The sum of all fears PART 1

[Shadow Weaver]

Arklay - first floor, west wing interior hall

<< Shadow Weaver was having a hard time. Barbas was tormenting her as a mother, with the fear of not being able to protect or reach her daughter in time if something happened here...and from that, everything else was coming down hill. She was TRYING to stay focused, to draw on strength from Mike and Sharon but it was so hard.>>

<< with the sight of the zombie Alycia, who was wearing Alycia's last costume/"uniform", and possessed of the beautifull raven black hair...that was a very jarring experience, not only for her, but for Mike and Sharon...BUT the thing about fear and tormenting is, eventually there's no further place left to descend...and a person gets UP and is ready to FIGHT BACK.>>

<< as Mike comforted Karen and Sharon reminded her that THEIR Alycia was alive and well...that she was safe...Karen began to call on her own skill as a therapist to get ahold of herself...and to reign in her emotion, which no doubt was giving Barbas what he needed....but NOW they were in HIS domain, his power could run unchecked! she NEEDED to stop running and FIGHT.>>

<< as she slowly pulled away from Mike...She wiped the lingering tears from her eyes. She made herself accept and understand that creature was NOT Alycia...and it was time for them to get moving. Their lives, as well as Morgan and the others depended on them making MOVES to find them.>>


<< As she composed herself, Mike boldly taunted Barbas, who at times DID show himself to be more petty and trapped by human flaw than being the immortal demon of fear that Hecate had first vanquished...but then again the whole reason of THEIR confrontation was him being a bully to Demeter and the child Persephone!>>

<< as they moved along the corridor where Karen discovered "Alycia"...Karen was once again in the middle with Sharon in the front and Mike bringing up the rear.>>

....

<< hesitating...>>

This place, such a primal point of emotion for all of us but Barbas can only hide for so long, his greed will prevail just as it has in every other time he tormented witches and mortals. I only hope we can find the others...or even Cameron before long.

 

[Firebird]

Arklay - staircase

Firebird's quick thinking was enough to effectively expunge the leeches that had surrounded the trio. Dusting her gloved hands off before glancing down at her costume, making sure it was still intact without any leech goo. Firebird turned to look at Spellbinder.

CRISPY!

Well...we'd better get going...but let's take this stair case...

"You know it baby girl! We just need some grits and it'll be all good." She teased.

DING! Fries are done!

Even Firebird couldn't help but chortle at Rampage's remark. Her smile growing wider before she caught herself. Quickly clearing her throat her smile fell as she became serious.

Following Morgan down the stairs that lead to a rear hallway.

"What exactly is this creepy place?" Blaze knew a little of the history but not much. If they were to survive Blaze at least needed to know what she was up against. The fire elemental always wanted to be prepared for anything.

 

[Rampage]

"What exactly is this creepy place?"

Nicolas caught her smile, and he felt better and better as they went along, in spite of their circumstances.

THIS is where Mystech all began. Malice and James Marcus killed Sharon's husband Kyle and took her son, a mutant and an inspiration for her work as Senator against discrimination against metahumans. She was left unconscious, having lost them both forever, or until we returned here and she down put her own son, who was mutated into a T-Virus-addled monster devoid of it's humanity. This place is horrible, it signifies the company that has taken from all of us, even me...Malice had my father killed...because of ME. Because he was training me to help end it, to use my abilities to help...SHARON..I realize it now. In a way, I always knew it. But I came too late then, and I am learning too late NOW to help her...

The voice of SET booms, startling the women as Nicolas reacts:

How can you help them, ANY of them? Barbas offered you a truce for my sake, and you PROMISED to think it over. SLAY them, this REALM is yours as well, and Barbas will serve us both! WHELP!! ASSUME your true form when I am talking to you!

Nicolas groaned as Barbas reached into him, triggering his change, and he grew a bit, and the runes, they returned...he dropped to one knee as he faced the fear of being...HIMSELF!

 

[Spellbinder]

Arklay - northern hall passage

<< Spellbinder gestured in front of her exposed midriff and fashioned a glowing mystic orb that emitted a few sparkling shards before directly it up over their heads...it floated along like a will-o-the wisp and provided light and some form of comfort as they now walked down another corridor with several doors that contained any possible mystery.>>

<< they weren on the first floor, heading NORTH toward the back end of the mansion.>>

<< the sisters walked side by side while Rampage followed behind.>>

"What exactly is this creepy place?"

<< Spellbinder was about to reply...but then...>>

THIS is where Mystech all began. Malice and James Marcus killed Sharon's husband Kyle and took her son, a mutant and an inspiration for her work as Senator against discrimination against metahumans. She was left unconscious, having lost them both forever, or until we returned here and she down put her own son, who was mutated into a T-Virus-addled monster devoid of it's humanity. This place is horrible, it signifies the company that has taken from all of us, even me...Malice had my father killed...because of ME. Because he was training me to help end it, to use my abilities to help...SHARON..I realize it now. In a way, I always knew it. But I came too late then, and I am learning too late NOW to help her...

This place used to be a secret research facility...but when Malice betrayed James Marcus and staged a take over with Helena [Red Queen] and the Hellfire Club, she ordered the murder of everyone in the mansion...that's where many of the zombies come from. they used to work here, live here...many were UNAWARE of the true goals and purpose of Mystech. the other creatures...they were mystech experiments as well...thats what mystech is KNOWN for...using science and magick to defy nature with the intent of selling their "technology" to the highest bidder. corporate maleficence.

Nicolas is right, all of our lives were blighted by Mystech. Your mainstream counter part, Foxfire, was captured by her...our father, Christopher and EXPRIMENTED ON by him in the "Citadle", Mystech's underground lab in NYC. He exposed her to the T VIRUS but her omega class healing factor was able to counter act it and REPELL it! Our OWN FATHER, a doctor for Mystech...he cheated on MY mother with MALICE!

...We thought we had toppled Mystech...but when Alison came to us with her vision about this place...we realized how wrong we were...we came here...we learned about Sharon's history with this place...we almost LOST Alycia, who bravely stood with us in this nightmare...


<< a horrid voice cuts Morgan off.>>

How can you help them, ANY of them? Barbas offered you a truce for my sake, and you PROMISED to think it over. SLAY them, this REALM is yours as well, and Barbas will serve us both! WHELP!! ASSUME your true form when I am talking to you!

<<CLANG!>>

<< a REFLEX when faced with the evil of a creature and a MAN such as them. a creature that had captured her and represented a GRAVE threat. her eldritch armour manifests over her right hand, arm and shoulder and her SOUL SWORD leaps to her grip.>>

Firebird!

<< she spins around...and moves her sister BEHIND her as she backs up.>>

Stay behind me...

<< she holds the soul sword.>>

Barbas offered you a truce for my sake, and you PROMISED to think it over.

<< at THAT statement, Spellbinder narrows her icy violet eyes with contempt.>>

you're a FOOL if you listen to your father, Nicolas. Barbas doesnt serve ANYONE. everyone from Hecate to Isis and beyond knows that...your father is dillusional. Don't do anything STUPID.

<< Spellbinder was ready to strike/defend but she waited...and watched first, keeping enough distance between herself and Firebird from Nicolas.>>

Firebird, be ready to strike for your life. But do not act in haste.

<< They were in a place of fear...it only made sense that this could be ANOTHER manifestation of fear, Morgan took a risk in waiting...and not acting...but she had her discs and her pentagram of protection ready if necessary.>>

 

[Rampage]

you're a FOOL if you listen to your father, Nicolas. Barbas doesnt serve ANYONE. everyone from Hecate to Isis and beyond knows that...your father is dillusional. Don't do anything STUPID.

No...not...listening...Barbas is...a liar...I am not..HMMPH!

Nicolas was in turmoil. He had long feared what was inside, the darkness, the inevitability of his mantle. He shivered as he thought, there was something MISSING. Then, it hit him. Isis, Morgan, Alison, Haleigh, Sharon, even Karen and Delilah...ALL of the women in his life had a dark side, a dangerous element about them. All of them battled with the darkness. And all of them had so far managed to not be consumed not by RUNNING from it, or denying their darkness. But by EMBRACING it as a part of them, and managing to still do (mostly) what was right. They made mistakes, but they owned up, moved forward, and managed a peace with themselves. That was what he needed to do...that was WHAT he did right now. Funny thing, his other side had a sense of humor, because he began, in this darkest of times, to laugh. A dark, deep laugh that would remind Morgan of their funniest moments together even as the voice was so much deeper. As the laughter faded, Nicolas rose, and pointed his finger past Morgan and Blaze, to Barbas!! Nicolas diminished the illusion, allowing everyone to see each other through the mansion and grounds and also see Barbas as he worked on the trio. Barbas was startled by his ability to reveal him, as the demon looked at him over his shoulder.

Do you REALLY want me to assume the mantle of my father and his place on this planet, demon?! You will find that I am not him at all, that the only one who has to fear me now is YOU!

Barbas gasps as Nicolas takes his full height, his form both terrifying and regal, even elegant. He turns the demon to face him with extreme force via TK.

I cannot deny my parentage, my lineage. I am the son of Set, grandson of Earth and Sky, direct descendant of Ra the all-seeing. In time I will redeem my father's place in the lineage, and scrub the universe of his evil. But in the meantime...should you attempt to FORCE me to take this mantle EARLY, you will suffer much more than defeat today. I will personally grind you beneath my heel and scatter your essence to the four corners of this plane. Do YOU understand?!

Barbas gasps a second time and waves one of his crooked hands, and Nicolas falls as the illusion hardens, separating everyone once again. He catches himself on his hands and knees, couching as he attempts to regain his composure...the runes have faded and his "normal" appearance is restored. The strain of his ordeal is apparent is his voice as he struggles out one word.

M...Morgan...

 

[Spellbinder]

Arklay- 1rst floor, north corridor

<< Spellbinder looked over her shoulder, she knew how awful Set could be and his hold on Nicolas could make for a deadly fight. She couldnt HELP but remember how she nearly died protecting her original sister Blaze from BLACK during their time on Valiant, but if she had to do it again...if she WERE to die, she'd make SURE that Nicolas would not live either.>>

<< PART of her knew this had to be in keeping with the theme of fear and exposing of vulnerability in this dreadfull place, but she couldnt take any chances. Nicolas had prooven how violent he could be with Delilah before and Morgan would NEVER let that happen again.>>

<< as she and her sister looked on...Nicolas acknowledged her barely as he struggled.>>

Be ready for ANYTHING!

<< she said to her sister via their bond.>>

<< as Nicolas stood up, looking rather monstrous, Spellbinder's soul sword seemed to respond by increasing the width of the flames around it, flashing a warning of sorts. Nicolas pointed...and at first...>>

KEEP BACK, NICOLAS! I'll...

<< she commands, ready to act at that moment...but NO! he was pointing PAST them. He was confronting the direct source of his distress. Barbas.>>

<< Still Morgan kept Blaze hidden behind her as it played out, but she took note. He was FINALLY owning it, who he was, and what he'd done. he KNEW he had work to do. This was a START.>>

<< as he broke free....Spellbinder cautiously stepped forward, but her armour and sword did not leave, by HER will. she just couldnt take the chance...not NOW, not after all she'd seen and experienced since Set. COULD SHE?>>

M...Morgan...

i dont know...it could be a TRICK!

<< she remembered what GRAMMIE said. she HAD to take that chance, she had to try and trust...without trust there is no love, no family!>>

<< and so she came a bit closer, and let her sword leave, but her armour remained for a moment longer as she reached that hand out.>>

Nicolas...

<< she touches him with her armoured hand...but then with a chime, it disappears.>>

Are you alright now?

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas...

<< she touches him with her armoured hand...but then with a chime, it disappears.>>

Are you alright now?

Nicolas could feel the hesitation finally melt from her as she inquired about him. His head THROBBED but it was subsiding, and his body was coming down nicely from the surge of power. He placed his hand on hers for a moment in thanks for even ASKING about him.

I..am fine. In fact, I am much better now.

He stood and stretched, managing to tower over even the leggy sorceress in her heels. He looked into her eyes and smiled, straightening his outfit as he did so.

Lead the way, Morgan. I am finally ready.

 

[MorningStar]

Harbinger used her TK to slam the doors and seal them behind the three. Delilah shook her head.

“Where does she get all those wonderful toys?”

She took a second to catch her breath, glancing back at the room they had just vacated – in the nick of time. Alison filled them in on the Crimson Heads.

“Someone actually decided it was a good idea to make zombies WORSE?”

She shuddered. Zombies were the monster-movie creatures that scared her the most. And unfortunately in her professional life with the Six she had found out they weren’t just creatures from the movies.

...and we're in MORTAL physical danger.

Delilah smirked.

“Thank, Al, I wouldn’t have picked up on that without your keen sense of the future.”

She was feeling more herself after the events with Sharon and Nicolas, but the fear was still there, under the surface – waiting for Barbas to call it out again. And now Delilah had something else to fear: freezing up again. The worst of all possible circumstances. Delilah told herself she would not let that happen again – but could she really control her fear?

A howl ripped through her ears – a howl of someone in unimaginable pain. Even with her sensitive hearing, she couldn’t tell where it came from. It was like sensory overload. She saw Alison’s face.

“Alison, what is it?” she said, almost at the same time Alison said her brother’s name.

“It’s a trick, Al – just another of Barbas’ games.”

 

[Seer]

further in

The Aqua Ring

<< the trio were now in an observation tank above the actual large "ring" of water that had overflowed. Siren's actions had caused a sudden change in the pressure of the aqua ring and she now had caused water to be displaced from there into other paarts of the mansion on that level. no real cosequence...at least that could be seen.>>

<< as for them, they were still in the dark , large lab. Claudia had cuts that primed her for infection, from the T-VIRUS should she be bitten by a leech or some other creature. as they began to walk alone a pathway from the observation room, they found another walk way that lead across the aqua ring to the actual control room. there would be some intact medical treatment kits as well as an indication of where they were (the mansion itself and some floor plans of higher levels.) as well as the control panel for the aqua ring itself. the controls were locked out via access code, but more importantly there were directions to an ELEVATOR UP! if they could stay above the ring itself, and get out into the breezy hallway, they could find the elevator and get up a level or two...that was assuming it was still working and that they werent accosted by any MORE creatures [ which they had yet to encounter zombies or worse.]>>

<< while Claudia was able to treat and bandage her cuts with a surprisingly advanced medical kit and they were making an actual plan to try to escape this place, something was closing in on THEM, but they would not be greeted by it until they reached the breezy hall, which partially flooded with water as well.>>



meanwhile

<< Silver Swan boldly leads Shadow Weaver and Arsenal through the path they have been forced on in the mansion. It goes smoothly enough, save for the haunting creaking of the old mansion, the groaning of rusted pipes, or is that creatures, or haunted spirits? they finally reach a door ...the only one left after several turns down a winding, narrow hallway. Silver Swan does not HEAR anything on the otherside and so, she opens the door and as they file in....they realize they have walked into an empty room....seemingly a DEAD END!>>

<< the door behind them SLAMS shut and is SEALED quickly as a steal metal wall SLIDES UP OVER the door...as the room trembles with the sound of metal friction. The CEILING begins to come down, closing IN on them.>>

elsewhere, mainfloor, but another direction of the mansion

<< Spellbinder actually smiles at Nicolas as he assures her he's fine. she ...squeezes his hand as he asks her to lead the way. She touches Blaze's shoulder as she moves back to the front of the group and her orb is once again ready to light the way. Spellbinder and Firebird's high heel boots herald the movement of the group as they leave from a carepeted hall into an area that looks like an "employees only" type passage....they find two abandonned offices, from the look of it security guard stations but the desks, and computer consoles are covered in plant vines?? and the air is thick with pollen.>>

<< they continue on...and find they must turn right, and are now moving down ANOTHER narrow hall...the wall to their right is covered in more plant vines and mysterious looking flora. soon though, they will find there way into a LARGE meeting room that is dark UNTIL the orb reveals the space around them. with illumnation, they have more to pay attention to, like the sound of a large beating heart that slowly thumps and echoes in the air...and the sight of a LARGE "hive"....and giant, mutated WASPS! the wasps buzz and circle before beginning to ATTACK! their stings are powerfull enough to put down GROUPS of men and they are RAVENOUS.>>

and far up top

<< as MorningStar tries to steady a visibly concerned Harbinger, the group stays together but moves seemingly as well at Black Widow's urging. finding a set of stairs that spirals down, the begin to descend. down several levels, they reach an actual floor. There are a series of cables that would appear to raise and lower platforms along the far wall and some old statues on the marble floor. some of the platforms are lowered partially, some are badly damaged. there is also an ELEVATOR door in the center of one of the walls...>>

<< as they move to open it, they are ASSAULTED by "Pursuers", large reptiles that were cross bred with human dna and the T VIRUS, possessed of incredibly strong limbs, the stand and move upright and on one of their arms, the hand is replaced with a LARGE scythe shapped bone/claw. their teeth and jaws are powerfull enough to bite through wood and stone and they have a TASTE for human flesh and blood. They snarl as the side down off the cables and attack the trio at the Elevator!>>

 

[Fusion]

Aqua Ring

Claudia sent the shark flying, and Clara BLASTED it with prejudice, destroying it. One down. Clara didn't even want to THINK about what else could be swimming around them. She was about to suggest they find dryer ground when MORE water came cascading down on them violently, sweeping them ALL off their feet and immersing them. Clara was out of the way of most of the glass, but a large chunk of the metal frame that held up the tank fell right on top of her! She tried to swim away but the churning water was hard to fight and the frame caught her ankle pinned her under water. She wanted to cry out in pain but stopped herself… she had lungs full of air that she didn't want to trade for water. She tried lifting the frame…. Tried shifting it…. Tried everything to pull her ankle free.

Barbas/Anthony: End of the road for you, Princess. I told you Claudia would get you killed. I wish you had believed me.

The air in her lungs was getting stale…. She pulled more frantically at the metal frame but it was futile. The sister that couldn't breathe underwater was going to drown. And then…. Johnny came swimming out of the darkness. Clara was relieved but too close to passing out to show it. Johnny pulled on the frame, and Clara tried to help, but was getting weak. They lifted it just high enough for her to pull free, but it was a rather painful squeeze. Clara could only think one thing: NEED AIR!! Unfortunately…. There was something ELSE coming for them, Clara spoted them from over Johnny's shoulder… leeches so big they looked like fat eels. Clara didn't have the time or oxygen to think clearly, and she sent an electric shockwave through the water, strong enough to kill the leeches and unfortunately giving Johnny a nasty shock. She grabbed him as his body went rigid, kicking off the bottom and propelling them to the surface.

Clara gasped for air as she leaned Johnny's head back against her shoulder. The water settled and became more or less calm again…. Clara knew Johnny would come back around in a second…. She felt a little bad, He'd effectively been tasered by several thousand volts, but she'd HAD to do it…. She didn't see any other choice, and she didn't exactly have the time to look for one. It had been a small, localized shock by comparison to what she COULD have gone with…. Claudia was across the lab and luckily, wouldn't have been effected. Clara would just have to kick to keep both her and Johnny at the surface for a little bit longer. Of course… nothing is that easy. There is a loud crash nearby and suddenly…. The water starts swirling again. Clara is still out of breath and Johnny isn't exactly a small guy… it's getting increasingly difficult to keep them both afloat.

"John. JOHN, wake up. Come on… [he stirs] That's it. Wakey wakey…"

Johnny: "wha….. What happened?"

"SWIM, Johnny!"

There was no time to explain, the suction was pulling them both towards a hole in the lab wall. Clara could barely hear her sister calling her name… she didn't have the strength or the breath to respond. She heard Claudia shout something about the second level. Johnny's arms wrapped tightly around her and she felt the familiar pull of his transport. They both reappeared up on the steel mezzanine, a level higher and out of the water, but still sopping wet. Claudia joined them a few moments later, as Johnny tried to help Clara to her feet… It hurt to put weight on her ankle and she held Johnny, then the rail for support. Claudia asked if they were okay. Now that she wasn't in immediate danger, Clara was so livid she was near apoplectic.

"NO I'm NOT! I'm COLD and WET and TIRED and HURT, and when I find that Barbas bastard, I'm going to SHOOT HALEY'S COMET RIGHT UP HIS ASS!"

Claudia: "Did any of those…. things touch you?"

Johnny looked confused. Clara shook her head.

"No… it was close. I had to shock Johnny to get rid of them. [to Johnny] Sorry. How do you feel? Dizzy? Blurred vision?"

Johnny: "No… it's okay. I'm alright…. I just feel like I stuck a paperclip into a power receptacle."

Claudia was bleeding from a few cuts and scrapes and Clara stopped to take a close look, turning Claudia's head gently by holding her jaw. She pursed her lips slightly, but it didn't look TOO bad.

"They aren't very deep really. [spotting a first aid station through a bay window into the control room] There's first aid in there…. Let's go."

She started to hobble in that direction, and Johnny quickly came to her aide. She wanted to be able to move on her own but she accepted his help anyway. She didn't think her ankle was broken but it WAS swelling a bit and it was very tender. Claudia treated herself as Clara and Johnny looked around for something that might help them. They discovered a wall plaque… an 'in case of fire' diagram. Johnny pulled it off the wall and Clara gave them a little light. There was more than one level on the diagram and Clara spotted a route to an elevator. She prayed it would still work.

 

[Black Widow]

On the move

Alison grabs a hold of Haleigh and tells her to save her strength before directing them all across a bridge. Barbas sees an opportunity.

Barbas: hmm… I don't think she appreciated your hail of bullets, or your mostly indiscriminate killing spree.

who, Alison? She doesn't care…. She likes a good bloodbath as much as any of us.

Barbas: well then…. I wonder why she just scolded you like an out of control child. Could it be because you ARE out of control?

She didn't answer. They were in an amphitheatre, and they weren't alone. Delilah and Alison worked seamlessly to dispatch the threats ahead. Alison called Haleigh's attention to the crimson heads that were charging straight for her, but before Haleigh could react, Alison steps in and blows them up. Haleigh was a little affronted. In reality, Alison had seen a problem and solved it. In Haleigh's head, Barbas was twisting circumstance insidiously.

Barbas: Falling down on the job, are you?

I had it under control…

Barbas: Maybe you did… but it's clear that in addition to finding you to be wildly out of control… she also thinks you're incapable.

That's RIDICULOUS, you batty old fool. I'm COMPLETELY capable and SHE knows that better than anyone.

Barbas: Are you sure? Maybe she just thinks you're dead weight. You remember what happened the LAST time she thought that about you, right?

Alison urges them to leave quickly, Delilah points out the exit, and Alison ushers them through the door.

Barbas: Oh, you'd better be careful letting her lead you around like that… LAST TIME she made sure you and Cameron got SEPARATED from the group and then she left you both for dead with the Ant Lions. Her own brother! And you… both determined to be dead weight.

Somewhere along the way… Haleigh forgot she wasn't supposed to be paying Barbas any heed. His suggestions were bleeding into her thoughts… and she could hardly distinguish HIS ideas from her own. Haleigh remembered that first night in the Citadle…. And the peril she and Cameron went through after being abandonned by Alison. She remembered Imagiomg… and the painful TO splicing machine. It was a wonder she'd survived… Alison's voice broke into Haleigh's thoughts. She insisted they be careful and stated the obvious… that they were in danger.

"Aren't we always? I've been in MORTAL physical danger for the past three months, just sitting around Melrose. I'm not afraid of the stupid blockhead zombie creatures crawling around this place. I'll kill them ALL."

There was a homicidal gleam in her eyes…. She wasn't kidding and the assertion was bolstered by her need to prove she wasn't dead weight like Barbas was suggesting. The sound of pain wafted through the air… it was impossible to tell the direction it came from. Delilah asked what it was. Alison said it sounded like Cameron.

"No, it sounds like a TRAP."

Delilah agreed, thankfully and tried to break it to Alison gently. Haleigh kept them moving, ignoring the eerily Cameron-like sound that seemed to permeate EVERYTHING. They head down the spiral staircase, descending past several landings before reaching the next floor. Haleigh points out the elevator and the head over. As they close within a few feet, Haleigh forces the doors open mentally, and just as she does, large reptilian creatures emerge to attack them. Haleigh sets up a small minefield between them and one of the beasts is downed by the shrapnel style mines immediately. Looking back for the elevator, it isn't ON this floor but Haleigh brings it to their level with express speed.

"I can see we aren't going to have the convenience of being about to hang out in one place for very long.... the good news is... the elevator is ready."

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas squeezed her hand back, smiling at Morgan as she strolled back to the front of the group. They started to move again, and Nicolas went back to his training, using his TK like radar in addition to the light that Morgan was giving them. They entered a pair of offices and Nicolas noticed living plants covering the control panels, even pollinating. Given his history with Mytech and what plants needed to reproduce, he had a hunch that he would not like going forward.

As they entered a large enclosure, he hard the buzzing and recognized it before he saw them: something like Japanese hornets, but on steroids. Nicolas knew that Morgan wasn't fond of bugs, so he stepped forward as they came to attack and erected a force shield, waves of telekinetic force that pushed them backwards as they began to regroup, try it for weaknesses. He asked for help from the one likely less startled.

Blaze, got a light?

 

[Silver Swan]

trap room

[ Silver Swan opens the door and quickly steps in, surveying the area and listening for any sound that was out of the ordinary. Nothing. She motions for Shadow Weaver and Arsenal to follow but soon...]

There's nothing here...its a featureless room...a seemingly dead end! but why....

[ she thought better of even asking that...she KNEW this was a place of deception.]

We should...

[ too late, the groaning metal friction was loud the door shuts, thick steel slams up over it, sealing them in.]

a TRAP!

[ Silver Swan, capable of lifting/pressing 50 TONS, was quite capable of busting through but before she could move Arsenal and Shadow Weaver behind her....the CEILING started to come down on them.]

Shadow Weaver....we need a SPELL, SOMETHING to get us out of here...I'll deal with the ceiling!

[ lifting off the ground, Silver Swan levitates up to meet the ceiling and IMMEDIATELY begins to exert her super strength, skill and invulnerability against the irresistable force. the room began to QUAKE hard ...a sign that the mechanism was COUNTERING Sharon's super strength with a steady, mathematical INCREASE in force!]

[ Arsenal knew that Silver Swan, being easily the strongest among the three of them was going to be pushed to her limit. INDEED, even Spellbinder, Black Widow and Rampage, all possessed of varying levels of super strength, would be challenged by this trap]

ATHENA..

[ She grunts as she grits her teeth and continues to fight against it....but it continues to come...closing down on them...]

SHADOW WEAVER!!! ....ugnnnnn THE SPELL!!

 

[Arsenal]

Mike followed Sharon's lead, keeping the rear as he stayed alert. They walked on until Sharon motioned them into a rooms which seemed to be a dead end.

Sharon, why would we stay in here? Is there adoor at the other end?

There's nothing here...its a featureless room...a seemingly dead end! but why....

[ she thought better of even asking that...she KNEW this was a place of deception.]

We should...

[ too late, the groaning metal friction was loud the door shuts, thick steel slams up over it, sealing them in.]

a TRAP!

[ Silver Swan, capable of lifting/pressing 50 TONS, was quite capable of busting through but before she could move Arsenal and Shadow Weaver behind her....the CEILING started to come down on them.]

Fuck!!

MIke moved out to one side as Sharon moved to keep the ceiling up. The engine of whatever was lowering the ceiling began to work against her exertion, revving up as she struggled againt its movement. He listened intently and walked to the wall where he heard the engine at its loudest, guessing that it was behind the wall that he'd selected. Mike pulled a small cutting laser from his belt and aimed it right at where he thought the engine was, cutting slowly but surely in a circle large enough to get a weapon in the hole to cripple the engine itself. Mike was determined that there was no way they were dying like THIS, they were getting out of this room one way or the other. But the cutting...it was slow going, and Sharon seemed to straining even more. It was a shitty time for the group to be separated.

HonEEEEEEY..an assist please. I don't know If I can get it cut out in time...

 

[Spellbinder]

arklay, confrence room

<< Spellbinder's asthma began to aggravate from the hazy air in the security offices...the vines were pulsating...in time with the sound of what seemed to be a "beating heart">>

ugh...this air...its...

<< coughing a bit.>>

not the best for me.

<< the walked along, and in a pitch black , sseemingly large space, the orb immediately lifted up further and began to glow brighter, emmitting sparks.>>

that sound...

<< the buzzing. the orb soon revealed...>>

Bugs...WASPS!?

<< Morgan gasped. Yes indeed, she HATED bugs. and these bugs were truly beyond anything most would see. they flew about menacingly and began to come for an attack! Morgan SHRIEKED as she lifted her hands, preparing to fire but Rampage stepped in front of her to shield her with his body and a TK field!>>

<< Nicolas, remaining calm, asked Firebird for him, but...something ELSE neither he NOR Morgan anticipated.>>

<< large, THICK vines with the width and grip of a giant anaconda....reaching out from the black void BEYOND the orb. silently the reach for Morgan and Nicolas, and one wraps around Morgan's waste, it FEELS like a snake and Morgan screams with such primal PANIC that even Nicolas can feel the essence of it beyond her psi screen! the next vine wraps around her NECK and begins to STRANGLE her, snatching her away into the darkness. Nicolas is next, GRABBED by powerfull THICK vines around his wast, neck and HEAD and pulled away.>>

<< the ORB sounds a mystic alarm and EXPANDS for Blaze to see what is happening to her sister and team mate.>>

 

[Seer]

problems

<< the mysti orb expands and sounds an alarm, mirroring its MISTRESS' distress! Firebird is the only one free...and first she sees LARGE, THICK, STRONG vines that are more like squid tentacles of legend (the TRULY giant squid) ....but then as she processes more from the light of the orb, she sees a GIGANTIC bulbous plant/flower hanging from the Ceiling...its Plant 42 the ultimate experiment of Mystech's involving flora. It was infected with the T-Virus and grew to a massive size, gaining a rudimentary awareness and intelligence AS WELL as an appetite for human flesh. It also established its own eco system of sorts...which explained why the giant wasps, another experiment of mystech's were THRIVING here. >>

<< the roots of this plant spread out in several directions through SEVERAL floors reaching as far down as the AQUA RING where it had a never ending supply of water and creatures to snatch and feed from.>>

<< the plant DWARFED Spellbinder, Rampage and Firebird and hoisted the witch and the demi god up like little specs, bring them up toward the giant flower bulb that was a red/orange hue, pulsing with veins in its petals...glowing! any move on Rampage's part to destroy vines was met with INSTANT regeneration until he was COMPLETELY cuccooned by vines. >>

<< the wasps were PROTECTING the plant and the plant was ready to consume Spellbinder and Rampage!>>

<< BUT...in a perfect ray of hope, it turned out [unknown to them immediately] that the plant COULD be destroyed by a powerfull enough source of FIRE and Firebird was THE resident fire elemental, her power and ranage FAR exceeded her mainstream counterpart Foxfire and her CONTROL over her powers did as well.>>

meanwhile....directly below them by many floors, Claudia, Clara and Johnny carefully struggled to find their way to the elevator to escape the aqua ring.

<< there was much water in the delivery hall and corridor....enough water to support creatures, specifically....ANOTHER NEPTUNE! this was was a tad smaller and blue/greyish, but no less fast and agile....and it attacked JOHNNY, attempt to snatch him and drag him away! meanwhile something ELSE was present as well, Amphibuous a highly developed FROG with limbs strong enough to allow him to leap VAST distances and ARMS as well, dropped down from the ceiling between Clara and Claudia, he immediately LASHED at Claudia with its VIPER tongue which can CUT and SPIKE. the frog is FAST and has a high level of strength! >>

and

<< Harbinger, Black Widow and MorningStar are assailed by the hard bodied reptilian creatures who were bred for hunting , Black Widow destroys one while MorningStar PAINFULLY DAZZLES the other two with a powerfull strobe "flash bulb" effect. the take the opportunity that Black Widow has afforded them with the Elevator and escape, Black Widow SHOOTS them down until Alison cues them to stop...and they arrive on the 3rd floor...as the Elevator ROCKS to a halt.>>

<< as the doors open...LEECHES can be seen crawling on the top of the cart, they can be heard slithering but the women escape before they can eat through the metal.>>

<< Black Widow realizes they are now on the same floor where she and Alycia would eventually discover the dungeon that Kyle was held in. It was clear where they had to go. the passage BEYOND his dungeon lead to a secret tunnel, which lead to a descending stair case...which itself lead to the darker, more terrifying aspects of the mansion the underground labs, servants quaters [where MANY crimson heads would now abound] and of course...MORE danger.>>

<< Barbas was obviously using this to not only test them but to try to make them grow WEARY.>>

 

[Siren]

Clara was noticably AND vocally pissed off about the whole cluster fuck of a situation they were in. Claudia felt the exact same way however she was in 'survival mode'. Getting out alive FIRST, anger LATER.

Clara took a look at several of the cuts Claudia now had on her face, shoulder, and arms. They weren't anything life threatening, but it was still smart to get them cleaned up before continuing their lovely trek through Barbas' nightmare. Walking to the control room, Claudia watched as Johnny assisted Clara while walking.

"Clara, stop. Let me take a look at your ankle really quick."

Kneeling down, Claudia lifted up her sister's pant leg revealing a very cute pair of wet calf high boots. Gently rubbing her hand along Clara's ankle and foot, Claudia read enough basic medical books to know when someone had broken or sprained something.

"Just a sprain. The tightness of the boot around your ankle will actually help keep the swelling down. I'll see if I can find you some Naproxen or Asprin for the pain."

As Johnny and Clara ventured around the control room looking for anything that would help direct them toward an exit, Claudia rummaged through the first aid kit taking out some antiseptic wipes and cleaning the various cuts on her face and arm. Once finished, Claudia read through the different medicines that were in the kit, finding one that would help Clara with the pain.

"Here. [standing up] Chew these up. It will get into your system faster."

Handing her the small packet of two pills as she approached them, Claudia then caught sight of the fire diagram they were looking at. There was an elevator not too far away.

"It looks like it's only a few corridors away."

A bit of a shining light in the otherwise very dim situation they were all stuck in, Claudia quickly jogged back to the first aid kit and pocketed a couple more packets of pills just in case Clara needed them for later. Swiftly returning to her sister and Johnny a few seconds later, they headed for the enterance of the breezy hallway.

"Lets go."

Heading down the hallway with one of Clara's plasma ball's lighting the way, Claudia looked down at the ground realizing that with every step they took, they were going deeper and deeper into more water.

"Great.."

About knee high in the water now, suddenly the light revealed another mutated shark. This one was smaller, but no less disgusting looking. It immediately charged for Johnny!

"John!"

Before she could react, a giant frog leapt between herself and Clara, knocking Claudia off balance and stumbling toward the wall. Looking over her shoulder, the frog unleashed it massive tongue at Claudia causing the brunette to immediately 'fall' to the floor trying to avoid it. While on her hands and knees, she quickly gestured out toward the frog, locking onto the water WITHIN it's body. Claudia began to DRAIN the frog dry; the body shrivling up like a prune right before their eyes.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

the room closing in

<< Shadow Weaver entered the room with Arsenal and Silver Swan. Aside from the artwork in the walls of the room itself, there was nothing else there! But soon it became apparent WHY...as they were trapped and the ceiling was coming down! Silver Swan , the strongest of them there immediately tried to stop it but she was AT BEST merely slowing it down. Arsenal went to work trying to find the SOURCE of the power to cripple it. Sharon and Mike URGENTLY call for her to help them escape before it's too late!>>

Right away!!

Barbas: Ohhh Shadow Weaver! No matter what you call yourself, you'll always be OLD. You're no super hero, you're not even a licensed doctor anymore...why are you here? You thought you could help your daughter...but you're NOOOOO Grammie and you see where SHE is...

<< Karen protested and Barbas smirks, flashing on the other side of her head.>>

Barbas:and now...you can't help your already HELPLESS lover and the mutate! It's time to LET GO, Karen. Accept that you're weak and useless...RENDUNDANT...and DIE the painfull death you've EARNED. But don't worry....your daughter and her friends' screams will reach you even in the after life as i pick them off...and take my place in the world once AGAIN!

NO!

<< lifting her hands, quickly and gestureing toward a wall...>>

when you find your path is blocked...

<< But before she could finish the spell to create a doorway out of nothing, the FLOOR drops out!! catching her, Mike and even SHARON off guard as they now FREE FALL with Sharon crying out with a start and Karen screaming. they fall into a dark shaft with NO idea which way is up!>>

 

[MorningStar]

They kept moving, down an imposing spiral staircase, and into a strange room. There was an elevator in the room, to add to its strangeness, and the group headed for it. BUT they were stopped in their tracks as ugly, scary reptiles with sharp teeth and claws slid down the exposed cables and attacked!

Haleigh set them up with a defensible position thanks to her spur of the moment minefield, and also brought the elevator to them.

“Get inside!”

Delilah used her strobe light attack (see Oracle's post) before backing up into the elevator.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Black Widow transports them away and as they land they hear a grotesque sounding noise from outside. Leeches! They hurried out of the elevator, and on to the dungeon and the passage beyond.

"Great, a dungeon. Just great."

 

[Arsenal]

As Karen FINALLY ignited a spell over Barbas taunts, the floor fell away!! Mike bounced once against the side (as he was close to a wall) and he experienced momentary vertigo as he could scarcely sort down from up. He managed to somewhat re-orient and kicked off the side of the shaft wall toward the screams as he fell and grabbed hold of Karen while he fished out a flare gun and shot straight up and down so SHARON, the only one who could fly, could see them more easily. He noticed the sheer walls and realized that a grappling hook would do no good. He caught a glimpse of Sharon falling as well and yelled to her.

SHARON!!! Try flying, remember?!