A green and pleasant land

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Seer

Seer

The Watcher
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<< the members of the six, those who were still able to function would finally be able to breath as they realized they had JUST escaped being vaporized though the FEELING of certain death had brushed over them all and the heat from the onslaught was still fresh on their skin. the sound energy gave way to the sound of wind and OCEAN WAVES and they were somewhere....but NOT where Delilah thought she was going.>>

<< the expanse of land looked vaguely familiar....an island yes surrounded by the churning ocean, with strong but refreshing, comforting breeze...it was NIGHT time...and the MOON hung low...and glowed brighter than usual. The moon....a symbol of many things...and PEOPLE.>>

<< Harbinger, Silver Swan, Black Widow, MorningStar, Dr. Victoria and Karen were now all able to fully process that they were not dead, in fact they felt more CALM than anything else. Morgan, Ava and Nicolas were in the center with the rest of the woman spread out around them and they could see this massive island was clearly uninhabited...the rolling expanse was filled with lush grass, flora and jagged rocks faced the seas. in the close distance was a MASSIVE ROTUNDA....that should've made it clear where they were now...the ISLE OF AERIE, the former domain of CIRCE.>>

<< and with the moon hanging low like this...it could only mean one thing.>>
 
Isle of Aerie

<< Karen was dismayed to see the battered body of Nicolas. WAS he still alive? according to Haleigh he was. DAMN HIM for not listening to her she tried to keep him from going back above ground this last time.>>

i tried to tell him! WHAT was he thinking!?

<< she exclaimed as she went to him, sweeping the cape of her flying suit behind her.>>

I should have bound him in mystic chains and FORCED him to remain here!!'

<< she looked upon him...with each passing second it seemed she might not be able to save him...and as Alison warned of the moment of their deaths.... the white hot light of deat came. all Karen could do was look up above as the ground quaked and cracked open, revealing them for the super massive TRI SENTINEL to see and DESTROY. She shut her eyes tightly at the last moment. there was no time to move, to scream...barely BLINK as the white light blinded them and all sound seemed to climax into...SILENCE?>>

<< Karen was now laying on her side...the strong breeze kissed her face as she slowly opened her eyes. all she saw was clear, open night sky, a moon...a bright moon. the sound of the ocean...and nothing but open space. was she dead? she slowly allowd herself to look around...to see the others. Haleigh, Delilah, Sharon , Alison and Alycia were all in decent shape like her....with Morgan, Ava and Nicolas in the center of their circle>>

<< she slowly sat up, brushing her hair out of her face as the winds continued to blow as if sweeing away all feeling of fear.....but she remained uncertain.>>

where..?

<< looking to Nicolas.>>

Nicolas....

<< she quickly scrambled over to him....but his wounds were completely HEALED.>>

he's healed...

<< looking at Morgan and Ava, checking them as well.>>

they ALL are...but it wasnt me...there wasnt enough TIME.

Ororo perhaps?


<< Morgan, Ava and Nicolas were now all restored...and would soon awaken....but as Karen looked arond, she saw the massive, sprawling rotunda in the near distance.>>

that rotunda....it seems so familiar....
 
somewhere else?

[ she turned, along with Alison to see the ground TEAR open and reveal them to the enemy above. she looked unwaveringly at the super massive tri sentinel with her silver eyes. she remembered looking at MASTER MOLD , seeing how enormous he was....and suddenly...despite how well she had handled herself against the sentinels when protecting Nicolas and helping Alison to fight them off...she felt like she was NO FURTHER along than she was the night Master Mold came for her and Alycia.]


[flashback]:

Oracle said:
Sharon reaches Morgan...

Sharon: HOW did she get here...who DID this to her!? it must be MysTech.....they're going to try to destroy me on the night of the election...and Morgan came to help us!

:: she climbs up and begins to try to pry the metal coil loose...::

ARGHH!

MORGAN PLEASE WAKE UP!!!...I"M NOT STRONG ENOUGH!!


:: a large looming shadow begans to cast over them both::


<< Spellbinder SNAPS awake...seeing Sharon struggling to try to fry her...>>

Sharon!? what are you doing??

<<Spellbinder sits up...and immediately bends back the coils with her super strength....>>

what are you doing out here....I came to help....and...

<< Spellbinder herself was still groggy from the impact though her eldritch blast took the BRUNT of it...she just didnt have her bearings quite yet...as she tried to get totally free of the wreckage.>>

<< the shadow loomed over them and the sky was completely obscured by Master Mold>>

MASTER MOLD..thats why I'm here....Master Mold was about to attack!

Master Mold: >> two targets identified. Kelly, Sharon...human. Spellbinder, non mutant super powered. Both classified as extreme threat. final solution...termination...


Morgan: Sharon...get the hell out of here.....do you hear me?? I'll draw his fire... RUN FOR IT!!


<< Master Mold had locked on to both targets>>

Master Mold: >>Target, Kelly, Sharon is attempting to escape...Target, Spellbinder is holding position. use of lethal force is authorized...activating repulsor blast


Sharon: Morgan.....I....

<< a look of extreme fear comes over sharon as Morgan screams at her to RUN FOR HER LIFE. she heeds Morgan's command and attempts to flee. Master mold unleashes two MASSIVE BROAD BEAMED BLASTS from his eyes..the beams expand as the crash down and OBLITERATE the limo and the GROUND beneath it...the expanding shockwave from the blast as well as the blast radius field SLAMS into Sharon and she SCREAMS as she is blown forward and slammed down by blast....most of her clothing is burned off.>>

<< the limo is now a pile of melted slag inside a HUGE crater.....>>
Click to expand...
[flashback]

[ Sharon doesnt show any OUTWARD reaction...but she does not MOVE even as the super massive sentinel's holocaust comes for them...closer...closer still...this is the end...but in Sharon's mind...suddenly it doesnt matter. she secretly WELCOMES it.]

Kyle...mommy will be there soon....


[ and then...the final moment...SILENCE. it didnt hurt this time...but thats because DEATH didnt happen this time. Sharon awakens, laying on her back, looking up at the clear , starry night sky...the bright moon....the wind washing over her the waves of the ocean.]

alive??

[ was it her invulnerability? no...she was never hit. they were rescued...but by WHOM? she sat up...a bit disoriented, noticing her gryfalcons huddled close together on a rock nearby, not terribly happy to be in the wind...but ALIVE and well....she then saw Alycia near by...and reached out to her with an amoured hand.]

alycia...are you...okay?

[ she wasnt exactly sure where she was...but she was not terribly "moved" at being ALIVE either. she'd prooven her point, she'd fought back against the sentinels if only to save Nicolas...but she was PREPARED to die this time...to be with her son and her family again but being the Silver Swan must have meant something ELSE in her destiny...and so...as she helped Alycia up...she wondered just WHO had brought them here. everyone else was accounted for...and the wounded were HEALED but not by Karen.]
 
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:: Ava had been unconscious for the majority of the battle with the sentinels; her first to be 'taken' out by a powerful plasma blast to her chest. It would have incinerating the goddess if it hadn't been for the mass of debris she sent flying at the sentinel before she was hit. With a collapsed lung, numerous broken ribs, burnt skin, and blood loss, it was a miracle she was even alive, but a testament to how strong she was. ::

:: Everything was quiet and black; still and haunting for a long while. It wasn't until the faint sound of ocean waves crashing against the jetty began to bring Persephone out from the darkness. Her body laid motionless on the ground; turned to the side with her head resting on one arm while the other laid limp in front of her. Strands of brown hair blew away from her face as the breeze caught her body; the tickling sensation causing Ava to shut her already closed eyes tighter. Rolling them open, everything was blurred and foggy, almost dream-like. She was dead...she had to be. And probably in hell. Ugh, the thought of Hades greeting her with a smirk and a hard on made Ava softly groan in disgust. Opening her eyes again, her vision began to clear more, and then she saw Alycia and Sharon in the distance, alive and well....that's when it flooded back to her. Everything that had happened...the fight, the sentinels, the plasma blast. Hitting her like a truck all at once, Ava gasped in, as if her mind and body finally became one once again. Coughing out, Persephone grabbed her chest, expecting a hole or burns of some sort to be there...but there was nothing. Looking down at herself with watery eyes [due to coughing so hard], she was actually astonished she was alive...::

:: Lifting herself up onto her elbow, her hair hung to the side, framing the right side of her face and hiding her expression of discomfort from those next to her for a moment. Finally adjusting her body, Ava looked over her shoulder seeing everyone was alive and alright. ::

"What happened...Where--Is everyone alright?"
 
the Isle of Aerie

:: Alycia could do nothing but stay low and stay out of the way as she watched the violence unfold. so many were cut down as her friends fought desperately to stay ahead of the sentinels, to stay ALIVE. this was everything she had hoped to PREVENT by being in her position, which of course was now obsolete as she was now considered a TRAITOR to her country.::

:: she never imagined even in her WILDEST scenarios that her career would END like THIS. but there was no time to let it sink in...as they were taken to the forest, Alycia again found herself unable to help in any substantial way and took cover, when the time came to run for underground cover she did, along side the stretches carrying Morgan and Ava. under ground she found Karen and Mike. she looked at Mike, the only other human present...wondering if HE felt as small as she did right now....her whole LIFE , everything she'd worked for was OVER...maybe it would be better to DIE now and not have to worry...::


:: as Haleigh asked Karen to heal Nicolas, Sharon and Alison hurried in, sealing the area behind them and informing them that more trouble was coming.::

what are we going to DO!?

:: Alycia exclaimed as the ground began to quake and shake....suddenly tearing open to reveal the massive TRI sentinel::

oh my god...

:: she too couldnt help but flash back to Master Mold...and that whole HORRID night. but this time...it seemed like they'd ALL die. all the RISK they took at Arklay Mansion...FINALLY closing the chapter of MysTech...and THIS was the way it was to END? it WASNT FAIR!

:: Alycia shut her eyes...as she felt tears streaming down...she suddenly realized that it was finally OVER....but as the white light of death came bearing down on them...suddenly there was no heat, no force, no pain.::

:: open air, sweet, clean windy air, the seas, the open sky...the darkness....::

hmmm....where?

:: she rolled over on her side...as her hazel eyes slowly opened. she was afraid if she opened them all the way, she'd be greeted by the sentinel or some OTHER government entity now out to destoy her...but there was no one there but her and her friends.::

Sharon: are you okay?

Alycia: I'm afraid to say yes....i dont even know where we are....

:: she looked at her friend, who was now a mutate, b ut she could see that Sharon was more "herself" NOW than she had been since her return from death as the Silver Swan. Sharon had aquitted herself well in the battle against the Sentinels in order to protect Nicolas....it seemed that her encounter with Kyle at the mansion, and her subsquent mercy killing of him brought Sharon BACK to "herself"...::

:: Ava was stirring... Alycia had saw her get hit HARD at ground zero...she was sure that the woman would not survive...but to her RELIEF, Ava was alive and whole.::

Ava...thank god you're okay...all of you....are okay.

:: she looked to see Morgan too was healed, Nicolas as well...and everyone ELSE was restored.::

everybody's here...even the animals...

is this where we're...supposed to be??

:: she saw the rotunda...::

this place...it seems so familiar.
 
somewhere else

<< Spellbinder had been definatively removed from battle when she was bombarded with a blast that would have destroyed most others outright. Her magicks protected her as they did the night she survived a full onslaught from Master Mold but she would not have survived another one.>>

<< She was unaware of anything that happened after the fight at ground zero and the Tri Sentinel would have killed them all but no, she and the others were saved, but by Delilah?>>

<< the waves washed away the sound of battle and terror...Morgan no longer was badly injured but sleeping peacefully. she often enjoyed the feeling of a night breeze over her nude body in her chamber of dreams...this felt like that...sort of but the chamber of dreams was no more...illustra was no more...>>

<< the comfort was an illusion as her eyes began to flutter and she slowly awakened, her icy violet eyes looking out over the ocean.>>

......a dream?

<< no...no such luck as her mind became fully active again, she realized where she had left off and sat up with a start...>>

where is everyone!?

<< her body was restored but she was still stiff and sluggish...the open air, the endless ocean surrounding them...the rotunda in the distance.>>

we're ...on AERIE...

<< Morgan wondered who had brought them here and WHY, the last time they were here, Circe was about to destroy them all!>>

what is going on?

<< she sees Nicolas....>>

Nicolas!

<< moving over to where he was, her mother was also nearby. she picks up his head gently and rubs his forehead.>>

Karen: He's allright...he's been healed, just like you and Ava...but it wasnt me who did it. I thought maybe Ororo...

Morgan: << relieved to know that everyone seemed to be okay, she looks out across the ocean.>> but why would Ororo bring us here? and where is she now?

It doesnt FEEL like something she would do....sending us to Aerie of all places.

<< even though Circe was long gone, the memories of the trauma she visited upon Morgan were still easily felt by the sorceress, even as she looked upon the massive, sprawling rotunda, an architectual gem that rivaled the Parthenon in its prime, Morgan felt she might as well be looking at Nancy's house from Nightmare on Elmstreet.>>

<< her blonde hair blows in the night time breeze as the waves continue to flow in the endless ocean around the isle of aerie.>>

everyone is here and accounted for....

<< she sees alison, already standing, with her back facing away from them and DELILAH is here too. what had SHE been doing during this final battle with the sentinels? how did she feel KNOWING that Bishop facilitated all of this? and Sharon? she hadnt even had time to properly grieve over Kyle and now this...but at least she was here with them. She had not been killed AGAIN by a sentinel. Alycia was there too. as Ava asked if they were okay, Morgan looked over at her.>>

yes...i am...and it looks like everyone else is too. I saw you get hit by the sentinel and i thought...we had lost you....thank the goddess you're allright.
 
the isle of aerie

:: leaning on the side of a large rock formation, Harbinger does not turn to face the others just yet. her longer hair, now colored and highlighted with auburn streaks flows in the wind as her cobalt eyes look out at nothing in particular.::

:: she knows where they are, but she doesnt know why yet. the moment of their death was at hand...and at BEST only Silver Swan and Black Widow might have survived...but now, there they all were, TOGETHER and healed on the Isle of Aerie!::

:: the night sky, the active ocean, the strong breeze did their best to calm and reassure the seer, but she wasnt so sure...and of course there was DELILAH who was also in their midst. She had no respect for this woman at this point and the last person she wanted to see was HER...it was HER choices that hastened the sequence of events they had experienced...and BISHOP was dead...a small consolation through all of this but his death HARDLY halted the end of their lives as they knew it. he was the beacon of a climax in anti mutant sentinment and delilah's wavering prooved to ALISON that she could no longer be trusted.::

:: what was next? for once Alison was too weary in her mind to try to "look"...and even more ,she just didnt CARE. she would wait, with the others on the isle of aerie to see what or WHO was behind this surprising change of scene::
 
As Karen looked at him, he felt the immense energies of the Tri-Sentinel and knew the end was near. he had nothing left, and as they beast exposed their rabbit-hole, he looked up and sent out a last defiant message to two special people not there, then...

Nicolas sat upright suddenly, his head lifting from Morgan as he got his bearings. He grasped both sorceress hands, turning quickly one to the other as he realized that he was NOT dead, in fact he was alive and here, but this was not his island...

AERIE?! Why here?

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

Mike walked up to the pair of sorceresses and the young mutant, checking them over in amazement. This had been an overwhelming experience in some ways for the human. NEVER had he felt so HELPLESS as in the last few minutes of that battle. he had taken out many MEN there, for sure, but those SENTINELS, and that 3-headed THING at the end, he was unsure how they had made it. But where were they now? He heard Nicolas say Aerie, and he quietly allowed his mind to work as he absentmindedly encircled an arm around Karen's waist. They had been quite discreet overall about their situation, but he had gotten too close to losing her to act as if he didn't care.

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

Back in the REAL world, their loss was plastered over all kinds of media, but the story would be told by more than the government. The country of Switzerland made a formal inquiry into the death (murder?) of a citizen of their ranks, and appeared to have lots of inside information about what had happened, assisted by the executor of Nicolas' estate, Magnuss Samuelsson, King charities, and a strange new woman from America who apparently was a tutor of his. Nicolas last message told these two everything, about Mystech, the Six, all of their trials since he arrived and gave them one last admonishment.

Never forget me...

Magnuss and Anastasia never will.
 
Aerie

:: turning away from the sea as Nicolas could be heard stirring, Harbinger looked at him, along with Mike, Karen and Morgan. She was not looking very friendly either.::

why Aerie? why dont you ask HER

:: pointing at Delilah.::

this is her doing...as is most everything ELSE that has happened.

:: Alison spoke coldly and unforgivingly.::

Perhaps Circe will come through her next worm hole and finish what she started months ago? wouldnt THAT be the icing on the cake. It's not like we have any kind of LIFE to go back to now anyway.

:: she said this, DARING Delilah to try something so she could do her the way she once did Haleigh a year ago. her hair continued to blow as the waves crashed on the rocky shoreline.::

one thing is clear...by us all being here, the outcome of my vision was altered but it wasnt because of anything WE did...CERTAINLY not HER! :: speaking of Delilah::

the most likely timethread had only Sharon, Haleigh and myself barely surviving...but here we are...and even I can't pinpoint what or WHO was entirely responsible.
 
the isle of aerie

<< Karen looked at Nicolas as he immediately sat up.>>

easy there...it's allright now.

<< she said softly as he grasped her hand and looked between her and her daughter.>>

<< as she and Morgan stood up, Mike joined Karen and to her surprise, he wrapped an arm around her waist. it was quite an unexpected thing but she didnt resist or scold him...she understood the motivation and was actually appreciative of his concern and genuine affection for her. Morgan wasnt the only one who was learning that not all men were pigs.>>

<< Karen held her daughter's hand...as the looked around and realized where they were...and as Nicolas asked, Alison delivered a scathing attack toward Delilah. Karen had not been entirely aware of Delilah's complicity to Bishop's actions until Sharon filled her in at the house. Needless to say, Karen was more than a little surprised at Delilah's poor judgement in the events leading up to this terrible turn.>>

<< she looked at Alison, she understood the woman's extreme disdain. She had felt the same way about Blaze and Haleigh for a LONG time given their choices in regards to Morgan and the danger they put her in but She ALSO remembered Delilah as a young girl....she knew the woman's character even in times like this. she was young, she lost her way and her heart, it wasnt an EXCUSE, just something that needed to be REMEMBERED as she could see Alison was reverting to her old ways in dealing with people she felt were STUPID for the choices they made.>>

Alison, let's take a moment to remain calm.

<< Karen said as she looked at her surrogate daughter.>>

Delilah will have to bare the guilt of her bad choices AND find a way to rectify the strain on the relationships she caused. I'm sure even SHE realizes that. But we've all just survived a terrible trauma, one that has effectively ERASED US from existence as far as the general populace is concerned.

We're here....together and ALIVE. that's the most important thing and it seems that we are safe for the moment...

what happens next...i can't say and I gather from your overtly hostile demeanor that you are struggling to "see" it as well. It's okay Alison...you dont have to know everything ALL the time.

<< she wanted Alison to remain calm and to not revert back to her stonecold ways from a year ago...it wouldnt help anyone, least of all her.>>

as for being here on Aerie...i dont sense any other mystic presence (namely circe)...do you , morgan? alison?

<< both women nodded to the negative>>

well...

<< exhaling a bit.>>

i guess there's nothing to do but wait...for now.
 
<< Morgan listened as Alison spoke poorly of Delilah. Part of Morgan completely agreeded with her. she could STILL see Delilah BLINDLY defending Bishop's stance in that hotel room, speaking of her and her comrades as if they were careless, wreckless, out of control beings with "god complexes"...it was like she was a completely different PERSON.>>

<< Morgan slowly exhaled as Karen attempted to keep Alison calm. She knew how much it could take.>>

I dont think much of anything from "BEFORE" matters now. The world is probably learning of our deaths as we speak...our lives..everything we were involved in...it means NOTHING now.

<< she looked at Delilah.>>

I hope you're happy...HE made this happen..NOT US. If we had been given TIME we wouldve found a way to escape the mansion and no one would have known. we did the RIGHT THING going there to destroy the virus and giving Sharon the chance to see and free her son from that terrible state he was in...but now we are BEYOND pariahs ...we were hounded in the WORST way. did you REALLY think that this wasnt what HE wanted? to see the "mutant scum obliterated"!

<< Morgan's heart did not beat happy. rationally she knew she had something to be thankfull for...she was alive and whole but what then? her life as a super model was OVER. ILLUSTRA did not exist anymore. what was she going to do with herself NOW? part of her wanted to try to understand what GOOD Delilah could possibly have seen in this man?...but it just wasnt enough >>

some of us have lost EVERYTHING, Alison says most of us shouldve DIED and all of this ...because of the information YOUR "FRIEND" gave out. he had that in place even BEFORE we went to the mansion. just like i told you...he was USING YOU to get closer to US and he played you...and now WE are here...and what happens next? even ALISON can't figure it out. well i guess you got what YOU wanted...we got CHECKED and we'll NEVER "misuse our powers AGAIN."

we'll just stay here...in hiding...FOREVER, inspite of this world being in tact in large part BECAUSE of us.
 
:: Pushing herself up off the ground, Morgan stated that she thought Ava had died by the blast...frankly, Ava was surprised she was alive too. Sluggish and sore, Ava was a bit hunched over as she climbed to her feet. ::

"I'm alright...just sore."

:: The breeze caught Persephone's long hair, blowing it behind her shoulders and giving her body a chill. It was dark on the island, but Ava knew exactly where they were...but how they got here was a mystery, and WHY. ::

:: Morgan and Alison both shared their feelings about Delilah and how this was her fault; Ava stayed quiet. As far as the world was concerned, she was dead. Her company was gone, but not before she was able to pull out all it's funding, stocks, and merchandise and place them in private accounts and storage facilities. Sure the majority of what she did was against the law, but hell, she was already wanted for terroristic acts and other ridiculous offences, why not add a couple more to her file? Regardless, the fact remained, everything she had worked for was now worth nothing. She was upset, but chose to remain silent about her feelings. Wrapping her arms around her torso, she shook her head. ::

"Are we just supposed to stay here? Because, quite frankly, I couldn't stand this island centuries ago, and I can't stand it now. [sighing out before whispering softly] This is unbelieveable..."
 
For fuck's sake...

Delilah surveyed the land around her - green, lush, beautiful. But familiar. This clearly couldn't be what Nicolas had had in mind. But who could have diverted them here and without them knowing? She crouched down in the grass. She rubbed the soil between her palms - she could smell the fresh, untouched earth.

Then Alison started. She dropped her head. Alison's words: The most likely timethread had only Sharon, Haleigh and myself barely surviving... So we're ahead, but that's not good enough. Maybe she'd be happier if everyone was dead? Probably.

Then came the Morgan pity-party. She had been wrong about Bishop with regards to his attitude towards the Six, that she admitted. But, like the Six, he had done a lot of good in his lifetime. And also like the Six, some of his methods had been wrong. She understood that the Six believed the ends justified the means. But that they weren't willing to accept that that could bring bad consequences for them - not even that they weren't willing to accept it, but that they weren't even willing to hear her point of view. THAT was what had made her leave. And now, they refused to let her leave on her own, but wanted her to sit and listen to them berate her for someone else's actions. Someone she had KILLED for THEM. How they thought she could have changed the outcome, other than letting them die in that bunker, she couldn't fathom.

With all their millions, all they could see was the money they lost, the expensive clothes and cars. They couldn't appreciate the fact that they were alive. Delilah rubbed the leaves of a flower between her fingers. Felt the breeze on her face. For once, she felt free.

She stood up, turned until she found Nicolas' face. She looked him pointedly in the eyes, and sent him a message.

I thought I was bringing us to where you said. I don't know how we got here.

Then she looked back at Alison with an icy gaze to match her own.

"Fuck you."

And she turned and headed off into the forest.
 
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:: Turning to look at Delilah after she said fuck you to Morgan and Alison, Ava watched her walk away from the group and head into the forest. Rolling her eyes shut, as angry as she was with Delilah, this group had no one left. Their friends, their signifigant others, even people they just happened to speak to when out to dinner or the corner cafe, no longer factored into their new lives. Delilah may have turned into this weeks black sheep, but she was still a member of their family. ::

"Look, I have issues with Delilah as well, right now. We ALL do. She made poor choices regarding Bishop...but if you really want to play the blame game, everyone here has contributed in SOME way to this exposure. My family funded MysTech, your father [Morgan] helped establish it, Alycia--unbeknownst to her--hired a psychopath [Bishop] to help Sharon years ago.....We're ALL connected to this. True Delilah fell for St. James and defended him, but he was on a war path even before he met her because of the actions of MysTech. This was inevitable; if he wasn't going to do it, someone else would have. We've been risking our lives every damn week for people who HATE mutants! What did you expect would happen when it came out we were 'one of them'? All we have now, is each other...We CAN'T afford to split up now. Especially you three."

:: Speaking about Delilah, Morgan, and Alison, they had all grew up together and were 'sisters'. Everyone was entitled to be angry, especially in this situation, but to break apart would only hurt them more in the end. Sighing, Ava slowly crossed the group, but stopped by Nicolas. ::

"Would you please go find her, Nicolas?"

:: Knowing Nicolas was the least upset with Delilah, she went to him asking if he would talk with her. Continuing forward, Ava made her way to the waters edge, taking in the view. Everyone was so on edge, including herself...she just needed to take a moment to calm down. ::
 
Nicolas watched as Morgan and Alison started in on Delilah. He heard her reply to him as well as her reply to Alison, but he was worried as she left. They had all nearly died, to split up now was foolhardy. But he understood her isolated feeling and as Ava stood up for her a bit, Nicolas did also, first sending her a message as he did what the goddess asked.

Take some time, Delilah. I know this all is a real bitch. But in the end, we ALL need each other. Take some time, but I will be watching you. I will not lose anyone tonight. I will give you some space, but I will be along soon for you.

Morgan, Alison...Ava is RIGHT. St. James was going to do his dirty work in any case. The file released on us was too thorough for it to be a quick job and so Delilah's only fault is to be conflicted by what can be a bloody way of living combined with love for a person. When you love, you accept things. I am not saying that it was not a mistake, but we have to put it in perspective, understand that we were always on borrowed time. Be angry now if you must, but understand that she , in the end, stood with us and lost EVERYTHING. Sacrificed love LITERALLY...and endured the rest that came.

Nicolas turned and slowly made his way to the forest. He would give her a head start, then he would find her and speak to her again. Try to bring her back.
 
Haleigh appeared on the other side of the wormhole a tad disoriented.... she had been well prepared to be completely eradicated.... the blast was coming, and she watched, ready for it to hit. She wasn't afraid of death, yet, unlike Sharon, she didn't necessarily welcome it. She dared to doubt that the blast, as ominous and impressive as it was, would truly kill her. She was incredibly resistant to concussive forces of any kind. She could hold an exploding nuke in her bare hand and experience no skin damage.... incendiaries and chemical or biological warfare had little effect on her. At worst, she'd be thrown haphazardly for some ten or twenty feet and be knocked out briefly. The most terrible aspect of it all was not the idea of excruciating pain.... but the nagging terror that she'd be the only one to survive. The others didn't have the TO virus to boost their resilience.... MOST of them were already half dead ANYWAYS... the holocaust would likely just put them out of their misery. Haleigh didn't think she'd be able to go on if she lost her entire team... the survivor's guilt alone would kill her if the blast didn't.

But she never got to find out..... because at the last second, she was whisked away to this place.... where there was serene tranquility and the steady lap of waves at the shore and a wonderfully refreshing breeze. She knew she wasn't dead.... I mean really.... I couldn't be. This isn't hot enough to be Hell and there ain't NO DAMN WAY my decadent ass would ever go to heaven. She thought, as she looked around.... and spotted the Rotunda, which caused her to immediately realize where they were. The Isle of Aerie.... she furrowed her brow..... it was a rather off the wall place to end up. The others discussed it.... Haleigh was just glad they were all okay..... but as they talked more about it, she could sense frustration rising... and she looked down at her watch.

"3....2....1--"

Alison said:
why Aerie? why dont you ask HER

:: pointing at Delilah.::

this is her doing...as is most everything ELSE that has happened.
Click to expand...

"[to herself] Yep."

Now that they didn't have to band together in order to survive, they did what they ALWAYS did.... tear into each other. Haleigh was just pleasantly relieved that THIS time.... SHE wasn't on the chopping block. THIS time... it was someone else. It was a rare vacation. Haleigh was about to step in and try to diffuse the bomb that was about to explode between Alison and Delilah when KAREN did it instead. Haleigh did a double-take. Karen was saying almost the exact thing Haleigh herself might have said. The hybrid suddenly gave and expression like she had an acrid taste in her mouth. OH. MY. GOD. I'm turning into Morgan's MOTHER. Next thing I know, I'll be running around acting like a complete snob, forcing my opinions down people's throats and threatening to turn them into port-a-potties! She thought, mortified by the idea. She looked around furtively and then tried to reassure herself. Alright, I must REMAIN CALM. I am not now, and never shall I be, a PSYCHO therapist. By some FREAK twist, we just so HAPPEN to agree. There's NOTHING wrong with that. Nothing WRONG with me. Maybe SHE'S becoming ME. [glancing surreptitiously at Dr. Victoria] That's still disturbing. [rubbing her temples] I need a drink. And a cigarette.

Delilah retaliates, surprising Haleigh by actually SWEARING, and stomps off. Haleigh manifests a flask and a small metallic case... she promptly takes a sip and then lights a cigarette before turning towards the ocean and sitting down on a large rock.

"THAT went well."

She delivered with sarcasm, taking another sip. She paused a second, thinking things over, as Ava tried to patch things up and sent Nicolas after Delilah.

"How about some GOOD news.... Since I'm a paranoid schizophrenic, I keep my money far FAR away from banks and investment companies and any OTHER place the feds can get their grubby hands on it.... so while they've likely FROZEN all the assets of ours that they could find, I've got plenty of funds stowed away safely..... more than enough to support us all.... just so long as nobody wants to get a Rolls Royce for Christmas. I can arrange for fake passports and identification papers for all of us... just pick yourself a new name and get back to me. I've got dibs on 'Kate'. We'll all have to change our appearances a little.... most ESPECIALLY you, Morgan. Hey, how do you guys think I'd look as a redhead? [scrunching her nose] too drastic. Strawberry blond?"

She asked lightheartedly. It was more than just her way of lightening the mood. They were HERE.... there was nothing they could do to change what had happened.... so they'd might as well make the best of things.... and figure out where to go from here.
 
:: Looking over at Haleigh who stood next to her, Ava would normally smirk or crack a smile at her humorous attempts to lighten the mood, but right now, she just didn't have it in her. But, Haleigh did have some useful information about hidden funds she has to support the team. Nodding absentmindedly, Ava too, had similiar funds. ::

"I have numerous offshore accounts filled with money. I can drain them whenever we need it."

:: Stepping down onto a large rock that sat along the jetty, Ava took a seat and tucked her legs close to her chest. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she rested her chin on top of her one knee, looking out into the distance. Listening to Haleigh comment about changing their names and apparences, to Persephone, this was all too familiar. ::

"I just BUILT my life back up. [groaning, Ava began a rant...a rather comical one on her part] You know...all I wanted was a damn vacation. A trip to Paris so I could picnic by the Sein. Buy gorgeous Couture gowns for no reason other than because they were gorgeous. Eat pastries until I gained 10 pounds...but now, now I can't go to Paris. Because i'm wanted for treson in France! This is absolute rubbish. We can't stay on this damned island forever....And there's no way in hell i'm changing my name and appearence! I don't have the skin tone to become a blonde....[looking to Haleigh] And you don't look like a Kate. Maybe a Julia...or Renee. [Ava became serious] I keep replaying it in my mind....'I lost everything'...but i'm just glad that I didn't loose you. I don't know what I would have done.."

:: A sentemental moment on Ava's part, but the longer she sat there, the more it sank in that they could have all died tonight. As upset as she was about loosing her 'life', it didn't touch how thankful she was that her sister and friends were all safe. ::
 
Isle of Aerie

<< it was all Morgan could do not to reach out and grab Delilah by her hair and pull her back and shake the hell out of her. how DARE Delilah speak to her and Alison like that!>>

you come back here! I'm not finished with you YET!

<< Morgan bellowed, but then Ava and Nicolas spoke, offering a voice of reason and level headed thinking. Still, Morgan folded her arms and looked rather annoyed. huffing as her blonde hair blew in the wind.>>

I don't know who she thinks SHE is! talking to me like that. << rolling her eyes.>>

<< but she felt herself pause for a moment as she thought about the INFERNO. Yes, Haleigh and Cameron...and to a lesser degree Blaze were responsible for pushing Morgan over the edge, but the subsequent rampage and hell visited upon NYC was all her doing...Delilah didnt look down on HER or pass judgement on HER...even KNOWING what she was capable of. They were SISTERS in all ways except blood...and they had just survived a major trauma. They SHOULD be coming together instead of going apart. Morgan suddenly seemed less upset and more reflective as she bowed her head and put her hand to her forehead, letting her hair blow forward.>>

<< in the secret places of her icy heart, where few were fortunate to ever find a spot, she knew that Delilah wasnt TRULY to blame for this. Ava and Nicolas had made a very valid point....and it wasn't about the money...it was much more that Morgan lost.>>

<< as Haleigh spoke about changing identities and such, Morgan lamented.>>

I have funds ...so does my mother. We both kept accounts offshore as well, something that Alison advised us on years ago. But it's not really ABOUT the money. All of us can survive financially, even now...for me...it's...

<< she looked up at the night sky.>>

well it's just like Haleigh said...my FACE. I made a living as the "worlds most famous super model"...i LIVED for Fashion...and now I have to REMAIN in hiding...probably FOREVER! I don't care about the money....suddenly I no longer have a LIFE and....

<< looking over at Ava.>>

I agree with Ava, i don't WANT to change my appearence, at least not permanently. there's got to be another solution.
 
Aerie

:: Alycia was already feeling like she was on a sinking ship...::

:: she raised her hand, sarcastically but said something shocking.::

well...i'm not going to hold anyone up with deep thought.

Ava spoke of getting her life BACK together...Suddenly I'm without a purpose. You dont need me anymore...I dont have a secret to keep, nor can i "cover up" anything...and I'm just a human being. I can't go back to the states or anywhere else and I dont see what else there is left. I can't see my mother...and i have no other family. I'm not going to be "Supported" by ANYONE. that's not how i was raised.

I'd like to....go through the seige perilous. a new lease on life, with no memory of the previous? sounds very appealing right about now.

:: unbelievable, perhaps, but she meant it. she didnt want to be here. she didnt want to be SUPPORTED and she didnt want to be taken care of. She'd rather die....or the next best thing to it...trade in one life for a new one. she may have been without many options now, but she knew enough to know about the mystic gem.::
 
Haleigh smiled softly as her sister began to vent. She slid over to sit next to Ava, putting an arm around her shoulder and leaning in.

"Well, this is sort of a vacation. It's got the beach. I've got the booze.... and you could still eat pastries. To be honest, you'd be doing just fine to gain a little weight, too. You know the tabloids had you as one of the poster girls for eating disorders, back when it was at the height of its craze. Yep... right up there with Lindsay and Nicole..... [looking up at Morgan] Hey Rabbit, you were named too.... I guess they got wind of your single-lettuce-leaf salads."

And you don't look like a Kate. Maybe a Julia...or Renee.
Click to expand...

"hmmm.... Julia... really? [making a face] Renee just sounds old. [sighing] Maybe I'll just tell everyone my name is Trixie."

She suggests, then giggles. Her sister gets suddenly serious, and Haleigh looks concerned. She pulls Ava into a tighter embrace and tries to reassure her.

"Hey.... its alright.... everything's going to be alright. I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere. [pausing] You know you can't get rid of me THAT easily."

Morgan was understandably upset about losing her career and her trademark along with her home. Haleigh could sympathize... it was a hard truth. Alycia said something rather offhand about the Seige Perilous. Haleigh met it with sarcasm.

"Oh yeah.... that'd be GREAT. [glancing at Alycia, realizing that the woman had been at least partially serious] You've got to be joking. [standing up angrily] I DON'T believe this SHIT! So THATS IT, hmm? You're just going to BAIL on us now?? Oh COME on Alyica, that's a COP OUT and you KNOW it! I never thought you a COWARD, Barnett. You always FACED your problems.... and I'm not going to let you RUN AWAY from them now. This is hard on ALL of us.... but we can't just QUIT... our job isn't DONE. [looking around at the group] And that's ENOUGH moping around and throwing self-pity parties, PEOPLE. GET A GRIP. We CHOSE to do this... we ALL answered the call, and we KNEW if the truth got out, we'd be completely forsaken! Well, now it's OUT.... and just because Mystech's down DOESN'T mean we're off the hook. This Mutant Registration and Control Act has to be stopped.... and we need ALL the help we can get to do it."
 
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