, but her question jolted me back.

"What did Isis say, Rich?"

Blaze had finally removed her hand, and took a seat, waiting for the details...fearing the worst.

I decided that I would give this info to her in as pure a way as possible. I lifted my now-empty hand and turned it into a holographic projector that showed Isis giving her the exact information she gave me as close to in-person as possible.

• Richard, Black Widow attacked the sanctuary, intent on kidnapping a child for some nefarious purpose. Rose confronted her and pursued her. The confrontation reached outside of the sanctuary, where Rose was aided by her friend Danny Donnelly, aka Citadel. She forced Black Widow to release the child but during that confrontation, the child was SHOT IN THE BACK by Black Widow. Rose nearly KILLED her in response, before she and Citadle rushed the injured child to the hospital, leaving Haleigh for dead!
  
  Rose put the sanctuary on RED ALERT. The cries and terror of the surviving children in her care registered with me, much like those of the children I was too late to save from the Purifiers when that all began. I am here now, with Oracle, Titan, Tachyon and Steel. Steel has set up a perimeter to keep the MORTAL NYPD away, Oracle is deactivating the defenses of the sanctuary as quickly as she can, and I will get us to the children. Will be here to maintain the security and well being of these children.
  
  I have no further information on Rose or the child that was injured. Black Widow herself does not appear to be here either. There's no way to know if she's dead or alive at this point. But even if she DID die...remember what MorningStar told us about the CLONE bodies. This isn't over. Tell Firebird and Ruby what I have told you. The Six need to know what has occurred.
  
  Stay alert, Richard. Things are going to get worse. We will remain in contact.

• I looked at her as she heard it all, could see the shock and anger and determination on her face. I wished it were better news, but that was what we had and we had to deal with it.

• I am here for now. Isis will let me know what she needs as time goes on. But yeah, your girl has gone off the deep end and will need to be handled sooner rather than later.

 

[Orion]

The Hospital

Silver Swan: Get OUT of here, Zachary. Your NEGLECT and your naievete regarding that TRAITOR has brought us to this point!

Zach took a deep breath and shook his head, trying to remain calm in the face of increasing tension.

"No, I'm not leaving. I'm here to HELP Ja--"

Charope: Zach, you know how you could've helped? If you had done the JOB I entrusted you with.

"Alycia--"

He began, but she wasn't done there, she had plenty more to say.

Charope: If you'd been thinking with the brain up HERE :: Pointing to the head:: instead of the one down THERE, :: pointing to his private parts:: and WASTING TIME. That's all ANY of the men around us seem to know how to do...and of course ASHLEY was only too happy to engage you in that.

Damn, we are still stuck on THAT?

He looked over at Sharon grimly. If SHE said ONE WORD about it again? He'd explode.

Charope: While that marauding MONSTER, Black Widow was attacking people, nearly murdering Bishop, and now shooting CHILDREN IN THE BACK, YOU were busy sleeping with the ENEMY, LITERALLY. If ALL of you had listened to Sharon...

"Yeah, sure, Sharon could have definitely told us a thing or two about sleeping with the enemy, right?"

Charope: and stopped being NAIVE, stopped WASTING TIME on that viking TRAMP!?

"STOP THAT. STOP calling her a tramp. STOP calling her a slut. STOP calling her a whore. It's not fair to HER, and it's little more than perpetuation of a gross double standard anyway."

He'd heard enough of that nonsense the night before. He'd never known them to speak that way about CAMERON, and that dude was the most promiscuous person they knew. But that wasn't the ONLY bone he had to pick with the Amazons.

"So if we had listened to Sharon yesterday, THEN WHAT? We would have magically known who Ava and Haleigh were going to hurt and WHEN? No, we would have still be blindsided by this onslaught. If Sharon had told us about this A WEEK AGO, we would have had the TIME to PREPARE, we would have checked in with EVERYONE, we would have been much more PROACTIVE. But she DID NOT tell us then, so we have to deal with the way things are NOW."

Charope: What did you think you were going to do now, ZACH? Just...come WALTZING in here like some mythical white knight, and SAVE THE DAY, after the foundation of FUCK UPS you've laid that lead to this very moment!?

"No, I--"

Charope: Just ....give me BACK the portfolio, Zach. You're too slow. You can't be trusted. ROSE couldn't depend on you, not even when you knew the TRUTH about Haleigh. And the DAMAGE that has been caused, in large part because of YOUR neglect, is just TOO MUCH!

"Alright, that's enough. Alycia, I'm sorry if I disappointed you, but I'm only human. I have flaws, and limitations, and needs, AS DO WE ALL. But now is NOT the time to focus on that. The more divided we are, the harder it will be to defeat Hellfire. And now is NOT the time to discuss business portfolios, because we're all hurt and angry, and not thinking clearly, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, a little boy just got SHOT, and I CARE ABOUT what happens to him. So if you want to discuss our differences? There will be time for that, AFTER I SEE JAKE."

 

[Oracle]

Rose’s Sanctuary

She could see Steel’s unit fanning out around the complex, ready to keep everyone else out of the area. That was good. Steel himself arrived, and asked where everyone else was.

Tachyon present and accounted for. Delilah has Bishop. What are we to do next?

She held up her pointer finger in a “wait” motion, then with a final flourish of fingers over her control pad, she turned to Steel and Tachyon, and smiled.

“Good to see you both here.”

There was a flurry of light next to them, and Isis suddenly arrived.

The cries of terrified children registered with me. One of them is the infant that I saved from the Purifiers in Central park.

Isis mentioning the distress of the children was like a knife in her stomach. They had to get help to them asap. She looked at Isis for a moment. Her concern for these children reminded Oracle of why she had asked her to join the Birds of Prey in the first place. She also remembered the children that she had been unable to save from the Purifiers, which snapped her back into motion.

You won't find anyone above ground in any of the buildings on this block. All of Rose's surviving children, and her pet cat, have evacuated to an underground bunker. These children are terrified that what happened to their fellow orphans at the hands of the purifiers is going to happen to THEM tonight! The older ones are trying to keep things in order, but they need help. I can get us to the bunker, and once inside, I can help with the care and safe guarding of the children.

I am going too. This building has activated defenses that I can help deal with if need be. And the guys out here have things in order. And I am good with kids, I promise.

“I’ve disabled the red alert and the building’s defense. Isis, lead the way – let’s get those children to safety.”

 

[Nogitsune]

The Catacombs

Emi arrived at the control room with a *POP*, situating herself cross-legged on a high shelf. Scion materialized on the floor, looking pretty beat up. Emiko licked her lips. She wished she had been there to see it happen.

BEHOLD what happens, when you do NOT follow directions.

Miss M and Lord Crow went to work on healing Scion. Pity. She had hoped they were going to get to watch them continue the work of whoever had gotten her to this point. Alas…

"Oh, I'm back. AWESOME. So, is this a pep rally or what?"

Emi snapped her fingers, and pompoms and megaphones appeared around the room, in black, white and red colors, as well as a banner that read, “Scion’s Been Bad”.

 

[Berserker]

The Catacombs

BEHOLD what happens, when you do NOT follow directions.

Scion appeared, looking like she’d had the shit beat out of her. He wasn’t sure she was going to survive.

His fingers found Persephone’s. He knew THEY weren’t sisters, but he wasn’t sure how seeing Haleigh like this would affect her. So focused on Persephone (and Mystique) was he that he hadn’t registered Ravena’s arrival until he began to work on Scion, and Malice joined in shortly thereafter.

Of course: they would want to punish her themselves, and not allow her to die at someone else’s hands before they had the chance.

Rise and shine, White Princess.

And she did, with her usual flair.

"Oh, I'm back. AWESOME."

He stared at her, not saying a word, knowing that it wasn’t over for her. And frankly, she deserved it. She had acted stupidly, and now it was time to pay the piper.

"So, is this a pep rally or what?"

He couldn’t help the smile that played over his lips at that. She had moxy, he had to give her that.

Emiko clapped her hands as the room was in fact redecorated as a pep rally. He glared up at her with a look that said, This is not the time.

 

[Bishop]

Charope – Infirmary

He had pissed her off by mentioning the children, but thankfully it was short-lived.

“You almost said Alycia’s name before like you were feeling concern for her, so…what’s up with that? Bonding while I was away, were you?”

“Yeah, I meant to tell you, Alycia and I - we’re running away together.”

He gave her a sarcastic look, and then Xavier was in the room with them.

“Dude! What the hell?”

Yeah, they are regular buds now....ALMOST. Look, if you can guarantee me that your companion can stay in his bed, I plan to go try to help the kids. Delilah...the panic button is under the left side of the gurney. If he leaves or anyone other than someone you trust comes, hit it and I will be here before your finger loses contact.

He crossed his arms.

“I am NOT an invalid.”

I get that you want to help, that you want to have a toss as these fuckers, and that's fine. But all in due time, yes? Anyway, don't give the lady any trouble. I think she'd kick your arse.

He yelled after Xavier, who was already gone.

“Uh, yeah, I don’t hit women!”

He glanced at Delilah.

“Usually.”

He took a deep breath.

“Where were we? Oh, Alycia.”

Delilah: “Yes, you were running away together.”

He laughed.

“Yeah, right. She’s going through a rough time right now, with the whole Cameron and Haleigh thing. We talked – about a lot of stuff. Arklay. After. How fucked up the Six is. So yeah, I guess you could say we bonded.”

He scratched his chin where a layer of stubble had formed.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t be going over to the Sanctuary too?”

 

[MorningStar]

Charope – Infirmary

“Yeah, I meant to tell you, Alycia and I - we’re running away together.”

Delilah started to choke on the air at that.

“That’s not funny.”

But she laughed anyway.

“Alycia is my dear friend and a GREAT person. You would be lucky to have her.”

Xavier burst in, full of energy.

Yeah, they are regular buds now....ALMOST. Look, if you can guarantee me that your companion can stay in his bed, I plan to go try to help the kids. Delilah...the panic button is under the left side of the gurney. If he leaves or anyone other than someone you trust comes, hit it and I will be here before your finger loses contact.

“I am NOT an invalid.”

She put her hand calmingly over his.

“Thank you, Xavier. We’ll be fine. You go on.”

I get that you want to help, that you want to have a toss as these fuckers, and that's fine. But all in due time, yes? Anyway, don't give the lady any trouble. I think she'd kick your arse.

Maxim of course had to defend his pride.

“Uh, yeah, I don’t hit women! Usually.”

She smirked over at him.

“Yeah, at least the ones that don’t hit back, eh?”

“Where were we? Oh, Alycia.”

“Yes, you were running away together.”

She rolled her eyes, and he laughed.

“Yeah, right. She’s going through a rough time right now, with the whole Cameron and Haleigh thing. We talked – about a lot of stuff. Arklay. After. How fucked up the Six is. So yeah, I guess you could say we bonded.”

It pained Delilah to hear how badly she was taking her breakup with Cameron. She hadn’t been a good friend to Alycia, and Delilah resolved to fix that as soon as they had the opportunity. If things ever stopped crumbling around them, that is.

“Poor Alycia.”

Bishop: “Yeah, your friend Cameron really did a number on her. He sounds like a great guy.”

She sighed. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. She loved Cameron and Alycia both, and wanted them BOTH to be happy. She wasn’t sure how to make that happen or even how to be a friend to them both at the same time.

“Let’s not start that…Cameron IS a great guy. He just fucked up. It happens. But that doesn’t make it any easier on Alycia. He should never have told her.”

”Are you sure you shouldn’t be going over to the Sanctuary too?”

She shook her head.

“They have plenty of help over there – there’s nothing I can really do other than wait. And I might as well wait here.”

She smiled at him.

“No, this is where I’m supposed to be.”

 

[Bishop]

Charope – Infirmary

“That’s not funny.”

But Delilah was laughing.

“Come on, it was a little funny.”

“Alycia is my dear friend and a GREAT person. You would be lucky to have her.”

He scoffed.

“Yeah, and about 2 point 5 minutes into it, I’d have a golf club lodged in the back of my skull. No thank you.”

Xavier came in like a flash and left just as quickly. Delilah ridiculed him for his comment about not hitting women.

“Yeah, at least the ones that don’t hit back, eh?”

Which made him think of Haleigh, and he cringed as if he had been punched in the gut. She looked concerned, and that was worse. He turned the conversation back to Alycia.

“Poor Alycia.”

“Yeah, your friend Cameron really did a number on her. He sounds like a great guy.”

The thing that he and Alycia really did have in common, at least at the moment, was their agreement on how fucked up the members of the Six could be, and how shitty they treated other people on a regular basis.

“Let’s not start that…Cameron IS a great guy. He just fucked up. It happens. But that doesn’t make it any easier on Alycia. He should never have told her.”

Maxim gulped. He had fucked up too. And he hadn’t meant for it to happen. It’s not like he had planned it. And as he looked over into Delilah’s eyes, in that moment, he realized that despite all that, he could never, ever, tell her what had really happened with Haleigh. Better to pretend it had never happened.

He asked her if she needed to go help Rose.

”They have plenty of help over there – there’s nothing I can really do other than wait. And I might as well wait here. No, this is where I’m supposed to be.”

He had fucked up. It happens. And now they had to move on. Hurting her wouldn’t make it go away.

So he just smiled. This was where he was supposed to be, too.

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Catacombs

:: The White Queen and King, with the Red and Black Queens on either side of them stood together, facing Scion, each of them had a facial expression that ranged from mild to COLD. ::

She sharply inhaled and came back around to consciousness.

"Oh, I'm back. AWESOME."

:: The quartet continued to stare at her, THROUGH her, and the assembled Inner Circle around them also watched in silence::

She deadpanned. She glanced around the control room. Every single member of the Inner Circle was in attendance, and they were all looking at her. Her mother was smirking with the most malicious glee. She should probably fear whatever was about to happen, but she didn't. She unzipped the top quarter of her battle suit, pulling the tight collar away from her neck and giving herself a bit of ventilation.

"So, is this a pep rally or what?"

:: And then, as if on CUE....::

Emi snapped her fingers, and pompoms and megaphones appeared around the room, in black, white and red colors, as well as a banner that read, “Scion’s Been Bad”.

:: In a way, Emiko always seemed to be able to help Diana LIGHTEN UP...JUST a bit. And since Haleigh was a fan of inappropriate humor as a mode of defense , why not turn the tables on her?::

If that's what you need to hold yourself in readiness.

:: Malice said cooly as she glared at Haleigh, THROUGH her really::

Explain your EMPTY HANDED return. You gave me the impression that you were PREPARED for Rose.

:: And then...::

Furthermore, I gave you a deadline to extract a test subject for Talisman. You were quite behind schedule. Don't bother trying to explain THAT. EVERYONE within these walls, as well as the flatscans on the street know WHY.

:: She steps away from the assembled leadership and slowly closes in on Haleigh, looking very cold, very grim, very UNHAPPY.::

The BLACKOUT party is one of the oldest traditions of the Hellfire Club, Scion. It began with the founding Lords Cardinal and continues to this day. In an evening dedicated to glamor and excess, there is only ONE rule.

ALL communication and activity that occurs within the mansion, from top to bottom, during the Black Out Party, STAYS WITHIN THESE WALLS. That is why specific precautions are taken during that event. We have members from across the world, that are among the most elite and powerful in modern society. It is a night when anything CAN and WILL happen, ALL in the name of power without consequence.

ONE. RULE. SCION.

:: Malice stands with her hands on her hips right in front of Scion, the look on her face as she confronts her says it all to those watching and listening::

In over 100 years, NO member of the Inner Circle has DARED to violate that rule, KNOWING what it could cause. But TONIGHT, YOU have done that, and for what purpose? Some...pathetic, elementary GRUDGE against the Silver Swan?

You KNEW what enmity you'd earn from her and others among the Six and their allies, and you CLAIMED not to care, but clearly that was ANOTHER lie.

:: she held up a hand silencing Haleigh's rebuttal::

I don't care if Domino put a rubber glove on her head and ran naked, while Sharon was chasing her throughout the mansion, screaming "HI I'M A SQUID!"

You broadcast images and video from the Blackout party on to the jumbotron, in timesquare?

WHATEVER HAPPENS DURING THE BLACK OUT PARTY STAYS WITHIN THESE WALLS.

:: Malice SHOVES Haleigh back, forcing her to sit down in a chair, as she stands over her.::

POWER WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE doesn't mean you BREAK THE RULES, Scion. RULES provide STRUCTURE. WITHOUT that, there is no STRENGTH, without STRENGTH, there is no POWER.

There ARE consequences for breaking rules and protocol. Apparently you thought that being my White Princess would EXEMPT you from that?

:: Those who knew Malice knew that she worked hard, and PLAYED hard. There was LITTLE that went on in this mansion that she wasn't aware of, and most of it, she didn't bother with because no RULE was being broken. There were HARDLY any RULES. But the FEW that WERE in place? She expected, REQUIRED adherence to. So far, the ONLY two who had a hard time understanding this were Persephone and SCION. It was time that lesson was LEARNED, the HARD way.::

FINALLY, there is the matter of Ashley Oldenburg, slinking about the premesis like a pathetic GROUPIE. She came here, hoping to get "INFORMATION" from BERSERKER...as if HE would EVER help that eternal FAILURE of a woman...and you KNEW about this.

You KNEW that BANISHED ex-Red Rook was on the premesis, and you did NOTHING?

:: Malice was SECONDS away from choking Haleigh out, and delivering a brutal physical assault, but she restrained herself. She had something much BETTER in mind, and Scion's smart mouth would make it all the more satisfying to deliver.::

That DERELICITION of duty will NOT go unanswered, Scion.

 

[Isis]

Rose's Sanctuary- Underground Bunker

I am going too. This building has activated defenses that I can help deal with if need be. And the guys out here have things in order. And I am good with kids, I promise.

Xavier was ready to move and it was easy to tell. His hands and feet seemed to teem with energy...

“I’ve disabled the red alert and the building’s defense. Isis, lead the way – let’s get those children to safety.”

:: Isis raises her arms, and a golden, slightly angled ring of magick circles them as she weaves a teleporting spell to carry them all to the underground secure bunker::

:: This place is almost as large in scale as the block above ground!::

:: With the security defenses deactivated it was an easy enough matter to get through the thick, reinforced doors::

:: Isis paused though, the onslaught of two dozen children ALL in various states of fear and distress, the overwhelming sense of despire, the NEED for Rose...::

:: she frowns for a moment, shutting her eyes tightly, as she composes herself::

The fear...so strong. The need...so GREAT.

Do not make any sudden moves. They will be defensive. Some of you they've never seen before. I will take point.

:: Isis had been here several times before, to visit the infant she'd left in Rose's care. she'd also provided support to some of these children, at Rose's request.::

:: as Steel opened the thick doors, Isis stepped forward, broadcasting a calming, warming, soathing golden light that slowly illuminated the dark bunker::

Do no be afraid, children.

:: she steps forward::

I am a friend of your guardian Rose's, and I'm here to help!

Katie: The magic lady!

:: She points, as some of the older children ran to Isis clutching/hugging her legs::

:: Some of the crying began to stop, but so many questions. Where was Rose. Where was Jake. were either of them DEAD...::

Shhhhhh!!!!

:: She shushed them, as she gently stroked some of their heads, and hugged others ::

One thing at a time. I promise you, everything will be okay now.

Me and my...

:: She paused as she looked at Oracle, Titan, Steel and Tachyon::

...my friends are here to help you. To keep you SAFE until ROSE returns. And she WILL be returning, just as soon as Jake is all better!

:: She said with a smile, and a reassuring tone.::

Now then...who wants to show me where the babies are?

:: She would leave Steel, Tachyon, and Titan to tend to the older children, some of whom had begun manifesting their powers by now, while Katie lead her and Oracle to the emergency nursery, where the few infants were being kept. two were sleeping, two others were crying, one of those two being the one Isis had saved in Central park::

:: Isis begins checking them::

Bright lady be praised, the older children followed Rose's escape plan perfectly. They knew how to extract the infants and carry them to safety. None of them are INJURED.

All of the surviving children are present and accounted for.

:: She now has the infant she rescued in her arms, and looks rather maternal as she cradles the baby.::

Shhhh....

Hush baby.

It's alright now now...

:: she gently rocks the baby, running her hand down the side of the baby's face, and calming her with a gentle touch of soothing magick::

:: She looks at Oracle::

Do you think we should stay here and keep them safe until Rose returns?

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Catacombs Control Room

Emiko hooked them up with decorations, and Haleigh looked amused. Yes... Scion's been bad, and Mommy was mad.

Malice: Explain your EMPTY HANDED return. You gave me the impression that you were PREPARED for Rose.

"Yeah, and I dusted ROSE. I was home free, but the bitch called in backup. Maybe if YOU hadn't sent me in there solo....."

Malice started talking and wouldn't allow any rebuttals. She shoved Haleigh down into a chair, causing the hybrid to toss her hair back and roll her eyes at the show of 'force'. Even MORE ridiculous was the idea that they were somehow unwilling to break abstract rules in order to achieve their goals. What a bunch of horseshit.

"Rules are for the little people."

She interjected flippantly. Then Diana got all pissy about Ashley having been allowed to leave. Haleigh let her finish, because she knew she'd only get one opportunity to speak, and what she had to say was likely to get her killed. So when her mother promised her 'dereliction of duty' wouldn't go unanswered, she nodded, and filled her lungs. Then she fixed her mother with a cold glare.

"Oh, CALM YOUR TITS, MOTHER. Of COURSE I let Valkyrie walk out of here. She was demoted and sent to purgatory. If you wanted her dead you'd have killed her already. But as I understand, you don't kill an exile, you ostracize and humiliate her. And so, we did. Our Red Knight didn't seemed overly concerned about killing her on sight, so I didn't bother. Trust me, she probably WISHED we'd killed her, so she didn't have to go back to her own personal hell with the B-Squad Justice League and think about how much 'fun' Alek is having without her."

She said aloud, with a lecherous smirk that made it very clear what kind of fun she was talking about. Then her expression turned harder, darker, as she switched communication methods to something more personal.

You know I used to think you were a tactical mastermind, with all your intricately layered plans, and your ability to adapt to anything the Six threw at you but ever since coming here? I find your methods leave MUCH to be desired.

She thought, before speaking up again for the benefit of the group again, sharing her logic, and showing she still had a spine, and that she wasn't about to bend over and take whatever this was.

"You know what you SHOULD DO with the GIFT I GAVE YOU in Times Square? You should SEIZE the opportunity. You should take CREDIT for the idea yourself. You should PUBLICLY CONDEMN the Silver Swan, and issue a CAPTURE OR KILL COMMAND. You should make it KNOWN that no member of the Hellfire Club will be permitted to act as a DOUBLE AGENT. She had the nerve to come up in here, using a BULLSHIT CONNECTION, to gather INTEL on Hellfire. She is an ENEMY COMBATANT, and you let her waltz around this place LIKE SHE MAKES THE FUCKING RULES HERE, completely UNCHECKED. Then you let that mangy masked mallard fly away again, to tell HER ALLIES everything she learned. You should be making an example of her, for leaking TACTICAL INTEL."

She shook her head in disgust.

"But instead, the person you chose to make an example out of is ME. You want to PUNISH ME for outing the Silver Swan as the HYPOCRITE she is? For publishing a SEX TAPE? Whatever. Do your WORST."

She dared, because she might as well speak her mind, since she was going to be punished regardless. If there had been a chance for her to talk her way out of this, there wouldn't be such a large audience.

But you'd better be CAREFUL with the messages you're sending. You brought EVERYONE HERE, and now they may really start to doubt you. Now they can see that as QUEEN you must make me KNEEL, you must continue to CUT ME DOWN, because otherwise they might think I have RISEN ABOVE YOUR CONTROL.

 

[Oracle]

The Sanctuary – Bunker

Zizi’s stomach did flip flops as Isis’ magick brought them into the underground bunker.

Steel opened the large metal doors to let them pass, and at that point Isis seemed to visibly pale.

The fear...so strong. The need...so GREAT.

Oracle put a steadying hand on her arm. It was clear the distress of the children was taking its toll on her.

“We’ll be with them soon.”

Do not make any sudden moves. They will be defensive. Some of you they've never seen before. I will take point.

Oracle nodded. Isis projected a soothing light, much the same way Oracle had seen MorningStar do in footage she’d seen of her.

Do no be afraid, children. I am a friend of your guardian Rose's, and I'm here to help!

Thankfully, the children seemed to recognize Isis. But they were still frightened, and wanted to know where Rose was, where the other child was. Were they okay.

One thing at a time. I promise you, everything will be okay now. Me and my...my friends are here to help you. To keep you SAFE until ROSE returns. And she WILL be returning, just as soon as Jake is all better!

Oracle smiled at each of the children, winking at some whose eye she could catch, trying to make them feel reassured. She let the children touch her chair, full of curiosity, and showed them how it worked. But inside, Oracle only felt sadness for these poor children. Isis asked after the babies. Zizi turned to the boys.

“Stay here with the older children. Keep reassuring them. Isis and I will check on the babies.”

Isis said that all the children were uninjured and accounted for.

“Well that’s a blessing, at least.”

Oracle smiled genuinely as Isis cradled one of the babies.

Do you think we should stay here and keep them safe until Rose returns?

“Do you think it’s safe to bring them back above ground? They would feel more at ease in their usual surroundings, if we could manage it?”

 

[Tachyon]

:: Isis raises her arms, and a golden, slightly angled ring of magick circles them as she weaves a teleporting spell to carry them all to the underground secure bunker::

:: This place is almost as large in scale as the block above ground!::

:: With the security defenses deactivated it was an easy enough matter to get through the thick, reinforced doors::

:: Isis paused though, the onslaught of two dozen children ALL in various states of fear and distress, the overwhelming sense of despire, the NEED for Rose...::

:: she frowns for a moment, shutting her eyes tightly, as she composes herself::

The fear...so strong. The need...so GREAT.

Do not make any sudden moves. They will be defensive. Some of you they've never seen before. I will take point.

:: Isis had been here several times before, to visit the infant she'd left in Rose's care. she'd also provided support to some of these children, at Rose's request.::

Steel stepped up to pull the locked door off the hinges, but Tachyon put a hand to his arm as he stepped up.

Hold a second, friend. No need to break the pretty doors. Give me 15 seconds.

Xavier stepped over to the vault lock. Physical AS WELL as digital. Brilliant. Rose had impressed him. He cracked his knuckles and his hands moved too quickly for any of them to register as he examined and eventually...CRACKED the lock with no damage. He yielded the floor to Steel, who pulled the doors open.

...my friends are here to help you. To keep you SAFE until ROSE returns. And she WILL be returning, just as soon as Jake is all better!

:: She said with a smile, and a reassuring tone.::

Now then...who wants to show me where the babies are?

:: She would leave Steel, Tachyon, and Titan to tend to the older children,

Isis was in her element, as comfortable as she was on stage. It was amazing to watch and unexpected as hell. She went on with Oracle and left them with the older kids, who looked at them with a mixture of curiosity, fear and some distrust. Xavier cleared his throat and decided to say....SOMETHING.

I know this SUCKS right now, yeah? But you guys did awesome and Rose will be SO PROUD of you all. I am not asking you to trust me completely. Trust the Magic La- UM....ISIS. Trust ROSE. And in the meantime....

<<<empties out the nearest McDonald's, Burger King and gas station, leaving enough cash to cover and returns>>>

...who's HUNGRY?!

Tachyon quickly fills a table buffet-style with food and drinks. He was always hungry at this age, and stress made him hungrier. It seemed better than trying to BS these kids. He watches them gather round and get their fill....