A savage heart

[Isis]

The Parthenon- Nicolas' Suite

Bathed in the light of Isis, Nicolas' mind clears, resets....he pauses, turns, and falls into Isis arms, holding on for dear life. He just held on....

You will never know how glad I am to see you.

:: Isis had driven Set from his son, her nephew. She'd stopped him from vexing Nicolas with that unholy laughter, and then her magicks counteracted the mania and calmed Nicolas.::

:: He practically COLLAPSES in to her, holding/hugging her. Dominique's aqua blue eyes widen for a moment, but her initial flash of resistance to his physical contact is BRIEF, as she takes him into her arms.::

And apparently, my arrival was not a moment too soon.

:: She holds on to him still for a few more moments::

I know what's happened with Black Widow. I know it all. Silver Swan...SHARON....SAW her at the Hellfire Club's blackout party several days ago, and confronted her.

Nicolas...let's sit down.

:: She leads him over to a sitting area, and sits down with him on the couch, looking at him now, and seeing how dishelved he is in his appearence.::

You have not been taking care of yourself...ever since Haleigh betrayed you all and left this place.

:: She does not say this in a cold or condemning tone, but rather a sympathetic one.::

:: She decides AGAINST telling him HER role in the revelation of Haleigh being Malice's daughter. At this point, it really wouldn't matter. She didn't REGRET helping Haleigh in that situation, but she was SORELY disappointed in Haleigh for what she DID with that information. She really HAD thought better of the hybrid, especially when she showed HER support to Isis the night she and Richard departed the Inner Circle and the Hellfire Club. ::

::Sighing, Isis takes Nicolas' hands into her own gloved hands::

I AM sorry that this has happened. I'm ANGRY that she chose to HURT and BETRAY you like this. Alycia once said that this was one of the most abusive things that Haleigh does. She draws people in, she leads them to think they can trust her, BELIEVE in her....

:: MORE than aware of Cameron's past with Haleigh, and Nicolas' twisted affair with her...::

...LOVE her even.

But could the DAUGHTER of Malice EVER truly know what trust and love mean? What GIFTS they are?

:: THIS part she said with CONTEMPT.::

She draws people in, allowing them to INVEST in her in more than one way, and the...as easily as one would crush a piece of paper, she turns around and does something like THIS?!

:: She could see and FEEL Nicolas, trembling::

NICOLAS.

She does not have your heart. Your history with her...it is substantial, but DON'T think that she is more precious or valuable to you than MORGAN or OTHERS on your team.

:: She stands up, feeling rather FURIOUS. How could she have MISJUDGED Haleigh like THIS!? Unlike John, Andrew, and the rest of those people at the Clocktower, Isis was a worldly woman who had seen the WORST that humanity and BEYOND had to offer. How could she have NOT realized that the moment Black Widow learned who she REALLY was, that she'd most CERTAINLY go to Malice!? Diana knew it all along!::

Tell me...what is the state of the REST of your team?

:: Alycia was speaking to Cameron- but even Dominique couldn't know what issues were going to be laid bere in THAT encounter, and SHARON was heading to see Blaze and her family, they would be learning more about this from those people, but Dominique had LONG felt that this team might be LESS than beneficial to her nephew. Her ultimate concern was safeguarding him to PREVENT his blood, his BODY from being the key that released Set from the prison SHE had sealed him in. The way the SIX carried on...Dominique DOUBTED that Nicolas' needs would be met here, and the way HALEIGH had betrayed abandonned him...ALL of them, now aligned with a woman who would not STOP until she had killed ALL of them!? No...this was UNACCEPTABLE to Dominique.::

:: Still, she'd give her nephew a chance to say how he felt, then she'd take care of him, helping him clean up, getting him food, and then...if she felt it necessary, REMOVING him from this place.::

The last time I saw any of you, there was a RIFT a mile wide between most of you and Delilah Trelevan. If that is still the case, added to Haleigh's betrayal...I don't see how THIS....

:: gesturing around her::

....Can go on much longer.

 

[Longshot]

Near Orphanage

:: Simon rounded the corner that led to Rose's city block when all of a sudden, one of her soul satellites manifested in front of him. This was not a good sign. He had experienced Rose's power signature in several different ways since meeting the woman who had now become one of his closest and only friends in the city. ::

<< Her glowing eyes FLASH. she holds out her hands, and "SOUL SATELLITES" manifest. One of them SPARKS into view and swells/SWIRLS in front of Simon. It is one of her astral projections, he sees her face, and hears her haunting voice>>

Simon...there is an INTRUDER on the grounds of my property. Make HASTE!

< Upon hearing that there was an intruder, he ran forward using the satellite to quickly make his way towards Rose who seemed concerned but still as serene as ever. He looked at her with a glimmer of anticipation and worry. >

<< Simon finally reaches Rose.>>

There's someone here who doesn't belong. A woman.

We must find her and remove her.

I'm going to the ophanage, I must be ready to defend the children from harm.

<< Lifting her hands, Rose levitates, and takes flight toward the adjoined buildings that house the orphans.>>

:: He nodded and immediately began to follow her lead. This wasn't an ideal distraction for him. He was in the area of the orphanage, and the last time he was near those children, nearly half of their friends had been murdered. For a moment he thought of The Purifiers and wondered if some brutal new regime was about to sweep through the city and finish the job. Kill the rest of him. This anger fueled him as he began to run with great speed towards the direction that was Rose was headed, but this anger also clouded him for a moment. Simon was a man that was not often caught off guard. His power guided his body, often allowing him to thwart even the greatest of dangers. Had he been more aware of his surroundings, he might have been able to see the cobra that was about to strike him. ::

"Hey Blondie. No time for introductions."

:: She WRAPPED her body around Simon as he would hear a bone chilling crack as she dislocated her joints and her cold, snake like skin coiled around him with great speed, before bringing him to his knees. Soon her face was just in front of him. Her bright yellow snake eyes staring him DEAD in the face as she winked, opening her mouth to reveal a forked tongue that danced along his cheek. ::

"Well..you certainly are a tasty little specimen? I'll be sure to make mention of this to Mockingbird..."

:: Her mouth opened wider as she revealed a pair of very sharp FANGS. ::

"Don't get the wrong idea..I'd sooner eat you...in fact, I might actually do that..if the mayor of Squid Row doesn't play nicely..."

"Now who the HELL is THIS!?"

:: He struggled against the strange power of the woman WRAPPED around him. ::

"Cool your jets, Medusa. I'm not into bestiality."

:: Maybe he hadn't lost his sense of humor after all. ::

"Who is Mockingbird?"

"And Rose isn't a bear that enjoys being poked, you dolt!"

:: Again he squirmed against her surprising strength. It was like being suffocated and crushed. The amount of PRESSURE surrounding his body was bursting his blood vessels, causing him to lose focus. He wanted to lash out with his power, beat whoever this enigmatic woman was into submission, but he couldn't focus enough, but still he tried. ::

Cobra: "Oh you aren't escaping. Not yet."

:: She constricted even HARDER around his body as his eyes winced in pain. Strong as he was, he couldn't escape her cobra wrap. The woman called out to Rose with some kind of hipster joke about gastro pubs and before long, Rose was upon them. ::

Simon!

<< Rose calls out as halts and hovers in the air above, now looking at the woman that she had perceived from her tarot reading. She WAS a mutant, but unholy, PERVERTED by science, and her soul was dark...murky...there was little humanity where their should be, but there was something ELSE...pain...LOSS...these things were swimming in the murky depths of this woman's soul.>>

You. You came here for my children, but you'll not have them tonight or any OTHER night.

You've been perverted by science, woman. You're more CREATURE than human now. You're a SERVANT, doing the bidding of a woman who belongs to the Hellfire Club.

But it's not too late. I can HELP YOU, restore you soul, and give you a CHANCE. If you do not want that help, then I will be forced to deal with you as one should always deal with a SNAKE, and CRUSH your HEAD.

Let Simon GO, and LEAVE this place.

:: The woman flashed her wild snake eyes at Rose and showed know emotion. Her tone was even and cold, yet dripping with a bit of disdain. ::

Cobra: "I won't be dazzled by offers of salvation. I have BEEN saved. I have crawled back from the brink of death. Science has not perverted me...but PERFECTED me..and in JOYFUL service to the woman who saved my life..as The Black Knight of The Hellfire Club, mark my words. What my Queen wants, she will get..be it by hand or by the very SCIENCE you condemn."

:: She tightened her grip for a moment. ::

Cobra: "I will do what a snake ALWAYS does...claim her PREY!"

"For somebody as LUCKY as I am, I sure have a knack for finding myself in situations of great peril on the regular. Note to self. People suck."

<< The purple spectral light that is revolving around the entire block area passes OVER them, bathing Cobra and Simon in that light, As Simon FEELS that light pass over him...he feels a CALMING effect. He would HEAR her voice in his mind.>>

DO NOT panic Simon. your BODY will then QUICKEN the effects she is trying to cause with her constriction. I CAN liberate you, but if you want to be TRUE to yourself and FULFILL the reading that I gave you before, then you must trust in your own power first and foremost. Let the light of my soul satellite calm you, and let my voice lead you. She may have your BODY, but she does NOT have your mind, your soul, your POWER. Trust in them, USE them. Remember what I said...DELIVERANCE comes from WITHIN.

<< Rose aided Simon in his mind, helping him to find balance and clarity so that he could activate his power to FREE himself. And at the moment of his liberation, ROSE would then act.>>

<< But Cobra could not HEAR any of what had just taken place. She had NO idea what Rose could do, and she severely underestimated Simon.>>

This will be your ONLY warning.

<< Rose hovers in the air, battle ready.>>

:: For a moment, Simon felt calm and almost at peace as Rose's words filled his head. Though this situation was nowhere near as close to the danger he had experienced with The Purifiers, but Rose was a nurturer. It was in her blood. She saw an opportunity and she was taking it. Ever since the bus tragedy, Simon had felt like a victim, and he had spent every waking moment since then doing everything he could to make sure that wouldn't happen again. And yet here he was, in danger for walking down the sidewalk. ::

"She does not have my MIND..my POWER.."

:: Simon closed his eyes and when he opened it, his eyes were swirling with a pastel green, swirling energy. He looked at Amanda with a smirk and bravado that was reminiscent of who he used to be. ::

"Sorry this isn't going to work out how you anticipated. Perhaps you can relay THAT to Mockingbird."

:: There was a wooshing sound as Simon flexed his power, warping the probablity fields around Amanda with beautiful finesse. All at once, she felt her powers..her BODY not working as it should as Simon could began to feel her grip loosening over his body. The sounds of bones cracking and snapping back into place could be heard. He watched as her eyes flashed with surprise for a moment, reverting back to their human form. ::

<< BOOM! >>

:: She fell to the ground in a thud as the probability that she could hold that grip on Simon was gone. He made sure to step ON whatever part of her body that was snapping back into place as he walked over to Rose and took a battle stance. He cast his hands out, his biceps rippling as the same ice green energy in his eyes was now encircling his fists. ::

"Rose. Is there anything you need to make clear before I sick a mongoose on her?"

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Mansion- Catacombs

"Have fun today, dear?"

Ava: "He was going to involve The Six if I didn't meet with him. I know you have specific plans in motion that could of possibly been ruined had he done that."

Helena narrowed her eyes at the bullshit that was coming out of her Rook's mouth. But she couldn't help but smirk either. She was quick, Helena gave her that.

"So you what? Fell on his dick to distract him?"

Standing from her chair, Helena slowly walked toward Ava like a predator stalking its prey.

:: Diana simply smirked at Ava, lifting her glass in "salute" as she then took a drink.::

"Believe me honey, I understand the urge to fuck a handsome man in the afternoon. But what was the FIRST thing I told you the moment you came crawling to me asking to join my court?"

Ava went to open her mouth but Helena held up her finger.

"I TOLD you that you would not associate with anyone affiliated with your old life again. And do you want to know WHY?"

Ava was smart this time and didn't attempt to answer. Helena was now standing toe to toe with Ava, glaring into her eyes.

"Because it's a LIABILITY to me AND the Inner Circle. I already had ONE Rook tarnish this Courts name, and I will NOT have another do the same. Those people--Zachary Armani? They are THE ENEMY. And if you can't get that through your stubborn little head, then I'LL pay Mr. Armani a visit. He'll have another happy ending....followed by a CRUCIFIXION."

Both women stared at each other silently for a moment. Helena could see the anger rising in Ava's dark eyes. But of course, she relented.

Ava: "I understand. It won't happen again."

That of course was not good enough. Helena began to circle Ava, now looking at Diana as she walked.

"Now Di....what shall we do to teach my Rook a lesson in obedience? Should I....have her go KILL Zachary?"

Helena wrinkled her nose, watching Ava's attempt to not react.

"No....he IS quite the eye candy. I'd like him to stick around a little longer."

Helena licked her glossy red lips at the thought.

"Hmmm....didn't Mystique mention something about Simon Pratt? [flippant] You used to diddle him too, didn't you? Moving on from former playboys to former soon-to-be brother in laws?"

Helena asked rhetorically with a chuckle, finally making her way back around to face Ava.

[to Diana] "I do love a lovers quarrel."

:: It amused Diana immensely to watch Helena chastise Ava. This bitch, who thought she was going to come busting in here with all her elemental power and shut it down over HALEIGH, now being called to the carpet, not even knowing that it was one of her own from the Red Court that DID IT! ::


Hmmm...well we simply CAN'T have members of the Inner Circle MISBEHAVING like this.

:: Diana moved forward in her seat, looking as though she were pondering the situation::

How sloppy you are, Ava. Nothing at ALL like your FATHER.

You came here, thinking you were going to shut us...shut ME down over Haleigh, and look at you now. You thought you'd crawl over to Helena's court, and ALREADY you have disobeyed her. Do you think ANY of us are worried about ZACHARY ARMANI, OR the Six?

You REALLY should learn to LISTEN to your queen, my dear. HALEIGH can't help you...and you apparently can't help YOURSELF, but you thought that being here would somehow help HER?

All you've done is ALIENATE yourself from the only people on this planet who actually CARED about you. You've abandonned them, chasing after a woman who ISN'T. EVEN. YOUR. SISTER.

You're in DEEP waters that are about to go over your HEAD, and NOW, when they see you...they won't HESITATE to strike at you OR Haleigh.

:: She looks at Helena::

So why don't we TEACH her, so she'll be READY. Let's see how good SHE is at STRIKING DOWN someone she claimed to care about?

:: Looking at Ava with a predatory glow in her opal blue eyes, Malice was savoring this moment of Ava's humiliation::

Simon Pratt is as good a target as any other, and he's close at hand.

:: But there was more to this. She already knew what Ava would stupidly say to Helena in response to this. Diana herself wouldn't let Simon be outright KILLED, simply because his MOTHER served as her emissary. But AVA didn't know that, and his relationship with Ava was known to EVERYBODY, and so if nothing else, this would simply be a consequence for BOTH Simon AND Ava. A chance for Helena to SHOW Ava what happens when you DISOBEY. And if HALEIGH tried to interfere, while, Malice would slap HER down, HARD.::

 

[Rose]

The Sanctuary

:: The woman flashed her wild snake eyes at Rose and showed know emotion. Her tone was even and cold, yet dripping with a bit of disdain. ::

Cobra: "I won't be dazzled by offers of salvation. I have BEEN saved. I have crawled back from the brink of death. Science has not perverted me...but PERFECTED me..and in JOYFUL service to the woman who saved my life..as The Black Knight of The Hellfire Club, mark my words. What my Queen wants, she will get..be it by hand or by the very SCIENCE you condemn."

<< She tightened her grip for a moment. >>

Cobra: "I will do what a snake ALWAYS does...claim her PREY!"

<< Hovering in the air, the sound of Rose's power signature was faint, but ever present, like the ambience of ocean waves. It was evident by her flowing hair, and the mysterious glowing scarf that flowed around her tall, ample form. It was also a hallmark of someone who was possessed of IMMENSE astral power.>>

<< She looked upon Cobra with PITY at first, but when she implied that the Black Queen would somehow get her hands on her surviving children? The look of PITY on Rose's face FADED into something else....CONTEMPT>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Rose, in the palor of her multi-story apartment, performing her third tarot reading on her self.>>

<< For the THIRD time, her power draws the DEVIL card out of her mystic deck.>>

<< the DEVIL card.>>

<< Rose's voice can be heard, slowly reciting the divination meaning of this devil card.>>

Ravage, violence, vehemence, extraordinary efforts, force, fatality; that which is predestined but is not for this reason evil.

No...she WON'T.

"Sorry this isn't going to work out how you anticipated. Perhaps you can relay THAT to Mockingbird."

:: There was a wooshing sound as Simon flexed his power, warping the probablity fields around Amanda with beautiful finesse. All at once, she felt her powers..her BODY not working as it should as Simon could began to feel her grip loosening over his body. The sounds of bones cracking and snapping back into place could be heard. He watched as her eyes flashed with surprise for a moment, reverting back to their human form. ::

<< BOOM! >>

<< Simon prooved himself worthy of Rose's continued support, and most of all, he proved that he COULD take care of himself even when faced with a foe as bizarre and twisted as COBRA, and he FREED himself from her powerful grip, using his own native power to warp the probability fields around the two of them, and causing HER luck to run completely BAD.>>

:: She fell to the ground in a thud as the probability that she could hold that grip on Simon was gone. He made sure to step ON whatever part of her body that was snapping back into place as he walked over to Rose and took a battle stance. He cast his hands out, his biceps rippling as the same ice green energy in his eyes was now encircling his fists. ::

"Rose. Is there anything you need to make clear before I sick a mongoose on her?"

<< Simon noticed the hovering Rose looking far more cold and VENGEFUL as she descended down>>

I most certainly do.

<< She extends her hand once more, and unleashes a SOUL SPARK, a POWERFUL blast of astral energy that HITS Cobra in her mind like LIGHTNING and her BODY with the concussive force of steel BASEBALL BAT that sends her flying into the air. Rose IMMEDIATELY rises to catch/GRAB her. Now, Cobra sees Rose up close, and her eyes are glowing solid purple!>>

You may SURVIVE, SNAKE, to tell your black queen that THIS is what will happen to ANYONE who tries to harm my children!

LET THE SPIRITS GUIDE YOU BACK TO YOUR MASTER!

<< And with that, Rose HURLS Cobra away from her block, with her "SOUL THROW" that sends her FLYING like a runaway rocket leaving a sparkling/glowing trail of purple energy behind her, all the way BACK to the Hellfire mansion, SLAMMING through the dome of the lunar ballroom, and falling down to the floor at the feet of a waiting Talisman.>>

<< Rose looks positively ENRAGED for a moment longer, before she descends and lands before Simon. Her eyes return to normal, and her countenance becomes less dark, as she once again smiles at Simon.>>

Are you alright?

<< That was the most savage he'd seen Rose...EVER (to date ) . He wasn't even SURE that Cobra had survived that vicious POWER THROW, But Rose HAD said she would survived...>>

 

[Rampage]

Isis was being what Aunts all over the world are: a confidant, a rock, someone who shakes you back to reality. And Nicolas was grateful. He listened to her concerns and noted her advice. She was worried that this team - The Six - was not a good place for him. He took her hands into his as he continued to get himself together. Finally, he was mentally in a much better place thanks to her.

Tell me...what is the state of the REST of your team?

:: Alycia was speaking to Cameron- but even Dominique couldn't know what issues were going to be laid bere in THAT encounter, and SHARON was heading to see Blaze and her family, they would be learning more about this from those people, but Dominique had LONG felt that this team might be LESS than beneficial to her nephew. Her ultimate concern was safeguarding him to PREVENT his blood, his BODY from being the key that released Set from the prison SHE had sealed him in. The way the SIX carried on...Dominique DOUBTED that Nicolas' needs would be met here, and the way HALEIGH had betrayed abandonned him...ALL of them, now aligned with a woman who would not STOP until she had killed ALL of them!? No...this was UNACCEPTABLE to Dominique.::

:: Still, she'd give her nephew a chance to say how he felt, then she'd take care of him, helping him clean up, getting him food, and then...if she felt it necessary, REMOVING him from this place.::

The last time I saw any of you, there was a RIFT a mile wide between most of you and Delilah Trelevan. If that is still the case, added to Haleigh's betrayal...I don't see how THIS....

:: gesturing around her::

....Can go on much longer.

I know your concerns Aunt Dominique and I cannot blame you. I was just in a bad way here and I hate that you saw that. But my place is still here, with the team that remains. My error was actually not keeping my word to contact you if I needed you and I am sorry. From now on, I have established a subconscious protocol. If HE contacts me more than once in an hour or 3 times in a day you will be contacted and we will deal with it together. But I need to be here...there is much to do, and even though I look crazy, I got a lot accomplished. Please help me get righted here and I will stay on top of it, OK?

Nicolas was earnest in speaking right now and also giving her 'the eyes'. He felt the need to make things right and help straighten the team out...

 

[Persephone]

Arriving in the catacombs, Ava saw both Helena and Diana chatting and drinking champagne, until their eyes fell upon her. Both their expressions went from casual to corrupt immediately--Helena peering over the rim of her glass like a sadistic child ready to play. Ava resisted the urge to roll her eyes. For women who claim to get laid so often, they really needed to loosen up.

Helena: "Have fun today, dear?"

She wasn't naive to think that she either wasn't followed or watched via cameras, but it was frustrating to know she couldn't go ANYWHERE without them knowing. So Ava didn't avert the question or pretend not to know what Helena was talking about. She was direct.

"He was going to involve The Six if I didn't meet with him. I know you have specific plans in motion that could of possibly been ruined had he done that."

Partly true. He WAS going to go to The Six if she hadn't shown up, but she wanted to prevent it for different reasons. Regardless, Helena didn't buy it.

Helena: "So you what? Fell on his dick to distract him? Believe me honey, I understand the urge to fuck a handsome man in the afternoon. But what was the FIRST thing I told you the moment you came crawling to me asking to join my court?"

Ava went to answer but Helena 'shushed' her with a finger. Explaining the deal they had and the rules that were in place had she joined the Red Court. She went on to explain it was for 'liability reasons'. Bullshit. It was because Helena wanted to CONTROL Ava and her every move. Helena went on to threaten Zach with sex then death--Ava just stared at her stone face and cold. Her eyes black as she stared into the gleaming blue eyes of Helena, who was enjoying this far too much.

"I understand. It won't happen again."

She responded through gritted teeth. But of course, that wasn't good enough. She needed a 'punishment'. At this point Ava DID roll her eyes as Helena circled her like a shark and asked Diana for her input. OF COURSE she had one. She was surprised Diana stayed silent for so long.

Diana: How sloppy you are, Ava. Nothing at ALL like your FATHER.

[flippant] "Can't win 'em all."

Diana: You came here, thinking you were going to shut us...shut ME down over Haleigh, and look at you now. You thought you'd crawl over to Helena's court, and ALREADY you have disobeyed her. Do you think ANY of us are worried about ZACHARY ARMANI, OR the Six?

"Considering you had me followed, YES, I DO think you're worried. But then again, what do I know? I'm just the Rook, your majesty."

Diana: You REALLY should learn to LISTEN to your queen, my dear. HALEIGH can't help you...and you apparently can't help YOURSELF, but you thought that being here would somehow help HER? All you've done is ALIENATE yourself from the only people on this planet who actually CARED about you. You've abandonned them, chasing after a woman who ISN'T. EVEN. YOUR. SISTER.

Ava's eyes narrowed.

"And she's only YOUR DAUGHTER by BLOOD. A thing you can control. A puppet. She's more my sister than she'll EVER be your daughter."

Helena: "AVA..."

Helena's voice was laced with warning, knowing that Ava was poking the beast. Ava's eyes moved back to Helena's as Diana spoke about what punishment the queens should inflict on her.

Diana: So why don't we TEACH her, so she'll be READY. Let's see how good SHE is at STRIKING DOWN someone she claimed to care about. Simon Pratt is as good a target as any other, and he's close at hand.

Ava may have distanced herself from Simon after the Purifier attack, but that didn't mean she wanted him dead. He was new to the Six world and everything that went along with it. He didn't deserve to get drug into this because Ava was stupid enough to see Zach. Maybe she wasn't a cold hearted as she used to be, because despite herself, she tried to divert.

"And he's your emissary's son. You may have no maternal feelings towards your offspring, but that doesn't mean EVERYONE is as apathetic as you."

Helena's face was unnervingly emotionless at that moment as she stared into Ava's eyes.

[to Diana] Helena: "Do it."

 

[Malice]

The Hellfire Mansion- Catacombs

Ava's eyes narrowed.

"And she's only YOUR DAUGHTER by BLOOD. A thing you can control. A puppet. She's more my sister than she'll EVER be your daughter."

Helena: "AVA..."

Helena's voice was laced with warning, knowing that Ava was poking the beast. Ava's eyes moved back to Helena's as Diana spoke about what punishment the queens should inflict on her.

:: The smile faded from Diana's face, as her opal blue eyes seemed to glow::

Foolish girl, that's ALL I WANT Scion for, to CONTROL. I've ALREADY BROKEN her, and when I TIRE of her, I will DESTROY her. if you don't mind your tongue, I'll make SURE you have a front row seat to the OPERA that will be her's AND YOUR destruction!

You can rationalize it how ever you need in order to continue to function. The REALITY is, Scion is MINE, BODY AND SOUL. Once again, I'VE won...and YOU? You're STILL the out-of-step, dimensionally displaced "QUEEN" without a crown, in a world that regards you as nothing more than a MYTH, a FOOTNOTE in mythology at that.

Ava may have distanced herself from Simon after the Purifier attack, but that didn't mean she wanted him dead. He was new to the Six world and everything that went along with it. He didn't deserve to get drug into this because Ava was stupid enough to see Zach. Maybe she wasn't a cold hearted as she used to be, because despite herself, she tried to divert.

"And he's your emissary's son. You may have no maternal feelings towards your offspring, but that doesn't mean EVERYONE is as apathetic as you."

No...they aren't. That's why they're WEAK, like YOU.

:: another satisfying drink::

Helena's face was unnervingly emotionless at that moment as she stared into Ava's eyes.

[to Diana] Helena: "Do it."

:: Diana sets her drink down, and doesn't get up from her seat. She doesn't have to. She doesn't have to lay physical hands on someone to hurt them, or KILL them.::

:: She looks at Helena, and slowly places her hand to her head, making a "salute" gesture. Psionic energy rings out in the air, and a glowing white halo forms around Malice's head, before that halo flows into a "star" like pattern in front of her forehead, and she delivers a PAINFUL PSI-SHOCK to Ava's brain and mind::

:: A Psi-shock is a powerful, focused current of psi-lightning. It's 100 X's worse than the sensation associated with electro-shock therapy or being struck by lightning. Ava's brain feels like it could explode, her MIND is on fire. ::

:: For GOOD MEASURE, Malice BROADCASTS Ava's sensation of mental/physical PAIN and her reaction to HALEIGH, and the lingering echo Ava's scream in Haleigh's mind is punctuated by the soft laugh of Malice.::

:: Diana looks at Helena, and tilts her head::

Do you think she's LEARNED yet?

 

[Isis]

The Parthenon- Nicolas' suite

I know your concerns Aunt Dominique and I cannot blame you. I was just in a bad way here and I hate that you saw that. But my place is still here, with the team that remains. My error was actually not keeping my word to contact you if I needed you and I am sorry. From now on, I have established a subconscious protocol. If HE contacts me more than once in an hour or 3 times in a day you will be contacted and we will deal with it together. But I need to be here...there is much to do, and even though I look crazy, I got a lot accomplished. Please help me get righted here and I will stay on top of it, OK?

Nicolas was earnest in speaking right now and also giving her 'the eyes'. He felt the need to make things right and help straighten the team out...

:: Nicolas KNEW he was in hot water with his aunt. HE had a responsibility to carry in the covenant with the goddess as well, and more often than not, he would become too wrapped up in the foolishness of the Six to REMEMBER, and Dominique was losing her patience. This was ALSO what was bothering her. It wasn't JUST The Birds of Prey, John, ASHLEY. Did she NEED to be plaing "super hero" with a team, when she had a ward and a nephew that needed to be taken care of? She had an illustrious singing career that she could EASILY take to higher levels again. Between her own label- Black Diamond, and a seat of the board of investors of Nicolas' company, she'd never have to worry about money...she didn't even have to LIVE in the states anymore, now that she was finished with the Hellfire Club.::

:: She really was feeling like she might be held BACK by the birds of prey, and she didn't NEED to stomach someone like Ashley in order to be effective or helpful to the weak or those in need. If John wanted to fool himself by working IN a system that was inherently racist, that was his problem, HIS loss, and while Zizi was a ray of light in this jaded city of stone and steel, not even SHE was enough to balance out the utter fuckery that was Ashley Oldenburg.::

:: Nicolas pleaded his case to be allowed to remain with the Six, fractured and dysfunctional as it is::

You BELIEVE they need you, but do they really? :: Dominique said with an incredulous tone::

Look how they've treated you before. Look how easily some of them dismiss you and regard you with hostility.

You yourself told me what Morgan and her family have been through recently because of this team. I know Karen. She looks FORWARD to a life with Michael, and this point in her life, she should have that. She shouldn't have to be playing DEN MOTHER to a bunch of willfull, stubborn, arrogant CHILDREN. She was helping Haleigh in her capacity of a psychotherapist...and look how that girl repaid her!

Look how she repaid ME

:ominique thought with bitterness::

Perhaps YOU should look ahead as well, to a life with Morgan. The two of you could many things together. You don't NEED this place, OR these people.

This team is weak, fractured and dysfunctional.

They're BLEEDING OFF members and none of you bothered to reach out to any of your allies when Haleigh Davidoff betrayed you all, leaving you open to attack from HER mother and the Hellfire club!

You can't help Haleigh anymore, you need to see her for who and WHAT she is- the daughter of Malice...your ENEMY. She WILLINGLY left you, ALL of you, to go to Diana, and she has no regret. Sharon confronted her, and the woman confirmed as much. The next time you see her, it will NOT be a reunion.

:: She realized that some of her disdain for the members of the Six was a transfer from her disdain for the Birds of Prey, but at this point she felt BOTH teams were an impediment to herself, richard and nicolas::

:: Nicolas looked at her with those...puppy dog eyes. She narrowed her aqua blue eyes and shook her head.::

It's not going to work this time, Nicolas.

:: But it did...a LITTLE. She was willing to "table" the subject of her taking Nicolas away from him, for NOW. he asked for her help to clean up. It wasn't just his suite that needed to be tidied up...::

:: Sigh::

Look at you.

:: she said as she sat down and reached over with her gloved hand, tugging at his beard, before lightly pushing him away, with a smirk on her face::

You're a mess, Nicolas King, and you need a shave, and a bath.

But this isn't Mary Poppins, and I am not going to sing you a song while turning this task into a game.

:: She stands up and moves to the center of the room, lifting her gloved hands and gesturing. The light and power signature of Isis sound off, as howling winds can be heard::

Lessons learned, when taken in time
Restoration for this nephew of mine!

:: Isis extends her arms out to either side, and thunder CRASHES, followed by a golden LIGHT that encompasses the entire dwelling and Nicolas feels himself being bathed, changed, RESTORED by the power of Isis, while his apartment is cleaned and restored to its normal appearence!::

THERE! much better.

Now come along, Richard is in my diamond suite, and we shall have lunch together.

 

[Rampage]

Auntie was pissed, and she was over the Six. She mentioned Mike and Ma having a life together and that he should do the same with Morgan. Food for thought. He listened intently.

Then she told him that the eyes would not work but they did. She let the Six issue drop for now and cleaned Nicolas up, before commanding him out to lunch. He smiled mischievously, picking her up and swinging her around.

Yes ma'am! Whatever you say!

As they departed, ISIS would notice him humming a song from Mary Poppins...

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire -- Catacombs: The Training Center

Haleigh entered the sorry excuse for a training complex down in the catacombs. She was really going to have to upgrade this place. But first..... she wanted to beat the sand out of all the punching bags.

Well look who's here.......

Haleigh watched Alek start a bench press set. His form was perfect. Apparently he wasn't the type that grunted when he lifted. She hoped he wasn't so silent during sex. If he knew she was there, he gave no indication, just continued to evenly push the bar up quickly, then lower it slowly, then up quickly again and again, showing no signs of tiring.

Mm, stamina.

She thought, as she approached the bench he laid on. He glanced over and a wicked smile crept across her lips as he continued his set. Was he counting to a HUNDRED? She threw a leg over the bench and lowered herself onto his abs. Then she leaned forward into him until she laid completely on top of him and she placed one forearm along the barbell and pushed it down against his chest. She looked down at him and clicked her tongue.

"You really SHOULD have a spotter when you lift, Bearclaw."

She didn't let him press the bar back up, but she wasn't trying to crush him with it either. He looked like he had something clever to insinuate, but suddenly Haleigh winced and sat straight up, grabbing both sides of her head and baring her teeth.

"OHHHHHH FUCK ME!"

She yelled, and then opened her eyes and shook her head to get rid of the pain and the ringing sound of Malice's laughter.

"No, not YOU, it's my SISTER!"

She got up abruptly and disappeared from the weight room, rematerializing in the area where she sensed Diana, Helena, and Ava. Her sister was on the floor, and Haleigh knelt by her immediately, helping Ava sit up, her expression laced with concern.

"Good grief, what the fuck did you do to piss them off?"

She asked, though Ava didn't look much like she could respond. Haleigh landed a cold gaze on Diana.

"Did you REALLY have to broadcast that? You KNEW I was about to get laid, that's just RUDE. "

 

[Wallflower]

Near Orphanage - New York City

Simon!

<< Rose calls out as halts and hovers in the air above, now looking at the woman that she had perceived from her tarot reading. She WAS a mutant, but unholy, PERVERTED by science, and her soul was dark...murky...there was little humanity where their should be, but there was something ELSE...pain...LOSS...these things were swimming in the murky depths of this woman's soul.>>

You. You came here for my children, but you'll not have them tonight or any OTHER night.

You've been perverted by science, woman. You're more CREATURE than human now. You're a SERVANT, doing the bidding of a woman who belongs to the Hellfire Club.

But it's not too late. I can HELP YOU, restore you soul, and give you a CHANCE. If you do not want that help, then I will be forced to deal with you as one should always deal with a SNAKE, and CRUSH your HEAD.

Let Simon GO, and LEAVE this place.

:: Amanda surveyed the woman and took in the comments about her soul. She didn't like what she heard. If this woman truly did have the power she claimed to have, the ability to save her soul, then what was she doing sitting around and caring for a small group of mutants. If she had the power of true salvation, then she was wasting her talents in isolation, and worse she was using them as a bargainning chip, which made her no better than Talisman. At least Talisman was actually DOING something with her power, as dubious as others might think it to be. The Black Queen wanted to change the world, move along the evolutionary scale and craft something better. Rose seemed resolved to sit in her brownstone and remain in the shadows. Who was she to pass judgment on Amanda's soul. She gritted her teeth and exposed her fangs. ::

"I won't be dazzled by offers of salvation. I have BEEN saved. I have crawled back from the brink of death. Science has not perverted me...but PERFECTED me..and in JOYFUL service to the woman who saved my life...as The Black Knight of The Hellfire Club, mark my words. What my Queen wants, she will get...be it by my hand or by the very SCIENCE you condemn."

:: She tightened her grip on Simon. If Rose wanted to restore somebody's soul, it was going to have to be Simon Pratt's, AFTER she crushed him to DEATH. ::

"I will do what a snake ALWAYS does...claim her PREY!"

:: Amanda could feel Simon's body relax around her which set her on edge before he cast a glance at her with a sort of psionic energy gleaming in his eyes. ::

Simon: "Sorry this isn't going to work out how you anticipated. Perhaps you can relay THAT to Mockingbird."

:: All at once...Amanda began to feel her own power FAIL her. Her strength left her body, and she found herself contorting back to human structure without her doing! Nobody in the Hellfire Club knew that Simon Pratt was in fact a mutant. There had rumors but nothing had ever been confirmed, at least not publically. This was a startling revelation. She GRABBED hold of her own senses as she rose to the ground with the quickness of her namesake. ::

Simon: "Rose. Is there anything you need to make clear before I sick a mongoose on her?"

"Such nascent insults, Simon Pratt. I'd pick up a book and learn a thing or two while you still have the chance, because if you weren't already, you are certainly now under watch of The Black Court and The Inner Circle, and believe me when I say..compared to us? The Purifiers were playing school yard game."

<< Simon noticed the hovering Rose looking far more cold and VENGEFUL as she descended down>>

I most certainly do.

<< She extends her hand once more, and unleashes a SOUL SPARK, a POWERFUL blast of astral energy that HITS Cobra in her mind like LIGHTNING and her BODY with the concussive force of steel BASEBALL BAT that sends her flying into the air. Rose IMMEDIATELY rises to catch/GRAB her. Now, Cobra sees Rose up close, and her eyes are glowing solid purple!>>

You may SURVIVE, SNAKE, to tell your black queen that THIS is what will happen to ANYONE who tries to harm my children!

LET THE SPIRITS GUIDE YOU BACK TO YOUR MASTER!

<< And with that, Rose HURLS Cobra away from her block, with her "SOUL THROW" that sends her FLYING like a runaway rocket leaving a sparkling/glowing trail of purple energy behind her, all the way BACK to the Hellfire mansion, SLAMMING through the dome of the lunar ballroom, and falling down to the floor at the feet of a waiting Talisman.>>

<< BAM! >>

"UGH!!!"

:: Amanda was lucky that her bones couldn't break and that her entire body was completely malleable and rather durable, because that attack HURT. Amanda was catapulted into the air with a great speed, as she shifted into a more reptilian like mind frame in order to dull the pain of the psionic attack that was assaulting her body. She looked back as Simon and Rose faded in the distance. This mission would not be in vain. ::

:: FLYING through the sky, from her pocket she removed a metallic ORB looking device and through it into the air. It buzzed with a technological type of clicking as it steadied itself to the altitude and spun around behind her, hovering in the air. All at once, it opened itself and extracted a sample of the same purple energy trailing behind Amanda, before whizzing right back into her pocket. Kelly wanted to study this energy and determine it's origins, what it could do, how to manipulate it, and more importantly, how to neutralize it. Soon, the speeds she was flying at began to make The Black Knight dizzy as she made out The Hellfire Club Mansion zooming closer and closer to her. ::

"Brace for impact!"

:: She CRASHED through the dome of The Lunar Ballroom, unaware of the dome completely restoring itself upon impact as she SMACKED to the floor in a huddle. Quite literally she almost resembled a pool of a person, almost like a pancake, before she slowly and surely began to reform to her human form, cracking and popping her bones into place. ::

:: The click of black stilletto boots clicked across the wooden floors of the ballroom. ::

Talisman: "You got the sample."

:: Breathing heavily ::

"I got the sample."

Talisman: "Perfect. My omni sight allowed me to watch the fight in real time. Not to chastise you dear, but...let's work on not getting our asses handed to us like that in public again, shall we?"

"Understood, my queen."

:: Talisman met Amanda's gaze as the two shared a smuldering look with one another. Amanda tried to discern whether this was a look of satisfaction or anger. With Kelly Shaw, she could never quite tell. ::

Talisman: "Your first taste of danger, Amanda. A proud moment. Tell me...how did it taste?"

:: Carefully. ::

"Like a fine glass of red wine."

Talisman: "Good."

:: Talisman grabbed the orb device from Amanda and spun on her heels, making her exit from the ballroom. ::

Talisman: "This sample will benefit us greatly, but I'll have to work fast. If she can sense that I have it, she might grow a pair and come looking for it. She'd never escape these walls, but just the same, I need to test it..and destroy it. I'll be in my lab if you need anything."

:: And with that, The Black Queen had dissappeared, leaving Amanda alone in the ballroom. All at once, she began to laugh heavily. That was the most danger and peril she had been in..in quite some time. It was exhilirating, exciting...and she wanted more of it. She had made the right choice in being here. Rose be damned. Her soul didn't need saving. ::

"Though I will make it my mission that The Black Queen procures at least one of those children...Game on, Rose."

:: Her boots clicked on the floor as she made her way out of the Lunar Ballroom and back into the main floors of the mansion. ::

 

[Citadel]

Meanwhile...

:: The moon was high in the sky and the city of New York was buzzing with energy, excitement and possibility, just how Danny liked things. From the ashes of the purifiers, the city was healing and it's citizens were determined to move on with their lives and DANCE! ::

:: The cascading strobe lights of a large nightclub dance across Danny's face as the familiar "thumpa thumpa" beat pulsated through the dancefloor as a sea of shirtless and sweaty men danced provocatively to the beat. Beads of sweat dripped down his rippled and somewhat hairy chest as he swayed back and forth in a pair of tight, incredibly well fitting jeans, his t-shirt tucked into his back pocket. It had taken some time, but Danny was starting to feel like himself again. His energy felt good and clean, so he took the night off from watching the bar and his city, and gave into the night in a way that only he really knew how to do. ::

:: While his club days were well behind them, he had been a legend in his own right. Once a young and nubile go go boy in a pair of cheap and beautiful angel wings, he used to be a fixture of the gliteratti scene in NYC. There wasn't a party he wasn't invited to, a shot without his name on it, and a man not looking at him from the corner of his eye. As he made his way through the sea of men, all in various states of inebriation and excess, a young blonde, slender twink came right up to Danny and started dancing with him. ::

Man: "Well aren't you as handsome as the Brawny paper towel man?"

:: Danny smiled mischieviously as he moved a bit closer to the boy, kissing his neck and grabbing him by the hips. While he hardly understood millenial culture anymore, one thing that he did enjoy was the fact that older guys were definitely back in style. In his day, turning thirty was a death sentence in the youth obsessed and body obsessed culture. Now? Older guys were hotter than ever. They were a fetish, a trophy, a conquest that every young gay man wanted now wanted to experience. He wasn't complaining. ::

"Kiss me."

:: He pulled the man closer to him and kissed him passionately. Thankfully, he was pretty good. The two danced and kissed for over an hour on the dancefloor before taking some shots and watching a Drag Queen lip sync to a Madonna song. In short, he was having one hell of a time. After awhile, he felt a bit drunk and his age began to show. Four in the morning was not an option anymore. Not with everything he had going on. Danny spun the blonde man around and into the arms of another similar looking, ripped older man and watched as his own existence seemed to completely be wiped from blondie's mind. Smiling, he shook his head and headed down the hall and out the front door of the club and into the cold night air, which felt incredible on his sweat drenched body. ::

"Hot DAMN!"

:: Cooling off for a moment, he slipped his shirt back on over his head and began to walk down the sidewalk, with no specific destination in mind. He simply wanted to take in the sights. All around him, people were laughing, fighting, arguing, loving..but living. It warmed his heart a bit. Still, even though he was enjoying himself immensely, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was coming. For weeks he had been tracing the scent of magick throughout the city, or rather the pollutant that it produced. Most recently, it had occured at the old site of Illustra Inc. Each time he went there, he seemed to be too late. It was beginning to frustrate him. And now, it had seemed that one of the darker parts in town, the part that housed The Hellfire Club Mansion was getting stronger. They had just had their Blackout Party, which was never a good sign. The last Blackout Party he had heard about caused the city great pain..and when the city was in pain, so was Danny Donnelly. ::

:: For years now, he had been trying to put the pieces together of a very confusing puzzle. Just when he was getting somewhere, the slate was wiped clean, the people around him forgot about the demons and the blackouts that plagued the city...as if they never happened. But Danny remembered. He was an urban elemental, emotionally, physically, psychically and intimately connected to whatever urban landscape he was a part of. And since he had never left New York, his connection to THIS landscape was very strong. There were people here tormenting his mistress and he would always be determined to bring them to justice. ::

:: He rounded the corner. ::

<< FLASH! >>

Simon!

<< Rose calls out as halts and hovers in the air above, now looking at the woman that she had perceived from her tarot reading. She WAS a mutant, but unholy, PERVERTED by science, and her soul was dark...murky...there was little humanity where their should be, but there was something ELSE...pain...LOSS...these things were swimming in the murky depths of this woman's soul.>>

You. You came here for my children, but you'll not have them tonight or any OTHER night.

You've been perverted by science, woman. You're more CREATURE than human now. You're a SERVANT, doing the bidding of a woman who belongs to the Hellfire Club.

But it's not too late. I can HELP YOU, restore you soul, and give you a CHANCE. If you do not want that help, then I will be forced to deal with you as one should always deal with a SNAKE, and CRUSH your HEAD.

Let Simon GO, and LEAVE this place.

<< The purple spectral light that is revolving around the entire block area passes OVER them, bathing Cobra and Simon in that light, As Simon FEELS that light pass over him...he feels a CALMING effect. He would HEAR her voice in his mind.>>

:: He could see the light in the distance. ::

"Rose! She's in trouble!"

:: He instinctively moved into action, running forward, before turning into an alley and finding himself across the street from Rose and a blonde man he didn't recognize, despite the fact that he was several miles away from her neighborhood. He called out to Rose and charged forward. ::

"Get away from her!"

:: Danny looked over at the Fire Hyrdrant next to him and nodded as the top unscrewed and BLASTED a jetstream of great force RIGHT into Simon Pratt, knocking him back several feet and into the wall of the orphanage. Danny ran up to Rose and grabbed her by the hand. ::

"Rose! I saw your satellite! Are you okay!? Is that man HURTING you!?"

:: Danny turned his glance towards Simon gritting his teeth in anger. Nobody hurt Rose and got away with it. The city LOVED her. She helped make it a better and safer place, and in return, HE helped her be able to do just that. ::

 

[Longshot]

Rose's Neighborhood

:: The attack was brutal and highly uncharacteristic of the woman he had befriended a few months ago. It was a side of her that he had never seen, but he wouldn't judge her for it. After everything they had been through, Rose could use a little release. And whoever that was seemed nefarious at best. Everybody had a breaking point, though it troubled him to think that it could possibly happen to somebody like Rose, who had seemed to let everything roll off her back in favor of being serene and level headed. It made him a bit uncomfortable, but so had a lot of things lately. ::

Rose: "Are you alright?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing. Where did you send that bitch? The MOON!?"

:: He smirked for a second and then shook his head, trying to wrap his brain around what he had just seen. ::

"Seriously Rose...are you--"

:: He instinctively moved into action, running forward, before turning into an alley and finding himself across the street from Rose and a blonde man he didn't recognize, despite the fact that he was several miles away from her neighborhood. He called out to Rose and charged forward. ::

"Get away from her!"

"Oh for the love of God. Am I wearing a bullseye?!"

:: Danny looked over at the Fire Hyrdrant next to him and nodded as the top unscrewed and BLASTED a jetstream of great force RIGHT into Simon Pratt, knocking him back several feet and into the wall of the orphanage. Danny ran up to Rose and grabbed her by the hand. ::

"Rose! I saw your satellite! Are you okay!? Is that man HURTING you!?"

:: Danny turned his glance towards Simon gritting his teeth in anger. Nobody hurt Rose and got away with it. The city LOVED her. She helped make it a better and safer place, and in return, HE helped her be able to do just that. ::

:: Simon turned to face the man that was calling to Rose as a JETSTREAM of water shot RIGHT at him. He had been caught off guard once tonight. He would not let that happen. Casting his hand out, still encased in a psionic energy, he flicked his hand, warping the probability fields around the hydrant as he watched the top screw back shut. The water hit him hard as he was blasted back, though he used his own power to guide him to the best path, his foot landing on the brick wall, pivoting off of it and landing on his feet as the water stopped altogether. Simon ran back over towards the man and Rose. ::

"Day late and a dollar short, asshole. The "bad guys" already left."

Citadel: "Pipe down, Maria. I was talking to Rose hear, alright?"

"She's fine..except for the fact that she just rocket punched a woman across the city who was trying to case the orphanage. A member of The Hellfire Club to be exact."

:: His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was a text from Vivica. ::

"Hey babe. We need to talk immediately. I'll be at Vanguard within the hour. DON'T LEAVE. It's important."

:: He exhaled deeply. This is why he never went outside anymore. Grimacing, he shoved his phone back into his pocket, before looking back at Rose. ::

"Look...I have to get back home. Vivica is on her way...I only came to check in on you..and the kids."

:: From his pocket, he produced a pack of playing cards. ::

"This is for Katie. I'm teaching her magic tricks next week. Tell her to practice, will ya?"

:: Simon embraced Rose in a warm hug. He was still worried about her, but it appeared that this man was a friend and well equipped to help her should she need it. ::

"Take care of yourself, Rose. Please - if something like this happens again..don't hesitate to call. I promised I won't get captured."

:: Smiling, he looked at the man who had just dowsed him. ::

"Pleasure meeting you...ya savage."

:: Longshot spun on his heels as he made his way out of Rose's block and back into the city, ready to meet with Vivica for god knows what. ::

 

[Rose]

The Sanctuary

"I was going to ask you the same thing. Where did you send that bitch? The MOON!?"

:: He smirked for a second and then shook his head, trying to wrap his brain around what he had just seen. ::

<< Rose looked upon Simon with with a smile, appreciating his concern, and willingness to help.>>

I sent the snake back to her den, to her master, with a message. If she should return, I will have no choice but to deal with her as one would deal with a snake to stop it from harming a child....and crush her head.

:: He smirked for a second and then shook his head, trying to wrap his brain around what he had just seen. ::

"Seriously Rose...are you--"

:: He could see the light in the distance. ::

"Rose! She's in trouble!"

:: He instinctively moved into action, running forward, before turning into an alley and finding himself across the street from Rose and a blonde man he didn't recognize, despite the fact that he was several miles away from her neighborhood. He called out to Rose and charged forward. ::

"Get away from her!"

<< Rose turns to the direction of that voice. >>

<< Rose's purple eyes widen a bit at the sight of Danny moving with a purpose.>>

Danny...WAIT...there's no need....

:: Danny looked over at the Fire Hyrdrant next to him and nodded as the top unscrewed and BLASTED a jetstream of great force RIGHT into Simon Pratt, knocking him back several feet and into the wall of the orphanage. Danny ran up to Rose and grabbed her by the hand. ::

"Rose! I saw your satellite! Are you okay!? Is that man HURTING you!?"

The water hit him hard as he was blasted back, though he used his own power to guide him to the best path, his foot landing on the brick wall, pivoting off of it and landing on his feet as the water stopped altogether. Simon ran back over towards the man and Rose. ::

"Day late and a dollar short, asshole. The "bad guys" already left."

<< The reluctance and hesitation of Simon, caused by lingering trauma, was contrast by the certainty and impulse of Danny. In this city, both men were unique, and while they may not have been in the center painting of the picture, they were apart of the FRAMEWORK that surrounded it. But this was hardly a good way for them to meet.>>

"Pipe down, Maria. I was talking to Rose hear, alright?"

"She's fine..except for the fact that she just rocket punched a woman across the city who was trying to case the orphanage. A member of The Hellfire Club to be exact."

<< Standing between the two men, Rose lifted her hands up between them, calling for calm and civility>>

Please, my friends. There is no need for this hostility between you. It is unfortunate that your first meeting was a misunderstanding, but it does happen, as we are human.

<< She smiles at both of them.>>

It should please both of you to know that you were on the same side, willing to answer the call of need during a time of danger to the children, and I appreciate that from BOTH of you.

<< Looking at Danny.>>

Simon is right, the danger has passed. I sent HER BACK to where she came from, with a message from the woman she serves. Let's hope that warning is ENOUGH for them.

<< But deep down, Rose knew it wouldn't be...and secretly...she was GLAD, because she DID look forward to being justified in CRUSHING Cobra's head! She was looking forward to being the judge...jury...and EXECUTIONER.>>

<< THE DEVIL CARD flashes....and VENGEANCE bubbles to the forefront of her mind.>>

<< Her hand balled into a trembling fist....and a corona of purple astral energy formed around it. She didn't even REALIZE this at first, but the look of CONCERN on Simon's face snaps her back to normal...for now.>>

:: His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was a text from Vivica. ::

"Hey babe. We need to talk immediately. I'll be at Vanguard within the hour. DON'T LEAVE. It's important."

:: He exhaled deeply. This is why he never went outside anymore. Grimacing, he shoved his phone back into his pocket, before looking back at Rose. ::

Is something wrong, Simon?

"Look...I have to get back home. Vivica is on her way...I only came to check in on you..and the kids."

:: From his pocket, he produced a pack of playing cards. ::

"This is for Katie. I'm teaching her magic tricks next week. Tell her to practice, will ya?"

<< Rose took the pack of cards and smiled at them, then Simon.>>

How sweet. She will look forward to these! She considers you her friend, Simon. I'm happy that the two of you have been able to connect in a positive way

She's also looking forward to her next visit from Sharon Kelly. The children really DO love their "Wonder Woman."

:: Simon embraced Rose in a warm hug. He was still worried about her, but it appeared that this man was a friend and well equipped to help her should she need it. ::

"Take care of yourself, Rose. Please - if something like this happens again..don't hesitate to call. I promised I won't get captured."

Be well, Simon.

<< She replies>>

:: Smiling, he looked at the man who had just dowsed him. ::

"Pleasure meeting you...ya savage."

<< Rose and Danny stand in the middle of her block, she watches Simon make his way to the corner before disappearing around it. She returns her gaze to Danny.>>

I'm glad to see you again, Danny.

Zach Armani seems to be otherwise...OCCUPIED. And with this intruder this evening...that brings an end to the months of relative calm and peace. My children have only just begun to recover from their shared trauma. Dr. Victoria, Alycia, Sharon...they've all been so helpful, but tonight is a reminder that security is relative, and to maintain peace and safety, sometimes FORCE must be used.

I'm afraid that Simon is not accustomed to to seeing me use my Soul Power in such a violent way.

<< Rose's eyes begin to GLOW again...>>

Well...if he didn't like THAT, he REALLY won't like it when I use my PSYCHO POWER(the darkest, most violent aspect of her astral energy manipulation) to CRUSH Cobra...or anyone ELSE who threatens me and my children!

<< She thought with such BITTERNESS, before she realized that Danny could see her looking rather DARK at the moment, and she turned away, shutting her eyes tightly, regaining control of herself...for now.>>

<< the DEVIL CARD. THREE times her power drew it, no matter HOW hard she tried to focus, and use the higher, more serene aspects of her spirit....>>

<< She smiles again, extending her hand to Danny as her purple hair continues to flow, and that glowing scarf around her form continues to float about her>>

Come, join me for a drink? It's been a while since you visited, and Sable will be happy to see you. I'll give you a reading as well.

 

[Silver Swan]

The Parthenon- Surveying

[Silver Swan was VERY unhappy, but she had to contain her emotion if she was going to be of any help to the people she wanted to PROTECT from Black Widow and her souless MOTHER.]

[ Isis went to Nicolas, Charope went to Cameron, Silver Swan was going to go to Blaze and her family, whom she knew were all staying in Blaze's penthouse, but she...wasn't READY yet. If she was with them, she might feel like she could tell them what ELSE was bothering her. That thing she confided in Alycia about, her...contact with DOMINO.]

[ She was DISGUSTED with herself, and worse, Domino seemed to UNLOCK a part of her that she thought she had gained control of, that appetite for VIOLENCE and the desire to use her incredible power as the Silver Swan to DESTROY. In terms of physical power, she was second ONLY to Rampage, and what he may have over her in terms of physical strength, she certainly made up for with her OTHER powers, most notably, her SONIC SCREAM, which could decimate several MILES of of expanse in any direction, not to mention structures and people in it's path. With her training from the Amazons, she was a vicious aerial combatant, even SET had remarked on that. All of this power...and she was supposed to CONTAIN IT? She was supposed to SUFFER the DISRESPECT of someone like Valkyrie, who OPENLY flaunted her bigoted, INACCURATE views of Amazons? Domino was RIGHT, Sharon LONGED to FLATTEN Ashley Oldenburg, and she'd bring down the entire clocktower if she had to! ]

[ But that thought process right there was part of why she was so upset...at hersrelf. She wasn't supposed to be thinking like this! The Amazons had helped her come SO FAR in regaining her mind, in finding her way back to herSELF after she'd been rescurrected and mutated into the Silver Swan. And one of their CORE tenants was that "VIOLENCE IS THE LOWEST FORM OF COMMUNICATION." ]

[ People on the Six who knew her, people who had CLOSE relationships with her- Nicolas, Cameron, Delilah among them, they KNEW what drove her, and what mattered the most to her, protection of her loved ones. It all went back to her ordeal in the original Arklay mansion. The revelation that her son was a mutant was what drove her to become a senator and an OUTSPOKEN advocate for mutant rights, it's what lead to her DEATH, and when the Six and the Amazons helped her to RECOVER from the trauma of being mutated into the Silver Swan, it's what she RETURNED to.]

[ So with that in mind, yes she was VERY angry at Haleigh.The woman was not only the DAUGHTER of Malice, she'd CHOSEN to allign herself with her, she'd CHOSEN to put her family in DANGER. ]

[ John was FOOL. So was Zach. She'd stood right in front of that woman's face and confronted her, using ALL her abilities to hear...and "LISTEN", Haleigh wasn't in trouble. She WANTED to be there. She'd BETRAYED her friends, her FAMILY, to go to the very woman who had blighted her life....ALL of their lives. For Sharon, it was UNFORGIVABLE, and anyone who wanted to be SOFT or "middle of the road" about it was USELESS as far as she was concerned. Haleigh and Malice would COUNT on the Six and anyone orbiting them being weak, HESITATING "because it's HALEIGH." And the Amazon training Sharon had, along with her indepth, first hand knowledge of Malice AND Haleigh told her that would be the DOWNFALL of anyone who went that route. Why did Zach, John, Andrew and the rest of them have to be so STUPID about it? Why did ASHLEY have to be involved at all!? It's not like SHE cared one iota about anyone on the Six. She seemed to DELIGHT in the suffering of Frost and Karen, and that made her even MORE disgusting to Sharon than before. How could a woman with such a good heart like Zizi abide someone like Ashley!?]

[ Sometime passes....]

[ The mutate was on the main floor of the Parthenon, she was in the full aspect of her Silver Swan persona, including her silver eye mask, and this drew looks and whispers. The media had dubbed her "wonder woman" some time ago, and she was fine with that.]

[ So far, it seemed that things in the Parthenon were functioning normally. No signs of danger or damage. Her sonar told her where members of the six were.]

[ After a while of moving about and surveying, Sharon felt that maybe NOW she could do this the right way, and not let her ANGER cloud her judgement.]

[ She made her way toward the elevators, but she hesitated once more before drawing near to them...]

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Mansion- Catacombs

She got up abruptly and disappeared from the weight room, rematerializing in the area where she sensed Diana, Helena, and Ava. Her sister was on the floor, and Haleigh knelt by her immediately, helping Ava sit up, her expression laced with concern.

"Good grief, what the fuck did you do to piss them off?"

She asked, though Ava didn't look much like she could respond. Haleigh landed a cold gaze on Diana.

"Did you REALLY have to broadcast that? You KNEW I was about to get laid, that's just RUDE. "

:: Malice stands there, looking at Haleigh for a moment, with a slight smirk on her face, licking her glossed lips.::

:: The hybrid WAS right, Malice WAS aware of what she was about to do after she'd left Alice, but she didn't CARE. She didn't CARE WHAT Haleigh wanted, NEEDED, felt she was entitled to or OTHERWISE. What Haleigh thought simply DIDN'T MATTER to Diana, and the sooner she and this walking venus flytrap (Ava) figured out that they were NOT the HBIC in this place, the EASIER life for both of them would become.::

:: But beyond that, there WAS a personal issue. Haleigh had come dangerously close to provking Malice's wrath during the black out party. That was a BIG mistake, and Malice had spent the last 5 days making things VERY difficult for the hybrid, ORDERING the White Court to SHUN her, and instructing the queens of the other courts to make SURE that she AND Ava were subjected to HARSH scrutiny. She even commanded the staff of the mansion to REFUSE her service, and if she raised a hand to any of them, Malice would be aware of it, and punish her accordingly. Haleigh was going to have to "MAKE NICE" with Malice, if she was going to get to the point where SHE could experience "power without consequence" within these walls, because so far, all she was reaping (by her own actions) WAS consequence.::

:: After giving Haleigh a knowing look, the White Queen ignores her, and proceeds to address Helena both verally and telepathically on a "CLOSED" channel, a psi path she had established with Helena during the SET caper.::

Telepathically to Helena: Stay the course, Helena. This is the perfect opportunity to lay both of them low.

I think your red rook is ready to follow your instructions NOW, Helena.

Telepathically to Helena: And as an added bonus...VIVICA LENNOX is now in the vicinity of Simon Pratt. Sending Ava to attack them BOTH will make this all the more fun to watch. Don't worry about the walking "speak and spell" (Haleigh.). I want Simon hurt...and SCARED. I want Vivica Lennox DEAD, and her body brought back to me!

:: Diana knew Helena would know what to do, and now that Ava had been humiliated AND slapped down, the goddess would do well NOT to provoke either the Red or White Queens any further. HALEIGH might be reckless, but Ava tended to be more practical.::

:: After a few momenets, still not addressing Haleigh at all, Malice finishes her drink, sets the glass down, and walks forward in her high heels. She passes Haleigh, paying her NO mind.::

Telepathically to Helena: Nice work, Helena. You AND Mystique

:: She offers one last thought call to the Red Queen, before rounding a corner, and disappearing from view, leaving Ava and Haleigh on the floor.::

 

[Enchantrah]

Upon her orders, Diana struck Ava down with a powerful psi blast causing the Rook to collapse to the ground in a heap of pain. She screamed out in agony as Helena watched with a satisfied smirk. Helena allowed the attack to go on a few moments longer.

Diana: Do you think she's LEARNED yet?

"No. But I do need her functioning."

Lifting her hand for Diana to stop the attack, it was then that Haleigh appeared, going to Ava's side to assist her fallen sister. But Ava wouldn't see or hear Haleigh. The room around both herself and Ava began to warp until they were in an abyss of black. A spotlight illuminated Diana as well, for she was the only other person who could see and hear exactly was going on. To Haleigh, she would see nothing out of the ordinary--her sister still in a heap on the floor and both queens staring silently.

[telepathically] Diana: Stay the course, Helena. This is the perfect opportunity to lay both of them low.

Diana: I think your red rook is ready to follow your instructions NOW, Helena.

Warped Reality

Helena's heels echoed in the dark emptiness of the room as she approached Ava. She stood over the goddess, looking down at her breathing heavily after the psi attack.

"You have fire. I like that."

Ava slowly looked up as Helena knelt down to her level.

"But don't mistaken my relaxed approach as a means for you to DISRESPECT and DISOBEY me."

Her voice echoed loudly in the black space around them as Helena slid her hand around Ava's throat and lifted her into the air as she stood.

"You have spirit.....and do you know what one of my faaaavorite pastime is? BREAKING people's SPIRITS. AND I WILL BREAK YOURS until you become the OBEDIENT little PET that I know you can be. And if you DON'T become my little pet.....well, then i'll not only break your spirit....i'll BREAK your NECK."

Helena's hand became tighter and tighter in that moment, completely crushing Ava's windpipe shut. It was then that Diana said that Vivica Lennox would be meeting with Simon Pratt. How perfect.

"BUT....as a gesture of good faith...."

Helena released her hand from Ava's neck, causing the girl to fall to the ground once again.

"I WON'T have you kill Simon Pratt. Instead....I want you to MAIM him BEYOND recognition. I want The Six and the Birds of Prey to KNOW that we are COMING FOR THEM. Oh! And bonus jonas! Vivica Lennox will be with him....so do what you will with her--my welcome gift to you."

REALITY

Helena stared down at Ava as the goddess finally looked up at her in real time.

"Are we clear?"

Ava stared at her silently. Helena grinned maliciously.

"I take that as a yes."

Helena didn't look nor acknowledge Haleigh. Her eyes were glued to Ava's up until Diana approached them, finally side stepping the goddess and walking along side the white queen, both rounding a corner and disappearing from sight.

 

[Persephone]

Helena: "Do it."

Before she could even think, let alone register what was about to happen, Diana hit her with a psi blast that caused Ava to fall to her knees screaming out in agony. Holding either side of her head, she gritted her teeth together, trying to muffle her screams to no avail. She heard nothing around her, and didn't realize that Haleigh had come to her aid. It was all pain--complete and utter pain.

Then, it was over.

Still holding her head, she was hunched over and breathing heavily. There was a ringing in her ears and a throbbing pain behind both eyes. Her body was trembling.

WARPED REALITY

"You have fire. I like that. But don't mistaken my relaxed approach as a means for you to DISRESPECT and DISOBEY me."

Ava finally opened her eyes, realizing that everything around them was completely black. The room that they were in no longer existed. The guards were gone. Everything was gone. Everything but the pain of Diana's attack. Slowly lifting her head, she finally saw Helena knelt in front of her--Diana in the foreground illuminated by a single spotlight.

Helena: "You have spirit.....and do you know what one of my faaaavorite pastime is? BREAKING people's SPIRITS. AND I WILL BREAK YOURS until you become the OBEDIENT little PET that I know you can be. And if you DON'T become my little pet.....well, then i'll not only break your spirit....i'll BREAK your NECK."

Helena's hand closed around Ava's neck, pulling her upward as the Queen stood. Even as an omnimorph Helena wasn't strong enough to crush Ava's neck...it was then she realized she was in one of Helena's illusions. But despite being in a warped reality, the effects of Helena choking Ava was REAL. Gasping for air, Ava locked eyes with Helena and refused to struggle. She's be DAMNED if she let that woman see her struggle. Finally, Helena dropped her.

Coughing out, Ava put her hand on her chest as she attempted to get a decent breath in. It was then Helena told her what she had to do to Simon and Vivica.

REALITY

Still hunched over on the ground, Ava's breathing was still labored due to the warped reality of Helena's attack. Finally she lifted her head, her eyes meeting with Helena's.

Helena: "Are we clear?"

Ava didn't know if it was the psi attack jostling something in her head, or the reality of the whole fucked up situation hitting her, but in that moment she felt different. She just didn't care anymore. She didn't care if she had to kill Simon or Vivica or John Doe down the road. It was like a switch flipped. She just stared at Helena evenly--silently.

Helena: I take that as a yes.

Diana brushed by and Helena followed suit. As they disappeared, Ava finally shut her eyes feeling the painful after effects of Diana's attack. It was then she realized that Haleigh was there....she said something, but Ava couldn't really register what it was--the ringing in her ears was still pretty substantial.

Ava could feel Haleigh trying to help her up. She allowed the assistance, but soon pulled away when she was on her feet.

"I'm fine. Barely a scratch."

She joked, her voice now hoarse.

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire -- Catacombs

Diana just stared back at her with that creeper smile she often wore. She was apparently still giving Haleigh the ol' cold shoulder. She wouldn't even talk to her MENTALLY, and hadn't since the night of the Blackout party. Diana returns her attention to Helena, and the two Queens only acknowledged Ava from thereon out.

Haleigh smirked knowingly. She'd already endured days of these passive-aggressive bully tactics. In a weird way, she was enjoying it, because the longer it went on, the more it proved that she had REALLY gotten under Diana's skin at the party. It was amusing to Haleigh to appreciate all the ways her mother had come up with to show her displeasure. Not just limited to shutting Haleigh out herself, Diana'd also told the other members of the White Court to give her the silent treatment -- a command that was almost violated the day Heidi had found the black widow in her room.

<<FLASH>>

Haleigh sat in the parlor room, playing chess with Domino. Amanda lounged on a chaise nearby, up to her eyeballs in some book. Heidi came spilling into the room, filled to the brim with boiling ire, a little sphere of water in her palm. Haleigh grinned as she saw the furious glare Heidi had fixed her with.

"Hey Heidi, What's Up?"

Heidi didn't say a word, just snarled as she stormed up, tossed her hair back indignantly, and splashed the little ball of water in Haleigh's face. The water felt like a slap before it lost its form and ran down the front of her. Haleigh wiped her eyes with one hand and spotted the dead spider contrasted against her white shirt, then she laughed until she almost fell out of her chair.

"Oh, you found one of them! Didn't you like it? It's just like a little crab, only venomous. You like venomous, don't you Hydra?"

Heidi looked like she wanted to drown Haleigh, but clearly she wasn't going to defy Diana's order, because she just huffed her frustration and made a hateful face, then turned on her heels and stormed off. None of the spineless staff members brought Haleigh a towel, so she just ran her fingers through her hair to put it back off her forehead and returned to her game, unfazed.

So this was another battle of the wills, and another attempt by Diana to prove that SHE was the big bad bitch around here. Haleigh had been perversely pleased to undergo it all, because it meant that Haleigh herself had power here that Malice didn't like, and that Malice was continuing to try to dominate, underhandedly. Diana made it a point to say, loudly and often, that she 'owned/controlled' Scion, to which Haleigh would always facetiously reply 'Aww, I love you TOO Mom.' And so, Haleigh's week had been a gauntlet of disrespect, but she had adapted to it on the very first day and the longer it went on, the more amused she seemed.

But still, it couldn't go on like this forever. Haleigh had kept Malice distracted, she'd kept her mother's focus and frustration centered on her. Somewhere deep in her subconscious, she recognized that she'd bought the Six five days of peace, but if she continued to displease Malice, then the next step would be to strike her former friends directly. She knew that was coming eventually, but still didn't want it to be in retaliation for something SHE did, or didn't do. She needed to change her mother's mind, but in the time she'd spent here, she had yet to discover some way to accomplish that. She'd even taken care of Gia's fed problem, and that hadn't gotten her so much as a smile of approval.

Ava finally seemed to come around, and downplayed her pain as 'just a scratch'. Haleigh gave her a skeptical look. She knew EXACTLY what Ava had just gone through. She was lucky that Malice had given her a tempered version. Haleigh herself had been psi-blasted before, and it had killed her. She really didn't want Ava to be going through all this, but it was much too late now. They'd made their choices, and as horrible as it was, now they had to try to survive it.

"Well whatever, just do what they say so they don't 'scratch' you again. How'd it go with Zach?"

 

[Ruby]

The Parthenon - Lobby




:: It had been a tough few days. They had lost Haleigh. It was a shock. So, in an effort to be a source of strength for her team/family, Cass had opened her door for anyone, really, to come in and just relax. It was a huge step for her, as she generally liked her privacy, but she found that she rather enjoyed it. Blaze’s suite was usually the location for impromptu get-togethers and parties and such, but Cass suspected that the reason people were showing up at her door was because there were no strong ties between her suite and Black Widow. So far, though, nobody had taken advantage of the opportunity, other than Blaze and Morgan. ::

:: Speaking of Morgan, her newfound friendship with the soceress was developing nicely. It was slow going, though, what with the team’s turmoil and both Haleigh and Ava’s betrayals. It was nice, though. Sometimes her two cats showed up as well, and though Cass couldn’t say that she and Tinkerbell were BFFs now, there was an unspoken truce between them. ::

:: So, Cass has tried to be there for her FAMILY. The ‘atmosphere’ surrounding her family had been filled with anger, hurt, sadness, etc, etc. She hadn’t seen Nicolas in awhile, but she heard that he wasn’t doing so well from Blaze. So she was going to make him some yummy treats for him and also to make sure that he was okay; which was why she was now headed across the lobby of the Parthenon carrying a box full of food and top notch ingredients from the gourmet food shop. When Cass felt out of sorts and she just didn’t know what to do with herself, she baked. ::

:: Sighing, she headed for the personal elevators when she spotted a FAMILIAR someone looking out of sorts herself, Sharon Kelly. Or, from what she was wearing, the Silver Swan. ::

Oh no!

*cautiously*: “SHARON?!”

:: Well aware of the looks and whispers that were going on, Cass approached her friend, whom she thought of as a big sister, and set down the box of food. Cass didn’t need to be an empath or even a telepath to know that something was up with Sharon. The woman looked as if she was going to explode and kill someone. It could only mean one thing: she knew about Haleigh. ::

:: The beautiful succubus did the only thing she could think of: she walked up to Sharon and HUGGED the woman, not caring that Sharon wasn’t really a huggy kind of gal. Cass hugged her tight and whispered in her ear. ::

*whispers*: ”It’s going to be okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Now if only I can believe that myself…