A savage heart

[Ruby]

The Parthenon – Main Lobby





:: Sharon hugged Cass back. ::

You think so, Cass?

I'm not so certain. But that's why I'm here now. To check on you all, and to let you know that whatever's coming, Alycia, Dominique and Myself are ready to help you, help PROTECT you.

:: Cass laughed without humour. There was nothing humourous about these past few days. ::

“Yes, I really do think that.”

:: Cass was of the belief that everything really WILL be okay. She picked up the box of food and ingredients and stepped inside the elevator when the doors opened. ::

"It means a lot to me, and I know that the others will appreciate it too, that the three of you will be by our sides during this time.”

I'm heading up to see Blaze and her family. I know they were directly encompassed by the revelation of Haleigh. I can only imagine how betrayed KAREN must feel, after all the HELP she gave Haleigh.

:: At the mention of Karen feeling betrayed, Cass’ eyes grew watery. Haleigh’s betrayal brought back broken memories of a different time, in a different city, on a different continent, with a different person. She cleared her throat. ::

*softly*: “These past few days have brought back some pretty broken memories for me…”

:: Cass didn’t elaborate, but Sharon would know what she was referring to. It all came back full-force – memories of HIM. And why not? He had been her first love, and, up to this point in time, her ONLY love. Broken memories stirred up by Haleigh’s betrayal ripped her still-healing heart and made it raw again. It also brought up some feelings that she had thought had long since been dead. And that scared her. She also kept her thoughts on HIM, and the broken memories, as well as the feelings to herself. She didn’t really trust anybody enough with this part of her. She wanted to have a safe person to confide in and she hasn’t found them yet. Nobody that she knew of at this moment would understand them. After all, he had completely devastated her and nearly destroyed her. But for Cass, it was hard for her to just turn them off. Everybody wanted her to move on; they EXPECTED her to. Cass wanted to move on as well, but she just…couldn’t. Nobody wanted to hear that so she kept that part of her to herself. She didn’t know who she could trust with this. What nobody knew was that when she and HIM met up in New York many moons agao, she actually WANTED him to kill her; to release her from the pain and agony that he had caused. ::

*voice breaking*: “I bet…I bet…”

:: She cleared her throat. ::

“I know that they would appreciate your visit. It’s been different around here.”

After I see them, I'll be going to see Delilah. I want them to know that I saw Haleigh at the Hellfire Club, that I CONFRONTED her, and tell them exactly what she said. They need to know that the next time they see her, it will not be a reunion.

:: At that, tears flowed down Cass’ cheeks. ::

“I…I can’t bring myself to hate her, Sharon. She’s part of my family now. I don’t know what to do!”

:: She turned her head to her friend, pain and anguish on her face. ::

“From what Mama taught me, you don’t give up on family. I don’t think that I could bring myself to hurt, or even kill, Haleigh.”

:: Cass was loyal to a fault. Even though she KNEW that someday, somehow, she may have to hurt, or even kill, Haleigh Davidoff. She had seen it many times in the German lab, where people had to turn on their own in order to survive or even to thrive. ::

 

[Silver Swan]

The Parthenon- on the way to Blaze Victory's penthouse

:: At the mention of Karen feeling betrayed, Cass’ eyes grew watery. Haleigh’s betrayal brought back broken memories of a different time, in a different city, on a different continent, with a different person. She cleared her throat. ::

*softly*: “These past few days have brought back some pretty broken memories for me…”

The same for me, Cass.

[ Sharon said as she bowed her head. The substance of Sharon and Cass' memories were different, but the overall tone of regret and tragedy were the same. Dealing with family, loss, heartache....those universal themes that NO power could protect from. There was one OTHER commonality that they had, the loss of a love- an intimate love. In Sharon's case, it was her husband, ripped away from her by Malice; Cass' was her true love, her soul mate, he betrayed her, WILLINGLY alligned with Mystech. ]

[ Sharon HOPED that Cass would have learned from that trauma, and be clear enough, STRONG enough to answer this LATEST betrayal at the hands of her former teammate, Haleigh Davidoff. Sharon looked over and down at her friend, she was like a younger sister, or even a would-be ward at times. But despite her youthfulness, her relative innocence and naivete, this woman was actually OLDER than Sharon. It was a testimony to the curious nature of her powers, her mutant genome, that she presented as she did, the dichotomy of youth, and more life than one body should be able to have.]

[ It occurred to Sharon that Cass may have struggled with moving on...and living in the present, just like SHE did when she was first resurrected and mutated into the silver Swan. When FREED from her original programming, the mutate had to ponder this new life she had...a life FOREVER without her husband, and son....even without the man whom she found a new love with, Nicolas' father, Gustav. For a time, she wondered how could she go on...even in her new form and with this incredible power she had, and when she couldn't figure out the answer, it left her in a state of distress...and RAGE, which she then took out upon her closest friends and Six family. It was a dark and shameful time for Sharon, but...wasn't it BLACK WIDOW who seemed to be the most AWARE of what she was facing? the most UNDERSTANDING? the one who somehow KNEW that Sharon would COME BACK to them when she was truly healed and centered with the help of the Amazons!?]

[ FUNNY how just BEING in the presence of Ruby somehow had a calming affect on the savage heart of Sharon Kelly just now, allowing her to think about OTHER parts of this issue...of HALEIGH...and that's what she NEEDED. Somehow, Cass was bringing her back down to a calmer, more stable level, JUST by being herself...so open, and plaintive. Daring to ARTICULATE how she felt. The others at the Clocktower hadn't done that.]

*voice breaking*: “I bet…I bet…”

:: She cleared her throat. ::

“I know that they would appreciate your visit. It’s been different around here.”

[ Sharon ran her armoured hand through her blonde hair and exhaled]

I hope you're right, Cass. I...WE'RE here to help. I promised Cameron that even as I left to try this new path witwh the Birds of Prey, that if ever he...or this team needed me, I'd come running. I know Alycia felt the same. Haleigh's betrayal...and the implications of what it means going forward...it doesnt just effect those in this building, but others that orbit the six as well. She KNEW that, but it didn't stop her. I stood right in front of her face...and confronted her, and there was no uncertainty or remorse on her part.

[ Cass confirmed what Zizi had observed from her monitoring the Six, the team was fractured, in a state of flux. This was not good. Sharon wondered how Dominique and Alycia were doing with their contacts just now. If either one of them were having a hard time, they would contact Sharon, and vice versa.]

:: At that, tears flowed down Cass’ cheeks. ::

“I…I can’t bring myself to hate her, Sharon. She’s part of my family now. I don’t know what to do!”

:: She turned her head to her friend, pain and anguish on her face. ::

“From what Mama taught me, you don’t give up on family. I don’t think that I could bring myself to hurt, or even kill, Haleigh.”

:: Cass was loyal to a fault. Even though she KNEW that someday, somehow, she may have to hurt, or even kill, Haleigh Davidoff. She had seen it many times in the German lab, where people had to turn on their own in order to survive or even to thrive. ::

[ Sharon looked upon Cass with sympathy. How could she be angry with this girl for being honest with herself and with Sharon, she COULDN'T.]

Cass....

[ Sharon gently places her hand on the succubuss' shoulder]

I feel the way I do about Haleigh, and what she's done, for my own reasons. She and I....we have our own story that is different than yours, experiences will be different too. What she has done IS a BAD thing, and you MUST know that. But That doesn't mean YOU have to HATE her too.

Still, while you don't have to HATE her, you MUST have your eyes open. You MUST be aware, and you MUST prepare. She HAS joined the Six's most powerful, their ultimate mortal enemy, the woman who has blighted, and ultimately SHAPED their lives - most from the time they were BORN. That is too significant to gloss over OR to assume that there won't be DANGER coming your way.

I can't tell you just what to do.

BUT I MUST warn you...URGE you to be ready to defend yourself AND those you care about against her.

You may not want to GIVE UP on her...but she has already GIVEN UP on you, and don't think for a MOMENT that her mother WON'T use her to hurt you and those you love.

[ She said that to Cass with grim certainty]

I KNOW Malice...I know what she's capable of. She's indirectly the reason that I stand before you as the Silver Swan. I ALSO know Haleigh. She is VERY good at making a person BELIEVE in her, CARE for her...and then HURTING them because of it.

You've been hurt before, as have I. It's part and parcel of LIVING in this world, but Cass...she's NOT your Black Widow anymore, She's Malice's SCION, and the next time you see her...if you AREN'T ready to take her at her measure, that may well be your LAST time seeing her or anyone ELSE.

[ She hoped Cass was LISTENING, the way her husband had NOT. She HOPED that Cass, a SURVIVOR just like Sharon, would understand that SOMETIMES "not giving up" had to be BACKBURNED to "STANDING YOUR GROUND AND FIGHTING!"]

[ The elevator chimes, and they arrive on the floor of Blaze's penthouse.]

Well, here we are.

Are you going to come with me to see Blaze, Karen, Morgan and Michael?

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon Hotel - Cameron's Penthouse

:: Cameron had tried to keep his mind busy, but his normal tricks weren't working. He and Morgan had promised that they would figure out a way to rally the troops, unite the team and lead them together in the face of such adversity. Then he went looking for Ava on Aerie only to find that she too had left the team to be with Haleigh. It was around that time that his heart had broken into a million pieces. While he could never forgive Haleigh for doing this to them, Ava's betrayal had been particularly painful. Over the last year, he had gone out of his way to be a friend to Ava. After everything she had done for his sister and with Haleigh gone during the Avenger Initiative, he wanted her to know that she had people she could lean on. He knew that she had gone through something she didn't want to speak about, but he thought if he could give her avenues to work through her grief, such as the job with The Zenith Group and The Parisian Parthenon, that maybe they could get close enough for her to feel comfortable sharing with him. He thought they had. He thought when the chips fell and Haleigh declared herself a traitor, that Ava would be understandably upset, but that she would stay by his side and help him figure out how to deal with this. ::

"Bitch."

:: He sat in his living room drinking whiskey in a t-shirt and jeans, a look that not many people saw Cameron King in. This was probably the second bottle he had consumed in the last hour, but nothing seemed to work. Cameron knew that if he shut off his emotions, at some point later it would come crashing down around him with disastrous effect to everybody he cared about. He had already been flirting enough with danger lately and he was worried that the burden he was about to place on himself was too much. But that was the difference between Cameron and Haleigh - SHE wasn't a hero..but Cameron, despite his flaws, knew that he WAS. He had worked too hard and sacrificed too much to just lay down with the devil. So he dulled the darkness with alcohol, resolved to be by himself for awhile and just exist, before he would have to be the heart of the team. Before he had to use every last bit of his energy convincing his family to move on and to move forward. ::

:: Moving over towards his floor to ceiling windows he sipped from his glass, overlooking the city skyline as his eyes transfixed on the neighborhood in the distance that housed the Hellfire Club Mansion, lost in thought. ::

"I hope they're okay..."

:: He could still taste her on his mouth. Feel her on his skin. ::

"How could I have been this stupid..."

:: When she said she was leaving...revealed her parentage, he wanted to hate her. He wanted to kill her. Completely remove her from his memory and his life, from all of their lives. The woman he loved was the daughter of somebody who had taken everything from him, and enjoyed doing so. Part of him wondered if this was all part of it..if at some point down the road he would find out that the reason he even loved Haleigh in the first place was because Diana wanted him to. That she crafted it like this all along. The thing that scared him was that even in spite of these thoughts, he knew he wouldn't stop loving her..knew he would help her if she needed him, even if it meant dying. And though he was sure that those around him would be quick to tell him that she was the enemy, that Malice WOULD force her to kill him, he knew that she wouldn't..or at the very least, she would let him die on his terms. Their relationship was twisted and often times fractured, but there was a part of each other's soul that the other had indefinitely. That wasn't going away, and it never would. They would be forced to hurt each other again and again. It was this feeling that had made him so understanding of Delilah and Bishop. He GOT it. There were few people in the world that GOT it. It was the reason he could look at Delilah and call her his best friend. ::

:: Cameron finally sat down on the couch when he became aware of who exactly was in The Parthenon in this moment. Alycia, Sharon and Dominique had come to check in on them, and his heart sank to his stomach. ::

"Alycia..."

:: He didn't want to see her right now. Didn't want to face her. He knew that she could sense the distance, and he knew that he owed her the truth and a conversation, but Cameron hadn't spoken outloud in three days. He didn't have it in him, and he knew it was going to be a confrontation. He knew that when he told her about Haleigh she would act out, most likely with violence...and with how paper thin he felt right now, he wasn't sure that he could give her the closure or the answers that she deserved. ::

:: But it was too late. ::

:: There was a knocking at the door. He pondered not answering for a moment. Pretending he wasn't there. Instead he swallowed his whiskey and opened the door. At the very least, he could give her anger a human face to be unleashed on. ::

Alycia: "Hello, Cameron."

:: He gave her a hug and invited her into his living room. The two sat down on the couch as Cameron fixed himself another drink. It was clear that he was numb, and he wasn't emotionally there as Alycia would have previously known him to be. She put her hand on his and he felt sick to his stomach. He didn't deserve her..and SHE didn't deserve this. ::

Alycia: "Sharon told me about Haleigh. She saw her at the Blackout Party, and confronted her personally. It wasn't a pretty sight."

:: Cameron stared at her for at least thirty seconds without saying something. His eyes were glossy. He couldn't break eye contact. He downed his whiskey in one drink, and sat his glass down on the table. ::

"I slept with Haleigh."

 

[Recall]

Headed to Vanguard...

:: She had been crying for several city blocks. While Vivica had put up a brave and united front among The Birds of Prey, she was scared and she was taking this time while being alone to process everything that she had just heard. She felt stupid for trusting Haleigh. For letting her BRAIN be housed by the woman. There was a part of her that wanted to believe that Zach would protect that part of her, but for as capable as he was..Zach had been dropping the ball lately. While there was a good reason for that, it left Vivica feeling incredibly vulnerable. Oracle was a brilliant woman and if there was anybody out there who could figure out a way to keep her safe, it was her. But Haleigh was basically a technopath and there was a piece of sophisticated technology right in her very brain that Haleigh could sever and break with simply a thought. Vivica had put her complete trust in Zach, never anticipating the risk associated in trusting a man so closely connected to Black Widow. She couldn't bring this to Zach or Cameron, because it just seemed selfish and short sighted in the grand scheme of what was happening. Vivica was thankful that Oracle seemed to pick up on this and she was starting to rely on Zizi in a way that borderlined on a little dependent. Oracle had already given her life back to her once before, how could she possibly ask her to do it again? Hadn't she done enough. She was so grateful for her friendship with Zizi in these past few months, and she didn't want the woman to think that it was only a relationship of convenience. Vivica felt lost and scared. ::

:: As she sniffled down the city sidewalks, she was engrossed in her phone, researching whatever she could find on nano-technology and server structure. She also made sure to research magickal wards and sigils, things that she might be able to use to protect herself against The Hellfire Club. Perhaps Dominique would take pity on her and want to help. She was grasping at straws, but she was a resourceful woman, and with a war brewing right under her nose. She wanted to be prepared. ::

"You can find a solution, Vivica. You can fix this."

:: Soon, as she rounded the city block where Simon was living, she switched into another mode altogether. Tonight, she was going to have to tell Simon Pratt that his mother was in league with Diana, The White Queen of The Hellfire Club. She hated bringing him into this. Simon was one of those people that just made you happy to be around, even in his most harsh of forms. He may have been a rich and priveleged playboy, but he really did have a heart of gold and a charming quality that people couldn't deny. It wasn't fair that he was a part of this, and if she was being honest, she was pissed that Cameron had decided to mentor the boy. Cameron knew the risks of bringing ANYBODY into this world, but to so blatantly bring him into the fold of The Six so quickly and into the orbit of Ava Cassadine, it was downright stupid. It was this thought that reminded her that the status of Simon's mother was not the only news she had to deliver tonight. Ava Cassadine was The Red Rook of The Hellfire Club, which enraged her all that much more. Simon had barely survived The Purifiers Attack and even in that, he had grown so much. He found new purpose in his life, something that Vivica, knowing him as she did, knew he would be so incredibly good at. He was the perfect person to be the face of mutants. The public knew him, and they loved his antics. His image would skyrocket, and his power could get people to LISTEN to him. He was trying so hard to work through everything that he had gone through and make something positive from it, and now she was about to dump a bunch of shit in his lap, and she didn't have a choice. Because of THEM...HE was now a part of this world, and he was now in danger. ::

"Those stupid IGNORANT assholes."

:: For as much as she had moved on from her issues with The Six, she couldn't deny the unbridled rage that she was experiencing in this moment. What in god's name was going on with that team? How could they be so fractured as to let something like this happen? And how could NONE of them reached out and let the people in their lives know that they were now in danger?! Were they TRULY that selfish of people...yes they WERE. They ALWAYS did this. ALWAYS maximized their own pain and history and strife. They never saw anything besides each other. Thought they were the only ones qualified to deal with The Sisterhood and MysTech. Everybody else was collateral damage. One only had to look at Sharon Kelly...or Alycia Barnett...or HERSELF to see that. And now Simon Pratt would be added to that list. Always in danger, always facing some kind of threat, because The Six couldn't keep their problems or their business CONTAINED. ::

:: She had thought they had evolved, moved on and LEARNED from their past mistakes, but here they were hearing second hand from Sharon Kelly all that had transpired. Vivica didn't care that this revelation was painful for them, because at the end of the day, it didn't just involve THEM. They had gone through intense pain and strife over the years, and really...this revelation about Haleigh and Ava was nothing out of the ordinary for a group like The Six. They should have said something. They should have reached out, if only to warn them that at any second, SCION and PERSEPHONE could attack..and REALLY, that was more realistic threat to THEM. Malice wasn't a stupid woman. She wasn't going to use two coveted assets to just attack The Six outright or immediately...she was going to VEX the people they cared about..and that meant The Birds of Prey. ::

:: All of these painful and angry thoughts subsided as she saw Simon in the windows of Vanguard, sitting there, drinking in a dimly lit open space. His life had already changed so much because of them, and she felt that she was about to go in and tell a child that Santa Claus wasn't real. THEY should be dealing with this. THEY should have had enough respect for him to tell him to his face, but yet again..it would fall on the people AROUND The Six to foster the storm. To operate around their perpetual narcissism and make sure that the people in orbit of the team would be safe. ::

:: Exhaling deeply, she entered the commercial space. ::

"Hey, baby cakes. Thanks for meeting with me. Sorry for being so cryptic..but I had to make sure you'd meet me."

:: The two shared a hug and it was pretty instantaneous that Simon had definitely been indulging in alcohol. She could smell it on his skin. She took a seat on the floor as there was no real furniture in the place worth sitting on. ::

"I don't know whether it's a good thing or not that you're drunk..but I do know that you should sit down. I've got some real horrible SHIT to tell you. Shit that you aren't going to like, and shit that you aren't going to want to hear or believe. But it's all true...and you need to hear it. So either drink up or sober up, because I'm about to hit you with a freight train and I don't know how else to say it."

 

[Longshot]

To Vanguard..

:: He was taking the slow road back to Vanguard. Partly because he was feeling like a loser and partly because he was pretty pissed off. Simon had gone to Rose hoping to find a little piece of mind and had once again found hismelf as a victim and also found himself a new enemy. The city just wasn't safe anymore. The Hellfire Club was flexing their power, feeling so solidified and brazen in their influence that they would openly case an orphanage looking to poach innocent children for their twisted machinations. He felt more drawn to his new path than ever, but he also felt wildly unqualified to do such a thing. For as far as he had come so far, he still had so much farther to go. His power was untamed and foreign to him, despite his best efforts to change that. It was this kind of night that made him mourn his own innocence. ::

:: He didn't miss the Simon Pratt that he used to be, but there was a part of him that wished he could..have an affair with his former ignorance. He wanted to sit in Ambrosia and eat a steak that was dangerously rare and meticulously prepared. He wanted to sip a vintage sauvignon and he wanted to not have to worry about the price of the check. He wanted to flirt with a young woman who had heard his name in certain social circles. He wanted to get drunk, make love to said woman and play his piano naked. More than anything, Simon wished he could have one more day without a care in the world. But he had gotten into bed with The Six. He could say he didn't know what he was getting into, but that wasn't the case. Nearly everybody he knew had warned him of such dangers and he still walked alongside them. The blame could only squarely be placed on him. He wanted to dance in flames, and he did. The fallout he hadn't prepared for and that was his fault. Maybe Ava had it right all along. Maybe it was better to just pretend that nothing was wrong. Maybe it was better to just make love and have croissants. In the moment, he felt weak and he pulled out his phone as he rounded the corner. He reached out to Ava. ::

"I almost got eaten by a snake woman tonight. Care to console me?"

:: Simon hated himself almost instantly, but a night with Ava Cassadine sure as hell sounded better than drinking himself to sleep in the squalor of his current living situation. Her sheets were higher thread count. Before long, he made his way back to the headquarters of Vanguard. Vivica had not arrived yet and Simon took the opportunity to pour himself another drink. It seemed like the right thing to do. For a few moments, he sipped on whiskey and enjoyed the silence as well as the neurotic spiraling that came with Ava not responding to his message. Maybe the boat had truly sailed on that. A few moments later, he saw Vivica's silohuette making her way closer to Vanguard before arriving with a warm smile and an obviously troubled mind. ::

Vivica: "Hey, baby cakes. Thanks for meeting with me. Sorry for being so cryptic..but I had to make sure you'd meet me."

:: He smiled and gave Vivica a warm smile. With so much uncertainty around him, Vivica was a pillar of strength. She had helped him find the space for Vanguard, helped him moved and made sure to mention his new endeavour to a number of people in her new and exciting social circles. People could say whatever they wanted about Vivica Lennox but one thing was clear to Simon - she was loyal to the people that were loyal to her..and more than that, she was an incredibly GOOD friend. Simon loved her. ::

"Experiencing a bit of residual prom night emotional energy? I'd never stand you up."

:: Immediately she eyed him up and down and plopped down on the floor. Simon arched his eyebrow. ::

Vivica: "I don't know whether it's a good thing or not that you're drunk..but I do know that you should sit down. I've got some real horrible SHIT to tell you. Shit that you aren't going to like, and shit that you aren't going to want to hear or believe. But it's all true...and you need to hear it. So either drink up or sober up, because I'm about to hit you with a freight train and I don't know how else to say it."

:: Simon was silent for a moment before he reached out a hand, extending it to Vivica. ::

"Here. Get up."

Vivica: "Simon...I'm not sure if this is the best time for--"

:: He stopped her. ::

"Vee...I've had a rough night...and it sounds like it's about to get a whole lot more...ROUGH. Can you just humor me for a minute?"

:: Vivica nodded and grabbed his hand as he propped her back onto her feet. ::

"This place is supposed to be a positive one..Whatever it is you have to say...I don't want the juju in my building...walk with me."

:: They both left the Vanguard headquarters and walked out into the city, walking several blocks forward, until they reached a place in the city that was familiar to the both of them. Vivica was definitely tense and uncomfortable, wanting to know just where he was taking her but they persisted. Soon, they found themselves in front of a vacant store front with a "For Lease" sign in the window. Simon turned to Vivica. ::

"I know this is a stupid question..but remember this place?"

:: Vivica's eyes lit up. ::

Vivica: "Oh my god...Jasco's! We used to eat here all the time!"

:: He laughed. ::

"Yeah..I was a little page boy in the boiler room, and you were the Vice President. This place was far enough for us to eat in peace without you looking like you were showing favoritism, and close enough that we could capitalize on that three o'clock rush."

:: Vivica laughed. ::

Vivica: "Oh wow...Simon it feels like another lifetime ago, doesn't it? We used to sit in that corner there. You always ordered clam chowder! I used to wonder how a man who ate so much clam chowder could bag the amount of girls you used to bag!"

"It took a great deal of Certs...but I managed just fine."

Vivica: "Simon...this is sweet. But why are we here...are you okay?"

"I'm fine Vee. I don't know. Like I said...I had a rough night. Maybe I'm waxing a little nostalgic, but I thought..you said you had some rough shit to tell me, and I have a feeling of what it's all connected to...I guess I just wanted to take you to a place that was BEFORE all this...before you were a Bird of Prey..and I was..."

Vivica: "And you were a political activist. Goddamn the universe is one tricky little bitch, isn't she.."

"You're telling me. I guess I just wanted you to remember..I can tell that this city is about to be turned on it's head. I wanted to show you simpler times. Maybe lessen the impact of what you're about to tell me.."

Vivica: "Simon..."

"Vivica..Come on, what do you have to tell me. It's not gonna break my heart is it? I'm sensitive enough as it is these days."

:: Vivica remained silent. Simon grabbed her hand. ::

"What's wrong? What is it that I have to know?"

 

[Persephone]

The skies above began to quietly rumble with thunder as Vivica and Simon reminisced about the past. The dark skies illuminating periodically with flickers of lightning. It would be a beautiful backdrop to a sappy movie, but as Vivica prepared to tell Simon exactly why she brought him there, Ava stepped out about twenty feet away.

Simon: "What's wrong? What is it that I have to know?"

"I think I can answer that."

The look on Vivica's face was priceless as she turned to see Ava standing afar. A Kodak moment really. A soft laugh left Ava's red stained lips as she stepped forward with her black heeled boots and lifted her cell phone in the air for them to see.

"Got your text Simon....as much as i'd love to ride you hard tonight, unfortunately I have to KILL Vivica. Oooh, yeah....she was about to tell you that i'm now apart of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle."

A bolt of lightning crackled in the sky before SLAMMING down between Vivica and Simon, separating them upon impact. The concussive force alone from the electricity would render any human unconscious or even dead. They would undoubtably be stunned by the impact.

"Surprise! But really....who doesn't want to fuck the enemy? I still know exactly how you like it...."

Her transfiguring whip uncoiled from her wrist as she cracked it towards Simon, the end wrapping around his neck tightly. Yanking Simon toward her, Ava rotated the whip and spun his body around before grabbing him, his neck being pulled back as she stood behind him.

Her mouth directly against his ear.

"You always loved being tied up."

The whip transfigured into rusted barbed wire, Ava pulling the razor sharp metal tighter against his neck, slicing his skin open.

"How do you like it now?"

Kissing his cheek, Ava forcefully sent Simon flying across the street--her whip releasing his neck and recoiling back around her wrist. She now turned her sights onto Vivica who was just regaining her bearings from Ava's earlier attack.

"Aww Viv...it's just not the same seeing you without my 9mm pressed against your neck."

Thunder crashed in the skies as the winds around them began to pick up.

"This time i'll make it stick."

 

[Orion]

EOS Nomad -- Zach's Condo

"Okay. I'll be on my way soon."

He finished, and let her hang up. He set the phone down and splashed water onto his face, then stared himself down in the mirror.

Ottenere una sospensione di te stesso, devi essere forte per loro

He thought, but then winced and gripped the sink with one hand, steadying himself as he clutched at his heart. Second-hand heartbreak again. He had to get dressed. He staggered into his bedroom and pulled on the first clothes he came across.

He located his keys and dialed a new number on the way to his car.

Thomas: Sentry.

"Tom. Haleigh defected to Hellfire."

Thomas: That's not a very funny joke, Orion.

"That's because I'm not joking. When's the last time she used company resources?"

Thomas: A few days ago she called Jazz out in the middle of the night and had a whole battery of tests run. Jesus, Zach. Charlie thought she went on vacation.

"Let's hope that's exactly what she did."

Thomas: I'll have to call for an emergency board meeting.

"I need more time."

Thomas: I can't delay this, Zach. The protocol is very clear. I have to propose the activation of the Midnight Contingency. We need to vote as soon as possible.

"You'll never get a unanimous vote. This is going to split the company in two."

Thomas: She was adamant about this, Zach. If she ever went dark, she wanted us to save the company. I owe it to her to do what she asked.

"I've got to do damage control on my end. Video conference me in when you get everyone together."

He said, and hung up as he arrived back at the Clocktower. That pain in his chest increased as he ascended the building. WHO was here?? He let himself in and immediately knew it was Ashley. But why was she so upset? He glanced at Zizi, but she wasn't very forthcoming with the info. He crossed the room, going towards her, and almost knocked on her door.

He didn't try. Instead, he held up a hand, closed his eyes, and took in a sharp breath, absorbing as much of her emotion as he could stand, splitting the burden with her. One hand on his chest, the other covered his eyes for a moment. His breath came out in a choked sob, and then he turned back to Zizi with bloodshot eyes.

"I am TRULY sorry."

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Zach thankfully called her back, and he seemed to be okay – alive, if nothing else. She asked him to return to the Clocktower and when he stepped through the door, he looked literally heartbroken.

"I am TRULY sorry."

Zizi’s brows knit together in a sad expression of sympathy.

“Oh, honey, you have nothing to be sorry about.”

She held out her arms to give him a warm hug.

“I’M sorry that I couldn’t leave you to just be sad for a time, but I do need your help and I don’t think it can wait.”

She wheeled her chair backwards, looking up at him.

“Can you make contact with Rose? She needs to know what’s going on and that she needs to be prepared for anything. Also see if she’s seen or heard anything that can help?”

She truly hated having to ask Zach to be a part of this, but it was an all hands on deck time for them. Despite understanding that some of her team needed to know the WHY of Haleigh and Ava moving to the dark side, she also understood the need to prepare for the worst.

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Delilah was alone, watching tv in her suite, snuggled into her bed in yoga pants and a hoodie. Things were a mess and she didn’t know how to fix them. She looked at her phone, then fired off yet another text.

>>> Cameron…call me, please. You don’t have to go through this alone.

She tossed her phone onto the bed next to her. She hadn’t seen anyone in days. They were all going to have to meet, sooner or later. They needed to figure out what they were going to do now that Haleigh was gone.

It was still like a knife through Delilah’s heart to picture Haleigh in that place. And she wasn’t naïve: she knew what Diana must be doing to her. Buying her daughter kittens and ice cream was not her style. It was so frustrating! They could have dealt with this together, rather than Haleigh making some grand but idiotic gesture.

And now, after her meeting with Bishop, she couldn’t help but feel like this would have never happened if she had just caved in like usual after the Blue Moon.

<< FLASH! >>

The Night of the Blackout Party. Chelsea.

There was only one door she could knock on.

And when Bishop opened the door, she finally burst into tears and collapsed.

Bishop, visibly shocked to see Delilah in front of him, and in such a state of distress, scooped her up off the floor and into his arms. She buried her face into his shoulder, sobbing loudly. He carried her into the bedroom, laying down with her on the bed, holding her until she eventually fell asleep.

The next morning, Delilah woke alone, disoriented, face puffy. She ran a hand through her hair as she registered where she was. She got up, left the bedroom and found herself in Bishop’s kitchen. He was at the stove, cooking.

She shuffled her feet.

“Hi.”

He didn’t turn around, but replied.

Bishop: “Good morning. Have a seat.”

He turned around, carrying two plates of eggs, home fries, and bacon, and set them down on the small café table before sitting himself. He looked up at her, and motioned for her to sit, before he started to dig into his breakfast.

Bishop: “So…you want to tell me what happened? I mean, I did just spend a night with you in my bed and I didn’t even cop a feel.”

He paused.

Bishop: “Well, maybe once.”

He grinned a mouthful of eggs. She sat down across from him and watched him for a minute before picking up her fork and starting to eat herself. It was surprisingly good.

“Haleigh has left the Six and joined the Hellfire Club. Oh, and she’s Malice’s daughter.”

Bishop put down his fork and stared at her.

Bishop: “No. Shit.”

He got up and went to the refrigerator, pulling out a carton of orange juice and pouring two glasses of it. He took a big gulp of one while handing the other to her.

“She thinks she’s protecting the rest of us by giving Malice what she wants.”

Bishop: “Well, you know, me and Big Red-“

“She’s a blonde now.”

Bishop: “Whatever. We’re not exactly friends – actually usually we want to kill each other - but she knows her shit. She’s a soldier, a spy. She wouldn’t do all this without a bigger plan. I think…I think you just have to trust that she’s got something up her sleeve. Trust her.”

“That’s what she said.”

He raised his eyebrows at her. She gave him an annoyed look.

“She said to trust her.”

Bishop: “Then trust her.”

“But why wouldn’t she tell us what was going on. She wouldn’t put us all through this for nothing. I know she wouldn’t, despite everything else.”

Bishop: “You said it yourself. She thinks she’s protecting you.”

“And with her gone, it’s really only Cameron I can rely on, and he’s of course devastated by all this…I just don’t know how I can go back to all that. I can’t roll over for them. I just can’t.”

Bishop: “You’re here talking to me.”

Bishop sat back down in his chair, and leaned forward towards her.

Bishop: “Listen. From what I saw after…everything…Haleigh did all she could to help you, keep you safe. She would do anything for her team. But Haleigh…she’s out of your hands now. All you can do is what she would want you to: keep the team safe, and together.”

He leaned back, stretching his feet out under the table.

Bishop: “It’s no secret, the Six and me [shakes his head]. I wouldn’t piss on most of them if they were on fire. Especially the one that actually catches on fire. And nothing would make me happier than for you to sit here and tell me you were done with all those fuckers. They hold you to impossible standards, never allowing you a moment’s happiness, while treating you like shit every time you do something they don’t like, while meanwhile their out of control bullshit wreaks havoc on everything around them and then they expect YOU to clean it up. But.”

He paused, and sighed.

Bishop: “That’s not who you are Delilah. You are part of that team and I know you. I know you better than you think. You aren’t going to leave them. No way in hell. You’ll give up everything for them, time and time again.”

He sat up.

Bishop: “So either you’re a part of the team, or you aren’t. But if you are – and for chrissake, you know you are – then go BE on the team. No half-assed using Cameron as a go between. No picking and choosing who you give your help to. You don’t have to kiss their asses – and I will personally come kick your ass if you do. But do what has to be done. Do what Haleigh would want you to do. Because Delilah?”

He crossed his arms.

Bishop: “It’s that or quit. You can’t sit in the middle forever.”

<< FLASH! >>

Delilah hated that he was right. But letting go of Haleigh was easier said than done. She had no idea what they were going to do if they ever had to face her in battle. And that’s why she was in bed, watching tv, trying to put it all out of her mind.

 

[Recall]

Trouble Near Vanguard

Simon: "What's wrong? What is it that I have to know?"

[a voice:] "I think I can answer that.."

:: Her blood went cold as a chill ran down her spine. She was too late. Simon jolted his head to look over at the who the voice exactly belonged to when Vivica GRABBED him with great force, forcing his eyes to look at HER and not Ava. She spoke quickly in a low tone. ::

"Simon. I need you to understand how serious this is. You CANNOT try and reason with her. You CANNOT try and save her. You need to stand strong..and you need to fight for your LIFE. We stick together...or we're DEAD. GOT IT!?!"

:: Vivica snapped her head over to see Ava Cassadine now dawning the color of red and looking like something out of a horror movie. The war was beginning and just like she had concluded earlier, Hellfire was starting with the people The Six cared about. She always thought that nobody cared enough about her to use her as bait or some painful lesson. As much as she hated the way they made her feel irrelevant over the years, maybe that had kept her safe. Those days were gone. She knew that Ava had come for her head. For as strong and capable as she was now, how in the hell was she supposed to fight a goddess and live. She was alone. Simon was untrained. She should have listened to the buddy system request from earlier. ::

Ava: "Got your text Simon...as much as i'd love to ride you hard tonight, unfortunately I have to KILL Vivica. Ooh, yeah...she was about to tell you that I'm now apart of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle."

:: Her body convulsed with anger and RAGE! ::

"She has to kill me?! As in she has ORDERS!?"

:: She didn't have time to come up with some witty response.. ::

<< CRACK! BOOM! >>

:: A bolt of lightning crackled in the sky as it SLAMMED down right in between where they were standing as it SEPARATED the two of them, sending them FLYING in opposite direction. Vivica was BLINDED for a moment and her ears began to ring wildly as she was thrown from where she was standing and THROTTLED to the ground hard, hitting her head on the pavement. ::

:: There were only flashes. She couldn't make out the words they were saying, what she was doing to him. Her head was throbbing and she was stunned in place, unable to move for a few moments. She let the anger flow through her...GUIDE her through the pain. ::

"I am NOT going to let this bitch claim me...not AGAIN. I'm going to send her back to Hellfire with her tail between her legs!"

:: Vivica knew that on her own, she couldn't kill Ava..or at the very least she would have to be incredibly careful and calculated in her movements. But Vivica also knew that Ava surviving this encounter would be worse for her. She would have to go back to the Hellfire Club and tell The Inner Circle that she had FAILED to kill somebody that would seem far BENEATH her on the power scale. ::

:: She just needed time. As she gained her composure, she immediately clicked in her brain as she began to live feed DIRECTLY to Zizi in The Clocktower. ::

:: Vivica spoke weakly. ::

"Recall to Oracle. Recall to Oracle. Persephone has attacked. She's been sent to kill me. I don't know how long I can hold her off!"

:: And then she realized that if she didn't have a lot of time, she needed to get her ass OFF of the ground. She shot up like a cannon. ::

Persephone: "Aww Viv...it's just not the same seeing you without my 9mm pressed against your neck."

:: Thunder CRASHED all around her. Vivica's hand trembled for a moment. Was she really about to try and FIGHT The Goddess of The Underworld by herself? She looked down and saw a battered and BLOODY Simon Pratt, who was struggling like hell to get back up to the ground. ::

Persephone: "This time i'll make it stick."

"Peacock all you want you piece of human garbage. Your ass is on borrowed time. You know what happens to traitors, or have you managed to miss the stone statue of Alexis in Limbo!? The only thing you'll make stick is the stench of your betrayal. From NOW until the end of time."

:: Her hands CRACKLED and SPARKED with an intense amount of bio-electrical energy. Her SYNAPTIC BLASTS were her most DEADLY of attacks, at their highest level they could leave a person in a permanent coma or SEVERELY mentally disabled. She was sure that somebody as durable as a GODDESS might not be taken DOWN by one, but she knew that it would hurt like a BITCH and perhaps incapacitate her to the point of which that she could escape or that SOMEBODY who could come help them. Simon began to stir behind Ava as she locked eyes with him for a moment. The two made intense eye contact and seemed to be saying something without words. ::

"One thing is for sure, Ava...I'm sticking around just long enough to see them DESTROY your ass. To see them HANG you in Times Square!"

:: She nodded to Simon who was now standing, his eyes glowing with his light green psionic energy. Vivica said a silent prayer as she hoped he was strong and conscious enough to pull this off. ::

<< ZAPP!!! >>

:: Vivica poured ALL the bio-electrical energy that was stored in her body THROUGH her hands in a CASCADING effect ALL around the area. Vivica's brain fired off nearly four times the amount of synapses as the normal human or mutant brain, which caused one HELL of a reserve of such energy and NOW it was all AROUND her as the brilliant white and CRACKLING blast barrelled RIGHT at Ava, SLAMMING into her even though she had tried to dodge, caught in a probability effect thanks to Simon Pratt, who fell to the ground shortly after. She channeled and CHANNELED and CHANNELED her energy some more, saving enough of her energy to be able to GRAB Simon and escape! ::

"SIMON!"

:: She didn't look to see the fate of Ava. It was now or NEVER...she needed to get Longshot and get the HELL out of here! ::

 

[Longshot]

It Ain't Over..

:: It seemed like Vivica was struggling to get out what she needed to get out, and it was beginning to worry Simon. Whatever he was about to hear, it was NOT good news. He grabbed her hand gently. ::

"What's wrong? What is it that I have to know?"

"I think I can answer that.."

:: Simon went to turn his head towards the voice when Vivica JOLTED him back into her gaze. She stared at him with a mixture of pain, fear and absolute truth. ::

Recall: "Simon. I need you to understand how serious this is. You CANNOT try and reason with her. You CANNOT try and save her. You need to stand strong...and you need to fight for your LIFE. We stick together...or we're DEAD. GOT IT!?!"

"Vivica, what the hell is going o--"

:: Finally he broke Recall's gaze and turned his head to see the body that the voice belonged to. His heart sank in his stomach as he saw that Ava Cassadine was standing in the distance, looking almost exactly like herself, but decidedly different. For one thing, she was wearing RED. His mind became chaotic. What was this all about? Why was Vivica so afraid of Ava? Why was she talking like they were about to be KILLED by Ava. He shook his head nervously as his muscles tensed all over his body. ::

Persephone: "Got your text Simon...as much as i'd love to ride you hard tonight, unfortunately I have to KILL Vivica. Ooh, yeah...she was about to tell you that I'm now apart of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle."

"WHAT?! WHAT THE EVER LOVING FUCK IS GOING ON THIS CITY?!!!!"

:: Simon put out his hand in a somewhat "calm down" kind of gesture, but his mind was going into overdrive. The tension and danger of the situation was NOTHING like his encounter moments ago with Cobra. This was something different altogether. ::

"Wait a minute! Wait a goddamn minute..."

[his eyes met Ava's in a painful and somber tone]

"Ava...what's going on?"

<< CRACK! BOOM! >>

:: LIGHTNING struck between them as Simon WINCED in pain as he was HURLED through the air. His power afforded him quite a bit of luck, but his biggest weakness was being caught off guard. His body was THOROUGHLY stunned and before he had ANY TIME to react he felt something WRAP around his neck and PULL him tight. He was on a collision course with Ava as she HELD him in front of her with her power! ::

Persephone: "Surprise! But really...who doesn't want to fuck the enemy? I still know exactly how you like it. You always loved being tied up."

:: Breathing heavily. ::

"Ava...PLEASE. What are you doing?"

:: The constraint of the whip turned into something SHARP and PAINFUL as it GRIPPED his neck, slicing his skin as BLOOD poured down around him. He didn't know what to do. It was like he was dealing with a stranger. The woman he had been entrhalled by, the woman who made him want to be a part of all this, the one he had helped in that bus accident that saw the lives of fourty one children LOST..was she TRULY now in LEAGUE with those same monsters? ::

"UGGGHRRRHHHHHH!!!!"

:: He gritted his teeth against the PAIN. ::

Persephone: "How do you like it now?"

:: She KISSED his cheek and sent him FLYING across the street as he FELL to the ground with a thud. He laid there for a few moments, tasting his own blood, his eyes shut tight. He was in a panic. He didn't know how to navigate this situation. He had been through TOO much tonight. He thought his world had been turned upside down enough. But THIS? This was absolutely and completely insane. Subconsciously, his power activated around him, in flickers of light green as the bleeding subsided in his body and he felt a moment of calm come around him. Vivica's words just before the attack rang through his mind. ::

"We stick together...or we die..."

:: Thankfully, Vivica was keeping Ava preoccupied with her words. Slowly, and painfully he rose to his feet. He saw the crackling of Vivica's synaptic power flicker around her hands as they made eye contact for a moment. In that quick second, Simon realized that in order to get the run on Ava...as ABSURD as it sounded in his mind...attacking AVA CASSADINE, they would have to work together. She outpowered both of them..the only advantage they had in this moment was the element of surprise and LUCK...which Simon had in spades. ::

Recall: "One thing is for sure, Ava...I'm sticking around just long enough to see them DESTROY your ass. To see them HANG you in Times Square!"

"Showtime!"

:: His eyes flickered with his power signature as he warped the probability fields around Ava Cassadine at the MOMENT that Vivica fired off her attack, as well as the probability fields around Vivica, STACKING the odds in Vivica's favor and REMOVING the odds of escape from Ava Cassadine. He was working with Recall to ENSURE a direct HIT. It was their only chance. ::

:: It took a LOT of his power to wield these probability fields around him so effectively and precisely, something he WASN'T well versed in yet. The attack seemed to be successful, but a wave of nausea came over Simon as he FELL to the ground. ::

Recall: "SIMON!"

:: He felt her hands lift him to the ground and slink him over her shoulders. He was weak and he couldn't focus. It was then he felt the strength of an enhanced strength SLAP that JOLTED him back into reality. ::

Recall: "Get it together, PRATT! We have to GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!"

:: She was holding him up, her back to Ava. His eyes WIDENED with fear. Persephone wasn't down for the count. ::

"VIVICA! MOVE!"

:: Suddenly his body went into OVERDRIVE as he THREW Vivica out of the path of danger. ::

"AVA! STOP THIS! JUST STOP!!!!"

:: It was too much, he couldn't fight this off by himself. Somebody he used to care about a great deal was now set to murder him and one of his best friends. Unbeknownst to him, his own power caused his SOUL to cry out, to the only person in the area that could HELP THEM OUT OF THIS MESS. ::

"ROSSSSSEEEE!!!! HELP MEE!!!!!"

 

[Artemis]

The Parthenon- Cameron's penthouse

:: Cameron stared at her for at least thirty seconds without saying something. His eyes were glossy. He couldn't break eye contact. He downed his whiskey in one drink, and sat his glass down on the table. ::

"I slept with Haleigh."

:: Alycia looked PAINED in her expression for a moment, swallowing hard, and then continuing to just LOOK.::

:: All the words that she had in her mind that were designed to provide comfort and support, EMPATHY...they FADED. While eldritch chimes or thunder wouldn't sound off around them to signal her emotion...her ANGER...the storm clouds DID form in her mind, and her HEART as the amazon, the lawyer, the WOMAN suddenly NO LONGER had the urge to comfort or to help...but rather to DESTROY him::

:: exhaling with a laugh::

I should've known.

:: She looked away.::

You. And...HER.

More than any INFERNO or BLUE MOON...

YOU and HER are ALWAYS at the source of EVERYTHING that is BAD, ROTTEN TO THE CORE where this team is concerned.

:: She stands and stands over Cameron. Her FIRST instinct is to send him FLYING, to SMASH her feminum bracelets into EITHER side of his head.::

:: But VIOLENCE is the lowest form of communication, and so....she lets loose with her righteous wrath, as only a woman who earned the name "Brilliant Confrontation" from the Queen of the Amazons could.::

WHEN did it happen? Was it the same night that the treacherous bitch told you who she really was, and that she was leaving you to go home to mother? She could've told you that she MURDERED a dozen innocent people and you wouldn't have cared, would you? Because that's how SICK you are. You've ALWAYS been drawn to that MONSTER because YOU'RE just THE SAME, only NOW you've got people convinced that you have it all together.

I Should've KNOWN...even you were leading everyone back to NYC, and I WARNED you the day of Blaze's party that you were walking a VERY thin line...I should've KNOWN how this would turn out!

::She BELLOWS as she turns away from Cameron and flails her arms::

And now, ONCE AGAIN, darkness descends upon us because that TURNCOAT has descended to a whole NEW depth of DISHONOR and BETRAYAL.

Sharon, Dominique and myself...ONCE AGAIN at ODDS with our team...because of the CARE we have for YOU.

ME...WASTING MY TIME on a person LIKE YOU.

:: She turns to face him again, tears streaming down her face::

But it isn't JUST YOU, IS IT? SHE'S always there.

Every BAD, TWISTED, ROTTEN THING that happens....EVERY relationship that has been DISRESPECTED AND DESTROYED, SHE. IS. THERE.

Haleigh Davidoff is a CANCER to relationships, to HUMANITY!

WHAT IS IT about Haleigh Davidoff that leads EVERY MAN ON OR ASSOCIATED with this team to be a SELFISH, THOUGHTLESS, RECKLESS, BACKSTABBING, TWISTED ASSHOLE!?

NO. NO I don't want to hear it Cameron King. I WARNED YOU BEFORE!

I WARNED YOU, and you sat there, like some STUPID and NAIVE character from RAINBOW BRITE, trying to convince me how "misunderstood she was"

:: Alycia makes a mocking gesture, scoffing::

How is it that EVERYONE- ME, MORGAN, SHARON, EVEN DIANA knew Haleigh for the WOLF that she was, but YOU didn't!? You FOOL!

You LIAR!

You sat there...and you assured me you could handle yourself. You PLAYED at being MATURE, like you had GROWN UP and KNEW that there were BETTER, HEALTHIER ways to conduct relationships. You TOLD ME you wanted that with ME! AND I!?

:: she SMASHES the table in front of Cameron with LESS ease than a person would tear a peace of paper!

I BELIEVED YOU, you ROTTEN SON OF A BITCH :: tears fall from her eyes as she now looked ENRAGED:: So i guess that made ME just as stupid and naive too! You PLAYED ME FOR A FOOL, and for THAT, I should KICK YOUR WEAK ASS!

:: And she COULD...::

ONCE AGAIN, I allowed myself to be taken in by the SCAM that is Haleigh Davidoff...and WORSE...I let myself be taken in by YOU! The same miserable SLIME of a man who once drove MORGAN over the edge!

You two have been fantasizing...LONGING for this for YEARS! Even as BOTH of you went along USING, ABUSING, CONSUMING and MAKING A FOOL OF GOOD, DECENT PEOPLE like ME...like ZACH.

Morgan, Zach, Me....and goddess knows HOW MANY OTHERS....there isnt ANYONE that TWO FACED, HEARTLESS BITCH wouldn't disrespect, step on, BETRAY to get...HAVE whatever...WHOMEVER she wanted, all the while, expecting people to respect HER fraudulent relationships!?

That self centered....

<< Alycia shuts her eyes and shakes her head, before opening them again....>>

She could NEVER be a REAL friend to another woman, because she's nothing but an opportunistic SLUT!

She's an AMORAL, FRACTURED SOCIOPATH, JUST LIKE HER MOTHER, and that WOULD attract someone like YOU, WOULDN'T IT!?

YOU. ZACH. NICOLAS....all you STUPID, IDIOTIC, REPTILIAN MEN!

ONLY in a world as WARPED and TWISTED as the one you miserable WRETCHES live in, would a woman like HER be more desireable than someone like ME, MORGAN or any other who has been DISRESPECTED, BURNED AND BETRAYED by you STUPID MEN when you decided that SHE was worth the COST you'd pay for this! And you do nothing but make excuses for HER bad behavior, but then you hold OTHERS to some false moral standard that YOU can't even abide by.

You DISGUST ME!

It was a MISTAKE for me to come here. It was a MISTAKE for me to CARE about you OR this team...because once again, I realize that NONE of you ever saw that MONSTER for what she was and now that she's PROVEN it to you, you can't handle it, and in the back of your lazy, entitled minds, you HOPE that Sharon, myself, Dominique, ANYONE who would take PITY on your pathetic asses will come to HELP YOU.

Well FORGET IT!

You all thought that you could just GO ON being this dysfunctional, emotionally co-dependant, twisted FREAK SHOW, and there NOT be consequences...while HERE it is...your precious BLACK WIDOW has poisoned you ALL.

WAS IT worth it Cameron? When you touched her with your hands...with your MOUTH, was it WORTH the taste of her VENOM to throw away yet ANOTHER GOOD WOMAN another chance at a HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP, only to have the woman, who's poison you drank so DEEPLY from, LEAVE YOU behind to be with the woman who MADE HER, the woman who DESTROYED YOUR FAMILY, the woman who nearly destroyed YOU?

You're the WORST of them all Cameron...and I hope you get what's coming to you. ALL OF YOU!

:: Alycia SCREAMS and storms out of his apartment, half BLIND from tears and RAGE. She trips and falls to the ground, she doesn't know which way is UP, and there's a "RINGING" in her head....is she having a psychotic break like Karen seemed to be having during the Frost caper? Is THIS what it felt like!? she only knows that she want's OUT of this place, AWAY from the sight, sound, smell of that WRETCH she just turned her back on.::


SHARON! HELP ME!!!!


:: she cries out. If Cameron came near her, if he touched her, she would KILL HIM.::

 

[Ruby]

The Parthenon – Enroute to Blaze Victory's Suite

The same for me, Cass.

:: Cass gave a soft smile to her friend. Though her husband never betrayed Sharon, as far as Cass knew anyway, he was taken from her abruptly…just like her own relationship ended abruptly when it was revealed that the love of her life knowingly AND willingly worked for MysTech!! Cass scowled and pushed that thought out of her head. She had more pressing issues at the moment. She had to be a source of strength for her team…her FAMILY. She couldn’t, WOULDN’T, fall apart, and, if there was anything that could make her fall apart, it was HIM. ::

I hope you're right, Cass. I...WE'RE here to help. I promised Cameron that even as I left to try this new path witwh the Birds of Prey, that if ever he...or this team needed me, I'd come running. I know Alycia felt the same. Haleigh's betrayal...and the implications of what it means going forward...it doesnt just effect those in this building, but others that orbit the six as well. She KNEW that, but it didn't stop her. I stood right in front of her face...and confronted her, and there was no uncertainty or remorse on her part.

:: Cass nodded sadly. When Haleigh told them all what she was going to be doing, she showed absolutely NO remorse as well. ::

*thoughtful*: “Like the German lab all over again…”

:: Sharon told Cass about the Haleigh that she was NOW; about how she wasn’t their Black Widow anymore, but rather Malice’s SCION. Sharon also advised her that since Haleigh wasn’t really their Haleigh anymore, she [Cass] should keep her eyes open and just be prepared for ANYTHING. Cass sighed. ::

“I KNOW. You may think that I don’t, but I DO. I’ve seen it many times while I was in the German lab: people turning on their own in order to survive…or even just to THRIVE. I may not like it, but I do understand.” *voice breaking*: “I may have to hurt Black—SCION, I may have to hurt SCION in order to survive.”

:: Cass set down the box and wiped her eyes before picking up the box as the elevator dinged, signalling their arrival. ::

Well, here we are.

Are you going to come with me to see Blaze, Karen, Morgan and Michael?

:: Cass smiled and showed her purchases to Sharon. ::

“Of course! But let me put this stuff away, and then I’ll be over.”

 

[Prophet]

The Parthenon Hotel - Cameron's Penthouse

:: She detonated as he expected that she would. One thing he knew about Alycia was that she had a deep reservoir of anger and hatred. Where exactly it came from, he could never tell. But as she admonished him for his very existence for everything he had ever said or done, it was clear to him that this kind of darkness would always be with her. So for her to refer to Haleigh as a cancer, and him as a monster, it was ironic that Alycia was never fully aware of just how self destructive and sabotoging her own behavior and mode of operation was. He could never say this to her. She would never acknowledge it, but it was a running theme that he had noticed over the years. When times got rough and emotions got hard to deal with, they could always place their blame, their pain and their anger squarely on Haleigh and Cameron. He wondered for a moment what any of them would do if Haleigh and Cameron were gone, and they were unable to place their own fears and insecurities on them. He thought they might explode. ::

WHEN did it happen? Was it the same night that the treacherous bitch told you who she really was, and that she was leaving you to go home to mother? She could've told you that she MURDERED a dozen innocent people and you wouldn't have cared, would you? Because that's how SICK you are. You've ALWAYS been drawn to that MONSTER because YOU'RE just THE SAME, only NOW you've got people convinced that you have it all together.

I Should've KNOWN...even you were leading everyone back to NYC, and I WARNED you the day of Blaze's party that you were walking a VERY thin line...I should've KNOWN how this would turn out!

::She BELLOWS as she turns away from Cameron and flails her arms::

And now, ONCE AGAIN, darkness descends upon us because that TURNCOAT has descended to a whole NEW depth of DISHONOR and BETRAYAL.

Sharon, Dominique and myself...ONCE AGAIN at ODDS with our team...because of the CARE we have for YOU.

ME...WASTING MY TIME on a person LIKE YOU.

:: She turns to face him again, tears streaming down her face::

:: He felt like he was in a dream. There were parts of him that were angry, that wanted to jump up and fight what she was saying, but he just couldn't muster the care or concern to do so, and that killed him inside. She had put trust in him and he had broken that trust. The only thing he could give Alycia right now was what he had just said to her. Outside of that, his mind and his heart weren't there. It was self preservation at the worst possible moment. ::

"If she hates me...she'll be safe. It will help keep her safe. Keep her strong."

:: Though he was giving no indication of his emotion, she persisted. ::

But it isn't JUST YOU, IS IT? SHE'S always there.

Every BAD, TWISTED, ROTTEN THING that happens....EVERY relationship that has been DISRESPECTED AND DESTROYED, SHE. IS. THERE.

Haleigh Davidoff is a CANCER to relationships, to HUMANITY!

WHAT IS IT about Haleigh Davidoff that leads EVERY MAN ON OR ASSOCIATED with this team to be a SELFISH, THOUGHTLESS, RECKLESS, BACKSTABBING, TWISTED ASSHOLE!?

NO. NO I don't want to hear it Cameron King. I WARNED YOU BEFORE!

I WARNED YOU, and you sat there, like some STUPID and NAIVE character from RAINBOW BRITE, trying to convince me how "misunderstood she was"

:: Alycia makes a mocking gesture, scoffing::

How is it that EVERYONE- ME, MORGAN, SHARON, EVEN DIANA knew Haleigh for the WOLF that she was, but YOU didn't!? You FOOL!

You LIAR!

You sat there...and you assured me you could handle yourself. You PLAYED at being MATURE, like you had GROWN UP and KNEW that there were BETTER, HEALTHIER ways to conduct relationships. You TOLD ME you wanted that with ME! AND I!?

:: she SMASHES the table in front of Cameron with LESS ease than a person would tear a peace of paper!

I BELIEVED YOU, you ROTTEN SON OF A BITCH :: tears fall from her eyes as she now looked ENRAGED:: So i guess that made ME just as stupid and naive too! You PLAYED ME FOR A FOOL, and for THAT, I should KICK YOUR WEAK ASS!

:: This was deflection at it's finest. They were all friends with Haleigh. They all believed that she was a friend and part of the family. It was why everybody was in such pain, why everybody had so much anger. As an empath, though much of Alycia's anger WAS rightfully directed at him, it seemed as if she was just as mad at HERSELF for trusting Haleigh. At the end of the day, they could say whatever they wanted about Haleigh to him, but they were just as guilty. They stood up for her, they trusted her, and they loved her, despite all of her flaws. To try and backpeddle now as if they knew all along just how horrible Haleigh was and he was some doe in headlights about her, was absurd. ::

:: And she COULD...::

ONCE AGAIN, I allowed myself to be taken in by the SCAM that is Haleigh Davidoff...and WORSE...I let myself be taken in by YOU! The same miserable SLIME of a man who once drove MORGAN over the edge!

You two have been fantasizing...LONGING for this for YEARS! Even as BOTH of you went along USING, ABUSING, CONSUMING and MAKING A FOOL OF GOOD, DECENT PEOPLE like ME...like ZACH.

Morgan, Zach, Me....and goddess knows HOW MANY OTHERS....there isnt ANYONE that TWO FACED, HEARTLESS BITCH wouldn't disrespect, step on, BETRAY to get...HAVE whatever...WHOMEVER she wanted, all the while, expecting people to respect HER fraudulent relationships!?

That self centered....

"You and Zach are anything but victims, Alycia. Willfully ignorant, but not victims."

:: He couldn't stop himself. Cameron needed her to leave because she was making him feel things. Feel things that he didn't want to feel. She was poking him and it was getting harder to deflect, to remain numb. WHY was she going on like this? Why couldn't she have just PUNCHED him in the face and left?! Why did she always so thoroughly enjoy the most HORRIBLE of confrontations. She wasn't a human anymore. She was a strong amazon, but she could NEVER stop proving her capability at any turn, be it with brute force or her words. He didn't have the tools to give her the conversation that she deserved, but she KNEW that. He saw her crying, objectively he knew that he should try to care for her, but unfortunately for the sake of their relationship, Alycia had arrived at The Parthenon at the WRONG time. He had needed time to figure things out but he also knew that he couldn't be faced with her...and LIE. He was losing it. ::

<< Alycia shuts her eyes and shakes her head, before opening them again....>>

She could NEVER be a REAL friend to another woman, because she's nothing but an opportunistic SLUT!

She's an AMORAL, FRACTURED SOCIOPATH, JUST LIKE HER MOTHER, and that WOULD attract someone like YOU, WOULDN'T IT!?

YOU. ZACH. NICOLAS....all you STUPID, IDIOTIC, REPTILIAN MEN!

ONLY in a world as WARPED and TWISTED as the one you miserable WRETCHES live in, would a woman like HER be more desireable than someone like ME, MORGAN or any other who has been DISRESPECTED, BURNED AND BETRAYED by you STUPID MEN when you decided that SHE was worth the COST you'd pay for this! And you do nothing but make excuses for HER bad behavior, but then you hold OTHERS to some false moral standard that YOU can't even abide by.

You DISGUST ME!

It was a MISTAKE for me to come here. It was a MISTAKE for me to CARE about you OR this team...because once again, I realize that NONE of you ever saw that MONSTER for what she was and now that she's PROVEN it to you, you can't handle it, and in the back of your lazy, entitled minds, you HOPE that Sharon, myself, Dominique, ANYONE who would take PITY on your pathetic asses will come to HELP YOU.

Well FORGET IT!

You all thought that you could just GO ON being this dysfunctional, emotionally co-dependant, twisted FREAK SHOW, and there NOT be consequences...while HERE it is...your precious BLACK WIDOW has poisoned you ALL.

WAS IT worth it Cameron? When you touched her with your hands...with your MOUTH, was it WORTH the taste of her VENOM to throw away yet ANOTHER GOOD WOMAN another chance at a HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP, only to have the woman, who's poison you drank so DEEPLY from, LEAVE YOU behind to be with the woman who MADE HER, the woman who DESTROYED YOUR FAMILY, the woman who nearly destroyed YOU?

You're the WORST of them all Cameron...and I hope you get what's coming to you. ALL OF YOU!

"STOP IT, ALYCIA."

:: She screamed out in pain and stormed out of her apartment. This was what he wanted her to do, but now it didn't seemed right. His anger was ACHING to come out, and he knew it was misplaced. He felt so bad that he had hurt her like this, but it seemed as if Alycia was always just waiting for the shoe to drop..almost SO she could speak to him like this. ::

:: He followed after her, not sure of what he was going to do. Or say. And it worried him. When he got to her, she was on the ground. Instinctively, he went over and propped her back up on her feet, despite the threat of violence that was sure to follow. He maintained a safe distance. ::

"It's clear that you've been wanting to say some version of this to me for a long time. I'm sorry that I'm not a good person, Alycia. I'm sorry that I hurt you..."

[thinking]

"What are you doing, Cameron? You need to let her go."

:: pausing ::

"I slept with Haleigh the night that she left. Because I thought it might be the last time I ever saw her as somebody that I loved.."

"I lied to you...and I knew I was lying to you the very moment you began to question my relationship with her. I lied to you..because I was trying to convince myself that I could be with somebody like you. That I could be in a healthy relationship...because I was starting to really care about you..."

"You asked me...if it was worth it. To be with her, when she betrayed everybody like that...It was."

"It was worth it because I know it's one of the only moments of happiness I will ever know."

"Because that woman that you hate so much...I love. And she is the daughter of the woman I hate more than any person in the multiverse. And I'm never going to be able to forget that...or forgive her. I'll never know if it was by Diana's hand that I fell in love with her...that I ache for HER.."

:: He shouldn't be saying any of this. ::

"It was worth it...because we are going to have to kill her. And if she is going to die..I will have had at least one second with her that didn't belong to this stupid world we live in. Something..as destructive and chaotic as it has turned out to be...at the time, was perfect."

:: Looking back at Alycia. ::

"I'm sorry I hurt you. But I'm not sorry for what I did. And I am not sorry for who I am. I've been sorry..for so long. About everything. About loving her, about feeling guilty because everybody has told me that I shouldn't, but they were right by her side too. Fighting alongside her..loving her just as I did. Accepting her as part of the family..."

:: He looked away. This was getting too real. Too close to home. Too much talking about feelings, and his motivations behind his feelings. ::

"We wil get what's coming to us, Alycia. We always do..so don't worry about it. If anything..you should be happy. You were right about me. You were right about Haleigh. We are the worst kind of people and now you finally have the definitive proof you've so desperately wanted for all these years."

"Congratulations...your conviction record just got better."

"I don't like that your in pain..and I don't like that it's at my hand. But all of this? [gesturing around him] It's too much. You're right. I'm not matured, I'm not evolved, so I guess I should just quit while I'm ahead. I'm sorry that I dragged you into the murky waters of my life, and I hope you get everything you ever wanted."

"Haleigh has been buried and it looks like now it's my turn."

:: His tone was eerily calm and devoid of much emotion. ::

"So bury me, Alycia."

 

[Persephone]

Vivica pushed herself off the ground looking worse for the wear. Ava's eyes narrowed maliciously, her fingers flexing at her side as the winds began to circle around her.

Vivica: "Peacock all you want you piece of human garbage. Your ass is on borrowed time. You know what happens to traitors, or have you managed to miss the stone statue of Alexis in Limbo!? The only thing you'll make stick is the stench of your betrayal. From NOW until the end of time."

"Oh sweetheart, have you not heard about my husband? I betrayed him....he's dead, and I'm still here. Hecate? I'm STILL here. My mother? STILL HERE. I've PERFECTED betrayal and have LONG gotten away with it. YOU, on the other hand, are the only one HERE on BORROWED TIME."

Sparks of bio-electric energy began to surge around Vivica and the surrounding area, but it was also met with a green energy signature. SIMON'S energy signature. Her head whipped around seeing Simon standing behind her creating a probability field around herself AND Vivica. Turning back to Vivica she SLAMMED Ava with a synaptic blast sending her flying through the air and into a parked car about ten feet away. Her body CRUSHED the car before falling to the concrete in a heap. Ava's eyes were shut tightly in pain. She didn't know if it was Vivica's attack or a mixture of both Vivica's and Diana's from earlier, but Ava's head was POUNDING.

"Fucking bitch."

Sliding her forearms under her body, shards of glass cut her skin as she pushed herself back up and to her feet. She saw Vivica helping Simon....but the ground beneath them both began to tremor and pulsate causing them to stumble. The winds whistled, picking up intensity as debris went FLYING at them both--trash cans, bicycles, metal newspaper stands, CARS, anything that wasn't BOLTED DOWN to the pavement flew at them with gail force winds. Simon managed to push Vivica out of the way of a fruit truck, but it didn't matter. This was all a distraction.

Simon: "VIVICA! MOVE! AVA! STOP THIS! JUST STOP!!!!"

She didn't respond, she couldn't. Simon didn't deserve any of this. So with one fluid motion of her arm, the ground under both Vivica and Simon EXPLODED UPWARD, sending them flying into the air along with boulders the size of semi trucks. The ground cracked in two, splitting the street in half and stopping right before reaching Ava's feet. A MASSIVE crater now took over what was once the intersection. Dust and smoke filled the air, sparks flew from the downed powerlines, car alarms from down the block were sounding off.

Ava's eyes scanned the disaster zone....there was no sign of Vivica or Simon.

 

[Rose]

The Sanctuary- Distress call

:: Danny smiled and looked at Rose. ::

"Take me to your chambers and your kitty cat! Oh! That sounded dirty didn't it?!"

:: He laughed. ::

<< Sometime had passed, and Rose and Sable enjoyed their visitor, Danny.>>

<< A drink or two to warm the bones, and a beautiful fire in the palor to warm the soul, and reading for Danny to affirm the wind at his back, him being on the cusp of a new level of success, as well as confirming the strength in his heart that matched the very buildings and structures that he had a unique relationship with.>>

<< All of this served as a pleasant DISTRACTION for Rose, who was...uncharacteristically...IGNORING the warning signs of her OWN reading even as the first cracks in her serene exterior were beginning to form.>>

It's been a pleasure having you here, Danny.

I appreciate your help and support. It's nice to see that you haven't forgotten how to stop and...

<< Rose gasps, as a purple "EEG line" effect FLARES and travels across her mind's eye>>

"AVA! STOP THIS! JUST STOP!!!!"

:: It was too much, he couldn't fight this off by himself. Somebody he used to care about a great deal was now set to murder him and one of his best friends. Unbeknownst to him, his own power caused his SOUL to cry out, to the only person in the area that could HELP THEM OUT OF THIS MESS. ::

"ROSSSSSEEEE!!!! HELP MEE!!!!!"

SIMON!

<< His very SOUL screamed to her, much like the CHILDREN'S did that night they were in PAIN...BURNING....DYING...>>

Rose? ROSE!! What is it?? WHAT'S...

<< Rose stands up abruptly, with her hand to her forehead>>

Simon Pratt...he's in TROUBLE, he's being ATTACKED, and he's HURT! He needs my help!

Please come with me!

<< Her purple hair flows and she lifts her hands, envloping them BOTH in her glowing purple energy signature and TELEPORTING via the astral plane to reach the very spot Simon and Vivica are being attacked!>>

<< Rose and Danny would emerge from her transport, with Rose now hovering in the air, and Danny on the ground.>>

There!

Quickly, Danny, See to them....I will deal with...

<< GASP!>>

<< AVA CASSADINE! She'd been PRESENT during the Bus accident, but THEN, she was on the side of GOOD. Her heart, her very SOUL were troubled, and it lead to her accidently knocking out the Silver Swan who was trying to save the children trapped on the bus. She'd done MORE HARM than good, and NOW here she was...HARMING her friend!? >>

<< There was a loud thunderous CRASH in the air as Rose made the scene and BLASTS Persephone in the back with a powerful ASTRAL BOLT. This blast of astral energy would turn a battle tank into instant JUNK or demolish a massive mountain...>>

STOP IT, LEAVE THEM ALONE!

<<FLASH!>>

<< A split panel view with Rose on the top view, Persephone on the bottom. Rose's glowing purple eyes vs Persephone's solid black eyes.>>

You're a DEMON wrapped in flesh. you STOLE the soul of one woman (Ava Cassadine) to cement your place here, but you dont belong. Betrayal and deceit follow you like a bitter winter frost, and Your heart, you soul are as tainted and FOUL as the pits of tartarus.

You REEK of DEATH, and just like you KILLED MY CHILDREN.

YOUR NEGLIGENCE. YOUR GROSS INCOMPETENCE. KILLED. MY. CHILDREN!

<< THREE glowing soul satellites now orbit around Rose as she spreads her arms out horizontal and her hair flows upward that flowing ribbon/scarf around her form begins to glow>>

You WON'T kill Simon or anyone ELSE!

<< Hovering in the air, Rose spins with form and grace, and grabs hold of her glowing scarf, snapping it like a WHIP and striking at Persephone. The scarf wraps around Persephone's wrist tightly and Rose YANKS her away from her original position, and then delivers a VICIOUS attack ( from 0:01 to 0:09 mark) as she assaults Persephone's very SOUL.>>

<< This is the FIRST glimpse of her channeling PSYCHO power instead of SOUL power, and for Simon and Danny, it's as though she's become a completely different person.>>

Get OUT OF HERE!

<< she Savagely hurls Persephone downward, slamming her to the ground!>>

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Before Zizi and Zach could continue their conversation, alarm bells started going off at the Clocktower.

“Something’s tripped one of my alerts.”

Zizi slid her chair over to the console, where security and traffic cameras feeds were being displayed. Her brain started to piece together the various images when VIVICA’s voice came over the com system, and her own feed was added to the mix of angles.

“Oh my goodNESS!”

"Recall to Oracle. Recall to Oracle. Persephone has attacked. She's been sent to kill me. I don't know how long I can hold her off!"

She could see Vivica and Simon, and AVA attacking them. They were fighting hard but…

[via com] “Hang in there Recall, I’m sending help right away.”

Pressing a button, the location of all Birds of Prey lit up on a giant map of the city. Steel was closest.

[via com] “Steel, I need you at Vanguard, asap – Recall and Longshot are being attacked by Persephone. They need you. NOW!”

She glanced over at Zach, then looked back up at the screen in front of her.

“Come on…get there…”

But then, two more people made the scene.

“It’s Rose!”

Someone Oracle didn’t recognize was with her, and moved to help Vivica and Simon. But Rose…she attacked Ava viciously and without hesitation or mercy.

[via com] “Recall, Steel, be advised, Rose is on the scene and engaging Persephone.”

 

[Citadel]

Into Action...

:: Danny always enjoyed the company of Rose. As an urban elemental, he could immediately determine whether or not the city "liked" someone, no matter how obscure and odd that might sound. The city often protected the one's it loved in various ways. Perhaps they would just narrowly miss a bus about to hit because the bus somehow veered off course at the last possible second. The city liked a diverse cast of characters, so this protection wasn't always extended to the most obvious people. The city liked Rose and when they had met years ago, he could sense that he had no choice but to help her. ::

:: And that he had. With an extensive knowledge of city planning, he was able to FIND Rose this large sanctuary in the city, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that she had all the right documentation and everything up to code against quite a bit of letigious backlash. ::

:: As they sat by the fire just simply talking and recanting old stories from their past, Danny scratched Sable's head as she was currently sitting in his lap, completely asleep, warmed by the fire, without any plans on moving. He smiled at her. ::

Rose: "It's been a pleasure having you here, Danny."

"Ah thanks Rosie. It's been too long since we just..[air quotes] hung out as the kids say. It's nice."

Rose: "I appreciate your help and support. It's nice to see that you haven't forgotten how to stop and..."

:: She stopped mid sentence as Danny watched her. She was getting some of message, something bad was brewing. Immediately Danny cast his senses throughout the city, looking around every city block with his mind to try and figure out what Rose was experiencing. ::

Rose: SIMON!

:: She rose to her quickly, touching her head. ::

Rose: "Simon Pratt...he's in TROUBLE, he's being ATTACKED, and he's HURT! He needs my help! Please come with me!"

"Lead the way."

:: Within an instant they were at the exact location where the man from earlier was now being attacked. This time he had a friend with him. The woman attacking the both of them was Ava Cassadine, daughter of Stavros Cassadine. He arched his eyebrow in an unapproving glance. Of course this was linked back to a Cassadine. Hadn't they done enough to this city? Their company filled the streets with guns, promoted violence..promoted crime. They were pond scum to Danny and as he looked at her, he could see where in the city she lived - The Hellfire Mansion. He scrunched his nose. ::

"She looks terrible in red."

Rose: "There! Quickly! Danny, see to them...I will deal with.."

:: She was OFF! Danny surveyed the scene. The entire city block looked as if it had been destroyed. It was a huddled mess, cracked in half with a GIANT crater. He was not pleased. It was clear that Ava Cassadine had just amount as much respect for this city as a drunkard pissing on the sidewalk, which was par for the course with her family. This would not do at all. He extended his hand which was encased with a neon yellow halo of energy with a bold black outline. Flexin his power signature out, the city block began to REBUILD itself: the street began to patch up, boulders flew up into the air and back to their original positions, almost as if he was reversing time to before Ava unleashed her attack. As the city block came back into order, ahead in the distance, Danny could make out the bodies of Vivica and Simon. He flew into action. Running down the street, he jumped over dumpsters, swung around on a city streetlight and landed just at the sight of their bodies. They were alive. Incredibly beaten, possibly broken limbs...but ALIVE. He helped them up immediately. ::

"We've got to stop meeting like this Simon.."

:: Grabbing Vivica's hand, he pulled her up. ::

"Danny Donnelly...I'm an associate of Rose's. Stay close. We can't leave yet. If Rose gets into any trouble, I can have us anywhere in the city with a thought. Just stay back okay and don't try anything stupid. You're hurt. Don't try and be a hero."

:: He peered in the distance as he noticed Rose deliver an incredible and BRUTAL LOOKING attack on Ava Cassadine, SLAMMING her to the ground, the thirst of blood in her eyes, channeling an energy signature he had never seen from her before. ::

"It looks like Rose has a score to settle."

:: This was very troublesome. Had something been going on with her that he hadn't known about? Surely she would have reached out. What kind of power was she channeling? Was this new? Or had this kind of VISCIOUSNESS been inside Rose all along? He waited to see if the Cassadine Woman would survive such a brutal onslaught. ::

 

[Silver Swan]

The Parthenon- Top floor

“I KNOW. You may think that I don’t, but I DO. I’ve seen it many times while I was in the German lab: people turning on their own in order to survive…or even just to THRIVE. I may not like it, but I do understand.” *voice breaking*: “I may have to hurt Black—SCION, I may have to hurt SCION in order to survive.”

:: Cass set down the box and wiped her eyes before picking up the box as the elevator dinged, signalling their arrival. ::

Sometimes, Cass, the price of freedom, peace, and safety for yourself and your loved ones IS violence. YOU didn't make that rule, NOR did you set the stage for conflict. HALEIGH did. Remember that. Remember what's at stake. After what you and Cameron went through with the Purifiers...you OWE it to yourself AND the rest of your team to be read to STRIKE HER DOWN if...

[Suddenly...]

[FLASH!]

:: Alycia SCREAMS and storms out of his apartment, half BLIND from tears and RAGE. She trips and falls to the ground, she doesn't know which way is UP, and there's a "RINGING" in her head....is she having a psychotic break like Karen seemed to be having during the Frost caper? Is THIS what it felt like!? she only knows that she want's OUT of this place, AWAY from the sight, sound, smell of that WRETCH she just turned her back on.::


SHARON! HELP ME!!!!

[ Sharon's silver eyes widen with shock, her supersonic hearing register's Alycia's cry as if the woman were standing right in front of her! and with that, Sharon's eye mask returns]

Great Hera.....ALYCIA!

[ Without a moment's thought OR hesitation Silver Swan BUSTS through the top of the elevator car, holding on to Cass, she ZOOMS up the elevator shaft to the top floor ]

::FLASH!::

"I slept with Haleigh the night that she left. Because I thought it might be the last time I ever saw her as somebody that I loved.."

"I lied to you...and I knew I was lying to you the very moment you began to question my relationship with her. I lied to you..because I was trying to convince myself that I could be with somebody like you. That I could be in a healthy relationship...because I was starting to really care about you..."

"You asked me...if it was worth it. To be with her, when she betrayed everybody like that...It was."

"It was worth it because I know it's one of the only moments of happiness I will ever know."

"Because that woman that you hate so much...I love. And she is the daughter of the woman I hate more than any person in the multiverse. And I'm never going to be able to forget that...or forgive her. I'll never know if it was by Diana's hand that I fell in love with her...that I ache for HER.."

:: He shouldn't be saying any of this. ::

"It was worth it...because we are going to have to kill her. And if she is going to die..I will have had at least one second with her that didn't belong to this stupid world we live in. Something..as destructive and chaotic as it has turned out to be...at the time, was perfect."

:: Looking back at Alycia. ::

"I'm sorry I hurt you. But I'm not sorry for what I did. And I am not sorry for who I am. I've been sorry..for so long. About everything. About loving her, about feeling guilty because everybody has told me that I shouldn't, but they were right by her side too. Fighting alongside her..loving her just as I did. Accepting her as part of the family..."

:: He looked away. This was getting too real. Too close to home. Too much talking about feelings, and his motivations behind his feelings. ::

"We wil get what's coming to us, Alycia. We always do..so don't worry about it. If anything..you should be happy. You were right about me. You were right about Haleigh. We are the worst kind of people and now you finally have the definitive proof you've so desperately wanted for all these years."

"Congratulations...your conviction record just got better."

"I don't like that your in pain..and I don't like that it's at my hand. But all of this? [gesturing around him] It's too much. You're right. I'm not matured, I'm not evolved, so I guess I should just quit while I'm ahead. I'm sorry that I dragged you into the murky waters of my life, and I hope you get everything you ever wanted."

"Haleigh has been buried and it looks like now it's my turn."

:: His tone was eerily calm and devoid of much emotion. ::

"So bury me, Alycia."

and BUSTS through the doors, marking her thunderous arrival on the floor of Cameron's apartment, where she finds a VISIBLY distraught Alycia, and a very COLD...almost SOULESS Cameron King standing before her.]

[ Sharon CRASHES through the elevator doors, the thunderous arrival of the Silver Swan is known loud and clear. She heard EVERYTHING.]

[ She sets Cass down, still hovering off the floor. Without a moment's hestitation...]

I'LL bury you, you BASTARD!

[ She ZOOMS right infront of Alycia, and BACKHANDS Cameron with her armored hand, sending him FLYING like he was little more than a paper doll. She was BARELY "pulling" that hit. Cameron would be lucky if his JAW wasn't broken, or if he hadn't lost some TEETH, and Sharon was ready to deliver MORE if he tried raise up on EITHER of them.]

THAT'S for Alycia...and the PAIN you and that BITCH have caused, what she WOULDN'T do, what you so RICHLY DESERVE!

I only REGRET that Haleigh is not here...for me to do the same to HER. Goddess knows you BOTH deserve it, and SO MUCH MORE!

CASS: SHARON!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!

STAND BACK, CASS! Cameron CAUSED this, let HIM suffer the consequences for it!

::FLASH!::

<< Cameron is left REELING from the sudden and jarring moment of Haleigh's disengagemenet and FLEEING from him!>>

<< But even as HE begins to readjust, he is confronted with ANOTHER unexpected development.>>

<< SHARON KELLY is standing in the open doorway of his apartment. She'd heard EVERYTHING, saw the last MOMENTS of something DARK unfolding between Cameron and Haleigh.>>

The hairs stood up on the back of his neck as he sensed something behind him. Exhaling in a knowing and deep way, he turned around to see SHARON KELLY standing in the doorway of his kitchen. He looked at her silver eyes as he took his shirt off all the way, and began to pick up the buttons from the floor mindlessly.

"Sharon..please. Not now.."

He was trying to pick the buttons up but they continued to slip through his fingers. He was getting frustrating.

"I was just trying..."

[button falls to the floor]

"to..make her.."

[button falls]

"DAMMIT!"

Cameron SLAMS his fist into the counter. He looked at her with a mixture of remorse and relief. The two of them hadn't spoken in quite some time. They shared an errant conversation on the phone now and then..but they had been brief. For awhile they had brought each other back into life when both of them showed up at Melrose Place. So much had changed, and they had only each other to get them through it. There was a level of respect and admiration between the two of them. But now? He wasn't sure she would have much nice to say about him. Not after what she had just seen.

"Sharon..I'm sorry. I know this looks bad..and you probably won't believe me, and I wouldn't blame you if you don't..but I DID have good itentions behind all [waving his hands in the air] of this..."

She was silent. This made him uncomfortable.

You HOLD ON to those words, Cameron King. ESPECIALLY the part about HER [Haleigh] being WORTH it. You continue on THIS path, SHE'LL be the ONLY one who CARES to show up at your FUNERAL.

Meanwhile? STAY AWAY from ALYCIA! You've done ENOUGH damage. You and that treacherous COW, Haleigh!

[ Sharon holds on to Alycia, who is beside herself with Grief/RAGE at HALEIGH AND Cameron, Covering her face so that she doesn't have to see Cameron again, and she leads her away]

Cass, I have to leave, take Alycia away from here. She came here to HELP...for that, she was rewarded with a betrayal that hurt as deeply as the one you are all suffering from now.

If you have ANY hope of surviving the changes that are coming your way, you'll THINK about who you put your trust in, and the kind of choices they make.

[ She does her best to comfort Alycia, leading her away, to carry her down the elevator shaft]

 

[Persephone]

Ava spotted them afar, crumpled on the ground like discarded waste. Walking forward, the sky behind her cracked and flashed with lightning. Her black heeled boots crushed the dirt and debris as walked; black jeans dirt covered and red fitted tank top torn and bloodied. Soot and dirt stained her skin as well as cuts and blood. She looked like a panther stalking it's wounded prey--DEMONIC. Electricity flickered and danced around her finger tips AND eyes as she closed the distance between them. Then suddenly there was a CRASH, unlike the thunder she controlled in the skies above. It was then she felt a sharp PAIN of an astral blast hit her from behind, sending her flying forward and tumbling to the ground. Ava lifted her head; pieces of chocolate hair masking her face as she glared at whomever struck her.

Rose: STOP! LEAVE THEM ALONE!

She saw a man run to aid Vivica and Simon. Then the woman who attacked her remaining in the air....she recognized her...it was ROSE! She actually looked slightly taken aback, never believing she would see ROSE there of all people. But she was and she was aiding the enemy, therefore SHE was the enemy.

Rose: You're a DEMON wrapped in flesh. you STOLE the soul of one woman (Ava Cassadine) to cement your place here, but you dont belong. Betrayal and deceit follow you like a bitter winter frost, and Your heart, you soul are as tainted and FOUL as the pits of tartarus. You REEK of DEATH, and just like you KILLED MY CHILDREN.

Climbing to her feet.

"Ooooh, keep talking dirty to me. I LIKE it."

She snarled at Rose as she withdrew her Mystic Daggers from their holsters behind her back.

Rose: "You WON'T kill Simon or anyone else!"

Ava spun the dagger around in her hand and leapt into the air preparing to strike Rose up until her wrist was wrapped with a glowing whip. The daggers began to glow and mystic energy cocooned around the whip JUST as it began to electrocute her. Gritting her teeth, she began to cry out in pain all the while sending a powerful mystic blast surging BACK AT Rose. As it STRUCK the woman, Rose released her and sent her flying across the street, SLAMMING into the concrete and rolling to a stop.

Coughing, Ava struggled to get up. The attack Rose inflicted on her packed a fucking punch. Getting one knee down, she glared across the street at Rose before shifting her sights onto the mystery man, Vivica and Simon.

"Consider this your friendly warning from the Hellfire Club. Your TIME is UP."

Her eyes shot back to Rose once again, the two of them both glaring with contempt at each other.

Rose: "Get OUT OF HERE!"

Looking back over at Simon and Vivica, she winked giving both of them an 'air kiss' before disappearing in a tornado of winds.