The rose fades to black

[Artemis]

Giavonni's

Silver Swan: Come on, bitch. TRY and get past me.

"Lets test that theory, shall we?"

The atmosphere around the building began to build as a thick white FOG instantaneously enshrouded the roof.

:: Alycia held Zach and worked quickly, applying first aid and amazon stabilizing techniques wrapping him up in protective bandages that would cover his wounds and stop the bleeding. Zach would hear her softly praying to the goddesses- Athena and Artemis- to guide her hands. He would feel her emotions. She CARED about him, and even though she'd been ANGRY with him, she didn't want THIS for him. She'd do ALL she could to save him!::

Silver Swan will keep her busy, long enough for me to stabilize him, get him into Dome, and get him back to the Infirmary, and then I can help her FIGHT and TAKE DOWN this traitor!

:: But the FOG, it was becoming too thick, and making it heard to see, even with Alycia's enhanced vision! Still, she had gotten alot done quickly and was able to finish her last movements on Zach by TOUCH::

Zach, you just lay here and rest now...let the healing plant extract do it's work to stabilize you.

:: She squeezed his hand. It would be the last bit of a respite that he would have...::

Silver Swan heard directly BEHIND her as Persephone sent a massive GAIL FORCE blast of wind SLAMMING directly into Sharon's back, sending her FLYING OFF the building and disappearing into the fog.

SILVER SWAN?!

As quickly as Persephone attack Silver Swan, she disappeared from Alycia's sight, leaving the woman within the mass of endless white alone. There was only silence, no movement.

I've got to protect Zach....

:: Charope moved slowly, carefully, using her "hunter's eye" to compensate for the pea soup fog as best she could so that she wasn't TOTALLY immobilized. She made sure she was several paces away from Zach, so as to draw Persephone to HER rather than him.::

Athena, Artemis...aid me...

There was only silence, no movement. It wasn't until Persephone flicked her acidic blood INTO Alycia's EYES that she made her presents known

:: Persephone appeared right before her and FLICKED ACID BLOOD toward her eyes!::

NO!

:: With that amazonian speed AND reflex, she brings her forearm up, and BLOCKS/DEFLECTS the acide blood with her feminum bracelet, preventing it from hitting her directly in her eyes, but some of it does manage to splash on to her skin::

OW!!!!

:: She winces with pain...and is immediately met by a physical assault::

running full force at the woman and jump kicking her in the chest with a animalistic growl KNOCKING Alycia to the ground. It was in that moment the fog began to clear, revealing Zach once again.

UGNN!!

She's stronger than she looks! But I'm no slouch myself

:: Indeed, as an amazon, she could lift/press 15-20 tons, more than enough power to throw a CAR (for example), and it wasn't brute super strength alone, she had the fighting skill of an amazon as well, and she was going to NEED it to fight this rogue goddess!::

:: Alycia's hazel eyes were firmly fixed on Persephone, and the amazon glared at her with cold contempt::

You cowardly bitch...attacking people you KNEW couldn't fight you (Simon and Vivica), and now hiding in a FOG? WHY did the amazons ever think you deserved to be SAVED. You betray everyone you know! It started with your own mother, then Hecate...and no matter where you go, what time you live in...you KEEP ON betraying, stabbing people in the back, now ZACH is your latest victim...but he'll be your LAST!

"HE'S DYING TONIGHT BITCH!"

Persephone sent a blast of wind at Zach, sending him flying to the other side of the building. She would be DAMNED if they would take him alive.

:: Charope's hazel eyes widen, as she gets to her feet!::

NO!!!!

DOME!

:: DOME streaks back into view, swooping down, and transforming into a transluscent SLIDE that meets Zach's fallen form, and cares him down to a safety pad on the ground, and then ENCLOSES itself around him. NOTHING Persephone could throw at Dome would be able to penetrate it::

BITCH!

:: Charope LEAPS into the air in perfect form, and arch, before CRASHING DOWN on top of persephone, holding a smaller portion of the alient morphing crystal that comprises DOME in her hand, it's in the form of a LANTERN and as Charope COLLIDES with Persephone, she unleashes a blinding FLASH of Zeus' divine lightning right into Persephone's FACE and EYES. This attack, is inspired in large part by MorningStar's "Flashbulb effect" attack.::

You wanted to take away MY sight? Have a taste of your own MEDICINE!

:: and as she drives Persephone to the ground, she uses her momentum and strength to "TUMBLE" with Persephone in her grasp, so that they BOTH go flying over the edge of the building, falling DOWN to the ground, only Alycia makes SURE to turn them so that Persephone lands FIRST on top of the roof of the car. The crash/impact is spectacular. ::

:: Charope knows that as an olympian, Persephone is durable enough that she will survive this, just as she survived being RUN DOWN by DOME, but she'll be suitably STUNNED, and still reeling from ::

:: The Amazon BACK FLIPS off of Persephone and the car roof, landing with the grace of a cat onto the ground in a 3 point position, before turning and sprining toward Zach, as he lay on the safety pad created by Dome.

AIRCRAFT.

:: She commands, as Dome shimmers and SHIFTS back into aircraft form and is ready for her to load Zach inside so that she can get him out of here.::

:: She closes in on Zach with AMAZING speed, as an amazon is capable of outrunning a cheetah. She's CONFIDENT that she'll move faster than Persephone's recovery time, and be airborn in dome, before the goddess is on her feet::

Hang on, Zach...I'm coming!

:: Where was Silver Swan!? How FAR AWAY had Persephone's hurricane force wind blast sent her!?::

 

[Persephone]

Alycia cried out as Zach went flying toward the edge of the building about to fall to his death. Even Alycia's speed wouldn't be able to stop him....but something else did. Some thing that morphed into a slide?! It wrapped around Zach protecting him.

"NO!"

Charope: "BITCH!"

Persephone screamed with rage as Alycia leapt into the air toward her, crashing down on top of her causing her to stumble back. Without missing a beat, Persephone back handed Alycia across the face with enough force to crumble a cement wall, but the bitch used some sort of crystal that transformed into a lantern of light, sending out a blast of Zeus' divine lightning into her face. She tried to turn her head away from the blinding light, but it didn't help. The light encompassed her, burning her retinas and causing her to be temporarily blinded. Moments later she felt Alycia SLAM into her, both her body and the Amazon's tumbling across the roof until they both went flying OFF of it.

In mid air, the woman continued to tumble as they fell, Charope fighting to position Persephone below her so she would take the brunt of the impact. At this point Persephone still couldn't see, only able to distinguish the outline of Alycia's silhouette. It happened so fast that by the time Persephone used the wind around her to create an updraft under her, her body CRASHED into a car.

"UGHHH!"

The updraft had helped cushion her fall enough, but it still knocked the wind out of her. Persephone felt Alycia leap off her, the goddess coughing out. She didn't know if it was the effects of Alycia's light attack wearing off or the force of the impact from the fall jolting her, but as she slowly opened her eyes her vision had cleared substantially.

Rolling off the car and hitting the glassy concrete below, she saw Alycia start running to Zach's aid with incredible speeds. Speeds that Persephone wouldn't be able to match even if she hadn't just fallen from a 12 story building. Crawling to her knees, Persephone unholstered her Mystic Dagger, her breathing labored in fury. Cocking her arm back, she sent the dagger FLYING with perfect aim and direction, SLAMMING into Alycia's back. Upon impact, a concussive mystic green energy PULSED out like a shockwave, KNOCKING Alycia to the ground and sending her sliding feet from Zach.

"I'm going to send you back to Themyscira in PIECES!!"

Holding her hand out, like magnets her mystic daggers would ALWAYS return to her when called. The dagger anchored to Alycia's body with it's mystic energy, DRAGGING her body back toward Persephone, the goddess eyes BLACK with fury and bloodlust.

 

[Silver Swan]

Giavonni's on the street

They would see NOTHING beyond their own extended hands. Even seeing EACH OTHER was nearly impossible. A loud CRACK of thunder shook the building.

Charope, stay with Zach!

This FOG can't hide her from ME....

[ Silver Swan reached out with her SONAR. She WOULD find Persephone..., but the goddess had "moved" just as Sharon was about to lock on her, disappearing from where she stood when Sharon first confronted her, to now being BEHIND her.]

"Since you asked so politely."

Silver Swan heard directly BEHIND her as Persephone sent a massive GAIL FORCE blast of wind SLAMMING directly into Sharon's back, sending her FLYING OFF the building and disappearing into the fog.

WAIOWWW!!

SILVER SWAN?!

[But it was too late! That wind, it packed the power of a MICROBURST (a rare phenomena, it is a sudden, violent, focused current of gale force wind, with concentrated power of a TORNADO) and Silver Swan was IMMEDIATELY upended and sent flying off the building rooftop into the fog. She CRASHED through SEVERAL small buildings, but none of this hurt her, as she was well nigh invulnerable. It ANGERED her more than anything, as Persephone had been SMART enough, CLEVER enough to REMOVE Silver Swan from the battle outright. ]

DAMMIT!

[ She crashed through ONE MORE building. before FINALLY regaining her sense of direction, and righting herself, hovering in the air. That wind attack had actually sent her SEVERAL MILES from the battle scene.]

I've got to get back, NOW!

[ She LAUNCHES forward, and flies at MACH speeds, closing the distance between herself and the others in record time. If Oracle was watching this, even SHE would be impressed by the speed of the Silver Swan.]

[ Steel had arrived in time to see flash of Zeus' divine lightning, and then see Charope and Persephone come flying off the top of Giovanni's, with Charope using Persephone to break their fall as she drove Persephone down on top of a CAR roof. ]

[ It would be mere MOMENTS before Silver Swan would rejoin the fight. She'd keep Persephone at bay, and BREAK HER IN HALF while Charope EVACUATED Zach in Dome.]

Almost there....

Rolling off the car and hitting the glassy concrete below, she saw Alycia start running to Zach's aid with incredible speeds. Speeds that Persephone wouldn't be able to match even if she hadn't just fallen from a 12 story building. Crawling to her knees, Persephone unholstered her Mystic Dagger, her breathing labored in fury. Cocking her arm back, she sent the dagger FLYING with perfect aim and direction,

Charope! WATCH OUT!!!

[ But it was TOO LATE]

SLAMMING into Alycia's back. Upon impact, a concussive mystic green energy PULSED out like a shockwave, KNOCKING Alycia to the ground and sending her sliding feet from Zach.

[ Alycia's SCREAM sliced through Sharon's very core...as she WINCED in the air....now hovering in shock and horror as her best friend, her sister Amazon, had just been stabbed in the back, LITERALLY, by Persephone, and now lay on the ground, face down]

ATHENA, NO! ALYCIA!!!

"I'm going to send you back to Themyscira in PIECES!!"

Holding her hand out, like magnets her mystic daggers would ALWAYS return to her when called. The dagger anchored to Alycia's body with it's mystic energy, DRAGGING her body back toward Persephone, the goddess eyes BLACK with fury and bloodlust.

OH HELL NO!

[ Tears could be seen falling the Silver Swan's eyes, even with her silver mask now in view. Her shock IMMEDIATELY flashed into grief/RAGE as she saw Alycia's possibly LIFELESS body being dragged toward Persephone's dark, demented and waiting grasp, like something from a horror movie!]

[ It didn't immediately register to her that Steel was there, and The Silver Swan launches forward, in a downard, direct COLLISON course with persephone]

I'll send YOU back to HELL, you MURDERER!!!

[ Persephone can't HELP but see the vengeful Silver Swan closing in on her at high speeds]

GET READY, BITCH!

[ Silver Swan COLLIDES with Persephone with a THUNDEROUS punch across her jaw, one that would have PULPED the head of any NORMAL flatscan, and most unprotected mutants! But Sharon doesn't stop there! She unleashes a BRUTAL physical assault combining speed AND physical power. ] [ 9.25 mark - 9:31 mark]

[ And in that physical assault, she shows why she was given the Amazonian name "ALLEO" which means WHIRLWIND in the Amazon language]

NOW, SAY HELLO TO HADES!

[ The punishment she's dishing out looks brutal, and it IS, and any OTHER victim of this, with the exception of a VERY select few, would be dead now. But Persephone survives, and Silver Swan sends her on her way, with a HEARTY dose of her SONIC SCREAM]

[ Steel HAS to reach Alycia, and COVER her, while some how ENDURING the power of the sonic scream. Even Oracle and the others watching it on her monitor RECOIL as Sharon's sconic scream blows out windows ALL AROUND the area, and FLATTENS cars, causes tremors in the ground, and knocks down small structures.]

Steel: Silver Swan, for the love of god...NO MORE! You'll KILL MORE than JUST Persephone! And we've got to get Zach and Alycia some HELP!

 

[Wallflower]

Hellfire Mansion - Black Parlour Room

Scion: "You DO realize that as soon as that little magic ball of your deactivates, the White Queen will see this entire experience in my memory bank? I hope you really calculated the cost of this conversation, Amanda."

:: Amanda laughed. ::

"As soon as this magick ball stops spinning, this conversation will have never happened and the only remnants of it will be the magick that Talisman has weaved. Neither of us will be implicated. Damn, I knew I Malice was trying to domesticate you, I just never thought she would succeed in such a manner."

She kindly warned, her steady gaze not as harsh as before.

"What is it, exactly, that you want in return...."

She asked, running her fingertips along the White Princesses' forearm.

"If you don't require my body?"

:: Amanda pulled back her hand. ::

"You're better than that. Stop making me think you aren't. I don't want your body. I never will. I want your loyalty and nothing else...However.it would be smart for you to remember.."

:: She grabbed Haleigh's hand as she slowly took Haleigh's index finger into her mouth, sliding it down her mouth very slowly and seductively as it made a POPPING sound upon it's exit from her mouth. ::

"Should Alek ever find himself between my legs, I could pop him like the cork of a champagne bottle before he even realize what happened."

"I don't require your body, but I DO require your regard. I'm in no need for friends, Haleigh. I've survived by myself just fine now for months. I've reached out because I feel compelled to. I know that you care that your sister is about to murder one of the only men you've ever loved...and one of the only men...SHE'S ever loved."

"I know it's stupid to trust my words...my surprise regard for your well being. I wouldn't. But I can tell you that nobody else within the walls of this mansion care what happens to you...unless they are inside of you. I am not that woman. I am willing to back you...if you are willing to back me. That's all."

:: She cocked an amused brow. ::

"So..would you like to go this COMPLETELY alone..or would you rather have somebody in your pocket that will protect your interests...if you protect mine?"

 

[Persephone]

Alycia's lifeless body dragging across the pavement was almost as satisfying as the anticipation of what she was going to do to her NEXT.

Sharon: OH HELL NO!

Persephone turned, seeing Silver Swan flying at her before SLAMMING her fist into Persephone's jaw. She flew back a few feet, but Silver Swan was on immediately, punching, upper cutting, kicking, EVERYTHING physically imaginable in such an onslaught it would have killed any normal flatscan OR even mutant. Her goddess like durability gave her the strength to withstand the attack....but not for long. She was wavering, getting weaker at every strike by Silver Swan. With one last powerful blow, Sharon sent Persephone crashing to the pavement in a heap. Acidic blood dripping from her mouth and sizzling the concrete below.

Sharon: "NOW DIE!"

And she began to scream. Persephone's hands immediately went to her ears, the scream so intense, so POWERFUL, her head began to feel like it was about to explode. Both hands shook by her ears, her eyes tightly shut, her mouth open in agony as Silver Swan continued the onslaught. Persephone knew if this continued she would DIE. The only thing she could do was let her instinct take over....she didn't know what, or how, or IF it would work, but her powers were tied to her emotions, and right now EVERYTHING inside her was trembling--SCREAMING for her to survive. And so the ground began to follow suite, QUAKING [0:26 - 0:45 mark] under them VIOLENTLY causing parts of buildings, telephone poles and electrical lines to snap and fall, one pole directly CRASHING into Silver Swan and causing her attack to falter as she hit the ground. As the attack subsided, Persephone collapsed in a heap. She could barely hear anything besides a numb ringing in her head and ears.

Lifting her head despite the agonizing pain, her blood shot midnight eyes met with Silver Swans and lingered there for a moment, a small slowly drawing across her lips. Sharon would see in that moment that there was no trace of Ava like she saw the night of the Blackout Party. And although the Silver Swan won that round, Persephone was far from DONE with her.

With that, Persephone disappeared in a tornado of winds and reappeared back in her chambers at the Hellfire Club, laying in the middle of the floor in her room.

"FUCK!"

She screamed, slamming her foot into the bedside table, causing everything to crash and break on the floor.

"UGGHHH!"

Grabbing the sides of her head, Persephone groaned in pain.

"I'm going to MUZZLE that BITCH the next time I see her. See how fucking powerful she is THEN."

She kicked the bedside table one more time for good measure. On the plus side....she gravely wounded Zach AND Alycia, and whether they would both survive was still unknown.

 

[Isis]

The Sanctuary- The Monitoring Room

"It's not intolerable, Dominique. It's clear that whatever Rose is experiencing..she is losing herself to it. You have a nephew who experiences the very same thing. You know what happens when HE loses himself to it. We have seen how POWERFUL Rose is..don't you believe it to be in our best interest to say we did everything we could to prevent it."

[pausing for a moment]

:: Dominique's head quickly turned in the direct of Recall::

How DARE you speak about my nephew. You know NOTHING of his OR my circumstnaces to speak on that.

:: She points her finger at Vivica! Isis LOATHED anyone who was not intimately involved in THAT unique situation commenting on it, because invariably, they ALWAYS lacked the understanding of that nuanced situation. But of course, lack of understanding, knowledge, and the lack of ability to empathize never stopped Vivica from opening her mouth.::

What Rose is experiencing is justifiable OUTRAGE over the murder of her children, which was caused by BLACK WIDOW, and the lack of JUSTICE since then, along with this most RECENT violation by the same woman, which has resulted in another child nearly DYING.

Instead of casting your inaccurate assessments on me OR my nephew, perhaps you should be thinking about YOUR close personal relationship with a reckless, sociopathic KILLER, and what it says about YOU as we've stood here, and listened to you try to cast her in a SYMPATHETIC LIGHT, in spite of what she's done, whey we're here in this very place!

"It's part of the reason you stood next to those women as allies. If it was as simple as just burning the place to the ground, wouldn't you - a woman of immesne power done just that?

:: Isis's eyebrows lift as her aqua blue eyes flash with indignation. Tachyon must have been psychic in this moment, he must have KNOWN that Dominique was going to SLAP Vivica across the face HARD just now, and he QUICKLY stepped in the way::

This whole situation - the ties are astounding, the pain and the loss is far reaching, effects so many people we care about. A split decision...a gut reaction, it could cost everybody we know and care about's lives...including the children upstairs."

Were it not for a split second descision by ROSE, YOU wouldn't be standing here now. Maybe you should think about that before you attempt to criticize me OR her for our feelings of outrage.

I DO have the power to bring terrible destruction down on the Hellfire Club, why do you think THEY came to ME, seeking MY affiliation...NOT the other way around?

“Dominique, please, calm yourself. Whatever course of action we take, we must come to it calmly and rationally – and go in with a plan. I understand your anger and I feel it too, but we have to be smart, and we can’t take that anger out on each other. We have more power at our disposal than just the six of us, and we should use it. And, as much as destroying the Hellfire Club in one stroke sounds excellent right about now – we have to remember that at this point in time our first duty is to the children asleep upstairs. We cannot leave them.”

Looking back at Tachyon.

“As for Rose, if she is truly in crisis, then we should help her. Karen Victoria is an option – though she will be reeling from her recent failures with Black Widow and Persephone. As Rose is a magick user, perhaps Hazel Hawthorne should be consulted. Unless, Isis, you feel like you would have some assistance to offer her?”

"I hope so. You would be the only magick user I fully trust to do so..but if you feel like there is nothing wrong..I do have options within The Six I am willing to entertain."

:: Again, the girl opens her mouth. Oracle's request was not unreasonable, but Recall ALWAYS had the need to insert herself into something. Dominique felt that she talked too much, but rarely did she listen to anyone BUT Oracle, or Ashley, when that girl was insulting her, and she THANKED her for it, like an annoying SAP desperate for approval...::

Listen to me, and listen CAREFULLY, RECALL, I didn't SAY that I didn't think there was anything WRONG.

What I have a problem with, is Tachyon's rush to paint Rose as some kind of deranged LUNATIC. He may not being SAYING in those exact words, but I have been around long enough to know what this looks and sounds like.

:: Again, her own experience with her sister, in the aftermath of Set's attack, the way the people in her village wrote HER off as insane.::

The woman has been through HELL and has sustained losses that few of YOU would understand.

What she DOESN'T need is people like you :: Tachyon and Recall:: writing her off as some kind of unhinged woman. SHE'S not the one going around town targeting children, or deeming someone unfit for protection because he or she "won't contribute to society."

:: Oracle recalled that Isis had a strong empathic bond with the victims that were in distress during the Purifier's rampage, and the sorceress had shared with her what it felt like for her when the 42 children died in the bus accident, Isis nearly PASSED OUT from the pain of the feedback of their screams and death cries. How much WORSE had it been for ROSE then?::

It's remarkable, how you groveled before Ashley and promised never to "shut her up" again, but that is exactly what you and Tachyon want to do with Rose, is it not? Instead of letting her have the vengeance that she DESERVES.

Sometimes...vengeance IS justice, and her children, herself, and EVERYONE ELSE involved would be FOREVER safe if Black Widow was REMOVED from the battle field, PERMANENTLY.

:: She'd had ENOUGH of entertaining Vivica. The girl ALWAYS thought she was a step ahead of someone, and that she was meant to teach someone. Isis wouldn't have anymore of that from her.::

:: She turned to Oracle, and breathed out slowly, closing her eyes for a moment as she attempts to calm hereslf::

Oracle...I will assist Rose in whatever way I can. I KNOW what it is to be pushed to the edge, and to be surrounded by people who look at you as some kind of monster instead of a woman who needs more than pity and passive sympathy.

There were BETTER ways to get the information we were looking for :: Casting a disdainful glance at Tachyon::

But I think the LESS of this group she sees, the better. If she can divine TRUTH from someone as she did from haleigh, what do you think she'd do if she discerned the way people like Tachyon and Recall felt about her, or if she discovers that Tachyon was manipulating her? Instead of casting JUDGEMENT on the person who DESERVES it (Black Widow)?

There is one thing I must clarify....Rose's powers, her very mana, is not entirely magickal. It is rooted in the energy and power of the astral plane itself, making it psionic as well as magickal.

I CAN appeal to her on various levels, not only because of my magicks, but becaues of my personal experiences, but IF it becomes a matter of her needing support for mental health crisis...I would suggest Dr. Karen Victoria, although after visitng with Firebird, I would agree with you, she IS reeling from what she perceives as failures regarding Persephone and Black Widow, add to that the Frost debcale.

"As of late...I've had a somewhat copacetic relationship with Morgan. I could approach her. She is Sorceress Surpreme..that seems about as good as it gets in terms of somebody able to help Rose."

“Excuse me.”

The alert showed her a disturbance of birds – the calling card of someone they all knew.

“There is a large congregation of birds near the old Giovanni’s restaurant.”

She called up the tracker on Sharon.

“And Silver Swan is headed in that direction. Steel, get over there and check it out, offer your support if she needs it. The rest of us will remain here to protect the children if necessary. Now go.”

He nodded to her and was off.

“We must be prepared – if this is another Black Widow attack she may return here next.”

:: Vivica's eyes widened she grabbed Oracle's forearm. ::

"Zizi..Zach loves that place. He could be under attack..."

"Please...Oracle. We HAVE to get a visual on that building!"

Easier said...AND done.

:: Dominque stretched her arm, and gestured in a sweeping, circular pattern. A mystical tone sounds off, as a sparkling golden trail flows at an angled, circular parttern, and a large scrying pool SHIMMERS into view, soon revealing a clear visual of the scene, complete with AUDIO.::

:: They're ALL able to watch the horrific scene unfold::

Persephone. AGAIN.

:: Only this time, she had brutally attacked Orion, and was about to KILL him, when Charope, and Silver Swan made the scene attacking Persephone and keeping her away from Zach long enough for Alycia to administer special first aid to stabilize Zach::

:: The scene grew worse, as Silver Swan was blown away by a powerful microburst. persephone was smart enough to remove Sharon, KNOWING she was no match for the woman physically. The goddess and the amazon fought, and Charope certainly held her own , and took the goddess DOWN 12 stories, slamming her into a CAR. But Persephone survived that fall, and collision with the car, a testimony to the durability of the Olympians.::

:: Charope was seconds away from reaching Zach when...::

Gods of earth and air!?

Rolling off the car and hitting the glassy concrete below, she saw Alycia start running to Zach's aid with incredible speeds. Speeds that Persephone wouldn't be able to match even if she hadn't just fallen from a 12 story building. Crawling to her knees, Persephone unholstered her Mystic Dagger, her breathing labored in fury. Cocking her arm back, she sent the dagger FLYING with perfect aim and direction,

Charope! WATCH OUT!!!

[ But it was TOO LATE]

SLAMMING into Alycia's back. Upon impact, a concussive mystic green energy PULSED out like a shockwave, KNOCKING Alycia to the ground and sending her sliding feet from Zach.

[ Alycia's SCREAM sliced through Sharon's very core...as she WINCED in the air....now hovering in shock and horror as her best friend, her sister Amazon, had just been stabbed in the back, LITERALLY, by Persephone, and now lay on the ground, face down]

ATHENA, NO! ALYCIA!!!

I'm going to send you back to Themyscira in PIECES!!"

Holding her hand out, like magnets her mystic daggers would ALWAYS return to her when called. The dagger anchored to Alycia's body with it's mystic energy, DRAGGING her body back toward Persephone, the goddess eyes BLACK with fury and bloodlust.

OH HELL NO!

[ Tears could be seen falling the Silver Swan's eyes, even with her silver mask now in view. Her shock IMMEDIATELY flashed into grief/RAGE as she saw Alycia's possibly LIFELESS body being dragged toward Persephone's dark, demented and waiting grasp, like something from a horror movie!]

[ It didn't immediately register to her that Steel was there, and The Silver Swan launches forward, in a downard, direct COLLISON course with persephone]

I'll send YOU back to HELL, you MURDERER!!!

[ Persephone can't HELP but see the vengeful Silver Swan closing in on her at high speeds]

GET READY, BITCH!

[ Silver Swan COLLIDES with Persephone with a THUNDEROUS punch across her jaw, one that would have PULPED the head of any NORMAL flatscan, and most unprotected mutants! But Sharon doesn't stop there! She unleashes a BRUTAL physical assault combining speed AND physical power. ] [ 9.25 mark - 9:31 mark]

[ And in that physical assault, she shows why she was given the Amazonian name "ALLEO" which means WHIRLWIND in the Amazon language]

NOW, SAY HELLO TO HADES!

[ The punishment she's dishing out looks brutal, and it IS, and any OTHER victim of this, with the exception of a VERY select few, would be dead now. But Persephone survives, and Silver Swan sends her on her way, with a HEARTY dose of her SONIC SCREAM]

[ Steel HAS to reach Alycia, and COVER her, while some how ENDURING the power of the sonic scream. Even Oracle and the others watching it via Isis' scrying pool RECOIL as Sharon's sconic scream blows out windows ALL AROUND the area, and FLATTENS cars, causes tremors in the ground, and knocks down small structures.]

UGGGNNN!!!

[ Isis covers her ears]

Steel: Silver Swan, for the love of god...NO MORE! You'll KILL MORE than JUST Persephone! And we've got to get Zach and Alycia some HELP!

:: Isis already knew she would be needed, and there was no question that she'd be there for Alycia, and even Zach.::

:: They saw as Persephone managed to throw Sharon off long enough to stop her deadly sonic attack, and give herself a chance to escape.::

:: It was a MERCY that Silver Swan had stopped her scream. The PAIN, even from just watching/hearing it via the scrying pool!::

:: Oracle looked at Isis...::

I'll go at once.

:: Since she, Tachyon and the others were here...it was a reasonable and safe move to make.::

:: She disappears in a column of golden light, and reappeares right on the street, where she finds Silver Swan, nearly BESIDE herself, and Steel kneeling over the fallen Charope, with Zach on the platform of Dome, waiting to be lifted inside::

Steel, go to Sharon, try to CALM her. I will see to the others.

:: She moves quickly to Alycia, with a look of grave concern on her face::

You fought with the honor, courage AND skill of an amazon, and that....that COWARD stabbed you in the back. But your physical constitution is augmented, because you are an amazon, and so you SURVIVED.

I will make SURE that you THRIVE once more.

:: And so, Isis, the goddess of rebirth and magick, once again activates her powers, its the first time that Steel and some of the others have seen her manifest a larger spectrum of her power in this way.::

:: A CIRCLE OF PROTECTION snaps open beneath Charope AND Orion, and both circles begin to spin clockwise::
The body will CALM, all pain, all suffering will CEASE, the goddess of healing, rebirth, and MAGICK commands!

:: Because of Alycia's actions on behalf of Zach, he had survived long enough for Isis to arrive, now because of Isis, BOTH Zach and Alycia would survive the move back to Charope's infirmary::

Steel, bring Sharon close. I will teleport all of us, AND Dome back to the Charope, LLC.

:: swinging both her hands out to either side in circle patterns, an angled ring of golden magick forms around of them, and DOME is enveloped in a ray of light, and they are GONE.::

:: Next stop, Charope, LLC's underground Infirmary for Isis, Alycia, Zach, Sharon and John, where they will soon be joined by Delilah and Bishop. While DOME is returned to the underground hangar it is normally housed in.::

 

[Seer]

Emergency

<< As members of the Six, and Matrix, continued to discuss in the War Room, individuals such as Nicolas would register the pain of Alycia Barnett, as she was STABBED IN THE BACK by Persephone.>>

<< When Spellbinder and Firebird went to him, he urged Spellbinder cast a scrying spell. They too saw the HORRIFIC events. Persephone had attacked Orion, and was about to kill him, when Silver Swan and Charope arrived to save him and STOP her. They watched as the confrontation unfolded, and as as Alycia tried to evacuate Zach, she mortally wounded by Persephone, leading to a BRUTAL retaliation by Silver Swan.>>

<< Silver Swan's attack caused MAJOR structural damage in the area, and even now, emergency crews were starting to respond to various frantic phone calls from people that had been effected.>>

<< Richard Martin would receive communicaton from Isis, that she was going to Alycia and Zach's aid, and getting them back to the safety of Charope LLC's infirmary, and that he should REMAIN where he was. She would advise him of Zach and Alycia's condition, and that he should pass that information to those at the Parthenon as soon as she relayed it to him.>>

--------------------------------------
<< Charope, LLC>>

<< Oracle received urgent communication from Steel. Silver Swan was ENRAGED. She wanted to go and attack the Hellfire Club immediately, but Steel had kept her engaged and she was now intently watching as Isis worked to save Alycia and Zach's lives. Oracle was going to have to get to Charope, LLC.>>

<< Delilah and Bishop were startled as the building went to RED ALERT, they then found out WHY.>>

<< Sharon was beside herself, but she managed to inform Delilah what had happened to Zach and Alycia. Seeing them both stretched out, with Isis once again working her magicks to save their lives....>>

<< Delilah and Bishop would see Alycia laying face down. Both She and Zach looked so...pale...so...LIFELESS. It was sickening.>>

Isis: Orion was all but GUTTED by Persephone....and, fighting her back, Charope tried to evacuate him back here, only to be stabbed in the back by Persephone's mystic dagger.

<< Isis could say no more, as she began to contrate intently on her emergency task at hand, leaving Sharon, Delilah, Bishop and Steel to watch, as Oracle soon arrived to join them, leaving Tachyon, Titan and Recall back at the Sanctuary.>>

------------------------------------------
<< At the Hellfire Mansion>>

<< Scion and Berserker would soon see Persephone, battered and bruised as she was. Her fight with the amazons had been BRUTAL, but she emerged with a key victory, having gravely wounded Orion and Charope. She did not know that they would survive, and for the moment, that didn't matter to her.>>

<< The evidence of her confrontation with the Silver swan was apparent, but at least NOW she could begin "licking her wounds." >>

<< What would happen when Enchantrah and Malice learned the outcome of this? >>

<< And of course, now, Haleigh was armed with information from Cobra that could further alter her dynamic with Persephone.>>

------------------------------------------
<< At the Hospital>>

<< Rae and Danny sat with Rose in the dark family waiting room. They were the only three in this entire area of the hospital.>>

<< Rae and Danny watched as Rose, at different times, used her power to reach out to Jake's astral form, supporting his spirit, and his mind throughout the surgery, keeping him calm, and protecting him him from the potentially TOXIC effects of the anesthesia. her actions , combined with those of the mortal doctors, ensured he would survive.>>

<< And after several hours, the chief surgeon came to them , and informed them that Jake had made it through the surgery, and was now in recovery.>>

<< Rose began to weep, with tears of RELIEF as both Rae and Danny hugged her, and she returned their embrace.>>

<< She asked them to join her at the sanctuary when it was time leave the hospital to return home. >>

<< Upon her return, She had something she wanted to do once she got back, but the FIRST thing she would do was RELIEVE the Birds of Prey of their "watch" over her children and Sable. Having Danny and Rae stay the night with her made this descision more acceptable to her.>>

<< As she sat there, quietly letting herself decompress now that she knew for sure little Jake would survive and could begin the long road of healing...she registered the psychic screams of Zach and Alycia as they were struck down by Persephone.>>

<< She moved away from Rae and Danny, and as she stood in front of one of the large glass windows, her arms wrapped around herself, she closed her eyes once more, and tells fell for both Zach and Alycia. >>

Rose: <<thinking>> Too much pain...too much suffering...TOO MUCH DEATH. Not enough JUSTICE. NOT. ENOUGH. REVENGE.

 

[Rampage]

They had a plan. They got Ma to go home, even though Mike was gonna take an L over that one in the short term. But he always landed on his feet with her so Nic was not worried.

Things were actually winding down and he could feel Mike's eyes on him to get Karen moving. Nicolas stopped leaning on the wall so as to speak when his head took a jackhammer of a pain spike! His runes darkly glowed and his axe appeared suddenly, steadying him in his right hand as he suddenly took a knee from the psychic recoil...who was it? Blaze and Morgan were on him like a shot, unafraid of his changes and helping him up, asking what was wrong. Who was it? It was...

ALYCIA! Morgan, perform a scry and look for Alycia, something is terribly wrong.

Morgan quickly did it and the team watched as the events unfolded.

:: She disappears in a column of golden light, and reappeares right on the street, where she finds Silver Swan, nearly BESIDE herself, and Steel kneeling over the fallen Charope, with Zach on the platform of Dome, waiting to be lifted inside::

Steel, go to Sharon, try to CALM her. I will see to the others.

:: She moves quickly to Alycia, with a look of grave concern on her face::

You fought with the honor, courage AND skill of an amazon, and that....that COWARD stabbed you in the back. But your physical constitution is augmented, because you are an amazon, and so you SURVIVED.

I will make SURE that you THRIVE once more.

:: And so, Isis, the goddess of rebirth and magick, once again activates her powers, its the first time that Steel and some of the others have seen her manifest a larger spectrum of her power in this way.::

:: A CIRCLE OF PROTECTION snaps open beneath Charope AND Orion, and both circles begin to spin clockwise::
The body will CALM, all pain, all suffering will CEASE, the goddess of healing, rebirth, and MAGICK commands!

:: Because of Alycia's actions on behalf of Zach, he had survived long enough for Isis to arrive, now because of Isis, BOTH Zach and Alycia would survive the move back to Charope's infirmary::

Steel, bring Sharon close. I will teleport all of us, AND Dome back to the Charope, LLC.

:: swinging both her hands out to either side in circle patterns, an angled ring of golden magick forms around of them, and DOME is enveloped in a ray of light, and they are GONE.::

:: Next stop, Charope, LLC's underground Infirmary for Isis, Alycia, Zach, Sharon and John, where they will soon be joined by Delilah and Bishop. While DOME is returned to the underground hangar it is normally housed in.::

Richard was up like a shot to get back to Isis, to check on her when he paused. Nicolas could not hear the conversation, but he knew who it was. It was like they were talking behind a door. He then sat back down.

What is it Rich?

Matrix lifted his hand and projected the holographic form of Aunt D in a dress a bit shorter than Nicolas remembered...

Isis: Orion was all but GUTTED by Persephone....and, fighting her back, Charope tried to evacuate him back here, only to be stabbed in the back by Persephone's mystic dagger. They are in my care. Stay with the others at the Parthenon and I will update you as soon as I am done here.

Richard lowered his hand. He was furious, and worried about his teammates. His anger reminded Nicolas of himself. Nicolas made a note to speak to him about meditation as he thought about Sharon. She was beside herself and Steel, while tough as nails, might need a hand.

I support Arsenal and Spellbinder 100% in regards to the plan.

Nicolas was torn. He wanted to go to Sharon, to comfort her as her only 'family' left. HE gave her those companion birds. He opened his arms to welcome her to the team. And HE grieved with her every year on his Father Gustav's birthday. But he felt the need to be here with his team, and to allow her to find that comfort and center with HER new team. As much as he wanted to be, he could not replace the rapport she needed to find there. It was a risk given her physical might, and it was not what he wanted to do, but he felt that it was best overall. And so he recovered and focused on what was next. His eyes met with Karen Victoria's.

Ma, I would prefer that we move you and Mike as soon as possible. Unless there is something else here I am missing, it's time.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- The Black Parlor

Cobra: As soon as this magick ball stops spinning, this conversation will have never happened and the only remnants of it will be the magick that Talisman has weaved. Neither of us will be implicated.

"Oh, HONEY. [she laughs deeply] You think KELLY will be able to protect you from my mother?"

She asked, and laughed some more.

Cobra: Damn, I knew I Malice was trying to domesticate you, I just never thought she would succeed in such a manner.

"So, let me get this straight. I try to give you a little FRIENDLY advice to keep you from getting a pep rally of your own, and somehow that means I've been 'domesticated'? If I were truly domesticated, I'd go straight to my mother and tell her about this exchange immediately."

Amanda abruptly withdrew her arm, leaving Haleigh's hand on the bartop. Haleigh raised an eyebrow, reached back for her drink, and licked her lips.

"I mean if I've got no incentive to keep you intact, maybe that's exactly what I SHOULD do...."

She suggested over the rim of her glass, and then drank.

Cobra: You're better than that. Stop making me think you aren't. I don't want your body. I never will.

Haleigh drained her glass again, and lowered it back to the bar, making a 'tsk' sound before interjecting.

"Such a shame, you know, I bet you'd be a lot less lonely if you weren't so CHASTE."

Cobra: I want your loyalty and nothing else...However...it would be smart for you to remember..

Amanda took her hand, and actually sucked on Haleigh's finger.

Mixed signals, anyone?

Haleigh just stared at her, calculating. There was a marked absence of lust in her expression.

Cobra: Should Alek ever find himself between my legs, I could pop him like the cork of a champagne bottle before he even realize what happened.

Haleigh 'hmmphed' with amused skepticism, taking her hand back and pouring the rest of the bottle in her glass.

"I doubt that very much. First of all, because it's obvious that it would take the JAWS OF LIFE to separate your knees. But ALSO.... because the Red Knight would make a MEAL out of you."

Cobra: I don't require your body, but I DO require your regard. I'm in no need for friends, Haleigh. I've survived by myself just fine now for months. I've reached out because I feel compelled to. I know that you care that your sister is about to murder one of the only men you've ever loved...and one of the only men...SHE'S ever loved.

"Oh, I'm truly MOVED by your concern."

She deadpanned, and then drank. In her HUD's picture-in-picture display, she pulled up the camera feed from the Red Rook's Chambers. Empty, but she would keep the stream up, so she'd know as soon as her sister returned.

Cobra: I know it's stupid to trust my words...my surprise regard for your well being. I wouldn't. But I can tell you that nobody else within the walls of this mansion care what happens to you...unless they are inside of you. I am not that woman. I am willing to back you...if you are willing to back me. That's all. So..would you like to go this COMPLETELY alone..or would you rather have somebody in your pocket that will protect your interests...if you protect mine?

"Hmm, decisions decisions. You know what your problem is here? You're trying to give off the appearance of genuine honesty in a place where being candid is suspicious AS FUCK. Other issues include rebuffing the advances of the person you're trying to secure allegiance with, which doesn't exactly build bridges, I mean, at LEAST continue to play at being COY. Then there's the worst offense of all, which is that you've spent much of this conversation implying that I am a whipped WHORE, victimized and taken advantage of."

She finished off the rest of the scotch, and declined the bartender's offer for another bottle.

"With all the time you spend with your face buried in books, I'd have thought you'd be better at reading people and situations. Clearly you need some coaching. Here's rule number one: Never tell ANYONE exactly what you want. If they don't know what you're AFTER, they won't be able to anticipate what you'll do next."

She considered her options for a moment.

"You want to be my ally? Alright, I'll bite."

She smirked.

"Figuratively speaking, of course."

She looked up and to her left, as she saw a flash of movement in her HUD.

"Now if you'll excuse me, my sister has returned from her mission."

She didn't wait for a goodbye, she just disintegrated from the spot where she sat, and then reappeared in her sister's room, kneeling at Persephone's side and helping her sit up.

Persephone: I'm going to MUZZLE that BITCH the next time I see her. See how fucking powerful she is THEN.

"Which bitch, sis?"

She asked coolly, because it was far easier than asking the question that she REALLY wanted the answer to, and she knew that Persephone was going to tell her what happened soon enough.

 

[Persephone]

Persephone's hands were still holding her head with her eyes closed, still reeling from Silver Swan's attack. She was already calculating ways on how to rip the bitches jaw off, tear her tongue out, and shove her foot down her throat. She didn't even HEAR Haleigh arrive.

Haleigh: "Which bitch, sis?"

Mildly startled, Persephone rolled her head over seeing Haleigh kneeling next to her.

"You again?"

Groaning, she began to roll off her back and onto her side, opening her mouth in an effort to pop her ears as she went.

"You have camera's stationed everywhere, OBVIOUSLY [a jab at why she was already there]. I'm surprised you don't already know 'which bitch'."

She was now propped up on her forearm and hip, her head hanging a bit forward because it hurt too damn much to move at that point. The taste of fresh blood filling her mouth again. Spitting it onto the hardwood floors, the acid sizzled the wood instantly, eating a hole right through it. Looking up, whether Haleigh already knew about what happened or NOT, she wasn't indicating otherwise, and she was obviously not impressed by Persephone's answer. The goddess would of rolled her eyes, but everything from the neck up felt like it was still on fire from the sonic scream Sharon unleashed on her.

"Silver Swan."

She hissed in contempt.

"Her sonic scream is a fucking BITCH."

Finally she began to push herself further off the floor and to her knees.

"About as big of one as SHE is. [craning her neck from side to side] Her and Charope decided to drop in and try and fuck up my night."

Sitting on her knees, Persephone shifted her eyes over to Haleigh.

"Operative word is: TRY."

She said as she shoved her hand into Haleigh's chest that held Zach's blood stained necklace she had taken from him. Persephone removed her hand, the necklace dropped down Haleigh's body into the blondes hand.

"He's probably dead by now. Alycia tried to heal him, but his insides were outside sooo...."

Persephone coughed out a small laugh.

"He was quite literally wearing his heart on his sleeve."

She joked morbidly as she slowly climbed to her feet. Walking over to the wet bar, she poured herself a strong drink, downing it almost immediately. She needed to shower....and she pondered if Alek would be free to help her lather up.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Red Knight’s Quarters

She had been different this time, and as they lay there together he wondered whether it was simple desire for variety or if her recent experiences had left her with the need to feel loved. He stroked her back while her hand rested on his chest, sighing in satiety.

Haleigh raised herself up and kissed him.

Ready for round two…

But alas:

"While junior rests, [she pauses to kiss him again] I'm going to go have a chat with the Black Knight. [another kiss] Maybe I'll bring her back."

And she did that disappearing thing she had done in the gym the other day. It was unnerving, and slightly annoying. Having the Black Knight join them…now that had possibilities, though so far the Black Court kept to itself. And as out of favor as they currently were, that didn’t bother him.

He dressed in a fresh suit, and decided to check in with his people around the mansion. It didn’t take long for him to find out that Helena had sent Persephone to kill Zachary Armani. And though it hurt him that Helena had not told him personally – even allowed him to accompany her – the possibilities ran through his mind. How would Haleigh take it? Would it drive a wedge between the two “sisters”? He doubted it – Haleigh was too practical for that. BUT it was a variable in their relationship, and would need monitored. And he was sure Persephone WANTED to piss Scion off, and would take joy in doing so. And would be equally upset if her actions didn’t have their desired effect.

Shortly thereafter, after learning a few other tidbits of information, a little bird told him that Persephone had returned to the mansion. Making his way back to the Red Wing, and to her quarters, he knocked but didn’t wait to be granted admittance before entering. Haleigh was already there. And she didn’t look like she’d been in a fight…yet.

As he was opening the door he’d heard:

"He's probably dead by now. Alycia tried to heal him, but his insides were outside sooo...."

“Good. But we need to know for sure. Because if you failed, then we need to figure out a way for you to tell Helena that doesn’t get you killed. Or worse.”

 

[Steel]

Giovanni’s

As he arrived on the block were Giovanni’s used to be, he noticed a strange – and clearly unnatural – fog concentrated at the top of the building. And coming out of that fog was a bright flash of light, and over the side of the building came two forms, clasped together in combat. In the blink of an eye, they had crashed down onto one of the cars in the street. The forms became recognizable as Persephone – and Alycia! Steel’s body melted into his organic steel form.

Alycia backflipped off the car and began sprinting towards something. Zach! And he wasn’t moving. Steel ran towards him, looking around him. There was no sign of Sharon – surely she had arrived before him?

[via com]: “Oracle, Persephone and Charope are engaged in combat. Orion is down. No sign yet of Silver Swan.”

Before Alycia was able to reach Zach, Persephone hit her in the back with a blade, and it was pulling her back towards her.

“Alycia!”

He changed directions, charging towards Alycia’s body as it was being dragged. Then Silver Swan was there, BARRELLING into Persephone and unleashing a brutal assault!

[via com]: “Oracle, Silver Swan is attacking Persephone. Charope is hurt.”

He was almost to Alycia when Silver Swan unleashed a noise like nothing he had ever heard before. He staggered. Allowing his shirt to morph back into cloth, he ripped a strip off and tore it in two, stuffing it in his ears and then transforming it back into organic steel. He pushed forward, the steel dulling the sound just enough that he was able to dive onto Alycia’s body. He put his hands over her ears in an attempt to muffle the sound from Sharon’s attack.

He cried out in desperation – none of them would be able to stand much more of this.

“Silver Swan, for the love of god...NO MORE! You'll KILL MORE than JUST Persephone! And we've got to get Zach and Alycia some HELP!”

Silver Swan stopped her cry, thankfully. But the ground began to quake, and Steel covered Alycia’s body with his own in attempt to protect her from falling debris. Isis appeared in a beautiful column of light next to them.

Steel, go to Sharon, try to CALM her. I will see to the others.

“Right.”

Leaving Alycia in Isis’ capable hands, he ran to where Silver Swan stood, SEETHING.

“Sharon, hey – hey, Sharon. Look at me.”

He put himself into her eyeline.

“That’s it, look at me Pretty Bird. We need to help Alycia and Zach right now, alright? Take some deep breaths – you have got to calm down so you can help them.”

Steel, bring Sharon close. I will teleport all of us, AND Dome back to the Charope, LLC.

He VERY carefully took Sharon’s arm and began to lead her towards the others.

“Sharon, you’ve got to come with me – Isis is going to take us all to Charope so Alycia can get help. You’ve got to come with me now. Please.”

They were enveloped in golden light and arrived at Charope. He was never going to get used to that…it was a thrill despite everything else that was going on.

Sharon was still raging. He turned his head to the side, contacting Oracle again.

[via com]: “Oracle, Sharon is not doing well. I know you’re helping out there but…”

Turning his attention back to Silver Swan, he puts his hands on her arms.

“Sharon, we are going to get her. We’ll get her, alright? BOTH of them. But you cannot go there half-cocked. Let’s make a plan, and do this right. Besides, Alycia needs you right now.”

He made comforting shushing noises, rubbing her arms.

“That’s it, Pretty Bird. Breathe.”

 

[Persephone]

She heard a knock and the door immediately open afterward. The fact someone just walked into her room uninvited pissed her off, but as she saw Berserker enter she let the anger subside a BIT.

Alek: “Good. But we need to know for sure."

"By all means, come in."

She deadpanned, rubbing the back of her neck as she stretched it to the side. It was becoming annoying that her room seemed to be the new common room of the Red Wing.

Alek: “Because if you failed, then we need to figure out a way for you to tell Helena that doesn’t get you killed. Or worse.”

Pouring herself another drink, Persephone slowed her pace and allowed the liquid to ease down her throat with a satisfying burn.

"I sliced him open like a prized fucking hen. If he survived that, he deserves to live."

She finally turned around to face them both.

"Helena sent me to kill HIM, it's not my fault Silver Swan and Charope intervened. I fatally wounded Alycia during the fight, Zach was already on his last breaths....if it weren't for that silver bitch's sonic scream, they BOTH would have been strung up for the masses to see."

Slamming back the last bit of her drink.

"If Helena is pissed off at me after what I just did, then so be it. The message was CLEARLY sent to ALL parties."

Persephone's eyes fell upon Haleigh, knowing one such party Helena was targeting was Scion.

 

[Oracle]

The Sanctuary – Monitor Room

"It's not intolerable, Dominique. It's clear that whatever Rose is experiencing…she is losing herself to it. You have a nephew who experiences the very same thing. You know what happens when HE loses himself to it. We have seen how POWERFUL Rose is…don't you believe it to be in our best interest to say we did everything we could to prevent it."

Zizi squeezed Vivica’s hand and gave her a smile. She had such a good heart, and cared about helping people so much.

“We’ll help her, Viv, I promise.”

Isis was not pleased that Viv had commented on Nicolas, however.

How DARE you speak about my nephew. You know NOTHING of his OR my circumstances to speak on that. What Rose is experiencing is justifiable OUTRAGE over the murder of her children, which was caused by BLACK WIDOW, and the lack of JUSTICE since then, along with this most RECENT violation by the same woman, which has resulted in another child nearly DYING. Instead of casting your inaccurate assessments on me OR my nephew, perhaps you should be thinking about YOUR close personal relationship with a reckless, sociopathic KILLER, and what it says about YOU as we've stood here, and listened to you try to cast her in a SYMPATHETIC LIGHT, in spite of what she's done, whey we're here in this very place!

“PLEASE! Let’s not do this now. Rose deserves our sympathy AND our help, if needed. The two are not mutually exclusive. We all want to do what’s best for Rose, and the children here – as well as the people we love. Let’s just focus on that.”

Were it not for a split second decision by ROSE, YOU wouldn't be standing here now. Maybe you should think about that before you attempt to criticize me OR her for our feelings of outrage.

Zizi looked at Vivica and then Dominique.

“No one is criticizing Rose, or you, Dominique. We are ALL outraged by what has happened. And we all thank the heavens for Rose being there for Jake – and Vivica – when she was.”

She pleaded with Isis to calm down, and not go immediately to the Hellfire Mansion. To think of the children in their care. Vivica suggested another source of help for Rose.

"As of late...I've had a somewhat copacetic relationship with Morgan. I could approach her. She is Sorceress Supreme...that seems about as good as it gets in terms of somebody able to help Rose."

“Do you think she would agree? With everything else that is going on?”

Again, Isis raged at Vivica, including Tachyon this time.

What she DOESN'T need is people like you :: Tachyon and Recall:: writing her off as some kind of unhinged woman. SHE'S not the one going around town targeting children, or deeming someone unfit for protection because he or she "won't contribute to society."

“We all just want to help her, Dominique. Vivica and Xavier want to help Rose because they care. Isis, you know better than anyone how terrible the loss of those children has been for Rose. She shouldn’t have to deal with it alone – even if it isn’t ‘professional’ help she needs. No one should have to go through what she is alone.”

Oracle looked at her with soft eyes – what was unsaid passing between them, that Isis didn’t have to go through it alone either.

Oracle...I will assist Rose in whatever way I can. I KNOW what it is to be pushed to the edge, and to be surrounded by people who look at you as some kind of monster instead of a woman who needs more than pity and passive sympathy.

“No one thinks she’s a monster, Dominique. But perhaps she would benefit from speaking with someone who understands?”

An alert came over the console attached to Zizi’s arm, and she relayed what was happening to the group. Real fear came into Vivica’s eyes as she heard the location of the bird disturbance.

"Zizi..Zach loves that place. He could be under attack...I just hope for everyone's sake the person he is under attack from..ISN'T the Silver Swan.

“Oh surely not. She wouldn’t hurt Zach…”

But there were plenty of others out there who would.

Please...Oracle. We HAVE to get a visual on that building!"

Oracle nodded to Dominique.

“Isis, if you please?”

Easier said...AND done.

A scrying pool appeared in front of them, courtesy of Isis, and they were now seeing the street where the restaurant was located.

They saw Persephone towering over Orion, about to finish MURDERING him, before Charope and Silver Swan arrived and pushed her back with their attack. The fight was brutal, and Silver Swan was apparently “blown away” leaving Alycia and Persephone fighting alone.

[via com]: “Oracle, Persephone and Charope are engaged in combat. Orion is down. No sign yet of Silver Swan.”

[via com]: “She’s there, Steel – but you’ve got to help Charope!”

They watched as Persephone hit Charope with her mystic dagger.

“Oh, god, no!”

[via com]: “Oracle, Silver Swan is attacking Persephone. Charope is hurt.”

[via com]: “Get her out of there, Steel! Silver Swan has Persephone.”

Sharon was there, POUNDING on Persephone. And then Steel came into view, at Alycia’s side, trying to help her as Silver Swan unleashed her sonic scream, causing all in the room to flinch as the sound was piercing even through the scrying pool. Steel cried out for Sharon to stop, and finally she did as Persephone caused the earth to shake.

Zizi looked pointedly at Isis.

I'll go at once.

Zizi nodded, still reeling from what she had seen. Zach hadn’t been moving, nor had Alycia. They couldn’t lose them, they just couldn’t. She should NEVER have let Alycia and Sharon walk out. Should NEVER have allowed Zach to be alone. And look what had happened. Valkyrie had been right. She WAS a failure…

[via com]: “Oracle, Sharon is not doing well. I know you’re helping out there but…”

“I’m five blocks away, I’ll be there in minutes.”

Zizi prayed there was still time for her to fix this. She turned to Vivica, Xavier and Andrew.

“I’ve got to go help Sharon. John’s team is still outside. Recall, you’re in charge. Keep these children safe. Call me AND the Six if anything happens. I'll update you on Alycia and Zach's condition as soon as I get there.”

With a last look at Vivica, Oracle was gone.

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Red Rook’s Quarters

"By all means, come in."

Right now, he didn’t care if she was perturbed.

“This is no time for courtesies. This is serious.”

She was high off her attack, and didn’t seem to understand that to the queens, failure was failure, no matter the extenuating circumstances.

"I sliced him open like a prized fucking hen. If he survived that, he deserves to live. Helena sent me to kill HIM, it's not my fault Silver Swan and Charope intervened. I fatally wounded Alycia during the fight, Zach was already on his last breaths...if it weren't for that silver bitch's sonic scream, they BOTH would have been strung up for the masses to see. If Helena is pissed off at me after what I just did, then so be it. The message was CLEARLY sent to ALL parties."

“And that’s exactly how you’ll present it to Helena. You mortally injured him in the way that would make the most psychological impact on his teammates and friends. When Alycia Barnett and Sharon Kelly arrived, you removed Alycia from the playing field. You retreated knowing that to stay would be to risk losing yourself as an asset to the Red Queen.”

He glanced at Haleigh.

“These people seem to have nine lives apiece, so we have to be ready for all eventualities.”

He walked slowly to Persephone, softening his tone.

“You saw what they did to Haleigh, and she is Malice’s daughter. They will not hesitate to do worse to you if you fail them – especially if it looks like you let someone Ava and Haleigh care about live on purpose…”

 

[Tachyon]

Xavier's skin was thick enough that he was not harmed by Isis' words. Isis could certainly try to do far more if she chose, so words were fine with him. An alarm sounded on Zizi's arm and the team began to put together what was going on. The faux-sister of Haleigh had attacked Zachary! The lightning, the force that displayed when Tachyon went into overdrive began to manifest as he prepared to leave.

But Oracle sent Steel instead. CERTAINLY a SLOWER option, but he trusted Zizi and the choice was sound, especially with him being a peace officer and all.

Tachyon was reduced to watching, which threatened to drive him mad. He was CAPABLE of watching, but he had been DOING since he was 12. And it was hard to watch either of them suffer, but he was especially disturbed to see the pretty amazon struck from behind. It was a cowardly struck blow and he was rightly outraged at the scene.

“I’m five blocks away, I’ll be there in minutes.”

Zizi prayed there was still time for her to fix this. She turned to Vivica, Xavier and Andrew.

“I’ve got to go help Sharon. John’s team is still outside. Recall, you’re in charge. Keep these children safe. Call me AND the Six if anything happens. I'll update you on Alycia and Zach's condition as soon as I get there.”

With a last look at Vivica, Oracle was gone.

Now what? He would not be able to stay still. Xavier wanted - NEEDED - to do SOMETHING. He turned to Recall.

You're the boss. And until you tell me to do something different, I am checking EVERY GODDAMN BED in perpetuity until relieved of duty. Just say the word, I will hear.

And he appeared to leave...and stay all at once. In reality, he was checking all 23 at super speed and reporting back to the same spot every quarter second. Recall could see him standing there like an old projector film picture with lightning sparking all around.

 

[MorningStar]

Charope – Alycia’s Office

“Absolutely not. You are not going to contact that psycho. It was bad enough you let her go in the first place. You cannot trust a word that lunatic says. She’ll sell you out to Malice the first chance she gets. I forbid it."

Delilah stood up.

“ExCUSE me? You ‘FORBID’ it?! Who the hell do you think you are?”

She was up in his face now, forgetting in the moment that Alycia was sitting there.

“You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do. And may I remind you, YOU couldn’t stop ME from crossing the STREET!”

She poked him in the chest.

“I’LL contact whoever I damn well please! And believe me, buster, that sure as hell ISN’T GOING TO BE YOU!”

Sharon busted into Alycia’s office.

I'm sorry...but this is an EMERGENCY.

She told Alycia that Zach had been attacked, by AVA no less.

I hope she didn’t touch his face…

Delilah, Sharon and I have to get to Zach before it's too late! Giovanni’s is not too far from here! If Persephone is attacking him like this...Black Widow could be in the area as well...she could be trying to come HERE! Please stay here and protect yourself and Bishop. I will place the building on ALERT, my defense systems are IMMUNE to Haleigh's manipulations, and will buy you time if she DOES attack this place.

“Don’t worry about us, just GO.”

Alycia and Sharon left in a blaze, leaving the two of them alone again, the anger of a few moments ago forgotten as once again people they cared about were under attack.

 

[Bishop]

Charope – Alycia’s Office

Delilah stood up, and got in his face, anger flashing in her blue eyes. He stood his ground, keeping his arms crossed and a unmovable expression on his face.

“ExCUSE me? You ‘FORBID’ it?! Who the hell do you think you are? You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do. And may I remind you, YOU couldn’t stop ME from crossing the STREET!”

He threw one of his hands up into the air in annoyance.

“Like HELL I can’t! I’m not about to let you waltz off back into the clutches of a woman who tried to KILL you!”

Delilah: “Well la di da – YOU tried to kill EVERYBODY!”

“I’LL contact whoever I damn well please! And believe me, buster, that sure as hell ISN’T GOING TO BE YOU!”

“Well that’s FINE BY ME. Just don’t expect me to save your ass when Bianca throws you in another CAGE!”

Sharon burst in at this point, all Silver Swan’d out.

“Jesus, Sharon, it’s just an argument, you don’t have to come in here and beat on me for it…”

I'm sorry...but this is an EMERGENCY.

Sharon was there because Haleigh’s ex had been attacked, strangely enough NOT by her but by Ava.

He sat down again, resting his chin on his hand.

“This is like an episode of Springer. A bad one.”

Delilah, Sharon and I have to get to Zach before it's too late! Giovanni’s is not too far from here! If Persephone is attacking him like this...Black Widow could be in the area as well...she could be trying to come HERE! Please stay here and protect yourself and Bishop. I will place the building on ALERT, my defense systems are IMMUNE to Haleigh's manipulations, and will buy you time if she DOES attack this place.

“Don’t worry about us, just GO.”

And they were alone again. Delilah sat down as well, and they stared at each other, silently, for a long while. Finally, he broke the silence.

“I’m sorry. I just want you to be safe.”

Delilah: “I’m NEVER going to be safe, Maxim. If we’re going to keep doing [waves her hands] whatever this is, you’re going to have to make peace with that.”

Before he could reply, alarm bells started going off.

“What the hell?”

Delilah: “Red alert. Something’s happened.”

Down on the Infirmary level, Silver Swan looked ready to murder something, while Isis looked to be doing her witchy woo on Alycia and Zach, who lay motionless on hospital stretchers. He has seen a lot of people die from battle wounds, and this didn’t look good. Poor Alycia, she didn’t deserve to go out like this, no matter their checkered past.

 

[MorningStar]

Charope – Alycia’s Office

“I’m sorry. I just want you to be safe.”

Delilah sighed, and looked at Maxim. Safe just wasn’t the life she had, as much as she might want it.

“I’m NEVER going to be safe, Maxim. If we’re going to keep doing [waves her hands] whatever this is, you’re going to have to make peace with that.”

Alarms and flashing lights started to go off in the office.

“Red alert. Something’s happened.”

They both made their way down to the Infirmary level, where a FUMING Silver Swan stood with John Steel, while Isis was working her magick over Alycia and Zach.

“Oh god, they look so pale.”

Sharon, still raging, managed to tell them what had happened. Isis added:

Orion was all but GUTTED by Persephone....and, fighting her back, Charope tried to evacuate him back here, only to be stabbed in the back by Persephone's mystic dagger.

It was so horrible, what had happened, and seeing Alycia like this.

“This is so far beyond doing the wrong thing for the right reasons…I mean, Alycia. And Zach? How could she? This is just so disgusting and vindictive…how could they have ever been our allies, our friends?”

Delilah buried her face in Maxim’s chest and he put his arms around her, consoling her the best he could. He could have died, they could die, and for what? Because they knew the Six? Loved them? Had once loved Haleigh and Ava? It was like a nightmare they couldn’t wake up from.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Red Rook's Room

Persephone: You again?

"Is there anyone else here that gives a damn? Who put you on your ass?"

Persephone: You have camera's stationed everywhere, OBVIOUSLY [a jab at why she was already there]. I'm surprised you don't already know 'which bitch'.

"Well, in order to know that, I'd have to know which camera to look at, but since I'm now seeing reports about a disturbance in Little Italy, at least I know where to start. Still, it'd be a lot faster if you just told me."

Persephone: Silver Swan. Her sonic scream is a fucking BITCH.

"Yeah, even her normal voice is like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. We gotta find a way to shut that bitch up."

Persephone: Her and Charope decided to drop in and try and fuck up my night.

Brace yourself...

Persephone: Operative word is: TRY.

Her gaze locked with her sister's. Persephone shoved something hard against her, and she looked down, catching it as it fell. It was Zach's necklace, still wet with his blood. Haleigh felt sick as she stared at the little pendant in her palm. She hoped his death had been quick and clean. She hoped he felt no pain, and never even seen it coming.

Persephone: He's probably dead by now. Alycia tried to heal him, but his insides were outside sooo....

So it wasn't quick or clean.

Haleigh thought, her vision blurring with tears. She refused to look up, but her grief was still visible on her face.

Persephone: He was quite literally wearing his heart on his sleeve.

We really are HORRIBLE human beings, aren't we?

She thought, as the door opened and someone came in. She felt like she had the night Delilah had turned into a star. She felt like this pain would be the thing that killed her. When Delilah died, she'd shut her emotional core down, and gone robotic. She didn't do that now, she didn't allow herself that escape. It was another form of torture, but she knew that was precisely why the order had been given. This was supposed to hurt, and it was supposed to drive a wedge between her and her sister.

Well, it hurts like a motherfucker, but that's the only satisfaction they're going to get.

She couldn't speak, so she let Alek and Seph talk for a bit.

Alek: Good. But we need to know for sure.

Persephone: By all means, come in.

Alek: Because if you failed, then we need to figure out a way for you to tell Helena that doesn’t get you killed. Or worse.

Persephone: I sliced him open like a prized fucking hen. If he survived that, he deserves to live.

He didn't deserve to die.

She couldn't stop the tears then, they rolled down her cheeks rapidly, and she didn't care what the hell either of them thought about it. Zach had spent years trying to help her, now he was gone, and it was her fault. He deserved to be mourned, especially by her.

Persephone: Helena sent me to kill HIM, it's not my fault Silver Swan and Charope intervened. I fatally wounded Alycia during the fight, Zach was already on his last breaths....if it weren't for that silver bitch's sonic scream, they BOTH would have been strung up for the masses. If Helena is pissed off at me after what I just did, then so be it. The message was CLEARLY sent to ALL parties.

Alek: And that’s exactly how you’ll present it to Helena. You mortally injured him in the way that would make the most psychological impact on his teammates and friends. When Alycia Barnett and Sharon Kelly arrived, you removed Alycia from the playing field. You retreated knowing that to stay would be to risk losing yourself as an asset to the Red Queen. These people seem to have nine lives apiece, so we have to be ready for all eventualities. You saw what they did to Haleigh, and she is Malice’s daughter. They will not hesitate to do worse to you if you fail them – especially if it looks like you let someone Ava and Haleigh care about live on purpose…

There was a silence, and Haleigh knew she'd need to say SOMETHING. She finally looked up, and found her sister's gaze.

"It doesn't look like that. I'm compiling all the camera footage from the fight, and will certainly play it for them if they question her commitment. She didn't hold back, that's quite brutally obvious."

She looked over at Alek, a cold fury in her eyes as she slowly rose to her feet.

"If they wanted us to succeed, they wouldn't keep sending us on solo missions. We're supposed to keep getting beaten, out there. That way we can keep getting beaten when we come crawling back here. They think they can break us, still. They're fucking wrong. Soon enough, they'll realize they are wasting their efforts."